The owners of Elvis Presley’s music are seeking $41 million from Anthropic, alleging that the AI company used Presley’s songs to train its models without permission. Anthropic disputes the allegations.
3:33 PMNew York Times Arts41 stories from 8 sources
Franchise bets face sharper tests of scale, nostalgia and audience demand
Day’s Recap
Supporting Articles
‘Clayface’ opened as the top film at the box office, taking in an estimated $43 million globally during its opening weekend. The result gives the DC Universe an early commercial success.
3:19 PMIGN
Clayface topped the domestic box office, holding off You Can See Everything in its second weekend. The result gave Skydance consecutive weekend wins.
12:02 PMPolygon
The latest “Avengers: Doomsday” trailer puts Steve Rogers, Thor’s Mjolnir and multiple Captain Americas at the center of the film’s marketing. The footage presents the returning hero and the multiverse’s overlapping versions of Captain America as key parts of the story.
9:43 AMPolygon
A new report says A24’s film adaptation of “Elden Ring,” directed by Alex Garland, carries a budget higher than “Marty Supreme.” That would make the video-game project the studio’s most expensive movie to date.
10:10 AMPolygon
James Gunn defended the DC Universe’s focus on standalone stories after criticism that its films are not building toward a major crossover. He argued that individual films should have value without serving only as setup for an interconnected event.
7:11 PMVariety
HBO Max renewed It: Welcome to Derry for a second season. The series will continue its story in Derry with Pennywise returning as the central threat.
7:15 PMPolygon
Olivia Rodrigo’s album ‘You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love’ returned to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 after the release of the ‘Expectations’ remix featuring Chappell Roan. The album has now spent three weeks at the top of the chart.
3:28 PMVariety
Sony Pictures and Constantin Film’s “Resident Evil” reboot remained No. 1 at China’s mainland box office for a third consecutive weekend, earning RMB37.6 million, or about $5.6 million, from Oct. 23 to 25. The result came during a broader fall lull after the Golden Week holiday period.
11:41 PMVariety3:33 PMNew York Times Arts
Owners of Elvis Presley’s Music Sue Anthropic for Copyright Infringement
Summary
The owners of Elvis Presley’s music are seeking $41 million from Anthropic, alleging that the AI company used Presley’s songs to train its models without permission. Anthropic disputes the allegations.
The lawsuit adds major recorded music rights holders to the growing legal challenge over unauthorized
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The case could help set the price and legal boundaries for training AI on commercial music.
3:19 PMIGN
Clayface Looks Like a Win for the DCU After Earning $43 Million in Box Office Opening Weekend
Summary
‘Clayface’ opened as the top film at the box office, taking in an estimated $43 million globally during its opening weekend. The result gives the DC Universe an early commercial success.
The opening gives DC Studios evidence that audiences will support a less established character when
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A strong opening for ‘Clayface’ offers the DCU a needed proof point for expanding beyond its best-known heroes.
2 stories · 2 sources
12:02 PMPolygon
Clayface Gives Skydance Its Second Box Office Weekend Win In A Row
Summary
Clayface topped the domestic box office, holding off You Can See Everything in its second weekend. The result gave Skydance consecutive weekend wins.
The win extends Skydance's recent theatrical momentum, but the close race limits what the result
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Skydance gains another strong weekend result while the broader market shows that box office leadership no longer guarantees overwhelming separation.
9:43 AMPolygon
Steve Rogers Wields Mjolnir in the Latest Avengers: Doomsday Trailer
Summary
The latest “Avengers: Doomsday” trailer puts Steve Rogers, Thor’s Mjolnir and multiple Captain Americas at the center of the film’s marketing. The footage presents the returning hero and the multiverse’s overlapping versions of Captain America as key parts of the story.
Steve Rogers wielding Mjolnir is the trailer’s clearest nostalgia play, while the multiple Captain Americas
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Marvel is using its most recognizable symbols and alternate realities to rebuild urgency around the Avengers brand.
10:10 AMPolygon
Elden Ring Has Quietly Become A24's Most Expensive Movie Yet
Summary
A new report says A24’s film adaptation of “Elden Ring,” directed by Alex Garland, carries a budget higher than “Marty Supreme.” That would make the video-game project the studio’s most expensive movie to date.
