Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Thursday 12 June 2025
Studios sue over AI, WBD splits, Netflix invests in UK, Participant shuts down, Superman rights upheld, Stranger Things spinoff, DC reboots Wonder Woman, and A.R. Rahman honoured.
Today’s Highlights:
Disney and Universal Sue Midjourney Over AI Infringement – Disney and Universal’s landmark lawsuit over AI-generated replicas could set a major legal precedent for copyright and artificial intelligence use in entertainment.
Warner Bros. Discovery Faces Corporate Split – The breakup of Warner Bros. Discovery would reshape one of the industry’s largest conglomerates, affecting global content strategy, jobs, and future mergers.
Netflix’s Greg Peters Highlights £1B+ Annual UK Investment – Netflix’s substantial investment in UK production reflects the platform’s strategic commitment to regional hubs and has broad economic and creative implications.
Participant Media Closes, Execs Move On – The closure of a socially-driven studio like Participant marks the end of a significant chapter in issue-based filmmaking, with ripple effects across indie film and advocacy.
Mark Duplass Builds Indie TV Ecosystem – Duplass’s self-financed model challenges traditional TV financing and could influence a new wave of creator-controlled, platform-agnostic storytelling.
Warner Bros. Wins Superman Copyright Dispute Again – The reaffirmation of Warner Bros.’ rights to Superman secures the studio’s ability to monetise one of its most valuable IPs and sets a precedent in international copyright defence.
Netflix Unveils Stranger Things Animated Spinoff – Expanding a flagship franchise through animation ensures brand longevity and signals Netflix’s continued commitment to cross-genre, franchise-first programming.
New Wonder Woman Film in Development at DC Studios – This reboot under James Gunn reflects broader DC Universe restructuring efforts, critical for the studio’s long-term franchise viability.
BritBox International Expands Post-UK Shake-Up – BritBox’s global growth strategy following ITVX changes indicates shifting alliances and distribution models in the British TV export space.
A.R. Rahman Named Guest of Honour at 2025 World Soundtrack Awards – Honouring A.R. Rahman underscores global recognition of non-Western composers and highlights the growing prestige of film music platforms like Ghent.
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INSIGHTS
Outrageous: A Bold Take on the Mitford Sisters' Lives
Executive producer Elizabeth Kilgarriff and writer Sarah Williams discuss Outrageous, a vibrant six-part drama about the rebellious Mitford sisters in 1930s Britain. Commissioned by UKTV and BritBox International, the series delves into the scandalous, rule-breaking lives of its subjects, characterised by politics, love, betrayal, and imprisonment. Williams says the bold title captured the sisters’ daring spirit far better than something traditional like The Mitford Sisters. Read More
The Mavens: Colin Callender on Bold Storytelling and the Future of Adult Drama
Producer Colin Callender is a trailblazer in British television and theatre. From Nicholas Nickleby to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and hits at HBO like John Adams and Angels in America, Callender reflects on the industry's evolution, the importance of creative risk, and why compelling adult dramas still matter in a cautious market. Read More
Warner Bros. Wins Again in Superman Copyright Dispute
Warner Bros. has once more defended its claim to Superman rights, with a judge denying a request to block the upcoming film's release abroad. The suit, filed by Marc Toberoff on behalf of Joseph Shuster's estate, sought to prevent the film from being released in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Canada. This follows the dismissal of a similar copyright case in U.S. federal court in April. Read More
Warner Bros. Discovery Faces Split Amid Growing Frustration
What began in 2021 with emojis and optimism between Discovery's David Zaslav and AT&T's John Stankey has turned bleak as Warner Bros. Discovery now prepares to break apart. A decade of ownership changes, declining stock and cash flow, and constant layoffs have left employees disillusioned. “It’s just been one shuffle after another,” said one insider, as executive pay rises while the company’s core business continues to erode. Read More
Genndy Tartakovsky Debuts R-Rated Animated Comedy Fixed
How’s this for a wild pitch? A dog and his pals go out for one last crazy night before he’s neutered. Genndy Tartakovsky calls it “the best elevator pitch I’ve ever had.” Fixed, his first R-rated feature, premiered at Annecy this week. First pitched in 2009, the film marks a bold turn for the Samurai Jack creator and was originally set to be Sony’s first R-rated animated project. Read More
Patricia Arquette Sees Silver Lining in Recutting Gonzo Girl
It may sound like a Hollywood horror story—big cast, indie budget, TIFF premiere, and a full recut to attract buyers—but Patricia Arquette views her Gonzo Girl journey differently. For her directorial debut, the Oscar winner embraced the challenge, calling it a “neat opportunity” rather than a setback, showing optimism amid today’s tough film market. Read More
Netflix’s Greg Peters Highlights $1B+ Annual UK Investment
Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters emphasised the streamer's deep investment in the UK, citing strong talent and production incentives. Speaking at the Wall Street Journal's CEO Council in London, Peters said Netflix has spent over £1 billion annually on UK productions since 2020, resulting in more than 100 titles and work for over 50,000 cast and crew members. Standout projects include Adolescence, Dept. Q, Black Doves, The Gentlemen, and Toxic Town. Read More
Disney and Universal Sue Midjourney Over AI-Generated Copyright Infringement
In a landmark case, Disney and Universal have sued AI company Midjourney for copyright infringement, accusing it of enabling users to generate near-exact replicas of iconic characters like Elsa, The Minions, and Homer Simpson. Filed in Los Angeles, the lawsuit claims this occurred "countless" times, referring to Midjourney as "a bottomless pit of plagiarism." It marks the first major legal clash between Hollywood studios and an AI image generator. Read More
Charlie Cox and Joe Locke Reunite After the D23 Disneyland Moment
