A rocket might have just imploded

And Questlove to direct Disney live-action remake

What to know

• Jonathan Majors arrested on charges of strangulation, assault and harassment, attorney claims his innocence… Jonathan Majors is on a career rocket ship right now, but the boosters might have just imploded. Majors, who is (was?) the ostensible future of Marvel as well as a potential 2024 Oscar contender, was arrested on some pretty horrifying charges Saturday after “a domestic dispute that happened in the Chelsea neighborhood” of NYC. The NYPD said “a 30-year-old woman was taken to a hospital with minor injuries to her head and neck.” But Majors’ lawyers are proclaiming his innocence and say the woman involved has already taken back her allegations. It’s unclear at this point what exactly happened, but if Majors is found guilty, hopefully there will be appropriate justice. However this shakes out, it has already tarnished Majors’ public image (his U.S. Army ad has already been pulled) and it could end his career. Just an all around disappointing, sad, and frustrating turn of events.

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• Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey might lead to more Beijing censorship in Hong Kong… This is pretty wild. The low budget parody slasher was set to be released in Hong Kong, but then it was abruptly canceled allegedly due to Beijing interference. You see, the Chinese government is particularly sensitive to Winnie the Pooh because of a 2013 meme that led to “Pooh” becoming internet slang for Chinese president Xi Jinping. The greater issue is that Hong Kong’s film sector was supposed to have independence for 50 years post 1997 (when it returned to Chinese control), but it now might “be subject to the same extra-legal machinations as the Chinese mainland.” All because of slasher Pooh. 🇨🇳

• Questlove to direct live-action reimagining of The Aristocats for Disney… The Mouse is starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel. No offense to Questlove, but are people clamoring for The Aristocats? It’s not exactly The Lion King or The Little Mermaid. But I guess if Questlove is attached there’s something interesting going on here — and of course, music is at the center of the story. Speaking of Questlove, where does he find all the time for these projects. Doesn’t The Tonight Show and leading The Roots keep him busy enough, not to mention the producing and documentary work that he does. Is it time to start wondering if he’s got access to cloning technology? 🐈

• Bill Lawrence says Scrubs reunion is “inevitable”… That’s not exactly a greenlight from Disney, but it is interesting that he views it as an eventuality. Of course there’s two problems: 1) The abandoned hospital they shot Scrubs in was torn down, and 2) They better have a strong script/idea that’s worthy of reuniting after 20 years. I’m cautiously optimistic, but won’t be upset if it never happens. 🩺

• Liv Tyler to reprise Marvel role after 15 years… No one truly ever goes away in the MCU. Tyler, last seen in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, will once again play scientist Betty Ross, daughter of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, in Captain America: New World Order. This is cool news, but I do wonder how big her role will be. With Marvel it could be as small as a one-scene cameo or as large as a key supporting part. 🇺🇸

• More revealed about Marvel exec Victoria Alonso’s firing… It’s now being reported that Alonso was fired because she produced Argentina, 1985 which breached her contract. This seems like a neat cover for some of the other rumored stuff that might have been going on, but we might never know. 🤔

• John Wick Chapter 4 has huge $73.5M weekend… Just exceeding expectations. It’s feast of famine these days at the box office, but it’s always nice to see a hit. Meanwhile, Shazam 2 fell off 69%, ensuring that franchise is dead and once again raising the question about the health of the superhero genre. 💰

• Clone High revival to hit HBO Max this spring, first images shown… Speaking of old Bill Lawrence shows returning, it’s time to go way, way back. 🧬

• Quentin Tarantino says right now is the worst era in Hollywood history… He would say that — but also he’s making movies in this era so rubber, glue? 🎬

• Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Killers of the Flower Moon sets October theatrical release date… Limited on Oct 6, wide Oct 20. Set your calendars. 🌖

• Amy Poehler to make podcast satirizing other podcasts… Love Poehler, but I think this idea’s already been done. 🎙

• Jessica Chastain books new Apple miniseries, Lena Heady to lead Kurt Sutter Netflix Western show… The streaming shows just keep coming. 📺

• Disney to lay off 7,000 employees this week… Are we still loving the return of Bob Iger? 🐭

• Molly Shannon and Ana de Armas will host SNL in April… I’m excited for one of those. 🗽

• Grey’s Anatomy returning for 20th season… Death, taxes, and Grey’s. 🔤

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What’s new

• The Big Door Prize — Mar 29 | Apple comedy series | 🍅 86%

• Murder Mystery 2 — Mar 31 | Netflix comedy film | 🍅

• Tetris — Mar 31 | Apple drama film | 🍅 81%

• Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves — Mar 31 | Fantasy comedy film in theaters | 🍅 90%

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What to watch

For me, the big question surrounding Hulu’s History of the World Part II was, is it funny? Thankfully, it is. The other question was, is it actually in the tradition of Mel Brooks? And thankfully, the answer to that query is also yes. Brooks, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen did a wonderful job sequelizing the tone of the original, capturing the comedic spirit of Mel Brooks, and all the while injecting modern flare and sensibilities. The sketch series also serves as a spiritual sequel to Nick Kroll’s Kroll Show in the way that it parodies and sends up modern media (TV, social media, the internet, advertising and more) — so for the dozens of people who remember that show fondly, you’ll be at home here. If you’re not a diehard Kroll Show fan, but are just looking for something light and funny to watch, this is it: An actual TV comedy series that’s got rapid fire hard jokes, that just wants to make you laugh. After 40 years, against all odds, they pulled it off.

For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!