Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Roku

  • ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ Moves to Roku

    ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ Moves to Roku

    In a surprising move, The Spiderwick Chronicles has found a new home on the small screen. Originally ordered to series by Disney+, the upcoming series will now move to Roku. The news comes courtesy of Deadline with the outlet reporting that Roku has picked up the U.S. rights to the adaptation of the beloved books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black.

    “It is an honor to bring The Spiderwick Chronicles, a spectacular adventure-filled story led by the incredible Christian Slater and Joy Bryant, exclusively to The Roku Channel,” Brian Tannenbaum, Head of Originals at Roku Media said in a statement to the press. “We cannot wait to introduce this exquisitely crafted series, imagined by a world-class creative team, to millions of streamers.”

    The Spiderwick Chronicles will serve as the biggest title for Roku to date. As Deadline notes, to date, the Roku channel has mainly been the home to former Quibi content it acquired in 2021 after that service shut down. The series is produced by showrunner, Aron Eli Coleite, director Kat Coiro, Tony DiTerlizzi, Holly Black, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Jeremy Bell, D.J. Goldberg, Julie Kane-Ritsch and Grace Gilroy.

    The series, which consists of eight episodes, hails from Paramount Television Studios and 20th Television. It stars Joy Bryant and Christian Slater and is expected to debut on Roku in early 2024.

    Source: Deadline

  • Roku’s ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’ Biopic Has Wrapped Production

    Roku’s ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’ Biopic Has Wrapped Production

    Doesn’t it feel like they started filming the “Weird” Al Jankovich biopic just a few days ago? It has been some time but it still seems crazy how fast the Daniel Radcliffe-led project with the title Weird: The Al Yankovic Story managed to wrap production. We first got some set photos almost two or three weeks ago featuring Radcliffe as the titular star. Eric Appel is in the director’s chair to explore the story of a young Jankovich parodying his way up to stardom.

    It’s astonishing that they wrapped production in 18 days, and it’s great to see Yankovich‘s excitement for the project. We still don’t know just how much of his story this project will cover or how they might approach it. So far, we only saw Radcliffe rocking his original look when the comedian started making a name for himself, especially with his iconic afro and mustache.

    Yankovich has been heavily involved with the project and it wouldn’t be too surprising if he will also appear in the film as himself, or break the fourth wall now and then. If they already wrapped production this fast, it seems likely that the film could find itself on Roku before the year ends.

    Source: Instagram

  • Daniel Radcliffe to Play “Weird Al” Yankovic in Upcoming Roku Biopic

    Daniel Radcliffe to Play “Weird Al” Yankovic in Upcoming Roku Biopic

    Not the kind of news I expected but it looks like Roku’s upcoming biopic of “Weird Al” Yankovic has found its leading star. Harry Potter veteran Daniel Radcliffe has joined the project to bring the musically inclined comedian to life. The biopic titled Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, will explore every facet of his life as teased in the film’s description. Yankovic had the following to say on the casting:

    When my last movie UHF came out in 1989, I made a solemn vow to my fans that I would release a major motion picture every 33 years, like clockwork. I’m very happy to say we’re on schedule. And I am absolutely thrilled that Daniel Radcliffe will be portraying me in the film. I have no doubt whatsoever that this is the role future generations will remember him for.

    “Weird Al” Yankovic

    The piece includes some fun jokes by the talent involved, such as Eric Appel, who co-wrote the screenplay with Yankovic, sharing that he was forced to hear his life story against his will and then decided it was worth telling in a movie. He’s also set to executive produce and to direct the film, which will be made available exclusively on Roku. Funny Or Die and Tango are producing the feature, which is eyeing a production start in February.

    Source: Holylwood Reporter

  • Roku turns Toronto into NYC in ‘Most Dangerous Game’ Set Video

    Roku turns Toronto into NYC in ‘Most Dangerous Game’ Set Video

    Toronto has become the home of many productions. It’s quite popular for the CW network, which has shot many of their DC comics series in the Canadian city. It’s also currently the home to the Nick Sanora created series Most Dangerous Game. Originally premiering on the now-defunct Quibi app, it’s based on Richard Connell‘s 1924 short story. After the mobile streaming service closed up shop, Roku Channel purchased the rights to the series and gave it a second season.

    The rules are simple. You’ll have 24 hours to survive with hunters trying to take you down. Each hour you survive, you’ll get money. Liam Hemsworth‘s Dodge Tynes finds out he has a brain tumor, he takes the risk to ensure his family’s future. The series is currently filming its second season in Toronto, where David Castañeda takes on the lead role. @TOFilming_EM shared a TikTok featuring the series set as they turned the Canadian city into New York City.

    When Deadline reported the new lead, we got the confirmation the upcoming season takes place in New York City. The only confirmed returning actor from the previous season is Christoph Waltz, who plays a mysterious businessman by the name of Miles Sellars. He’s the one who offers the initial deal and organizes the hunts. It’s a simple but effective premise for an ongoing series. It’ll be interesting if we also see some familiar faces that return as the series continues.

    Source: Twitter, Deadline