Warner Execs Detail Reorg; 'Captain Marvel' Targets $300M; Review; 'Bachelor' Shocker; Luke Perry's Cool

What's news: WarnerMedia's executives open up about their reorg and welcoming in Bob Greenblatt. Plus: Captain Marvel is tracking to save a sluggish 2019 box office, Disney's exec moves and remembering Luke Perry. — Will Robinson [The Hollywood Reporter - Today In Entertainment]( March 05, 2019 What's news: WarnerMedia's executives open up about their reorg and welcoming in Bob Greenblatt. Plus: Captain Marvel is tracking to save a sluggish 2019 box office, Disney's exec moves and remembering Luke Perry. — Will Robinson Behind WarnerMedia's plan: New chairman the company's direct-to-consumer unit and former NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt opens up about his new job, HBO's content push and managing his massive new portfolio of content, Lesley Goldberg reports: + Accelerate content development: "You're only going to be as good as the experience you offer consumer. We're focused on taking the assets that we have — which includes arguably the greatest premium network in the world — and the Turner networks, the Warner Bros. assets, the motion picture and TV studios ... and a huge library and putting these assets together and building them into something that's really interesting and robust," Greenblatt says. + Big overall deals?: "Yes, we will — in very measured doses and for people we really believe in," he says. "I don't have the specific list of names to give you of those people but Warners went way out on a limb for Greg Berlanti and that was a major deal and that was a real reflection of what this company can do for the right people. There's not going to be a ton of those but we'll be judicious and we'll be in the game when it really pays." [Full interview.]( The CEO speaks… + Update on the "broad mandate": "Just look at the release schedule for HBO between last year and this year and you will see that for every month of the year there’s a meaningful and significant piece of content being released to the customer base that will keep our audiences engaged for the entire year," John Stankey tells Marisa Guthrie. "I think that’s an improvement over the position that HBO was in last year. It’s a much better way to run a customer base." + Battling sub fatigue: "I think there is a limit to the amount of discretionary spending that a customer will put into buying entertainment in aggregate," Stankey says. "That is, as limited in number; I don’t know where that cutoff is, but it’s probably somewhere around three or four [subscriptions services per household]. And what that tells you is that it needs to be a product of scale." [Full interview.]( The film side... + Kevin Tsujihara: Shake-up not due to cost-cutting: "We view this as a better alignment of resources," says the Warner Bros. chairman and CEO, who will now oversee a new global kids and young adults business that brings together the family, kids and animation efforts from across WarnerMedia. "We are not going into this with a head-count target of what we need to do. We want to grow profits." + Possible synergy: Details are still being ironed out on reporting structure. For example, Tsujihara envisions Toby Emmerich, who heads the motion picture group, and his team, using platforms like Cartoon Network and Boomerang to more effectively promote upcoming movies like Space Jam and Tom and Jerry. "Hopefully, they will have access to marketing platforms that we couldn't access before," he says. [Full story.]( Ready for Takeoff Global takeover: Disney and Marvel's latest MCU entry, Captain Marvel, is tracking to open this weekend to a mighty $125 million-$145 million at the North American box office, Pamela McClintock reports: + Big business: The film Marvel is poised to score the second-biggest opening for a Marvel Studios title introducing a new character behind last year's Black Panther, which debuted domestically to $202 million in February 2018. The Marvel and Disney tentpole also looks to come in ahead of DC's Wonder Woman ($103 million). * International pull: Overseas, Captain Marvel is tracking to open to $150 million or more. It touches down in every major market this week timed to its U.S. launch save for Japan. + Box office boost: Marvel's first female-fronted superhero pic, which stars Brie Larson, comes after a miserable January and February. Revenue year to date is down 26 percent over 2018 following a dismal February, which hit a 17-year low. [Box office preview.]( -> How's the movie?: "The picture is not dull, exactly, just mundane, marked by unimaginative plotting, cut-rate villains, a bland visual style and a lack of elan in every department," Todd McCarthy writes. "If it came down to a one-on-one between rival franchise uber warriors Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel, there is no doubt who would inspire the heavy betting." [Full review.]