Three’s Company on ‘Couple to Throuple’ (Review)

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor The descendants of Walt Disney and his brother Roy O. Disney have weighed in on the bid by two activist investment firms to win seats on the board of the Walt Disney Co. Nelson Peltz, the activist investor who runs hedge fund Trian Partners, is waging a proxy-fight battle to install himself and ex-Disney CFO Jay Rasulo as directors; Peltz’s stated aim is to drive up the price of Disney’s stock.

In two open letters to shareholders of the Walt Disney Co., grandchildren of Walt Disney and his brother Roy O. Disney came out in support of CEO Bob Iger and current management, which is being assailed by two investment firms trying to change the makeup of the company’s board.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor Former Verve CEO Bill Weinstein has filed a lawsuit against the talent agency, alleging that he was improperly ousted from the company on Feb. 19 by two partners who are looking to sell the company.

Alex Ritman Well-established Italian producers Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli — who left their Fremantle-owned banners, Wildside and The Apartment, respectively, earlier this year — are returning to the growing TV and film powerhouse with their new scripted outfit. The duo — who co-founded “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend” production house Wildside in 2009 before Mieli exited to set up The Apartment, which was behind the recent hit “Priscilla” — are yet to reveal details of their new company.

Paramount Global‘s earnings in the fourth quarter edged Wall Street forecasts, but a double-digit slide in advertising dragged down total revenue by 6%.

EXCLUSIVE: Emmy nominee Rain Valdez (Razor Tongue) on Monday announced the launch of Rainbow Entertainment, an equity-centered and trans-led production company focused on elevating BIPOC and queer storytellers, both in front of and behind the camera.

Angelique Jackson Tony and Emmy winner Judith Light will be honored with the Shakespeare Theatre Company‘s lifetime achievement award in honor of her storied stage and screen career. Light made her Broadway debut in 1975 in the revival of “A Doll’s House” and in 2001, she played the lead role in STC’s production of “Hedda Gabler,” directed by Michael Kahn.

EXCLUSIVE: Candis Cayne, who made her name as one of the only trans actresses on TV when she featured on ABC drama series Dirty Sexy Money, has launched a trans-focused production company.

EXCLUSIVE: Days after CEO Bill Weinstein separated ties with Verve, lit agents Devon Schiff, Matthew Doyle and Jake Dillman are also leaving the agency, sources tell Deadline. While not confirmed, sources believe the three agents will be joining Weinstein at a new shop he is planning to open up. No details have been disclosed about the potential new agency. Verve leadership had this to say in a statement:

Bridgit Mendler announced 2 major pieces of news on Monday (February 19): she’s a mom and she’s also now the CEO of a space startup called Northwood Space!

A rail company has apologised to Martin Lewis after the money saving expert slammed the 'degrading' conditions of a East Midlands Railway service that was packed with '500 people'.

A single mum sacked from her job after eating a sandwich is suing the company for unfair dismissal. Gabriela Rodriguez tucked into the £1.50 tuna snack after it was thrown away at a law firm.

Naman Ramachandran Its raining biopics of revered 17th century Indian ruler Shivaji Bhonsle in Mumbai. Days after Sandeep Singh’s “The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj” was announced, billionaire Mukesh Ambani‘s Jio Studios and actors Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh’s Mumbai Film Company have unveiled their collaboration on “Raja Shivaji.” Both films were revealed on the occasion of the 394th birth anniversary of Shivaji, Feb. 19.

Diego Ramos Bechara editor Batman comic book writer James Tynion IV announced the launch of a new independent multimedia production company, Tiny Onion, with plans to create content across television, film, animation and publishing. The company will seek to assemble top talent in the realm of behind-the-scenes comic book creation — their goal is to establish an independent editorial and design team to enhance their clients’ work via curation and packaging before presenting them to various publishing partners throughout the industry.

James Tynion IV, the New York Times bestselling author behind comic books like Something is Killing the Children and The Department of Truth, on Friday announced the launch of Tiny Onion, an independent multimedia production company that will be active across the publishing, film, television, and animation industries.

Having recently left Millennium Media after a 14-year run, Jeffrey Greenstein is launching production and sales company, A Higher Standard.

EXCLUSIVE: German production and sales company Augenschein, whose credits include Joseph Gordon-Levitt thriller 7500 (pictured) and Anna Kendrick sci-fi Stowaway, has sold a minority stake to Erfttal Film, the longtime shareholder in All Quiet On The Western Front producer Amusement Park.

Naman Ramachandran Singapore’s Momo Film Co has unveiled a six-film slate that includes projects from recent prize-winners at Cannes and Locarno. Momo is one of five outfits selected at the 2024 Berlinale Co-Production Market‘s company matching program. Fresh off two wins at Locarno 2023 for Nelson Yeo’s debut feature “Dreaming & Dying,” Momo is continuing its relationship with the Singaporean filmmaker for his sophomore feature “The Drought,” a dark comedy-horror film set in the time of a drought.

Margot Robbie is staying in business with Warner Bros. and she hosted a star-studded party to celebrate the exciting news!

EXCLUSIVE: Brooklyn-based filmmaker Ged Dickersin (CODA) is launching True Indy, a production company intent on making films that can and should be made independently, with filmmakers telling acutely relevant stories for the world market.