Jason Bateman & Julia Garner Attend 'Ozark' FYC Event

More casting details are emerging about the new project that will once again team up Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.

Angelique Jackson Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s upcoming movie about the sports marketing executive who relentlessly pursued basketball legend Michael Jordan in the mid-’80s has added a troupe of all-star actors to its line-up.Emmy-winner Jason Bateman, Academy Award-winner Viola Davis, Chris Tucker and Marlon Wayans have signed on to star opposite Affleck and Damon in Prime Video’s untitled film, along with Matthew Maher, Chris Messina, Tom Papa and Julius Tennon.Damon plays maverick sneaker salesman and former Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, and Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight in the film, from Amazon Studios, Skydance Sports and Mandalay Pictures. The movie tells the story of Nike’s long-shot effort to sign Jordan to the shoe company, an endorsement that seemed impossible at the time, but would become the most significant relationship between an athletic brand and an athlete.

ahead of Michael Jordan in the 1984 NBA Draft.Affleck and Damon are also producing alongside Peter Guber, Jason Michael Berman, Jeff Robinov, Madison Ainley, and David Ellison. Executive producers include Jon Weinbach, Jesse Sisgold, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger, Kevin Halloran, Michael Joe, John Graham, Drew Vinton, Jordan Moldo and Peter E.

EXCLUSIVE: Ben Affleck’s untitled Nike drama for Amazon Studios, Skydance Sports and Mandalay Pictures has assembled a stellar cast, with Jason Bateman (Ozark), Viola Davis (The Woman King), Chris Tucker (Rush Hour franchise), Marlon Wayans (Respect) and Chris Messina (Sharp Objects) signing on for roles, along with Matthew Maher (Our Flag Means Death), Tom Papa (Behind the Candelabra) and Julius Tennon (The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar). In addition to directing, Affleck is starring in the pic which entered production in Los Angeles on Monday, alongside his fellow Good Will Hunting Oscar winner, Matt Damon.

After a long and challenging casting process, it appears that Madonna has finally chosen the actor who will portray her in an upcoming biopic.The casting for the long-gestating film has been making news since the project was first announced, and now, according to reports in Variety, the role of the Material Girl will go to Julia Garner.Fans of the singer praised the selection of Garner with one user saying, Maybe it’s too soon to say (we DO need to see the film still) but I’m struggling to think of examples of casting as perfect as Julia Garner as Madonna – & it goes far beyond the physical similarities. A performer as powerful as Garner will embody this role to the FULLEST extent,” while another fan tweeted “Julia Garner as Madonna is the smartest decision ever.”  A post shared by Julia Garner (@juliagarnerofficial)Garner, who has won two Emmy awards for her role as Ruth Langmore in Ozark, beat out fellow finalists including Florence Pugh, of who Madonna told the Associated Press in 2021, “She’s definitely up there on the list, if she’ll have me.” Alexa Demie (Euphoria), Emma Laird (Mayor of Kingstown), Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria), and Odessa Young (Mothering Sunday) as well as singers Bebe Rexha and Sky Ferreira rounded out the remaining Madonna candidates.  A post shared by Madonna (@madonna)Madonna, who is directing the film, put the contenders for the role through what has been described as a “grueling” casting process, including a “Madonna boot camp,” which focused on singing and dancing.The Hollywood Reporter said all the finalists were put though long days (reportedly as long as 11 hours) of choreography training, after which Madonna herself would direct the candidates in more choreography.

Ozark creator Chris Mundy joined cast members in speculating on fan theories surrounding the show Netflix drama’s final moments – as well as discussing the idea of a movie.The discussion took place as part of the show’s FYC event in Los Angeles on Sunday (June 5). US talk show host Jimmy Kimmel moderated and interviewed Mundy, as well as leading actors Jason Bateman and Julia Garner, editor Cindy Mollo, production designer David Bomba, music supervisor Gabe Hilfer, and cinematographer Shawn Kim.Asked about the theory that Jonah (Skylar Gaertner), the son of Marty and Wendy Byrde (Jason Bateman and Laura Linney), destroyed some crucial incriminating evidence, Mundy said he thought the ending was “pretty unambiguous”, adding: “I think he shot Mel [the cop], and Mel is dead.

Jason Bateman has officially exited as the director of the upcoming feature film Artemis, set to star Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson.

Julia Garner is reportedly expected to take on the role of Madonna in the upcoming Universal biopic. The "Inventing Anna" actress has been offered the role and her team is considering it, sources told Variety.The sources mentioned that Garner is expected to take the job. Other actresses who were reportedly considered for the role include Florence Pugh, Alexa Demie and Odessa Young, along with musicians Bebe Rexha and Sky Ferreira.

Ozark, as well as her spot-on impression of Anna Delvey, a.k.a Anna Sorokin, in , has been offered the role of in the queen of pop's forthcoming biopic, reports. Garner is, according to the outlet, the front-runner of nearly a dozen candidates, which included and Alexa Demie, as well as singers Bebe Rexha and Sky Ferreira. Her team is expected to accept the offer soon, however nothing is set in stone quite yet. The 28-year-old has gravitated toward idiosyncratic characters throughout her career, transitioning between the brutish, Missouri-born-and-bred Ruth and the uniquely accented Delvey with incredible ease.

With the release of Baz Lerman’s “Elvis” on the horizon and the massive success of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the popularity of music biopics has not been any higher. This motivated Universal Pictures, producer Amy Pascal (“Spider-Man” franchise), and Madonna to team up for an untitled film based on the life of the iconic pop star.

Variety.Another insider connected to the project noted that Garner, 28, has materialized as the favorite to portray the “Hung Up” singer, 63, from over a dozen frontrunners.A different source claimed the “Inventing Anna” star’s team is considering accepting the role. Madonna is set to direct the feature based on her life.The film will follow the “Evita” star’s early life and rise to fame as the world’s foremost pop superstar.

Madonna in an upcoming biopic.According to Variety, sources familiar with the project claim the Ozark actor has “emerged the favourite” from over a dozen candidates. Another source claims Garner is “considering and expected to accept the offer”.NME has reached out to Garner’s representatives for comment.Other actors reported to have been in contention for the role include Florence Pugh (Midsommar), Alexa Demie (Euphoria), Odessa Young (Mothering Sunday) and Emma Laird (Mayor Of Kingstown).

Julia Garner has a new icon to embody. ET has learned that the  actress is the top choice to play Madonna in her new biopic.The project is in active development at Universal Pictures with garner pegged as the film's leading lady. The news of Garner as the «top choice» for the biopic comes after speculation that Florence Pugh, 's Alexa Demie, Odessa Young and singers Bebe Rexha and Sky Ferreira were reportedly in the running to play the music legend.Per , the film will follow the early days of the controversial artist and the aptly crowned queen of pop.

Could the star of Netflix hits “Ozark” and “Inventing Anna” be playing Madonna in the long-awaited biopic of the pop icon?

Julia Garner is the top choice to play Madonna in an upcoming biopic at Universal Pictures sources confirmed to Deadline. The Emmy-winner has been the front-runner since the top of the year but insiders add the reason an offer hasn’t gone out yet is there are still several things in play which include the budget as well as some creative factors which include how long the film is. Madonna is directing the film based on a script by Diablo Cody and has been meticulous in the casting process putting talent through a boot camp that included testing on dancing and singing.