Sizzling Samachar: Gru's Family prepares for a heist in first 'Despicable Me 4' trailer; Paul Mescal takes on the role of Shakespeare in Chloé Zhao's 'Hamnet'

Welcome to another episode of Sizzling Samachar, I'm your host Nikhil. News first from Hollywood.

Gru's Family prepares for a heist in first 'Despicable Me 4' trailer

The beloved Despicable Me franchise is making a return with Despicable Me 4, set to hit theatres on July 3, 2024. The newly released trailer showcases the familiar characters, including Gru voiced by Steve Carell, Lucy Wilde voiced by Kristen Wiig, and the mischievous Minions. In this instalment, Gru faces the challenge of balancing his anti-villain activities while navigating family dynamics, introducing his estranged twin brother and mother into the mix. The storyline promises a blend of humor, action, and family themes, with the Minions adding their trademark chaos to the adventure. Directed by Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage, Despicable Me 4 aims to continue the franchise's success, with animation director Renaud returning after a decade. The film's screenplay, crafted by Mike White, suggests a potential infusion of unique humour into the beloved series.

Paul Mescal takes on the role of Shakespeare in Chloé Zhao's 'Hamnet'

In an exciting development for fans of both literature and film, Paul Mescal is set to portray a young William Shakespeare in Chloé Zhao's film adaptation of Hamnet. The talented actor will be starring alongside Jessie Buckley, who takes on the role of Agnes Shakespeare, the playwright's wife. Hamnet is based on the 2020 novel of the same name by Maggie O'Farrell, offering a fictionalised account of the Shakespeare family's grief following the death of their son, Hamnet, at the age of 11. The narrative serves as a backdrop to the creation of one of Shakespeare's most iconic works, Hamlet. Chloé Zhao, an Academy Award-winning director, brings her unique perspective to this historical drama. The film explores the profound emotional experiences of the Shakespeare family and the creative process that led to the masterpiece, Hamlet. While details about the film are currently limited, the combination of Mescal's acting prowess, Buckley's talent, and Zhao's directorial vision promises a compelling exploration of grief, artistry, and the intricate tapestry of family dynamics.

‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ surpasses $400 Million at Global Box Office, defying Theatre count decrease

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has made a significant box office splash, surpassing the $400 million mark globally despite a reduction in theatre count. Starring Jason Momoa and directed by James Wan, the superhero sequel exhibited impressive resilience, maintaining a position in the top 10 for six consecutive weekends. With $118 million earned domestically and a substantial $294 million from overseas markets, the film's total worldwide box office stands at $412 million. Notably, its performance exceeds recent releases in the DC Extended Universe, outperforming Black Adam, which garnered $393 million. China remains a key market, contributing $61 million. As the DC Extended Universe undergoes a reboot under new leadership, Aquaman 2 marks a notable success, reaching its break-even point with a reported budget of $200 million. Despite mixed critical reviews, the film maintains a strong audience score of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes

Sunny Deol to portray Hanuman in Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’ confirmed

Actor Sunny Deol has been reportedly roped in to take on the role of the mighty Hanuman in Nitesh Tiwari's much-anticipated project, Ramayana. It potentially adds to the star-studded cast, with Ranbir Kapoor set to play Lord Ram. Described as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Deol's imposing presence aligns perfectly with the unwavering loyalty and strength associated with Hanuman. The film's production team views the casting through the lens of the pure bond between Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman. The epic journey, scheduled to commence in March 2024, will see Kapoor and Sai Pallavi leading the charge, with filming continuing until May and post-production expected to take a year and a half for the first instalment.

Karan Johar teases enigmatic project Sarzameen with star-studded clues

Bollywood maestro Karan Johar has set the internet abuzz with a cryptic social media post hinting at his upcoming project, tentatively titled Sarzameen. While not an official announcement, Johar's post fuels speculation about the cast, crew, and plot, engaging fans in a thrilling guessing game. The post drops three intriguing hints, teasing a potential ‘Southern Superstar’, an ‘Emotional Powerhouse’, and a ‘Legacy Debutant’, rumoured to be Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kajol, and Ibrahim Ali Khan, respectively. The film, shrouded in secrecy for a year, adds to the mystery, with even the crew kept in the dark. Johar's mention of the title Sarzameen intensifies speculation, and an interactive element promises a sneak-peek for those who correctly decode the details. As the project reportedly nears release, anticipation heightens, promising an exciting addition to Karan Johar's cinematic repertoire.

Ranveer Singh explores South Indian film ventures with Atlee, Nelson, and Murugadoss

Bollywood sensation Ranveer Singh is eyeing collaborations with top directors from the thriving South Indian film industries, signalling a growing trend of cross-industry partnerships. Recent reports suggest that Singh has engaged in discussions with renowned directors including Atlee, Nelson, and AR Murugadoss, expressing his eagerness to embark on exciting projects. At the forefront of his wishlist is Atlee, director of the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jawan, with talks of Singh potentially taking on a leading role. Additionally, Singh has explored opportunities with Nelson for an action-packed narrative and conveyed interest in Murugadoss's genre-defying storytelling. As Singh actively pursues projects with pan-Indian appeal, including discussions with Basil Joseph for Shaktimaan and potential collaborations with Jayantilal Gada and Shankar, his Bollywood commitments, particularly Don 3, remain on track.

Rajinikanth resumes Vettaiyan shoot in Andhra Pradesh

Superstar Rajinikanth is gearing up for the next schedule of his upcoming film Vettaiyan with director TJ Gnanavel, which is set to commence in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. The film, expected to be released this summer, features a star-studded cast, including Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Manju Warrier, and Rithika Singh. Joining Rajinikanth for this shoot are Fahadh Faasil and Rana Daggubati. Directed by TJ Gnanavel, Vettaiyan is anticipated to wrap up its shooting soon, allowing the team to focus on post-production. The film's musical score is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, marking his fourth collaboration with Rajinikanth. Rajinikanth's last outing was the 2023 blockbuster Jailer, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, and he also has upcoming projects like Lal Salaam and Thalaivar 171 in the pipeline.

Well that's all we got for today's episode, until the next one it's your host Nikhil signing out.

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• Written by Apurva Dutta