Liam Payne’s just released a music video for his new single “Sunshine” which will be featured in the animated film, Ron’s Gone Wrong. The new single has a positive, uplifting message, and the video features Payne as well as previously unseen clips from the 20th Century Studios and Locksmith Animation family-friendly comedy film.
In addition to contributing a song on the soundtrack, the former member of One Direction is lending his voice to a character in the animated feature. The Hangover co-stars Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms, Jack Dylan Grazer (Shazam!), Olivia Colman (The Crown), Justice Smith (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom), Rob Delaney (Catastrophe), Kylie Cantrall (Gabby Duran and the Unsittables), Ricardo Hurtado (The Goldbergs), Marcus Scribner (black-ish), and Thomas Barbusca (Chad) also voice Ron’s Gone Wrong characters.
Jean-Philippe Vine (story artist on Pixar’s Cars 3 and The Good Dinosaur) and Locksmith co-founder Sarah Smith (Arthur Christmas) directed, with Octavio Rodriguez (story artist on Coco and The Incredibles 2) co-directing. Smith and Peter Baynham wrote the screenplay and executive produce.
The PG-rated comedy will hit theaters on October 22, 2021.
Ron’s Gone Wrong is the story of Barney, a socially awkward middle-schooler and Ron, his new walking, talking, digitally-connected device, which is supposed to be his “Best Friend out of the Box.” Ron’s hilarious malfunctions set against the backdrop of the social media age, launch them into an action-packed journey in which boy and robot come to terms with the wonderful messiness of true friendship.
Poster for ‘American Underdog’ (Photo Credit: Lionsgate)
Lionsgate has moved American Underdog back two weeks from a December 10, 2021 release to a Christmas Day premiere. The Kurt Warner biopic’s release date announcement was accompanied by a new poster promoting the revised opening date.
“I’ve had so many people tell me your story is made for Hollywood. It’s made for the big screen,” said Kurt Warner, an executive producer on the film and first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.
Zachary Levi (Shazam!) stars as the former NFL quarterback, Anna Paquin (True Blood) plays Brenda Warner, and Dennis Quaid (Blue Miracle) is Coach Dick Vermeil.
American Underdog is based on Kurt Warner and Michael Silver’s All Things Possible, adapted by Jon Erwin, David Aaron Cohen, and Jon Gunn. Jon Erwin and Andrew Erwin directed and served as producers along with Kevin Downes, Mark Ciardi, and Daryl Lefever. Kurt Warner, Brenda Warner, Tony Young, Jon Gunn, and Sean Devereau executive produced.
The Plot, Courtesy of Lionsgate:
American Underdog tells the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner (Levi), who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback. The film centers on Warner’s unique story and years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player – but just when his dreams seemed all but out of reach, it is only with the support of his wife, Brenda (Paquin) and the encouragement of his family, coaches, and teammates that Warner perseveres and finds the strength to show the world the champion that he already is.
American Underdog is an inspirational story that demonstrates that anything is possible when you have faith, family and determination.
Netflix has filled out the cast of the Addams Family spinoff, Wednesday, adding 10 additional actors in series regular roles. Thora Birch, Riki Lindhome, Hunter Doohan, Georgie Farmer, and Moosa Mostafa have come on board the series set to star Jenna Ortega (Scream, The Fallout) as the titular character. Emma Myers, Naomi J. Ogawa, Joy Sunday, Jamie McShane, and Percy Hynes White have also signed on to the coming-of-age comedy from director and executive producer Tim Burton.
Netflix previously announced Catherine Zeta-Jones (Chicago) is playing Morticia Addams and Luis Guzman (Boogie Nights) will guest star as Gomez Addams.
Al Gough and Miles Millar are co-showrunners on the eight-episode first season. Millar, Gough, Steve Stark, Andrew Mittman, Kevin Miserocchi, Kayla Alpert, Jonathan Glickman, and Gail Berman serve as executive producers.
Netflix released the following description of the series along with character descriptions:
The Plot: The series is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at Nevermore Academy. Wednesday attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a monstrous killing spree that has terrorized the local town, and solve the supernatural mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago—all while navigating her new and very tangled relationships at Nevermore.
• Hunter Doohan (Your Honor, Truth Be Told) will play Tyler Galpin. A townie who strikes up an unlikely friendship with Wednesday Addams. Tyler has a troubled relationship with his father, the local sheriff.
• Georgie Farmer (Treadstone, The Evermoor Chronicles) will play Ajax Petropolus. A student at Nevermore Academy who also happens to be a Gorgon. Awkward and shy, Ajax is anxious about looking anyone in the eye.
• Moosa Mostafa (Nativity Rocks!, The Last Bus) will play Eugene Otinger. One of Nevermore Academy’s quirkiest students and president of the school’s bee-keeping club.
