Mike Lowery
My palms are infused with music today, helping me type up a couple of small updates on some tune-motivated projects that we’ve been following.
Firstly, remember the “Selena” series that was announced back in December?
I’ve got confirmation today that Netflix are shooting two seasons of it back-to-back. Moisés Zamora has crafted something special here, and everyone is confident it’s going to hit, so they’re going large here.
As for who will play the Latin icon and pop sensation? they haven’t found her yet – but casting directors have commenced their scout the young Quintanilla. The production is looking for a Latina actress, to play late teens-mid 20s, with an excellent singing voice.
Obviously, since they’re keen to film these two seasons soon (the series starts lensing August 26 but musical rehearsals begin first week of June), it’s getting to crunch time.
The series, shooting in Baja California, Mexico & Texas, was initially announced in December. Here’s the promo the streamer pushed out at the time :
Meantime, a small exclusive bit on the newly-announced “Grease” project, “Summer Loving”, over at Paramount.
Firstly, the project has come about – not all surprisingly – because of the success Fox and Universal have had with their sing-a-long flicks in recent years, in particular the “Mamma Mia!” films and “The Greatest Showman”. Tunes produce coin.
Paramount are very keen to get the “Grease” film moving while the musical is back in mode, and have hired big-time scribe John August (“Big Fish”, “Aladdin”, “Charlie’s Angels”) to take a crack. Why such a heavyweight for a film that won’t even feature the Danny and Sandy we love and know best?
Because it will feature them.
Much like the “Mamma Mia!” sequel, released last year, the plan is to have Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta reprise their roles as Sandy Olsen and Danny Zuko, respectively, in book-end scenes. They’ll essentially be looking back on their relationship – and how they fell in love… over those Su-ha-mme-rrr Nieeets..
Paramount have been trying to get a third “Grease” movie going for years, and have wanted Newton-John and Travolta back for every incarnation. They’re a big reason for the original hit’s success, of course.
Problem has been that Liv and John never went for any of the scripts – afraid they’d tarnish the original by doing a cheap ‘reunion’ movie – so, I’m guessing the studio has hired a big-time writer to make sure that doesn’t happen this time, and they won’t approach the duo until the script is as solid as it can be. As for why it’s a prequel? this was the only way it was going to work now. The years have ticked by too fast. Yes, the initial plan was to do a sequel, fixing on the duo’s kids, but that went away a decade ago or so.
The search will be on soon to find a charming Italian-American and pretty Australian no doubt.
