MON: Producer Scott Rudin "stepping back" from Broadway

CANNES sets opening film - watch Trailer / OSCARS punt songs to pre-show / CLUBHOUSE hits $4 Billion valuation

Apr 19, 2021

Mornin! Here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on MONDAY April 19, 2021.

Where in today’s edition of covid nostalgia (is that a thing?) - One year ago today the Michael Jordan docuseries “The Last Dance” premiered on ESPN. Though honestly I can’t even tell if that seems like last year… or 5 years ago at this point.

Also of note from the weekend: Damian Lewis wrote a touching farewell yesterday to his wife, actress Helen McCrory who died of cancer on Friday afternoon.

And just putting this handy button here in case you know someone who would also dig this newsletter:

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📽 THE SILVER SCREEN

Kristen Wiig & Annie Mumolo writing alt-take on “Cinderella” for DISNEY

Live-action musical comedy will re-imagine the story through the eyes of evil stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella characters.

TBD if Kristen & Annie will have roles as well. Produced by Will Ferrell’s GLORIA SANCHEZ Productions. /THR

OSCARS putting all Best Song performances in the pre-show on Sunday

Performances will also be pre-taped. The pre-show begins at 630p and is hosted by Ariana DeBose (”Hamilton”) and Lil Rel Howery. /THR

Producer Scott Rudin “stepping back” from his Broadway productions after abuse allegations

Released a statement to the WASHINGTON POST almost 2 weeks after the THR cover story. He’s relinquishing “active participation” in the Broadway projects… so interpret that as you will. Says he’s “now taking steps that I should have taken years ago to address this behavior.” /Deadline

His shows include “To Kill a Mockingbird”, “Book of Mormon”, “West Side Story” and upcoming “The Music Man” with Hugh Jackman. No word on his activity in film projects.

ALSO: ACTORS EQUITY asks Rudin to release former employees from NDA’s. /Deadline

ALSO ALSO: #GoodRead from Chris Lee at VULTURE on Friday talking to a few Hollywood execs who hint that outside of Rudin’s A24 deal (who has still yet to comment), the town had already gotten tired of his antics (hasn’t had a major studio film in over 5 years).

BOX OFFICE

“Godzilla vs Kong” : $7.7 Million ($80 Mil US)

Globally has now surpassed the 2019 Godzilla movie’s total at $390.2M. China represents about half of it (now at $177M)
Also beats the global total of “Tenet” ($365 Million).

“Nobody” : $2.5 Million ($19 Million US, $34 Million globally)
“The Unholy” : $2 Million ($9.5 Million US)
“Raya & the Last Dragon” : $1.9 Million ($37.5 Million US)
“Tom & Jerry”: $1.1 Million ($42.5 Million US)

MEANWHILE IN CHINA: The “LOTR” debut… wasn’t so smooth - seems the last minute approval given to show the film resulted in arrival delays for the special 4K prints to theaters. Many Friday showings refunded so that debut was kinda ruined.

ALSO: “F9” will hit Russia, China, and many Far East countries a full month before the US with a May 21 opening in those territories.

ALSO IN MOVIES

MARVEL staying put with Georgia film production, “Black Panther II” will shoot there. Director Ryan Coogler lays out his thoughts on it here. /THR
“In the Heights” opening TRIBECA FILM FEST on Wed June 9 (hits theaters/HBOMAX June 11). Will screen outdoors TBD in 4 boroughs, and in Washington Heights, Manhattan at the United Palace theater.

📺 THE TV SET

STARZ orders Courtney Cox horror-comedy series “Shining Vale”

8 episode order, woman attempts to save her marriage by moving her family to a house in the suburbs, where she discovers her personal demons may be real.

Co-stars include Greg Kinnear, Mira Sorvino, and Merrin Dungey /THR

AMAZON spending $465 Million on production of “Lord of the Rings” TV series Season 1

That’s according to NZ government official. But they’re also getting about $115 Million in tax rebates. Good to see AMAZON finally getting a tax break.

They’re also planning to shoot 5 seasons of the show and possibly a spin off according to plans released to the government. /Variety

💻 THE MEDIA BIZ

CLUBHOUSE valued at $4 Billion in new funding round

Was valued at $1 Billion just 3 months ago. No word on how large this fundraising round is - the one back in January was for $100 Million. /TheInformation (subscription only)

ALSO: FACEBOOK expected to announce their CLUBHOUSE rip-off and other upcoming new audio products today including a podcast search tool with a SPOTIFY tie-in. /Recode

NFT company Dapper Labs (they run NBA Top Shot NFT’s) raising new funding round at $7.5 Billion valuation

They were valued at about $2.6 Billion in a fundraising round… about a month ago with many boldfaced names investing (Will Smith, Michael Jordan, etc). Yeah this is moving fast… No word on how much $$ they’re looking to raise at this new $7.5 Billion valuation. /TheInformation (subscription only)

ALSO IN MEDIA

Talent Agency UTA sets June 15 date for optional employee return to LA offices. NYC offices holding off until after Labor Day weekend. /THR
Jay Penske’s P-MRC, parent company of VARIETY, ROLLING STONE, DEADLINE etc, buys a 50% stake in SXSW. Called a “significant investment” but no numbers revealed. /WSJ
12 top European Soccer clubs forming a SUPER LEAGUE. Yes that’s the actual name. Will play mid-week games, and all teams (from Man U to Real Madrid to Juventus) will still keep in their respective leagues… who are not happy about this. 3 more teams to be added for a core 15, and 5 more will rotate in annually. Top teams from German & France currently not involved. TV rights TBD…. but DAZN rumored to have a role. Lot of uproar in Europe so TBD if this goes forward as planned. /BBC

🏦 STOCK NOTES:

PINTEREST dropped almost 10% based on an Analyst note about potentially softer revenue.

SNAP dropped 4%, and AMC THEATERS decided to drop another 5% going into the weekend. “Mortal Kombat” can’t get here soon enough.

🎥 TRAILER HOUSE

CANNES FILM FESTIVAL has set it’s opening film on July 6 - “Annette”, a musical (of sorts?) starring Adam Driver as a comedian who falls in love with Marion Cotillard’s internationally famous singer, whose lives are changed by the birth of their daughter… see title. Music/soundtrack from the band Sparks.

👩‍💻 NEW TO WATCH:

NBC “The Voice” - Snoop Dogg joins as a “mega” mentor. Mega is the name of a new kind of weed isn’t it?

AMC “The Secrets She Keeps” - series premiere at 10p

TBS “American Dad” - Season premiere at 10p

🎧 PLAYING ME OFF

KASABIAN “Club Foot” - Obviously not new but this song popped up randomly for me this weekend - man these guys put out a couple of great British Rock albums in the late 2000s...

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