🎬 Mark Your Calendar 📅

👋 Good morning! Welcome aboard the Dailies.

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:

• Sundance 2024: Big Names, Bold Films

• SAG-AFTRA Ratifies Contract

• Disney's Boardroom Drama

• Netflix's Shifting Strategy

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

• Release Radar: What to watch this weekend

• Video Village 📀

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

MOST STREAMED THIS WEEK

🎬 Sundance 2024: Big Names, Bold Films🌟

The Sundance Film Festival 2024 lineup has just dropped! Mark your calendars for January 18-28. As Sundance Film Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary, the festival plans to prioritize in-person experiences in Park City, Utah, with a dash of virtual access. Let’s take a look at emerging themes, and some films to look out for: 👀

🙋‍♂️ Biographies on the Rise: This year, the festival seems to be embracing an influx of biographical films. Dive into the artistic journey of Frida Kahlo in ‘Frida,’ or groove to the highs and lows of Luther Vandross' career in ‘Luther: Never Too Much.’ Get up close and personal with WNBA icon Sue Bird in ‘Sue Bird: In the Clutch,’ and don't miss ‘Devo,’ chronicling the band's rise from the ashes of tragedy.

🤖 AI: The New Frontier: Tech and AI narratives are carving their niche in the festival as well. ‘Love Machina’ and ‘Eternal You’ explore the melding of human emotions with AI, while ‘Love Me’ presents a post-human love story starring Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun.

Here's a few of the films that are making waves:

• ‘Rob Peace’ - Directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, this film tells the true story of a Newark man who attended Yale while secretly living a double life as a marijuana dealer.

• ‘Freaky Tales’ - Set in 1980s Oakland, this film stars Pedro Pascal and Jay Ellis and is directed by Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, focusing on a gripping urban narrative.

• ‘The Outrun’ - Starring Saoirse Ronan and directed by Nora Fingscheidt, this Scotland-based film delves into themes of personal redemption and self-discovery.

• ‘Presence’ - A family suspects they are not alone in their new suburban home in this thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, and Julia Fox.

• ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ - This Midnight selection, directed by Rose Glass and starring Kristen Stewart, is a tense drama about a gym manager's romance with a bodybuilder that leads to violence.

See the full Sundance 2024 lineup here. 👈

🎭👏 SAG-AFTRA Ratifies Contract: SAG-AFTRA members have given a thumbs up to their new three-year contract. In a decisive vote, 78.33% of participating members endorsed the deal, with 21.67% dissenting. This significant milestone, which saw a turnout of 38.15%, signals the contract's retroactive implementation from June 9, extending to June 30, 2026. Hailed as a major victory for performers, this contract, valued at over a whopping $1B, triples the union's 2020 deal and ushers in new wage hikes and AI guardrails. It also introduces novel provisions like streaming bonuses and rules for virtual interactions. Despite some online debate, especially regarding AI and "synthetic performers," the ratification marks a new chapter of empowerment and unity for the union, as it gears up for future negotiations.

🎬📈 Disney's Boardroom Drama: In the latest twist of corporate intrigue at Disney, activist investor Ancora, wielding a modest stake, is stirring the pot by advocating for Nelson Peltz, co-founder of Trian, to join Disney's board. This move reflects a broader sentiment among investors, potentially disrupting Disney's efforts to keep Peltz at bay. Ancora, known for its bold activism in companies like Kohl's and Hasbro, argues that Disney needs a shake-up after a period of questionable governance and strategic missteps. Their call for Peltz's inclusion is aimed at ensuring accountability in Disney's restructuring process. This push for change is countered by Blackwells Capital, another investor advocating against Peltz's campaign. As the drama unfolds, it spotlights the power play within Disney's walls, where the battle for boardroom influence becomes a public spectacle, showcasing differing visions for the future of this entertainment behemoth.

🎮📈 Netflix's Shifting Strategy: At the recent UBS Global Media and Communication Conference, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos unveiled a strategic shift for the streaming giant, focusing on expanding and diversifying its content offerings. Here's a breakdown of the key areas where Netflix plans to pivot its strategy:

• Focus on Local Language Unscripted Series and Animated Films: Targeting international unscripted content and increasing animated film production, with successful examples like ‘Beckham,’ ‘Physical: 100.’, and ‘Leo’.

