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News Brief: Russo Brothers to Oversee MGM Films; HANNA Renewed; THE LAST KINGDOM: Season 4 Begins Production; & More

Alexander Dreymon The Last Kingdom Season 3

News Brief: Russo Brothers to Oversee MGM Films, Hanna Renewed, The Last Kingdom: Season 4 Begins Production, and More

In brief, new movie news and television show news has broken. Below you will find a brief rundown on all that news and their most significant segments, distilled down to the most salient information.

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Russo Brothers to Oversee MGM Films

Anthony Russo and Joe Russo will now oversee select new films and remakes at MGM from the MGM library. The brothers, partners in AGBO Films, have “made a multi-film non-exclusive creative partnership to co-develop, co-produce and co-finance a slate of projects.”

This deal includes the establishment of joint development fund between ABBO and MGM and will see the “refurbishment” or remaking of classic films in the MGM library.

First up is a remake of The Thomas Crown Affair with Michael B. Jordan in the starring role.

Joe Russo had this to say about the deal between AGBO and MGM:

This deal reflects the fundamental tenets upon which AGBO was built: a storytelling driven studio designed to develop and produce a complex array of narrative in an ever-evolving landscape. Artist ownership is primary to our agenda, and we’ll be serving as partners on every film. It’s also an amazing opportunity for AGBO to work with MGM, which owns one of the greatest libraries in the world.

This deal, at its core, is about MGM’s massive list of IP that they have on a metaphoric shelf ready and waiting to be remade or adapted into other media formats.

Netflix May Buy the Egyptian Theatre in LA

Streaming service Netflix is posed to buy the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Once purchased from American Cinematheque, “Netflix would run the theater in partnership with American Cinematheque and screen movies during weekdays, while American Cinematheque would hold lectures, events, and screenings on weekends.”

IMAX’s Largest Screen ever to open in Germany

The largest IMAX screen ever created will debut in Leonberg, Germany in 2020. The screen will be thirty-eight meters wide and twenty-two meters tall.

TV Show News

Disney+ Upcoming Slate including a Hawkeye TV Series

Disney is bringing ten unscripted TV series and a Hawkeye TV series to Disney’s streaming service Disney+.

The Hawkeye series will be a limited series and will feature Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) a.k.a. Hawkeye and Kate Bishop. The series will focus on Hawkeye passing the torch to Kate.

Marvel’s 616 (working title) is an anthological documentary series exploring the intersection between Marvel’s rich legacy of stories, characters, and creators and the world outside your window. Told through the lens of a diverse group of filmmakers, each documentary will dive into the rich historical, cultural and societal context that has become inseparable from stories of the Marvel Universe. The series is produced by Marvel New Media in partnership with Supper Club. Executive produced by Joe Quesada, Stephen Wacker, Shane Rahmani, John Cerilli, Harry Go and Sarah Amos for Marvel and David Gelb, Brian McGinn and Jason Sterman for Supper Club.

Earthkeepers (working title) is from the award-winning creators of Chef’s Table and the producers of One Lucky Elephant. It is a cinematic documentary series that centers on the adventurous lives of the people changing the way we see the animal kingdom. The episodes focus on conservationists and the animals they’ve devoted their career to studying, diving deep into the personal trials and professional breakthroughs of protecting the planet’s most endangered species. The series is executive produced by Brian McGinn, Jason Sterman and David Gelb for Supper Club and Cristina Colissimo and Jordana Glick-Franzheim for Wellworth Pictures.

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Be Our Chef asks the question of what if your family had the chance to create the next great Disney Parks dish? Hosted by Angela Kinsey (The Office), Be Our Chef invites families from diverse backgrounds to join a positive and playful Disney-inspired cooking competition at Walt Disney World. In each episode, two families will participate in a themed challenge based on their family traditions and the magic of Disney. The finalists will apply what they have learned to create a dish that represents their family through a Disney lens. The winner’s magical food creation will become a signature dish or treat served at Walt Disney World. Be Our Chef is produced by INE Entertainment with Eric Day and Mark Koops serving as producers.

Cinema Relics: Iconic Art of the Movies (working title) is an anthology series that takes a unique look at beloved films through the props and costumes (now modern “artifacts”) that made them unique — from the craftspeople who created them, the actors who interacted with them and the collectors/archives who own and cherish them. The show will be hosted by film historian/collector Dan Lanigan. Among the films featured in the first eight episodes are Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Mary Poppins, The Muppet Movie, Tron and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Produced by ABC Studios and executive produced by Jason Henry and Dan Lanigan.

Encore! is from executive producer Kristen Bell (The Good Place), who brings together former castmates of a high school musical, tasking them with re-creating their original performance in a high school reunion like no other. Emotions run high as the former students face faded friendships, former flames, self-doubt and killer choreography. Through it all, these unlikely groups of friends — with the help of Broadway’s best — just might pull off a standing-ovation-worthy performance of beloved musicals like The Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast, Annie and more. Created by Jason Cohen and executive produced by Cohen, Bell, Alycia Rossiter, Will Gluck, Richard Schwartz, Jim Roush, and Chris Wagner.

