Weekend Box Office Wrap-up: October 23, 2016
In first is Boo! A Madea Halloween, which made $27.6 million. In second place is the action film Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. The sequel grossed $23 million, which is actually considerably higher than what the original managed in 2012 ($15.2 million). (SR)
AT&T Acquires Time Warner In Media Mega-Deal
AT&T and Time Warner have agreed to an $85 billion deal — one of the biggest media tie-ups ever. The move will help AT&T expand beyond wireless and Internet service into programming. (CNN)
Tim Miller Exits ‘Deadpool 2′ Director’s Chair
MTV president Sean Atkins is stepping down after just joining the Viacom cable network in September of 2015. He will stay on through January to consult on the transition. (BB)
‘Sneakers’ Hacker Drama Based On Movie In Works At NBC
NBC has put in development Sneakers, based on the 1992 movie, from former The Mentalist executive producer Tom Szentgyorgyi, husband/wife producing duo Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, and Universal TV. (DH)
Justin Chadwick To Direct ‘Lady and the Panda’ Movie About Ruth Harkness
Justin Chadwick will direct the historical adventure The Lady and the Panda about Ruth Harkness, the first person to bring a live panda from China to the United States. (VAR)
Donald Glover Cast As Young Lando Calrissian In ‘Star Wars’ Han Solo Movie
Lucasfilm announced that Glover has officially signed on to play Lando Calrissian in the upcoming young Han Solo movie. The Star Wars spinoff stars Alden Ehrenreich as Han, and will focus on his early years as a smuggler and pilot. (EW)
Chris Pine Joins Ava DuVernay’s ‘A Wrinkle in Time’
Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling and relative newcomer Storm Reid are also on the call sheet for this Disney sci-fi fantasy. (THR)
The Remaking Of A Not Quite Movie Star
While Affleck’s comeback has been fascinating to watch, and his success is well deserved, it’s important to remember that the best work he does in front of the camera — and by far the most appealing he is as a leading man — is when he is actually the one calling the shots behind it. (TB)