| | | | | | What's news: It's magazine day! This week's cover star is Cannes-bound auteur Spike Lee. Hollywood is still struggling to make sense of Trump's movie tariff plan, as Gavin Newsom proposes a $7.5b federal tax credit scheme. J.K. Rowling has shot down speculation she will fire a Harry Potter series actor over his trans views. And NBC has renewed its three Chicago shows. — Abid Rahman
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Do The Spike Thing: The Defiant Director on Reuniting with Denzel, Cannes and Trump ►On the cover. Spike Lee is heading to France to premiere Highest 2 Lowest at the Cannes Film Festival beside his longtime collaborator Denzel Washington, who plays a music mogul confronted with the dilemma of — well — how to do the right thing. It’s a question Lee has been prodding moviegoers about for the past 26 years, since his first trip to Cannes in 1989, and finding the answer isn’t getting any easier. THR's Rebecca Keegan talks to the filmmaker about his new movie, a quintessentially New York “reinterpretation,” as Lee calls it, of Akira Kurosawa’s Japan-set 1963 police procedural High and Low, and also asks for his thoughts on America in 2025, now that his long-time nemesis Donald Trump is back in power. The cover story. |
Trump's Movie Tariffs Plan Catches Hollywood Off Guard ►"Everyone loses." Hollywood should have seen this coming. After starting trade wars over cars and steel, solar panels and washing machines, Donald Trump has added movies to the list. Even if such a tariff were legal — and there is some debate about whether Trump has the authority to impose such levies — entertainment industry experts are baffled as to how, in practice, a “movie tariff” would work. THR's Scott Roxborough talks to insiders who say that a levy punishing runaway productions may make it more expensive to shoot abroad, but it won't make it any cheaper to shoot movies in the U.S. The analysis.
—"Exploring all options." After the panic created by Trump's Sunday tariff comments, the White House said in a clarifying statement Monday that “no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made.” “Although no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made, the administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump’s directive to safeguard our country’s national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again,” White House spokesman Kush Desai told THR. The story.
—Concepts of a plan. One of Trump’s “special ambassadors” to Hollywood has spoken — and has a plan to bring more production back to the U.S., or so he says. After a period of silence on his role as a liaison between the entertainment industry and the White House, actor Jon Voight on Monday revealed his intentions for resolving so-called runaway production, or film and television productions fleeing the U.S. for more cost-effective shores. That plan involves a combination of federal tax incentives, tax code changes, co-production treaties and infrastructure subsidies for theater owners, production and postproduction companies. The story.
—"Make America Film Again." Amid the tariff confusion, California Gov. Gavin Newsom sprung into action on Monday, proposing a team up with Trump on a $7.5b federal film tax credit scheme to provide relief to the entertainment industry. Newsom’s bold proposal would see the federal government step in to boost film and TV production in the U.S. by modelling the tax credit on California’s own proposed $750m state level program. It is still unclear how the proposed federal tax credit would work, as no details have been shared, but Newsom signaling he would work with Trump is a major first step forward given their personal history. Trump’s relationship with Newsom is combative, and the two have clashed repeatedly since the latter became California’s governor in 2019, including over hot-button issues such as immigration, COVID-19 response, climate crisis and, most recently, the wildfires. The story.
—Saving or screwing Hollywood? THR's Steven Zeitchik offers his take on a dizzying few days in the wake of Trump's movie tariffs call, and digs into what the president is really after. The analysis.
—Open mind. SAG-AFTRA’s national executive director and chief negotiator has weighed in on Trump’s movie tariffs idea — and signaled an open mind about it. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the staff leader of the 160,000-strong performers union, said in a statement on Monday that “SAG-AFTRA supports efforts to increase movie, television and streaming production in the United States.” Crabtree-Ireland noted that the union will continue to “advocate for policies that strengthen our competitive position, accelerate economic growth and create good middle class jobs for American workers.” The story.
