In both a noble gesture toward exhibition after the studio’s Project Popcorn, and in a means to monetize downstream revenues, Warner Bros is taking what was a HBO Max movie, Steven Soderbergh’s Magic Mike’s Last Dance , and putting into 1,500 theatrical locations this weekend. That’s with a thrifty marketing spend. It’s the second movie after New Line’s House Party ($8.8M) for which Warners has reverse-engineered a streaming release for the big screen. Meanwhile, Paramount is building off the heat of James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water with a 25th anniversary 3D reissue of the filmmaker’s Oscar-winning 1997 smash Titanic . There are arguments to be made that either could notch No. 1: Titanic apparently is tracking better than the fall re-issue of Avatar ($10.5M opening) with a shot at double-digit millions in 2,400 theaters and the Channing Tatum-Salma Hayek Pinault threequel also having a potential $10M debut with the chance for more heading into … [Read more...] about ‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance’ & ‘Titanic’ Reissue Having Super Bowl Dance-Off At Box Office – Preview
This week box office collection
‘Aftersun’ Becomes Mubi’s Most Streamed Movie Ever & Crosses Box Office Milestones
EXCLUSIVE : Arthouse streamer and distributor Mubi has traditionally been shy about revealing performance numbers for its movies, but today we can reveal that BAFTA and Oscar hopeful Aftersun has become the company’s most streamed release globally. We’re told the Paul Mescal -starrer has now far surpassed Mubi’s previous best-performers including Portrait Of A Lady On Fire , The Worst Person In The World , Drive My Car , Decision To Leave , Shiva Baby and Titane , some of which were released during the pandemic, a boom time for streamer engagement. The film started streaming in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Latin America and a handful of other markets on January 6, 2023, and has also become the top-viewed film all time in these individual territories. It will join the platform in Germany, Austria and Spain in March, and later in France. Writer-director Charlotte Wells’ acclaimed debut has also blazed a trail for Mubi at the theatrical box office, becoming … [Read more...] about ‘Aftersun’ Becomes Mubi’s Most Streamed Movie Ever & Crosses Box Office Milestones
Former YMU Business Exec Joins Rebranded Digital Content Indie Cowshed Collective
EXCLUSIVE: Digital content indie Cowshed Social has rebranded to Cowshed Collective , signed a former YMU Chief Business Officer and split into four divisions. Cowshed, which creates content for Gen-Zs, will now operate with a Studios, Social, Creators and Ventures division. Studios will focus on producing content for broadcasters, Social on building brands, Creators on talent development and Ventures will be business-to-business. Hamizadeh is a signature hire who joins as Chief Business Officer. She is a former YMU Chief Business Officer and has also worked at UK publisher Haymarket. She joins soon after former Channel 4 and BBC Studios exec Matt Ford, while Cowshed Collective also recently hired former LADbible Group Head Of Production Joana Gutscher. “Cowshed is an impressive business that understands content, production, and how to deliver for clients to a high standard all within one agency,” said Hamizadeh. “I’m delighted to be involved in the next stage of … [Read more...] about Former YMU Business Exec Joins Rebranded Digital Content Indie Cowshed Collective
Regal Parent Cineworld Has Draft Plan With Lenders To Restructure, Emerge From Chapter 11; Still Taking Third-Party Bids
Counsel for bankrupt Cineworld said today the Regal parent has received the outline of a restructuring plan from lenders, a blueprint that would take it out of bankruptcy, although it’s also still pursuing a possible sale of assets. At a hearing at bankruptcy court in the Southern District of Texas, Cineworld attorney Joshua Sussberg said debt holders had submitted over the weekend a term sheet of a debt-for-equity exchange and a “significant” rights offering to fund the business going forward. He didn’t provide details of the plan, which has no specific financing commitments yet. A group of 35 funds holds a combined $6 billion in Cineworld debt. Meanwhile, the company continues with a sale process and Sussberg said has signed multiple non-disclosure agreements with interested parties including financial and strategic buyers of “all shapes and sizes and with all different kinds of proposals.” Non-binding offers are due Feb. 16. “Our lenders are effectively a bidder and … [Read more...] about Regal Parent Cineworld Has Draft Plan With Lenders To Restructure, Emerge From Chapter 11; Still Taking Third-Party Bids
‘Creed III’ Live Imax Premiere Event Tickets Go On Sale
MGM ’s Creed III is holding an Imax Live Premiere Event timed to the actual Feb. 27 world premiere. Tickets jut went on sale. The pic opens on March 3. The movie’s star-director-producer Michael B. Jordan will be joined by the cast to celebrate his directorial debut at the TCL Chinese Theater. The premiere red carpet will be streamed to 50 theatres across North There will also be special behind-the-scenes content, and the opportunity for moviegoers to see the pic first. Creed III is the first sports film to be shot in Imax. After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Jordan) has been thriving in both The first two Creed movies, a spin-off of the Rocky franchise, have grossed $387.7M WW. … [Read more...] about ‘Creed III’ Live Imax Premiere Event Tickets Go On Sale
