Marvel already spinning off from 'Hawkeye' series
And Emerald Fennell is writing a DC movie
What to know
Emerald Fennell is going to write the Zatanna movie for DC | Deadline
Make a buzzy indie, get hired to do a franchise. That seems to be the trajectory for a lot of writers and directors these days. Fennell proved with Promising Young Woman she can handle a woman-led thriller, so writing DC magician Zatanna seems like a good fit. Interesting that the first two women to get nominated for Best Director together followed it up with super hero movies.
Marvel is already spinning off the Hawkeye show | Variety
Add another Marvel show to the list. Kevin Feige and company are developing an Echo series starring Alaqua Cox that will spin off of the upcoming Disney+ Hawkeye series. This is notable because Echo is a Native American and deaf super hero, additionally it makes Hawkeye the first MCU/Disney+ series to get an official spinoff. Echo “has the ability to perfectly copy another person’s movements or fighting style.” Sounds cool.
An animated prequel to Better Call Saul is in the works| ComicBook
If you’re keeping score at home, that’s a prequel to a prequel. Two Better Call Saul writers are developing an animated show in the style of Fat Albert called Slippin’ Jimmy that would follow Jimmy and his brother Chuck’s adventures as young men in Illinois. Maybe they’ll follow it up with Young Saul Goodman, a sitcom about his childhood years.
Meat Loaf is making a reality competition show I Would Do Anything for Love … But I Won’t Do That | Deadline
Anything can be a TV show if you try hard enough. Meat Loaf’s most famous lyric is being turned into a game show in which couples will compete in comical physical challenges that will test their bond. It will all be set to classic rock tunes performed live by the artists themselves. The more I think about this concept the more I kind of like it?
Writer’s Guild awards Promising Young Woman, Borat 2, Ted Lasso | /Film
The writers really do know how to pick ‘em. The WGA handed out its awards this weekend and surprisingly feted Promising Young Woman and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. Don’t expect those to repeat at the Oscars. Over on TV, they awarded Ted Lasso which continues to spell good things for the soccer comedy come Emmys time.
Also...
The Oscars will go hostless again … so get ready for presenters presenting presenters 🏆
Netflix is turning Keanu Reeves’ comic book Brzkr into a movie and animated series … that’s berserk 🍿
Tuca and Bertie s2 is coming this summer, releases teaser … it’s good to have these birds back 🐦
Tenet is coming to HBO Max in May … get confused all over again ⏰
Rupert Grint would return to Potter if everyone else was … and if everyone was jumping off a bridge would you too, Rupert?! 🧙♂️
Zack Snyder’s black and white Justice League cut is coming to HBO Max … in case you have another 4 hours to give 🎥
Rashida Jones adds comic book writer to her lengthy resume … is there anything she can’t do?! ✒️
Vin Diesel’s son will play a young Vin Diesel in F9 … it IS all about family! 👨👦
Jamie Foxx is going to play Mike Tyson in a limited series … hold onto your ears 👂
Mr. Mayor is getting a 2nd season on NBC … Ted Danson remains the GOAT 🦚
What to watch
British production company Bad Wolf is on a bit of a hot streak: The Night Of, His Dark Materials, I Hate Suzie, and my recommendation for today: Industry. Imagine if the cast of Billions was younger and sadder and you start to get at what HBO Max’s Industry is all about. A bunch of recent college graduates are vying for permanent jobs at a cutthroat big bank in London. There’s plenty of sex, drugs, and financial jargon — but what I was most impressed with at the end of the first season was what the show had to say about class, race, ambition, and harassment. Myha'la Herrold and Marisa Abela are giving formidable breakout performances, while Ken Leung (Lost) is showing just how underutilized he’s been on television for 20+ years. I’m a big fan of Billions, but sometimes its plot twists seem arbitrary; Industry derives its complicated plotting from character, which creates a deeper, richer experience.
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!
New notables this week:
Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil (Mar 23) — YouTube Premium doc series | 81% RT
Invincible (Mar 26) — Amazon animated series from Robert Kirkman | 100% RT
Bad Trip (Mar 26) — Netflix prank movie from Eric Andre | No RT yet
The Irregulars (Mar 26) — Netflix sci-fi series spun off Sherlock Holmes | No RT yet
The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (Mar 26) — Disney+ sequel series | No RT yet
Tina (Mar 27) — HBO Max music doc about Tina Turner | 94% RT
Before you go… can’t wait to WATCH IT AT SOME POINT
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About the author: Alex Rabinowitz has led the way on social media and story packaging at media outlets big and small. With his acclaimed Tumblr site PopCultureBrain.com, Alex became a leading figure in emerging social networks and entertainment news. Sourced by many top destinations, including New York Magazine, BuzzFeed, and Videogum, Pop Culture Brain was featured by BuzzFeed and TIME as the best pop culture blog on Tumblr. Alex's writing has appeared on The Huffington Post, GQ.com, Mic, and Time Warner Cable.