Disney is culling some of its Pixar staff. The layoffs have been looming since January, as Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, wants to cut spending and return to quality over quantity. Now, 14% of Pixar’s staff, or about 150 people, will be let go.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Pixar was mostly spared from the Disney purge last year, during which thousands of jobs were cut, mostly in entertainment. Now that projects have finished, Disney is making cuts.
Recent Pixar films have not performed well, except “Elemental.” While a few films like “Luca” and “Turning Red” were released on the DIsney+ streaming service due to the pandemic, “Lightyear” was given the full theatrical treatment, and it bombed, losing an estimated $106 million.
When the pandemic started in 2020, Pixar films, starting with “Soul,” were only released on Disney+. Even when theaters were reopening, Disney still chose to put Pixar releases on the streaming service.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Pixar was mostly spared from the Disney purge last year, during which thousands of jobs were cut, mostly in entertainment. Now that projects have finished, Disney is making cuts.
Recent Pixar films have not performed well, except “Elemental.” While a few films like “Luca” and “Turning Red” were released on the DIsney+ streaming service due to the pandemic, “Lightyear” was given the full theatrical treatment, and it bombed, losing an estimated $106 million.
When the pandemic started in 2020, Pixar films, starting with “Soul,” were only released on Disney+. Even when theaters were reopening, Disney still chose to put Pixar releases on the streaming service.
- 5/21/2024
- by Kambrea Pratt
- Pirates & Princesses
Pixar was hit with layoffs on Tuesday as approximately 175 employees, or 14% of its workforce, were let go.
In a note to staff, Pixar president Jim Morris said that individuals who have been impacted by the layoffs will be notified on Tuesday. “Calendar invites to speak with a leader have already gone out to those individuals, and we anticipate we will have connected with everyone impacted by the end of the day,” he wrote.
Pixar employees have been bracing for layoffs since January, but cuts were smaller than the speculated 20% reduction that was reported at the time.
Once considered the gold standard of family films, Pixar has been struggling since the pandemic when its corporate overlords at Disney used the pedigree of the animation brand to prop up its new streaming service. During that period, new offerings “Soul,” “Luca” and “Turning Red” were sent directly to Disney+ and family audiences became...
In a note to staff, Pixar president Jim Morris said that individuals who have been impacted by the layoffs will be notified on Tuesday. “Calendar invites to speak with a leader have already gone out to those individuals, and we anticipate we will have connected with everyone impacted by the end of the day,” he wrote.
Pixar employees have been bracing for layoffs since January, but cuts were smaller than the speculated 20% reduction that was reported at the time.
Once considered the gold standard of family films, Pixar has been struggling since the pandemic when its corporate overlords at Disney used the pedigree of the animation brand to prop up its new streaming service. During that period, new offerings “Soul,” “Luca” and “Turning Red” were sent directly to Disney+ and family audiences became...
- 5/21/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
The long-expected layoffs at Pixar Animation Studios have begun.
Today, leadership at the storied company that traces it origins to the late Steve Jobs and was bought by Disney in 2006 will notify employees of the reductions, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. It is the biggest restructuring in Pixar’s history, although top leadership isn’t impacted.
Approximately 14 percent of Pixar’s workforce, or around 175 employees, will be let go. Before the reductions, approximately 1,300 people worked at the animation studio.
The layoffs are part of Disney chief Bob Iger’s overarching mandate to return to a focus on quality, versus churning out content for streaming which was a priority for his sort-lived successor, Bob Chapek. Disney execs have talked about returning to a focus on quality during numerous earnings calls this year, saying creative teams across the company were stretched too thin in the arms race to feed streamers.
Pixar employees...
Today, leadership at the storied company that traces it origins to the late Steve Jobs and was bought by Disney in 2006 will notify employees of the reductions, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. It is the biggest restructuring in Pixar’s history, although top leadership isn’t impacted.
Approximately 14 percent of Pixar’s workforce, or around 175 employees, will be let go. Before the reductions, approximately 1,300 people worked at the animation studio.
The layoffs are part of Disney chief Bob Iger’s overarching mandate to return to a focus on quality, versus churning out content for streaming which was a priority for his sort-lived successor, Bob Chapek. Disney execs have talked about returning to a focus on quality during numerous earnings calls this year, saying creative teams across the company were stretched too thin in the arms race to feed streamers.
Pixar employees...
- 5/21/2024
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
For years many fans of Pixar films have become familiar with a particular voice in their movies. That voice is actor and comedian John Ratzenberger. While many growing up in the 1980s remember him as Cliff Calvin on the popular sitcom Cheers, children from the mid-1990s to the late 2010s have heard his voice in other places.
Starting in the 1995 animated film Toy Story as Hamm the piggy bank, the actor went on to appear in 23 films for the animation studio. He was P.T. Flea in A Bug’s Life, Yeti in Monsters Inc., The Underminer in The Incredibles, Mack the Truck in Cars, and many more. In essence he became the Stan Lee of Pixar.
However, in recent years, he has been noticeably absent. His last vocal appearance was in 2020’s Onward as Fennwick the Cyclops. There was apparently a cameo in 2020’s Soul, but it was more...
Starting in the 1995 animated film Toy Story as Hamm the piggy bank, the actor went on to appear in 23 films for the animation studio. He was P.T. Flea in A Bug’s Life, Yeti in Monsters Inc., The Underminer in The Incredibles, Mack the Truck in Cars, and many more. In essence he became the Stan Lee of Pixar.
However, in recent years, he has been noticeably absent. His last vocal appearance was in 2020’s Onward as Fennwick the Cyclops. There was apparently a cameo in 2020’s Soul, but it was more...
- 5/18/2024
- by Mr. Milo
- Pirates & Princesses
Tickets went on sale for Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2 earlier today, and we're now just one month away from watching the long-awaited sequel to the 2015 hit movie. This follow-up will welcome different Emotions to now-teenager Riley's mind, and a newly released clip shows the returning fan favourites getting acquainted with Anxiety.
Earlier this year, director Kelsey Mann promised Anxiety is going to stir things up within headquarters. "Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, might be new to the crew, but she’s not really the type to take a back seat. That makes a lot of sense if you think about it in terms of what goes on inside all our minds."
Pixar has also shared some new posters for the movie featuring a mix of characters and we'd guess that one final trailer will head our way in the coming weeks.
The studio has struggled since the pandemic,...
Earlier this year, director Kelsey Mann promised Anxiety is going to stir things up within headquarters. "Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, might be new to the crew, but she’s not really the type to take a back seat. That makes a lot of sense if you think about it in terms of what goes on inside all our minds."
Pixar has also shared some new posters for the movie featuring a mix of characters and we'd guess that one final trailer will head our way in the coming weeks.
The studio has struggled since the pandemic,...
- 5/15/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Bob Iger wants you to marvel more at his Marvel films and series. To make them better, he’s making fewer.
On Tuesday, the Disney CEO said Marvel is going to decrease its volume to “probably about two TV series a year” and 2-3 movies annually.
“We’ve been working hard with the studio to reduce output and focus on quality,” Iger said on Disney’s fiscal second quarter (Q2) earnings call. “That’s particularly true with Marvel.”
“We’re slowly going to decrease volume and go to probably about two TV series a year instead of what had become four, and reduce our film output from maybe four a year to two— a maximum of three,” he continued.
Cool, so what you got? Iger said Marvel has “a couple of good films in [2025], and then we’re heading to more ‘Avengers,’ which we’re extremely excited about.”
He says...
On Tuesday, the Disney CEO said Marvel is going to decrease its volume to “probably about two TV series a year” and 2-3 movies annually.
“We’ve been working hard with the studio to reduce output and focus on quality,” Iger said on Disney’s fiscal second quarter (Q2) earnings call. “That’s particularly true with Marvel.”
“We’re slowly going to decrease volume and go to probably about two TV series a year instead of what had become four, and reduce our film output from maybe four a year to two— a maximum of three,” he continued.
Cool, so what you got? Iger said Marvel has “a couple of good films in [2025], and then we’re heading to more ‘Avengers,’ which we’re extremely excited about.”
He says...
- 5/7/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Disney+ is back on a growth trajectory, thank goodness. Even better? Disney+ is darn close to actually making money.
