TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Wednesday 5 February 2025
Nicholas Celozzi sues over Assassination, Fox launches streaming, NY boosts film tax breaks, Buffy revival nears, Cannes names Binoche jury president, Apex films in NSW, Viaplay's Bullshit debuts.
Today’s Highlights:
Nicholas Celozzi Sues 'Assassination' Financier Over Contract Breach—Nicholas Celozzi is suing financier 308 US over contract violations, including removing David Mamet as director, altering the script's historical accuracy, and stripping Celozzi of his writing credit. The dispute, which led to the departure of most of the original cast, will go to court in April while Cloud9 Studios shops the film at EFM.
Fox to Launch New Streaming Service by End of 2025 - Fox Corporation is set to introduce a direct-to-consumer streaming service featuring Fox News and Fox Sports content. The move marks Fox’s deeper push into streaming, complementing its existing pay-TV offerings.
New York Expands Film and TV Tax Incentives - Governor Kathy Hochul's budget proposal includes an additional $100 million for independent films, extends tax credits through 2036, and enhances financial support for productions, aiming to bolster New York’s status as a major filming hub.
Viaplay’s 'Bullshit' Chronicles Denmark’s First Biker Gang War - Viaplay’s drama Bullshit explores Denmark’s first biker gang war of the 1970s and 80s. Starring Marco Ilsø, the series follows the rise of the gang Bullshit and its violent clash with Hells Angels.
Hollywood Freelancers Exiting the Industry in Droves—Dr. Richard Wallis warns that economic pressures are forcing freelance professionals out of the TV industry, creating an existential crisis that threatens future production capacity.
Chiara Mastroianni Plays Her Father in Cannes-Featured 'Marcello Mio'—Chiara Mastroianni stars in Marcello Mio, a Cannes-premiered film in which she embodies a version of herself dealing with her father, Marcello Mastroianni’s cinematic legacy, alongside Catherine Deneuve.
Unscripted Producers Push for Greater Rights Flexibility—At Realscreen Miami, industry leaders urged streamers and networks to allow unscripted producers to retain rights to struggling shows. They argued for a model similar to Suits, which found new life on Netflix.
Juliette Binoche Named President of Cannes Jury—In May 2025, Juliette Binoche will serve as jury president for the 78th Cannes Film Festival, following Greta Gerwig's footsteps. Her Cannes history spans nearly four decades.
Hulu Nears 'Buffy' Revival with Sarah Michelle Gellar—Hulu is reportedly close to greenlighting a Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival. Sarah Michelle Gellar is expected to return, and Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao will direct.
Charlize Theron, Eric Bana, and Taron Egerton Begin Filming 'Apex' in NSW - The thriller Apex, directed by Baltasar Kormákur and starring Charlize Theron, Eric Bana, and Taron Egerton, has begun filming in New South Wales. The project is supported by Screen NSW and is expected to inject $56.5 million into the local economy.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Cancellations, Opportunities & Jobs with WBD, Disney, BBC, ABC, Hulu, WME, Paramount & Telia.
