News

The sci-fi subgenre where teens battle against a future dystopia was all the rage in the 2010s but seems to have gone out of style since then, or at least that seemed to be the takeaway from the Netflix movie Uglies, which came out the other month to applause from nobody. But The Hunger Games series, which kicked off the teen dystopia boom in the first place, is still going strong: the 2023 movie The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, a prequel about future dictator Coriolanus Snow Snow, did very well. When author Suzanne Collins revealed that she was writing another prequel, this time about Katniss Everdeen's mentor Haymitch Abernathy, Lionsgate announced it was making a movie version at the exact same time. Plucky teens will fight to the death and you'll like it!

Anyway, the prequel is called Sunrise on the Reaping, and it's set around 25 years before Katniss entered...

YA is dead — at least, that was one prevailing thought after a string of popular young adult books failed to garner success on screens in 2016. Studio executives blamed the slew of unsuccessful adaptations on a new generation of readers no longer interested in coming-of-age stories. But as YA film and TV once again take top billing and viewership for the first time in nearly a decade, several YA authors who dominated the category tell Rolling Stone interest in young people’s stories never waned — filmmakers and executives finally realized they...

Publishing giant Penguin Random House, free expression organization Pen America and the authors of books banned by Florida’s Escambia County School District have filed a federal lawsuit in hopes of bringing the books back to school library shelves.

Parents of students impacted by the “unconstitutional” book ban are also the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which states that Escambia County School District has restricted and removed access to books that discuss race, racism, and LGBTQ identities.

“Ensuring that students have access to books on a wide range of topics and...

HBO Max is about to say farewell to a number of fantastic films, but this time it's not related to their current slaughter. Since HBO Max first launched in May 2020, the streamer has consistently had absolutely stellar offerings of original programming and acquisitions alike, but these days it's hard to keep track with everything they keep sending to the gallows. HBO Max has served as the final streaming resting place for much of the catalog of their parent company, Warner Bros., and yet there are a surprising number of Warner Bros. releases leaving HBO Max at the end of September. Odd.

Regardless, here are five films leaving HBO Max that are absolutely worth checking out before they're sent back into the void ... or hopefully to another streamer.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Thanks to the success of "Everything Everywhere All At Once," international icon Michelle Yeoh is on top of the world,...

The romance is over for Dash & Lily. Netflix has confirmed the series will not be returning for a second season.

Austin Abrams and Midori Francis starred in the holiday romantic comedy series, from Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps and Nick Jonas’ Image 32.

Described as a whirlwind Holiday romance, the series revolved around cynical Dash (Abrams) and optimistic Lily (Francis) who traded dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they passed back and forth at locations all across New York City, finding they had more in common with each other than they would have expected.

The season 1 finale, which aired in November 2020 and now serves as the series finale, saw Dash (Abrams) and Lily (Francis) finally kiss at midnight on New Year’s Eve at NYC’s famed Strand Bookstore.

Based on the YA book series Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares from authors Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, the series...

Dash & Lily‘s New Year’s Eve kiss will be the end of their love story at Netflix: The romantic comedy series will not be back for a second season, TVLine has learned.

Adapted from Rachel Cohn and David Levithan’s young adult novels, Dash & Lily starred Austin Abrams (Euphoria) and Midori Francis (The Birch) as the titular teens, who developed romantic feelings for each other as they exchanged messages and dares in a notebook passed around New York City. In the Season 1 finale — which now serves as the series finale — Dash and Lily finally kissed at...

Pride Month is observed every June in the U.S. to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, a flashpoint for the Gay Liberation Movement. Here’s a sampling of programming from TV networks and other media platforms, organizations and communities. We’ll update the list when new Pride Month programming is announced.

Showtime

The premium cable network will feature more than 50 hours of LGBTQ+ programming including Xy Chelsea, Same Sex America, Beyond Opposite Sex, L Word Mississippi: Hate the Sin and Semper Fi; select episodes of Desus & Mero; and the first seasons of The L Word, The L Word: Generation Q, Queer as Folk, Work in Progress and Couples Therapy.

HBO Max

WarnerMedia’s streamer is launching its Shine On spotlight page, which honors and recognizes its library of Lgbtqia+ stories, characters and creators. A list of curations that will be included on the page is here.

