Sizzling Samachar: Danny Boyle and Alex Garland Reunite for '28 Years Later' Sequel in Zombie Franchise; Willem Dafoe's unexpected warmth shines in A24's 'The Florida Project'

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

Paramount expands ‘Star Trek’ Universe with New Film: Toby Haynes to direct from Seth Grahame-Smith's script

In a groundbreaking move, Paramount is set to broaden the Star Trek universe with an upcoming film, signalling the franchise's continued evolution. Renowned director Toby Haynes, celebrated for his work on the Star Wars series Andor, is tapped to helm the project, which boasts a script crafted by the accomplished Seth Grahame-Smith. The movie, produced by JJ Abrams' Bad Robot, takes a distinct path from Star Trek 4, foregoing the anticipated reunion of stars Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth. Despite the last cinematic release in 2016, the Star Trek franchise remains vibrant, propelled by the success of Paramount+ series like Picard and Strange New Worlds. The strategic approach of concurrently producing multiple shows has now extended to the film domain. Haynes, recognised for his contributions to acclaimed shows such as Doctor Who and Black Mirror, adds credibility to this latest cinematic endeavour.

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland Reunite for '28 Years Later' Sequel in Zombie Franchise

Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland are set to collaborate on a sequel to 28 Days Later titled 28 Years Later. The highly anticipated project is poised to be the first instalment in a trilogy, with a reported budget of $75 million for each film. Golden Globe-winning Oppenheimer lead star Cillian Murphy, who starred in the original film, has expressed keen interest in reprising his role, stating that if Alex Garland thinks there’s a good script and if Boyle is involved. The original film, released in 2002, garnered both critical and commercial success, inspiring a sequel, 28 Weeks Later, in 2007. With Boyle directing and Garland writing, the duo aims to recapture the essence of the zombie-apocalypse franchise that left audiences on the edge of their seats.

Selena Gomez to portray music icon Linda Ronstadt in upcoming biopic

In a major casting revelation, Selena Gomez is set to take on the role of legendary singer Linda Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic, offering an intimate portrayal of the acclaimed musician's life and career. Gomez, with her dual proficiency as an actor and pop star, stands as an ideal choice for the role. The announcement was teased by Gomez on her Instagram account, sharing a glimpse of Ronstadt's memoir, Simple Dreams. Known for her powerful voice that resonated across various music genres, Ronstadt's impact on the 1970s music scene was profound. The biopic, currently in pre-production, is anticipated to showcase Gomez's versatility as she steps into the shoes of the iconic artist.

Highly anticipated premieres at SXSW 2024: 'The Fall Guy,' '3 Body Problem,' and 'Star Trek: Discovery' Season 5

The South by Southwest (SXSW) festival is gearing up to be a cinematic and television extravaganza with an exciting lineup of premieres. Among the highly anticipated releases are The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling, 3 Body Problem from Game of Thrones producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and the fifth and final season of Paramount's Star Trek: Discovery. The Fall Guy is set to take centre stage as the festival's Centrepiece film, with a wide release scheduled for May 3. Directed by David Leitch, the action-packed film follows Ryan Gosling as Colt Seavers, a stuntman on a mission to find a missing actor. The star-studded cast includes Emily Blunt, Winston Duke, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Additionally, SXSW will showcase the premiere of Netflix's mega-budgeted science-fiction series, 3 Body Problem, marking the return of Benioff and Weiss after Game of Thrones. The festival will also host the premiere of the highly anticipated fifth season of Paramount's Star Trek: Discovery, concluding the series that brought Star Trek back to television.

James Gunn explores Supergirl Casting with Milly Alcock, Emilia Jones, and Meg Donnelly for 'Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow'

James Gunn is reportedly conducting screen tests for the role of Supergirl, with Milly Alcock, Emilia Jones, and Meg Donnelly in consideration. The planned Supergirl movie, titled Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, based on Tom King's comic book series, is expected to present a darker portrayal of the character. The casting may be for a cameo that could lead to a standalone film, similar to the introductions of Tom Holland and Chadwick Boseman in Captain America: Civil War. The movie, co-produced by Gunn and DC's Peter Safran, explores a unique narrative, showcasing Supergirl's tougher upbringing compared to Superman. Milly Alcock, known for her role in House of the Dragon, is among the top contenders, along with Emilia Jones and Meg Donnelly, both recognized for their contributions to film and television. The  Kara Zoe-El aka Kara Danvers version of the character is expected to feature in the film. The character was previously played by Melissa Bensoit in the 2015 TV series Supergirl and by Sasha Calle in the 2023 film The Flash.

Paul Thomas Anderson's latest venture set for Warner Bros. production with Stellar Cast

In an exciting development, Warner Bros. has given the green light to Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film, marking a shift towards commercial appeal for the acclaimed director. The untitled movie, set to commence filming next week, boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring Oscar winners Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, along with Regina Hall. While details about the plot are under wraps, the project is expected to be Anderson's most mainstream endeavour, aligning with a budget fitting its expansive scope and star-studded lineup. DiCaprio, fresh from his work on Killers of the Flower Moon, and Penn, recently starring in Daddio, add substantial weight to the production. Anderson's partnership with Warner Bros. follows the success of Licorice Pizza, and fans eagerly anticipate more updates on this promising cinematic venture.

‘Mayor of Kingstown’ season 3 commences filming as Jeremy Renner returns after a near-fatal accident

Paramount+ has kickstarted the production of the highly anticipated third season of Mayor of Kingstown, signalling Jeremy Renner's comeback after a life-threatening accident. Following an act of heroism where Renner rescued his nephew from a snow plough accident on January 1, 2023, the actor faced severe injuries, with over 30 broken bones. Despite the setback, Renner has displayed resilience and determination to resume his acting career. The series, created by Oscar nominees Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon, explores the complexities of a Michigan town heavily reliant on the incarceration industry, unravelling themes of corruption, systemic racism, and inequality. With Paramount+ ranking it among its top original dramas, the new season promises to captivate audiences with the McLusky family's quest for justice in a town marred by turmoil.

‘The Last of Us Season 2’: 'Beef's Young Mazino cast as Jesse, adding intrigue to Ellie's journey

Young Mazino, who recently starred in the multiple award-winning series Beef, has been cast as Jesse in the highly anticipated second season of The Last of Us. He will join Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, and new cast member Kaitlyn Dever. Jesse's character is instrumental in the personal conflict and the nuances of friendship with Ellie and Dina, adding depth to the acclaimed HBO adaptation based on the hit video game series. Kaitlyn Dever's recent casting as Abby hints at intriguing plot developments. Production for the new episodes starts next month. The second season, inspired by the game's storyline, delves into Ellie's complex journey, exploring themes of love, survival, revenge and the challenges of a post-pandemic world. As fans await the continuation of this thrilling narrative, the show creators, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, aim to deliver an emotionally intense and faithful adaptation.

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

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• Written by Apurva Dutta