Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Grease

  • Paramout+ Pulling a Warner Bros. and Removing Freshly Canceled Shows

    Paramout+ Pulling a Warner Bros. and Removing Freshly Canceled Shows

    Warner Bros. Discovery started a terrible trend when they started pulling projects from their streaming services. Not just projects they were licensing but also originals that weren’t readily available in any legal capacity outside of their specific streaming service. Then, Disney+ joined in by pulling some great shows like Big Shot and Willow, which were only released recently. It seems the streaming wars are slowly nearing their final chapter as Paramount+ is now pulling the exact same stunt.

    The streaming service has decided to cancel four shows, which include Star Trek: Prodigy, Queen of the Universe, The Game, and Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. Yet, to add insult to injury, they have also decided to completely remove the shows from the streaming service in the coming days. So, if you haven’t seen any of these projects and still want to check them out, this might be your last chance before they are gone. A spokesperson shared the following statement:

    We want to extend our thanks to our tremendously talented cast and crew and our producing partners for their passionate work and dedication on these programs, and we wish them all the best on their future endeavors.

    The depressing aspect of this trend is simply that it highlights the importance of physical media as who knows if any o these projects may be released anytime soon on other streaming services or on network television. Some actions are done for tax reasons, but they may not just wait it out before releasing the projects as part of bundle deals with others. The only question is if this is perhaps just the beginning of other purges from Paramount+.

    Source: Variety

  • New Details on Paramount+’s ‘Grease’ Prequel Series

    New Details on Paramount+’s ‘Grease’ Prequel Series

    Prequels and sequels to well-established franchises are all the rage once again. In a year where a sequel to Top Gun Maverick was among the biggest box office releases. Now, it seems another classic is making a return in the form of Grease with a new musical comedy titled Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies.

    The series will take place around four years before the original Grease in 1954, the heyday of rock ‘n’ roll. The series explores the story of four outcasts, who will spark a new direction for Rydell High. Creator Annabel Oakes shared the following on the series during a TCA panel.

    Our characters will get to experience from a different lens and how those experiences overlap with others with a marginalized identity. I think we have the opportunity to represent another struggle that overlaps with things we’re dealing with today like racism.

    Annabel Oakes

    The cast of the series includes Jackie Hoffman as Asst. Principal McGee, Marisa Davila playing Jane, Ari Nortartomaso as Cynthia, Shanel Bailey taking on the role of Hazel, Jane will be played by Marisa Davila, Tricia Fukahaara is Nancy, Madison Thompson‘s Susan, Jason Schmidt as Buddy, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper taking on Wally, and Jonathan Nieves as Richie. Justin Tranter, who is known for his work with Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, and more, will write the series’ original new music. The first episode is directed by Made for Love’s Althea Jones.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Grease’ Returning to Theaters to Benefit Charity

    ‘Grease’ Returning to Theaters to Benefit Charity

    Following the unfortunate passing of Olivia Newton-John, AMC Theaters is bringing Grease back to the big screen for a limited time. The classic 1978 musical is returning to 175 theaters stateside as of tomorrow with tickets set to cost fans $5. A dollar from each ticket sold will be AMC’s charitable fund AMC Cares, with the proceeds going to breast cancer research.

    “To honor the late Olivia Newton-John: many of our U.S. theatres this weekend will show her classic 1978 hit movie Grease, again on the big screen,” AMC CEO Adam Aron said. “An inexpensive $5 admission price, and through our charity AMC Cares we will donate $1 per sold ticket to breast cancer research.”

    Grease, which was to get a spinoff at HBO Max titled Rise of the Pink Ladies, is one of the most iconic musicals to date. Newton-John starred as Sandy, a high school student who falls for John Travolta‘s Danny Zuko over the summer, only to find he’s not the guy she thought him to be. The film was originally released in 1978 and proved to be an instant box office success after opening to $8.9 million and finishing its run with $132.4 million. It went on to become the highest-grossing movie of the year and spawned countless hits off of its soundtrack, including “You’re the One That I Want” and “Summer Nights,” as well as “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” which was nominated for an Oscar.

    Newton-John passed away on Aug. 8th at the age of 73. While her cause of death has not yet been revealed, the actress has publicly battled breast cancer since 1992. After going into remission twice, the cancer, unfortunately, returned for a third time in 2017.

    Source: Deadline.

  • EXCLUSIVE: ‘GREASE’ Director Randal Kleiser Helming Janis Joplin Biopic ‘PEARL’

    EXCLUSIVE: ‘GREASE’ Director Randal Kleiser Helming Janis Joplin Biopic ‘PEARL’

    Grease director Randal Kleiser will bring the tragic story of Janis Joplin to the big screen in a currently undated film titled Pearl. Casting is currently under way with an expected mid-August start for the film which will work off a script from Gregory Lee Kenyon.

    Janis Joplin 'Pearl Sessions' Definitive Two-Disc Edition Arriving In April

    Several Joplin biopics have been in the works over the last decade with none ever making their way to the screen. Kleiser’s version will portray Joplin as an “untrammeled force of nature” and explore the “crippling insecurity” that lead to the drug and alcohol problems that lead to her death from an overdose at 27 years old. The film’s title, Pearl, shares the title of her second and final album, which she finished recording just prior to her death.