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WGA, AMPTP Reach Historic Contract Agreement To End 146-Day Writers Strike

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Finally! Hollywood can bring back our shows.The WGA and major studios and streamers have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract that promises to end the 146-day strike that has taken a heavy toll across the content industry.

Negotiators for the Writers Guild of America and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached the finish line Sunday after five consecutive days of negotiations. Day 4 on Saturday mostly involved lawyers for the guild and AMPTP hashing out the fine print of language around complicated and groundbreaking additions to the WGA’s Minimum Basic Agreement. The details of language around the use of generative AI in content production was one of the last items that the sides worked on before closing the pact.

“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” the WGA’s negotiating committee wrote in an email to sent to members at 7:10 p.m. PT

The strike itself will still be in force through the guild’s contract approval and ratification process. But picketing has been suspended as of Sunday night. Guild leaders are expected to vote on Tuesday on whether to formally lift the strike order against AMPTP signatories.

“To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorized to by the Guild. We are still on strike until then,” the message to members stated.

Details of the contract agreement won’t be released until the final language is completed over the coming days. WGA leadership expects to vote on Tuesday on the final pact. First the negotiating committee will vote on whether to recommend that the deal go to a vote of the board of the WGA West and council of WGA East. Assuming both of those votes approve the pact, the contract will be sent out for ratification by WGA’s 11,000 members.

“Though we are eager to share the details of what has been achieved with you, we cannot do that until the last ‘i’ is dotted,” the message to members stated. “To do so would complicate our ability to finish the job. So, as you have been patient with us before, we ask you to be patient again – one last time.”

The post WGA, AMPTP Reach Historic Contract Agreement To End 146-Day Writers Strike first appeared on The Source.

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‘Good Burger 2’ Receives Thanksgiving Week Release Date

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Good Burger 2 has an official release date with stars Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. The film will hit Paramount + on Nov. 22.

The film’s logline reads:

Dexter Reed (Thompson) is down on his luck after another one of his inventions fails. Ed (Mitchell) welcomes Dex back to Good Burger with open arms and gives him his old job back. With a new crew working at Good Burger, Dex devises a plan to get back on his feet but unfortunately puts the fate of Good Burger at risk once again.

“I can’t believe it’s been a little over 25 years since great customer service was born at Good Burger!” Thompson said in a statement. “Being a part of something so many generations of people have come to love has made me so proud and now to be back where it all began working on the sequel is surreal! Love performing with my brother Kel and can’t wait to show the fans what these characters have been up to since we last saw them.”

Mitchell added, “Ed is one of those timeless characters that has brought so much joy and laughter to fans, and it’s such a beautiful blessing to still be doing it after all these years. It’s super awesome to come back and continue the stories of Dex, Ed and Good Burger for both the people who grew up watching and their kids.”

“We’re thrilled to take audiences’ orders for more laughter and adventures with the ‘Good Burger’ crew,” said Tanya Giles, chief programming officer of Paramount Streaming to Variety. “‘Good Burger 2’ will be a great addition to our 2023 programming slate and is sure to serve up everything ‘All That’ fans and new viewers alike will enjoy.”

Also set to star in the film are Lil Rel Howery, Jillian Bell, Kamaia Fairburn, Alex R. Hibbert, Fabrizio Guido, Elizabeth Hinkler, Emily Hinkler, and Anabel Graetz. Returning will be Josh Server, Lori Beth Denberg and Carmen Electra.

The post ‘Good Burger 2’ Receives Thanksgiving Week Release Date first appeared on The Source.

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Brandy’s Holiday Surprise: A Christmas Album and Netflix Film on the Horizon

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Brandy Joins T.J.Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods to Give Back in #CarolForACause Holiday Campaign

Get into the holiday spirit with Brandy!

Prepare for a double dose of holiday magic, courtesy of the incredible Brandy! A recent Instagram Story from A&R executive Jaha Johnson spilled the beans about Brandy’s upcoming Christmas album, with a possible title hint— A Brandy Christmas. While the release date remains a mystery, it might just coincide with Brandy’s next film project.

