Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Thursday 5 June 2025
Concord revives RKO; Iger’s bold advice; mental health crisis grows; WBD cuts jobs; AI voice row; Banijay, Mediawan expand; Murphy returns; Netflix adapts horror; TIFF opens with Candy doc.
Today’s Highlights:
Concord Originals Acquires RKO – Concord has acquired RKO and its library of over 5,000 titles, including rights to remake classics like Citizen Kane and King Kong.
Bob Iger’s Reported Advice to Disney Successors – Bob Iger allegedly urged Disney executives to “be more selfish” at a retreat, reflecting the competitive mindset expected of future leadership.
Hollywood’s Mental Health Crisis – Therapists warn of unprecedented anxiety among entertainment workers as industry instability deepens post-strikes and amid structural change.
Warner Bros Discovery Layoffs – Warner Bros Discovery is cutting under 100 jobs in its cable division to streamline operations and reduce costs.
AI-Generated Voiceover Controversy – The ScotRail voice cloning incident highlights ethical and quality concerns surrounding AI use in commercial voiceover work.
Banijay UK Partners with Popcorn Storm Pictures – Banijay UK has struck a development and distribution deal with Popcorn Storm to expand its scripted drama offerings.
Mediawan Acquires Les Films Entre 2&4 – Mediawan has bought Paris-based Les Films Entre 2&4 to strengthen its European scripted content portfolio.
Cillian Murphy to Return to 28 Days Later Franchise – Cillian Murphy will reprise his role in the 2026 sequel The Bone Temple, continuing the acclaimed horror series.
Netflix Greenlights ‘The Blanks’ Adaptation – Netflix will adapt Grady Hendrix’s horror short story The Blanks, adding to its growing slate of genre thrillers.
Ryan Reynolds’ John Candy Documentary to Open TIFF – The Ryan Reynolds-produced John Candy: I Like Me will open the Toronto Film Festival, honouring the Canadian comedy icon.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals & Jobs with BBC, Netflix & Prime in Sydney, London, LA & Seattle.
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Producers: Fifth Season, Sony Pictures Television, Banijay, Fremantle, Endemol Shine, Gaumont, Pathé, Warner Bros Television Productions, Universal Pictures International Australasia, UFA Fiction, Vivendi, Entertainment One, BBC Studios, Warner Bros Discovery, Talpa Studios, Keshet, Tiger Aspect, Wild Bunch TV, Red Planet Pictures, Go Quest Media, Eureka Productions, The Ink Factory, Nordisk Film, Reel One Entertainment, Bunya Productions, Beach House Pictures, Beyond, The Global Agency, Esha Bargate Productions, blue Entertainment, Paper Plane Productions, Paprika Studios, Playmaker, Off the Fence, Goalpost Pictures, Spin Master, Stand By Me, Halcyon Studios, DPG Media, Envision, Rive Gauche, Blue Ant Media, Squareone, Great Southern Studios, Collective Media Group, New Dominion Pictures, RAW TV, Optomen, Magpie Pictures, KOJO, ShinAwiL, WildBrain, Nine Daughters, Amazon/MGM Studios, October Films, Legendary Entertainment, Bad Wolf, Mediapro, Bron.
Also: Aarhus Series Festival, The Wit, Norwegian Film Commission, New Zealand Film Commission, IMDA, MIA, Getty Images, Ottawa Film Office, Simkins, Harbottle & Lewis, Screen Brussels, Sheffield DocFest, FilmChain, Documentary Business, Zero Gravity Management, SXSW, MEA, DOC, Attraction Distribution, Kaplan Stahler Agency, Passion Distribution, Audible, Screen Queensland, Canada Media Fund, My Smash Media, Artists First, Grey Seal Media, Screenforce Finland.