After an October 2023 price hike, the core Disney+ service lost 1.3 million subscribers. Not this time. From January-March 2024, it added 6.3 million subscribers — and its Arpu (average revenue per user) increased by 44 cents. Disney+ now has 117.6 million subs, not counting Disney+ Hotstar. More than half of those are outside of the U.S. and Canada.
In February, Disney predicted Disney+ (again not counting Hotstar) would add between 5.5 and 6 million subs from January to March. Underpromise/overdeliver: always a solid strategy in business.
Disney’s direct-to-consumer (Dtc) business lost just $18 million in the quarter, which for the company is its fiscal second quarter of 2024. Last quarter, the loss was $138 million. Disney CEO Bob Iger has previously said Disney+ will be profitable by the final quarter of the company’s fiscal-year 2024 — so, by September 30, 2024 — a timeline he reiterated on Tuesday.
After an October 2023 price hike, the core Disney+ service lost 1.3 million subscribers. Not this time. From January-March 2024, it added 6.3 million subscribers — and its Arpu (average revenue per user) increased by 44 cents. Disney+ now has 117.6 million subs, not counting Disney+ Hotstar. More than half of those are outside of the U.S. and Canada.
In February, Disney predicted Disney+ (again not counting Hotstar) would add between 5.5 and 6 million subs from January to March. Underpromise/overdeliver: always a solid strategy in business.
Disney’s direct-to-consumer (Dtc) business lost just $18 million in the quarter, which for the company is its fiscal second quarter of 2024. Last quarter, the loss was $138 million. Disney CEO Bob Iger has previously said Disney+ will be profitable by the final quarter of the company’s fiscal-year 2024 — so, by September 30, 2024 — a timeline he reiterated on Tuesday.
- 5/7/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Pixar fans who have already been there for a while are aware of the company’s love for Easter eggs and small and sometimes even hardly noticeable plot details that are in fact direct references to Pixar’s other movies. The tradition entailed a great variety of fans’ theories and one of them is getting trendy thanks to some astonishing revelations.
The theory developed by Jon Negroni more than 10 years ago suggests that all the stories that Pixar has ever created — be that Up, Monsters, Inc., Ratatouille or Inside Out — are actually happening within the same universe.
Negroni’s surmise has received yet another confirmation when Pixar released a brand new teaser trailer for Inside Out 2 that featured one specific element coming from the studio’s 2022’s film Turning Red.
Is Bing Bong a Monster from Monsters Inc.?
But Inside Out seems to be much more profound in terms of such intersections.
The theory developed by Jon Negroni more than 10 years ago suggests that all the stories that Pixar has ever created — be that Up, Monsters, Inc., Ratatouille or Inside Out — are actually happening within the same universe.
Negroni’s surmise has received yet another confirmation when Pixar released a brand new teaser trailer for Inside Out 2 that featured one specific element coming from the studio’s 2022’s film Turning Red.
Is Bing Bong a Monster from Monsters Inc.?
But Inside Out seems to be much more profound in terms of such intersections.
- 5/2/2024
- by benjamin-patel@startefacts.com (Benjamin Patel)
- STartefacts.com
At the end of March, I had the thrilling opportunity to travel to San Francisco, California, to visit Pixar Animation Studios for a Press Day preview of the upcoming animated sequel, Inside Out 2. Kelsey Mann directs Inside Out 2 for his feature directorial debut after helming episodes of the Megas Xlr TV series, an episode of the Green Screen Show, and the Pixar short Party Central, featuring characters from Pete Docter’s Monsters Inc.
Riley (Kensington Tallman), the central character of 2015’s Inside Out, returns for the sequel. She’s entering her “terrible teens,” and the emotions inside her head – Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale), Disgust (Liza Lapira) – are frantically trying to course-correct as new emotions – Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser) – arrive in Riley’s Mind Space.
The story finds Riley attending a...
Riley (Kensington Tallman), the central character of 2015’s Inside Out, returns for the sequel. She’s entering her “terrible teens,” and the emotions inside her head – Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale), Disgust (Liza Lapira) – are frantically trying to course-correct as new emotions – Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser) – arrive in Riley’s Mind Space.
The story finds Riley attending a...
- 4/16/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
In keeping with CinemaCon tradition, Disney this afternoon treated attendees to the first 35 minutes of its latest Pixar movie; this year being Inside Out 2.
The sequel to the 2015 pic brings viewers back into the mind of the now-teenage Riley (Kensington Tallman) as her emotions try to keep up with her new feelings. And while Pixar has gotten the short end of the stick during the pandemic with its movies Soul, Luca and Turning Red being sent to Disney+ and Lightyear shunned by Toy Story purists, Inside Out 2 had the Colosseum in stitches.
It was punctuated by the humor of Amy Poehler and Lewis Black, along with Maya Hawke’s scene-stealing turn as the antagonist Anxiety, who takes over the soul of young teen Riley from the feelings of Joy, Anger, Sadness and Fear. Let’s also not forget about Envy (Ayo Edebiri), who is in cahoots with Anxiety for the spirit of Riley.
The sequel to the 2015 pic brings viewers back into the mind of the now-teenage Riley (Kensington Tallman) as her emotions try to keep up with her new feelings. And while Pixar has gotten the short end of the stick during the pandemic with its movies Soul, Luca and Turning Red being sent to Disney+ and Lightyear shunned by Toy Story purists, Inside Out 2 had the Colosseum in stitches.
It was punctuated by the humor of Amy Poehler and Lewis Black, along with Maya Hawke’s scene-stealing turn as the antagonist Anxiety, who takes over the soul of young teen Riley from the feelings of Joy, Anger, Sadness and Fear. Let’s also not forget about Envy (Ayo Edebiri), who is in cahoots with Anxiety for the spirit of Riley.
- 4/11/2024
- by Nancy Tartaglione and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
One of the Nordic region’s biggest providers of premium series, Copenhagen-based REinvent International Sales, will make a splash at this week’s Canneseries festival and MipTV market.
For the second consecutive year, the sales, financing and packaging banner has two titles in competition: the Danish drama thriller “Dark Horse”, due to world premiere in the main competition, and the short form Swedish dramedy entry “Painkiller”, which initially bowed at the Göteborg Film Festival.
“Last year we had the Norwegian political drama “Power Play” which won best series, and the Swedish romantic dramedy “Out of Touch” in the short form section. Canneseries is a great platform to get the hype going on your series,” commented Helene Aurø, REinvent sales and marketing director.
Turning on this year’s competition candidates, Aurø points out that both “Dark Horse” and “Painkiller” deal with mother/daughter relationships.
The Danish drama thriller “Dark Horse,” ordered by TV2,...
For the second consecutive year, the sales, financing and packaging banner has two titles in competition: the Danish drama thriller “Dark Horse”, due to world premiere in the main competition, and the short form Swedish dramedy entry “Painkiller”, which initially bowed at the Göteborg Film Festival.
“Last year we had the Norwegian political drama “Power Play” which won best series, and the Swedish romantic dramedy “Out of Touch” in the short form section. Canneseries is a great platform to get the hype going on your series,” commented Helene Aurø, REinvent sales and marketing director.
Turning on this year’s competition candidates, Aurø points out that both “Dark Horse” and “Painkiller” deal with mother/daughter relationships.
The Danish drama thriller “Dark Horse,” ordered by TV2,...
- 4/6/2024
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
Disney's long, costly fight to deny activist investor Nelson Peltz seats on the company's board of directors is over (for now). During today's annual shareholders meeting, Disney announced that investors had voted to reelect all 12 current board members. Peltz's Trian Partners investment firm had sought two seats (one for Peltz and another for Jay Rasulo), but according to Disney their bid fell short by a "significant margin."
Vote totals will be released later today, but specifying the apparent magnitude of Peltz's defeat feels like a bit of an endzone dance by CEO Bob Iger (who's repeatedly called this battle a "distraction" for the company) as well as a warning to the 81-year-old malcontent to knock it off.
Peltz has been waging this war since last year, and in theory, had cause to question the direction of the company given its precipitous stock slide in the wake of former CEO Bob Chapek's departure.
Vote totals will be released later today, but specifying the apparent magnitude of Peltz's defeat feels like a bit of an endzone dance by CEO Bob Iger (who's repeatedly called this battle a "distraction" for the company) as well as a warning to the 81-year-old malcontent to knock it off.
Peltz has been waging this war since last year, and in theory, had cause to question the direction of the company given its precipitous stock slide in the wake of former CEO Bob Chapek's departure.
