Marvel Studios Twitter Accounts Hacked, Group Takes Credit
Twitter accounts for some of Marvel Studios’ upcoming films were hacked today, with the group OurMine taking responsibility. Accounts for Marvel Entertainment’s main Twitter handle, as well as its Avengers, Black Panther, Captain America and Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor franchises fell victim. Shorlty after 9 a.m. PT, they began tweeting messages, but as of 9:50 a.m., the tweets had been deleted and Marvel had regained control of its accounts. (HV)
Ryan Kavanaugh Steps Back at Relativity Media, Dana Brunetti Exits as President
Kavanaugh is stepping back from his involvement, according to sources familiar with the situation. It is unclear whether Kavanaugh has actually resigned, with one source saying that the CEO has yet to tender a letter of resignation. Brunetti, the producer of such films as The Social Network, Captain Phillips and Fifty Shades of Grey who joined Relativity as its president in January, is also leaving to resume his producing career. (THR)
In Other Exec News, Comedy Central, MTV Chief Doug Herzog Exits Viacom
The longtime Viacom executive is exiting the company. Herzog’s departure comes one week after Bob Bakish was named full CEO of the company, following a stint as interim head. It also follows a decision by Viacom parent National Amusements, the holding company of mogul Sumner Redstone and his family, to discontinue talks of merger between Viacom and CBS Corp. (VAR)
‘Moonlight’ Named Best Film By Black Film Critics Circle As Barry Jenkins Wins Twice; 4 Nods For ‘Fences’
The Moonlight drive continues. The BFCC today named the festival breakout as its Best Film of 2016 and gave Best Director and Original Screenplay nods to the film’s Barry Jenkins. Mahershala Ali also won Best Supporting Actor. Fences stars Denzel Washington and Viola Davis picked up more kudos for reprising their Tony-winning roles from the 2010 Broadway revival, and Ruth Negga added to her accolades with a Best Actress win for Loving. (AL)
Wes Anderson’s Latest Foray Into Animated Features Reveals Its Cast and a First Look
The fan-fave filmmaker has revealed not only the official title of the film — Isle of Dogs — but the full voice cast as well as a first-look video. Edward Norton voices the lead dog, and is joined by Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Bob Balaban, F. Murray Abraham, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Scarlett Johansson, Bryan Cranston, Greta Gerwig, Liev Schreiber, Yoko Ono, and Courtney B. Vance. It will hit theaters in 2018. (CS)
It Looks Like Your Prayers Are Answered, and There Will Be a Fourth and Final ‘Expendables’ Film
While The Expendables 3 didn’t make nearly as much money as the first two films, the international numbers were apparently high enough to justify one more sequel. It looks like The Expendables 4 is happening and it will be in theaters in 2018. (SF)
For Your Consideration: These Underrated Oscar Hopefuls Deserve Recognition
It’s awards season, which means a number of Oscar contenders are vying to land an Academy Award nomination come January. In truth, the race has already been going on for months, to the point that right now we already know the contenders—it’s just a question of which ones make the final cut. Here, some films, performances, screenplays, and even original songs absolutely deserving of Oscar recognition, but for a variety of reasons have fallen by the wayside. (COL)
Making Up the Soul and Sound of ‘Hidden Figures’: Octavia Spencer and Pharrell Williams
Alongside the incredible stories of Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), Spencer’s turn as Dorothy Vaughan shines, while hook-maker extraordinaire Williams doesn’t appear on screen, but his musical contributions help bridge the half-century gap between the stories of three remarkable women and the film’s 2016 audience. (AS)
First Look: ‘Blade Runner 2049’
Warner Bros. has released the first teaser trailer of the hotly anticipated, long-awaited sequel to the 80s cult smash. Aside from the teaser, there are also images from the film, which stars Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling, and is directed by Denis Villeneuve. It is scheduled for release next fall. (VUL)
Screenwriters: ‘Heist’
The 129-page screenplay by David Mamet, dated March, 1999. (DS)