Paramount+

Discovery...

Warning: This article spoils the ending of Dash & Lily‘s first season. Haven’t watched? Grab a blanket and head over to Netflix. You’ll thank us later.

Between the iconic location (New York’s famed Strand Bookstore), the perfect time (New Year’s Eve at midnight) and the ludicrously romantic ambience (literal fireworks!), the final scene of Dash & Lily‘s first season finale is about as perfect as it could be. Is it any wonder why executive producer Joe Tracz says it’s his favorite page-to-screen moment in the Netflix series?

More from TVLineYes, That Really Is...

(Warning: This post contains mild spoilers for Netflix’s “Dash & Lily” through its finale.)

Eagle-eyed “Dash & Lily” fans who have already binged their way through the show’s eight-episode first season know that while Dash (Austin Abrams) and Lily (Midori Francis) spend the show running around New York City at Christmastime, completing dares while they fall in love via notebook with a little help from their friends, one key character only makes it outside twice: Lily’s brother, Langston.

“No, you are as observant as I am,” Troy Iwata, who plays Langston, said of his character’s self-imposed house arrest over winter break. “On our first day, when we went through the script, I went up to (creator Joe Tracz), who wrote it, and I was like, ‘So Langston literally never leaves his room?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah.’ So I said, ‘Great, I have some ideas for costuming.

Netflix's new series Dash & Lily is a heartfelt adaptation of David Levithan and Rachel Cohn's young-adult book series, but it also features a wonderful idea for a Pixar movie. The series, which premiered on Nov. 10, follows two teens named Dash and Lily living in NYC who form a special bond by communicating through a red notebook. As the two correspond back and forth, Lily makes a few references to a Pixar movie named Collation, which is about a stapler and a piece of paper that fall in love. While the movie pops up multiple times throughout the season, it's actually completely made up for the series.

"There was so much Collation stuff that got cut for time," executive producer Joe Tracz told TVLine. "Our favorite writers' room parlor game was figuring out which celebrities would voice which office supplies. 'What punny catchphrases do they all have?' At one point,...

Netflix is really coming through with heartwarming holiday content, and the latest to lift our spirits is Dash & Lily. The series - an adaptation of Rachel Cohn and David Levithan's 2010 novel, Dash & Lily's Book of Dares - follows characters Dash (Austin Abrams) and Lily (Midori Francis) as they develop a relationship by writing anonymous letters to each other in a notebook. Taking place during Christmastime in New York City, the feel-good show is escapism done right as Dash and Lily challenge each other to step out of their comfort zones and see their respective lives through a different lens. In an interview with Popsugar, Abrams spoke about bringing Dash to life, working with Francis, and his thoughts on a potential season two.

Related: Netflix Is Starting the Holidays Early With These New Movies and TV Shows

Popsugar: Were you a fan of the book before being cast or...

(Warning: This post contains mild spoilers for Netflix’s “Dash & Lily.”)

For Troy Iwata, his new Netflix holiday rom-com “Dash & Lily” is more than just a love letter to Christmas and New York City — it’s also a love letter to the queer and mixed-race communities that the gay actor, who is half-Japanese and half-Jewish, belongs.

“I think our show, it’s very refreshing for me to be able to represent both the queer community, but also the mixed-race community,” Iwata told TheWrap. “I think that our show does a really wonderful job of very unapologetically portraying Langston in that way.”

“Dash & Lily” focuses on the title characters, played by Austin Abrams and Midori Francis, who have a whirlwind romance at Christmastime in New York when Dash discovers a mysterious notebook left by Lily at her favorite bookstore, The Strand, to try to find her perfect match.

People are quickly falling in love with Netflix's Dash & Lily. The series, which premiered on Nov. 10, follows two teens named Dash (Austin Abrams) and Lily (Midori Francis) living in NYC, and it's basically a holiday rom-com wrapped into eight episodes. Though the first season ties things up in a nice little bow, we're still hopeful for a second season. Not only is it based on the young adult book series Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn - meaning there is plenty of inspiration to draw from for more episodes - but it sounds like the cast and creators are already on board for another season.

During a set visit back in November 2019, showrunner Joe Tracz told Popsugar that he already has a few ideas for how he would continue the story. "It's so great to write a first season knowing what the second...