Marvel’s Hero Project reveals the remarkable, positive change several young heroes are making in their own communities. These inspiring kids have dedicated their lives to selfless acts of bravery and kindness, and now, Marvel celebrates them as the true superheroes they are. Produced by Marvel New Media in partnership with Maggievision Productions. Executive produced by Joe Quesada, Stephen Wacker, Shane Rahmani, Liza Wyles and Sarah Amos for Marvel and Maura Mandt and John Hirsch for MaggieVision Productions.

(Re)Connect features, in each episode, one family with a modern day relatable issue that’s driving a wedge between them. Issues range from workaholic parents, overly competitive siblings, technology addiction or a family secret that has recently been revealed. All of these families have reached a breaking point, and it’s time for them to disconnect from their busy lives, devices, and outside influences in order to address their issues head-on. With the help of a specialized expert, each family will go on a unique journey that organically ties to the issues they are facing in order to confront the family’s dilemma head-on. Can they finally come together as a family to overcome their obstacles … and reconnect? Produced by Milojo Productions and Talos Films. Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa and Albert Bianchini of Milojo Productions, and Julian P. Hobbs and Elli Hakami of Talos Films serve as executive producers.

Rogue Trip is a travel guide to all the places the average tourist is least likely to venture — the roguish, often misunderstood and frequently overlooked corners of the world whose hidden corners surprise, amaze and inspire. This is the family vacation most of us are unlikely to take – but we do so vicariously with the intrepid Bob Woodruff and his 27-year old doppelgänger son, Mack. Executive produced by Jeanmarie Condon and Mack and Bob Woodruff for Lincoln Square Productions.

Shop Class (working title) is a competition series that features teams of inventive students who are tasked with designing, building and testing new contraptions. In each episode, a panel of experts will rate their work based on engineering, design and the final test of the build. In the last episode, one team will be named Shop Class Champs. John Stevens and Spike Feresten of Hangar 56 Media and Richard Rawlings of Production Monkey are producing.

Untitled Walt Disney Imagineering documentary series chronicles the 65-year-plus history of Walt Disney Imagineering with parallel storylines of the people, the craft and the business. Created by Academy Award- and Emmy-nominated director and producer Leslie Iwerks, the series includes exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage from Disney’s parks around the world. Produced by Iwerks & Co. and directed by Leslie Iwerks.

Hanna Renewed for a Second Season by Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime Video today announced it has picked up a second season of its latest thrilling drama Hanna, which debuted globally March 29 in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Based on Joe Wright’s acclaimed 2011 film, Hanna’s eight-episode first season was written by David Farr (“The Night Manager”), who co-wrote the original feature. It was produced by NBCUniversal International Studios, Working Title Television and Amazon Studios.

“We knew we had something unique with Hanna, and with the added momentum from its special post-Super Bowl preview, Amazon Prime Video customers worldwide agreed,” said Albert Cheng, Co-Head of Television, Amazon Studios. “Since it debuted only ten days ago, Hanna has had a tremendous response, and we’re thrilled with not only how it has performed for us on the service, but with the action-packed world David Farr has created for the series and the stellar cast, led by Esmé Creed-Miles, Mireille Enos, and Joel Kinnaman. We’re excited to give fans a chance to see Hanna continue her journey on Amazon.”

“I am very much looking forward to taking Hanna on the next stage of her journey,” said David Farr. “It’s been a wonderful experience so far, and I feel hugely supported by NBCU, Working Title and Amazon. The next season will take us into a whole new imaginative world. I can’t wait to explore fresh terrain for this lonely young woman who wants only to belong, but who has to fight every day just to survive.”

Jeff Wachtel, President, NBCUniversal International Studios added, “It’s a wonderful example of what we look to do as a Studio – a brilliant idea brought to life by a world class creative team.”

In Season One, 15-year-old Hanna (Esmé Creed-Miles), who was raised in total seclusion in the remote woods of Eastern Europe, has spent her entire young life training to fight those who hunt her and her mercenary father, Erik Heller (Joel Kinnaman). Her survivalist skills are finally tested when she and Erik are separated upon their discovery by a rogue CIA operative, Marissa Wiegler (Mireille Enos) and her team of agents. Hanna has no choice but to embark on a perilous journey alone across Europe as she seeks to reunite with her father and evade – and ultimately take down – the dangerous agents who target them. Hanna’s isolated upbringing leads her to face particularly daunting physical and emotional challenges along the way, as she navigates an ever-deepening conspiracy – one that could be the undoing of both her and her father.

