James Gunn and Peter Safran, who helped launch DC Studios in 2022, are being replaced after Skydance’s takeover of Warner Bros. The new ownership has handed leadership to a veteran of Marvel.
3:40 PMFortune76 stories from 8 sources
DC resets its leadership as streaming battles for attention
Day’s Recap
Supporting Articles
Following Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, CEO David Ellison told employees that the combined company competes for attention with major technology platforms. His comments reflect the industry’s continuing interest in tactics that keep viewers engaged in the manner of short-form social video.
8:30 AMThe Verge
AMC Theatres’ app slowed after Marvel fans rushed to purchase tickets for “Avengers: Doomsday” following the “VisionQuest” season finale. The surge illustrates the immediate effect a major Marvel reveal or finale can have on ticket demand.
6:22 PMIGN
Marvel and Disney have uploaded the first episode of VisionQuest to YouTube, allowing viewers to watch it without a subscription.
4:44 PMPolygon
John Allen, the former Navy SEAL known online as MrBallen, built a large audience after one of his videos went viral. He now has 11.4 million subscribers and a SiriusXM agreement reportedly worth as much as $70 million.
2:58 AMFortune
Director Francis Lawrence says the departure of James Gunn and Peter Safran from DC has renewed hope for the long-delayed sequel to 2005’s "Constantine," starring Keanu Reeves. Lawrence said people inside DC had previously impeded the project, while stressing that he does not celebrate anyone losing a job.
10:20 PMVariety
Andy Serkis has confirmed that principal photography on “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” is complete. The film remains scheduled for release in 2027.
1:30 PMPolygon
The 2026 “Street Fighter” film narrowly failed to surpass the 1994 adaptation, which remains the franchise’s highest-grossing movie. The newer film is also leaving 1,700 theaters.
3:10 PMIGN
YouTube withdrew its streaming data from Billboard’s charts after a dispute over how much its streams should count. The absence disadvantaged some artists and genres, and a new agreement has brought the platform’s data back.
5:04 AMNew York Times Arts3:40 PMFortune
David Ellison’s Skydance replaces DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran with a Marvel veteran
Summary
James Gunn and Peter Safran, who helped launch DC Studios in 2022, are being replaced after Skydance’s takeover of Warner Bros. The new ownership has handed leadership to a veteran of Marvel.
Skydance is resetting DC leadership almost immediately after taking control, signaling limited patience with the
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A rapid leadership change threatens continuity at DC and could reshape the studio’s film and television pipeline.
8:30 AMThe Verge
Streaming is still trying to be TikTok
Summary
Following Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, CEO David Ellison told employees that the combined company competes for attention with major technology platforms. His comments reflect the industry’s continuing interest in tactics that keep viewers engaged in the manner of short-form social video.
The strategic shift is from competing only on premium programming to competing for daily attention.
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The next phase of streaming competition will be measured as much by habit and attention capture as by the size of a content catalog.
6:22 PMIGN
AMC App Experiences Slowdown as Marvel Fans Rush to Buy Doomsday Tickets After VisionQuest Finale
Summary
AMC Theatres’ app slowed after Marvel fans rushed to purchase tickets for “Avengers: Doomsday” following the “VisionQuest” season finale. The surge illustrates the immediate effect a major Marvel reveal or finale can have on ticket demand.
The traffic spike shows that Marvel can still convert streaming engagement into theatrical action when
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Marvel’s ability to drive movie sales from streaming events remains valuable, but exhibitors must be ready for sudden demand shocks.
4:44 PMPolygon
Marvel Makes VisionQuest’s First Episode Free To Stream
Summary
Marvel and Disney have uploaded the first episode of VisionQuest to YouTube, allowing viewers to watch it without a subscription.
The free release lowers the barrier for audiences who have not committed to the series
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Marvel is using a free episode to widen discovery and potentially drive viewers toward its subscription platform.
