This just in: The STW Daily News Round Up featuring all the news that’s fit to (digitally) print for Tuesday, June 21st, 2022. What’s happening this week? Kung Fu Panda, Squid Game, and more!
Kung Fu Panda Is Back In Black
While the massively popular children’s films have gotten the series treatment a few times before, none of those iterations could ever boast a return of Jack Black in the titular role. But Netflix managed to lure the cherubic comedian into their new series, Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight.
That’s right, Jack Back is definitely back in the furry shoes of Po Ping, but whether Po is still the official Dragon Knight is unclear, at least according to the newest trailer dropped by Netflix.
The trailer shows no-good weasels Klaus (Chris Geere) and Veruca (Della Saba) acquiring a powerful weapon on Po’s watch, leading the emperor to take away his Dragon Knight title. In order to get it back, the panda teams up with the English knight Wandering Blade (Rita Ora) to prevent the two from collecting the other weapons the weasels need to destroy the world. In addition to these new characters, James Hong reprises his role as Po’s adoptive father Mr. Ping.
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight premieres on July 14th, only on Netflix.
May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor
In a move that makes the terrifying fables of Black Mirror look more and more like real life, Netflix has greenlit a 10-episode reality series inspired by the global mega-hit Squid Game. The new reality competition series will give players the opportunity to win a multi-million dollar prize.
Just like the scripted series, Squid Game: The Challenge will involve 456 players. But instead of competing for ₩45.6 billion (or roughly $38 million), contestants will be vying for a $4.56 million reward. According to a press release, the players will “compete in a series of games inspired by the original show,” along with “surprising new additions.”
Casting is open now via SquidGameCasting.com with filming taking place in the UK. The news comes just days after Netflix officially renewed the scripted smash hit for Season 2, with creator Hwang Dong-hyuk confirming the return of both Gi-hun and the Front Man.
Check out more on Netflix.
For Nathan Fielder, Practice Makes Perfect
Nathan Fielder is many things: A comedian, a disrupter, an actor, and a creative talent who excels at approaching art in an innovative style that makes people laugh as much as it makes them uncomfortable and challenges their expectations and assumptions.
And after a hiatus from television, the disrupter is back with The Rehearsal, a new six-episode comedy series coming to HBO Max on July 15th.
According to a plot synopsis provided by HBO, the series explores “the lengths one man will go to reduce the uncertainties of everyday life. With a construction crew, a legion of actors, and seemingly unlimited resources, Fielder allows ordinary people to prepare for life’s biggest moments by ‘rehearsing’ them in carefully crafted simulations of his own design. When a single misstep could shatter your entire world, why leave life to chance?”
Fielder wrote, directed, and stars in The Rehearsal, which marks his first on-screen role since Nathan For You came to an end in 2017. The project is a part of Fielder’s 2019 content deal with HBO which includes How To with John Wilson, a show he executive produces and was recently renewed for a third season.
He’s also attached to star opposite Emma Stone in a new Showtime series from the Safdie brothers called The Curse, which is slated to begin filming this month.