🎬 More Legal Drama...

👋 Good morning! Ahead of this weekend’s premiere of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ S12, LA is getting a real-life sip of the show’s humor with the opening of Latté Larry’s - the infamous spite store. It's the perfect spot for fans to espresso their love for the show and maybe, just maybe, bump into a certain bald, socially awkward genius.

Speaking of coffee…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:

• Next on Netflix Highlights

• Paramount's Super Bowl Strategy

• Legal Drama Reloaded

• Hollywood Strikes Take a Toll on UK Production

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

• Release Radar: What to watch this weekend

• Video Village 📀

• Martini Shot 🍸

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

TOP STREAMED THIS WEEK IN THE US

Key Highlights from Next on Netflix: This past Wednesday, at Netflix’s “Next on Netflix” press event, Netflix unveiled its latest strategy and upcoming lineup, led by Bela Bajaria, the content chief. Here’s a quick summary:

• 🎤 Netflix is diversifying with more live programming, including WWE and possibly live elements in shows like ‘Rhythm and Flow.’

• 👑 Despite a Spotify deal fallout, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are developing films and shows for Netflix.

• ❌ Netflix opts to cancel ‘The Mothership,’ starring Halle Berry, due to production challenges, highlighting their quality control.

• 🎥 With Scott Stuber’s departure, Netflix is on the hunt for a new film chief passionate about cinema.

• 📺 Netflix continues to license popular titles without compromising its commitment to original content.

• 🍿Netflix reaffirms its commitment to streaming, with no plans for theatrical releases, focusing on delivering movies directly to subscribers.

• Click here to see what’s on Netflix’s 2024 slate. 👀

🏈📺 Paramount's Super Bowl Strategy: In a move to elevate its streaming platforms, Paramount Global is leveraging Super Bowl Sunday to amplify Paramount+ and Pluto TV. They’re seeing the Super Bowl as a pivotal moment to sprint ahead in the fierce streaming race, especially as Netflix leads the pack. Paramount+ aims to attract new subscribers by streaming the game (non exclusively), complemented by launching attention-grabbing campaigns for both its platforms and a revamped brand identity for Pluto TV.

👨‍⚖️🌆 Legal Drama Reloaded: NBCUniversal is reviving the beloved ‘Suits’ legacy with ‘Suits: LA,’ a spinoff set to explore the legal battles and personal dramas of Ted Black in Los Angeles. Scheduled to start production this March, this pilot order reflects the entertainment industry's trend of breathing new life into classic series. With the original ‘Suits’ finding renewed popularity on streaming platforms, ‘Suits: LA’ aims to captivate audiences with fresh narratives while honoring its roots. This strategy highlights a broader industry movement towards revitalizing proven hits, demonstrating that successful shows can indeed enjoy a second act with today's viewers. ‘Suits’ creator Aaron Korsh will be at the helm, but no original cast members have been confirmed yet.

🎬📉Hollywood Strikes Take a Toll on UK Production: The UK's film and TV production felt the sting of Hollywood strikes in 2023, leading to a 35% drop in spending despite high-profile projects like 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' and 'Beetlejuice 2.' The British Film Institute reported a total spend of £4.23B, down from 2022's £6.27B, marking a significant hit to the industry but still the fourth highest on record. TV production took the brunt of the decline, though it remained the dominant sector, accounting for 68% of the total spend. The strikes not only delayed projects but also reduced the number of US studio films shot in the UK to the lowest since 2016. Despite these challenges, the UK production sector continued to contribute billions to the economy, with audiences flocking to big hits like 'Barbie,’ highlighting the resilience and creativity of the UK's film and TV industry amidst adversity.

PRESENTED BY PRIME VIDEO

Have you started watching ‘Expats’ yet? 

If you’re looking for a TV series to keep you glued to your screen, ‘Expats’ might just be your next obsession.

From the creative mind of Lulu Wang, director of ‘The Farewell,’ comes a captivating drama set in the bustling city of Hong Kong. Adapted from the novel ‘The Expatriates’ by Janice Y.K. Lee, ‘Expats’ is a story told with a haunting slow burn, revealing the hidden struggles beneath a facade of privilege.

