Sizzling samachar: Alia Bhatt-led Spy Universe in development; Sandra Oh and Awkwafina to play sisters in the comedy film 'Quiz Lady'; 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' announces release date

Welcome to another episode of Sizzling samachar, your daily dose of entertainment news. I'm your host Nikhil. News from Bollywood first

Alia Bhatt-led Spy Universe in development

Alia Bhatt, who is set to play a negative character in the Gal Gadot-led spy film Heart of Stone, has been cast in another spy thriller. According to reports, she will headline an untitled film, which will be part of Aditya Chopra's Spy Universe.  The actress will be joining the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, and Katrina Kaif in the film which is touted as the biggest film franchise in India. While further details regarding the project have been kept under wraps, it has been confirmed the Salman Khan film Tiger 3 is set to release in November this year. Whereas War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan, and Tiger Vs Pathaan, starring Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, are expected to begin filming in 2024.

Sandra Oh and Awkwafina to play sisters in the comedy film 'Quiz Lady'

Killing Eve star Sandra Oh and Shang-Chi actress Awkwafina have been cast to play sisters in the upcoming comedy film Quiz Lady. The plot revolves around estranged sisters who are forced to reunite in order to clear their mother’s mounting gambling debt. They decide to participate in game shows to make money and embark on a cross-country road trip. The film is helmed by Jessica Yu and stars Jason Schwartzman, Tony Hale, Holland Taylor and Will Ferrell in supporting roles. Quiz Lady will release on Hulu on November 3, 2023, and is expected to release on Disney+ Hotstar in India.

'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' announces release date

The third film in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise has finally announced its release date. The comedy-drama written by and starring Nia Vardalos, will feature the return of the quirky Portokalos family as they take a trip to Greece for a family reunion. Vardalos reprises her role as the lead character, along with Corbett, Elena Kampouris, Lainie Kazan, Andrea Martin, Maria Vacratsis, and Gerry Mendicino. Vardalos will also serve as the director and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is scheduled to release on September 8, 2023.

Emilia Clarke and Chiwetel Ejiofor film 'The Pod Generation' announces release date

Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke, who was last seen in the Marvel series Secret Invasion, will star in the upcoming sci-fi film The Pod Generation. She will star alongside fellow Marvel star Chiwetel Ejiofor, who is best known for his performances in 12 Years a Slave and Children of Men. The plot is set in the near future where a couple embraces a device that allows couples to share pregnancies with the help of a detachable artificial womb or pod. Clarke labelled the Sophie Barthes directorial as “one of the best and most fulfilling creative experiences” she has ever had with a female filmmaker. She also explained in her Instagram post that the project ‘sets her acting soul on fire’. The Pod Generation is set to release in theatres on  August 11, 2023.

‘Tron: Ares' casts Cameron Monaghan

The latest instalment of the Tron franchise, titled Tron: Ares, is currently in development and has already cast big names such as Jared Leto and Evan Peters. Directed by Joachim Rønning, the film star Leto as the titular character Ares, while Peters will essay an undisclosed role. It has now been revealed that Cameron Monaghan, the star of the hit series Shameless has been cast in the upcoming 2025 film. Monaghan earned plaudits for his eerie take on a version of the Joker in the TV series Gotham and there is speculation that he could reprise his role as Cal Kestis in a live-action adaption of the hit video games Star War Jedi: Faller Order and the latest 2023 game Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

‘Oppenheimer’ cast walks out of the film’s UK premiere in solidarity with actors’ strike

The American actors union Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists or the SAG-AFTRA have announced that they will be joining the Writers Guild of America/WGA to strike against the studios. The news comes after the studios failed to reach an agreement with the unions regarding the use of AI and the likeness of actors for future projects – eerily similar to the Black Mirror Season 6 episode, Joan is Awful. The writers have been protesting for weeks for better residual payments in an era of streaming platforms and AI. This is the first time since 1960 that both unions have been on strike at the same time. The strike in 1960 was, in fact, led by Ronald Reagan who was yet to become a presidential candidate at the time. Hollywood biggies including Meryl Streep, Ben Stiller, and Colin Farrell have publicly backed the current strikes. While Christopher Nolan confirmed last night during the UK premiere of Oppenheimer that the film’s cast, including Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt, left the premiere in solidarity with the strike.

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

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

• Written by Ryan Gomez