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Chloé Zhao launches Kodansha Studios for manga adaptations
Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao and producer Nicolas Gonda announced the establishment of Kodansha Studios on Tuesday, marking the…
- Chloé Zhao and Nicolas Gonda launched Kodansha Studios on November 4, 2025, marking the first Hollywood-based production company for Japan's publishing giant Kodansha, with a focus on creating live-action film and television adaptations from the publisher's extensive manga library including iconic titles like Akira and Attack on Titan
deadline+2. - Zhao, the Oscar-winning director of Nomadland, will serve as Chief Creative Officer while Gonda takes on the role of President and Chief Operations Officer, with Kodansha Executive Managing Director Hiroaki Morita appointed as CEO of the new venture
deadline+2. - The studio aims to connect international filmmakers with renowned Japanese manga creators to develop premium adaptations across multiple genres including romance, drama, horror, action, and fantasy, leveraging Kodansha's catalog of over 4,000 titles that have collectively sold more than half a billion copies
deadline+1. - Zhao expressed her lifelong passion for manga and emphasized the studio's goal to foster cultural understanding while empowering both Japanese authors and global filmmakers, with Kodansha emphasizing that direct production oversight will help minimize excessive alterations to original content and protect creator rights
deadline+1. - The announcement comes amid growing success of anime and manga adaptations in international markets, with Kodansha President Yoshinobu Noma calling the studio "a pivotal moment" in the relationship between Japanese publishers and Hollywood
oricon-group+1.
Disney+ Japan lands Korean content deal to challenge Netflix
Disney+ Japan The Walt Disney Company has inked a landmark multi-year content partnership with South Korean entertainment giant…
- Disney+ Japan has signed a multi-year content partnership with South Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM to bring up to 60 original series and dramas from the streaming platform Tving to Japanese audiences for the first time, with content rollout beginning November 5
variety+1. - The deal positions Disney+ as the exclusive subscription video-on-demand partner for Tving in Japan, with the thriller series "Dear X" starring Kim Yoo-jung launching exclusively on Disney+ Japan November 6, alongside beloved Korean hits like "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" and "Reply 1988"
variety+1. - Disney+ Japan will launch dedicated sections called "Tving Highlights" and "Tving Collection" on its homepage to showcase the Korean content library, marking Tving's international debut as both companies compete for dominance in Japan's $4.5 billion streaming market
variety+1. - The partnership comes as Netflix holds 21.7% market share in Japan compared to Disney+'s 8.9%, with Korean content proving crucial for streaming success in the Asia-Pacific region's most valuable market
imdb+1. - The Disney+ deal follows CJ ENM's October agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery to launch a Tving hub on HBO Max across 17 Asia-Pacific markets in early 2026, as the Korean studio expands globally with $818 million in content spending
hollywoodreporter+1.
Netherlands to return 3,500-year-old sculpture stolen from Egypt
The Netherlands announced it will return a 3,500-year-old stone sculpture to Egypt after determining the ancient artifact was…
- Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced Sunday that the Netherlands will return a 3,500-year-old stone sculpture to Egypt after authorities determined it was looted during the 2011 Arab Spring upheaval and illegally exported from the country
cbsnews+2. - The sculpture, depicting a high-ranking official from the dynasty of Pharaoh Thutmose III (1479-1425 BC), was discovered at the TEFAF Maastricht art fair in 2022 after Dutch authorities received an anonymous tip about its illicit origins
cbsnews+2. - The artifact was being offered for sale by a Swiss gallery for €190,000 ($220,000) when it was confiscated, and the dealer voluntarily surrendered the piece after Dutch police and cultural heritage inspectors confirmed it had been plundered and unlawfully removed from Egypt
news.artnet+2. - Schoof made the announcement during his visit to the grand opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, a $1.2 billion facility housing over 100,000 artifacts spanning 7,000 years of ancient Egyptian civilization, including the complete contents of King Tutankhamun's tomb
cbsnews+2. - The sculpture is expected to be handed over to the Egyptian ambassador in the Netherlands by the end of this year, marking the first artifact returned to Egypt since the museum's opening
cbsnews+2.
