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Universal’s “The Super Mario Bros.” movie and Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” both animated films, have racked up big ticket sales this year. The successes of "Super Mario Bros." and "Spider-Man" also reflect a new post-COVID-19 trend at box offices, Hollywood insiders say. In his book, “Creativity, Inc.,” Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull credited Pixar's brain trust with the studio’s early box-office triumphs. Catmull and other members of the original brain trust are gone, though Docter remains, now in the role of chief creative officer. During the pandemic's peak, when many cinemas were closed, Disney launched three Pixar films directly to Disney+_in the U.S., bypassing theaters.

Persons: ”, Universal’s, Mario, Tony Chambers, Disney's, don’t, Chambers, DreamWorks Animation’s, “ Ruby Gillman, Tom Sito, King, Sito, Jeff Bock, Ed Catmull, — John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Lee Unkrich, Joe Ranft —, Docter, Domee Shi, Soul’s ’ Kemp Powers, Pixar’s, Brad Bird, Oscar, “, Darla K, Anderson, “ Coco ”, Bob Chapek, there’s, we’ve, ” Docter, it’ll, Dawn Chmielewski, Lisa Richwine, Kenneth Li, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Pixar, Inc, Walt Disney, Universal Studios, DreamWorks, University of Southern, Netflix, Disney, Apple, Relations, Thomson Locations: ANGELES, U.S, Canada, Disney, University of Southern California, ”

☆ New Pixar film 'Elemental' opens weak for Disney
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-18 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The opening figure for the United States and Canada fell shy of box office forecasts and ranked among the lowest ever for a film from Pixar, the acclaimed animation studio behind "Toy Story," "Finding Nemo" and other classics. "Elemental," a story about overcoming outward differences, added $15 million overseas for a global total of $45 million, Disney said. The film opened in just three major international markets and will expand to other countries in the coming weeks. Pixar is looking to rebound from the box office disappointment of its 2022 release "Lightyear," the origin story of "Toy Story" hero Buzz Lightyear. The movie brought in an earthbound $226.7 million in global ticket sales, a fraction of the $1 billion take for 2019's "Toy Story 4."

Persons: Buzz Lightyear, Peter Sohn’s, Lisa Richwine, Leslie Adler Organizations: U.S, Walt Disney Co, Pixar, Disney, Reuters, Thomson Locations: ANGELES, United States, Canada, City, American

☆ New 'Black Mirror' season begins by tackling actors' anxiety about AI
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Rollo Ross | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LOS ANGELES, June 15 (Reuters) - In the new season of Netflix Inc's (NFLX.O) sci-fi show "Black Mirror," an office manager finds that a streaming service is replaying her life using an avatar of Salma Hayek. Hayek, in the episode released on Thursday, has sold her digital image to Hollywood for use in programming created with artificial intelligence (AI). The story highlights real-world concerns of actors and writers, said "Schitt's Creek" star Annie Murphy, who plays the office manager. Murphy said she and Hayek discussed the issue during filming of "Black Mirror." "Her image has been used in so many terrible and disrespectful ways, so we did have conversations about that," Murphy said.

Persons: Salma Hayek, Hayek, Annie Murphy, Murphy, It’s, Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves, Rollo Ross, Lisa Richwine, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Netflix, Guild of America, WGA, Actors, SAG, Hollywood, Thomson Locations: ANGELES

The movie is projected to debut with a modest $31 million to $41 million this weekend in the U.S., according to the Box Office Pro website. That is well shy of the recent $120.5 million haul for Sony’s critically acclaimed animated hit "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse." Pixar is looking to rebound from the box office disappointment of 2022 release "Lightyear," the origin story of "Toy Story" hero Buzz Lightyear. "Judging Pixar on the recent past, history would not be kind," said SVB MoffettNathanson media analyst Michael Nathanson. But the move dealt a blow to creatives who had hoped their films would be seen on the big screen, according to one Pixar director who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Persons: Athie, Leah Lewis, Pete Docter, Denise Ream, Peter Sohn, Adele Exarchopoulos, Vincent Lacoste, Jim Morris, Read, Buzz Lightyear, Pixar, Michael Nathanson, Sohn, Mario, Shawn Robbins, Robbins, Bob Chapek’s, Luca, creatives, Sohn’s, Dawn Chmielewski, Lisa Richwine, Nathan Frandino, Kenneth Li, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Cannes Film, Pixar Animation Studios, Box, Pixar, Reuters, Walt Disney Co, Reuters Television, Comcast, Universal Pictures, Mario Bros, Sony Pictures, Pro, Disney, U.S, Cannes, Rotten, Thomson Locations: U.S, City, Los Angeles, San Francisco

