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.
Endeavor’s filing for an initial public offering likely will be viewed as a watershed moment for Hollywood — no matter if it fails spectacularly or is perfectly timed. The novelty (and lightning rod) of a publicly traded talent agency, Endeavor’s WME, inevitably will send shock waves through a representation ecosystem that over the past decade already has seen an enormous influx of billions in outside private equity money. In the days since the May 23 filing, industry observers have obsessed over the savvy or folly of CEO Ari Emanuel’s gamble. Is Endeavor’s odd amalgam of sexy assets enough to convince Wall Street to downplay $4.6 billion in debt? Is a volatile talent business (one currently under siege by the Writers Guild) something that can be projected on a quarterly basis?…
Labor Georgia Backlash States race to nab projects over abortion ban p. 22 ↑ Film Becoming Batman How Pattinson was ‘quickly’ cast p. 30 Jay-Z The rapper and Roc Nation mogul becomes the first hip-hop star with a net worth above $1 billion, per Forbes’ new report. Chris Keyser A key Writers Guild negotiator with agencies is caught in a firestorm after it emerges that he is shopping his own TV project with Endeavor Content. Spencer Klein Netflix poaches the distribution executive, formerly the No. 2 at Fox, to bolster the streamer’s film (and awards) efforts. Brad Bentley The former Otter Media general manager is out as WarnerMedia folds the company into its forth-coming streaming service, to launch later this year. Showbiz Stocks ↑ $7.18 (+6%) TIVO (TIVO) The DVR…
On May 23, news outlets created a small firestorm with misleading reports that Harvey Weinstein had reached a “global resolution” on sex abuse claims. Reporters quickly scrambled to follow up on word of a settlement that day at a bankruptcy hearing. In the confusion, actresses including Ashley Judd and Wedil David and attorneys for several other Weinstein accusers quickly disclaimed any deal. In reality, while both Harvey and Bob Weinstein are nominally part of the agreement in principle, such a settlement is best understood as potentially ending claims put forward in various lawsuits against the former directors and officers of The Weinstein Co. for their alleged complicity in sexual abuse. For months, the insurers providing the company’s directors and officers coverage have been in talks with both the office of…
After weeks of silence on Georgia’s new abortion ban, a deluge of Hollywood companies — led by the Reed Hastings-run Netflix and followed by Disney, WarnerMedia, NBCUniversal, AMC, Sony, CBS and Viacom — said May 30 that they may pull projects from the high-production state if the law isn’t overturned in court before it takes effect in January. If that happens, a source close to Georgia’s department of economic development tells THR, the impact of such a mass exodus would be “crippling.” With a $9.5 billion industry on the line, other states are scrambling to find ways to poach Georgia’s lucrative film and television business. California is taking advantage by attempting to lure existing productions that could be displaced by a Georgia boycott. Gov. Gavin Newsom filmed a video with…
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood emerged from the Cannes film festival with stellar reviews but no Palme d’Or. Now, the major question for Sony is whether Quentin Tarantino will re-edit the film before its release July 26? Sources say the director, who headed out on vacation after the Cannes closing ceremony May 25, hasn’t indicated that he will shorten or lengthen the film, which is currently 159 minutes, or make any changes. But Tarantino worked up until the last minute on the film and has nearly two months to make a nip/tuck, so insiders would not be surprised if he tinkered. Even the film’s trailer features shots that didn’t appear in the Cannes cut. Sony film chief Tom Rothman says he is in the dark about Tarantino’s plans. “You’d…
Donald Trump’s recent escalation of the U.S.-China trade war has torpedoed the sales potential of small and mid-budget American movies just as China’s appetite for such filmmaking appears to be on the rise. Few analysts believe Beijing is willing to retaliate against Trump’s tariffs by blocking Hollywood’s biggest tentpoles from release, given the vital role such titles play in generating revenue for local cinemas. Smaller U.S. films, however, have been left much more exposed. “Marvel titles are still going to get released — there’s just too much money at stake for both sides,” says Christopher Spicer, an attorney at Akin Gump who has counseled Chinese studios. “But other U.S. films will absolutely be affected by the trade war. All of the Chinese parties making these investments are now very cautious.”…
