🎬 Apple's Next Big Move

👋 Good morning! The Senate has passed a bill aiming to ban TikTok unless its parent company ByteDance divests its stake. With President Biden ready to sign it into law, TikTok is already gearing up for a fiery legal challenge.

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:

• ‘Bluey’s’ Uncertain Future

• Apple’s Game-Changing FIFA Deal

• FTC Targets Noncompete Clauses

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

• Video Village: The latest trailers

• Martini Shot 🍸

🐾📺 Bluey: Top Streamed, Yet Future Unknown: ‘Bluey,’ the hit Aussie kids' show, has transformed the landscape of children’s TV, proving that localized content can have massive global appeal. Valued at an impressive $2B and grabbing a whopping 29% of all TV views on Disney+ in Q4 of 2023, Bluey is crushing it. A recent episode even pulled a record-breaking 10.4M views in its first week—the biggest Disney Junior and ‘Bluey’ premiere ever. As the second most-streamed show of 2023 with over 43.9B minutes watched, Bluey’s showing the world just how big children’s programming can be on streaming platforms. But here’s the twist: even with all these tail-wagging achievements, the future of ‘Bluey’ is still up in the air as creator Joe Brumm weighs whether to step back or wrap up the show due to its storytelling hurdles and changing voice cast. Major players like Disney and BBC Studios are eagerly anticipating his decision, and already searching for the next ‘Bluey.’

🍏⚽ Apple's Game-Changing FIFA Deal: Word on the street is that Apple is close to scoring an exclusive deal with FIFA, the international governing body of soccer. The tech giant could become the sole broadcaster for a brand-new global soccer tournament, a sharp departure from FIFA's usual approach of teaming up with multiple TV providers. If this deal goes through, it would mirror Apple's previous partnership with Major League Soccer, making major tournaments available only on Apple TV+ and possibly sidelining traditional free-to-air options. As streaming giants battle for unique content, Apple's dive into exclusive sports rights might just be a game-changer as we witness a shift from multi-broadcaster sports events to platform-specific offerings.

🎬⚖️ FTC Targets Noncompete Clauses: The Federal Trade Commission has issued a new rule banning noncompete clauses, which previously restricted film and TV industry professionals from leaving to join competing studios or projects. If this rule sticks, it could free up workers at all levels, from interns to executives, granting them the freedom to move between gigs without any legal drama. Even though California already prohibits these clauses, they still pop up in contracts in the entertainment industry and beyond. Removing these clauses could foster a greater exchange of ideas and talent, potentially boosting innovation and diversity in projects. On the flip side, some argue that noncompete clauses encourage companies to invest in training, as trained employees are less likely to immediately join a competitor. There's still a chance for some legal pushback, but if this goes through, it could change how creative and executive talents navigate their careers in Hollywood.

Development 🗒️

• Sony acquires the rights to develop both film and television adaptations of the Hasbro board game ‘Clue.’ (more)

• Callum Turner joins the cast of Apple TV+'s new sci-fi series 'Neuromancer.’ (more)

• Francis Ford Coppola's ‘Megalopolis’ is nearing its first distribution deal in France. (more)

• Netflix secures U.S. and global rights for the TV adaptation of ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.’ (more)

• LaKeith Stanfield is set to star in and produce the video game adaptation 'El Paso, Elsewhere.' (more)

• Mckenna Grace lands the lead role in the upcoming YA film ‘Everything I Never Did.’ (more)

• Vertical acquires North American rights to the Miramax horror film 'The Exorcism,' starring Russell Crowe. (more)

• Comedian Gabriel Iglesias secures a two-special deal with Netflix. (more)

• Post Malone teams up with Michael Bay, Brad Fuller's Platinum Dunes, and Vault Comics to develop a new IP universe inspired by his original story. (more)

• Don Hertzfeldt confirms his upcoming collaboration with filmmaker Ari Aster. (more)

• Thandiwe Newton joins the cast of Netflix's ‘Wednesday’ for S2, with character details currently under wraps. (more)

• Joe Tracz joins Matt Owens as co-showrunner for S2 of Netflix's live-action adaptation of 'One Piece.’ (more)

• Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Ben Kingsley are cast in 'The Thursday Murder Club,' directed by Chris Columbus. (more)

• Rita Ora, Marshawn Lynch, and Jack O’Connell join Joe Cole in the action-thriller 'He Bled Neon,' generating early buzz at the Cannes market. (more)

• Roadside Attractions acquires Titus Kaphar's Sundance drama ‘Exhibiting Forgiveness.’ (more)

✅ Renewed & Cancelled ❌

• ITV's long-running drama ‘Vera’ will conclude after S14 with two final episodes. (more)

• The CW's renewal status for 'All American,' 'All American: Homecoming,' and 'Walker' remains uncertain amid budget constraints and strategic shifts under new ownership. (more)

Business 🤝

• Paramount Pictures renews its first-look deal with Lindsey Anderson Beer and her Lab Brew production company. (more)

• Lionsgate Television renews a multi-year deal with Gary Goodman. (more)

• Range Media Partners receives minority investment from a consortium including Liberty Global and David Bonderman's Wildcat Capital Management. (more)

Other News 🚨

• The Oscars implement stricter theatrical distribution rules for the 2025 awards. (more)

• The 2024 Tribeca Festival announces a diverse lineup of 87 short films. (more)

• Jon Stewart's return to ‘The Daily Show’ has significantly boosted its ratings, maintaining high viewership. (more)

• Pluto TV is set to launch dedicated 'South Park' channels across international markets. (more)

• X is launching a TV app to compete with YouTube. (more)

• Disney+ acquires exclusive streaming rights to the UEFA Europa League and Conference League in Denmark and Sweden, marking its first major sports broadcast venture outside India. (more)