Based on Rachel Cohn and David Levithan's 2010 novel Dash and Lily's Book of Dares, Netflix's adorable Dash & Lily presents us with an anti-meet cute of sorts in a sea of holiday rom-coms. Dash (Austin Abrams) and Lily (Midori Francis) send each other messages through a red notebook that Lily plants at Strand Bookstore, pawning their tome of informal love letters off to a series of disgruntled New Yorkers. Six episodes in, they eventually meet at a Christmas Eve party, of course. But just like their romance, the festive story of how they officially meet is complicated, so let's break down all the times that the sweet pair come together in the series.

If we're being technical, Dash and Lily actually have their first encounter in episode one when Lily, armed with tinsel necklaces, accidentally bumps into Dash on the busy streets of New York as she's gathering with her caroling friends.

(Warning: This post contains spoilers through the finale of Netflix’s “Dash & Lily.”)

Netflix’s holiday rom-con “Dash & Lily” centers on two characters with very different hot takes on Christmas: Dash (played by Austin Abrams) hates it with a burning passion and Lily (Midori Francis) loves it with all of her warm heart.

Throughout the show’s 10-episode first season, which launched Tuesday, the two New Yorkers learn to see both sides more clearly after Dash finds a notebook left by Lily at her favorite bookstore, The Strand, and the teens begin to write back and forth to each other. Their romance blossoms as they challenge each other, both with literal tasks and emotional inquiries, in the days leading up to Christmas.

Along with offering a very uplifting and adorable love story, “Dash & Lily” — which is adapted from a book series written by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan...

Why settle for a Christmas movie, when you can have a whole holiday series? Netflix’s new eight-episode seasonal series Dash & Lily stars Austin Abrams and Midori Francis as two New York City teens who spark a romance while passing a notebook back and forth at locations all across the City That Never Sleeps during the heart of the holiday season.

The stars opened up about why viewers will love the Christmas show based on Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn, as well as what made them want to be a part of ...

Why settle for a Christmas movie, when you can have a whole holiday series? Netflix’s new eight-episode seasonal series Dash & Lily stars Austin Abrams and Midori Francis as two New York City teens who spark a romance while passing a notebook back and forth at locations all across the City That Never Sleeps during the heart of the holiday season.

The stars opened up about why viewers will love the Christmas show based on Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn, as well as what made them want to be a part of ...

Netflix’s newest romantic comedy is fun, addictive and an excellent reminder of the power of pen on paper in a world dominated by social media. But more than any of that, it’s Christmas porn.

Set and filmed in New York City at Christmastime (production wrapped in December 2019), Dash & Lily is a bittersweet escape into a pre-pandemic holiday wonderland, one where differences are forgotten, love conquers all and you never know when you might find yourself at a Jonas Brothers concert.

More from TVLineArnold Schwarzenegger Spy Drama From Scorpion EP Lands at NetflixYes, That Really Is Gina Rodriguez...

Welcome back to Tune In: our weekly newsletter offering a guide to the best of the week’s TV.

Each week, Variety’s TV team combs through the week’s schedule, selecting our picks of what to watch and when/how to watch them. As many across the country continue to practice self-isolation due to coronavirus, why not while away a few hours on some of the shows below?

This week, two of the biggest shows on television in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Crown” return for new seasons.

“Industry,” HBO, Monday, 10 p.m.

This new drama, from director Lena Dunham and first-time creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, follows a group of young graduates competing for a limited number of permanent positions at a leading international bank in London. It is described as an insider’s view of the blackbox of “high finance” through the eyes of outsider Harper Stern (Myha’la Herrold).

“A Teacher,...

This Dash & Lily review contains no spoilers.

With a big, beating heart and a surprising amount of insight, Netflix’s series Dash & Lily is here to remind us of the world outside and the magical feeling of falling in love in the “before-time.” Based on the young adult book series Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares from Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (who wrote Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist) Dash & Lily continues in the proud tradition of Netflix romcoms and Netflix holiday fare of small-scale stories with warmth.

Lily, a shy teenager who’s sick of being the only one without a partner, optimistically puts a red moleskin notebook in New York’s famous Strand bookstore among some of her favorite books (Salinger) for a fellow bookworm to find. Inside the book is a puzzle and a dare, which heartbroken loner Dash finds and is eager to solve.

