The Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster train is still chugging along. The latest edition in the massive franchise, Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, pulled in $185 million becoming one of the biggest domestic openings of all time. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the global opening number was $450 million.
The film is the 11th biggest launch in box office history and the seventh biggest of the Marvel films, following Avengers: Age of Ultron ($191.3 million), Black Panther ($202 million), The Avengers ($207.3 million), Avengers: Infinity War ($257.7 million), Spider-Man: No Way Home ($260.1 million) and Avengers: Endgame ($357.1 million).
Doctor Stange and the Multiverse of Madness only follow The Batman for 2022 domestic releases. The Batman has pulled in $369.1 million to date. Strange was available in 4,545 theaters.
The next blockbuster for Hollywood is Top Gun: Maverick set for the end of the month. Marvel returns to theaters with Thor: Love and Thunder on July 8.
Netflix is speaking out after Dave Chappelle was attacked on stage during one of their events this week.
Variety reports a spokesperson says the company cares deeply about the safety of creators. They added, that Netflix strongly defends the right of stand-up comedians to perform on stage without fear of violence.
The comedian was attacked Tuesday while doing stand-up at the Hollywood Bowl. Chappelle was performing at the Netflix is a Joke Festival in Los Angeles when an armed man jumped on stage and lunged at him, hitting him in the torso before running off. He brandished a knife that was attached to a fake gun. The assailant was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.
Viola Davis stars as Michelle Obama in the new Showtime series The First Lady. Her work as Mrs. Obama has received criticism online, most notably for her facial expressions throughout the series.
While speaking with BBC News in the promotion of her memoir, Finding Me, Davis stated it is “incredibly hurtful when people say negative things about your work.”
She added a moment in self-reflection in how you move on, citing “you have to.” Davis added, “Not everything is going to be an awards-worthy performance.”
But to those critics, Davis had a response: “Critics absolutely serve no purpose. And I’m not saying that to be nasty, either.”
Davis would add more of her opinion on the social media messages about her portrayal of Mrs. Obama:
“They always feel like they’re telling you something that you don’t know. Somehow that you’re living a life that you’re surrounded by people who lie to you and ‘I’m going to be the person that leans in and tells you the truth,’ so it gives them an opportunity to be cruel to you. But ultimately I feel like it is my job as a leader to make bold choices. Win or fail it is my duty to do that.”
Director Matt Reeves has begun writing a sequel to The Batman, which he and Dylan Clark will also produce, according to Warner Bros. Pictures. The announcement comes after the current film’s global box office total surpassed $750 million. Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, and Reeves, who joined Emmerich onstage during his opening remarks at the Warner Bros. Pictures presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, made the announcement today.
HBO Max has announced a new series starring Colin Farrell as The Penguin, which is based on the world created by The Batman. On the new animated series “Batman: Caped Crusader,” Reeves is reuniting with J.J. Abrams and DC world veteran Bruce Timm. The massively popular “Planet of the Apes” franchise, the acclaimed fantasy horror picture “Let Me In,” and the sci-fi horror smash “Cloverfield” is among the filmmaker’s previous projects. Reeves’ other credits include “Felicity,” a famous TV show he co-created with Abrams, as well as “Ordinary Joe,” “Lift,” “Mother/Android,” “Away,” “Tales from the Loop,” and “The Passage,” among others.
According to Deadline, to date, The Batman has pulled in $750 million worldwide and had 4.1 million first-day viewers on HBO MAX.
Viola Davis stars as Michelle Obama in the new Showtime series The First Lady. Her work as Mrs. Obama has received criticism online, most notably for her facial expressions throughout the series.
While speaking with BBC News in the promotion of her memoir, Finding Me, Davis stated it is “incredibly hurtful when people say negative things about your work.”
She added a moment in self-reflection in how you move on, citing “you have to.” Davis added, “Not everything is going to be an awards-worthy performance.”
But to those critics, Davis had a response: “Critics absolutely serve no purpose. And I’m not saying that to be nasty, either.”
Davis would add more of her opinion on the social media messages about her portrayal of Mrs. Obama:
“They always feel like they’re telling you something that you don’t know. Somehow that you’re living a life that you’re surrounded by people who lie to you and ‘I’m going to be the person that leans in and tells you the truth,’ so it gives them an opportunity to be cruel to you. But ultimately I feel like it is my job as a leader to make bold choices. Win or fail it is my duty to do that.”
The roster for the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival has been released, and it includes feature and short narratives, documentaries, and animated films. This year’s festival runs from June 8 to 19 and contains everything from indie shorts to feature films worldwide.
The features program includes 109 feature films and 16 online premieres from 150 filmmakers from 40 countries and is divided into ten categories: narrative competitions, topical documentaries, and anticipated new films. There are 88 world debuts, two international premieres, seven North American premieres, two US premieres, and eleven New York premieres on the roster. 32 directors return to Tribeca with their most recent work, and 50 newcomers. Female, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ filmmakers direct more than 64% (81) of feature films, including 46 percent (58) female directors, 34% (43) BIPOC directors, and 8% (10) LGBTQ+ directors.
A series of exciting live conversations and performances are planned, including a performance by Grammy Award-winning rapper Lil Baby following the world premiere of Untrapped: The Story of Lil Baby; a special appearance by Colson Baker (AKA Machine Gun Kelly) after Taurus; and a performance by Of Monsters and Men after TU.
Films about the careers of Marc Bolan, The D.O.C., Leonard Cohen, and the previously announced Jennifer Lopez feature, which will start this year’s festival, are among the music documentaries that will have their world premieres at Tribeca.
You can get more information on the 2022 Festival here.
