Sony Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

Xbox has confirmed that four exclusive games will be released on rival consoles, after weeks of speculation.Earlier this month, several reports emerged that Microsoft was planning on releasing several big exclusives like Starfield, Indiana Jones & The Great Circle, Halo and Gears Of Wars on the PlayStation 5. Microsoft then confirmed a press conference to discuss the “vision for the future” of Xbox, which finally took place last night (February 15).Those rumours were swiftly debunked, but Microsoft did announce their intention “to take four games to the other consoles [PS5 and Nintendo Switch]”.

Madame Web hit cinemas around the world yesterday (February 14), but what songs are included in the latest instalment in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe? Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, the film stars Dakota Johnson in the lead role as a woman who develops psychic abilities. The White Lotus’ Sydney Sweeney co-stars, as do Emma Roberts and Adam Scott. Directed by S.J.

Madame Web hit cinemas around the world yesterday (February 14), but when might we see a sequel to this latest instalment in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe?Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, Madame Web stars Dakota Johnson in the lead role as a woman who develops psychic abilities. The White Lotus’ Sydney Sweeney co-stars, as do Emma Roberts and Adam Scott.Directed by S.J.

Angelique Jackson If you’re looking to get your daily dose of Sydney Sweeney movies this Valentine’s Day, look no further than your local multiplex — the star just swung into theaters with “Madame Web” and a special re-release of “Anyone but You.” Since its holidays debut, the R-rated rom-com starring Sweeney and Glen Powell has raked in more than $170 million worldwide and continues its theatrical run with “The Valentine’s Encore.” “I just want to thank everybody for loving it as much as we enjoyed making it,” Sweeney said at the “Madame Web” premiere on Monday night. “People want to have something that brings everyone together and they can laugh and they can cry, and they can sing and dance and just have that community shared feeling of enjoyment.

EXCLUSIVE: Writer-producer Judalina Neira (The Boys, Daisy Jones and the Six) has signed an overall deal with Sony Pictures Television focused on developing drama series for cable and streaming through her newly launched production company, Famous Last Words Productions. For her first project under the pact, Neira is taking on a signature Sony title, Bewitched.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Operating income at the ‘Pictures Division’ of Sony Group Corporation climbed by 56% to hit $281 million in the October to December 2023 quarter, the Japanese company reported on Wednesday. Sales increased from $2.35 billion to $2.47 billion in the latest period. The division spans movie production and distribution, television networks and TV content production.

Refresh for latest…: Sony Pictures Entertainment recorded profits of $281 million for the third-quarter of fiscal year 2023, a 57% hike versus the comparable period in 2022. Revenues were also up 5% to $2.473 billion.

Internet rumors and conventional pundit thinking goes a little like this: once Tom Holland is done with Marvel’s “Spider-Man” franchise, perhaps a little too old to play the convincing part of a high-schooler or college-age kid, Sony Pictures will pivot to a live-action Miles Morales who will also join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That could be the case, but it might not come for a while.

S.W.A.T. is heading back to our TV screens this month, seemingly for the last time.

Helldivers 2 and CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, has disputed the idea that the game is pay-to-win in a series of social media posts.Helldivers 2 has two battle passes, termed “Warbonds”. One Warbond is freely accessible to all players whereas the other premium Warbond is priced at 1,000 in-game Super Credits.Players are able to harvest Super Credits from playing the game, though it is significantly easier and faster to purchase the premium Warbond by spending $10.In order to unlock items in the Warbond, players must spend Medals, which are gained when completing missions or exploring the mission area.The pain point for some players is that the premium Warbond contents are not only cosmetic; they include improved versions of basic weapons with buffs like stunning enemies and explosive damage.On X, Pilestedt responded to a player who was countering the claims of Helldivers 2 being a pay-to-win title, pointing out that Super Credits are earnable through in-game activities.I'm partial but we really applied ourselves to not make it p2w even though items are functionally different.

