🎬 Pay To Play? 🤷

👋 Good morning! Here's a head-scratcher to kick off your day: Two movie buffs who rented ‘Yesterday’ expected to see Ana de Armas as advertised in the trailer. Plot twist—she's nowhere in the final cut. They sued Universal for false advertising and initially won, but ended up with a plot twist of their own: owing $126,705 in legal fees. Well, that backfired spectacularly. 😬

Welcome aboard the Dailies. As you sip your morning brew, we’ll get you caught up with the fast-paced world of Hollywood - no need to chase down a newsstand, we’ve got everything you need right here.

🎞 Here’s what’s on the reel today:

• Audition Fee Fiasco

• Disney+ Dips into Linear Programming

• Capitol Hill Presses the Sports Cartel

• Last Looks: 👀 Bite-sized scoops on developing stories/projects

• Video Village: The latest trailers

• Martini Shot 🍸

🎬😬 Casting Networks' Audition Fee Fiasco: Casting Networks, the go-to online platform for aspiring actors, has found itself in hot water as it faces a class action lawsuit for allegedly violating California’s laws against ‘pay-to-play’ audition practices. According to the suit filed in LA Superior Court, Casting Networks has been accused of making performers pay up just to score an audition—a clear violation of state laws designed to shield artists from predatory industry practices. This legal challenge comes amidst broader concerns about the fairness of such business models in the entertainment industry. The LA City Attorney's office has cracked down on similar practices in the past. But as more and more of the entertainment world moves online, this lawsuit could be a game-changer for how actors find and pay for their shot at stardom.

🎬📺 Disney+ Dips into Linear Programming: Disney+ is quietly considering a jump into linear, TV-like channels, which could feature continuous programming from their Star Wars and Marvel libraries. These old-style TV channels, however, won't be the typical free, ad-supported streaming (FAST) channels due to the existing subscription cost. Despite Disney's hush on the matter, the move aligns with broader streaming trends where services like Criterion Channel and Paramount+ have seen success with non-interactive, scheduled broadcasts, suggesting a potential boon for ad revenue and viewer engagement. This approach may transform how we engage with streaming platforms, blending traditional TV's simplicity with the rich, on-demand libraries of the digital age. Meanwhile, the jury's still out on whether this hybrid model will coax more viewers or simply cater to nostalgia.

🏈📺 Capitol Hill Turns Up the Heat on the Sports Cartel: Remember Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery’s new sports streaming venture that was announced back in February? The still-in-development venture, which has already garnered criticism from other players like FuboTV, is now getting heat from Capitol Hill. Representatives are demanding details on pricing, competition, and how they plan to roll out this mega service. They're worried it might lead to wallet-busting prices for fans and a less-than-fair playing field. This political spotlight could mean some serious regulatory speed bumps for the venture’s road to glory. With a hard deadline of April 30th for some clear answers, the future of this streaming powerhouse is up in the air.

Development 🗒️

• Pamela Anderson is set to join Liam Neeson in ‘The Naked Gun’ reboot. (more)

• Keanu Reeves joins ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ as Shadow. (more)

• Jonathan Bailey and Scarlett Johansson are in talks for leading roles in a fresh 'Jurassic World' film directed by Gareth Edwards. (more)

• Riz Ahmed joins the cast of Wes Anderson's latest, currently unnamed film. (more)

• Jeff Nichols is in talks to adapt Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Passenger’ and ‘Stella Maris.’ (more)

• Steve Buscemi joins the cast of ‘Wednesday’ S2. (more)

• Travis Kelce is set to host ‘Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?’ for Amazon. (more)

• Netflix advances production on two Spanish films, including the J.A. Bayona-produced political thriller 'Un Fantasma en la Batalla.’ (more)

• Margaret Qualley exits Amanda Knox limited series due to scheduling reasons. (more)

• Carla Gugino is in talks to star in drama ‘Night Electricity.’ (more)

• Felicity Jones to lead Michael Showalter's holiday comedy 'Oh. What. Fun.' with Michelle Pfeiffer and Chloë Grace Moretz. (more)

• CBS greenlights 'The Gates,' the first Black daytime soap opera in 35 years, set to debut in January 2025. (more)

• Don Johnson to star alongside Joshua Jackson in Ryan Murphy's new ABC drama series 'Dr. Odyssey.’ (more)

• CNN concludes the Gayle King-Charles Barkley show, 'King Charles.’ (more)

• Victoria Mahoney is set to direct the NASCAR-themed rom-com 'Clean Air' for Amazon MGM. (more)

• Warner Bros Pictures Animation is developing an animated feature adaptation of Animal Planet's hit series 'Meerkat Manor.' (more)

• James Gunn's ‘Superman,’ part of the DC Universe relaunch, casts Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent. (more)

✅ Renewed & Cancelled ❌

• ‘The Rookie’ is renewed for S7 at ABC. (more)

Business 🤝

• Tyler Perry renews his production deal with BET Media, securing new seasons for nine series including 'Sistas' and 'The Oval.' (more)

• A Swedish bank sues to block Endeavor Group's $13B take-private deal, claiming it unfairly favors large investors and insiders. (more)

• Fremantle renews its first-look deal with Pablo Larrain's Fabula, continuing their collaboration on films and TV projects. (more)

• Participant Media, the studio behind films like 'Green Book' and 'Spotlight,' is shutting down after 20 years of operation. (more)

• Marvel lays off about 15 employees. (more)

• Chris Brearton joins Russo Brothers' AGBO as partner to oversee operations and strategy, aiming to expand into interactive and immersive storytelling. (more)

Other News 🚨

• YouTube TV accounted for nearly 10% of all TV viewing in March. (more)

• Sesame Workshop writers, represented by the WGA, have unanimously voted to authorize a strike if no deal is reached by Friday. (more)

• Francis Ford Coppola's self-funded 'Megalopolis' struggles to secure a distribution deal due to its experimental nature and perceived lack of broad appeal. (more)