Netflix Developing Ten-Episode DAYBREAK Series

Daybreak

With it seeming as if barely a day goes by these days without some sort of comic book adaptation being announced, you can now add Brian Ralph’s Daybreak to the ever-expanding list of adaps in development.

As announced by Netflix themselves, Daybreak is being developed as a ten-episode “post-apocalyptic dramedy” by Star Trek: Discovery’s Aron Eli Coleite, Rampage’s Brad Peyton, and Frontier’s Jeff Fierson. Coleite will serve as showrunner, while Peyton and Fierson are on board as executive producers.

The official blurb on the show reads:

Based on the graphic novel by Brian Ralph, the subversive dark comedy Daybreak finds 17-year-old high school outcast Josh searching for his missing girlfriend Sam in post-apocalyptic Glendale, California. Joined by a ragtag group of misfits, including a pyromaniac 12-year-old Angelica and Josh’s former high school bully Wesley, now turned pacifist samurai, Josh tries to stay alive amongst the horde of Mad Max-style gangs (evil jocks, cheerleaders turned Amazon warriors), zombie-like creatures called Ghoulies, and everything else this brave new world throws at him.

Daybreak was first published back in 2006, and it’s no exaggeration that this live-action series could be something truly special if all goes to plan.

As ever, expect more on this as we get it.

STAR WARS: EPISODE IX Cast Officially Announced

Star Wars: Episode IX

With Star Wars: Episode IX set to start shooting next month, the full cast for the film has been officially announced.

In terms of returning names, Disney has confirmed that Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Anthony Williams, and Billie Lourd will be back. Interestingly, Mark Hamill is also confirmed to be back in the saddle as Luke Skywalker (presumably as a Force Ghost), and, as revealed a month or two ago, Billy Dee Williams will be reprising the Lando Calrissian role that he last played (in live-action, at least) in Return of the Jedi.

Additionally, director J.J. Abrams has moved to reveal that Carrie Fisher will once again be back as Leia Organa. As Abrams explained, “We desperately loved Carrie Fisher. Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honour Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”

Where new additions are concerned, Withnail and I’s Richard E. Grant, The Americans’ Keri Russell, and Doctor Who’s Naomi Ackie have to-be-revealed roles.

The current plan is for Star Wars: Episode IX to start filming at Pinewood Studios on August 1st. Abrams has put the script together with Argo and Justice League’s Chris Terrio, and the iconic John Williams will again provide the movie’s score.

Star Wars: Episode IX is set for a December 2019 release.

KNIGHTMARE Comes to PLAY Expo London!

Knightmare

The folks at PLAY Expo have been doing some great things over the last couple of years, with a winning formula that combines modern and retro games with appearances from some of gaming’s most recognisable (and sometimes unexpected) faces. We’ve rubbed shoulders with the original Lara Croft, been thoroughly entertained by Games World’s Big Boy Barry, gone hands-on with the latest pre-release AAA titles, and spent many happy hours pinging our balls around the cabinets. Behave, we’re talking about pinball. PLAY’s next event takes place at London’s Printworks on August 11th – 12th, 2018, and it might just be the best one yet.

Masses of free-to-play arcade cabs, retro consoles, and a modern-day gaming zone might be enough for some people, but PLAY Expo also includes an indie game section (always a highlight), tournaments, a Virtual Reality area, cosplay shenanigans, and a huge shopping area that’s sure to drain a few wallets. Not content to stop there, though, the London Expo features a host of talks and panels with some genuinely interesting and exciting folk.

The main event (in our eyes, at least) is undoubtedly going to be the Knightmare panel, featuring the dungeon master Treguard himself (Hugo Myatt) alongside artist David Rowe and the creator of the Knightmare Live stage show, Paul Flannery. Knightmare is one of the most fondly-remembered TV shows for those of a certain age, and the opportunity to meet some of the people involved is definitely not be missed. Knightmare Live will be taking place at the Expo on both Saturday and Sunday, with the panel coming together for a Q&A session and photo opportunity at some point on Sunday.

Other guests over the weekend include esteemed Sega illustrator Duncan Gutteridge, who will be conducting a Sonic drawing masterclass, Dizzy-creators the Oliver twins, Bitmap Brothers founder Mike Montgomery (who we will certainly be harassing for a re-release of Magic Pockets), Digitiser’s Mr Biffo, and a YouTube panel featuring Ashens, Kim Justice, Larry Bundy Jr, Nostalgia Nerd, Slopes Game Room, and Octav1us.

