Nintendo selects New Zealand for its Legend of Zelda production, Jon Hamm headlines new limited series American Hostage, and Jason Segel stars in a Michael Bay-produced thriller
The Legend of Zelda (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
After the success of last year’s super Mario Bros. Movie, video game company Nintendo look to continue its expansion into film with a live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda. The film will follow Link, a young warrior destined to protect the magical kingdom of Hyrule from the forces of darkness. The land is under threat from Ganon, a ruthless warlord who seeks the Triforce—an ancient relic said to grant limitless power. To stop him, Link must embark on a perilous journey, battling monstrous creatures, exploring treacherous dungeons and solving intricate puzzles to uncover sacred artifacts that can aid him in his quest. Helmed by director Wes Ball (the Maze Runner franchise, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) and starring young actors Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and Bo Bragason as Link and Zelda, the project is scheduled to film in throughout New Zealand beginning in November.
American Hostage (MGM+)
Jon Hamm (Fargo, Your Friends & Neighbors) will star in the eight-episode first season of the upcoming anthology series American Hostage. Hamm will play Fred Heckman, a beloved 1970s radio reporter who finds himself in the middle of a life-and-death situation when a man named Tony Kiritsis takes a hostage and then demands airtime on Heckman’s show. The project will be overseen by Shawn Ryan (The Night Agent, The Shield) and Eileen Myers (Big Love, Mad Dogs), with filming scheduled for September in Winnipeg, Canada.
Sponsor (Platinum Dunes)
Jason Segel (Shrinking, Winning Time) will reunite with The End of the Tour director James Ponsoldt for Sponsor. The psychological drama follows Peter (Segel), who—after a drunk‑driving accident—is compelled into a court‑mandated recovery program in lieu of prison. He meets Jerry, a charismatic 12‑step sponsor whose support spirals into control, launching Peter into a harrowing “living hell.” The film will be produced by Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes, with principal photography scheduled for the Los Angeles area in early August.
