Skydance mashes proven properties of Paramount and Warner Bros. into an uncertain Hollywood hybrid

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Continuity will be the immediate emphasis for Skydance, the new entertainment giant created by Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. The focus is on continuity, showcasing a vast array of intellectual properties like “Top Gun” and “Harry Potter.” The merger will eventually unify streaming services HBO Max and Paramount+, though no timeline is set. Skydance plans to produce at least 30 movies annually, blending originals and franchises. Theaters may benefit from a robust release schedule, with 36 films expected next year. The merger aims to equip the iconic studios with a more powerful engine. But many in the industry are concerned, and layoffs are inevitable.

Movie Review: ‘The Social Reckoning’ is classic Aaron Sorkin

Aaron Sorkin revisits a familiar subject, Mark Zuckerberg, in “The Social Reckoning,” which opens in theaters nationwide Friday. Sixteen years after “The Social Network,” Zuckerberg is now portrayed by Jeremy Strong. This film looks at the Facebook whistleblower, played by Mikey Madison, who gave internal documents to a Wall Street Journal reporter, played by Jeremy Allen White, that would inform The Facebook Files. In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr writes that “what it might lack in a cinematic engine … it makes up for in big ideas.” “The Social Reckoning” is rated R.

Movie Review: Chris Rock’s ‘Misty Green’ with astonishing Rosalind Eleazar nicely skewers Hollywood

Chris Rock is delivering a sharp critique of Los Angeles in his new film “Misty Green.” AP critic Mark Kennedy says the movie, which Rock directs and stars in, offers a noirish take on the high value Hollywood places on chasing fame. Rosalind Eleazar shines as Misty, a former Emmy-winning actor-singer struggling to hang on to her career as she approaches 40. Misty faces challenges, including a difficult agent and a bipolar brother played by Daniel Kaluuya. Rock’s character, a director, might offer Misty a second chance. The film explores themes of race, fame and the divide between the haves and have-nots. “Misty Green” is in theaters Friday. It’s rated R.

What to know about the London Film Festival 2026

LONDON (AP) — The 70th London Film Festival kicks off with a star-studded lineup and a mix of award hopefuls and world premieres. The festival, running from October 7 to 18, features actors like Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Robert Pattinson. Simon Stone’s “Elsinore,” starring Olivia Colman, opens the festival, while Jesse Eisenberg’s “The Debut” closes it. Highlights include animated films “Wildwood” and “Ray Gunn,” and Luca Guadagnino’s “Artificial” about OpenAI’s Sam Altman. The festival also includes an international competition and extends beyond London with partner venues across the UK. Public screenings are a big draw.

Eva Marie Saint, star of ‘North by Northwest’ and ‘On the Waterfront,’ dies at 102

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oscar winner Eva Marie Saint has died at the age of 102. Saint’s family announced that she died Tuesday at her home in Los Angeles. The pale, willowy blonde who won an Academy Award as supporting actress for her first movie, “On the Waterfront,” and appeared opposite Cary Grant, Bob Hope, Paul Newman, Gregory Peck, Warren Beatty and other stars of the 1950s and 1960s. Her credits included the Alfred Hitchcock thriller “North by Northwest,” but she was also known for the films she declined: “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” with Gregory Peck, “Summer and Smoke” with Laurence Harvey and “The Rainmaker” with Burt Lancaster.

In ‘Tenzing,’ the Everest-scaling Sherpa Tenzing Norgay finally gets the spotlight

TORONTO (AP) — The first image ever taken of a human being standing atop Mount Everest was of Tenzing Norgay. When he and Edmund Hillary reached the summit of the world’s highest mountain on May 29, 1953, one of the first things Hillary did was take out his camera and aim it at his fellow climber, the Sherpa Norgay, as he waved his ice ax tied with flags for Britain, India, Nepal and the United Nations. Since that moment, camera lenses have seldom been pointed at Norgay, or the many Sherpa who have followed in his history-making footsteps. The new Apple Studios film “Tenzing” puts Norgay back in the center of the frame, telling the life story of the Nepalese-Indian Sherpa mountaineer.

CNN now has a new owner. What will the future of the network be under Skydance?

CNN has a new owner: Skydance. After a tumultuous, roughly yearlong process, Skydance-owned Paramount closed its $81 billion buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery on Tuesday. And beyond Hollywood, the mega merger brings two titans of the American TV news landscape — CBS and CNN — under the same roof. On the eve of the deal’s completion, Skydance confirmed that CNN’s Mark Thompson will stay on as editor-in-chief of the network — separate from CBS, where Bari Weiss remains at the helm. But how the combined company’s news operations will look farther down the road are yet to be seen.

Grammy-nominated R&B singer Freddie Jackson, known for ’80s hits like ‘You Are My Lady,’ dies at 70

Grammy-nominated R&B singer Freddie Jackson, known for hits like “Rock Me Tonight” and “You Are My Lady,” has died at 70. His family confirmed he died Monday through a statement on Instagram. Jackson was born and raised in Harlem, where he learned all about soul music and sang gospel at White Rock Baptist Church. He began his career in the New York club scene before finding success with his debut album in 1985. In 2024, he revealed a kidney disease diagnosis and partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness. Details about arrangements will be announced soon.

Skydance now runs two of Hollywood’s legacy film studios. A look at the new company, by the numbers

David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance has completed its $81 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing two of Hollywood’s most storied legacy film studios under one mammoth media and entertainment conglomerate named Skydance. Now, Skydance must decide how to make the most out of a trove of entertainment assets, including the HBO Max and Paramount+ video streaming services, a film library that includes “Star Trek,” “Barbie,” “Top Gun,” “Harry Potter,” and “Superman,” and two major news organizations, CNN and CBS News. Here’s a look at the new company, by the numbers.

Livingston officials allow ‘Pawn Shop’ film to continue in Montana

Livingston officials have voted to allow a controversial film to continue shooting in the southwest Montana town. The decision came after a seven-hour City Commission meeting on Monday, where commissioners heard public comments about the movie, which involves an ICE agent battling Antifa protesters and MS-13 gang members. The film’s production had been temporarily paused due to concerns over public safety and inadequate notification to residents. The commission’s decision allows filming to resume, with producers pledging to follow permit regulations. The film has sparked debate in the community, highlighting broader cultural tensions. Filming is set to conclude on Saturday.

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