The center of the U.S. film industry
Actor Mark Ruffalo has urged lawmakers to block Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery, linking the deal to Oracle’s ties to Israel. Paramount calls the rhetoric antisemitic tropes; George Clooney defends Ruffalo’s right to speak. Over 170 Jewish artists have signed a letter supporting Ruffalo. The merger remains under antitrust scrutiny and on hold as debate intensifies.
The Guardian, AP News, Independent, BBC Business, New York Post report that singer D4vd—David Burke—has entered a not guilty plea to murder and related charges in Los Angeles. His former private defense team has withdrawn, replaced by the LA County Public Defender’s Office after a financial evaluation deemed him eligible for appointed counsel. A status conference is scheduled for October; prosecutors maintain readiness to prove all charges beyond reasonable doubt.
Multiple sources report President Trump is calling for a federal production incentive to spur U.S. film and TV production, arguing it will bring jobs back to America. The idea has drawn support from SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, the Teamsters and lawmakers, as California expands film incentives to remain competitive.
The Television Academy is distributing hundreds of Primetime Emmys across two ceremonies at the Peacock Theater, LA. The Pitt leads drama nominations with up to nine wins possible; Hacks leads comedy nominations. Five categories move to Sunday, boosting star power as guests and rookies contend for top prizes.
The dress once worn by Princess Diana at the Serpentine fundraising dinner is expected to fetch up to $220,000 at Sotheby’s, London. The gown, by Christina Stambolian, has toured globally ahead of the December sale, with part of the proceeds supporting NHS Lothian Charity.
Malibu declares a local emergency after a large sinkhole forms on Sea Level Drive, engulfing part of a private road, triggering a gas leak and evacuation orders. Emergency services warn conditions may worsen with high tides and heavy rain from nearby Tropical Storm Marie.
Recent reports show a surge in warnings that AI could end humanity this decade, prompting calls for rapid regulation. The discourse spans major labs, politicians, and tech influencers, with divergent views on risk and timing. Readers are following developments as policymakers explore safeguards while industry argues for responsible acceleration.
Bob Mackie, a legendary fashion and costume designer known for dazzling looks for Cher, Dolly Parton, Elton John and more, has died at 87. His career spanned six decades with nine Emmys and a Tony, and his designs shaped show business fashion while remaining controversial and iconic.
The Adventures of Cliff Booth will be published on December 8, accompanied by Tarantino's novelisation of the film project. David Fincher directs from Tarantino's script, with HarperCollins describing the work as Tarantino's own vision for the story.
Los Angeles DA Nathan Hochman has decided not to seek the death penalty for Nick Reiner, who is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the December 2025 killings of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner. Prosecutors say the maximum sentence will be life without parole after a rigorous review and consideration of mitigating factors. The indictment moves directly to trial, bypassing a preliminary hearing. Reiner has acknowledged a history of addiction and mental health challenges.
Paramount Skydance faces antitrust litigation blocking its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. A California-led legal challenge threatens to push Paramount’s headquarters and thousands of jobs out of California, triggering a potential $10.6–$21.2 billion hit to state output and hundreds of millions in tax losses. The LAEDC warns the move could reshape Hollywood’s economic center.
Bloomberg reports a settlement could come this weekend or Monday, with Warner Bros. shares rising 8.6%. Paramount asserts no transfer of control, the Ellison family retains majority voting interests.
TechCrunch reports AMI Labs and World Labs are racing to commercialize world-models that automate spatial intelligence. Public product timelines remain opaque as leaders emphasize ongoing research. Demos range from CGI and game environments to robotics applications, while suppliers admit limited clarity on developers’ plans.
Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 23 years in prison after a long legal saga that includes a 2020 conviction overturned on appeal, a 2025 retrial conviction related to Miriam Haley, and ongoing litigation in California. Haley delivered a victim impact statement, while prosecutors praised her courage. Weinstein maintains innocence and faces a California resentencing after the New York judgment.
A wave of fall fashion showcases in Paris features designers embracing bold silhouettes, luxury fabrics, and a move away from muted tones. From Louis Vuitton’s futuristic stage to Valentino’s red-carpet drama, editors note a trend toward personality dressing alongside haute craftsmanship.
Ben Affleck has discussed AI concepts and his filmmaking ventures on GQ and Bloomberg events, outlining how he has used AI to aid post-production and create datasets for ethical, artist-friendly tooling. He has sold InterPositive to Netflix for a substantial sum and says AI will help, not replace, artists.
David Ellison has closed the roughly $110 billion merger that combines Paramount and Warner Bros. into a single company rebranded Skydance. The deal has folded HBO Max and Paramount+ together under one owner, brought CBS and CNN into the same corporate roof, and left the new firm carrying heavy debt while promising film release minimums and editorial safeguards.
Skydance has closed its landmark merger, uniting Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to form a media powerhouse. The deal brings HBO Max, Paramount+, CNN, CBS News, and iconic film titles under one umbrella, with Ellison and Kreiz leading the new group. The integration plan and pricing strategy remain uncertain as the company outlines its faster path to scale.
Skydance has completed its $111 billion merger, uniting Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Discovery under one umbrella and creating a media giant that also includes CNN, CBS News, HBO Max and Paramount+. The deal promises a future of unified streaming, cost savings, and potential job impacts across film and news divisions.
Federal prosecutors have charged Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old OpenAI engineer, after the company has found a sophisticated audio recorder concealed in an executive conference-room television on Sept. 30. OpenAI has fired the engineer, used its models to trace the device to him, and referred the matter to the FBI; Alfozan has been held in federal custody and appeared in court.
Netflix has appointed Peter Rice to replace Bela Bajaria as Chief Content Officer, as the company seeks to accelerate growth and diversify its slate. The move follows recent layoffs and ongoing concerns about engagement, with Rice bringing experience from Disney and Fox to oversee global content, including live sports and events.
Authorities in the Philippines are analyzing a trove of suspected child sexual abuse material found at Thomas Markle Sr.’s Cebu home, with a forensic report due within a week. Markle Sr. denies the accusations as he awaits official findings amid ongoing police inquiries and a separate probe in Mexico and the United States related to past allegations.
California has proposed extending and expanding the state’s film and TV tax credits, including above-the-line costs and longer duration through 2040, with additional funding for independent films. The move aims to keep productions in-state as LA’s industry faces a talent and facility shortage.
Kylian Mbappe’s comments about a Chinese meme have triggered a broad backlash in China. State media, broadcasters, and sponsors are pausing or ending cooperation as officials respond. Real Madrid and La Liga have apologised, while Beijing’s channels will not show some games this weekend.
Patrick Stewart has died at his Los Angeles home after a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, per his family. He is remembered for leading roles as Jean-Luc Picard and Professor Charles Xavier and for a long career on stage and screen. Memorial contributions are requested to Alzheimer’s charities, with details provided by the family.