Henry Golding Might Star in the Next ‘G.I. Joe’ Movie

Good day, and welcome to another edition of The Monitor, WIRED’s culture news roundup. What’s happening this week? For one, it looks like we might have a new Snake Eyes. Also, Netflix is adapting a New Yorker sci-fi story and Phoebe Robinson is going to Comedy Central. Let’s get started!

Crazy Rich Asians Star Henry Golding Might Join New G.I. Joe Movie

According to a new report in Variety, Henry Golding is in talks to appear in the new G.I. Joe spinoff Snake Eyes. For those unfamiliar, the Snake Eyes character is completely unrecognizable, always covered head to toe in black, and also never makes a sound. In summary, one of the best-looking people in Hollywood right now is in talks to take on a role where he may never show his face.

Netflix Adapting New Yorker Short Story for Pyros

Netflix has another sci-fi project in the works. The streaming service just scored the rights to Pyros, a film based on Thomas Pierce’s short story “Tardy Man,” which appeared in The New Yorker last summer and focuses on workers who rescue valuables from the homes of the wealthy. The movie is being produced by Reese Witherspoon, who will also star, and Dark Phoenix director Simon Kinberg. Pierce will adapt his short story for the Pyros script.

Viacom Merges with CBS to Take on Netflix Et Al.

Earlier this week, Viacom and CBS, which had split into two separate entities in 2006, announced that they would be merging once again. The reunification brings together the films of Viacom’s Paramount Pictures (the Transformers and Mission: Impossible franchises, Interstellar) and TV networks (MTV, Comedy Central, etc.) with the CBS network catalog, which most notably includes Star Trek. Those assets combined should create a new competitor to battle Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and Disney in the ongoing streaming wars. “Together we will do more than we could have done on our own,” Viacom’s president Bob Bakish said in a call with analysts. “Simply put, the combined company will be one of only a few with the breadth and depth to … shape the future of our industry.”

Phoebe Robinson Is Getting a New Comedy Central Show

2 Dope Queens cohost and podcaster extraordinaire Phoebe Robinson is getting a new Comedy Central program. The as-yet-untitled show will be a half-hour unscripted series featuring “one-on-one interviews and unique experiences with pop culture luminaries,” according to Vulture. No word yet on when it might premiere.

More Great WIRED Stories

Read More