Film

Simple Town Sketch Group Secures North American Deal For Debut Feature ‘Big Break’

• Greenwich acquired North American rights to *Big Break*.
• Simple Town’s debut feature is a comedic thriller with slasher elements.
• A nationwide theatrical release is planned for next year.

Greenwich Entertainment has acquired North American rights to *Big Break*, the debut feature from New York sketch comedy group Simple Town, and plans a nationwide theatrical release next year. The comedic thriller follows the group’s fictionalised former members as they reunite, blending comedy with a slasher story about…

Lisa Ling Signs With CAA

• Lisa Ling has signed with CAA for representation.
• Her work spans journalism, documentaries, books and production.
• She founded the intergenerational wellness platform MightyLings.

Lisa Ling has signed with CAA for representation across several fields, adding a new agency to support her work as a journalist, presenter, producer and author. The move comes as her career spans television news, documentary programmes, books and digital projects. Ling began reporting as a teenager and…

In 1994, Charlize Theron was asked to star in two erotic movies. She immediately fired her agent

• Theron rejected two sexually explicit film roles in 1994.
• She parted ways with her manager, John Crosby.
• She wanted to avoid being typecast as a sex symbol.

In 1994, early in her acting career, Charlize Theron rejected auditions for *Showgirls* and *Species* and fired her manager, John Crosby. She felt the parts risked defining her as a sex symbol rather than allowing her to be taken seriously as an actor. The article says Theron had…

Hollywood’s Latest Must-Have Luxury? Listening Rooms

• Dedicated listening rooms are emerging as a luxury amenity.
• Devon Turnbull is designing spaces in Japan and New York.
• High-end speakers featured in the trend cost thousands of dollars.

Luxury homes, clubs and cultural venues are adding dedicated listening rooms, designed around high-quality audio and focused music listening. The trend offers an analogue retreat from digital distractions and suggests that, for some affluent clients, a carefully designed sound experience has become as desirable as a screening room.…

In 1998, Warner Bros blocked Francis Ford Coppola’s next movie. He was awarded $80 million in damages and ended up with nothing

• Coppola won an $80 million award against Warner Bros in 1998.
• The dispute centred on his proposed Pinocchio film.
• An appeals court overturned the award in 2001.

Francis Ford Coppola won an $80 million judgement against Warner Bros in 1998 after the studio tried to prevent his planned Pinocchio film from going ahead. The ruling appeared to vindicate his claim to the project, but the film was never made and the award was later overturned,…

Abramorama Dances To North American Rights For ‘Make Work’ About New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute

• Abramorama acquired North American rights to *Make Work*.
• The theatrical release is planned for 5 March 2027.
• The film follows four choreographers creating ballets in two weeks.

Abramorama has acquired North American distribution rights to *Make Work*, a documentary about how new ballets are developed at the New York Choreographic Institute and New York City Ballet. The film is scheduled for a North American theatrical release on 5 March 2027 and will screen at Doc…

Sharjah Film Festival Partners With UAE’s Media Authority in Push to Assist Emerging Filmmakers

• SIFF has signed a support agreement with the UAE’s National Media Authority.
• The partnership covers permits, training and technical support.
• The festival features 71 films from 38 countries.

The Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth has signed a partnership with the UAE’s National Media Authority to support emerging filmmakers. The agreement adds federal backing to the festival’s work and aims to help young creators navigate practical hurdles beyond learning how to make films. The…

Netflix Officially Replaces ‘Reacher’s Alan Ritchson in New ‘Die Hard’-Style Action Movie

• Keanu Reeves replaces Alan Ritchson in Netflix’s *Maelstrom*.
• A federal marshal and witness face a hurricane and armed pursuers.
• The long-developed action film has no release date yet.

Keanu Reeves has replaced Alan Ritchson in Netflix’s action thriller *Maelstrom*, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. The film follows a federal marshal protecting an arms dealer’s fiancée, who is seeking witness protection, as a hurricane and the dealer’s henchmen threaten their survival. The story unfolds over one night, with…

METALLICA Shares Pro-Shot Video Of ‘Fade To Black’ Performance From Third Show Of Las Vegas Sphere Residency

• Metallica shared “Fade to Black” from its third Sphere show.
• The residency has 24 performances across 12 weekends.
• Paired Thursday and Saturday shows have different setlists.

Metallica has released professionally filmed video of “Fade to Black” from the third show of its “Life Burns Faster” residency at the Las Vegas Sphere. The performance took place on 8 October, showcasing how the band’s live music is presented in the venue’s immersive setting. The residency runs…

UK unveils £130m AI cyber defences as Uganda expulsion revisited

A new documentary recalls Idi Amin’s 1972 order expelling Uganda’s Asian community, while Tokyo’s film festival highlights the displaced and excluded. A Shrewsbury developer’s litter-tracking app and cryptic No Man’s Sky emojis also feature.