- 4/3/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Exclusive: In the wake of the $216M-plus global grossing success of Anyone But You, Sony is going to keep this romcom train going. We hear that TriStar Pictures has preemptively acquired Brenda Hsueh’s high concept romantic comedy Man’s Best Friend.
Temple Hill is also set to produce.
Plot is under wraps, and in early development, but we hear it’s in the spirit of the Danny DeVito directed, Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner 1989 black comedy, The War of the Roses.
Hsueh will write and executive produce through her Shoe’s Off Productions banner alongside her partner Yvonne Cheng.
Hsueh co-wrote the Disney/Pixar animated sleeper, Elemental, which made close to a half billion dollars at the global box office and was nominated for an Oscar in the Animated Feature category. She also consulted for Domee Shi, the director of Disney/Pixar’s Turning Red.
Hsueh also wrote and will...
Temple Hill is also set to produce.
Plot is under wraps, and in early development, but we hear it’s in the spirit of the Danny DeVito directed, Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner 1989 black comedy, The War of the Roses.
Hsueh will write and executive produce through her Shoe’s Off Productions banner alongside her partner Yvonne Cheng.
Hsueh co-wrote the Disney/Pixar animated sleeper, Elemental, which made close to a half billion dollars at the global box office and was nominated for an Oscar in the Animated Feature category. She also consulted for Domee Shi, the director of Disney/Pixar’s Turning Red.
Hsueh also wrote and will...
- 3/25/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Taylor Swift is reigning over Disney+ with the launch of The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) as the platform pays homage to the superstar songstress. The homepage for the streamer unveiled new categories for its library, catered to each era (except for Debut) from Swift’s discography. Among them are Fearless (Disney’s Version), Speak Now (Disney’s Version), Red (Disney’s Version), 1989 (Disney’s Version), Reputation (Disney’s Version), Reputation (Disney’s Version), Love (Disney’s Version), Folklore (Disney’s Version), Evermore (Disney’s Version), and Midnights (Disney’s Version). (Credit: Disney+) Under each category, corresponding titles for movies and shows fitting each era’s vibe were listed. Among the Fearless section were The Marvels, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and Marvel’s Echo. Fitting the fairytale theme of Speak Now were The Princess Bride, Enchanted, and The Princess Diaries. For Red, Turning Red, Incredibles 2, Cars, and other appropriately tinted titles were featured.
- 3/15/2024
- TV Insider
The WGA strike of 2023 has created a fortunate side effect. While writers demanded better pay from studios -- as well as a guarantee that they would not be replaced by clunky automated writing machines -- many films and TV shows halted production. Without writers, the Hollywood system ground slowly to a halt. When the strike was resolved, production began again, but it left a 148-day gap in most studios' production schedules. To fill the gaps, some studios have adopted an ingenious approach: merely re-release some of their biggest hits from years past, allowing audiences to see some of their favorite movies on the big screen again.
In the case of Pixar, films like "Soul," "Luca," and "Turning Red" are being re-released to make up for losses incurred during the pandemic. Those films were all released directly onto Disney+ in the U.S. and only played in select theaters internationally, making...
In the case of Pixar, films like "Soul," "Luca," and "Turning Red" are being re-released to make up for losses incurred during the pandemic. Those films were all released directly onto Disney+ in the U.S. and only played in select theaters internationally, making...
- 3/15/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Disney+ gave its home page a makeover to celebrate the launch of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)” on the streamer.
For one day only, the home page will take inspiration from each of the Taylor Swift eras for special featured collections, dividing Disney+ and Hulu titles into their appropriate category. Nine of the eras are listed, with her debut self-titled album mysteriously absent.
The “Fearless (Disney’s Version)” collection includes heroic and brave adventures like “Moana,” “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” “Brave,” “The Marvels” and “Limitless with Chris Hemsworth” to name a few.
“Speak Now (Disney’s Version)” focuses on enchantment, princesses and dragons with stories like “The Princess Diaries,” “Enchanted” and “The Princess Bride.”
Taylor Swift takes over the Disney+ home page for one day after launch of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” (Disney+)
“Red (Disney’s Version)” was taken very literally with the tagline “Everything…...
For one day only, the home page will take inspiration from each of the Taylor Swift eras for special featured collections, dividing Disney+ and Hulu titles into their appropriate category. Nine of the eras are listed, with her debut self-titled album mysteriously absent.
The “Fearless (Disney’s Version)” collection includes heroic and brave adventures like “Moana,” “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” “Brave,” “The Marvels” and “Limitless with Chris Hemsworth” to name a few.
“Speak Now (Disney’s Version)” focuses on enchantment, princesses and dragons with stories like “The Princess Diaries,” “Enchanted” and “The Princess Bride.”
Taylor Swift takes over the Disney+ home page for one day after launch of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” (Disney+)
“Red (Disney’s Version)” was taken very literally with the tagline “Everything…...
- 3/15/2024
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Disney+ is officially in its Taylor Swift era.
With the launch of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)” on Disney+ on March 14 at 6 p.m. Pt, the megastar is getting a homepage takeover on the streamer. For one day only, the service’s main screen will feature nine curated sets of titles inspired by each of the singer’s eras — including “Fearless” (e.g. “Moana”), “1989” (e.g. “The Little Mermaid”) and “Midnights” (e.g. “Cinderella”).
The Swift takeover of the Disney+ homepage will be worldwide with a few exceptions, including Turkey, where the film will not be available until April 3.
Disney reportedly paid more than $75 million for worldwide streaming rights to “The Eras Tour” concert film, which Swift’s company produced. The newly expanded version of “The Eras Tour” on Disney+ — clocking in at three and a half hours — includes five bonus songs: “Cardigan,” from “Folklore,” plus four...
With the launch of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)” on Disney+ on March 14 at 6 p.m. Pt, the megastar is getting a homepage takeover on the streamer. For one day only, the service’s main screen will feature nine curated sets of titles inspired by each of the singer’s eras — including “Fearless” (e.g. “Moana”), “1989” (e.g. “The Little Mermaid”) and “Midnights” (e.g. “Cinderella”).
The Swift takeover of the Disney+ homepage will be worldwide with a few exceptions, including Turkey, where the film will not be available until April 3.
Disney reportedly paid more than $75 million for worldwide streaming rights to “The Eras Tour” concert film, which Swift’s company produced. The newly expanded version of “The Eras Tour” on Disney+ — clocking in at three and a half hours — includes five bonus songs: “Cardigan,” from “Folklore,” plus four...
- 3/15/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Ludwig Göransson made good on an awards-season sweep by winning an Academy Award Sunday night for the music of “Oppenheimer,” his second career win for best original score.
The Oscar completes a run the 39-year-old Swedish composer has had picking up Grammy, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critics Choice and Society of Composers & Lyricists awards for the score of Christopher Nolan’s film.
Read More: See all the 2024 Oscar winners here.
Göransson previously won the original score Oscar for 2018’s “Black Panther.” He also has two Emmys for the music of “The Mandalorian,” another Oscar nomination for a song in 2022’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and three more Grammys for “Black Panther” and his songwriting-producing work with Childish Gambino.
Göransson’s was one of seven Oscars won by “Oppenheimer.” At the podium, he thanked director Nolan for his initial idea to use the violin as a central instrument in the score, which...
The Oscar completes a run the 39-year-old Swedish composer has had picking up Grammy, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critics Choice and Society of Composers & Lyricists awards for the score of Christopher Nolan’s film.
Read More: See all the 2024 Oscar winners here.
Göransson previously won the original score Oscar for 2018’s “Black Panther.” He also has two Emmys for the music of “The Mandalorian,” another Oscar nomination for a song in 2022’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and three more Grammys for “Black Panther” and his songwriting-producing work with Childish Gambino.
Göransson’s was one of seven Oscars won by “Oppenheimer.” At the podium, he thanked director Nolan for his initial idea to use the violin as a central instrument in the score, which...
- 3/11/2024
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
Life is about to become pure chaos thanks to every teen’s dreaded emotion: anxiety. (It’s pretty bad for grownups too.)
Maya Hawke joins Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” as Anxiety, the new voice inside tween Riley’s (Kensington Tallman) head. Join the club. Just as Riley is set to start high school, feelings of Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos) join in. Actors Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Tony Hale, and Liza Lapira play Riley’s preexisting feelings of Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. It’s getting crowded in there….
