Cats
Universal and Working Title’s feature adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical “Cats” has started filming. The Tom Hooper-directed production is reportedly using a new technology to transform cast members into a vivid new vision of their characters.
The film stars Taylor Swift as Bombalurina, James Corden as Bustopher Jones, Jennifer Hudson as Grizabella, Dame Judi Dench as Old Deuteronomy, Jason Derulo as Rum Tum Tugger, Idris Elba as Macavity, Sir Ian McKellen as Gus, Rebel Wilson as Jennyanydots and Francesca Hayward as Victoria. [Source: Deadline]
Birds of Prey
Comedian Ali Wong and “American Crime Story” actor Robert Catrini have joined the cast of Cathy Yan’s upcoming “Birds of Prey” film at Warner Bros. Pictures. Wong plays an associate of Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) in Gotham law enforcement. Catrini’s role is under wraps.
Margot Robbie will be reprising her Suicide Squad role of Harley Quinn in the film, which also stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary, Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain, Ewan McGregor as Black Mask and Chris Messina as Victor Zsasz. [Source: The Wrap]
Self-Portrait With Boy
Topic Studios (“Leave No Trace”) has bought rights to Rachel Lyon’s debut novel “Self-Portrait With Boy” which the author herself will turn into a feature film screenplay. John Lyons will produce.
The story is set in Brooklyn in the early 1990s and tells the story of a young photographer who unintentionally captures a tragedy during a self-portrait. The choice of what to do with this devastating image haunts her as she is forced to confront the limits of her own ambition. [Source: Variety]
Jane
Universal Pictures has set Sheldon Turner to pen the African-set action thriller “Jane” with Jennifer Klein producing. In the film, well-trained and well-financed professional poachers begin to target a conservationist ranch in Tanzania and it’s up to one woman to defend the land and its denizens, and protect the very future of the rhino. [Source: Deadline]
74 and Sunny
George Gallo (“Bigger”) has been set to direct the feature adaptation of A.J. Benza’s 2015 childhood memoir “’74 and Sunny”. Benza is currently writing the script for the film set during the summer of 1974 in Long Island. Michael and Andy Weiss will produce.
The story recounts when Benza’s shy, effeminate cousin from New Jersey lived with his Sicilian-American family, memories dominated by the author’s short-tempered, outspoken, hyper-masculine father. The rough-around-the-edges family puts aside its prejudices to welcome with open arms a young boy struggling to understand his sexuality and ultimately accept himself. [Source: Deadline]
