🎬 End of the MCU? 🦸

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Whether you're a seasoned subscriber or a new arrival, we're thrilled to have you here. Twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, we'll deliver the most important industry scoops directly to your inbox.

🎞 Here’s what’s on the reel today:

• Closeup: Coyote’s Comeback

• Is It Over For Marvel?

• Lawmakers Question Apple

• Introducing CAA Evolution

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

• Release Radar: What to watch this weekend

• Video Village 📀

• Martini Shot 🍸

But first, it’s Thursday, so let’s take a look at what people were watching this week… 👀

MOST STREAMED THIS WEEK

Coyote’s Comeback
Inside WBD’s Rollercoaster Decision Making 🎢

In a surprising twist, Warner Bros. Discovery made a complete 180 on its decision to shelve ‘Coyote vs. Acme.’ Just earlier this week, the studio had decided to scrap the fully-completed film, grabbing a $30M tax write-off instead. The move came as a surprise to many, especially those involved in the film, considering it had not only been completed but also received impressive test scores.

The whole drama reflects a bigger trend at Warner Bros. The film was potentially the third fully-produced film to be shelved by the studio, following in the footsteps of 'Batgirl' and 'Scoob! Holiday Haunt' earlier in August 2022. According to insiders, it wasn't just CEO David Zaslav making these calls; the Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group and new animation head, Bill Damaschke, also played a part. Amid the immense success of 'Barbie,' these execs faced the tough challenge of balancing potential box office hits against the risks and costs of marketing.

🔄 Warner Bros. Makes a U-Turn:

The industry's reaction to the shelving of 'Coyote vs. Acme' was loud and clear: after a weekend filled with protests from filmmakers and others in the biz, Warner Bros. Discovery decided to backtrack. They’re now allowing Dave Green, the film’s director, to shop this unique live-action/animation hybrid to other buyers. Big names like Amazon Prime, Apple, and Netflix are already peeking over the fence, showing interest in potentially picking up the project.

🔍 Congressman Calls Out WBD:

Warner Bros. Discovery's flip-flop on 'Coyote vs. Acme' didn't just stir up the film industry; it also caught the attention of Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro. Castro has described this practice as “predatory and anti-competitive,” comparing it to torching a building for the insurance cash. Harsh, but paints the picture, right? 

The congressman’s concerns go beyond just this one film; he's worried about the broader implications of such corporate behavior, suggesting it might harm consumer choice and worker welfare in the entertainment sector. He's urging the big guns at the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission to take a good, hard look at these practices as they update their antitrust guidelines.

The entire episode of 'Coyote vs. Acme' — from its initial shelving to WBD’s about-face — paints a vivid picture of the current state of Hollywood. It shines a spotlight on the precarious balancing act studios must perform in today's environment: weighing the allure of box office hits against playing it safe financially.

This incident might trigger a rethink in Hollywood about how movies are valued and handled, and may signal a potential shift in the relationship between studios, creatives, and lawmakers. With heightened scrutiny from political figures, the industry might see changes in how decisions are made and communicated, ensuring more transparency and fairness in the process.

🦸‍♂️📉 Marvel's Superhero Struggle: Is the Endgame Near? The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), once a box office juggernaut, seems to be losing its superheroic sheen. 'The Marvels,' the latest installment, plummeted with a mere $47M opening, marking MCU's lowest so far – a stark contrast to its predecessor's $1.1B triumph. This slump isn't isolated; recent titles like 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' and 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' also saw a dip in fortunes. Over at Disney+, Marvel series are failing to spark the cultural buzz they once did. Amid runaway budgets and legal issues, Marvel finds itself navigating choppy waters. However, don't write off the superhero saga just yet. Marvel has a lineup stretching to 2027, and strategies like infrequent releases and potential comebacks of crowd favorites like Spider-Man and Iron Man could offer a lifeline. This superhero fatigue mirrors the cyclic nature of film genres, but Marvel, true to its comic book roots, might just find a way to rewrite its destiny.

