The Business

As the Trump administration announces (and delays) tariffs, Hollywood is bracing itself for industry disruptions. What’s on the horizon for the entertainment industry amid erratic stock market fluctuations? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate. (The Banter runs from 00:01:01 to 00:07:48.) 

Plus, Masters speaks to Michael Shannon about his directorial debut, Eric LaRue. The actor tells us how the film's producers managed to quickly pack up and relocate from Little Rock to North Carolina after Arkansas enacted a strict abortion ban. Shannon also admits that despite the movie's dark subject matter, he found making it surprisingly fun. Plus, we get a taste of his R.E.M. cover band, which just wrapped a nationwide tour. (The interview segment begins at 00:07:49.)

Lionsgate touts a live performance from The Weeknd, Leonardo DiCaprio unveils explosive footage from his new Paul Thomas Anderson film, and James Gunn teases his take on Superman; Matt Belloni reports the big bets being placed by studios at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Also, what led to the ousting of Amazon MGM Studios chief Jen Salke? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive in with a heaping helping of banter.  

Plus, Masters speaks to Rebecca Rhine about the Entertainment Union Coalition’s fight to keep film and television productions shooting in California. Rhine explains how local production incentives work, and how they differ from the ones luring studios to spend their money in other states and overseas. She also lays out the coalition’s plan to create a surge of middle class production jobs in the golden state, and tells us how she’d feel about meeting with Trump’s special ambassadors to Hollywood: John Voight, Sylvester Stallone, and Mel Gibson.

It’s no surprise that a majority of Gen Z prefers content creators over traditional entertainment, but can the Hollywood establishment find a way to feed the next generation’s media diet? Matt Belloni and The Hollywood Reporter’s Alex Weprin investigate. 

Plus, we revisit Kim Masters’ conversation with Rob Reiner and Albert Brooks about Reiner’s HBO documentary, Albert Brooks: Defending My Life. The legendary filmmakers talk about their early years in the industry and they talk about the drastically changing landscape of entertainment.  

In Hollywood’s latest changing of the guards, Jeremy Zimmer has announced that he will be shifting from his post as CEO of United Talent Agency to executive board member. What’s behind the shuffle?  Plus, longtime Warner Bros partner, Village Roadshow recently filed for bankruptcy — even as arbitration continues over alleged financial losses due to the WB’s decision to release the Village Roadshow backed The Matrix Resurrections (2021) simultaneously in movie theaters and on Max. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni are here to unpack.

Masters also speaks to documentarian Alex Gibney about his mysterious new HBO project — The Dark Money Game. Gibney shares some big news about a change within Jigsaw (his production company). Plus, he reveals a very busy slate that includes projects on college culture wars, Luigi Mangione, and an ever-expanding documentary series about Elon Musk. 

Disney is dialing back the rollout of its upcoming live action Snow White remake starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot.  Why is the studio pulling its talent from red carpet press appearances at the film’s US premiere? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni are on the case. 

Plus, Masters speaks to director Lesli Linka Glatter about her Netflix limited series, Zero Day. Glatter, whose work in television includes Twin Peaks, Mad Men, and The West Wing, shares stories of being mentored by George Miller, Steven Spielberg, and David Lynch. She also reveals some of the more absurd aspects of directing for streamers.

The 97th annual Academy Awards broadcast saw a 1% increase in viewership from last year’s telecast. What’s behind the ratings boost? Might this have any  effect on where the awards show lands after ABC’s deal with the academy ends in 2028? Also, is the Disney CEO succession race heating up? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate.

Plus, Eric Deggans speaks with Muslim Matchmaker creator Smriti Mundhra about her diverse body of work. She has a slew of dating series spread across streamers, and has made a couple of Oscar nominated documentary shorts, including last year’s I am Ready, Warden. She also talks about working as a production secretary for the Coen brothers on the films O Brother Where art Thou? and The Man Who Wasn’t There.

Lucasfilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy has announced she will step down from her post at the end of 2025. How will this affect Star Wars? Also, Barbara Broccoli, heiress to the James Bond franchise, has sold the rights to Amazon. What could this mean for the 007 legacy? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate. 

Plus, NPR’s Jeff Lunden speaks to songwriters Clément Ducol and Camille about creating the musical world of Emilia Pérez. After director Jacques Audiard handed the married songwriting team a 20-page treatment, they undertook a months-long collaboration on the full script. They also speak about the multiple controversies surrounding the film — including the criticisms from GLAAD and Mexican citizens, and lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón’s bigoted social media posts.

The ongoing Murdoch family drama is ramping up again; this time coming in the form of courtroom details released from a private trial in Nevada. Also, why is Harvey Weinstein suing his brother? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate. 

Plus, Masters speaks to Pamela Anderson about starring in The Last Showgirl. The actress, who says she was a shy girl from a small town in Canada, shares how a chance appearance on a jumbotron at a football game catapulted her into the world of entertainment. She also recalls that her now-former agent nearly cost her the starring role in The Last Showgirl, which has brought her a SAG-AFTRA nomination for Best Actress.

The Trump administration’s hostility toward DEI initiatives has led companies like Disney and PBS to reevaluate their stance on advocating for these principles. How will the pendulum swing affect Hollywood under the new presidential administration? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate.  

Plus, Masters speaks to Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, the co-directors of Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. Park and Crossingham share how they balanced claymation, a notoriously time-consuming medium, with modern filmmaking tools in the latest Wallace and Gromit adventure. And the pair explains why animating even a mostly motionless character — like the menacing criminal mastermind Feathers Mcgraw — is surprisingly difficult.

Listen to a special preview of Jeff Lunden's conversation with Clément Ducol & Camille on their songwriting process for 'Emilia Pérez.'