Erik Baiers Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Universal has entered into a first-look film partnership with Point Grey Pictures, the production company of Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weaver. The deal comes following the companies’ past work together on breakout comedy hits including the Neighbors franchise, Good Boys and Blockers. 

“We thought we’d give you a little taste of it,” said Universal Pictures boss about Wicked, which is in production in London with Jon Chu directing and Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in the respective roles of Glinda and Elphaba.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Marc Maron has joined the cast of Universal’s untitled New York Christmas movie, written by Richard Curtis, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” “Notting Hill” and “Love Actually.” Maron is starring alongside Melissa McCarthy and Paapa Essiedu in the film, a fairy-tale comedy about a workaholic man who enlists the help of a magical genie to help win his family back before Christmas. Sam Boyd, who wrote and created the Anna Kendrick-led HBO Max series “Love Life,” will direct. It’s set to premiere on the NBCUniversal-owned streaming service Peacock on a yet-to-be-determined date.

#JonathanBailey #Wicked https://t.co/meT51cGqDeFiyero has been played by Norbert Leo Butz, Aaron Tveit, Taye Diggs and Adam Lambert in various productions.Universal had no comment. A rep for Bailey didn’t immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.Chu recently announced that “Wicked” would be split into two films released over Christmas 2024 and 2025, saying it would be “impossible to wrestle” the story of “Wicked” into a single movie.Written by Winnie Holzman, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, “Wicked” has continuously been in production since 2003 and is the 11th longest-running Broadway show of all time.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle EditorJonathan Bailey is in talks to join the cast of Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked” movies.The “Bridgerton” star will play Fiyero in the two-part feature adaptation headlined by Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. The Universal Pictures films are set for release on Christmas in 2024 and 2025.“Wicked” is a prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” telling the story of how Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.“We decided to give ourselves a bigger canvas and make not just one ‘Wicked’ movie but two!” Chu wrote in a statement when announcing the two-parter. “With more space, we can tell the story of ‘Wicked’ as it was meant to be told while bringing even more depth and surprise to the journeys for these beloved characters.”

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterPlease Don’t Destroy, the comedy trio of “Saturday Night Live” fame, is putting together a starry cast for its upcoming buddy comedy.Conan O’Brien, “SNL” star Bowen Yang, “Hacks” breakout Meg Stalter, comedian X Mayo and “Superstore” actor Nichole Sakura have joined the untitled movie, which is set at Universal Pictures.As previously announced, Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy — the threesome behind Please Don’t Destroy — will star in the movie in addition to writing the screenplay.“SNL” alum Paul Briganti is directing the comedy, with Judd Apatow set to produce. The movie is currently in production in North Carolina.

Please Don’t Destroy – the comedy trio consisting of Ben Marshall, Martin Herlihy, and John Higgins – are set to make their big-screen debut in an adventure-comedy feature for Judd Apatow and Universal. The comedians, who rose to fame with their pre-recorded sketches throughout Season 47 of “Saturday Night Live”, will write and star in the untitled film about three friends who live and work together. Finding themselves in a rut, they set off for the adventure of a lifetime when they hear a rumor that gold is buried in a nearby mountain.

EXCLUSIVE: Universal Pictures and Working Title Films have set Demi Moore and Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood‘s Margaret Qualley to star in The Substance, with Coralie Fargeat (Revenge) directing her script. She is also producing alongside Working Title partners Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo just announced on their Instagram handles that they landed parts in Universal’s Jon M. Chu directed feature adaptation of the Broadway smash Wicked. 

Ticket To Paradise.The romantic comedy, which is being directed by Ol Parker for Universal Pictures and Working Title, will see the Ocean’s Eleven co-stars play a divorced couple who travel to Bali to stop their daughter from getting married, according to Deadline.Written by Parker and Daniel Pipski, the movie will start filming later this year.Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce alongside Deborah Balder Stone and Sarah Harvey.

EXCLUSIVE: Christopher Storer has been tapped to direct the Universal wedding comedy Worst Man starring Colin Jost and Pete Davidson. The idea is based on an original idea pitched by Jost, Matthew Bass and Theodore Bressman.

Also Read: Phil Lord, Chris Miller to Direct Ryan Gosling in Film Based on Novel by 'The Martian' WriterAditya Sood, president of Lord and Miller’s production company Lord Miller, will also produce.

Saturday Night Live stars Pete Davidson and Colin Jost are teaming up on a big-screen venture. The duo will star in wedding comedy Worst Man, which follows a soon-to-be-married couple and the family dramatics that ensue just weeks before the wedding.