Sizzling Samachar: Gal Gadot confirms ‘Red Notice’ sequel; 'Obi-Wan Kenobi’ series to be adapted into a Marvel comic; Former RAW head criticises depiction of spies in Bollywood

Welcome to your daily dose of entertainment news on OTTplay, i'm your host Nikhil. Here are the top stories.

Gal Gadot confirms ‘Red Notice’ sequel

Hollywood star Gal Gadot has confirmed that a sequel to the 2021 Netflix action comedy Red Notice is currently in development. The Heart of Stone and Wonder Woman actress confirmed the news during the Netflix fan event TUDUM. Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson will also be reprising their roles in the sequel, and there is even a possibility of a third film according to the producers Beau Flynn and Hiram Garcia. Meanwhile, Gadot’s next project is the Netflix spy thriller Heart of Stone, which is set to release on August 11 this year and stars, among others, Bollywood superstar Alia Bhatt in a prominent role.

King Charles’ new YouTube channel launched by Idris Elba, Olivia Colman, and Woody Harrelson

Award-winning actors Idris Elba, Olivia Colman, and Woody Harrelson joined hands to launch King Charles’ new YouTube channel. Titled RE:TV, the channel is a platform designed to showcase solutions for sustainable means to help the climate and biodiversity. The channel will serve as the digital wing of the non-profit studio also called RE: TV, which was founded by the monarch in 2020. The studio has already produced over 100 short films around the subject of innovations in the field of environmental projects. The new YouTube channel will feature nearly the entire catalogue of films produced by RE:TV.

'Obi-Wan Kenobi’ series to be adapted into a Marvel comic

Two of Disney’s flagship brands are set to crossover, as Obi-Wan Kenobi is set to make his Marvel comics debut. The new comic book will be a six-issue series based on the Disney+ Star Wars show, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The first issue will be published in September this year and will be written by Jody Houser, who previously wrote the comic book adaptation of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in 2017. The TV series Obi-Wan Kenobi has not been renewed for a second season, but Disney+ is set to release the new series titled Ahsoka, with Rosario Dawson playing the titular role. The series will premiere on August 23, and will also feature the return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker aka the young Darth Vader.

Former RAW head criticises depiction of spies in Bollywood

Vikram Sood, the former head of India’s intelligence agency, RAW, has criticised how intelligence officers and spies have been depicted in recent Bollywood films such as Ek Tha Tiger and Pathaan. Sood explained in an interview that Bollywood’s attempts to mimic the world of spies as seen in James Bond films are unrealistic. He also added that Steven Speilberg’s Bridge of Spies, starring Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance, is an authentic depiction of a spy’s life – a life of isolation and intelligence gathering.

‘Adipurush’ attempts to salvage the film with new edited dialogue

Following the severe backlash that Adipurush has endured since its release a week ago, the makers have now decided on a last-ditch effort to salvage its dwindling box office numbers. According to reports, the film will be screened with new edited dialogues and tickets will be sold at a discounted price of ₹112. Despite a record-breaking opening, the Prabhas-film collection plummeted after a nationwide backlash. Can this actually reverse the fate of this big-budget mythological remake? All we can say at the moment is, Ram Jaane!

Netflix announces multi-year deal with Hansal Mehta

After the recent success of the crime drama series Scoop, Netflix has announced a multi-year partnership with the show’s creator Hansal Mehta. This means that the renowned filmmaker will collaborate with the streaming giant for future releases. The management at Netflix was reportedly thrilled with the critics and audience response to Scoop, which is based on Jigna Vora’s book Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison.

Well that's the Sizzling samachar for today's episode, until the next time it's your host Nikhil signing out.

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• Written by Ryan Gomez