Cultural Breakdown

Theater chains are looking for additional revenue streams to offset the slow 2024 theatrical release schedule. The writers and actors strike of 2023 cause a cascading effect to shift the release for many big budget movies theaters rely on. As a result, theaters have moved to selling additional merchandise to supplement their income which includes the now famous, or infamous, Dune popcorn bucket. However, these new pieces of merchandise are a risk for theaters too. Sources: ►The Wrap: ‘I Spent $60 for Popcorn’: Collectible Buckets Are Turning a Tidy Profit for Movie Theaters https://www.thewrap.com/popcorn-collectible-buckets-movie-theaters-amc/ #Dune2 #PopcornBucket #AMC Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

The photo of David Corenswet in his Superman costume for James Gunn’s new DC movie is said to be fake according to the director. The new Superman movie began filming today with director James Gunn sharing a photo on Instagram of the new Superman emblem. However, another photo has also been going around that’s supposedly a leaked set photo. Sources: ►Comic Book Movie SUPERMAN "Leaked Set Photos" Fool The Internet; Director James Gunn Responds https://comicbookmovie.com/superman/superman-legacy/superman-leaked-set-photos-fool-the-internet-director-james-gunn-responds-a209675#gs.57rwbh ►The Hollywood Reporter: ‘Superman: Legacy’ Gets Title Change From James Gunn https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/superman-legacy-gets-title-change-james-gunn-1235838713/ #Superman #JamesGunn #DCEU Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

The first images of Bill Skarsgård for the upcoming remake of The Crow were released by Vanity Fair and it’s already getting a lot of hate online. The 1994 movie The Crow starring the late Brandon Lee is an iconic movie with a big cult following that spawned a number of sequels. However, this upcoming movie is the first direct remake of the original. Many online don’t like the modernized style for the character of Eric Draven. Others are saying this is yet another example of Hollywood running out of ideas. Sources: ►IGN The Crow Reboot Images Offer First Look at Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs https://www.ign.com/articles/the-crow-reboot-images-first-look-bill-skarsgrd-fka-twigs ►X: VanityFair https://twitter.com/VanityFair/status/1762848188170453049 #TheCrow #BillSkarsgard #BrandonLee Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

Denis Villeneuve’s much anticipated sci-fi sequel Dune: Part 2 is expected to dominate the global box office with projected earning exceeding $150 million during its opening weekend. Building upon the success of its predecessor, this sequel continues the epic narrative inspired by Frank Herbert's revered novel. Dune stars Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya are joined in this sequel by newcomers to the series Florence Pugh and Austin Butler. This film is what Hollywood and theaters need after a rocky 2023 and a grim looking 2024. Sources: ►The Hollywood Reporter: ‘Dune: Part Two’ to Rescue Sandstorm-Ridden Box Office With $150M-$175M Global Opening https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dune-2-box-office-1235837478/ #DenisVilleneuve #Dune #Dune2 Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

Dune director Denis Villeneuve is facing criticism over recent comments he made regarding the use of dialogue in movies, stating he thinks it should be reserved for theater and television. These comments have sparked debate among many who view dialogue as integral to cinema vs those who view cinema as primarily a visual medium. Sources: ►Deadline: Denis Villeneuve: “Frankly, I Hate Dialogue. Dialogue Is For Theatre And Television” https://deadline.com/2024/02/denis-villeneuve-movies-corrupted-by-tv-1235838780/ #DenisVilleneuve #Dune #Dune2 Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

