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.
Ulysses S. Grant Biopic
Never mind that Steven Spielberg already has a seemingly-full punch card at the moment—there’s always time to add another major project. According to Deadline, the director is currently in negotiations with Lionsgate to collaborate again with Leonardo DiCaprio on a Ulysses S. Grant biopic in which DiCaprio would star. The project has been in the works since last year with DiCaprio and his Appian Way partner Jennifer Davisson producing. The actor also has a busy schedule coming up, as he prepares to star in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” This won’t be the first time Spielberg and DiCaprio have worked together, formerly pairing up in 2002’s “Catch Me If You Can.” If negotiations go through, Spielberg has been loyal to casting director Ellen Lewis over the last few years, but he could return to Debra Zane if he really wants to return to the “Catch Me If You Can” days.
“Ms. Marvel”
Sometimes, Twitter can be a great thing, like when two talented actor-writers come together and express their desire to want to work together. Case in point: Mindy Kaling and Riz Ahmed. With a film adaptation of “Captain Marvel” currently in production, Marvel president Kevin Feige confirmed they have future plans for Muslim superhero Ms. Marvel, and Riz Ahmed is already calling dibs. On Twitter, he asked when Marvel wants him to write the screenplay, also tagging in Kaling and writer-comedian Kumail Nanjiani. Kaling responded that she’s an avid fan and would be game. It is Marvel’s move now. Ahmed has already said he would want “Ms. Marvel” writer and editor duo G. Willow Wilson and Sana Amanat to take the reins when it does happen (and it looks like Kaling and Amanat are maybe setting up a meeting for a collaboration on the comic side). If the project becomes a reality, Marvel cinematic universe resident CD Sarah Halley Finn will likely be along for the ride.
“Uptown Saturday Night”
Sidney Poitier action crime comedy “Uptown Saturday Night” is the latest remake on the Hollywood roster. The 1974 film boasted an incredible cast, including Poiter, Harry Belafonte, Richard Pryor, and more. Casting has started, with Kevin Hart in negotiations for one of the two lead roles. “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris has written the most recent draft of the remake, and Will Smith and his Overbrook Entertainment partner James Lassiter are producing. There’s no word yet as to who is running the casting, but a potential option is the “Black-ish” casting team, Alexis Frank Koczara and Christine Smith Shevchenko.
Tina Fey + Nicki Minaj Movie
An Instagram post from Nicki Minaj is sparking some excitement at the moment—the rapper is hyping up her fans in anticipation of her performance on the “Saturday Night Live” season finale with host Tina Fey. It could be an in-joke or something to get excited over, but Minaj followed up her “SNL” promotion by saying she and Fey will be a shooting a movie together after Saturday. If it’s not actually happening, maybe social media will make it happen like so many other projects in the works.
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