June 13 (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) on Tuesday announced that a new "Star Wars" film will reach theaters in 2026 but said it would postpone the release of the next three installments in James Cameron's blockbuster "Avatar" series. The studio also pushed back the scheduled release dates for "Thunderbolts" and "Blade," two Marvel films that have been disrupted by the ongoing strike by Hollywood writers. "Avatar 3," originally scheduled to debut in December 2024, is now set for release in December 2025. "Avatar 4" is slated for December 2029 and "Avatar 5" for December 2031. A new "Star Wars" movie was scheduled for December 2026, one of two in the space saga that will be released that year.

Persons: James Cameron's, Jon Landau, Landau, Mahershala Ali, Ryan Reynolds, Dawn Chmielewski, Lisa Richwine, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Walt Disney Co, Tuesday, Marvel, Hollywood, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles

[1/2] A person works on the stage before the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards Nominations announcement in Beverly Hills, California, U.S. December 12, 2022. REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniLOS ANGELES, June 12 (Reuters) - The Golden Globe Awards were sold on Monday to a new owner that will shut down the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the voting group that faced controversy over ethical lapses and a lack of diversity. A Los Angeles Times investigation in 2021 revealed the organization had no Black journalists in its ranks. "Today marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Golden Globes,” Boehly said in a statement. Reporting by Danielle Broadway in Los Angeles Additional reporting by Lisa Richwine in Los Angeles Editing by Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mario, Dick Clark, DCP, Eldridge, Todd Boehly, ” Boehly, Danielle Broadway, Lisa Richwine, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Globe, Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Eldridge Industries, Golden Globe, Dick Clark Productions, Globes, Eldridge, Penske Media, NBC, Los Angeles Times, Golden Globes, Thomson Locations: Beverly Hills , California, U.S, ANGELES, Los Angeles

☆ Hollywood actors, studios agree to media blackout for labor talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The actors' union is seeking pay increases and protections around the use of artificial intelligence in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), Netflix Inc (NFLX.O), Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O) and other companies. The actors' negotiations are taking place as the Writers Guild of America (WGA) remains on strike. The work stoppage, which began May 2, has shut down late-night talk shows and halted production of shows such as a new season of "Stranger Things." SAG-AFTRA members have authorized a strike if their talks fail to yield an agreement by June 30. Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Lisa ShumakerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Marg Helgenberger, Lisa Richwine, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: CBS, Screen Actors, Writers Guild of America, Universal Studios, Hollywood, Alliance, Television Producers, Walt Disney Co, Netflix Inc, Comcast Corp, SAG, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, ANGELES

☆ PGA Tour, LIV merger may lead to higher viewers and costs for golf sponsors
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Sheila Dang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The move ends a bitter legal battle between the organizations that has split the golf world and its top players. The organizations said on Tuesday they will work to allow a process for LIV Golf players to reapply for membership on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. The potential for top players to compete on other tour events will help boost ratings, experts said. It is unclear how broadcasting rights for the TV networks that sell commercial time during golf events could change in the long term. The CW network, which airs LIV Golf in the U.S., said there is no change to the event schedule in 2023, while NBC Sports, which airs some PGA Tour events, said it was still learning about the announcement.

Persons: LIV, Paul Childs, Neal Pilson, I've, Michael Goldman, LIV Golf, Patrick Rishe, St . Louis, Pilson, Jamal Khashoggi, Goldman, Sheila Dang, Dawn Chmielewski, Lisa Richwine, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Centurion Club, LIV Golf, REUTERS, PGA, Pilson Communications, CBS Sports, National Golf Foundation, CBS, CW, LIV, NBC Sports, Nexstar Media Group, Comcast, University of San, Washington University, Brands, Public Investment Fund, Saudi, Washington Post, Thomson Locations: Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, Britain, Saudi, United States, U.S, University of San Francisco, St ., Saudi Arabia, Dallas, Los Angeles