Medieval tower Torre dei Conti collapses during renovation in Rome
A dramatic rescue operation continued into the evening Monday after Rome's 13th-century Torre dei Conti partially collapsed during…
- Part of Rome's medieval Torre dei Conti partially collapsed on Monday morning during renovation work near the Colosseum, critically injuring a 64-year-old worker and trapping another under rubble for hours
euronews+2. - The 13th-century tower, built in 1238 by Pope Innocent III, experienced two separate collapses—the first around 11:30 AM local time and a second about 90 minutes later that forced firefighters to retreat and complicated rescue efforts
euronews+2. - Rome Fire Brigade deployed three operational teams, two ladder trucks, and specialist units to rescue four workers, with three evacuated successfully while one remained trapped but responsive as rescuers worked through the evening using cranes and drones
euronews+2. - Rome prosecutors opened an investigation into negligent assault, examining the construction work and contract awarding process for the restoration project funded by Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan
euronews+1. - Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli attended the scene as authorities closed the busy tourist area along Via dei Fori Imperiali near the Imperial Forums and Roman Forum
euronews+2.
AC/DC to launch 21-show Power Up Tour in 2026
AC/DC unveiled their highly anticipated 2026 Power Up Tour schedule on Monday, November 3, featuring 21 stadium shows…
- AC/DC announced 21 new stadium shows for their Power Up Tour on Monday, November 3, spanning South and North America from February through September 2026
axs+2. - The tour launches February 24, 2026 at Estádio do MorumBIS in São Paulo, Brazil, with additional South American stops in Santiago, Chile (March 11), Buenos Aires, Argentina (March 23), and Mexico City (April 7) before the North American leg begins July 11 in Charlotte, North Carolina
axs+2. - Major North American stops include Madison, Wisconsin, Denver, Colorado, Las Vegas, Nevada, San Francisco, California, Toronto, Ontario, and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, concluding September 29 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia
axs+2. - The current lineup features founding member Angus Young on lead guitar, vocalist Brian Johnson, rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, drummer Matt Laug, and bassist Chris Chaney, with The Pretty Reckless opening all shows
axs+2. - Tickets go on sale Friday, November 7 at 10 a.m. local time for most venues, with Denver, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia shows starting sales at noon local time
billboard+2.
Schwarzenegger praises Powell’s ‘Running Man’ remake
Arnold Schwarzenegger has given his enthusiastic endorsement to Edgar Wright's upcoming remake of "The Running Man," praising it…
- Arnold Schwarzenegger gave an enthusiastic endorsement to Edgar Wright's upcoming remake of The Running Man, calling it "incredible" and the first faithful adaptation of Stephen King's original vision after viewing a private screening
screenrant. - Schwarzenegger revealed that The Running Man is the "only" movie in his entire filmography he would do again, expressing that his 1987 version could have been "better" with more preparation and modern visual effects
cbr. - Stephen King praised Wright's adaptation on social media, writing "I've seen it and it's fantastic. DIE HARD for our time. A bipartisan thrill ride," a stark contrast to his negative reaction to the 1987 film, which he demanded his name be removed from
thenightly+1. - Glen Powell, who stars as desperate father Ben Richards, said Schwarzenegger recognized the intense physicality of the role, telling him "This was a very painful movie for you" after seeing how much Powell threw himself into the action sequences
screenrant. - The Running Man hits theaters on November 14, 2025, featuring Powell alongside Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Michael Cera, and Lee Pace in Wright's adaptation that stays much closer to King's 1982 dystopian novel
cbr+1.
Chainsaw Man movie tops Dragon Ball Super’s U.S. record
Sony and Crunchyroll's "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc" has accomplished what seemed impossible just weeks ago,…
- Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc has surpassed Dragon Ball Super: Broly's seven-year U.S. box office record, reaching $30.8 million domestically to dethrone the Dragon Ball film's $30.7 million lifetime gross and become the sixth highest-grossing anime film in American history
cbr+1. - Despite a 66.7% drop during the Halloween weekend of October 31 to November 2, 2025, the film earned $6 million in its second weekend, outperforming comparable anime releases like Jujutsu Kaisen 0 which saw a 74.5% drop
cbr+1. - The film has achieved $139 million in global box office earnings, including $108.2 million internationally and approximately $51.45 million in Japan, with analysts projecting a U.S. theatrical run between $40-45 million
cbr+1. - The success marks another achievement for Sony and Crunchyroll following Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle's record-breaking $70 million U.S. opening, with the Chainsaw Man film earning an "A" CinemaScore and high critical praise
cbr+1.
