AGP Executive Report

Box Office Buzz: “Scary Movie” is tracking for a big domestic No. 1 debut (about $52.7M weekend after $23.5M previews), while A24’s breakout “Backrooms” keeps steam (roughly $117.1M domestic by Friday) and “Masters of the Universe” faces a tougher climb (around $31M estimates). Franchise & Casting: The He-Man movie’s post-credits tease She-Ra and a new villain setup, and “Scary Movie 6” leans hard on Wayans-style topical parody. Music Meets Film: Madonna’s “Confessions II” short premiered at Tribeca with a no-phones crowd, plus she’s set to release the film on YouTube. Viral Locations: Fans are flocking to a North Hollywood restaurant booth featured in “Obsession,” turning a single scene into a real-world photo stop. Production Updates: “Mayor of Kingstown” begins filming in Cumberland, Maryland, with local officials pitching the state’s film-friendly ecosystem. Industry Watch: US states are preparing a lawsuit to block the Paramount–Warner Bros. merger.

Wim Wenders: The director is pulling his 1975 film “Wrong Move” from distribution after actress Nastassja Kinski raised concerns about a topless scene involving her at age 13. Advocacy Film: In the Philippines, Lawrence Roxas and Ejay Falcon are making “Behind The Smile” to tackle rising HIV cases in Oriental Mindoro, aiming especially at youth prevention. Industry Access: Manitoba’s African Movie Festival launches the Black Actors Foundry program, offering training, portfolios, and networking for Black performers. Controversy & Fixes: “Peddi” director Buchi Babu Sana apologizes over backlash tied to Janhvi Kapoor’s portrayal and says changes are coming. Box Office Watch: “Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai” keeps early momentum, while Anurag Kashyap’s “Bandar” opens weakly and struggles to build. Streaming & Releases: Netflix rolls out new thrillers this week; “Peddi” digital rights are reportedly headed to Netflix mid-July after its full theatrical run. Animation News: Disney confirms “Ice Age: Boiling Point” for Feb. 5, 2027, with the original voice cast expected back. Festival/Global: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival GM Shivani Pandya Malhotra steps down after growing the event into a major MENA market. Music Video: Muse releases an Almaty-shot video ahead of its June 26 album “The Wow! Signal.” Quick Pop Culture: June 6 marks the first drive-in movie theater opening in 1933.

Box Office & Reviews: “Scary Movie 6” is back in theaters with a wave of harsh takes, while “Masters of the Universe” is getting mixed early reactions as Nicholas Galitzine and Camila Mendes promote the reboot. Franchise Updates: Warner Bros’ “The Batman 2” has officially started filming in the UK, with Robert Pattinson returning and a 2027 release date set. Streaming Buzz: Netflix’s June slate spotlights “Office Romance,” and “Toy Story 5” is confirmed as the franchise’s first PG entry, with Taylor Swift song secrecy reportedly handled via a decoy film. Industry & Legal: US states including California and New York are preparing to sue to block Paramount Skydance’s Warner Bros Discovery takeover. Community Cinema: Free outdoor screenings keep rolling—“Movie in the Park” in Beaumont (Smurfs) and other local movie-night events. Culture & Causes: Bangladesh’s climate film festival urged using movies to boost environmental awareness, and a Merck Foundation initiative backed “Rays of Hope” to raise childhood cancer awareness.

Box Office & Franchises: Disney’s Star Wars launch is projected at $165M worldwide, while Masters of the Universe opens in theaters and Ice Age: Boiling Point teases the herd’s volcano-scale chaos. Music Meets Movies: Taylor Swift drops “I Knew It, I Knew You” for the Toy Story 5 soundtrack. Collectibles & Tech: IMAX sells a limited popcorn bucket tied to Nolan’s IMAX 15/65mm The Odyssey (opening July 17). Streaming & Audience Picks: Netflix’s new true-crime The Murder of Rachel Nickell sparks backlash; plus Cape Fear returns as an Apple TV series. Industry & Labor: SAG-AFTRA ratifies a four-year deal with protections around AI performers. Controversy & Culture: Indonesia’s Pig Feast documentary fuels political unease over food-security projects and indigenous displacement. Notable Loss: Veteran producer Pahlaj Nihalani dies at 76, remembered for launching Govinda and shaping major Bollywood hits.

