Julie Rapaport Named Head of Amazon Movies, Matt Newman Moves to Global Sports Group

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and Media“Morbius,” Sony’s latest attempt to extend its cinematic universe of Spider-Man villains and heroes, opened to $5.7 million in Thursday previews. The $75 million superhero film is on track to pull in $40 million in its first weekend of release. It’s a sign of just how much moviegoers love comic book fare.

Michael Bay has regrets.

Despite the presumed thought that the Richard Linklater ‘Before’ trilogy is over, maybe due in part because of comments Julie Delpy has made semi-recently, suggesting she nixed the idea, actor Ethan Hawke seems to be still open about the potential to continue the romantic journey of star-crossed lovers Jesse and Céline that started with the 1995 film “Before Sunrise.” While Delpy sounded pretty cynical about the entire thing last time she was asked, Hawke suggests there’s still life in the tank for the franchise.

deleted scene from the superhero flick.The scene showed actor Barry Keoghan’s character, the Joker, coming face to face with Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader.The five-minute clip showed a hazy Keoghan through a jail glass partition as he speaks with Batman.The “Eternals” star sports musty white clown makeup, razored ash blonde hair, handcuffs and an orange Arkham Asylum jumpsuit.“Almost our anniversary, isn’t it?” the crazy clown tells Batman in the clip.The superhero went to the Joker to get information on his current nemesis, the Riddler (played by Paul Dano), and why the prankster is leaving notes for Batman.“Maybe he’s a fan of yours?” Joker notes. “Or maybe he’s got a grudge against you, too.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaIt’s hard to believe, but it’s been 50 years since Francis Ford Coppola’s”The Godfather” made moviegoers an offer they couldn’t refuse.The film was a sensation when it debuted in March 24, 1972, setting box office records, revitalizing the career of Marlon Brando, launching the likes of Al Pacino, Robert Duvall and James Caan onto the A-list, and scoring an Oscar for Best Picture. But things could have gone very differently. Coppola, an up-and-coming director tasked with bringing Mario Puzo’s best-selling novel to the screen, was hardly the studio’s first choice for the task (Paramount production chief Robert Evans preferred Costa-Gavras).

EXCLUSIVE: Julie Waters has joined Rachel Brosnahan’s Scrap Paper Pictures as Head of TV and Film Development.

previously reiterated that even with the shift to a streamer like Amazon, they’re determined to make sure future Bond movies still have a “worldwide, theatrical audience.” Amazon, too, has been increasingly focused on prioritizing streaming, and it’s unclear how Amazon might handle a theatrical window with MGM films.De Luca though had been expected to stay aboard and continue developing film projects on his own that fall within the MGM wheelhouse. Some recent releases that he landed or have greenlit have included the Best Picture nominee “Licorice Pizza,” the musical “Cyrano,” Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci,” Channing Tatum’s “Dog” and the upcoming remake of “Fiddler on the Roof,” to name a few.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaA few key details were revealed about what life will be like at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer now that its $8.5 billion sale to Amazon has closed. In a town hall at Amazon’s Culver City lot, Mike Hopkins, Amazon Studios and Prime Video SVP, unveiled an interim leadership structure.

Queen Elizabeth II struggled privately with the divorces of three out of her four children, according to a new report. In an upcoming biography titled, "Queen of Our Times: The Life of Queen Elizabeth II", written by Robert Hardman, the author details the private pain the queen reportedly endured during the divorces of Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne.  "Outwardly stoical, as ever, the Queen was finding the divorce talks deeply upsetting," Hardman notes in the book, according to People.  Queen Elizabeth II reportedly struggled privately with the divorces of three out of her four children.

CHVRCHES have brought out The Cure’s Robert Smith at their gig this evening (March 16) in London – watch footage of the moment at Brixton Academy below.Exactly two weeks ago, the two acts performed together at the same venue during the NME awards. That was the first time the two acts had performed together and physically met, having duetted virtually on a track during lockdown.That song, ‘How Not To Drown’, won the Best Song By A UK Artist prize at the NME awards.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaRWS Entertainment Group has tapped Keith Senglaub as its next chief financial officer.A former Feld Entertainment finance executive, Senglaub joins RWS with more than 30 years of experience in corporate leadership roles ranging from controller to CEO.“The past 12 months have been incredibly exciting, including the launch of several new divisions within the company and the acquisition of JRA,” said RWS Entertainment Group Founder and CEO Ryan Stana. “Keith Senglaub’s expertise and experience are exactly what we need to stay at the forefront of the entertainment industry.”As CFO of Feld, Senglaub provided corporate financing strategy, deal execution and risk management, working with such brands and productions as Disney on Ice, Sesame Street Live and The Trolls Experience.

Sharon Horgan & Michael Sheen To Lead Jack Thorne’s ‘Best Interests’

A slight executive shift here at Amazon Studios as Movies Co-Head Matt Newman goes to Prime Video’s global Sports group to develop sports docuseries, movies and scripted fare. Julie Rapaport will remain Amazon’s Head of Movies.

Amazon Studios is making some changes to its film team by naming Julie Rapaport its sole Head of Movies, while current co-head Matt Newman is transitioning into a new role in Amazon Prime Video’s global sports group.The news was announced Tuesday in an internal note by Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke, who explained that with Newman’s move, the film group will be “applying a single threaded leadership approach to movies.” “With Julie’s top-notch leadership skills and her ability to nurture a diverse range of filmmakers – from up-and-comers to the well-established – this move will help us continue to build on our great momentum,” Salke wrote in part. “I’m grateful for Julie’s vision and continued contributions to the Studio.”Rapaport was named a co-head of movies at Amazon Studios along with Newman back in 2018. As for Newman, he’ll be helping the sports group grow and scale and will take on a new role developing original sports docuseries, films and scripted projects.

“The Adam Project,” a fighter pilot from the future named Adam (Ryan Reynolds) accidentally crash lands in 2022, and has to team up with his 12-year-old former self (Walker Scobell) in order to have a chance at a future victory. But while Adam physically journeys to his own past, other time travel movies have seen objects, communication, and even consciousness skip back and forth along the timeline to affect their stories.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaJim Gaffigan has had a very busy pandemic. The fruits of his COVID-era labors are on display recently in two distinctive projects that illustrate the size and scope of his ambitions.First, there’s his recently released special “Comedy Monster,” a filmed version of his stand-up act that quickly became a ratings juggernaut for Netflix (more on that later).Then there’s “Linoleum,” an off-beat dramedy that premieres March 12 at SXSW and showcases a much more understated Gaffigan doing double duty, playing both a children’s TV host named Cameron and a charming NASA scientist called Kent. Both projects were conceived and shot as the world was grappling with its new masked reality.