Live-Action ONE PIECE Adaptation Casts Its Straw Hat Pirates

Netflix’s upcoming live-action series adaptation of the anime show One Piece has finally casts its leads, including Iñaki Godoy (Who Killed Sara?) as Monkey D. Luffy.

Also joining the Going Merry/Thousand Sunny’s beloved pirate crew are Mackenyu (Rurouni Kenshin: Final Chapter, Pacific Rim: Uprising) as Rornoa Zoro, Emily Rudd (Fear Street, Hunters) as Nami, Jacob Romero Gibson (All Rise) as Usopp, and Taz Skylar (Boiling Point) as Sanji.

Lost and The X-Files’ Steven Maeda will serve as showrunner, taking on the additional roles of writer and executive producer alongside Matt Owens (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Luke Cage).

One Piece follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a boy whose body gained the properties of rubber after accidentally eating a magical Devil Fruit. Alongside his crew, named the Straw Hat Pirates, he explores a fantastical world of endless oceans and exotic islands in search of the world’s ultimate treasure known as “One Piece” to become the next King of the Pirates.

Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy

In addition to the original manga from Eiichiro Oda, One Piece has been spun into animated movies, video games, and a marathon (still ongoing) 20-season anime series which, at the time of writing, boasts an incredible 998 episodes.

Given One Piece stands as one of the best-selling manga series in history and one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time, it’s little surprise that Netflix would adapt it to live-action. And, with the trailers to the upcoming Cowboy Bebop series – similarly adapted from anime – looking promising, let’s hope One Piece is less 2017’s Fullmetal Alchemist and more 2006’s Death Note. 

Leonardo DiCaprio To Star As Mass-Murderer And Cult Leader Jim Jones

MGM has bought the script for a feature project currently titled Jim Jones, from Venom writer Scott Rosenberg and, according to Deadline, Leonardo DiCaprio is in final talks to star as the 1970s cult leader.

Jones was behind the infamous Jonestown mass murder-suicide on November 18th, 1978, which claimed the lives of more than 900 of his followers. Founder of the Peoples Temple in 1955, Jones promoted this new religious organisation as a fully integrated congregation promoting Christian Socialism; by the ’70s however, he had rejected Christianity and instead proclaimed that he was God. This led to the construction of Jonestown, a remote jungle commune in Guyana which he hailed as a socialist paradise free from American governmental oppression.

Cult leader Jim Jones

Jim Jones (Credit: Getty)

Responding to media reports of human rights abuses at Jonestown however, the U.S. sent a delegation led by Representative Leo Ryan on a fact-finding mission – Ryan and four others would be gunned down by Jones’ followers just as they were boarding a return flight with fifteen former Temple members who wished to leave. Soon after, Jones orchestrated the mass murder-suicide of over 900 (reports vary between 909 and 918) members of his commune, including 304 children, by means of cyanide-laced Flavor Aid. Jones subsequently killed himself by gunshot. The Jonestown massacre was, before 9/11, the largest single incident of intentional civilian death in American history.

DiCaprio will also produce Jim Jones for his Appian Way company. A director is yet to be confirmed.

 

 

First Look At Jeremy Irons In Darren Lynn Bousman Horror THE CELLO

The Cello film poster 2021

Filming wrapped last week in Saudi Arabia on The Cello, a new horror film from Saw II-IV and Spiral director Darren Lynn Bousman which stars Oscar-, Tony-, and Emmy-winner Jeremy Irons (seen recently in Watchmen and Zack Snyder’s Justice League), Saw’s Tobin Bell, Samer Ismail (The Day I Lost My Shadow), and Elham Ali (Ashman, Netflix’s Whispers).

As expected then, we now have our first look images of Irons and Bell in the English and Arabic language feature, written by and based on the novel by Turki Al Alshikh.

Jeremy Irons and Tobin Bell in Darren Lynn Bousman's The Cello first look

The film tracks the story of an aspiring cellist who learns the cost of his brand-new cello is a lot more insidious than he first thought.

