The Trial of the Chicago 7
“Aquaman” actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is in final negotiations to join Aaron Sorkin’s historical drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7” at Paramount Pictures, Amblin Partners and Cross Creek. Abdul-Mateen will play Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale, one of the original eight that were charged and was eventually severed from the other defendants.
The story is based on the infamous 1969 trial of seven men charged by the federal government with conspiracy and inciting to riot, a result of the counterculture protests in Chicago at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. [Source: Variety]
Hell House
Stefanie Scott, Odessa Adlon, Jess Weixler, Gene Jones and Michael Abbott Jr. have joined the Andrew Gori-helmed indie thriller “Hell House”. Filming aims to begin in the Fall.
The story deals with the complicated relationship between small town high school peers Dawn and Makayla in the Deep South, on the eve of a religious-themed Halloween attraction grand opening, and the various townspeople who try to keep the two apart – with disastrous results. [Source: Deadline]
Four Good Days
Veteran actor Stephen Root (“Barry”) is joining Glenn Close and Mila Kunis in Rodrigo Garcia’s “Four Good Days” which will begin shooting next week in LA. Garcia directs from a script co-written by Pulitzer Prize winner Eli Saslow.
The story follows a mother helping her daughter work through four crucial days on the road to recovery from substance abuse. Root will play a man worn down by the emotional stress caused by his stepdaughter’s addiction and his wife’s attempts to save her. [Source: Deadline]
Nocturne
Sydney Sweeney (“Euphoria”), Madison Iseman (“Annabelle Comes Home”), Jacques Colimon (“The Society”) and Ivan Shaw (“Pearson”) have landed the lead roles in the supernatural thriller “Nocturne” for Blumhouse TV and Amazon Studios.
British-Irish filmmaker Zu Quirke is writing and directing the project about an incredibly gifted pianist who makes a Faustian bargain to overtake her older sister at a prestigious institution for classical musicians. [Source: Deadline]
Most Guys Are Losers
Andy Buckley (“The Office”) has signed on to star and Mira Sorvino is in talks to join the comedy-drama “Most Guys are Losers” for Pier Avenue Films. The project is based on the true-story novel of the same name by Mark Berzins. Eric Ustian penned the screenplay and will direct.
The story takes place over Thanksgiving weekend in Chicago when a college kid from California seeks approval from his girlfriend’s dad, a bar owner and author of a dating book. Shooting will commence this fall on location in Chicago. [Source: Deadline]
