The all-new Hollywood Reporter offers unprecedented access to the people, studios, networks and agencies that create the magic in Hollywood. Published weekly, the oversized format includes exceptional photography and rich features.
IT HAS BEEN THE SUMMER OF DISCONTENT FOR Harvey Weinstein. In a little more than a single week in July, the legendary independent film mogul’s company abruptly pushed two anticipated projects from the summer schedule to early 2017. The first casualty was the Alicia Vikander drama Tulip Fever, which was jettisoned to Feb. 24 just nine days before it was set to open July 15. Then, on July 13, The Weinstein Co. shifted the Michael Keaton vehicle The Founder, about the origins of the McDonald’s empire, from Aug. 5 to Jan. 20 (it first will receive an Oscar-qualifying run in December). Yanking films from the release calendar at the last minute is unusual because theaters have been booked, marketing buys have been made and promotional media interviews arranged. The Weinstein…
Clown* JUNE 17 $55,007 Sing Street APRIL 15 $3.2 M Regression* FEB. 5 $55,039 Jane Got a Gun JAN. 29 $1.5 M The Hateful Eight 12/25/15 $54.1 M Macbeth 12/4/15 $1.1 M Carol 11/20/15 $12.7 M Burnt 10/30/15 $13.7 M Shanghai 10/2/15 $46,425 No Escape 8/26/15 $27.3 M Source: Box Office Mojo; all figures domestic. *TWC/Dimension…
NOBODY EVER EXPECTED THAT throwing a virtual ball at Pikachu would reinvent a 1990s game franchise — never mind turn Nintendo into one of the world’s hottest entertainment prospects. Since its July 6 launch, Pokemon Go has been downloaded more than 15 million times, transforming the augmented-reality game into a cultural phenomenon. The effects have been immediate for Kyoto-based Nintendo, whose stock valuation more than doubled to $42.5 billion (catapulting it above the market value of Sony Corp.). Pokemon Go has become the biggest-earning app in all 36 markets in which it has been released, bringing in millions of dollars a day — and it could be set for sales well into the billions. The question now is what this means for Nintendo, a game maker that has languished in…
NBCUNIVERSAL’S $3.8 BILLION acquisition of DreamWorks Animation appears to be rolling along at a faster-than-expected clip and could close as early as late August, according to sources. Once that happens, CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg is expected to pursue a technology-centric venture at the intersection of Hollywood and Silicon Valley, with offices close to his Beverly Hills home. Still unclear: To what degree will Illumination chief Chris Meledandri choose to be involved in running DWA? NBCU expects him to have “some type of role,” says an insider, but he is said to be conflicted about what that might be. DreamWorks animators are said to be somewhat anxious about the company’s future though perhaps also soothed by word that Universal will greenlight two DWA films a year. For 2019, sources say those will…
THE MOTION PICTURE ACADEMY HAS WEATHERED the storm of criticism that greeted its effort this year to take the vote away from older “inactive” members. Instead of a general housecleaning, the Academy revealed July 18 that its members had voted to re-elect seven of 11 incumbents running for new terms among the 17 branches, each of which chose a member for the 54-person board. In the name of transparency, the group behind the Oscars (and #OscarsSoWhite) expanded its nomination process — anyone could throw a hat in the ring — but none of the group’s most vocal critics, including publicist Bruce Feldman, won a seat. Says Academy CEO Dawn Hudson, “This year we opened the voting process to the entire membership, and the turnout was more than we ever expected.”…
New Line in the past two years has released The Conjuring and its sequel as well as Annabelle and The Gallows. ON STAGE 6 AT WARNER Bros.’ Burbank lot, where the new horror film Annabelle 2 is filming, Father David Guffey was brought in to offer a blessing. “Evil hates to be exposed,” he announced as he made the sign of the cross and sprinkled holy water. “We declare the hexes and wards null and void. We ask you to protect us.” But it doesn’t appear the studio behind the tale of a demonically possessed doll will need much divine intervention when it comes to selling tickets. New Line Cinema, which will release the sequel in May, has been returning to its horror roots with much success. Other studios tend…