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NEWS
Nicholas Celozzi Sues Assassination Financier Over Contract Breach
Producer and co-writer Nicholas Celozzi has sued Assassination financier 308 US, alleging contract violations, including the unauthorised firing of David Mamet and replacing him with Barry Levinson. The suit also claims 308 misrepresented the screenplay’s historical accuracy and removed Celozzi’s writing credit to boost sales. The dispute, which saw most of the original cast exit, heads to court in April, while Cloud9 Studios now shops the film at EFM. Read More
Fox Announces New Streaming Service Launching by Year-End
Fox Corporation has unveiled plans to introduce a direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service by the end of 2025. This platform will feature Fox News and Fox Sports content, aiming to complement existing pay-TV offerings. The move signifies Fox's strategic expansion into the streaming market, leveraging its established news and sports programming. Read More
Marvel Denies Using AI in 'Fantastic Four' Poster Following Backlash
Marvel Studios has refuted claims that artificial intelligence was employed in creating the promotional poster for "The Fantastic Four: First Steps." Fans had pointed out anomalies in the poster, leading to speculation about AI involvement. A Marvel spokesperson clarified that no AI tools were used in its design. Read More
INSIGHTS
Exploring the Intricacies of 'Paradise'
Hollywood stars James Marsden and Julianne Nicholson discuss Paradise, the new Disney+ series from This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman, which blends a political thriller with emotional depth. The show follows Agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown), the prime suspect in the murder of U.S. President Cal Bradford (Marsden). Nicholson plays tech billionaire Samantha Redmond. With twists that subvert expectations, Paradise keeps viewers guessing. Read More
Danish Biker Gang War Drama Bullshit Premieres on Viaplay
Viaplay’s new six-episode series Bullshit dradramatisesnmark’s first major biker gang war of the late 1970s and early ’80s, based on the nonfiction book BULLSHIT: The Story of a Family by Camilla Stockmann and Janus Køster-Rasmussen. Marco Ilsø (Vikings) stars as Henning, aka Mackerel, who joins the gang Bullshit and rises to the president alongside Alba August’s Pia. Their world is upended when a deadly war with Hells Angels begins. Read More
How to Move Up in Hollywood: Essential Career Advice
Hollywood is a challenging industry where survival depends on strategy, resilience, and understanding unspoken rules. Moving up the ladder requires more than just getting your foot in the door—it demands constant effort and adaptability. Assistants who treat every day as an audition for their next role rather than settling into comfort stand a better chance of advancement. Prioritising career growth over work-life balance may be necessary, as promotions often go to those who demonstrate commitment beyond expectations. While industry culture has improved, it remains a demanding environment where success hinges on ambition and perseverance. Read More
New York Expands Film and TV Tax Incentives to Boost Industry
Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget for fiscal 2026 enhances New York’s film and TV tax incentives, adding a $100 million pool for independent films and extending the program through 2036. The plan increases tax credit eligibility for "above-the-line" salaries, reduces credit allocation delays for large productions, and allocates $3.5 million annually for workforce development. The New York Film Coalition and lawmakers are backing the proposal, with hearings set for Feb. 28. Read More
Chiara Mastroianni on Playing Her Father in Marcello Mio
Chiara Mastroianni stars in Marcello Mio, directed by Christophe Honoré, where she embodies a version of herself grappling with her father Marcello Mastroianni’s cinematic legacy. The film, which premiered at Cannes 2024, follows her character as she adopts Marcello’s iconic style to navigate the industry’s expectations. Mastroianni, joined by her mother, Catherine Deneuve, reflects on her father’s influence and why recreating La Dolce Vita’s Trevi Fountain scene isn’t for her. Read More
Unscripted Producers Push for Greater Rights Flexibility
At Realscreen Miami, industry leaders urged networks and streamers to relinquish unscripted rights to allow producers to find new homes for struggling shows, mirroring scripted success like Suits. Critical Content’s Jenny Daly called for more flexibility in deal-making, while Roku’s Brian Tannenbaum highlighted Suits’ Netflix revival as proof of long-term value. A+E’s Ninder Billing and Beach House Pictures’ Donovan Chan emphasised the need for franchise potential and distributor-backed IP development. Read More
TV Industry Faces Crisis as Freelancers Exit in Droves
Dr Richard Wallis warns that the mass departure of freelancers poses an existential threat to the TV industry. As economic pressures force widespread job losses, the industry’s reliance on a largely unsupported freelance workforce is proving unsustainable. Without urgent intervention, skilled mid-career talent will continue to vanish, threatening future production capacity. Wallis calls for an industry-wide conversation to address workforce sustainability before it’s too late. Read More
Surviving a Hollywood Firing: How to Move Forward
Firing is an unspoken fear in Hollywood, yet it’s inevitable in the industry’s churn. Showrunners advise framing it as an opportunity to find a better fit rather than a failure. Industry veterans stress the importance of staying composed, securing a recommendation, and resisting shame. In a volatile business, being let go isn’t always career-ending; it can be a chance to reset and thrive elsewhere. Read More
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