| | | | | | What's news: Billie Eilish's James Cameron-directed concert doc is headed to theaters. Netflix's Too Much will end with one season, and the streamer has ordered A24's Trigger Point to series. Jamaican reggae legend Jimmy Cliff has died. And Kendrick Lamar's comedy from Trey Parker and Matt Stone has been pushed back yet again. — Abid Rahman
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'Wicked For Good' Opens to Massive $226M WW ►Woof! Universal’s Thanksgiving tentpole Wicked: For Good opened to a record-smashing $150m in North America and $226m worldwide after topping Friday’s North American chart with a massive $68.7m from 4,115 theaters (that number includes $30.8m in previews). Audiences are more than embracing the pic, giving it an A Cinemascore and a glowing 95 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It earned rave exit numbers on Comscore; kids in particular were enthralled. Overseas, it likewise opened to a record-busting $76m from 78 markets for a global start of $226m.
THR's Pamela McClintock writes that the female-fueled movie shattered numerous opening records everywheree. Domestically, it boasts the biggest start ever for a Broadway musical adaptation after besting last year’s Wicked ($112.5m) and the third-biggest of all time among any musical behind 2019’s The Lion King and 2017’s Beauty and the Beast, not adjusted for inflation. It is also the second-biggest North American opening ever for a Universal title behind Jurassic World ($208.8m); the second-best for the weekend before Thanksgiving behind The Hunger Games: Catching Fire ($158.1m); and the second-best 3-day launch of 2025 to date behind A Minecraft Movie ($208.9m). The box office report.
—Woof, woof! In an exceedingly rare win for arthouse cinema in China, Bi Gan's beguiling drama Resurrection opened at the top of the country’s box office over the weekend, earning a healthy $16.5m. The film, Gan’s third feature, was a sensation at the Cannes Film Festival in May, earning rave reviews from cinephiles and winning a “special prize” from the event’s jury, chaired by Juliette Binoche. Janus Films quickly snapped up North American rights and has set a release date for Resurrection in U.S. theaters on Dec. 12. The China box office report. |
HBO Max's Big Plan: Be HBO Again ►"The streaming industry’s race for volume, years ago, found many brands losing their identity." In a world where Netflix and YouTube have become video utilities, media companies like Warner Bros. Discovery need something else to stand on. So, writes THR's Alex Weprin, HBO and HBO Max chairman and CEO Casey Bloys has been undertaking an effort to make Max HBO again. That started, of course, with the surprise announcement in May that the company was rebranding. The analysis.
—🤝 Staying put. 🤝 UTA is staying put in Beverly Hills at its longtime headquarters. The David Kramer-run Big Three representation giant inked a long-term lease at Civic Center Drive with the building’s owner, investment firm DivCore Capital, which unveiled the new deal. (The year that the lease runs through wasn’t disclosed.) The agency occupies two four-story buildings and 192,000-square-feet as the sole tenant of the complex, which originally was Hilton Hotels’ HQ when it opened in 1985. The story.
—"A disgusting service." Singer Olivia Dean is calling out Live Nation, Ticketmaster and AEG over resale prices listed for her The Art of Loving Live Tour, claiming the ticketing services were listing tickets for resale at exorbitant markups to her disapproval. “I’m sorry that there seems to be an issue with ticket re-selling and pricing,” Dean wrote on an Instagram story on Friday. “My team are currently looking into it. It is extremely frustrating, as the last thing I want is for anyone to be scammed or overcharged for our show.” She said that Live Nation, Ticketmaster and AEG “are providing a disgusting service,” further writing that “the prices at which you’re allowing tickets to be re-sold is vile and completely against our wishes.” The story.
