Theater Owners Chief on Box Office Downturn, Alamo Drafthouse Sale and Bringing Audiences Back to the Movies: ‘We’re Still Looking for a Catalyst’

Naman Ramachandran Disney’s “Inside Out 2” added a further £7.7 million ($9.8 million) in its second weekend at the U.K. and Ireland box office, remaining in pole position, according to numbers from Comscore. The smash hit sequel now has a running tally of £23.2 million.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Variety won eight first-place awards Sunday night at the Los Angeles Press Club‘s 66th annual SoCal Journalism Awards, including a top win for executive editor Brent Lang as entertainment journalist of the year. Variety came into the 2024 ceremony with 74 nominations, representing work published by staffers online or in the weekly print edition during the 2023 calendar year.

Brent Lang Executive Editor It’s a whodunit with a whole lot of drama. Jennifer Lawrence will get to feud, day-drink and access oodles of disposable income, at least until a body turns up, in “The Wives,” a murder mystery that is in the vein of “The Real Housewives.” Apple Original Films acquired the project in what it is describing as a “highly competitive situation.” Lawrence will produce the film alongside Justine Ciarrocchi for her company, Excellent Cadaver.

Jordan Moreau Andrew Callaghan, the 27-year-old director and journalist known for his popular Channel 5 YouTube videos, is back with his most intimate project yet: “Dear Kelly.” The documentary is Callaghan’s first major project since his directorial debut “This Place Rules,” which premiered on HBO in 2022. It also marks his return to feature filmmaking since he paused his career in light of sexual misconduct allegations in early 2023. After apologizing for his past behavior, Callaghan went on hiatus, began attending therapy and completed a 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Madison Wells will produce a documentary focusing on the public and private life of Jacinda Ardern, the trailblazing Prime Minister of New Zealand who helped introduce strict gun laws following the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings. She also led her country through the Covid pandemic and grappled with issues such as child poverty and climate change. The feature-length film is currently untitled.

Brent Lang Executive Editor The sultans of media and tech will break out their windbreakers and puffy vests for Allen & Co.’s annual Sun Valley conference next month. It’s a chance for these high-net-worth individuals to look “oh so casual” as they discuss the state of their industries and the world. The vibe is relaxed, but things aren’t going swimmingly for these denizens of one-percent-dom.

Welcome to Global Breakouts, Deadline’s fortnightly strand in which we shine a spotlight on the TV shows and films killing it in their local territories. The industry is as globalized as it’s ever been, but breakout hits are appearing in pockets of the world all the time and it can be hard to keep track. So we’re going to do the hard work for you.

Naman Ramachandran Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” made a huge debut in the U.K. and Ireland with £11.3 million ($14.3 million), according to numbers from Comscore. In doing so, the anticipated sequel captured 71% of the box office and delivered the biggest box office opening since “Barbie.” In its second weekend, Sony’s “Bad Boys: Ride Or Die” dropped down to second place with £1.8 million and now has a running total of £7.1 million.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Paolo Cortellesi’s “There’s Still Tomorrow,” a box office smash in its native Italy, was Sunday named winner of the Sydney Film Prize at the end of the Sydney Film Festival (June 5-16) A jury headed by Danis Tanovic called the film about an industrious woman in post WWII Rome “audacious, cutting-edge and courageous.” The prize is one of the richest awarded at any festival and is worth A$60,000 ($39,600). The announcement was made at the city’s State Theatre ahead of the Australian premiere screening of the Demi Moore-starring Cannes hit “The Substance.” The A$20,000 ($13,200) Documentary Australia award went to local filmmaker James Bradley, for “Welcome to Babel,” which charts Chinese-Australian artist Jiawei Shen’s plans to create an epic work.

Lexi Carson Apple, or at least its technology, was worried about the health and well-being of Hollywood’s greatest director. In the middle of Steven Spielberg‘s Tribeca Festival talk on Saturday, where the filmmaker was celebrating the 50th anniversary of his debut feature, “The Sugarland Express,” he was interrupted by his Apple watch with a message that read “It looks like you’ve taken a hard fall.” Spielberg jokingly said “I’m not going to press the SOS [button]” before throwing it on the ground.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Jeremy Tepper, a musician, journalist, executive, program director of SiriusXM’s “Outlaw Country” channel and for decades a leading light of the Americana/ alt-country movement, died Friday of a heart attack. Singer Laura Cantrell, Tepper’s wife of 27 years, confirmed the news on social media. He was 60.

Inside Out 2” just scored the biggest box office previews of 2024. Disney and Pixar‘s latest animated outing grossed $13 million in Thursday previews domestically, with $22.3 million worldwide. The family-friendly sequel is projected to launch between $80 million and $90 million this weekend.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Berlin-based sales agency Films Boutique has closed further deals for Ray Yeung’s “All Shall Be Well,”following the North American deal with Strand Releasing and the first international sales previously announced by Variety.The film has been acquired by Nour Films in France, One From the Heart in Greece, Mezipatra in Czech Republic and Slovakia, HBO Europe in Eastern Europe, Beta Film in Bulgaria and Falcon in Indonesia, in addition to the already announced deals with Vedette in the Benelux, Karma in Spain, Trigon in Switzerland and Lev in Israel.Films Boutique is in negotiations with potential buyers in the U.K., Latin America, Germany and Japan.Additionally, New Voice Film Productions Ltd. secured distribution deals with Golden Scene for Hong Kong and Macau and Flash Forward Entertainment in Taiwan.“All Shall Be Well” is written and directed by Yeung and was produced by Yeung’s frequent collaborator Michael J.

Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out 2 had its first full day of play at the international box office on Wednesday with No. 1 starts in each of its eight material markets, including strong debuts in majors Korea and Germany as well as the Philippines. The total through day one overseas is $4.9M. Majors joining through Friday include Australia, Mexico and the UK.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Sony Pictures Entertainment has acquired Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, the theater chain that inspired a passionate following with its creative cocktails, extensive food menu and strict “no talking, no texting” policies. The media company acquired Alamo Drafthouse from owners Altamont Capital Partners, Fortress Investment Group and its founder Tim League. Under its new ownership, Alamo Drafthouse will be managed under a newly established division, Sony Pictures Experiences.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor UTA named Bob Roback, a veteran entertainment and tech entrepreneur and executive, its new chief operating officer. In joining the firm, Roback will also be a partner and join UTA’s board of directors. Roback takes over the COO role from Andrew Thau, who will continue as co-head of UTA Sports.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Keith Kupferer, Katherine Mallen Kupferer and “Ghostlight” director Alex Thompson will reunite for a body swap comedy. Think “Freaky Friday” with an indie sensibility. From “Heaven Can Wait” to “Big” and “The Hot Chick,” it’s a familiar genre.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Keith Kupferer, Katherine Mallen Kupferer and “Ghostlight” director Alex Thompson will reunite for a body swap comedy. Think “Freaky Friday” with an indie sensibility. From “Heaven Can Wait” to “Big” and “The Hot Chick,” it’s a familiar genre.

Brent Lang Executive Editor After more than a decade overseeing Film at Lincoln Center (FLC), Lesli Klainberg will step down as president of the organization. She will leave after this year’s New York Film Festival (NYFF), which will be held Sept. 27 – Oct.

Naman Ramachandran Sony’s “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” debuted atop the U.K. and Ireland box office with £3.8 million ($4.9 million), according to numbers from Comscore. In second place, in its fourth weekend, Paramount’s “IF” collected £866,474 for a running total of £10.8 million.