Sabrina Carpenter will star in and produce a new musical film inspired by 'Alice in Wonderland' for Universal Pictures, with Lorene Scafaria directing. The project marks Carpenter's first major studio film since her successful music career and is based on the public domain novel by Lewis Carroll.
Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are returning for a fourth Mummy film, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, with plot details still under wraps. The franchise, originating in 1999, has seen multiple sequels and a failed reboot attempt, but remains popular, with the new installment promising an adventurous story set partly in Egypt.
Judd Apatow is developing an untitled edgy romantic comedy at Universal Pictures with Nikki Glaser, who will star, produce, and co-write the project. Glaser, known for her stand-up and hosting, previously appeared in Apatow's 'Trainwreck.' The film is in early development, with no director attached yet, and continues Apatow's trend of collaborating with comedians on feature films.
A sequel to 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' titled 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' is set to be released by Universal Pictures in April 2026, featuring returning voice cast including Chris Pratt and Anya Taylor-Joy, with the film directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
Angelina Jolie is set to star in the upcoming spy thriller 'The Initiative,' reuniting with director Doug Liman, with Universal Pictures in talks to acquire the project. The film aims to bring Jolie back to her action thriller roots, with plot details under wraps, and is written by F. Scott Frazier. The project is produced by Jeff Kirschenbaum and is part of Jolie's ongoing diverse career in film and theater.
A new copyright listing suggests that a Donkey Kong movie may be in early development, following the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, with potential involvement from Nintendo and Universal Pictures, possibly as part of a broader Nintendo Cinematic Universe.
The live-action adaptation of 'How To Train Your Dragon' is estimated to have earned around $8M-$9M in previews, indicating a potential opening close to $65M-$75M, with hopes of reaching $100M. The film has received high audience and critic scores, and its early box office performance is promising compared to previous installments and other animated films.
Universal Pictures is launching special sing-along screenings of the musical Wicked in over 1,000 theaters nationwide starting December 25. These screenings will feature on-screen lyrics and a special introduction by stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, allowing fans to sing along and become part of the experience. The initiative aims to enhance the communal enjoyment of the musical, which has garnered a passionate fanbase.
Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, and Blythe Danner are in early discussions to reprise their roles in a new installment of the 'Meet the Parents' franchise, currently in development at Universal Pictures. John Hamburg, who co-wrote the previous films, will pen the screenplay, while Jane Rosenthal and De Niro will produce through Tribeca Productions. The franchise, known for its comedic take on in-law relationships, has grossed over $1.13 billion worldwide.
The film adaptation of the Broadway musical 'Wicked,' directed by Jon M. Chu, is expected to stream on Peacock between February and March 2025, following its theatrical release on November 22, 2024. While the official streaming date is yet to be confirmed, the movie is available for preorder on Blu-ray and digital platforms. Peacock subscribers can also watch behind-the-scenes footage titled 'Wicked: On Set With Jon Chu.'
A spokesperson for Universal Pictures has denied rumors that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were paid differently for their roles in the Wicked film adaptation. The rumors, which suggested Grande was paid $15 million while Erivo received $1 million, circulated on platforms like TikTok and Reddit. The spokesperson clarified that both actresses received equal pay, dismissing the reports as false internet speculation.
Fans of the film "Wicked" are widely sharing pirated clips of its scenes on social media platforms like TikTok and X, despite the presence of anti-piracy measures by studios. This trend reflects a shift in audience behavior post-pandemic, where younger viewers see such content as shareable rather than protected. While studios like Universal Pictures are working to remove illegal footage, some industry insiders believe this exposure might actually boost moviegoing among younger audiences. The Motion Picture Association has not commented on the issue, despite the significant economic impact of piracy.
Rumors that Ariana Grande was paid $15 million for her role in the upcoming film 'Wicked' while Cynthia Erivo received only $1 million have been debunked. A Universal Pictures representative confirmed that both actresses received equal pay for their work on the film, dismissing the claims as false and based on unreliable sources.
Universal Pictures has denied rumors of a significant pay disparity between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo for their roles in the film adaptation of "Wicked," stating that both actresses received equal pay. The film, directed by Jon M. Chu, has been a commercial success, grossing $112 million domestically and receiving positive reviews, despite some criticism of its color grading. The movie features a star-studded cast, including Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum, and is the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation to date.
Universal Pictures has confirmed that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo received equal pay for their roles in the film 'Wicked,' countering viral rumors that Grande was paid $15 million while Erivo received only $1 million. The rumors had sparked outrage on social media, but Universal clarified that the reports were false and based on internet speculation. Both actresses have not publicly commented on the rumors, but they have formed a close friendship during the filming of 'Wicked,' which premiered with significant box office success.