AI artist Xania Monet debuts on Billboard radio chart
An AI-powered artist has made history by becoming the first artificial intelligence creation to debut on a Billboard…
- Xania Monet, an AI-generated artist created by Mississippi poet Telisha Jones using the Suno platform, made history by debuting at No. 30 on Billboard's Adult R&B Airplay chart with "How Was I Supposed to Know?", becoming the first AI artist to achieve sufficient radio airplay for a Billboard radio ranking
poprant.indiatimes+2. - The track experienced a 28% increase in plays during the week of October 17-23, with 15 adult R&B radio stations contributing to its chart debut, while also reaching No. 1 on the R&B Digital Song Sales chart
poprant.indiatimes+2. - Xania Monet secured a multimillion-dollar recording contract with Hallwood Media following a bidding war, with some labels reportedly offering up to $3 million for the AI artist
cnn+1. - The development has sparked fierce backlash from human musicians, with R&B singer Kehlani criticizing the deal and stating "the person is doing none of the work," while broader industry concerns focus on AI platforms potentially training on copyrighted music without permission
futurism+1. - According to Billboard, at least one AI or AI-assisted artist has charted in each of the past four weeks, suggesting the trend is rapidly accelerating as AI music becomes increasingly prevalent on streaming platforms and radio despite ongoing controversy
futurism.
Netflix to screen ‘Jay Kelly’ on 35mm at historic theaters before streaming
Netflix is embracing old-school movie magic ahead of awards season, announcing that Noah Baumbach's latest dramedy "Jay Kelly"…
- Netflix will screen Noah Baumbach's dramedy "Jay Kelly" on 35mm film at historic movie palaces worldwide, including the Egyptian Theatre, Music Box in Chicago, and Picturehouse Central in London, before its streaming debut
variety+1.
- The film, shot and printed on 35mm Kodak film stock, stars George Clooney and Adam Sandler in a story about a famous actor and his manager reflecting on their lives during a European journey
variety+1.
- "Jay Kelly" opens in select theaters on November 14, 2025, followed by its Netflix release on December 5, with attendees receiving limited-edition film programs at the special screenings
variety+2.
- The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival where it competed for the Golden Lion and has generated Oscar buzz, with Netflix submitting it for Golden Globe consideration in comedy categories
geektyrant+1.
- Director Noah Baumbach described the theatrical run as "incredibly meaningful," calling it a celebration of cinema that honors the moviegoing experience in historic theaters
variety+2.
‘Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’ streaming release delayed to 2026 at earliest
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has unveiled five new scene cuts showcasing Tanjiro Kamado's intense confrontation with Upper Rank…
- Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle will remain exclusive to theaters throughout 2026, with streaming availability now potentially delayed until 2027, according to an announcement from the anime's official English account on November 1, 2025
screenrant+1. - The film has become a box office phenomenon since its July 18, 2025 premiere, earning over $674 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing international film in U.S. history with $132.7 million domestically, surpassing Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
boxofficemojo+1. - In Japan, Infinity Castle earned ¥33.6 billion to become the second-highest-grossing film ever domestically, overtaking Spirited Away and trailing only its 2020 predecessor Mugen Train
nippon+1. - The film's theatrical exclusivity through 2025 was previously confirmed by Crunchyroll's Executive Vice President Mitchel Berger, but the latest update extends that exclusivity into 2026, disappointing fans hoping for earlier streaming access
screenrant+1. - A new eight-week promotional campaign featuring character-focused commercials with actual film footage launched November 1, beginning with scenes of Tanjiro Kamado battling Upper Rank demon Akaza, as the first installment in a planned trilogy continues its theatrical run
screenrant.
Queen launches documentary series for ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ 50th anniversary
Queen launched a special five-part documentary series this week to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their iconic song…
- Queen launched a special five-part documentary series titled "Queen The Greatest" on October 31, 2025, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their iconic song "Bohemian Rhapsody," which was originally released on the same date in 1975.
blabbermouth+1 - The series features exclusive interviews with surviving band members Sir Brian May and Roger Taylor, who reveal that the legendary track represented a natural evolution rather than a radical departure, tracing its roots to earlier experimental songs like "My Fairy King" and "March of the Black Queen."
blabbermouth+2 - May and Taylor describe working with Freddie Mercury's unpredictable creative process, with May recalling how Mercury would present fragmented ideas including "the operatic section" that the band would either reject or fully embrace.
blabbermouth+1 - To commemorate the anniversary, Queen reissued "Bohemian Rhapsody" on heavyweight blue vinyl in 7" and 12" formats, along with picture disc and cassette versions, and released "A Night At The Opera" on crystal clear vinyl with gold labels.
blabbermouth+2 - The remaining four episodes of the documentary series will be released weekly throughout November 2025, providing an in-depth exploration of the musical evolution behind one of rock's most celebrated songs.
blabbermouth+2
Fortnite launches Simpsons mini-season with Springfield Island
Epic Games successfully launched its highly anticipated Simpsons collaboration on November 1, 2025, following the "Welcome, Our Alien…
- Fortnite launched its Simpsons collaboration on November 1, 2025, beginning with an 11-minute live event called "Welcome, Our Alien Overlords" featuring characters Kang and Kodos that merged the game's island with Springfield
beebom+1.
