Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Wednesday 14 May 2025
Antitrust crackdowns, Netflix’s studio push, Cannes breakthroughs, BBC’s youth struggle, Mubi’s rise, Alien: Earth debut, and lawsuits hit Franco, Brie, and WME over Together.
Today’s Highlights:
Big Tech Faces Landmark Antitrust Battles – Google, Meta, and Apple face sweeping lawsuits and rulings that could reshape digital advertising, media distribution, and tech regulation globally.
Netflix Breaks Ground on Major New Jersey Studio Complex – Netflix is transforming a former military base into a massive 500,000 sq ft production hub, boosting East Coast content creation.
Producers of Together Sued for Alleged Copyright Infringement – Dave Franco, Alison Brie, and WME are being sued for allegedly copying the concept of a rejected film for their own release.
Neon’s Cannes Success Breaks “Oscar Curse” Myth – With multiple Palme d’Or wins and Oscar victories, Neon proves Cannes launches can translate into awards-season triumphs.
BBC Faces Youth Engagement Crisis Ahead of Charter Renewal – The BBC struggles to capture younger audiences despite new digital strategies, putting future public support at risk.
Mubi’s Cannes Presence Marks Global Expansion – With four films in Cannes, Mubi cements its rise as a key global arthouse distributor and platform under founder Efe Cakarel.
Noah Hawley’s Alien: Earth Set to Premiere in August – FX and Hulu will debut the highly anticipated Alien prequel series this August, expanding the sci-fi franchise with a fresh cast and storyline.
Amanda Seyfried and Scoot McNairy Star in Prison-Break Thriller – The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd follows a teacher who falls for an inmate, triggering a suspenseful prison escape plot.
Matt Ross Directing City on Fire Adaptation with Austin Butler – Sony's adaptation of Don Winslow's crime saga features Butler in a gritty role as a gangster rising amid a brutal underworld war.
Koji Fukada’s Love on Trial Tackles Japan’s Idol Culture – Fukada’s Cannes film critiques Japan’s idol industry through a drama about a pop star punished for breaking a “no-dating” rule.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Renewals & Jobs with ITV, Netflix, Disney, Sony & A+E in London, LA & Paris.
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INSIGHTS
Malin-Sarah Gozin Blends the Surreal and Criminal in Dood Spoor
Malin-Sarah Gozin, creator of Tabula Rasa and Clan, returns with Dood Spoor (Dead End), a Flemish crime series about a man who sees the last moments of anything he eats. Known for her eccentric storytelling, Gozin also executive-produced Bad Sisters, the Apple TV+ adaptation of Clan, bringing her signature dark wit and psychological depth to global audiences. Read More
Mubi Makes Major Moves on the Global Film Stage
With indie and international cinema thriving, Mubi—Efe Cakarel’s arthouse mini-studio—is rising fast. Returning to Cannes with four films, including three in Competition, the platform is reshaping the film landscape. Director Luca Guadagnino calls Mubi “great and passionate,” predicting strong future growth—something already evident in the company’s recent trajectory. Read More
Weiss & Morales Brings Multicultural Crime Drama to the Canary Islands
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Canary Islands, Weiss & Morales follows Spanish sergeant Raúl Morales and German agent Nina Weiss as they solve crimes affecting the German community. Co-produced by Spanish and German partners and led by director Oriol Ferrer, the series blends cultures on screen and behind the scenes with a diverse writing team and international cast. Read More
Report Highlights Class Divide in UK TV Industry
A new report finds 22% of UK TV execs went to private school—nearly triple the national average—spotlighting industry inequality. Commissioned after Sherwood creator James Graham’s MacTaggart lecture, Let’s Talk About Class reveals that 29% of TV workers are from working-class backgrounds, compared to 39% nationally. Despite past efforts, representation remains low in this traditionally middle-class sector. Read More
Wes Anderson Returns to Cannes with The Phoenician Scheme
Wes Anderson, a Cannes favourite, premieres The Phoenician Scheme this year, marking his fourth debut at the festival. Starring Benicio del Toro and Mia Threapleton, the film follows a shady tycoon and his estranged daughter, a soon-to-be nun. Anderson’s signature cast returns alongside new faces, all woven into a film rich in detail and familial themes, much like the thoughtful, whimsical tone of speaking with the director himself. Read More
Why Space-Age Style Is Taking Over in 2025
Retro-futurism is back in orbit. From glossy, curved furniture to celestial design at global fairs, space-age style is everywhere—in homes, galleries, and even Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, out in July. The film exemplifies the trend’s cinematic rise with its sunken sofas and finned cars. Designers and creatives are again looking to the stars for inspiration—so, why now? Read More
Akinola Davies Jr. Debuts My Father’s Shadow at Cannes
After winning Sundance with Lizard, Akinola Davies Jr. delivers his first feature, My Father’s Shadow, premiering in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard. Co-written with his brother Wale, the Lagos-shot film stars Sopé Dìrísù as a father navigating political unrest during Nigeria’s 1993 election. Originally hesitant to go long-form, Davies brings a deeply personal story to the screen with cinematic urgency and heart. Read More
Simon Pegg Reflects on Mission: Impossible & Career Milestones
As The Final Reckoning screens in Cannes, Simon Pegg acknowledges how Mission: Impossible helped shape his career. Speaking from his London estate, Pegg reflects on his breakout role in Shaun of the Dead, which led to collaborations with J.J. Abrams and Hollywood’s biggest names. His memorabilia-filled office highlights his journey from cult actor to global star, tracing his path from Shaun of the Dead to Mission: Impossible through industry support and creative partnerships. Read More
