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.
David Nevins The former Showtime chief returns to dealmaking as CEO of Peter Chernin’s studio North Road Co. with an eye toward the “acquisition hunting” process. James Mangold The Dial of Destiny helmer sees his Indiana Jones film greeted by mixed reviews and an underwhelming $255 million in global box office since its June 30 launch. Lucian Grainge On the strength of Republic and Interscope releases, the mogul’s Universal Music Group leads Billboard’s tally of all major labels in market share at the midyear point. Sam Altman Already beset by a slew of lawsuits, the FTC reportedly opens an investigation into OpenAI, led by its CEO, over the impact of its ChatGPT product on consumers. Showbiz Stocks $4.44 (+3%) AMC THEATRES (AMC) The movie theater giant has been the beneficiary…
The beginning of what may be a more militant era in Hollywood studio-labor relations has been ushered in, with actors joining writers on the picket lines in a major stand against film and TV producers that will effectively shut down the industry during the impasse. On July 13, SAG-AFTRA, led by president Fran Drescher, called the union’s first strike against film and television companies in 43 years. Combined with Hollywood writers’ ongoing strike, the work stoppage — applying to 160,000 members, from actors to singers to dancers — marks the only simultaneous strike for the two unions since 1960 in a sign of an industry in tumult. “We are the victims here. We are being victimized by a very greedy entity,” Drescher said at a press conference July 13. The…
What if you held a red carpet and nobody came? For organizers of the fall film festivals — and studios planning splashy summer premieres — that nightmare scenario looks likely to come true after contract negotiations between the actors guild, SAG-AFTRA, and the AMPTP ended without a deal. On a call July 10 with top PR firms and hundreds of agents, SAG-AFTRA leaders outlined how strike rules could impact promotion and campaigning. A source familiar with the call tells THR that the promotion and press of film and TV projects from struck companies would not be allowed, meaning that top talent cannot walk the Venice and Toronto red carpets or take part in Emmy For Your Consideration campaigns. The strike already is having an impact. Universal moved up the red…
While regional sports networks, or RSNs — in L.A., think Spectrum SportsNet LA for the Dodgers — aren’t dead yet, the ripple effect of their business model challenges are already being felt across the TV ecosystem. But the game is in the early innings. RSNs, the pay TV channels built around live local sports, mostly featuring teams in the NBA, MLB or NHL, usually have full slates of programming. But, of course, it’s the live games that are key, and fans within local markets can watch them all only if they have access to an RSN via cable or satellite providers. A sea change is being driven by cord-cutting, which has put the pinch on RSN finances. While some bigger-market RSNs are staying the course for now, many others are…
The July 12 Emmy noms offered few surprises; as expected, HBO’s Succession, The Last of Us and The White Lotus dominated the drama race (the supporting actor category is made up entirely of Succession and White Lotus players), with House of the Dragon notching the fourth drama series nod for HBO/Max, which garnered 127 noms in all. Meanwhile, Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso is the most nominated comedy series for the second year in a row. This is all great news for Warner Bros. Discovery, which landed 140 noms across its platforms. But Disney — with help from ABC, FX, Hulu and National Geographic — is the top media conglomerate, tallying 153 noms across its networks and streamers. THE TOP NOMINATED SHOWS BREAKDOWN BY PLATFORM 38 FIRST-TIME NOMINEES The lineup includes…
FILM Jennifer Garner (CAA) is returning to the role of Marvel’s Elektra for the Ryan Reynolds starrer Deadpool 3 from director Shawn Levy. Barry breakout Anthony Carrigan (CAA) has been cast as Metamorpho in Warner Bros.’ Superman: Legacy from director James Gunn. Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners inked a multiyear deal with Universal, which will co-finance Amblin films. Amblin will cut 20 percent of its 90- to 100-person staff as part of the move. Greta Gerwig (UTA) is attached to direct a new Chronicles of Narnia film for Netflix. Jodie Turner-Smith (UTA) has joined the cast of Tron: Ares from Disney.…
