Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Wednesday 9 April 2025

China may ban Hollywood films; Gen Z drifts from TV; Netflix names policy chief; Pattinson eyed for Dune; Sneesby to MBC; Elordi leads local drama; Doctor Who evolves.

Today’s Highlights:

• China Weighs Hollywood Film Ban Amid Escalating U.S. Trade Tensions – China may restrict Hollywood film imports in retaliation for U.S. tariffs, signalling worsening entertainment trade relations.

• Gen Z Abandoning Traditional Hollywood for Social Media Content – A new survey shows Gen Z prefers platforms like TikTok and YouTube over traditional TV and film, challenging Hollywood’s relevance.

• Netflix Appoints Clete Willems as Chief Global Affairs Officer – Netflix has hired Clete Willems to lead its global public policy strategy, drawing on his trade experience from the Obama and Trump administrations.

• Robert Pattinson Considered for Role in Next Dune Instalment by Denis Villeneuve – Robert Pattinson is in talks to join the next Dune film as Villeneuve finalises casting for new roles alongside the returning ensemble.

• Mike Sneesby Appointed CEO of MBC Group After Sam Barnett’s Exit – Former Stan CEO Mike Sneesby has been named CEO of MBC Group, marking a strategic shift toward digital and streaming initiatives.

• Jacob Elordi to Star in Australian Series The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Jacob Elordi will lead Prime Video’s adaptation of Richard Flanagan’s novel, directed by Justin Kurzel in his first major Australian screen role.

• Russell T Davies Promises Genre-Bending Adventure in New Doctor Who Season – The upcoming Doctor Who season will blend multiple genres and introduce a new companion as it debuts on Disney+ and BBC iPlayer.

• Brooke Shields to Lead and Produce AMC’s Allie & Andi Murder Mystery – Brooke Shields will star in and executive produce a six-part murder mystery for Acorn TV about two writers investigating a friend’s death.

• River Gallo’s Ponyboi Hits Cinemas with Star-Studded Cast After Sundance – River Gallo’s feature debut Ponyboi, starring Dylan O’Brien and Victoria Pedretti, explores intersex identity through a gritty neo-noir lens.

Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals & Jobs with BBC, Netflix, NBCUniversal, Film4, ITV & MrBeast in Cardiff, Sydney, London, Greenville, LA, Warsaw & Milan.

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INSIGHTS

Amanda Seyfried Leads Peacock’s Thriller ‘Long Bright River’

Peacock’s Long Bright River, starring Amanda Seyfried, follows a Philadelphia police officer investigating a string of murders in a neighbourhood ravaged by the opioid crisis. As her personal history intertwines with the case, she faces unexpected revelations. Produced by Sony Pictures Television and UCP, the eight-part series also stars Nicholas Pinnock, Ashleigh Cummings, and John Doman, with Nikki Toscano serving as showrunner. Read More

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China Considers Hollywood Film Ban Amid Trade Dispute with U.S.

China is reportedly weighing a ban on Hollywood films in response to Donald Trump’s tariffs, which currently stand at 54% and could rise to 104%. The proposed countermeasures, shared by influential Chinese figures, include restricting U.S. film imports alongside increased tariffs on American agricultural goods and services. Hollywood’s presence in China has declined, with local blockbusters dominating the market. Read More

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Russell T Davies Teases ‘Doctor Who’ Season 2 with Bold New Stories

Doctor Who returns for its second season on Disney+ and BBC iPlayer on April 12, with Russell T Davies promising a wild mix of genres, from space opera to psychological drama. Varada Sethu joins the cast as the Doctor’s new companion, Belinda Chandra, while Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday embarks on a transformative journey. Davies emphasizes the show’s evolution while maintaining its adventurous core. Read More

River Gallo’s ‘Ponyboi’ Opens in Theaters After Sundance Premiere

River Gallo’s neo-noir thriller Ponyboi, based on his award-winning 2019 short film, follows Latinx intersex sex worker Ponyboi navigating chaos after a drug deal goes wrong. Directed by Esteban Arango, the feature stars Dylan O’Brien, Victoria Pedretti, Murray Bartlett, and Indya Moore. Gallo’s deeply personal story sheds light on intersex experiences, exploring identity and resilience against societal stigmas. Read More

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Streaming Giants Embrace Licensing Deals Over Exclusivity

Streaming platforms are shifting away from exclusivity, with Paramount, Warner Bros., Disney, and NBCUniversal licensing top content to competitors. The strategy helps mid-tier streamers stay profitable while leveraging Netflix’s global reach. For filmmakers, this shift means licensability matters more than exclusivity, with pitch strategies focusing on multi-platform longevity, windowed releases, and monetisation opportunities. The future of streaming favours flexible, revenue-driven content. Read More

Hollywood Struggles to Connect with Gen Z’s Evolving Media Habits

A recent survey reveals Gen Z’s shifting preferences, favoring social media content over traditional movies and TV. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram dominate youth entertainment, challenging Hollywood’s relevance. Studios face declining profits and must rethink their approach, as successes like Minecraft Movie show that tapping into Gen Z’s cultural interests can still drive engagement. Read More

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Jacob Elordi stars in new Australian TV series

First came Richard Flanagan's award-winning book The Narrow Road to the Deep North, a novel about Australian POWs on the Thai Burma Railway and an anguished love story before the war. Australian director Justin Kurzel is now telling the story as a Prime Video series, and he has chosen Australian star Jacob Elordi to play the lead role of Dorrigo Evans. It’s Elordi's first major Australian role.

The Makers: Andrew Ahn and James Schamus | BFI Flare 2025

Director Andrew Ahn and co-writer/co-producer James Schamus have reimagined Ang Lee’s 1993 classic The Wedding Banquet for a modern audience. Ahn, known for films like Spa Night, Driveways, and Fire Island, has built a reputation for exploring queer Asian-American narratives. Schamus, an acclaimed screenwriter and producer behind The Ice Storm and Brokeback Mountain, brings his expertise in crafting emotionally rich stories.