1. “The Crown”

Why Should I Watch? Hoo boy, where to start? “The Crown” remains one of television’s most consistent awards contenders, as well as one of Netflix’s most striking accomplishments of the prestige TV era. Magnificent craft work and commanding performances come together each and every season to earn your attention, even if you’re not a costumes junkie or Royals devotee. Season 4 adds an additional point of intrigue with Gillian Anderson joining the cast as Margaret Thatcher, the U.K. Prime Minister from 1979 – 1990 who respectfully spars with Queen Elizabeth, probably over tea during their weekly meetings. Always meticulous and often affecting, “The Crown” Season 4 is set to be another regal experience like no other — no other you can have at home, at least.

Bonus Reason: But wait, there’s more! With Season 4 moving into the ’80s that means it’s time to introduce Diana Spencer — the future Princess of Wales,...

The truest litmus test for how someone feels about the Christmas season is a simple question: is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” a sad song about holiday loneliness, or a sweet song about persevering to celebrate life’s everyday joys? The genius of the song is that it equally serves both the glass half full and the glass half empty perspectives, which find themselves battling it out every December for ultimate superiority.

“Dash & Lily,” based on Rachel Cohn and David Levithan’s YA novel “Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares,” hinges on this exact conflict. Unfolding over the platonic ideal of a New York City Christmas week, “Dash & Lily” tells the story of an aggressively sweet teen romance between cynical Dash (Austin Abrams) with optimistic Lily (Midori Francis) as they each try to convince the other why Christmas sucks/rules. It’s never in doubt which side...

The magic of Christmas can take shape in different ways: spending more time with loved ones, investing in meaningful gifts, or feeling a communal sense of joy and kindness. For Midori Francis, it manifested in the form of a television role. The 26-year-old actress, who you might recognize from 2019's Good Boys, is bringing her love of the holiday season to Netflix's Dash & Lily, an adaptation of Rachel Cohn and David Levithan's 2010 novel, Dash & Lily's Book of Dares.

The show - premiering on Nov. 10 - stars Francis as the titular Lily, a fun-loving Christmas enthusiast who connects with a jaded cynic named Dash (Austin Abrams). Their relationship is out of the ordinary, seeing as it develops when they start penning messages and prompts to each other in a secret notebook that they leave at locations throughout New York City. It's a much more enjoyable, albeit time-consuming, version...

'Dash and Lily' trailer has been released and it teases a budding relationship set at Christmastime.

Netflix released the first trailer for the upcoming romantic comedy series 'Dash and Lily' on Friday, featuring Midori Francis and Austin Abrams as the titular characters living in New York City.

The trailer for the upcoming holiday series shows Dash (Abrams) and Lily (Francis) fall in love in a most unlikely manner over the holidays. The pair communicate through the pages of a book containing dares and clues about their identity, which they pass back and forth at locations all across New York City.

'Dash and Lily' is based on the young adult book series Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn.

Apart from Abrams and Francis will, the series also features Dante Brown (Lethal Weapon), James Saito (Always Be My Maybe), Troy Iwata (New Amsterdam), Keana Mari (Huge in France...

In today’s TV news roundup, YouTube Originals announced “Justin Bieber: Next Chapter” documentary, and Netflix unveiled a trailer for “Dash & Lily.”

First Looks

Netflix released a trailer for its upcoming series “Dash & Lily,” set to premiere on Nov. 10. Based on the book “Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares” by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, the eight-episode series follows the titular Dash and Lily who share their dreams in a notebook they pass back and forth in New York City. The rom-com series is executive produced by Shawn Levy and Josh Barry for 21 Laps Entertainment and Nick Jonas’ Image 32. Joe Tracz serves as showrunner. Watch the trailer below.

Programming

YouTube Originals will premiere “Justin Bieber: Next Chapter,” a new documentary providing an exclusive look at the artist’s life in quarantine on Oct. 30. The 30-minute special follows YouTube docuseries “Justin Bieber: Seasons” that chronicled the making of Bieber’s latest album,...

It may only be October, but it’s never too early to get into a festive mood. Netflix’s holiday romantic comedy series, “Dash & Lily”, may be just what you’re looking for to kick-start the Christmas season. Based on the popular young adult book series, Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares, by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, the eight-episode holiday...

