Motion Picture: Pedro Pascal Set To Star In 'Eddington', Constance Wu Signs With Gersh
Action/Horror/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Blue Fox Entertainment has acquired worldwide rights to Xeno, a family sci-fi adventure produced by Kevin Hart's Hartbeat. Starring Lulu Wilson, Wrenn Schmidt, Paul Schneider, and Omari Hardwick, the film follows a teenage girl who bonds with a mysterious alien in the desert, leading to an adventure that challenges her perception of good and evil. As government agents close in, she uncovers a secret that could change both worlds. Directed by Matthew Loren Oates, Xeno features creature work from The Henson Company and is set for release by Blue Fox Entertainment.
Ke Huy Quan, known for his Oscar-winning role in Everything Everywhere All At Once, is finally fulfilling his dream of starring in an action film with Love Hurts, a project he initially turned down a couple of times. Self-conscious about not fitting the traditional action hero mold, he was convinced by Steven Spielberg to take the role. After seeing how the film's creators, including stunt expert Jonathan Eusebio, envisioned him as a unique action hero, Quan embraced the challenge. He underwent three months of intense training for his stunts, and though physically demanding, he was thrilled by the outcome, eager to take on more action roles in the future.
Hurry Up Tomorrow, directed by Trey Edward Shults, follows the journey of a musician plagued by insomnia, who is drawn into an odyssey with a mysterious stranger. As the stranger unravels the core of his existence, the musician is forced to confront his deepest fears and uncertainties. Featuring Abel Tesfaye, Jenna Ortega, and Barry Keoghan, the film promises a thought-provoking exploration of identity and self-discovery. Hurry Up Tomorrow will be released exclusively in theaters on May 16.
Marvel's First Family faces their most daunting challenge yet in this thrilling new chapter. Struggling to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the Fantastic Four must defend Earth from the ravenous space god, Galactus, and his formidable herald, the Silver Surfer. The planet's fate hangs in the balance as they confront this cosmic threat that tests both their powers and their unity.
pedro pascal - Amanda Edwards
Comedy/Dramady/Musical: Pedro Pascal is set to star in Eddington, Ari Aster’s highly anticipated comedy alongside Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler. The A24 film, now in post-production, is believed to follow a small-town sheriff in New Mexico with big ambitions. With A24 bringing Eddington to the European Film Market, speculation is growing about a potential Cannes debut ahead of its expected summer release. This marks Pascal's latest high-profile project, adding to his impressive resume across film and television.
Michelle Buteau is set to bring her comedic charm to Spa Weekend, a destination comedy from Bad Moms directors Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. Starring alongside Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, and Anna Faris, Buteau will head to Queensland, Australia, where filming begins this month. The film follows three best friends whose luxurious retreat takes a turn when their unpredictable fourth friend crashes the getaway.
Tiffany Haddish, James Franco, and Christopher Meloni have joined Katt Williams, Craig Robinson, James Paxton, and Oliver Wyman in Adam Rifkin’s psychedelic stoner comedy Toad. Set to film in Atlanta in Q2 2025, the film follows two hapless stoners (Paxton and Wyman) who, after opening a mysterious box, accidentally dose themselves with psychedelic toad secretions. Their wild journey to Vegas includes a talking toad spirit guide (Williams) and a series of bizarre encounters. Toad marks the first film under the Laugh Factory Presents banner, with worldwide sales handled by Architect ahead of Berlin’s EFM.
O’Shea Jackson is set to star in The Shitheads, a raucous comedy alongside Dave Franco. and Peter Dinklage. Directed by Macon Blair, the film follows two down-and-out men, Davis (Jackson) and Mark (Franco), tasked with transporting a wealthy troubled teen to rehab. What begins as a simple road trip spirals into chaos with drug-fueled disasters and criminal encounters. The project, which has generated interest following its debut at Sundance, will be sold at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin by WME Independent.
Drama: Jesse Collins Entertainment and Concord Originals are collaborating on the first authorized biopic of Robert Johnson, the influential King of the Delta Blues. Written by Ridgeway Wilson, the film will explore Johnson's musical legacy and the enduring myth that he sold his soul to the Devil for his guitar skills. Johnson's impact on blues and rock influenced artists like Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton. Producers include Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, Sophia Dilley, and Charles Hopkins, with the support of the Robert Johnson Estate. The biopic will highlight both Johnson's music and the challenging Black experience in America.
In the Summers, the winner of the 2024 Sundance Grand Jury Prize, will debut on Hulu on February 5. Directed by Alessandra Lacorazza, the film follows the tumultuous relationship between two siblings and their father over several decades. Featuring René Pérez Joglar (Residente), Sasha Calle, Lío Mehiel, and Leslie Grace, the film has already garnered critical acclaim, including awards at the Deauville Film Festival and a breakthrough director nomination at the Gotham Awards. The story delves into themes of sexuality, heartbreak, and addiction. The film will continue its international theatrical run after its streaming debut.
Constance wu - Daniel Zuchnik
Industry Update: Golden Globe-nominated actress Constance Wu has signed with Gersh for representation in all areas. Best known for her roles in Crazy Rich Asians and Fresh Off the Boat, Wu has earned multiple award nominations, including a Golden Globe and four Critics Choice TV nods. Her film credits include Hustlers, The Terminal List, and the upcoming The Embers and the Stars. Wu also recently starred in the off-Broadway play Shit. Meet. Fan. and has been a vocal advocate for Asian representation in Hollywood.
Tarak Ben Ammar’s Eagle Pictures and Italy’s PiperFilm have announced a distribution partnership, with PiperFilm handling world sales for select Eagle-produced films, including Leopardi & Co., starring Whoopi Goldberg and Jeremy Irvine. The comedy, directed by Federica Biondi, will launch sales at the European Film Market. PiperFilm will also distribute several Italian films from Eagle, while Eagle’s Home Entertainment division will manage home video rights for PiperFilm’s titles, starting with Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope. The deal reflects both companies' commitment to innovation and expanding market reach.
Olga James, the singer and actor best known for her role opposite Harry Belafonte in the 1954 film Carmen Jones, passed away on January 25, 2025, at 95. In addition to her film career, James starred with Sammy Davis Jr. in the Broadway musical Mr. Wonderful and played Verna Kincaid on Bill Cosby's 1969-71 sitcom The Bill Cosby Show. Born in Washington D.C. in 1929, James studied opera at Juilliard and performed in Four Saints in Three Acts in Paris. She later gained fame in the all-Black revue at Club Harlem before landing her role in Carmen Jones. Throughout her career, she became a renowned nightclub performer and was married to saxophonist Julian “Cannonball” Adderley and later to singer and activist Len Chandler.
Marvel Studios executive Nate Moore has denied rumors that Black Panther 3 will recast the role of T’Challa, originally played by Chadwick Boseman. Moore clarified that the rumors are untrue, explaining that there have been no creative discussions since director Ryan Coogler is focused on his current project, Sinners. While Moore acknowledged that nothing is off the table for the future, he emphasized that no decisions have been made. Moore is set to leave Marvel Studios but will continue to work on Black Panther 3.
Je’Caryous Johnson, known for stage adaptations of iconic Black films, is launching Je’Caryous Johnson Studios, a film studio dedicated to producing Black stories across various genres and budgets. The studio's first project is The Paralegal, a narrative feature written and directed by Johnson, following a lawyer blackmailed by a deranged paralegal. Production begins in March. Johnson aims to create a space for Black talent to thrive, innovate, and leave a lasting legacy in entertainment. The studio will also acquire Hollywood IP to adapt into live event productions, with the next stage show, Jason’s Lyric Live, premiering this month.
