More from Alex Weprin
After Taylor Swift, Who Else Could Rock the Box Office Without a Major Studio?
Team Taylor Swift and AMC Theatres caught Hollywood by surprise when doing an end run around the major studios and hiring AMC Theatres to distribute a secret movie chronicling her blockbuster Eras Tour. The concert pic opened to an estimated $95 million to $97 million opening over the Oct. 13-15 weekend in North America, even […]
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SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher Says AMPTP Suspending Talks “Came as a Shock to Me”
The AMPTP’s decision to suspend bargaining talks with SAG-AFTRA “really came as a shock” to the union’s president, Fran Drescher. “What does that exactly mean, and why would you walk away from the table? It’s not like we’re asking for anything that’s so outrageous,” Drescher said in an interview with NBC’s Chloe Melas that aired on […]
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CAA’s Bryan Lourd Fires Back at Ari Emanuel: He’s “Erratic” and “Self-Serving”
CAA chairman and CEO Bryan Lourd has responded to his longtime agency competitor Ari Emanuel. Emanuel on Wednesday criticized CAA — and specifically Lourd and his colleague Kevin Huvane — over a lawsuit accusing the agency of being complicit in Harvey Weinstein’s crimes. Emanuel said that Lourd should step aside pending an independent investigation. “Look, […]
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The NFL’s Taylor Swift Era: Who Wins the Most?
While the summer of 2023 had a blockbuster with Barbenheimer, fall is in the nascent stages of its own phenomenon. Call it: Football (Taylor’s Version). This NFL season has been anything but ordinary thanks to superstar Taylor Swift, who has attended two Kansas City Chiefs games after being linked with the team’s All-Pro tight end, […]
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AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron Was Target of Blackmail and Extortion Plot
AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron was the victim of a blackmail and extortion plot. The unconventional CEO disclosed the plot Thursday morning on X (formerly Twitter), adding that the perpetrator has already been convicted. “By definition, I live my life in the public eye. Unfortunately, last year I became the victim of an elaborate criminal extortion by […]
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Ari Emanuel Takes Aim at CAA Over Alleged Weinstein Ties: “They Didn’t Apologize”
Endeavor and TKO Group Holdings CEO Ari Emanuel appeared at Bloomberg’s Screentime conference to talk business — and a lawsuit impacting rival CAA — but it was impossible to ignore the story dominating geopolitics. Emanuel was asked by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw for his thoughts on the attacks in Israel, given his status as one of […]
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UTA Signs ‘Locke & Key’ and ‘Wynonna Earp’ Producer IDW Entertainment (Exclusive)
UTA has signed IDW Entertainment, the studio division of comic company IDW Publishing, for representation in all areas. The agency will help IDW Entertainment in developing the company’s production, distribution and media rights infrastructure, and will also “be a connector between IDW and collaborators across UTA’s network and beyond.” IDW Entertainment develops and produces series, features […]
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Chip and Joanna Gaines Launching Podcast Network, Blind Nil Audio (Exclusive)
The Magnolia empire is coming to podcasts. Chip and Joanna Gaines — the couple behind HGTV’s Fixer Upper, Magnolia Table, Magnolia Network and a mini food, design and shopping empire in Waco, Texas — are launching a podcast network through their production company Blind Nil Media. The podcast network, Blind Nil Audio, is being developed in […]
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Disney Raises Some Prices at Disneyland and Disney World as it Preps $60B Parks Investment
As it prepares to invest $60 billion into its lucrative theme parks business, The Walt Disney Co. is also raising some prices at Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida. “We are constantly adding new, innovative attractions and entertainment to our parks and, with our broad array of pricing options, the value of […]
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Sony’s Anime Streaming Service Crunchyroll Launches Linear Channel
Sony is bringing a trove of anime content from its premium streaming service Crunchyroll to free streaming platforms. Crunchyroll is launching a 24/7 linear channel, featuring a range of programming from its anime library. The channel will launch on a number of free, ad supported streaming platforms (FAST platforms), including Roku Channel, Amazon Freevee, LG […]
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Now What? The Five Crises Confronting a Post-Strike Hollywood
As brutal as 2023 has been for the entertainment industry, it’s possible the town will someday look back on this moment wistfully. And not just because of the picket line solidarity or cozy mogul hangs in the bargaining room. The strikes helped earn gains for Hollywood workers in such areas as streaming residuals and AI, […]
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Agnes Chu Exits Condé Nast Entertainment in Restructuring
Condé Nast is shaking up its video and editorial content structure, with Condé Nast Entertainment president set to leave the company amid the changes at the end of this month. Condé Nast CEO Roger Lynch announced Chu’s departure in a memo to staff Tuesday. “From building up our film, television and entertainment business with over […]
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