Georgian anti-Putin drama The Antique, which was due to premiere in Venice parallel section Giornate degli Autori (GdA), has had its screenings suspended following the issuing of an emergency decree on behalf of Russian and Croatian producers claiming copyright issues with the screenplay. - Deadline
"AB 2642 would require explicit permission from performers (or their representatives) to use AI software to create digital replicas. … The bill will now return to the California Assembly, which must approve changes made in the state senate. If passed there as expected, it will then be sent to Gov. Newsom." - TheWrap
"The decision came as the clock ticked down on the time frame within which his group had to finalize a firm offer" — last week he bid $4.3 billion, then raised it to $6 billion — "that could be a viable alternative to Skydance Media’s pending ($8 billion) takeover agreement." - Variety
Though 55 films have grossed $1 billion globally (which is comprised of domestic and international ticket sales), just a dozen have managed to hit that benchmark from overseas markets alone — and 11 of those movies were live-action. - Variety
Aside from the price tag, stars Rachel Zegler, who plays Snow White, “is an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights and Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, is a high-profile Israeli actor. Not surprisingly the two have very different takes on the bloody conflict in Gaza.” - The Guardian (UK)
“As streaming platforms and increasingly vast multinational companies seek to raise their global profile and take advantage of cheaper labor markets, runaway production has become a growing threat to U.S. workers.” - Los Angeles Times
At least, “the studio picked up the options on three main cast members represented by U.K. performers union Equity: Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca Walton), Jeremy Swift (Leslie Higgins) and Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent).” Now for the U.S. actors - and maybe the Richmond women’s team? - Los Angeles Times
“As a costume designer, I see the white T-shirt as the ultimate blank canvas. I’ve cut up white tees to define a character’s unique style; I’ve used their simplicity to accentuate the silhouette of a suit. … Will I find a way to create an iconic moment?” - The New York Times
Now all you have to do is that little detail of finishing the film before its festival premiere. “It’s all a normal part of the process when postproduction and festival calendars overlap” - normal, but intensely stressful. - The New York Times
“Saudi Arabian director Ali Kalthami was born in 1983, the year the country’s cinemas were shut down. Growing up a committed cinephile and guerrilla film-maker, he was on tenterhooks, waiting for the ban to be lifted. But when it finally happened, in 2018, he was daunted.” - The Guardian (UK)
“The summer setting is a great vibe for my viewing experiment. The plot plays out slowly, and the warm setting is calming. Of course, it’s intercut with family members hitting each other and screaming, ‘Calm down! You want a cigarette?’ Like I said, ‘Frenchness.’” - Washington Post
Is something going right for a beloved media product? This doesn’t sound like 2024 - and yet. The Onion, which many people had long given up for dead, has been bought, revived, stripped of terrible ad content, given a new platform - and a print subscription. - The Verge
Chaos just as Skydance was heading to the finish line: "Seagram liquor company heir Edgar Bronfman Jr. this week persuaded Paramount’s independent board members to consider his rival bid for the Redstone family’s investment firm, National Amusements Inc., and a minority stake in Paramount.” - Los Angeles Times (MSN)
Surely $36,000 will make Disney more careful. The fine came “in connection with the death of Juan ‘Spike' Osorio, a lighting technician who fell through a faulty catwalk on the Studio City set of a Marvel TV series.” - Los Angeles Times (Yahoo)
