Lord of the Rings’ Superfan Stephen Colbert to Write New Movie for Peter Jackson

Stephen Colbert, a devoted Lord of the Rings fan known for his ability to recite lengthy passages from the novels, has secured a summer job.

 Colbert has been selected to write the script for the second film in the upcoming blockbuster series, working with his son Peter McGee and Philippa Boyens on "The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past" (working title). 

This film will follow "Lord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum," which is directed by Andy Serkis, the actor who portrayed Gollum.

’13 Going on 30′ Movie Reboot to Star Emily Bader, Logan Lerman for Netflix

13 Going on 30 is still doing well.

Emily Bader and Logan Lerman will star in a new version of the movie directed by Brett Haley, which is coming to Netflix.

 Jennifer Garner, who was in the original 2004 comedy, is now an executive producer for this new film.

The movie's story hasn’t been shared yet.

 The script was written by Hannah Marks, and it has been revised by Flora Greeson. The producers include Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum for RK Films.

Sony released the original 13 Going on 30 in theaters on April 23, 2004.

 It made $96 million worldwide. The movie starred Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer, and Andy Serkis. It follows a teenage girl named Jenna Rink who gets humiliated at a party and wishes she were 30 years old, played by Jennifer Garner.

This new movie brings back Brett Haley, who directed People We Meet on Vacation for Netflix.

 He’s working with Emily Bader again, who was in that film based on Emily Henry’s romantic novel. She’s also set to play Mia Hamm in a new sports drama called The 99ers. Logan Lerman has been in shows like Only Murders in the Building and will be in a new comedy called Oh, Hi! in 2025.

Haley said, “13 Going on 30 is one of those rare, perfect films.

 Funny, emotional, deeply human, with unforgettable performances from Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, and Judy Greer. I’ve been a fan for a long time, so stepping into this reimagining comes with a lot of responsibility. Jennifer Garner being on board as an executive producer, after playing such a big part of what made the original special, is especially meaningful.”

He also added, “I couldn’t be more excited to reunite with Emily Bader after People We Meet on Vacation.

 She and the amazingly talented Logan Lerman are a magical pairing. I feel incredibly lucky to be trusted with something that means so much to so many people.”

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter for the film’s 20th anniversary in 2024, screenwriter Josh Goldsmith, who wrote the original with Cathy Yuspa, mentioned that there had been talks over the years about bringing the story back to life.

Over the years, when people think about IP and remember movies they really liked, Goldsmith said during talks about a possible reboot. "Probably not too long after the movie came out — and actually not that long ago either. Nothing has really come together yet," he added.

Garner executive produces Netflix's reboot along with Marks, Donna Roth, Susan Arnold, Scott Hemming, and Alyssa Altman.

Bader is represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, and Goodman Genow.

 Lerman is represented by UTA and Brillstein. Haley is represented by WME, Untitled, and McKuin Frankel. Greeson is represented by UTA, Kaplan Perrone, and Yorn Levine. Marks is represented by UTA, Untitled, Circle Management, Production, and Goodman Genow. Garner is represented by CAA, Linden Entertainment, and attorneys Jason Sloane and Harris Hartman from Sloane Offer.

Mahershala Ali Joins ‘Task’ Season 2 at HBO

Mahersala Ali has been cast in a big role for the second season of *Task*, according to Variety. He will be working with Mark Ruffalo, who is coming back as a main character. The show is currently getting ready to start making the new season. *Task* first came out on HBO in September 2025 and was quickly picked for another season.

The new season's official description says, "Tom Brandis (Ruffalo) leads a new task force, but as the mission goes deeper, it becomes harder to know who the real target is."

 Mahersala will play Eddie Barnes, a respected DEA agent in Philadelphia whose team clashes with Tom's group.

Mahersala is the first new cast member added to the second season besides Ruffalo.

 The first season had a lot of famous actors, including Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Thuso Mbedu, Fabien Frankel, Alison Oliver, Raúl Castillo, Silvia Dionicio, Phoebe Fox, and Martha Plimpton.

Mahersala has worked with HBO before.

 He starred in the third season of *True Detective* and was nominated for an Emmy for that. He was also nominated for his part in *House of Cards* on Netflix and in *Ramy* on Hulu. In films, he has won two Oscars — one for *Moonlight* and another for *Green Book*. He has also been in *Into the Spider-Verse*, *Swan Song*, *The Place Beyond the Pines*, and *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*.