Madame Web has been branded an “embarrassing mess” in the first reactions to the fourth instalment in the Sony Spider-Man Universe.The premiere for the film, which stars Dakota Johnson in the lead role as a woman who develops psychic abilities, was held in Los Angeles last night (February 12).Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, the movie also stars The White Lotus’ Sydney Sweeney, as well as Emma Roberts and Adam Scott. It is released in cinemas on February 14.Following the screening, the film was roundly panned with one critic describing it as an “embarrassing mess” and “probably the worst comic book movie I have ever seen”.#MadameWeb is an embarrassing mess. Talented stars wasted on probably the worst comic book movie I have ever seen.

Angelique Jackson In “Madame Web,” Isabela Merced stars as Anya Corazon, a teenager who learns she’ll one day develop spider-like superpowers. But given Merced’s incredibly busy production schedule over the next few months, she might want to look into the power of teleportation. On Monday night, Merced posed on the black carpet outside the Regency Village Theatre in Westwood with “Madame Web” stars Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney and Celeste O’Connor for the world premiere of Sony and Marvel’s superhero movie.

Following a thorough search to find its new Karate Kid, Sony Pictures has tapped Ben Wang to star in the next installment in the franchise, Deadline has confirmed.

Katcy Stephan Ben Wang is the next Karate Kid. Wang, who previously starred opposite Michelle Yeoh in the Disney+ series “American Born Chinese,” landed the sought-after role after a worldwide search that saw thousands of young actors from around the globe vie for the title role in Sony’s new “Karate Kid” movie, which unites Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio. Per studio insiders, Wang delivered a standout audition performance that demonstrated his deep connection to the character.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent The CGI animated sequel to “Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness,” the hit adventure film based on the Dark Horse comics which sold around the world, has lured buyers ahead of the European Film Market. Titled “Chickenhare and the Very Very (Very) Old Groundhog,” the movie is budgeted at $23 million (a large budget by European production standards) and brings back the creative team behind the first film.

Deadpool & Wolverine, the third film in the series of movies led by Ryan Reynolds.Hugh Jackman will reprise the role of Wolverine in the upcoming film and he can be briefly seen in this first look footage.Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni and Matthew Macfadyen are also among thwe cast.Kevin Feige, Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy and Lauren Shuler Donner produce with Louis D’Esposito, Wendy Jacobson, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, George Dewey, Simon Kinberg and Jonathon Komack Martin serving as executive producers.

Meredith Woerner Deputy Editor, Variety.com Welcoming nominees and guests to the 76th DGA Awards, director, producer and writer Judd Apatow greeted the audience joking, “I’m your host Bradley Cooper in an even more beguiling Jewish nose.” Apatow opened up with a zinger drafting off the DGA’s history of never striking against the studios. He noted that his agents told him to hold out for more money for his fifth time as host of the ceremony: “But in the spirit of the DGA I accepted their first offer.” Taking aim at the current political landscape, Apatow addressed the crowd stating, “I swear to god if this is the only time you vote this year, you can all go fuck yourselves.” He noted the age of the likely nominees for the presidential election, Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Why end The Good Doctor? Was it ABC’s decision? Did the show run its course after seven seasons?

Selome Hailu Though Mayim Bialik was fired from the “Jeopardy!” flagship syndicated series in December, the door is still open to bring her back for other versions, according to executive producer Michael Davies. On a panel about unscripted television during ABC’s presentation at the Television Critics Assn. winter 2024 press tour, Davies said the decision to remove Bialik and keep Ken Jennings as solo host came from a pursuit of “more consistency.” “When I took over the show, we were forced into that situation,” said Davies, referring to the two-host setup.

Selome Hailu ABC has renewed “Jeopardy! Masters” for Season 2 and “Celebrity Family Feud” for Season 10. “Jeopardy! Masters” debuted in May of 2023 with Ken Jennings as host.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter “Goosebumps” has been renewed for a second season at Disney+. The announcement was made during the Disney Branded Television presentation at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. As part of the announcement, it was also revealed that the second season would be eight episodes compared to the 10-episode first season, and that the show is going the anthology route.

Celebrity Family Feud and Jeopardy! Masters have been renewed by ABC.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music After a long series of fakeouts that have become standard operating procedure for Kanye West releases, the embattled artist and Ty Dolla $ign have finally dropped their “Vultures 1” album. The release, which occurred sometime in the wee hours of Saturday morning, is curiously not available on Spotify, although it can be found on most other major streaming services.