Merry early Christmas: Netflix dropped the trailer for its upcoming holiday rom-com series “Dash & Lily” Friday, giving you a taste of the magical relationship Lily (Midori Francis) and Dash (Austin Abrams) will form one Christmas break when he discovers a notebook that she left in her favorite New York City book store for some lucky boy to find. Well, that boy is Dash, and he plays along with her “Do you dare?” requests inside the pages, leaving his answers for her to find when she returns for the book.

The two are clearly drawn to each other, and become closer and closer the more time they spend “together” running around NYC. The only problem they seem to face is that Lily loves Christmas and Dash hates it. Oh, and the fact they’ve yet to actually meet in person, of course.

You can watch the “Dash & Lily” trailer...

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in New York. Netflix on Friday released the full-length trailer for Season 1 of Dash & Lily, a festive romantic comedy set in the greatest city in the world.

Here’s what to expect, per the streamer’s official synopsis: “A whirlwind Holiday romance builds as cynical Dash and optimistic Lily trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations all across New York City, finding they have more in common with each other than they would have expected.”

More from TVLineThe Prom: Meryl Streep and...

Agneeta Thacker, Leah Kreitz (Awol), and Ianne Fields Stewartare set for recurring roles in Dash & Lily, Netflix’s 2020 romantic comedy series from Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps and Nick Jonas’ Image 32.

Based on the Ya book series Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, the eight-episode holiday comedy revolves around cynical Dash (Austin Abrams) and optimistic Lily (Midori Francis). Trading dares, dreams and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations all across New York City, they find they have more in common with each other than either expected.

Thacker will play Priya. An Upper East Side party girl and frenemy to Dash. Kreitz will portray Aryn. A vegan riot grrl who’s an older friend to Lily. Stewart will play Roberta. The Den mother of a group of East Village Christmas carolers.

Exclusive: Glenn McCuen (Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures), Michael Park (Stranger Things), Gideon Emery (Teen Wolf), Jennifer Ikeda (Maniac) and Diego Guevera (Strapped for Danger) are set to recur in Dash & Lily, Netflix’s 2020 romantic comedy series from Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps and Nick Jonas’ Image 32.

Based on the Ya book series Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, the eight-episode holiday comedy revolves around cynical Dash (Austin Abrams) and optimistic Lily (Midori Francis). Trading dares, dreams and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations all across New York City, they find they have more in common with each other than either expected.

McCuen will play Edgar Thibaud, a popular prep school boy from a privileged upbringing. Confident, flirtatious and sometimes oblivious, he’s a former bully who’s trying to reform.

Park is Gordon, Dash’s father, a world traveler who skis,...

Shawn Levy, executive producer of the mega-hit series Stranger Things, and singer/actor Nick Jonas have come aboard a new Ya series for Netflix based on the book series Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. They also wrote Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist.

Levy and Jonas are coming together to produce the holiday show that has the shortened title of Dash & Lily, which will have a first season made up of eight episodes, each thirty minutes long.

Austin Abrams and Midori Francis star as the title characters, and Variety provides the following description for the series:

In the show, a whirlwind holiday romance builds as cynical Dash and optimistic Lily trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations all across New York City, finding they have more in common with each other than they would have expected.

Netflix has ordered a TV adaptation of the Ya series “Dash & Lily” from producers Nick Jonas and Shawn Levy (“Stranger Things”), the streaming service announced on Tuesday. The eight-episode, holiday rom-com show stars “The Walking Dead” alum Austin Abrams and “Good Boys” actress Midori Francis in the titular roles.

Here’s the official description for the 30-minute show, based on Rachel Cohn and David Levithan’s young adult book series, “Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares”: A whirlwind holiday romance builds as cynical Dash and optimistic Lily trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations all across New York City, finding they have more in common with each other than they would have expected.

Along with Abrams and Francis, the series stars Dante Brown, Troy Iwata, Keana Marie, James Saito and Jodi Long.

Also Read: Rob Lowe, Vanessa Hudgens Headline Netflix's Holiday...

Nick Jonas and “Stranger Things” producer Shawn Levy are teaming on a YA holiday series which has been ordered at Netflix.

