News Analysis India

Tag: Lionsgate

  • Peter Dinklage to feature in ‘The Hunger Games’ prequel 

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: “Game of Thrones” alum Peter Dinklage is the latest addition to the cast of Lionsgate’s “The Hunger Games” prequel movie “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”.

    The upcoming film is the latest project in the dystopian young-adult franchise based on Suzanne Collins’ novels. It is being adapted from Collins’ 2020 book of the same name, which takes place decades before Katniss Everdeen’s (Jennifer Lawrence) adventures in “The Hunger Games.”

    Dinklage joins the cast which also includes Tom Blyth as young Coriolanus Snow, Rachel Zegler as tribute Lucy Gray Baird and Hunter Schafer as Tigris Snow.

    “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” follows Snow, years before he would become the tyrannical President of the fictional nation Panem, as he is chosen to be the mentor of the 10th Hunger Games, a televised event in which teenagers are chosen via lottery to fight to the death.

    According to Variety, Dinklage will essay the role of Casca Highbottom, who is the dean of the Academy, where Snow is a student. Francis Lawrence, who helmed three of the four “The Hunger Games” films, is returning to direct the upcoming Lionsgate production.

    Michael Lesslie has penned the most recent draft of the screenplay, with initial inputs from author Collins and “Catching Fire” writer Michael Arndt.

    Previously announced cast members of the film also include Josh Andres Rivera, Jerome Lance, Ashley Liao, Aamer Husain, Hiroki Berrecloth and Jason Schwartzman. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is scheduled for a November 17, 2023 release.

    The project will be produced by Nina Jacobson and her producing partner Brad Simpson, along with Francis Lawrence. Suzanne Collins, Tim Palen, and Jim Miller will serve as executive producers.

    Dinklage is best known for playing Tyrion Lannister in the hit HBO show “Game of Thrones”.

    He has also featured in movies such as “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”, “Death at a Funeral”, “X-Men: Days of Future Past”, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “I Care A Lot”.

    LOS ANGELES: “Game of Thrones” alum Peter Dinklage is the latest addition to the cast of Lionsgate’s “The Hunger Games” prequel movie “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”.

    The upcoming film is the latest project in the dystopian young-adult franchise based on Suzanne Collins’ novels. It is being adapted from Collins’ 2020 book of the same name, which takes place decades before Katniss Everdeen’s (Jennifer Lawrence) adventures in “The Hunger Games.”

    Dinklage joins the cast which also includes Tom Blyth as young Coriolanus Snow, Rachel Zegler as tribute Lucy Gray Baird and Hunter Schafer as Tigris Snow.

    “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” follows Snow, years before he would become the tyrannical President of the fictional nation Panem, as he is chosen to be the mentor of the 10th Hunger Games, a televised event in which teenagers are chosen via lottery to fight to the death.

    According to Variety, Dinklage will essay the role of Casca Highbottom, who is the dean of the Academy, where Snow is a student. Francis Lawrence, who helmed three of the four “The Hunger Games” films, is returning to direct the upcoming Lionsgate production.

    Michael Lesslie has penned the most recent draft of the screenplay, with initial inputs from author Collins and “Catching Fire” writer Michael Arndt.

    Previously announced cast members of the film also include Josh Andres Rivera, Jerome Lance, Ashley Liao, Aamer Husain, Hiroki Berrecloth and Jason Schwartzman. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is scheduled for a November 17, 2023 release.

    The project will be produced by Nina Jacobson and her producing partner Brad Simpson, along with Francis Lawrence. Suzanne Collins, Tim Palen, and Jim Miller will serve as executive producers.

    Dinklage is best known for playing Tyrion Lannister in the hit HBO show “Game of Thrones”.

    He has also featured in movies such as “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”, “Death at a Funeral”, “X-Men: Days of Future Past”, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “I Care A Lot”.

  • The Hunger Games prequel gets a release date

    By Express News Service

    We had previously reported that a prequel for The Hunger Games titled The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is in development at Lionsgate. The studio has now announced the release date of the film. The fantasy adventure will be hitting screens on November 17, 2023.