( * Other critics' takes: The AP's Lindsey Bahr: "The first female-led movie of the MCU [deserved more](." ... NPR's Glen Weldon: "[It's satisfying](, in that unconscious, soothingly familiar way." ... The A.V. Club's Ignatiy Vishnevetsky: "[The film] [ditches]( most of that complicated backstory but doesn’t develop the character beyond a handful of beats." Elsewhere in film... ► Johnny Depp sues Amber Heard for $50M over WaPo op-ed. The complaint, filed in the Circuit Court of Fairfax, Virginia, said that, while Depp was not named in the Post article, it was clear Heard was talking about him. The lawsuit [called]( her ongoing allegations of domestic abuse “categorically and demonstrably false.” ► Leaving Neverland sells wide globally. The explosive tell-all film about alleged child sex abuse by the King of Pop [has sold]( to 130 territories. ► Joe Wright to direct In the Garden of Beasts adaptation. The Darkest Hour filmmaker is in final talks [to helm]( another period drama, this time for StudioCanal and Playtone Productions. ► Sherlock Holmes 3 pushed back a year to Christmas 2021. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are [set to reunite]( for the threequel. Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures are partnering on the film. ► Nat Geo Doc Films embarks on Thai cave rescue project. The film — to be directed by Kevin Macdonald and produced by John Battsek, P. J. van Sandwijk and Michael Lesslie — [has lined up]( exclusive interviews with the British cave divers who assisted in the rescue. Box office returns... ► South Korean comedy Extreme Job becomes country's biggest film ever. The CJ Entertainment title [cashed in]( over a cume $122.1 million, surpassing The Admiral: Roaring Currents. Casting call... ► Josh Gad, Cynthia Erivo team for musical Rip Van Winkle movie. Warner Bros. [has closed]( a deal for the hot untitled package, which also includes Plastic Man writer Amanda Idoko. [Quoted:]( "It's part of my life. It's something that I deal with. It doesn't have to sort of subsume my whole identity and be everything, but it is something that you know you have to work at. I feel like I had a problem and I really want to address it, and I take some pride in that.” — Ben Affleck, addressing alcoholism on Today. ^Disney amends CEO Bob Iger's total yearly pay as Fox deal closing nears. Iger's annual base salary will fall by $500,000 to $3 million after the 21st Century Fox transaction closes. In an SEC 8-K filing on Monday, Disney also said it will eliminate the annual $8 million increase in Iger’s annual target bonus, and instead maintain an annual target bonus of $12 million. [Details.]( Other Mouse moves... ► Disney hires Netflix alum to help run upcoming streamer. Prior to joining Disney, Tehmina Jaffer was director of original series for Netflix, where she [helped develop]( business strategies for shows like 13 Reasons Why, Narcos and Maniac. ► Walt Disney Television names Fox exec as CFO. Ravi Ahuja [will report]( to TV chairman Peter Rice and Disney CFO Christine McCarthy. Ahuja is currently CFO for Fox Networks Group, while Langer is CFO of Disney/ABC Television. On the festival circuit... ► AFI 2019 announces dates. The 33rd edition of AFI Fest is [set to take place]( Nov. 14-21 in Hollywood. Short film and feature entries are now being accepted. ► Malaga unveils lineup, including Netflix films, and a growing industry zone. Two years since transforming its identity into a pan-regional showcase, the annual event looks to solidify its place on the film calendar. [Details.]( Musical notes... ► Kanye West is contractually barred from retiring. The hip-hop star is making a legal bid to "obtain his freedom" from publishers and record companies. On Friday, EMI made its first countermove, noting a clause in West's contract that [prevents]( him from stopping work as a songwriter. ► A Star Is Born hit "Shallow" surges to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 post-Oscars. The song makes the [biggest jump]( to No. 1 on the Hot 100 since XXXTentacion's "Sad!" soared 52-1 on the June 30, 2018-dated chart, following his June 18 death. From the stage... ► Andrea Martin injury prompts cast reshuffle for Broadway's Gary. Nathan Lane will now [co-star]( with Kristine Nielsen and Julie White in the highly anticipated Broadway debut of visionary theater artist Taylor Mac, subtitled A Sequel to Titus Andronicus. ► Gillian Anderson, Ian McKellen, Sam Mendes among Olivier nominees. Musicals Company and Come From Away tied for top spot with nine nominations each. [Full list.]( Coming attractions... Trailer: Shazam! look gets help from Eminem. The pic's newest trailer is set to Eminem's breakthrough single, "My Name Is." The Warner Bros. film opens April 5. [Watch.]