Since ‘casting’ is now basically synonymous with ‘Star Wars’, lets get an update on the latest rumors, shall we? First up is Lupita Nyong’o, fresh from her upset of an Oscar win for 12 Years A Slave. Apparently, she met with JJ Abrams about the hush-hush huge project, even before her victory. Some other names circling this rumor mill are Jesse Plemons (Breaking Bad’s Todd), Ed Speelers (Downton Abbey’s Jimmy) and Matthew James Thomas (Simon in Billy Elliot) among others. Only time will tell who receives the blessings of JJ Abrams, who is essentially the new George Lucas.
In other film news, Tye Sheridan (known for Tree of Life and Mud) will be starring in Scouts vs. Zombies, yet another comedy update to the zombie genre, here pitting good old American boy scouts against the undead. We wonder who will win.
Get excited for more Peter Pan, everyone. Warner Brothers is planning a massive update to the story with Pan, a reimagining of the origins of the character. Pan himself will be played by relative newcomer Levi Miller, while Rooney Mara is attached as Tiger Lilly, Garrett Hedlund as Hook, and Hugh Jackman will be playing the villainous Blackbeard.
Another reboot set to gain massive attention is The Fantastic Four, all set with Michael B. Jordan as The Human Torch (Chris Evans has moved on to bigger, more marvelous projects like Captain America), Miles Teller as Mr. Fantastic, Kate Mara as The Invisible Woman and Jamie Bell as The Thing. The question is, who will step up as the villain, Doctor Doom? Potentials include Eddie Redmayne (Marius in Les Miserables), Sam Riley (soon to appear in Malificent) and Domhnall Gleeson (Bill Weasley from Harry Potter!).
Now onto some TV news! Tyler Blackburn fans, don’t fret: Since the unfortunate cancellation of spinoff Ravenswood, Caleb Rivers will return to the original Pretty Little Liars. Phew!
More news on the Girl Meets World front! Lee Norris is set to reprise his role as Stuart in one episode in the spinoff’s first season. We can’t wait to meet Cory and Topanga’s daughter!
Finally, Dave Annable (Justin from Brothers and Sisters) will be starring in TV movie Red Band Society, a drama about a group of ill young adults in a hospital and the relationships they forge. Dave will play a doctor who deals with the kids.
IN DEVELOPMENT
And for those exciting new projects announced that don’t yet have stars attached, you heard it here first! Find out about new YA-interest films and TV shows below!
Ready for Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the girl version? A film adaptation looks to be underway for Dork Diaries, the bestselling YA series by Rachel Renee Russell about 14-year-old Nikki Maxwell and her observations of the world. We wonder who will play her…
Even though Indiana Jones 4 was less than spectacular, The Great Spielberg is planning to helm a 5th Indie film, probably sometime after he’s done exec producing the 4th Jurassic Park movie. Will Harrison Ford be limber enough for another go round as everyone’s favorite adventurer? Hmm…
Perhaps since Pirates of the Caribbean was such a huge success, Disney is now setting its sights on another of their theme parks’ iconic rides to make a film (and lots more moolah): Space Mountain. Details are scarce now, but watch this space…
On the TV development front, ABC Family is launching three new dramatic pilots with the hope of scoring yet another hit (or three). The first, Alice in Arabia, is a Homeland-like drama centering on a rowdy American teenager kidnapped by her extended Saudi Arabian family. The second series is titled Recovery Road, based on the bestselling YA novel by Blake Nelson, focusing on a young woman and her struggles with addiction. Finally, Unstrung follows brother and sister athletes as they ascend the ranks of pro tour tennis.
Additionally, some good (and unsurprising?) news for fans: the network has greenlit new seasons of the comedies Melissa & Joey and Baby Daddy.