Netflix has teamed up with Sonia Friedman Productions to produce the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which is “rooted in the mythology” of the hit streaming series Stranger Things and opened at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End last December. The show has been breaking box office records and won several awards, and in 2025, it will be making the jump to Broadway. Stranger Things: The First Shadow is set to begin previews at the Marquis Theatre on Friday, March 28, 2025 and officially open on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. A couple of months ago, we learned that the actor who will be playing the character of Henry Creel in the Broadway production is the same actor who has been playing him in London’s West End, Louis McCartney. Now, Variety has revealed the names of his fellow cast members.

T.R. Knight of Grey’s Anatomy is playing Henry’s father Victor Creel, with Rosie Benton (Patriots) as Virginia Creel, Alex Breaux (Stranger Things Season 5) as Dr. Brenner, newcomer Nicky Eldridge as Bob Newby, Andrew Hovelson (The Good Wife) as Principal Newby, Alison Jaye (Shameless) as Joyce Maldonado, Gabrielle Nevaeh (That Girl Lay Lay) as Patty Newby, and Burke Swanson (Back to the Future: The Musical) as James Hopper Jr.

A while back, Deadline heard that Stranger Things: The First Shadow “will be the first instalment in a trilogy exploring the dark underbelly of Hawkins, Indiana. Breaking Baz can reveal parts two and three are set to follow the inaugural play in two or three year intervals, according to insiders associated with the production. The stage sequels will launch in London first. Meanwhile, there are already plans for Stranger Things: The First Shadow to transfer to Broadway.” 

Written by Stranger Things writer and co-executive producer Kate Trefry from an original story she crafted with the Duffer Brothers and Jack Thorne, Stranger Things: The First Shadow has the following synopsis: Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy… and the shadows of the past have a very long reach. Brought to life by a multi-award-winning creative team, who take theatrical storytelling and stagecraft to a whole new dimension, this gripping new adventure will take you right back to the beginning of the Stranger Things story – and may hold the key to the end.

Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers are creative producers on the play, and the show’s producers at 21 Laps get an associate producer credit. The play is being directed by Stephen Daldry, with Justin Martin co-directing.

Would you be interested in seeing this cast perform Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.

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With Ballerina coming out, the expanded world of the John Wick series is well underway after Chapter 4‘s conclusion. Earlier this year, the first of the spin-offs, The Continental, wrapped up its three-episode run, but a number of questions were left unanswered, which has fans wondering whether season 2 might be in the works. The Continental director and executive producer Albert Hughes said that while he “hasn’t heard anything” about a potential season 2, he has been “daydreaming” about the next stage of the story. “I would like to see if [Winston] becomes what he hated.” 

Deadline now reports that producer Basil Iwanyk confirmed in an interview that a second season would not be moving forward. Iwanyk told The Direct, “I think we were happy with season one. I think that we talked a little bit about season two. But I think the feeling is, if we’re going to have something on television in the John Wick universe, this Robert Levine version that we went out with, that we’re negotiating with somebody, is probably the better option for the John Wick content in the TV world.”

Iwanyk continued to say, “So, I loved making [The Continental]. I love[d] the 70s of [it]. I loved Albert Hughes. Everything about it. I think it was a really cool, crazy idea for it. I think now we want to put together something that is going to inform more of what the future of the franchise is going to be, yeah.” A number of future projects related to the franchise had been announced to be in development. John Wick: Under the High Table, a John Wick 4 sequel series that will be executive produced by Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski, was announced with Robert Levine, co-creator of The Old Man, writing the series.

Additionally, there is also a spin-off with Donnie Yen’s character from Chapter 4 being developed after the post-credits scene teased more story. “From the moment Donnie Yen appeared on screen in John Wick: Chapter 4, he captivated audiences and created an authentic, emotional connection that left an indelible mark and had fans asking for more,” said Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair. And finally, the franchise creative team is devising a way to make an official fifth entry happen with Keanu Reeves in tow.

