From Mindy Kaling to Chris Pratt, from Kevin Durand to Jared Leto and more

This is OTTplay Sizzling Samachar, your daily dose of entertainment news from around the world. I'm your host Nikhil

Mindy Kaling’s upcoming Scooby-Doo spin-off Velma announces voice cast

Mindy Kaling’s upcoming HBO Max adult animated series Velma has announced its cast. The Scooby-Doo spin-off series will star Glenn Howerton, Sam Richardson, and Constance Wu, with Kaling herself essaying the titular Velma Dinkley. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Howerton will play Fred Jones. Veep alum Richardson will voice Shaggy aka Norville Rodgers, and Crazy Rich Asians star Wu will play Daphne Blake.

Super Mario Bros. starring Chris Pratt releases trailer

After the disastrous 1993 live-action adaptation of Super Mario Bros., Nintendo walked away from Hollywood. However, the gaming giants will make a grand return next year on April 7 with the new animated film Super Mario Bros. The trailer for the film was released yesterday at the Nintendo Direct presentation. Chris Pratt voices the popular protagonist Mario, with Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Mario’s brother Luigi, Jack Black as the villainous Bowser, and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong.

Paul Greengrass, Universal Team for Stephen King’s ‘Fairy Tale’

Universal Studios have acquired the rights for Stephen King’s novel Fairy Tale. Acclaimed filmmaker Paul Greengrass, credited with films such as The Bourne Ultimatum and Captain Phillips is set to helm the project. The book was published in early September and is a fantasy coming-of-age story about a 17-year-old boy who uncovers a portal to another world.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes adds The Strain actor Kevin Durand

The recently announced Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the fourth instalment to the Planet of the Apes reboot has added The Strain actor Kevin Durand to its cast. He will be joined by Freya Allen, Peter Macon, and Eka Darville. The story will be set several years after the events of the previous trilogy, which focused on Andy Serkis’s character Ceaser, the ape leader. Wes Ball will replace Matt Reeves as director for the fourth film which is scheduled for a 2024 release.

Jared Leto to play Karl Lagerfeld

Oscar winner and Requiem for a Dream actor Jared Leto is set to play legendary fashion designer and former artistic director of Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld. Leto will also serve as the producer of the biopic along with Emma Ludbrook. No director has been attached to the project yet.

Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon to star in George and Tammy

Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon will play country music icons Tammy Wynette and George Jones in an upcoming miniseries titled, George and Tammy. Australian-Canadian filmmaker John Hillcoat will helm the project which also features Steve Zahn, Kelly McCormack, Katy Mixon, and Walton Goggins.

Shailene Woodley joins Dumb Money

Shailene Woodley has joined the ensemble cast of Craig Gillespie’s upcoming film Dumb Money. Based on Ben Mezrich’s book The Antisocial Network, the film revolves around a group of private investors and internet trolls who face off against one of the biggest hedge funds on Wall Street. The film also features Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Sebastian Stan, and Pete Davidson.

RRR launches Oscar campaign

S.S. Rajamouli's blockbuster RRR has officially launched its For Your Consideration campaign for the upcoming Academy Awards. The film is seeking consideration in 14 categories including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Jr NTR and Ram Charan, Best Actress for Alia Bhatt, Best Supporting Actor for Ajay Devgn, and Best Original Song. Last month, the Gujarati film Chhello Show was selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2023. Mother India, Salaam Bombay!, and Lagaan are the only Indian films that have been nominated by the Academy.

Well that's the OTTplay Sizzling news for today, until the next time it's your host Nikhil signing out.

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• Written by Arya Harikumar and Ryan Gomez