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.
“Harry Potter” HBO Max Series
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter continues to create magic. As reported earlier this week by The Hollywood Reporter, a live-action series of the hit book series is now in early development at HBO. It would be the first screen adaptation since the wildly popular movie francise ended in 2011. According to the publication, executives have now engaged in multiple conversations with potential writers exploring various ideas to bring the series to the small screen, all still too broad for primetime. No writers or talent are currently attached to the project, and HBO Max and Warner Bros. have denied its existence, claiming, “There are no Harry Potter series in development at the studio or on the streaming platform.” Warner Bros. and WarnerMedia remain committed to expanding the Harry Potter universe, including with the forthcoming next “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” installment, but with J.K. Rowling stirring up controversy with the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, loyalties to the author and her work might be tested and futher collaboration might become more complicated. Fiona Weir has been the casting director for the franchise, but it’s unknown if she would cast the series if it ever becomes reality.
“Serial”
From your headphones to the small screen: HBO is reportedly adapting the third season of the hit podcast “Serial” into a limited series. According to Deadline, writer-director Shola Amoo (“The Last Tree”), executive producers Lebron James and Sarah Koenig, and former HBO exec Kary Antholis will bring the adaptation to the screen. The third season of the award-winning podcast followed the Cleveland justice system as a whole, a departure from the podcast’s previous seasons which centered on one case. The television adaptation will center around a young cop and the man he’s accused of beating. A version of this project has been in development for a couple of years, with HBO originally optioning it back when Antholis was President of Miniseries and Cinemax Programming at HBO. No casting or production details have been announced.
“Willow”
First reported by Deadline, “Spider-Man” actor Tony Revolori is crossing franchises and is in negotiations for a lead role opposite Warwick Davis, Ellie Bamber, Cailee Spaeny, and Erin Kellyman in the upcoming Disney+ and Lucasfilms series “Willow.” A follow-up to the 1988 fantasy movie, the series will take place years after the events of the film and will reportedly introduce new characters, as well as its hero, Willow Ufgood (Davis). Jonathan Kasdan wrote the pilot and will serve as co-showrunner alongside Wendy Mericle. No additional details about the series’ storyline have been released. “Willow” is slated to film in Wales with no set production timeline at this time. Lauren Evans is the series casting director.
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