Vin Diesel doing Rock’em/Sock’em Robot movie at UNIVERSAL
TUE: John Cameron Mitchell as JOE EXOTIC / OSCARS going mask-less / FACEBOOK App integrating SPOTIFY
Mornin! Here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on TUESDAY April 20, 2021. Where I’ll leave the 4/20 jokes to the folks at MORNING BREW. So instead - Here’s some much classier real estate porn:
The Dirt.com website shows us where The Rock will be soon waking up each day… at 3am. He laid down a cool $27.8 Million for Paul Reiser’s house in Beverly Park (originally built by Alex Van Halen). New neighbors: Eddie Murphy, Sylvester Stallone and Denzel. Although as a fellow 6’4 guy - that indoor pool in the listing looks like he’d get about 5 or 6 strokes in before having to turn around. 🏊♂️
In case you work with someone who lives in… less modest surroundings who could use a free newsletter - here’s a handy button:
📽 THE SILVER SCREEN
UNIVERSAL sets Vin Diesel for “Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots” movie with MATTEL
Father and son form an unlikely bond with an advanced war machine…. which better be a Rock ‘em Sock ‘em robot or they’ll have a lot of disappointed fans out there.
Script is written, no word on a director. /THR
“Downton Abbey 2” hitting theaters this Christmas
Currently shooting, Dominic West joining all of the original cast. Original movie ended up with an impressive $194 Million box office total. /THR
ALSO IN MOVIES
No Masks for talent in the audience at the OSCARS. Well there goes my Guess the A-List Director drinking game… /Variety
NETFLIX adds Paul Dano & Kunal Nayyar (“Big Bang Theory”) to Adam Sandler + Carey Mulligan movie “Spaceman”. /Deadline
NYC Movie theaters going from 25% capacity all the way to… 33% next Friday April 26. So feel free to now go with a friend. But just one. And not Steve. /Variety
MTV Movie & TV Awards nominations list here. Takes place Sun May 16 in LA. /Variety
CONDE NAST ENTERTAINMENT sets Unscripted Development/Production head - Sarah Amos coming over from MARVEL. Will report into CNE head of Film & TV, Helen Eastbrook. /Deadline
📺 THE TV SET
John Cameron Mitchell playing ”Joe Exotic” in NBCU limited series
Will star opposite Kate McKinnon’s “Carole Baskin” in the limited series based on the WONDERY podcast about the whole thing.
Slated to air across NBC, USA NETWORK and PEACOCK in… some TBD fashion eventually. /THR
NETFLIX sets Edgar Ramirez (“Yes Day”, “The Undoing”) to lead “Florida Man” series
Ex-cop returns to his homestate for a gig to find a mobster’s girlfriend, but turns out yeah… not that simple.
Eight episode season, created by Donald Todd (”This Is Us”), Jason Bateman among the producers. /Deadline
ALSO: NETFLIX orders Season 2 of “Ginny and Georgia”. With 50% fewer Taylor Swift jokes. /Variety
ALSO IN TV
Olivia Colman in talks to join Sam Jackson DISNEY+ MARVEL series “Secret Invasion”. Picks up from the “Captain Marvel” movie with Ben Mendelsohn rejoining as part of the Skrulls. Shooting this Fall, Kingsley Ben-Adir (“One Night in Miami”) already cast as a villain. /THR
HULU adds Michael Rappaport to Amy Schumer’s new show “Life & Beth”. Will play the father of the teenage version of Amy’s character “Beth” in flashbacks woven through the series. Michael Cera already cast as a character in “Beth’s” current day life. /Deadline
Heads up Chip & Joanna fans - they announced 4 new MAGNOLIA series, and adding a preview show for ‘em this Friday on DISCOVERY+. /Deadline
💻 THE MEDIA BIZ
FACEBOOK App will integrate SPOTIFY audio player tech starting next week
FB will allow you to listen to music/podcasts in the App (supported by SPOTIFY) and supposedly somehow help you find more podcasts based on your interests. Wait FACEBOOK knows my interests?? 😲 #RealEstatePorn. 35 Million users belong to podcast fan groups on FB.
They also announced their CLUBHOUSE ripoff will… shockingly not have that title, but rather go with Live Audio Rooms instead, and will be a function of FACEBOOK GROUPS (to start).
It’ll also offer tipping payment models for folks and ability to charge for access to Live Audio talks. /Deadline
ALSO IN MEDIA
CLUBHOUSE app downloads go from 2.4 Million in January to 9.6 Million in Feb… and back to 2.7 Million in March according to Sensor Tower. The app is still not available on Android. /TheWrap
PARLER app returning to the APPLE store, after ability to remove hate speech and violence inciting posts has been added. /Variety
Michaela Coel writing a creative memoir of sorts. Called “Misfits: A Personal Manifesto”, book comes out in Sept. /THR
🏦 STOCK NOTES:
ROKU came back down 4% after a nice couple of growth weeks.
AMC MOVIE THEATERS +3.5% even with a lackluster box office weekend.
ROBLOX -5%, has now lost all of its gains from the past 2 weeks.
OF NOTE: NETFLIX reports earnings after the 4pm Wall Street bell today, so subscriber updates in the AM tomorrow. Or uh just find it yourself tonight, dealer’s choice.
🎥 TRAILER HOUSE
MARVEL “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” teaser trailer. Martial artist/trained assassin (played by Simu Liu - get to know that name) tries to create a normal life in San Francisco. Until he sees the real estate prices and decides eh, assassin life ain’t so bad. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (“Short Term 12”, “Just Mercy”), also starring Awkwafina. Hits movie theaters (🤞) Sept 3
HBOMAX “That Damn Michael Che” teaser trailer. 6 Episode comedy sketch show, Drops on Thu May 6
STARZ “Death and Nightingales” limited series trailer. 3 part series starring Jamie Dornan, Matthew Rhys and Ann Skelly in a tale of forbidden-ish love set in Northern Ireland in 1885. Premieres Sun May 16
👩💻 NEW TO WATCH:
HULU “Sasquatch” - 3 part documentary from the Duplass Bros about… well something about Sasquatch murdering people. Maybe. Watch or add to your List here
FREEFORM“Cruel Summer” - Popular girl goes missing, nerdy kid accused and must clear his name. Why doesn’t anyone ever believe people when they say they didn’t murder someone? 2 hour Series premiere at 9p.
APPLE new products event - Likely a lotta iPad news. But maybe some Apple Podcasts news? Many podcast hosting services bought subscription-enabling tech companies this Spring...🤔 Kicks off at 1pm EST.
🎧 PLAYING ME OFF
WOLF ALICE “The Last Man on Earth” - First single off their upcoming album (Which is amazing but more on that when I can post it). This one is kind of a slow build to an anthemic finish so give it a minute.
Thinking if you like FLORENCE + THE MACHINE, you’ll dig this.
If you need new tunes:
Have a fine Tuesday and Email me anytime - even if just to send me new songs you’re digging!
Simply hit reply to this email, or connect on LINKED IN - my name below goes to my profile.
Twitter @theseanmac