( Enjoy reading this? Six days a week, look for Today in Entertainment in your inbox to stay up-to-date on the industry. Sign up for this newsletter (and others) at [THR.com/Newsletters](. Remembering Luke Perry Gen-X cool: 90210 star Luke Perry, who died Monday, was indelibly hip and heart-throbby as Dylan McKay, but also gained gravitas in the later stages of his career, Daniel Fienberg remembers: + Acting on the edge: Fox may have been a network that Married with Children and The Simpsons built, but Dylan McKay taught the network to swagger. It's one thing to be iconoclastic, and certainly Fox didn't lack for edgy boundary-pushers in its early years, but that's not the same thing as being stone cold cool. Dylan McKay was stone cold cool. + An idol grows up: That Perry was able to make this transition makes his death this week at the age of 52 all the more gutting. A generation grew up with him and matured with him and mellowed with him in a way we sadly don't always get to do with our heartthrobs. It was easy to look at where he was now and where he'd come from and feel confident that each future step in Perry's career might be more interesting than what came before. [Remembrance]( | [Obit]( + Riverdale suspends production for grieving: Statement from the show's eps: "Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all. A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he [infused]( the set with love and kindness." [Hollywood remembers.]( Elsewhere in TV... ► Law & Order: SVU spinoff Hate Crimes delayed at NBC. Dick Wolf's straight-to-series drama remains in active development at the network, which will [no longer air]( the pilot as a planted episode of SVU this season. ► Amazon snags Jonas Brothers doc. The "personal, behind the scenes" film [will follow]( the band's first new music release in nearly six years. ► Netflix sets Laugh-In tribute with original star Lily Tomlin. Set for Friday at the Dolby in Hollywood, the streamer's celebration [will include]( modern takes on the comedy's quintessential sketches — including Edith Ann and Ernestine. ► NBC renews Superstore. The season five pickup comes three days before the show [returns]( from a three-month hiatus on Thursday. The pickup gives NBC four veteran comedies going into next season, as the network previously renewed The Good Place, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Will & Grace. ► CBS All Access renews No Activity. The news follows the show's Nov. 22 season two debut, which in a rare move for All Access, was released in an all-at-once holiday binge. The series [remains]( the digital platform's lone scripted comedy. ► Wendy Williams shares health update in TV return. "I know it's been a long time, I'm sorry! But I have to say, it's not going to happen anymore," Williams, who [suffers]( from Graves' disease, said, causing a roar of cheers from the crowd. "And I feel good!" ► Comedy Central short-form series Comedians Solve World Problems gets U.S. version. The Viacom network and Viacom Digital Studios International will also [roll out]( the series, featuring comedians discussing big issues, in nine other territories. [Quoted:]( "He's saying that it was a hate crime. So if I'm too hard on him, then people in my LGBTQ community are going, 'Oh, you don't believe him.' If I'm too light on him, then it's like, 'Oh, because you are in the community you're giving him a pass.' So it was like it was a no-win situation for me." — Robin Roberts, reflecting on her Jussie Smollett interview. ^Bachelor Colton Underwood on the moment he quit: The ABC star speaks to Jackie Strause about going AWOL during filming ("I didn't want to be The Bachelor anymore") and says the seasonlong virginity question (did he lose it?) will be discussed on the two-night finale. [What happened?]( Casting call... ► Patrick Stewart Star Trek series casts Big Little Lies, Blindspot actors. Santiago Cabrera and Michelle Hurd will join Stewart in the CBS All Access series [centered on]( Capt. Picard's next chapter. Ratings notes... ► American Idol premieres lower in second ABC run. The premiere [drew]( a 1.7 rating among adults 18-49 and 8.63 million viewers, down from 2.3 and 10.48 million a year ago — declines of 26 percent in the demo and 18 percent in viewers. Sunday's episode was in line with the show's averages (1.7, 7.98 million) in its first season on ABC. Around town... ► Snoop Dogg offers Staples suite for $5 after blasting Lakers' "sorry" season. "This shit [ain’t going to work](. This is not the L.A. way," the rapper said of the team's mounting losses. Digital digest... -> Inside Rhett & Link's $10 million deal for Smosh. Mythical Entertainment's agreement to acquire Smosh out of the Defy Media shutdown brings together two long-running YouTube channels, Natalie Jarvey reports. * New path forward? “This landscape changes so quickly,” notes Rhett McLoughlin. “We see all this chaos around us since the beginning. For us we’ve just [build our business] in a very practical way, focusing on creating a great product that people get excited about and then thinking of the next logical step for launching something out of that product.” [Full story.]