The Brain Popcorn

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Daisy Edgar-Jones and Emilia Jones to Star in Irish Period Thriller Bad Bridgets from Kneecap Director Rich Peppiatt

Twisters star Daisy Edgar-Jones and CODA breakout Emilia Jones are set to lead Bad Bridgets, a period revenge thriller from Kneecap filmmaker Rich Peppiatt.

The project marks Peppiatt’s follow-up feature after the success of Kneecap, which became the most-nominated debut in BAFTA history and earned seven British Independent Film Awards, five IFTAs, and the London Critics Circle honor for Breakthrough British/Irish Filmmaker.

Read in depth article here: Daisy Edgar-Jones and Emilia Jones to Star in Irish Period Thriller Bad Bridgets from Kneecap Director Rich Peppiatt

Bad Bridgets will be introduced to buyers at November’s American Film Market. FilmNation is handling international sales, while WME Independent will oversee domestic rights.

The film is being produced by LuckyChap and Peppiatt’s own production company, Coup d’État. Production is scheduled to begin in spring 2026 in Northern Ireland and Ireland. The creative team already includes Oscar-winning production designer James Price (Poor Things) and acclaimed costume designer Kate Hawley (Crimson Peak).

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Keanu Reeves and Tim Miller Reunite for Sci-Fi Thriller Shiver

Warner Bros. Pictures has landed Shiver, a highly sought-after sci-fi project that brings together Keanu Reeves and Deadpool director Tim Miller.

The studio is in final negotiations to acquire the film, which is being described as having the tone and intensity of Edge of Tomorrow and The Shallows.

Read in depth article here: Keanu Reeves and Tim Miller Reunite for Sci-Fi Thriller Shiver

Matthew Vaughn, best known for the Kingsman franchise, will produce through his Marv Films banner alongside Aaron Ryder, whose recent credits include the romance All of You and the financial drama Dumb Money.

Written by Ian Shorr, Shiver is said to follow a down-on-his-luck smuggler who becomes entangled in a deadly double-cross during a job in the Caribbean Sea. Surrounded by corpses, mercenaries, and sharks, he soon discovers he’s trapped in a deadly time loop—and must find a way to break free.

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Star-Studded Cast Expands for Sam Mendes’ Beatles Biopics

Sam Mendes’ ambitious Beatles biopic project has added several new stars to its lineup. Mia McKenna-Bruce, Anna Sawai, and Aimee Lou Wood will join Saoirse Ronan in Sony Pictures’ upcoming Beatles films, scheduled for release in April 2028.

Read in depth article here: Star-Studded Cast Expands for Sam Mendes’ Beatles Biopics

McKenna-Bruce is set to play Maureen Cox, wife of Ringo Starr; Sawai will portray Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s wife; and Wood will take on the role of Pattie Boyd, who was married to George Harrison. Ronan had previously been announced as Linda (Eastman) McCartney.

“Maureen, Linda, Yoko, and Pattie are four fascinating and unique figures in their own right,” Mendes said in a statement Friday. “I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to bring together four of the most talented women in film today to join this incredible project.”

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Hollywood’s October Box Office Crashes to 27-Year Low Amid Weak Lineup and Flops

Halloween proved extra frightening for Hollywood this year—at least financially. North American box office revenue for October 2025 is expected to total around $425 million, marking the industry’s worst October in 27 years, according to Comscore. The only exception remains October 2020, when pandemic restrictions held revenue to just $55 million.

Read in depth article here: Hollywood’s October Box Office Crashes to 27-Year Low Amid Weak Lineup and Flops

The last time numbers were this bleak was October 1997, when ticket sales hit $385.2 million (unadjusted for inflation). Since then, October had grown into a reliable moneymaker—reaching a record $832.8 million in 2018 thanks to Venom, A Star Is Born, and Halloween—but 2025 reversed that momentum dramatically.

A Perfect Storm of Problems

Industry analysts cite a mix of factors for the steep decline: lingering production delays from the labor strikes, a sluggish late summer, and an overall shortage of compelling releases. Traditionally, October has been a breather between the summer blockbuster season and the holiday rush—but in recent years, it’s become a spot for high-profile launches and Oscar hopefuls.

This year, however, few titles connected with audiences. Disney’s long-awaited Tron: Ares led the month with just $63.4 million domestic, the weakest performance for an October opener (outside the pandemic) since Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit in 2005.

