Sizzling Samachar: ‘The Last of Us’ season 2 casts Isabela Merced as Dina, adding depth to the post-apocalyptic drama; ‘The Good Doctor’ wraps up with Season 7 on ABC, Freddie Highmore expresses gratitude for the journey

Welcome to another episode of Sizzling Samachar on OTTplay, I'm your host Nikhil. News from Hollywood up next.

‘The Last of Us’ season 2 casts Isabela Merced as Dina, adding depth to the post-apocalyptic drama

In a significant casting update for the highly anticipated second season of HBO's The Last of Us, Isabela Merced has been officially chosen to portray the pivotal character of Dina. Dina, a vital figure in the acclaimed video game The Last of Us Part II, serves as both the love interest and companion to lead character Ellie Williams, providing a beacon of light in the narrative's dark undertones. Isabela Merced, known for her roles in Nickelodeon's 100 Things to Do Before High School and films like Transformers: The Last Knight, brings her versatile talents to the series. The character of Dina, explored in the acclaimed video game, plays a crucial role in unravelling themes of love, loyalty, and survival in a post-apocalyptic world. With Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, and Kaitlyn Dever also joining the cast, The Last of Us Season 2 is set to deliver an emotionally charged and gripping storyline when it premieres on HBO in 2025.

‘The Good Doctor’ wraps up with Season 7 on ABC, Freddie Highmore expresses gratitude for the journey

In a bittersweet announcement, ABC's beloved medical drama series, The Good Doctor, is set to conclude its successful run after the upcoming seventh season. The show, which premiered in 2017 and revolves around Dr. Shaun Murphy, portrayed by Freddie Highmore, a surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, has garnered a devoted fan base over the years. Freddie Highmore, expressing gratitude for his transformative experience on the show, thanked the cast, crew, and viewers for their unwavering support. As the final season unfolds starting on February 20, fans can expect emotional farewells and resolutions to ongoing storylines. With a stellar cast, including Chuku Modu, Christina Chang, and Richard Schiff, The Good Doctor has left an indelible mark on television, exploring themes of resilience, empathy, and triumph over personal challenges. The Good Doctor is available on OTTplay Premium.

Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’ set for April 2025 release

Lionsgate Films has officially announced the release date for the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, titled Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua. Slated to hit theatres on April 18, 2025, the film aims to provide a comprehensive and honest portrayal of the legendary pop star's life. Starring Jaafar Jackson, Michael's nephew, in the titular role, the biopic promises an epic cinematic exploration of Michael Jackson's triumphs, tragedies, and undeniable creative genius. Fuqua, known for his work on The Equalizer series and The Magnificent Seven, asserts that the film will not shy away from addressing controversial aspects of Jackson's life, including sexual abuse allegations. With a script by John Logan and production by Graham King, the film is poised to offer audiences a new perspective on the King of Pop, allowing them to form their own opinions about the influential artist.

John Krasinski and Natalie Portman to lead Guy Ritchie's ‘Fountain of Youth’ for Apple TV+

In an exciting development, John Krasinski and Natalie Portman are set to headline Apple TV+'s upcoming original movie, Fountain of Youth, directed by Guy Ritchie. The action-adventure film will revolve around two estranged siblings embarking on a quest to discover the mystical location referenced in the title. The project, gaining momentum after last year's industry strikes, showcases top-tier talent with Krasinski and Portman joining forces under Ritchie's direction. The movie, written by James Vanderbilt, known for a diverse array of screenplays including The Amazing Spider-Man and Zodiac, adds an element of unpredictability to the genre. While additional cast members and production dates are yet to be disclosed, Fountain of Youth has already become a top priority for Skydance, hinting at the anticipation surrounding this captivating collaboration.

Wes Anderson to direct untitled film starring Bill Murray, Benicio Del Toro, and Michael Cera

Renowned director Wes Anderson is set to helm an as-yet-unnamed film featuring an impressive cast including the iconic Bill Murray, Benicio Del Toro, and Michael Cera. The movie, expected to commence production later this year, marks Anderson's reunion with Murray, a longstanding collaborator since the 1998 film Rushmore. Del Toro, who recently appeared in Anderson's The French Dispatch, joins the ensemble, while Cera makes his debut in the whimsical world of Anderson's storytelling. While details about the film's plot remain undisclosed, Anderson,in collaboration with Roman Coppola, is diligently working on the script, heightening anticipation for another cinematic masterpiece from the visionary director.

Nick Frost joins cast of 'How to Train Your Dragon' Live-Action remake

Nick Frost has been confirmed as the latest addition to the cast of the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon. Set to portray Gobber the Belch, trusted advisor to Stoick played by Gerard Butler, Frost joins an ensemble that includes Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and Gerard Butler. Directed by Dean DeBlois, the film is slated for release on June 13, 2025, and follows the success of the animated trilogy. With high expectations, the live-action remake aims to breathe new life into the beloved characters and narrative, making it a highly anticipated project for fans of the original animated films.

Ranbir Kapoor to commence filming 'Ramayana' in March 2024, Nitesh Tiwari directing

After the success of Animal, Ranbir Kapoor is set to collaborate with director Nitesh Tiwari for the epic Ramayana, co-starring Sai Pallavi, last seen in the Tamil film, Gargi. Filming is scheduled to begin in Mumbai on March 2, with additional schedules planned for April and May 2024. The film's director, Nitesh Tiwari, has charted out an extensive schedule in Film City, focusing on dialogue-heavy scenes initially and reserving major crowd sequences, including war portions, for April and May. The makers aim to wrap up these scenes before the monsoons hit Mumbai. The pre-production phase involved meticulous planning,including look tests and 3D mapping sessions with the cast. Kapoor will head to Los Angeles in February for crucial technical rehearsals at the DNEG office, a VFX powerhouse collaborating on the project. The makers also plan to bring in expert technicians from Los Angeles during the initial weeks of the shoot. Ramayana is expected to be released by the second half of 2025, and the anticipation for this cinematic spectacle is already high among fans.

Suniel Shetty joins Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan in upcoming Rom-Com

Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan, star kids of the industry, are set to share the screen in a romantic comedy. The latest development reveals that veteran actor Suniel Shetty has joined the cast and will play an integral role in the film. The movie, directed by Shauna Gautam, marks her directorial debut and is expected to bring an interesting dimension to the story with Suniel Shetty's character. Directed by Shauna Gautam, who has previously worked as an assistant director on Bollywood blockbusters like Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani and Rajkumar Hirani's Sanju, the romantic comedy promises to be a captivating tale with a unique charm. There are speculations that the film might take the route of a direct-to-digital release under Karan Johar's digital production arm, Dharmatics. The decision is based on the belief that the narrative palette of the film would be better suited for an OTT release. Khushi

Kapoor, who recently made her acting debut with Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies, and Ibrahim Ali Khan, who is set to make his debut in a thriller film alongside Kajol, are already creating a buzz in the industry.

Well that's all we got for today's episode, until the next time it's your host Nikhil signing out.

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• Written by Apurva Dutta