Disney announced they are replacing Sean Baily, the president of Walt Disney Motion Pictures Studios, with David Greenbaum, formerly Searchlight co-president. Baily has overseen the production of many of the recent Disney live action adaptation which have seen diminishing returns. It appears this move by Bob Iger is intended to alleviate concerns from shareholders over Disney’s poor box office performance this last year. This comes before the shareholder vote to remove board members, something that is usually uneventful, but has become a campaign between the current Disney board and investor Nelson Peltz who wants to install new members to turn the company around. Sources: ►Deadline: Disney Shakeup: Sean Bailey Exits As President Of Walt Disney Motion Picture Studios, Searchlight’s David Greenbaum Takes Over https://deadline.com/2024/02/disney-sean-bailey-exits-david-greenbaum-searchlight-1235838865/ ►The Hollywood Reporter: Disney Activist Investor Reveals Which Board Members He’s Targeting to Oust https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/nelson-peltz-targets-michael-froman-maria-elena-lagomasino-disney-board-fight-1235812456/ #WaltDisney #Disney #BobIger Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

A look back and review of David Lynch’s 1984 Sci-Fi adaptation of the Frank Herbert novel Dune. Sources: ►IMDb: Dune (1984) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087182/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_6_tt_8_nm_0_q_dune #Dune #Dune2 #MovieReview Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

This last week it was reported two sequels to wildly successful movies have multi hundred-million-dollar budgets. The budget for Gladiator 2, Ridley Scott’s follow-up to his Oscar winning 2000 epic, has gone out of control. It was reported to be close to $310 million when the initial budget was $165 million. Todd Phillips’s Joker sequel starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga costs $200 million while the previous movie in the franchise was made for closer to $60 million. Sources: ►Movie Web: Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 Budget Ballooned from $165M to $310M https://movieweb.com/ridley-scott-gladiator-2-production-budget/ ►IGN: Warner Bros. Reportedly Spending $200 Million on Joker 2, More Than Doubling First Film's Budget https://www.ign.com/articles/warner-bros-reportedly-spending-200-million-on-joker-2-more-than-doubling-first-films-budget #Gladiator2 #Joker2 Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

Tyler Perry announced he is halting the $800 million expansion of his studio citing concerns with the emergence of AI technology for video, specifically referencing OpenAI’s newest ap Sora. The actor, writer, director, and producer known for his Madea character says he’s not against new technology but think more regulations surrounding it will be needed. This is the wrong approach for people who care about protecting the integrity of the film industry. Sources: ►Variety: Tyler Perry Halts $800M Studio Expansion, Citing Concerns Over OpenAI’s Sora https://variety.com/2024/film/news/tyler-perry-studio-expansion-openai-sora-concerns-1235920007/ ►The Verge: AI-generated art cannot be copyrighted, rules a US federal judge https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/19/23838458/ai-generated-art-no-copyright-district-court #tylerperry #openai Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

Disney and Marvel Studios are claiming they will not follow DC’s lead and reboot their franchise. This news comes after announcing a number of big changes with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) following a string of commercial flops The movie has the potential to be decent, but the cast doesn’t seem to fit with their characters. The most egregious aspect of this element is some of the main characters being roughly 20 years older than their video game counterparts. Sources: ►The Hollywood Reporter: How Marvel Is Quietly Retooling Amid Superhero Fatigue https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/marvel-fantastic-four-avengers-movies-1235830951/ #Marvel #MCU #KangDynasty Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

The trailer was just released for the upcoming live-action Borderlands movie by director Eli Roth and it looks like they could have made things way better. The movie has the potential to be decent, but the cast doesn’t seem to fit with their characters. The most egregious aspect of this element is some of the main characters being roughly 20 years older than their video game counterparts. Sources: ►YouTube: @Borderlands Borderlands Movie | Official Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgj7xBc3n-0 ►Bleeding Cool: Borderlands: First Trailer and 6 Character Posters Released https://bleedingcool.com/movies/borderlands-first-trailer-and-6-character-posters-released/ #Borderlands #borderlandsMovie #BorderlandsTrailer Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

