Hollywood knows how to keep things interesting, and this week kept things moving across several highly anticipated film and television projects. From David Bruckner taking over Smile 3, A24 pushing its boundaries with Elden Ring, and fresh casting updates for Ghost Rider and Grandgear, there is plenty to unpack.
Let’s dive into the biggest Hollywood updates of the week.
David Bruckner is Taking the Helm on Smile 3
According to Variety, Paramount has hired David Bruckner (Hellraiser, The Ritual) to direct Smile 3. Nick Antosca (Cape Fear, Verity) is on board to pen the screenplay. The duo will take over the creative duties from franchise creator Parker Finn, who will remain attached as a producer alongside Temple Hill Entertainment.
Details regarding the plot, cast, and release date remain unknown.
A24’s Elden Ring is Shaping Up
A24 is stepping into unfamiliar territory with its upcoming fantasy video game adaptation, Elden Ring, the studio’s most expensive project to date, as per Deadline. Based on the mythological lore work of George R.R. Martin, the film is written and directed by Alex Garland.
The cast currently includes Kit Connor, Ben Whishaw, Cailee Spaeny, Tom Burke, Havana Rose Liu, Sonoya Mizuno, Jonathan Pryce, Ruby Cruz, and Nick Offerman. It is scheduled to hit theatres in March 2028.
Connor Storrie Emerges as Potential Villain in Ryan Gosling’s Ghost Rider
According to Variety, Connor Storrie (Heated Rivalry, April X) is in talks to play a villain in Ryan Gosling’s Ghost Rider. Shawn Levy (Deadpool and Wolverine, Free Guy) is directing from a script by Jonathan Tropper (Star Wars: Starfighter).
Levy and Gosling are among the film’s producers, alongside Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, and Stephen Broussard. Plot details are under wraps, but Ghost Rider is slated for a theatrical release on July 28, 2028.
1408 Follow-Up Bringing Back John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson
Collider, citing Daniel Richtman, revealed that a sequel to the 2007 Stephen King psychological horror adaptation, 1408, is in early development. John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson will be returning, with Mikael Håfström reportedly coming back to helm.
No plot details, casting information, or release date have been announced for the follow-up.
Takashi Yamazaki’s Grandgear Assembles its Cast
While Godzilla Minus Zero is just hitting theatres and earning rave reviews, Takashi Yamazaki is wasting no time on his first English-language Hollywood film. Accoridng to Deadline, Yamazaki’s Grandgear is gathering its cast. He is directing from his own screenplay, which Bad Robot’s J.J. Abrams is producing alongside Glen Zipper.
Sam Nivola and Nico Parker are on board for the project, while Paul Giamatti is in talks for the role. Story details have yet to emerge, with production tentatively scheduled for 2027.
HBO Secures Sarah Snook-Led Limited Series The Birds
Deadline also brings word that The Birds, a limited series starring Succession alum and Emmy winner Sarah Snook, has found its home at HBO. Inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s film and Daphne du Maurier’s novella, it is considered a high-profile project.
Two familiar HBO executives, Tom Spezialy and David Heyman, are attached to the project. Spezialy wrote the pilot episode, a modern take on Hitchcock’s classic film now featuring new characters with a murder mystery at its heart. Snook will lead the series as Myra Massey, a new female protagonist.
Spezialy and Snook will serve as executive producers alongside Heyman, Danny Samit, and Jennifer Gabler Rawlings. Heyman and Samit are producing through Heyday Television, a joint venture with UGT, while Rawlings represents Omni Artists.
HBO has yet to announce a premiere date for the limited series.
Update Courtesy of Madiha Ali
Feature image credit to Toho Limited, Polygon
Madiha Ali
With bylines on Tea and Banter, Show Snob, The Irish Insider, Movie Insiderz, High on Films, and Screen Anarchy, Madiha Ali is a cine buff who watches films on a daily basis. A fan of The Matrix, Transformers, and Stranger…
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