- The collaboration introduces a completely new Springfield Island map featuring nine named locations including the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, Burns Manor, and Evergreen Terrace, all rendered in the show's signature cel-shaded art style
videogameschronicle+2.
- The new map accommodates 80 players instead of the usual 100 due to its smaller size, designed to offer faster-paced matches, and includes iconic locations like Moe's Tavern, the Kwik-E-Mart, and Krusty Burger
videogameschronicle+1.
- A Springfield Battle Pass offers premium character skins including Homer, Marge, and Flanders, while four original Simpsons animated shorts co-produced by Epic Games and Gracie Films will be released weekly on Disney+ and Fortnite's social channels
videogameschronicle.
- Players who link their Epic and Disney accounts before February 28, 2026, will receive Kang and Kodos' ship as a glider, and new content will be added weekly throughout the month-long mini-season
videogameschronicle.
Ronan, Sawai, Wood and McKenna-Bruce join Beatles biopic
Sony Pictures officially confirmed yesterday that four acclaimed actresses will portray the wives and partners of The Beatles…
- Sony Pictures announced that Saoirse Ronan, Anna Sawai, Aimee Lou Wood, and Mia McKenna-Bruce will portray the wives and partners of The Beatles in director Sam Mendes' ambitious four-film biographical project set for April 2028.
98online+1
- Four-time Oscar nominee Ronan will play photographer Linda McCartney, Emmy winner Sawai will portray artist Yoko Ono, Wood will depict model Pattie Boyd, and BAFTA Rising Star winner McKenna-Bruce will play Maureen Starkey.
98online+2
- They join the previously announced core cast of Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.
98online+1
- The groundbreaking project marks the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles have granted full life story and music rights for scripted films, with each movie told from a different band member's perspective.
98online+1
- All four films will be released in theaters simultaneously in April 2028, with Sony Pictures CEO Tom Rothman calling it "the first bingeable theatrical experience," while additional casting for key figures like Brian Epstein and George Martin is forthcoming.
consequence+1
Maurizio Cattelan’s gold toilet to be auctioned at Sotheby’s
Sotheby's announced on October 31 that it will auction Maurizio Cattelan's notorious 18-karat solid gold toilet, titled "America,"…
- Sotheby's announced it will auction Maurizio Cattelan's solid gold toilet sculpture titled "America" on November 18 in New York, with a starting bid of approximately $10 million based on the artwork's weight of 101.2 kilograms of 18-karat gold
abcnews.go+1. - The fully functional toilet will be displayed at Sotheby's new Breuer Building headquarters from November 8 through the auction, though visitors will only be allowed to view it, not use it, unlike previous installations
abcnews.go+1. - The piece first gained fame in 2016 when installed at New York's Guggenheim Museum, where over 100,000 visitors lined up to use it, and again in 2019 when an identical edition was stolen from Blenheim Palace in England and never recovered
abcnews.go+1. - This represents the only surviving edition of the sculpture, as the stolen version is believed to have been melted down, and marks the first time an artwork's starting bid will be determined by its literal weight in gold, fluctuating with market prices until the hammer falls
sothebys+1. - The auction comes as gold prices have surged, with demand reaching a record 1,313 metric tons in the third quarter of 2025, potentially positioning the toilet to exceed Cattelan's current auction record of $17.2 million set by his "Him" sculpture in 2016
observer.
