Mornin! Here’s the Hollywood + MediaBiz news to know on TUESDAY March 23, 2021.
Where just remember, thanks to all the new online gambling services… you can make entirely new “informed” bets on MARCH MADNESS games again on Saturday.
🏦 STOCK NOTES: VIACOM +3%, crosses $100/share. It was $40/share the first week of January.
📽 THE SILVER SCREEN
Keanu Reeves doing movie based on his new comic “BRZRKR” at NETFLIX
Half man/Half mortal wanders the earth for centuries, but finds refuge working for the US Government doing jobs too violent for anyone else, in exchange for (potentially) finding out the truth to his existence. Plus… you really can’t beat government health insurance.
No writer/director announced for it, but Keanu is also a producer here and will voice an anime series on the comic as well. /Variety
Seth Rogen joins next Spielberg movie
Will play the uncle of the main character (aka young Spielberg) in the somewhat autobiographical film. Michelle Williams already set in the mother role. /Deadline
“Promising Young Woman” writer/director Emerald Fennell sets next gig at WB
Writing screenplay for DC Comic “Zatanna” at Bad Robot. Centers on illusionist who can alter reality, who also has a connection to “Constantine” in the DC Universe. /Variety
Mark Wahlberg sets next project, a faith-based movie called “Stu”
Based on a true story Mark’s been developing for a while, but not much else known. Written/directed by first time director. The independent production will shoot next month. /Deadline
#2 US Movie Theater chain REGAL to re-open in APRIL
Limited on April 2 (“Godzilla vs Kong”), wider on April 16 (“Mortal Kombat”).
Cuts WB deal – agrees to day/date HBOMAX release thing, but puts 45 day (first 6 weekends) exclusive theatrical release window in for 2022 WB movies. /Deadline
ALSO IN MOVIES
Forest Whitaker joining Tom Hardy NETFLIX movie “Havoc”, from director Gareth Evans (“The Raid” movies). Detective must rescue a politician’s estranged son after a drug deal goes south, navigating a world of corruption and conspiracies. /Variety
WB releasing Clint Eastwood’s next movie “Cry Macho” on Oct 22. Former rodeo star (Eastwood) takes a job to bring his ex-boss’s son home from Mexico to Texas, away from his alcoholic mother. /Variety
Elton John changing his OSCAR party to a 60 minute pre-show live stream, hosted by NPH and Dua Lipa will be the featured performer. /THR
📺 THE TV SET
Jamie Foxx as Mike Tyson limited series being shopped
Antoine Fuqua attached to direct, Scorcese & Rick Yorn are EP’s, and Tyson is involved with crafting this one, currently out to buyers.
Written by Colin Preston (no produced credits). Tyson’s life was previously in development for a movie at PARAMOUNT with Foxx attached.
HULU made a deal for an unauthorized “Iron Mike” limited series from “I, Tonya” creative team earlier this month. /Deadline
ALSO IN TV
NBC gives “Mr Mayor” a Season 2 order, no episode count given. Season 1 averaged 4.5 Million viewers in Live+7 Nielsen ratings. /THR
”Ellen” has lost 1 Million viewers (-43%) this year since the toxic work environment scandal. Ad revenue -20%. /NYT
AMAZON PRIME upping investment in French original content. Looking to maintain a 10 projects/year volume. PRIME VIDEO will also stream the French Open Tennis tournament in France staring this year. /THR
💻 THE MEDIA BIZ
SNAPCHAT making millionaires out of… some “Spotlight” users
Pretty fascinating read about the results from SNAPCHAT’s latest initiative to give away a pool of $1 Million a day to users to boost “Spotlight” usage (that’s their TIKTOK ripoff feature).
While it’s great to see a few twenty-somethings making $1 Million in a month… people spending their day posting 10-50 videos every day kinda makes my soul whither just a little bit. This also sounds like a lottery. And yes, I know, I’m an Old. /CNBC
ALSO IN MEDIA
The Ryan Kaji YOUTUBE empire (the kid who did toy opening videos on YT who is now 9 years old) makes about $10 Million/year from YT ads across their now 8 channels of programming, but $20+ Million from “Ryan’s World” merch and growing. /Bloomberg
The NCAA doesn’t let Women’s Basketball use the MARCH MADNESS moniker for their tournament 🤔. /WSJ
🎥 TRAILER HOUSE
AMAZON PRIME “THEM” new series. Black family moves to the very white and very unwelcoming 1950’s suburbs, in house that… definitely seems like it has its own thing goin on. Premieres Fri April 9th.
HBOMAX “Made for Love” new series – Dark comedy where Cristin Milioti’s character escapes toxic marriage to Billy Magnussen’s character… But with a tracking device implanted in her head. Debuts Thu April 1.
COMEDY CENTRAL new series “Doing the Most with Phoebe Robinson”. Phoebe has wild adventures and new experiences with celebrities. Premieres Fri Apr 9.
👩💻 NEW TO WATCH:
YOUTUBE “Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil” – First 2 parts of the 4 part docuseries drop today. The other two will roll out on consecutive Tuesdays. Watch here on YT.
🎧 PLAYING ME OFF
Meg Meyers: “The Underground” – Kind of a Muse-like, cool new song & video:
Listen/Watch on YouTube / Spotify
If you need new tunes:
If you’re new to THE WAKEUP and know someone who would dig it:
Have a great Tuesday! Email me anytime with new songs you’re loving, or thoughts to improve this for ya – Just reply to this email, or my name below links to my LinkedIn.
