‘Hamnet’: Filmmaker Chloé Zhao Enlists Paul Mescal & Jessie Buckley For Fictional Shakespeare Drama

Barry Keoghan is no longer in talks to join the highly anticipated Gladiator sequel. However, another actor from a fan-favorite television series has reportedly already stepped up to fill the role.

Angelique Jackson Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” sequel has rounded out its cast with the additions of May Calamawy (“Moon Knight,” “Ramy”), Peter Mensah (“Avatar”) and Matt Lucas (“Wonka,” “Bridesmaids”), as well as legacy cast member Derek Jacobi, who will reprise his role from the 2000 blockbuster. “Kraven the Hunter” and “The White Lotus” star Fred Hechinger is now in talks to take on the role of Emperor Geta, after Oscar nominee Barry Keoghan dropped out of negotiations due to a scheduling conflict. The new additions join a star-studded cast, led by Oscar nominee Paul Mescal and two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington, with “Stranger Things” breakout Joseph Quinn set to play Emperor Caracalla and Pedro Pascal in final negotiations for an undisclosed role.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Sabina Smitham has joined Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin’s Blueprint Pictures, the producer of “Banshees of Inisherin,” as head of development. Reporting to head of film, Ben Knight, the new role will see Smitham manage the company’s development team and take the lead on expanding the company’s development slate. Smitham, an alumnus of the U.K.’s prestigious National Film and Television School’s master in producing program, joins from Disney+, where she oversaw the development of a range of projects for the Europe, Middle East and Africa Original Productions team. Prior to Disney she was a development producer at Faye Ward’s Fable Pictures.

Zack Sharf Digital News Director The 2023 Cannes Film Festival is jam-packed with buzzy world premieres, from Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” to Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City.” Todd Haynes is also back to unveil “May December,” featuring the A-list pairing of Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, while Disney is bringing Harrison Ford to the Croisette for “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” New films from Pedro Almodovar, Jessica Hautner, Jonathan Glazer, Catherine Corsini, Hirokazu Kore-eda and more are also set to make their debuts at Cannes this year. Cannes is often seen as a launching pad for Oscar season. Warner Bros. in 2022 kicked off its lengthy awards run for Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” on the French Riviera, with the film going on to land eight Academy Award nominations, including best picture. Palme d’Or winner “Triangle of Sadness” also picked up Oscar nods for best picture, director and original screenplay. Two international film nominees, “Close” and “EO,” launched at last year’s festival, while “Aftersun” best actor nominee Paul Mescal got his awards start in the Directors Fortnight sidebar. All of this is to say the industry will be closely watching the buzz on all of this year’s world premieres.

Keith Urban may have just hard-launched Phoebe Bridgers and Bo Burnham's relationship — at least that's what the internet thinks!Urban and his wife Nicole Kidman attended the Philadelphia leg of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour over the weekend and took to TikTok to share a clip from the show.Rocking out to «Style» and the beginning of «Blank Space,» from the VIP section of the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field, Urban captioned his post, «We love ya @Taylor Swift.» But it wasn't their cute couple moment that caught fans' attention. Eagled-eye viewers spotted another potential love match in the corner, after catching what appeared to be Bridgers and comedian Bo Burnham in the background. The quick clip saw Burnham at one point pulling the singer in for a kiss.Fans pointed out the moment in the comments on Urban's video, with one user writing, «keith urban being completely oblivious about hard launching phoebe and bo was not what i was expecting on a monday afternoon,» and another commenting, «Is anyone gonna talk abt phoebe bridgers and bo burnham in the back.»Bridgers and her Boygenius bandmates Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker have been opening for Swift at select Eras Tour concerts, with Bridgers joining the «Anti-Hero» singer on stage several times to perform their song «Nothing New,» off Swift's ) album.Bridgers and Burnham, meanwhile, have been linked since January, after being photographed together in Los Angeles.

Keith Urban uploaded a seemingly harmless video of himself and wife Nicole Kidman dancing at Taylor Swift‘s Eras tour stop at Lincoln Financial Field over the weekend in Philadelphia, Pa.

Actor Pedro Pascal is a busy guy. Not only is his HBO series “The Last of Us” a huge hit with audiences and critics, but he’s also got the lead role of Din Djarin in the popular series “The Mandalorian” at Lucasfilm, as well as a supporting role in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator 2” that shoots over the summer with a stellar cast that features Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Barry Keoghan, and more.

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International “Emily” star Emma Mackey has joined the cast of “Hot Milk,” the adaptation of the bestselling novel by Deborah Levy. The BAFTA nominee will lead the cast alongside Fiona Shaw (“Killing Eve”), Vicky Krieps (“Corsage”), Vincent Perez (“Shantaram”) and Patsy Ferran (“Living”). HanWay Films has worldwide sales rights and will shop the pic to buyers in Cannes next week. “Hot Milk” marks the directorial debut of award-winning writer Rebecca Lenkiewicz (“She Said,” “Ida,” “Colette”). It will start shooting in July in Greece in co-production with Heretic Films.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent The birth of the hip and naughty Irish-language rap group Kneecap will be portrayed in a raucous anti-establishment comedy penned and directed by Rich Peppiatt (“One Rogue Reporter”). The film, which wrapped shooting this month, features the eponymous trio (Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí) who play heightened versions of their own lives against the backdrop of post-Troubles Belfast. The politically engaged band has gained critical acclaim for their artful blend of Irish and English rap about the gritty reality of growing up in Northern Ireland. French sales and co-production house Charades has boarded “Kneecap” and will be representing the film in international sales, while Curzon and Wildcard will handle the distribution in the U.K. and Ireland.