In March 2022, Brandy shared her excitement about starring in Netflix’s original film, Best. Christmas. Ever. She’s set to play Jackie, a woman whose seemingly perfect life gets a reality check when an old college friend, Charlotte (played by Heather Graham), reenters her world right before Christmas. The film promises twists, turns, and a heartwarming holiday tale.

As a bonus, a sneak peek at Brandy’s potential Christmas album surfaced when her manager, Ryan Ramsey, was seen brainstorming 11 song titles on a whiteboard. Could this be a glimpse of what’s to come?

READ MORE: ABC SHOW ‘QUEENS’ STARRING BRANDY AND EVE CANCELED AFTER FIRST SEASON

In addition to her music career, Brandy has ventured into acting, starring in television series like Moesha and taking on notable roles in films such as Cinderella and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. Her latest project, Best. Christmas. Ever., on Netflix, showcases her acting prowess in a heartwarming holiday story.

Brandy continues to captivate audiences with her remarkable talent, making her a beloved figure in both the music and entertainment worlds.

Mark your calendars for November 16, 2023, because that’s when Best. Christmas. Ever. lands on Netflix. Keep an eye out for more details on Brandy’s festive album, and get ready to celebrate the holidays in style with this superstar!

Photo Credit: Brandy/INSTAGRAM

The post Brandy’s Holiday Surprise: A Christmas Album and Netflix Film on the Horizon first appeared on The Source.

The post Brandy’s Holiday Surprise: A Christmas Album and Netflix Film on the Horizon appeared first on The Source.

Saweetie Partners With Tinder For “Swipe-Off” Concert Challenge

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The new school year is just underway and college students across the country are already flexing their flirting skills. In fact, Tinder sees the highest influx of new 18-year-old members during freshman orientations. To encourage this new cohort of users to put themselves out there and make new on-campus connections, Tinder is partnering with “Tap In” rapper Saweetie to launch Swipe Off. The nationwide challenge will award the college or university with the most Swipe activity, proving it’s at the forefront of crush culture, a free concert headlined by Saweetie, along with a surprise special guest.

Starting today, the Swipe Off challenge is open to select colleges and universities enrolled in Tinder U, an in-app feature that lets collegiate users easily connect with others at their school. The school that sends the most Likes (…or Nopes) on Tinder through October 6th will win a free concert for its campus.

“Tinder is always working to match the vibrant energy of our college users. They form the core of our user base, and over the years, we’ve seen countless campus connections blossom into meaningful relationships,” says Stephanie Danzi, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at Tinder. “We created The Swipe Off challenge to feed into that energy and encourage them to unlock all the possibilities of the college experience that come from meeting new people.”

It’s no coincidence that the Icy Girl herself is headlining the ultimate Swipe Off experience for the winning school. Saweetie has been vocal in her affinity for both  the college experience and Tinder, with the proud USC alum referencing the brand in her viral hit single “Tap In.”

“Whether they were a fling, a friend, or something more serious, the people I met at USC are what made my time there a blast. I’m excited to partner with Tinder in encouraging today’s college students to ‘tap in’ to the possibilities that come from meeting new people.” says Saweetie.

The post Saweetie Partners With Tinder For “Swipe-Off” Concert Challenge first appeared on The Source.

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Method Man Wants to Play X-Men’s Bishop In The Marvel Universe

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In a recent interview with Cassius, actor and Wu Tang Clan front man Method Man says that he’s like to tackle the role of Bishop, a human mutant who is also a descendant from the Aborigines of Australia.

Meth says that he’s been planning to play Bishop for quite some time, despite his success in no-fictional roles from 50 Cent’s Power series as well as his early supporting role on HBO’s The Wire.

