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What to know
Why did Lightyear fail to take off?… Pixar’s Lightyear opened in second place (behind Jurassic World: Dominion) this weekend with just $51 million. Not great considering it cost $200 million and features a highly recognizable character. So what happened? Variety’s experts point to the film’s confusing premise and Disney conditioning families since 2020 to expect Pixar movies at home. Perhaps a lukewarm reception from critics also had something to do with it? Despite a strong A- CinemaScore from audiences, there wasn’t much buzz for Buzz. Let’s hope this doesn’t motivate Bob Chapek and company to pull future Pixar releases from theaters. 🚀
WB will likely dump Ezra Miller after The Flash comes out… The big question is how will the studio approach press and publicity for this giant tentpole when the time comes? It won’t be a good look to include Miller, even if they don’t misbehave over the next year, And will Miller still be a part of the Fantastic Beasts franchise — that is if the Fantastic Beasts franchise still exists? A lot of puzzles for David Zaslav to solve. ⚡️
Chris Evans would rather return to Marvel as the Human Torch than Captain America… This is probably going to happen now — at some point. This kind of statement from Evans and the subsequent entertainment news pick up feels like the collective unconscious “Secret-ing” it into existence. Not unlike a certain Office star’s recent cameo in the MCU. 🔥
Production suspended on Netflix’s The Chosen One after 2 actors died and six others were injured in an auto accident… This is so horrific. The industry must continue to monitor and improve on-set, at-work safety.
Kevin Feige says Marvel’s phase 4 will get much clearer in the coming months… But then he said audiences will only get a “tiny, tiny, tiny bit more of the roadmap.” The man knows how to hedge. 🧐
Paramount+ orders more than 150 international originals by 2025… It’s go big or go home in the streaming wars — especially on the international stage. 😱
Beyoncé releasing new single “Break My Soul” at midnight tonight… Whoever broke Beyoncé’s soul, you better find somewhere to lay low for a while. 🎵
Colbert crew and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog detained by Capitol police in D.C. … Sounds like they were barking up the wrong tree. 🐶
Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren’s Yellowstone spinoff 1932 is now titled 1923… I’d like to think the original was just a typo on Taylor Sheridan’s part. 📆
Lost’s Matthew Fox reveals why he quit and then un-quit acting… He had to go back! 🏝
Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” reaches No. 1 in the U.K. … This just in, the U.K. is now Vecna free. 🙃
What’s new
The Bear - June 23 | Hulu comedy series | 🍅
Loot - June 24 | Apple TV+ comedy series | 🍅
The Black Phone - June 24 | Horror in theaters | 🍅 100%
Elvis - June 24 | Musical biopic in theaters | 🍅 81%
Marcel the Shell With Shoes On - June 24 | Indie comedy in select theaters | 🍅 100%
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!