In case you were worried about the continuity of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, never fear: Ving Rhames will be back once again for "Mission: Impossible 5." Director Christopher McQuarrie confirmed the actor’s return on Twitter, with Rhames reprising his Luther Stickell role. In case you forgot, he appeared briefly at the end of "Mission: Impossible —Ghost Protocol" and we’ll presume he’ll have a bit more to do in this next entry in the series. [via SuperHeroHype]
Paul Giamatti will play music manager Jerry Heller in the N.W.A. biopic "Straight Outta Compton" directed by F. Gary Gray. Heller managed the groundbreaking hip hop group during their rise to fame, but was also blamed by members Ice Cube and Dr. Dre for hastening group’s breakup by favoring Eazy E in business decisions. The film arrives in theatres on August 14, 2015. [THR]
"Les Miserables" star Samantha Barks has joined Idris Elba and Gemma Arterton in the drama "A Hundred Streets" (formerly known as "One Square Mile"). The currently lensing movie will follow "interconnecting London stories" and co-star Ken Stott, Charlie Creed Miles, Steven Mackintosh, Tom Cullen and Emma Rigby. [Screen Daily]
Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish, Ed Harris and Andy Garcia have come aboard the sci-fi "Geostorm" starring Gerard Butler. The movie will follow "a stubborn but charming satellite designer (Butler) who, when the world’s climate-controlling satellites malfunction, has to work together with his estranged brother (Sturgess) to save the world from a man-made storm of epic proportions. As the designer heads into space, the brother discovers a plot to assassinate the president." WTF. Dean Devlin directs with filming kicking off this fall in New Orleans. [THR]
The cast of "Orange Is The New Black" is getting bigger for season three, adding comedian Mike Birbiglia ("Sleepwalk With Me"). His role is being kept under wraps for now. [THR]
Christopher Lloyd, Jane Kaczmarek and Tekola Cornetet have come together for the indie family film "The Boat Builder." The story will follow "a one-time Merchant Marine captain who in the twilight of his years and against the wishes of his daughter (Kaczmarek), endeavors to construct a seaworthy vessel in his oceanfront yard. Abner’s scheme is complicated when he’s befriended by Rick (Cornetet), a bright, inquisitive child in a difficult foster situation." Arnold Grossman directs with production now underway. [The Wrap]
Thandie Newton has joined the sprawling ensemble of Ed Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Rodrigo Santoro, Shannon Woodward, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Angela Sarafyan, and Simon Quarterman in HBO‘s "Westworld." The actress will play a theme park madame in the series from J.J. Abrams and Jonathan Nolan. [Deadline]
"American Horror Story: Freak Show" is taking it up a notch for the fourth season, adding the world’s smallest woman Jyoti Amge. The new season will take place in the 1950s and center on one of the last remaining freak shows. [Variety]
Malin Akerman has joined Dan Stevens in the Oren Moverman produced "The Ticket." Ido Fluk directs the movie about "a sightless man (Stevens) who suddenly regains his vision only to be “blinded” by his obsession with the superficial." Production is now underway. [Deadline]