ABC Sets Bold New Lineup with The Golden Bachelor and 9-1-1: Nashville
ABC’s 2025-26 season is led by The Golden Bachelor season two, starring NFL alum Mel Owens, airing Wednesdays at 9 p.m. It’s followed by Shark Tank, which moves to a new 10 p.m. slot. New drama 9-1-1: Nashville also joins the lineup, while Fridays bring Celebrity Wheel of Fortune with Ryan Seacrest, followed by a two-hour 20/20. Read More
Producers of Together Sued for Alleged Copyright Infringement
The producers and the distributor behind Together are facing a lawsuit for allegedly copying the idea for the body horror romance from the 2023 film Better Half. StudioFest claims Dave Franco and Alison Brie turned down an offer to star in Better Half, only to produce a similar film with another WME client. The lawsuit accuses WME, Franco, Brie, and others of facilitating the copyright infringement, with Together now set for an August release. Read More
Koji Fukada’s Love on Trial Exposes Japan’s Idol Industry
In Love on Trial, director Koji Fukada sheds light on the harsh "no-dating" clauses of Japan's idol industry, where pop stars face legal consequences if they fall in love. Premiering at Cannes, the drama follows a J-Pop star sued for dating, revealing the dark side of stardom in the industry. This marks Fukada’s fourth collaboration with MK2 Films and his first with Toho. Read More
Shih-Ching Tsou’s Left-Handed Girl Debuts at Cannes Critics’ Week
Left-Handed Girl, Taiwanese director Shih-Ching Tsou’s first solo feature, is a highly anticipated entry in Cannes Critics’ Week. Co-written with Sean Baker, who also produced the film, it follows a single mother and her two daughters adjusting to life in Taipei after moving from the countryside. Tsou, who worked alongside Baker on several of his films, brings her voice to this poignant story of struggle and resilience. Read More
Netflix Breaks Ground on New East Coast Studios in New Jersey
Netflix is transforming a former U.S. Army base in central New Jersey into Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth, a sprawling 500,000-square-foot complex featuring soundstages, a backlot, post-production facilities, and office space. The ambitious renovation project, fuelled by tax credits, marks a major expansion for the streaming giant on the East Coast. With seven productions already underway in New Jersey, Netflix plans to increase its output in the area significantly. Read More
Big Tech Faces Landmark Antitrust Battles
Recent rulings and lawsuits against Apple, Google, and Meta signal a major shift in antitrust enforcement. Google has been deemed a monopolist in digital ad tech, and its search dominance faces proposed remedies. Meta is now under DOJ scrutiny for monopolising social media. These cases could reshape tech and entertainment, influencing mergers, marketing, and content distribution. As regulators push for change, publishers and creators might emerge as key beneficiaries of Big Tech’s unravelling. Read More
Peter Berg Talks American Primeval and Industry Challenges
Director Peter Berg brought his loyal dog, Eso, to a live American Primeval panel, reflecting on the show’s intense 130-day shoot. The Netflix series blends adventure and history, capturing Utah’s 1850s conflicts. Berg praised collaborator Taylor Kitsch and urged creators to follow their passion in Hollywood’s evolving landscape. Elsewhere, Yellowjackets showrunners discussed their dark third season, balancing slow-burn tension with shocking moments to keep audiences invested. Read More
Ken Kao’s Expansive Hollywood Career
Ken Kao, co-founder of Waypoint Entertainment, has built a diverse portfolio spanning prestige films (The Favourite, Silence), action comedies (The Nice Guys), and indie hits (Longlegs). His partnership with Neon has led to high-profile projects like I Love Boosters. A former lawyer, Kao has also ventured into finance, sales, and startup incubation, co-founding Parallel with Venus Williams. Up next, he’s producing Project Hail Mary with Ryan Gosling. Read More
BBC’s Youth Engagement Faces Digital Age Challenges
The BBC struggles to attract younger audiences ahead of its 2027 Charter renewal, despite initiatives like youth-focused podcasts (What in the World) and relevant content investments, streaming and social media competition remain strong. To stay relevant, the BBC must continue adapting its content and delivery strategies to engage 16-24-year-olds effectively, ensuring its future as a public service broadcaster in an evolving media landscape. Read More
Deep Dive with Imogen Banks on the Art of Producing
Imogen Banks, best known for Network Ten’s Offspring, has shaped Australian drama with hits like Tangle, Puberty Blues, Party Tricks, and Gallipoli. She co-founded Kindling Pictures, producing Safe Home (SBS, Hulu) and Fake (Paramount+), becoming Paramount+’s most successful Australian drama launch. Banks champions emerging female writers and emphasises the producer’s role in storytelling quality.
Strikes, Scaffolding & Lots Of Mirrors: ‘Étoile’ Crew On Challenges Of Making Ballet Series
For the below-the-line team of Prime Video‘s ballet series Étoile, most of whom had worked with creators Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino on their prior hit series The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel, creating the show was an undertaking shaped by both creative triumphs and significant challenges.
Amanda Seyfried, Nikki Toscano & Liz Moore on Adapting 'Long Bright River' | Beyond the Page
Star/executive producer Amanda Seyfried, co-creators Moore and Nikki Toscano, discuss Peacock’s adaptation of Liz Moore’s "Long Bright River".
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