INSIGHTS
Elise McCredie on Juggling Projects and Embracing Bold Storytelling
Australian screenwriter Elise McCredie, known for Stateless, manages up to 10 projects simultaneously, ranging from adaptations to originals, such as The Chaplain. She embraces the shifting nature of development, joking that some ideas are “sedated” or “in the morgue,” awaiting revival. Her passion lies in bold, character-driven stories that delve into the complexities of humanity. Read More
Cole Hauser Rides On with New Cowboy Venture Post-Yellowstone
Since Yellowstone wrapped in 2024, Cole Hauser has stayed true to his cowboy roots. During a break in the show's final season, he teamed up with the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) league for an ongoing campaign, which launched at the PBR World Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, last month. Hauser, beloved as Rip Wheeler, continues to champion the Western spirit off-screen. Read More
Scarecrow Video Shifts from Survival to Sustainability
A year after nearly closing, Seattle’s iconic Scarecrow Video—home to the world’s largest publicly accessible physical media collection—has raised over $1 million and gained new leadership. Now, the focus is on long-term sustainability. “If Scarecrow shuttered, I’d feel guilty forever,” said executive director Jonathan Marlow, comparing the potential loss to “the death of a close friend.” Read More
Scammer Impersonates UK TV Producers, Targets Writers with Fake Script Fees
A scammer posing as a top UK TV producer has been reported to the FBI and UK cybercrime agency after asking writers on Stage 32 to pay up to £2,500 for fake script development. At least six British writers were contacted, with about 25 responding. Victims were asked to sign NDAs and pay a “refundable facilitation fee” under false pretences. Read More
Julianne Nicholson Reflects on Career Ahead of IndieWire Honors
Ahead of the IndieWire Honors Spring 2025 ceremony on June 5, Julianne Nicholson discussed her Emmy-worthy role as billionaire villain Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond in Hulu’s Paradise. Speaking from her Hampshire home before a summer trip to Italy, Nicholson shared her commitment to taking on challenging roles and avoiding typecasting—always seeking to stretch beyond expectations. Read More
Screenwriter Buck Bloomingdale Immerses in Rodeo Life for Riding Hurt
To help screenwriter Buck Bloomingdale authentically capture cowboy culture in his heist film Riding Hurt, Teton Ridge Entertainment brought him to the American Rodeo in Texas. “We got him into the bullpen, up close with the bulls, then took him out for drinks with the rodeo competitors,” said Teton Ridge president Jillian Share. “We wanted him fully immersed in that world.” Read More
Bob Iger’s Reported Advice to Disney Successors: “Be More Selfish”
At a recent Disney corporate retreat, CEO Bob Iger reportedly told top execs they must “be more selfish” if they hope to succeed him—advice suggesting the need for fierce ambition at the top. Known for his smooth leadership style, Iger has a history of strategic assertiveness, including allegedly undermining his chosen successor, Bob Chapek. Disney denies the claim, calling the account “simply never happened.” Read More
Matt Wolf on the Challenges of Making Pee-wee as Himself
Director Matt Wolf faced major hurdles making Pee-wee as Himself—from Paul Reubens’ elusive nature to his unexpected passing. Reubens would vanish for months, complicating the process, and kept his illness private until his death. Still, the effort paid off: the film just won the inaugural Outstanding Original Film award at the Gotham TV Awards. Read More
Warner Bros Discovery Begins New Round of Cable Network Layoffs
Nearly a year after its previous layoffs, Warner Bros Discovery is cutting more jobs, primarily within its cable television division. The layoffs will number in the double digits but remain under 100, targeting Discovery's cable networks like Discovery Channel, Investigation Discovery, and TLC, as the company seeks greater efficiencies. Read More
Hollywood’s Mental Health Crisis: Therapists Sound the Alarm Amid Industry Downturn
