Olga Kurylenko, Kristofer Hivju Join Dave Bautista, Samuel L. Jackson in ‘Afterburn’ as Filming on Black Bear Action Adventure Gets Underway (EXCLUSIVE)

Good news for exhibition as Lionsgate is delivering two big releases this fall: The Dave Bautista action pic The Killer’s Game on Sept. 13 and the Mel Gibson directed Mark Wahlberg movie Flight Risk for Oct. 18. Again, we can’t be without film product in a marketplace that’s starving for volume.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Netflix may be a new-tech company, but it approached advertisers Wednesday with old-school TV talk: The company aims to make dozens of shows and movies that people like to watch and talk about. During an upfront presentation, executives from the streaming giant showcased a msssuve pipeline of content that included two Christmas Day games from the NFL, a year of WWE matches and a new movie that features the return of Cameron Diaz, who will come-star with Jamie Foxx in “Back in Action.” “At a time when the competition is pulling back, we are investing,” said Bela Bajaria, the company’s chief content officer.

EXCLUSIVE: Jason Isbell joins actors Shameik Moore (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Dope) and Paris Jackson on One Spoon of Chocolate from original screenplay directed amnd written by RZA who is producing the feature with producer Paul Hall (White Men Can’t Jump and Shaft), executive producers Talani Diggs, Mitchell Divine Diggs, and Joe Genier (Bigger).

EXCLUSIVE: Shooting is underway on Son of the Soil, a thriller from Action Xtreme out of Nigeria.

Alex Ritman Guy Ritchie has another film in the works that doubles down on the British upper class. The prolific director — already behind this year’s Netflix hit “The Gentlemen” and WWII action thriller “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” — has unveiled his 18th feature film, “Wife and Dog,” with Black Bear launching sales in Cannes.

Mark Damon, a film producer, sales executive, and spaghetti Western actor, died at 91, representatives for the executive told Deadline.

Pat Saperstein Deputy Editor The Jim Henson Company‘s live-action monster tale “Grendel” has rounded out its cast with Jeff Bridges in the role of Grendel, as well as Dave Bautista as Beowulf and Bryan Cranston as King Hrothgar. Also joining the cast are Thomasin McKenzie as Queen Wealhtheow, Aidan Turner as Unferth and, as the Shaper, T Bone Burnett, who will also provide original songs for the film. Robert D.

Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart) will play the title role in Grendel, a live-action monster flick from The Jim Henson Company, for which Palisades Park Pictures is launching international sales ahead of Cannes.

EXCLUSIVE: MMA Champion and The A-Team star Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has joined forces with multi-hyphenate Joel Silverman to launch Rampage ‘n J Productions, a new production company that will focus on Silverman’s specialty — biopics, book-to-screen adaptations, and TV dramas, particularly in the area of crime.

Katcy Stephan Gregg Araki is set to direct Olivia Wilde in his next feature, Black Bear’s provocative thriller “I Want Your Sex.” The film features an original script penned by Araki and Karley Sciortino (“Slutever,” “Now Apocalypse”) which blithely explores desire, domination and fantasy. When fresh-faced Elliot lands an exciting job for renowned artist, icon and provocateur Erika Tracy (Wilde), his fantasies come true as Erika taps him to become her sexual muse. But Elliot soon finds himself out of his depth as Erika takes him on a journey more profound than he ever could have imagined, into a world of sex, obsession, power, betrayal and murder.

Olivia Wilde (Don’t Worry Darling) has signed on to star in I Want Your Sex, a new thriller from director Gregg Araki (Mysterious Skin) and Black Bear.

EXCLUSIVE: The in-demand Sydney Sweeney, coming off hit rom-com Anyone But You and horror pic Immaculate, is shifting gears again as she is set to portray trailblazing boxer Christy Martin in a new biopic which could be a knockout for buyers at the Cannes market where Black Bear will be launching.

Samuel L. Jackson (Captain Marvel) and Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians) are set to lead thriller Head Games, to be directed by Anthony Mandler (Monster) from a script written by Colin Liddle (Penny Dreadful: City of Angels).

Alex Ritman Samuel L. Jackson and Henry Golding are set to lead the cast of psychological sci-fi thriller “Head Games,” to be directed by Anthony Mandler (“Surrounded,” “Monster”) from a script by Colin Liddle (“Penny Dreadful: City of Angels”) Range Media Partners’ Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Fred Berger will produce with Brillstein Entertainment Partners’ Josh Glick and Everlast Pictures’ Adonis Tountas.

Jaafar Jackson looks just like his uncle while filming a scene for the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic on Saturday (May 4) in Downtown Los Angeles.

EXCLUSIVE: Former Fifth Season film head Alexis Garcia has launched CAT5, an action film label that will be backed by his former employers, who are among other investors and partners to be announced at later date. As one of its first projects, CAT5 has signed on to co-finance Black Bear’s Levon’s Trade. The film is in production, with David Ayer-directing the Jason Statham vehicle that was adapted from the Chuck Dixon novel by Sylvester Stallone, with revisions by Ayer. Garcia joins as an executive producer. The film is in production in London and slated for wide theatrical release in the U.S. by Amazon MGM Studios on January 17, 2025.

EXCLUSIVE: DreamWorks Animation/Universal’s Kung Fu Panda 4 crossed the $500M mark globally this past weekend, reaching the milestone on a staggered release pattern that has worked well for the partners in the past (think Puss in Boots: The Last Wish). Through Wednesday, it’s at $324M international box office and $509M worldwide.

Daniel Zirilli, a prolific director, producer and writer of action films and more than 200 music videos including the Rolling Stones’ “Voodoo Lounge,” died April 28. He was 58.

EXCLUSIVE: Chris Coy (Lawmen: Bass Reeves) has been tapped for a series regular role on Netflix‘s drama Black Rabbit, as well as a supporting role in David Robert Mitchell’s Warner Bros film Flowervale Street.

Music icon Janet Jackson has confirmed a UK tour celebrating her 50th anniversary in entertainment. American superstar Janet will bring her Together Again tour to the UK, which also celebrates 35 years since her seminal album Rhythm Nation.