Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer What started as a singing competition special featuring Wiz Khalifa and Bebe Rexha that aired during NBA All-Star Weekend on TNT is now being shopped as a full-format series, Variety has learned. From “The Biggest Loser” and “World of Dance” executive producer Alex Katz, co-founder of Anagram Studios, the special was titled “The Sum” and though it prominently featured Wiz Khalifa and Rexha, they weren’t the competitors. Their fans, singing along to their hit songs, were the real players. Per “The Sum’s” description, “‘The Sum’ is an original concept based on the best part of any concert — fans singing along with the artists, also known as ‘the common chorus effect.’ In ‘The Sum,’ fans share the spotlight with their favorite music stars by performing a song together.”
Sam Esmail’s ‘Metropolis’ Series Adaptation at Apple Casts Briana Middleton in Lead Role
15.02.2023 - 01:39 / variety.com
Joe Otterson TV Reporter Briana Middleton has been cast in the lead role of Sam Esmail’s Apple series adaptation of the film “Metropolis,” Variety has learned. The series was originally greenlit at the streamer in March 2022. It is inspired by the 1927 Fritz Lang sci-fi film of the same name, which has been hailed as one of the greatest and most influential films of the silent film era. Middleton will play the role of Finnie Polito. The announcement of her casting in the series comes days ahead of the Friday launch of the Apple film “Sharper,” in which Middleton also stars. Her other recent credits include the George Clooney film “The Tender Bar.” Her casting in the series marks her first starring television role.
She is repped by Gersh and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. “Metropolis” has been on Esmail’s plate since at least 2016, when it was first reported that he was developing a series adaptation of the film. Exact plot details of the series are being kept under wraps. The film took place in the city of Metropolis. While the city’s wealthy elite enjoyed 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 female worker and witnessing a number of workers die in an industrial accident. Esmail is the writer, director, executive producer, and showrunner on “Metropolis.” He executive produces via Esmail Corp. Chad Hamilton of Anonymous Content also executive produces. UCP will produce, with Esmail currently under an overall deal at the studio.
David Oyelowo, Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Bass Reeves’ Series at Paramount+ Casts ‘King Richard’ Star Demi Singleton (EXCLUSIVE)
Joe Otterson TV Reporter Demi Singleton is the latest addition to the cast of the “Bass Reeves” series at Paramount+, Variety has learned exclusively. Singleton will appear in the period drama as a series regular opposite series lead David Oyelowo, who will star as the titular legendary lawman. Additional cast members include Barry Pepper, Dennis Quaid, Forrest Goodluck, Lauren E. Banks, and Grantham Coleman. Per the official logline, the show “will bring the legendary lawman of the wild west to life. Reeves, known as the greatest frontier hero in American history, worked in the post-Reconstruction era as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory, capturing over 3,000 of the most dangerous criminals without ever being wounded.”
‘Gotham Knights’ Series at CW Casts Doug Bradley as Joe Chill
BreAnna Bell Doug Bradley (“Hellraiser”) has been added to the cast of The CW’s “Gotham Knights” series, the network announced on Wednesday. Bradley will appear in Episode 6 of Gotham Knights as Joe Chill, one of DC Comics’ most notorious villains known for cruelly killing Bruce Wayne’s parents. After fifty years of rotting on death row, Joe Chill is scheduled to be executed. However, Gotham’s infamous “Patron Saint of Bad Guys” isn’t about to let his secrets die with him. “When casting the iconic role of Joe Chill, arguably the man who created Batman, there was only one name we considered – Doug Bradley. We needed an actor with the kind of gravitas that would do justice to such a seminal character in DC Comics canon,” said series co-creators Chad Fiveash, James Stoteraux and Natalie Abrams in a statement. “And who better to embody the role of the classic Gotham fiend than the man whose legendary portrayal of another classic fiend – Pinhead in the Hellraiser franchise — continues to terrify generations of horror fans?”
Musician Ben Kweller’s Son Dorian Zev Dead at 16: 5 Things to Know About the Late Teen
A heartbreaking loss. Singer-songwriter Ben Kweller announced that his son Dorian Zev died at 16.
