Layoffs Underway At Netflix As Streamer Restructures Film Department

EXCLUSIVE: Netflix‘s new feature Boss Dan Lin has tapped former DreamWorks Animation and Coyote Vs. Acme producer Chris deFaria to consult for the streamer’s animation department, we hear on very good authority.

EXCLUSIVE: Now that we know the competition slates, it’s time to bring out the star packages that will line the Cannes Market. Here’s one inspirational movie package that ought to register strongly with the buying crowd. Way of The Warrior Kid is slated to begin production this summer, with Chris Pratt starring and McG directing a Will Staples-scripted adaptation of the the novel by Jock Willink. He is the retired Navy SEAL who found a thriving second career as podcast host, bestselling author and motivational speaker.

The subject of a timely new Variety profile praising his versatility, British actor Dan Stevens is having a moment. The actor is currently competing with himself at the box office with two different films: MonsterVerse installment “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” for Warners and directing duo Radio Silence’s new vampire movie “Abigail” for Universal.

Let’s catch up on all things Cannes Film Festival. For one, if you haven’t seen it, Cannes recently revealed its 2024 poster, featuring a scene from “Rhapsody in August,” directed by the great Japanese master Akira Kurosawa, 81 at the time (see it below in full).

This week’s release of Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver” (read our review) puts many of Netflix’s problems into sharp focus. Reportedly costing around $166 million to make for both films, arguably much less expensive than some big Marvel and “Star Wars” that cost around $200 million each, it’s still a significant figure for movies that have been met with massive critical derision.

With Aladdin producer Dan Lin taking over film leadership at Netflix from Scott Stuber, there will still be a commitment to a robust feature slate.

Rebecca Rubin Senior Film and Media Reporter As Netflix‘s new film chief, Dan Lin’s mandate is to focus on quality — and quantity. Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos shed light on Lin’s strategy as the producer takes over film duties from Scott Stuber, who announced in January he was leaving the streamer.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Netflix reported its first-quarter 2024 earnings Thursday, revealing it added a whopping 9.33 million paid subscribers. Analysts consensus estimates were for Netflix to add 3.93 million paid subs globally in Q1 (to reach 264.21 million), according to StreetAccount. Per Netflix, it has now climbed to 269.60 million subs as of March 31.

The rumors are true. After 40 years, the Sundance Film Festival may (and an emphasis on “may”) be leaving the confines of Park City, Utah.

A new film and TV studio funded via a portion of a £24M ($30M) government investment has become the latest to launch in the UK.

Bridgerton fans don't have long to wait until the hit show returns for its hotly-anticipated third season.

Thanks to early official announcements a number of the movies debuting at this year’s 77th edition of the Festival de Cannes are already known. Quentin Dupieux’s “The Second Act” will open the festival.

Thanks to early official announcements a number of the movies debuting at this year’s 77th edition of the Festival de Cannes are already known. Quentin Dupieux’s “The Second Act” will open the festival.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer Netflix has taken worldwide rights on the horror-thriller “Don’t Move,” a new genre entry from producer Sam Raimi (“The Evil Dead,” “Drag Me to Hell”). The project is led by Kelsey Asbille, breakout on the FX anthology series “Fargo” and “Yellowstone,” alongside frequent Ryan Murphy player and “The Big Short’ star Finn Wittrock. It follows a seasoned serial killer who injects a grieving woman with a paralytic agent while the two of them are isolated deep in the forest.

Naman Ramachandran Netflix has unveiled a spectacular trailer for Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s series “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.” The series is set in Heeramandi, Lahore, British India, where Mallikajaan (Manisha Koirala) rules over an elite house of courtesans. She schemes, fearing no one — until the return of her late nemesis’ daughter, Fareedan (Sonakshi Sinha), brings tensions in the house to a boil. Outside, the city is also roiling, with revolutionaries demanding India’s freedom from British rule, with Bibbojaan (Aditi Rao Hydari), one of Mallikajaan’s daughters, joining the fight for freedom.

“A Bit of Light.”Moyer, 54, directs Paquin, 41, in the indie movie, written by Rachel Callard and based on her eponymous stage play.It’s the second time that Moyer has directed Paquin in a big-screen movie following “The Parting Glass” (2018).He also directed her in episodes of “True Blood” when they co-starred on the HBO series as vampire Bill Compton and telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse from 2008-2014.“A Bit of Light” follows the journey of Ella (Paquin), an alcoholic mother living with her father (Ray Winstone) and dealing with self-loathing after losing her two daughters over her drinking — and the 13-year-old boy, Neil (Luca Hogan), who helps her see the “light” toward a better future.“Ella is at this excruciatingly mundane place after what she thinks is rock-bottom and realizes that the everday-ness of living with her choices and decisions is actually a level of rock-bottom she didn’t know existed yet,” Paquin told The Post.“Throughout the film we see her slightly coming out of her shell little by little … but she does a lot of things within her power to sabotage her own happiness.”Ella strikes up an unlikely friendship with the wise-beyond-his-years Neil, who she meets in the park where she used to take her daughters — and where she frequently goes to brood over her plight.Neil is an odd duck who speaks on an adult level (he addresses Ella’s father, Alan, by his first name) and appears to be friendless. He talks about his parents and older brother (who we never meet) but he always has time to materialize in Ella’s life (and the lives of other characters) at crucial junctures.“This strange, fabulous Neil is on a mission to help her put herself back together and get her life back on track,” Paquin said.

Here’s an unexpected treat for “Star Wars” fans on their favorite annual holiday, May the 4th: a follow-up to the acclaimed 2022 animated series “Star Wars: Tales Of The Jedi.” And fans of that series should expect more of the same from “Star Wars: Tales Of The Empire.” The six-episode new season shares the same animation style as its predecessor along two all-new stories.

Slowly, but surely, the lineup for the 77th Cannes Film Festival is being revealed. Last month, Cannes announced that George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” will be an early world premiere on la Croisette on May 15.

Studiocanal has signed the person responsible for setting up Netflix production hubs around Europe as its new TV boss.

Slowly, but surely, the lineup for the 77th Cannes Film Festival is being revealed. Last month, Cannes announced that George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” will be an early world premiere on la Croisette on May 15.