Crowe to direct Joni Mitchell biopic with Taylor-Joy, Streep in talks
Oscar-winning director Cameron Crowe is set to make his return to narrative filmmaking with a highly anticipated biographical…
- Cameron Crowe is developing a biographical film about legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, marking his first narrative feature since 2015's "Aloha," with production expected to begin by late 2025 and completion targeted for Christmas 2026.
usatoday+1 - Anya Taylor-Joy and Meryl Streep are rumored to portray Mitchell at different stages of her life, with Taylor-Joy playing the folk icon during her breakthrough 1960s and 70s era and Streep embodying present-day Mitchell, though Crowe has declined to confirm the casting.
usatoday+2 - Crowe has been meeting with Mitchell every Monday night for approximately four years, conducting in-depth interviews and gaining unprecedented access to her personal archives including clothing, instruments, and handwritten notes.
usatoday+1 - Production was originally scheduled to start in March 2025 but was delayed after Crowe's Los Angeles home was affected by January wildfires, with filming now expected to commence by the end of 2025.
worldofreel - Crowe describes the project as his most rewarding creative endeavor, aiming to create a film that "should feel like a Joni Mitchell album" and present the 81-year-old artist's life from her own perspective rather than as a traditional biopic.
usatoday+1
Grande joins American Horror Story Season 13
Creator Ryan Murphy delivered a Halloween surprise Thursday, announcing the cast for American Horror Story Season 13 through…
- Ryan Murphy announced the cast for American Horror Story Season 13 on Halloween, October 31, 2025, revealing that pop star Ariana Grande will make her franchise debut alongside returning veterans including Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and others.
tvinsider+2
- Jessica Lange's return marks the biggest surprise, as she had emphatically stated in February 2025 that she would not return to the series, saying "Oh Christ, no," noting she hadn't done it for more than 10 years.
tvinsider+1
- The cast reunion includes franchise regulars Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, and Leslie Grossman, with the lineup strongly suggesting a Coven/Apocalypse reunion.
tvinsider+2
- Ariana Grande is reuniting with creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk after previously starring in their horror comedy series Scream Queens in 2015.
cbs4local+1
- Season 13 is set to premiere on Halloween 2026, with the announcement featuring Emma Roberts' signature catchphrase from Coven: "Surprise, b*h. I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me."
tvinsider+1
‘Wicked: For Good’ projected to open with $115M
Universal Comcast Corporation's highly anticipated sequel "Wicked: For Good" is tracking to open with a bewitching $115 million…
- Universal's highly anticipated sequel Wicked: For Good is projected to open with $115 million to $120 million domestically during its November 21 Thanksgiving weekend debut, according to tracking data from leading market research firm NRG
imdb+1. - The projections would match or exceed the first Wicked film's $112.5 million opening from last November, and would rank as the fifth-highest opening weekend of 2025 behind A Minecraft Movie, Lilo & Stitch, Superman, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps
deadline+1. - Presales for the Jon M. Chu-directed sequel are pacing ahead of the original film, which became the highest-grossing Broadway musical adaptation ever with $473.2 million domestically and $756.4 million worldwide
imdb+1. - The strong projections offer relief for theater owners following October 2025's disastrous box office performance, which is expected to total just $425 million—the worst October in 27 years, excluding the pandemic-affected 2020
slashfilm+1. - Wicked: For Good will face competition from Disney's Zootopia 2, which opens November 26 with projections of $95 million to $110 million for its three-day debut
mickeyblog+1.
Sony ramps up search for anime to adapt into live-action films
Sony Pictures International Productions is ramping up its search for anime and manga properties to adapt into live-action…
- Sony Pictures International Productions is ramping up its search for anime and manga properties to adapt into live-action films, with Executive Vice President Shebnem Askin announcing the ambitious expansion during a presentation at TIFFCOM on October 30, 2025
comicbook+2. - The push comes as anime films experience unprecedented box office success, with Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle becoming the highest-grossing international film ever in North America at $128.6 million and Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc earning $23.4 million in the U.S. after topping domestic charts for a full week
comicbook+2. - Sony currently has the Kingdom franchise as its main live-action manga adaptation, but Askin stated the studio is taking meetings with companies producing anime content to find new properties suitable for worldwide adaptation
comicbook+2. - The studio operates across ten countries and employs a systematic greenlighting process that requires creative approval and profit-and-loss projections from local managing directors, with projects needing at least five signatures to move forward
deadline. - Askin emphasized that Sony remains focused on theatrical releases even as anime dominates the market, stating "we are a theatrical studio, so our number one mission is to make theatrical movies"
comicbook.
