SSN ORIGINALS
SSN Box Office Trending Report For 4/22/16: ‘Jungle Book’ to Remain King While ‘Captain America: Civil War’ Continues to Rack Up Presales
In our ongoing weekly series, SSN Insider will take a deep dive into the film ticket sales of the week leveraging data from the powerhouse ticketing website, MovieTickets.com. Not only will the infographic pinpoint which movies are claiming the largest piece of the pie from day to day in terms of sales but also which film had the biggest uptick in terms of a percentage variance surge and which had the biggest downtick or steepest dive between any two points. (SSN)
On the Set for 4/22/16: Denzel Washington & Scott Rudin Roll Cameras on ‘Fences’, Will Smith Wraps ‘Collateral Beauty’
Also on this week’s docket, William H. Macy’s next directorial effort goes in front of the cameras with Grant Gustin, Rosario Dawson, Nick Robinson and Joe Manganiello aboard, as does Theresa Rebeck’s Trouble. Meanwhile, a couple other movies also wrap things up. As usual, there’s plenty more, so click the link to read on. (SSN)
OTHER HEADLINES
Joaquin Phoenix Circling Jesus Role in Mary Magdalene Movie
Multiple Oscar nominee is in early talks to play the role of Jesus in Garth Davis’ Mary Magdalene. Rooney Mara is attached to play the titular role in the film, which has a script by Helen Edmundson and Philippa Goslett. The biopic is being produced by The King’s Speech producer See-Saw Films. Sources say it’s early in talks for Phoenix, and the deal could still fall apart, especially if there’s scheduling issues. (THR)
Scarlett Johansson To Become Zelda Fitzgerald in ‘The Beautiful and The Damned’
ScarJo is taking on a new, less controversial, role. The actress is reportedly set to play the famous novelist in the upcoming feature, written by Hanna Weg. Story centers on the tumultuous and overwhelming relationship between Zelda and the Great Gatsby writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. Their doomed love was filled with jealousy and drama, which makes it perfect for the big screen. (TB)
Will Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan Ever Share the Same Set Again? Some Signs Point To No
Upon learning the news that her co-host would be departing from their morning show for greener pastures at Good Morning America, Ripa opted not to show up to work on Wednesday. Citing feelings of betrayal, it’s looking like she won’t return to the show until this coming Tuesday at the very earliest, but even that seems up in the air. The longer she waits to come back, the worse the situation gets for the network as a whole. (CB)
What Was Rumored Has Now Been Confirmed: Dwayne Johnson Is In For an “Edged Up” ‘Jumanji’ Remake
It was recently reported that the man formerly known as The Rock and his Central Intelligence co-star Kevin Hart were both in early talks to star in Sony Pictures’ Jumanji remake. Now Johnson has left a message on his Instagram page making his headlining status on the project official, with shooting scheduled to start this fall in Honolulu, Hawaii. There was no confirmation of Hart, however. (CS)
Fox Acquires Newbie’s Sci-Fi Spec ‘Man Alive’ For ‘Fargo’s Noah Hawley To Direct
Studio has made a six-figure deal to acquire the elevated sci-fi spec script by new writer Joe Greenberg. Fargo creator Hawley is set to make his feature film directorial debut on the project, which Leigh Kittay and John Cameron from Hawley’s 26 Keys shingle will produce with Chris Bender, Jake Weiner and Jake Wagner. (DH)
Vince Vaughn to Star in Action Movie ‘Brawl in Cell Block 99’
The actor, who made his mark with comedies such as Wedding Crashers and Swingers, is continuing his recent dramatic wave by signing on to star in the brutal action thriller from Caliber Media and XYZ Films. The movie hails from writer-director S. Craig Zahler and is serving as his follow-up to Bone Tomahawk, the cannibal Western that proved to be a commercial and critical indie hit last year. (HV)
‘The Dark Tower’ Summons ‘Cabin in the Woods’ Star Fran Kranz for Key Role
Actor has just landed a pivotal role in the forthcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s fantasy book series, already in production. Idris Elba is set in the lead role as Roland the last Gunslinger, a weary cowboy and knight of sorts who crosses a post-apocalyptic landscape as part of his quest to reach the Dark Tower, the nexus of all possible worlds. His nemesis, the Man in Black, is played by Matthew McConaughey with Kranz on board to play his lackey, Pimli. (SF)
Trailer Buzz: ‘The Founder’
The Weinstein Company has dropped the first look at the upcoming bio pic of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc. Starring Michael Keaton, Laura Dern, Patrick Wilson, Ric Reitz, Wilbur Fitzgerald, B.J. Novak, and Linda Cardellini and directed by John Lee Hancock, the movie hits theaters August 5th. (YT)