Something for everybody then, and we’re sure you’ll agree that if you’re into gaming this looks like an absolutely smashing way to spend a weekend!

For more information and to book tickets, head over to www.playexpolondon.com.

DC SUPER HERO GIRLS Undergoing a “Complete Reboot” for New Series

DC SUPER HERO GIRLS

Ahead of the new DC Super Hero Girls series heading to Cartoon Network later this year, now comes word that the property is getting a complete reboot.

To clarify, DC Super Hero Girls began life as a webseries before getting the TV movie, comic book, and toys treatment. Now, the property has been long-confirmed for a TV show ‘proper’, but things are a-changing. While the early art for the new series made it clear that a change in animation style was taking place, executive producer Lauren Faust has now confirmed that DC Super Hero Girls is undergoing a full-on reboot.

As reported by Latino-Review, Faust explained, “It’s pretty much a complete reboot. We really kind of started from the ground up, just wanted to refresh the whole band. We are still bringing over the idea of superhero, the theme to being a superhero, the themes of being teenagers, the idea of all the female empowerment and positive stuff for girls. That’s all being carried over, but the storylines are different, the characterizations are different.”

The new series of DC Super Hero Girls will centre more on the heroic and villainous elements of each character, with a dollop of teenage problems thrown in for good measure.

On this, Wonder Woman actress Grey Griffin enthused, “I’m kind of glad that they are incorporating some of that more this time. And I’m glad, also, that they’re not focusing so much on school in this one. It’s a lot more about their adventure. Like, they are in high school. The other one was very, very school orientated and, like, stuff at school, the principal and all of that. This is more about their lives, their double life. They are high schoolers, but they focus a lot more on their hero antics, which I love.”

Character-wise, the main focus of DC Super Hero Girls going forward will be Zatanna, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern Jessica Cruz, Bumblebee, Batgirl, Harley Quinn, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Katana.

DC Super Hero Girls will premiere on Cartoon Network at a to-be-confirmed date later this year.

Gina Prince-Bythewood to Direct THE OLD GUARD Adaptation

The Old Guard

With Silver & Black currently on hold, director Gina Prince-Bythewood has decided to hop on over to another comic book-driven project.

Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter, Prince-Bythewood has signed on to direct Skydance’s big-screen adaptation of The Old Guard. The helmer has previous with comic book adaps, having directed the first episode of Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, in addition to being on board for the aforementioned Silver Sable and Black Cat picture, Silver & Black. In recent months, that Spider-Verse movie has been put on hold, and now Prince-Bythewood has moved to use that pause to tackle The Old Guard.

Gina Prince-Bythewood

The official blurb on The Old Guard reads:

The Old Guard was created by Greg Rucka and artist Leandro Fernandez and tells the story of old soldiers who never die… and yet cannot seem to fade away. Trapped in an immortality without explanation, Andromache of Scythia – Andy – and her comrades ply their trade for those who can find – and afford – their services. But in the 21st century, immortality is a hard secret to keep, and when you live long enough, you learn that there are many fates worse than death.

The current plan is for The Old Guard to start shooting later this year ahead of a to-be-confirmed 2019 release.

Sony’s CHARLIE’S ANGELS Reboot Finds its Angels

Charlie's Angels

With Elizabeth Banks directing Sony Pictures’ upcoming Charlie’s Angels reboot, we now know who’ll be playing those titular Angels.

Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter, Twilight’s Kristen Stewart, Power Rangers’ Naomi Scott, and relative newcomer Ella Balisnka will play the trio. While Banks is on directing duties, she’ll also be pulling double-duty as Bosley, the figurehead for Charlie Townshend and his detective agency.

On this news, Banks enthused, “Charlie’s Angels, for me, is one of the original brands to celebrate the empowered woman since its debut in the ‘70s. This film honours the legacy of Charles Townshend and his agency while introducing a new era of modern and global Angels. I couldn’t be more excited to work with Kristen, Naomi and Ella to bring this chapter to fans around the world.”

This new take on Charlie’s Angels is currently set for a September 2019 release.

Liv Tyler Offered Role in CHILD’S PLAY Remake

Liv Tyler

With this past month seeing it revealed that MGM is currently developing a Child’s Play remake, now comes word that Liv Tyler may be joining the redo.

