‘The Last of Us’ HBO Series Enlists ‘Chernobyl’s’ Johan Renck as Director

Madonna has revealed that the audition process is underway for her forthcoming film biopic.The singer and actor confirmed back in 2020 that she is co-directing and co-writing the forthcoming film, and later described the project as a “visual autobiography”.After announcing back in October that the script for the untitled biopic was “almost finished”, Madonna has now confirmed that auditions for the film are underway.Posting on Instagram overnight, the singer shared a clip of herself dancing to her track ‘Burning Up’, which was released in 1983.A post shared by Madonna (@madonna)“Auditions for my film are a surreal experience,” she wrote in the caption for the clip.

Future Islands have returned today (February 16) with a brand new track – listen to the groove-led ‘King Of Sweden’ below.The new song follows the standalone track ‘Peach’, which the band released last summer and was their first original track since their sixth album, ‘As Long As You Are’, came out in 2020.It’s not clear yet whether ‘King Of Sweden’ and ‘Peach’ are tasters of the band’s seventh studio album, which they confirmed in 2021 they had already started work on.For now, listen to ‘King Of Sweden’ below.Next week (February 21), Future Islands are set to head out on an extensive UK and European headline tour, their first since 2018.See the full list of dates, which include a show at London’s Alexandra Palace, below.FEBRUARY 202221 – Helsinki, The House Of Culture23 – Stockholm, Annexet24 – Oslo, Sentrum Scene26 – Copenhagen, VegaMARCH 20221 – Berlin, Columbiahalle2 – Warsaw, Palladium Warszawa4 – Munich, TonHalle5 – Zagreb, Tvornica Kulture6 – Milan, Fabrique8 – Barcelona, Razzmatazz9 – Madrid, La Riviera10 – Lisbon, Camp Pequeno12 – Nimes, La Paloma13 – Paris, Olympia15 – Utrecht, Ronda17 – Frankfurt, Batschkapp19 – Lille, Aeronef20 – Antwerp, De Roma21 – Cologne, E-Werk23 – Manchester, Academy25 – London, Alexandra Palace27 – Belfast, Ulster Hall28 – Dublin, Vicar Street31 – Newcastle, Northumbria SU InstituteAPRIL 20221 – Edinburgh, Usher Hall2 – Glasgow, O2 Academy Reviewing Future Islands’ new album ‘As Long As You Are’, NME wrote: “‘As Long As You Are’ maybe an unexpected handbrake turn for Future Islands and it may not be as hit-laden as its predecessor, but it’s a refreshing record in its own right and one that throws up plenty of existential quandaries.”

Here’s another walking-and-talking film from festival favorite Hong Sang-soo, encapsulating a sliver of Korean life with his customary elusive delicacy. Shot largely in creamy black and white, Berlin competition entry The Novelist’s Film centers on the meeting between two artists who, for different reasons, have simply stopped working.

The managing director of a kitchen company has been jailed for more than six years for his part in a £10 million cocaine smuggling operation.

Falkirk councillors have been challenged to leave the ‘gladiator style’ arguments behind and start co-operating ahead of a vital budget meeting next month.

Whilst every wedding guest outfit starts with finding the perfect clothes to wear, the accessories you team them with are of course equally as important.The biggest concern when putting together a show-stopping look is the shoes. If you’re looking for something to dance all night in, a platform heel will serve you well, but if it’s a destination wedding, perhaps a summer-style sandal will suit the warmer temperatures.

Long gone are the days when tampons and sanitary pads were the only period products available at your time of the month. If you head to your local chemist you'll find more options than you could ever have imagined, including menstrual cups, period pants and re-usable pads – there are now (thankfully!) so many options on how to handle your period. And sustainable period brand WUKA have now unveiled another intriguing innovation – period leggings that claim to absorb up to three tampons' worth of your flow.

Gary Lineker believes fans should 'probably lower expectations' of Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo and Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi.

Police are appealing for help to find a missing woman who was last seen leaving Fairfield Hospital.

Manchester boxing legend Ricky Hatton has confirmed his interest in making a boxing comeback this year.

A Salford -based criminal gang led a significant operation transporting drugs into Warrington, a court has heard.

