The Entertainment Factor: Universal: Movies, TV Shows, Music and Video Games

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Sunday, August 9, 2026

Numan Acar, Kevin J. O'Connor and Oded Fehr Join Universal's THE MUMMY Sequel

Numan Acar Kevin J Oconnor Oded Fehr Join Universals The Mummy Sequel

Turkish-German actor Numan Acar ("Young Sherlock", "Homeland") is the latest addition to the cast of Universal's highly anticipated new sequel to their '90s and 2000s "The Mummy" movies. Also joining the cast are franchise veterans Kevin J. O'Connor and Oded Fehr. The film will be directed by "Scream" (2022) and "Ready or Not" filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett aka Radio Silence, from a script by David Coggeshall ("Orphan: First Kill", "The Family Plan").

Plot details are being kept under wraps. There is no information about Acar's role, but O'Connor and Fehr will reprise their roles as Beni Gabor and Ardeth Bay, respectively, which were first introduced in the 1999 "The Mummy". Fehr also returned to star in the 2001 sequel "The Mummy Returns". Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz and John Hannah are also back, while Michael Johnson ("Obsession") is another new addition to the cast.

The sequel will be released in theaters on October 15, 2027.

Franchise veteran Sean Daniel is producing alongside William Sherak, James Vanderbilt and Paul Neinstein of Project X Entertainment, Clayton Townsend, Fraser and Hivemind's Jason F. Brown. Executive Vice President of Production Development Jay Polidoro and Director of Production Development Jacqueline Garell will oversee the production for Universal.

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Saturday, August 23, 2025

DARK UNIVERSE - Danny Elfman's Score for Universal Epic Universe

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Composer:
Danny Elfman

Total Time:
40:12

Label:
Back Lot Music

Purchase Soundtrack (click links):
Amazon Music,
Apple Music

Release Date
August 22, 2025

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Find more about the soundtrack (previews, track list) after the jump.

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Saturday, April 26, 2025

A COMPLICATED WOMAN - Slow Club's Rebecca Taylor As Self Esteem's Third Solo Album

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Artist:
Self Esteem

Genre:
Pop/Rock

Total Time:
45:00

Record Label:
Polydor / Universal

Purchasing Links:
CD, MP3, Vinyl, Apple Music, Spotify

Release Date
April 25, 2025

"The Entertainment Factor is supported by its audience. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission."

Find out more about this album release after the jump.

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Thursday, December 26, 2024

Christopher Nolan's New Film Is An Adaptation of Homer's THE ODYSSEY

Christopher Nolan New Film Adaptation Of Homer The Odyssey

Universal has finally revealed what Christopher Nolan's new film is all about. As officially announced by the studio via X, the film, which will be titled "The Odyssey" is an adaptation of the epic 8th century BC poem by Homer. Here's the entire post: "Christopher Nolan’s next film The Odyssey is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026."

Nolan's film will stars Matt Damon, Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o and Charlize Theron. "The Odyssey" is expected to start shooting early next year.

The ancient Greek poem is one of the foundational texts of Western literature. It tells the story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his perilous journey home after the Trojan War, exploring themes of heroism, loyalty, cunning, and the struggle against divine will. The tale includes iconic episodes like his encounters with the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, and the witch-goddess Circe, culminating in his reunion with his wife, Penelope.

The poem served as inspiration for many works of art, while in cinema it has been previously adapted into the 1954 Italian film "Ulysses", directed by Mario Camerini and starring Kirk Douglas, as well as the 1997 miniseries "The Odyssey" directed by Andrei Konchalovsky and starring Armand Assante. This year we also had Uberto Pasolini's "The Return" starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche as Odysseus and Penelope.

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Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Charlize Theron Joins Christopher Nolan's Next Movie

Oscar winner Charlize Theron is the latest addition to the all-star ensemble cast of Christopher Nolan's untitled new film. Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong'o have already been cast. The film will be released on July 17, 2026, along with a dedicated rollout in Imax auditoriums.

All plot details are being kept under wraps. The movie is expected to start shooting in early 2025. Several reports have stated that loglines or descriptions of the film that have been published to date are not correct. This marks the filmmaker's second collaboration with Universal following the Oscar-winning drama "Oppenheimer". The studio had no comment on the casting news.

Theron will first start production on the survival thriller "Apex" at Netflix, in which she stars opposite Taron Egerton, and Apple's heist movie "Two for the Money". She will also star in a sequel to the Netflix action movie "The Old Guard". Theron's previous collaborations with Universal include "Atomic Blonde", "Snow White and the Huntsman", "A Million Ways to Die in the West", and the latest installments in the "Fast & Furious" franchise.

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Saturday, November 23, 2024

Robert Pattinson Joins Christopher Nolan's New Film At Universal

Robert Pattinson is in talks to join Christopher Nolan's mysterious new film at Universal Pictures. The two previously worked together on "Tenet". Pattinson joins an impressive ensemble that already includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong'o, Anne Hathaway and Zendaya.