The budget marks a major escalation for A24, which built its identity around filmmaker-driven films
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A24’s biggest financial bet yet could determine whether its prestige model can expand into blockbuster filmmaking.
7:11 PMVariety
James Gunn Defends the DC Universe, Says He Dislikes the Idea That ‘Individual Stories Aren’t Meaningful Unless They Lead to Something’
Summary
James Gunn defended the DC Universe’s focus on standalone stories after criticism that its films are not building toward a major crossover. He argued that individual films should have value without serving only as setup for an interconnected event.
Gunn is rejecting the franchise logic that measures every superhero project by its contribution to
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
DC is testing whether superhero franchises can retain commercial cohesion without making interconnection the central promise.
7:15 PMPolygon
Stephen King's Hit Horror TV Series Officially Returning to HBO Max
Summary
HBO Max renewed It: Welcome to Derry for a second season. The series will continue its story in Derry with Pennywise returning as the central threat.
The renewal confirms that the It universe has become a durable television franchise rather than
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The renewal strengthens HBO Max’s horror pipeline and extends one of Warner Bros.’ most recognizable genre properties.
3:28 PMVariety
Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love’ Returns to No. 1 on Albums Chart Following ‘Expectations’ Remix
Summary
Olivia Rodrigo’s album ‘You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love’ returned to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 after the release of the ‘Expectations’ remix featuring Chappell Roan. The album has now spent three weeks at the top of the chart.
The remix converted a new collaboration into renewed album demand, giving Rodrigo another chart-leading week
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The No. 1 return shows that a targeted collaboration can revive an established album in the streaming era.
11:41 PMVariety
China Box Office: ‘Resident Evil’ Stays at No. 1 as Market Hits Fall Lull
Summary
Sony Pictures and Constantin Film’s “Resident Evil” reboot remained No. 1 at China’s mainland box office for a third consecutive weekend, earning RMB37.6 million, or about $5.6 million, from Oct. 23 to 25. The result came during a broader fall lull after the Golden Week holiday period.
The film’s continued lead reflects a weak release corridor more than breakout momentum, with no
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A thin fall slate is allowing “Resident Evil” to lead China’s box office while exposing the market’s dependence on holiday and event releases.
Other Developments
A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.
“Obsession” dominated the fan-voted Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, winning five prizes including Best Director for Curry Barker and Best Lead Performance for Inde Navarrette. The awards, covering horror film, television and gaming, also recognized “Backrooms” among the night’s major winners.
10:30 PMVarietyJim Cramer remembers Cliff Mason, the head writer of “Mad Money,” who died last week at age 41. The tribute focuses on Mason’s unseen role in shaping the program’s voice and daily television output.
8:28 PMCNBC
Documentaries have never received a Best Picture nomination, despite producing culturally influential films and, in some cases, defining their eras. The article identifies 20 nonfiction features that it argues merited recognition in the Academy’s top category.
7:55 PMVariety
A 1999 Brendan Fraser blockbuster is now available to watch for free on YouTube. Its appeal is attributed to a distinctive blend of adventure, humor, star power, and practical spectacle that later reboots failed to reproduce.
7:00 PMPolygon
Netflix's live-action Gundam adaptation will star Sydney Sweeney and Noah Centineo in a space epic combining action, romance, and Shakespearean drama.
5:52 PMPolygon
Director Lance Oppenheim said Billy Evans was comfortable with the documentary’s explicit footage and even suggested filming himself showering. The disclosure explains how the film arrived at a scene that surprised audiences.
5:50 PMVariety
Christopher Abbott said he will not appear as Professor X in Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars. He indicated that he needs to complete his work with the X-Men before taking on any cameos.
5:26 PMIGNPeggy King, a television performer and recording artist who appeared regularly on The George Gobel Show from 1954 to 1957, has died at 96 after a battle with Alzheimer’s. Gobel helped popularize her nickname, “Pretty Perky Peggy King.”
5:17 PMVariety
Scott Walker’s 2006 album The Drift is presented as a work of genuinely unsettling music rather than a playful Halloween soundtrack. Its disturbing sound and experimental approach place it alongside some of the most unnerving records in modern music.
5:08 PMThe Verge
Hudson Williams is writing a new film that includes an ex-hockey player, but he says the project keeps drawing comparisons to the queer hockey romance series that made him widely known. Before that breakout, Williams wrote and directed several short films.
