Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Monday 2 June 2025
Netflix expands Knives Out and Fincher's sequel gains steam; Marvel exits Comic-Con; Emmy bias debated; Salaria urges reform; Black Hollywood doc and Department Q spotlight industry shifts.
Today’s Highlights:
Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man Confirmed for December Release – Netflix will release the third Knives Out film on 15 December with Daniel Craig returning as Benoit Blanc.
David Fincher’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Sequel Gains Momentum – Elizabeth Debicki and Scott Caan join Brad Pitt in Netflix’s sequel, signalling a likely summer production start.
Netflix Defamation Lawsuit Dismissal – A U.S. judge dismissed Adrianus van Wesenbeeck’s lawsuit against Netflix over Undercover and Ferry, calling it vague but allowing a revised filing.
Marvel Skips Comic-Con’s Hall H Amid Avengers: Doomsday Delay – Marvel Studios pulls out of Hall H due to production delays and shifts its focus to comics and games during Comic-Con.
Emmy Nonfiction Race Criticised for Celebrity Focus – Industry figures warn that the nonfiction Emmy category now favours star-centred biographies over investigative or social-issue documentaries.
Fatima Salaria Calls for Hard Conversations in TV Industry – Naked MD Fatima Salaria urges the industry to confront systemic inequities through open dialogue and inclusive practices.
Apple TV+ Docuseries Celebrates Black Hollywood – Reginald Hudlin and Shola Lynch direct Number One on the Call Sheet, featuring leading Black actors and backed by Jamie Foxx and Kevin Hart.
Netflix’s Department Q Adaptation Launches – Scott Frank’s long-gestating English adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Department Q debuts on Netflix, set in Scotland.
HBO’s Ren Faire Chronicles Succession Drama of Festival Founder – The docuseries explores eccentric leadership and legacy at America’s largest Renaissance fair following the death of George Coulam.
Christian Byers’ Death of an Undertaker Premieres at Sydney Film Festival – Byers' docudrama, filmed inside a Sydney funeral home, debuts at SFF after eight years of immersive production.
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INSIGHTS
Judge Dismisses Drug Baron’s Netflix Lawsuit, Allows Revision
A U.S. judge dismissed Adrianus van Wesenbeeck’s lawsuit against Netflix, calling it an "impermissible shotgun pleading" for lacking clear links between facts and claims. The former Dutch drug baron, who alleges defamation and other harms related to Undercover and Ferry, has until June 5 to respond. He claims the shows falsely portray him as a violent criminal, causing emotional, reputational, and financial harm. Read More
Michael Cooper Jr. Reflects on Life-Changing Role in Netflix’s Forever
Newcomer Michael Cooper Jr. calls his role in Forever a transformative experience. The Netflix coming-of-age series, based on Judy Blume’s 1975 novel, follows young love through a modern lens. Cooper plays Justin, a shy L.A. teen balancing insecurity and confidence. “To see him grow throughout was really special,” praising creator Mara Brock Akil for giving him that opportunity. Read More
Producers Slam Studio Control at 2025 Produced By Conference
At the 2025 Produced By Conference on the Universal backlot, producers voiced concerns over Hollywood’s shifting power dynamics. David W. Zucker of Scott Free called the producer-studio relationship “grossly imbalanced” and “dictatorial,” citing excessive executive control. He described being forced to cut key production costs, like meal penalties, to meet studio-imposed rules—reflecting growing frustration amid industry upheaval from mergers and Silicon Valley’s influence. Read More
Netflix Launches English-Language Adaptation of Department Q
Fifteen years after Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen offered the rights to Scott Frank, Netflix has released a major English-language adaptation of Department Q, now set in Scotland. The crime series, based on Adler-Olsen's bestselling novels, marks the franchise's global expansion following the previous Danish version's airing on the BBC. "It wasn't for the lack of trying," said Frank, known for Out of Sight and Logan. Read More
Sharon Horgan Says Bad Sisters Gave Her True Confidence
Speaking at the Hay Festival, BAFTA winner Sharon Horgan shared that it wasn’t until the second season of Bad Sisters that she finally felt true confidence in her work. Known for Catastrophe, Pulling, and Motherland, Horgan said the Apple TV+ series felt deeply personal: “It felt like mine... like I belonged in that room.” Bad Sisters is a darkly comic revenge tale adapted from the Belgian show Clan. Read More
Nic Pizzolatto Teases Possible Return of Rust and Marty in True Detective
True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto revealed on the Nothing Left Unsaid podcast that he has a new story idea for Rust Cohle and Marty Hart, the iconic Season 1 duo played by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. While unwritten, Pizzolatto says the actors are open to returning. McConaughey, who calls Season 1 “incredible television,” continues to speak fondly of the series, calling it a true TV event. Read More
