Sizzling Samachar: Louis Leterrier's latest horror film ‘11817’ casts Greta Lee and Kingsley Ben-Adir; Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry team up as blue-collar spies in ‘The Union’

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Louis Leterrier's latest horror film ‘11817’ casts Greta Lee and Kingsley Ben-Adir

Louis Leterrier, renowned for his directorial prowess in thrillers like The Transporter and Fast X, unveils his next project, a gripping sci-fi horror titled 11817. Set to challenge the survival skills of a trapped family, the film promises a modern twist on the horror genre as inexplicable forces confine them within their home. In talks to lead the cast are the talented Greta Lee, fresh from her acclaimed performance in Past Lives, and Kingsley Ben-Adir, known for his captivating portrayal of Bob Marley in One Love. With production scheduled to commence soon, anticipation mounts for this spine-chilling tale of resilience and mystery.

Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry team up as blue-collar spies in ‘The Union’

Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry are set to ignite the screen as unlikely secret agents in Netflix's upcoming action comedy, The Union. In this first glimpse, Wahlberg and Berry embody the roles of unassuming operatives caught up in a high-stakes espionage game. Directed by Julian Farino, the film promises a blend of action and humour, with J.K. Simmons joining the cast as their no-nonsense boss. Wahlberg's admiration for Berry's action chops and their effortless on-screen chemistry adds to the anticipation for this August 16 premiere.

Jack O'Connell joins the cast of ‘28 Years Later’ sequel alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Renowned British actor Jack O'Connell has secured a pivotal role in the highly anticipated film, 28 Years Later, a sequel to Danny Boyle’s acclaimed zombie film 28 Days Later. O'Connell is set to star alongside lead star Cillian Murphy, who reprises his role, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes, O'Connell's addition completes the ensemble for this continuation of the cult classic 28 Days Later franchise. Directed by the visionary Danny Boyle and scripted by Civil War director Alex Garland, the film marks the beginning of a new trilogy, promising to delve deeper into the post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a deadly virus. O'Connell's character is expected to play a significant role, starting as a supporting figure in the first film and evolving into a central protagonist in subsequent instalments. With plans to shoot two films back-to-back and Candyman's Nia DaCosta slated to direct the second instalment.

Steven Spielberg teams up with A24 to Adapt ‘The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store’

Legendary director Steven Spielberg is teaming up with A24 for the adaptation of James McBride's acclaimed novel, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. Set against the backdrop of 1972 Pennsylvania, the story delves into the secrets of the Chicken Hill neighbourhood in Pottstown, where immigrant Jews and African Americans coexist. The narrative unfolds with the discovery of a mysterious skeleton, unveiling long-held community secrets and offering a commentary on survival in challenging times. Named among President Obama’s favourite books of 2023, the novel has garnered critical acclaim and anticipation for its film adaptation.

Disney shifts focus towards animated sequels, says Bob Iger

Disney CEO Bob Iger announced a new plan for animated movies, aiming for a mix of sequels and original stories. While acknowledging the success of sequels like Frozen II and Toy Story 4, Disney wants to balance them with fresh ideas. This shift comes as superhero fatigue looms, and Disney aims to keep animation vibrant. While popular sequels like Inside Out 2 and Moana 2 are in the pipeline, Disney also wants to spark creativity with new tales. Finding this balance between fan favourites and innovation is crucial for Disney's animation future.

Michelle Yeoh joins Blade Runner 2099 cast in mysterious role

Academy Award-winner Michelle Yeoh, known for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once joins the cast of Blade Runner 2099 in a mysterious role. With details of her character kept secret, the show is expected to delve into what defines humanity and will be a continuation of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049. The franchise, inspired by Philip K. Dick's novel, remains  relevant in the age of AI, exploring themes of reality and artificiality.

New faces and more chills: 'Wednesday' season 2 amps up the spookiness

The second season of Netflix’s Wednesday is set to be even scarier and more action-packed, with Jenna Ortega returning as the mischievous schoolgirl with a deadpan and gothic demeanour . Production has commenced in Ireland, and joining the cast are Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, and others in mysterious roles. The show's creators, Al Gough and Miles Millar, promise a mix of old and new characters, plus exciting guest stars like Christopher Lloyd and Haley Joel Osment. The season will focus more on horror, ditching romantic subplots, and giving fans exactly what they've been waiting for.

Alia Bhatt begins training for action-packed role in YRF spy universe film

Alia Bhatt is gearing up for her first action role in a new YRF Spy Universe movie. She's diving into a two-month training program to portray a super soldier, with filming set to start in late July across India and abroad. After this project, she'll join forces with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Love and War, shooting from January to June 2025. Amidst all this, rumours swirl about her potential cameos in other films. With exciting projects lined up, Bhatt's journey promises thrills and action-packed adventures on the big screen.

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

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• Written by Apurva Dutta

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