—"Strong step." The Teamsters are celebrating Trump’s idea to impose tariffs on films produced abroad, calling it a “strong step” toward “reining in the studios’ un-American addiction to outsourcing our members’ work.” The statement on the movie tariff from International Brotherhood of Teamsters general president Sean O’Brien and motion picture division director and Hollywood Teamsters leader Lindsay Dougherty framed Trump’s idea as a pro-labor step that would benefit American production workers whose livelihoods have been jeopardized by accelerated offshoring of entertainment work. The story.
—"Next year, The White Lotus is gonna be set at a Hampton Inn." Late-night hosts offered their takes on Trump’s proposed movie tariffs. Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel kicked off their respective talk shows on Monday, blasting Trump for “now aiming his wrecking ball at Hollywood,” the latter host said. Kimmel added, "This is where he reportedly got the tariff movies idea — from Angelina Jolie’s 86-year-old father she won’t talk to." The reaction. |
J.K. Rowling Explains Why She Won't Fire 'Harry Potter' Actor Over Trans Views ►"I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods." Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling has reacted to an article speculating about whether she will “sack” actor Paapa Essiedu, who has been cast in the upcoming series as Potions Professor Severus Snape. Last week, Essiedu — along with Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne and Harry Potter film series actor Katie Leung — signed an open letter which called upon the U.K.'s entertainment industry to commit to protecting the trans community after the U.K. Supreme Court ruled that trans women should not be recognized as women and that “sex” should legally mean biological sex. Despite speculation that Rowling would take action against Essiedu, the author clarified her position on X: “I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did. I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.” The story.
—Open letter. More than 70 former Eurovision Song Contest contestants have signed an open letter urging organizers to ban Israel and its national broadcaster, Kan, from this year’s competition. In a letter addressed to the European Broadcasting Union, the signatories called for Israel’s exclusion over the country’s "genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and the decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation against the entire Palestinian people." The letter refers to the ongoing war in the region that has so far claimed the lives of over 50,000 Gazans, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Decades-spanning tensions escalated when the Hamas launched a terrorist attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing nearly 1,200 people. The Israel-Gaza conflict was a source of great controversy at Eurovision in 2024, with protests, boycotts and petitions against Israel's participation before and during the event. The story.
—Canceled. New York's SummerStage has canceled Kehlani‘s upcoming Central Park Pride concert over pressure from Mayor Eric Adams’ office, which claimed the event posed “security concerns” due to the singer’s pro-Palestine stance that led to Cornell University canceling a show of hers as well last week. Kehlani has been vocal in her support for Palestine in the past, most notably in a music video for her 2024 song “Next 2 U.” That video featured Kehlani dancing and singing in front of a Palestinian flag and concluded with a message about “honoring the names of thousands of deceased children” who died in Gaza. The video opened with the message “long live the intifada,” which groups like the American Jewish Committee have called antisemitic. The story.
—Wait, what? James Patterson and Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson are joining forces for a new thriller. HarperCollins announced Monday that the bestselling author will team with the YouTube creator to co-write a novel set to be published in 2026. The untitled novel will be published by HarperCollins worldwide in English, as well as 14 languages through its Global Publishing Program. HarperCollins describes the novel as "a high-octane, pulse-pounding thriller." Part of the synopsis reads, "100 contestants compete in an extreme global competition as they fight to not only survive dangerous tests held in treacherous locations around the world but also prove their leadership skills." The story.
—🤝 New deal 🤝 Zach Bryan is staying at Warner Records. The singer-songwriter has extended his deal with the label for at least two albums, sources say, with the deal closing over the weekend. Bryan first signed with Warner Records back in 2021 and is the perhaps the biggest artist on Warner’s roster, which has also had successes from the likes of Teddy Swims and Benson Boone. Bryan helped turn the label’s fortunes around as Warner morphed from a sleepy legacy label into one of the hottest companies in the business. His success in country music outside the traditional Nashville system has inspired coastal labels across the industry to grow much more invested in the genre. The story. |
Met Gala 2025 ►Fashion's biggest night. This year’s Met Gala theme celebrated the Costume Institute’s new spring exhibition Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, exploring the importance of sartorial style to Black people from the 18th century to today through the lens of dandyism. THR has put together a gallery of how the stars interpreted the night's dress code of "Tailored for You." The gallery.
