| | | | What's news: Talks between the WGA and AMPTP hit a standstill after an eventful week. Bravo clarifies its stance on when reality TV stars can break NDAs. Star Trek: Prodigy fans get creative in an effort to save the show. A TV writer apologizes for his "epically horrible" joke posted in a private Facebook group. — Ryan Gajewski
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AMPTP Hires New Crisis PR Firm as Strikes Go On ►The studios are pursuing a fresh messaging strategy. THR's Gary Baum reports that the AMPTP has hired prominent Washington, D.C.-based crisis management firm The Levinson Group to assist its messaging effort as the double actors and writers strike grinds on with no end in sight. The studios' trade association has been under an unprecedented national spotlight in its four-decade history as the work stoppages lead to severe ripple-effect economic consequences. The story.
—Talks between the WGA and AMPTP are at a standstill. Following an eventful week in which members of the WGA as well as the AMPTP traded barbs following the publication of the studios' counteroffer, THR's Lesley Goldberg reports that no talks are currently scheduled for both sides to return to the negotiating table. According to sources on both sides, there remains no timetable for when negotiations for the group representing Hollywood's studios and streamers and the Writers Guild’s negotiating committee will return to talks. The story.
—"They are encouraged to report any such concerns." As the threat of legal action looms, Bravo is clarifying that reality TV stars can break their nondisclosure agreements when it pertains to "unlawful acts in the workplace." This comes as lawyers for Real Housewives alum Bethenny Frankel are preparing for a legal fight with NBCUniversal on behalf of a "significant number" of cast and crew members from Bravo, E! and CNBC series regarding alleged "grotesque" mistreatment and "draconian" NDAs. The story. |
Where Have All the DC Film Fans Gone? ►"It’s a swamp that even Swamp Thing would be hesitant to dip a mossy toe into." After a string of bombs and with a reboot on the horizon, Richard Newby writes for THR that Warner Bros. has to do more than make fans believe a man can fly. It has to make them believe that this time, there’s a willingness to see that flight to its destination. The story.
—"It's a battle against corporate greed." Around 300 Canadian union members held a rally outside the Toronto offices of Amazon and Apple to support the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes stateside. THR's Etan Vlessing reports that Law & Order: SVU alum Michelle Hurd and NCIS' Lauren Holly were among those attending the rally. The story.
—"The scale of this is massive." THR's Degen Pener writes that the Ukraine Children's Action Project, co-founded by pediatrician Dr. Irwin Redlener, is persevering in its quest to provide access to mental-health services, health care and education for children scarred by the ongoing war in the country. The nonprofit's advisory board includes celebrity supporters Joan Baez, John Cusack, Michael Keaton and MSNBC anchor Nicolle Wallace. The story. |
L.A. Sees Movie Theater Resurgence With New Openings and Renovations ►"It's shockingly optimistic." Three years after the pandemic forced a number of theaters in Los Angeles to close up shop, THR's Kirsten Chuba reports that the city is suddenly teeming with new openings and renovations. Cinépolis Inglewood Imax, Vidiots, Landmark Sunset and the Culver Theater have all opened in recent months, with the Vista and the Egyptian (and maybe ArcLight Hollywood?) set to reopen soon. The story.
—"A lot of the big agencies still haven't connected the dots." Indie powerhouse Fremantle — behind new titles including Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things and Sofia Coppola's Priscilla — is THR's International Producer of the Year. THR's Scott Roxborough reports that the company has gone from making reality TV mainstays like The X Factor to investing millions in cutting-edge specialty cinema and offering global creators storytelling freedom. The story.
—"We owe these Trek fans a pint and our lifetime devotion." A group of Star Trek fans have banded together to try and save the recently canceled Star Trek: Prodigy, which was axed by Paramount+ ahead of its planned second-season return. After gathering 33,000 signatures in a petition on Change.org and raising money via GoFundMe, the fans contracted a plane to fly a "Save Star Trek Prodigy" banner over the L.A. offices of Amazon, Hulu and Apple — including circling for 10 minutes over the Netflix offices on Sunset Boulevard. The story. |
Director Neill Blomkamp on 'Gran Turismo' and 'District 10' ►"You have no option but to root for him." THR's Brian Davids interviews filmmaker Neill Blomkamp about Gran Turismo, which stars David Harbour, Orlando Bloom and Archie Madekwe. Blomkamp discusses the unlikely true story behind the Sony film and gives an update on his long-gestating District 9 sequel. The interview.
