Hollywood Headlines: From Kidnapping Thrillers to Spartacus‘ Return
LOS ANGELES, CA – A flurry of activity in the film and television industries this week brings news of high-stakes thrillers, gothic mysteries, and long-awaited sequels. Production ramps up on projects starring A-list talent while debate flares over the industry’s shifting perceptions of rising stars.
Among the developing projects, a new thriller promises edge-of-your-seat suspense.Details emerged regarding an untitled film centering on a weekend trip gone wrong,where a billionaire’s son and daughter are targeted by kidnappers. The story will follow the sister who escapes,forced to overcome a past trauma to save her family. Simultaneously, Joel Coen’s “Jack of Spades,” a “gothic mystery” set in 1880s Scotland, is gaining momentum with the addition of Damian Lewis to a cast already featuring Josh O’Connor, Lesley Manville, and Frances McDormand. Filming is underway in Scotland.
Sean Penn has secured Tom Hardy to lead his next directorial effort, slated to begin production next summer, though Hardy’s commitments to the Paramount+ series “MobLand” are delaying the start date. Elsewhere, actor Pete Davidson defended Pedro Pascal against criticism regarding his prolific recent roles, stating on Theo Von’s “This Past Weekend” podcast, “F-ing two years ago he’s a hardworking, great actor… blows up so f-ing hard. Everyone’s like, ‘Daddy, daddy!’ Then a year later, he’s in everything now because he’s hot and big and everyone’s like, ‘Go the f- away, dude.'” Davidson also predicted similar backlash will soon target Walton Goggins.
fans of the Starz series Spartacus have a date to mark: “Spartacus: House of Ashur” will premiere with two back-to-back episodes on December 5th. The sequel/reimagining stars Nick E. Guide alongside Graham McTavish, Tenic Davis, Claudia Black, Ivana Baquero, India Shaw-Smith, Jordi Webber and Leigh Gill.
