Welcome to Rumorville! Here you can learn about casting news that’s about to break in Hollywood. These speculations might be only rumors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t follow the trail all the way to the audition room.
“Cruella” Sequel
Just two weeks after its release, Disney is reportedly already in early development on a “Cruella” sequel with director Craig Gillespie and screenwriter Tony McNamara both expected to return, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It is unclear if star Emma Stone would reprise her performance in the titular role, but a Disney spokesperson said in a statement, “We are very pleased with ‘Cruella’s’ box office success, in conjunction with its strong Disney+ Premier Access performance to date. The film has been incredibly well received by audiences around the world, with a 97% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes in addition to As in every demographic from CinemaScore on opening weekend, ranking it among the most popular of our live-action reimaginings. We look forward to a long run as audiences continue to enjoy this fantastic film.” “Cruella” opened on May 28 in theaters and on Disney+ and has so far earned $32.4 million domestically and $48.5 million worldwide. Lucy Bevan out of the U.K. and Mary Vernieu in Los Angeles were the film’s casting team so be sure to keep your eye on them for future sequel news.
“The Gang’s All Queer”
Issa Rae is collaborating on another big HBO project. The premium cabler has put into development a half-hour series based on Vanessa R. Panfil’s book “The Gang’s All Queer: The Lives of Gay Gang Members” with Jaboukie Young-White (“The Daily Show”) and Rae’s Hoorae banner producing. Written by Young-White, the project will follow a closeted twenty-something in Chicago who, while grieving a gang death, ditches college to find reckless closure. The project falls under Rae’s overall deal with WarnerMedia, which also currently includes “Sweet Life: Los Angeles,” “Project Greenlight,” and “Insecure,” which is heading into its fifth and final season. No cast or casting team has been announced for the untitled Gangs project, but keep an eye on “Insecure” CD Victoria Thomas as a potential option.
“Fruits of Thy Labor”
Over at Peacock, the streamer is developing “Fruits of Thy Labor,” a new script from “Pose” star Billy Porter and Dan McCabe that explores a Black family’s multi-generational imprint in Hollywood. Berlanti Productions will produce for Warner Bros. TV with Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and David Madden executive producing. At this time, Porter is not attached to star, though that could change. This is the second time Porter and McCabe will have worked together, following McCabe’s 2019 play “The Purists,” which Porter directed. This is the latest project for Berlanti Productions at Peacock, including an adaptation of the Caroline Kepnes’ “Providence” novels via Sera Gamble and Neil Reynolds. No casting team has been announced.
Paramount Untitled Jeff Nichols Sci-Fi Film
First reported by Deadline, Paramount Pictures is working with Jeff Nichols on a new untitled sci-fi feature that he will write and direct. The story is being kept under wraps, and insiders tell Deadline it is still in the early days of the project. Nichols is also working on a secret “A Quiet Place” project for the studio that is set to bow on March 31, 2023, which he would wrap before starting this new film. No other information on the new sci-fi project has been reported.
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