🎬 Why Are Things So Quiet? 🤔

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🎞 Here’s what’s on the reel today:

• Hollywood’s Hesitation

• USA Network Revives “Blue Sky”

• Netflix Gears Up

• Hollywood’s Job Crunch

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

• Video Village: The latest trailers

• Martini Shot 🍸

PLUS, stick around ‘til the end of the email to see how you can win a FREE 1-year subscription to the Criterion Collection. 👇

But first, let’s take a look at what happened at the box office this past weekend!

LAST WEEKEND’S
🎟️ BOX OFFICE BREAKDOWN 🎟️

1. 🕊️ The Boy and the Heron: Soars to $12.8M, surpassing other Miyazaki films domestically, impressive in just 2,205 theaters.

2. 🏹 The Hunger Games: Songbirds and Snakes: Holds second with $9.4M, now at $135.6M, but trails previous series entries.

3. 🐲 Godzilla Minus One: Stays strong in week two with $8.3M, less drop compared to other Godzilla films.

4. 🎵 Trolls Band Together: Gathers $6.2M in week four, trailing behind the original ‘Trolls’ with $83.0M total.

5. 🌟 Wish: Disney's animated musical dips to $5.3M, lagging behind previous Thanksgiving Disney releases.

6. 🎤 Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé: Plunges -77% to $5M in second week, steeper fall than similar concert docs.

7. 🎬 Napoleon: Drops -42% to $4.2M in third week, slightly below 'Killers of the Flower Moon' but ahead of Ridley Scott’s 'House of Gucci' in 2021.

8. 🍽️ Waitress: The Musical: Serves up $3.2M in limited five-day release, totaling $3.9M.

9. 🐅 Animal: Indian action drama falls -65% to $2.2M in second week, steeper than other Indian films.

10. 🌌 The Shift: Faith-based sci-fi down -50% to $2.1M in second week, mixed performance compared to similar films.

Things Are Quiet… 🤔
Post-Strike Uncertainties and Hesitation

In the wake of the recent Writers Guild of America strike, many are taking note that Hollywood's bustling corridors have grown unexpectedly quiet. The much anticipated post-strike surge in pitches and projects has turned out to be more of a trickle than a flood, painting a picture of an industry in cautious recalibration.

This lull isn't just seasonal; it's a sign of deeper shifts in the TV and movie landscape. So, what's behind this slowdown?

⏸️ Creative Pause: Many speculate that writers seem to have taken the strike's 'pencils down' mandate to heart. It seems few used the downtime to pen spec scripts, leading to a lack of fresh material as the industry gears back up.

⚠️ Market Caution: Moreover, the market's softness has writers and their reps playing it safe, reluctant to test waters that feel increasingly unpredictable. There's a palpable sense of waiting, a collective holding of breath, as creators and buyers alike navigate a landscape reshaped by the strike and broader industry trends.

♟️ Strategic Shifts: This isn't just about scarcity of content. There's a strategic shift in what's being sought and sold. The demand now leans towards 'hard funny' comedies and compelling family dramas, a la ‘Succession’ and ‘Ozark.’ Escapism is in; niche and experimental are out.

This suggests a pivot towards broader, more universally appealing content. It's a move driven by a desire for higher viewership and engagement, perhaps a reflection of the industry's growing focus on quality over quantity.

🔮 What does this mean for the short-term future of Hollywood? We're likely to see a more selective, cost-conscious approach to green-lighting projects. The era of the 600-series spree seems to be waning, making way for an age where 'undeniability' is the ticket to production. This could lead to a more competitive environment, where only the most compelling pitches with broad appeal or high-profile backing make the cut.

As we step into 2024, the industry's focus might be on safer bets and proven formulas, possibly at the expense of groundbreaking or unconventional narratives. However, this shift could also foster a new level of creativity as writers and creators adapt to these changing demands. Hollywood, always a blend of art and commerce, is finding its feet in a new era.

📺🌞 USA Network Revives Beloved "Blue Sky" Era: USA Network is returning to its roots with a refreshing move to revive the "blue sky" series, a signature blend of light, character-driven procedurals that defined the network in the 2000s. Shows like ‘Monk,’ ‘Psych,’ ‘Royal Pains,’ and ‘Suits,’ not only charmed audiences then but continue to make waves in streaming platforms today. NBCUniversal’s cable network is planning a 2025 comeback for these breezy, quirky dramas, capitalizing on the nostalgia and success of their original runs. However, the comeback is shaped by today's economic and media consumption realities, with an eye on streaming and budget considerations, signaling a strategic blend of the old and the new in USA's programming approach.

