Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Friday 4 April 2025
Meryl Streep eyes Narnia, Netflix boosts access, LA stages sit empty, Daily Mail enters Hollywood, Ron Howard’s Eden lands US deal, and Nathan Fielder simulates a plane crash.
Today’s Highlights:
Meryl Streep in Talks to Voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Adaptation – Meryl Streep may voice a female Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s Netflix adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew, set for a 2026 IMAX and Netflix release.
France’s Arthouse Market Thrives with 45.3M Admissions in 2024 – France’s arthouse cinema drew 45.3 million admissions in 2024, accounting for €326 million of the €1.3 billion national box office.
Netflix Expands Multilingual Support for Global Accessibility – Netflix is rolling out improved dubbing, subtitles, and cross-device language settings to better serve global audiences.
LA Soundstage Vacancy Rates Reach Historic Highs – FilmLA reports LA soundstage usage has dropped to 56% in 2025, the lowest in years due to strikes and reduced studio output.
Daily Mail Partners with Storied Media to Enter Film and TV Market – The Daily Mail will license its editorial content for film and TV through a new deal with Storied Media Group.
Shannon Murphy Directs Bold FX Drama 'Dying for Sex' – Australian director Shannon Murphy explores intimacy and mortality in Dying for Sex, premiering today on Hulu and Disney+.
Ron Howard’s ‘Eden’ Acquired by Vertical for U.S. Theatrical Release – Vertical will release Ron Howard’s survival thriller Eden, starring Sydney Sweeney and Jude Law, in U.S. cinemas in August 2025.
Nathan Fielder Tackles Aviation Safety in 'The Rehearsal' Season 2 – Nathan Fielder returns April 20 on HBO with a simulated airport disaster to explore aviation safety through surreal rehearsal techniques.
Cristóbal Tapia de Veer Exits 'The White Lotus' Over Creative Disputes – Composer Cristóbal Tapia de Veer has left The White Lotus due to creative disagreements with creator Mike White.
Black Bear Signs ‘September 5’ Director Tim Fehlbaum – Tim Fehlbaum, director of the Oscar-nominated September 5, has signed with Black Bear’s management arm for representation.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities & Jobs with BBC, Netflix, RTÉ, Legendary, MGM, Little Dot & Paramount in London, Cardiff, Bangkok, Dublin, LA & Amsterdam.
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INSIGHTS
Iain Glen Stars as U.S. General in Jerrold Tarog’s Filipino Historical Drama ‘Quezon’
“Game of Thrones” star Iain Glen plays Major General Leonard Wood in Jerrold Tarog’s upcoming biopic Quezon, now filming in the Philippines. The historical drama centres on Manuel L. Quezon, the lawyer and soldier who led the Philippines as president from 1935 to 1944, and highlights Wood’s role in Quezon’s push for independence from the U.S. Read More
France’s Arthouse Film Market Flourishes with 45.3M Admissions in 2024
France’s commitment to cinema as an art form continues to support a strong arthouse market, with 45.3 million admissions for independent and foreign-language films in 2024, accounting for 25% of the country’s total 181.3 million cinema visits. This represents €326m of France’s €1.3bn annual box office. The success is fuelled by pan-European and state support alongside efforts from local distributors and exhibitors. Read More
ABC Chair Kim Williams Criticises Jeff Bezos and Calls for Public Broadcasting Funding
Kim Williams, Chairman of ABC Australia, sharply criticised Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and streaming platforms for their negative impact on journalism and culture. Speaking at a media event, Williams called for increased public investment in ABC and SBS, highlighting the role of public broadcasters in countering misinformation and preserving local content. His remarks come amid funding concerns and regulatory reviews. Read More
Shannon Murphy Explores Mortality and Liberation in FX’s ‘Dying for Sex’
Australian director Shannon Murphy brings a fresh lens to mortality in FX’s Dying for Sex, premiering April 4 on Hulu and Disney+. Starring Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate, the eight-part limited series is based on Molly Kochan’s true story—diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, she leaves her marriage to embrace her sexuality. Inspired by Kochan’s podcast with friend Nikki Boyer, Murphy aims to shift the cultural conversation around death into something more open and compassionate. Read More
Netflix Expands Multilingual Viewing Options