2:58 AMFortune
Ex-Navy SEAL MrBallen’s first viral video hit while he was at a water park with his kids. Now he has 11.4 million subscribers and a SiriusXM deal
Summary
John Allen, the former Navy SEAL known online as MrBallen, built a large audience after one of his videos went viral. He now has 11.4 million subscribers and a SiriusXM agreement reportedly worth as much as $70 million.
Allen’s trajectory shows how a creator can convert platform-native attention into a major traditional-media contract.
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Creator businesses are becoming scalable media franchises, with audience ownership driving deals that once belonged mainly to established celebrities.
10:20 PMVariety
Keanu Reeves’ ‘Constantine 2’ Gets ‘Renewed Hope’ After James Gunn’s DC Exit, Says Director: ‘People at DC Were an Impediment to Us’
Summary
Director Francis Lawrence says the departure of James Gunn and Peter Safran from DC has renewed hope for the long-delayed sequel to 2005’s "Constantine," starring Keanu Reeves. Lawrence said people inside DC had previously impeded the project, while stressing that he does not celebrate anyone losing a job.
The leadership change may remove an internal obstacle, but it does not amount to a
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The comments show how executive turnover can reopen dormant franchise projects without guaranteeing that they will reach production.
2 stories · 2 sources
1:30 PMPolygon
Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum Officially Wraps Filming
Summary
Andy Serkis has confirmed that principal photography on “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” is complete. The film remains scheduled for release in 2027.
The project has moved from development into postproduction, making its 2027 release a more concrete
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The production milestone confirms Warner Bros. is actively expanding the franchise beyond its established trilogy and prequel cycle.
3:10 PMIGN
Street Fighter Just Barely Fails to Fight Off Original Street Fighter at the Box Office as New Movie Leaves 1,700 Theaters
Summary
The 2026 “Street Fighter” film narrowly failed to surpass the 1994 adaptation, which remains the franchise’s highest-grossing movie. The newer film is also leaving 1,700 theaters.
The new adaptation’s inability to beat a widely maligned predecessor points to the limits of
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The result weakens the case for another major theatrical push built primarily on the “Street Fighter” brand.
5:04 AMNew York Times Arts
A Chart Truce Brings YouTube Back to Billboard
Summary
YouTube withdrew its streaming data from Billboard’s charts after a dispute over how much its streams should count. The absence disadvantaged some artists and genres, and a new agreement has brought the platform’s data back.
The dispute exposed how chart rankings depend on private negotiations over the value of different
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Billboard’s charts remain shaped by platform economics, not just audience behavior.
Other Developments
A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.
Season 29’s fifth episode brings Craig Tucker and Tweek Tweak back to the center of "South Park" for the first time in years. The episode uses a school assembly and a political "blue wave" in the fictional South American setting to drive the story.
11:42 PMVariety
Lionsgate has acquired North American and U.K. distribution rights to Alma Har’el’s "Wet" from Fifth Season and 193, A Legendary Company. The film stars Connor Storrie, Rebecca Ferguson, Odessa A’zion, Javier Bardem, Rosalía and Lukas Haas, with production scheduled to begin in 2027.
10:36 PMVariety
Lee takes a road trip with his father in the sixth episode of "The Lowdown" Season 2. The trip reveals unexpected similarities between them and deepens the episode’s focus on family history and strained relationships.
10:00 PMNew York Times Arts
Gerry Rich’s memoir, “Chasing Hollywood,” draws on his work across Paramount, Columbia Pictures, MGM, Miramax and Amazon MGM Studios. He revisits major campaigns, including the launch of “Iron Man,” while examining how artificial intelligence is changing movie marketing.
9:18 PMVariety
Anthony Clark, the comedian and actor known for starring in six seasons of “Yes, Dear,” has died at 62. His death was announced by co-star Mike O’Malley, who remembered Clark as a hilarious performer.
9:16 PMVariety
Randall England, an actor, model, writer and producer who appeared on “General Hospital” and other television programs, has died in Los Angeles at 75. His career began in 1978 and spanned acting and behind-the-scenes work.
9:00 PMVariety
“How to Rob a Bank,” directed by David Leitch and starring Nicholas Hoult and Zoë Kravitz, attempts to fuse a heist story with influencer-era culture. The review finds the film overly eager to appear stylish, relevant and progressive, ultimately undercutting its own effect.
