Exec Shuffle For 4/11/16: Thomas Staggs Leaving Disney, Harper Collins Closes Michael Mann Books Deal, New Aussie Mentor LA Program
Plenty of action this week, including a new deal between Nielsen and the Dish Network, a big Italian acquisition for Vivendi, SAG-AFTRA electing a new president to replace the late Ken Howard, and a new director of Film4, among others. Click the link to read on. (SSN)
Sequel Alert: Disney Preps ‘Jungle Book 2,’ Jon Favreau in Talks to Direct Again
Studio is so bullish on The Jungle Book, which hits theaters Friday, that it is already in talks to bring back director Jon Favreau and screenwriter Justin Marks for a sequel. Neel Sethi, who plays Mowgli, will also return for the film, which Favreau would produce. Marks’ script would draw from additional works by Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling. Voice cast is also expected to return, including Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Scarlett Johansson and Lupita Nyong’o. (TW)
Marvel and Netflix Finally Have a Specific Date In Mind To Get Their ‘Defenders’ Series Going
When Marvel first announced their Netflix shows back in late 2013, there was also the added bonus that the platform’s first four heroes would eventually join forces for The Defenders miniseries. Since then, two seasons of Daredevil have aired; Jessica Jones Season 1 aired in November, Luke Cage Season 1 is airing in September and Iron Fist Season 1 is gearing up for production. Now it looks like the miniseries is finally getting off the ground at year’s end. (CB)
Amidst the Various Additions To Marvel’s Release Slate, Plan To Wait Longer For ‘Inhumans’
Producer and Marvel Cinematic Universe chief Kevin Feige commented on the project, saying that with the Sony-led Spider-Man reboot, the addition of Ant-Man and The Wasp to the schedule, and Disney’s plan to put out a fifth Indiana Jones movie in 2019, the plan is to hold off and postpone the Inhumans project. No official change has been made and no new date has been announced. (COL)
More Marvel News: Tessa Thompson Joins the Cast Of ‘Thor: Ragnarok’
Creed actress has signed on to the film, and is reportedly set to play the God of thunder’s love interest, who is also a superhero of some sort. She will reportedly appear in additional Marvel movies after Thor: Ragnarok, the story of which is currently being kept under wraps. Thompson will join an all-star cast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jamie Alexander, Mark Ruffalo and Lou Ferrigno. It’s slated for a November 3rd, 2017 release. (TB)
Get Ready For a ‘Magic Castle’ Movie, Courtesy Of Ridley Scott and Radar Pictures
Scott’s Scott Free Productions has partnered with Radar to produce a feature being developed centering on the famed Hollywood private magic club. Scott Free and Radar don’t just envision a movie, however, but are seeking to development properties across various platforms. Pair will be talking to new prospective studio partners and simultaneously exploring TV and digital opportunities. (HV)
‘Fast 8’ Keeps Casting, Adds Scott Eastwood To an Already Enormous Roster
Eastwood is joining newcomers Charlize Theron, who will play the film’s villain, and Kurt Russell. The Universal film will see the return of Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez and Tyrese Gibson, with F. Gary Gray on board to direct. Fast 8 is set for release April 14th, 2017. (THR)
MadTV Is Returning To Television, but On a New Network and In Primetime, To Boot
Show is making a comeback this year, first with a 20-Year reunion special, and now with a series revival on the CW. There will be eight new episodes, each an hour long. While the series will feature new cast members, returning cast members will make appearances and host the episodes. The show originally aired on Fox for 14 years. (VUL)
Trailer Buzz, Part One: ‘Bloodline’
Netflix has dropped the new look at the upcoming second season of the acclaimed drama series, starring Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelson, Linda Cardellini, Norbert Leo Butz and Sissy Spacek. The show’s 10-episode second season premieres in its entirety May 27th. (EMP)
Trailer Buzz, Part Two: ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them’
Warner Bros. has released the brand new trailer for the Harry Potter prequel, starring Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler and Colin Farrell. Directed by David Yates and written by J.K. Rowling, it hits theaters November 18th. (IW)