The show in question, “Dash & Lily,” is based on the book series “Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares” by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, and will consist of eight 30-minute episodes, scheduled to launch sometime in 2020.

Austin Abrams (“Euphoria”) and Midori Francis (“Good Boys”) have been cast as the titular romantic couple. In the show, a whirlwind holiday romance builds as cynical Dash and optimistic Lily trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations all across New York City, finding they have more in common with each other than they would have expected.

Levy will executive produce with Josh Barry via his 21 Laps banner, which now has multiple projects including “Stranger Things,” set up at the streamer. Jonas will Ep via his Image 32 shingle.

Netflix has started production on Dash & Lily, an eight-episode holiday romantic comedy series, from Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps and Nick Jonas’ Image 32. It marks the fifth Netflix series for Levy, who signed one of the first big overall deals with the streamer and has emerged as one of its most prolific producers.

Austin Abrams and Midori Francis (Good Boys) lead the cast of the half-hour series, based on the Ya book series Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares from authors Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. It also includes series regulars Dante Brown and Troy Iwata and recurring Keana Marie (Huge in France), James Saito (Always Be My Maybe), and Jodi Long (Sullivan & Son).

Described as a whirlwind Holiday romance, the series revolves around cynical Dash (Abrams) and optimistic Lily (Francis) who trade dares, dreams, and...

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares is getting the TV treatment. The young-adult novels, written by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, will serve as the inspiration for Netflix’s holiday-themed series Dash & Lily, TVLine has learned. Production on the first season, which will feature eight 30-minute episodes, has already begun in New York City.

Per the series’ official description, “a whirlwind holiday romance builds as cynical Dash and optimistic Lily trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations all across New York City, finding they have more in common with each other than they would have expected.

Netflix is adding to its roster of young adult programming with a series order for a romantic comedy called Dash & Lily.

The eight-episode, half-hour series comes from Stranger Things producer 21 Laps and Nick Jonas' Image 32. It's based on the book Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist). Austin Abrams (Euphoria, This Is Us) and Midori Francis (Good Boys) will play the title roles.

Production on the series is underway in New York for a 2020 premiere. Joe Tracz (A Series of Unfortunate Events) — who's also ...

Image Source: Everett Collection

Let the games begin . . . again. Nearly a decade after the third and final Hunger Games book, Mockinjay, was released in 2010, Scholastic announced a prequel novel is on the way. What was initially being referred to as the Untitled Panem Novel has now officially been titled The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, according to a press release from the publisher sent in early October. Suzanne Collins once again invites readers to revisit the dystopian nation of Panem during its tenth Hunger Games, which took place decades before the events of the original trilogy.

"With this book, I wanted to explore the state of nature, who we are, and what we perceive is required for our survival," Collins said in the first press statement about her new book. "The reconstruction period ten years after the war, commonly referred to as the Dark Days - as the country of...

Spider-Man: Far From Home shows us Peter Parker and his pals reeling from the shattering aftermath of Avengers: Endgame. Besides Mj and Peter's budding romance, there's another couple swinging into action: Ned and Betty. If your spidey senses are tingling about Ned's love interest, you've likely seen her around before. Betty's played by 18-year-old Australian actress Angourie Rice, who has appeared in a number of pop culture hits over the years.

Chances are that you've seen Spider-Man: Homecoming if you're tuning into the sequel. Rice also plays Betty in the first film, although her character is less fleshed out in the first Spider-Man movie. In the McU, Betty resembles the character Gwen Stacy, sporting a black headband. In the original Spider-Man film with Tobey Maguire, Betty was a newspaper secretary at The Daily Bugle played by Elizabeth Banks. Her character in the newer films is, obviously, a teenager, who reports...

“The Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins is working on a prequel to her beloved young adult, dystopian novels, Scholastic announced Monday. Lionsgate, the studio behind the Jennifer Lawrence-led franchise of films, is in talks to develop the book as a movie, an individual with knowledge also told TheWrap.

Scholastic has acquired worldwide English rights to the novel Collins is writing, “Untitled Panem Novel,” which is set for release on May 19, 2020. The story will be set 64 years before the events of “The Hunger Games” on the morning of the reaping of the 10th annual Hunger Games.

The four “Hunger Games” films have grossed $2.9 billion at the worldwide box office. Lionsgate has also licensed the film for theme parks and live concert tours, and a prequel movie has always been a possibility.

