Latest news with #prequel
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Reese Witherspoon's Legally Blonde prequel Elle is branded a 'pointless money grab' that 'nobody wants to see' by disgruntled fans
As casting announcements continue to be made about the upcoming Legally Blonde prequel, disgruntled fans have dubbed the Reese Witherspoon-produced series a 'pointless money grab' that 'nobody wants to see'. Titled Elle, the production is set to sashay onto screens in summer 2026, and features 24-year-old rising star Lexi Minetree as a young Elle Woods. But while some fans are keen to see their favourite Harvard-bound heroine in her formative years, others are asking: do we really need to see what Elle was like before she knew what 'habeas corpus' meant? The new show promises to explore Elle's early life, presumably in the sun-drenched halls of her Beverly Hills high school, before she turned heartbreak into Harvard acceptance. But if early internet reactions are anything to go by, not everyone is buying the glittery reboot. While there's certainly excitement around the casting of fresh-faced Minetree, critics have taken to social media to call out what they see as yet another example of a sequel/prequel/spin-off nobody actually asked for. One user on X said: 'This is so funny to me because why does Elle Woods need a prequel? 'She is one of the most fully formed characters. We fully understand her whole deal and where she came from basically instantly.' Echoing this sentiment, another person added: 'Also there's no room for good character arc! 'Nobody wants to see how Elle became the person she was at the start of the movie… the movie has her arc, so any arc they give her in the show is going to ring false.' The original 2001 film Legally Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon in arguably her most well-known role, was praised not just for its bright visuals and punchy dialogue, but for its portrayal of Elle's transformation. From ditzy fashion student to rising legal star, her backstory isn't a mystery, it's clear from the first five minutes, argued fans. Another user said: 'Doesn't even make sense… The entire point of Legally Blonde is to show Elle's character arc from superficial to empathetic. 'She wouldn't have had a major character growth story before the events of the film or else it negates the entire point of the film.' Others questioned the narrative logic. If viewers know Elle's long-time boyfriend Warner Huntington is going to dump her, do they really want to watch them date, they asked. 'Are we supposed to cheer for her and that man when we know what's going to happen?' one commenter asked. Having already been stretched into three additional films and a hit musical, the prequel series is the latest reimagining. Pictured left, Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, and right, Lexi Minetree as Elle Woods Another said: 'There is no depth to cover.' Legally Blonde has already been stretched across three films, a successful Broadway musical and countless Halloween costumes. The idea of mining the character further suggests, for some, less a hunger for storytelling and more a hunger for nostalgia-fuelled profit. 'It's just a money grab,' one viewer wrote. Others have suggested the new show is aimed at a younger demographic - perhaps those who weren't yet born when Elle first stood in her pink power suit and told the Harvard admissions board, 'What, like it's hard?' The series might bring a beloved story to Gen Z viewers who didn't experience the original in real time. And with the growing popularity of female-led coming-of-age series, perhaps the producers are hoping Elle will follow in the footsteps of shows like Gossip Girl (rebooted), The Summer I Turned Pretty and XO, Kitty. 'I think the reason we see so many sequels, prequels, remakes, live-action remakes, etc. is that our culture is stagnating, and creativity is on the decline,' said one commenter. But many have questioned whether another iteration of the Legally Blonde series is really necessary Whether the series turns out to be a fun addition to the Legally Blonde universe or simply another unnecessary spin-off, Elle Woods remains as beloved as ever. Meanwhile, filming of the new series is well underway and the cast were spotted shooting a scene in Los Angeles earlier this month. Minetree, who Reese cast as the young Elle Woods after a four-month nationwide search, was seen filming shopping scenes with her co-stars on the iconic Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Reese will executively produce the show, 24 years after starring as the well-known character in the first film. In February, Reese announced the news that Lexi got the role of Elle and in May, 2024, Reese reprised her role as Elle Woods to announce the new series. The star is developing the Legally Blonde spinoff with the help of her production company Hello Sunshine.
