Entertainment

Live-Action Remake Among Weakest for Disney

In its first weekend, “Moana”, which opened in 3,827 North American cinemas, earned only $43 millions.
These ticket sales are enough to place the film at No. The live-action remake of “Moana”, which has an enormous $250 million budget, is a disaster. And that’s not even counting the marketing costs. Disney’s live action remakes are notoriously difficult to time. “Moana”, which arrived in theaters less than two months after its 2016 original animated musical, and a decade later after the sequel underscores this. If you wait too long (as with “Dumbo” or “Snow White”), there is not enough cultural resonance. But if you go out too early, there is not enough nostalgia for audiences to return to the theaters to see something they have already seen.
The launch cost of “Moana”, which was $95million, only brought in $52million.
David A. says, “Disney created this live action phenomenon using their animated movies and has had remarkable success.” Gross is the publisher of FranchiseRe, a box office newsletter. But this opening doesn’t compare to Disney’s previous remakes.
Disney had projected a domestic opening of $60-$65 million and a global debut of $140 million, but that would already have been low for a film this big. “Moana”, which fell short of expectations, now competes with the box office bomb of 2025 “Snow White”, ($42 million debut), for the unlucky distinction of having the worst opening of all Disney live-action remakes. The adaptation of an almost 90-year old property “Snow White” made $87m domestically, and $205m globally on a budget of $250m. If “Moana’s” box office performance is similar, the studio could be losing around $100 million during its run in theaters.
Disney’s live-action versions of animated classics have been a great success. The live-action remakes of Disney’s animated classics, such as “Lilo & Stitch” in 2025, “The Lion King”, “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast,” were big hits. Each film debuted above $100 million and ultimately crossed the $1 billion threshold. Disney seems to enjoy remaking movies that were released in the 1990s or early 2000s. The remake of “Tangled”, a 2010 film, will star Kathryn Hahn in the role of the evil Mother Gothel.
The Disney franchise “Moana”, which is a relatively new addition, is a huge hit with families and young children. However, it is possible that the studio was a bit too eager to return to Moana’s world, an adventurous wayfinder chosen by the sea to bring prosperity back to her island. The live-action “Moana” film has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 35%, but audiences were happy with the movie, giving it an “A+” on CinemaScore’s exit polls.
The animated sequel to “Moana” was a huge hit. This new version, directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton) and featuring Catherine Laga’aia in the role of Moana, and Dwayne johnson as the demigod Maui starred close behind. This wasn’t done on purpose. Disney decided to turn “Moana 2”, originally conceived as a TV series, into a film. Disney delayed its live-action film by an extra year after the project was retooled to a feature-length movie (originally scheduled for 2025). This delay allowed the studio to have some time between this sequel and the next, which opens around Thanksgiving in 2024.
Gross says that the last remake of ‘Moana,’ which was released 20 months earlier, has been a huge success. This is a short return by a remake. This story was not ready for a return, and the audience isn’t rushing to watch it.
In what has otherwise been a stellar summer for Hollywood, “Moana,” the latest big-screen failure after “Supergirl” & “Minions & Monsters,” is Hollywood’s third disappointment in a row. This four-month period is expected to exceed $4 billion in revenue for just the second time after the pandemic. It will also be the largest since 2019 – a record year for Hollywood. The release of Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” on July 17, and the debut of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”, on July 31, should boost attendance.
The competition for “Moana”, which was a family-friendly film, included Universal and Illumination “Minions and Monsters”, as well as Disney and Pixar “Toy Story 5”.
The second place was taken by “Minions and Monsters”, which brought in $20.5 from 4,244 locations, down 45% from the first weekend. The “Despicable Me’ spinoff, so far, has earned $108 million in the United States and $280 millions globally. The newest installment of the “Minions franchise” is likely to be the least successful, but it was made for only $85 millions and the studio will make a profit.
With $18.5 million in its fourth outing, “Toy Story 5”, one of summer’s most popular films, secured the third spot at No. With $18.5 in revenue, it landed the No. 3 position with its fourth release. The film has already earned an impressive $403.8 million dollars in North America, and $879.1 millions worldwide. It is on course to exceed $1 billion. The 2019 release “Toy Story 4” ($1.07billion) should be surpassed by “Toy Story 5”, which is expected to surpass it as the most successful entry of the franchise.
Warner Bros.’s and New Line’s “Evil Dead Burn” opened at fourth with only $13.7 from 3 004 theatres. Sony releases the R-rated movie at international box offices, earning $13.3 million. This brings its total to $27 millions. The film “Evil Dead Burn”, which was made for only $20 million dollars, has a budget of $27 millions.
The “Evil Dead Franchise” began in 1981 with Sam Raimi’s low budget thriller “The Evil Dead”. The most recent entry to return to the big screens was 2023’s “Evil Dead Rise”, which opened to $24m and finished its run at $147m globally. Warner Bros. has already planned a 7th installment of “Evil Dead Wrath” to debut in 2028, despite what seems to be diminishing profits.
The comedy “The Invite” by A24, which was ranked No. 6, collected $5.7 million while expanding to 1,610 theaters. The comedy “The Invite”, produced by A24, reached No. 6 with $5.7 millions in sales. The well-reviewed movie, directed by Olivia Wilde and released in limited releases for three weekends, grossed $7.3 million.

