Every week, The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBT-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend.
1) News broke earlier this week that director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, The Heat) finally cast the main roles for the all-female reboot of Ghostbusters, and out actress Kate McKinnon is among them. She will join Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy and SNL cast member Leslie Jones in the revival of the franchise, Feig revealed through his Twitter account. The film is scheduled to be released on July 22, 2016.
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) January 27, 2015
2) The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has chosen to honor BBC Films this year with the Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Awards at their annual BAFTA Film Awards. The production company has earned over 100 nominations for their work, including this year with LGBT-centered films Pride and Lilting, and the organization is famous for supporting local films. The ceremony will take place on February 8th.
3) HBO has green-lit production for the pilot of new show Virtuoso, from out creators Alan Ball (Six Feet Under, True Blood), Elton John and husband David Furnish. The series follows a group of musical prodigies in 18th century Vienna at the renowned Academy of Musical Excellence and stars Peter Macdissi, Alex Lawther, and Francois Civil and Iva Babic.
4) ABC has announced more of its pilot pickups for the 2015-16 season, which include a new drama from Shonda Rhimes (Scandal, Grey's Anatomy) and a comedy from out writer and advocate Dan Savage. The Catch (produced by Rhimes) follows a forensic accountant trying to balance work and love, while Savage's untitled semi-autobiographical comedy centers on a family that is turned upside down when the youngest son comes out of the closet.
5) Jim Parsons is poised to return to Broadway this season
playing none other than God himself. Parsons will star in the comedy An Act of God, which follows an existential conversation between God and two of His angels. The play will begin previews at Broadway's Studio 54 on May 5 for a May 28 opening.
6) Out R&B singer-songwriter Matt Palmer has premiered the music video for his latest single "Break Up". The video shows Palmer trying to get over the end of a relationship, juxtaposed with break up trademarks, like shouting and flying objects. "Break Up" is the opening track for Palmer's EP Stranger than Fiction.
7) It's been a big week for Adam Lambert. After signing a new record contract recently, Lambert announced through Twitter that the name of his upcoming album will be The Original High. He's expected to release the first single sometime in April.
8) MTVIggy has shed light on a dozen of up-and-coming LGBT hip-hop artists that are part of what is being called the "Next Wave of Queer Hip Hop". Featured artists include Stose, Kevin JZ Prodigy, Big Momma and Katey Red. You can listen to them and a handful of more performers here.
9) A group of filmmakers in Missouri are seeking financial backing for a short documentary that addresses transgender healthcare in America. The project hopes to shed light on the harsh issues that this community faces and share "stories from locals who are in the process of transitioning and interviews with medical professionals who work within the community." You can learn more about it and support the film by going to its Kickstarter page.