Sizzling Samachar: Francis Ford Coppola reveals first look of Sci-Fi Epic ‘Megalopolis’; Kevin Costner's epic western passion project finds director in Ariel Vromen

Welcome to another episode of your daily entertainment news podcast, I'm your host Nikhil. News from Hollywood next

Francis Ford Coppola reveals first look of Sci-Fi Epic ‘Megalopolis’

Renowned director Francis Ford Coppola has unveiled a sneak peek of his long-anticipated sci-fi drama, Megalopolis, starring Adam Driver. The film, set in a dystopian future, follows an architect's ambitious mission to rebuild New York City as a utopia, leading to a clash with a corrupt mayor. Drawing inspiration from Roman history, the self-financed project wrapped up production in March 2023 and is expected to hit screens in 2024. The recently revealed image features a dark, rain-soaked New York City alley with a destroyed statue, setting the tone for the film's atmospheric narrative. The ensemble cast includes Nathalie Emmanuel, Forest Whitaker, Jon Voight, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, and more.

Kevin Costner's epic western passion project finds director in Ariel Vromen

Kevin Costner has selected director Ariel Vromen for his upcoming passion project, a Western film that Costner will both star in and produce. This collaboration marks their second project together, with production set to commence in early 2025. The film, still untitled, holds its plot details under wraps, and Costner's recent success in Taylor Sheridan's Western series Yellowstone has solidified his standing in the genre. The actor's dedication to Western storytelling is further evident in his work behind the camera for the Civil War epic Horizon: An American Saga. With the duo's history of delivering captivating thrillers, the upcoming project is anticipated to be a compelling addition to Costner's Western repertoire.

Matthew Goode to lead Netflix's crime drama 'Department Q'

Netflix has initiated production on the crime series Department Q, featuring Matthew Goode in the lead role. Based on the novels by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen, the show follows former top-rated detective Carl Morck as he delves into cold cases, assembling a team of unconventional officers. The series, headed by Scott Frank, also stars Chloe Pirrie, Alexej Manvelov, Kelly Macdonald, and Leah Byrne. The narrative revolves around Morck's transformation as he leads Department Q, a new cold case unit, and turns a group of misfit officers into a formidable team. While Goode gained recognition for his role in Watchmen,this series marks his return to television after concluding A Discovery of Witches. The release date for Department Q on Netflix is yet to be announced.

SCOOP: Salman Khan meets Atlee for a ‘Dabangg’ Spin-off; Atlee to write the script

Salman Khan is exploring the potential of a Dabangg spin-off and is reportedly in discussions with director Atlee. While Atlee may not direct the film, sources indicate he may write the script and play a creative role. The spin-off aims to reintroduce the iconic character of Chulbul Pandey and is likely to be a collaborative effort between Arbaaz Khan, Atlee, and Salman Khan. The trio is considering the spin-off as a co-production, with plans to make the franchise pan-India. The venture is still in the early stages of discussion, awaiting Atlee's final confirmation.

Ranbir Kapoor to embrace complex shades of grey in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's ‘Love & War’

In a remarkable reunion after 17 years, Ranbir Kapoor is set to headline Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming directorial venture, Love & War. The film, inspired by the 1964 classic Sangam, promises to be an action-packed love story set against the backdrop of war. Kapoor's role in the film is reported to be a nuanced and twisted character with shades of grey. Bhansali, impressed by Kapoor's recent stellar performance in Animal, believes he possesses the perfect blend of acting prowess and superstar charisma for this challenging role. With Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal joining the cast in a love triangle, the film is poised to deliver a captivating interplay of characters. Currently in the pre-production stage, Love & War is scheduled for a Christmas 2025 release, marking the second collaboration between Kapoor and Bhansali since their debut film Saawariya.

Pawan Kalyan and Emraan Hashmi's power-packed ‘OG’ set for global release on September 27, 2024

The much-anticipated gangster drama, OG, featuring Pawan Kalyan in the lead role and Emraan Hashmi as the antagonist, has officially secured a release date. Directed by Sujeeth, the film, known for its high-octane action sequences shot in Mumbai and Hyderabad, is scheduled to hit screens worldwide on September 27, 2024. Fans can expect an electrifying experience as Pawan Kalyan and Emraan Hashmi lock horns in this power-packed cinematic spectacle. The film, produced by DVV Danayya under DVV Entertainments, also stars Prakash Raj, Priyanka Mohan, Arjun Das, and Sriya Reddy in pivotal roles. OG promises to deliver a gripping narrative and is poised to be a must-watch on the big screen.

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

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• Written by Apurva Dutta