| | | | | | What's news: F1: The Movie is nearing $300m. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest could get the television treatment. Live Nation has pledged to fix the problems with Toronto's Rogers Stadium. Dakota Johnson is eyeing her first directorial project. — Abid Rahman
Do you have THR's next big story? Confidentially share tips with us at tips@thr.com. |
'Jurassic World Rebirth' Opens to Huge $318M Worldwide ►Still got it. Universal and Amblin’s Jurassic World Rebirth came in well ahead of expectations at the Fourth of July box office to hatch a new era for the Steven Spielberg-created franchise. In North America, the holiday tentpole is reporting an estimated five-day domestic opening of $147.3m, including $91.5m for the three-day weekend. Rebirth, the seventh title in the series, is roaring even louder overseas, where it opened to an estimated $171m from more than 80 markets. That puts the film’s global start at $318.3m — the second-best launch of the franchise, and the biggest worldwide opening of the year to date, after passing up A Minecraft Movie.
THR's Pamela McClintock writes that internationally, Rebirth scored the second-best international opening of the year and of the franchise. It even bit off a big number in China, where Hollywood tentpoles can no longer depend upon big grosses. Rebirth debuted to $41.5m to score the biggest opening of the year so far for a Hollywood title. Other top markets included the U.K. ($16.6m) and Mexico ($14m).
Also setting off fireworks at the box office was Brad Pitt’s F1: The Movie, which has already earned nearly $300m globally, including a 10-day domestic tally of $109.5m. From Apple Original Films in partnership with Warner Bros., F1 came in second over the holiday weekend with an estimated three-day gross of $26.1m. Overseas, it racked up another $56.3m for a foreign cume of $184.1m and $293.6m globally.
Universal was a double winner at the holiday box office as DreamWorks Animation’s live-action How to Train Your Dragon came in third place with an estimated $11m for a domestic tally of $224m. Globally, it set off fireworks in clearing the $500m milestone after amassing a foreign haul of $292.9m. Pixar and Disney’s troubled pic Elio came in fourth with an estimated $5.7m for a muted domestic tally of $55.1m. Overseas, it earned another $6.7m for a foreign tally of $41.7m and $96.8m globally. The box office report. |
Inside the Revolt of the Golden Globes' "Legacy Voters" ►Comeback efforts. THR's Scott Feinberg reports that the remaining holdovers from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association that sold itself in 2023, unhappy about the recent termination of their pay and other perceived slights, have reconstituted the HFPA and sought the intervention of California's attorney general. Scott digs into whether they have a leg to stand on. The story.
—"We are already making adjustments." Live Nation Entertainment is reworking Rogers Stadium, its new Toronto concert venue, following safety and accessibility concerns raised by concert-goers online after the inaugural June 29 Stray Kids concert. On X, Toronto councillor James Pasternak, whose York Centre ward includes the new Rogers Stadium, said safety and logistical concerns were raised with Live Nation during an urgent post-concert meeting. The promoter has to move fast as Coldplay has four performances set for the new Rogers Stadium from July 7 to 12. Another major test will come Aug. 24 and Aug. 25 when Oasis is set to fill the new open-air music venue next to Downsview Park in north Toronto for two concerts that are part of its current tour to mark the group’s first live performances in 16 years. The story.
—Not her fault! Lauryn Hill played to a largely empty stadium Friday night as part of the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture, after taking the stage hours after scheduled. While Hill has a bit of a reputation for late shows, this time it appeared out of her hands as Essence’s first day as a whole started late on Friday. Hill had been added to the lineup days prior — with the rest of Friday’s lineup including GloRilla, the Isley Brothers, Babyface and Maxwell. Coco Jones, who also stars on the Peacock show Bel-Air, was an unannounced performer. Singer Lucky Daye and Kandi Burruss’ girl group, Psiryn, were also early performers. The story. |
Netflix: 50 Percent of Global Users Now Watch Anime ►Massive growth. Netflix doubled down on its global anime strategy over the weekend, unveiling a slate of new titles and fresh footage during its showcase at Anime Expo in Los Angeles. The company also shared updated viewership data highlighting just how far Japanese anime has come in expanding from its former niche into a powerhouse global content category. According to Netflix, more than 50 percent of its members — amounting to over 150m households, or an estimated 300m viewers — now watch anime. The company says anime viewership on the platform has tripled over the past five years, with 2024 marking a record-breaking year: 33 anime titles appeared in Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English) rankings, more than double the number in 2021. The story.
—Back for more. CD Projekt Red is returning to the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners universe with a new stand-alone entry, which the game developer announced alongside the anime series’ showrunner during a panel at Anime Expo on Friday. The video game developer will once again partner with the animation studio Trigger for Edgerunners 2, which, like its predecessor, will stream on Netflix. The story.