Universal has set a July 17, 2026 release date for the project (in theaters and IMAX). Universal had no comment on the casting of Pattinson. The movie is expected to start shooting in early 2025, but as usual details are being kept under wraps.

Pattinson is keeping busy next year with Warner Bros looking to film a sequel to his 2022 blockbuster "The Batman", and he's also starring in A24's "Primetime", a thriller inspired by the reality show "To Catch a Predator". Additionally, Pattinson's next feature, Bong Joon-Ho's sci-fi comedy "Mickey 17" is set to release in theaters on April 18, 2025.

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Friday, August 2, 2024

Britney Spears Biopic Lands at Universal With Jon M. Chu to Direct

Universal has acquired the rights to pop star Britner Spear's best-selling 2023 book "The Woman in Me" in a highly competitive bidding war, and will be adapting it into a biopic that will be directed by Jon M. Chu. Chu is currently helming the studio's two-part "Wicked" adaptation. Marc Platt ("La La Land") is set to produce.

Spears celebrated the new on social media: "Excited to share with my fans that I’ve been working on a secret project with #MarcPlatt". He's always made my favorite movies … stay tuned." The book was published by Gallery Books on October 24, 2023, and has sold 2.5 million copies in the U.S. The audiobook was read by Michelle Williams, and quickly became the fastest-selling in Simon & Schuster's history and was Spotify's top audiobook of 2023.

Spears launched to stardom with her debut single "...Baby One More Time", which was released in 1998 and became a smash hit, going platinum 14 times. In 2005 she won a Grammy. She also dabbled in acting, starring in the 2002 coming-of-age film "Crossroads", and performed worldwide on her "Piece of Me" global tour in the summer of 2018. Spears' conservatorship garnered national attention before being terminated in 2021.

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Saturday, April 20, 2024

Domhnall Gleeson & Sabrina Impacciatore to Star in New THE OFFICE Series

Domhnall Gleeson Sabrina Impacciatore Join New The Office Series

A new comedy series set in "The Office" universe is in the works from Greg Daniels and Michael Koman. It has been announced that Domhnall Gleeson ("The Patient") and Sabrina Impacciatore ("White Lotus") have joined the new show's ensemble cast.

Details regarding their roles are under wraps. In January, Daniels opened up a development room to explore ideas for a follow-up to "The Office". The new series will not be a reboot, but a spin-off of sorts, set in a new office with new characters, but in the same world as the original mockumentary series which followed employees at the Scranton, Pennsylvania, branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.

Koman's role should the series move forward would be that of co-creator alongside Daniels. A platform for the project has not yet been determined as sources say Daniels and Universal Television want to make sure the take is right before setting it up at a network/streamer.

Impacciatore can next be seen in Julian Schnabel's film "In the Hand of Dante", opposite Oscar Isaac and Gal Gadot.

Gleeson will also star in the Apple feature "Echo Valley" opposite Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney, and the streamer's "Fountain of Youth" alongside John Krasinski and Natalie Portman.

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Monday, January 8, 2024

Julia Garner to Star in Blumhouse and Universal's WOLF MAN

Emmy and Golden Globe winner Julia Garner ("Ozark") is set to star in director Leigh Whannell's "Wolf Man", the latest update of a classic monster from Universal and Blumhouse. The release date has been set for October 25, 2024.

Garner's character is described as "a mother whose family is being terrorized by a lethal predator". The film also stars Christopher Abbott, who previously worked with Garner in 2011's "Martha, Marcy, May, Marlene", which was her first professional acting role.

Whannell previously directed Universal's 2020 hit "The Invisible Man", which relaunched the studio's monsterverse, grossing $144 million worldwide. Ryan Gosling was originally set to star in "Wolf Man", before he was replaced by Abbott.

The film is written by Whannell, Corbett Tuck, Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo ("Dumb Money"). Jason Blum is producing the film. Gosling, Ken Kao, Bea Sequeira, Mel Turner and Whannell are executive producers.

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Tuesday, August 8, 2023

New Album Releases: DIANA ROSS - Special Edition

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Artist:
Diana Ross

Genre:
R&B/Soul

Total Time:
02:21:36

Record Label:
Motown / Universal

Purchasing Links:
CD, Apple Music

Release Date
August 4, 2023

"The Entertainment Factor is supported by its audience. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission."

Find out more about this album release after the jump.

CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE >>

Sunday, April 9, 2023

New Album Releases: DROP CHERRIES (Billie Marten)

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Artist:
Billie Marten

Genre:
Singer, Songwriter
Pop/Rock

Total Time:
43:00

Record Label:
Universal

Purchasing Links:
CD, MP3, Vinyl, Apple Music

Release Date
April 7, 2023

"The Entertainment Factor is supported by its audience. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission."

Find out more about this album release after the jump.

CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE >>

Sunday, March 26, 2023

New Album Releases: GOOD LUCK (Debby Friday)

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Artist:
Debby Friday

Genre:
Pop/Rock
Electronic
Rap

Total Time:
33:10

Record Label:
Universal

Purchasing Links:
CD, MP3, Vinyl, Apple Music

Release Date
March 24, 2023

"The Entertainment Factor is supported by its audience. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission."