Also Read: Lionsgate's Michael Burns Predicts the Bundle Will Survive - and Go Over-the-Top

“With this book, I wanted...

Today, Scholastic announced that it is publishing Suzanne Collins’ new Hunger Games prequel novel, currently untitled, which will hit shelves on May 19, 2020.

The novel will be set in the world of Panem 64 years before the events of the original Hunger Games trilogy on the morning of the reaping of the 10th Hunger Games.

“As the proud home of the Hunger Games movies, we can hardly wait for Suzanne’s next book to be published. We’ve been communicating with her during the writing process and we look forward to continuing to work closely with her on the movie,” said Joe Drake, Chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

Lionsgate adapted four movies from Collins trilogy, splitting the final Hunger Games: Mockingjay into two parts. All in, the movies made close to $3 billion at the worldwide box office and next to Twilight is one of Lionsgate’s platinum franchises at the studio.

Exclusive: Ridley Scott’s Scott Free is restructuring its TV operation, promoting longtime Us-based President of Television David W. Zucker to Head of Worldwide TV. In his expanded new role, he will oversee both Scott Free’s Us and UK TV divisions as the company is looking for stronger integration of its creative efforts on both sides of the pond and plans to more actively pursue co-productions.

In the new structure, Marina Brackenbury has been brought in as Head Film and TV in the UK, reporting to Zucker and working alongside Zucker’s top lieutenants in the Us, EVPs Jordan Sheehan and Clayton Krueger, with the three working across the company’s slate, domestically and internationally. Brackenbury succeeds Ed Rubin, who recently stepped down as Managing Director of Scott Free London as the company was getting ready to implement the reorganization.

Also promoted is Carina Sposato to VP in the company’s Los Angeles office,...

Exclusive: Grey Gardens writer-director Michael Sucsy has formed his HungryDuck production shingle by optioning Peter Radar’s Simon & Schuster novel Playing to the Gods.

Sucsy has written the script and will direct as well as produce the feature. The project will be taken out for financing shortly.

The pic is envisioned as The Favourite meets Amadeus. It tells the true story of French stage superstar Sarah Bernhardt, a pioneer in the culture of exotic, eccentric celebrity who became the world’s first A-list actress. Pitted in a rivalry is up-and-coming Italian adversary, Eleonora Duse, whose modern, naturalistic style and ability to disappear into roles without chewing the scenery revolutionized the theater. Their competition for queen of the stage ignited the most tumultuous theatrical showdown of the 19th century.

In his debut film Grey Gardens, Sucsy directed Jessica Lange to a Best Actress Emmy Award and Drew Barrymore to a...

As a young-adult author, Nina Lacour wants her readers to know that "there are lots of different ways to love people." Through her inspiring novels, she aims to make a difference by challenging the "typical" depictions of love.

"Writing is so interesting because it teaches you to write," she tells me over coffee. "As you work, your own work is teaching you." Lacour started out as an English teacher with a passion for writing. Now, in 2018, she's been awarded the Michael L. Printz Award For Excellence in Young Adult Literature. With every new piece, she's inspiring young Lgbtq+ readers through her beautiful and honest stories about love, family, and friendship.

Lacour says her work in fiction is a constant learning process, and she sees the value in writing about what's in her heart at that very moment. In early parts of her career, this wasn't the case. "I've tried to...

Stars: Angourie Rice, Justice Smith, Jeni Ross, Lucas Jade Zumann, Rory McDonald, Katie Douglas, Jacob Batalon, Ian Alexander, Colin Ford, Jake Sim, Nicole Law, Karena Evans, Owen Teague, Maria Bello, Michael Cram | Written by Jesse Andrews | Directed by Michael Sucsy

Based on the 2012 novel by David Levithan, Every Day serves up an intriguing blend of science-fiction fantasy and Ya romance. The film’s unusual conceit comes with a side order of problematic plot points, but the script and the performances ensure that its positive central message wins out.

Directed by Michael Sucsy, the film centres on a spirit known only as “A”, who wakes up every day in a different body, a bit like Sam Beckett in TV’s Quantum Leap. The bodies are always the spirit’s age (around 16) and always within the same geographical area, and A is careful not to meddle too much in the lives of each person he inhabits.