Michael Jackson‘s catalogue in a landmark deal.According to Billboard, the company will fork out at least $600million (£475million) for its stake in the late star’s publishing and recorded masters catalogue, with sources valuing it at between $1.2billion and $1.5billion in total. However, no exact figure is known currently.Should these numbers be accurate, the deal is expected to be the biggest-ever valuation of an artist’s music assets.It is said that Sony’s deal with the Michael Jackson estate does not include royalties from Broadway’s MJ The Musical and other theatrical productions featuring the King Of Pop’s material.But it reportedly includes songs by other acts from Jackson’s Mijac publishing catalogue such as Sly & The Family Stone, Curtis Mayfield and Ray Charles.The deal, which Billboard said closed in late 2023, trumps the $1.2billion that Queen are currently seeking for their recorded music, publishing and other income streams like royalties from the Bohemian Rhapsody biopic.Almost exactly one year ago, it was reported that the Michael Jackson estate was nearing a huge deal to sell half of its ownership in his catalogue.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music In what is apparently the conclusion of a deal that Variety tipped a year ago, Sony Music Group has completed a transaction to acquire half of Michael Jackson’s publishing and recorded masters in a transaction that values the total catalog at around $1.2 billion, and possibly more, sources confirm to Variety. Billboard reports that Sony will pay at least $600 million for the stake. If accurate, the deal is the biggest for a single music artist’s assets to date.

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all rights worldwide to Nathan Silver’s Between The Temples starring Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane, following its buzzy world premiere at Sundance and ahead of its upcoming international debut at the Berlinale.

Vampire Weekend have officially announced a new album called Only God Was Above Us. The fifth full-length project from the New York rock band arrives on April 5 via Sony.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is receiving a new game plus mode next month, after developer Insomniac Games previously confirmed the mode would be coming to the game after launch.The news was officially announced on Insomniac Games X (formerly Twitter) account, and confirmed that a full list of what to expect from the update will be released just before the update arrives on March 7.

Atlus has announced that Persona 3 Reload is the fastest-selling game in the history of the company.Atlus West posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Persona 3 Reload has sold over a million copies in the first week of release, making it the fastest-selling game that the company has ever published.The game was launched on February 2 across all platforms. The game was originally revealed by Xbox in June of last year, along with the reveal that the game would be launching on Xbox Game Pass at no additional price to existing subscribers.As reported by Persona Central back in 2021, the Persona series had hit fifteen million sales by the end of Fiscal Year 2021, meaning that Persona 3 Reload has already sold roughly a fifteenth of what the entire series had sold in by the end of its 25th anniversary year.NME reviewed Persona 3 Reload, with our reviewer calling the game a “must-play marvel”.“As the sums of its parts, Reload is phenomenal as both a remake and a standalone game.

Thanks to “Oppenheimer,” all of Hollywood wants a piece of Cillian Murphy. So is it any surprise that Sony shelled out a ton for the latest in the “28 Days Later” franchise? THR reports that the studio won the bidding war for a new sequel in the zombie franchise, which comes with an additional sequel if all goes well.

Amanda Seyfried (The Dropout) is set to star in Long Bright River, a limited series for Peacock based on Liz Moore’s New York Times bestselling novel of the same name.

Madame Web is headed East. Sony said today that its stand-alone origin tale from Marvel will hit China on March 1, two weeks after its North American bow.

Naman Ramachandran India’s Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) is not proceeding with a $1.4 billion cricket rights deal it had struck with Disney Star in 2022, according to a report from Reuters. Cricket is the most popular sport in India, the world’s most populous nation. In August 2022, Disney Star had won Indian TV and digital rights to both men’s and women’s global events conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 2024 through 2027.

EXCLUSIVE: Veteran animation producer Rick Mischel has formed a studio in Canada after acquiring Yeti Farm Creative Animation Studio.

EXCLUSIVE: Sony, which kicked off CinemaCon last year, is skipping this year’s exhibitor-studio conference in Las Vegas, NV which runs April 8-11 at Caesar’s Palace.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Songwriter Jenna Andrews, whose hits include songs performed by BTS, Drake, David Guetta and more, has sold her catalog to Warner Chappell Music, her management company Milk & Honey Music + Sports has announced. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.