Mornin! This is Sean McNulty (connect with me on LINKEDIN here if ya like), and here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on THURSDAY, May 1, 2025.

Where 1/3 of 2025 is now in the rearview! So that means 2 years ago today, we were on the cusp of the WGA going on strike . . . ah, memories.

Although more importantly — we’re now about 12 months before the current deal expires. But let’s all just reflect and move on of course — as Richard and the PARAMOUNT arbitration team always tell me, it’s important to live in the moment.

OH: Just a heads up, you’ll be getting a great Series Business piece later today looking at thoughts among many writers here at the 2-year strike anniversary point on the WGA deal gains and losses.

PLUS: Here are your 2025 Tony Award nominations.

SOLD: Add the FRIEZE art festival to the list of former ENDEAVOR assets that the new company founded by Ari is buying. I mean, when you already know the numbers of a business . . . deals can move fast.

• Ari, Shapiro and Bill Duffy of WME-owned BDA SPORTS MGMT also bought WME’s basketball representation business earlier this week.

  • Whitesell now has the football rep division, and baseball is reportedly currently up for sale.

THEN: MCDONALD’S seconded what DOMINOS indicated it was seeing — namely that Mickey D’s regulars are reducing their trips to locations. Q1 revenue was also -3%. Eh, I’m sure Americans will be fine with their 2-doll Christmas this year (note for Gen Z — this is something called a newspaper).

OH: A federal judge was basically like “Seriously, bro?!” and accused APPLE of violating the antitrust ruling around the 30% vig it was taking from app revenues (aka the EPIC GAMES case) . . . by then instituting a 27% charge on app developers for using any “alternate payment system.” But ya know — I’m sure Tim Cook meant well.

ALSO: NETFLIX is sending Nick Kroll and the Big Mouth crew on a mini screening tour in May, 5 dates announced so far: Tampa, Chicago, Dallas, Denver and SF.

AND: If you’ve ever thought about having a tattoo removed, are just curious, or want to have a #realtalk conversation with your teen about the topic (or to send to your teen) — this GQ article gives you all you need to know about the fun of the removal process, and you know it’s a booming business for many Millennials when PE starts getting involved.

WAKEUP BOX OFFICE POLL

Okay first, Sinners still did another $12M+ on Mon./Tues. alone this week. 👏

But onto the main show this weekend — Thunderbolts* is looking at $70M to $75M or higher, with pre-sales in line with Eternals and Shang-Chi, which both opened in the low $70M range — albeit at different times of year.

FINALLY: Look at F1 going with what’s now basically an old-school film soundtrack approach! Way to go, Bruckheimer. 👏

Since I’ve been doing ’80s action movie bangers all week down in my PLAYING ME OFF section (got a nice Schwarzenegger pic classic for ya today) — let’s keep things in the 2025 action genre here up top today with Don Toliver and Doja Cat.

🎥 THE SILVER SCREEN