Shares of Disney rose 4.5% Friday, closing to a 38-day high of $106.63, as investors were encouraged by new federal guidelines setting a timetable for when large venues — including theaters and theme parks — could reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic. 18 more words
Los Angeles’ Comedy Store will stream a live, three-hour video showcase for comedians on April 21 as a fundraiser for The Comedy Store Family Fund, a charitable effort that has taken on new urgency during the COVID-19 crisis. 21 more words
via The Comedy Store to Live-Stream Starry Fundraiser to Benefit Coronavirus Relief Efforts — Variety
Amazon has piled more free-to-stream content into Prime Video, including HBO original series, Warner Bros. movies and 20 “Sesame Street” episodes. Through a deal with HBO, Prime Video is making free — to anyone in the U.S. 28 more words
via Amazon Prime Video Adds Free HBO and ‘Sesame Street’ Episodes, Warner Bros. Movies — Variety
The year ahead may well amount to the worst of times and the best of times for private equity players with big investments in media and entertainment. 30 more words
via Coronavirus Crisis Creates Both Upheaval and Opportunity for Media Investors — Variety
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a former Democratic presidential hopeful, has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden in the race for the White House. Warren’s endorsement is important to Biden as the senator from Massachusetts is a respected liberal standard-bearer for the Democratic Party. 16 more words
via Senator Elizabeth Warren Endorses Joe Biden For President — Variety
Mark Ruffalo wants to reprise his role as Bruce Banner and his mean, green alter-ego the Hulk in future Avengers sequels and spinoffs. However, the actor admits that it’s unclear when or if the strongest man alive will resurface after Earth’s Mightiest Heroes defeated Thanos in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.” “There’s nothing completely at a place…
via Mark Ruffalo on the Hulk’s Future and Why He’d Love to Team With Wolverine — Variety
Netflix — for now — is worth more than Disney, after the streaming company’s shares rose to all-time highs Wednesday. The company’s stock, extending its three-day rally, was up over 3% in morning trading, reaching a peak of $430 during the session. 15 more words
via Netflix Worth More Than Disney as Streamer’s Stock Hits All-Time Highs — Variety
Disney Plus is trying is saying “May the fourth be with you” with some new behind-the-scenes “Mandalorian” content. On May 4, known of course as Star Wars Day, the streamer will premiere an eight-part docuseries on the making of the popular series which spawned Baby Yoda and has been a driving force behind the platform’s…
via ‘The Mandalorian’ Behind-the-Scenes Docuseries Coming to Disney Plus — Variety
“Better Call Saul” and “Breaking Bad” star Bob Odenkirk is launching a new production company, Cal-Gold Pictures, and has signed a first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television. 32 more words
via Bob Odenkirk Launches Production Company, Signs First-Look Deal With Sony TV — Variety
In 1995, “Outbreak” represented a very different type of Hollywood thriller. Instead of pitting its heroes against criminals, terrorists or other generic baddies, the movie’s antagonist was a deadly virus. 28 more words
via ‘Outbreak’ Writers on How the Movie’s Deadly Illness Compares to the Coronavirus Pandemic — Variety
Festival Reviews 