Creator of Viral Pope Photo in Puffer Jacket Was Tripping on Mushrooms When Idea for AI Image Came to Him

Kelvin Yu, who adapted Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel, American Born Chinese, for Disney+, said Yang’s characters belong with the other legends in the Disney pantheon. That includes Disney’s own princess and their Marvel slate.

Five wide releases hit theaters this weekend, but Illumination and Universal’s Super Mario Bros. Movie will reign supreme with a second weekend, -60% of $58M. Already the plumbers have plunged a running stateside total through nine days of $260M, with $300M+ this weekend in sight.

EXCLUSIVE: Briarcliff Entertainment has taken domestic distribution rights to Sight starring Terry Chen (Almost Famous, Falling) and Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning Greg Kinnear (Little Miss Sunshine, As Good as It Gets). A wide theatrical release has been set for Oct. 27.

Beijing-based sales agent Rediance has revealed first look stills for Anthony Chen’s The Breaking Ice, which has been selected for the Un Certain Regard section of this year’s Cannes Film Festival. 

Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter has been sued for sexual assault and battery by singer Melissa Schuman.According to the court documents obtained by Rolling Stone, the singer claims that Carter used his fame and status to “gain access to, groom, manipulate, exploit, and sexually assault” her.Schuman was a member of the 2000s pop group Dream. She came forward in 2017 with a now-deleted blog post claiming that she was raped by Carter in 2003.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Wanda, the Chinese conglomerate that once threatened to take over Hollywood, has put up for sale the Hoyts cinema chain in Australia that it bought in 2015. Hoyts is Australia’s second largest movie theater operator with 46 multiplexes housing 412 screens, according to 2022 data from Screen Australia. It also owns Val Morgan, Australia’s biggest cinema advertising firm.Wanda Cinema Line, itself China’s biggest theater operator, has appointed Credit Suisse and Nomura to handle the sale. Bidders are understood to have access to a “stapled debt” package (a line of agreed financing arranged by the banks) if the potential buyer cannot arrange sufficient finance of their own. A first deadline for bids is set at the beginning of May, with final offers to be submitted by the end of June.

would not pursue sexual assault charges against Carter because the statute of limitations had expired, but a recently passed California law temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for sexual assault claims to be brought in civil court.“I’ve faced extraordinary backlash for standing up for myself; I am not the first, however my intention is that I am the last,” Schuman said Tuesday in a statement to The Post.“It’s time that powerful figures in the music industry get the message that they can no longer afford to enable and protect sexual predators. I’m fighting to make the music industry a safer place to work and perform.” As the #MeToo movement got underway, Schuman detailed her accusations against Carter in a 2017 blog post that has since been deleted.“The attack by Nick Carter on Melissa is intolerable.

Westend Films has released the first image of Anthony Hopkins and Matthew Goode in Freud’s Last Session, as the legendary psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud and writer and academic C.S. Lewis, prior to his Chronicles Of Narnia fame.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief The Jackie Chan-starring stunt-man comedy drama “Ride On” pratfalled its way to first place at the mainland Chinese box office with a lowball $11.7 million opening. Still, that was enough to beat another new release, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which ranked fourth over the latest weekend. Chan is an enduring, but fading, star in China and in the past his new release titles were often scheduled for the three biggest holiday seasons. “Ride On,” which sees Chan in an ode to the stunt players he has worked with, was released two days after the Ching Ming (Wednesday 5 April) holiday, when many folks honor their ancestors. Its opening three days were enough to depose “Suzume” from the top spot, where “Suzume” had ranked for the previous two weekends. “Suzume” earned $8.0 million over the latest weekend in China, according to data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway. That gives it a $103 million cumulative after 17 days in mainland theaters, a China record for a Japanese animation film.

Well, so much for those little hints of hope for Bryan Kohberger‘s defense.

Brad Pitt has a new co-star!

Following months of meetings, auditions and even several days of driving tests, Apple Studios, Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer look to have found their race car driver to steer their anticipated racing film set in the world of F1. Sources tell Deadline that Damson Idris has been tapped to co-star opposite Brad Pitt. Kosinski is directing.

Brent Lang Executive Editor “Snowfall” star Damson Idris will appear opposite Brad Pitt in a new Formula One racing film from “Top Gun: Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski. The untitled movie is being made by Apple Original Films and will be produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment. Kosinski will produce the feature alongside seven-time Formula One champion Sir Lewis Hamilton under his Dawn Apollo Films banner, and Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman of Jerry Bruckheimer Films. Ehren Kruger, who did similar honors on “Top Gun: Maverick,” is writing the screenplay.  The racing feature stars Pitt as a former driver who returns to the sport. Idris will play his teammate. Aside from that, engines will be revved, finish lines will be crossed, cars will collide… OK, we really have no idea what happens on or off the track. But since the movie is being made in cooperation with Formula One, the action sequences will likely be a standout.

Damson Idris (“Snowfall”) is set to star opposite Brad Pitt in his Untitled Formula One racing feature from Joseph Kosinski, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Plan B Entertainment, Apple Original Films announced on Friday.Kosinski (“Top Gun: Maverick”) is set to direct, as well as produce.Academy Award-nominee Ehren Kruger (“Top Gun: Maverick”) wrote the script.The untitled Formula One racing feature stars Pitt as a former driver who returns to the sport. Damson Idris joins the film as his teammate.Hailing from Apple Studios, the film is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman of Jerry Bruckheimer Films (“Top Gun: Maverick,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise), Joseph Kosinski (“Top Gun: Maverick”), Mercedes driver and seven-time Formula One champion Sir Lewis Hamilton his Dawn Apollo Films banner, and Plan B Entertainment (“World War Z”).

All we’ve heard so far from the University of Idaho murder case is stacking the mountain of evidence higher and higher. From the probable cause affidavit, to the arrest warrant, to various search warrants, everything has been flashing arrows pointing at one man: Bryan Kohberger.

With news reports about his ailing health, many people are asking: is the Pope dead?

Conscious coupling! Gwyneth Paltrow has had her share of high-profile relationships over the years, dating fellow A-listers like Ben Affleck, Brad Pitt, Chris Martin and more.

Brandy say reuniting has been like seeing family again. ET spoke with the stars of the beloved 1997 film, , on the set of Disney's in which they're reprising their iconic roles as Cinderella and Prince Christopher, all grown up. Disney announced Brandy's return as Cinderella back in November, but the studio really brought it home for fans when they announced that Paolo was joining her. The lead duo will return to their royal roots as King and Queen, with their onscreen daughter, Chloe Charming, played by Malia Baker.In Cinderella and King Charming's perfectionist daughter, Chloe, joins forces with Red (Kylie Cantrall), the rebellious daughter of the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora).

“Yellowjackets” on Wednesday at the TCL Chinese Theatre.Lynskey, who previously revealed that someone on the set of the Showtime series commented that they expected her to lose weight for a scene in which she strips to her underwear and jumps in the water, said the conversation has gotten “exhausting.”“I’m tired of it. I wish I could just talk about my acting. Or even, I dunno, my husband or what cereal I like,” she told TheWrap on the red carpet.