☆ Hollywood actors authorize strike as writers still out
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LOS ANGELES, June 5 (Reuters) - Hollywood's actors union voted to authorize a strike if contract talks break down, turning up the heat on major film and television studios already grappling with a monthlong work stoppage by writers. No new negotiations are scheduled with the striking Writers Guild of America (WGA), which represents 11,500 film and TV writers. A strike by actors would lead to a broader shutdown across Hollywood and increase pressure on studios that need programming to feed their streaming services and the fall TV broadcast schedule. In the negotiations, actors are seeking higher pay and safeguards against unauthorized use of their images through artificial intelligence. SAG-AFTRA leaders said the industry had changed dramatically with the rise of streaming television and the emergence of new technology such as generative AI.

Persons: AFTRA, Bravo, Fran Drescher, Duncan Crabtree, Lisa Richwine, David Gregorio, Lisa Shumaker, Kim Coghill, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Bravo SAG, Guild of America, Warner Bros, HBO, SAG, Alliance, Television Producers, Walt Disney Co, Netflix Inc, Thomson Locations: ANGELES, Hollywood, Ireland

During the last WGA strike in 2007 and 2008, a studio deal with the DGA prompted writers to head back to the bargaining table. If approved, it could offer a blueprint for the striking writers and upcoming talks between studios and SAG-AFTRA, the union representing Hollywood actors. In the DGA's agreement, directors secured wage increases starting at 5% the first year, an increase in residuals from streaming, and a guarantee that "generative AI cannot replace the duties performed by members." AI has emerged as a major concern of writers and actors, who see their jobs as especially vulnerable to the new technology. The WGA work stoppage has disrupted production of late-night shows and shut down high-profile projects such as Netflix's "Stranger Things" and a "Game of Thrones" spinoff.

Persons: Chris Keyser, Keyser, AFTRA, Lisa Richwine, Maria Caspani, Dawn Chmielewski, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: of America, DGA, Alliance, Television Producers, Netflix, Walt Disney Co, Guild of America, WGA, YouTube, SAG, Hollywood, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles, New York

☆ Digital doubles, fake trailers: AI worries Hollywood actors before labor talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

AI already has divided studios and striking film and television writers, who want assurances that the emerging technology will not be used to generate scripts. SAG-AFTRA wants to ensure its members can control use of their "digital doubles" and ensure studios pay the actual actors appropriately, said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union's chief negotiator. A representative for the AMPTP had no comment on its position on use of AI with actors. In negotiations with the Writers Guild of America (WGA), the AMPTP proposed discussing the topic once a year, which the Guild viewed as an attempt to avoid the issue. You're never going to see anything like that if we're all using AI."

Persons: Julia Louis, Dreyfus, Christine, Wes Anderson, Harry Potter, Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, AFTRA, Duncan Crabtree, Crabtree, Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves, Reeves, Leland Morrill, we're, Morrill, Justine Bateman, Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford, Walt Disney, Ford, Stephen Colbert, James Earl Jones, Darth Vader, Carrie Fisher, AFTRA's Crabtree, Bateman, " Bateman, Lisa Richwine, Jorge Ramos, Dawn Chmielewski, Mary Milliken, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Warner Bros ., Screen, Writers Guild America, YouTube, SAG, Microsoft Corp, Walt Disney Co's, Lucasfilm, Disney, Alliance, Television Producers, Netflix Inc, Writers Guild of America, WGA, Thomson Locations: Burbank , California, ANGELES, Hollywood, Ireland, ., Los Angeles

☆ 'That 70s Show' actor Danny Masterson convicted on two rape counts
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 31 (Reuters) - "That '70s Show" actor Danny Masterson was convicted on Wednesday of raping two women at his Hollywood Hills home. Masterson, 47, got his break-out role in the 1998 to 2006 television comedy series "That '70s Show," in which he played a rebel adolescent. The actor had pleaded not guilty to the rape charges. According to City News Service, Cohen questioned the credibility of the alleged victims and said their stories had been tweaked over the years. The case drew attention in part because Masterson met the women through the Church of Scientology, and two of the accusers said the organization discouraged them from contacting law enforcement.