Another major disappointment was Dwayne Johnson’s The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie and distributed by A24. Despite early awards buzz, the R-rated drama grossed only $11.4 million domestically and $19.7 million worldwide—one of the lowest totals of Johnson’s career.

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Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi & Chase Infiniti Among 2025 Virtuosos Award Honorees at Santa Barbara Film Fest

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has announced eight standout performers who will receive the 2026 Virtuosos Award, recognizing breakthrough performances from the past year. The honorees include Jacob Elordi, Chase Infiniti, Amy Madigan, Wagner Moura, Renate Reinsve, Sydney Sweeney, Teyana Taylor, and Jeremy Allen White.

Read in depth article here: Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi & Chase Infiniti Among 2025 Virtuosos Award Honorees at Santa Barbara Film Fest

The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Santa Barbara’s historic Arlington Theatre. Each of the honorees will sit down for an individual and group conversation moderated by TCM host Dave Karger, who returns for his 16th year as moderator. The evening will conclude with the presentation of the awards by a surprise guest.

Elordi and Sweeney—known for their work together on Euphoria—are being recognized for their performances in Frankenstein and Christy, respectively. Infiniti and Taylor are honored for their roles in One Battle After Another. White, star of The Bear, earns the award for his portrayal of Bruce Springsteen in Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, marking his first leading role in a major studio film. Veteran actress Madigan is recognized for her striking performance in Weapons. International honorees Moura (Brazil) and Reinsve (Norway) are being celebrated for their acclaimed turns in The Secret Agent and Sentimental Value, respectively.

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“Wicked: For Good” Set to Cast a $115M–$120M Spell Over Thanksgiving Box Office

Universal’s Wicked: For Good—the sequel to the hit adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical about the witches of Oz—is projected to soar to an enchanting $115 million to $120 million opening over Thanksgiving weekend, according to early box office tracking. That would mark yet another record-breaking debut for a Broadway musical brought to the big screen.

Read in depth article here: “Wicked: For Good” Set to Cast a $115M–$120M Spell Over Thanksgiving Box Office

The film, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, hits North American theaters on November 21, just ahead of the holiday, and will premiere globally the same day. Market research firm NRG currently pegs the domestic opening at around $115 million, but industry insiders suggest it could easily edge closer to $120 million, given the strong awareness and audience excitement.

Sources say advance ticket sales for For Good are outpacing those of the first Wicked film, although Universal is keeping expectations moderate at $115 million.

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Mia Goth, Dan Stevens, and Zach Galifianakis Star in Jonathan Krisel’s Dark Comedy “Hey Bear”

Mia Goth, Dan Stevens, and Zach Galifianakis are set to star in Hey Bear, the feature directorial debut of Portlandia co-creator Jonathan Krisel.

Billed as a “coming of rage” story, the film follows Claire (Goth), a woman determined to avenge her husband Gregory’s (Stevens) death after he’s killed by a bear. When she learns the bear wasn’t euthanized but instead relocated, she sets out to hunt it down. Along the way, she partners with a park ranger named Putt (Galifianakis), whose personal agenda adds unexpected twists to their quest.

Read in depth article here: Mia Goth, Dan Stevens, and Zach Galifianakis Star in Jonathan Krisel’s Dark Comedy “Hey Bear”

Written by Emmy Award winner Carrie Kemper (Beef), Hey Bear blends dark humor and emotional depth as Claire’s grief-driven mission evolves into a journey of self-discovery.

HanWay Films is managing international sales and will introduce the project to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market in Los Angeles (Nov. 11–16). WME Independent and UTA Independent Film Group are handling North American sales.

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Kathryn Bigelow Addresses Pentagon’s Criticism of A House of Dynamite: “I’m Just Telling the Truth”

Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow is unfazed by the Pentagon’s reported criticism of her new Netflix thriller, A House of Dynamite, which has quickly become a global hit. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter alongside screenwriter Noah Oppenheim, Bigelow reflected on the movie’s success, the lessons she learned from the controversy surrounding Zero Dark Thirty, and why she stands by her depiction of America’s nuclear defense system.

When asked about a recent Bloomberg report that the Pentagon circulated an internal memo objecting to the film’s portrayal of U.S. missile defense, Bigelow said she welcomed the debate. “In a perfect world, culture can help shape policy,” she said. “If this movie is sparking discussion about nuclear weapons, that’s music to my ears.”