📺🇨🇳 Lawmakers Question Apple Over Jon Stewart's Show Cancellation: U.S. House lawmakers are probing into Apple TV+'s cancellation of ‘The Problem with Jon Stewart,’ suspecting China's influence. The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, alarmed by reports of tensions over topics like China and AI, is questioning Apple CEO Tim Cook about the tech giant's relationship with China. This inquiry underscores concerns about the Chinese Communist Party's potential grip on American entertainment, raising fears of restricted creative expression on sensitive topics. If Stewart, a prominent figure, faces such challenges, what about rising stars? The lawmakers worry this could set a precedent, silencing diverse voices and limiting exposure to critical global issues. This situation hints at a broader trend where geopolitical influences might increasingly dictate the narratives and content of the film industry, possibly shaping the future of storytelling in Hollywood. 🌐

🎬💼 CAA Evolution: Hollywood's New Deal Dynamo: Meet CAA Evolution, the new heavyweight in Hollywood’s financial ring. Born from a partnership between Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and M. Klein & Co., this investment bank and advisory firm is set to shake up the entertainment, sports, and media landscapes. With the combined expertise of CAA's media relationships and Michael Klein's deal-making skills, CAA Evolution is poised to navigate major deals in the industry, from selling sports teams to advising on big media mergers. Operating with a strong team in New York, LA, and London, it's a strategic move by CAA to extend its influence beyond talent representation, diving deep into the high-stakes world of corporate deal-making and IPOs. For those in Hollywood and beyond, CAA Evolution represents a new era of financial muscle and industry savvy. 📈

Development 🗒️

• HBO's 'The White Lotus' begins casting for its third season, with production expected to start in Feb. in Thailand. (more)

• Denzel Washington to play Carthaginian general Hannibal in a new Netflix epic. (more)

• Peacock acquires U.S. rights to British cringe comedy series 'Hapless,' starring Tim Downie. (more)

• Warner Bros. acquires the rights to the sci-fi comic 'Alien Legion,' with 'Deadpool' director Tim Miller set to helm the adaptation. (more)

• Ana Nogueira is set to write 'Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,' a standalone feature in development by DC Studios. (more)

• Jimmy Kimmel will host the 2024 Oscars. (more)

• Jon Hamm is set to lead and executive produce the live-action series adaptation of the podcast 'American Hostage.’ (more)

• ‘Wednesday’ is moving its production for S2 to Ireland, looking to start in spring. (more)

✅ Renewed & Canceled ❌

• Netflix has canceled five series, including 'Shadow and Bone,' 'Glamorous,' 'Agent Elvis,' 'Farzar,' and 'Captain Fall,' in the wake of production challenges and financial reevaluations following recent industry strikes. (more)

• ‘Queer Eye’ is renewed for S9 at Netflix. (more)

• ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ is renewed for S3 at FX. (more)

• ‘Praise Petey’ is cancelled at Freeform after one season. (more)

• ‘Young Sheldon’ is ending after S7 at CBS. (more)

Releases 📅

• ‘The Fall Guy’ is pushing its release date from March to May of next year. (more)

• ‘What If…?’ gets a Dec. 22 debut on Disney+. (more)

• 'Our Son,' a drama starring Billy Porter and Luke Evans, is set for a Dec. 8th release by Vertical. (more)

First Looks 👀

• Apple TV+ releases first look images for ‘The New Look,’ a drama series about Christian Dior and Coco Chanel, set to premiere on Feb. 14, 2024. (more)

Business 🤝

• Netflix is considering acquiring live-game rights to the NBA’s In-Season Tournament and may create a docuseries to promote the event, aligning with its new interest in sports media. (more)

• Warner Bros. secures a co-financing deal with Domain Capital, covering films including the hit ‘Barbie’ and upcoming titles like ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.’ (more)

• Fredrik Wikström Nicastro launches Hope Studios for international film and TV production, backed by private equity and a deal with Black Bear. (more)

Other News 🚨

• YouTube introduces policies requiring creators to disclose AI-generated content and will allow removal requests for deepfakes. (more)

• Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav praised the Writers Guild of America for their recent deal, valued at $700M, despite previous opposition, stating "So what if we overpay? I’ve never regretted overpaying for great talent or a great asset." (more)

What to watch this weekend? 👀

THEATRICAL 🎥

• Saltburn: Emerald Fennell’s new phycological black comedy thriller starring Jacob Elordi.

• The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes: The latest in the Hunger Games franchise.

• Trolls Band Together: The third installment in the ‘Trolls’ franchise with a star-studded cast.

• Thanksgiving: Eli Roth’s latest holiday slasher film starring Addison Rae and Rick Hoffman.

STREAMING 📺

• JFK: What the Doctors Saw: (Paramount+) Documentary promising new details on the aftermath of JFK’s assassination.

• Rustin: (Netflix) The story of gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, who organized the 1963 March on Washington.

• Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: (Netflix) A new anime series based on the ‘Scott Pilgrim’ graphic novels.

Hideo Kojima reviewed last weekend’s major film releases: 😂👇