Motion Picture: ‘Scary Movie’ Reboot Set To Release June 2026, ‘Fast X: Part 2’ Will Finish Filming In LA
Damson Idris - Vittorio Zunino Celotto
Action/Horror/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Vin Diesel announced that Fast X: Part 2 will finish filming in Los Angeles, retuning to the franchise's original setting and supporting the city's economy, which has been heavily impacted by ongoing wildfires. Diesel shared on social media that Jordana Brewster, his co-star, encouraged him to push for the location change, emphasizing the city’s need for support. While the film's remaining production timeline and release date are unclear, the decision highlights the franchise’s homage to its roots and commitment to aiding Los Angeles during a challenging time. Louis Leterrier directs, with a star-studded cast including Jason Momoa, Michelle Rodriguez, and Dwayne Johnson.
Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, and Tosin Cole will lead the highly-anticipated film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood for Paramount Pictures. Based on Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel, the action fantasy follows Zelie (Mbedu) on a quest to reclaim magic stolen by a tyrannical king, joined by her brother Tzain (Cole), Princess Amari (Stenberg), and Prince Inan (Idris). Featuring a star-studded cast, including Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, and Idris Elba, the film is set for release on January 15, 2027, with production beginning soon in South Africa.
Myha’la, known for her breakout role in HBO’s Industry, is joining the cast of Gus Van Sant’s hostage thriller Dead Man’s Wire, currently filming in Louisville, Kentucky. The film, based on a true story, follows a former real estate developer who takes a mortgage banker hostage to demand $5 million and an apology. Myha’la, coming off her roles in Leave The World Behind for Netflix and Bodies Bodies Bodies for A24, continues to rise in Hollywood. The film also stars Cary Elwes, John Robinson, Colman Domingo, Bill Skarsgård, and Dacre Montgomery.
Kelly Marie Tran (The Wedding Banquet) and Auden Bui are set to collaborate on Kodak SuperXX, a psychological thriller marking Bui’s directorial debut. Tran plays Linh, a quiet woman whose life as a darkroom developer, takes a sinister turn after she crosses paths with a mysterious stranger (David Dastmalchian, Late Night with the Devil). The film, written by Tony Rettenmaier (They Cloned Tyrone), is set in atmospheric Los Angeles and has been compared to Nightcrawler and The Conversation. Tran, known for her roles in Star Wars and Raya and the Last Dragon, is also working on the Wedding Banquet remake, while Dastmalchian’s recent projects include Oppenheimer and The Boogeyman.
Gina Prince-Bythewood's adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone has assembled an impressive ensemble cast, led by Thuso Mbedu (The Woman King) as Zelie, Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give) as Amari, Damson Idris (Snowfall) as Inan, and Tosin Cole (Supacell) as Tzain. The cast also features Academy Award winners Viola Davis (The Woman King) as Mama Agba, and Idris Elba (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw) as Lekan. Additionally, Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) plays Admiral Kaea, while Lashana Lynch (Bob Marley: One Love) portrays Jumoke. The film, based on Tomi Adeyemi's bestselling novel, follows a young woman's quest to reclaim stolen magic in an African fantasy kingdom. Production begins soon in South Africa with set to release January 15th, 2027.
Awkwafina - Taylor hill
Comedy/Dramady/Musical: The Wayans brothers' Scary Movie reboot is set to hit theaters on June 12, 2026, marking their first collaboration in 18 years. Marlon, Shawn, and Keenen Ivory Wayans are writing an original script and producing alongside Rick Alvarez, with Miramax and Paramount Pictures handling production and global distribution. The franchise, launched in 2000, became a cultural phenomenon, with the original film grossing $42.5 million on opening weekend, setting records for an R-rated horror film and a Black director. This sixth installment returns the series to its roots under the comedic vision of its original creators.