4:27 PMVariety
The cast of ‘Wicker’ describes a film that combines broad physical comedy, sexual humor and emotional pain. Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård and Elizabeth Debicki emphasize that its tone extends beyond a conventional slapstick or sex comedy.
4:02 PMVariety
Stephan James wore a white suit and shoes inspired by Carl Weathers to the AFI Fest screening of ‘I Play Rocky.’ James plays Weathers in the film, which follows the making of ‘Rocky’ in 1976.
3:23 PMVariety
Holland Taylor says she left ‘Two and a Half Men’ in part because she was never paid well during her six years on the CBS sitcom. Despite receiving four Emmy nominations for playing Evelyn Harper, she says the show never gave her a raise.
2:55 PMVariety
The article recommends Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon to fans of Avatar: Seven Havens. It points to similarities in their settings, characters and story dynamics.
1:00 PMPolygon
Rich Eisen is expanding his media business across Disney+, ESPN Radio, and a new series built from ESPN’s SportsCenter archive. The strategy combines his independent production operation with the network and programming associated with his early career.
6:29 AMFortune
‘The Abominable Dr. Phibes’ is a camp horror film in which Vincent Price plays an organist who targets the surgeons he blames for his wife’s death. Its elaborate murders and theatrical tone have made it a defining cult title of 1970s genre cinema.
6:00 AMPolygon
Maria Bamford discusses becoming the subject of a Judd Apatow documentary, her interest in transparent finances, and dating in her fifties. The conversation presents her comedy as a mix of personal candor, financial curiosity, and discomfort with conventional expectations.
6:00 AMThe New Yorker — Books & CultureJulia Stiles has become a fan favorite on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ where she has embraced the show’s format and revisited parts of her early film career with partner Ezra Sosa. Her appearance has given longtime viewers a nostalgic connection to the movies that shaped their generation.
5:01 AMNew York Times Arts
The article recommends five psychological thrillers available to stream for free. Its selections focus on tense, psychologically driven films that deliver strong genre payoffs without requiring a subscription or rental fee.
4:54 AMPolygon
The article revisits one of Spike’s defining lines from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and argues that it remains unusually memorable decades later. The quote is presented as a concise expression of the character’s larger arc.
4:08 AMPolygon10:30 PMVariety
‘Obsession’ And ‘Backrooms’ Win Big at Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Summary
“Obsession” dominated the fan-voted Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, winning five prizes including Best Director for Curry Barker and Best Lead Performance for Inde Navarrette. The awards, covering horror film, television and gaming, also recognized “Backrooms” among the night’s major winners.
The results give “Obsession” a clear position as the breakout title of this year’s horror
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The awards strengthen “Obsession” and “Backrooms” as titles with momentum in a crowded horror market.
8:28 PMCNBC
Behind ‘Mad Money’ was a brilliant writer viewers never saw. We lost him too soon
Summary
Jim Cramer remembers Cliff Mason, the head writer of “Mad Money,” who died last week at age 41. The tribute focuses on Mason’s unseen role in shaping the program’s voice and daily television output.
Mason’s death exposes how much of “Mad Money’s” identity depended on a creative contributor audiences
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The tribute makes the invisible writing labor behind a familiar television brand impossible to overlook.
7:55 PMVariety
From ‘Hoop Dreams’ to ‘Flee’: The 20 Documentaries That Deserved a Best Picture Oscar Nomination
Summary
Documentaries have never received a Best Picture nomination, despite producing culturally influential films and, in some cases, defining their eras. The article identifies 20 nonfiction features that it argues merited recognition in the Academy’s top category.
The Academy’s category structure still treats documentary achievement as separate from major filmmaking achievement, even
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The omission exposes a persistent hierarchy between nonfiction and narrative film at the Oscars.
7:00 PMPolygon
27 Years Later, the Best Action Adventure Movie of 1999 Is Officially Free on Youtube
Summary
A 1999 Brendan Fraser blockbuster is now available to watch for free on YouTube. Its appeal is attributed to a distinctive blend of adventure, humor, star power, and practical spectacle that later reboots failed to reproduce.
Free availability gives the film a new route to audiences and may renew interest in
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The film’s renewed accessibility creates a fresh test of whether audience affection can outlast a franchise’s failed attempts at reinvention.