He is represented by Cognition, CAA, Relevant, and Sloane Offer.

*Task* got a lot of praise from both critics and viewers.

 The first season has a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes and is seen as a strong candidate for this year's Emmy Awards.

Brad Inglesby created the show and is also the writer, executive producer, and showrunner.

 Mark Ruffalo is also an executive producer along with starring. Paul Lee and Mark Roybal are executive producers for wiip, along with Jeremiah Zagar and Ron Schmidt. Nicole Jordan-Webber and Karen Wacker are co-executive producers.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Cast Pay Tribute to Nicholas Brendon

The cast of *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* is honoring Nicholas Brendon following the news of his passing on Friday.

Brendon's family shared the sad news in a statement given to *The Hollywood Reporter*, which said, "We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon.

 He passed in his sleep due to natural causes."

The statement continued, "Nicky loved sharing his passion and talent with his family, friends, and fans.

 He was passionate, sensitive, and always driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art reflected the real him. While it’s known that Nicholas had past struggles, he was on medication and treatment to manage his condition and was hopeful about the future when he passed. Our family is asking for privacy as we grieve and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart."

Earlier in 2023, Brendon had revealed he suffered a heart attack and had a congenital heart defect.

 He also had cauda equina syndrome, which required multiple spinal surgeries.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the main character Buffy, posted a tribute on Instagram Saturday morning.

 She quoted her character, Xander, saying, “They’ll never know how tough it is to be the one who isn’t chosen. To live so near the spotlight, and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes, because nobody’s watching me,” and shared a nostalgic photo of them together.

David Boreanaz, who played Angel before his own spinoff, also shared a tribute on Saturday.

 He wrote, "There are people you work with and then there are people you share time with. Nick was the latter," along with a photo of them. He added, "Some moments stay small on paper — a laugh between takes, a look that says we got this, the quiet understanding of showing up and doing the work together. But those are the things that last." He continued, "He carried something real, not perfect, not polished, just real. And in this business, that matters more than most things. We don’t always get to choose how long someone stays in the story, only that they were here. And he was. Rest easy, brother. Some people leave a mark without trying."

Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia Chase and was Xander's love interest, shared a long tribute along with a series of photos from filming.

 She wrote, “I will miss the version of the man I once knew — someone who was so warm and loving. He was cuddly, funny, silly, self-deprecating, and supremely talented. I loved every scene we had together back in the day. He always kept me on my toes, never delivering a line the same way twice, forcing me to become a better actor by listening.”

She also mentioned remembering him in his trailer, rocking in a chair, smoking, and listening to music.

 She listed many 90s bands tied to her memories of him, like Oasis, Nirvana, and Blink-182.

Alyson Hannigan, who acted with Brendon in all seven seasons, posted a heartfelt message on Instagram.

 She wrote, “My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers. I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair. I love you. RIP,” under a photo of them both.

Emma Caulfield Ford, who joined the show in its third season as Anya Jenkins, posted on her Instagram Stories on Friday night, saying, “My heart is so heavy.

 I can’t put into words just yet how this has hit me.” She shared a clip of Brendon and her from the show, adding, “Let this clip of us giving it our all be a placeholder. Rest Nicky. Rest. I love you.”

David Greenwalt, a writer, director, and executive producer of the show, also paid tribute in a statement to *The Hollywood Reporter*.

 He said, “They were the Beatles, a truly Fab Four for a new generation: Sarah, Nicky, Ali, and Charisma. Mr. Whedon was, of course, the George Martin to us all. Nicky was an original, long-ball funny, able to leap towering emotional changes in a single bound. Overflowing with timing, talent, Mr. Brendon never stopped bouncing, weaving, and bonding with one and all alike. One like this shall not come again, but we got to see it and breathe it and live it with Nicky by our side. And that no man taketh away.”

Brendon’s death comes just over a year after his *Buffy* co-star Michelle Trachtenberg passed away at the age of 39.

‘Project Hail Mary’ Shatters Box Office Expectations With $140.9 Million Globally

And we have liftoff! "Project Hail Mary," a space-themed adventure starring Ryan Gosling as a science teacher who must save Earth, made $140.9 million at the global box office.

