Sizzling Samachar: Chris Pratt and Taylor Kitsch to return for 'The Terminal List: Dark Wolf' prequel series; Kate McKinnon and Jemaine Clement join star-studded cast of Minecraft movie

Welcome to your daily dose of entertainment news, I'm your host Nikhil. News from Hollywood first.

Chris Pratt and Taylor Kitsch to return for 'The Terminal List: Dark Wolf' prequel series

Prime Video has unveiled plans for a new prequel series, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, to delve into the background stories of characters Ben Edwards and James Reece from the original Navy SEAL action drama, The Terminal List. Chris Pratt and Taylor Kitsch are confirmed to reprise their roles in this spin-off. While the precise timeline for the prequel concerning the main series remains undisclosed, this announcement follows the green light for Season 2 of The Terminal List, with promises of heightened intensity and action compared to the first season. Chris Pratt, in a social media statement, expressed enthusiasm not only for the upcoming season but also for the spin-off, assuring fans that it will be as thrilling and engaging as the original. Based on Jack Carr's best-selling novel, the series centres on Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander James Reece's pursuit of truth and justice after a harrowing covert mission. The Terminal List is available for streaming on Prime Video.

Kate McKinnon and Jemaine Clement join star-studded cast of Minecraft movie

Comedy stars Kate McKinnon and Jemaine Clement have joined the cast of the highly-anticipated film Minecraft, which is based on the popular video game. The film is directed  by Jared Hess and it already boasts a cast that includes Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Eugene Hansen. The film is set for release on April 4, 2025, and will focus on a teenage girl and a group of adventurers saving the Overworld from the fearsome Ender Dragon. Both McKinnon and Clement are celebrated in the comedy world, with McKinnon known for her work on Saturday Night Live and films like Ghostbusters and Clement is recognised for Flight of the Conchords and What We Do in the Shadows. The film is produced by a team including Roy Lee, Jon Berg, and Mary Parent.

Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson biopic casts Young Michael - Juliano Krue Valdi and Jaafar Jackson to portray the icon's journey

Lionsgate has finalised its cast for Antoine Fuqua's upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, Michael. The film will span four decades of the King of Pop's career, exploring the highs and lows of his life in the entertainment industry. Juliano Krue Valdi will play the young Michael Jackson, while Jaafar Jackson, the singer's nephew, will portray the iconic performer during his adult years. The casting process, particularly for the young Michael, was challenging, focusing on finding talent that could capture Jackson's spirit through voice, charisma, and dance skills. The film, set to start filming next week, is scripted by John Logan, known for his work on acclaimed titles like Gladiator and The Aviator. The global theatrical release is scheduled for April 18, 2025.

Netflix's 'Bhakshak' teaser unveils gritty crime-thriller produced by Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment

Netflix has dropped the teaser for its upcoming Bollywood crime-thriller, Bhakshak, produced by Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment. Starring Bhumi Pednekar, the film follows journalist Vaishali as she investigates child sex abuse, aiming to expose a group of powerful men. With a darker and more grounded tone compared to Red Chillies' previous Netflix productions, such as Bard of Blood and Betaal, Bhakshak promises a gripping narrative. Directed by Pulkit, the film also features Sanjay Mishra, Sai Tamhankar, and Aditya Srivastava. Bhakshak is set for a Netflix release on February 9, 2024.

'Suits' LA-Set spinoff unveils lead character and setting details

The Suits universe is expanding with a spinoff series set in a Los Angeles entertainment law firm, introducing a new lead character named Erica. This character, described as in her 30s and a Harvard law alum, aspires to become the Head of Entertainment. The spinoff aims to offer a fresh narrative canvas and tone, deviating from the familiar landscapes of New York or Chicago seen in the original series. While Megan Markle is not expected to reprise her role as Rachel Zane, some original cast members may consider returning for guest appearances. The President of Universal International Studios and UCP, Beatrice Springborn, has mentioned that the spinoff will maintain the fun and happy energy of the original show while exploring new storylines. The plot details have been kept under wraps, but the series is set to start casting soon at NBC, promising an exciting evolution in the Suits legacy.

Yash Raj Films presents nostalgia film festival: Shah Rukh Khan's Classics ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, and ‘Chak De India’ to Grace the Big Screen Again

Yash Raj Films is set to enchant Bollywood fans with a nostalgic trip down memory lane by re-releasing three iconic Shah Rukh Khan films - Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai, and Chak De India. This unique Nostalgia Film Festival is scheduled from January 19 to January 22 at selected PVR and INOX Cinemas. The announcement, made on social media, promises to revive the magic of these blockbusters on the big screen. Ticket prices start as low as Rs. 112 for this special cinematic event, which will take place in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Surat, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Kochi, among others. While Khan's return to these classics is anticipated, the re-release focuses on sharing cherished memories with a new generation of moviegoers. The films, each a gem in its genre, showcase Khan's versatility and the timeless appeal of Yash Raj Films' storytelling.

Ranveer Singh unveils intriguing poster of Prithviraj Sukumaran's ‘The Goat Life’

Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh recently shared the second poster of the highly anticipated film, The Goat Life, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran. Following the initial excitement generated by the first poster revealed by co-star Prabhas, the second look adds to the anticipation for what is touted as 'the greatest survival adventure ever.' Ranveer Singh's social media reveal further heightens the buzz around the film, emphasising its status as one of the most awaited releases of the year. Produced by Visual Romance, The Goat Life features a stellar cast, including Hollywood actor Jimmy Jean-Louis, Indian actors Amala Paul and K.R. Gokul, and Arab actors Talib al Balushi and Rik Aby. With music by A.R. Rahman and sound design by Resul Pookutty, the film promises a larger-than-life cinematic experience. Scheduled for release on April 10, 2024, the film will be presented in Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, showcasing its international appeal.

Selena Gomez and David Henrie to reunite for ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ Sequel

Disney has officially announced a sequel to the beloved Disney Channel series, Wizards of Waverly Place, featuring the return of Selena Gomez as Alex Russo and David Henrie as Justin Russo. Both stars will also serve as executive producers for the series. The sequel's plot revolves around an incident at WizTech where an adult Justin Russo chooses a human life over his wizard powers. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when a powerful young wizard seeks training from him, promising a journey of self-discovery and the need to reconcile with the past for the Wizard World's future. New cast members include Alkaio Thiele and Mimi Gianopulos. The pilot will be led by executive producers Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas, known for their work on Disney's Raven's Home. The original series, which aired from 2007 to 2012, gained immense popularity, and the sequel aims to continue the magical legacy with a fresh storyline, promising an enchanting return for viewers.

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

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• Written by Apurva Dutta