The Cello assembles as stellar a team behind the camera as it does in front of it: Maxime Alexandre (Shazam!, The Haunting of Bly Manor) as director of photography, Harvey Rosenstock (Scent of a Woman) as editor and Joseph Bishara (Insidious, The Conjuring) as composer.

With filming wrapped and a poster released, it’s fair to expect a release date any day now – so stay tuned.

Philip K. Dick’s VULCAN’S HAMMER Gets Movie Treatment

Vulcan's Hammer book cover by Philip K. Dick

Philip K. Dick’s 1960 sci-fi novel Vulcan’s Hammer is being adapted under New Republic Pictures by Francis Lawrence, who helmed three of the Hunger Games films and the post-apocalyptic zombie movie I Am Legend.

Tackling anxieties around artificial intelligence, Vulcan’s Hammer is set in 2029 CE, after a devastating world war sees the nations of Earth form the Unity party and cede global governance to the Vulcan AI system. The system algorithmically dictates policies for the Unity party to enact. However, after Vulcan is attacked, Unity director William Barris is called upon to figure out who, or what, wants to destroy the all-important system. The novel is considered the last outing of Dick’s 1950s style pulp sci-fi writing, before he published his more “prestige” works like The Man in the High Castle, for which the author won the coveted Hugo Award.

Philip K. Dick’s work has been an endless source of inspiration for the entertainment industry, serving as the basis for numerous big- and small-screen adaptations, from Blade Runner and Total Recall, to Minority Report and Electric Dreams. 

The news was first reported by THR.

 

 

 

Everything We Know About THE BOYS Season 3

The Boys

The R-rated superhero satire The Boys wrapped production on its third season in September, but a decent wait until its release is still expected, with our best estimate pointing to a Spring/Summer 2022 window. However, Amazon Studios has been trickling teasers and content out to ensure fans stay on the hook over the show’s hiatus, periodically releasing first-look images of new characters and episodes of their YouTube web series and Fox News parody, Vought News Network: Seven on 7 with Cameron Coleman (played by Matthew Edison).  

Here’s all we know so far on what to expect from Eric Kripke’s The Boys season 3.

Returning Heroes and Villains

The Boys and the Seven are returning (what would the show be without them?), which means that Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Karen Fukuhara (Kimiko), Laz Alonso (Mother’s Milk), and Tomer Capon (Frenchie) will return as the covert militia group fighting the corrupt supes. Also returning is Erin Moriarty as the Boys’ woman on the inside Starlight, as well as Antony Starr (Homelander), Jessie T. Usher (A-Train), Dominique McElligott (Queen Maeve), Nathan Mitchell (Black Noir) and Chace Crawford (The Deep) – though it’s still unclear whether little Guppy will be reinstated to the Seven.

The original seven in The Boys

And though Aya Cash’s Stormfront was defeated and dismembered in the season 2 finale, there’s potential for her to return in some form. As the actress teased to EW, “she’s not technically dead, but I think you’ll just have to see season 3 to find out what happened to her, if she’s going to be around at all in her smaller form.” In the meantime, teasers suggest Stormfront has inspired a new group of alt-right extremists calling themselves the Stormchasers, that are set to feature prominently in season 3.

Characters Getting An Upgrade 

A number of characters introduced in season 2 will be upgraded to season regulars next year, starting with Claudia Doumit as Congresswoman and secret head-exploder Victoria Neuman, and Colby Minifie as Vought’s scene-stealing Head of Hero Management, Ashley Barrett.

Frances Turner (The Man in the High Castle) will recur as Mother’s Milk’s wife (who thankfully gets a shorter name: Monique), a character who was briefly featured in season 1.

The Boys congresswoman Victoria Neuman

New Heroes (and Villains)

The subject of the most speculation and the cause for the most excitement, The Boys season 3 looks primed to introduce a host of new characters from the comics.