—"They say everybody has two lives and the second life starts when you realize you have one." Donald Glover revealed that severe health scares forced him to abruptly cancel the remainder of his New World Tour last year. While performing at Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw on Saturday, Glover, who performs under his Childish Gambino moniker, opened up about learning he had a stroke. The 42-year-old went on to explain other issues he had endured including a broken foot and a hole in his heart being discovered. The story. |
Bannon Was Planning Pro-Epstein Doc — On Day of Epstein's Arrest ►"If we arrange it can we film on the island?" Delving into Jeffrey Epstein's emails, THR's Winston Cho and Steven Zeitchik reveal that close Trump ally Steve Bannon was making arrangements for a redemptive documentary about the disgraced financier to counter damaging narratives advanced by Netflix's Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich. Filmed on location in Little St. John Island, the abandoned project was going to feature testimonials by Epstein pals like Michael Wolff. The story.
—"Anybody who has got relevant information in relation to these kind of cases should give that evidence to those that need it." Pressure is increasing for the former Prince Andrew to give evidence to a U.S. congressional committee investigating the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after Britain’s prime minister suggested he should testify. Keir Starmer declined to comment directly about King Charles III’s disgraced younger brother, but told reporters traveling with him for the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg that as a “general principle” people should provide evidence to investigators. The story.
—"I was a whistleblower." Rebel Wilson is opening up about facing a slew of lawsuits and allegations surrounding her directorial debut The Deb. While appearing on 60 Minutes Australia, the actress reflected on how the ordeal has been like a “worst nightmare.” Last year, Wilson posted a video to Instagram last summer accusing producers Amanda Ghost, Gregory Cameron and Vince Holden of embezzlement and sexual harassment. The producers, in turn, sued for defamation. The story.
—Grim. Amy Redford, daughter of Robert Redford, has opened up about how AI content related to her father has been “extra challenging” for her family following his death. On Instagram, Amy Redford noted that she has come across AI-generated tributes from her family members, among other pieces of fake content. "There have been multiple AI versions of funerals, tributes, and quotes from members of my family that are fabrications,” she wrote. “Renderings of my Dad who clearly has no say, and depictions of my family that do not represent anyone in a positive light are extra challenging during a difficult time. We are grieving together, and we are all in support of one another." The story.
—Good riddance. After being arrested and charged in Singapore, the man who rushed and grabbed Ariana Grande on the Wicked: For Good red carpet last week has been deported and banned from the country. Johnson Wen, a 26-year-old Australian, was initially charged with “being a public nuisance,” according to the BBC. He posted on Instagram that he was already “free after being arrested” in an incident that reportedly “caused massive outrage” in Singapore. But now, after being sentenced to nine days in prison, Wen has been “barred from re-entering Singapore” per the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. The story.
—Tragedy. Spencer Lofranco, star of the true crime drama Gotti and Angelina Jolie’s war drama Unbroken, has died. He was 33. Santino LoFranco announced his brother’s Nov. 18 death in an emotional Instagram post on Thursday. The British Columbia Coroner’s Office on Friday confirmed to THR that a formal investigation into Lofranco’s death is underway. No additional comment was offered by a spokesperson for the B.C. Coroner’s service, which is called in to help establish a cause of death, “as the investigation remains open.” The obituary. |
Billie Eilish's Cameron-Direct Concert Doc Headed to Theaters ►📅 Camer-on board. 📅 Billie Eilish's concert doc is headed to theaters. The Grammy-winner posted Sunday night that the film that she made with director James Cameron will be released in theaters on March 20 via Paramount. The Hit Me Hard And Soft: The Tour doc, will be released in 3D and was made in partnership with Darkroom Records, Interscope Films and Lightstorm Entertainment. Eilish first teased the project over the summer during a sold-out concert in Manchester, England. At the time, she said she couldn’t share many details beyond the fact that it was a 3D collaboration with the Oscar-winning director. The story.
—🎭 Gundam style. 🎭 Noah Centineo, who is already shooting Street Fighter for Legendary, is in talks to reteam with the company for its live-action, big budget adaptation of Gundam, the Japanese anime centered on giant robots known as mechas. If a deal makes, the actor would join Sydney Sweeney to topline the sci-fi feature that is being directed by Jim Mickle, who is perhaps best known as the creator of Netflix’s Sweet Tooth. That series adapted the acclaimed Vertigo series by Jeff Lemire. The story.