Lilimar, Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green, and Grace Lu voice Riley’s friends, while Diane Lane and Kyle MacLachlan return as her parents. Yvette Nicole Brown voices Coach Roberts, who heads up a summer hockey camp. Additional voice actors include Paula Pell, Sarayu Blue, Flea, Ron Funches, Dave Goelz, James Austin Johnson, Bobby Moynihan,...
Maya Hawke joins Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” as Anxiety, the new voice inside tween Riley’s (Kensington Tallman) head. Join the club. Just as Riley is set to start high school, feelings of Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos) join in. Actors Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Tony Hale, and Liza Lapira play Riley’s preexisting feelings of Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. It’s getting crowded in there….
Lilimar, Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green, and Grace Lu voice Riley’s friends, while Diane Lane and Kyle MacLachlan return as her parents. Yvette Nicole Brown voices Coach Roberts, who heads up a summer hockey camp. Additional voice actors include Paula Pell, Sarayu Blue, Flea, Ron Funches, Dave Goelz, James Austin Johnson, Bobby Moynihan,...
- 3/7/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Peyton Manning and Eli Manning are suiting up and joining the Ghostbusters to stop New York City from being frozen over.
Their secret weapon? Quarter-zip sweaters. “The perfect item of clothing to defeat a death chill,” Peyton Manning says in a new commercial spot for Sony’s upcoming film Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
“Damn, they stole our gear,” Paul Rudd adds, as the Manning brothers appear in quarter-zip Ghostbusting outfits. The quarter-zip sweater has become a trademark fashion accessory for the Manning brothers, who have leaned into their frequent use of the attire.
Watch:
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is set to be released later this month.
The TV spot is being produced by Sony Pictures and Manning’s Omaha Productions, continuing to build out Omaha’s branded content business. The media company is best known for producing ESPN’s Monday Night Football “Manningcast,” as well as the Places franchise for ESPN+, but...
Their secret weapon? Quarter-zip sweaters. “The perfect item of clothing to defeat a death chill,” Peyton Manning says in a new commercial spot for Sony’s upcoming film Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
“Damn, they stole our gear,” Paul Rudd adds, as the Manning brothers appear in quarter-zip Ghostbusting outfits. The quarter-zip sweater has become a trademark fashion accessory for the Manning brothers, who have leaned into their frequent use of the attire.
Watch:
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is set to be released later this month.
The TV spot is being produced by Sony Pictures and Manning’s Omaha Productions, continuing to build out Omaha’s branded content business. The media company is best known for producing ESPN’s Monday Night Football “Manningcast,” as well as the Places franchise for ESPN+, but...
- 3/7/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This Saturday at 6:30 Am on Discovery, “Fly Rod Chronicles With Curtis Fleming” invites viewers to an inspiring episode, Episode 10 titled “Mountaineer Challenge Academy.” In this heartwarming installment, Curtis Fleming and his crew join forces with a group of students and staff from the Mountaineer Challenge Academy for a day of adventure on the New River.
The episode captures the camaraderie as they spend quality time floating along the scenic river, creating lasting memories amid the beauty of nature. Later, the crew and the Mountaineer Challenge Academy participants head over to Ed Ray for a noble cause – helping the kids with a cleanup effort. The episode culminates in a touching moment as they attend the students’ graduation, celebrating not just their outdoor adventures but also the personal growth and achievements of each participant.
Tune in at 6:30 Am for an episode that goes beyond fishing, showcasing the positive impact of...
The episode captures the camaraderie as they spend quality time floating along the scenic river, creating lasting memories amid the beauty of nature. Later, the crew and the Mountaineer Challenge Academy participants head over to Ed Ray for a noble cause – helping the kids with a cleanup effort. The episode culminates in a touching moment as they attend the students’ graduation, celebrating not just their outdoor adventures but also the personal growth and achievements of each participant.
Tune in at 6:30 Am for an episode that goes beyond fishing, showcasing the positive impact of...
- 3/2/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
In a major shake up to Disney’s film team, Sean Bailey, who has been with Disney for 15 years, is exiting the company, effective immediately. David Greenbaum, the co-head of Searchlight Pictures, has been named president of Disney Live-Action and of 20th Century Studios, taking control of both brands in a combined division of its live-action films.
Greenbaum will have oversight over projects for both theatrical and streaming and will lead the newly combined studio group, reporting to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman.
Remaining in his role as 20th Century Studios president is Steve Asbell; Matthew Greenfield will take sole control of Searchlight Pictures as president.
Bailey will segue to a producer role on Disney’s “Tron: Ares,” as well as other projects.
“David has an incredible creative sensibility and eye for film, and he has built a reputation as an exceptional leader and creative executive, as proven by his...
Greenbaum will have oversight over projects for both theatrical and streaming and will lead the newly combined studio group, reporting to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman.
Remaining in his role as 20th Century Studios president is Steve Asbell; Matthew Greenfield will take sole control of Searchlight Pictures as president.
Bailey will segue to a producer role on Disney’s “Tron: Ares,” as well as other projects.
“David has an incredible creative sensibility and eye for film, and he has built a reputation as an exceptional leader and creative executive, as proven by his...
- 2/26/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Christopher Nolan’s deal with Universal for “Oppenheimer” included this: The studio, a leader in early release of films to home platforms, would need to make a very big exception.
At 122 days, “Oppenheimer” had the longest theatrical window of 2023. Compared to the year’s 84 other wide releases, it was more than triple the industry average of 37 days. Universal’s second-longest window belonged to “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which was a bigger hit than Nolan’s film but lost theatrical exclusivity after 41 days.
Studios aren’t interested in specifics around theatrical windows — or, in offering PVOD data beyond top 10 lists that offer neither financial context nor independent verification. This is our attempt to provide a full-year view of theatrical windows, after prior surveys revealed a 30-day average for the first four months of 2023 and 40 days for early summer.
Seasonal differences can be stark; all five of this January’s releases are now on PVOD,...
At 122 days, “Oppenheimer” had the longest theatrical window of 2023. Compared to the year’s 84 other wide releases, it was more than triple the industry average of 37 days. Universal’s second-longest window belonged to “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which was a bigger hit than Nolan’s film but lost theatrical exclusivity after 41 days.
Studios aren’t interested in specifics around theatrical windows — or, in offering PVOD data beyond top 10 lists that offer neither financial context nor independent verification. This is our attempt to provide a full-year view of theatrical windows, after prior surveys revealed a 30-day average for the first four months of 2023 and 40 days for early summer.
Seasonal differences can be stark; all five of this January’s releases are now on PVOD,...
- 2/25/2024
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
During its first quarter earnings call earlier this month, Disney announced that the next animated film it will bring to theaters on Thanksgiving will be the sequel to its 2016 hit “Moana,” signaling a renewed push on sequels after years of original animated titles.
But “Moana 2” was originally announced in 2020, under short-lived CEO Bob Chapek, as a streaming series exclusive to Disney+. This change underscores a shifting strategy by Disney and other studios to move films previously planned for streaming to the big screen — in part to calm jittery investors nervous about the thin pipeline of tentpole movies after the Hollywood strikes.
The “Moana 2” re-direct follows Paramount’s “Mean Girls” and “Smile,” and Warner Bros./New Line’s “Evil Dead Rise,” all theatrical releases that were originally intended to be streaming-only.
“Studios are showing that when they see signs of high quality in a project they greenlit for streaming…...
But “Moana 2” was originally announced in 2020, under short-lived CEO Bob Chapek, as a streaming series exclusive to Disney+. This change underscores a shifting strategy by Disney and other studios to move films previously planned for streaming to the big screen — in part to calm jittery investors nervous about the thin pipeline of tentpole movies after the Hollywood strikes.
The “Moana 2” re-direct follows Paramount’s “Mean Girls” and “Smile,” and Warner Bros./New Line’s “Evil Dead Rise,” all theatrical releases that were originally intended to be streaming-only.
“Studios are showing that when they see signs of high quality in a project they greenlit for streaming…...
- 2/20/2024
- by Jeremy Fuster, Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
During a recent Today episode, Savannah Guthrie was absent from the lineup alongside her colleagues.
As NBC’s morning program arrived, viewers saw a recognizable replacement in Savannah’s spot.
Craig Melvin, who often appears on Today, was seated between Hoda Kotb and Sheinelle Jones.