—Best dressed stars. Sparkle and menswear influences were key to the night's most talked-about looks, writes THR's Laurie Brookins, which included Pharrell Williams in Louis Vuitton, Kerry Washington in Jonathan Simkhai, Anne Hathaway in Carolina Herrera, Colman Domingo in Valentino, Sadie Sink in Prada and Zoe Saldaña in Thom Browne. The best looks.
—"Winning looks embraced drama and detail." THR's culture critic Lovia Gyarkye offers her take on the Met Gala. Lovia writes that from the theatrical trains to ultra-wide shoulders, this year’s (relatively few) truly compelling red-carpet outfits were the bolder interpretations of the Black dandyism theme. The critic's notebook.
—Dandy lads. Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky and Pharrell Williams were tapped as co-chairs — alongside Vogue's Anna Wintour — for this year’s Met Gala, and leaned into the dress code of “Tailored for You.” (Honorary chair LeBron James missed the event due to a knee injury). Here are the details on what the co-chairs were wearing. The story.
—Class is permanent. The Met Gala navy carpet had barely just opened for business when Diana Ross arrived and effectively stopped traffic in all directions. The music legend — attending the event for the first time since 2003 — wore a white crystal embellished gown accentuated by a matching feather boa-trimmed cape and a show stopping hat to match. The gown’s train was so large that it required the aid of six handlers to help position it on the carpet, in a scene reminiscent of Rihanna’s big moment in 2015. One of those men helping carry the train happened to be Ross’s son, the actor Evan Ross. The story.
—Breaking cover. Kamala Harris made her Met Gala debut on Monday night. The former vice president, who has maintained a relatively low profile since the election, stepped out in style on fashion’s biggest night, wearing a black-and-cream gown designed by Off-White creative director IB Kamara. The story.
—No. 3 confirmed. Rihanna once again showed that good things come to those who wait, arriving in signature late style to the Met Gala with a brand-new accessory — a baby bump. After her partner A$AP Rocky confirmed to reporters earlier in the night that the couple was indeed expecting their third child, Rihanna showed off her bump in a pinstripe, suited-up fit, accompanied by a large black hat and her hair in a long ponytail. The story.
—"I had to come here and represent culture." Ever the sartorial statement maker, Dapper Dan returned to his African roots at the Met Gala in a black and white zoot suit emblazoned with the mythical Ghanaian bird symbol, the Sankofa. The 80-year-old designer, whose memoir is being adapted for the big screen by Jerrod Carmichael, said, “I’m wearing a zoot suit that personifies the Harlem Renaissance and the Sankofa… which symbolize[s] we need to go back, which is what I did to get to where I am today." The story.
—Nailed it. Zendaya expertly met the Met Gala's “tailored for you” dress code, with the Emmy-winning star stepping out in head-to-toe white wearing a sharp three-piece suit designed by Pharrell Williams for Louis Vuitton with a fitted blazer, tie, vest, wide-leg trousers, floppy hat and heels. The story.
More from the Met Gala...