Mark Hamill Says His Star Wars Days Are Over
Mark Hamill has no plans to return to the Star Wars universe. In a ComicBook interview, the actor who played Luke Skywalker reflected on his iconic role, saying he’s grateful to George Lucas but believes it’s time to move on. “I had my time,” Hamill said. “They should focus on the future and all the new characters.” He called the original film “the most expensive low-budget movie ever made.” Read More
Ryan Coogler Rules Out Sequel to Sinners
Ryan Coogler has no plans to revisit his hit vampire thriller Sinners. Speaking to Ebony Magazine, the director of Black Panther and Creed said he never considered a sequel, noting, "I've been in a space of making franchise films for a bit, so I wanted to get away from that." Coogler emphasised his desire to focus on projects that feel "original and personal," offering something fresh to audiences. Read More
Emmys Nonfiction Race Now Dominated by Celebrity Biographies
This Emmy season’s top nonfiction specials feature stars like Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion, and The Beatles—but documentary leaders warn the trend signals a shift from journalism to brand management. Once home to hard-hitting social issues, the category now leans heavily on authorised celebrity profiles. In 2024, four of five nominees were star-centred bios—a pattern that’s raising concerns about the genre’s diminishing storytelling depth and investigative focus. Read More
Reginald Hudlin and Shola Lynch Celebrate Black Hollywood Stars in Apple TV+ Docuseries
When Jamie Foxx and producer Datari Turner approached Reginald Hudlin in 2019 to create a film about prominent Black actors in Hollywood, he readily agreed. The project grew into Apple TV+'s four-part docuseries Number One on the Call Sheet, directed by Hudlin and Shola Lynch. Featuring around 30 A-listers like Viola Davis, Denzel Washington, and Halle Berry, the series explores their careers and impact, filmed over two years with executive producers Kevin Hart and Foxx. Read More
Embracing Difficult Conversations for Industry Growth
Fatima Salaria, the MD of Naked, urges the television industry to confront uncomfortable truths to foster genuine progress. She emphasises the necessity of open dialogue about systemic issues, including diversity, representation, and inclusion, to ensure the industry's growth and relevance. Salaria calls for candid conversations that challenge the status quo, advocating for a culture that embraces difficult discussions as a pathway to meaningful change. Read More
Full Comedy Roundtable: Kate Hudson, David Alan Grier, Bridget Everett, Nathan Lane & More
Paul W. Downs (“Hacks”) joins Lisa Ann Walter (“Abbott Elementary”), Bridget Everett (“Somebody Somewhere”), David Alan Grier (“St. Denis Medical”), Kate Hudson (“Running Point”) and Nathan Lane (“Mid Century Modern”) on the L.A. Times Envelope Comedy Roundtable.
Max Fosh: From Viral Stunts to Global Comedy Tours
Max Fosh, one of the UK’s most inventive digital creators, has built a multi-platform empire through viral pranks, social experiments, and sharp storytelling. From running for London Mayor to faking his way into London Fashion Week, Fosh has amassed over 6 million followers and a sold-out global comedy tour. He shares insights into his creative process, the business behind YouTube, and why he keeps his team lean.
Full Drama Actress Roundtable: Parker Posey, Cristin Milioti, Niecy Nash-Betts, Kathy Bates & More
Crunchyroll’s Global Expansion: 17M Subscribers and Growing
Crunchyroll, once a niche anime streaming service, has evolved into a global powerhouse with over 17 million subscribers across 200 countries. Under Rahul Purini’s leadership, the platform is expanding its anime catalogue, gaming ventures, and merchandise, while integrating more deeply with Sony’s entertainment ecosystem. The company is also preparing an anime adaptation of Ghost of Tsushima and investing in AI-driven animation tools to support the industry.
HBO’s Ren Faire Captures the Succession Battle at America’s Largest Renaissance Festival
On May 21, the same day director Lance Oppenheim discussed Ren Faire, its central figure, George Coulam, passed away at the age of 87. The HBO docuseries explores Coulam’s search for a successor, blending reality TV chaos with a cinematic approach inspired by There Will Be Blood. Oppenheim aimed to capture the festival’s eccentric personalities while avoiding judgmental storytelling.
Liz Garbus’ Gone Girls Explores the Long Island Serial Killer Case
Liz Garbus’ true crime documentary series, Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer, premiered on Netflix on March 31, 2025. The series follows the Gilgo Beach murders, focusing on the victims’ families and their fight for justice. Garbus, who previously directed Lost Girls, began working on the documentary after the 2023 arrest of Rex Heuermann, the suspected killer.
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