“Well, hello, welcome to Today. It is Friday. We’re glad you’re with us,” Hoda said at the show’s start before announcing, “Savannah is off today.”
The NBC anchor recently received some backlash for an interview segment she did with singer and actress Kelly Rowland.
Some online critics deemed part of the interview “disrespectful” as Savannah attempted to get Rowland to answer a specific question.
Savannah interviewed singer on NBC’s Today before her absence
On Thursday’s Today episode, Savannah sat down with singer Kelly Rowland, formerly a member of Destiny’s Child. She’s gone on to a solo music career and has ventured into acting.
As NBC’s morning program arrived, viewers saw a recognizable replacement in Savannah’s spot.
Craig Melvin, who often appears on Today, was seated between Hoda Kotb and Sheinelle Jones.
“Well, hello, welcome to Today. It is Friday. We’re glad you’re with us,” Hoda said at the show’s start before announcing, “Savannah is off today.”
The NBC anchor recently received some backlash for an interview segment she did with singer and actress Kelly Rowland.
Some online critics deemed part of the interview “disrespectful” as Savannah attempted to get Rowland to answer a specific question.
Savannah interviewed singer on NBC’s Today before her absence
On Thursday’s Today episode, Savannah sat down with singer Kelly Rowland, formerly a member of Destiny’s Child. She’s gone on to a solo music career and has ventured into acting.
- 2/16/2024
- by Matt Couden
- Monsters and Critics
Super Bowl weekend is not, historically, an overly fruitful weekend at the box office. The masses of the United States are more concerned about the big game and Hollywood, by and large, doesn't want to compete with that. That's why there were no big new releases out this past weekend. But as a result, that left theaters out to dry. With only "Lisa Frankenstein" to help carry the load, we ended up with the worst Super Bowl weekend ever at the box office. This dumps even more rain on the rained-out parade that is the 2024 box office thus far.
Director Matthew Vaughn's "Argylle" ended up taking the top spot on its second weekend with a dismal $6.5 million. That represents a sharp 63% drop compared to its opening weekend take of $17.4 million. Be that as it may, it still clung onto number one for at least one more week. That's because the horror/comedy "Lisa Frankenstein,...
Director Matthew Vaughn's "Argylle" ended up taking the top spot on its second weekend with a dismal $6.5 million. That represents a sharp 63% drop compared to its opening weekend take of $17.4 million. Be that as it may, it still clung onto number one for at least one more week. That's because the horror/comedy "Lisa Frankenstein,...
- 2/12/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (Feb 9-11)Total gross to dateWeek 1. Migration (Universal) £2.5m £6.7m 2 2. Argylle (Universal) £994,542 £3.7m 2 3. The Iron Claw (Lionsgate) £671,297 £754,153 1 4. All Of Us Strangers (Disney) £510,000 £3.8m 3 5. Peppa Pig’s Cinema Party (Trafalgar) £490,405 £490,405 1
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.26
Universal maintained a one-two at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, as animation Migration held off Matthew Vaughn’s spy comedy Argylle.
Migration, from Minions creators Illumination, added £2.5m on its second session – a 31% drop. The film has £6.7m in total.
On its second weekend, Argylle dropped 43%, with £994,542 taking it to £3.7m – down on the usual level of Vaughn’s directorial output.
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.26
Universal maintained a one-two at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, as animation Migration held off Matthew Vaughn’s spy comedy Argylle.
Migration, from Minions creators Illumination, added £2.5m on its second session – a 31% drop. The film has £6.7m in total.
On its second weekend, Argylle dropped 43%, with £994,542 taking it to £3.7m – down on the usual level of Vaughn’s directorial output.
- 2/12/2024
- ScreenDaily
February continued January’s downturn at the box office, with two new wide releases and a hotly-anticipated Super Bowl Sunday to keep anything from doing particularly well. Read on for the weekend box office report.
Of the two new wide releases, Focus Features’ romantic horror-comedy “Lisa Frankenstein” was probably the most high-profile one, but otherwise, much of the chatter this weekend was about an impending sporting event and whether a certain pop star might attend.
Even though Matthew Vaughn‘s star-studded action comedy, “Argylle,” took a massive 63% plunge in its second weekend, it still managed to retain first place with a weak $6.5 million, which is back down to the level of the top movies just two weeks ago. It has grossed $28.8 million domestically so far, which isn’t great considering the cost to Apple Studios to buy and release it. It added another $9.4 million internationally this weekend for a global take of $60.1 million so far.
Of the two new wide releases, Focus Features’ romantic horror-comedy “Lisa Frankenstein” was probably the most high-profile one, but otherwise, much of the chatter this weekend was about an impending sporting event and whether a certain pop star might attend.
Even though Matthew Vaughn‘s star-studded action comedy, “Argylle,” took a massive 63% plunge in its second weekend, it still managed to retain first place with a weak $6.5 million, which is back down to the level of the top movies just two weeks ago. It has grossed $28.8 million domestically so far, which isn’t great considering the cost to Apple Studios to buy and release it. It added another $9.4 million internationally this weekend for a global take of $60.1 million so far.
- 2/11/2024
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Sunday Am Update: How bad was this year’s Super Bowl weekend? Realize that Kenneth Branagh’s romance mystery misfire, Death on the Nile, opened to more over the Big Game weekend ($12.8M) two years ago, and that’s when female moviegoers were scared of Omicron!
Super Bowl weekend, despite its damper on Sunday business, used to be a box office frame that could still yield results, even for films aimed at dudes. Like in 2015, when the sixth weekend of American Sniper drummed up $30.7 million, or in 2020, when the third weekend of Bad Boys for Life did $17.6M.
Last year’s Super Bowl weekend totaled $52.6M, per Box Office Mojo, led by Warner Bros’ Magic Mike’s Last Dance, with an $8.3M opening. This year, we’re lower at $40M, -24% from a year ago and that’s because there isn’t a notable major studio wide release. That’s also...
Super Bowl weekend, despite its damper on Sunday business, used to be a box office frame that could still yield results, even for films aimed at dudes. Like in 2015, when the sixth weekend of American Sniper drummed up $30.7 million, or in 2020, when the third weekend of Bad Boys for Life did $17.6M.
Last year’s Super Bowl weekend totaled $52.6M, per Box Office Mojo, led by Warner Bros’ Magic Mike’s Last Dance, with an $8.3M opening. This year, we’re lower at $40M, -24% from a year ago and that’s because there isn’t a notable major studio wide release. That’s also...
- 2/11/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Sean Durkin’s wrestling drama The Iron Claw will look to become box office champion on its opening weekend, starting in 517 UK-Ireland cinemas through Lionsgate.
The film tells the true story of the Von Erich brothers, who made history in the competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s.
Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, 2017 Screen Star of Tomorrow Harris Dickinson and Stanley Simons star as the Von Erich brothers, with Lily James and Maura Tierney also on the cast; Arcade Fire member Richard Reed Parry wrote the film’s score.
The Iron Claw premiered in Dallas, Texas just hours...
The film tells the true story of the Von Erich brothers, who made history in the competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s.
Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, 2017 Screen Star of Tomorrow Harris Dickinson and Stanley Simons star as the Von Erich brothers, with Lily James and Maura Tierney also on the cast; Arcade Fire member Richard Reed Parry wrote the film’s score.
The Iron Claw premiered in Dallas, Texas just hours...
- 2/9/2024
- ScreenDaily
Following an October 12 price increase, the core Disney+ streaming service lost 1.3 million subscribers, the company revealed on Wednesday. Not including India’s Hotstar, Disney+ ended the 2023 calendar year with 111.3 million subscribers.
Though subscriber numbers decreased, the rate increase at ad-free grew Disney+ Arpu (average revenue per user) by 14 cents. Growth was even greater in the U.S. and Canada, where the Arpu rose by 25 cents to $8.15. For Disney, October-December represented the first fiscal quarter of 2024.
Hulu, which was also subject to a rate increase on its own ad-free tier, managed to add some members in the quarter. Its Arpu also increased; the SVOD-only version grew its revenue per subscriber. Hulu now has 49.7 million subs.
Like Hulu, Disney+ Hotstar membership rose by 2 percent in the quarter. The Hotstar service now has 38.3 million subscribers; ESPN+ has 25.2 million subs.
One quarter earlier, the core Disney+ service added 6.9 million subs. Disney on Wednesday said...