Obituaries: Marjane Satrapi, the Iranian-French creator of Persepolis and director of its 2007 film adaptation, has died at 56. New Releases & Streaming: Netflix dropped The Witness, a three-part true-crime drama about Rachel Nickell’s 1992 murder, filmed across London and Spain; and Netflix paused production on Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua’s Hannibal War over budget concerns. Big Franchise Buzz: Ice Age: Boiling Point gets a first trailer and a February 2027 theater date; Masters of the Universe is in theaters with early reactions calling it a light, cartoon-faithful ride. Premieres & Festivals: Tribeca will host Haitian coming-of-age fantasy-drama The Tropic Sun and His Eyes; Fantasia International Film Festival announced multiple premieres including Cherry and Virgin and Wind Breaker. Industry & Legal: Paramount asked a judge to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit aimed at blocking the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Local Screen Life: Punjab, Pakistan eased cinema closing-time limits to 11pm after industry pushback. Controversy Watch: Director Wim Wenders withdrew a 1975 film after pleas tied to a topless scene involving a 13-year-old actress. Box Office/Exhibitor Notes: Eid films saw weaker first-week footfall, while some regions extended cinema timing rules.

Film Industry Loss: Veteran Hindi filmmaker and former CBFC chair Pahlaj Nihalani has died at 76, with his last rites set for June 4 in Mumbai; he produced hits like Aankhen and Shola aur Shabnam and was known for a controversial censorship tenure. Streaming & Titles: Apple TV+ is moving ahead with ‘Guilty Creatures,’ casting Julia Garner for a limited true-crime series filmed in Atlanta from September into 2027. AI in Film: Elon Musk shared an AI-generated cinematic trailer for ‘The Iliad’ on X and even floated the idea of turning it into a full movie, while AZ8 Theater spotlighted AI-native shorts and creator-led projects. Horror Buzz: Fans keep debating the scariest horror movies ever, with ‘The Exorcist’ repeatedly topping user lists. Regional Cinema Policy: Pakistan’s Punjab eased cinema closing rules to 11pm, with actor Fahad Mustafa calling it a win for audiences and box office. Local Premiere: Ohio’s ‘Kingsbury Run’ murder-mystery film, shot in East Liverpool, premieres June 6 in Cleveland.

DCU Buzz: A brand-new Supergirl trailer leans hard into David Corenswet’s Superman and leans further into Jason Momoa’s Lobo, with the film also facing a $315M worldwide break-even hurdle. Franchise Return: Scary Movie 6 is back with Regina Hall reuniting with the original cast, promising irreverent, “no safe spaces” parody energy. Casting Watch: Daniel Radcliffe’s Vietnam War thriller Trust the Man adds Jonathan Groff, with production set to begin in New Jersey. Box Office Heat: A24’s Backrooms keeps climbing, crossing $100M domestically and topping A24’s biggest domestic run. Controversy & Rights: Wim Wenders has pulled his 1975 film Wrong Move from circulation over a teen nude scene involving Nastassja Kinski. Community & Screens: Outdoor movie nights and Pride programming keep rolling, from Movie Nights in the D to Milwaukee Film’s LGBTQ+ series.

Pakistan Cinema Policy: Fahad Mustafa urged Punjab to extend cinema and mall operating hours, arguing early closures are hurting newly released films that depend on evening footfall. Box Office Milestone: Mohanlal’s Drishyam 3 hit India’s Rs 100 crore club, adding about Rs 1.55 crore on Day 13 to reach roughly Rs 116.55 crore gross. AI in Film: Tribeca will premiere Dreams of Violets, billed as the first fully AI-generated live-action film accepted by a major festival, sparking fresh debate on whether AI can deliver true human storytelling. Bollywood Production Watch: A Yash Raj Productions crew is filming in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, with locals told to expect a summer shoot. Streaming/Free Access: Netflix and other platforms keep pushing “feel-good” and free-with-ads options, while YouTube’s official Movies & TV free tab and Warner Bros playlists are highlighted as legal ways to watch without extra subscriptions. Industry/Restoration: NFDC-NFAI restored Ritwik Ghatak films in 4K, with a London BFI retrospective planned for his birth centenary. DC/Marvel News: James Gunn’s Batman spin-off Clayface is being positioned as a horror thriller, moving away from his usual superhero playbook.