Read in-depth article here: Kathryn Bigelow Addresses Pentagon’s Criticism of A House of Dynamite: “I’m Just Telling the Truth”

The filmmakers based their depiction on extensive research and interviews with defense experts. In the film, officials have less than 30 minutes to respond to a nuclear threat, and the U.S. defense system is shown as only 50 percent effective — “a coin toss,” as the movie describes it. The Pentagon, however, claims its systems have shown “100 percent accuracy in testing for more than a decade.”

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Kate Hudson Gushes Over ‘Song Sung Blue’ Co-Star Hugh Jackman: “You Can’t Help but Fall for Him”

Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman reunited on Sunday night at AFI Fest for the premiere of their new film Song Sung Blue, where they play two struggling musicians who start a Neil Diamond tribute band.

Read in depth article here: Kate Hudson Gushes Over ‘Song Sung Blue’ Co-Star Hugh Jackman: “You Can’t Help but Fall for Him”

Based on a true story, the movie follows a couple who refuse to give up on their dreams, and both Hudson and Jackman got the chance to show off their musical sides. On the red carpet, Hudson praised her co-star, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “It’s hard not to feel magic with Hugh — he’s such a bright, warm person. He has this youthful energy and such a generous spirit. Honestly, it’s hard not to fall a little in love with him; he’s just wonderful.”

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Armie Hammer Rides Back Into the Spotlight With Frontier Crucible Trailer

Armie Hammer makes his big-screen return in the newly released trailer for Frontier Crucible, a gritty Western thriller that also stars William H. Macy and Thomas Jane. Directed by Travis Mills, the indie film is set to hit theaters on December 5 via Well Go USA Entertainment.

The cast also includes Myles Clohessy, Mary Stickley, Eli Brown, Ryan Masson, Zane Holtz, and Eddie Spears.

Read in depth article here: Armie Hammer Rides Back Into the Spotlight With Frontier Crucible Trailer

Frontier Crucible follows Merrick Beckford, a man thrust into a deadly battle for survival after he and three ruthless outlaws accidentally kill an Apache scout. The film is produced by Dallas Sonnier, David Guglielmo, Lillian Campbell, and Preston Poulter, and is adapted from Harry Whittington’s 1961 novel Desert Stake-Out.

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Jennifer Lawrence Opens Up About Losing Control Over Her Craft During Press Tours

Jennifer Lawrence recently reflected on how speaking to the press has affected her sense of control over her work—and how she feels about her past public persona.

Read in depth article here: Jennifer Lawrence Opens Up About Losing Control Over Her Craft During Press Tours

In a candid conversation with The New Yorker, the Die, My Love star recalled telling Viola Davis, “Every time I do an interview, I think, ‘I can’t do this to myself again.’ I feel like I lose so much control over my craft when I have to do press for a movie.”

When asked about her earlier interviews, Lawrence admitted she finds them “so hyper” and “embarrassing.” Once celebrated for her down-to-earth charm, the Oscar winner noticed that public opinion eventually shifted, with some accusing her of faking her relatable personality.

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Feinberg Forecast: Scott Updates Oscar Predictions After AFI Fest and Ahead of Halloween

As October wraps up, only a few major awards contenders remain unseen by industry insiders — or are still under press embargo: Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th Century), Ella McCay (20th Century), and Wicked: For Good (Universal).

Read in depth article here: Feinberg Forecast: Scott Updates Oscar Predictions After AFI Fest and Ahead of Halloween

Since the last update, Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme (A24) screened for industry audiences on October 8, with Timothée Chalamet’s lead performance emerging as the standout. AFI Fest (October 22–26) brought the world premieres of Nuremberg (Sony Classics), starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek, and Song Sung Blue (Focus), featuring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Both were warmly received at Hollywood’s TCL Chinese Theatre but will likely face tougher odds with critics.

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Tokyo International Film Festival Opens in Glamorous Style With ‘Climbing for Life’ Premiere

The 38th Tokyo International Film Festival kicked off Monday evening with a glittering red carpet and the emotional local premiere of Climbing for Life, Junji Sakamoto’s new biographical drama about Junko Tabei — the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Read in depth article here: Tokyo International Film Festival Opens in Glamorous Style With ‘Climbing for Life’ Premiere

During the ceremony, the film’s star, Sayuri Yoshinaga, received the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her remarkable career spanning Japan’s postwar cinematic golden age to today. A four-time Japan Academy Award winner for Best Actress, Climbing for Life marks Yoshinaga’s 124th film appearance.