As film and TV jobs drop by 25% in California, therapists treating entertainment professionals report unprecedented levels of despair. Veteran psychotherapist Dennis Palumbo calls it "the end of days," citing COVID, strikes, and industry consolidation as causes. On-set mental health consultant Kara Mayer Robinson warns, "The new normal is that it’s not all going to bounce back,” urging clients to accept uncertainty and focus on what they can control amid Hollywood’s ongoing crisis. Read More
Sketch Comedy and Sitcom Trends TV Producers Should Watch
Social platforms and podcasting are reshaping the creation of sketch comedy and sitcoms. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts offer low-cost, high-visibility opportunities for comedians to test ideas and build audiences, while podcasts have become lucrative standalone ventures. Traditional TV struggles to find strong sitcom pitches, but digital-first creators are redefining the landscape. Read More
Hollywood’s New Press Tour Priorities: Where A-Listers Go Now
Publicists are reshaping press tours, favouring podcasts like Theo Von’s This Past Weekend over traditional outlets like 60 Minutes. The 2025 media landscape prioritises engagement over prestige, with fitness influencers and digital-first platforms gaining traction. As Ben Affleck’s The Accountant 2 promo tour showed, casual, long-form conversations now dominate Hollywood’s publicity strategy. Read More
JaDropping Science: The Creator Making STEM Fun and Accessible
James Andrews, aka JaDropping Science, has built a massive following across YouTube (1.98M), Instagram (401K), and TikTok (1.2M) by turning complex science topics into engaging, interactive content. His 2 Truths & Trash series challenges viewers to spot the fake fact, while his trivia card game brings science debates offline. With bite-sized experiments and quirky science gifts, Andrews proves that STEM is for everyone. Read More
Lisa Taddeo’s Three Women Episode 2 Explores Lina’s Search for Passion: Read the Script
Episode 2 of Three Women, titled Lina, follows Betty Gilpin’s character as she struggles with a passionless marriage, leading to an affair with her teenage love, Aidan (Austin Stowell). Written by Lisa Taddeo and directed by Louise N.D. Friedberg, the episode captures Lina’s emotional turmoil, culminating in one of the most intimate love scenes ever portrayed. Read More
Tom Cruise’s Most Daring Stunt Yet in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Tom Cruise performs a high-risk wing-walking stunt on a 1940s-era biplane, flying at over 120 mph and 10,000 feet above South Africa’s Drakensberg mountains—without green screens or stunt doubles. Director Christopher McQuarrie revealed that Cruise endured extreme exhaustion and hypothermia, sometimes remaining on the wing for over 12 minutes while battling 140 mph winds. Read More
AI-Generated Voiceovers: Ethical and Quality Concerns
Joe Lewis of The Voiceover Gallery raises concerns about AI-produced voiceovers, citing ethical consent issues and quality trade-offs. The ScotRail controversy, in which an AI-generated voice allegedly mimicked a voice actor without their consent, highlights the risks associated with voice cloning. Lewis warns that AI voices struggle with pronunciation, particularly place names, and may compromise accessibility for visually impaired individuals. Read More
\Ted Danson On His Netflix Hit ‘A Man On The Inside’ And 50 Years In Front Of The Camera
Dave Chappelle & Mo Amer | Actors on Actors
'Chef's Table' DP Breaks Down the Cooking Sequences Using a Single LF Camera and Minimal Takes
Meet ‘Adolescence’ Star Owen Cooper, the Netflix Hit’s Secret Ingredient
Inside the Writers Room of ‘Abbott Elementary’ Season 4
Comedy Roundtable: Sheryl Lee Ralph, Nathan Lane, Uzo Aduba, David Alan Grier & More on Acting
Number One on the Call Sheet's Reginald Hudlin Apple TV+ The Ankler & Pure Nonfiction Doc Spotlight
Filmmaker Reginald Hudlin, alongside Shola Lynch, co-directs "Number One on the Call Sheet," a two-part Apple TV+ documentary that explores the experiences of top Black actors and actresses. Featuring Laurence Fishburne, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Hart, and Ice Cube, the film highlights Hollywood’s evolving landscape and the many paths to success.
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