| | | | | | What's news: The massive winter storm impacted the domestic box office. Steven Mnuchin is joining the board of Lionsgate. Netflix plans to keep the HBO exec team post-acquisition. Darren Walker is the new president and CEO of Anonymous Content. And we have our first look at Yoshi in the next Super Mario film. — Abid Rahman
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How 'Housemaid' Became a $300M Box Office Wonder ►Woof! Heading into the year-end holiday season, very few in Hollywood were focused on director Paul Feig’s The Housemaid, save for the social backlash engulfing star Sydney Sweeney over her American Eagle jeans ad. The in-demand young actress stars opposite Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar in the adaptation of Freida McFadden’s best-selling book of the same name. THR's Pamela McClintock writes that they are now. And if they aren’t, they will be soon. Over the Jan. 23-25 weekend, The Housemaid passed up Bridesmaids ($289.6m) to become the top-grossing film of Feig’s career in its original run with a stunning $294.9m in global ticket sales, not adjusted for inflation. The box office report.
—Please go and watch The Bone Temple, we need to know what happens next. A massive winter storm impacting much of the U.S. is taking a toll on the domestic box office as numerous communities and cities advised citizens to stay home, and more than 400 hundred theaters closed. Overall revenue is expected to fall to the lowest point of the year to date, while it’s also the first weekend to come in behind the same frame in 2025. The weekend’s winner is Timur Bekmambetov‘s new thriller Mercy , starring Chris Pratt as a man who is on trial for murdering his wife. In a chilling development, he learns his fate rests in the hands of an AI judge. On Saturday, MGM Amazon Studios reported an estimated $12.6m opening before the extent of theater closures was known.
Nia DaCosta’s elevated horror-zombie sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple hasn't had any luck despite strong reviews. After opening behind expectations at the MLK Holiday box office, it’s fell to No.5 in its sophomore outing with $3.6m for a domestic total of $21.4m and $46.1m globally. The box office report. |
Man Arrested at Sundance Party After Racist Assault on Pol ►Shocking. A man was arrested inside Park City’s High West Saloon after he allegedly assaulted Florida Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost and a female guest during a CAA Sundance party. Park City Police confirmed to THR that officers responded to a report of an assault after midnight. After an investigation, they arrested Christian Young and determined that he “unlawfully entered a private party" and assaulted Frost and a female at the event. Young allegedly stated how proud he was to be “white” after which he confronted Frost and told him “Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face,” confirms the politician. The story.
—"An illegal army is being mounted against U.S. citizens." Amid the ICE protests in Minneappolis, as well as the shocking death of Alex Pretti, attendees at Sundance this weekend spoke out against the lethal actions of law enforcement and the continued attacks on demonstrators. THR's Mia Galuppo reports that the likes of Olivia Wilde, Zoey Deutch and Natalie Portman, have been wearing “ICE Out” pins to festival premieres and events. Visiting THR 's studio at the fest, Edward Norton said “These days it’s: ’What are we gonna do about mass Gestapo shooting American citizens?,’ Norton said, acknowledging the difficulty of light conversation in light of current events. “We are sitting here talking about movies while an illegal army is being mounted against U.S. citizens." The story.
—"Deepfake pornography has become an epidemic." Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Paris Hilton have joined forces to urge Congress to pass the DEFIANCE Act. Ocasio-Cortez and Hilton took part in a press conference Thursday, where the “Stars Are Blind” singer shared her experience as a victim of nonconsensual pornography. The DEFIANCE (Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits) Act would provide legal recourse for victims of nonconsensual deepfake pornography, creating a civil right to sue creators and distributors of AI-generated intimate images used to harass or exploit them. The story.
