Sizzling Samachar: Rebecca Ferguson to star alongside Chris Pratt in sci-fi thriller 'Mercy'; Ruth Codd joins the live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon' cast

Welcome to your daily dose of entertainment news. I'm your host Nikhil. News from Hollywood next.

Rebecca Ferguson to star alongside Chris Pratt in sci-fi thriller 'Mercy'

Rebecca Ferguson, fresh from her success in Dune: Part Two, is set to co-star with Chris Pratt in the upcoming science fiction thriller Mercy. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the Amazon MGM feature is slated for a wide theatrical release. The film is set in a crime-ridden future, with Pratt playing a detective accused of a crime, while Ferguson's role is yet to be revealed. This collaboration marks Ferguson's promising career trajectory, known for her roles in Mission Impossible and Dune. Mercy is produced by Charles Roven, with high expectations as it gears for a theatrical release, distinct from many Amazon projects that go directly to Prime Video.

Ruth Codd joins the live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon' cast

Ruth Codd, recognised for her roles in The Fall of the House of Usher and The Midnight Club, is set to join the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon. She will portray the character Phlegma, originally voiced by Ashley Jensen in the animated version. The live-action remake, directed and written by Dean DeBlois, centres around Hiccup and Toothless, bringing the beloved DreamWorks animated movie to life. The film follows Hiccup's journey from a Viking who dislikes dragon hunting to forming a deep bond with Toothless, advocating against hunting dragons for sport. The live-action cast includes Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and Nick Frost among others, with Gerard Butler reprising his role as Stoick from the animated film. How to Train Your Dragon is currently in production, with a theatrical release scheduled for June 13, 2025.

‘The Garfield Movie’ unveils new trailer with Chris Pratt and Samuel L. Jackson

The latest trailer for The Garfield Movie introduces an adventurous twist to everyone's favourite lasagna-loving cat. Voiced by Chris Pratt, Garfield's mundane routine takes a turn when his long-lost father, Victor voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, reappears, leading them on a heist and a dangerous mission. The star-studded supporting cast includes Hannah Waddingham, Cecily Strong, Brett Goldstein, and Bowen Yang. Directed by Mark Dindal, known for Chicken Little, the animated film promises a blend of fun and disdain for Mondays. As Garfield delves into his origin story and faces unexpected challenges, the animated feature offers a fresh take on the beloved character's legacy. The Garfield Movie is set to hit theatres on May 24, 2024.

Kumail Nanjiani joins ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 4 cast for new murder mystery

Emmy-nominated actor Kumail Nanjiani is set to join the star-studded cast of Season 4 of Hulu's hit series, Only Murders in the Building. Nanjiani will play a key recurring role in the murder mystery comedy, joining other new additions such as Eva Longoria, Eugene Levy, and Molly Shannon. The upcoming season, currently in production, will see the main trio, Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, venture to Los Angeles to investigate the murder of Sazz Pataki played by Jane Lynch. As the plot unfolds, Nanjiani's character will play a crucial part in solving the mysteries left unanswered from Season 3. While the release date is pending, fans can catch up on the first three seasons of Only Murders in the Building available for streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

‘Baywatch’ resurfaces: Fox plans revival series with Laura Olsen as showrunner

Fox is set to revive the iconic lifeguard drama Baywatch, which premiered in 1989, with Laura Olsen, known for her work on Spinning Out and Blood & Treasure, at the helm. The original series, created by Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz, and Gregory J. Bonann gained immense popularity during its eleven-season run, leading to spinoffs and direct-to-video films. While character details for the reboot are currently under wraps, the official logline promises a mix of daring ocean rescues, pristine beaches, and personal drama as a new generation of lifeguards navigate  through complex lives. This revival follows the 2017 film adaptation starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron.

Prajakta Koli, Freida Pinto, and Charithra Chandran join forces for 'She Creates Change' series promoting gender equality

In a groundbreaking move, content creator and actress Prajakta Koli, along with Freida Pinto and Charithra Chandran, will lend their voices to the world's first non-profit film series, She Creates Change. This initiative, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery, aims to champion gender equality and literacy in underprivileged communities. Premiering on March 8, 15, and 22 to Asian audiences and featuring at prestigious film festivals, the series follows the stories of six girls from different regions, addressing challenges like climate justice, financial literacy, and discrimination.

Varun Tej's ‘Operation Valentine’ non-theatrical rights sold for a staggering Rs 50 Crores to Amazon Prime Video

In a groundbreaking deal, the digital rights of Varun Tej's Bollywood debut, Operation Valentine, have been secured by Amazon Prime Video for a colossal sum of Rs 50 crores. The film, also starring Manushi Chhillar, witnessed a remarkable sale of its non-theatrical rights, encompassing satellite, digital, audio, and more, for all languages. With a budget of Rs 43 crores, the movie is already on the path to profitability, excluding box office figures. Directed by Shakti Pratap Singh Hada, Operation Valentine is a patriotic tale inspired by real-life events, depicting the resilience of Indian Air Force heroes in the face of a formidable aerial onslaught. The film hit theatres on March 1, simultaneously in Telugu and Hindi.

Ranveer Singh in advanced discussions for a high-budget action thriller with Aditya Dhar

As the acclaimed actor Ranveer Singh transitions into 2024 with an impressive lineup of films, the latest reports suggest that he is on the brink of signing a high-budget action thriller helmed by Aditya Dhar, renowned for directing Uri: The Surgical Strike. The project, set against the backdrop of Indian Intelligence Agencies, promises to showcase Singh in a novel, heroic, and larger-than-life role. With a revised calendar, Singh is expected to commence filming for Aditya Dhar's venture in May 2024, followed by Don 3 in August/September 2024, and Shaktimaan from May/June 2025. Singh's fans can also anticipate his appearance in Singham Again during the Independence Day 2024 weekend.

Well that's all we got for this episode of Sizzling Samachar, until the next time its your host Nikhil signing out. Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

• Written by Apurva Dutta

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