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Yeah, baby, yeah! Or perhaps Maybe, baby, maybe! is more fitting. As Mike Myers gears up to return to the swamp with Shrek 5, we can’t help but wonder if one of his other trademark characters, Austin Powers, will be making a randy return to the screen. And while nothing is on the docket just yet, Myers isn’t ruling it out.

When pressed if Austin Powers would return in a fourth installment, Mike Myers told TooFab after some hesitation, “I would be surprised if it didn’t.” Myers has spoken of an Austin Powers 4 before, saying he would absolutely love to do it. But with nothing in the pipeline, Myers really hasn’t had much of anything to go on. At the same time, even though Shrek 5 is set for a June 1st, 2026 release, Myers wouldn’t fork over any details on that movie, either, saying, “I can’t tease anything. I can neither confirm nor deny the existence or nonexistence of any element that I should or should not say.” Cheeky!

1997’s Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery was a hit for New Line, making the most of its small budget and easily getting a sequel greenlit. That 1999 follow-up, The Spy Who Shagged Me, not only got twice the budget but also took in four and a half times as much at the worldwide box office. Naturally, it became a trilogy, with Austin Powers in Goldmember coming out in 2002. But that doesn’t necessarily mean a fourth would translate to box office gooooold.

The Austin Powers movies had their time — and too much of it may have passed at this point. And while people might be down for another Wayne’s World — or at least an appearance at SNL’s upcoming 50th anniversary show — are we all that hungry for more Austin Powers? Would the character even fly in today’s society with all of his perversions and barely masked innuendos? Come to think of it, the plot is sort of writing itself, isn’t it?

Would you check out an Austin Powers 4? Do you think the character work in today’s climate? Give us your thoughts – but not the randy kind – in the comments section below.

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Viggo Mortensen played Aragorn to perfection in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, but can he be convinced to return for The Hunt for Gollum? The upcoming movie does feature a prominent role for Aragorn, and Philippa Boyens, who wrote the trilogy alongside Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson, told The Playlist that they really want the actor to come back.

“Honestly, that’s entirely going to be up to Viggo, collaboratively and we are at a very early stage,” she said. “I’ve spoken to Viggo, Andy [Serkis] has spoken to him, Peter [Jackson] has spoken to him, we’ve all spoken to each other and honestly, I cannot imagine anyone else playing Aragorn, but it will be completely and entirely up to Viggo.“

As The Hunt for Gollum takes place during the same time period as The Fellowship of the Ring, some digital trickery would likely be employed to make Mortensen appear as he did in that movie. “I know Andy wants to work with him, but also, we don’t see this as like, using A.I. [technology], this is about a digital make-up, and whether Viggo does it or will entirely depends on how good the script is,” Boyens continued. “And he doesn’t have a script yet. So to be fair to Viggo, let’s see if we write a good enough role and that he can find enough in it to see that it’s a performance he wants to take on. After that, it’ll be between Viggo and Andy of how that is achieved.“

Mortensen has previously said that his involvement is dependent on the script. While it would be great to see him return to the role, the de-aging would really need to be flawless. I can’t speak for everyone, but some modern de-aging techniques (even ones that are done really well) can’t help but take me out of the film. That said, the technology is always improving.

Boyens explained that the new film is set shortly before Frodo leaves the Shire for Rivendell. It would begin with Gandalf tasking Aragorn with finding Gollum, so he doesn’t spill the beans about the One Ring to Sauron. Speaking of Gandalf, Ian McKellen has expressed a tentative willingness to return, although the 85-year-old actor added that they’d “better be quick” about it if they want him back.

Would you like to see Viggo Mortensen return for The Hunt for Gollum (with some digital de-aging), or should the role be recast?

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THR reports that HBO is considering Paapa Essiedu for the role of Professor Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series. The outlet’s sources say the actor has already been offered the part, but it’s unclear if negotiations have begun.

HBO wouldn’t confirm or deny, but did release a statement: “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.” If Essiedu does take on the role, he will be stepping into the shoes of the late Alan Rickman, who brought the devious potions master to life in the Harry Potter movies.