Queer Pride Spotlight: Cornerstone Entertainment announced the queer comedy-drama “Drags to Riches” starring Christian Bables, Iñigo Pascual, and Elijah Canlas, premiering in Philippine cinemas June 24. Indie Horror Box-Office Buzz: A new report says Gen Z is driving theater returns for A24’s “Backrooms” and Focus Features’ “Obsession,” with both indie hits posting major openings and strong totals. Streaming Sequel Watch: Netflix is moving ahead with “War Machine 2,” bringing back Patrick Hughes to direct and co-write, with Alan Ritchson “likely” returning. Marvel/Star Wars Fallout: The Russo brothers say “Avengers: Secret Wars” is their “this is it” endgame, while another piece notes “The Mandalorian & Grogu” has already outperformed Marvel’s biggest theatrical miss. Local Film Culture: Harp Media launches the “Harp Cinema Series” in Longford with Irish film screenings and filmmaker Q&As starting June 11. TV Adaptation Update: Prime Video’s “Life Is Strange” adds new cast for its time-rewind mystery series. Documentary & Global Cinema: Blink Films is producing “Lost City of Gold” on Great Zimbabwe for PBS and Arte, with excavation access.

Pride Spotlight: Cornerstone Entertainment announced the queer comedy-drama “Drags to Riches,” starring Christian Bables, Iñigo Pascual, and Elijah Canlas, premiering in Philippine cinemas June 24. Franchise Update: “Drishyam 3” has wrapped filming and is now in post-production, with a planned Oct. 2, 2026 theatrical release. Moviegoing Honors: The Academy launched the “Academy Marquee List” to recognize 50 standout theaters worldwide starting spring 2027. Global Exhibition: AMB Cinemas says IMAX is returning to Hyderabad with a new screen at AMB Classic Victory by end of 2026. Music Meets Animation: Taylor Swift confirmed she’ll release “I Knew It, I Knew You” for “Toy Story 5” on June 5, marking her return to country roots. Action With a Cause: Joe Taslim teased “The Furious,” a multilingual action film tackling child trafficking, hitting U.S. theaters June 12. Streaming Watch: Free-ad platforms keep expanding—Tubi and YouTube Movies & TV are highlighted as go-to places for legal, no-subscription viewing. Festival Buzz: Karlovy Vary unveiled its 60th edition competition lineup and jury members, including Justin Chang. Industry Loss: Oscar-winning “Star Wars” editor Marcia Lucas has died at 80.

Box Office Shock: A24’s Backrooms—from 20-year-old YouTube creator Kane Parsons—has exploded with an $81.5M North American debut, becoming the biggest original horror opening and making Parsons the youngest director to debut at No. 1. Horror Momentum: Obsession keeps climbing in its third weekend, adding $26.4M domestically as the two young-made horror hits reshape what audiences will pay for. DC/Warner Bros Tie-In: Pinkberry is partnering with DC Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures for the Supergirl movie release, launching “Galactic Lemonade” treats plus a sweepstakes for a private screening. DC Universe Casting Buzz: Man of Tomorrow is expanding the Superman sequel with a cast guide that spotlights David Corenswet’s Superman and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, plus Brainiac and more. Toy Story 5 Music Drop: Taylor Swift confirms she wrote and recorded an original song, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” for Toy Story 5, releasing June 5 ahead of the June 19 theatrical run. Video Game Movie Update: Streets of Rage locks in Jeymes Samuel as director, with Pat Casey and Josh Miller writing. Streaming/Franchise Moves: Universal’s Jurassic Park trilogy lands on Peacock, and Netflix adds the Riddick franchise.

AI in Film & Production: Amazon MGM’s “AI on The Lot” pitch focused on creators using GenAI tools via Amazon’s GenAI Creators’ Fund and Project Nara, aiming to keep control in-house while speeding animation workflows. Live-Action AI Short: Cafe Group and KamikAI co-produced a 195–210 second “live-action” AI short based on Poupelle of Chimney Town, premiering June 10 at SSFF & Asia. Horror Box Office Shock: Backrooms (A24) roared to an $81.5M North America debut and $118M worldwide, while Obsession continues to overperform on a tiny budget. Release Date Shuffle: YRF’s Alpha moved up a week, from July 10 to July 3. Festival & Screenings: Sydney Film Festival added eight Cannes titles to its 2026 lineup. Exhibitor Upgrades: SM Cinema reopened IMAX sites with IMAX with Laser across the Philippines. Streaming Push: Prime Video added 71 movies for June, with curated picks highlighted. Local Industry Support: Azerbaijan’s ARKA opened applications for a state-supported film project competition. Security Alert: Melbourne International Film Festival is investigating a hack of its ticketing partner that exposed customer contact details.