—"I'm hoping people like this short, digestible format." THR's Lacey Rose talks to Michelle Wolf, whose latest special, It's Great to Be Here, rolls out on Netflix in three half-hour installments on Sept. 12. The irreverent comic chats about her decision to self-finance, produce and then license the special, along with why she finds jokes to be undervalued. The interview.
—"I was brain dead in that moment." THR's Chris Gardner reports that a comment in a private WGA Facebook group from TV writer Tim Doyle was made public as writers called him out for the questionable post. Doyle apologizes for the "epically horrible" joke gone wrong that used a lynching image. The story. |
This Week's Must Reads ►On the cover. In a year marked by personal tragedy and estate drama, Priscilla Presley, Elvis' famously private ex-wife, debuts Priscilla, a portrait of her tumultuous marriage directed by fellow showbiz royal Sofia Coppola. Ahead of the A24 film's premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 4, THR's Rebecca Keegan spoke to Presley and Coppola about the collaboration that will offer a rare look at Elvis and Priscilla's story from the latter's point of view. The cover story.
—The best of times and the worst of times. In 2023, the podcast industry put the brakes on a period of lavish spending and nine-digit megadeals and — much as its streaming counterparts did last year — followed largesse with austerity. And yet, more people are listening to more content than at any time since the heyday of radio. THR's list of podcast power players are those best poised to take advantage of this paradoxical moment. The list.
—"I don't think anybody needs to lose one second of sleep over how much money I'm making from Suits." THR's Lacey Rose spoke to Suits creator Aaron Korsh on what the explosive Netflix streaming numbers mean for the series' future. Korsh also discusses residuals and writer pay after a recent op-ed from a Suits writer. The interview.
—"Everyone is going to be bat-crap crazy." THR's Mikey O'Connell chats with Yvonne Orji about embracing her "endearing" Christianity and "crazy" Hollywood. The star discusses her book, using her manager as an "anger translator" and the pain of pitching: "Nobody knows what they want." The interview.
In other news...
—Oliver Anthony clarifies "Rich Men North of Richmond" message after song was used in GOP debate: "Nothing to do with Joe Biden"
—All Elite Wrestling CEO on turning a profit, a star-driven business and valuable event real estate
—San Sebastian Fest adds six films to competition, including Fingernails with Jessie Buckley and Riz Ahmed
—Events of the week: One Piece, Stand Up to Cancer and more
What else we're reading...
—Alexis Soloski asks what happened to the live-action film adventures and G-rated titles adults and children could watch together in the theater [NYT]
—Herb Scribner explores whether dogs will actually enjoy Drake's new album, For All the Dogs [WaPo]
—Amid the discussion over The Blind Side, Greg Braxton writes that the "white savior" won't go quietly in Hollywood [LAT]
—Darryn King talks to the mad minds behind Animaniacs and Tiny Toon Adventures ahead of the former's 30th anniversary and the latter's upcoming reboot [VF]
—Alec Karam examines whether Scooter Braun was ever the elite manager he was built up to be [Daily Beast]
Today...
…in 1973, Paramount unveiled baseball drama Bang the Drum Slowly at its world premiere in New York. The original review.
Today's birthdays: Chris Pine (43), Melissa McCarthy (53), Keke Palmer (30), Dylan O'Brien (32), Mike Colter (47), John Mulaney (41), Danielle Savre (35), Evan Ross (35), Annette Badland (73), Macaulay Culkin (43), Nazneen Contractor (41), Alison Steadman (77), Meredith Eaton (49), Kirk Fox (54), Chris Burke (58), Thalía (52), James Harden (34) |
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