“I was just putting it out there to see if I could hook something,” Meth said. “Those guys at the MCU, they know their stuff. I haven’t had any problems with any of their casting choice so far. So whoever gets the job… I think Omar Sy did an excellent job as Bishop, but that was before MCU. If they chose him again, I think he’d kill it. There’s a few people out there. But if they’re willing to give me a shot, I’d go for it. Plus, I’ve done all the research already.”

Bishop became a member of Professor X’s elite police force after moving to the States, displaying the power to suck up radiant and conductive energy deployed from his enemies before using the power against them.

The post Method Man Wants to Play X-Men’s Bishop In The Marvel Universe first appeared on The Source.

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Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ is Highest-Grossing World War II Film of All-Time

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Oppenheimer is joining Barbie in the ability to run up the box office records. The Christopher Nolan-directed film is officially the highest-grossing World War II film ever.

Nolan previously held the record with his film Dunkirk. Oppenheimer’s global box office total is currently $559 million.

Oppenheimer is created from the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, written by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. The film stars Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer, along with Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey, Jr., and Florence Pugh.

You can see the trailer below.

The post Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ is Highest-Grossing World War II Film of All-Time first appeared on The Source.

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Tory Lanez Lawyers Says Tory Hoped The Judge ‘Would Have Shown Mercy’

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This week Canadian rapper Tory Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in state prison following his conviction for shooting Houston rapper Megan the Stallion. Lanez was found guilty on gun possession charges and now his lawyer is saying his client feels low and is having a hard time processing the sentence.

TMZ reports:

Tory’s defense attorney, Jose Baez, tells TMZ his client is feeling pretty low right now after having the book thrown at him. We’re told Tory is having a hard time processing the sentence, but Baez also says despite that … Tory’s made it clear to him he’s going to remain strong and deal with his time behind bars as best as he can.

Jose says Tory is leaning on his faith in God, the support of his friends/family and the indignation his supporters around the world are expressing — many of whom are loudly lamenting the stiff punishment.

Baez says Tory was hoping the judge would show mercy — especially with the number of people who went to bat for him in court, including some celebs. We’re told the reason there’s so much outcry for Tory is because he was genuinely loved in the community … as he’d done a lot to give back over the years.

In the meantime, Baez insists an appeal is coming.

Thoughts?

The post Tory Lanez Lawyers Says Tory Hoped The Judge ‘Would Have Shown Mercy’ first appeared on The Source.

The post Tory Lanez Lawyers Says Tory Hoped The Judge ‘Would Have Shown Mercy’ appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Ice-T Reveals He Made $23,000 To Star In ‘New Jack City’

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Easily classified as a cult-classic, rapper Ice-T changed the game when he starred in the blockbuster hit New Jack City. Now he’s revealing that he was paid $23,000 to star in the blockbuster film. New Jack City was a critical and commercial success, raking in nearly $50 million at the box office on a budget of around $8 million.

Ice-T spoke with the LA Times check out what he had to say below.

What was your attitude as you went into shooting “New Jack City”?
I was scared as s—. Mario offered me the role, but he wanted me to play the police. And this was right when the album I was dropping was “Original Gangster.” Dropping that and playing a cop simultaneously? I thought it was career suicide. Also: Who’s to say “New Jack City” was gonna be “New Jack City”? I’ve done a lot of movies that I don’t even want you to watch. So the thought that your first movie would actually turn out to be a blockbuster seemed crazy. But everyone around me was like, “Ice, man, you from the hood — there’s no opportunity. You got to take it.”

