• Veteran Marvel Studios executive Victoria Alonso left the studio late last week after 17 years, though the reasons for her departure are unclear, according to multiple sources. Alonso, who most recently held the title of president of physical and postproduction, visual effects and animation production, came to Marvel Studios in 2006 and served as executive producer on 2012’s “The Avengers” and subsequent Marvel films. (The Hollywood Reporter)
• Netflix Inc. will release 40 games this year and has 70 more in development with partners, along with 16 titles that are being created by its in-house game studios. The streaming service, which released its first games in November 2021, is growing its gaming portfolio by adding Ustwo Fampany Ltd.’s “Monument Valley” franchise in 2024, while Leanne Loombe, Netflix’s vice president of external games, said the company continues to develop its own cloud streaming technology for games. (TechCrunch)
• After announcing 18,000 layoffs in January, Amazon.com Inc. will lay off an additional 9,000 employees, including workers at its video game streaming platform Twitch, along with cuts in departments such as Amazon Web Services, People, Experience and Technology and advertising, according to a memo from Chief Executive Andy Jassy obtained by Variety. The news of the cuts comes days after the departure of Twitch CEO Emmett Shear, who resigned after 16 years. (Variety)
  

‘Iger is stuck’: Disney chief debates future of Hulu and ESPN 

Financial Times

Writers enter tense contract negotiations with Hollywood studios

Anousha Sakoui, Los Angeles Times

The Writers Guild of America is set to kick off negotiations with Hollywood studios Monday, as both sides brace for what is expected to be a difficult bargaining session.

Magic Johnson Joins Josh Harris’ Bid for Washington Commanders

Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico

Earvin “Magic” Johnson has joined the bidding for the Washington Commanders as part of a group led by 76ers and Devils co-owner Josh Harris, according to multiple people familiar with negotiations.

Ludacris’ Media Company Inks Licensing Deals to Boost Black-Owned Businesses

Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter

The entities behind the Netflix children series are starting with two brands that focus on textured hair care.

British School to Offer ‘World’s First’ Degree in Intimacy Coordination

Rich Juzwiak, Jezebel

The two-year course comes courtesy of Intimacy on Set’s Ita O’Brien.

Gwyneth Paltrow to stand trial for Deer Valley ski crash

Sam Metz, The Associated Press

Gwyneth Paltrow is scheduled to stand trial on Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by a retired optometrist who said that the actress-turned-lifestyle influencer violently crashed into him in 2016 while skiing in Utah at one of the most upscale ski resorts in the United States.

Mike Faist and Lucas Hedges Will Star in London World Premiere of ‘Brokeback Mountain’

Andrew Gans, Playbill

Jonathan Butterell will direct Ashley Robinson’s adaptation of the intense gay love story.

Andrew Lloyd Webber missing ‘Bad Cinderella’ opener amid son’s gastric cancer battle

Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times

Master of musicals and EGOT winner Andrew Lloyd Webber revealed over the weekend that his son Nicholas Lloyd Webber, 43, has been hospitalized after battling stomach cancer for more than a year.

Jordan Peele’s Fourth Movie in the Works, Set for Christmas 2024 Release

Rebecca Rubin, Variety

Universal Pictures, which released the filmmaker’s prior features “Get Out,” “Us” and “Nope,” added an “Untitled Fourth Film Directed by Jordan Peele” to its release calendar. It’s set to open in theaters nationwide on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024.

Eva Longoria’s ‘Flamin’ Hot’ Is First Feature To Hit Both Hulu & Disney+ In Streaming Debut

Anthony D’Alessandro, Deadline

Following the movie’s world premiere at SXSW, Searchlight Pictures’ Eva Longoria feature directorial debut, Flamin’ Hot, will stream on both Hulu and Disney+ on June 9. It’s the first time that a new movie has been made available on both of the Disney-owned OTT services stateside.

‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ Filmmakers Josh Gordon & Will Speck Ink First Look Deal With Sony

Anthony D’Alessandro, Deadline

Josh Gordon and Will Speck have signed a first look deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment to develop and produce feature films. The news comes in the wake of their feature take of children’s book “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” grossing over $104M WW.

‘The White Lotus’ Star Will Sharpe to Direct ‘Crying in H Mart’ Film Adaptation

Rebecca Rubin, Variety

Will Sharpe, who endeared himself to audiences on “The White Lotus,” is directing a feature film adaptation of Michelle Zauner’s 2021 memoir “Crying in H Mart.”

Evan Rachel Wood Joins Cast of ‘Backspot,’ Executive Produced by Elliot Page

Naman Ramachandran, Variety

Emmy, SAG and Golden Globe nominee Evan Rachel Wood (“Westworld”) has joined the cast of D.W. Waterson’s feature directorial debut “Backspot.”

Cillian Murphy and Ciarán Hinds to Star in Movie Adaptation of ‘Small Things Like These’

Adam Luchies, Collider

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are set to produce the historical fiction.