• Emma Myers (Girl in the Basement, Taste of Christmas) will play Enid Sinclair. She is Wednesday’s sunny and colorful Californian roommate at Nevermore Academy. Enid hails from a pack of San Francisco Werewolves.
• Naomi J. Ogawa (Skylin3s) will play Yoko Tanaka. A vampire with Harajuku-inspired Goth flair and one of the cool kids at Nevermore Academy.
• Joy Sunday (Dear White People, The Beta Test) will play Bianca Barclay. One of Nevermore Academy’s most popular students, Bianca descends from a long line of Sirens with a mesmerizing power to persuade.
• Percy Hynes White (The Gifted, Pretty Hard Cases) will play Xavier Thorpe. A charismatic and supernaturally artistic Nevermore Academy student, who comes from wealth thanks to his celebrity psychic father.
• Thora Birch (Ghost World, The Walking Dead) will play Tamara Novak. Wednesday’s dorm mother and the only “Normie” on staff at Nevermore Academy with a focus on all things botanical.
• Riki Lindhome (Knives Out, Another Period) will play Dr. Valerie Kinbott. A local therapist in the sleepy town of Jericho who takes a particular interest in her newest patient Wednesday Addams.
• Jamie McShane (Mank, Bloodline) will play Sheriff Donovan Galpin. Born and bred in Jericho, this Sheriff has always had an issue with Nevermore Academy and a vendetta against former student Gomez Addams.
William Zabka and Ralph Macchio in ‘Cobra Kai’ (Photo by Guy D’Alema)
Netflix has given the critically acclaimed drama Cobra Kai an early season five renewal. The official announcement comes more than three months prior to the premiere of season four.
Season four is targeting a December 2021 premiere, and season five is expected to begin filming this fall in Atlanta.
Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso) and William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence) return to lead the cast in starring roles. The upcoming fourth season also stars Courtney Henggeler (Amanda LaRusso), Xolo Maridueña (Miguel Diaz), and Tanner Buchanan (Robby Keene). In addition, Mary Mouser (Samantha LaRusso), Jacob Bertrand (Hawk), Gianni Decenzo (Demetri), Vanessa Rubio (Carmen), Peyton List (Tory), and Martin Kove (John Kreese) return for season four.
Ralph Macchio took to Twitter to respond the renewal announcement, tweeting, “Thank you, fans!! More story coming to you!”
“The Valley is mine. It always was, and always will be. MERCY is for the weak,” tweeted Martin Kove.
Cobra Kai is produced by Sony Pictures Television. Counterbalance Entertainment’s Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg write and executive produce the Emmy nominated series. Macchio, Zabka, Susan Ekins, and Westbrook Entertainment’s Will Smith, James Lassiter, and Caleeb Pinkett also executive produce.
The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:
Cobra Kai takes place over 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament with the continuation of the inescapable conflict between Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (Zabka).
Season 4 finds the Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang dojos joining forces to take down Cobra Kai at the All Valley Under 18 Karate Tournament… and whoever loses must hang up their gi. As Samantha and Miguel try to maintain the dojo alliance and Robby goes all in at Cobra Kai, the fate of the Valley has never been more precarious. What tricks does Kreese have up his sleeve? Can Daniel and Johnny bury their decades-long hatchet to defeat Kreese? Or will Cobra Kai become the face of karate in the valley?
Feuds and fights fuel The CW’s The Outpost season four episode eight, “The Pleasing Voice of the Masters.” Directed by Igor Sunter from a script by Jason Faller and Kynan Griffin, episode eight will air on September 2, 2021.
The cast is led by Jessica Green as Talon and includes Jake Stormoen as Captain Garret Spears, Anand Desai-Barochia as Janzo, and Reece Ritchie as Zed. Izuka Hoyle is Wren, Jaye Griffiths is Yavalla, Aaron Fontaine is Tobin, Georgia May Foote is Falista, Maeve Courtier-Lilly is Luna, Nikki Leigh Scott is Vorta, and Adam Johnson is Munt.
“The Pleasing Voice of the Masters” Plot: BEST LAID PLANS – Talon (Green) and Luna (Courtier-Lilly) fight against the gods but not all goes as planned. Janzo (Desai-Barochia) is reunited with someone from his past. Meanwhile, Garret (Stormoen) and Janzo feud over the fate of a prisoner. Lastly, Tobin (Fontaine) fights to save Talon.
The Season 4 Plot:
After Gwynn (Imogen Waterhouse) sacrificed herself to destroy Yavalla, the Outpost needs a new ruler. But while Talon and Garret try to establish new leadership, a sinister threat awakens, revealing the true origin of the mysterious kinjes. Talon and her kinj-bearing friends all share dark visions from god-like beings who are hell-bent on reclaiming the kinjes for themselves. A would-be assassin named Luna hunts Talon down to get vengeance for crimes of the past, but soon discovers that her own heritage is wrapped up in Talon’s fate.