Why do you think Mario cast you?
He approached me in a club about doing the movie, and I thought he was bulls—ing, that it would be a small little part. But I went to Warner Bros. the next day and I read the script. I’m like, “That’s all the lines!” The thing of it was, at the time we did “New Jack City,” there weren’t enough young Black actors. They figured, “Well, Ice sold millions of records, maybe this’ll translate.” It was a risk. But everyone on that movie was a new jack. We had Judd Nelson [who’d starred in “The Breakfast Club” and “St. Elmo’s Fire”], but it was Mario’s first time directing. Wesley Snipes had only done “Major League” and a Spike Lee flick. And Chris Rock was the youngest, hippest street comic. They wanted to do something like an urban “Scarface” movie and make it look big, and somehow we pulled it off.
When did you know the movie was good?
I went to see it at Grauman’s Chinese when it came out. I sat in the back row behind some cats. When I came on the screen, I heard, “Look at Ice in that f— hat!” They was dissing me, so I’m like, “Ah, f—.” But by about 15 minutes into the movie, they were calling me by my name in the movie. And then it just blew up. Now, for the record, I got paid like $23,000 for that movie. So welcome to Hollywood. But my next movie was “Ricochet” with Denzel [Washington].

The post [WATCH] Ice-T Reveals He Made $23,000 To Star In ‘New Jack City’ first appeared on The Source.

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‘Bad Boys 4’ Receives Release Date for Summer 2024

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Mike Lowry and Marcus Burnett Going for the 4-Peat: 'Bad Boys 4' Pre-Production Underway

Bad Boys 4 has an official release date. Sony Pictures has released its 2024 release schedule, with Bad Boys 4 set for a Father’s Day opening on June 14, 2024.

According to Variety, Bad Boys for Life (Bad Boys 3) directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah will return for the fourth film. The movie’s script is from Chris Bremner. The third edition earned $426.5 million at the worldwide box office in winter of 2020.

Additional films from Sony to come next summer will be Venom 3 on July 12, 2024.

In February, Will Smith hit social media and revealed he had linked back up with Martin Lawrence and pre-production on their fourth film is underway.

Back producing are Jerry Bruckheimer, Doug Belgrad, Smith for Westbrook, and Chad Oman; executive producing are Martin Lawrence, James Lassiter, Mike Stenson, Barry Waldman, and Jon Mone.

You can see the reconnecting moment below.

The post ‘Bad Boys 4’ Receives Release Date for Summer 2024 first appeared on The Source.

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SHOWTIME Honors 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop with Premiere of ‘ALL UP IN THE BIZ’: A Celebratory Documentary on Biz Markie

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SHOWTIME has announced the premiere of the documentary feature ALL UP IN THE BIZ, directed by Sacha Jenkins, on Friday, August 11.

The film, which premiered at Tribeca Festival last month, explores the life and career of late rapper Biz Markie, best known for his hit song “Just a Friend.” Combining never-before-seen footage, interviews, musical interludes, animation, and puppetry, ALL UP IN THE BIZ offers a heartwarming portrait of Biz Markie’s journey in the world of hip-hop. The documentary showcases his impact on the genre and features interviews with prominent figures such as Fat Joe, Nick Cannon, and Tracy Morgan. Biz Markie, also known as “The Clown Prince of Hip Hop,” was a beatbox pioneer who inspired rap icons like Rakim and Big Daddy Kane.

Despite facing challenges, including a groundbreaking sampling lawsuit, Biz Markie’s contributions to hip hop earned him recognition as a true embodiment of the genre. ALL UP IN THE BIZ delves into his extraordinary tale, from humble beginnings to pop culture ubiquity, highlighting his influence on the culture and his ability to shape his own destiny.

“Biz Markie is the pure essence of hip hop. He believed in, he lived it, he harnessed its powers,” said Jenkins. “Most people don’t know that he used those powers to power up some of the culture’s greatest poets and then some. I was fortunate to meet with Biz when he was alive so to have the opportunity to bring him back to life now that he isn’t here…it’s a special film

The film is directed, co-written, and executive produced by Sacha Jenkins, who previously worked on notable projects like “WU-TANG CLAN: OF MICS AND MEN” and “Louis Armstrong’s Black and Blues.”

The post SHOWTIME Honors 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop with Premiere of ‘ALL UP IN THE BIZ’: A Celebratory Documentary on Biz Markie first appeared on The Source.

The post SHOWTIME Honors 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop with Premiere of ‘ALL UP IN THE BIZ’: A Celebratory Documentary on Biz Markie appeared first on The Source.