MJ, theBroadwaymusical about Michael Jackson and featuring his many hits, has recouped its initial investment, producers announced today. The $22.5 million production began previews at the Neil Simon Theatre in December 2021 and opened February 1, 2022. To date, the Tony-winning musical has played to more than 750,000 patrons and has broken the box office record at the Simon 10 times, according to producers. ‘MJ’Matthew Murphy In addition to the Broadway production,MJwill launch a national tour this August in Chicago, and the West End premiere is set for March 2024 at Londons Prince Edward Theatre....

The EUs antitrust regulator has gone against the grain of itsU.S.andUKcounterparts by waving throughMicrosofts proposed $69B takeover ofCall of DutymakerActivisionBlizzard. In a surprise decision unveiled in the past few minutes, theEuropean Commissionsaid it had approved under EU Merger Regulation the takeover after Microsoft addressed its competition concerns. Watch on Deadline Microsofts commitments involve a free license to consumers in the European Economic Area (EEA) that would allow them to stream Activision games for which they have a license, and a corresponding free license to cloud game streaming service providers to allow EEA-based gamers to stream any Activision Blizzard PC and console game....

Which would you prefer to start with? Watch on Deadline WIM WENDERS:Lets start with the one that was in the works longer. That would beAnselm, which was shot all through the pandemic and took quite a bit longer. DEADLINE: Youve become very prolific in terms of documentaries lately in your career. What appeals to you about documentaries, and why Anselm Kiefer? Then you not only discover a new world, but also the way to approach it from scratch....

EXCLUSIVE:Paramount Globalis cutting back theSmithsonian Channels New York Hub as more details about the U.S.layoffsemerge. The Washington team will also be impacted. Around two-dozen people work in the New York office, Deadline understands. One of those at risk is Rachel Watson, VP Development for the Smithsonian Channel. Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios are being combined. MTV Newsis closing entirelyafter several decades in operation and having undergone significant downsizing over the last few years....

This yearsPeabody Awardsceremony has been canceled due to the ongoing uncertainty and meaningful challenges that exist industrywide, according to a statement from the Peabody Awards organization. The June 11 awards would have been the organizations first in-person ceremony since 2019, as well as the first time ever in its history that the Awards would take place in Los Angeles. Related Stories Peabody Awards: Andor, Atlanta, Better Call Saul & Abbott Elementary Among 2023 Winners Writers Guild Of America West Staff Union Wins Voluntarily Recognition, Moves To Negotiate First Contract As an organization dedicated to honoring the most compelling and empowering stories in broadcasting and streaming media, we recognize and respect the position that many of this years Peabody Award winners find themselves in, the Peabody organization said in a statement....

Telly says it is bringing to market the first dual-screen smart TV. The bottom screen can also go dark, for example when a movie is playing on the bigger screen. TVs have become a commodity, Pozin said. Telly, a new dual-screen smart-TVCourtesy When a category becomes a commodity, what happens? Its a race to the bottom on price. Theres very little margin to be made on the hardware. Over time, he went on, smart TVs became drastically under-powered....

Sheridan first became involved with the film in 2018 and continued on throughout the films execution and release. Those are the kinds of stories we want to bring to life through Dogwood Pictures, said Sheridan. I gravitate toward stories anchored by real places, particularly the American South. Tye SheridanMatt Winkelmeyer Its exciting to now be able to help our friend Tye with similar goals. Weve watched Tye develop as an artist from the beginning of his career....

In one of the biggest twists of the 2023 upfront,Foxoptednot to renewits highest rated scripted series,9-1-1. Wade spoke more about the networks evolving business model earlier in the call. Weve adopted new business models for production and talent deals. Angela Bassett and Peter Krause in 9-1-1Jack Zeman/Fox Were out of the pilot business and have implemented-year round development. Weve led the way in broadcast-direct deals for creators and weve bolstered our production facilities and efficiencies....

Neill Blomkamp (District 9)and Echo Lake are onboard as exec producers. XYZ Films is co-financing alongside IPR.VC. Flying Lotus is also set to compose an original score for the film. Iko Uwais, Beulah Koale, and Kate Elliott, and Flying Lotus.Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/Riomotret/Matt-Lief-Anderson/Andi Crown/ She must now decide if she can trust the man (Paul) sent to rescue her. Uwais starred in the XYZ film seriesThe Raid. He can also be seen inStuber,Snake Eues,Mile 22, andStar Wars: The Force Awakens....

We now have a new name for writers: SLMs, Small Language Models. I am an SLM, an organic being with a mysterious desire to express itself. SLMs write from experience, which is perforce limited, and from our imaginations, which are not. Anthony McCartenMichael Buckner/Getty Some will celebrate its arrival, while others will bemoan the loss of another sacred element of life. No film or TV or streaming story is to be created by a machine, they insist....

Despite a sizable outcry from devoted fans,East New Yorkended its one-season run onCBSSunday. Crystal Morales (Elizabeth Rodriguez), Det. Stan Yenko (Richard Kind). “Ruskin Roulette” – Haywood’s (Amanda Warren) leadership is called into question after a tragic shooting close to home, and her relationship with Suarez (Jimmy Smits) is put to the test. First season finale. Pictured (L-R): Jimmy Smits as Chief John Suarez and Amanda Warren as Regina Haywood.Photo Credit: Scott McDermott / 2023...

Filming is being lined up for Q4, 2023. Both movies are in post-production. Canadian director Ninaber is in post-production onKnights Warfor Epic Pictures, and his movieDeath Valleywas acquired by Shudder. FALL, from left: Grace Caroline Currey, Virginia Gardner, 2022. © Lionsgate / Courtesy Everett CollectionLionsgate/Everett Collection Were delighted to be jumping on this excellent rollercoaster with Gavin, Ashley and the Tea Shop team! Gavin Mehrtens and Ashley Holberry met at Working Title, where they worked on titles includingLes MiserablesandAnna Karenina....

EXCLUSIVEUPDATED: Showtime is looking to bring back two of its signature comedy series,Nurse JackieandWeeds. Both hail from Lionsgate Television and former Showtime chiefRobert Greenblattwho has a deal at the indie studio. Sources stress that the projects are still coming together and deals are being negotiated. ‘Nurse Jackie’, ‘Weeds’Showtime The concept is still being finalized. Untitled Entertainment is producingWeeds. The connection recently commissioning new offshoots of other signature series, includingThe L Word,BillionsandDexter....