—"Steven brings a long record of public and private sector leadership." Lionsgate Studios has named Steven Mnuchin, a former Treasury Secretary in Donald Trump’s first presidential administration, to its board of directors. Bringing on the hedge fund operator and film producer follows Lionsgate signing a standstill and voting agreement with Mnuchin’s Liberty 77 Capital L.P., and MHR Fund Management, LLC, run by Mark Rachesky, chair of the Lionsgate Board of Directors, according to a Jan. 26 regulatory filing. Standstill agreements typically prevent investors and their affiliates from acquiring shares beyond a certain limit and taking other actions with respect to the companies. Mnuchin holds around a 13 percent stake in Lionsgate. The story. |
Inside the White House Screening for Amazon's 'Melania' Doc ►Et tu, Tim Apple? On Saturday night, as a major snowstorm hit much of the U.S., and Minneapolis erupted in violence after the ICE shooting of a protestor, Melania Trump and director Brett Ratner held a private screening of their upcoming doc, Melania, at the White House. The black-tie event held in the East Room was not promoted or advertised but THR had sources inside. Among the approximately 70 VIP guests were Queen Rania of Jordan; Zoom CEO Eric Yuan; Apple CEO Tim Cook; New York Stock Exchange CEO Lynn Martin; AMD CEO Lisa Su; Mike Tyson; socialite and Fiat heiress Azzi Agnelli; self-help guru Tony Robbins; fashion designer Adam Lippes; and photographer Ellen von Unwerth, who shot the poster for the film. The story.
—Another one. Renée Fleming has withdrawn from two scheduled May appearances at the Kennedy Center, the latest in a wave of cancellations since Donald Trump ousted the previous leadership and the new leadership’s announcement that the venue would be renamed the Trump Kennedy Center. The Grammy-winning soprano was to have appeared with conductor James Gaffigan and the National Symphony Orchestra. Her decision is unsurprising; a year ago she resigned as “Artistic Advisor at Large,” citing the forced departures of Kennedy Center Chair David Rubenstein and its president, Deborah Rutter. The story.
—Casey Bloys, senior Netflix executive? In a lengthy interview with Ben Thompson of Stratechery, Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters said he and (fellow co-CEO) Ted Sarandos plan to keep “that HBO team” in tact post-acquisition. It’s a smart move considering what Bloys and co. have accomplished, and while expected by industry observers, the notion had not previously been affirmed so definitively. What Netflix plans to do with HBO/Max from an integration POV is still a bit unclear. The story.
—Exiting. Christian Vesper is stepping down as CEO of global drama and film at Fremantle after a decade with the company. Vesper joined Fremantle from Sundance TV, where he oversaw the network’s push into international co-productions, with series like Top of the Lake and Deutschland 83. Vesper was brought in to Fremantle by Andrea Scrosati to bolster the company’s push into high-end TV series and feature films. Over the next 10 years, Fremantle, best known for its shiny-floor reality TV formats like American Idol and X Factor, became a leading indie film producer, backing such features as Poor Things, Bugonia, Queer, Maria, and Pillion and series such as Joe Wright’s Musollini: Son of the Century, and Swedish drama Faithless from Tomas Alfredson. The story.
—New chief in place. The production and management firm Anonymous Content has named Darren Walker president and CEO. Walker, who stepped down as president of the Ford Foundation last year, will now oversee all aspects of the company across film, television, representation, and branded content businesses, as well as global operations. He joins Anonymous Content as Emerson Collective, the venture capital and philanthropic firm founded and led by Laurene Powell Jobs, will be “making a material investment to support the company’s growth,” it says. Emerson has been a backer of Anonymous Content for the last decade. The story. |
Busfield Case Puts Scrutiny on WB's Investigation ►"Delayed and limited cooperation." New Mexico prosecutors have made headlines with allegations of child sexual abuse against actor and director Timothy Busfield. But he’s not the only one defending himself. They’ve also accused Warner Bros. Television of botching an earlier internal company investigation into the actor and impeding their own criminal probe. Busfield is battling charges he inappropriately touched child actors while he directed the Fox series The Cleaning Lady , produced by WB TV. According to state officials, the studio’s third-party probe — prompted by an anonymous tip to the SAG-AFTRA hotline — was mishandled: Key witnesses weren’t interviewed and no one involved with it ever publicly reported the allegations. Moreover, prosecutors say, it’s hindered law enforcement’s own inquiry, particularly by slow-walking the handover of documentation. The story.