BreakingNews.ie
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Ralph Fiennes to play villain President Snow in new Hunger Games film
Conclave star Ralph Fiennes has been cast as the villain President Coriolanus Snow in the new Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise On The Reaping. The 62-year-old English actor will take on the role of President Snow in the film adaptation of the fifth book in the franchise. Advertisement The book was published in March 2025 and is a prequel to the original trilogy, which was made into the popular films starring US actress Jennifer Lawrence. Ralph Fiennes attending the London Critics' Circle Film Awards at the May Fair Hotel in London. (Lucy North/PA) The new film follows a young Haymitch Abernathy, one of the few Hunger Games winners from the same district as the original trilogy's protagonist Katniss Everdeen, played by Lawrence. Played by Zombieland actor Woody Harrelson, Haymitch is first introduced to readers in the original trilogy as the alcoholic mentor to tributes Katniss and Peeta Mellark, played by Bridge To Terabithia's Josh Hutcherson, before they are sent off to fight to the death in a televised arena. The prequel follows Haymitch as he is drawn to fight in the 50th Hunger Games, a violent entertainment set up to maintain control in the fictional country of Panem, and faces double the amount of tributes, two boys and two girls, who are selected from each district. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Hunger Games (@thehungergames) The film is based on the series written by American author Suzanne Collins and will be directed by Francis Lawrence, who also directed the Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part I, and Mockingjay Part II films which starred Lawrence alongside Hutcherson and Australian actor Liam Hemsworth. Lawrence also directed the most recent film The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes, based on the prequel published in 2020, which starred West Side Story star Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth, who played a young Snow before he became president. Fiennes is best known for portraying Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and for playing Amon Goeth in Schindler's List, for which he won the 1994 supporting actor Bafta award. The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping is due to hit cinemas on November 20th, 2026. Advertisement
Geek Tyrant
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
JOHN RAMBO Origin Movie Is Charging Into Development With The Director of SISU — GeekTyrant
John Rambo is coming back, but this time he'll be younger, angrier, and with a whole war ahead of him. Millennium Media is officially launching John Rambo , a prequel to Rambo: First Blood , and they're taking it to market at Cannes. Stepping in to direct the origin story is Rare Exports , Big Game , and Sisu director Jalmari Helander, a guy who knows his way around gritty action with emotional punch. The script comes from writing duo Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani ( Black Adam, The Mauritanian, Informer ), with production aiming to kick off in Thailand this October. Casting is still in progress, but it's going to focus on a young Rambo during the Vietnam War. As for Sylvester Stallone, he's aware of the project but not currently involved. However, producers haven't ruled out a potential role for him. If the right part comes along, the door's open. Stallone had his own vision for a prequel film, previously sharing: 'I always thought of Rambo when he was 16 or 17 – I hope they can do the prequel – he was the best person you could find. He was the captain of the team; he was the most popular kid in school; super athlete. He was like Jim Thorpe, and the war is what changed him. If you saw him before, he was like the perfect guy.' Millennium President Jonathan Yunger called the new chapter 'a tribute to one of the best franchises in movie history,' adding: 'We are thrilled to introduce a fresh new chapter to the Rambo legacy. This project is a tribute to one of the best franchises in movie history that will appeal to both longtime fans and new audiences alike. 'With Jalmari Helander at the helm—a filmmaker of exceptional vision and energy—we've found the perfect director to deliver a high-concept action-packed experience.' Helander, who's clearly living a childhood dream, said: 'I have been the biggest fan of Rambo since the age of 11. It is so surreal to be in a situation where I can actually make my own Rambo movie. 'The chain of events that got me here makes, in a fantastic way, my whole childhood make sense. I can't wait to bring the greatest action hero back to the big screen where he belongs!' This is the first time the Rambo universe is peeling back the layers of its legendary hero to show who he was before the bloodshed began. While details about the story are still under wraps, given the creative team involved, expect it to be intense and loaded with crazy action. The original First Blood hit theaters in 1982 and was based on David Morell's novel. Stallone's portrayal of the tormented Vietnam vet turned survivalist icon launched a five-film franchise that earned more than $800 million worldwide. The most recent installment, Rambo: Last Blood (2019), brought in $92M at the box office. John Rambo is being produced by Kevin King-Templeton, Les Weldon, Jonathan Yunger, and Avi Lerner, with executive producers Trevor Short, Dallas Sonnier, and Amanda Presmyk. One thing's clear… Rambo's legacy is far from over.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Call the Midwife film and prequel series announced