Netflix is enhancing its multilingual features, focusing on audio and subtitle flexibility, and allowing viewers to customise language settings across multiple profiles and devices. The update includes support for more dubbing and subtitling languages, improving accessibility for international audiences. This move supports Netflix’s global strategy to boost engagement in non-English-speaking markets. Read More
Mediawan Pictures CEO Outlines Strategy for English-Language Expansion
Elisabeth d’Arvieu, CEO of Mediawan Pictures, emphasises the importance of the English-language market in the company's global strategy. Mediawan Group, encompassing over 85 production labels across 14 countries—including the U.S.'s Plan B, UK's See-Saw Films, and Germany's Leonine Studios—is leveraging its international reach to support co-productions and worldwide distribution. D’Arvieu highlights projects like the French series Kabul, developed with 24 25 Productions, as examples of collaborating with European talent to produce content with global appeal. Read More
Hallmark Expands Unscripted Slate with More Reality TV Hits
Hallmark Channel is doubling down on unscripted content, bringing back Finding Mr. Christmas and Celebrations with Lacey Chabert while launching new reality formats, including a baking competition and a murder mystery series. Initially a Hallmark+ exclusive, future unscripted shows will debut on Hallmark Channel before streaming the next day. With its signature holiday romance tropes, Finding Mr. Christmas taps into pop culture nostalgia, proving that Hallmark’s signature charm extends beyond Christmas. Read More
France’s Studio TF1 plans to double film production by 2027
Studio TF1, led by Rodolphe Buet, has announced plans to double its film production output by 2027 as part of a strategic expansion. The move aims to strengthen its position in the European market and boost its international reach. The production-distribution group will continue focusing on local and international co-productions, leveraging its existing partnerships and increasing its development pipeline. Read More
James L. Brooks Returns to Directing with Ella McCay
Legendary filmmaker James L. Brooks is back in the director’s chair for Ella McCay, marking his first feature in 15 years. While filming in New Orleans, Brooks reflects on the city’s kindness, hoping to bring its spirit to Los Angeles. Brooks remains a Hollywood icon with a career spanning The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Broadcast News, and The Simpsons. Read More
Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum Continues to Grow in Popularity
For three seasons, Love on the Spectrum has offered a fresh perspective on dating shows, focusing on individuals on the autism spectrum seeking meaningful connections. Creator Cian O’Clery revealed that interest in the show has surged, with many Season 3 participants joining as fans. O’Clery emphasizes the authenticity of the series, highlighting that contestants are genuinely searching for love without hidden agendas. Read More
Ryan J. Sloan’s Gazer Delivers Bold Neo-Noir Vision
Ryan J. Sloan’s debut feature Gazer made waves at Cannes 2024 with its gripping neo-noir thriller about a single mother battling dyschronometria while entangled in a criminal conspiracy. Co-written with lead actor Ariella Mastroianni, the film embraces independent filmmaking, self-funded by the duo while working multiple jobs. Premiering at Fantastic Fest, Gazer showcases raw storytelling and strong performances, proving that passion-driven projects can thrive without traditional studio backing. Read More
LA Soundstage Vacancy Rates Hit Historic Highs
Vacancy rates for film and TV soundstages in Los Angeles have reached historic highs amid a slowdown in production. New data from FilmLA shows stage utilisation at just 56% in early 2025, down from nearly 100% pre-pandemic. Industry experts cite the impact of last year’s strikes, reduced studio spending, and ongoing uncertainty around streaming content strategies as key factors. Read More
Tom Hardy & Paddy Considine Discuss the Relentless Pace of 'MobLand' and Season 2 of 'Taboo'
TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT: Comcast & Canal+ - The Media Odyssey
Marion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro conduct a deep dive on the evolving strategies of Canal+ and Comcast. Canal+ stands out for its global expansion—especially in Asia and Africa—despite challenges with high content costs and navigating a digital shift. On the other hand, Comcast is facing broadband stagnation and controversy over its decision to spin off low-margin cable networks into a new company, raising concerns about long-term growth. Both companies reflect the broader struggle of legacy media adapting to a user-driven, digital-first world.
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