Hulu orders ‘Southern Bastards’ pilot from ‘Ozark’ creator
Hulu The Walt Disney Company's Onyx Collective has ordered a pilot for "Southern Bastards," a television adaptation of…
- Hulu's Onyx Collective has ordered a pilot for "Southern Bastards," a television adaptation of the award-winning Image Comics series created by Jason Aaron and Jason Latour, announced October 30, 2025
deadline+2. - The crime drama follows a tenacious military veteran searching for her estranged father in Craw County, Alabama, where she discovers a dangerous network of organized crime run by the most successful high school football coach in the South
deadline+2. - Bill Dubuque, co-creator of Netflix's Emmy-winning series "Ozark," wrote the teleplay and serves as executive producer, while Nia DaCosta, director of "The Marvels" and "Candyman," will direct the pilot
deadline+2. - Matt Olmstead, co-creator of "Chicago P.D." and "Chicago Med," will serve as showrunner and executive producer for the project produced by Onyx Collective, POV Entertainment, and Proximity Media
deadline+2. - The original comic series won the 2015 Harvey Award for Best New Series and the 2016 Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series but came to a halt in 2020 following misconduct allegations against co-creator Jason Latour
variety+2.
Philippines receives first Michelin stars with nine restaurants honored
The Philippines officially joined the global fine dining map yesterday as the Michelin Guide made its historic debut…
- The MICHELIN Guide made its historic debut in the Philippines on October 30, 2025, awarding stars to nine restaurants during a ceremony at the Manila Marriott Hotel within Newport World Resorts.
guide.michelin+1 - Helm, led by Chef Josh Boutwood, became the country's first and only two-Michelin-star restaurant, honored for its modern tasting menu that blends his half-British, half-Filipino heritage with Spanish influences.
guide.michelin+2 - Eight restaurants across Manila and environs received one Michelin star, including Gallery by Chele, Hapag, Toyo Eatery, and Linamnam, showcasing diverse culinary approaches from traditional Filipino dishes to globally-inspired fusion.
guide.michelin+1 - The inaugural guide recognized 108 establishments total, with 25 receiving Bib Gourmand distinctions for exceptional food at moderate prices and 74 earning MICHELIN Selected status, plus one Green Star for sustainability awarded to Gallery by Chele.
guide.michelin+2 - Three special awards celebrated individual excellence, with Don Patrick Baldosano of Linamnam winning Young Chef Award at age 27, Erin Recto of Hapag receiving the Service Award, and Benjamin Leal of Uma Nota honored for exceptional cocktails.
guide.michelin+1
Hello Kitty to make Hollywood debut in 2028 Warner Bros. film
Warner Bros. officially announced Tuesday that the beloved Sanrio character Hello Kitty will make her Hollywood theatrical debut…
- Warner Bros. officially announced on October 29, 2025, that a Hello Kitty movie will be released on July 21, 2028, marking the beloved Sanrio character's first Hollywood theatrical debut
hypebeast+2. - The film will be directed by Leo Matsuda, a veteran animator who worked on Disney's "Big Hero 6" and "Wreck-It-Ralph," with a screenplay by Dana Fox, known for writing "Cruella" and "Wicked"
comicbookmovie+2. - Producer Beau Flynn spent a decade negotiating with Sanrio founder and CEO Shintaro Tsuji to secure the film rights, making this the first time Sanrio has licensed Hello Kitty to a Hollywood studio
comicbookmovie+1. - The announcement came via Instagram with a video showing a person dressed as Hello Kitty at the Warner Bros. lot, with the studio's water tower adorned with the character's signature pink bow
hypebeast+1. - Created in 1974, Hello Kitty has generated close to $85 billion worldwide through merchandise and licensing, with industry observers comparing the film's potential to "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," which grossed $1.3 billion globally in 2023
comicbookmovie+1.
Rushdie to publish first fiction since 2022 stabbing
Salman Rushdie makes his momentous return to fiction on November 4 with "The Eleventh Hour," marking his first…
- Salman Rushdie releases "The Eleventh Hour" on November 4, 2025, marking his first fiction since surviving a brutal stabbing attack in August 2022 that left him blind in one eye and caused severe nerve damage
bookandfilmglobe+1. - The collection features five interconnected stories exploring mortality and life's final moments, spanning India, England, and America—the three countries where the 77-year-old author has lived and worked
bbc+1. - The attack occurred while Rushdie was delivering a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in upstate New York, where he was stabbed more than a dozen times by Hadi Matar, who was convicted of attempted murder and assault in February 2025
bbc. - The stories include diverse characters such as two quarrelsome elderly men in Chennai, a musical prodigy from the Mumbai neighborhood featured in "Midnight's Children," and a Cambridge don's ghost seeking revenge
bbc+1. - The publication follows Rushdie's 2024 memoir "Knife: Meditations After An Attempted Murder," which detailed his recovery from the attack that also caused liver injuries and hand paralysis
bbc.