—"It was loyalty test. I prefer my people above my career." When a scheduled appearance by Israeli stand-up comedian Guy Hochman was abruptly canceled at a Beverly Hills screening venue this week, the decision initially appeared to be another protest-driven disruption tied to the war in Gaza. But, reports THR's Seth Abramovitch , the venue’s own public statements became the center of the controversy, drawing criticism from Jewish organizations, free speech advocates and industry figures who described the original response as discriminatory and antisemitic. The story.
—Under pressure. As Bari Weiss’s calamitous early tenure as the top editorial honcho at CBS News nears the four-month mark, the millennial opinion writer turned broadcast exec announced that she is taking a hiatus from the podcast she’s hosted for four years. On Thursday, Weiss made the announcement of her hiatus from her podcast Honestly With Bari Weiss in a post on The Free Press, the news and opinion website that she founded two years ago and was purchased by Paramount Skydance for $150m. The story.
—✊ First win. ✊ The production assistants’ union movement has reached the Empire State. Workers on the Netflix series The Four Seasons, which shoots in New York, have voted in a National Labor Relations Board election to unionize with Production Assistants United. Ballots were due by the end of the day on Monday and were counted on Thursday, with 19 crew members voting to join the union and one voting against. Thirty-four people were eligible to participate. "We’re proud of all that we’ve accomplished in our organizing efforts so far. This victory is a small step toward workplaces better valuing their employees’ wellbeing," said The Four Seasons production assistant Jenny Rich in a statement provided to THR. The story. |
'Super Mario Galaxy' Date Moved Up ►📅 Yoshi reveal! 📅 Attention Super Marios Bros. fans: Yoshi is coming, and he will be hatching in theaters a few days earlier than planned. Illumination and Nintendo said Sunday that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will now open in the U.S. and many other countries on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 moving up from April 3 (It will be released in Japan April 24, and other markets throughout the month). The companies also debuted a first look at the most anticipated new character to join the animated universe: Yoshi, the green dinosaur that assists Mario and Luigi on their adventures. The story.
—🏆 Congrats! 🏆 The writers of the feature film One Battle After Another and the TV series Death by Lightning, as well as the authors of the written works from which they were adapted, were recognized with the top prizes at the 38th USC Scripter Awards, a black-tie affair held in the Town & Gown ballroom on the campus of USC, on Saturday night. The winners. |
Film Review: 'I Want Your Sex' ►"Strap it on and enjoy the ride." THR's chief film critic David Rooney reviews Gregg Araki's I Want Your Sex. Outlaw indie hero filmmaker Araki returns with this satire of intergenerational sexual politics, contemporary art and kink as a gateway to self-knowledge. Starring Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, Mason Gooding, Chase Sui Wonders, Johnny Knoxville, Margaret Cho, Roxane Mesquida, Charli xcx and Daveed Diggs. Written by Karley Sciortino and Gregg Araki. The review.
—"Raw, personal and quietly shattering." David reviews Beth de Araújo's Sundance U.S. dramatic competition entry, Josephine. The writer-director’s second feature stars newcomer Mason Reeves as an 8-year-old girl confronted with very adult fears after witnessing a violent crime. Also starring Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan, Philip Ettinger, Syra McCarthy and Eleanore Pienta. Written by Beth de Araújo. The review.
—"In need of sharper teeth." David reviews Casper Kelly's Buddy. Keegan-Michael Key voices an orange plush unicorn turned homicidal maniac in Kelly’s subversive twist on educational children’s television designed to teach positive values and social skills. Starring Cristin Milioti, Delaney Quinn, Topher Grace, Michael Shannon, Patton Oswalt, Clint Howard and Caleb “CJ” Williams. Written by Casper Kelly and Jamie King. The review.
