‘Ghostbusters’ Animated Series in the Works at Netflix, Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan to Produce (EXCLUSIVE)

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe Netflix action-comedy series “Obliterated” from the creators of “Cobra Kai” has found its first two cast members, Variety has learned.Nick Zano and Shelley Henig are set to star in the series, which was picked up at Netflix in May after having originally been ordered to series at TBS.The show tells the story of an elite special forces team who thwarts a deadly threat to Las Vegas. After their celebratory party, filled with booze, drugs and sex, the team discovers that a bomb they deactivated was a fake.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple has struck a multi-year first-look deal with Animal Pictures, the production company run by Maya Rudolph, Natasha Lyonne and Danielle Renfrew Behrens.The announcement of the deal comes after the premiere of “Loot,” the Apple comedy series in which Rudolph stars and executive produces. Under the terms of the deal, Apple will now have a first-look at all series and digital features developed and produced by Animal Pictures.In addition to “Loot,” Animal Pictures has Lyonne’s second season of “Russian Doll” at Netflix and Rian Johnson’s mystery “Poker Face” and a two-season order of adult animated series “The Hospital” created by Cirocco Dunlap.

Michael Colton and John Aboud, creators of ABC comedy Home Economics, are doubling down with Lionsgate Television.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRob Lowe and John Owen Lowe’s Netflix comedy series “Unstable” has added six new cast members, Variety has learned.Sian Clifford, Rachel Marsh, Emma Ferreira and Aaron Branch have all joined the show as series regulars, while Fred Armisen, Tom Allen and JT Parr will appear in recurring guest star roles.“Unstable” was picked up to series at Netflix in April, with the Lowes having created the series along with Victor Fresco. The show follows an introverted son (John Owen Lowe) who goes to work for his very successful, wildly eccentric father (Rob Lowe) in order to save him and his successful biotech company from disaster.

Netflix has set September 30 for the premiere of Entergalactic, the adult-animated music series based on the upcoming album of the same name by rapper, singer and actor Kid Cudi. The series hails from Kenya Barris and Scott Mescudi, better known by his stage name Kid Cudi, who also stars. The date was announced Wednesday during Netflix’s Animation Showcase at the Annecy International Film Festival. You can watch the date announcement teaser above. Entergalactic will showcase music from Kid Cudi’s album. The series follows a young artist named Jabari, voiced by Mescudi, as he attempts to balance love and success. Finding the latter brings Jabari a step closer to the former, when moving into his dream apartment introduces him to his new neighbor, photographer it-girl, Meadow, voiced by Williams. An explosion of art, music, and fashion, Entergalactic takes place in the only city that can handle all three: New York.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Lincoln Lawyer” series has been renewed for Season 2 at Netflix.The series adaptation of the book series by Michael Connelly debuted its first season back in May. The first season consisted of 10 episodes and was based on the book “The Brass Verdict.” Season 2 will also be 10 episodes and will be based on the book “The Fifth Witness.”It was also announced that Dailyn Rodriguez will board the show in its second season in the role of co-showrunner and executive producer.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe Netflix drama series “The Brothers Sun” has set its main cast, which includes Michelle Yeoh, Variety has learned.Yeoh will star alongside series regulars Justin Chien, Sam Song Li, Highdee Kuan, and Joon Lee. Alice Jewkin, Jon Xue Zhang,  Jenny Yang, Madison Hu, and Rodney To will appear in recurring roles.The show was ordered to series at Netflix back in February with an eight-episode pickup. It is set in Los Angeles and Taiwan and features an all-Asian writers room and all-Asian cast.

Netflix’s cutbacks have worried some in the industry that the content gold rush is ending. Producers at the “IP IQ” panel, sponsored by Deadline, at the Produced By conference, said there’s no need to worry. Girl From Plainville and The Dropout Executive Producer Liz Hannah, A&E Studios Head Barry Jossen, and UTA partner and Co-head of Media Rights Jason Richman said they don’t anticipate any slowdown in streamers needing content.