Mourning the recent loss of her beloved Tobin (Aaron Fontaine), Falista is mentored by Two to dedicate herself to the new “gods” in exchange for a costly favor. But when the Lu Qiri go missing, Talon and Zed track them down to discover the greatest threat the Realm has ever faced… a new race of beings that will ultimately explain Talon’s own dark origins.
When Janzo and Wren are forced to unlock an ancient city beneath the Outpost, they struggle to uncover who their real allies and enemies will be, while a secret they share gives them new motivation to save the world.
As she and her friends are hunted down one by one, while diabolic forces are tearing her world apart, Talon endures the darkest challenge she has ever faced, as she struggles to embrace the heroes of her past and somehow survive the villains that only she has the power to destroy.
Dallas Lovato, Demi Lovato, and Matthew Montgomery in ‘Unidentified with Demi Lovato’ (Photo by: Richie Knapp/Peacock)
Peacock has set a September 30, 2021 premiere date for Demi Lovato’s limited series, Unidentified with Demi Lovato. The four-part docuseries stars Grammy nominee Demi Lovato (a true believer), Dallas Lovato, and Matthew Montgomery and features the trio as they interview scientists and abductees during their hunt for the truth about UFOs.
“We’re about to take off on a journey to explore the unknown and it’s going to be a wild ride,” posted Lovato on Instagram. “Join me, my sister, and my bestie on #UnidentifiedwithDemiLovato.”
Peacock describes Unidentified with Demi Lovato as an unscripted series “that follows Lovato, their skeptical best friend Matthew and their sister Dallas, as they attempt to help uncover the truth about the UFO phenomena. While consulting with leading experts, Demi, Dallas and Matthew will investigate recent eyewitness encounters, uncover secret government reports, and conduct tests at known UFO hot spots.”
The four-part series is produced by GoodStory Entertainment in association with SB Projects. Lovato, Andrew Nock, and SB Projects’ Scooter Braun, Scott Manson, and Allison Kaye executive produce. GoodStory’s JD Roth, Adam Greener, and Sara Hansemann also serve as executive producers.
The Official Synopsis, Courtesy of Peacock:
Demi is a true believer, and during this courageous adventure, they hope to convince their friends, family and their social fans and followers that not only do E.T.’s exist but that they are already on earth!
Demi plans to gain new insights into extra-terrestrials through interviewing scientists, eyewitnesses, alien abductees and conducting UFO experiments. They believe extra-terrestrials are here to help us save our planet and ourselves.
This series is an immersive docu-follow exploration of Demi’s quest, along with Dallas and Matthew, told through Demi’s unique and entertaining point of view.
Steve Harvey’s taking a seat on the bench as the star of a new unscripted courtroom comedy. ABC’s just greenlit a 10 episode first season of Judge Steve Harvey (the working title), with Harvey serving as judge and jury as well as an executive producer.
ABC released the following description of the one-hour unscripted comedy:
“The judge, the jury and the star of the series, Steve Harvey, will welcome a variety of conflicts and characters to his courtroom – from small claims to big disputes and everything in between. Steve plays by his own rules, basing his courtroom on his own life experiences and some good old common sense.”
ABC and Steve Harvey are currently looking for people 18 and older with a dispute to settle who’d like to appear on an episode. Applications are now being accepted for “roommates, friends, siblings, neighbors, co-workers, and more that have humor, heart, and passion who are ready to plead their case.” Visit MysticArt Pictures Casting for further details.
Brandon Williams and Den of Thieves’ Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager, Jared Morrell, and Barb Bialkowski are on board as executive producers. Myeshia Mizuno will guide the series as showrunner and executive produce.
ABC’s targeting a 2022 primetime launch of the unscripted series.
Squirrel!!! Pixar Animation Studios is honoring International Dog Day with the release of a short teaser trailer for Dug Days starring the lovable Dug the dog from Up. The fun teaser trailer reveals Dug will be joined in the series of five shorts by Up‘s Carl and Russell along with a squirrel.
Up screenwriter and co-director Bob Peterson wrote and directed Dug Days. Peterson also lends his voice to the easily distracted goofy dog once again.
“Dug is pure of heart — he’s a good soul. I think people enjoy that part of Dug,” said Peterson. “Plus, people love their dogs. We’ve gone to great lengths to include truth in dog behavior, so they see their own dogs in Dug.”
“Everything is new, and he’s excited about all of it. But the smallest things can distract Dug, never mind an actual squirrel,” explained Peterson, commenting on the five new shorts featuring the happy-go-lucky Dug venturing outside of Paradise Falls for the first time.
Disney+ will release Dug Days on September 1, 2021.