🎮📺 Netflix Gears Up with GTA: Netflix is diving headfirst into the gaming world, kicking off with the mobile launch of ‘GTA: The Trilogy.’ This marks a strategic expansion beyond streaming, targeting the booming gaming industry, expected to hit $300B by 2027. Despite tepid initial reception to its gaming segment, Netflix is upping the ante by acquiring popular titles like ‘Hades’ and exploring cloud gaming. The aim? To evolve into a major gaming platform, mirroring its streaming success. The challenge, however, lies in balancing its no in-game purchases policy against the profit models of blockbuster games like GTA. Netflix's ability to adapt its strategies will be crucial in its quest to become a key player in the gaming sphere.

🎬📉 Hollywood's Job Crunch: Job numbers have plunged nearly 20% this year, and it's not just due to the strikes. A report by Otis College of Art and Design highlights a worrying trend: a sharp drop from 142,652 to 117,853 entertainment jobs in Los Angeles since April, marking a 17% decrease. This slump reflects a broader industry shift, with a 26% contraction since 2016. The recent writers and actors' strikes were just part of a larger economic restructuring, with a shift towards "quality over quantity" and increased Wall Street pressure for profitable productions. The rise of streaming services' financial woes adds to the sector's challenges. As Hollywood braces for future negotiations with IATSE and Teamsters, job security emerges as a critical focus in an industry facing significant change.

Development 🗒️

• J.K. Simmons has joined the cast of Clint Eastwood's ‘Juror No. 2.’ (more)

• ‘Stranger Things’ S5 will begin production in January. (more)

• Apple Original Films has secured the heist thriller ‘Two for the Money,’ starring Charlize Theron and Daniel Craig. (more)

• Jean-Claude Van Damme is set to star in ‘Kill ‘Em All 2.’ (more)

• Russell Crowe, Rami Malek, and Michael Shannon are set to star in historical drama 'Nuremberg.’ (more)

• Brittney Griner partners with ESPN and ABC Signature for a documentary and potential scripted series about her detention in Russia. (more)

• Olivia Wild is set to direct new Christmas comedy ‘Naughty.’ (more)

• Ray Romano is set to star in Netflix’s ‘No Good Deed’ series. (more)

• Jennifer Lopez is set to star in a film adaptation of the 1993 Broadway musical ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman.’ (more)

• Ryan Reynolds is attached to star and produce in a high-concept action comedy, written by Dana Fox and produced with Simon Kinberg, sparking a competitive bidding war among studios. (more)

• Paramount has bid for Warner Bros.' ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ movie, while Amazon is also considering a bid. (more)

Releases 📅

• ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ S12 will premiere on Feb 4th. (more)

• Focus Features has taken over New Regency's film ‘The Bikeriders,’ starring Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, and Norman Reedus, with a release date set for June 21, 2024. (more)

✅ Renewed & Canceled ❌

• ‘Twisted Metal’ is renewed for S2 at Peacock. (more)

• ‘Lucky Hank’ is cancelled at AMC after S1. (more)

Business 🤝

• Netflix's board has approved 2024 pay packages for co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters, each receiving compensation worth $40 million. (more)

• Warner Bros. Discovery secures an exclusive multiyear deal with A24, bringing the indie studio's new and library films to HBO, Cinemax, and the Max streaming service. (more)

• Amazon's Prime Video secures a multiyear deal with Premier Boxing Champions to stream top U.S. pay-per-view boxing events starting March 2024. (more)

• Jon Erwin and Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten launch The Wonder Project, a faith-based indie studio, with over $75M in funding from Lionsgate, UTA, and Jason Blum. (more)

• Candle Media, backed by Blackstone and led by ex-Disney executives, seeks to restructure over $1B in debt due to underperforming acquisitions. (more)

• Skydance Media CEO David Ellison and RedBird Capital are reportedly considering acquiring a majority stake in Paramount Global, leading to a 14% increase in Paramount's stock. (more)

• Amazon has struck a three-year deal with IPG Mediabrands to integrate Prime Video, which will start featuring limited ads, into its clients' media buying strategies across multiple countries. (more)

Other News 🚨

• Judge allows 9000 women to sue Disney for pay disparity. (more)

• Terrence Howard is suing his former agency CAA for breach of fiduciary duty, claiming they encouraged him to accept a lower salary for "Empire" due to their financial interests. (more)

• Netflix production accountants unionize with IATSE. (more)