Amazon's big bet is "a $300M disaster"
And beloved '00s comedy getting a sequel
What to know
Alan Sepinwall: “Citadel is a $300 million disaster”… Yikes. The veteran TV critic says Amazon has “put the franchise cart before the individual series horse,” calling the $300 million spy show “bland, generic, and almost shockingly cheap-looking, given the price tag.” That’s enough for me to avoid this show — but I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a hit despite being trash. For example, Netflix is making its business right now off bland action series. If it goes the other way, Amazon won’t hurt too much, but it probably won’t make any big IP-less swings like this in the future. 😮
Upgrade to a full Pop Culture Brain Daily subscription for $1/month or $6/year.
Dodgeball sequel in the works at 20th with Vince Vaughn returning… We’ve heard this one before, but it looks like this might actually come together this time, as a writer has been brought on. But is this a good idea? Based on the low hit rate of sequels to early ‘00s comedies (looking at you Anchorman 2 and Zoolander 2), I’m a bit skeptical about this. We’ll see. 🔧
Schmigadoon! switches from comedy series to scripted variety at the Emmys… Fascinating. I guess it counts as a “primarily scripted, or loosely- scripted improv” show made up of “discrete scenes, satire, musical numbers, monologues, comedy stand-ups, sketches, etc.” Its chances of getting nominated definitely just increased, but good luck winning against John Oliver and SNL. 🎵
Paramount casts Rihanna in animated Smurfs movie, announces new animated Transformers film and hybrid SpongeBob pic… I bet the movie theater owners are very happy with this news. Theaters need more family-friendly fare. Also the cast of the Transformers pic is absurd: Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Jon Hamm, and Laurence Fishburne. 🤖
Miley Cyrus fans think she released a secret, now-deleted album under a pseudonym… Unfortunately it wasn’t “Hannah Montana.” This whole thing is very weird, but in this age of easter egg hunting (looking at you Swifties) and secret drops, I wouldn’t be surprised if Cyrus did release and delete a mystery album. 🎶
Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Keegan-Michael Key, Awkwafina, Danny DeVito, and Carol Kane to voice Illumination’s Migation…. Solid cast. Based on the trailer before Mario, this looks like one of Illumination’s most beautiful movies yet. Keegan is really lining up the audio booth work. 🦆
R-rated Christopher Robin hybrid series in the works… It would imagine a jaded adult Robin living in NYC, communing with “weird talking animals who live beyond a drug-induced portal” outside his apartment. I guess Pooh Blood and Honey wasn’t enough? Public domain really is a trip. 🧸
More than half of Netflix’s shows and movies are led by women… According to a new study from Netflix and USC. Hey, that’s pretty good! Good job, Netflix. 🚺
The Crown reveals first look at Kate and William actors… They don’t look much like them, but as with The Crown, the performances are usually spot on. 👑
Sarah Snook switches to lead actress at the Emmys… Smart move, I think it will work out in her favor and further the chances of a Succession sweep. 🏆
Adam Brody joins Kristen Bell in Steve Levitan-Erin Foster comedy series at Netflix… Sounds good to me. 🍿
Barry’s Sarah Goldberg joining Industry… Goldberg has range and will fit right in on HBO’s most underrated show. 👍
Bob Odenkirk joins The Bear season 2… The man knows his way around Chicago. 👏
The Exorcist sequel titled The Exorcist: Believer… Believe it, baby. ✝️
CinemaCon enraptured by Oppenheimer footage… It would be. 💣
What’s new
John Mulaney: Baby J — Apr 25 | Netflix comedy special | 🍅 85%
Love & Death — Apr 27 | HBO drama miniseries | 🍅 62%
Citadel — Apr 28 | Amazon spy thriller series | 🍅 55%
Peter Pan & Wendy — Apr 28 | Disney+ fantasy film | 🍅
Fatal Attraction — Apr 30 | Paramount+ drama series | 🍅 31%
Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret — Apr 28 | Drama film in theaters | 🍅 98%
Returning: Awkwafina is Nora From Queens s3, Firefly Lane s2, Sweet Tooth s2
What to watch
Trailer: Next Goal Wins — Nov 17 in theaters
Directed by Taika Waititi, written by Waititi and Iain Morris, starring Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Oscar Kightley, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Chris Alosio, Waititi, Will Arnett, and Rhys Darby.
Let’s start with the good. We’re getting another Taika Waititi movie — and it’s far away from superheroes and aliens. We’re getting a new Michael Fassbender performance, his first since 2018. This trailer is light and charming and promises all the feels of a great sports drama. All that said, I can’t get Ted Lasso out of my head. It’s a shame that this is coming on the heels of Jason Sudeikis’s beloved series — because the narrative similarities are unmistakable. It’s going to be hard not to draw comparisons. I’m also perplexed by Fox Searchlight aiming this at awards season, maybe its got deep layers of emotion not on display here and can fit the CODA mold, but based on this trailer, I think it’s going to get buried and forgotten among louder, flashier, more epic titles (Killers of the Flower Moon, Oppenheimer). Unless it’s really good, which knowing Waititi, it very well could be. I’m definitely going to see it, but this trailer is making me lower my expectations slightly.
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!