Keenspot Webcomic ‘Grubbs’ to Get Animated Series Adaptation (EXCLUSIVE)

EXCLUSIVE: Here’s a hot one. Jodie Comer is to star in a series based on Jen Beagin’s upcoming book Big Swiss.

EXCLUSIVE: CCH Pounder (NCIS: New Orleans, Avatar), The Crown star Jason Watkins and Killing Eve’s Fiona Shaw have rounded out the cast for Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming big-budget adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Anansi Boys.

EXCLUSIVE: Doug Liman has found his next TV project and it’s pretty timely. The Edge of Tomorrow director has signed on to helm a series adaptation of Bill Browder’s book Red Notice, which explores the author’s real-life fight against a corrupt Russian government under Putin.

EXCLUSIVE: Ruby Stokes, who plays Francesca Bridgerton in the hit Netflix period romp, is to lead the cast of the streamer’s latest book adaptation.

EXCLUSIVE: Lan Samantha Chang’s novel The Family Chao is getting a series adaptation after Sam Esmail and UCP optioned the rights to the book.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAmazon has ordered two seasons of an animated comedy from Ramy Youssef, Variety has learned exclusively. The series is part of new first-look deal Youssef and his Cairo Cowboy production banner have signed with the streamer.Youssef leads Cairo Cowboy with Andy Campagna, the former senior vice president of television for Sam Esmail’s Esmail Corp.“Ramy has only scratched the surface of his incredible creative gifts,” said Vernon Sanders, head of global television for Amazon.

Angelique Jackson Ms. Opal Lee, whose march to Washington helped make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday, has signed with CAA for representation.The 95-year-old activist is often referred to as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” after making it her life’s mission to bring national awareness to the cause.

EXCLUSIVE: As he is firming up his post-Bridgerton plans, Chris Van Dusen has signed on to co-write and executive produce Entertainment One’s TV series adaptation of Adam Silvera’s #1 NYT bestselling YA novel They Both Die At The End. The project, which has been in the works at eOne and Drew Comins’ studio-based Creative Engine Entertainment for about 10 months, will be taken out to the premium marketplace shortly.

EXCLUSIVE: PlayStation’s flagship action-adventure franchise God of War is heading to television. Prime Video is in negotiations for a live-action TV series based on the hugely popular ancient mythology-themed game, sources said.

EXCLUSIVE: Margaret Atwood and Ken Steacy’s historical graphic novel War Bears will come to televison. WOW! Unlimited Media has optioned the 2019 graphic novel for an animated series adaptation.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSam Esmail’s “Metropolis” series has been greenlit at Apple, Variety has learned.The drama series is inspired by the 1927 Fritz Lang sci-fi film of the same name. Hailed as one of the greatest and most influential films of the silent film era, the story takes place in the futuristic city of Metropolis.While the city’s wealthy elite enjoy a lavish life of comfort and ease in penthouses and pleasure gardens, scores of workers labor at dangerous machinery in the bowels of the city to keep everything running. Freder Fredersen, the son of the most powerful man in Metropolis, has an awakening after meeting a young worker named Maria and witnessing a number of workers die in an industrial accident.

EXCLUSIVE: In a competitive situation, John Wells Productions has landed the rights to Danya Kukafka’s recently published suspense thriller novel Notes on an Execution for series adaptation.

EXCLUSIVE: Cannabis feature documentary Lady Buds, which tells the story of a group of multigenerational women as they navigate the new world of cannabis farming and distribution in Northern California, is getting a pair of spinoffs.

EXCLUSIVE: Pro basketball player Jarnell Stokes is partnering with veteran animation exec and producer Jay Fukuto (The Simpsons, King of the Hill) to co-write and produce Wings to Fly, an animated feature based on his sports-themed children’s book of the same name.

Mónica Marie Zorrilla Following the success of Netflix Spanish-language teen flick “A través de mi ventana” (“Through My Window”), from Wattpad author and influencer, Ariana Godoy, Wattpad Webtoon Studios is doubling down on its Spanish-language content with plans to adapt two massive YA hits for the screen. Alex Mírez’s “Pefectos Mentirosos,” which has garnered over 105 million readers, will be produced out of Mexico as a TV series, and Flor.

Wyatte Grantham-Philips editorAn eight-hour drama inspired by Carolyn Arnold’s “Madison Knight” detective novels is being developed by Muse Entertainment and Pop Fiction Entertainment.Hélène Joy (“Durham County,” “Murdoch Mysteries”) will star as Madison Knight, a daring detective who works to investigate criminals throughout the series. Orion Lee (“First Cow”) will portray Knight’s work partner, Detective Steven Hung.

EXCLUSIVE: Fresh off her recent rom com Marry Me‘s weekend release, director Kat Coiro looks to have found her next project as sources tell Deadline, Coiro has been set to direct Sony Pictures’ The Husband’s Secret. The film based on Liane Moriarty multi-million copy #1 New York Times best-seller and named one of the Best Books of the Year by Entertainment Weekly and People. The project is currently in development with plot details being kept under wraps.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck looked like they were having a great time at the Super Bowl. The lovebirds put on an animated display during the long-awaited halftime show, which featured performances from Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J Blige and Kendrick Lamar. J Lo, 52, who recently wowed with a razor sharp bob cut on the cover of Rolling Stone, previously played the halftime show herself in 2020 alongside Shakira.

Jennifer Lopez and Maluma are reading some steamy tweets!