The White Lotus creator Mike White sparks casting rumors with casual catch-up

Daily Mail​

12 hours ago

White Lotus creator Mike White has dropped a huge hint that Laura Dern could be returning to the hit series after they were spotted drinking smoothies in Los Angeles on Thursday.
The filmmaker, 55, chatted with the actress, 58, who had a voice cameo in the second season, at Sun Life Organic in Brentwood.
For the occasion, Mike wore a casual outfit of shorts and a navy top, while Laura looked stylish in jeans and a black jacket.
The pair appeared in great spirits as they were seen laughing during their catch-up, sparking speculation that the actress could be set for a role in season four.
While the actress has not physically appeared in White Lotus, her voice was heard in season two as Abby, the estranged wife of Michael Imperioli's character, Dominic Di Grasso.
Mike and Laura have worked together before, on their two-season HBO dramedy, Enlightened.
The actress starred as Amy Jellicoe, a corporate executive who takes a demotion after a humiliating nervous breakdown.
Earlier this year, Mike hinted at the setting for the show's highly anticipated fourth season.
The first three seasons of the HBO series were all filmed at luxury Four Seasons resorts close to a beach, which in the show serve as White Lotus hotel chains.
But Mike teased that the location for season four might move away from the water.
Speaking to Deadline, he said: 'For the fourth season, I want to get a little bit out of the crashing waves of rocks vernacular but there's always more room for more murders at the White Lotus hotels.'
The first season unfolded in Hawaii, followed by Italy for the second, and the recently aired third season was set in Thailand.
The show was renewed for a fourth season earlier this year.
White didn't offer any specifics, but his hint suggests a departure from the expected hotel locations.
Cast members previously ruled out cold locations, stating White prefers a warm climate.
The Mail on Sunday has been told that producers are looking at Four Seasons hotels in Africa and Australia – with Marrakech in Morocco as the front-runner.
A source at broadcaster HBO in the US who was in a meeting with White recently said: 'Mike wants to do a series of White Lotus on every continent.'
'He's done Hawaii and Italy and now Thailand. He hates snow, so the likelihood is Africa or Australia. No one thinks it will be Antarctica.'
'Season four has already been commissioned and Africa is the favorite. It has everything White Lotus fans expect. Heat, exotic locations and dramatic backdrops.'
'Marrakech offers heat and intrigue. Nothing has been decided, but Africa is the way Mike is leaning.'
The White Lotus production crew signed a reported £25 million deal in 2021 to film exclusively in Four Seasons resorts.
The Mail On Sunday has been told the Four Seasons in Marrakech is one of the locations being 'seriously' looked at.
The five-star resort which occupies 40 acres in the heart of the city's medina – its ancient market – is 'perfect', according to one source.
The source said: 'It has Moorish gardens, the souk, the Yves Saint Laurent gardens nearby and spas and a kasbah with views of the Atlas Mountains. What's not to love?'
While Morocco may be top of the list, The Mail On Sunday understands White is also looking at $1,340-a-night glamping at the Four Seasons in the Serengeti national park in Tanzania.
The HBO source said: 'Mike loves the idea of going to Africa. He was talking about Egypt and a safari. There are several possible locations under consideration.'
Some fans have suggested the show could be filmed in Mexico, but the HBO source said: 'Mike did Hawaii. I'd be surprised if he goes back to the Americas.'
There have also been rumors that Norway could be a contender, but the source said: 'Don't think that's true. Mike hates the cold.'