Most notably, season 3 will welcome Supernatural star Jensen Ackles in the role of Soldier Boy, the original superhero that rose to fame in World War II. The character in the comics was notably anxious and deeply insecure, constantly belittled and pushed aside by his fellow team member Stormfront (originally a man). Soldier Boy spent much of his time grovelling for a spot in the Seven, which led to a very memorable interaction between he and Homelander during the “Herogasm” comic arc – which, surprise, is being adapted in episode 6 of the third season.

Laurie Holden (The Walking Dead) meanwhile will be playing Crimson Countess, a spoof of Marvel’s Scarlet Witch whose costume was just revealed.

Soldier Boy and Crimson Countess in The Boys season 3

Katia Winter (Sleepy Hollow) is due to guest star as Little Nina, who in the comics is an ultra-short Russian crime boss and lover of vibrators working with Vought.

Sean Patrick Flanery will play Gunpowder, who was very briefly spotted in season 1 but looks set for a proper introduction. As Coleman reports, “former Payback member Gunpowder debuts a new program to help teach children about the second amendment” by means of a “junior shooter program in partnership with the Vought Rifle Association”. The character’s addition to season 3 suggests The Boys will continue taking aim at the modern-day far-right, this time targeting debates around gun control.

Gunpowder teaser in The Boys season 3

Supersonic (formerly known as Drummer Boy), an ex-boyfriend of Starlight’s, will be played by Miles Gaston Villanueva. Sounds like things could get a little more complicated for Hughie. Nick Wechsler will also appear as Blue Hawk. He, Supersonic, and Gunpowder are all original creations, not found in Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s comics, so possibilities are wide open on what their abilities and backstories might be.

Also potentially appearing is Groundhawk, a warped version of the X-Men’s Wolverine who was teased in the newly-released Seven on 7 broadcast. Described as “the short-statured and short-tempered hammer-handed supe,” Groundhawk was sent to a Vought-sponsored rehab for the fifth time after another incident with law enforcement. It could be that this mention of the supe isn’t in direct relation to The Boys’ coming season, but is instead setting up the spin-off project currently in development at Amazon that will focus on the G-Men (a parody of the X-Men).

Groundhawk in The Boys season 3

The same segment also teases the appearance of Livewire (no relation to Supergirl’s Livewire) in a short news story about his “busting an underground drug smuggling ring that was using children’s candy to traffic illegal methamphetamines” in Wisconsin.

A September issue of the Vought newscast also introduces Moonshadow, the “west coast, senses-shattering bombshell” who “continues to take charge with a body-positive persona that’s seeing her popularity continue to go up as her city’s crime rate keeps going down.” Coleman concludes by stating that Moonshadow is “one rising hero that Vought executives, and the rest of the world, won’t be able to take their eyes off of,” which suggests this won’t be the last we see of the supe.

Livewire in The Boys season 3

Kristin Booth and Jack Doolan are set to join The Boys as the TNT Twins, Tessa and Tommy. These two characters are not drawn from the original comics and little is therefore known about their history or abilities but, given their nickname, it’s fair to assume the siblings possess some rather explosive powers.

The introduction of Payback, the original superhero team and the second-most famous group after the Seven, suggests The Boys season 3 will further explore the history of Vought and its members. Where season 2 used Stormfront to tackle the resurgence of white supremacy and alt-right ideologies in the United States, Kripke promises that Payback and Soldier Boy will be used to explore how we all got to this point:

“There’s always been systemic racism and conflict and a lot of ugliness, yet always a fight to make things better. Certain politicians like to pitch this somehow idyllic ‘good old days’ where everything was perfect and calm. That is complete and utter bulls—. It was never that way. So, by exploring the history of Vought in the history of America, we get to make some of those points. There was never an America when they say ‘Make America Great Again.’ It was always a struggle. That’s the point. It’s a struggle to make things better.”

Stay tuned for more news on The Boys season 3 as we get it.