Entertainment

A friendship worth killing for

Prime Video’s Ride Or Die, created by British multihyphenate Tessa Coates, is the best alternative for a cowardly world that won’t give Hannah Waddingham 007 status. The genre-bending series, created by British actress Tessa Coates stars Waddingham in a role as an assassin woman who is approaching 50 years old and has never experienced anything else. The pairing of this character and Octavia’s best friend looks to be the beginning of another action comedy about two friends who believe they know each other well, until one is forced into revealing that she is an assassin. The team of Coates Waddingham and Spencer produces something much more intriguing.
Ride or Die is a comedy with a twist. The premise of the film, however, is based on the world that Waddingham’s character Judith has built for herself through having Judith’s civilian friend, Debbie, as her bestie. The show does not stop there. It explains why the two women are so similar. Judith’s friendship with Debbie is the only thing that has ever brought her true love. Debbie is in an unbalanced marriage to a useless politician, who cannot even tie his shoe without Debbie. The two main characters are constantly challenging each other, even when they don’t want to be challenged.
The ensemble of Ride Or Die deserves a lot of the credit for its success. The focus of the show initially seems to be on Judith’s and Debbie’s adventures, but as the plot unfolds the two learn that they have many more people in their corner than they thought. Calam Lynch, Ed Skrein and other minor characters are unexpected highlights. They add depth to the archetypes of spy fiction that would otherwise be one-dimensional.

Entertainment

‘Little House On The Prairie’ Adaptation Has Modest Opening On Netflix

Little House on the Prairie has a modest debut after its weekend arrival on Netflix. Netflix’s adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books debuted as the No. The English TV chart for the week ending July 6, with 6.4 millions views, was ranked No. 3.
Little House on the Prairie’s performance in its four-day debut is better than Netflix’s recent original The Boroughs which achieved 5.6M during the same time period. Although it’s not a great start for this anticipated remake of an American classic, the show has plenty of room to grow. It just debuted on July 9th.
I Will Find You by Harlan Coben is a tough competitor for Netflix’s television lineup. I Will Find You has risen to the top of the English TV chart for the fourth week in a row, adding another 11.5M viewers. This puts the series over 85M in less than 30 days. It is a contender to be included on the Top 10 Most Popular English Series List, which previously featured another Harlan Coben adaption, Fool Me Once.
I Will Find You needs 65 days to reach His & Hers 98.2M view counts over the 91 day initial period Netflix sets as its standard for all-time list.
The second place in the TV ranking for this past week went to the show Worst Neighbor Ever, with 8.2M views.
Enola Holmes 3 topped the English-language weekly list with an extra 12M viewers. Shipwrecked Nightmare at Sea debuted at No. Shipwrecked: Nightmare at Sea launched in the No. 2 position on the list, with 9M views. Voicemails for Isabelle landed the No. 3 spot, with 8.6M views. The third spot is Voicemails for Isabelle, with 8,6M views.

Entertainment

Eminem’s ex-wife, Kim Scott, rushed to hospital 2 months after DUI arrest

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Kim Scott, Eminem’s former wife, fainted at her Michigan residence over the weekend. She was taken to hospital.
According to a Chesterfield Fire/EMS Report obtained by TMZ on Tuesday, the 51-year old suffered from a “hemorrhage” or “laceration” leading to uncontrolled and heavy bleeding at 8 p.m. Saturday local time.
The video released by the publication showed Scott appearing unconscious.
Watch the full video at TMZ
Scott’s current condition has not been disclosed. She was taken to McLaren Macomb Hospital.
Her recent health problems come at a time when she is dealing with legal troubles stemming her arrest for DUI on May 14, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan.
A police officer at the time claimed she hit a car parked, noting there were no reported injuries.
Scott was also allegedly staggering and blowing nearly three times legal limits, which resulted in a blood alcohol level of.204%, far above the legal limit for the state, 0.08%.
She also admitted that she had consumed alcohol a few days prior, according to her police report.
According to the publication, Scott was willing to cooperate with police officers when he was arrested.
Scott spent a brief time in Macomb County Jail where, with her pixie cut and mugshot, she was almost unrecognizable.
Page Six reported exclusively that a warrant for Scott’s arrest was issued in June after she did not show up at a DUI hearing.
TMZ reports that the warrants have been dismissed.
Scott previously was married to Eminem, born Marshall Mathers from 1999-2001. In 2006, the exes briefly remarried, but split up after Eminem, who is 53 years old, filed for divorce.
Three of their ex-partners have children: Hailie, Jade (30), Alaina (33), and Stevie (24).
Scott has a son, Parker. She welcomed him after her divorce from “Lose Yourself’s” singer.

