Inside Marvel exec's firing
And Star Wars movie finds new writer
What to know
Marvel exec Victoria Alonso was reportedly fired… Speaking of behind-the-scenes drama, Variety has a new report somewhat confirming rumors that Alonso was a problematic force at Marvel. The trade explains Alonso was fired after a decision made by Disney HR, legal, and multiple execs (Kevin Feige was not included). Without outright saying it, Variety walks through the toxic culture within Marvel post-production and visual effects (which were headed up by Alonso), leaving readers to connect the dots. And yet, the trade also gathered some sources that defended Alonso and denied her being the source of said toxicity. Lots of mystery still surrounds what happened and how it will make a difference going forward. 🤔
Steven Knight steps in to write Star Wars movie after Damon Lindelof’s exit… Knight (Peaky Blinders, Spencer) has come on board to “work on a script” for director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. It’s unclear from THR’s report what of Lindelof’s script and story will carry forward (hopefully some!) — but we do know now that the movie will take place after the sequel trilogy. Knight is a less interesting writer to me than Lindelof, but it seems like Oscar-winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Ms. Marvel) is the one shepherding the project and has been a constant throughout. So that’s good. Never a dull moment at Lucasfilm. ✨
Upgrade to a full Pop Culture Brain Daily subscription for $1/month or $6/year.
Smash musical coming to Broadway in 2024-2025 season… Let them be your star. The 2012 NBC musical drama about the making of a Broadway musical is now going to be an actual Broadway musical about the making of a Broadway musical. Appropriately, The Producers director Susan Stroman will direct. The production will use Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman’s original songs from the series, as well as some new ones, while the book from Rick Elice and Bob Martin will loosely adapt the show’s story. In my opinion, many of Smash’s best songs came from season two’s fictional musical Hit List (and were written by people like Joe Iconis and Andrew McMahon), but I doubt they’ll make it into this iteration. 🎭
Trey Parker to direct live-action, racial comedy feature… Kendrick Lamar, Dave Free, as well as Parker and Matt Stone are producing the movie, with a script from South Park writer Vernon Chatman. The logline is wild: “A young Black man who is interning as a slave reenactor at a living history museum discovers that his white girlfriend’s ancestors once owned his.” Comedy ensues. This sounds like a funnier approach to race than You People. And it’s great to hear about Parker and Stone getting back into the live-action feature business. 🎬
Apple is going to spend $1 billion a year on theatrical movies… With the hopes of “[raising] its profile in Hollywood and [luring] subscribers to its streaming service.” This is great news for moviegoers and exhibitors. The more theatrical releases the better. I can understand how this strategy will endear Apple in Hollywood — but there’s got to be a cheaper way to get more subscribers? Maybe it’s best not to look a gift horse in the mouth. 🍎
Paramount planning Vertigo remake with Robert Downey Jr., Steven Knight writing… Steven Knight is a busy man! Do we need a Vertigo remake? Of course not, but I would like to see RDJ return to some big screen success not as Iron Man, so I’ll take it. 😵💫
The WGA is pushing for hard rules against AI-generated works… It seems the guild is OK with AI material as research but are demanding AI doesn’t “undermine writers’ … compensation, residuals, separated rights and credits.” Seems fair to me. Protect the writers. 🤖
Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland cleared of all domestic violence charges… Based on “insufficient evidence.” Should be interesting to see whether any in Hollywood will work with him again. 🧐
Cameron Crowe to direct Joni Mitchell movie… The two of them have been working on it “in secret” for two years. Now, who will play Joni? 🎶
Spotify has spend less than 10% of the $100M diversity fund it set up during the Joe Rogan controversy… Boo. It sucks when hollow promises end up being hollow. 🔊
A Cheech and Chong biopic is in the works… Somewhere a producer trying to land an April 20 release date. 💨
Linda Blair is going to appear in David Gordon Green’s Exorcist sequel… Try not to lose your lunch. ✝️
Aaron Sorkin reveals he had a stroke last November… Glad to hear he’s on the mend! 😮
John Wick Chapter 4 eyeing big $70M opening weekend… The movies, they are back. 🐶
What’s new
Digman! — Mar 22 | Comedy Central animated series | 🍅
Up Here — Mar 24 | Hulu musical drama series | 🍅 56%
Great Expectations — Mar 26 | Hulu drama series | 🍅 38%
John Wick Chapter 4 — Mar 24 | Action movie in theaters | 🍅 95%
A Good Person — Mar 24 | Drama movie in theaters | 🍅 62%
Returning: Yellowjackets s2, Love Is Blind s4, Succession s4
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!