—More to come. Crunchyroll revealed a new teaser trailer for Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End season two and debuted the anticipated series Gachiakuta on Friday at Anime Expo. Frieren producer Yuichiro Fukushi was on hand to confirm that the show is currently in the middle of production on season two, and that Tomoya Kitagawa will also direct the season, which is slated to debut in January 2026. The story.
—The Chief's story. Miloš Forman's Oscar-winning movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest could get the television treatment. Producer Paul Zaentz, the nephew of the film's original producer Saul Zaentz, discussed plans for a series during a press conference at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Paul Zaentz appeared at the presser with Cuckoo’s Nest producer and Michael Douglas. The two traveled to the Czech spa town to present a newly restored version of the 1975 classic as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. "We just made an arrangement with Ken Kesey’s family to possibly do a television series, but it’s based on the book, and the book was told through the eyes of Chief Bromden," the tall, deaf-mute Native American portrayed in the movie by Will Sampson, Paul Zaentz told reporters. "So the television series would be through his eyes." The story.
—🎭 Filling out. 🎭 The BBC has confirmed the full cast for Dear England, a four-part drama based on James Graham’s Olivier Award-winning play about Gareth Southgate and the England men’s soccer team. Dr. Who star Jodie Whittaker, The Crown alum Jason Watkins and British actor Daniel Ryan are new additions to the ensemble cast. The Handmaid’s Tale actor Joseph Fiennes will reprise his stage role as Gareth Southgate, the England manager who took over a team with a historically poor record in penalty shoot-outs. Whittaker will play team psychologist Pippa Grange. Watkins will portray former Football Association chairman Greg Dyke. Ryan plays former assistant manager Steve Holland. The story. |
Dakota Johnson Wants to Direct Her First Feature ►"It’s really close to my heart." Dakota Johnson is likely to direct her first feature based on a script by an autistic actress she has worked with. Asked by reporters during a press roundtable at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival about whether she will move beyond acting and producing into directing, Johnson replied: “I think I will direct a feature, a very small one, hopefully soon. And it’s really close to my heart and very close to TeaTime. We’re making it with Vanessa Burghardt, who played my daughter in Cha Cha Real Smooth . She’s an incredible autistic actress.” Johnson also said that she wants to continue telling female-centric stories through her TeaTime Pictures, avoid “toxic sets,” and would love to play a psychopath and an action role. The story.
—"He’ll do what he’s doing, and I’ll send him peace and love." Beatles drummer Ringo Starr recalls sharing some notes with Sam Mendes for his biopic on the musician. In a new interview, Starr reveals he and Mendes spent “two days” going over the script “line by line” and Starr “offered extensive notes” in order to make the film more accurate to his personal life and experiences. “He had a writer — very good writer, great reputation, and he wrote it great, but it had nothing to do with Maureen [his first wife] and I,” Starr said. “That’s not how we were. I’d say, ‘We would never do that.’” Mendes is directing four biopics on each Beatles member for Sony, with Barry Keoghan set to portray Starr. The story.
—MAGA chud backlash incoming. James Gunn is getting candid about the themes behind his highly anticipated Superman. In a new interview, the filmmaker and co-head of DC Studios opened up about what his new superhero blockbuster is really about, especially given the current political climate in the U.S. and Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policies. “I mean, Superman is the story of America,” Gunn explained. “An immigrant that came from other places and populated the country, but for me, it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.” The story. |
'Jurassic World Rebirth' Star Luna Blaise Is Just Really Excited to Be Here ►"When you get the call to do this, it's one you'll never forget." THR's Nicole Fell spoke to rising star Luna Blaise about her turn in Jurassic World Rebirth. The 23-year-old actress, who stars as the college-aged Teresa in the latest installment of the franchise, discusses working on the blockbuster and what she hopes to do next. The interview.
—"I talked to [Gina Prince-Bythewood] throughout to make sure that I was staying true to the DNA of the first [film]." THR's Brian Davids spoke to director Victoria Mahoney about her new film, The Old Guard 2. The filmmaker, an early champion of the first installment of the Netflix fantasy action film, discusses how she wound up directing the sequel and opens up on that cliffhanger. Warning: Spoilers! The interview.
—"[Heads of State] made me get the action bug, which I eventually brought to stuff like Novocaine. It was a dream come true." Brian also spoke to the in-demand actor Jack Quaid about his latest turn in the Amazon feature Heads of State. Quaid discusses the highlights of working with John Cena and Idris Elba, before recalling the evening in which he discovered that Tom Holland was a fan of The Boys. The interview.
—"I’m living the dream." THR's Lily Ford spoke to ever-busy Sarah Niles about her new film, F1: The Movie. Niles discusses Brad Pitt's leadership (and his love of Ted Lasso), worrying about what F1 fans would think of the film, and getting advice from racing superstar Lewis Hamilton. The Brit star also opens up about her turns in Heads of State and the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps. The interview.
