Screenwriter’s Weekly News Wrap-up for Monday, March 24, 2025

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◊Blasting Back to the Source: Neill Blomkamp to Write and Direct Starship Troopers

Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium) is set to write and direct a new Starship Troopers movie for Sony’s Columbia Pictures, returning to Robert A. Heinlein’s 1959 novel rather than remaking Paul Verhoeven’s satirical 1997 cult film. Blomkamp, known for blending sharp social commentary with explosive sci-fi action, will also produce alongside his longtime collaborator and wife, Terri Tatchell, who co-wrote District 9 and Chappie. Blomkamp and Tatchell’s District 9 was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture at the Oscars, proving their ability to adapt high-concept sci-fi into thought-provoking cinema. Blomkamp is represented by CAA and Gendler Kelly.—————————————————

◊Roommate Horror Returns: Single White Female Remake in the Works

A remake of the 1992 psychological thriller Single White Female is in development at 3000 Pictures, with Jenna Ortega (Wednesday, Death of a Unicorn) and Taylor Russell (Bones and All, Waves) in talks to star and produce. The original film, directed by Barbet Schroeder, was based on John Lutz’s novel SWF Seeks Same and co-written by Lutz and Don Roos (Marley & Me, The Opposite of Sex). No screenwriter has been announced for the remake yet.

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◊Aniplex and Crunchyroll Launch New Anime Production Company, Hayate

Sony Group’s anime powerhouses, Aniplex and Crunchyroll, have joined forces to establish Hayate, a new anime production company based in Tokyo. The venture aims to create exclusive content for Crunchyroll, further cementing Sony’s aggressive expansion into the global anime market, which has grown to $22 billion over the past decade. Hayate will be led by CEO Masanori Miyake and COO Leo Watanabe, both from Aniplex, and will leverage Aniplex’s production expertise alongside Crunchyroll’s distribution network and deep ties to the anime fanbase.

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◊No Regrets? Josh Boone Pens Paramount’s Next Colleen Hoover Adaptation

Josh Boone (The Fault in Our Stars) is set to direct and has written the screenplay for Regretting You, Paramount’s adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. The script is based on an earlier draft by Susan McMartin (After). Boone, known for his success adapting YA novels (The New Mutants, Stuck in Love), has a track record of translating emotional, character-driven stories to the screen. McMartin, who previously wrote for Mom and Two and a Half Men, has experience in both drama and comedy. Boone is represented by CAA and attorney Jeff Frankel of McKuin Frankel Whitehead. McMartin is repped by APA and Echo Lake Entertainment.

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◊Jigsaw’s Next Move? Saw XI Script in Limbo Amid Studio Disputes

Screenwriting duo Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, who have been part of the Saw franchise since Saw IV (2007), turned in their draft for Saw XI in early 2024, but the project has since stalled. According to Melton, the delay has nothing to do with the script itself but rather behind-the-scenes conflicts between producers and Lionsgate. The duo, known for their work on horror films such as The Collector, Piranha 3DD, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, crafted a script for Saw XI with a “timely” theme, similar to Saw VI, which tackled healthcare corruption. Dunstan and Melton are represented by Verve and Underground Management.

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◊Irish Gangs, 1980s Style: Chris Brancato Brings The Westies to MGM+

Chris Brancato (Narcos, Godfather of Harlem) has signed on to write and showrun The Westies, an eight-episode crime drama ordered by MGM+. Set in 1980s New York City, the series will explore the rise and fall of the Westies, a brutal Irish gang operating in Hell’s Kitchen during the construction of the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Brancato, represented by UTA, has an extensive background in crime dramas, including Hotel Cocaine and Godfather of Harlem, which is returning for a fourth season. Michael Panes will executive produce alongside Brancato.

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◊Graduating Early: The Sex Lives of College Girls Canceled After Three Seasons at Max

The Sex Lives of College Girls, co-created by Mindy Kaling (The Office, Never Have I Ever) and Justin Noble (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), has been canceled after three seasons at Max. Despite consistently ranking among the streamer’s top 10 shows, the comedy series is not moving forward with a fourth season. Noble, represented by UTA, stated that the season three finale was not intended as a series conclusion but aimed to provide a satisfying closure without cliffhangers. The show followed four college roommates, played by Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Alyah Chanelle Scott, and Reneé Rapp, as they navigated life at the fictional Essex College. Warner Bros. Television, the show’s production company, is reportedly seeking a new platform for the series.

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◊Amazon Renews Biblical Drama House of David for Season 2

Amazon Prime Video has renewed the biblical drama House of David for a second season ahead of its season one finale on April 3. Created by Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn (American Underdog), the series follows David (played by Michael Iskander) as he rises to become King of Israel, with season two focusing on the aftermath of David’s victory over Goliath and his path to the throne. The series has attracted 22 million viewers globally since its February 27 premiere, driving Amazon’s decision to renew. Erwin and Gunn serve as showrunners and executive producers alongside Justin Rosenblatt, Trey Callaway, Michael Frislev, Chad Oakes, Ethan Reiff, Cyrus Voris, and Jonathan Walker. Returning cast members include Ali Suliman, Ayelet Zurer, Stephen Lang, and Indy Lewis. Produced by Wonder Project, Amazon MGM Studios, Nomadic Pictures, Argonauts, Kingdom Story Company, and Lionsgate Television, House of David reinforces Amazon’s push into faith-based content.

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◊‘Solar Opposites’ to End With Season 6 at Hulu

Hulu announced that Solar Opposites will conclude with its upcoming sixth season, set to premiere in the fall. Created by Justin Roiland and Mike McMahan, the animated sci-fi comedy follows alien misfits trying to adapt to life on Earth. Dan Stevens took over the voice of Korvo from Roiland in season four after Roiland’s departure due to domestic violence allegations (which were later dismissed). The final season will feature guest stars including Tiffany Haddish, Kieran Culkin, Christina Hendricks, Ken Marino, and Alfred Molina, alongside regulars Stevens, Thomas Middleditch, Mary Mack, and Sean Giambrone. The series is produced by 20th Television Animation, with McMahan, Josh Bycel, and Sydney Ryan as executive producers. The final episodes will wrap up the main storyline while concluding the ongoing subplot about the shrunken humans trapped in “The Wall.”

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◊Changing of the Guard: Tulsa King Gets New Showrunner for Season 3

Dave Erickson (Fear the Walking Dead) will take over as the sole showrunner for Tulsa King‘s third season, replacing Terence Winter (The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire) and Craig Zisk (Weeds), who shared writing and production duties in season two. Erickson is no stranger to the Taylor Sheridan universe—he also runs Mayor of Kingstown and recently signed a multi-year overall deal with MTV Entertainment Studios. Winter, who created Boardwalk Empire and has a long track record of writing prestige dramas, was initially tapped as the head writer for Tulsa King before stepping back. Erickson, repped by CAA, is known for his work on Sons of Anarchy and as the co-creator of Fear the Walking Dead. Zisk, also represented by CAA, is a veteran TV director and producer known for Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Larry Sanders Show. Erickson’s appointment signals a creative shift as Tulsa King enters its next phase.

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◊Barking Up the Right Tree: Darren Aronofsky in Talks to Direct Cujo for Netflix