5:52 PMPolygon
Sydney Sweeney's New Netflix Sci-Fi Space Epic Gets First Details
Summary
Netflix's live-action Gundam adaptation will star Sydney Sweeney and Noah Centineo in a space epic combining action, romance, and Shakespearean drama.
The project is positioning Gundam as a character-driven streaming tentpole rather than a robot-focused spectacle
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Netflix is betting that a major Gundam adaptation can turn a niche science-fiction property into a wide-audience event.
5:50 PMVariety
‘You Can See Everything’ Director Lance Oppenheim Says Billy Evans ‘Didn’t Care About Being Seen Naked’; Evans Asked, ‘Want to Film Me Showering?’
Summary
Director Lance Oppenheim said Billy Evans was comfortable with the documentary’s explicit footage and even suggested filming himself showering. The disclosure explains how the film arrived at a scene that surprised audiences.
The scene appears to reflect Evans’s active participation rather than an unexpected breach of privacy
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The film’s most shocking image is also a test of consent, authorship, and ethical boundaries in documentary filmmaking.
5:26 PMIGN
X-Men Actor Christopher Abbott Insists His Professor X Is Not in Doomsday or Secret Wars
Summary
Christopher Abbott said he will not appear as Professor X in Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars. He indicated that he needs to complete his work with the X-Men before taking on any cameos.
Abbott’s statement removes one rumored link between the X-Men and Marvel’s next major crossover films,
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The denial narrows expectations around Marvel’s next crossover and shows how aggressively fan speculation can outpace confirmed plans.
5:17 PMVariety
Peggy King, ‘George Gobel Show’ Actress and Singer of the ’50s, Dies at 96
Summary
Peggy King, a television performer and recording artist who appeared regularly on The George Gobel Show from 1954 to 1957, has died at 96 after a battle with Alzheimer’s. Gobel helped popularize her nickname, “Pretty Perky Peggy King.”
King’s career reflects the mid-century entertainment system, where television exposure and recording work reinforced one
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
King’s career documents how 1950s television shaped popular fame before the industry fragmented into today’s media ecosystem.
5:08 PMThe Verge
Scott Walker’s The Drift will get under your skin
Summary
Scott Walker’s 2006 album The Drift is presented as a work of genuinely unsettling music rather than a playful Halloween soundtrack. Its disturbing sound and experimental approach place it alongside some of the most unnerving records in modern music.
The album’s power comes from treating fear as an artistic structure rather than a seasonal
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The Drift shows how experimental music can create terror without relying on conventional horror tropes.
4:27 PMVariety
Hudson Williams Says He’s Writing a Film Featuring an ‘Ex-Hockey Player’ and Is ‘Getting Tripped Up’ by ‘Heated Rivalry’ Parallels
Summary
Hudson Williams is writing a new film that includes an ex-hockey player, but he says the project keeps drawing comparisons to the queer hockey romance series that made him widely known. Before that breakout, Williams wrote and directed several short films.
Williams is trying to build a career behind the camera while working under the shadow
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Williams’s next project will test whether he can turn a breakout performance into broader creative control.
4:02 PMVariety
‘Wicker’ Stars Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård and Elizabeth Debicki on Making the ‘Very Silly,’ ‘Really Heartbreaking’ Film: ‘It’s Not Just a Slapstick or Sex Comedy’
Summary
The cast of ‘Wicker’ describes a film that combines broad physical comedy, sexual humor and emotional pain. Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård and Elizabeth Debicki emphasize that its tone extends beyond a conventional slapstick or sex comedy.
The film’s commercial pitch depends on turning tonal instability into an asset rather than a
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
‘Wicker’ is betting that audiences will follow a comedy that shifts between absurdity and genuine heartbreak.
3:23 PMVariety
‘I Play Rocky’ Star Stephan James on Paying Tribute to Carl Weathers with His Red Carpet Look: ‘I Can Literally Walk in His Shoes Yet Again’
Summary
Stephan James wore a white suit and shoes inspired by Carl Weathers to the AFI Fest screening of ‘I Play Rocky.’ James plays Weathers in the film, which follows the making of ‘Rocky’ in 1976.
