TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Weekend 16-17 November 2024
Yellowjackets lawsuit, Amara Okereke's TV debut, Conclave success, Blitz visa, Terrifier 3 hits, Monte Cristo's US release, AI in TV, YouTube for producers, Netflix splits, Heretic's bold vision.
Today’s Highlights:
Showtime and Lionsgate's Entertainment One Face Copyright Lawsuit Over Yellowjackets - A lawsuit alleges Yellowjackets borrows core elements from the 2015 film Eden, including themes of survival, cannibalism, and cult-like behaviour.
Amara Okereke Lands First Major TV Role in The Morning After—Following acclaimed stage roles, British theatre star Amara Okereke will appear on TV in an eight-part comedy about self-discovery.
Conclave Thrives Amid Political Noise, Sparks Hope for Adult Fare Revival - Edward Berger's papal thriller Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes, raises prospects for serious adult dramas amid blockbuster dominance.
Apple Secures Exceptional Visa for Blitz in France - Apple bypassed France's media chronology laws for Steve McQueen's Blitz, releasing it theatrically before its streaming premiere.
Terrifier 3 Gains Momentum with $500,000 Marketing Campaign - Cineverse's targeted marketing led to Terrifier 3 grossing $18.3 million, showcasing the potential of innovative campaigns for independent films.
The Count of Monte Cristo Gets U.S. Release After Cannes Acclaim—A new adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' classic, starring Pierre Niney, will arrive in U.S. theatres on December 20 after its Cannes success.
Steven Knight Warns of AI's Growing Role in the TV Industry - Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight emphasises the need to protect creative jobs as AI's influence on TV production grows.
Why TV Production Companies Must Embrace YouTube Now—As TV's landscape evolves, producers are urged to use YouTube for marketing and content monetisation to stay competitive.
Netflix's Split-Season Strategy Yields Mixed Results for Popular Series - Netflix's splitting seasons boost engagement but lower overall viewing hours for some shows.
Heretic Filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods Challenge Hollywood's "Complacency" Scott Beck and Bryan Woods tackle cultural fatigue with Heretic, an A24 thriller promoting storytelling innovation.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals and Jobs with WBD, AMC, BBC, Prime, Disney & Netflix.
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NEWS
Showtime and Lionsgate’s Entertainment One Face Copyright Lawsuit Over Yellowjackets
Showtime Networks and Lionsgate’s Entertainment One have been hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit claiming Yellowjackets borrows “strikingly similar elements” from the 2015 film Eden. Filed in New York federal court, the lawsuit alleges both works share core plotlines, including a soccer team crash-landing in a remote location, resorting to cannibalism, and exhibiting cult-like behaviour. The lawsuit accuses Yellowjackets of copying substantive elements such as character dynamics, survival themes, and a slow-burn narrative style. Read More
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INSIGHTS
Amara Okereke Lands First Major TV Role in The Morning After
British theatre star Amara Okereke steps into her first major TV role in The Morning After, an eight-part comedy set in Cape Town about a young woman discovering her identity. Known for her groundbreaking stage performances in Les Misérables and My Fair Lady, Okereke transitions to screen after appearances in Red Rose and short films. Balancing theatre and TV, she reflects on the differences between the two mediums. Read More
New 2024-25 Network Scripted Series See Promising Start, CBS Leads Renewals
The 2024-25 scripted series season has launched without outright flops, bolstered by strike-related delays and a surge in nostalgic broadcast appeal. CBS led the pack with renewals and back orders, including Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage and Poppa’s House. NBC's Happy’s Place and Lopez vs Lopez added script orders, while ABC’s hit High Potential capped at 13 episodes. Freshman series like Matlock secured early renewals due to strategic scheduling. Read More
Conclave Thrives Amid Political Noise, Sparks Hope for Adult Fare Revival
Edward Berger's Conclave, a gripping papal thriller starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow, captivated audiences this week, raising questions about the viability of serious adult dramas in cinemas. Amid a crowded awards season featuring titles like Anora and A Real Pain, Conclave stands out with its compelling narrative and stellar cast. Its success rekindles hope for older audience-focused films in a market dominated by younger, flashier blockbusters. Read More
Nielsen CEO Responds to Paramount Contract Dispute