7:54 PMVariety
Henry Cavill says he remains open to playing Superman again despite the changes at DC Studios.
5:46 PMIGN
Black Doves has returned to Netflix with new episodes, and Keira Knightley's spy thriller is climbing the streaming charts.
5:42 PMPolygon
Jamie Campbell Bower says playing Celeborn in The Rings of Power helped him move on from the darker roles he played in Stranger Things.
5:37 PMIGN
The Rings of Power's showrunners and cast discuss the major deaths in Season 3, calling them painful but necessary conclusions to the characters' stories.
3:45 PMIGN
Alec Baldwin’s Western “Rust” is rising on Amazon Prime Video’s charts after its controversial production and limited release. The film is finding a larger audience through streaming than it did in theaters.
3:18 PMPolygonJim Caviezel plays a former Special Forces officer in an action film set against a corporate effort to destroy homes in a rural Wyoming town. The film frames its conflict as an individual fight against a powerful corporate adversary.
1:13 PMNew York Times Arts
Disney Plus has added 3D versions of several Star Wars films, including Rogue One and The Mandalorian and Grogu. The additions expand the platform’s available formats for the franchise.
12:24 PMPolygon
Brandon Sanderson says the Mistborn film script has received a major update, moving Apple’s adaptation closer to completion. The project remains in development rather than ready for release.
12:15 PMPolygonStacy Keach, the prolific actor best known for playing private investigator Mike Hammer, has died at 85. His career ranged across television, film, theater, Shakespeare, police dramas, and Westerns.
11:00 AMNPR Arts
The documentary follows a young Black female rapper whose career is derailed after backlash over her provocative lyrics. It examines the personal and cultural forces behind her cancellation.
10:15 AMHyperallergicAfter private video footage leaked and upended his life, Isaiah Rashad adopted a more open approach to making music. That change produced what the article describes as the rapper’s best album.
5:00 AMNew York Times ArtsJimmy Kimmel criticized President Trump after Trump called into a live C-SPAN program without prior notice. Kimmel argued that the president had “nothing better to do.”
3:25 AMNew York Times Arts
Paul McCartney’s estimated fortune is $1.4 billion, placing him behind Jay-Z and Taylor Swift among musicians ranked by Forbes. His publishing company, MPL, owns Buddy Holly’s catalog and is valued at at least $250 million.
2:53 AMFortune11:42 PMVariety
‘South Park’ Brings Back Craig and Tweek for ‘Heated Rivalry’-Inspired Episode to Celebrate the Blue Wave
Summary
Season 29’s fifth episode brings Craig Tucker and Tweek Tweak back to the center of "South Park" for the first time in years. The episode uses a school assembly and a political "blue wave" in the fictional South American setting to drive the story.
The return of Craig and Tweek shows the series using established fan-favorite characters to refresh
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The episode tests whether familiar character dynamics can give the long-running series new momentum while it continues to respond quickly to politics and pop culture.
10:36 PMVariety
Lionsgate Acquires Alma Har’el’s ‘Wet’ Starring Connor Storrie, Rebecca Ferguson, Odessa A’zion and More
Summary
Lionsgate has acquired North American and U.K. distribution rights to Alma Har’el’s "Wet" from Fifth Season and 193, A Legendary Company. The film stars Connor Storrie, Rebecca Ferguson, Odessa A’zion, Javier Bardem, Rosalía and Lukas Haas, with production scheduled to begin in 2027.
Lionsgate has committed distribution support well before production starts, giving the project a commercial home
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
An early rights deal gives an ambitious, star-driven project market certainty years before cameras roll.
10:00 PMNew York Times Arts
‘The Lowdown’ Season 2 Episode 6 Recap: The Last Ride
Summary
Lee takes a road trip with his father in the sixth episode of "The Lowdown" Season 2. The trip reveals unexpected similarities between them and deepens the episode’s focus on family history and strained relationships.
