By  
on  

Steven Spielberg to direct original Frank ‘Bullitt’ movie; Lyric Ross joins Marvel’s Ironheart; David Dastmalchian in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer; Outlander prequel in the works

Hollywood has got its priorities sorted with some new cast announcements and new and interesting projects lined up. Steven Spielberg is developing an original feature film based on the character of Frank Bullitt, the San Francisco cop first played by Steve McQueen in the 1968 thriller Bullitt, Outlander prequel in the works at Starz, David Dastmalchian reunites with Christopher Nolan for Oppenheimer and Lyric Ross joins Marvel’s Ironheart. Read on for more details in your daily dose of Hollywood roundup.

Steven Spielberg developing original Frank 'Bullitt' movie

Steven Spielberg is developing an original feature film based on the character of Frank Bullitt, the San Francisco cop first played by Steve McQueen in the 1968 thriller Bullitt. Josh Singer is set to write the screenplay, with regular Spielberg collaborator Kristie Macosko Krieger on board to produce with the director, reports variety.com. McQueen's son Chad McQueen and granddaughter Molly McQueen are executive producing after a lengthy negotiation process with the McQueen estate to secure the rights to the character.

Warner Bros., which released the 1968 Bullitt, will be the studio for Spielberg's new film, which is not a remake, but an original story about the character, arguably McQueen's most iconic role. The 1968 Bullitt, based on the 1963 novel Mute Witness, follows Bullitt's investigation into the death of a mob informant that he was tasked with protecting. Directed by Peter Yates, Bullitt features one of the most memorable car chases in movie history with McQueen famously doing all of his own driving in a modified Ford Mustang. The film won the Oscar for editing and was also nominated for sound. No script is in place for Spielberg's take on the character, and no deals have been set, so this will not be the filmmaker's next movie after The Fabelmans debuts in November.

RECOMMENDED READ: Sean Penn filming documentary in Ukraine on Russian invasion

Historical drama 'Outlander' kicks off its prequel

With Season 6 of Outlander scheduled to release on March 6 and the seventh season already getting a nod for production, a prequel to the historical drama series is currently in works at a leading television network with Matthew B. Roberts set to write and executive produce the prequel, reports 'Variety'. Outlander is based on the ongoing novel series of the same name by Diana Gabaldon, who recently teased in a Facebook post about working on a prequel novel about Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser, the parents of Jamie Fraser - the main character from Outlander. Currently, a writers' room is being assembled for the project which is set to begin work in the coming weeks.

According to 'Variety', the exact plot details with regards to the prequel and its focal point haven't been revealed yet. Ronald D. Moore, who developed Outlander for television, will also executive produce along with Maril Davis under their Tall Ship Productions banner. The series remains one of the premium cable's most popular shows. As with Outlander, Sony Pictures Television will be the studio.

David Dastmalchian joins Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ cast

Fifteen years after working in The Dark Knight, David Dastmalchian is reuniting with Christopher Nolan for his star-studded ensemble Oppenheimer. The upcoming historical film centers on J.Robert Oppenheimer, one of the father of the Atomic bomb. David played the role of Joker henchman Thomas Schiff in the Heath Ledger and Christian Bale starrer, The Dark Knight.

Lyric Ross joins Marvel’s ‘Ironheart’

Lyric Ross has joined Dominique Thorne and Anthony Ramos in Marvel’s Ironheart, the Disney+ series featuring the titular Iron Man-adjacent character. Thorne stars as Riri Williams, a brilliant teenage inventor who, in the comics, builds her own version of the Iron man suit in an MIT dorm. Lyric will play Williams’ best friend while Ramos’ character has not been revealed yet, but speculation is rife that he may be playing the main antagonist. Chinaka Hodge is the head writer for the series which goes on floors in June in Atlanta.

(Source: The Hollywood Reporter/ IANS)

Recommended