How we doing, folks? Everyone getting some sunshine before it gets too cold? It’s fall here but that bitter chill you feel might be the realization that 2020 is our first year without new Marvel theatrical content, owing to the fact that going to a theater/restaurant/anywhere is a harrowing thought for many folks (me, it’s me).
Television
Despite that, Marvel continues to announce various MCU projects and that now includes a potential Nick Fury series starring Samuel L. Jackson. Can’t imagine it living on Disney+, home of kid-friendly entertainment, and I’m not sure what he’d be up to because I’m pretty sure he’s in space right now, but I do know that I can’t muster any energy for another police procedural so just let him fight aliens on the moon. [Variety]
Maybe the new Nick Fury show will live on Hulu like Helstrom, a show that continues to actually exist.
Welcome to #WandaVision. Coming soon to #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/zL7i2yAB0h
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) September 21, 2020
There’s a GoFundMe for medical expenses for actor Michael Hogan (Colonel Saul Tigh on Battlestar Galactica and Teen Wolf antagonist Grandpa Argent). He’s been recovering from a serious fall since February and neither he nor his wife have been able to work. Send him some good vibes and maybe a few dollars if you are so inclined. [Variety]
Senator Marsha Blackburn and four of her Republican Senatorial colleagues (Kevin Cramer (ND), Martha McSally (AZ), Rick Scott (FL), and Thom Tillis(NC)) wrote a letter to Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos pushing back on the plan to adapt Liu Cixin’s Three Body Problem for the streaming service, due to the author’s support for the mass imprisonment and other atrocities being enacted by the Chinese government in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. (Blackburn and Marco Rubio had similar concerns regarding Mulan). This is one of those ‘the worst person you know just made a great point’ situations. [The Guardian]
CW actors Asha Bromfield (Melody Valentine in Riverdale), Candice Patton (Iris West in Flash), Nafessa Williams (Anissa Pierce in Black Lightning), and Vanessa Morgan (Toni Topaz in Riverdale), all took time to speak to Teen Vogue about being young, gifted, and Black in a racist industry. [TeenVogue]
Yes, it’s official. Thank you to everyone who supported this show, and continues to do so! It led to today. WOO F**KIN’ HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! pic.twitter.com/nNyKGhIXOI
— Patrick Schumacker? (@PMSchumacker) September 18, 2020
The Emmys were this past weekend, and they made history with seven Black winners, including Regina King and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for their performances in Watchmen. [THR]
Other notable winners include Uzo Aduba (Mrs. America), a comedy acting sweep by the cast of Schitt’s Creek, and Zendaya (Euphoria). [CNN]
Film
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who has excellent taste in projects, gave some cryptic insights to Matrix 4. [Collider]
As a classically-trained pianist born in China, I believe it's impossible to tell Lang Lang's story without an intimate understanding of Chinese culture + the impact of the Cultural Revolution on artists & intellectuals + the effects of Western imperialism. Just saying.? https://t.co/63B14TCsRB
— Lulu Wang (@thumbelulu) September 22, 2020
Sorry to Ron Howard, but maybe it’s time to take a producing role and be a real leader in the industry and commit to helping out marginalized director? JK, you know this dude is gonna make this movie.
Disney pushes back the release dates for both Black Widow and West Side Story, a remake that honestly makes me furious every time I remember it’s happening. Like, I’m not a Hamilton fanatic but Lin-Manuel Miranda is RIGHT THERE and yet Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner are the ones at the helm? [THR]
Industry
In news that’s bad for both entertainment journos and those of us that read said journalism, Penske Media Corp. struck a deal with MRC to operate Billboard, Vibe, and the Hollywood Reporter, putting them under the same corporate roof as PMC’s Variety, Rolling Stone, and Music Business Worldwide. [Variety]
Quibi paid stars very handsomely, but paid writers and non-name actors below standard union rates. Please let this be the last example of how that model always fails.
— Melissa Hunter (@himelissahunter) September 21, 2020
Quibi might be looking for buyers…I wouldn’t hate it if Shudder picked up the horror titles so I could finally watch them. [Variety]
