Pedro Pascal has added his name to more than 2,000 Hollywood industry professionals opposing the proposed Paramount merger with Warner Bros. The open letter, published Monday in The New York Times, argues that if the deal is approved, “the integrity, independence, and diversity of our industry would be grievously compromised.”
Director and Gollum actor Andy Serkis still has plans to take audiences back to Middle-earth. His upcoming film, Lord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum will bring back some of the original cast from Peter Jackson’s iconic trilogy. Viggo Mortensen will not be going on this journey, however, as the role of Aragorn has officially been recast.
Authorities in Australia have opened an official investigation into pop star Katy Perry over allegations that she sexually assaulted actress Ruby Rose in 2010. On Wednesday, Variety reported that it had received a statement from Victoria Police confirming the matter is being taken seriously.
After the launch of Saturday Night Live UK, industry observers watched the ratings closely to see how the iconic sketch format would translate to a new audience. Now four episodes in, a clearer performance trend is beginning to emerge. As the show heads into a one-week hiatus, some have pointed to signs of ratings struggles. However, industry trades like Deadline are framing the trajectory differently.
On Monday, Angel Studios debuted the first trailer for Brink of War, a historical drama starring Jeff Daniels as Ronald Reagan. Unlike 2024’s Reagan, which offered a broad overview of the actor-turned-president’s life, this film focuses on a single pivotal moment in history.
After years of empty seats and stale popcorn, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Project Hail Mary are giving theaters a renewed sense of hope. Both films have delivered strong box office performances, signaling that audiences are returning. Yet it isn’t superhero franchises or auteur-driven event films leading the charge this time.
The end of the bidding war between Paramount and Netflix for control of Warner Bros. brought relief to many industry observers, though the deal still faces regulatory approval.. If completed as planned, the deal would mark one of Hollywood’s most significant moments. On Monday morning, more than 1,000 film and television stars and creatives signed an open letter opposing it.
Issa Rae went from creating her own series on YouTube to becoming a major player in Hollywood—a remarkable career trajectory that many hardworking creators can only dream of. Speaking recently at TheWrap’s Creators x Hollywood Summit, Rae noted that she is now facing a new challenge in an evolving industry. “I’m seeing it. Just blatantly. People aren’t investing like they were before,” Rae said. “[DEI] has changed meanings and has become a bad word.” The producer added that other minority executives have told her they “can’t cosign” her projects for fear of losing their jobs in the current climate.
Gina Carano was positioned to become a key player in Star Wars before her cancelation by Disney. Her character, Cara Dune, quickly emerged as a fan favorite on the then-breakout Disney+ series The Mandalorian, with reports even suggesting a potential spin-off was in development. However, following a controversial social media post, Disney publicly cut ties with the actress.
Elon Musk doesn’t just want to go to Mars—he also wants to visit Jurassic Park. In a recent post on X, the tech giant expressed his enthusiasm, calling author Michael Crichton’s idea “epic.” Ethical—not to mention safety—concerns aside, it fits Musk’s broader pattern of backing bold genetic and biological engineering experiments.
Early box office tracking suggests that The Mandalorian and Grogu is trailing behind Solo, leading many industry watchers to say, “This is not the way.”
A moment at Coachella went viral for all the wrong reasons. Now headliner Sabrina Carpenter is at risk of being canceled. Her candid and confused response to an enthusiastic audience member sparked backlash online after clips spread widely. Carpenter has since issued an apology on X addressing her reaction.