Wicked star Cynthia Erivo has joined Karoshi, a ‘corporate action thriller with a samurai twist’. Count us in.
Cynthia Erivo’s movie star powers have reached a new level through the global success of last year’s Wicked. And with that film’s second part due to arrive later this year, Erivo has been decidedly busy both as an actor and on other projects.
This year alone she’s launched a new single, has a new album coming, and she’s playing the Messiah himself in the Hollywood Bowl production of Jesus Christ Superstar this summer. She’s also appearing in season two of Poker Face.
That’s quite the year, not least because according to Deadline, Erivo has booked in another leading turn in Lionsgate’s Karoshi, the latest effort (in an increasingly long line) where the studio looks to replicate the success of its John Wick series. Still, this one does sound watchable indeed, with the project being dubbed as a ‘corporate action thriller with a samurai twist’. Well, Lionsgate, you just sold at least one ticket, because that logline is the greatest thing we’ve heard this week.
Read more: Wicked review | A spellbinding musical adaptation
87Eleven Entertainment’s Chad Stahelski and his partners are producing Karoshi through their deal with Lionsgate. The film will begin production in June, with Takashi Doscher directing from his own script. Stahelski’s involvement will have Lionsgate hoping he can replicate some of that Wick magic, although we’re hoping that this one doesn’t exactly follow the John Wick and Nobody and mould ands instead leans a little more into ‘thriller with action’ territory. With a samurai twist, of course.
Teo Yoo (Past Lives, The Recruit) and Isabel May (1883) will co-star.
November 2025 will also see the release of Wicked: For Good, the second part of Jon M Chu’s musical, not to mention the globe-spanning press tour that will accompany it. Before then though, Erivo will wrap up work on Gina Prince-Bythewood’s film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children Of Blood And Bone. That production will see her star as Admiral Kaea, alongside an impressive ensemble including Thus Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Viola Davis, Idris Elba.
When we hear more about Karoshi, we’ll absolutely let you know.