Awkwafina is set to star in The Man with the Bag, a holiday family comedy alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Alan Ritchson. The film centers on Santa’s stolen magic bag, leading him to enlist a thief from his naughty list, Vance, to help retrieve it. Vance, Santa, and a group of misfits must execute the ultimate heist to save Christmas. Directed by Adam Shankman and written by Allan Rice, the movie is produced by Amazon MGM Studios. Awkwafina has recently voiced roles in Kung Fu Panda 4 and Migration and stars in Quiz Lady and Jackpot!.
Charli XCX - TheStewartofNY
Drama: Charli XCX is teaming up with A24 to produce and star in The Moment, a new film based on her original idea. This marks the first project under her production company, Studio365. Directed by Scottish filmmaker Aidan Zamiri in his feature debut, the screenplay was co-written by Zamiri and Bertie Brandes. Longtime collaborator A. G. Cook will compose the score, with David Hinojosa producing through 2AM. The movie joins Charli’s growing film portfolio, including roles in Faces of Death, Sacrifice, 100 Nights of Hero, and I Want Your Sex. A24 will handle global distribution.
Barry Michael Cooper - Derrick Salters
Industry Update: Project Rise Partners (PRP) has made a bold $13.5 billion all-cash bid to acquire Paramount Global, surpassing the $8 billion Skydance Media and RedBird Capital Partners offer currently under review. In a letter obtained by Variety, PRP outlines its terms, offering a 75% premium on Class B shares, $2 billion in debt restructuring, and stronger corporate governance, including voting rights for Class B shareholders. The group accuses Paramount's board of neglecting its fiduciary duties by excluding a "fiduciary out" clause, that allows for superior bids, and prioritizing Skydance's interests over shareholders. Paramount has yet to comment on the proposal, which promises job growth and shareholder benefits, positioning itself as a compelling alternative to the Skydance merger.
Barry Michael Cooper, acclaimed writer and producer, passed away at 66 in Baltimore, Maryland. Known for co-writing the iconic ’90s blaxploitation classic New Jack City, Cooper also completed his "Harlem trilogy" with Sugar Hill and Above the Rim. His groundbreaking screenwriting career followed his tenure as an investigative journalist for The Village Voice, where his 1989 piece on Detroit’s drug wars inspired New Jack City. Cooper's influence extended beyond film, coining the term, "New Jack Swing" in a 1987 article and collaborating with Spike Lee on Netflix's She’s Gotta Have It. Raised in Harlem, his upbringing deeply shaped his work.
Ayo Kepher-Maat has been named vice president of acquisitions and productions at IFC Films, the indie studio behind titles like Late Night With the Devil. Based in Los Angeles, she will work closely with Scott Shooman, EVP and head of IFC Films, RLJE Films, and Shudder, to expand the studio’s slate across fiction, non-fiction, and international projects. Previously at Decal, Kepher-Maat was pivotal in acquiring hits like Ride the Eagle. A California State University, Northridge graduate, she brings extensive experience from Neon, Universal, and CAA, earning recognition as one of Variety’s New Leaders in 2021.
Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig's Barbie may have broken box office records, yet ranked only 119th on the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative's 2023 Inclusion List, which analyzes films from 2019-2023 based on gender, race, LGBTQ+, disability, and age representation. The Woman King (2022) tops the list, with additional films A Thousand and One (2023) and Bottoms performing well. The list highlights the industry's increasing focus on inclusion, recognizing films, filmmakers, and distributors' contributions to diverse representation. Notable directors like Catherine Hardwicke and Olivia Wilde, as well as editors like Annette Davey and Blair McClendon, were celebrated for their efforts in creating inclusive work. Universal Pictures topped the major studio rankings with 29 films making the list.
Adobe is committing an additional $5 million to its Film & TV Fund, bringing its total to $11 million to support underrepresented creators in the film and TV industries. The fund, established in 2024, provides grants, training, and Adobe Creative Cloud donations to emerging filmmakers, editors, and marketers. This year, Adobe is partnering with the Group Effort Initiative to offer training and mentorship to diverse professionals, aiding career growth in entertainment. The fund continues its global partnerships to ensure hands-on industry access and networking opportunities, helping to amplify diverse voices in storytelling.