—"An adventurous experiment that doesn't pay off." David reviews Kogonada's Zi. After the critical misfire of A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, the filmmaker returns with a story about three people whose lives intersect over the course of a single night in Hong Kong. Starring Michelle Mao, Haley Lu Richardson and Jin Ha. Written by Kogonada. The review.
—"Tender but unsentimental." THR's Angie Han reviews Stephanie Ahn's Sundance U.S. dramatic competition entry, Bedford Park. The drama follows an unhappy physical therapist and a prickly ex-wrestler who forge an unexpected connection in the wake of a minor car accident. Starring Gary Foster, Chris S. Lee, Nina Yang Bongiovi, Theresa Kang and Son Sukku. Written by Stephanie Ahn. The review.
—"Joy and creativity as defiance." Angie reviews Maryam Ataei and Hossein Keshavarz's Sundance U.S. dramatic competition entry, The Friend's House Is Here. In modern-day Tehran, two longtime pals and roommates are threatened when their underground creative circle attracts the attention of the oppressive government regime. Starring Mahshad Bahraminejad, Hana Mana, Farzad Karen and Zohreh Pirnia. Written by Maryam Ataei and Hossein Keshavarz. The review. |
Film Review: 'The Disciple' ►"Great rags-to-riches story, questionable storytelling choices." THR's Daniel Fienberg reviews Joanna Natasegara's The Disciple. The RZA executive produced Natasegara's Sundance-premiering film tells the strange story of dogged outsider producer Cilvaringz and the Wu-Tang Clan’s controversial album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. The review.
—"A chaotic formal approach sometimes upstages strong material." Daniel reviews David Shadrack Smith's Sundance U.S. documentary competition entry, Public Access. From porn to LGBTQ visibility and various other empowered marginalized voices, Smith's doc covers a tumultuous chapter of media. The review.
—"Girls interrupted by love, sex and Shakespeare." For THR, Richard Lawson reviews Molly Manners' Sundance world cinema dramatic competition, Extra Geography. The BAFTA-winning TV director's debut feature stars Galaxie Clear and Marni Duggan as teenage BFFs who give themselves the assignment of falling in love. Also starring Alice Englert and Aoife Riddell. Written by Miriam Battye. The review.
—"More fan service than funny." Richard reviews Aidan Zamiri's The Moment. Slated for a late January release by A24, Zamiri's satire of cultural phenomenon Charli xcx also features Alexander Skarsgard, Rosanna Arquette, Kate Berlant and Hailey Benton Gates. Written by Aidan Zamiri and Bertie Brandes. The review.
—"A stylish, urgent allegory." Richard reviews Adrian Chiarella's Leviticus. This Sundance-bowing film about cursed teenagers takes a solemn, eerie look at homophobia and repression in a small town. Starring Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen and Mia Wasikowska. Written by Adrian Chiarella. The review.
—"And you thought your husband was stiff!" Richard reviews Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer's Wicker. Matters of sex and marriage are at the center of this bawdy comedy about the strangest kind of mail-order husband. Starring Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgard and Elizabeth Debicki. Written by Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer. The review. |
Film Review: 'American Doctor' ►"Filled with courage and chaos." THR's Jordan Mintzer reviews Poh Si Teng Sundance U.S. documentary competition entry, American Doctor. Teng followed a trio of U.S. doctors who volunteered to perform surgeries at Gaza's Nasser Medical Complex while the war raged on, risking their lives to save others. Featuring Dr. Thaer Ahmad, Dr. Mark Perlmutter and Dr. Feroze Sidhwa. The review.
—"Class warfare on the green." Jordan reviews Rafael Manuel's Sundance world cinema dramatic competition entry, Filipiñana. The Filipino filmmaker expands his award-winning 2021 short into a debut feature that depicts an elite country club as a paradise of exploitation. Starring Jorrybell Agoto, Carmen Castellanos, Teroy Guzman, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Isabel Sicat and Nour Houshmand. Written by Rafael Manuel. The review.