Though subscriber numbers decreased, the rate increase at ad-free grew Disney+ Arpu (average revenue per user) by 14 cents. Growth was even greater in the U.S. and Canada, where the Arpu rose by 25 cents to $8.15. For Disney, October-December represented the first fiscal quarter of 2024.
Hulu, which was also subject to a rate increase on its own ad-free tier, managed to add some members in the quarter. Its Arpu also increased; the SVOD-only version grew its revenue per subscriber. Hulu now has 49.7 million subs.
Like Hulu, Disney+ Hotstar membership rose by 2 percent in the quarter. The Hotstar service now has 38.3 million subscribers; ESPN+ has 25.2 million subs.
One quarter earlier, the core Disney+ service added 6.9 million subs. Disney on Wednesday said...
- 2/7/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
It’s Super Bowl weekend with the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Kansas City Chiefs, with many tuning in just to see if Taylor Swift can make it to Las Vegas from her Saturday night concert in Tokyo. Plus, there’s exactly one new wide release. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.
It’s been a number of years since we’ve heard from Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody of “Juno” fame, but she’s written the new horror-comedy “Lisa Frankenstein,” which stars Kathryn Newton (“Big Little Lies”) as Lisa, a young woman who falls in love with a corpse, played by Cole Sprouse (“Riverdale”), and decides to try to bring him back to life. Directed by Zelda Williams – the daughter of the late, great Robin Williams – the movie is fully targeted toward the younger female audiences that have made musicals like “Wonka” and “Mean Girls” decent-sized box office hits,...
It’s been a number of years since we’ve heard from Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody of “Juno” fame, but she’s written the new horror-comedy “Lisa Frankenstein,” which stars Kathryn Newton (“Big Little Lies”) as Lisa, a young woman who falls in love with a corpse, played by Cole Sprouse (“Riverdale”), and decides to try to bring him back to life. Directed by Zelda Williams – the daughter of the late, great Robin Williams – the movie is fully targeted toward the younger female audiences that have made musicals like “Wonka” and “Mean Girls” decent-sized box office hits,...
- 2/7/2024
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
In a battle of two Universal titles at the U.K., Ireland box office, animation film “Migration” flew to the top, besting star-studded caper “Argylle” in the process.
“Migration” debuted with £3.5 million ($4.4 million), according to numbers from Comscore. “Argylle,” a global under performer, bowed in second place with £2 million.
In third position, in its third weekend, Paramount’s “Mean Girls” earned £843,601 for a total of £6.8 million. Disney’s “All of Us Strangers” collected £797,004 in fourth place in its second weekend for a total of £2.7 million.
Rounding off the top five was A24’s “The Zone of Interest,” which debuted with £585,855. The only other bow in the Top 10 was Curzon-Amazon MGM’s “American Fiction” with £389,375.
Coming up, opening mid-week on Wednesday Feb. 7 is horror-comedy “Dagr” from Fizz and Ginger Films. Feb. 8 sees the release of Tamil-language sports and gangster drama “Lal Salaam,” headlined by Indian superstar Rajinikanth.
There are a plethora of releases on the Friday.
“Migration” debuted with £3.5 million ($4.4 million), according to numbers from Comscore. “Argylle,” a global under performer, bowed in second place with £2 million.
In third position, in its third weekend, Paramount’s “Mean Girls” earned £843,601 for a total of £6.8 million. Disney’s “All of Us Strangers” collected £797,004 in fourth place in its second weekend for a total of £2.7 million.
Rounding off the top five was A24’s “The Zone of Interest,” which debuted with £585,855. The only other bow in the Top 10 was Curzon-Amazon MGM’s “American Fiction” with £389,375.
Coming up, opening mid-week on Wednesday Feb. 7 is horror-comedy “Dagr” from Fizz and Ginger Films. Feb. 8 sees the release of Tamil-language sports and gangster drama “Lal Salaam,” headlined by Indian superstar Rajinikanth.
There are a plethora of releases on the Friday.
- 2/6/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
As the nominees for the animated feature Oscar were unveiled this year, one thing was clear: 2D and 2D-influenced animated films are dominating awards season.
Among this year’s nominees, “The Boy and the Heron,” “Nimona,” “Robot Dreams” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” all used traditional 2D techniques or other methods to create a 2D look. Even the CG “Elemental” shows 2D influences across the many environments of Element City. And as the Academy nominates what might be helmer Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, it seems as though the impact of 2D is being recognized once again after CG having dominated the animation space for so long.
The 2D animation of today isn’t quite like cartoons of the past. With new techniques at their disposal, filmmakers are expanding the visuals they can create to tell rich, compelling stories. It’s very often a 2D look that’s intended for...
Among this year’s nominees, “The Boy and the Heron,” “Nimona,” “Robot Dreams” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” all used traditional 2D techniques or other methods to create a 2D look. Even the CG “Elemental” shows 2D influences across the many environments of Element City. And as the Academy nominates what might be helmer Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, it seems as though the impact of 2D is being recognized once again after CG having dominated the animation space for so long.
The 2D animation of today isn’t quite like cartoons of the past. With new techniques at their disposal, filmmakers are expanding the visuals they can create to tell rich, compelling stories. It’s very often a 2D look that’s intended for...
- 2/1/2024
- by Karen Idelson
- Variety Film + TV
Just consider us Wade Garrett (Sam Elliott) to Doug Liman’s John Dalton (Patrick Swayze). Get your popcorn ready.
All IndieWire needed was a two-minute, 48-second trailer to declare the director 100 percent right about his “Road House” remake being tailor-made for movie theaters. Liman’s larger point, presented in a first-person essay on Deadline touting the importance of theatrical, is also correct — but it seems to be especially accurate for this film, which he’s already touted as possibly his best effort to date.
The trailer, released on Thursday, opens with a many-on-1 (the one is protagonist Jake Gyllenhaal) parking lot brawl. It then takes it to the cage; some of the matches are sanctioned, others are definitely not. Later comes the many bar fights, some gunplay, an alligator attack, a high-speed Ferrari chase, arson, a head-on boat collision, and Conor McGregor going nutso with a golf club.
In other words,...
All IndieWire needed was a two-minute, 48-second trailer to declare the director 100 percent right about his “Road House” remake being tailor-made for movie theaters. Liman’s larger point, presented in a first-person essay on Deadline touting the importance of theatrical, is also correct — but it seems to be especially accurate for this film, which he’s already touted as possibly his best effort to date.
The trailer, released on Thursday, opens with a many-on-1 (the one is protagonist Jake Gyllenhaal) parking lot brawl. It then takes it to the cage; some of the matches are sanctioned, others are definitely not. Later comes the many bar fights, some gunplay, an alligator attack, a high-speed Ferrari chase, arson, a head-on boat collision, and Conor McGregor going nutso with a golf club.
In other words,...
- 1/25/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Disney Got Shut Out For Best Animated Feature At The 2024 Oscars – And This Is Awesome For Animation
In the U.S., animation has long been almost synonymous with Disney. After all, Disney has a long history with the medium, producing one of the first cartoons with synchronized sound and one of the first feature-length animated movies. That history and tradition haven't been all positive, however, as it has reduced the medium of animation to a genre in the eyes of many viewers — as well as the Academy.
In the last few years, however, Disney has started to lag behind some of the other studios when it comes to the Academy Awards. The last couple of years have shown that when Disney isn't present, the category is more diverse and better for it — with movies that push the envelope and the medium forward.
In the case of the 2024 Oscars, the lack of Disney among the nominees shows a pleasant surprise in the kind of movie the academy is recognizing.
In the last few years, however, Disney has started to lag behind some of the other studios when it comes to the Academy Awards. The last couple of years have shown that when Disney isn't present, the category is more diverse and better for it — with movies that push the envelope and the medium forward.
In the case of the 2024 Oscars, the lack of Disney among the nominees shows a pleasant surprise in the kind of movie the academy is recognizing.
- 1/23/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Toho International’s sleeper hit Godzilla Minus One grossed an estimated $853k this weekend for a cume of $50.9 million at 605 locations in week seven as arctic blasts buffet much of the nation.
The film about the giant reptilian monster passed the $50 million market Saturday, becoming the highest grossing Japanese language live action or animated film in the U.S. It’s also the fifth highest grossing non-English-language film at the U.S. box office. The pic currently on track to hit $100 million globally.