On a warm, clear night in Tokyo’s upscale Ginza district, Yoshinaga walked the red carpet alongside Sakamoto and co-star Rena Nonen. They were joined by this year’s festival ambassador Kumi Takiuchi, as well as a host of Japanese and international stars — including Takumi Saitoh, Misato Morita, China’s Fan Bingbing and Peter Chan, and French actress Juliette Binoche.

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Sydney Sweeney Aims to Surprise Audiences With Bold New Roles, From ‘Euphoria’ to Boxing Biopic ‘Christy’

Sydney Sweeney is on a mission to keep audiences guessing with every new project she takes on — and her latest role may be her most unexpected yet.

Read in depth article here: Sydney Sweeney Aims to Surprise Audiences With Bold New Roles, From ‘Euphoria’ to Boxing Biopic ‘Christy’

The Euphoria and Anyone But You star premiered her new film Christy at Hollywood’s AFI Fest on Saturday. The movie tells the true story of Christy Martin, the groundbreaking 1990s professional boxer who rose to fame in the male-dominated sport while battling serious personal struggles behind the scenes.

“Christy’s story is absolutely incredible,” Sweeney told The Hollywood Reporter. “Even if I hadn’t been acting in it, I would’ve wanted to be involved somehow — just to help bring her journey to light and show what an inspiring advocate and role model she is.”

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Steve Coogan Reaches Settlement in ‘The Lost King’ Libel Case; Academic Wins Significant Damages Over Defamatory Portrayal

Steve Coogan has reached a settlement in a libel case over the 2022 film The Lost King, after a university academic sued the actor and producers, claiming he was unfairly depicted in the movie.

Read in depth article here: Steve Coogan Reaches Settlement in ‘The Lost King’ Libel Case; Academic Wins Significant Damages Over Defamatory Portrayal

The British actor-comedian, who both wrote and starred in the film, dramatized the 2012 search for King Richard III’s remains. Richard Taylor, then deputy registrar at the University of Leicester, filed suit against Coogan, his production company Baby Cow, and Pathé Productions, arguing that his on-screen portrayal was defamatory, “misogynistic,” and “weasel-like.” Actor Lee Ingleby portrayed Taylor in the film.

In June, a U.K. judge ruled that the movie suggested Taylor had “knowingly misrepresented facts to the media and the public” about the discovery of Richard III’s remains and portrayed him as “smug, unduly dismissive, and patronizing” — statements the court found could be considered defamatory. The case was scheduled to go to trial.

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Anime Hit Chainsaw Man: The Movie Slashes Its Way to No. 1 as Colleen Hoover’s Regretting You Surprises at the Box Office

The U.S. box office saw an unexpected shake-up this weekend, with Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc leading the charts and Colleen Hoover’s Regretting You outperforming expectations.

Read in-depth article here: Anime Hit Chainsaw Man: The Movie Slashes Its Way to No. 1 as Colleen Hoover’s Regretting You Surprises at the Box Office

The Japanese anime feature Chainsaw Man debuted at No. 1 on Friday, earning $8.5 million from 3,003 theaters, including $3.4 million from Thursday previews. The film is now projected to open with an impressive $15–$17 million, far exceeding forecasts. With a 96% critics’ score and a 99% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes — plus an A CinemaScore — it’s another big win for anime fans.

Produced by MAPPA and distributed by Sony and Crunchyroll, the R-rated film has already made over $64 million worldwide since opening in Japan last month. Based on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s hit manga and directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara, the story follows Denji (Kikunosuke Toya), a teenage demon hunter reborn with chainsaw powers after a tragic deal with his devil-dog companion, Pochita (Shiori Izawa). When the mysterious Reze enters his life, romance and chaos collide in a high-stakes battle that threatens Tokyo.

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George Clooney Wanted Adam Sandler Treated as a Serious Actor on the Set of Jay Kelly

For their new film Jay Kelly, George Clooney made one clear rule on set — no one was allowed to call Adam Sandler by his nickname, “Sandman.” Clooney wanted to make sure the comedian was taken seriously in his dramatic role.

Read in-depth article here: George Clooney Wanted Adam Sandler Treated as a Serious Actor on the Set of Jay Kelly

At the movie’s AFI Fest premiere on Thursday, Clooney explained to The Hollywood Reporter why he enforced that rule: “You get treated the way you treat yourself. This was a different kind of role for Adam, and I wanted to make sure he wasn’t making fun of his incredible talent. He likes to deflect, and I told him, ‘You’re really good in this film, you’re a really good actor — let’s not just make jokes.’”