—Damson Idris had the coolest Met Gala carpet reveal
—Blackpink’s Jennie, Lisa and Rosé dazzled (and teased new music)
—Cynthia Erivo channels the Queen of Hearts
—Seventeen’s leader S.Coups looks effortlessly cool
—Stars of The White Lotus hit Met Gala in style
—Chappell Roan makes Met Gala debut in all-pink ensemble
—Bad Bunny pays tribute to Puerto Rico
—Rosalía dishes on Euphoria acting debut |
'Thunderbolts*' Asterisk Revealed ►Surprise, I guess. A new, unlikely term has been added to the lexicon of stealth Hollywood marketing stunts — a pesky asterisk. On Monday, after weeks of plotting and planning, Disney's vast marketing machine at last answered the question of why Marvel Studios‘ early summer tentpole is titled Thunderbolts* instead of just Thunderbolts. It turns out the asterisk alludes to a secondary title or tag, *The New Avengers. But don’t be confused — Disney and Marvel aren’t officially changing the title to Thunderbolts: The New Avengers. Rather, using *The New Avengers is a way to drum up post-opening interest in the film. The story.
—Surprise, again. IFC Films, one of the biggest names in the specialty distribution space, is announcing a rebrand as the Independent Film Company. Additionally, the rebranded distribution vertical will now move under the newly named umbrella IFC Entertainment Group, along with the IFC Center movie theater, RLJE label, and the horror streamer Shudder. While the change in moniker may appear small, the head of IFC Entertainment Group Scott Shooman, tells THR , “As consumers are more savvy and associate the types of films with the purveyor, it felt important to really shape and fill out that consumer face.” The Independent Film Company (or IFC for short, sans “Films”) has debuted a new logo, in addition to an audio theme from Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz of the Beastie Boys. The story.
—🎭 Filling out 🎭 This Is Us star Mandy Moore has joined comedian Nate Bargatze in The Breadwinner, a comedy feature that Eric Appel is directing for TriStar Pictures. Additionally, up and comers Stella Grace Fitzgerald, Birdie Borria and Charlotte Ann Tucker have joined the cast to play the onscreen couple’s daughters in the film. Bargatze, one of the world’s top touring comedians, co-wrote the script and is producing the film with Dan Lagna. The story sees the life of Bargatze’s character turned upside down when his supermom wife, played by Moore, lands a deal on Shark Tank. The lifelong breadwinner of the family becomes a stay-at-home dad, and quickly realizes he’s in way over his head. The story.
—📅 Dated! 📅 The new Netflix feature starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler is set for theatrical release during the prime awards-season corridor. Director Noah Baumbach's Jay Kelly will hit theaters Nov. 14 before it begins streaming three weeks later on Dec. 5. Baumbach helmed the movie from a script he co-wrote with Emily Mortimer, who also stars. Plot details are scant, but the ensemble cast includes Billy Crudup, Laura Dern, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach, Riley Keough, Patrick Wilson, Nicôle Lecky, Thaddea Graham, Jim Broadbent, Eve Hewson, Alba Rohrwacher, Lenny Henry, Josh Hamilton and Greta Gerwig. The story. |
NBC Renews 3 'Chicago' Shows ►No-brainer. NBC will keep loading its Wednesday primetime lineup full of first responders from the Windy City. The network says that it has picked up new seasons of Chicago Med, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire, which are all part of its “#OneChicago” franchise. Chicago Med is currently in season 10, Chicago P.D. is in season 12 and Chicago Fire is in season 13, with NBC touting the drama franchise as the most watched on TV (in Live + 7 Day viewing). Per NBC, the current seasons of Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. have reached nearly 46m total viewers this season to date across NBC and Peacock. The Peacock point there is important, as each of the Chicago shows has seen increased viewing on the streaming service versus last season. The story.
—🤝 Bundle deal 🤝 A new streaming bundle is entering the marketplace, combining a service for Fox News super-fans with a destination for talk radio, all in one place. The satellite radio giant SiriusXM is launching the new bundle, which will include its app-only “All Access” plan, as well as a subscription to Fox Nation, for $11.99 per month. That is a 33 percent discount compared to the price of buying each plan separately, with the SiriusXM plan normally costing $9.99 per month and Fox Nation $5.99 per month. The story.