 

 

 

HIDDEN IN THE WOODS has Sequel Rights Picked Up

hidden woods rights

8-Films has exclusively picked up U.S. and German sequel rights to director Patricio Valladares’ Chilean rape and revenge thriller Hidden in the Woods. The German-based company has also boarded the low-budget survival thriller as co-producer and distributor. Valladares has written his own screenplay will direct the feature. The film will serve as a direct continuation of the original Chilean version and set ten years after the atrocious events depicted in his twisted fable.

The movie will be shot in Spanish on location in Chile in early 2022. Valladares said of the news, “I´m so thrilled to partner with 8-Films, because I have known Steve since we first met at FrightFest back in 2012. He and his team are true horror fans, and I’ve been a fan of his work since my teenage years. He’s a big fan of the original film, which is hugely important to me. I can’t wait to share this new horrifying chapter in the HIDDEN IN THE WOODS saga with fans old and new all across the world.”

8-Films’ CEO, Steve Aquilina added, “The original Hidden In The Woods immediately captivated me and I was very impressed by the intensity, the uncompromising nature and the severity of the movie. I couldn’t believe that a young director had made such a strong film and am very proud to be a part of the sequel.” said

The film will be co-produced by 8-Films (Germany), Reel Gore Releasing (US), and Vallastudio Films (Chile). Steve Aquilina, owner of 8-Films, and Vittorio Farfan, Patricio Valladares, will produce the new sequel.

The Chilean original Hidden in the Woods premiered at Fantasia in 2012 and spawned a US remake in 2014 with Michael Biehn and William Forsythe starring.

The new film is expected towards the end of 2022.

Horror Thriller TRIM SEASON Sets Dope Cast

Haunting of Bly Manor's Alex Essoe stars in Trim Season

The upcoming horror thriller from Ariel Vida, Trim Season, has set its cast.

The feature film centres on a group of young people from Los Angeles who head to a remote marijuana farm during harvesting season, where they hope to make some quick cash. Soon however, it becomes clear that something more sinister is afoot than growing Satan’s lettuce, and the group must race against time to escape. The concept is loosely inspired by a group of women who went missing in Humboldt County, California during marijuana harvesting season.

Vida, an accomplished production designer who previously worked on films like Synchronic, The Endless and She Dies Tomorrow, co-wrote the screenplay with David Blair and is directing.

Arrow's Bex-Taylor Klaus cast in Trim Season

The newly-announced cast for the horror feature includes Bethlehem Million (upcoming thriller Sick), Jane Badler (V, Free Fall), Alex Essoe (Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Bly Manor), Bex Taylor-Klaus (Arrow, Scream) Ally Ioannides (Into The Badlands, Synchronic) and Cory Hart (Fear The Walking Dead). In addition, Ryan Donowho (Beyond Paranormal), Lorenzo Antonucci, Marc Senter and newcomer Juliette Kenn De Balinthazy also star.

“Trim Season explores themes of power and agency, friendship and loss, all through a stylized lens brought to life by an amazing cast and crew that I couldn’t be more proud of and grateful for,” stated Vida.

Trim Season recently wrapped filming, with eyes on a festival debut. The same premise will also be expanded upon in a supernatural, true-crime comic set for release next year from Scout Comics.

 

Cynthia Erivo And Ariana Grande Head To Oz

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Cast in Universal Wicked Musical Adaptation

Universal’s adaptation of the hit musical Wicked has found two powerhouses as its leads: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have been cast as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively.

Directed by Crazy Rich Asians and In The Heights‘ Jon M. Chu, Wicked is an alternative take on the Wizard of Oz story, recounting the friendship between the Wicked Witch of the West Elphaba and Galinda, aka Glinda the Good Witch. The musical is based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel, itself a retelling of the classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum and – most famously – the 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film starring Judy Garland.

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth in Broadway stage musical Wicked

Pop superstar Grande – who boasts two Grammy awards and currently stands as the most streamed female artist – has long expressed her adoration for the stage musical, and was part of the performance line-up for the 2018 television special A Very Wicked Halloween alongside Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth (the original cast of Wicked on Broadway). Funnily enough, Grande at the time performed one of Elphaba’s numbers, “The Wizard and I”.