These ticket sales include $60.4 million from 82 international markets and $80.5 million in North America.

 This is the biggest opening of the year, beating "Scream 7" with $33.1 million overseas and $97.2 million worldwide, and it's the biggest start ever for Amazon MGM, surpassing 2023's "Creed III" which earned $41.8 million overseas and $100.4 million worldwide.

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, known for "21 Jump Street" and "The Lego Movie," directed the $200 million film.

 The movie follows a former molecular biologist who accidentally joins an intergalactic mission to save Earth from extinction. The story is based on Andy Weir's best-selling novel. Weir's other astronaut adventure, "The Martian," was the basis for the 2015 blockbuster starring Matt Damon. That film earned $54 million in the U.S. and ended with a total of $630 million worldwide, not adjusted for inflation.

" Andy Weir's beloved novel gave us a powerful foundation, and Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have created a visually stunning and heart-pounding film led by the brilliant Ryan Gosling that deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible—alongside a crowd," said Kevin Wilson, Amazon's distribution chief.

 "When you combine that with the great critical response and strong audience reactions, you find yourself in rare air. And there's no doubt that Ryan Gosling is a star with massive global appeal and charm that can carry a movie like this."

"Project Hail Mary" is shaping up to be the first big hit for Amazon MGM, which has invested heavily to become a major player in the movie business.

 Four years after acquiring MGM for $8 billion, Amazon is launching its first full theatrical slate in 2026, with 13 films planned through December. So far, this year has been tough for the company. January's doc "Melania" made $16 million, which is impressive for the genre, but not enough against a $40 million budget. February's R-rated comedy "Crime 101" earned just $65 million against a $90 million budget. Up next is June's "Masters of the Universe," a big-budget film based on the Mattel toy He-Man.

" The debut of 'Project Hail Mary' is a testament to the power of Andy Weir's original novel and the efforts Lord and Miller made in being faithful to the adaptation," said Shawn Robbins, director of movie analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory.

 "It's arriving at a time when people are looking for escape from the real world's tough news. This is the kind of movie that will keep drawing people to the theaters for weeks to come."

According to Amazon MGM, "Project Hail Mary" is the third non-sequel and non-franchise film to open above $50 million overseas since the pandemic, joining "Oppenheimer" and "F1: The Movie.

" Top markets include the United Kingdom with $10.2 million, China with $7.1 million, Australia with $5 million, and South Korea with $4.3 million. High-end screens helped it reach a larger-than-expected global total; Imax alone brought in $27.6 million worldwide.

" 'Project Hail Mary' is an excellent film that Amazon MGM promoted very well, heavily using Imax as a global launch platform across production, marketing, and distribution," said Imax CEO Rich Gelfond.

 "Going back decades to some of our earliest documentaries, there's a lasting link between Imax and space, and this film's amazing view of the cosmos is among the best—truly meant to be seen in Imax."

Another new movie, Disney and Searchlight's horror sequel "Ready or Not 2: Here I Come," started slow with $2.8 million from 21 territories.

 It opened to $9.1 million domestically, totaling $11.9 million worldwide against a nearly $20 million budget. Samara Weaving and Kathryn Newton star as sisters who try to survive another twisted game of hide-and-seek. It's the follow-up to 2019's "Ready or Not," which had modest success with $57 million globally.

Elsewhere at the international box office, Disney's Pixar adventure "Hoppers" added $34.2 million from 51 markets in its third weekend.

 So far, the kids movie has made $122 million overseas and $242 million worldwide. With strong weekly performance, "Hoppers" is on track to be Pixar's first original hit since 2017's "Coco."

Nicholas Brendon, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Star, Dies at 54

Nicholas Brendon, the actor who became well-known for playing Xander Harris on all seven seasons of the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, passed away on Friday. He was 54 years old.

His family shared the news in a statement given to The Hollywood Reporter.

 They said, “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed away in his sleep due to natural causes. Most people know Nicky for his acting and the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years, Nicky found a new passion in painting and art. He loved to share his talent with his family, friends, and fans. He was passionate, sensitive, and driven to create. Those who knew him well understood that his art was one of the purest expressions of who he was. While it’s well known that Nicholas had some difficulties in the past, he was on medication and treatment to manage his condition and was hopeful about the future at the time of his passing. Our family asks for privacy as we grieve and celebrate the life of a man who lived with passion, imagination, and heart. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.”