Netflix and Bioware are teaming up for a new animated series titled “Dragon Age: Absolution.”The series is set in Tevinter and features an ensemble of new characters inspired by Dragon Age lore, including elves, mages, knights, Qunari, Red Templars, demons and other special surprises. A teaser for “Dragon Age: Absolution” that was released Friday, which you can watch above, doesn’t give away many details — but teases plenty of action and lore from the award-winning video games. Since debuting in 2009, the video-game franchise has brought players into the world of Thedas with rich stories, unforgettable characters, and beautiful and deadly locales to discover.

After speculation among gamers that a Dragon Age series was in the works at Netflix, the streamer has confirmed Dragon Age: Absolution, an animated series based on the popular Bioware video game franchise, will premiere in December. We’re also getting a first look at the series in the trailer above. Netflix and Bioware announced the series Friday during the streamer’s Geeked Week event.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDamon Lindelof and Tara Hernandez’s Peacock series “Mrs. Davis” has cast Margo Martindale, Andy McQueen, and Ben Chaplin.The trio join previously announced series leads Betty Gilpin and Jake McDorman in the series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Dead Boy Detectives” series at HBO Max has brought on Beth Schwartz to serve as co-showrunner and executive producer, Variety has learned exclusively.Schwartz will now co-showrun the series with Steve Yockey. This is not the first time Schwartz has been at the helm of a show based on a DC property, as she served as the showrunner on the final two seasons of “Arrow” at The CW.

Ghostbusters animated movie and series have been announced.In a series of announcements to mark Ghostbusters Day (June 8), an animated feature film “with all new characters and a whole new take” was revealed to be in the works.The untitled film for Sony Pictures Animation will be directed by Jennifer Kluska (Hotel Transylvania 2) and Chris Prynoski (Beavis And Butt-Head Do America), with a script written by Brenda Hsueh (How I Met Your Mother).A Ghostbusters animated series is also in development at Netflix from Sony Pictures Animation, with Ghostbusters: Afterlife writers Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan serving as executive producers. No writer is attached to the project yet.A new animated #Ghostbusters feature is in development with all new characters and a whole new take – helmed by #JenniferKluska and @ChrisPrynoski, and written by #BrendaHsueh.

Yesterday was Ghostbusters Day, and at the official event on the Sony Pictures lot, the duo behind “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” had a lot to share about the franchise’s future. And that future is stacked with new projects.

The announcement was made on the Sony Pictures lot by “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” director Jason Reitman and his writing partner Gil Kenan Wednesday as part of “Ghostbusters Day,” a special event commemorating the anniversary of the original 1984 “Ghostbusters” release. As teased by the post-credit sequence in “Afterlife,” the sequel will see the series return to the Ghostbusters’ original headquarters in a New York City firehouse, where Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) is seen driving the Ecto-1 back to its first home.

On the heels of the newly announced Ghostbusters toon series in the works at Netfilx comes word of an animated feature based on the 38-year-old IP.

We’re getting the first look at Netflix’s anticipated anime series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners based on the Cyberpunk 2077 video game. The streamer unveiled the teaser trailer on Day 3 of its Geeked Week. Netflix also announced the series will premiere in September.

Netflix has revealed the full voice cast for Entergalactic, the adult-animated music series based on the upcoming album of the same name by rapper, singer and actor Kid Cudi. The series hails from Kenya Barris and Scott Mescudi, better known by his stage name Kid Cudi. Joining Kid Cudi in the voice cast are Jessica Williams (Love Life), Timothée Chalamet (Dune), Ty Dolla $ign, Laura Harrier (Hollywood), Vanessa Hudgens (Tick, Tick…Boom!), Christopher Abbott (Kraven the Hunter), 070 Shake, Teyana Taylor (Coming 2 America), Jaden Smith (After Earth), Keith David (From Scratch), Arturo Castro (Yes Day) and Macaulay Culkin (American Horror Story). The cast was announced Wednesday in a teaser trailer on Day 3 of Netflix’s Geeked Week. You can watch the clip above.

Wilson Chapman editorKid Cudi is inviting some friends along for an “Entergalactic” journey. As part of Netflix’s Geeked Week event, the first look of the hip-hop star’s new animated series has been released, revealing the plot and full cast for the upcoming show.Cudi, credited as Scott Mescudi, stars in the series as Jabari, a young, passionate artist who moves into his dream apartment next door to Meadow (Jessica Williams), a stylish and self-assured photographer. The show follows the two as they meet, develop a relationship and navigate their respective careers together.