Lenard “Charlamagne Tha God” Mckelvey has declared plans to expand his media empire by creating new graphic novels and comic book series lines. Charlamagne Tha God has enlisted the help of famous creative and comic book pro Kevin Grevioux to pen an original graphic novel project called Darkstorm, published by Charlamagne’s Black Privilege Publishing, a Simon & Schuster brand. In addition, Charlamagne and Grevioux have collaborated on original comic book series with AWA Studios, an independent creator of daring and relevant stories from the world’s most exceptional artists, authors, and crafters.
“If you know anything about me, then you know how much I love comics. I’m the guy who got Wolverine holding a microphone tattooed on his arm when he was 17 because of my love of comics. Partnering with Kevin Grevioux to present this new universe, filled with Black and Brown GOD Level superheroes is a dream come true. A lot of the black superheroes I loved growing up were street level and that’s cool but I want to see Omega Level superheroes that look like me and people around me and that’s exactly what we are giving you with Darkstorm and The Vindicators,” said Charlamagne. “I AM Blessed and excited to continue the important work with my Black Privilege imprint on Simon & Schuster and begin partnerships with comic book veterans like Bill Jemas, Axel Alonso and the whole team at AWA Studios. It’s collaborations like this that help to build an empire and I’m grateful to have found good ones.”
Charlamagne and Grevioux are working on original IP that will be adapted into graphic novels and comics. Grevioux is a seasoned entertainment industry veteran with decades of experience as a writer, producer, director, actor, and comic book expert. He is most known for creating the Underworld film franchise and just made his directorial debut with his screenplay King of Killers, based on his graphic novel. He graduated from Howard University. Grevioux brings a wealth of experience to the relationship, having written for Marvel and DC Comics.
Kevin Grevioux 1
“I feel blessed to be working with a guy that is as successful as Charlamagne, a one-of-a-kind cultural icon with global reach,” said Grevioux. “He also has an incredible genre IQ for science fiction, comics, and fantasy. So, I truly believe that he is the absolute perfect partner for these ventures. The world’s really not ready for what we have in store.”
Charlamagne and Grevioux’s first collaboration will be a hallmark superhero epic series called Darkstorm, published and distributed under Charlamagne’s imprint, Black Privilege Publishing. With art by KEN LASHLEY, the comic novel will tell the story of a PTSD-affected and hesitant superhero who is portrayed as an anti-hero by everyone except those who know him best. Black Privilege Publishing’s objective to promote Black and brown perspectives will be reflected in the stories recounted in this initiative.
Lashley added, “When you get the opportunity to work on some great characters you jump at the chance. l am drawn to strong characters of color, and there are not many in mainstream comics, but Darkstorm is just that. It’s also created by Kevin Grevioux who is a very talented writer and created another powerful character in The Blue Marvel, so it’s a win-win… it’s very exciting.”
Vindicators Cover Art
In addition to the Black Privilege graphic novel series, Charlamagne has signed an agreement to develop original comic book series with AWA Studios, the rising comic entertainment firm headed by former Marvel execs Bill Jemas and Axel Alonso. The first series under creation, The Vindicators, is a new and fascinating take on a diverse superhero team, with an uber-realistic origin story that is accessible even against the backdrop of a dystopian future, albeit a gloomy one.
Will Smith will soon know his fate after his shocking slap at Chris Rock at this year’s Oscars. According to Variety, The Academy Board of Governors will meet this Friday, April 8, to come to a conclusion on punishment for the King Richard star.
The meeting was originally set for April 18, but a letter called for an early session.
“I am calling a board meeting for this Friday morning, April 8, at 9:00 a.m. PT, rather than the previously scheduled April 18 meeting, to address possible sanctions for Will Smith in response to his actions during the Oscars broadcast on March 27,” the letter from Academy president David Rubin reads.
“Following Mr. Smith’s resignation of his Academy membership on Friday, April 1, suspension or expulsion are no longer a possibility, and the legally prescribed timetable no longer applies. It is in the best interest of all involved for this to be handled in a timely fashion.”
Denzel Washington was a calming presence at the 2022 Oscars. After Will Smith slapped Chris Rock after delivering a questionable joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, Washington was seen as an immediate mediator to the situation and later consoling the Smiths.
A week later, PEOPLE notes Washington was on hand at T.D. Jakes International Leadership Summit and detailed why he assisted.
“No way I could have sat in my seat,” Washington said. “That’s just not who I am.”
Variety notes Denzel would reflect on the moment and what he believes happened to Smith.
“There’s a saying when the devil ignores you, then you know you’re doing something wrong,” Washington said. “The devil goes, ‘Oh no leave him alone, he’s my favorite.’ Conversely, when the devil comes at you, maybe it’s because he’s trying to do something right. And for whatever reason, the devil got ahold of him that night.”
Washington would not reveal what was said during the huddles at the award show that included him and Smith, as well as Tyler Perry and Bradley Cooper, but did reveal prayers were exchanged.
“I don’t wanna say what we talked about, but there but for the grace of God go any of us,” Washington said. “Who are we to condemn? I don’t know all the ins and outs of this situation, but I know the only solution was prayer, the way I saw it, the way I see it.”
In wake of his on-stage Oscar slap to Chris Rock, Will Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
According to Deadline, Smith was facing the possibility of being expelled for a decade or more. Smith, a member of the AMPAS since 2001, resigned ahead of their decision in hopes to defuse the situation.
I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home. I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film. So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate.
Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.
Sources state that while Smith’s expulsion was an option, the Academy never considered taking his Oscar away.
“We have received and accepted Mr. Will Smith’s immediate resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,” AMPAS president David Rubin said in a statement Friday. “We will continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18.”