Essiedu is best known for his appearances in Murder on the Orient Express and Men and TV series such as Gangs of London, I May Destroy You, The Lazarus Project, and Black Mirror.

There’s been no official casting on the Harry Potter TV series yet, but Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) is said to be close to signing on to play Albus Dumbledore. The casting process for the three main kids has begun. An open call was put out for children who are residents of the U.K. and Ireland and will be between the ages of 9 and 11 in April 2025 to play Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. Succession‘s Francesca Gardiner will serve as a writer and showrunner on the series, while Mark Mylod signed on to executive produce and direct multiple episodes. The project was originally developed for Max but made the leap to HBO (along with a variety of other Max shows) in June.

Each season of the Harry Potter TV series is said to cover one of Rowling’s novels, for a total of seven seasons. While the movies were able to fit quite a lot in, there were plenty of moments cut from the novels that the TV series will finally be able to bring to life. Last year, the studio released a statement saying, “Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally.“

Could you see Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape?

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We were all shocked to learn of Tony Todd’s death last month, and Virginia Madsen has penned a lovely tribute to her late friend and Candyman co-star.

“I believe Tony is one of the iconic greats, up there with Dracula — and when you think about the power they have, it’s not strength. It’s seductive and romantic and draws you in,” Madsen wrote. “On top of that, he had the most beautiful voice. He could just say ‘Hi,’ and it would resonate through your whole body. I remember when ‘Candyman’ came out some people asked me what they did to his voice to make it so smooth and powerful. I was like, ‘No, it’s just like that!’“

Madsen continued, “I first met Tony at a lunch. I was originally going to play Helen’s best friend, Bernadette. Bernard’s wife at the time, Alexandra Pigg, was going to play Helen. But she got pregnant and they felt it was too grueling for her, so I stepped in as Helen. I think this lunch was a kind of chemistry read, or maybe we were just meeting because we were going to go through a lot together. He walked in and he was so tall and handsome and he had that wonderful smile. And I just knew he was 100 percent the right guy. And he was so kind. He could have dismissed me as some little starlet, but he treated me like an equal from the start.“

The actress also recalled how Todd tricked her for many years over one of his other famous roles. “He had a great, sly sense of humor. I remember someone on set mentioning he played Wharf’s [sic] brother on ‘Star Trek’ and he said, ‘No, that’s not me, that’s my twin brother,’” she wrote. “Now, I am gullible but he’s also such a convincing actor that for years I thought he had a twin brother. Like, when I saw him, I would ask about how his brother was doing! It was only years later, thanks to Google probably, that I realized it was a joke.“

Madsen knows that Todd will always be remembered as a great actor, and she treasures the time they got to spend together, adding, “To get to start out with someone you respect and appreciate so much and remain in touch with years later — it’s a rare thing in this business.” You can check out the rest of her tribute right here.

The post Virginia Madsen rememebers Tony Todd: “I will always be proud to have been his Helen” appeared first on JoBlo.

It’s December 4, and that means it’s the officially unofficial “Dragon Age Day.” Get it? D4. DA. Dragon Age. Anyway, this year, BioWare released some statistics about players’ choices in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The RPG has been out for a little over a month now, so that means more players have gotten further into…

Read more…

It’s December 4, and that means it’s the officially unofficial “Dragon Age Day.” Get it? D4. DA. Dragon Age. Anyway, this year, BioWare released some statistics about players’ choices in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The RPG has been out for a little over a month now, so that means more players have gotten further into…

Read more…

Loving two people at the same time is complicated. It becomes twisted when the two people you love are each loved by two separate parts of your very being. In a recent Vanity Fair interview, Severance’s executive producer and director Ben Stiller assures us that the second season will explore how an Innie and an Outie…

Read more…

Loving two people at the same time is complicated. It becomes twisted when the two people you love are each loved by two separate parts of your very being. In a recent Vanity Fair interview, Severance’s executive producer and director Ben Stiller assures us that the second season will explore how an Innie and an Outie…

Read more…