Nielsen CEO Karthik Rao has addressed the ongoing contract dispute with Paramount Global, countering claims of seeking "substantial price increases." In a memo to clients, Rao stated that Nielsen aims to maintain fair value for its services, which he asserts are of higher quality than ever. He emphasised that the proposal to Paramount is reasonable and reflects the value delivered by Nielsen's services. Rao highlighted the company's significant investments to update tools, refine measurement capabilities, and enhance client monetisation options over the years. Read More
Steven Knight Warns of AI's Growing Role in the TV Industry
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight cautions that no regulation can prevent AI from dominating TV if it surpasses human creativity. Speaking at Lisbon's Web Summit, Knight stressed the need for artists to prove their value over AI, which he claims risks replacing entry-level jobs and stifling skill development. Knight advocates for protecting apprenticeships and fostering creativity as companies like Lionsgate leverage AI for content creation. Read More
Why TV Production Companies Must Embrace YouTube Now
YouTube, a 19-year-old platform, remains underutilised by many TV production companies, which have traditionally left marketing and monetisation to broadcasters, distributors, or rights agencies. However, as TV's landscape shifts, this "blind spot" is becoming unsustainable. Producers must develop a presence on YouTube, understand its functionalities, and integrate it as a routine platform. Companies can future-proof their content strategies by building primary channels and exploring creative opportunities without disrupting existing partnerships. Read More
Apple Secures Exceptional Visa for Blitz in France
In a groundbreaking move, Apple secured an "exceptional visa" from France's National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image (CNC) to release Steve McQueen's wartime drama Blitz in French cinemas for a limited two-day run on November 9 and 10. This special permit allowed up to 500 screenings, enabling Apple to bypass France's stringent media chronology laws, which typically mandate a 17-month gap between a film's theatrical release and its streaming debut. Consequently, Blitz is set to premiere globally on Apple TV+, including in France, on November 22. Read More
Terrifier 3 Gains Momentum with $500,000 Marketing Campaign
Cineverse's strategic marketing for "Terrifier 3" capitalised on its diverse media assets to achieve remarkable box office success. Leveraging platforms like the horror blog Bloody Disgusting, a podcast network, and an ad-tech platform, the company executed a hyper-targeted campaign that resonated with horror enthusiasts. This approach led to "Terrifier 3" grossing $18.3 million in its opening weekend, surpassing major studio releases and highlighting the potential of independent films with innovative marketing strategies. Read More
The Count of Monte Cristo Gets U.S. Release After Cannes Acclaim
French filmmakers Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière’s The Count of Monte Cristo, a three-hour adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic, earned acclaim at Cannes 2024. Starring Pierre Niney as Edmund Dantes, the film condenses the tale of betrayal and revenge into a gripping narrative. Co-starring Bastien Bouillon, Anaïs Demoustier, and Anamaria Vartolomei, it hits select U.S. theaters on December 20 via Samuel Goldwyn Films. Read More
Jake Kasdan Discusses Red One and Dwayne Johnson’s Miniature Transformation
Red One director Jake Kasdan explores a fresh take on Christmas action-comedy, featuring Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift, Santa’s head of security, alongside Chris Evans and J.K. Simmons. The plot sees Drift and his E.L.F. team team up with Lucy Liu’s M.O.R.A to save Christmas. Kasdan also revisits Johnson’s comedic sight gag as a miniature version of himself, previously seen in Tooth Fairy. Meanwhile, Jumanji 4 is slated for 2026. Read More
Netflix’s Split-Season Strategy Yields Mixed Results for Popular Series
Netflix’s decision to split seasons, including Emily in Paris and The Crown, has extended viewer engagement in its top 10 rankings but reduced total viewing hours compared to full-season drops. For example, Outer Banks season four's split format garnered fewer hours initially but kept viewers engaged longer. The approach boosted view metrics for some shows, like Bridgerton, while others, like The Witcher, saw declines in both hours and views. Read More
Heretic Filmmakers Scott Beck & Bryan Woods Challenge Hollywood's "Complacency"
Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, known for A Quiet Place, tackle faith and belief in Heretic, their A24 horror thriller released on November 8. Starring Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher, and Hugh Grant, the film explores a deadly test of faith in a confined setting. Beck and Woods view Heretic as a rebellion against Hollywood's "complacency," urging innovation to combat cultural fatigue and reinvigorate theatrical experiences. Read More
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