Netflix is finally getting back in the game. According to THR, Netflix has just struck a deal with The Weinstein Company to license its films to the streaming service. TWC has decided not to allow other VOD providers to offer its films “The Artist,” “Coriolanus,” “Undefeated” and others in order for Netflix to have exclusive on-demand options for the hot properties. This goes down as a big “WIN” for Netflix, which has been struggling to boost its subscriber numbers ever since it dicked everyone over with price changes and a ludicrous plan to split its company in two. I’m actually glad this has happened since I have been paying for the Netflix streaming service, but have had nothing to watch. Damn TV advertisements keep getting me to buy the blu-rays instead of waiting for my instant queue to be updated.

Some interesting casting news has hit the Internet with regard to Michael Bay’s upcoming passion project “Pain and Gain.” The dark comedy now has two hilarious actors filling in some important roles: Rob Corddry (“Hot Tub Time Machine”) and John Turturro (“Secret Window”). The movie is about two Miami bodybuilders who get caught up in an extortion scam and a kidnapping gone awry. Latino Review has learned that Turturro is going to be a Miami businessman who was kidnapped, tortured, and left for dead by the aforementioned bodybuilders, but survived and enlisted the help of private eye, Ed Dubois, to get even. It looks like Dwayne Johnson (“Faster”) and Mark Wahlberg (“Fear”) will be playing the lead bodybuilding roles, with Ed Harris (“A History of Violence”) possibly playing Dubois. According to Variety, Corddry will play John Mese, a former competitive bodybuilder (how will they make this believable?) who now owns the gym where Wahlberg’s character works as a personal trainer. His past as an accountant and notary makes him a valuable though unwilling member of Wahlberg’s scheme. With all the casting coming into place this project is quickly jumping to the top of my must see list of 2013. All of these actors have proven themselves worthy of carrying a film one way or another; from drama to action to comedy, this film is going to have it all.

Screen Daily is reporting that an Elf and a median to the spirit world are teaming up to take on South Africa. Orlando Bloom (“The Lord of the Rings”) and Djimon Hounsou (“Constantine”) are set to star in “Zulu,” an adaptation of a novel by Caryl Férey. The film centers on two Cape Town cops who are called in to investigate the murder of a Sprikboks’ rugby team player’s 18-year-old daughter. Both actors have proved themselves capable of taking on a lead role. Bloom did an amazing job in “Haven” and the kick-ass/under-appreciated “Kingdom of Heaven,” while Djimon has captivated audiences from “Amistad” to “Blood Diamond.” I am excited to see these two working together, and I hope they bring some much needed realism and grit to the flooded film market of cop dramas.

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