Another eventful week ends in the film world, bringing us TIFF winners, new projects from some of Hollywood’s biggest filmmakers, franchise makeovers, and a load of major casting announcements. As the year winds down, Hollywood shows no signs of slowing. 

TIFF Announces 2026 Award Winners

From ‘La Bola Negra’ Courtesy of TIFF

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) concluded its 51st Year with its awards ceremony last Sunday. La Bola Negra, directed by Javier Calvo, won the People’s Choice Award. I Play Rocky by Peter Farrelly and Being Heumann by Sian Heder followed as first and second runners-up. 

Elsinore, helmed by Simon Stone, won the International People’s Choice Award. The runners-up include Possible Love by Lee Chang-dong and The Assassin(s) by Hur Jin-ho. 

Darlene Love: I Know Where I’ve Been, directed by Barry Avrich, took home the People’s Choice Documentary Award. Runners-up included Black Sunflowers by James Marcus Haney and The Ultra Runner by Mila Aung-Thwin. 

Finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney, directed by Matthew Rankin, won the People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award. The runners-up include Paolo Strippoli’s The Spiral and Sabu’s Arrested Memory.

Theja Rio’s Angh from India won the Platform Prize, while Amanda Kernell’s Brace Your Heart from Bulgaria won the Special Jury Award.  

They Follow Wraps Filming

From ‘It Follows’ (2014) via The Weinstein Company, Radius-TWC

The It Follows sequel, They Follow, finished filming this week, the independent film company, Curious Gremlin, announced in an Instagram post on September 21, according to Bloody Disgusting. Maika Monroe (Longlegs) returns as Jay, with Naomi Ackie (Blink Twice) joining the cast for David Robert Mitchell’s pic. The story picks up a decade after the original, but plot details beyond that remain under wraps. 

Neon has not announced an official release date.  

Robert Eggers Teases Romeo & Juliet Adaptation

Robert Eggers seems to have an unbreakable connection with Focus Features, with his next project being a “Romeo and Juliet” adaptation. According to Deadline, the deal hasn’t been finalized yet, but Eggers joked that he needed a break from the darkness of the upcoming Werwulf, prompting him to explore a 16th-century romance involving, as he put it, “two teenagers killing themselves.” 

Silent Hill Series Gears Up for a Fresh Start

Cinerverse

After Return to Silent Hill flopped earlier this year and seeing the massive success of Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil (2026), the Silent Hill franchise wants a fresh start with a “bold new take on the franchise,” per JoBlo. Despite limited details, Resident Evil producer Roy Lee is reportedly involved, making fans hopeful the next project will be a success. 

Jon Watts To Direct Next Star Wars Film

Known for directing the popular Spider-Man Home trilogy featuring Tom Holland, Jon Watts is set to direct a new Star Wars film. Watts will direct the first installment of a new trilogy that continues the Skywalker Saga following 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. 

Variety reports that Simon Kinberg will pen the script, whose credits include writing, producing, and directing the X-Men franchise.  

Jude Law And More Join Ari Aster’s Scapegoat

Jude Law in ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ via Disney+

Ari Aster’s Scapegoat is taking shape as Jude Law (Black Rabbit), Ella Purnell (Fallout), Caleb Landry Jones (Get Out), and Samba Schutte (Pluribus) join the ensemble. Scarlett Johansson and Jacob Elordi are already part of the project. 

Aster is directing his own script for Eddington’s follow-up, alongside Lars Knudsen producing. This would be his fifth venture with A24. Though story details remain closely guarded, speculation suggests it is either a thriller about a surgeon, a sci-fi romance, or a traditional drama. 

Ebon Moss-Bachrach Reportedly Joining Heat 2

Ebon Moss-Bachrach in ‘The Bear’ via FX and Hulu

The Bear’s Ebon Moss-Bachrach is reportedly in final talks to join Michael Mann’s prequel and sequel to 1995’s Heat. Moss-Bachrach will be joining the already star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Christian Bale (The Bride!), and Stephen Graham (Adolescence). 

It is speculated that the actor will play Kelso, originally played by Tom Noonan (Manhunter), who had a small but meaningful role in 1995’s Heat. Noonan died earlier this year. 

The film is based on Meg Gardiner’s 2022 book “Heat 2,” looking at both Neil McCauley (portrayed earlier by Robert De Niro) and Vincent Hanna’s (played previously by Al Pacino) early lives, as well as the story of McCauley’s right-hand man, Val Kimer’s Chris Shiherlis, after surviving the bank robbery climax. Shooting is scheduled to begin in November.  

Jean Smart Joins The Family Stone Sequel

20th Century Pictures

Searchlight Pictures’ sequel to the 2005 holiday classic is ready, with a cast lineup that recently added Jean Smart (Babylon). Other cast members include Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Sarah Jessica Parker, and more returning stars. 

Titled The Families Stone, Thomas Bezucha is returning to write and direct the sequel, having handled both duties on the original. THR reports that its logline follows the Stone family as they reunite 20 years after their mother’s passing, only to receive the biggest Christmas surprise from their father.

Update Courtesy of Madiha Ali