Call the Midwife film and prequel series announced Meanwhile, the film will be set in an as-yet undisclosed overseas location in 1972, and will feature characters from the existing TV show. The separate prequel series will "delve into the deeper past", showrunner Heidi Thomas said, offering a view of life in Poplar, east London, during the Blitz. It comes as filming begins for the 15th series of the drama, which follows a group of nurse midwives working in London's East End. The BBC has announced plans to make a Call the Midwife film and prequel TV series set during the Second World War. The new, separate film and prequel projects will be written, created and produced by Thomas and executive producers Dame Pippa Harris and Ann Tricklebank, who will also oversee the production of series 16 of the programme together. The prequel series will feature "some familiar (if much younger) faces", Thomas said. She said that while she has "never run out of stories for our midwives", she had found herself "yearning to delve into the deeper past" than the years 1957 to 1971 which have been covered by the show. "The Blitz years in the East End were extraordinary - filled with loss, togetherness, courage and joy," she said. Meanwhile, the film will see the "much-loved" regular characters "take a short break from Poplar and test themselves in an unfamiliar landscape", Ms Thomas said. The location of the film remains "top secret", she added. The first series of the show was originally inspired by the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, who worked as a midwife and nurse in the community in Poplar. Dame Pippa said the prequel series and film project were being made partly for a "new, younger generation who have also fallen in love with our characters and the challenges they face." The 15th series will begin with a two-part Christmas special set to air at the end of this year. In the two-parter, senior members of staff at Nonnatus House – the fictional convent at the heart of the series – will travel to Hong Kong on a mercy mission. These episodes will be followed by eight hour-long instalments, airing on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, which kick off in 1971.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Surprise Call The Midwife spin-off revealed – but with MAJOR change from show's last series
IT'S one of the BBC's biggest and longest running dramas, now the Call the Midwife universe is rapidly expanding over the coming year. The biggest news is that they will be making a prequel - which bosses have hinted at for some time now - and since it's set in World War II it could feature younger versions of older characters from the more recent series. 2 They're likely to include Fred Buckle, Dr Turner and a trio of nuns - Sister Julienne, Sister Evangelina and Sister Monica Joan - all of whom are known to have been around during the conflict. As well as the prequel they are making a conventional 15th series - with a two part Christmas special - they're also creating a movie version as well. Creator and writer Heidi Thomas said: 'The opening of new doors at Nonnatus House feels profoundly emotional, and yet just right. "I have never run out of stories for our midwives, and I never will. "But having wept, laughed, and raged my way from 1957 to 1971, I found myself yearning to delve into the deeper past. " The Blitz years in the East End were extraordinary - filled with loss, togetherness, courage and joy. "The bombs fell, the babies kept on coming, and the Sisters kept on going. "There will be so much in the prequel for our wonderful, loyal fans, including the appearance of some familiar (if much younger!) faces." The two-part festive special will be set in their traditional surroundings of Poplar as well as Hong Kong this time round. Series 15 will then follow, kicking off in 1971 with several of the ladies embracing Women's Lib and burning their bras outside Nonnatus House. Call the Midwife fans stunned after discovering Renee Bailey's racy TV past - and it's worlds away from Joyce Meanwhile producers Neal Street will work with BBC Film on creating the movie version of the show which will be set overseas in 1972 and feature characters from the existing TV show. Heidi added: "Whilst the location of the film remains top-secret, I can say it is going to look absolutely fantastic on the big screen.' 2
