It looks like fans will be getting more Hunger Games thanks to Lionsgate. The studio has greenlit a prequel film based on Suzanne Collins’ book, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’, which will be directed by Francis Lawrence, who previously directed Catching Fire and Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2. The upcoming book set for release in Mid-May this year will reportedly centre on a teenage Coriolanus Snow, and how he is entrusted to be a mentor for the 10th Hunger Games. The previous franchise netted the studio over USD3 billion at the box-office, proving there is an audience for the Hunger Games.

Venom 2 Gets A Title
The highly-anticipated Venom sequel starring Tom Hardy now has an official title. The sequel titled Venom: Let There Be Carnage, will see Hardy reprise his role as Eddie Brock/Venom with Woody Harrelson portraying main antagonist, Kletus Cassidy/Carnage. The set-up for the sequel was teased via an end credits teaser featuring Brock and Cassidy coming face to face in a prison. The sequel is being directed by Andy Serkis and was due to hit cinemas in October 2020. Now with major productions halted around the world, Venom: Let There Be Carnage is now eyeing a June 2021 release.

Dwayne
Johnson To Produce Backyard Wrestling Series For HBO
The Rock is going back to his roots somewhat with a
backyard wrestling TV series produced for HBO.The half-hour series is currently titled TRE CNT according to Variety, and will revolve around a backyard
wrestling promotion. Johnson is producing the series through his company, Seven
Bucks Productions alongside Danny and Hiram Garcia. According to details
revealed by Variety, the series will centre on a young dock worker and aspiring
pro-wrestler who uses his inheritance to start-up a backyard wrestling
promotion in Houston.

Netflix Buys Melissa McCarthy Drama
Streaming giant, Netflix has bought over the distribution rights for the new Melissa McCarthy drama, The Starling. According to Deadline, the streaming service purchased the drama directed by Theodore Melfi for USD20 million. The film reportedly revolves around a couple who has to tend to a tragedy. In the midst of the chaos, the wife played by McCarthy tends to her garden only to face a giant bird, a black starling, which ruins her gardening efforts. In order to rid herself of the pest, she enlists the services of a psychiatrist/veterinarian who is played by Kevin Kline. The Starling also stars, Chris O’Dowd, Timothy Olyphant and Rosalind Chao.

Josh Trank Releases Capone Trailer
Director Josh Trank is back with a new film, which centres on infamous gangster Al Capone. The film sees Tom Hardy starring as the titular character with a supporting cast made up off Linda Cardellini, Matt Dillon, and Kyle MacLachlan. Capone will follow the gangster during the latter part of his life as he begins to struggle with dementia and reckoning of his crimes. Trank released a first look trailer of the film on Twitter, with news that the film will be released digitally on 12 May through Vertical Entertainment.