—📅 "We’re working hard at finishing the movie." 📅 The release date for Kendrick Lamar's comedy from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone has been pushed back yet again. The film’s release date has been delayed, after already being shifted from its original debut of July 4 of this year. In March, the untitled project shifted its release date for the first time to March 20, 2026, due to scheduling complications with Lamar’s co-headlining tour with SZA as Parker and Stone have been working on South Park. A new theatrical release date has not been revealed. The story.
—🎭 Filling out. 🎭 Ron Howard's forthcoming Amazon MGM Studios feature Alone at Dawn is adding to its ranks. Jonathan Ajayi, Austin Amelio, Jon Bass, Rohan Campbell, Henry Garrett, Sam Nelson Harris and Ben Weinswig have joined the cast of the military drama feature. Adam Driver, Anne Hathaway and Betty Gilpin were previously announced to star in the movie that is set to be released theatrically. Inspired by a true story, Alone at Dawn centers on an investigation following the death of Air Force Combat Controller John Chapman that would help lead to the Medal of Honor for his efforts in saving his fellow soldiers. The story. |
Academy Reveals Lists of Docs, International and Animated Features ►🏆 Comprehensive. 🏆 A total of 201 documentary features, 86 international features and 35 animated features are eligible for Oscar recognition this season in the best documentary feature, best international feature and best animated feature categories, respectively, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Friday. The doc and international feature categories are winnowed down to shortlists before nominations, while the animated feature category goes straight to nominations. Shortlist voting will span Dec. 8-12, 2025, and the announcement of the shortlists will come on Dec. 16. Nominations voting in all categories will span Jan. 12-16, 2026, and the announcement of the nominations will come on Jan. 22, 2026. The list.
—🏆 Gratulacje! 🏆 Camerimage wrapped its 2025 edition in Toruń on Saturday night with a Closing Gala that saw veteran and emerging cinematographers share the spotlight. The top honor, the Golden Frog for the main competition, went to Judith Kaufmann for her work on Late Shift, the latest collaboration between Kaufmann and director Petra Biondina Volpe. The Silver Frog was awarded to Fabian Gamper for Sound of Falling, directed by Mascha Schilinski, while the Bronze Frog went to Michał Sobociński for Chopin, A Sonata in Paris from director Michał Kwieciński. The winners.
—🏆 Palju õnne! 🏆 The Good Daughter, Júlia de Paz Solvas’ drama exploring family conflicts through the eyes of a teenage girl, won the top award in the main competition of the 29th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia. In addition to the Grand Prix, it also received the fest’s Audience Award. The best director honor went to Turkish director Ali Vatansever for LifeLike, a meditation on mortality and the human desire for transcendence that was partly shot in VRChat. The winners. |
'New Year's Rockin' Eve' Co-Hosts Unveiled ►All the stars. ABC and Dick Clark Productions on Monday announced the lineup of co-hosts for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2026. Seacrest will again be joined by Rita Ora in New York’s Times Square for all the festivities there. The show also will spotlight celebrations in Las Vegas, Chicago, Puerto Rico and beyond. Chicago native Chance the Rapper has signed on to co-host from the Windy City. In Las Vegas, retired NFL pro Rob Gronkowski joins Julianne Hough, who will make her New Year’s Rockin’ Eve co-hosting debut. Details for the Puerto Rico celebration will be announced soon. New Year’s Rockin’ Eve airs Dec. 31, live on ABC starting at 8 p.m. ET and will be available to stream the following day on Hulu. The story.
—Greenest of green lights. Netflix has given a straight-to-series order to an A24-produced crime drama, Trigger Point, starring Joel Edgerton. The streamer won a bidding war for the project, which comes from creator and showrunner Harrison Query. Rebel Ridge helmer Jeremy Saulnier is on board to direct. Netflix describes Trigger Point as an action crime drama. According to its logline, the eight-episode season will follow “a group of former Tier One Special Forces operators who sell their elite skills to the criminal underworld behind the front of a private military contracting firm — and the FBI agent who’s hunting for them.” The story.
