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Lego Live-Action TV Musical
The Lego Group has announced a major new project, marking its first-ever live-action TV endeavor. The company has enlisted Kenny Ortega, known for his work on High School Musical, as the executive producer for a Lego Friends musical special set in the world of Heartlake City. Filming is scheduled to begin in London this August, with an expected release in 2026. The story centers around a girl who builds a world from Lego bricks and is magically transported to Heartlake City. Ortega expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating that his family and he are big fans of Lego. He also highlighted the collaboration with Final Pixel, a leader in virtual production, and praised his longtime creative partner, Paul Becker, for joining the project.
Roel Reiné Thriller
Indie Rebel Entertainment has completed principal photography on the survival thriller Love Hate Hunt Kill, directed by Roel Reiné, known for his work on Black Sails. The film follows Luna (Kimi Alexander), who believes she is embarking on a romantic escape with her fiancé Alex (James Oliver Wheatley) into the desert. However, as their relationship unravels, their trip turns dangerous when a masked hunter emerges from the wasteland, stalking them in a sinister game. Meanwhile, a comet—possibly an alien probe—draws closer to Earth, heightening the tension. The low-budget indie film was shot using compact high-end cameras in harsh environments, and it incorporates visual effects created through AI tools during post-production.
Compañía de Cine Acquisition
Compañía de Cine, a sales agency based in Buenos Aires and Montevideo, has acquired the international sales rights for Fernlicht (Headlights). The film will have its world premiere at the 36th edition of FIDMarseille, running from July 8–13, 2025. Directed by Johanna Schorn Kalinsky and co-written with Sebastian Ladwig, the film stars Marie Bloching in the lead role of Alex, a Berlin cocaine taxi driver whose journey through memory and grief unfolds across four car rides in different seasons. The movie is a co-production between Nabis and Grandfilm.
Freestyle Comedy Pickup
Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution arm of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, has acquired VOD rights to the coming-of-age comedy Magnetosphere, which will be available later this month. Set in 1997, the film follows teenager Maggie Campion, who can see sounds and hear colors, experiencing the world in a heightened way. Written and directed by Nicola Rose, the film was produced by Tierney Boorboor, Rebeka Herron, and Drew Martin. It features a cast including Shayelin Martin, Patrick McKenna, Colin Mochrie, Steven He, Debra McGrath, Tara Strong, Tania Webb, Mikayla Kong, and Zooey Schneider.
Bournemouth Festival
In the UK, the Bournemouth International Film Festival (BIFF) will take place from October 3–4, 2025, at the Hilton Bournemouth. Organizers describe the event as a platform for emerging talent, featuring films from first-time filmmakers. With the theme of “empowerment,” the festival aims to showcase new voices and provide opportunities for creative careers. Festival director Steve McCarten emphasized the importance of creating a space that is accessible, affordable, and focused on making an impact through meaningful industry connections and knowledge-sharing.
Additional Industry News
Other notable developments include Jake Kasdan, Patty Jenkins, and Joe Cornish being set to direct live-action Lego movies for Universal. Additionally, Pharrell Williams expressed gratitude to Lego for helping tell his “origin story” in the documentary Piece By Piece.