ESPN layoffs are coming soon — and nearly everyone is vulnerable

Andrew Marchand, New York Post

ESPN’s latest round of layoffs will have “no sacred cows,” meaning everybody from top on-air people to big-time executives are being scrutinized with the cuts expected to be finalized in the next four to six weeks, The Post has learned. 

Jason Sudeikis And ‘Ted Lasso’ Cast Appearance At White House Briefing Nearly Derailed By A Reporter’s Interruptions

Ted Johnson, Deadline

Jason Sudeikis and the cast of Ted Lasso appeared at the top of the White House briefing on Monday, telling reporters that he wanted to promote the message of mental well being.

The Daniels Will Direct An Episode of ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’

One Take News

Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the Oscar winning directing duo known collectively as the Daniels, famous for their work on “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” will direct at least one episode of “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,” multiple sources tell One Take News.

‘Dancing With the Stars’ Vet Julianne Hough to Replace Tyra Banks as Co-Host for Season 32

Brian Steinberg and Emily Longeretta, Variety

Julianne Hough, who has boosted her career through several seasons-long stints with “Dancing With the Stars,” is set to return to the ballroom, this time as host. The news comes on the heels of Tyra Banks announcing she will not return for Season 32.

‘How I Met Your Father’ Will Get a Linear Cable Run on Freeform Next Month

Michael Schneider, Variety

Hulu’s “How I Met Your Father” will make its linear debut next month on Freeform, marking the first time the series has been available off of Hulu.

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ winners and queer icons unite for telethon combatting anti-drag politics Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly

“The only place where men in dresses sexualize children is church,” Trixie Mattel said in a statement announcing the Drag Isn’t Dangerous telethon, also starring Jinkx Monsoon, Monét X Change, Bob the Drag Queen, Katya, and more.

The Secrets Behind ‘Daisy Jones’s’ ’70s-Chic, Yet Modern Brilliance

Kyndall Cunningham, The Daily Beast

“Daisy Jones & The Six” costume designer Denise Wingate breaks down the show’s irresistible period looks—and not being afraid of a modern twist.

‘Yellowjackets’ Creators Get Real on Season 2 Pressure, Showtime Tumult and Spinoffs: “We Have a Couple of Ideas”

Mikey O’Connell, The Hollywood Reporter

Married showrunners Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson detail the “soul-crushing” expectations to follow up their drama’s breakout debut and why they think Hollywood has devalued writers.

‘The Last Of Us’ Producer Word Games Ups Jacqueline Lesko To President Of Production

Matt Grobar, Deadline

Jacqueline Lesko has been promoted to President of Production at Word Games — the production company founded by multiple Emmy-winning writer, producer and director Craig Mazin, which is best known for its work on HBO’s smash hit series “Chernobyl” and “The Last of Us.”

Twitter testing government ID-based verification, new screenshots show

Sarah Perez, TechCrunch

Twitter appears to be testing a new verification process for Twitter Blue subscribers that would involve submitting a government ID.

Yoda and Harry Potter Chatbots Could Be the Next Big Legal Battle

Brad Stone, Bloomberg

It’s only a matter of time until rights holders notice that new AI tools are playing a little loose with their intellectual property. 

All Social Media Platforms Have TikTok-Like Risks, Transparency Group Says

Anna Edgerton, Bloomberg

The national-security and mental-health risks posed by TikTok are shared by other social media platforms, according to an advocacy group that’s urging Congress to also hold US companies accountable ahead of high-profile testimony from TikTok’s chief executive officer. 

His L.A.-based podcast company faced a crossroads. Now Jesse Thorn’s employees are owners

Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times

Jesse Thorn has built a sizable audience with his podcast business Maximum Fun. His NPR interview show, “Bullseye With Jesse Thorn,” has brought on guests including Jonathan Majors, Tom Hanks and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Taylor Swift Ticketing Tiff Kept AEG From Signing Live Nation’s Anti-Scalping Pact

Daves Brooks, Billboard

The companies had agreed to loosen Ticketmaster’s exclusivity requirements in a 2021 agreement that didn’t hold up for the Eras Tour.

Over a Dozen Tennessee Musicians Protest Drag Ban With Benefit Concert

Justin Curto, New York magazine

Allison Russell and Jason Isbell’s Love Rising features Paramore’s Hayley Williams, Maren Morris, and Brittany Howard.

Ed Sheeran Sets Disney+ Docu Series ‘The Sum of It All’ From Fulwell 73 Prods.

William Earl, Variety

Disney+ has landed a four-part Ed Sheeran docu series, “The Sum of It All,” that is set to premiere May 3.

Jury convicts 3 of murder in death of rapper XXXTentacion

Freida Frisaro, The Associated Press

Three men were found guilty Monday of the 2018 killing of star rapper XXXTentacion, who was shot outside a South Florida motorcycle shop while being robbed of $50,000.