—Boarding. Benedict Cumberbatch will executive produce a new six-part limited series, The Annecy Murders . Inspired by the infamous Chevaline killings, the show will follow the cold case that captivated the world when on Sep. 5, 2012, a British-Iraqi engineer, his wife, her mother, and a French cyclist were shot dead on a scenic road near Lake Annecy in France. Two young girls, aged 4 and 7, survived, unnoticed by first responders for hours. The event sparked a vast investigation spanning multiple countries, involving hundreds of investigators and nearly a thousand witnesses. But the unsolved mystery returned to the spotlight last summer when French authorities reopened the investigation. Carrousel, the production and financing company founded by Louis Leterrier, Omar Sy, and Thomas Benski, joins Cumberbatch’s SunnyMarch and Bob Cooper’s Landscape in bringing the drama to the screen. The story.
—What’s renewed, canceled and still in limbo. THR's Rick Porter updates our annual guide to what’s returning, what’s not and what’s new in scripted series at the broadcast networks. Bookmark this page for updates as the end of the season and the network upfronts approach. The scorecard. |
Who's Who in Sean Combs' Defense Team ►Sparing no expense. As jury selection continues in the sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, the disgraced rap mogul has assembled a team of star attorneys who have spent most of their careers defending — and often winning — legal cases similar to his just-launched trial. THR takes a look at who’s who in Combs’ defense team. The story.
—In-depth coverage. ABC News plans to go deep into the Diddy trial, ordering a daily 30-minute series that will recap and analyze the goings-on in court. The show, Burden of Proof: The Case Against Diddy, will stream on ABC News Live and be hosted by GMA3 anchor and senior national correspondent Eva Pilgrim, joined by chief investigative correspondent Aaron Katersky and legal contributor and attorney Brian Buckmire. The first episode is slated for May 9, with jury selection beginning Monday. Each episode will digest what happened in court during the racketeering and sex trafficking trial, with other guests expected to be brought in over the course of the show. The story.
In other news...
—Highest 2 Lowest teaser trailer Sees Denzel asking "can you handle it?"
—NCIS: Tony and Ziva gets first trailer, Fall premiere on Paramount+
—Squid Game final season trailer restarts the Games after failed rebellion
—Gersh hires Pamela Goldman as head of new voice department
—Drag Race judge Ts Madison announces Outlaws podcast with Tina Knowles
What else we're reading...
—Alan Siegel has a fun piece, an oral history of Danny McBride's career, as told by the people who know him best [Ringer]
—Bernd Debusmann Jr looks at whether Trump's wild idea to reopen Alcatraz as a prison is even possible [BBC]
—Alexander Ward and Nancy A. Youssef report that scandal-plagued Pete Hegseth used multiple Signal chats for official Pentagon business [WSJ]
—Conclave latest: Elizabeth Dias reports that conservative Catholics are looking to shape the Church [NYT]
—Nick Miroff reports that airport detentions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have travelers "freaked out" [Atlantic]
Today...
...in 1933, Paramount unveiled the anti-war drama The Eagle and the Hawk in theaters, starring Fredric March, Cary Grant and Carole Lombard. The original review.
Today's birthdays: George Clooney (64), Gabourey Sidibe (42), Naomi Scott (32), Adrianne Palicki (42), Emily Alyn Lind (23), Beatrice Grannò (32), Drew Tarver (39), Ginna Claire Mason (35), Leslie Hope (60), Gregg Henry (73), Lars Mikkelsen (61), Tyler Hynes (39), Hammed Animashaun (34), Sadie Sandler (19), Alan Dale (78), Kavan Smith (55), Roma Downey (65), Anne Parillaud (65), Sasheer Zamata (39), Geneva Carr (54), Noah Galvin (31), Christian Clavier (73), Shamier Anderson (34), Tiera Skovbye (30), Nuno Lopes (47), Lindsay Pulsipher (43), Paul Bazely (57), Julianne Phillips (65), Dominic Scott Kay (29), Stacey Oristano (46), Bresha Webb (41), Jaime Winstone (40), Tristán Ulloa (55), Aryan Simhadri (19), André Øvredal (52) |
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