During an episode of Pod Meets World, the stars of the hit 90s series Boy Meets World recount their experience working with an older man who turned out to be a predator. The podcast is hosted by series stars Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, and Will Friedle. In each episode the three hosts watch through an episode of their show and discuss it amongst themselves and guests. In this last week’s episode Rider Strong and Will Friedle shared their experience with a guest for a couple episodes and how he was later convicted of abuse. Sources: ►The Hollywood Reporter: ‘Boy Meets World’ Actors Detail Friendship With Child Abuser https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/boy-meets-world-actors-child-abuser-brian-peck-1235829961/ #BoyMeetsWorld #PodMeetsWorld #metoo Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

Dune: Part 2 has a chance to be one of the biggest movies of the year if the early word of mouth is to be believed. The sci-fi sequel with a star-studded cast led by Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya has already received high praise on social media prior to the official lifting of the film’s review embargo. Sources: ►Deadline: ‘Dune: Part Two’ First Reactions: Rave Reviews Topped By Critic Who Claims, “It’s The Definitive Sci-Fi Epic Of A Generation” https://deadline.com/2024/02/dune-part-two-first-reactions-timothee-chalamet-zendaya-1235827742/ ►Comingsoon.net Dune 2 Box Office Prediction: Will It Flop or Succeed? https://www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1536958-dune-2-box-office-prediction-flop-succeed-budget-money#:~:text=Dune%202%20was%20reportedly%20produced,allegedly%20kept%20by%20theater%20chains). #Dune #DunePartTwo #Dune2 Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

Comments have resurfaced from X-Men ’97 showrunner Beau DeMayo about respecting source material for established franchises. This comes after resent revelations concerning his upcoming animated X-Men series for Marvel on Disney+ may suggest otherwise. One thing that’s been rubbing fans the wrong way is the change of the character Morph into a non-binary character, something that wasn’t in the original series. Sources: ►Comic Book Resources: X-Men '97 Confirms One Character as Nonbinary in Disney+ Series https://www.cbr.com/x-men-97-non-binary/ ►IGN: Netflix's The Witcher: Former Producer Claims Some Writers 'Actively Disliked the Books and Games' https://www.ign.com/articles/netflix-the-witcher-some-writers-actively-disliked-books-games-claims-former-producer #X-Men97 #Marvel #DisneyPlus Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

OpenAI has unveiled their new creation Sora; an AI generation tool that translates text prompts into video clips. This new app has many applications for what it could be used for, but there are still concern about the implications with how easy it is to create video from nothing. Sources: ►The New York Times: OpenAI Unveils A.I. That Instantly Generates Eye-Popping Videos https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/15/technology/openai-sora-videos.html ►OpenAI Creating video from text https://openai.com/sora ►YouTube: @Justin Hackney AI FILM -The Carnival of the Ages - Runway gen2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0EDV1HGbrc #OpenAI #Sora #AIVideo Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

Users have been upset with Amazon Prime Video since the announcement they will be rolling out an ad supported tier. Now that the policy has been enacted Amazon is facing a potential class action lawsuit from users. Amazon is not the first streaming platform to roll-out an ad supported tier. Previously Netflix and Disney+ rolled out similar tiers. The main difference between Prime Video and those other platforms is Amazon Prime is requiring users to pay an additional $2.99 per month in order to continue watching without ads breaks. Other streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Paramount+ made their ad supported tier a cheaper option and didn’t force ads on users who paid not to see them. Sources: ►Variety: Amazon Sued Over Prime Video Ads: Class-Action Complaint Accuses Tech Giant of ‘Immoral, Unethical, Oppressive, Unscrupulous’ Conduct https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/amazon-prime-video-ads-lawsuit-class-action-1235910694/ ►Amazon Prime Video Terms of Use: 6. ADDITIONAL TERMS https://www.primevideo.com/help?nodeId=202095490&view-type=content-only #Amazon #AmazonPrime #PrimeVideo

