Sony Pictures Entertainment Sees Profits Increase To $204M In Second Quarter

Sony Pictures is launching an immersive entertainment destination next month called Wonderverse at the giant Oakbrook Center mall near Chicago with attractions from the studio’s film, TV series and video games including Jumanji, Ghostbusters, Bad Boys, Zombieland and Uncharted.

K.J. Yossman Fans will soon be able to bring their ghost-busting fantasies to life thanks to Sony Pictures’ first-ever immersive entertainment destination, which is set to open in Chicago next year. Named Wonderverse, the 45,000 square-foot experience will allow audiences to step into the worlds of the company’s films, series and video games including “Ghostbusters,” “Bad Boys, “Zombieland,” “Jumanji” and “Uncharted.” On offer will be a mix of themed physical and immersive multi-media experiences, interactive installations, attractions and dining options including escape rooms, VR and bumper cars as well as bars and restaurants.

GOT7 member BamBam says that there is no bad blood between the boyband and their former label JYP Entertainment.BamBam recently spoke about the boyband’s relationship with JYP Entertainment during the latest episode of his online talk show, Bam House, which featured a special guest appearance from the label’s founder and namesake J.Y. Park.“I really want to untie this misunderstanding.

Stray Kids have topped the Billboard 200 with their latest mini-album, ‘ROCK-STAR’.‘ROCK-STAR’, which Stray Kids released on November 10, has become the K-pop boyband’s fourth consecutive Billboard 200 chart-topper and second of 2023, following ‘5-Star’ in June.According to data from Luminate, per Billboard, ‘ROCK-STAR’ topped the chart with 224,000 equivalent album units earned in the US, with the majority of those coming from traditional album sales.The group’s first Billboard 200 Number One record was the March 2022 mini-album ‘Oddinary’, which featured the hit single ‘Maniac’. Later that year, they would go on to top the chart again in October with ‘Maxident’.On the same night, Stray Kids also made an appearance at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, where they performed their hit songs ‘S-Class’ and ‘LALALALA’, from ‘5-Star’ and ‘ROCK-STAR’ respectively.Later during the night, the K-pop boyband would also go on to win Top K-Pop Album for ‘5-Star’, beating out the likes of BTS’ Jimin, NewJeans, TXT and Twice.“Without the love and support from everyone, we would probably not have made it this far, and if wasn’t for the people that have been running by our side this whole time, the music that we create would not have been able to reach the people in need,” said Bang Chan of the win.“So us, Stray Kids, would like to say thank you to STAY and Billboard for giving us an unforgettable gift,” he added.

Todd Gilchrist editor “Sleepless in Seattle,” “Punch-Drunk Love” and four more films from Columbia Pictures will make their 4K Ultra HD debut Feb. 13, 2024, via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection Vol.

Sony Pictures TV Studios’ SVP, Drama Development Andrew Plotkin has been promoted to EVP, Drama Development. In the Head Of Drama Development role he is succeeding Lauren Stein who was recently promoted to Head of Creative for SPT Studios. Plotkin, who will continue to report to Stein, will oversee development of scripted drama series for all platforms.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Tyra Banks is shaking things up at her production company. Formerly known as Bankable Productions, the production shingle will now go by the name SMiZE Productions. The move is a nod to Banks’ ice cream company, SMiZE & Dream.

YG Entertainment trainee Ahyeon will no longer be debuting as part of the label’s highly anticipated girl group BABYMONSTER.Earlier today (November 15), South Korean news outlet News1 reported that BABYMONSTER will be debuting as a six-piece rather than a seven-piece with the departure of member/trainee Ahyeon from the group. The report cited “personal reasons” for her withdrawal, and also claimed that Ahyeon may re-join the group’s ranks at a later stage, but will not be present for their debut.Several hours after the reports surfaced, a representative from YG Entertainment released an official statement through press confirming the absence of Ahyeon from the debuting BABYMONSTER line-up.

Madame Web, their new film set within the Marvel Spider-Man universe. The film is due to arrive in cinemas next year with Dakota Johnson leading the cast.Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, Isabela Merced, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts and Adam Scott also star.“Meanwhile, in another universe…” In a switch from the typical genre, Madame Web tells the standalone origin story of one of Marvel publishing’s most enigmatic heroines. The suspense-driven thriller stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan who may have clairvoyant abilities. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women destined for powerful futures…if they can all survive a deadly present.There’s not too long to wait for this one with the film set for cinema screens on 14th February.We have the full trailer for the film below.More as it comes in.When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.@ THN - The Hollywood News 2023

While there seems to be a big debate raging this year about superhero fatigue and the decline of Marvel Studios, Sony has quite a few new superhero films ready to go over the next year or so. You have to imagine the studio is desperately hoping superhero fatigue will take a break in 2024.

EXCLUSIVE: Claire’s is teaming up with Sony Pictures Television — Kids to create a new series for young people for the global marketplace.

K-pop label YG Entertainment has provided an update on contract renewal negotiations with BLACKPINK, saying that they are still ongoing.The entertainment company made a brief statement to South Korean media, including Sports Chosun, yesterday (November 14) saying that it is “still negotiating with the artists regarding their exclusive contracts”, as translated by Koreaboo. No other details regarding the current status of the discussions were divulged, but YG Entertainment shared in the same statement that an announcement of the negotiations’ outcome “will be revealed through the document regarding major management issues related to investments.” An exact date for this report’s publication has yet to be announced.Negotiations surrounding the status of BLACKPINK’s expiring contracts with YG Entertainment have been underway since July, and their contracts were said to have expired in August.

Elizabeth Wagmeister is joining CNN as correspondent covering entertainment, based in Los Angeles.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Variety chief correspondent and rising star Elizabeth Wagmeister is heading to CNN, where she’ll cover the entertainment beat for the news cabler, based in Los Angeles. Wagmeister was a driving force who helped Variety reclaim its role as the most-read, No.

Lionsgate revenue jumped to over $1 billion in the latest quarter, up from $858 million, driven by a nearly 80% jump in the motion picture division.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief All three of Sony Group Corporation’s entertainment segments – film and TV, music and Games and network services – improved their profitability between July and September, the second quarter of the Japan and Hollywood conglomerate’s financial year. Group revenues increased by 8% in local currency terms to JPY2.83 trillion, compared with JPY2.75 trillion in the same quarter last year. But Sony’s financial services unit and its entertainment technology segment pulled down group sales and profitability. The group’s net after tax profits dropped a hefty 29% to JPY200 billion.

Sharon Stone is making a serious allegation.

Caroline Brew editor Sony Pictures Entertainment’s first LED virtual production stage built by Sony Innovation Studios will be operated and managed by Pixomondo. Pixomondo, Sony’s award-winning visual effects and virtual production studio, will oversee operation of the LED virtual production stage later this month.

The executive producers of critically acclaimed BBC prison drama Time have launched their own scripted production operation.

Sony Pictures Television Studios’ head of drama Lauren Stein has been elevated to Head of Creative. In the newly created role, drama and comedy development, TriStar Television, international co-productions, and current programming on series in their first year of production will be under Stein’s purview. Stein will continue to report to Sony Pictures Television Studios President Katherine Pope.