Stay in the loop on industry and casting news with our write-up on who’s been slated for recent film and television roles!
Please note that shoot dates are subject to state and county restrictions and may change. Refer to Call Sheet for updates, and keep checking Backstage for the latest news on project development during this time.
“Our Flag Means Death”
Taika Waititi is coming out of the pandemic with a new project. The director and sometimes actor isn’t only helming “Thor: Love and Thunder” for Marvel, he’s also on board to direct and executive produce a new series for HBO Max. Once Waititi has wrapped his sophomore production for Disney, he’s heading to “Our Flag Means Death.” The series will take a loose approach to the real-life story of aristocrat Stede Bonnet who, in the early 18th century, left his life of luxury and privilege after a mid-life crisis to traverse the seas as a “Gentleman” pirate on the ship Revenge. Rhys Darby, who will appear in Waititi’s next feature to be released, “Next Goal Wins,” is set to play Bonnet in the series cast by Allison Jones. Production is set to begin in mid-June in Los Angeles.
“Senior Year”
Rebel Wilson will go back to high school in her next film, “Senior Year.” The Paramount comedy, directed by Alex Hardcastle, is hitting the books after a decades-long delay. The story will follow a popular high school cheerleader who wakes up from a coma after 20 years and returns to high school as a 37-year-old set on regaining her popularity and achieving her ultimate teenage dream of becoming prom queen. The film, which originally had Kate McKinnon slated to join the cast, is assembling actors with the help of Rich Delia Casting out of Los Angeles. Production starts this May in Atlanta.
“The Offer”
“The Godfather” trilogy may have concluded with its third film in 1990, but the acclaimed, Oscar-winning mafia drama still carries a weighty reputation for film lovers. For Oscar-winning producer Al Ruddy, the experience of making the “The Godfather” was a triumph in and of itself. “The Offer,” a Paramount+ series will give a candid look at Ruddy’s never-revealed story as he navigates the production of the iconic film. While Armie Hammer was previously set to star in the series, he recently stepped back from the project leaving the production in need of a new lead actor. Automatic Sweat Casting is attached to the project but has yet to announce any additional cast members. The shoot will begin in mid-July and continue production into early 2022. A shooting location has yet to be announced for the limited series while the production start date is still several months away.