It was a weekend with some few notable expansions as Oscar-nominated hopefuls continue runs through awards season, and with another strong showing by a duo of Indian films.
Jonathan Glazer’s Zone of Interest from A24 made an estimated $300k for the four-day weekend, for a cume of $1 million on 25 screens (up from four) in limited expansion. The riveting Holocaust drama about a Nazi commandant and his...
The film about the giant reptilian monster passed the $50 million market Saturday, becoming the highest grossing Japanese language live action or animated film in the U.S. It’s also the fifth highest grossing non-English-language film at the U.S. box office. The pic currently on track to hit $100 million globally.
It was a weekend with some few notable expansions as Oscar-nominated hopefuls continue runs through awards season, and with another strong showing by a duo of Indian films.
Jonathan Glazer’s Zone of Interest from A24 made an estimated $300k for the four-day weekend, for a cume of $1 million on 25 screens (up from four) in limited expansion. The riveting Holocaust drama about a Nazi commandant and his...
- 1/14/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS (Getty Images), Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures, Moris Puccio/Legendary Entertainment, Disney/Pixar, Daniel Pockett (Getty Images), Amazon MGM Studios, Focus Features, Image: Courtesy of Netflix, Courtesy of HBO, Lucasfilm, Graphic: The A.V. ClubHere’s why you know that song from Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig...
- 1/13/2024
- avclub.com
Layoffs are expected to hit Disney-owned Pixar Animation Studios later this year.
Tech Crunch, which first reported the news, suggested that this could affect as much as 20 percent of Pixar’s 1,300 workforce, though The Hollywood Reporter understands this estimate is higher than what is actually being planned. According to Tech Crunch, layoffs may include employees hired to create content for Disney+.
THR has reached out to Pixar for comment.
If layoffs do occur, it would follow another rare round of layoffs at the Disney-owned studio. Last June, Pixar was hit by the Disney layoffs, which affected 75 employees, including Lightyear director Angus MacLane and producer Galyn Susman.
Since the start of the pandemic, Pixar — which maintains its campus in Emeryville, outside San Francisco — has seen its remarkable success streak suffer. That includes Lightyear, its 2023 return to theatrical exhibition, which flopped.
It rebounded with 2023’s Elemental, which brought in nearly $500 million worldwide...
Tech Crunch, which first reported the news, suggested that this could affect as much as 20 percent of Pixar’s 1,300 workforce, though The Hollywood Reporter understands this estimate is higher than what is actually being planned. According to Tech Crunch, layoffs may include employees hired to create content for Disney+.
THR has reached out to Pixar for comment.
If layoffs do occur, it would follow another rare round of layoffs at the Disney-owned studio. Last June, Pixar was hit by the Disney layoffs, which affected 75 employees, including Lightyear director Angus MacLane and producer Galyn Susman.
Since the start of the pandemic, Pixar — which maintains its campus in Emeryville, outside San Francisco — has seen its remarkable success streak suffer. That includes Lightyear, its 2023 return to theatrical exhibition, which flopped.
It rebounded with 2023’s Elemental, which brought in nearly $500 million worldwide...
- 1/12/2024
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Soul, Turning Red, and an empty theater about to play TenetPhoto: Disney/Pixar, Daniel Pockett (Getty Images)
2020 is a forgotten year at the movies. Namely because the movies and, more specifically, movie theaters barely existed. After Trolls: World Tour broke the dam for movies to bypass theaters and go straight to VOD,...
2020 is a forgotten year at the movies. Namely because the movies and, more specifically, movie theaters barely existed. After Trolls: World Tour broke the dam for movies to bypass theaters and go straight to VOD,...
- 1/11/2024
- by Matt Schimkowitz
- avclub.com
Mean Girls should do nice business in its box office debut.
Paramount’s movie adaptation of the Broadway musical that was, in turn, based on the 2004 big-screen teen comedy is expected to open to as much as $30 million over the long Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.
That would mark a great start for a studio film that cost a relatively modest $36 million to produce before marketing, not to mention a musical, a genre that has become an endangered species (Wonka aside).
The musical arrives on the big screen 20 years after the Lindsay Lohan-led cult classic Mean Girls, which was directed by Mark Waters and written by Tina Fey. The latter returned to pen the script for the new film, which stars Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp, Auli’i Cravalho, Bebe Wood and Chris Briney. Fey and Tim Meadows also reprise their roles from the 2004 movie.
Female-fueled films — look no further...
Paramount’s movie adaptation of the Broadway musical that was, in turn, based on the 2004 big-screen teen comedy is expected to open to as much as $30 million over the long Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.
That would mark a great start for a studio film that cost a relatively modest $36 million to produce before marketing, not to mention a musical, a genre that has become an endangered species (Wonka aside).
The musical arrives on the big screen 20 years after the Lindsay Lohan-led cult classic Mean Girls, which was directed by Mark Waters and written by Tina Fey. The latter returned to pen the script for the new film, which stars Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp, Auli’i Cravalho, Bebe Wood and Chris Briney. Fey and Tim Meadows also reprise their roles from the 2004 movie.
Female-fueled films — look no further...
- 1/11/2024
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Deadline’s Read the Screenplay series spotlighting the year’s most talked-about scripts continues with Elemental, the Pixar pic directed by Peter Sohn.
Launching with a world premiere as the closing-night film at May’s Cannes Film Festival, Elemental was penned by John Hoberg & Kat Likkel and Brenda Hseuh, based on a story by the writers and Sohn about a fantastical place called Element City, where Fire-, Water-, Earth- and Air-residents live together.
The plot follows the quick-witted and fiery Ember (Leah Lewis), a new arrival to the city whose friendship with go-with-the-flow Wade (Mamoudou Athie) challenges not only her beliefs about the world they live in, but the person she wants to be.
The idea germinated from Sohn’s own experiences; like Ember, he was a second-generation immigrant whose parents moved from Korea to New York City. That starting point helped to form the film’s themes of fitting in to a new place,...
Launching with a world premiere as the closing-night film at May’s Cannes Film Festival, Elemental was penned by John Hoberg & Kat Likkel and Brenda Hseuh, based on a story by the writers and Sohn about a fantastical place called Element City, where Fire-, Water-, Earth- and Air-residents live together.
The plot follows the quick-witted and fiery Ember (Leah Lewis), a new arrival to the city whose friendship with go-with-the-flow Wade (Mamoudou Athie) challenges not only her beliefs about the world they live in, but the person she wants to be.
The idea germinated from Sohn’s own experiences; like Ember, he was a second-generation immigrant whose parents moved from Korea to New York City. That starting point helped to form the film’s themes of fitting in to a new place,...
- 1/11/2024
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony has moved Wayfarer Studios’ feature take of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, It Ends With Us from Feb. 9 to June 21.
The movie stars Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar, Jenny Slate and Hasan Minhaj.
It Ends With Us leaves behind Focus Features’ Lisa Frankenstein, Bleecker Street’s Out of Darkness, and Disney/Pixar’s Turning Red on Feb. 9 and moves to a weekend where there’s Focus Features/New Regency’s The Bikeriders.
Pic’s blurb: Though coming from a complicated past, Lily Bloom has always known the life she wants. While living in Boston, she meets neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid and believes she may very well have found her soul mate. Soon questions arise about their relationship and, to complicate matters, her high school love interest, Atlas Corrigan, comes back into the picture putting her relationship with Ryle in jeopardy.
Baldoni directs from screenplay by Christy Hall based off Hoover’s book.
The movie stars Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar, Jenny Slate and Hasan Minhaj.
It Ends With Us leaves behind Focus Features’ Lisa Frankenstein, Bleecker Street’s Out of Darkness, and Disney/Pixar’s Turning Red on Feb. 9 and moves to a weekend where there’s Focus Features/New Regency’s The Bikeriders.
Pic’s blurb: Though coming from a complicated past, Lily Bloom has always known the life she wants. While living in Boston, she meets neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid and believes she may very well have found her soul mate. Soon questions arise about their relationship and, to complicate matters, her high school love interest, Atlas Corrigan, comes back into the picture putting her relationship with Ryle in jeopardy.
Baldoni directs from screenplay by Christy Hall based off Hoover’s book.
- 1/10/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Can “Mean Girls” make fetch happen at the box office?