• Enhanced Licensing Strategy: Reviving content licensing to include popular titles such as Sony’s ‘Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse’ and Universal’s ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie.’

• Gaming Integration: Strengthening the platform's gaming initiative to improve subscriber engagement and bridge show seasons, exemplified by the success of the game version of ‘Too Hot to Handle.’

• Innovative Engagement Initiatives: The company aims to deepen its connection with audiences through innovative marketing and live experiences like The Bridgerton Ball and The Squid Game Trials, enhancing fan engagement beyond the screen.

Development 🗒️

• Kim Kardashian is set to star in a new Hulu legal drama series produced by Ryan Murphy. (more)

• Adam McKay has put aside his Netflix political satire ‘Average Height, Average Build,’ starring Robert Pattinson, to focus on a new project addressing the escalating climate emergency. (more)

• Al Pacino, Diego Boneta, and Xolo Maridueña star in ‘Killing Castro,’ a film about Fidel Castro's 1960 visit to Harlem. (more)

• Prime Video has ordered a ‘Cruel Intentions’ series. (more)

• Kristine Froseth joins Richard Gere and Jacob Elordi in Paul Schrader's film ‘Oh, Canada.’ (more)

• Kevin Hart will host a Manningcast-style alternate NBA broadcast on ESPN2 through his Hartbeat and Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions. (more)

• ‘Unstoppable,’ starring Jennifer Lopez and Jharrel Jerome, resumes production with Don Cheadle, Michael Peña, and Bobby Cannavale joining the cast, and Amazon MGM Studios set to distribute. (more)

• Steve Lightfoot joins as co-showrunner for Amazon's live-action Spider-Man Noir series. (more)

• Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly will star in 'Ransom Canyon,' a romantic drama series ordered by Netflix. (more)

✅ Renewed & Canceled ❌

• ‘Foundation’ is renewed for S3 at Apple TV+. (more)

• ‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula’ is renewed for S6 at Shudder. (more)

• ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ is renewed for S2 by Netflix. (more)

• ‘Last Week Tonight With John Oliver’ is renewed for three more seasons on HBO. (more)

• ‘Harlem’ is renewed for S3 at Prime Video. (more)

• ‘Leverage: Redemption’ has been renewed for S3 and will premiere on Prime Video in 2024. (more)

Business 🤝

• Hulu content is now available on Disney+. (more)

• Paramount+ launches in Japan. (more)

• Warner Bros. Discovery secures exclusive rights to A24's upcoming film slate, including titles like 'Priscilla' and 'Dream Scenario,' for streaming on HBO, Cinemax, and MAX. (more)

• Verizon has launched a bundled streaming package offering ad-supported tiers of Netflix and Max for $10 per month. (more)

• Comcast received an initial $8.61B from Disney for its Hulu stake and reported Peacock reaching 30M subscribers, with further Hulu valuation and potential additional payments underway. (more)

• Zaid Al-Asady has been appointed as Executive Vice President of Brand Creative and Marketing at Peacock. (more)

Other News 🚨

• Iconic TV sitcom and movie producer Norman Lear passes away at 101. (more)

• CBS will continue airing ‘Yellowstone’ S3, concluding with the season finale on Jan. 29th. (more)

• ‘Oppenheimer’ is confirmed for theatrical release in Japan. (more)

What to watch this weekend? 👀

THEATRICAL 🎥

• The Boy and the Heron: Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film.

• Poor Things: Yorgos Lanthimos’ new black comedy fantasy film starring Emma Stone.

STREAMING 📺

• Leave the World Behind: (Netflix) Ethan Hawke and Julia Roberts star in Sam Esmail’s new psychological thriller.

• John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial: (Apple) New doc surrounding the details of John Lennon’s 1980 murder.

• Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie: (Peacock) Film continuation of the ‘Monk’ TV series, 14 years after the show ended.