‘Expats’ centers on Nicole Kidman as Margaret, a landscape architect uprooted to Hong Kong, and Sarayu Blue as Hilary, whose seemingly perfect life masks untold secrets. Together, these characters navigate a year of transformation, heartache, and hidden truths in one of the world's most dynamic cities.

📺 Stream ‘Expats’ episode 3 NOW on Prime Video!

Development 🗒️

• Sony secures the rights to '28 Years Later,' a sequel to '28 Days Later' by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, with Cillian Murphy exec. producing. (more)

• Brad Pitt is set to star in Quentin Tarantino’s final film, ‘The Movie Critic.’ (more)

• Denis Villeneuve is working on ‘Cleopatra’ with the script currently being written by Krysty Wilson-Cairns. (more)

• Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Sean Bean are set to star in Amazon's new action comedy 'Deep Cover.' (more)

• Sony Pictures Classics acquires Pedro Almodóvar's English-language debut, 'The Room Next Door,' featuring Julianne Moore, Tilda Swinton, and John Turturro. (more)

• Focus Features lands the worldwide rights to Sundance film ‘Didi.’ (more)

• Brenda Song, Scott MacArthur, and Drew Tarver are set to join Kate Hudson in Mindy Kaling's upcoming Netflix basketball comedy series. (more)

• AMC Theatres secures the U.S. release of 'Kiss the Future,' a documentary produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. (more)

• Corey Hawkins is set to replace Jonathan Majors in ‘The Man in My Basement.’ (more)

• Taraji P. Henson joins the cast of Peacock’s limited series 'Fight Night' as Vivian Thomas, alongside Kevin Hart. (more)

• Tim Burton is set to direct a reimagining of ‘Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman.’ (more)

• David Benioff, Dan Weiss, and Bernie Caulfield are working on a series for Netflix that will star Matthew Macfadyen and Michael Shannon. (more)

• Amy Adams is in talks to join Jenna Ortega in Taika Waititi’s ‘Klara and the Sun.’ (more)

• Netflix acquires the Sundance documentaries 'Daughters’ and ‘Will & Harper.’ (more here and here)

• Gia Coppola directs 'The Last Showgirl,' starring Pamela Anderson, Kiernan Shipka, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, and Billie Lourd. (more)

• FX orders limited series ‘Say Nothing.’ (more)

✅ Renewed & Canceled ❌

• ‘Colin From Accounts’ is renewed for S2 on Paramount+. (more)

• ‘Obliterated’ is cancelled at Netflix after S1. (more)

• ‘Hijack’ is renewed for S2 at Apple. (more)

Business 🤝

• Nelson Peltz targets Disney directors Maria Elena Lagomasino and Michael Froman for removal in his proxy fight. (more)

• Paramount Global's shares surge after Byron Allen proposes a $30B deal to acquire the company. (more)

• Apple TV+ and Apple Music, hits a record $23.1B in revenue. (more)

• Amazon's advertising revenue reaches $14.6B in Q4 2023, buoyed by its expanding Prime Video ad deals. (more)

Other News 🚨

• Hulu updates its subscriber agreement to prohibit account sharing following Disney+'s similar move, effective March 14. (more)

• IATSE and Teamsters Local 399 join forces for upcoming contract negotiations with studios. (more)

What to watch this weekend? 👀

🎥 THEATRICAL

• Argylle: Spy action comedy set in the Kingsman universe with a star-studded cast including Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa, Bryce Dallas Howard, and more.

📺 STREAMING

• Curb Your Enthusiasm: (HBO) The twelfth and final season of Larry David’s iconic show.

• Mr. & Mrs. Smith: (Prime Video) Spy comedy series created by Francesca Sloane and Donald Glover, based on the 2005 film.

• Orion And The Dark: (Netflix) Animated fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Sean Charmatz and written by Charlie Kaufman, narrated by Werner Herzog.

🏆 AWARDS SEASON

• The 66th Grammy Awards will air this Sunday night, Feb. 4th at 5pm PST.