Marvel stars Charlie Cox and Joe Locke last crossed paths at Disneyland after showcasing Daredevil: Born Again and Agatha All Along at D23. Reflecting on the moment, Locke tells Cox, “I just remember your son was wearing a Daredevil T-shirt, and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” Read More
Tim Cook Hosts Lewis Hamilton at Apple Park Ahead of F1, the Movie
Tim Cook and Lewis Hamilton stood atop Apple Park's observatory during a sunny April visit, Hamilton's first to the Cupertino campus. The tour marked a milestone in their collaboration on F1: The Movie, the $200M+ Apple Original Films project starring Brad Pitt, set to hit theatres on June 27. Hamilton has been a producer on the film since partnering with Apple in 2022. Read More
Saudi Arabia’s Manga Productions CEO Essam Bukhary Makes Annecy Debut
In this edition of International Disruptors, Deadline spotlights Essam Bukhary, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Manga Productions, who is attending the Annecy Film Festival for the first time. Bukhary has played a key role in transforming Saudi Arabia into a producer and distributor of anime, with standout titles like The Journey, Asateer, and Grendizer U. He joined Deadline for a Zoom chat from Tokyo ahead of the festival. Read More
Love, Loss, and Revenge Drive “Spider Rose” in Love Death + Robots Season 4
Love Death + Robots returns with more emotional weight, and the standout episode, "Spider Rose", leads the charge. Adapted from Bruce Sterling's 1996 short story, it follows a reclusive widow mechanist seeking revenge on the Shapers who killed her husband. Her bond with an alien companion brings warmth—until betrayal strikes. Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson discusses the episode’s dark turns and inspirations in a new interview with Deadline. Read More
Jason Isaacs on White Lotus Fame and Life After Lucius Malfoy
Veteran actor Jason Isaacs, known for Harry Potter and sci-fi hits, is surprised by the attention he’s received since playing shady businessman Tim Ratliff in The White Lotus finale. "I've been recognised a lot—in the most surprising places," says Isaacs. Still, the 62-year-old Brit keeps a low profile, riding the tube daily and enjoying the anonymity that often follows even his most iconic roles. Read More
Woodworking Creators Thrive in the Creator Economy
Woodworking content has become a lucrative niche, blending education, entertainment, and brand partnerships. Creators monetise through tool promotions, courses, custom commissions, and product sales, catering to both hobbyists and professionals. The market’s high-cost tools and long-term brand loyalty make it ideal for direct-to-consumer strategies, though some audiences critique over-commercialisation. Read More
Participant Media’s Closure and Its Executives’ Next Moves
Participant Media, known for socially conscious films like Spotlight and An Inconvenient Truth, shut down in April 2024, leaving 100 employees seeking new roles. Founder Jeff Skoll cited industry shifts as the reason. At least 10 former executives have secured major entertainment roles, continuing the mission-driven storytelling tradition. Read More
Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story Episode 5 Delivers Emotional Impact: Read the Script
Episode 5, The Hurt Man, focuses entirely on Erik Menendez (Cooper Koch) as he recounts years of abuse to his defence attorney Leslie Abramson (Ari Graynor). Written by Ian Brennan and directed by Michael Uppendahl, the one-shot episode intensifies the emotional weight of Erik’s testimony. Read More
R.J. Cutler Reflects on the Documentary Industry’s Evolution
Emmy-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler, known for The War Room and The September Issue, remains optimistic about the documentary genre despite industry shifts. He highlights the risk-taking nature of the genre, recalling struggles to sell his films before streaming boosted documentary visibility. Cutler believes audiences still engage deeply with well-crafted nonfiction storytelling. Read More
Mark Duplass Pioneers Indie TV Model with Self-Funded Productions
Mark Duplass is redefining independent television by self-financing projects, maintaining ownership and creative control, and licensing content to platforms like Netflix and Shudder. His series Penelope and The Creep Tapes follows this model, while The Long Long Night is being self-distributed via Kinema and Seed & Spark. Duplass aims to build an indie TV ecosystem, mirroring the 1990s independent cinema movement. Read More
BritBox International Expands Following UK Streaming Shake-Up
Following BritBox UK’s integration into ITVX Premium in April 2024, BBC Studios has taken full ownership of BritBox International, aiming to strengthen its global presence. The service continues to operate in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Nordic countries, leveraging its extensive British TV library to attract international audiences. Read More
Charlie Cox & Joe Locke | Actors on Actors
Charlie Cox and Joe Locke sit down to discuss their very different places in the Marvel universe. Cox has recently jumped back into the role of Daredevil in the Disney+ series 'Daredevil: Born Again' while newcomer Locke has taken on a crucial part in 'Agatha All Along.' They discuss the paths they took to becoming actors, how 'Heartstopper' launched Locke's career, and a tradition in his hometown involving something called The Fairy Bridge.
Medical Expert Explains the 'The Pitt's Emergency Room Accuracy
'The Pitt' medical consultant, Dr. Elizabeth Ferreira, pulls back the curtain on how the cast prepares for their high-stakes roles and how the show brings authentic ER drama to life.
Alex Disenhof on Crafting The Rings of Power’s Cinematic Scale
Cinematographer Alex Disenhof reveals how the team mapped character arcs to shape camera movement, lighting, and shot composition in The Rings of Power. His approach strikes a balance between intimacy and grandeur, ensuring that each frame serves the story rather than the spectacle.
Daisy-May Hudson’s Lollipop Explores a Mother’s Fight for Justice
Director Daisy-May Hudson and cast members Posy Sterling, Idil Ahmed, and TerriAnn Cousins visited BFI Southbank to discuss Lollipop, a raw and urgent drama about a single mother navigating a broken system after prison. The film, supported by the BFI Filmmaking Fund, highlights cycles of injustice and resilience.
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