Season Two will be written by David Farr, who also serves as Executive Producer. Tom Coan will serve as Executive Producer for NBCUniversal International Studios. Executive Producers for Working Title Television are Andrew Woodhead, Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan. Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements will also serve as Executive Producers alongside Scott Nemes. Laura Hastings-Smith is Series Producer (“The Little Drummer Girl”, “Hunger”).

The Last Kingdom: Season 4 Begins Production, New Characters, and Plot synopsis

The Last Kingdom: Season 4 has begun production of its fourth TV season.

The Last Kingdom: Season 4’s plot synopsis: (spoilers) “After the death of Alfred, the alliances between the kingdoms are fractured. Uhtred believes the timing is right to challenge his uncle Aelfric, played by Joseph Millson (Casino Royale, Banished), and take back his ancestral home, Bebbanburg. However fate shifts in a different direction, leading Uhtred to realize that his destiny is tied to Alfred’s dream of a united land. This and Uhtred’s feelings for Aethelflaed drive him back into the politics that threaten to break out into war.”

Three new cast members have been added to Season 4:

Stefanie Martini has been cast as Eadith, Aethelred’s new love conquest.

Jamie Blackley has been cast as Eardwulf, Aethelred’s new right-hand man.

Returning cast members to Season 4:

Ian Hart (Father Beocca), Toby Regbo (Aethelred), Emily Cox (Brida), Timothy Innes (Kind Edward), Eliza Butterworth (Aelswith), Mark Rowley (Finan), Millie Brady (Aethelflaed), Magnus Bruun (Cnut), and Jeppe Beck Laursen (Haesten).

Barry Renewed for Season Three by HBO

Comedy series Barry has been renewed for an 8-episode third season by HBO.

Future Man Renewed for a Third and Final Season by Hulu

Future Man has been renewed for a third and final season by Hulu. Season Three will be truncated from thirteen episodes to eight.

The Primetime Emmys Move Three TV Series into a New Category

American Horror Story, The Sinner, and American Vandal are being moved from the Primetime Emmy Awards’ Outstanding Limited Series Category to the Outstanding Drama Category.

The reason for the change: “the three shows saw the return of characters and continuing plotlines from earlier seasons, no longer making them ‘limited’ in nature.”

American Horror Story Season 9 Title Revealed

American Horror Story: Season 9 will be entitled 1984 or American Horror Story: 1984.

High Fidelity TV Series Moving from Disney+ to Hulu

The TV show version of Nick Hornby’s novel High Fidelity, starring Zoe Kravitz, is moving from Disney+ to Hulu.

The High Fidelity TV show’s plot synopsis: “Kravitz [will play] the lead (played by John Cusack in the 2000 feature film) as the ultimate music fan and record store owner who is obsessed with pop culture and top five lists.”

Pose Second Season Premiere Date Announced by FX

The second season of FX TV series Pose will premiere on June 9, 2019 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Fox Searchlight and Hulu partner for The Dropout

Fox Searchlight and Hulu are partnering for the television adaptation of the “ABC News/ABC Radio’s podcast about the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and her company, Theranos.”

The show will be entitled The Dropout.

Kate McKinnon will be starring in the eight episode mini-series as Elizabeth Holmes.

The Dropout‘s plotline: “Holmes, a chemical engineering prodigy, dropped out of Stanford to launch a healthcare technology company promising to revolutionize blood testing, which became Theranos. The high-flying tech startup was eventually exposed as “massive fraud,” and last year, a federal grand jury indicted Holmes and former Theranos chief operating officer on nine counts of wire fraud and two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for distributing blood tests with falsified results to consumers.”

Lucifer: Season 4’s Premiere Date Announced by Netflix

Season Four of Lucifer will premiere on Netflix on May 8, 2019.

Killing Eve Season 2 Premieres to High Ratings; Renewed for Season 3

Killing Eve: Season 2 premiered to record ratings – 1.2 million viewers during its April 7, 2019 premiere. “That’s a rise of 67% in total viewers from its previous high of the Season 1 finale.”

The series has also been renewed for a third season.

Leave your thoughts on this News Brief (via The Wrap, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Fool) below in the comments section. Readers seeking to support this type of content can visit our Patreon Page and become one of FilmBook’s patrons. Readers seeking more movie news can visit our Movie News Page, our Movie News Twitter Page, and our Movie News Facebook Page. Readers seeking more TV show news can visit our TV Show News Page and our TV Show News Facebook. Want up-to-the-minute notifications? FilmBook staff members publish articles by Email, TwitterFacebook, and Tumblr.

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Rollo Tomasi

Rollo Tomasi is a Connecticut-based film critic, TV show critic, news, and editorial writer. He will have a MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University in 2025. Rollo has written over 700 film, TV show, short film, Blu-ray, and 4K-Ultra reviews. His reviews are published in IMDb's External Reviews and in Google News. Previously you could find his work at Empire Movies, Blogcritics, and AltFilmGuide. Now you can find his work at FilmBook.
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