Kate Middleton wins royal spin during Wales visit with Prince William
The Princess of Wales proved to be a competitor in every right as she jumped on a stationary bicycle for a quick group ride with Prince William while visiting the South of Wales Tuesday. Kate Middleton and her husband greeted hundreds of community members after touring the Aberavon Leisure & Fitness Centre in Port Talbot.
The Weeknd Lands First Lead Role in Film He Co-Wrote and Produced, Opposite Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan
Brent Lang Executive Editor Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye will have his first starring role in a feature film that he wrote and is also producing. The picture, which is currently untitled and has been kept shrouded in mystery regarding its plot, genre and the like is being directed by Trey Edward Shults, the filmmaker behind “Waves” and “It Comes at Night.” Shults also co-wrote the movie and is executive producing it. We do know that it is shooting in Los Angeles, but aside from that the “logline is being kept under wraps.” Whether comedy or tragedy, action adventure or musical extravaganza, this impressively vague feature has lined up a top shelf cast. Beyond The Weeknd, a Grammy-winning recording juggernaut, the film also stars Jenna Ortega, the star of “Wednesday” and “Scream VI,” as well as Barry Keoghan, the Oscar-nominated actor from “The Banshees of Inisherin” and “The Killing of a Sacred Deer.”
Steven Spielberg Confirms Series Adaptation Of Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Napoleon’ Script Is Heading Toward Production & Will Be 7 Episodes
Believe it or not, it’s been nearly 10 full years since it was reported that Steven Spielberg was interested in taking Stanley Kubrick’s unproduced “Napoleon” script and adapting it as a TV series. This has clearly been a passion project for Spielberg, as he has consistently tried to get this to happen, most recently with the help of director Cary Fukunaga.
‘Golda’ Director Guy Nattiv Tackles Debate Over Casting Of Non-Jewish Actress Helen Mirren For Lead Role In Golda Meir Biopic
Israeli director Guy Nattiv has defended his casting of non-Jewish actress Helen Mirren as iconic Israeli Prime minister Golda Meir in his biopic Golda, which world premieres at the Berlin Film Festival on Monday.
Toby Jones: The “Spirit Of The Cinema” On The New ‘Indiana Jones’, Dancing With Sam Mendes & How He Packs A Punch In Apple And Marv Films’ ‘Tetris’
EXCLUSIVE: Toby Jones says he initially had concerns of being “bored out my mind” working on summer blockbuster Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, but the actor tells Deadline that he’s “so relieved that I had done it” because “actually, I absolutely loved working on that film.”
Seth MacFarlane Developing Series Adaptation Of Graphic Novel ‘The Shrouded College’ For Peacock
EXCLUSIVE: Graphic novel series The Shrouded College is in the works as a TV series after Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door and UCP secured the rights. The project is set up at Peacock.
‘Metropolis’: Lindy Booth Cast As Maria In Apple Series From Sam Esmail
Lindy Booth (The Librarians) is set ro star opposite Briana Middleton in Apple TV+’s drama series Metropolis, inspired by Fritz Lang’s classic 1927 science fiction film, from Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail and UCP where he is under an overall deal.
‘The Librarians’ Alum Lindy Booth Joins Sam Esmail’s ‘Metropolis’ Series at Apple
Joe Otterson TV Reporter Lindy Booth is the latest cast member to join Sam Esmail’s “Metropolis” series adaptation at Apple, Variety has learned. Booth is now the second confirmed cast member for the series alongside Briana Middleton. Exact plot details for the show are being kept under wraps aside from the fact that it is inspired by the 1927 Fritz Lang sci-fi film of the same name, which has been hailed as one of the greatest and most influential films of the silent film era. Booth will appear in the role of Maria. Booth is best known for her starring role in the TNT series “The Librarians,” which was a spinoff of TNT’s “The Librarian” film series. The show ran for four seasons at the cable network. Booth is also known for recent appearances in shows like “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” “The Flash,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “Stumptown.” She has appeared in films like Zack Snyder’s “Dawn of the Dead” and “Kick Ass 2” as well.