MaryAnn’s quick take… It’s not as daring as its endearing protagonist, and its fantastical scenario plays out rather lifelessly. But its gentle exploration of the fluidity of human physical and emotional expression is very welcome. I’m “biast” (pro): I’m desperate for movies about girls and women

I’m “biast” (con): nothing

I have not read the source material

(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto) women’s participation in this film

(learn more about this)

High-schooler Rhiannon (Angourie Rice: Spider-Man: Homecoming) has a new special friend: A, a soul who wakes up in a different body every day. Always someone of A’s age — also late teens — and someone in the same general geographic area, but never the same person twice. It’s Quantum Leap as a Ya romance, although unlike Dr. Samuel Beckett, who had to change something before he could leap again,...

Based on David Levithan’s New York Times Bestseller, Every Day tells the story of Rhiannon (Angourie Rice) who falls in love with “A”, a person who wakes up in a different body every day. Rhiannon and A end up finding their way to each other again and again, while dealing with the realities of their unusual relationship. Conveniently, this teen body-snatcher explains that they never wake up in a body too far away and the bodies A inhabits are always of a similar age, which thankfully eliminates some rather shady encounters.

Aimed at an adolescent audience, the film combines humour, fantasy and (a pleasant but sometimes cloying) sweetness to its characters and narrative. Every Day is a film that treads precariously between a teen flick and something that may appeal to even younger audiences; with its minimal conflict and quickly resolved drama, which many might find this verging on bland.

This captivating, thoughtful fantasy is like a teenaged Groundhog Day or Spike Jonze’s Her – just go with it

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Here is a weirdly beguiling movie, adapted by Jesse Andrews from David Levithan’s Ya novel of the same name, and directed by Michael Sucsy, who made the treacly Channing Tatum weepie The Vow. This is much better. I can only describe it as a metempsychotic teen romance, or palingenetic high-school fantasy. It doesn’t begin with any of the obvious comic or ironic palliatives to get you used to its bizarre high concept. It is offered absolutely straight, like a concerned “issue” movie about something non-supernatural. You have to just go with it, and not break the butterfly of its idea on the wheel of derision.

Since Daily Dead Managing Editor Heather Wixson gave it a five-star review at Fantastic Fest, we've been excited for readers to check out the zombie musical Anna and the Apocalypse, and now Orion Pictures has reportedly set a December release date for the horror comedy.

Deadline reports that Anna and the Apocalypse will be released in select Us theaters on Friday, December 7th, ahead of its nationwide release at a later date (that has yet to be announced). Stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates and check out the previous press release and teaser trailer below:

Previous Press Release: Los Angeles — Orion Pictures, recently relaunched by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) as a new, stand-alone U.S. theatrical marketing and distribution company, has acquired the North American and Latin American rights to John McPhail’s award-winning zombie holiday musical Anna and the Apocalypse. The announcement was made today by John Hegeman, President,...

Actress Angourie Rice sat down with <em>The Hollywood Reporter</em> In Studio to discuss her new film <em>Everyday</em>, based on the novel of the same name by David Levithan, and the pressures that come with starring in a film adaptation.

Rice tells <em>THR</em> that she fell in love with the book two years before she knew about the film and was immediately captivated by the story.

“I just picked it up at the library, thought it looked interesting, and I finished it in three or four days,” she said. “I loved it. I devoured it. I thought it was so great ...

The Nice Guys and The Beguiled’s rising star Angourie Rice spends each new day witnessing the love of her love inhabit a new person in the new trailer for Every Day.

Directed by The Vow’s Michael Sucsy, the film is based on David Levithan bestseller and stars Debby Ryan (Jessie – Disney Channel), Justice Smith (Paper Towns) and Owen Teague (It) alongside The Nice Guys and These Final Hours, Angourie Rice.

Also in trailers – Jason Sudeikis and Ed Harris star in new trailer for Netflix’s Kodachrome

The film is released in UK and Irish cinemas on April 20th

Every Day Synopsis

Based on David Levithan’s acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Every Day tells the story of Rhiannon (Angourie Rice), a 16-year old girl who falls in love with a mysterious soul named “A” who inhabits a different body every day. Feeling an unmatched connection, Rhiannon and A...