Casting News, Oscar Nominees, and Industry Moves Shake Up the Entertainment World

A week of surprises and milestones in film, theater, and documentary

AI-Synthesized from 5 sources

By Emergent News Desk

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Casting News, Oscar Nominees, and Industry Moves Shake Up the Entertainment World

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A week of surprises and milestones in film, theater, and documentary

The past week has seen a flurry of activity in the entertainment world, with casting announcements, Oscar nominations, and industry moves making headlines. Here's a rundown of the latest developments:

Hudson Williams' casting in Crave's adaptation of "Yaga" has sent physical screenplay sales soaring. According to Variety, the screenplay, written by Kat Sandler, instantly sold out online and has now returned to the top of bestseller lists on Amazon. The news is a testament to the excitement surrounding the project and the popularity of Williams, known for his role in "Heated Rivalry".

In other news, the Broadway world is mourning the loss of Sondra Lee, a talented actress who originated the role of Tiger Lily in the original Broadway production of "Peter Pan" and played the energetic young shop assistant Minnie Fay in "Hello, Dolly!". Lee passed away on February 23 at the age of 97, leaving behind a legacy of iconic performances.

Meanwhile, filmmaker Petra Volpe has signed with UTA for representation in all areas. Volpe is known for her work on films like "Heidi" and "Late Shift", and her English-language debut, "Frank & Louis", which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The move is seen as a significant step in Volpe's career, and industry insiders are eager to see what she will work on next.

In documentary news, Together Films has acquired world rights to Kenya-Jade Pinto's feature doc debut, "The Sandbox", ahead of its world premiere at CPH:DOX. The film explores modern border control and the use of surveillance, AI, and militarization, and features testimony from survivors, journalists, and witnesses.

On the awards circuit, Elle Fanning is still reeling from her first Oscar nomination for her work in Neon's "Sentimental Value". Fanning told The Hollywood Reporter that she wasn't expecting the nomination and was "dead asleep" when the announcements were made. The actress, who has been in the industry since she was a child, says she likes to be "terrified" and is looking forward to the challenge of her next project.

As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, it's clear that there are many exciting developments on the horizon. From casting announcements to Oscar nominations, it's shaping up to be a thrilling year for film, theater, and documentary enthusiasts alike.

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