By Peter Martin
Willy Wonka: A “re-imagining” of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is on its way. Paul King (Paddington, Paddington 2) is in final negotiations to direct Willy Wonka, based on a screenplay by Simon Rich (Inside Out). Reportedly, the hope is to launch “a new franchise that will stand out artistically.” First published in 1964, Dahl’s novel served as the basis for the beloved musical fantasy Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971, above), starring Gene Wilder, as well as Tim Burton’s 2005 version, starring Johnny Depp. [THR]
Kung Fury: Michael Fassbender (above in The Snowman) will star in the action-comedy Kung Fury. It’s a sequel to the same-titled, outlandishly funny and entertaining short film, written and directed by David Sandberg, that paid homage to martial arts action and cop thrillers of the 1980s. Sandberg will costar in the feature version alongside Fassbender and David Hasselhoff, who also appeared in the original short. [Variety]
Mr. Columbus, are you ready for Freddy? #FiveNightsatFreddyspic.twitter.com/4F7QEnw16x
— Blumhouse (@blumhouse) February 12, 2018
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Chris Columbus, known for writing Gremlins and The Goonies, as well as directing Home Alone and the first two installments in the Harry Potter series, will write and direct Five Nights at Freddy’s for Blumhouse Productions (Get Out, Split). It’s based on Scott Cawthon’s popular video game featuring a security guard in combat against “animatronic robots that come to life in a Chuck E. Cheese-like venue.” [Deadline]
A Quiet Place Trailer: In the first trailer for A Quiet Place, something terrible has happened, leaving a desperate family alone in a world where they must stay quiet if they hope to survive. Emily Blunt and John Krasinski star; Krasinski directed. The thriller will open in theaters on April 6. [Movieclips]
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