☀️ 'Apes' Returns Summer Box Office Swagger
FOX, ABC's fall orders, cancellations / LGF gets new Statham pic / Cannes adds more A-List projects to sales market
Evenin! This is Sean McNulty (connect with me on LinkedIn here if ya like), and here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on SUNDAY, May 12, 2024.
Where I’m afraid the digital age has finally come for one of music’s great institutions — alas, the beloved Munch’s Make Believe Band will be no longer as of the end of the year.
Yes, CHUCK E. CHEESE is breaking up the band . . . and removing the animatronic musical raconteurs from all but 2 locations as of end of 2024 — yes, one is thankfully in L.A. (the other is Nanuet, NY). The not creepy whatsoever band will be replaced by jumbotron TVs and digital dance floors, although somehow the pizza recipe will remain untouched 🤷♂️.
So, thanks a lot BLUMHOUSE! At least you’ll be able to get plenty of authentic new props for Freddy’s 2 on the cheap.
PLUS: Here are your BAFTA TV Award winners.
AND: Probably best to start putting your calls into Lorne now — the SNL 50 live 3-hour primetime special will be Sunday Feb. 16, 2025 (the weekend after the Super Bowl).
A REST IN PEACE: Goes out to two legends in different sides of the industry ecosystem:
Legendary filmmaker Roger Corman, who died at the age of 98 at his home on Thursday, with numerous tributes from a variety of talent here.
Legendary L.A. broadcaster Sam Rubin, who died at the age of 64 on Friday from a heart attack. Scott Mantz wrote a nice testament to Sam here.
OH WELL: LPGA phenom Nelly Korda came up short today in her bid for a record-setting 6th consecutive tournament win, tying for 7th place. Rose Zhang came out on top with an impressive -24 under par.
AND: AT&T signed on as the lead sponsor for AMAZON PRIME’s 21 WNBA games this year (as well as the halftime show for AMAZON’s NWSL⚽️ games).
WAKEUP BOX-OFFICE POLL
Kudos to the Apes optimists! Well done, even better than us middle-choice folks.
HOUSEKEEPING NOTE: With Upfronts madness taking hold and everyone coming to NYC this week for once — TBA on a Tuesday Wakeup edition.
VIEWING REC 📺: ESPN’s Full Court Press docuseries around Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso and Kiki Rice is really fantastic.
It documents the year that was in women’s college hoops . . . but it’s not just about what happened in the season in the games — producers WORDS + PICTURES and OMAHA were there for a lot behind the scenes as the phenomenon built throughout the year. Caitlin Clark just trying to get brunch with her boyfriend at a local joint on a snowy Iowa morning was something.
It’s on ESPN+, although with DIS+ also streaming the big INDIANA FEVER season opener Tuesday night — this would be a great addition to DIS+ even on a limited window basis #justsayin’. Promo is here 👇, and here’s the link for the show on ESPN+.
📽 THE SILVER SCREEN