A newly leaked 2021 video from Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed the company’s shift to being overtly political was a deliberate move at the behest of the CEO. Bob Iger has been politically minded for many years now, but he is using excuses of January 6th as a pretense to push Disney into the forefront on political matters, something that has alienated a large swath of its customer base. Since then, the company’s stock has dropped considerably. Disney also lost out big time on its lawsuit against the Florida government, something analyst gauge could cost the company hundreds of millions. Sources: ►Bounding Into Comics: Newly Leaked Video Suggests Disney’s Turn To Politics Was Driven By Bob Iger’s Opposition To Jan 6th: “We Should Be Taking A Stand” https://boundingintocomics.com/2024/02/13/newly-leaked-video-suggests-disneys-turn-to-politics-was-driven-by-bob-igers-opposition-to-jan-6th-we-should-be-taking-a-stand/ ►X: @realchrisrufo https://twitter.com/realchrisrufo/status/1757494954895815142 #BobIger #Disney #DisneyWorld Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

Godzilla Minus One has been a huge success on a relatively modest budget of $15 million. Since then, people have been asking why American studios like Marvel are constantly spending $150-$200 million+ on all of their movies. These huge budgets have been a problem for the Marvel Cinematic Universe recently since fans are not habitually going to see their movies like they used to. Combined that with the diminished quality of MCU movies and you have a recipe for a dying franchise. Disney and Marvel Studios should really consider the advice from Godzilla Minus One director Takashi Yamazaki and keep their budgets in check to at the very least mitigate their losses. Sources: ►Bounding Into Comics: ‘Godzilla Minus One’ Director Takashi Yamazaki Dunks On Marvel Studios Big Budget Inefficiency https://boundingintocomics.com/2024/02/12/godzilla-minus-one-director-takashi-yamazaki-dunks-on-marvel-studios-big-budget-inefficiency/ #GodzillaMinusOne #Marvel #Disney Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

The new Deadpool & Wolverine trailer was released during the Super Bowl and so far, the audience reaction has been generally positive. This has caused a lot of anger for MCU Stans who are used to defending Marvel Cinematic Universe films from “trolls” and “haters.” The positive reception for Deadpool 3 indicates the people who usually critics Marvel films are not doing so because they want to hate on them, but because those movies simply weren’t good. Sources: ►Deadline: ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Trailer: Marvel Drops Long-Awaited Preview During Super Bowl https://deadline.com/video/deadpool-3-trailer-ryan-reynolds-hugh-jackman-wolverine/ #DeadPoolAndWolverine #Deadpool3 #Marvel Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

Review and analysis of the 1974 Mel Brooks western comedy Blazing Saddles staring Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Harvey Korman, and Slim Pickens. In the movie Cleavon Little is a black man selected by a corrupt politician played by Harvey Korman to be the new sheriff of a frontier western town in order to destroy it for his own personal gain. However, Cleavon Little’s sheriff Bart is a lot more capable at taming a racist white western town than anyone would’ve thought. Sources: ►IMDb: Blazing Saddles (1974) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071230/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 #BlazingSaddles #MelBrooks Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

Obi-Wan Kenobi actor Ewan McGregor is calling on fans to write to Lucas Films and demand a second season to his Disney+ Star Wars show Obi-Wan Kenobi. The series was not the best received, but its viewership and rating on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes is comparable, if not a little better, than another Disney+ Star Wars series, Ahsoka, which has been renewed for a second season. This is likely because Dave Filoni has taken over as the Chief Creative Officer for Lucas Film. Since Ahsoka is a character, Dave Filoni personally created for the Star Wars Clone Wars series he has more of a personal motive to continue with the character. Compare that to Obi-Wan Kenobi who is a character created by George Lucas which Disney and Lucas Film under Kathlene Kennedy are trying to move away from. Sources: ►Bounding Into Comics” Star Wars Lead Ewan McGregor Makes Desperate Plea, Asks Fans To “Write To Disney” For A Second Season Of ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ https://boundingintocomics.com/2024/02/10/star-wars-lead-ewan-mcgregor-makes-desperate-plea-asks-fans-to-write-to-disney-for-a-second-season-of-obi-wan-kenobi/ #StarWars #EwanMcGregor #DaveFiloni Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

