Netflix acquires rights to Andy Serkis’ ‘Mowgli’

Netflix is to release director Andy Serkis’ film Mowgli, via its streaming service and in theatres next year.

The motion-capture performance and live-action adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic story collection The Jungle Book, is set in 19th-century India and stars Serkis as Baloo, Christian Bale as Bagheera, Cate Blanchett as Kaa, Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan, Freida Pinto as Messua and Rohan Chand as the title character.

The Hollywood Reporter said that Netflix picked up the distribution rights to the film from Warner Bros., which had intended to open it in theatres this October. Serkis’ film will stream on Netflix in 2D and in theatres in 3D.

Kristen Stewart in Charlie’s Angels reboot

Kristen Stewart is joining the Angels. Yes, the 28-year-old actress is one of three women who have been cast as stars in a reboot of Charlie’s Angels, it has been reported.

Actresses Naomi Scott, 25, and Ella Balinska, 21, will play her fellow Angels, according to Sony Pictures. Elizabeth Banks is also involved in the project. She’s directing, producing, co-writing and starring as Bosley in the new incarnation.

Banks said that, “the movie “honours the legacy of Charles Townsend and his agency while introducing a new era of modern and global Angels.”

Charlie’s Angels aired twice on television. One version ran from 1976 to 1981 while a second, rebooted version was televised in 2011. Two film versions, Charlie’s Angels and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, were released in 2000 and 2003, respectively. Sony Pictures will release the new Charlie’s Angels in North American theatres in September 2019.

Jennifer Lopez in Second Act trailer

Jennifer Lopez finds a new big office job after working in retail in the first trailer for Second Act.

The trailer features Lopez as a retail worker wanting more out of her life and career who gets passed over for a promotion at her store. Lopez suddenly gets a call about a new job, however, when her friends create a fake resume and Facebook page that falsely claims she obtained a business degree, is fluent in Mandarin and has met former President Barack Obama.

Lopez does well in the interview and is offered a position at a Manhattan office, forcing her to do everything possible to keep her job and the truth about her credentials hidden.

Second Act, from director Peter Segal, is set to arrive in theatres on November 21. Milo Ventimiglia, Leah Remini, Vanessa Hudgens, Freddie Stroma, Annaleigh Ashford, Dan Bucatinsky, Treat Williams and Larry Miller also star.

Published in Dawn, Young World, August 4th, 2018