Dana Walden & Alan Bergman To Oversee New Disney Entertainment Unit
Disney is moving back closer to how things used to be run on the content side with the creation of a new Disney Entertainment unit that will encompass TV and film. This new corporate division, which will sit separate to ESPN and the Parks, Experiences & Products unit, will be led by Dana Walden and Alan Bergman . The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger just revealed the new structure on the company’s latest earnings call, as part of a “ significant transformation ” at the company that he said would “maximize the potential of our world-class creative teams”. It officially dismantles Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, created by former CEO Bob Chapek and run by Kareem Daniel, who left last year. This unit separated the the way content and distribution decisions were made and took decision making power away from the creative teams. “Our new structure is aimed at returning greater authority to our creative leaders, and making them accountable for how … [Read more...] about Dana Walden & Alan Bergman To Oversee New Disney Entertainment Unit
‘Frozen‘, ’Toy Story’ & ‘Zootopia’ Sequels In The Works, Disney CEO Bob Iger Says
Animated sequels to Toy Story , Frozen and Zootopia are in the works, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced on today’s Q1 earnings call. “Today I’m so pleased to announce that we have sequels in the works from our animation studios to some of our most popular franchises, Toy Story, Frozen and Zootopia ,” Iger said. “We’ll have more to share about these productions soon, but this is a great example of how we’re leaning into our unrivaled brands and franchises.” The news came in the wake of some sour news, read a $5.5 billion cost savings by the conglomerate across all divisions and 7,000 jobs getting cut at Disney. RELATED: Disney Earnings Report & Reorganization – Full Coverage The most recent installments of those animated franchises were huge global grossing hits on the big screen: Frozen 2 ($1.45 billion in 2019), Pixar’s Toy Story 4 ($1.07 billion in 2019) and Zootopia ($1.02 billion in 2016). Franchise sequels work, duh. … [Read more...] about ‘Frozen‘, ’Toy Story’ & ‘Zootopia’ Sequels In The Works, Disney CEO Bob Iger Says
Shudder Acquires YA Horror-Thriller ‘Influencer’ From Filmmaker Kurtis David Harder Ahead Of EFM
EXCLUSIVE : Shudder has acquired multiple territories for the indie thriller Influencer from Kurtis David Harder — the filmmaker with whom it’s previously been in business on titles like Spiral . The award-winning feature, which launched its festival run at last year’s Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, will bow on the streamer this spring in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Latin America. Influencer tells the story of Madison (Emily Tennant), a popular social media influencer who is having a lonely and uneventful trip in Thailand despite what she tells her followers on Instagram. While reflecting on her boyfriend canceling the trip, she meets CW (Cassandra Naud), a fearless and enigmatic traveler who offers to take her to some of the most Instagram-worthy locations. Together they share authentic meals and drinks with locals, discussing the differences between Madison’s online presence and CW’s lack of one. After showing Madison … [Read more...] about Shudder Acquires YA Horror-Thriller ‘Influencer’ From Filmmaker Kurtis David Harder Ahead Of EFM
Detective Faith Yokas In ‘Third Watch’ ‘Memba Her?!
Gallery Launch Gallery Everett Collection American actress Molly Price was 32 years old when she was first cast as Faith Yokas -- the NYPD police officer who was promoted to detective -- in the drama series "Third Watch" back in 1999. Price shared the big screen with Coby Bell whose father was also an NYPD officer (and was killed), Tyrone Davis, Jason Wiles as the police officer with dry humor, Maurice Boscorelli aka "Bosco" and Kim Raver as the paramedic who struggles with her mental health, Kim Zambrano. Molly was also in the film "Sweet And Lowdown" with Woody Allen , as well as "Sex And The City" where she played Carrie Bradshaw's friend, Susan Sharon. Guess what she looks like now! … [Read more...] about Detective Faith Yokas In ‘Third Watch’ ‘Memba Her?!
GLAAD Media Awards: Bad Bunny, Christina Aguilera & Jeremy Pope Set For Honors
Recent Grammy winner Bad Bunny , Christina Aguilera and Jeremy Pope will be honored at the 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards next month for advancing and supporting the LGBTQ community. Bad Bunny — Spotify’s most-streamed artist in the world last year — will receive the Vanguard Award for having made “a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues.” Five-time Grammy winner Aguilera will receive the Advocate for Change Award for having “changed the game for LGBTQ people around the world.” And Pose alum and two-time Tony nominee Pope will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for having made “a significant difference in raising visibility and promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues.” Read bios for all three below. The awards show will be handed during the March 30 ceremony at the Beverly Hilton. RELATED: 2023 Awards Season Calendar – Dates For The Oscars, Guilds & More Bad Bunny’s advocacy and outspoken allyship for the … [Read more...] about GLAAD Media Awards: Bad Bunny, Christina Aguilera & Jeremy Pope Set For Honors