Hollywood Breakdown

AMC struck a deal with NBCUniversal to allow the studio’s movies to come to video on-demand services 17 days after their theatrical releases. The theater chain was in financial trouble even before the pandemic, and this move could be a lifeline as theaters reopen in some states. Other studios and cinemas are skeptical of the deal, claiming that the model does not make business sense.

The Washington Nationals are playing the New York Yankees on Thursday night — in an empty stadium.Fox Sports is using computer animation to add “virtual fans” to the broadcast. Fox also announced that they sold out 90% of ad inventory for the game.

Nick Cannon has apologized for anti-Semitic comments he recently made on his podcast. During the public outcry over his speech, he was fired from VH1, where he hosted the long-running sketch comedy show “Wild 'N Out.” He will continue to host “The Masked Singer” on Fox. Also, Tucker Carlson takes a vacation from hosting his Fox News show after his head writer was fired for online hate speech.

NBC’s Peacock launches on July 15, and one way it hopes to stand apart from other streamers is price. A basic ad-supported version of the service will be free. Peacock will offer classic NBC shows like “Law & Order” and “30 Rock,” plus some Universal movies. 

As Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered the closures of bars, movie theaters and indoor restaurants in California, Disneyland in Anaheim has yet to announce a new reopening date. In Florida, where coronavirus cases are also surging, Walt Disney World still plans to reopen on July 11. Many Disney World employees don’t want to return to work yet because Disney is not offering COVID-19 tests to employees. 

The Walt Disney Company recently announced that Disneyland will not reopen next month as planned, even though Disney World will reopen starting July 11. Meanwhile, with movie theaters still closed across the country, this summer’s release schedule is in flux.

This week, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the Oscars ceremony will be postponed until April 2021, and the eligibility requirement for films has been extended until February 28, 2021. The Academy also said they will unveil new diversity requirements this July.

This week, Hollywood continued reckoning with onscreen depictions of racism and police violence. The Paramount Network pulled its long-running police reality show “Cops,” while A&E canceled its hit show “Live P.D.” Meanwhile, HBO Max has pulled “Gone With the Wind” from streaming for glorifying slavery. The network says it will return at a later date with a disclaimer denouncing the film for portraying slaves who remain loyal to their masters even after the end of slavery.

As Black Lives Matter protests and marches have continued throughout the week, Hollywood has given mixed responses.  Some studios put out bland corporate statements, while others have donated money to social justice causes. Some have shown up to protests, including actors Keke Palmer in Los Angeles and John Boyega in London, who both made powerful speeches. 

Apple is upping their movie game and putting their stamp on an awards-caliber film. The tech giant is planning to partner with Paramount for Martin Scorsese’s next movie, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” The period drama stars Leonardo DiCaprio and carries a price tag of at least $150 million. Scorcese’s last movie, “The Irishman,” went to Netflix. While that film landed nominations for the streamer, it didn’t take home any of the big awards. Apple is hoping this next Scorsese film can bring them Oscar gold.