Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Friday 14 March 2025

Michael Fassbender returns; Oasis films reunion tour; Crowe, Craig, Roth, and Radcliffe land new roles; Manitoba attracts productions; Bluey film seeks animators; Slanted wins SXSW.

Today’s Highlights:

• Michael Fassbender Returns to Acting with Spy Thrillers – After a four-year break for Formula One racing, Fassbender is back with The Agency and Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag.

• Oasis to Release Concert Film During Reunion Tour – The band’s first tour in 15 years will be filmed and produced by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

• Russell Crowe and Harry Lawtey to Star in 'Billion Dollar Spy' – The Cold War thriller, directed by Amma Asante, will see Crowe play a CIA handler and Lawtey as a Soviet informant in this true-story adaptation.

• Netflix Eyes Daniel Craig for Greta Gerwig's 'Chronicles of Narnia' – Netflix and Gerwig are in talks with Craig for a role in the highly anticipated Narnia adaptation, with production set to begin this year.

• Amy Wang's 'Slanted' Wins Big at SXSW 2025 – The satirical thriller about racial transformation took the grand jury prize, with Annapurna Sriram and Amanda Peet also receiving special jury awards.

• Tim Roth Reflects on Career at Luxembourg Film Festival – The actor shared experiences from his collaborations with Tarantino, David Lynch, and Tupac, while also premiering his new film Poison.

• Manitoba Draws Productions with Competitive Film Tax Credits – The Canadian province is attracting major film and TV projects with up to 65% tax credits, bolstering its reputation as a cost-effective production hub.

• Jeff Daniels Joins 'Shrinking' Season 3 as Jimmy's Father – The Emmy-winning actor will portray the estranged father of Jason Segel’s character in the Apple TV+ series.

• Bluey Creator Seeks Top Animators for Upcoming Feature Film – Joe Brumm is hiring CGI animators for Bluey’s transition to feature films, marking a major evolution for the globally popular children’s show.

• Daniel Radcliffe Joins Tracy Morgan in NBC Comedy Pilot – Written by Tina Fey, Radcliffe will star as a documentary filmmaker in a sitcom about a disgraced football player seeking redemption.

Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities & Jobs with ITV, Disney, CAA, Netflix & Nordisk.

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INSIGHTS

Costume Designer Maja Meschede on 'A Thousand Blows'

Costume designer Maja Meschede discusses her work on 'A Thousand Blows,' a Disney+ period drama set in 1880s Victorian London. She highlights the process of bringing authenticity to the characters' attire, collaborating with actors, and the challenges of recreating the era's fashion. Read More​

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Inside the Ratings: From 'The Recruit' to 'FBI' Spinoffs, Behind TV's Surprise Cancellations

Recent television cancellations, including 'The Recruit' and 'FBI' spinoffs, have sparked discussions about shifting viewer habits and the challenges networks face in retaining audiences. Factors such as fragmented viewership and evolving content consumption patterns contribute to these unexpected decisions, reflecting the dynamic nature of the television industry. Read More​

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Electric Entertainment's Dean Devlin

Season three of Leverage: Redemption premieres on Prime Video next month, highlighting Electric Entertainment’s focus on genre-loving audiences. Known for hits like The Librarians and its spin-off, the company engages fans through ElectricNOW app, FAST channel, ElectricCon, and more. In October, Electric Entertainment launched its first slate of ElectricNOW originals, aiming to deliver content tailored to its dedicated fan base. Read More

​MrBeast Makes More Money from Chocolate Than Videos

Jimmy Donaldson may rule YouTube, but his chocolate brand Feastables is his true moneymaker. Majority-owned by his company, Beast Industries, Feastables generated $US250 million in sales and $US20 million in profit last year, far surpassing the media business, which lost $US80 million. Beast Industries, valued at $US5 billion, is expanding into video games, beverages, and wellness, leveraging MrBeast's global fame to build a diverse business empire. Read More​

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Michael Fassbender Returns to Acting with Spy Thrillers

After a four-year hiatus pursuing Formula One racing, Michael Fassbender is back on screen in spy roles. His latest projects include TV series The Agency and Steven Soderbergh's new spy thriller Black Bag, opening this week. Fassbender plays George Woodhouse, a British star spy facing betrayal and intrigue. Praising its smart script and psychological tension, Fassbender says projects like these rekindle his passion for acting. Read More​

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Manitoba Draws Productions with Competitive Film Tax Credits

Manitoba is a sought-after filming location due to its competitive tax credits and versatile settings, ideal for mirroring American cities. The Manitoba Film & Video Production Tax Credit offers up to 65% on eligible salaries or 38% on total provincial expenditures, with bonuses for frequent filming, local partnerships, or shooting outside Winnipeg. These incentives, combined with skilled crews, position Manitoba as a key destination for cost-effective film and TV productions Read More

‘Novocaine’ Directors Pay Homage to Classic Action Films

Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, known for their horror hits, venture into action with Novocaine. Starring Jack Quaid as a mild-mannered banker on a rescue mission, the film blends humour, character, and thrilling set pieces. Inspired by Richard Donner and John McTiernan, the directors relished fulfilling their long-standing dream of creating a genre film that pays tribute to the action classics they grew up loving. Read More

​'Opus' Director Mark Anthony Green on Casting Ayo Edebiri

Director Mark Anthony Green discusses his feature debut 'Opus,' focusing on casting Ayo Edebiri alongside John Malkovich. He shares insights into the film's exploration of celebrity culture, the challenges of shooting on a tight schedule, and his views on the horror genre. Green also reflects on the collaborative process and the film's thematic depth. Read More​