Tom Holland Is Marvel and Sony’s New Spider-Man
A brand new Spider-Man will be swinging into theaters on Jul. 28, 2017 — and he’ll be played by British actor Tom Holland (The Impossible). Marvel announced the news today after months of speculation and screen tests that pit most of young hollywood against each other for the coveted role of Peter Parker. Marvel also announced that Jon Watts (Cop Car) will direct the upcoming film. Spider-Man is expected to first appear in next year’s Captain America: Civil War. [Marvel]
Fox’s ‘Houdini & Doyle’ Series Casts Leads
Fox still has one more trick up its sleeve. New supernatural drama Houdini & Doyle will star Michael Weston (House) and Stephen Mangan (Episodes) in the titular roles. They’ll play master magician Harry Houdini and Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, respectively, who join forces with Scotland Yard to investigate inexplicable crimes that have a supernatural slant. The 10-episode series will first premiere on U.K.’s ITV in spring 2016, followed by Canada’s Global, before debuting on Fox. [THR]
Emma Watson to Star Opposite Tom Hanks in James Ponsoldt’s ‘The Circle’
Emma Watson has found her next high-profile gig. She’s set to star opposite Tom Hanks in director James Ponsoldt’s The Circle. Based on the novel by Dave Eggers, the science fiction thriller explores the perils of life in a digital age where personal data is collected, sifted and monetized and used for surveillance. Watson will play Mae Holland, a young woman who gets in over her head when she’s hired at an Internet monopoly called the Circle. Ponsoldt also (The Spectacular Now) adapted the novel for the big screen. Production begins this September in California. [The Wrap]
USA Renews ‘Mr. Robot’ Ahead of Series Premiere
USA Network sure knows a hit when it sees one. The cable network has renewed Mr. Robot for a second season, only a few hours ahead of the drama’s series premiere. At least 10 more new episodes are scheduled to debut in 2016. Premiering tonight at 10pm, Mr. Robot follows a young programmer (Rami Malek) who works as a cyber-security engineer by day and a vigilante hacker by night. The pilot episode, which was released early online and On Demand, has already been viewed 2.6 million times. [TVLine]
Jason Katims Series ‘Us’ Lands Pilot Order at HBO
Jason Katims is hoping to break even more hearts when he moves to cable next year. HBO has given a pilot order to the Friday Night Lights and Parenthood creator’s new series Us. Created and written by Katims from an original idea, the drama is described as an examination of the heart-wrenching ways love and human connection can be found today through a vast web of seemingly unconnected people. Should it go to series, this would be the first cable project for Katims, who recently also sold drama The Way starring Aaron Paul and Michelle Monaghan to Hulu. [Deadline]
Ezra Miller In Talks for ‘Harry Potter’ Spinoff ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’
Ezra Miller’s career keeps getting hotter. After nabbing the role of the Flash in the DC Cinematic Universe, he’s now poised to join yet another major franchise. Miller (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) is in talks to play Kredan in Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Set seven years before the original novels, Kredan is a person with magical powers who meets magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) in New York City while the textbook author is traveling to find and document magical creatures. Katherine Waterston was recently cast as Tina, while Alison Sudol and Josh Gad or Michael Cera are currently up for the roles of Queenie and Scamander’s rival Jacob. David Yates will direct the movie for a Nov. 18, 2016 release. [Variety]