—One and done. It seems one season was just enough for Netflix's Too Much. The Lena Dunham romantic comedy series won’t be returning to Netflix for season two, according to reports and comments from Dunham at an FYC panel last week, where she said that Too Much was envisioned as more of a limited series. Dunham co-created the 10-episode TV show that premiered over the summer with her husband Luis Felber with Dunham and Felber’s own love story serving as the loose inspiration for Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe's characters’ romance. The Girls alum met and wed Felber in the U.K., where she’s been living for the past few years. The story. |
Rian Johnson Goes Off on AI ►"Yeah, fuck AI. It’s something that’s making everything worse in every single way." THR's David Canfield spoke to Rian Johnson about his new film, Wake Up Dead Man. Three years after inking one of the richest movie deals in streaming history to bring his franchise to Netflix, the force behind the Knives Out franchise and the Peacock series Poker Face says he is ready to move on with a movie that will get a traditional theatrical release. Johnson also gives his unvarnished opinions on AI that are well worth a read. The interview.
—"Who knows if in the future there might be other beings, people or abilities we see on the screen." For THR, Abbey White spoke to Talamasca: The Secret Order showrunners Mark Lafferty and John Lee Hancock about the season one finale of the AMC show. The duo unpack the season one choice, fates and potential futures of Jasper, Helen and Olive, alongside Guy’s expanding powers and the significance of that blood suitcase. Warning: Spoilers! The interview. |
Theater Review: 'All My Sons' ►"A phenomenal piece of theater." For THR, Demetrios Matheou reviews Ivo van Hove's All My Sons. Playing in London's West End, Hove's third Athur Miller production raises the playwright’s rebuttal of the American Dream to something akin to Greek tragedy. Starring Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Paapa Essiedu, Tom Glynn-Carney, Hayley Squires, Aliyah Odoffin, Cath Whitefield, Richard Hansell and Zach Wyatt. Written by Arthur Miller. The review.
In other news...
—Netflix's Stranger Things drops an action-packed final trailer for S5
—Rachel Maddow sets first new podcast at MS NOW: Burn Order
—Eddie Murphy tapped for 51st AFI Life Achievement Award
—How a former Ivy busboy created the next industry hot spot
—Sling TV drops its one-day streaming pass to just $1 for Black Friday
What else we're reading...
—Michael Powell tries to understand why Trump likes Zohran Mamdani so much [Atlantic]
—Beautifully written personal essay by Caroline Kennedy's daughter Tatiana Schlossberg about her terminal cancer diagnosis [New Yorker]
—Incredible Max Tani scoop on how Blood Sport superfan Trump is trying to remake American culture, including pushing Paramount to make a new Rush Hour film (yes, really) [Semafor]
—Sopan Deb reflects on how Everybody Loves Raymond brought him and his Bengali mother closer together [NYT]
—Bollywood's "original he-man" Dharmendra dies at 89 after starring in more than 300 films [BBC]
Today...
...in 1993, 20th Century Fox unveiled the Robin Williams comedy Mrs. Doubtfire in theaters, where it would go on to gross $441m globally. The original review.
Today's birthdays: Billy Connolly (83), Coralie Fargeat (49), Sarah Hyland (35), Asim Chaudhry (39), Colin Hanks (48), Katherine Heigl (47), Renate Reinsve (38), Garret Dillahunt (61), Shirley Henderson (60), Stephen Merchant (51), Karine Vanasse (42), Hande Erçel (32), Clayton Cardenas (40), Lola Glaudini (54), Saoirse-Monica Jackson (32), Dwight Schultz (78), Denise Crosby (68), Conleth Hill (61), Amanda Wyss (65), Gwilym Lee (42), Lucy Liemann (52), Jennifer Robertson (54), Danielle Nicolet (52), Elena Satine (38), Cal MacAninch (62), Joey Ansah (43), Peyton Meyer (27), Aaron Pedersen (55), Nicole Power (36), Jennifer Badger (49), Ruben Santiago-Hudson (69), Sean Ellis (55), Akio Ôtsuka (66), Hiroyuki Ikeuchi (49), Maya Kazan (39) |
| Jimmy Cliff, the Jamaican reggae legend and star of 1972 crime drama The Harder They Come, has died. He was 81. The obituary. |
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