Sony Looking At $70 Million Loss For ‘Ghostbusters’, Sequel Unlikely
As of August 7th, film had earned just under $180 million at the global box office, including $117 million domestic. The film still hasn’t opened in a few markets, including France, Japan and Mexico, but box-office experts say it will have trouble getting to $225 million despite a hefty net production budget of $144 million plus a big marketing spend. The studio has said break-even would be $300 million. (THR)
Thomas Gibson Suspended From ‘Criminal Minds’ Following On-Set Altercation
Actor has been suspended for at least one and likely two episodes after a physical altercation with a writer-producer on the set of the CBS crime drama. (DH)
CBS’ New ‘Star Trek’ Reboot Will Have a Diverse Cast and a Female In the Captain’s Chair
To be titled Star Trek: Discovery and executive produced by Bryan Fuller, the brand-new series will introduce new characters, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966. (SAA)
‘Grim Sleeper’, Subject Of Award-Winning Doc, Gets Death Sentence
In May, a jury convicted Lonnie David Franklin Jr. of 10 counts of murder: nine women and one teenage girl between 1985 and 2007. During the trial, prosecutors also connected him to several other murders, with detectives believing he may have been responsible for the deaths of at least 25 women. (IW)
‘Brave New World’ TV Show in the Works at Syfy With Grant Morrison and Brian Taylor at the Helm
Syfy has been looking through your high-school English class’s reading list: the NBCUniversal-owned network is eyeing a TV adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s legendary dystopian novel Brave New World. Comics writer Grant Morrison and filmmaker Brian Taylor have been tapped to lead the process. (VUL)
CW Seed To Launch ‘Freedom Fighters: The Ray’ With First Gay Superhero Lead
TV’s first leading gay superhero is coming next year to CW Seed. The CW’s digital streaming service has announced plans to launch “Freedom Fighters: The Ray,” featuring the first gay superhero to headline a show in an animated series, next year. Based on characters from the DC universe, the show will be produced by Warner Bros.’ digital studio Blue Ribbon Content. (ITV)
Horror Thriller ‘Hellfest’ Taps Director Jennifer Chambers Lynch
The Walking Dead director Jennifer Chambers Lynch is ready to scare up some Halloween screams by directing the CBS Films’ horror thriller. Gale Anne Hurd, who produces the hit AMC series The Walking Dead, is producing Hellfest via her Valhalla Entertainment. (HV)
Fantastic Beasts’ Adds Zoe Kravitz to the Mix
The Mad Max: Fury Road actress is a late addition to the cast of Warner Bros.’ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. She will only have a small part in the first film, but her character has the potential for a larger role in the David Yates-helmed sequel, which was previously set for a release on November 16th, 2018. (CS)
Trailer Buzz: ‘Moonlight’
A24 has released the first trailer for the highly anticipated new film from writer-director Barry Jenkins. It will screen at the Toronto International Film Festival next month, and again in October at the New York Film Festival. (COL)