Open Thread

Deadline Hollywood reports: Squid Game is becoming reality. The dystopian Korean drama series – Netflix’s biggest series ever – is being turned in to a reality competition series with 456 players competing (although presumably not being killed off). Netflix has ordered ten-part series Squid Game: The Challenge, which will see English-language speakers from around the world compete for a $4.56M …

Variety reports: After 13 seasons, “The Wendy Williams Show” will officially come to an end this Friday, Variety has learned exclusively. The daytime talk show has been airing all season without its host, Wendy Williams, who will not be present for the final episode, which will include a video montage celebrating her groundbreaking television run. “The final original episode of …

Variety reports: Kevin Spacey has been formally charged with four counts of sexual assault in the U.K., the Metropolitan Police confirmed today. Spacey has also been charged with “causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.” The actor is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday morning. The four historic assaults are alleged to have …

CNN reports: “Big, Black and queer-ass American Broadway” — welcome to the world of “A Strange Loop,” the most acclaimed — and frequently surprising — musical of the theatrical season. “A Strange Loop” is a musical about a theater usher (named Usher) writing a musical about a theater usher, and it was conceived of and written by a former theater …

Variety reports: “Jurassic World Dominion” is the new apex predator at the box office. Universal’s dino-sequel is expected to earn $142.6 million from 4,676 theaters across North America over the weekend, which would mark the highest domestic opening for a non-superhero film since COVID-19 lockdowns were first introduced. That dethrones the $126 million benchmark set by the debut of “Top …

The Guardian reports: Julee Cruise, the singer whose ethereal music deepened the drama of David Lynch’s work, has died aged 65. Her husband, Edward Grinnan, wrote on Facebook: “She left this realm on her own terms. No regrets. She is at peace … I played her [B-52’s song] Roam during her transition. Now she will roam forever. Rest in peace, …

Billboard Magazine reports: There is no doubt that Kylie Minogue is a gay icon. After being adopted by the LGBTQ community early on in her career, the star has made a point of always making her queer fans feel seen. Now, she’s ready to answer a vital question this Pride Month: What is the ultimate gay anthem? On the latest …

Deadline Hollywood reports: Cross Creek Pictures has acquired Drudge, the Black List spec script by Cody Brotter about internet reporter Matt Drudge’s rise to power. Cross Creek’s Tyler Thompson will produce and Ryan Smith of Streamline will be exec producer. Drudge’s tip sheet and aggregator The Drudge Report came to power in the in the 1990s as he broke President …

Axios reports: CNN’s new boss, Chris Licht, is evaluating whether personalities and programming that grew polarizing during the Trump era can adapt to the network’s new priority to be less partisan. If talent cannot adjust to a less partisan tone and strategy, they could be ousted, three sources familiar with the matter tell Axios. Licht wants to give personalities that …

Yahoo Finance reports: Apple on Monday debuted its iOS 16, the latest version of the software that powers millions of iPhones around the world. Unveiled at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference, or WWDC, iOS 16 brings a host of improvements to Apple’s flagship device — including a new lock screen, a buy-now-pay-later service through Apple Pay, and, finally, the ability …

Deadline Hollywood reports: Paramount/Skydance’s Top Gun: Maverick, as projected yesterday, has flown past $500M worldwide, with $548.6M through its first two frames. The offshore weekend is estimated at $81.7M, an incredible hold of -20%, to lift the international box office cume to $257M in 64 markets. And, in another major milestone, Disney/Marvel’s Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness has …

Deadline Hollywood reports: One of the most popular holiday songs of all time is being legally challenged by a country music songwriter who claims copyright infringement over “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Mariah Carey and co-writer Walter Afansieff are named in the lawsuit by songwriter Andy Stone, who claims his “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by …

Deadline Hollywood reports: The All Winners season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars has made its mark on Paramount+, with its premiere breaking viewership records, according to the streamer. Paramount+ shared that the season premiere of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7 became its most-watched original reality series. As usual, the streamer did not release any viewership numbers, but claimed …

Variety reports: Lynda Carter proved her superhero powers in real life after using social media to shut down a homophobic user claiming Wonder Woman “is not for gays.” Carter starred as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman for three seasons between 1976 and 1979. The actor marked the start of Pride Month by sharing fan art of Wonder Woman in front of rainbow …

Variety reports: Elliot Page opened up to Esquire magazine about how difficult it was on his mental health to have to endure the awards season press tour for “Juno” while being in the closet. The Jason Reitman-directed abortion drama served as a breakthrough for Page, who earned an Oscar nomination for his performance as the title character. Page pinpointed one …

Variety reports: Kevin Spacey has said he will “voluntarily appear” in U.K. courts over four counts of sexual assault charges and one charge of “causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.” The actor provided a statement to “Good Morning America” on Tuesday outlining that he is “confident” he can prove his innocence. If Spacey does not …

Deadline Hollywood reports: Netflix’s Stranger Things is helping revive a blast from the past on the heels of the show’s Season 4 premiere on Friday. Kate Bush’s 1985 single “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” is currently No. 1 on the iTunes chart. The song first appears in the premiere episode and plays a significant role in Max’s …

Variety reports: Tom Cruise may have pulled off one of the most daring stunts of his career — getting audiences to go to the movies for something that doesn’t involve superheroes. “Top Gun: Maverick” pulled in blockbuster ticket sales in its opening weekend, collecting $134 million from a record 4,732 North American cinemas. The all-American action adventure is expected to …

Variety reports: Playing in 4,735 locations, the widest theatrical release in domestic box office history, “Top Gun: Maverick” is projected to earn $150 million over the holiday weekend. On a three-day scale, Paramount is predicting a $123 million haul. That’s easily a new record debut for Cruise, whose previous best — a $64.8 million opening for 2005’s “War of the …

Variety reports: A.A. Milne’s original “Winnie the Pooh” stories only lapsed into the public domain five months ago, but the tubby little cubby has already made his foray into slasher films. “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” wrapped earlier this month, and the first stills showing a demonic Pooh and Piglet about to pounce on a scantily-clad young woman relaxing …