Erivo, meanwhile, is a Grammy, Daytime Emmy and Tony winner, two-time Oscar nominee, and Emmy nominee for her performance as none other than the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. The English actress has long demonstrated her phenomenal singing and acting talents across stage, film, and television. In short, we’d say the film is in excellent hands with these two.

Production on Wicked is set to begin in the summer of 2022, in the UK.

Header image photos by D. B. King and Emma. 

 

Taika Waititi To Adapt Sci-Fi Masterpiece THE INCAL To Film

The Incal graphic novel from Alejandro Jodorowsky

There’s no rest for director Taika Waititi, with yet another project now in the works: the first feature adaptation of Alejandro Jodorowsky (the very same whose Dune vision was sadly never realised) and Mœbius’ bestselling graphic novel, The Incal. 

Waititi will also co-write the script with long-term collaborator Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords, What We Do in the Shadows) and Peter Warren (The History of Us).

First introduced in 1980 by Chilean-French writer Jodorowsky and French artist Jean Giraud/Mœbius, The Incal soon became the bestselling science fiction graphic novel of all time and has since been described by some as the best comic book in the medium’s history.

Taika Waititi to direct The Incal graphic novel adaptation

An epic space opera set in the dystopian capital city of a minor planet, in a world inhabited by humans and featherless bird-looking aliens called the Bergs, The Incal centres on a class “R” private investigator John Difool and his concrete seagull as they come to be in possession of a mystical artefact of immense power. A minor problem is that many others also seek to acquire the magical Light Incal crystal: the Bergs, the local (very corrupt) government, the Amok rebel group, the Techno-Technos (a technocratic cult that worships the Dark Incal), and more.

As Difool learns of the Incal’s powers and purpose, he – and the ragtag crew that’s assembled along the way – are led on a mission to save the universe. Gradually though, the comics come to develop Difool’s spiritual journey, exploring themes of existentialism, duplication and identity, religion and mysticism, along with generous helpings of social commentary (from imperialism to gender).

The Incal also introduced the “Jodoverse”, aka the “Metabarons Unvierse” in which a number of Jodorowsky’s other comics take place. The original comic includes and expands upon the concepts and artwork from the aforementioned unrealised Dune project.

Jodorowsky expressed his support for Waititi’s hiring, stating that, having seen his work, “it became obvious to me that he was the one. I fully trust Taika’s creativity to give The Incal a stunning take, intimate and at the same time of cosmic proportions.”

 

 

Gal Gadot Is The Evil Queen In SNOW WHITE

Gal Gadot as Diana Prince In Batman V Superman

Wonder Woman herself is set to play the Evil Queen in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Snow White, opposite Rachel Zegler (who will soon be seen in West Side Story and Shazam! Fury of the Gods) in the titular role.

Marc Webb will be directing the project, based on the film that started it all for the House of Mouse back in 1937. This adaptation is due to expand on the music from the original, with the song-writing duo behind La La Land, The Greatest Showman and this year’s Dear Evan Hansen, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, attached.

According to Deadline sources, Disney studio executives had their eye on Gal Gadot to play the Evil Queen from the very beginning. Production is scheduled to start next year.

The Evil Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves will be played by Gal Gadot

Gadot is the latest to take on the iconic villain, which has previously been portrayed by the likes of Charlize Theron, Julia Roberts, and Sigourney Weaver (in a much looser adaptation). However, out of the many live-action reimaginings produced over the years, it sounds like Gadot’s Snow White project will be the most faithful to the original film.

Disney has been developing the live-action Snow White since 2016. Other live-action remakes currently in the works include The Little Mermaid starring Halle Bailey, Pinocchio with Tom Hanks and Cynthia Erivo – not to be confused with the upcoming stop-motion animation from Guillermo del Toro – and Lilo and Stitch from director Jon M. Chu.