The Tracking Board’s Daily Debrief (02.28.17)

Big Little Lies Star P.J. Byrne to Join Dwayne Johnson in Rampage (EXCLUSIVE)

As Big Little Lies unfolds on HBO, its school principal P.J. Byrne is nearing a deal to join Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in New Line’s Rampage, the Tracking Board has exclusively learned.

Ugly Betty Star Ana Ortiz Joins Voice Cast of Disney’s Wreck-It-Ralph Sequel (EXCLUSIVE)

On the heels of voicing Rafa on the Disney Channel’s popular animated series Elena of Avalor, Ana Ortiz has joined the voice cast of Disney’s untitled Wreck-It-Ralph sequel, the Tracking Board has exclusively learned.

Benedict Cumberbatch to Star in and Produce Melrose on Showtime

Benedict Cumberbatch is teaming up with Showtime on Melrose, a five-part limited series based on the semi-autobiographical novels by Edward St. Aubyn. Cumberbatch will star and executive produce, while David Nicholls is adapting the series.

More News From Around The Web

• Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls is getting a sequel, and stars Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake will be back for it. Universal set an April 10, 2020, release for Trolls 2, a date they had set aside earlier as an untitled Universal event film. (Deadline)

• After over a decade propping up the homegrown creators that have emerged on its platform, YouTube is taking a big step into the traditional television business. The Google-owned streamer has unveiled its plans for YouTube TV, a new live television service that will include a mix of broadcast and cable programming. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• HBO announced that The Wizard of Lies, its telefilm starring Robert De Niro as Ponzi king Bernie Madoff, and Michelle Pfeiffer as his wife, will premiere on May 20. The film examines Madoff’s infamous multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. Alessandro Nivola, Nathan Darrow, Kristen Connolly, Lily Rabe and Hank Azaria also star. (Deadline)

• IFC Films has acquired North American rights to Rebel In The Rye, writer-director Danny Strong’s movie about the early life of J.D. Salinger. Nicholas Hoult stars as the author and the cast includes Kevin Spacey, Sarah Paulson, Zoey Deutch, Victor Garber, Hope Davis, and Lucy Boynton. (Deadline)

• Nicholas Hoult has been cast in The Lobster director Yorgos Lanthimos’ next film — a period drama The Favourite that stars the already reported Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. (Deadline)

• ITV has commissioned Desire, a new five-part drama serial written by The Last King of Scotland screenwriter Jeremy Brock. Victoria and Poldark producer Mammoth Screen will produce. (Deadline)