Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Michael B. Jordan team up for AMAZON pic
Ben & JLo put a house on it / AMAZON gets Al Michaels for TNF / NETFLIX adds Christina Ricci to ADDAMS FAMILY series
Mornin! This is Sean McNulty and here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on TUESDAY March 22, 2022.
Where Ben & JLo are apparently taking advantage of the still low-ish mortgage interest rates before they go up 📈 #wickedsmaht - as they’re in escrow to move into this starter home together, Brady Bunch style according to TMZ
Although any bets on what the closing costs are on a $50 Million (ish) house in Bel Air? Eh either way - I call the attic. 🙋♂️
AND: Here’s the next round of SNL guest talent starting next Saturday:
PLUS: Ben Stiller is in talks to play “Jack Torrance” in a WEST END play version of “The Shining” next year. 🪓
OTHERWISE: Today will be quick - but good news for any fellow “Derry Girls” fans in the TRAILER HOUSE. 🇮🇪
📽 THE SILVER SCREEN
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to star in AMAZON pic, produced by Michael B. Jordan
Called “I Helped Destroy People”, based on a 2021 NY TIMES article about an FBI Agent who infiltrated Muslim communities after 9/11, and over time became so outraged at the agency seemingly violating it’s own rules that he leaked internal documents to the press to expose the practices.
He was convicted of espionage and sentenced to 4 years in prison after a 17 year career at the FBI.
Script currently being written, Yahya also a producer on the pic. /THR
AMAZON sets Priyanka Chopra Jonas & Sienna Miller for a… different pic, based on best-selling book “Secret Daughter”
About a Cali couple that adopts a baby born in INDIA whose impoverished mother gave her up for adoption to have a better life, and the child’s eventual trip back to INDIA to discover her roots.
Chinese director Anthony Chen attached to helm, script currently being written, no word on a pricetag. /Deadline
ALSO IN MOVIES
UNI adds Daniela Melchior (“Ratcatcher” in the“The Suicide Squad”) to “Fast & Furious 10” . /Deadline
WB puts new writer on “Crazy Rich Asians 2” script - Amy Wang. She has a film over at PARAMOUNT and is writing on the NETFLIX series ”Brothers Sun.” No word on plot / story direction for the pic. /Deadline
📺 THE TV SET
NETFLIX adds Christina Ricci to Tim Burton “Addams Family” series “Wednesday”
She’ll be playing a different, unrelated character to the title role that she played in the movies, which Jenny Ortega is now playing in this iteration.
No creative details on Ricci’s role but she will be a series regular. /Deadline
PEACOCK sets Betty Gilpin to star in drama “Mrs. Davis”
Created by Tara Hernandez and Damon Lindelof, about a nun who “goes to battle against an all-powerful Artificial Intelligence.” Well that’s new. /Deadline
HOLLYWOOD EXECUTIVE SUITE:
RANGE MEDIA PARTNERS hires UTA Digital Agent Eman Redwan. Will be a partner & co-head of the Digital Talent group, managing digital clients and working on brand partnerships for all RANGE clients. /THR
Lebron’s SPRINGHILL COMPANY promotes Devon Johnson to Prez - he formerly was COO. /Deadline
DISNEY CEO Bob Chapek announced at the DISNEY Town Hall yesterday that the company’s management retreat is cancelled for next week, and instead execs across divisions will embark on a “listening tour” - so time to change next week’s attire from “open bar” to an “I hear you” vibe. /Deadline
💻 THE MEDIA BIZ
AMAZON signing Al Michaels to be the face / voice of THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Will be paired with ESPN College Football broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit (who will keep his ESPN job as well) when TNF goes exclusively to AMAZON this Fall.
Al said to be getting similar deal to what Joe Buck got from ESPN (about $15 Million a year) in a 3 year deal.
Not much of a surprise as… there were no real options left. NBC released him, ESPN went with Buck/Aikman, and FOX is… well, #1 not in primetime like Al has been forever, but #2 is going with raising the profile (and the lower paycheck) of Kevin Burkhard as the lead for their marquee games. /NY Post
🏦 STOCK NOTES:
A slightly down day for most but no big movers
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👩💻 NEW TO WATCH
Yeah we got nothin.
🎥 TRAILER HOUSE
“Derry Girls” Season 3 teaser - OK this is a U.K. Channel4 spot not a NETFLIX spot… but the new season will hit there first later in the year before it comes to NETFLIX so I had to share for any fellow fans out there.
HBOMAX “Starstruck” Season 2 trailer - This reminded me I need to add this UK Comedy series to my list on HBOMAX, and the new season looks good too. Premieres… on Thursday!
HBO “Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel” teaser - New Comedy special and this is certainly an intriguing but… brief and very mysterious teaser. Premieres Fri Apr 1.
🎧 PLAYING ME OFF
New CARRIE UNDERWOOD “Ghost Story”
If you need some new tunes:
Email me anytime - just Reply to this email, or connect here on LINKED IN.
-SEAN MCNULTY
@theseanmac on TWITTER
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