Entertainment

Tennessee Is Courting Paramount

The Hollywood Reporter learned that Tennessee has courted David Ellison’s Paramount.
Stuart McWhorter, Deputy Governor of Tennessee and author of a July 2 letter addressed to Ellison, urged him to move the corporate headquarters for Paramount Studios amid the California-Tennessee rift over the $111 billion purchase by Warner Bros. Discovery.
The letter stated that “Our success stems from fiscal discipline, lower taxes, predictable government, and our steadfast belief in the role of government as a partner for private sector growth.” Companies that select Tennessee will find much more than just a friendly business environment. They’ll find an entire state dedicated to their success.
California had already signalled its intention to block the agreement when it sent out an invitation. Paramount had extended an “olive branch” prior to Monday’s filing by promising to make 30 films per annum with a 45 day theatrical window. This offer was rejected.
Ellison’s decision to leave California may not be the best, considering that Paramount moved out of New York in 2012. However, a trusted adviser tells THR “that everything is still on the table.”
The studio would be doing a great disservice to the production levels in California and Los Angeles where they are at historic lows if it reallocated a large chunk of their $30 billion budget to other regions such as New York, New Jersey or the U.K. Matlock, NCIS, and Tracker are among the studio’s productions that shoot in California.
Paramount’s spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of this letter, but had nothing else to say.
Paramount, if it moved, would be joining companies such as FedEx, HCA Healthcare, and Autozone.
McWhorter said, “As Paramount Skydance begins its next chapter in Tennessee, the state offers an attractive proposition. It is a place where technology and creativity converge and talent is nurtured and embraced.” We would be delighted to discuss our ideas on how Tennessee can help Paramount Skydance’s talented team and shape its future.
Ellison’s family has deep roots in Tennessee where he spent 11 years, from 2014 until 2025, living on and off. After Paramount failed in its bid to buy Skydance, Ellison sold his house.
Oracle’s plans to construct a huge campus in Nashville, headed by Ellison’s father, are also a major factor. Clay Magouyrk, the co-CEO of Oracle, also lives in Tennessee.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s move to Tennessee will be a welcome return to Tennessee. It used to have a huge office complex in Knoxville that was derived from the Scripps Network 2017 deal. The property was sold in 2023.
A coalition of twelve state attorneys general, led by California, sued Paramount on Monday to prevent its $111-billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Entertainment

Prince Harry, 41, Breaks Silence on His Rapidly Balding Head

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Prince Harry, age 41, breaks his silence on his rapidly balding head
The Duke also refused to accept his label “ginger”.
Male-pattern hair loss can affect even members of royalty.
Prince Harry (41), appeared in a podcast episode on July 13, where he discussed his thoughts unfiltered on hair loss. Jake Bhardwaj and Joe Marler were the co-hosts.
Joe Marler is a former English professional rugby player who hosts Joe Marler will See You Now along with co-host and comedian Jake Bhardwaj.
This episode started with an “intake questionaire,” which was structured as an interrogation with direct, concise questions.
Marler, 36, a retired English rugby star, was asked by Prince Harry to answer his first question in rapid fire: “What is your hair-care routine?”
The Duke of Sussex asked, “Are you talking …”?” He pointed to his head before pointing at his trousers.
Bhardwaj clarified that the question was about both “upstairs” and “downstairs”.
Harry gestured to his goatee, adding “and middle stairs.”
Harry explained, “I trim it every five or six days to keep it neat.”
He said, “Nothing is really happening at the top.” Otherwise, I don’t look.
The Duke of Sussex used to be known for his red curly hair, which was full and striking. However, his hair has lost its volume, at least in the top part, while the length of the neckline is getting thicker.
Prince William is still a step ahead of him.
The 44-year old Prince of Wales once had a head full of sandy blonde hair. William, now in his 40s, is nearly bald.
Marler then asked Harry: “What is the most common misconception about you?”
The royal replied, “I’m sure I am not ginger.”
“Hang on, hang on,” Merler pressed. People get it wrong?
Harry replied, “Yeah.” People think I am ginger but in reality I look more like sunset auburn.
Harry, who was deadpan, said, “I’m not sure why this is funny.” As Jake and the camera crew laughed, Harry said, “I’m not really sure what’s so funny about it.”
He said, “Unless, you want to call me ‘ginge’, you know I was bullied at school a lot, called carrot-top.”
Harry has passed on his “sunset auburn” hair to both of his children: Princess Lilibet (5 years old) and Prince Archie (7 years old).
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s wife of 8 years and a regular on the social media scene, regularly highlights Lilibet. Although the faces of both children are typically obscured, they are frequently visible in their sunset-auburn hair.
Harry has in the past attributed his hair color to Princess Diana, his mother who died.
In a 2023 edition of The Late Show, Stephen Colbert said: “I really thought that at the start of our relationship I would never be able to have children if this went the distance. The ginger gene wouldn’t stand up against my wife’s genetics.” But I was wrong.
Harry was surprised to learn that the genes of his mother outweighed those of his wife. He added: “The Spencer gene, or ginger gene, is extremely strong.”
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