Former Star Trek actor Wil Wheaton had a meltdown on social media over a viral clip of Larry David “assaulting” Elmo of Sesame Street. During a segment on The Today Show Larry David came out on the stage while the hosts were speaking with Elmo and proceeded to play choke and shake the puppet. A few days later Wil Wheaton saw the clip and had a meltdown, writing a multi-paragraph post on his Facebook page condemning the action’s of Larry David and getting a bit too personal with his own mental health issues. Sources: ►Bounding Into Comics” Star Trek Actor Wil Wheaton Has Bizarre Meltdown Over Larry David’s ‘Attack’ On Elmo: “Appalling, Unforgivable, Despicable” https://boundingintocomics.com/2024/02/09/star-trek-actor-wil-wheaton-has-bizarre-meltdown-over-larry-davids-attack-on-elmo-appalling-unforgivable-despicable/ #LarryDavid #Elmo #WilWheaton Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

During Disney’s Q1 earnings call it was reported Disney+ lost 1.3 million subscribers from their last quarter (2023 Q4). Disney CEO Bob Iger has maintained the Disney+ will become profitable by Q4 of 2024, but the company is constantly making adjustments in order to get more money out of it. These changes have included numerous price hikes, ad supported tiers, and a crackdown on password sharing coming soon. Sources: ►Variety: Disney+ Drops 1.3 Million Subscribers Amid Price Hike, Streaming Loss Shrinks by $300 Million https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/disney-plus-subscribers-down-price-hike-q1-2024-earnings-1235900093/ ►Deadline: Bob Iger Says Netflix-Like Password Sharing Plan On Disney+ And Hulu Will Help Streaming Unit Reach “Margins That We Feel Good About” https://deadline.com/2024/02/disney-streaming-password-sharing-netflix-bob-iger-1235818554/ #Disney #DisneyPlus #BobIger Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

Gina Carano has announced she’s filing a lawsuit with funding from Elon Musk against Lucas Film and Disney over the details surrounding her firing from The Mandalorian. This lawsuit is announced 1 day before Disney’s Q1 earnings call. Disney and Lucas Film cited social media posts from actress Gina Carano as reasons why they fired her. Gina Carano points out her co-star in The Mandalorian, Pedro Pascal, made way more inflammatory remarks without pushback from Disney or Lucas Film. Elon Musk in funding Gina Carano’s lawsuit as a follow through on statements he made about helping people’s legal battle with employers who terminated them for posts on X, formerly Twitter. Sources: ►The Hollywood Reporter: Gina Carano Sues Disney Over ‘Mandalorian’ Firing in Lawsuit Funded by Elon Musk https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/gina-carano-sues-disney-mandalorian-firing-lawsuit-elon-musk-1235817466/ ►X: GinaCarano https://twitter.com/ginacarano/status/1754952279646437655 ►California Legislative Information: LABOR CODE – LAB CHAPTER 5. Political Affiliations https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB&sectionNum=1101 #GinaCarano #Disney #LucasFilm Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown

Disney looks to have found their replacement for Johnny Depp in their upcoming 6th Pirates of the Caribbean movie. The Bear star Ayo Edebiri is rumored to take over the lead from Johnny Depp in what is believed to be a new installment focusing around an all-female crew of pirates. Johnny Depp was dropped from the franchise following what have now been confirmed to be false allegations of domestic abuse by his ex-wife Amber Heard. Sources: ►Comic Book Resources: RUMOR: Pirates of the Caribbean Reboot Eyeing The Bear Star for Lead Role https://www.cbr.com/rumor-pirates-of-the-caribbean-reboot-eyeing-ayo-edebiri/ #Disney #JohnnyDepp #PiratesOfTheCaribbean Where to find me ►X: https://twitter.com/Cultural_Break ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095491027673 ►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulturalBreakdown