Ben Affleck confirmed he used artificial intelligence “for lots of things” while making his forthcoming Netflix thriller Animals, but said he will not reveal the specific uses because doing so could disrupt the audience’s experience. Featuring Gillian Anderson, Steven Yuen and Kerry Washington, the film premieres Oct. 9.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the streaming service’s engagement is growing more slowly than he wants, with viewership up just 2 percent in the first half of 2026. Netflix is using live programming to attract subscribers, reduce churn and appeal to advertisers.
Nicolas Cage compared the Marvel Cinematic Universe to a “well-funded and glorified WWE,” criticizing its elaborate costumes and fight-heavy storytelling during a conversation at Fan Expo Dallas.
Mark Ruffalo criticized the approved $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, warning that it will stifle creativity, weaken free speech and cost jobs. He called the decision a setback but said the grassroots campaign opposing corporate consolidation would continue.
Sen. Tim Scott and Sen. Adam Schiff are co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation to create a 20 percent federal tax credit for film and television labor costs. Scott says the incentive could help South Carolina compete for productions, protect local industry jobs and create new employment.
Paramount’s $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery is poised to close Tuesday, Oct. 6, after U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín approved a settlement resolving an antitrust lawsuit by 12 Democratic state attorneys general. The ruling removes the final remaining barrier to the deal.
Ynon Kreiz is in discussions with Paramount CEO David Ellison about joining the company in a senior executive role after stepping down as Mattel CEO. The title and responsibilities remain unsettled as Paramount prepares to complete its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
HBO chief Casey Bloys is poised to lead an expanded streaming portfolio as Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery move toward combining operations. Paramount direct-to-consumer chair Cindy Holland is leaving as the companies plan to eventually bring HBO Max and Paramount+ together.
HBO Max is developing an untitled Spanish mystery drama inspired by Tor, a remote mountain community connected to three unsolved murders. Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi will executive produce the series from Fran Araújo and Eduard Sola, in collaboration with journalist Carles Porta and Luminol Media.
Warner Bros. is using sharply divided reviews of Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Digger to promote the film in a new online ad urging moviegoers to “Decide for yourself.” The spot pairs conflicting critical reactions with Tom Cruise’s title character declaring, “Fuck those people!”
Niu Niu’s Final Payment won Best Film in the Fei Mu Awards at the 2026 Pingyao International Film Festival, while Rafiki Fariala’s Congo Boy took Best Film in the Roberto Rossellini Awards. Final Payment star Niu Jianrong also earned Best Actor.
Cindy Holland is leaving Paramount as Chair of Direct-to-Consumer while the company prepares for its pending acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Her exit makes HBO and HBO Max executive Casey Bloys the likely choice to lead streaming operations combining HBO Max and Paramount+.
Disney laid off a few hundred employees, mostly in human resources and technology, on Tuesday as part of its fourth round of job cuts this year. The reductions continue the entertainment company’s effort to streamline operations and invest in strategically important areas.
Warner Bros. has scheduled Game of Thrones: Aegon’s Conquest for release on June 1, 2029, with Owen Harris directing from Beau Willimon’s screenplay. The fantasy film reportedly centers on Aegon I, founder and first king of the Targaryen dynasty, though casting and production dates remain unannounced.
Sony Pictures Television executive Wayne Garvie proposed a merger between the BBC and Channel 4 as a potential way to ease pressures facing the U.K.’s public service broadcasters. He raised the idea at the RTS London Convention, but no formal agreement or next steps have been established.
Joe Hahn directs Linkin Park: Unshatter, a documentary about the band’s healing process and decision to reunite six years after vocalist Chester Bennington’s death. The film will receive a limited theatrical release on Sept. 30, five days after the concert album Unshatter (Live in Sao Paulo) arrives.
ESPN Jeopardy! has been renewed for Season 2 on Hulu and Disney+, with everyday sports fans replacing celebrity contestants and competing for a $300,000 prize. Applications are now open for the Joe Buck-hosted game show.
Paramount has begun marketing a $44.4 billion debt offering to help finance its planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal’s final outstanding condition is federal court approval of a proposed settlement resolving an antitrust lawsuit brought by 12 state attorneys general, and Paramount says the closing date remains uncertain.
Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery and attorneys general from 12 blue states urged a federal judge to approve the antitrust settlement for the companies’ proposed $111 billion merger. They rejected Sen. Cory Booker’s argument that the consent decree falls short, calling it a reasonable compromise with enforceable provisions.
Dan Trachtenberg is set to direct an untitled Disney film based on an original idea inspired by Sleeping Beauty. The early-development project is separate from the Maleficent films, with Alex Anfanger and Dan Schimpf writing the screenplay.
Lindsay Lohan will produce and star opposite Henry Golding in Netflix’s romantic feature Return to You. Mark Waters will direct, reuniting with Lohan after Freaky Friday and Mean Girls.