Month: June 2025

Apple TV+ released the first still image from Chief of War, a new drama starring Jason Momoa, who also serves as executive producer and writer on the series; and the streaming service also shared the first teaser-trailer for the series.

Momoa shared the first-look photo, which sees him portray warrior Ka‘iana, that the series is a “story rooted in my home, my culture, and my heart”. He wrote in an Instagram post that “Hawaiian history has never been told like this.”

Chief of War, co-created by Momoa and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, is “set amidst the beautiful backdrop of the islands of Hawai’i, the nine-episode series, based on true events, follows warrior Ka’iana, portrayed by Momoa, as he tries to unify the islands before Western colonization in the late 18th century” (per an official synopsis.). Showrunner Doug Jung also executive produces alongside Sibbett, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook and Brian Andrew Mendoza. The cast also includes Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, newcomer Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale’o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka and Te Kohe Tuhaka.

The first two episodes of Chief of War will premiere Aug. 1 on Apple TV+, with the remaining six episodes dropping over the ensuing Fridays through Sept. 19.  See the teaser trailer: HERE.

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Apple TV+ released the full trailer for F1, featuring Brad Pitt as a former Formula 1 driver who returns to the sport to partner with a hotshot rookie.

The film follows Sonny Hayes (Pitt), whose Formula 1 career came to a premature end following an on-track crash in the 1990s. The character returns to the sport 30 years later to partner with a rookie driver named Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) in the fictional APXGP team. Javier Bardem also stars as Ruben Cervantes, Hayes’ former teammate who convinces him to return to professional driving.

F1 is directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), and is produced by Kosinski, Pitt, Jerry Bruckheimer, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Chad Oman.

F1 premieres in theaters June 27; see the trailer: HERE.

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Amazon Prime Video has confirmed a series green light for Carrie, a series based on the Stephen King novel. Mike Flanagan serves as writer, executive producer and showrunner, and will direct select episodes, with Trevor Macy also executive producing.

Amazon has ordered eight episodes, with production slated to begin this summer in Vancouver. Variety exclusively reported that newcomer Summer H. Howell is currently is negotiations for the title role of Carrie White, while Siena Agudong has been cast as nemesis Sue Snell.

Like the 1976 film Carrie, the series will be based on Stephen King’s debut novel (1974).  The film followed Carrie White (Sissy Spacek), a shy, friendless teenage girl who is sheltered by her domineering, religious mother, unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated by her classmates at her senior prom The movie also starred Piper Laurie as Carrie’s mother, and John Travolta.

The Prime Video series is described as “a bold and timely reimagining of the story of misfit high-schooler Carrie White, who has spent her life in seclusion with her domineering mother. After her father’s sudden and untimely death, Carrie finds herself contending with the alien landscape of public High School, a bullying scandal that shatters her community, and the emergence of mysterious telekinetic powers.”

Vernon Sanders, head of television for Amazon MGM Studios, shared in a statement:  “’Carrie’ is an iconic story that has withstood the test of time with continued cultural relevance. With Mike Flanagan at the helm and the accomplished team assembled including executive producer Trevor Macy this provocative series is sure to captivate our global customers.”

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Warner Bros. announced that they have officially cast four series regulars in the upcoming Harry Potter series from HBO: John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.

The streamer is touting the series as “a faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series” by J.K. Rowling, who also exec produces with Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.

The fantasy book series was previously adapted as seven films, beginning with the 2001 movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and concluding with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II (2011).   An official synopsis states:  “Exploring every corner of the wizarding world, each season will bring Harry Potter and its incredible adventures to new and existing audiences.”

The newly announced cast also includes Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch. Whitehouse is the only actor cast thus far to have appeared in any of the original films (he played Sir Cadogan in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban).

Executive producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod said in a press release: “We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.” Gardiner also serves as showrunner, while Mylod directs multiple episodes.

Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO & Max Content, previously said the Harry Potter series would be a “deep dive” into each of Rowling’s novels, and emphasized that the TV series will run for 10 consecutive years.

The series will air on HBO Max; a release date has not yet been shared.

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Netflix is teasing the highly-anticipated sophomore season of Wednesday, which arrives on the streamer in two parts: Season 2 Part 1 is to premiere on Aug. 6; with Part 2 to debut on Sept. 3.

The streaming service released the first trailer for the second season of the hit series, which stars Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams. In the trailer, Wednesday returns for a second year at Nevermore Academy, a private school for outcasts. Morticia Addams (Catherine Zeta-Jones) also returns, as well as additional cast members Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Luis Guzman, Moosa Moustafa, Georgie Farmer, Isaac Ordonez, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, Jamie McShane and Fred Armisen.

New cast members this year include: Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Evie Templeton, Owen Painter, Noah Taylor, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Lumley, Thandiwe Newton, Frances O’Connor, Haley Joel Osment, Heather Matarazzo and Joonas Suotamo.  In addition, Anthony Michael Hall has joined the cast this season; per Variety, no details have been announced yet regarding the role.  Hall, 57, shared a screenshot of the casting news on his official Instagram page.

Netflix also officially confirmed that Lady Gaga is set to guest star in Wednesday Season 2, writing on X:
“Welcome to Nevermore, Mother Monster. Lady Gaga will guest star in Wednesday Season 2 Part 2 as Rosaline Rotwood — a legendary Nevermore teacher who crosses paths with Wednesday.”

See the Season 2 trailer for ‘Wednesday’ – HERE.

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