Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Thursday 13 March 2025
Jellyfish halts ops; BBC funds indies; Snow White faces backlash; AI disrupts Hollywood; Leaving Neverland 3 planned; FAST evolves; Netflix adapts books; Tiger Woods film; Spinal Tap 2 release date.
Today’s Highlights:
Jellyfish Pictures Suspends Operations – UK-based animation and VFX company Jellyfish Pictures has halted its global operations due to financial struggles and is seeking buyers or investors.
BBC Invests £1.3m in Independent Producers – The BBC is funding 50 independent producers across the UK through its TV Small Indie Fund, supporting diverse-led and regional growth initiatives.
Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Faces PR Challenges – The upcoming live-action remake starring Rachel Zegler has faced backlash and subdued marketing ahead of its March 21 release.
AI-Powered Animation App Disrupts Hollywood – Pika, an AI animation tool backed by Jared Leto, is raising concerns about its potential impact on traditional content creation.
Dan Reed Plans Third ‘Leaving Neverland’ Documentary – A new instalment will follow the trial of Michael Jackson accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck against Jackson’s companies.
FAST Channels Expand Beyond Archival Content – A Gracenote report reveals that over 70% of FAST channel content has been produced since 2010, indicating industry shifts.
Netflix’s Literary Adaptations Spark Debate – Projects like One Hundred Years of Solitude and 3 Body Problem have drawn criticism for creative liberties and budget constraints.
Amazon & Higher Ground Developing Tiger Woods Biopic – Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company is teaming with Amazon to produce a film exploring Woods’ life and career.
'This Is Spinal Tap’ Sequel Set for September Release – The follow-up to the 1984 cult classic will reunite the original cast with Elton John and Paul McCartney cameos.
Sadie Sink Joins ‘Spider-Man 4’ Cast – The Stranger Things star is set to appear alongside Tom Holland in the next Spider-Man film, sparking speculation about her role.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals & Jobs with MUBI, Sony, Fox & Netflix.
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NEWS
Jellyfish Pictures Suspends Operations Amid Financial Challenges
UK-based animation and VFX company Jellyfish Pictures has temporarily halted its global operations due to financial difficulties. The company is exploring options for sale or investment to navigate these challenges. Read More
BBC Backs Indies with £1.3m Investment in 2025
The BBC is supporting 50 independent producers across the UK with £1.3m via its TV Small Indie Fund, Hot House co-commissioning scheme, and Radio & Music Indie Development Fund. Focused on diverse-led, regional growth, the initiative aids companies like Riot Time in Wales and B-Side Production in London, offering funding, mentorship, and BBC collaborations to foster creativity and strengthen UK storytelling. Read More
INSIGHTS
Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Faces PR Challenges Amid Controversy
Disney’s live-action Snow White remake, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, has faced backlash over progressive changes and social media controversies. Disney limited press access to manage the March 15 premiere, opting for a family-friendly event. Marketing has been unusually subdued, with advance ticket sales starting two weeks before the March 21 release. Read More
AI-Powered Animation App Backed by Jared Leto Sparks Hollywood Disruption Fear
An emerging AI-powered animation application, Pika, is gaining attention for its potential to disrupt traditional content creation in Hollywood. Backed by actor Jared Leto, Pika allows users to effortlessly add AI-generated effects to images and videos, making animation accessible to a broader audience. Read More
Steve Harvey Steps Into AI Protection: A New Digital Safeguard for Creators
Steve Harvey has partnered with the AI licensing platform Vermillio to protect his likeness from deepfakes and online scams. The partnership uses TraceID, which monitors and removes unauthorised AI-generated content featuring Harvey. This move aims to prevent misuse of his name and image while addressing broader concerns about AI-manipulated media in the entertainment industry. Read More
The 3-Letter Deal TV Writers Love/Hate
Netflix's series The Perfect Couple is returning for a second season, adapting Elin Hilderbrand’s Swan Song. The production initiated an Open Writing Assignment (OWA) to incorporate Nicole Kidman’s character, who is absent from the book, allowing multiple writers to pitch ideas without upfront payment. While OWAs create opportunities, they highlight industry challenges such as unpaid labour and fierce competition among writers. Read More
YouTube's Evolution: 21 Entertainment Formats TV Producers Should Explore
Celebrating 20 years, YouTube showcases creator-driven reality and factual entertainment formats akin to TV shows. Evolving from short viral clips to high-quality series like Good Mythical Morning (2778 episodes), YouTube creators have mastered branded challenges, pranks, and longer-form content. Channels like DudePerfect and Sidemen thrive with diverse series under evergreen brands, while others highlight the risks of singularly focused channels, reflecting YouTube's constant innovation in entertainment. Read More
Dan Reed Plans Third Installment of “Leaving Neverland” Series
Director Dan Reed is preparing a third documentary to cover the trial of Michael Jackson accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck. Following the 2019 docuseries and its sequel, Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson (premiering March 18), the new film will document their legal battle against Jackson’s companies. The trial, set for next year, follows a 2023 court ruling allowing their case to proceed after years of legal hurdles. Read More
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl: Rungano Nyoni and Susan Chardy Interview
Director Rungano Nyoni and producer Susan Chardy discuss their latest film, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, blends magical realism with social commentary. The film follows a young woman in Zambia accused of witchcraft, leading her on a transformative journey. The duo reflects on the challenges of bringing this story to life, emphasising the importance of authentic storytelling and cultural representation. Read More
Netflix's Ambitious Literary Adaptations
Netflix’s growing appetite for literary adaptations has sparked debate over how faithfully the streamer translates beloved novels to the screen. Its take on One Hundred Years of Solitude aims for visual fidelity but faces criticism for lacking the novel’s vibrancy. 3 Body Problem has drawn mixed reactions, especially in China, for altering character backgrounds and simplifying scientific concepts. Other adaptations, like Midnight’s Children, have struggled with budget constraints. While Netflix expands access to global stories, concerns persist about its tendency to homogenise unique cultural narratives. Read More
FAST Channels Evolve Beyond Archival Content
A Gracenote report reveals that Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) channels have expanded beyond merely offering archival content. Over 70% of available programming on these channels has been produced since 2010, indicating a shift toward more recent and diverse content. The study also notes a 42% increase in active FAST channels across key markets, highlighting the growing importance of this distribution model in the streaming landscape. Read More
Is This the End of Hollywood?
Hollywood faces rising competition from the creator economy as platforms like YouTube and affordable tools empower creators to produce and distribute content efficiently. Filmmaker Michael Cioni argues Hollywood’s traditional strengths are no longer sufficient. To stay relevant, Hollywood must abandon outdated, costly processes, adapt to these modern realities, and embrace partnerships with content creators rather than resist them, ensuring its evolution in an ever-changing entertainment landscape.
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