Patrick Radden Keefe’s ‘The Snakehead’ Series Adaptation In The Works At A24
EXCLUSIVE: Patrick Radden Keefe’s The Snakehead, a book described as a mix between The Godfather and Chinatown, could be heading to the small screen after A24 won the rights.
David Oyelowo, Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Bass Reeves’ Series at Paramount+ Casts Barry Pepper (EXCLUSIVE)
Joe Otterson TV Reporter The David Oyelowo-led “Bass Reeves” series at Paramount+ from Taylor Sheridan has cast Barry Pepper in a series regular role, Variety has learned exclusively. Along with Oyelowo, Pepper joins a cast that also includes Dennis Quaid, Forrest Goodluck, and Lauren E. Banks. The series is based on the true story of the titular lawman. Per the official description, “Reeves, known as the greatest frontier hero in American history, worked in the post-Reconstruction era as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory, capturing over 3,000 of the most dangerous criminals without ever being wounded.”
Tara Reid To Star In & Produce Comedy Series Adaptation Of ‘The Pet Sitter’s Tale’ With Laura Vorreyer & Paper Ball Pictures
EXCLUSIVE: A comedy series adaptation of Laura Vorreyer’s popular book The Pet Sitter’s Tale is in the works for the small screen with Tara Reid (American Pie, Ghosts) set to star and produce.
‘Metropolis’: Briana Middleton To Star In Apple Series From Sam Esmail
Briana Middleton, one of the leads of Apple TV+’s upcoming movie Sharper, has been tapped by the streamer to headline its high-profile drama series Metropolis, inspired by Fritz Lang’s classic 1927 science fiction film. Middleton is the first actor cast in the project, from Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail and UCP where he is under an overall deal.
Former Lucasfilm Exec Lines Up Series Adaptation Of Roblox Video Game ‘Creatures Of Sonaria’
EXCLUSIVE: Inspired by the recent success of The Last Of Us, Wind Sun Sky Entertainment (WSS) is teaming up with Productivity Media to adapt an episodic scripted series based on the Roblox platform game Creatures Of Sonaria.
‘Stone Cold Fox’ Series Adaptation In The Works From Rachel Koller Croft, Julie Plec & Universal TV
EXCLUSIVE: Universal Television is developing a TV adaptation of the novel Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft, who will also pen the series. Julie Plec and Emily Cummins will executive produce through Plec’s production banner, My So-Called Company as part of her overall deal with Universal Television.
Walden Media Acquires N.K. Jemisin’s ‘The City We Became’ Novel for Series Adaptation (EXCLUSIVE)
BreAnna Bell Walden Media has preemptively acquired N.K. Jemisin’s bestselling “The Great Cities” duology, “The City We Became” and “The World We Make,” with the intention to develop both books into an ongoing series. “The City We Became” is set in an alternate version of the world, where major cities like New York City become sentient through human avatars. After the avatar of New York falls into a supernatural coma and vanishes, a group of five new avatars representing New York’s boroughs come together to fight their common enemy and save New York — and, potentially, the world. The collection marks Jemisin’s first books after her “Broken Earth” Trilogy, which comprised 2015’s “The Fifth Season,” 2016’s “The Obelisk Gate” and 2017’s “The Stone Sky.”
David Oyelowo, Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Bass Reeves’ Series at Paramount+ Adds Forrest Goodluck & Lauren E. Banks (EXCLUSIVE)
Joe Otterson TV Reporter The “Bass Reeves” series from Taylor Sheridan starring David Oyleowo has added two new series regulars, Variety has learned exclusively. Forrest Goodluck and Lauren E. Banks are both set to star in the show alongside series lead Oyelowo and previously announced cast member Dennis Quaid. The series is based on the true story of the titular lawman. Per the official description, “Reeves, known as the greatest frontier hero in American history, worked in the post-Reconstruction era as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory, capturing over 3,000 of the most dangerous criminals without ever being wounded.” Banks will play Jennie, described as “the strong and fiercely loyal wife of Bass Reeves.” Goodluck will play Billy Crow, said to be a “young Cherokee man with an affinity for dime store books and gaudy style.”