—"A generous homage to a major Latino talent." Jordan reviews David Alvarado's Sundance U.S. documentary competition entry, American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez. Edward James Olmos narrates an informative, archive-packed documentary that charts Valdez’s rise from impoverished son of migrant farmers to director of a Hollywood hit. Also featuring Lou Diamond Phillips, Daniel Valdez and Taylor Hackford. Written by David Alvarado. The review.
—"Abounding in strong emotion, sharp insight and personal charm." THR's Sheri Linden reviews Itab Azzam and Jack MacInnes' Sundance world cinema documentary competition entry, One in a Million. Filmed over a 10-year period, the doc follows a Syrian girl and her family as they escape their war-torn homeland and make a new life in Germany. The review.
—"Warm and sweet, if not entirely satisfying." THR's Jon Frosch reviews Ramzi Bashour's Sundance U.S. dramatic competition entry, Hot Water. Bashour's debut feature follows a tightly wound Lebanese woman and her troubled American-born teenager as they drive from Indiana to California. Starring Lubna Azabal, Daniel Zolghadri, Dale Dickey and Gabe Fazio. Written by Ramzi Bashour. The review.
In other news...
—Disney’s Muppet Show trailer re-lights the lights
—Marshals trailer hints at major tragedy in Kayce Dutton series
—Yorgos Lanthimos' next absurdist project? A Super Bowl ad for Grubhub
—Michael Bay signs with CAA
—Yvonne Lime Fedderson, actress in I Was a Teenage Werewolf and The Rainmaker, dies at 90
—Laura Adler, Emmy-nominated casting director, dies at 65
—Nessa Hyams, casting director and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman helmer, dies at 84
What else we're reading...
—Jonathan Rauch concedes that the Trump administration is fascist, given the president's "appetite for lebensraum, his claim of unlimited power, his support for the global far right, his politicization of the justice system, his deployment of performative brutality, his ostentatious violation of rights, his creation of a national paramilitary police" [Atlantic]
—Charlie Warzel reflects on how Alex Pretti's murder has "broken through the usual informational chaos" [Atlantic]
—Benjamin Mullin and Erik Wemple report on the Washington Post abruptly tearing up its plans to cover the Winter Olympics [NYT]
—The BBC reports that a high-ranking German soccer official wants to start World Cup boycott talks following the U.S.'s recent behavior over Greenland and tariffs [BBC]
—Frazier Tharpe makes a compelling case that Hollywood's go-to villain Jack O'Connell should be the next actor to play the Joker [GQ]
Today...
...in 2018, Magnolia Pictures released Ben Lewin's Please Stand By in U.S. theaters. The dramedy starring Dakota Fanning, Toni Collette, Alice Eve, River Alexander and Patton Oswalt received middling reviews and stalled at the box office. The original review.
Today's birthdays: Joseph Quinn (32), David Strathairn (77), Nuri Bilge Ceylan (67), Ellen DeGeneres (68), W. Kamau Bell (53), Mimi Leder (74), Cord Jefferson (44), Scott Glenn (87), Sara Rue (47), Kelly Stables (48), Drake Rodger (27), Ester Expósito (26), Alix Wilton Regan (40), Colin O'Donoghue (45), Edwin Hodge (41), Cameron Bright (33), Colton Underwood (34), Tracy Middendorf (56), Paul Johansson (62), María Pedraza (30), Addison Riecke (22), Hannah Arterton (37), Hemky Madera (49), Taylor James (46), Rachel DiPillo (35), Jennifer Crystal Foley (53), Kelli Barrett (42), Kathryn Leigh Scott (83), YaYa Gosselin (17), Tyger Drew-Honey (30), Celia Keenan-Bolger (48), Edward Hogg (47), Andrew J. Ferchland (39) |
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