    The announcement was made through a teaser trailer. Based on Suzanne Collins novel by the same name, the prequel film will follow an 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, who is deemed the last ray of hope for his fading lineage in a post-war Capitol.

    Tom Blyth of Benediction-fame will be playing Coriolanus Snow, while Rachel Zegler will be essaying the role of Lucy Gray Baird. Francis Lawrence, who helmed the three films in the franchise, will be directing the film.

  • Kelsey Grammer joins cast of Lionsgate’s ‘Jesus Revolution’

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Veteran actor Kelsey Grammer has boarded the cast of the feature film “Jesus Revolution”, being backed by the Kingdom Story Company and Lionsgate.

    The movie is based on a true story of national spiritual awakening in the early 1970s and its origins within a community of teenage hippies in Southern California.

    According to Deadline, Joel Courtney, Anna Grace Barlow, Jonathan Roumie and Nicholas Cirillo round out the cast of the film.

    “In the 1970s, young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) sets out to redefine truth through all means of liberation, and instead, meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie street preacher.

    “Laurie and Frisbee, along with Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer), open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to an unexpected revival by way of rock and roll, newfound love, and a twist of faith leading to a Jesus Revolution that changed the world,” the synopsis reads.

    Jon Erwin is directing the movie along with Brent McCorkle from a script he co-wrote with Jon Gunn.

    Kevin Downes Jon and Andrew Erwin, Josh Walsh and Daryl Lefever are producing the project.

  • Michael Jackson biopic being planned with ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ producer

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Lionsgate is collaborating with “Bohemian Rhapsody” producer Graham King on “Michael”, a big-screen Michael Jackson biopic, for worldwide distribution.

    King will produce the film alongside co-executors of Michael Jackson’s estate, John Branca and John McClain.

    The screenplay has been written by Oscar nominee John Logan.

    King and Logan previously worked on Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator”. Logan also wrote Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator”, reported the IndieWire.

    The film will reportedly chronicle Jackson’s musical journey through his most iconic songs and performances.

    But it is not known if the film will confront the child sexual abuse allegations that plagued the last half of his life.

    Jackson died in 2009 at the age of 50.

    “Ever since Michael was little, as a member of The Jackson 5, he loved the magic of cinema. As a family, we are honored to have our life story come alive on the big screen,” Jackson’s mother Katherine Jackson said.

    King said he first met the Jackson family in 1981 and is humbled to bring “their legacy to the big screen”.

    “… I could never have imagined that nearly 38 years later I would get the privilege to be a part of this film,” King said.

    “I am very excited that Lionsgate will be part of this epic film, and thrilled to be working with Graham, who has proven success in telling iconic life stories, from ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to ‘Ali’; when combined with John, we couldn’t be in more extraordinary hands,” Lionsgate motion picture chair Drake said.

  • Mike Colter joins Gerard Butler in ‘The Plane’

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: “Luke Cage” star Mike Colter has boarded the cast of “The Plane”, a thriller headlined by Gerard Butler.

    The Lionsgate project, expected to begin production later this month in Puerto Rico, will be directed by Jean-Francois Richet.

    “The Plane” stars Butler as Brodie Torrance, who, after a heroic job of successfully landing his storm-damaged aircraft in hostile territory, finds himself threatened by militant pirates who want to take the plane and its passengers hostage.

    As the world searches for the disappeared aircraft, Brodie must rise to the occasion and keep his passengers safe until help arrives.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, Colter will play Louis Gaspare, a cool-headed, former military man being extradited to Canada on charges of homicide when the plane crash lands on a dangerous remote island.

    “Mike is an exciting addition to the film.

    Anyone familiar with his work knows he is a charismatic talent and a formidable force and we’re thrilled to have him board The Plane,” Richet said.

    The film is based on a book by spy novelist Charles Cumming, who has penned the script along with JP Davis and Matt Cook.

    Butler is also producing “The Plane” along with his work partner Alan Siegel under their G-BASE banner.

    Veteran filmmaker Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian are also attached as producers on the film via their Di Bonaventura Pictures.