( ► Judge questions "malice" theory in "Shitty Media Men" libel suit. Attorneys for Stephen Elliott, Moira Donegan [appear]( in court over a spreadsheet that anonymously charged men with sexual misconduct. Console wars... ► Apex Legends hits 50 million players in first month. EA and Respawn Entertainment's free-to-play Battle Royale game [reached]( the milestone number faster than competitor Epic Games' revenue juggernaut Fortnite. Coming attractions... ► Netflix unveils first trailer for Queer Eye season three. The Fab Five are treating Kansas City residents to their contagious brand of self-love and confidence in the next installment of the hit reboot. [Watch.]( Supreme Court holds that copyright owners must wait for registration to sue. The unanimous decision [overturns]( certain circuits in the United States that allowed copyright lawsuits upon mere applications for registration. Making Own Name Breaking out: Nico Parker, the 14-year-old daughter of Thandie Newton and writer-director Ol Parker, will make her debut in Tim Burton's film Dumbo, but assures she didn't seek any parental guidance for her first acting gig, Mia Galuppo: + Rehearsal partner: Having Dad there to film her self-tape audition for Burton's CG/live-action pic was handy — but Parker shudders at the memory of her then 12-year-old self's tryout. She sat on the floor of their London kitchen and had a touching moment with a stuffed polar bear that stood in for the iconic elephant. "The fact that it's out there, that someone has it on, like, a computer somewhere, is horrifying," she says. "Just thinking about it now makes me upset." + Finding own way: "When it came to acting, I didn't really want advice," she says. "It was very much my own experience." Still, her folks made sure to instill lessons of on-set etiquette, especially the importance of remembering names. "Say the name in your head three times," Dad offered, "and trace the way the name is spelt on your leg three times." [Full story.]( What else we're reading... — "Jordan Peele Is the New Master of Suspense." Jonah Weiner profiles the director: "People who have done live comedy and who have written comedy develop a real sense of how an audience is going to react. It’s a skill that continues to sharpen, and in my directing career, it’s left me obsessed with riding the audience like a wave." [[WSJ Magazine](] — "Why Did It Take 10 Years for America to Leave Michael Jackson's Neverland?" Jim Sleeper writes: "With tens of millions of us worshiping false gods, it'll take something more than impassioned anti-capitalism to save us." [[Salon](] — "Amazon Ditched New York. The Big Apple Isn’t Giving Up Easily." Justin Charity examines: "In lobbying Amazon, de Blasio and Cuomo haven’t just undermined and contradicted the left; they have, for several months now, declined to carefully explain themselves and seriously engage their own party’s concerns." [[The Ringer](] — "Rob Delaney Still Wants to Make You Laugh." Gabriella Paiella chats to the Catastrophe comedian: "Along with having to muster up an entire season’s worth of jokes so soon after losing a child, there was another baby on the way. Delaney found himself terrified that he would be too scared to bond with his newborn this time around. 'I knew that I would ‘love’ him. ... But I didn’t know if I would like him or bond with him, ’cause I didn’t know if I would be too afraid to.'" [[Vulture](] — "Why LeBron Chose 2 Chainz’s New Album as His Hands-On Musical Project." Lisa Robinson interviews the Lakers star: "Biggie Smalls kind of said it best when he said, 'Either you’re slinging crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot.' It was crazy. You didn’t really know what that meant until you got a little bit older; then it was like, Wow, there’s not many options for us African-American kids in this community." [[Vanity Fair](] What else we're watching... + "Brie Larson details becoming Captain Marvel." [[Jimmy Kimmel](] + "Julianne Moore insists it's important to embarrass your kids." [[Late Show](] + "Deon Cole addresses fashion's blackface problem." [[Conan](] + "Kevin Jonas's daughter has beef with Priyanka Chopra." [[Late Late Show](] Today's birthdays: Riki Lindhome, 40, Jolene Blalock, 44, Eva Mendes, 45, Matt Lucas, 45, Kevin Connolly, 45, Scott Mosier, 48, Aasif Mandvi, 53, Penn Jillette, 64, Dean Stockwell, 83. Follow The News Is this email not displaying correctly? [View it in your browser.]( ©2019 The Hollywood Reporter. 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 All rights reserved. [Unsubscribe]( | [Manage Preferences]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms of Use]( March 5, 2019