October box office plummets to worst in 27 years
October 2025 is poised to close as Hollywood's worst-performing October in 27 years, with domestic box office revenue…
- October 2025 domestic box office revenue is projected at approximately $425 million, marking the worst performance in 27 years excluding the pandemic and the lowest since 1997's $385.2 million (unadjusted for inflation).
hollywoodreporter+2 - Disney's Tron: Ares topped the month with only $63.4 million domestically, while Dwayne Johnson's The Smashing Machine from A24 earned just $11.4 million domestically and $19 million globally, marking one of Johnson's worst performances.
hollywoodreporter+1 - The dismal results stem from insufficient film releases due to production delays from labor strikes, a weak August and September, and October releases that failed to connect with audiences.
hollywoodreporter+1 - Bright spots included Taylor Swift's The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, which generated $34.2 million over the October 3-5 weekend, and anime films like Chainsaw Man: The Movie from Sony's Crunchyroll, which topped its weekend with $18 million.
hollywoodreporter+2 - The industry hopes November releases like Predator: Badlands, Wicked: For Good, and Zootopia 2 will help recover momentum heading into the holiday season, as year-to-date revenue is only 3.3 percent ahead of last year's $8.9 billion.
hollywoodreporter+1
Sagrada Familia becomes world’s tallest church
Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Familia basilica officially claimed the title of world's tallest church on Thursday after workers installed…
- Barcelona's Sagrada Familia officially became the world's tallest church on Thursday after workers installed a section of its central tower, bringing the basilica to 162.91 meters (534 feet) tall and narrowly surpassing Germany's Ulm Minster, which had held the record at 161.53 meters since 1890
apnews+2. - The milestone marks the beginning of the final construction phase for the Tower of Jesus Christ, which is projected to reach 172 meters (564 feet) upon completion in the coming months as additional cross elements are added
apnews+2. - Designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudí, the basilica has been under construction for more than 140 years since the first stone was laid in 1882, with only one of the planned 18 towers completed at the time of Gaudí's death in 1926
apnews+2. - The basilica's construction is entirely funded by tourism and private donations, with approximately 4.9 million visitors last year generating revenue that supports the ongoing building efforts
usnews. - Church officials plan to complete the main structure by 2026 to coincide with the centenary of Gaudí's death, though work on decorative details, sculptures, and the main entrance stairway is expected to continue for another decade
adaderana+2.
‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ draws 5.7M viewers in first three days
The Stephen King horror prequel "IT: Welcome to Derry" has made a chilling impression on viewers, drawing 5.7…
- IT: Welcome to Derry, the horror prequel based on Stephen King's novel, drew 5.7 million U.S. viewers across HBO and HBO Max in its first three days following its October 26 premiere.
- The series debut ranks as the third-biggest series premiere in HBO Max history, trailing only House of the Dragon and The Last of Us, with approximately 94 percent of viewers choosing streaming over the linear HBO broadcast.
- The show outperformed its Sunday night predecessor Task, which debuted to 3.1 million viewers in September, and topped HBO Max's global streaming charts across multiple international markets.
- Set in 1962 Derry, Maine, the series expands the narrative from Andy Muschietti's It films, with Bill Skarsgård reprising his role as Pennywise alongside a cast including Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, and Chris Chalk.
- HBO Max released episode 2 early on Halloween night, October 31, with subsequent episodes continuing through the December 14 season finale on Sundays.
Lanthimos’ ‘Bugonia’ expands wide after strong limited release
Yorgos Lanthimos' latest dark sci-fi comedy "Bugonia" expands to wide theatrical release today, marking the Greek director's fourth…
- Yorgos Lanthimos' dark sci-fi comedy Bugonia expands to approximately 1,800 theaters this weekend after a strong limited release that earned $709,000 across just 17 theaters with a $41,700 per-theater average
deadline. - The film stars Emma Stone as a pharmaceutical CEO kidnapped by conspiracy theorist Jesse Plemons, who believes she's an alien, and is based on the 2003 South Korean film Save the Green Planet!
the-independent+1. - Bugonia has earned critical acclaim with a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score and 81% audience rating, with reviewers praising it as Lanthimos' most timely and accessible work, though its nihilistic ending depicting humanity's mass extermination has divided audiences
deadline+2. - Focus Features projects the wide expansion could generate over $4 million, which would mark the highest earnings for a Lanthimos film in wide release, as the director reunites with Stone for their fourth collaboration
deadline+1.