Persons: Danny Masterson, Masterson, Greg Risling, Philip Cohen, Cohen, Lisa Richwine, Stephen Coates Organizations: Hollywood, Los Angeles County, City News Service, of Scientology, Scientology, Thomson

☆ 'Hot labor summer': Los Angeles unions back Hollywood writers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( Jorge Garcia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LOS ANGELES, May 26 (Reuters) - Unions representing teachers, truck drivers and other workers who will be headed soon to the bargaining table turned out in downtown Los Angeles on Friday to support Hollywood's striking film and television writers. On Friday, a few hundred members of unions in the tourism and hospitality industries, teachers, logistics workers and public employees rallied in downtown Los Angeles in a show of unity. The participating unions represented more than 200,000 workers with collective bargaining agreements also due to expire in 2023, organizers said. "It's going to be a hot labor summer," Lorena Gonzalez, executive secretary of the California Labor Federation, told the crowd. [1/6] Union workers rally to fight alongside Writers Guild of America for liveable wages and future contracts in Downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 26, 2023.

☆ Disney to close Star Wars hotel that opened in Florida last year
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] "Star Wars" Stormtroopers stand guard inside the atrium of the Halcyon starcruiser at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, U.S., February 24, 2022. Disney announced the closing of the two-night "Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser" hotel and experience on Thursday but did not provide a reason. The hotel debuted with fanfare at Walt Disney World in March 2022. Some Star Wars fans had complained that the cost of staying at the Starcruiser was too high. The price included two days and two nights in one of 100 Starcruiser cabins, galactic-inspired food and drink, and a visit to Batuu, the "Star Wars" planet inside the Disney World theme park.

DeSantis, who is expected to soon announce that he will seek the 2024 Republican nomination for U.S. president, then moved to strip Disney of its long-standing self-governing power over Walt Disney World in Orlando. Democratic State Sen. Linda Stewart, who represents part of Orange County, called it "disappointing" that Florida would lose jobs. Iger's predecessor announced plans in July 2021 to relocate jobs from Southern California to a new facility in central Florida, citing its "business-friendly climate." "I remain optimistic about the direction of our Walt Disney World business," D'Amaro wrote. We have plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 jobs over the next ten years.

LOS ANGELES, May 18 (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) is scrapping plans to relocate 2,000 jobs to Florida in part because of "changing business conditions" in the state, according to an e-mail to employees seen by Reuters on Thursday. Disney parks chief Josh D'Amaro said "leadership changes" and "changing business conditions" prompted Disney to reconsider its 2021 plan to relocate employees, including its Imagineers who design theme park rides, to a new campus in Lake Nona. The original decision to relocate employees to Florida from California had prompted complaints from many employees who did not want to move across the country. DeSantis, who is expected to soon announce that he will seek the 2024 Republican nomination for U.S. president, then moved to strip Disney of its long-standing self-governing power over Walt Disney World in Orlando. Iger's predecessor announced plans in July 2021 to relocate jobs from Southern California to a new facility in central Florida, citing its "business-friendly climate."

☆ Hollywood actors' union asks members to authorize possible strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LOS ANGELES, May 18 (Reuters) - The board of Hollywood's actors union asked members on Thursday to give negotiators the power to call a strike, a move that would add new pressure to major studios already facing a writers' strike. The SAG-AFTRA actors union set a June 5 deadline for its 160,000 members to cast ballots in a strike authorization vote. If approved, the measure would allow union leaders to call a work stoppage if they cannot reach a new contract agreement with major Hollywood studios. The writers' strike has disrupted production of late-night shows and some TV series, but some filming is continuing. A strike by actors would lead to a broader shutdown across the industry.

☆ Netflix ad tier now has nearly 5 million monthly active users
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LOS ANGELES, May 17 (Reuters) - Netflix Inc's (NFLX.O) recently launched tier that offers lower subscription fees but includes commercials on its programming now has nearly 5 million global monthly active users, a company executive said on Wednesday at a presentation to advertisers. The median age of those viewers is 34, said Jeremi Gorman, Netflix's president of worldwide advertising. Netflix launched a $7-per-month ad-supported tier in November in 12 markets. A Netflix subscription without advertising starts at $10 a month. Netflix had planned to make the presentation live in New York but switched to a virtual event to avoid protests from striking members of the Writers Guild of America.

