Kristen Stewart to star in Sally Ride biopic
Kristen Stewart is the kind of movie star who can turn chameleon character actor anytime she chooses. She’s played real-life people as unalike as Princess Diana, Jean Seberg and Joan Jett, and next she’ll take on the role of pioneering astronaut Sally Ride in The Challenger for her first TV series starring role.
From screenwriter and show runner Maggie Cohn (Narcos: Mexico), it’s the story of the first American woman — and first queer person — to fly on the space shuttle in 1983. Tragedy struck the Challenger three years later, though, when it exploded on its ascent, and Ride became part of the presidential commission to investigate the disaster, eventually identifying the structural flaws of the craft, earning her legacy as a real American hero.
Kyra Sedgwick’s production company is behind the project, and it looks like it will eventually wind up at Amazon. In the world of famous-person biopics, Stewart’s turning into not only the go-to choice, but the rare actor who can get her chosen projects the green light needed to build lasting art.
Kate Winslet reteams with Todd Haynes for Trust
The last time Kate Winslet and acclaimed May December filmmaker Todd Haynes worked together, they brought 2011’s expansive, stunning, longform Mildred Pierce to HBO. Now they’ll collaborate again on Trust, a limited series based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 2023 novel from Hernan Diaz.
Set in the 1920s, a man builds a huge fortune on Wall Street and loses his wife in the process. Years later, he finds himself desperate to maintain the secrets he’s accumulated in the face of a biographer out to reveal them all. Seemingly tailor-made for Haynes’ brand of storytelling, the narrative weaves together various competing perspectives and versions of the truth.
So far, Winslet is the only cast member attached (she’s also a producer) but Haynes’ projects always attract top-tier talent. More news to come on this one.
Queer casting call: Colman Domingo, Kate McKinnon and Murray Bartlett
We love it when queer performers are cast as heterosexuals, and that seems to be what’s happening with recent roll assignments for Colman Domingo, Kate McKinnon and Murray Bartlett.
Domingo — Oscar-nominated for Rustin — has taken a part in the upcoming limited series remake of the 1981 comedy film The Four Seasons, about straight couples who vacation together. The original starred Carol Burnett and Alan Alda. This one has Tina Fey and Steve Carell. Will Domingo be part of a queer or less-than-queer couple? No one’s talking yet.
Meanwhile Kate McKinnon has joined Andy Samberg, Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch for The Roses, a reimagining of the 1989 black comedy The War of The Roses, another one about battling straight lovers.
And Emmy winner Murray Bartlett (White Lotus) will play husband to Amy Adams in At The Sea, a new drama from Kornel Mundruczó and Kata Wéber (Pieces of a Woman). All three projects are currently in production, with no release dates yet. Anticipation!
Broadway beckons Dolly, Netflix courts Kylie
Who never slows down? Dolly Parton, that’s who. Not content to disrupt the boxed cake mix industry and reintroduce vintage banana flavor to American palates, she’s finally taking her turn on Broadway by producing her own bio-musical, for which she’ll write songs and co-write the book. It’s coming in 2026, it’s called Hello, I’m Dolly (clever…) and will star someone who can simultaneously remind you of and make you forget its creator.
Who that will be is currently a mystery. Stay tuned.
And while you’re waiting, word is that Netflix is getting into business with global pop princess Kylie Minogue for a documentary about her life. No real details on this one yet, but it seems that the queer fan favorite, after decades of cult status in the United States, is poised to become more recognizable than ever before. Longtime fans are already hyperventilating.
Romeo San Vicente can’t get you out of his head.