🎬 Legal Boomerang 🪃

👋 Good morning! After the smashing success of Taylor Swift and Beyoncé's big-screen concerts last year, it’s Billie Eilish’s turn to grace the cineplex. Next Thursday and Friday, AMC Theaters will host an exclusive listening event of her latest album, ‘HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.’ Experience every beat in the pristine clarity of Dolby Atmos sound, only at your nearest AMC. Popcorn for an album release? Why not? 🤷

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:

• ‘Road House’ Remake Drama

• Netflix’s Faith-Based Deal

• Disney's Earnings Rollercoaster

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

• Video Village: The latest trailers

• Martini Shot 🍸

🎬🔨 Legal Drama Unfolds Over 'Road House' Remake Rights: MGM Studios and Amazon have fired back at R. Lance Hill, the original screenwriter of the 1986 classic 'Road House,' in a heated legal battle over the film's remake rights. Recall: Hill sued Amazon Studios and MGM back in Feb., accusing them of circumventing his right to regain control of his 1986 screenplay, and even using AI to replicate actors' voices during the SAG strike. Now, the studios are counter-suing, claiming that Hill's screenplay was a work-made-for-hire under his production company, which would mean the copyright belongs to the company and not Hill. This case echoes recent disputes over rights to major 80s works like 'Predator' and 'Terminator.’ As the gavel bangs in this high-stakes showdown, the outcome could set a precedent for the future of intellectual property in Hollywood, particularly as studios increasingly bank on nostalgic reboots.

🙏🎥 Netflix's First Big Faith-Based Venture: Tyler Perry and DeVon Franklin are diving into faith-based films with Netflix, starting with ‘R&B,’ a fresh take on the biblical Ruth and Boaz tale, set in Tennessee's music scene. This film begins their multi-year deal, marking Netflix's first major push into the faith-based genre. Alongside upcoming projects like ‘The Six Triple Eight’ and ‘Beauty in Black,’ this partnership aims warm hearts in a "polarizing world," with Perry excited about spreading "some good" on Netflix's global platform.

🎢📈 Disney's Earnings Rollercoaster: On yesterday’s earnings call, Disney dropped some serious stats and strategies, mixing wins with some ongoing challenges. Here’s the quick rundown:

• Subscriber Growth: Disney+ added 6.3M subscribers, bringing its total to 117.6M, with significant growth outside the U.S. and Canada.

• Financial Performance: Disney reported a net loss of $20M and an earnings per share (EPS) of a loss of 1 cent. Revenue was $22.1B, in line with expectations. The stock dropped sharply by 10.4% to $104.32 after the announcement, reflecting mixed reactions to these figures and ongoing challenges.

• Streaming Profitability: The direct-to-consumer segment, excluding ESPN+, turned a profit of $47M, though the overall segment reported a loss of $18M.

• Content Licensing: CEO Bob Iger discussed expanding content licensing selectively, including to Netflix, indicating a shift from previous exclusivity strategies.

• Password-Sharing Crackdown: Disney is set to start a password-sharing crackdown in June in select markets, aiming to boost Disney+ profitability by September.

• Upcoming Content: Disney plans to reduce Marvel's output to enhance quality, aiming for 2-3 movies and two TV series per year.

• Advertising and Revenue: Advertising continues to grow, particularly with Disney's entry into ad-supported tiers and improved technology.

• Strategic Shifts: The company is balancing between sequels and original content, with upcoming sequels in major franchises like ‘Toy Story,’ ‘Inside Out,’ and ‘Frozen.’

• Future Projections: Despite a projected softer Q3, Disney anticipates continued growth and profitability in streaming by Q4 of fiscal 2024.

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Development 🗒️

• Michelle Yeoh is set to star in 'Blade Runner 2099,' a Prime Video sequel series to 'Blade Runner 2049,' with production now underway. (more)

• Vin Diesel will begin production on the fourth ‘Riddick’ film, ‘Riddick: Furya,’ this August. (more)

• Peter Farrelly is directing ‘I Play Rocky,’ a film about Sylvester Stallone's journey creating and starring in the iconic boxing movie ‘Rocky.’ (more)

• Steve Buscemi, Thandiwe Newton, and Haley Joel Osment are set to join Jenna Ortega in a more horror-centric 'Wednesday' S2 on Netflix. (more)

• A24 and Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment are collaborating to produce an adaptation of James McBride's novel ‘The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.’ (more)

• Paramount+ has ordered a ‘The Neighborhood’ spin-off series titled ‘Crutch,’ starring Tracy Morgan. (more)

• James McAvoy's directorial debut, ‘California Schemin',’ featuring Samuel Bottomley and Séamus McLean Ross, heads to the Cannes market. (more)

• Travis Kelce lands his first major acting role in Ryan Murphy's upcoming FX series 'Grotesquerie.’ (more)

• Nicolas Cage, FKA twigs, and Noah Jupe will star in Lotfy Nathan's horror-infused film ‘The Carpenter’s Son.’ (more)

• Universal Television is developing a series adaptation of Jana Monroe's memoir ‘Hearts of Darkness.’ (more)

• ASAP Rocky joins an ensemble cast including Denzel Washington and Jeffrey Wright in Spike Lee's remake of Akira Kurosawa's ‘High & Low.’ (more)

• ABC revives 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' with new hosts Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, set for the 2024/25 season. (more)

• CBS announces 'The Real CSI: Miami,' a new true-crime docuseries from Jerry Bruckheimer and Anthony Zuiker. (more)

• Paramount's Republic Pictures acquires North American rights to 'DreamQuil,' a psychological thriller starring Elizabeth Banks and John C. Reilly. (more)

✅ Renewed & Cancelled ❌

• ‘Deal or No Deal Island’ is renewed for S2 at NBC. (more)

• NBC renews 'Lopez vs. Lopez' for S3 and introduces 'Happy’s Place,' a new comedy series starring Reba McEntire, as 'Extended Family' gets the axe. (more)

Business 🤝

• MadRiver Pictures boosts its independent production capabilities through a new multi-year equity and distribution deal. (more)

Other News 🚨

• Cannes Film Festival faces potential disruption as French festival workers threaten strike over unemployment benefits. (more)

• Apple Studios is facing a class action lawsuit for alleged labor law violations on 'Palm Royale.' (more)

• Debra O'Connell, recently appointed president of Disney Entertainment’s News Group and Networks, steps in to lead ABC News operations following Kim Godwin's resignation. (more)

• Condé Nast reached a tentative labor deal with its union, averting a strike that threatened to disrupt the Met Gala. (more)

• TikTok owner ByteDance sues federal government over US ban of social media platform. (more)

• Ricky Strauss, Apple TV+'s marketing head, is stepping down after a 16-month stint and a distinguished career at Disney. (more)