Behind the Scenes Buzz

STX NEARS DEAL ON KING OF THE JUNGLE: STXfilms is set to nab distribution rights on King of the Jungle, a dark comedy based on the true story of tech king John McAfee. Seth Rogen and Michael Keaton are rumored to be also near deals to star. A wide theatrical release of film, based on a Wired article, is expected. After creating McAfee Antivirus software, the true tale goes, he left civilization and moved to the jungle in Belize where he set up a sex, guns and madness-fueled compound.

PET SEMATARY TRAILER DROPS: Stephen King‘s Pet Sematary has been terrifying generations of readers and movie lovers, and now it’s back. The first trailer for the 2019 iteration, starring Jason Clarke and John Lithgow, landed Thursday. The film will follow a couple (Clarke and Amy Seimetz) and their two kids who relocate from Boston to Maine and discover a mysterious burial ground in the woods. Horror ensues.

CASEY AFFLECK TO PRODUCE THE WORLD TO COME: Casey Affleck‘s production company Sea Change Media will produce The World To Come, with Mona Fastvold set to helm. Based on Sam Shepard‘s acclaimed short story, the drama will star Affleck, Katherine Waterston (Inherent Vice, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), the Emmy-nominated Vanessa Kirby (The Crown, Mission: Impossible – Fallout) and the Emmy-nominated Jesse Plemons(FX’s Fargo, Vice).

GYPSY REVIVAL IS ON: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel‘s Amy Sherman-Palladino is reviving Gypsy at New Regency. Barbra Streisand exited a previous revival of the film. Deadline reports that Melissa McCarthy is being considered for the leading role. Gypsy is based on the classic musical by Arthur Laurents, Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim, and tells the story of Mama Rose and her two daughters, whom she pushed into vaudeville.