The episode shifts the series’ attention from Lee’s external conflicts to the family patterns shaping
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The father-son journey gives the season a character-based turning point and reframes Lee’s personal conflicts through inheritance, identity and family influence.
9:18 PMVariety
Movie Marketing Veteran Gerry Rich on Opening ‘Iron Man,’ Grappling With AI and Maintaining the Human Touch
Summary
Gerry Rich’s memoir, “Chasing Hollywood,” draws on his work across Paramount, Columbia Pictures, MGM, Miramax and Amazon MGM Studios. He revisits major campaigns, including the launch of “Iron Man,” while examining how artificial intelligence is changing movie marketing.
Rich’s central argument is that technology can accelerate marketing but cannot replace the judgment and
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The future of movie marketing will depend on combining AI-driven efficiency with human taste and cultural awareness.
9:16 PMVariety
Anthony Clark, ‘Yes, Dear’ Star and Comedian, Dies at 62
Summary
Anthony Clark, the comedian and actor known for starring in six seasons of “Yes, Dear,” has died at 62. His death was announced by co-star Mike O’Malley, who remembered Clark as a hilarious performer.
Clark’s death removes a familiar presence from the ensemble sitcom era that shaped much of
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Clark’s passing marks the loss of a performer closely associated with a durable period in American television comedy.
9:00 PMVariety
Randall England, ‘General Hospital’ Star, Dies at 75
Summary
Randall England, an actor, model, writer and producer who appeared on “General Hospital” and other television programs, has died in Los Angeles at 75. His career began in 1978 and spanned acting and behind-the-scenes work.
England’s career reflects the longevity available to working television performers who move between acting, modeling,
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
England’s death underscores the often broad, behind-the-scenes careers that sustain long-running television.
7:54 PMVariety
‘How to Rob a Bank’ Review: Nicholas Hoult and Zoë Kravitz Take Their Paychecks in an Annoyingly Flashy, Emotionally Turgid Influencer-Age Heist Movie
Summary
“How to Rob a Bank,” directed by David Leitch and starring Nicholas Hoult and Zoë Kravitz, attempts to fuse a heist story with influencer-era culture. The review finds the film overly eager to appear stylish, relevant and progressive, ultimately undercutting its own effect.
The film’s failure comes from treating surface style and topical signaling as substitutes for character
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The review warns that spectacle and social-media fluency cannot rescue a heist film without emotional credibility.
5:46 PMIGN
Henry Cavill Is Open to Returning as Superman Once Again
Summary
Henry Cavill says he remains open to playing Superman again despite the changes at DC Studios.
Cavill's willingness keeps a return possible, but it does not indicate that DC Studios has
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Cavill's comments keep a long-running fan debate alive without confirming a new Superman project.
5:42 PMPolygon
Netflix's Hit Spy Thriller Returns and Takes Over Streaming Charts
Summary
Black Doves has returned to Netflix with new episodes, and Keira Knightley's spy thriller is climbing the streaming charts.
The show's rapid chart rise suggests that its first season created enough demand to turn
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Black Doves' chart momentum shows that Netflix can still build returning spy series into major audience draws.
5:37 PMIGN
Jamie Campbell Bower Calls Rings of Power Season 3 the 'Perfect Kind of Antidote' After Stranger Things
Summary
Jamie Campbell Bower says playing Celeborn in The Rings of Power helped him move on from the darker roles he played in Stranger Things.
The role gives Bower a clear tonal shift after portraying Vecna and other dark characters
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Bower's post-Stranger Things role shows how franchise actors use contrasting characters to avoid being defined by one breakout performance.
3:45 PMIGN
The Rings of Power Stars React to This Week's Big Season 3 Deaths
Summary
The Rings of Power's showrunners and cast discuss the major deaths in Season 3, calling them painful but necessary conclusions to the characters' stories.
The deaths mark a deliberate shift in the season's stakes rather than disposable shock events.
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The casualties alter the series' narrative balance and signal that its central conflicts now carry irreversible consequences.
