Quibi Is Shutting Down Barely Six Months After Going Live
Quibi Holdings LLC is shutting down a mere six months after launching its streaming service, a crash landing for a once highly touted startup that attracted some of the biggest names in Hollywood and had looked to revolutionize how people consume entertainment. The streaming service, which served up shows in 5- to 10-minute “chapters” formatted to fit a smartphone screen, has been plagued with problems since its April debut, facing lower-than-expected viewership and a lawsuit from a well-capitalized foe. “Our failure was not for lack of trying,” founder Jeffrey Katzenberg and Chief Executive Meg Whitman said in an open letter to employees and investors. “We’ve considered and exhausted every option available to us.”
The Animaniacs Are Totally Insaney and Never Mansplainy in Their Reboot Trailer
To quote the eternally wise Yakko in the new Animaniacs trailer, “Reboots are symptomatic of a fundamental lack of originality in Hollywood.” That is until Hulu wants to give you a two-season deal worth millions of dollars. You really should see their new contracts. And sledgehammers! And red noses! Along with Wakko, Dot, Pinky, and the Brain, our Animaniacs crew (with its original voice actors in tow) is back and enjoying its typical nonsense in its water tower. Mostly, though, it’s just nice to know that the Brain keeps trying and failing to take over the world, even amid a pandemic. All 13 new episodes will premiere on November 20. It’ll be zany to the max.
The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda’s adventures continue in brand new look at season two
The Mandalorian’s second season is just days away from premiering on Disney Plus, and a new trailer for the Star Wars series teases what fans can expect. Most of the trailer focused on the Mando’s continued adventures with the Child, including an ominous moment where he’s warned that the worlds he’s trying to visit are no places for a child. Much like executive producers Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni teased in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the show looks like it will tackle more substantial narrative lines than we got in the first season.
‘The Batman’ Using ‘Mandalorian’ Virtual Production Techniques
Warner Bros.’ The Batman, which is currently filming in the U.K., is using virtual production techniques for select scenes, Industrial Light & Magic chief creative officer Rob Bredow revealed Monday during a featured session from this year’s virtual VIEW visual effects and animation confab. Virtual production — a term generally used to describe techniques that enable real-time visual effects production — has been steadily growing in popularity, particularly with Jon Favreau’s uses on The Lion King and The Mandalorian.
Jared Leto Reprising Joker Role for Zack Snyder’s ‘Justice League’
Jared Leto is returning to the DC Comics fold, reprising his role as the Joker from 2016’s “Suicide Squad” in Zack Snyder’s new version of “Justice League.” It’s unclear whether Leto was always meant to appear in “Justice League” before Snyder left the feature in early 2017 in advance of significant reshoots by filmmaker Joss Whedon, or if Leto is a new addition given the four-hour length the upcoming Snyder Cut, which will premiere on HBO Max in 2021. Regardless, Leto is joining other actors from “Justice League” this week for additional photography on the project.
‘Archer’ Renewed for Season 12 at FXX
“Archer” has been renewed for Season 12 at FXX. The 12th season of the animated comedy series is slated to debut in 2021 on FXX and FX on Hulu. “’Archer’ is back in a big way this season, with viewership up as the Emmy Award-winning spy series returns to its roots and begins to plot a 12th season next year,” said Nick Grad, president of original programming for FX Entertainment. “Our thanks to Adam Reed, Matt Thompson, Casey Willis and the entire team at Floyd County Productions for keeping ‘Archer’ as fun as ever and true to form. Together with its unbelievable voice cast, Archer is set to give fans another great season.”
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