In 2023, Brendon revealed he had suffered a heart attack and was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.

 He also had cauda equina syndrome, which led to several surgeries on his spine.

Although Buffy the Vampire Slayer was perhaps his most famous role, Brendon continued acting in films and TV shows up until 2021.

 During breaks from Buffy, he appeared in genre movies like Demon Island and Unholy.

In 2000, he starred with Lauren Ambrose and Amy Adams in Psycho Beach Party, a film based on an off-Broadway play by Charles Busch.

 It became a cult favorite.

Other TV roles included a recurring role on Criminal Minds and a one-season sitcom called Kitchen Confidential, which was based on Anthony Bourdain’s memoir.

 The show paired Brendon with Bradley Cooper.

Born in 1971 in Los Angeles as Nicholas Brendon Schultz, he originally wanted to be a professional baseball player.

 He later turned to acting to help manage his stutter, a challenge he later became an advocate for with the Stuttering Foundation of America, especially during the height of Buffy’s popularity.

Xander Harris, much like Adam Brody’s Seth Cohen on The O.C., helped change how nerdy characters were portrayed in American TV.

 In a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Brendon discussed how his character affected viewers.

“I actually don’t have a lot of crazy fan interactions,” he said.

 “It’s just a bunch of dudes who say, ‘Man, you got me laid a lot in high school. You made it cool to be a nerd and awkward and funny.’ I wonder how many babies are out there because Xander got people laid.”

In his 30s, Brendon faced public challenges with substance abuse and mental health issues.

 He was arrested multiple times and faced charges like felony vandalism, resisting or obstructing officers, criminal mischief, and felony corporal injury to a spouse. The latter charge, which was his most notable, ended in a plea deal that included three years of probation.

Despite these difficulties, he made public apologies and even appeared on an episode of Dr. Phil to talk about his struggles with alcohol and mental health.

Those close to Brendon were said to be hopeful about his recent attitude and positive outlook, believing he was finally turning things around.

Among those who survived him is his identical twin brother, Kelly Donovan.

 They were born just three minutes apart. Although Donovan never pursued acting seriously, the two appeared together on two episodes of Buffy. One of these was 2000’s “The Replacement,” in which Xander is split into two characters— one with all his good qualities (Donovan) and one with all his faults (Brendon).

After the initial story was published, the family reposted the statement on X, sharing photos of Brendon and followed it with images of his recent paintings.

Project Hail Mary’ Rockets to Gravity-Defying $12M in Previews

The meteoric rise of filmmaking duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller continues with their space epic, *Project Hail Mary*, starring Ryan Gosling.

The sci-fi adventure opened with a staggering $12 million in previews, the best preview gross of the year so far, including both regular Thursday showings and fan screenings earlier this week.

 Amazon MGM noted that this is also the second-best preview gross for a non-sequel, behind *It* ($13.5 million), unadjusted for inflation.

*Project Hail Mary* is expected to dominate the weekend; the only question is by how much.

 Based on the strength of the preview numbers, many believe it will surpass expectations, potentially earning $60 million or more. However, Amazon MGM insiders remain cautious, forecasting in the $50-million range, given the challenges in selling sci-fi overseas.

An important stat: only three non-sequel, non-franchise films have opened above $50 million in the post-pandemic era—*Oppenheimer*, *F1: The Movie*, and *It Ends With Us*.

 In terms of the genre, *Project Hail Mary* would join a rare group, including *Interstellar*’s opening in 2014.

So far, both critics and audiences are warmly embracing the heartwarming, action-packed film, which is ideal for studios.

 The return of screenwriter Drew Goddard, who successfully adapted *The Martian* from Andy Weir’s novel, also adds to the movie’s appeal.

The film, also starring Sandra Hüller and James Ortiz, is opening in 82 global markets, timed with its U.S. launch, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Korea, Japan, and China.

Among the weekend’s other wide releases is Searchlight Pictures’ *Ready or Not 2: Here I Come*, directed by the filmmaking duo Radio Silence (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett), with Samara Weaving reprising her role as the beloved character Grace.

Internationally, the film also opens in territories like the UK, Australia, and Brazil, along with smaller markets, and will be available almost everywhere by mid-April.