Find out more about this album release after the jump.

CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE >>

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Julia Garner to Play Madonna in Universal's Upcoming Biopic

Two-time Emmy winning actress Julia Garner ("Ozark", "Inventing Anna") is being eyed to star in the Madonna biopic developed by Universal. The film will be directed by the pop star from a script by Diablo Cody ("Juno"), and Garner is in talks to star in the lead role. It is unknown exactly at what stage Garner's deal for the film is in.

She had long been rumored to be a front runner for the film ahead of over a dozen other actresses and singers. The audition process is reportedly a grueling one, as the stars are expected to be able to sing, dance and act, as well as work with Madonna herself on choreography.

Other actresses who reportedly had auditioned included Florence Pugh, Odessa Young, Alexa Demie, Sky Ferreira or Bebe Rexha. The audition process has lasted months.

No other details regarding the film's production or cast are available at this point. Amy Pascal is producing alongside Madonna for Pascal Pictures. Sara Zambreno and Guy Oseary will executive produce.

Garner is set to reunite with director Kitty Green for her next film "The Royal Hotel". The two previously worked together on "The Assistant". Garner is currently filming the Paramount thriller "Apartment 7A".

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Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Nicolas Cage To Play Dracula In Universal's RENFIELD Movie

Nicolas Cage is set to star as Dracula in Universal Pictures' upcoming monster movie "Renfield". The film will be directed by Chris McKay ("The Tomorrow War") from a script by Ryan Ridley ("Rick and Morty") based on an original story outline from Robert Kirkman.

Nicholas Hoult will star as the titular character, Dracula's infamous acolyte and henchman, who in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel was an inmate at a lunatic asylum who was thought to be suffering from delusions that compelled him to eat live creatures in the hopes of obtaining immortality, until it was revealed that he was actually under the influence of the vampire count. An origin story, the upcoming film is expected to take place in the present day, but it's not clear how faithful it will be to the source material

The movie is part of the studio's attemt to revive their monster movie franchise through several low-cost projects like "The Invisible Man" starring Elisabeth Moss. Other projects in the works include "Invisible Woman" directed by Elizabeth Banks and "Wolfman" starring Ryan Gosling.

"Renfield" will be produced by Skybound Entertainment's film team, including Kirkman, David Alpert, Bryan Furst and Sean Furst. McKay's producing partner Samantha Nisenboim will serve as an executive producer.

Cage will also be seen in Lionsgate's "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent" in which he plays a fictionalized version of himself as a cash-strapped actor who also acts as a CIA informant in a drug sting.

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Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Nicholas Hoult to Star in Universal's Monster Movie RENFIELD

Nicholas Hoult ("Mad Max: Fury Road") has signed on to star in Universal's "Renfield", the latest film in the studio's series of monster movie reboots.

Based on an original script by Robert Kirkman and written by Ryan Ridley ("Rick and Morty"), the film is an origin story for Dracula's titular unhinged henchman. "The Tomorrow War" and "The LEGO Batman Movie" filmmaker Chris McKay will direct.

In the original Dracula novel, R.M. Renfield was an inmate at a lunatic asylum who was thought to be suffering from delusions but actually is a servant of Dracula. While plot details have not been revealed, it is believed that the reboot will take place during the present day.

Universal is also developing other movies based on their classic monsters portfolio, including "Wolfman" starring Ryan Gosling and a "Van Helsing" film produced by James Wan.

Hoult can next be seen in the second season of the Golden Globe nominated comedy series "The Great". He is also set to star in the horror comedy "The Menu" opposite Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes.

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Friday, July 30, 2021

Universal Pays $400 Million for New EXORCIST Trilogy Starring Ellen Burstyn and Leslie Odom Jr.

Universal and Peacock have acquired the rights to a new trilogy based on the 1973 horror classic "The Exorcist". Ellen Burstyn will reprise her role from the original film and she will be joined by Leslie Odom Jr. ("Hamilton", "One Night in Miami").

The deal for the franchise reached the hefty sum of $400 million, which rivals the $450 million Netflix spent on the "Knives Out" sequels. Universal plans to screen some of the films on Peacock, its new streaming service.

The R-rated 1973 film "The Exorcist" directed by William Friedkin was a huge hit both commercially and critically. It grossed $441 million worldwide and received 10 Oscar nominations, becoming the first horror film to ever be recognized in the Best Picture category. Burstyn also received a Best Actress nomination.

Burstyn will return as Chris MacNeil, the mother who hired two Catholic priests to perform an exorcism on her demonically possessed 12-year-old (Linda Blair). Odom Jr stars as a father whose daughter appears to be possessed and seeks out Burstyn's character to help him.

"Halloween" reboot helmer David Gordon Green will direct the upcoming "Exorcist" franchise, which will be produced by Blumhouse. The first of the three planned movies is expected to open in theaters on October 13, 2023. Subsequent installments have not been dated and will potentially land directly on Peacock.

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