—"I want a relationship like that with the director." THR's nicest man Chris Gardner spoke to actress Anna Camp during the Mediterrane Film Festival’s Golden Bee Awards in Malta. Camp discussed being cast in the upcoming seventh installment of the Scream franchise, and revealed she longed for a relationship Scream icon Neve Campbell has with franchise filmmaker Kevin Williamson. The interview. |
Julian McMahon 1968 - 2025 ►"Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans." Julian McMahon, the Australian actor known for his roles in Nip/Tuck and two Fantastic Four movies from 2005 and 2007, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 56. McMahon died Wednesday in Clearwater, Florida, his rep David Schiff, founder of MGMT Entertainment, told THR. The son of former Australian prime minister William McMahon and Lady Sonia McMahon, McMahon began acting on Australian soaps The Power, the Passion as well as Home and Away and appeared on the U.S. soap Another World in 1993. He transitioned to primetime TV with a role on NBC’s Profiler and spent three seasons on the WB’s Charmed . He memorably starred alongside Dylan Walsh in Ryan Murphy’s FX plastic surgery drama, Nip/Tuck, which ran for six seasons and earned him a Golden Globe nomination for his role as Dr. Christian Troy. The obituary.
—"Every encounter with him was a joy." Julian McMahon's former co-stars and more big names in the entertainment industry took to social media to mourn the Aussie actor. Nicolas Cage, Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs, Rose McGowan as well as McMahon's Fantastic Four co-stars Michael Chiklis and Ioan Gruffudd were among those who paid tribute. Nip/Tuck co-star Dylan Walsh shared a statement with THR , “Dear Jules, I know you like to flout the boundaries but this time you’ve gone too far. Let’s meet at the Biltmore, have a martini and we’ll talk this through. We’ll laugh hard, the valet will bring up your Hummer, and right behind my hatchback with car seats and bird shit on the window, we’ve laughed at this too many times. Now it’s just us. You’ll kiss me on the cheek and say ‘Bye Dyl.’ Good bye Jules.” The reaction.
In other news...
—Netflix teases new looks at Blue Eye Samurai, Beastars
—"Shape of You" is Apple Music’s most-played song
—Caitlyn Jenner’s manager Sophia Hutchins dies at 29
—Richard Greenberg, Tony-winning playwright of Take Me Out, dies at 67
—Young Noble, member of Tupac Shakur’s Outlawz rap group, dies at 47
—Kenneth Colley, Admiral Piett in a pair of Star Wars films, dies at 87
What else we're reading...
—Yasmin Rufo talks to Lena Dunham about her new London-set rom-com Too Much, as well as dating advice and her thoughts on fatphobia [BBC]
—After watching Squid Game S3, Brian Phillips zeroes in on the phenomenon of "ghost shows", that is, once-ubiquitous TV shows that are abruptly falling off the cultural map [Ringer]
—Alicia A. Caldwell and Elena Mejía report that the Trump Administration is adding 60 new facilities for detained migrants as ICE expects an influx of cash from Congress [Bloomberg]
—Yola Mzizi reports that brands are now influencing without using influencers by making their own influencer-like social media videos [NYT]
—Stephen Foley and Jim Pickard report that Tony Blair’s staff took part in a "Gaza Riviera" relocation project with Boston Consulting Group [FT]
Today...
...in 2017, A24 released David Lowery's excellent A Ghost Story in theaters. The supernatural drama, starring Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara, was a big hit with critics and boasts a 91 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. The original review.
Today's birthdays: Robert Eggers (42), Hamish Linklater (49), Ringo Starr (85), Eve Hewson (34), Sarah Pidgeon (29), Kirsten Vangsness (53), Jack Whitehall (37), Jim Gaffigan (59), Akiva Goldsman (63), Cree Summer (56), Tom Sandoval (43), Billy Campbell (66), Robin Weigert (56), Julianna Guill (38), Christian Camargo (54), Jorja Fox (57), Marika Dominczyk (45), Johnny Berchtold (31), Bérénice Bejo (49), Tracy Reiner (61), Mo Collins (60), Nina Hoss (50), Joe Spano (79), Martin Wallström (42), Sam Morelos (20), Lori Tan Chinn (77), Troy Garity (52), Karen Malina White (60), Alex Cazares (33), Bill Butts (39), Dylan Sprayberry (27), Jonathan Dayton (69), Allen Payne (57), Jessica Chobot (48), Jamie Flatters (25), Robia Scott (55), Sandy Johnson (71), Chloe Csengery (25) |
| Mark Snow, the Emmy-nominated composer behind the beloved X-Files theme song, has died. He was 78. The obituary. |
|
|
|
| | | |