3:18 PMPolygon
2024's Most Controversial Western Thriller Is Suddenly a Hit on Prime Video
Summary
Alec Baldwin’s Western “Rust” is rising on Amazon Prime Video’s charts after its controversial production and limited release. The film is finding a larger audience through streaming than it did in theaters.
Streaming has given “Rust” a second commercial life despite the controversy surrounding its production. The
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Prime Video is turning a troubled, limited-release film into a broader public event after the traditional theatrical market largely passed it by.
1:13 PMNew York Times Arts
‘Ghost Soldier’ Review: As Good as His Word
Summary
Jim Caviezel plays a former Special Forces officer in an action film set against a corporate effort to destroy homes in a rural Wyoming town. The film frames its conflict as an individual fight against a powerful corporate adversary.
The film’s central premise turns a familiar action hero into an opponent of corporate displacement
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The film uses the action genre to channel anger at corporate power and the loss of local control.
12:24 PMPolygon
Disney Plus Officially Adds New Versions of Several Star Wars Films
Summary
Disney Plus has added 3D versions of several Star Wars films, including Rogue One and The Mandalorian and Grogu. The additions expand the platform’s available formats for the franchise.
The move gives Disney another way to refresh and repackage a mature franchise without releasing
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
New formats can extend the commercial life of older and upcoming Star Wars releases while strengthening Disney Plus as the franchise’s central home.
12:15 PMPolygon
Brandon Sanderson Confirms Promising Update on the Mistborn Movie
Summary
Brandon Sanderson says the Mistborn film script has received a major update, moving Apple’s adaptation closer to completion. The project remains in development rather than ready for release.
A revised script is progress, but it does not resolve the larger risks facing a
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Mistborn’s next phase will show whether Sanderson’s strong readership can translate into a viable screen franchise.
11:00 AMNPR Arts
Actor Stacy Keach, who played a private eye and plenty more, dies at 85
Summary
Stacy Keach, the prolific actor best known for playing private investigator Mike Hammer, has died at 85. His career ranged across television, film, theater, Shakespeare, police dramas, and Westerns.
Keach’s importance lies in the breadth of his work rather than a single defining role.
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Keach leaves behind a durable example of the versatility that sustained major acting careers before entertainment became more franchise-driven.
10:15 AMHyperallergic
“Free Lyric” Tells the Story of a Young Black Female Rapper Cancelled for Her “Provocative” Lyrics
Summary
The documentary follows a young Black female rapper whose career is derailed after backlash over her provocative lyrics. It examines the personal and cultural forces behind her cancellation.
The film treats the controversy as more than a dispute over taste: it exposes how
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The documentary connects one artist’s cancellation to broader conflicts over race, gender, and creative freedom.
5:00 AMNew York Times Arts
Isaiah Rashad’s Most Powerful Secret Was Himself
Summary
After private video footage leaked and upended his life, Isaiah Rashad adopted a more open approach to making music. That change produced what the article describes as the rapper’s best album.
The leak forced Rashad to confront privacy, identity and public perception on his own terms.
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Rashad converted a damaging breach of privacy into a stronger and more self directed artistic voice.
3:25 AMNew York Times Arts
Jimmy Kimmel Picks Apart Trump’s Impromptu Call-in
Summary
Jimmy Kimmel criticized President Trump after Trump called into a live C-SPAN program without prior notice. Kimmel argued that the president had “nothing better to do.”
The episode turns an unscheduled presidential media appearance into late-night political material, reinforcing the feedback
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Presidential media strategy increasingly crosses into entertainment formats that can amplify both access and ridicule.
2:53 AMFortune
Paul McCartney is worth $1.4 billion. His biggest asset is a $250 million song publisher
Summary
Paul McCartney’s estimated fortune is $1.4 billion, placing him behind Jay-Z and Taylor Swift among musicians ranked by Forbes. His publishing company, MPL, owns Buddy Holly’s catalog and is valued at at least $250 million.
McCartney’s wealth shows that enduring music catalogs can rival the value of an artist’s performance
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Music rights remain one of the most durable and valuable forms of entertainment wealth.
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