Ryan Murphy introduces a new American anthology series, Disney expands its Tron franchise, and Scarlett Johansson makes her directorial debut
American Sports Story: Gladiator (FX)
Following the success of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story and American Crime Story anthology series, the franchise will expand with American Sports Story. According to press materials, “American Sports Story is a scripted anthological limited series focusing on a prominent event involving a sports figure and re-examines it through the prism of today’s world, telling that story from multiple perspectives.” Titled Gladiator, the inaugural season will focus on the rise and fall of University of Florida and New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who tragically took his life in prison after a murder conviction. Stu Zicherman (The Americans) will pen the script and executive produce the series alongside Murphy, with Josh Andrés Rivera (West Side Story, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) starring as Hernandez. Filming will take place this February in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Tron: Ares (Disney)
Disney will continue to expand its Tron lore with this new sequel, which will expand the mythology and retro-future visual style of the Joseph Kosinski-directed 2010 franchise reboot Tron: Legacy. Academy Award winner Jared Leto (WeCrashed, Morbius) will star in the titular role alongside an impressive supporting cast that includes Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen & Slim, The Independent), Greta Lee (Past Lives) and Evan Peters (Mare of Easttown). The project will be directed by Joachim Rønning (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil), with filming set to begin in British Columbia in January.
Eleanor, Invisible
Scarlett Johansson (Asteroid City, Black Widow) is set to make her directorial debut with Eleanor, Invisible. Starring June Squibb (Nebraska), the film follows 90-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein after the death of her best friend prompts her to move from Florida to New York City in search of a new lease on life. Desperate for attention and connection, Eleanor develops an unlikely friendship with a 19-year-old NYU student. Production is set to begin on January 15 in New York City.