Call of Duty movie taps Yellowstone creator to write
Paramount Pictures and Activision officially announced today that Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg will co-write and produce a…
- Paramount Pictures and Activision announced that Taylor Sheridan, creator of Yellowstone, and director Peter Berg will co-write and produce a live-action Call of Duty movie, with Berg directing the adaptation of the blockbuster video game franchise
gizmodo+1. - The announcement came as a surprise just days after reports that Sheridan signed a billion-dollar deal to move to NBCUniversal in 2029, though his current Paramount contract runs through 2028, keeping him available for this project
usnews+1. - Berg and Sheridan, both from Texas, previously collaborated on the Oscar-nominated Hell or High Water and Wind River, bringing experience in military and action storytelling to the franchise that has sold over 500 million copies worldwide
gamefragger+2. - Call of Duty has been the number-one best-selling video game series in the United States for 16 consecutive years, and the film aims to thrill its massive global fanbase while expanding to new audiences
gizmodo+1. - The announcement follows Paramount's $8 billion merger with Skydance and comes amid the company implementing roughly 1,000 layoffs this week as part of planned workforce reductions
usnews+1.
Scream 7 trailer shows Campbell’s return as Sidney
Paramount Pictures released the highly anticipated first trailer for "Scream 7" on Thursday, marking Neve Campbell's triumphant return…
- Paramount Pictures released the first trailer for Scream 7 on Thursday, October 30, featuring Neve Campbell's return as Sidney Prescott after she skipped Scream VI due to a salary dispute.
newsweek+2 - The film centers on Sidney protecting her daughter Tatum, played by Isabel May, when a new Ghostface killer emerges in their quiet town and targets the teenager.
ew+2 - Kevin Williamson, who wrote the original Scream films, makes his directorial debut for the franchise after the departure of previous filmmakers and cast members Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega following production controversies.
people+1 - The trailer showcases a more battle-hardened Sidney who is frequently armed and ready to confront Ghostface, alongside returning cast members Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown.
newsweek+2 - Scream 7 is scheduled to hit theaters on February 27, 2026, with the film's synopsis promising Sidney must "face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all."
people+2
Grand Egyptian Museum opens after 20 years of delays
The Grand Egyptian Museum will officially open Saturday near Egypt's iconic Pyramids of Giza, marking the culmination of…
- The Grand Egyptian Museum officially opens Saturday, November 1 near the Pyramids of Giza, marking the culmination of a $1 billion project that faced repeated delays since construction began in 2005
newarab+2. - The museum will showcase over 100,000 artifacts spanning 7,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, including the complete King Tutankhamun collection of more than 5,000 items displayed together for the first time since the tomb's discovery in 1922
abcnews.go+1. - World leaders including the president of Germany, the king of the Netherlands, and the king and queen of Spain will attend the opening ceremony on Saturday, with public access beginning November 4
newarab+1. - The triangular glass structure designed by Irish firm Heneghan Peng Architects features a 53-foot hanging obelisk, a six-story grand staircase with colossal statues, and advanced multimedia technology to engage younger visitors
abcnews.go+2. - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi aims to use the museum to boost tourism to 30 million visitors annually by 2030 and project national stability amid economic challenges and regional turmoil
newarab+1.
Ancient crayons show Neanderthals created symbolic art
A remarkably preserved 42,000-year-old yellow ochre crayon discovered in Crimea provides the strongest evidence yet that Neanderthals engaged…
- A remarkably preserved 42,000-year-old yellow ochre crayon discovered in Crimea provides the strongest evidence yet that Neanderthals engaged in symbolic art creation, with the ancient tool showing clear signs of deliberate shaping and repeated resharpening for drawing lines
newscientist+1. - Researchers led by Francesco d'Errico from the University of Bordeaux analyzed 16 ochre pieces up to 70,000 years old from Neanderthal sites in Crimea and Ukraine, finding multiple crayons that were intentionally crafted and maintained as specialized marking tools
newscientist+1. - The discovery includes a second, older red ochre crayon possibly dating to around 70,000 years ago, with microscopic analysis revealing the tools were deliberately designed for creating precise lines rather than serving purely practical purposes
newscientist+1. - The findings, published in Science Advances in October 2025, add to mounting evidence from this year including a 43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint preserved in red ochre on a granite pebble in Spain that showed deliberate artistic intent
newscientist+2. - These discoveries challenge the long-held assumption that symbolic behavior and artistic expression were unique to modern humans, suggesting that cognitive foundations for symbolic behavior were shared by the last common ancestor of Homo sapiens, Denisovans, and Neanderthals more than 700,000 years ago
newscientist+1.