  • Lily Rabe joins Elizabeth Olsen in HBO Max’s Love and Death

    By Express News Service
    We had earlier reported that actor Jesse Plemons will star opposite Elizabeth Olsen in HBO Max’s upcoming original limited series Love and Death. Now, actor Lily Rabe, well-known for The Undoing and The Underground Railroad, has been cast opposite Plemons in the series. Love and Death is based on the true story of Texas housewife Candy Montgomery, who murdered her friend from church, Betty Gore, with an axe in 1980. Plemons and Rabe will play Allan Gore and Betty Gore, while Olsen is set to play Betty’s murderer Candy Montgomery. The series will also feature actor Patrick Fugit, who will play Candy’s husband, Pat Montgomery.

    The Lionsgate series is inspired by the book Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs and a collection of articles from Texas Monthly (Love & Death in Silicon Prairie, Part I & II).

    Love and Death is written by David E Kelly and directed by Lesli Linka Glatter.The series is executive produced by Kelley through David E Kelley Productions; Nicole Kidman and Per Saari through Blossom Films; Lesli Linka Glatter; Scott Brown and Megan Creydt through Texas Monthly; Matthew Tinker; Michael Klick and Helen Verno.

    Rabe is best known for her recurring role in the anthology series American Horror Story. The actor recently wrapped production on the George Clooney-directed coming-of-age drama The Tender Bar. She also recently starred in Tell Me Your Secrets for Amazon Prime Video.

  • Lionsgate’s remake of French film The Valet adds five more actors 

    By Express News Service
    Lionsgate’s English remake of Francis Veber’s French film The Valet has roped in five new actors to its cast.

    Noemi Gonzalez (known for Selena: The Series, East Los High), Tiana Okoye (Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens, The Good Place), Diany Rodriguez (Law & Order: Organized Crime, New Amsterdam), Armando Hernandez (El César, El Repatriado), and Carlos Santos (Gentefied, Vacation Friends) are the latest addition to the cast.

    Earlier this month, the project added Max Greenfield, Marisol Nichols, Betsy Brandt, and Carmen Salinas to its cast which is headlined by Eugenio Derbez and Samara Weaving.

    Directed by Richard Wong, the remake is written by Rob Greenberg and Bob Fisher. Deadline reported that the film follows Olivia (Weaving), a movie star who enlists a parking valet named Antonio (Derbez) to pose as her lover to cover for a relationship with a married man. 

    As a valet, the hard-working Antonio usually flies under the radar, but his ruse with Olivia thrusts him into the spotlight and brings him to see himself more clearly than ever before.

    Gonzalez is all set to play Clara, Antonio’s sister and the wife of Benny, Antonio’s boss. Okoye will play Amanda, Olivia’s dedicated but worn out assistant. 

    Rodriguez will play Natalie, who works at Antonio’s neighbourhood bike shop. Hernandez and Santos are set to play Antonio’s colleagues at a tony Beverly Hills restaurant.The film is produced by Derbez and his producing partner Ben Odell through their 3Pas Studios banner. 

  • ‘Creed II’ actor Florian Munteanu in talks for ‘Borderlands’ movie

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Boxer-turned-actor Florian Munteanu, best known for starring in “Creed II”, is in negotiations to joins the cast of Lionsgate’s “Borderlands” movie. An adaptation of popular video game of the same name, the movie will be directed by Eli Roth from a script by Emmy-winning “Chernobyl” creator Craig Mazin.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, if finalised, Munteanu will join Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Black and Ariana Greenblatt in the movie. Blanchett stars as Lilith, a woman with great superpowers; Hart plays the legendary thief Roland; Curtis is cast as archeologist and scientist Dr Tannis, and Black essays the role of Claptrap, an enthusiastic robot.

    Munteanu will play Krieg, the musclebound, rhetorically challenged protector of Tiny Tina (Greenblatt), the unstable 13-year-old explosive expert. Avi Arad and Ari Arad are producing “Borderlands” via their Arad Productions banner along with Picturestart’s Erik Feig.

    The movie, which will start production in April in Hungary, will be executive produced by Randy Pitchford and Strauss Zelnick. Munteanu made his feature acting debut with “Creed II”, in which he portrayed Drago opposite Michael B Jordan’s Adonis Creed.

    He will next star as Razor Fist in Marvel Studios’ upcoming superhero movie “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”, which is scheduled to be released worldwide in July.