Box Office Shock: A24’s horror hit Backrooms roared to a record $81.5M opening weekend, beating The Mandalorian and Grogu and proving the YouTube-to-theaters pipeline is real. Indie Breakout: The ultra-low-budget Obsession (Curry Barker) kept climbing, nearing $150M worldwide and showing horror can dominate without blockbuster budgets. Streaming & Schedules: Peacock’s June 1–7 slate spotlights Puss in Boots and the doc Lorne Michaels; Prime Video and Netflix also roll out big monthly lists for June. Star Wars Buzz: The Mandalorian and Grogu continues to spark lore talk, including Jabba the Hutt’s family mysteries. New Projects: British actor Nikolai Leon joins sci-fi anthology He Can See; and A Minecraft Movie Squared reveals its next chapter with a new title and first look. Festival Watch: Shanghai International Film Festival unveiled its Golden Goblet competition lineup, with multiple Chinese-language world premieres. Local Cinema: Royal Cinemas in Front Royal plans a June 19 reopening after a January fire.

Box Office Buzz: A24’s internet-born horror Backrooms keeps climbing, with reports of a $38M Friday and a projected $85M–$90M opening weekend, while Obsession is also surging as Blumhouse/James Wan call horror “saving” theaters. Sequel Watch: Warner Bros and Legendary officially title the Minecraft follow-up “A Minecraft Movie Squared” for July 23, 2027, with Kirsten Dunst joining as Alex. Star Power & Rumors: Pixar’s Toy Story 5 team shuts down viral claims that Taylor Swift wrote/recorded the end-credits song. International Releases: South Korea’s zombie thriller Colony opens in the Philippines to an estimated ₱20M and tops the box office on day one. Local Film Economy: Seattle says horror Passenger spent $5M–$10M locally and hired 325 cast/crew. Controversy & Culture: Bangladesh’s Banalata Express screening was suspended in Brahmanbaria after protests, with organizers blaming social-media “false propaganda.” Cannes Spotlight: J&K filmmaker Tariq Khan brings Bombay Story to Cannes.

Box Office Buzz: A24’s viral-to-big-screen horror hit Backrooms is racking up major North America Thursday previews, pulling in $10.4M and setting up a potential post-COVID horror record. New Releases: Backrooms hits theaters May 29, while Obsession (Curry Barker) continues its viral-to-theatrical run as a psychological thriller with supernatural seasoning. Bollywood Spotlight: Salman Khan’s blackbuck case is being adapted into crime drama Kaala Hiran, with a poster out and the courtroom rivalry framed as the core story. Justice Debate: Bandar producer says the Bobby Deol film is “pro-justice, not anti-women,” with a June 5 theatrical release. Big Creative Reunion: Shekhar Kapur and A R Rahman reunite for Masoom: The New Generation, exploring identity, family, love and migration. Festival & Community: Pune’s Out & Loud queer film festival returns for its 10th edition (May 29–31), and Nepal’s Shape of Momo and other local titles land in theaters. Streaming Picks: June’s must-watch list includes Disclosure Day and Supergirl, plus a steady stream of new TV/film arrivals.

American Black Film Festival: The 30th ABFF is underway in Miami Beach, with Community Day spotlighting the world premiere of Solvan “Slick” Naim’s “Girl Dad,” produced by Jamie Foxx, plus dozens of global Black diaspora premieres. Indian Cinema Growth: Prosenjit Chatterjee says India’s film momentum is rising worldwide thanks to regional strength and government schemes, urging audiences to see linguistic industries as part of one national talent pool. Festival Circuit & Healing Stories: “Turmoil,” written and directed by Iraq veteran Dante Trinidad, continues making the rounds at festivals, while “Time and Water” brings National Geographic-backed climate storytelling to wider audiences. AI in Film: Tribeca next week will feature “Dreams of Violets,” a $2,000, fully AI-generated live-action feature from Fountain 0, and “Cinemalistics” is pitching real-time AI true-crime viewing. MCU Updates: “Shang-Chi 2” is reportedly paused, though hope remains, and a rumor suggests LaKeith Stanfield could be eyed for a “bluer” Avengers role. Box Office Buzz: A24’s “Backrooms” shattered Thursday preview records with $10.4M, while “Obsession” keeps climbing after a breakout run. Streaming Picks: Hulu adds “Arco,” and weekend guides highlight “The Prestige” and other genre-friendly watches. Local Screen Culture: El Paso’s Plaza Classic Film Festival returns July 16–26, and community events keep rolling with free outdoor screenings and youth filmmaking programs.