Paramount’s new take on the teen classic is aiming to generate $30 million from 3,800 North American theaters over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. The studio is projecting a debut in the high $20 million range, while independent tracking services estimate a start closer to $35 million. Those ticket sales would, indeed, be fetch because “Mean Girls” cost just $36 million to produce. It was originally commissioned to stream on Paramount+, but executives opted to release the film theatrically after audiences responded enthusiastically during test screenings.
The Plastics 2.0 won’t be the only newcomers to keep movie theaters bustling over the holiday frame. Amazon MGM’s “The Beekeeper,” an action thriller directed by David Ayer and starring Jason Statham, is expected to score a solid $17 million to $19 million over the four days. Another new release, Sony’s biblical comedic drama “The Book of Clarence,...
Paramount’s new take on the teen classic is aiming to generate $30 million from 3,800 North American theaters over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. The studio is projecting a debut in the high $20 million range, while independent tracking services estimate a start closer to $35 million. Those ticket sales would, indeed, be fetch because “Mean Girls” cost just $36 million to produce. It was originally commissioned to stream on Paramount+, but executives opted to release the film theatrically after audiences responded enthusiastically during test screenings.
The Plastics 2.0 won’t be the only newcomers to keep movie theaters bustling over the holiday frame. Amazon MGM’s “The Beekeeper,” an action thriller directed by David Ayer and starring Jason Statham, is expected to score a solid $17 million to $19 million over the four days. Another new release, Sony’s biblical comedic drama “The Book of Clarence,...
- 1/10/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Get ready for an epic outdoor adventure as “Fly Rod Chronicles With Curtis Fleming” presents Episode 2, titled “Casper Mancation.” Airing at 6:30 Am on January 13, 2024, on Discovery, this episode follows Curtis and his friends as they embark on a journey to Casper, Wyoming.
Joining forces with Blake Jackson at Crazy Rainbow and the Ugly Bug Fly Shop, the crew delves into the heart of Casper for a memorable summer escapade. The episode promises thrilling moments as the group encounters epic summer hatches, immersing themselves in the picturesque landscapes and rich fishing culture of Wyoming.
Whether you’re an avid angler or simply looking for a taste of the great outdoors, “Fly Rod Chronicles With Curtis Fleming” guarantees an engaging and visually stunning experience. Tune in at 6:30 Am on Discovery for an episode that captures the essence of camaraderie, adventure, and the beauty of nature in Casper, Wyoming.
Release Date...
Joining forces with Blake Jackson at Crazy Rainbow and the Ugly Bug Fly Shop, the crew delves into the heart of Casper for a memorable summer escapade. The episode promises thrilling moments as the group encounters epic summer hatches, immersing themselves in the picturesque landscapes and rich fishing culture of Wyoming.
Whether you’re an avid angler or simply looking for a taste of the great outdoors, “Fly Rod Chronicles With Curtis Fleming” guarantees an engaging and visually stunning experience. Tune in at 6:30 Am on Discovery for an episode that captures the essence of camaraderie, adventure, and the beauty of nature in Casper, Wyoming.
Release Date...
- 1/6/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
The 2023 Christmas season was a crowded one at the box office. "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," the rom-com "Anyone But You," and A24's acclaimed wrestling drama "The Iron Claw" all opened heading into the weekend, with "The Color Purple," Michael Mann's "Ferrari," and George Clooney's "The Boys in the Boat" arriving on Christmas Day. Moviegoers had plenty to choose from. Amidst all of this, Universal and Illumination unleashed an original animated film in the form of "Migration." Unfortunately, it didn't make as big of a splash as many in the industry were hoping it would.
Director Benjamin Renner's "Migration" had to settle for third place on its opening weekend behind "Aquaman" ($27.7 million) and "Wonka" ($18 million), taking in $12.4 million, per The Numbers. When adding in its Christmas haul, the film's domestic total stands at $17.8 million. It has also pulled in $21.9 million overseas thus far, giving it a...
Director Benjamin Renner's "Migration" had to settle for third place on its opening weekend behind "Aquaman" ($27.7 million) and "Wonka" ($18 million), taking in $12.4 million, per The Numbers. When adding in its Christmas haul, the film's domestic total stands at $17.8 million. It has also pulled in $21.9 million overseas thus far, giving it a...
- 12/27/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Anticipating the Magic of Pixar’s Latest Creation The buzz around Pixar’s ‘Turning Red’ is palpable, and for good reason. This film, with its vibrant storytelling and emotional depth, has already garnered critical acclaim and stirred the hearts of audiences worldwide. As we discuss why this cinematic gem demands to be seen in theaters, let’s immerse ourselves in the world of ‘Turning Red’, a film that not only promises entertainment but also an enriching theater experience. Witnessing Animation at Its Finest The high-quality animation of ‘Turning Red’ is nothing short of a visual feast. Theaters enhance every minute detail and lush...
- 12/24/2023
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
While the Original Song Oscar shortlist is typically good about spreading the wealth around, three movies dominated close to half the spaces. Barbie nabbed noms for three songs, while The Color Purple and Apple Original Films’ Flora and Son got two each. Of the 15 spots, Warner Bros owns five of ’em between Barbie and Color Purple.
Warner Bros has been pushing the Barbie soundtrack, produced by A Star Is Born “Shallow” Oscar winner and 7x Grammy winner Mark Ronson, in a major way this season with meet-and-greets and screenings for the latter, as well as performers Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and even Ryan Gosling. All three shortlisted songs from Barbie –“Dance the Night,” “What Was I Made For?” and “I’m Just Ken”– already are nominated over at the Golden Globes. When has there been a juggernaut from one movie between the Globes and Oscar shortlist?
While the Original Song...
Warner Bros has been pushing the Barbie soundtrack, produced by A Star Is Born “Shallow” Oscar winner and 7x Grammy winner Mark Ronson, in a major way this season with meet-and-greets and screenings for the latter, as well as performers Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and even Ryan Gosling. All three shortlisted songs from Barbie –“Dance the Night,” “What Was I Made For?” and “I’m Just Ken”– already are nominated over at the Golden Globes. When has there been a juggernaut from one movie between the Globes and Oscar shortlist?
While the Original Song...
- 12/21/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
2023 has been, broadly speaking, a very good year at the box office. The domestic total for the year will be at or near $9 billion — far exceeding 2022's $7.366 billion total, representing an increase of more than 20 percent year-over-year. More than that, the top three movies of the year, which are "Barbie" ($1.44 billion), "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" ($1.36 billion), and "Oppenheimer" ($953 million), were not sequels. It's the first time in decades that this has been the case. Unfortunately, the party is going to come to a screeching halt in January as the 2024 release calendar is a barren wasteland, at least for the first chunk of the year.
The Hollywood Reporter recently reported that the 2024 domestic box office could take a hit as large as $2 billion. That would be devastating, to put it lightly. Movie theaters have been operating on anything but stable ground since the pandemic arrived in 2020. The good news is...
The Hollywood Reporter recently reported that the 2024 domestic box office could take a hit as large as $2 billion. That would be devastating, to put it lightly. Movie theaters have been operating on anything but stable ground since the pandemic arrived in 2020. The good news is...
- 12/18/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
U.S. streaming giants were already in an uncomfortable position after Canada reined them in with first-time spending obligations to support the production of homegrown movies and TV series.
But as 2023 ends, the country’s TV and telecom regulator is at odds with American streamers over how much cash they are now obligated to fork over to subsidize local film, TV and music producers. During early December regulatory hearings in Gatineau, Quebec, top Canadian execs for Netflix, Apple Canada, Spotify and others bargained over setting a mandatory “initial base” contribution from U.S. digital giants to support local indie producers.
Those talks got hung up over still more hearings and negotiations set for next year to agree on a new definition on what does and doesn’t count as Canadian film or TV programming, or “Canadian content,” to modernize the country’s broadcast laws for the digital age. That new...
But as 2023 ends, the country’s TV and telecom regulator is at odds with American streamers over how much cash they are now obligated to fork over to subsidize local film, TV and music producers. During early December regulatory hearings in Gatineau, Quebec, top Canadian execs for Netflix, Apple Canada, Spotify and others bargained over setting a mandatory “initial base” contribution from U.S. digital giants to support local indie producers.
Those talks got hung up over still more hearings and negotiations set for next year to agree on a new definition on what does and doesn’t count as Canadian film or TV programming, or “Canadian content,” to modernize the country’s broadcast laws for the digital age. That new...
- 12/13/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.