Jess Hayes has revealed she's undergone breast surgery to get implants after feeling self conscious over her stretched skin.The 28 year old is mum to son Presley, two, and sadly suffered a miscarriage with her second child Teddy at just 19 weeks. cSharing several snaps and videos from her hospital bed following the surgery, Jess has now explained how her pregnancies and three stone weight loss made her breasts less voluminous.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO Max has ordered a new adult animated series titled “10-Year-Old-Tom.”The series hails from writer and executive producer Steve Dildarian, with Nick Weidenfeld also attached as an executive producer.“Not only is Steve insanely funny, he is one of the rare talents that can write, draw and do voices. He’s the triple threat that is the foundation of all great animated shows,” said WeidenfeldIn the series, Tom grapples with being corrupted by the grownups around him each day just by leaving his house.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDan Harmon has signed a broadcast network-only exclusive direct animation deal with Fox Entertainment.Under the deal, Harmon has received a series commitment for an adult animated series that is currently being targeted for a spring 2022 debut. Fox Entertainment will produce and own the series, with Bento Box Entertainment providing the animation.“Before joining the network ranks, I was an independent producer who had the opportunity to work with Dan on one of my very first projects,” said Michael Thorn, president of entertainment fo Fox Entertainment.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHulu is developing a comedy series about the notorious New Jersey theme park Action Park, Variety has learned.The half-hour series is based on the book “Action Park: Fast Times, Wild Rides, and the Untold Story of America’s Most Dangerous Amusement Park” by Andy Mulvihill and Jake Rossen. The book was acquired by 20th Century Fox Television and Hulu in a competitive situation.The show is described the almost impossible-to-believe story of the legendary, dangerous amusement park where millions were entertained and almost as many bruises were sustained.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe CW announced Tuesday an additional four series acquisitions as part of its summer lineup.Making their U.S. debuts on The CW are: the horror whodunnit competition “Killer Camp,” debuting July 16 at 8 p.m.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterStarz is developing a new comedy series titled “East Wing” with Debra Messing attached in the lead role, Variety has learned.The series hails from writers and creators Ali Wentworth and Liz Tuccillo, with Wentworth also set to star alongside Messing. The show is inspired by Wentworth’s mother, who who served as Social Secretary in the White House during Ronald Reagan’s presidency in the 1980s.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple has signed on to co-produce the upcoming espionage thriller series “Tehran.”The show tells the story of a Mossad agent who goes deep undercover on a dangerous mission in Tehran that places her and everyone around her in dire jeopardy. The series stars Niv Sultan, Shaun Toub, Navid Negahban, Shervin Alebani, Liraz Charh, and Menashe Noy.Apple has partnered with Cineflix Rights and Israeli network Kan 11 on the series, with Apple serving as the show’s exclusive streaming home.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAmazon has given out a series order to Jason Katims’ adaptation of the Israeli series “On the Spectrum.”The untitled series is described as a comedic drama about three 20-something roommates on the autism spectrum, striving for the same things that we all desire: To get a job, keep a job, make friends, fall in love, and navigate a world that eludes them. Rick Glassman, Sue Ann Pien, and Albert Rutecki, who each identify as living on the autism spectrum, Sosie Bacon, Chris Pang, and Joe Mantegna star in the series.“Having a 23-year-old son on the spectrum, it is deeply personal for me to get to tell this unique story of what it’s like to come of age as someone with autism,” said Katims.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJessica Chastain’s Freckle Films, Kristen Campo, and Endeavor Content have acquired the television rights for Alice Feeney’s new novel “His & Hers.”The novel tells the story of DCI Jack Harper and BBC newsreader Anna Andrews, whose paths cross for the first time following their divorce when a woman is found murdered in their hometown. Anna is reluctant to cover the case and Jack becomes suspicious of her involvement, until he becomes a suspect in his own murder investigation.Chastain and Kelly Carmichael will executive produce for Freckle Films, with Campo also serving as executive producer.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterBen Whishaw has signed on for the lead role of the upcoming BBC Two-AMC co-production “This Is Going to Hurt,” based on the Adam Kay memoir of the same name. In addition, Lucy Forbes has signed on to the series as the lead director and producer.Whishaw is set to play the fictional version of Kay, who is working his way through the ranks of hospital hierarchy – junior enough to suffer the crippling hours, but senior enough to face a constant barrage of terrifying responsibilities.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO Max has renewed its first original scripted series, “Love Life,” for a second season.The final four episodes of Season 1 became available on HBO Max on Thursday. Anna Kendrick starred in Season 1 of the show in addition to executive producing. Kendrick will remain onboard as an executive producer for Season 2, but the season will focus on a new lead character.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIn a competitive situation with multiple outlets bidding, Dakota Johnson is attached to star in and executive produce a mockumentary series currently in the works at Amazon.Titled “Rodeo Queens,” the series follows an ensemble of Rodeo Queen hopefuls as they compete for the coveted crown. A writers’ room for the series will open soon, with a full series order expected.Christy Hall created the series and will serve as showrunner and executive producer.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Batwoman” showrunner Caroline Dries reassured fans on Wednesday that there are no plans to kill off the character of Kate Kane following the exit of series lead Ruby Rose.“As a lesbian who’s been working as a writer for the past fifteen years, I’m well aware of the ‘Bury Your Gays’ trope and I have no interest in participating in it,” Dries tweeted. “That’s why it’s important to me as the showrunner to clarify any misinformation out there about Kate Kane and recasting Batwoman.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Promised Neverland” could be coming to Amazon as a live-action series.Variety has learned that the streamer is developing a live-action English-language adaptation of the popular manga series written by Kaiu Shirai and illustrated by Posuka Demizu.Meghan Malloy is set to write the script. The series will be directed and executive produced by Rodney Rothman, with Masi Oka executive producing along with Roy Lee and Miri Yoon of Vertigo.

Chernobyl, Johan Renck, has been brought on to direct the first episode of the upcoming adaptation of The Last of Us.The announcement was revealed during an interview with Discussing Film, when Renck revealed that he has been recruited to direct at least the first episode.Also operating as an executive producer of the show, Renck joins former Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin in production of the series. Neil Druckmann, who acts as Naughty Dog’s Vice President and creative director of the game series, will also be assisting in the production and writing of the show.“I’m an executive producer and attached to it.” Renck stated before adding, “I’m part of that series and I will be directing at least the pilot.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterTBS has greenlit a virtual comedy competition with Jason Sudeikis set to host.“Tournament of Laughs” has received a seven-episode order at the cabler and will premiere June 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

By Joe Otterson