Courtesy of That Hashtag Show, it’s believed that Tyler has been offered the role of Karen, a single mother who finds herself and her son facing the wrath of a twisted, murderous doll. Tyler, of course, is likely best known to genre fans for her roles in The Lords of the Rings, The Strangers, The Incredible Hulk, The Leftovers, and the beloved Empire Records.

While the names Karen and Andy have been thrown around for this new take on Child’s Play, they may be changed by the time all is said and done. Karen and Andy, remember, were the mother and son tormented by Chucky in Don Mancini’s original 1988 Child’s Play. There, they’d be played by Catherine Hicks and Alex Vincent, with Vincent going on to appear in Child’s Play 2, Curse of Chucky, and Cult of Chucky.

This Child’s Play remake is being developed separately to series creator Mancini’s plans for a Child’s Play TV series and another movie that will follow the existing narrative of the main movie franchise that we last saw deliver Curse of Chucky. Mancini is developing those projects with Universal, while a contractual loophole allows MGM to work on their own Child’s Play remake.

As ever, expect more on all things Chucky as they continue to develop.

AHS: APOCALYPSE Casts the Anti-Christ

American Horror Story: Apocalypse

With the upcoming American Horror Story crossover season – which will tie together Murder House and Coven – not officially title American Horror Story: Apocalypse, now comes word on a key new addition for the show.

Series creator Ryan Murphy has taken to Twitter to confirm that Assassination of Gianni Versace’s Cody Fern is playing Michael Langdon in Apocalypse:

Why is this character so pivotal, you ask? Well, that’s because he’s the son of Evan Peters’ Tate from Murder House. But not just a slightly evil presence in the show, Michael is actually the Anti-Christ!

Fern joins a cast that includes Peters, Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, Cheyenne Jackson, Billy Eichner, Adina Porter, Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, and Joan Collins, with returns teased for both Taissa Farmiga and Emma Roberts.

American Horror Story: Apocalypse is set to premiere on September 12th.

HBO Officially Confirms That DEADWOOD Movie

Deadwood

Fans have been waiting years for it, and now that long-demanded Deadwood movie is officially happening!

Fresh from the Los Angeles TCA conference (courtesy of Coming-Soon), HBO’s Casey Bloys has officially announced the Deadwood film to start shooting this October. No air date was confirmed for the picture at this stage, but it’s expected to air on HBO at some point in mid-2019.

Series creator David Milch has already penned the screenplay for the movie, and the current word is that the feature will tie up any and all loose ends left over by the main Deadwood series when that was canned back in 2006 after just three seasons.

As ever, expect more on this long-awaited Deadwood film as it continues to develop.

Netflix Orders Ten-Episode Season of LOCKE & KEY

Locke & Key

The last we’d heard about the small-screen adaptation of Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez’s Locke & Key, Hulu had passed on the series and it was being snapped up by Netflix. Well, now comes an update on the show.

Courtesy of Netflix themselves, it’s now been confirmed that a ten-episode order has been put in for Locke & Key. No details are known on when to expect the series, but we’d imagine that the hotly-anticipated adap will arrive on the on-demand streaming service at some point in 2019. That’s purely speculation on our part, mind.

Unfortunately for those previously cast, the show will be completely recast now that it’s been picked up by Netflix. Similarly, IT’s Andy Muschietti – who directed the already-shot pilot for Hulu – won’t be back for Netflix’s take on the property, largely due to him being tied up with directing IT: Chapter 2. One person still sticking around though, is executive producer Carlton Cuse; best known for the likes of Bates Motel and The Strain.

In terms of who was previously signed on to star in the show, those names included Frances O’Connor, Owen Teague, Jackson Robert Scott, Megan Charpentier, Jack Mulhern, and Danny Glover. Netflix is starting from scratch on that front, though.

The previous official word on the Locke & Key series read:

Locke & Key tells the story of the Locke family and their journey into Keyhouse, an unlikely New England mansion with fantastic doors that transform all who dare to walk through them, and home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of them all!

Initially, the rights for Hill and Rodriguez’s Locke & Key were picked up by Dimension Films back in 2008, and then 2010 saw FOX develop a TV series. Sadly, neither of these times saw anything fully come to be where an adaptation was concerned, and that again looked like being the case once Hulu decided against moving forward from a pilot only a matter of weeks ago. Now though, Netflix has come to the rescue, and here’s hoping they can do something truly special with this adaptation.

As ever, expect more on Locke & Key as it continues to develop.