Apple TV Streams New Movies Across Drama, Holidays, and Romance
Apple TV is building out its movie slate with three new movies that add drama, holiday fiction, and romance to its growing lineup. Apple Original Films has acquired a high-profile sports biopic, lined up a new Christmas feature, and acquired the rights to an upcoming adaptation of a best-selling novel. Together, these projects show how Apple TV continues to invest in star-driven and director-led films across all genres.
The broadcaster has relied heavily on original movies in recent years, and these latest additions show that Apple plans to keep up that pace. Each project brings established talent in front of and behind the camera, while targeting different audiences.
According to Deadline, Apple Original Films won a competitive auction for the Lance Armstrong biopic package starring Austin Butler, and the deal closed after several major studios competed for the rights.
Biopic of Lance Armstrong starring Austin Butler
Edward Berger, who directed The Conclave, will helm the Armstrong film, with Zach Baylin writing the script. Austin Butler will portray Armstrong in a story that traces both the cyclist’s historic triumph and his dramatic fall from grace. The film combines the intensity of F1: The Movie with an edge driven by the Raging Bull actor and The Wolf of Wall Street, as it explores Armstrong’s battle with cancer, his seven Tour de France titles, and his eventual acceptance of blood transfusions.
This is the first time that Armstrong has signed away his life rights for a feature film. Producer Scott Stuber worked for years to secure those rights and made it clear that he wanted to tell the complete story without holding anything back. After lengthy negotiations, Armstrong agreed. Apple Studios will produce the film alongside Stuber, Nick Nesbitt, and Berger.
Butler previously appeared in Apple TV’s World War II drama Masters of the Air, and this role continues his streak of working with high-profile directors.
The holiday movie Foster the Snowman
Apple TV is also moving forward with a new holiday movie titled Foster the Snowman. Hikari, who recently directed Rental Family for Searchlight, will direct the project. Apple secured the rights to the idea last year, and with a director now attached, the film is moving into production.
Story from Jono Matt and Peter Huyck. The film follows a childless couple who must navigate all the stages of parenthood in just 72 hours after taking the magical snowman of a lifetime from that brief window. The pitch describes a high-concept Christmas film with the warmth of It’s A Wonderful Life and the humor of Elf, built around a family-friendly central character like Paddington.
Apple has made holiday releases a consistent part of its strategy, and Foster the Snowman fits that pattern while offering a new angle on fantasy.
Once Upon a Time adaptation from Rebecca Serle
In addition, Apple has reportedly secured the rights to Once Upon a Time, an upcoming romance novel from bestselling author Rebecca Serle. Serle is known for popular titles such as In Five Years, One Italian Summer, and The Dinner List.
It also centers on Lauren Novak, a Malibu native whose marriage begins to crumble when her husband takes a summer job in New York. He returns to his hometown and uncovers a closely guarded family secret: the women of his family can turn back time once in their lives. The story combines romance and light fantasy, drawing comparisons to The Time Traveller’s Wife and The Lake House.
The novel is being released in hardcover on March 10, and Apple’s first move to protect this signal speaks volumes for its potential as a feature film.
With these three new movies, Apple TV solidifies its upcoming slate in multiple genres while continuing to attract great directors, writers, and stars to Apple Original Films.
