This week’s movie news roundup sees Stranger Things actor take on a new project, Black Panther 2 production has shut down, and Gal Gadot has been cast in a very iconic Disney role. Read about all this, and more, below! 

Picture Credits (l-r): Netflix, Netflix, Marvel Studios

Picture Credits (l-r): Netflix, Netflix, Marvel Studios

Finn Wolfhard set to direct first feature film 

Star of Stanger Things and upcoming film Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Finn Wolfhard, will soon be directing his very first feature, which has been described as a horror-comedy-slasher movie, set at a camp. 

Wolfhard has been rather busy in the last few years, not only is he a pivotal member of the Stranger Things cast, he also starred in his first film role in 2017’s IT, and now has a role as Trevor in upcoming movie, Ghostbusters: Afterlife. 

Not much is known at the moment about the young actor’s directorial debut, but his experience with horror and sci-fi may serve him well when he stands behind the camera instead of in front of it. 

Taylor Swift working on short film 

Pop icon and beloved musician, Taylor Swift, had shared a teaser trailer for her newest project titled All Too Well: The Short Film, with two recognisable names attached. 

Both Sadie Sink (Stranger Things, Fear Street trilogy) and Dylan O’Brien (Love and Monsters, American Assassin) are set to have roles within Swift’s new project. 

The short is set to release on November 12th, 2021, and will be 10 minutes long; fans are already over the moon and cannot wait to see the icon’s latest work. 

Black Panther 2 production shuts down after actor injury 

Marvel Studios has had to close down production of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever due to Letitia Wright’s injury on-set, and is highly likely to resume filming in 2022. 

The upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) sequel, directed by Ryan Coogler, has already gone through quite a few changes since its announcement. Sadly, the passing of Chadwick Boseman in 2020 meant the film would go ahead without him; his last project with Marvel was voicing his character in What If, which was a hit with fans. 

Wright’s injury occurred in August this year (2021), and Coogler filmed what he could without her. However, since she has not recovered enough to return to set and, as a result, the production has shut down. 

Simu Liu to star in romantic drama 

Star of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Simu Liu, has been cast in an upcoming romantic drama, titled One True Loves. 

The first look at Andy Fickman’s newest project sees Liu and Hamilton actor Phillipa Soo looking rather cosy together. Liu started out as a stuntman and extra, until his role in popular Canadian sitcom, Kim’s Convenience, set in a small corner store. 

His breakout role was in Marvel’s Shang-Chi, and now it seems he is becoming more popular by the day. One True Loves is based on the novel of the same name by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and focuses on two high school sweethearts who unexpectedly split when Jesse (Luke Bracey) goes missing. 

The movie is still in the early stages of production, but we will hopefully see a release date soon. 

Wicked movie casts Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in lead roles 

The upcoming adaptation of Wicked has cast popular singer and actress Ariana Grande as Glinda, and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the two lead roles in the highly-anticipated screen adaptation. 

Universal’s forthcoming adaptation of Broadway musical, Wicked, is finally underway. Bringing this beloved musical to the big screen has been an extensive and hindered effort. Plans for this movie were announced all the way back in 2004, and was then set to release in 2019. 

June of 2022 is now said to be the start date for production, so let’s hope nothing else impedes the film’s creation. 

Crew member dies on set of Indiana Jones 5 

Indiana Jones 5 has suffered a tragic loss, as one of its crew members passes away while on location for the sequel. 

Nic Cupac, a veteran crew member who has worked on such films as Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, and Star Wars. The NY Post has reported that the 54-year-old grip was found dead in his hotel room in Fes, a city in Morocco; it is thought he passed away of natural causes. 

While it is unknown how Cupac’s role will impact production, the most important thing is that his passing is acknowledged and handled with decency. 

The film was originally slated for a 2021 release date, but now 2023 is looking like the year for Indiana Jones 5. 

Live action Snow White movie casts Gal Gadot as Evil Queen 

Disney is currently working on a live-action adaptation of Snow White, and has recently added Gal Gadot to the project in the iconic role as the Evil Queen. 

Gadot is a beloved actress who has been seen in films such as the Fast and Furious franchise, Wonder Woman, upcoming Netflix movie Red Notice, and much more. 

Disney has been shooting out live action remakes like a log flume in recent years, with The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Jungle Book and more making their way back onto the big screen in a new and exciting way. 

Now, Snow White is set to be the next Disney tale to be revamped; the project has been underway since 2016, but has only recently begun to take off. Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man) is in the director’s seat, and Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) had landed the lead role as Snow White herself. 

Written by Melissa, who you can follow on Twitter @melissajournal

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