☆ Netflix ad tier has nearly 5 mln monthly active users
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LOS ANGELES, May 17 (Reuters) - Netflix Inc's (NFLX.O) recently launched ad-supported tier reaches nearly 5 million active users per month, executives said on Wednesday in a pitch that emphasized the breadth of its programming to potential advertisers. On Wednesday, Netflix made its first presentation to advertisers at the annual ritual known as the upfronts, where networks aim to lock in ad commitments for upcoming shows. Jeremi Gorman, Netflix's president of worldwide advertising, said that global monthly active users had reached 5 million. Monthly active users count all adult profiles used on one account with ads. Netflix reported 232.5 million paying subscribers around the world as of the end of March.

[1/2] Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger poses on the champagne-colored red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 95th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 12, 2023.... Read moreMay 10 (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) Chief Executive Bob Iger on Wednesday accused Florida politicians of retaliating against the company and questioned the state's interest in the entertainment conglomerate's continued investment in Walt Disney World. It plans to invest $17 billion over the next decade expanding Walt Disney World. And by the way, we pay them above the minimum wage, substantially above the minimum wage dictated by the state of Florida," Iger said in remarks made during the company's quarterly investor call. He said Disney has been forced to file a lawsuit in federal court to protect its business interests. Iger disputed that, noting some 2,000 special districts exist in Florida to foster development and that "we were one of them."

[1/3] A man looks at his phone as he passes by a screen advertising Walt Disney's streaming service Disney+ in New York City, U.S., November 12, 2019. The division ended the quarter with an operating loss of $659 million, compared with $1.1 billion in the prior quarter. At the same time, total subscribers to the flagship Disney+ service dropped by 4 million to 157.8 million. Inge Heydorn, a fund manager at GP Bullhound, said a question for investors is: "are the trade offs from lower marketing costs leading to lower subscribers?" "We've only just begun to scratch the surface of what we can do with advertising on Disney+," Iger said on a conference call with analysts.

The company plans to expand its streaming offerings by the end of the year with a new app that combines Disney+ and Hulu, Chief Executive Bob Iger said. Total subscribers to the flagship Disney+ service dropped by 4 million from the previous quarter to 157.8 million. Most of the defections came from the Disney+ Hotstar offering in India after it lost streaming rights to Indian Premier League cricket matches. "Striking a fine balance between customer acquisition versus financial performance is no easy feat." As Disney tries to build streaming, its traditional television business faces hurdles.

☆ Streaming broke the career ladder, striking Hollywood writers say
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

How to train and support a new generation of writers is a sticking point in contract negotiations between the WGA, which represents 11,500 film and TV writers, and Hollywood's major studios. Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) and other streaming services began crafting shorter series in "mini rooms" with fewer writers. The WGA, however, is seeking a requirement for at least six TV writers per series, with half of them being employed throughout the production. Now, half of all writers work at minimum salary levels, the WGA said. "I want to be part of fighting for a better future," Smith said while holding a "Writers Guild of America On Strike" sign.

LOS ANGELES, May 8 (Reuters) - Writing for a new season of "The Handmaid's Tale" and a coming "Game of Thrones" prequel was halted as a nearly week-long strike by thousands of film and television writers rippled across Hollywood on Monday. Writing of the dystopian drama stopped when the Writers Guild of America (WGA) called a strike last week, Chang told Reuters on Monday. Martin said in a blog post that the writers' room for prequel series "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight" was "closed for the duration of the strike." Warner Bros has not announced a release date for "The Hedge Knight." The second season of "House of the Dragon," another "Game of Thrones" prequel, began filming in April, Martin said, and will continue in London and Wales.

[1/3] Writers Guild of America members and supporters picket outside Sunset Bronson Studios and Netflix Studios, after union negotiators called a strike for film and television writers, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 3, 2023. REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniLOS ANGELES, May 4 (Reuters) - The group representing Hollywood studios fired back on Thursday at claims from striking film and television workers that they have been forced into the "gig economy" because of changes brought by the streaming TV era. Roughly 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike on Tuesday, saying that studios had "created a gig economy inside a union workforce." Most TV writers, the group said, are employed on a weekly orepisodic basis, with a guarantee of a specified number of weeks or episodes. Writers say they are working more and making less as studios have shifted their focus to streaming over traditional TV and cable.

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