Dug Days Description:
Pixar Animation Studios’ Dug Days is a new collection of shorts that follows the humorous misadventures of Dug, the lovable dog from Disney and Pixar’s Up. Each short features everyday events that occur in and around Dug’s backyard, all through the exciting (and delightfully distorted) eyes of our favorite talking dog.
Netflix’s first teaser trailer from The Power of the Dog features Oscar nominee Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game) whistling and laughing, yet without a word of dialogue he’s able to set us on edge. Although the teaser trailer gives nothing away, it does show off gorgeous cinematography and establishes the film’s tone.
In addition to unveiling a first teaser, Netflix’s released a new poster and photos from the Western written and directed by Oscar winner Jane Campion (The Piano).
Joining Cumberbatch in the drama are Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Thomasin McKenzie, Frances Conroy, Keith Carradine, Peter Carroll, and Adam Beach. Dunst and Plemons will be playing a married couple in the film and off-screen the duo – who met while working on FX’s Fargo – have two children together.
Writer/director Campion produces along with Emile Sherman, Iain Canning, Roger Frappier, and Tanya Seghatchian. Campion’s behind the scenes team includes Director of Photography Ari Wegner, Production Designer Grant Major, Costume Designer Kirsty Cameron, Composer Jonny Greenwood, and Editor Peter Scibberas. The Power of the Dog is a See-Saw Films, Bad Girl Creek and Max Films production in association with Brightstar, The New Zealand Film Commission, Cross City Films and BBC Film.
Netflix is planning a November 17, 2021 release in select theaters followed by a release on the streaming service on December 1st.
Netflix’s Official Synopsis:
“Severe, pale-eyed, handsome, Phil Burbank is brutally beguiling. All of Phil’s romance, power and fragility is trapped in the past and in the land: He can castrate a bull calf with two swift slashes of his knife; he swims naked in the river, smearing his body with mud. He is a cowboy as raw as his hides.
The year is 1925. The Burbank brothers are wealthy ranchers in Montana. At the Red Mill restaurant on their way to market, the brothers meet Rose, the widowed proprietress, and her impressionable son Peter. Phil behaves so cruelly he drives them both to tears, reveling in their hurt and rousing his fellow cowhands to laughter – all except his brother George, who comforts Rose then returns to marry her.
As Phil swings between fury and cunning, his taunting of Rose takes an eerie form – he hovers at the edges of her vision, whistling a tune she can no longer play. His mockery of her son is more overt, amplified by the cheering of Phil’s cowhand disciples. Then Phil appears to take the boy under his wing. Is this latest gesture a softening that leaves Phil exposed, or a plot twisting further into menace?”
Wyatt Russell as Dan Lafferty in ‘Under the Banner of Heaven’ (CR: Matthias Clamer/FX)
The cast of FX’s limited series Under the Banner of Heaven has expanded to include Wyatt Russell, Sam Worthington, and Adelaide Clemens. Rory Culkin, Gil Birmingham, Christopher Heyerdahl, Denise Gough, Billy Howle, Seth Numrich, Chloe Pirrie, and Sandra Seacat have also just boarded the series inspired by Jon Krakauer’s NY Times bestselling novel.
The newly announced cast members join series stars Andrew Garfield and Daisy Edgar-Jones in the drama from Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black (Best Original Screenplay, Milk).
Black created the series and serves as an executive producer. Gillian Berrie (Hell or High Water, Starred Up) and Imagine Television’s Brian Grazer (Genius, Friday Night Lights), Ron Howard (Genius, Arrested Development), Samie Kim Falvey, and Anna Culp also executive produce. In addition, Aggregate Films’ Jason Bateman (Ozark, The Outsider) and Michael Costigan (A Teacher), along with David Mackenzie (Hell or High Water, Perfect Sense), are on board as executive producers, with Mackenzie also directing.
Filming is currently underway in Calgary. The limited series will air on FX on Hulu and is produced by FX Productions. FX has not announce a targeted premiere date.
The official casting announcement revealed Sam Worthington (Avatar) is playing Ron Lafferty and Denise Gough (the upcoming Rogue One prequel series) has been cast as Dianna Lafferty. Lodge 49‘s Wyatt Russell is Dan Lafferty, Billy Howle (The Serpent) is Allen Lafferty, and Yellowstone‘s Gil Birmingham is Bill Taba. Adelaide Clemens (Rectify) plays Rebecca Pyre, Rory Culkin (Halston) is Samuel Lafferty, Seth Numrich (Turn) is Robin Lafferty, and Chloe Pirrie (Kindred) is Matilda Lafferty.
Sandra Seacat (Enlightened) will play Josie Pyre and Van Helsing‘s Christopher Heyerdahl is Ammon Lafferty.
FX offered the following description of Under the Banner of Heaven:
“Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller Under the Banner of Heaven, a devout detective’s faith is tested as he investigates a brutal murder that seems to be connected to an esteemed Utah family’s spiral into LDS fundamentalism and their distrust in the government.”