James’s tribute connects the film’s promotion to Weathers’s legacy rather than treating the role as
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The tribute positions ‘I Play Rocky’ as a stewardship of ‘Rocky’ history, not only a film about its production.
2:55 PMVariety
Holland Taylor Says She Was ‘Never Paid Very Well’ on ‘Two and a Half Men’: ‘I Got Four Emmy Nominations, and They Never Gave Me a Raise’
Summary
Holland Taylor says she left ‘Two and a Half Men’ in part because she was never paid well during her six years on the CBS sitcom. Despite receiving four Emmy nominations for playing Evelyn Harper, she says the show never gave her a raise.
Taylor’s account shows how prestige recognition did not translate into compensation on a highly successful
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The dispute underscores how awards and audience visibility did not guarantee fair pay for television actors.
1:00 PMPolygon
'Avatar: Seven Havens' Fans Need to Watch Disney’s Overlooked Apocalyptic Fantasy Adventure
Summary
The article recommends Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon to fans of Avatar: Seven Havens. It points to similarities in their settings, characters and story dynamics.
Raya offers an accessible comparison point for viewers interested in Seven Havens' blend of fantasy,
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The recommendation can funnel established Disney audience interest toward a newer Avatar project by linking familiar themes across properties.
6:29 AMFortune
Rich Eisen went from SportsCenter to NFL Network to owning his show. Now he’s back at ESPN, betting ’90s nostalgia still sells
Summary
Rich Eisen is expanding his media business across Disney+, ESPN Radio, and a new series built from ESPN’s SportsCenter archive. The strategy combines his independent production operation with the network and programming associated with his early career.
Eisen is selling access to two assets: his established identity and the audience’s memory of
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The experiment tests whether recognizable sports personalities and library footage can generate new value as live media becomes more fragmented.
6:00 AMPolygon
Vincent Price Is the Weirdest Serial Killer Ever in this '70s Cult Classic
Summary
‘The Abominable Dr. Phibes’ is a camp horror film in which Vincent Price plays an organist who targets the surgeons he blames for his wife’s death. Its elaborate murders and theatrical tone have made it a defining cult title of 1970s genre cinema.
The film’s lasting appeal comes from turning revenge into grotesque performance, with Price’s presence balancing
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The movie remains a touchstone for filmmakers who treat genre cinema as visual theater rather than straightforward realism.
6:00 AMThe New Yorker — Books & Culture
Maria Bamford Asks for the Check
Summary
Maria Bamford discusses becoming the subject of a Judd Apatow documentary, her interest in transparent finances, and dating in her fifties. The conversation presents her comedy as a mix of personal candor, financial curiosity, and discomfort with conventional expectations.
Bamford treats openness as both a comic method and a way to challenge the entertainment
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Her approach reflects a broader appetite for comedy that makes vulnerability, money, and aging part of the material rather than hiding them behind performance.
5:01 AMNew York Times Arts
Julia Stiles on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Is Healing Millennials
Summary
Julia Stiles has become a fan favorite on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ where she has embraced the show’s format and revisited parts of her early film career with partner Ezra Sosa. Her appearance has given longtime viewers a nostalgic connection to the movies that shaped their generation.
Stiles’s appeal comes from the collision of two media eras: the millennial movie star and
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The casting shows how nostalgia can bring older audiences into appointment television without relying on a conventional revival.
4:54 AMPolygon
5 Near-Perfect Psychological Thriller Movies Streaming for Free
Summary
The article recommends five psychological thrillers available to stream for free. Its selections focus on tense, psychologically driven films that deliver strong genre payoffs without requiring a subscription or rental fee.
The list treats free availability as part of the films’ value, not merely a viewing
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Curated free-streaming lists can steer attention toward overlooked films as subscription fatigue reshapes entertainment discovery.
4:08 AMPolygon
23 Years Later, Spike's Best 'Buffy' Quote Is Still One of the Best Lines in TV History
Summary
The article revisits one of Spike’s defining lines from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and argues that it remains unusually memorable decades later. The quote is presented as a concise expression of the character’s larger arc.
The line endures because it compresses Spike’s transformation into a single piece of dialogue, linking
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A memorable line can outlive a television series when it captures a character’s entire evolution with unusual precision.
Make it yours
Build Your First Pass.
Pick your topics, set your cadence, and receive your personalized First Pass in your inbox. It’s that simple!