HanWay Films has boarded The One, an erotic thriller starring Melissa Barrera and Nicholas Hoult and will launch sales at the Cannes Film Festival.

K.J. Yossman Paul Mescal and Sharon Horgan were among the winners at the Irish Film and Television Awards. Despite Colin Farrell losing out the best actor award to Mescal, “The Banshees of Inisherin” beat out competitors to win best film. In the international category “All Quiet on the Western Front” took home the top award on Sunday night. Read on for the full list of winners. FILM CATEGORIES Best Film“Aisha”“The Banshees of Inisherin” – WINNER“God’s Creatures”“Lakelands”“Róise & Frank”“The Wonder”

Melissa Barrera is flexing multiple muscles in her new film, “Carmen.” The story is a musical drama, where Barrera acts and sings over the course of its runtime. In a new clip, Barrera teased some of her hard work and encouraged viewers to go watch the film.

Pedro Pascal is the latest actor to join “Gladiator 2.” The film, a sequel of the beloved 2000 film, is shaping up to be a must watch, featuring some of the most talented actors across the industry. Check out Pedro Pascal in Pedro Almodovar’s ‘Strange Way of Life’ posterPedro Pascal praises Sasha Colby: New reigning queen of RuPaul’s Drag RaceMet Gala 2023 live updates: Red Carpet arrivalsDeadline was the first to break the news, claiming that Pascal would be shooting the project as he waits for production to begin on the second season of “The Last of Us.” He joins Paul Mescal, the film’s lead, Oscar nominee Barry Keoghan, “Stranger Things” alum Joseph Quinn, and Denzel Washington.

Gladiator sequel – which is set for release next year.According to Deadline, The Last of Usand Mandalorian star will join the previously reported Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, Joseph Quinn, Denzel Washington, and a returning Connie Nielsen. Pascal’s role is currently unknown.The story will follow Lucius (Mescal) – the son of Lucilla (Neilson) and Maximus (previously played by Russell Crowe) – and the nephew of Emperor Commodus, who Joaquin Phoenix played in the first film.

Filmmaker Ridley Scott is finally attempting to get cameras rolling on a long-gestating sequel to his Oscar-winning pic “Gladiator.” That movie tells the story of a victorious general from the Roman Empire who becomes a gladiator against his will, only to take down the tyrant that killed his family. Referred to as “Gladiator 2,” Scott is assembling quite the cast for the project, including Irish actor Paul Mescal (“Aftersun“), recent Oscar nominee Barry Keough, and acclaimed Oscar-winner Denzel Washington.

EXCLUSIVE: While the second season of HBO’s hit series The Last Of Us is in the works, its star Pedro Pascal looks to have found the project he’ll shoot during its hiatus and boy is it a big one. Sources tell Deadline, Pascal is in final negotiations to join the untitled Gladiator sequel for Paramount. He joins Paul Mescal, who will star as Lucius, Barry Keoghan, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington. Ridley Scott is returning to direct.

Angelique Jackson Pedro Pascal is the latest A-lister in talks for Ridley Scott’s upcoming “Gladiator” sequel. Pascal, who stars in both “The Mandalorian” and “The Last of Us,” is in final negotiations to join the Paramount movie, joining a cast that already boasts Academy Award nominees Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan, as well as two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington. The Paramount movie follows 2000’s blockbuster hit “Gladiator,” which was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won five, including best picture. It earned $460 million at the box office. The original film starred Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman soldier forced into slavery who vows revenge against Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Since Maximus dies at the end of “Gladiator,” the yet-to-be-titled sequel focuses on Lucius (Mescal), the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, who is set to reprise her role).

EXCLUSIVE: Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal are in talks to star in an adaptation of Hamnet for Amblin Partners, Hera Pictures, Neal Street Productions and Book of Shadows. Chloé Zhao will direct the film is based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell, who will adapt the script with Zhao.

Benjamin Millepied is best known for his work as a dancer and choreographer, from joining the New York City Ballet in the mid-90s to director of the Paris Opera Ballet, the choreographer for 2010’s “Black Swan,” and the mind behind the choreographed “sidewalk” in “Dune.” Now, in his directorial debut, he marries dance and theater with film in “Carmen,” a modern-day retelling of the classic opera of the same name.  Continue reading ‘Carmen’: Director Benjamin Millepied Talks Working With Paul Mescal & Melissa Barrera In His New Romantic Musical Drama [Interview] at The Playlist.

More casting news for Ridley Scott‘s upcoming blockbuster sequel “Gladiator 2.” Deadline reports that Connie Nielson will return to reprise her role as Lucilla from the 2000 original film, while “Stranger Things” breakout star Joseph Quinn lands the role of Emperor Caracalla. The pair join the already stacked cast of Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, and Denzel Washington.