The Barden Bellas are getting their third shot at the big screen with “Pitch Perfect 3,” now going full speed ahead over at Universal Pictures. Elizabeth Banks, who produces and acts in the films, directed the second installment and was slated to direct the third film but chose to step back and focus on her family. Taking Banks’ place is fellow female director and choreographer Trish Sie, who is best known for her work on “Step Up: All In.” The plot for the third film is being kept under wraps, but it’s safe to assume from the cast list that it will pick up with the original a capella group and a few newbies vying for musical dominance. The returning cast currently includes Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, and Hailee Steinfeld. Barden/Schnee is stepping in to select additional actors with the best jazz hands before January, when production starts on the musical comedy. Atlanta will host the film that’s slated for a late 2017 premiere.
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“What’s your damage, Heather?” The classic 1989 film that brought about a plethora of quotable comebacks is headed for television in a new adaptation. The pilot, also titled “Heathers,” is sticking pretty close to the original, right down to the character names. Veronica and J.D., now played by Grace Victoria Cox and James Scully, respectively, are about to meet a new version of the popular yet villainous Heathers. The synopsis notes that the new mean girls are a mix of outcasts who’ve risen to the top of the social ladder. Included among them are an African-American lesbian and a male who identifies as genderqueer, putting a new-age spin on the classic film trope of evil, pink-wearing blondes. The pilot that’s been picked up by TV Land will go into production in early November. The hub of television, Los Angeles, will host. Additional casting on the comedy is being conducted by CDs Felicia Fasano and Venus Kanani.
The fascinating and quirky mind of “Parks and Recreation” alum Aubrey Plaza is about to manifest in her new pilot pickup, “Nightmare Time.” TBS has ordered the pilot from Plaza, who co-wrote the project and will serve as a guest star and executive producer on the half-hour comedy. The project will feature two public nightmares, each playing off of modern-day horrors, thanks in part to an advanced technology that allows an audience to watch a person’s dreams live. Right now, Plaza is the only name attached, and only in a guest-starring capacity, but additional casting announcements are expected. Should the pilot go to series, there would likely be a rotating cast of dreamers. Lauren Grey is casting the Vancouver, British Columbia–based production. Shooting is expected to start in mid-November.
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