by Emily Nagle
The CW’s Wonder Girl, written and executive produced by Dailyn Rodriguez, is no longer moving forward at the network, as confirmed by Rodriguez on Twitter.
The series was confirmed to be in the works back in November, and is an adaptation of a DC Comics character. It followed Yara Flor, a Latina Dreamer who is born from an Amazonian Warrior and a Brazilian River God. When she discovers she is Wonder Girl, she must use her powers to protect the world from evil forces.
Wonder Girl was written by Dailyn Rodriguez, who is known for her work on Ugly Betty and The Night Shift, as well as being the showrunner for several seasons of Queen of the South. Also set to work on the unreleased show were Greg Berlanti as executive producer, along with Sarah Schechter and David Madden as producers in association with Warner Bros. Television.
Although Wonder Girl will not be developing any further, the CW confirmed earlier this week that they have ordered various other shows for the 2021-2022 television season, including a live-action reboot of Powerpuff Girls, a reboot of The 4400, an adaptation of another DC Comic titled Naomi, and an untitled religious dramedy written by Claire Rothrock and Ryann Weir.
By Kurt Balingit
After 8 long seasons we bid adieu to ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘. On February 11th, it was announced by NBC that the upcoming Season 8 of ‘B99’ will be its final one. This is the second time the show has been canceled, with the first time being after season 5 by Fox in 2018, but it was was later revived by NBC that same year.
The series takes place in New York City and follows the fictional 99th Brooklyn police precinct and the officer in it. Mainly, detectives Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero), Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz), Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio), Lieutenant Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) and Captain Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher).
The show was originally to begin production of it’s 8th season in 2019 but the pandemic has stopped it’s production. Season 8 will air as part of the 2021-2022 and will consist of 10 episodes.
In 2014, The series won the Golden Globe for best comedy series, along with Andy Samberg winning best actor in a comedy. Andre Braugher was also nominated for four Emmy Awards for his role as the stern-faced lovable Captain Raymond Holt.
The cast and creators have stated that this final season would address many social issues revolving around today’s law enforcement. The show had previously been criticized for not addressing issues of police brutality and systemic racism, and instead created a sympathetic portrayal of police. In June of 2020, the cast and crew announced that they would be donating $100,000 to the National Bail Fund Network in favor of radically changing the bail systems and reducing incarceration. Although there will be heavy topics discussed in the final season, we can assure that it will not lose any of its comedic aspects. Executive producer Dan Goor writes…
“I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with this amazing cast and crew for eight seasons. They are not only among the most talented people in the business, they are all good human beings who have become a family. But most of all, I feel lucky that we have had the best fans in the world. Fans who literally saved us from cancellation. Fans who fill us with joy. Ending the show was a difficult decision, but ultimately, we felt it was the best way to honor the characters, the story and our viewers. I know some people will be disappointed it’s ending so soon, but honestly, I’m grateful it lasted this long. Title of my sex tape.“
‘Noice’ one, Dan Goor.
by Emily Nagle
The CW has ordered three pilot episodes and one series for the 2021-2022 television season.
The 4400 has been picked up by the network for a reboot series that will be written and executive produced by Ariana Jackson, and produced by CBS Studios. The series, originally airing on USA Network from 2004 to 2007, is a science fiction show following 4400 people who mysteriously disappeared without a trace a hundred years prior, then reappeared without having aged and with no recollection of the time they were gone. When it is discovered that some of them have powers, it’s up to the government to contain them while they determine why they have returned to Earth.
Also returning to television are the Powerpuff Girls. A live-action series based on the Cartoon Network show has been in the works since August, and will reimagine the kindergarteners as women in their 20s. Having lost their childhood to fighting crime in the city of Townsville, Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttercup must decide whether it’s time to reunite when the world needs them more than ever. The series was written by Heather Regnier and Diablo Cody, and has no involvement with Craig McCracken, the creator of the original series.
Naomi is an adaptation of a 2019 DC comic series revolving around a small-town teenage girl who must uncover the origins of a supernatural event that shakes her hometown. It will be produced by Ava DuVernay, who has teamed up with Arrow writer Jill Blankenship to write the series.
The last show in The CW’s order for 2021-2022 is an untitled religious dramedy written by Claire Rothrock and Ryann Weir about two nuns who start out as strangers and bond as they determine their own faith and where they belong in the Catholic church. Both Rothrock and Weir will be executive producing the series along with Jennie Snyder Urman and Joanna Klein, and CBS Studios will be the studio.
By Kurt Balingit
Nicole Kassel has been hired as the director by New Line Cinema for the upcoming “the Wizard of Oz” remake. New Line Cinema has been searching for a visionary filmmaker to re-imagine L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz“. Baum’s story has be retold on all levels of theatre and cinema, so it was imperative for New Line to approach the story with a fresh take on the Land of Oz.
New Line Cinema believes Kassell is the right woman for the job based on her performance directing the HBO series “Watchmen” & “Westworld“. It is her ability to create worlds with striking visual tones with no details overlooked that landed her this directing role for “The Wizard of Oz”.
Kassel stated, “I am incredibly honored to join Temple Hill and New Line in bringing this beloved classic to the screen, While the 1939 musical is part of my DNA, I am exhilarated and humbled by the responsibility of re-imagining such a legendary tale. The opportunity to examine the original themes, the quest for courage, love, wisdom and home, feels more timely and urgent than ever. These are profoundly iconic shoes to fill, and I am eager to dance alongside these heroes of my childhood as we pave a newly minted yellow brick road!”
There is currently no information on the cast for the movie as it is still in early development, but with the land of Oz in the hands of Kassel, it is sure to be a great crew.
by Emily Nagle
For the first time in 6 years, the Golden Globes has recognized female filmmakers, nominating not one, but three women for the best director award this year.
Natalie Portman received media attention at the 2018 Golden Globes for pointing out the lack of female representation in the nominee lineup, remarking, “Here are the all-male nominees.” The women nominated for the 78th Golden Globe Awards are Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), and Regina King (One Night in Miami). They will be running against David Fincher (Mank) and Aaron Sorkin (The Trial of the Chicago 7).
Women are heavily underrepresented in film, comprising only 16% of directors for the highest-grossing films of 2020. The percentage is slowly increasing each year, but this still demonstrates the gender imbalance in the film industry. In the 77 years that the Golden Globes have run for, five female directors had been nominated — Barbra Streisand (Yentl, The Prince of Tides), Jane Campion (The Piano), Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation), Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty); and Ava DuVernay (Selma). Other film award shows exhibit a similar pattern. Over the past 92 years, the Academy Awards has nominated five women: Lina Wertmüller (Seven Beauties), Jane Campion (The Piano), Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation), Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) and Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird).
The 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards will air on February 28th, 2021 on NBC.
by Emily Nagle
A Disney+ series set in Wakanda has been confirmed to be in the works, making it the latest show set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to be on the streaming platform.
The series is part of a five-year deal that has been made between Disney and Coogler’s media company, Proximity. This was negotiated by WME, Charles King of M88 and Jonathan Gardner, Esq. of Cohen & Gardner on Proximity’s behalf.
Coogler expressed his excitement for the new pact in a statement, “It’s an honor to be partnering with The Walt Disney Company. Working with them on Black Panther was a dream come true…We look forward to learning, growing, and building a relationship with audiences all over the world through the Disney platforms…we will be working closely with [members of the Disney team] on select MCU shows for Disney+. We’re already in the mix on some projects that we can’t wait to share.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, a Black Panther sequel has been confirmed with a release date of July 8, 2022, with production set to begin in Atlanta in July of this year. However, at the moment Disney is more focused on its many series that have yet to be produced.
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