Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger approved; Mark Ruffalo, Casey Bloys succession dominate fallout
The $111 billion deal cleared its final regulatory hurdle Wednesday and is tentatively set to close next week, with HBO content chief Casey Bloys tapped to run
Variety · +2 outlets
Ted Sarandos says Netflix is "not growing as fast as I want us to," rules out UGC push
The co-CEO's remarks signal pressure on subscriber growth as Netflix leans on advertising and live events rather than user-generated content.
The Hollywood Reporter · +14 outlets
David Fincher ends Netflix deal after six years and three films
The exit closes a marquee filmmaker relationship at Netflix and effectively kills hopes for a third season of Mindhunter.
variety.com · +13 outlets
Ted Cruz blocks Senate passage of No Fakes Act targeting AI deepfakes
Cruz said the bill lacked sufficient exceptions for use of a person's image, stalling federal action on unauthorized AI likenesses.
Deadline · +8 outlets
Tokyo court rules AI voice-cloning tool violated actor's publicity rights
The ruling treats a performer's voice as a protected publicity right, a precedent for AI training and cloning disputes in Japan.
The Guardian · +14 outlets
Neon to make open-source SCP Foundation film under Creative Commons, countering A24's acquisition
The move turns the fan-built horror universe into a test case for open licensing versus studio exclusivity.
Deadline · +2 outlets
Box office: Verity targets $30M-$35M debut as Anne Hathaway's third No. 1 of the year
The Colleen Hoover adaptation is favored for the top spot while Warner Bros.' Tom Cruise-led Digger is projected around $12 million.
Variety · +2 outlets
HBO's Casey Bloys to run Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery streaming empire as Paramount's streaming chief exits
The leadership shuffle defines who controls the combined HBO Max and Paramount+ streaming operations.
variety.com · +6 outlets
Starz warns it may go dark on Verizon FiOS amid carriage dispute
A failed distribution renewal would pull Starz channels and its app from Verizon's FiOS TV lineup.
Deadline · +2 outlets
Oasis files legal action to halt sale of unheard recordings valued over £1m
Noel and Liam Gallagher are suing a former Oasis sound engineer over tapes that were pulled from auction.
The Guardian · +5 outlets
Avengers: Doomsday directors reveal roughly 2.5-hour runtime and tease surprising ending
The Russo brothers offered early details on scale and structure for Marvel's next Avengers installment.
IGN
Netflix's Wednesday wraps Season 3 filming, with long wait before release
The Jenna Ortega-led hit completed production, but the streaming release remains far out given Netflix's lengthy post-production cycle.
The Hollywood Reporter · +13 outlets
Jennifer Lawrence to star in Zach Cregger sci-fi thriller The Flood
The project pairs the Oscar winner with the Barbarian director on a film described as Alien meets 2001.
empireonline.com · +13 outlets
Alec Baldwin's civil rights lawsuit over Rust prosecution dismissed
The court found Santa Fe officials shielded by prosecutorial immunity while noting potential gross misconduct in the criminal case.
The Hollywood Reporter · +13 outlets
Scrubs revival returns for Season 2 with two-episode premiere; showrunner teases Dr. Cox and Carla arcs
ABC's Scrubs continuation opened its second season Wednesday, with producer Aseem Batra discussing cast changes and reduced intern counts.
Variety · +13 outlets
Nicolas Cage calls MCU "a well-funded and glorified WWE"
The Ghost Rider star's Fan Expo Dallas remarks about 50-plus-year-old actors in ridiculous outfits drew wide social media response.
Variety · +8 outlets
Woman accused of firing at Rihanna's home indicted on attempted murder with assault weapon
Prosecutors escalated charges in the shooting at the singer's residence.
AP News
Sean Combs' release date moved up as reports detail alleged pampered prison lifestyle
New coverage describes massages and alcohol access behind bars while his sentence timeline shifts.
Los Angeles Times