Happy Thanksgiving from CinemaPlus!
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Thank you for allowing us to be part of your success, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Warm regards,
The CinemaPlus Team
NEED TO KNOW
Neon Secures a Bright Future with $200M Credit Boost from Comerica Bank
Indie powerhouse Neon has secured a $200 million credit facility, providing a substantial boost for acquisitions, production, and global distribution. Led by Comerica Bank, the deal reflects confidence in Neon's ability to curate impactful films and connect audiences with innovative storytelling. Comerica’s Entertainment Group SVP Derek Riedel praised Neon for redefining the indie film landscape, calling their vision unmatched in the industry. Neon’s success in 2024 underscores this confidence. The studio's breakout film Anora, a modern love story about a sex worker and a Russian oligarch’s son, earned the Palme d’Or at Cannes and opened to the highest per-screen average of the year. Star, Mikey Madison, is now a top contender in awards season. Additionally, the Nicolas Cage-led thriller Longlegs has grossed over $125 million worldwide, further solidifying Neon's influence. Looking ahead, Neon’s lineup is equally ambitious. Projects include the foreign-language awards hopeful The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Joshua Oppenheimer’s musical The End with Harris Dickinson and Tilda Swinton, and Asif Kapadia’s genre-bending documentary 2073. The studio is also in post-production on Boots Riley’s highly anticipated I Love Boosters, featuring Keke Palmer, LaKeith Stanfield, and Naomi Ackie. With this funding, Neon is poised to expand its reach and continue delivering boundary-pushing films that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Apple vs. Hollywood: The Plot Thickens in the Movie Theater Showdown
Director Jon Watts revealed he backed out of the sequel for Wolfs, a George Clooney and Brad Pitt film, due to trust issues with Apple. Initially greenlit for a wide theatrical release, Apple pivoted to streaming-focused distribution, citing financial concerns after box office disappointments. Despite this, Wolfs became Apple TV Plus’s most-viewed feature film ever. Watts expressed frustration, stating that Apple ignored his request not to announce a sequel and created a misleading narrative about its cancellation. He returned the sequel payment to distance himself from the project while praising the cast and crew. This incident reflects broader challenges between directors and streaming platforms, as Doug Liman and Steve McQueen have also voiced concerns about limited theatrical runs for their projects with Amazon and Apple, respectively. Apple’s shift indicates a cautious approach to theatrical risks, focusing on fewer big-budget releases and prioritizing streaming success. This trend highlights the growing tension between streaming platforms and theatrical distribution. It underscores the importance of partnerships with studios committed to wide releases, as platforms like Apple increasingly prioritize streaming over box office potential.
Wicked Soars to Record-Breaking Opening for a Broadway Musical Adaptation
Universal Pictures celebrates a massive win with Wicked, which opened to $114 million domestically, setting the record for the biggest debut of a Broadway musical adaptation. Globally, the film earned $164 million, ranking among the top five musical openings of all time. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the adaptation stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, with a screenplay by Winnie Holzman and music by Stephen Schwartz. This success follows Universal's strategic planning after 2019’s Cats failure and sets the stage for Wicked's sequel next year, reaffirming Universal’s mastery in the revival of the movie musical genre.
Jeffrey Wright Drops a Shadowy Clue About The Batman 2
Jeffrey Wright, who played Commissioner Gordon in The Batman, revealed he hasn’t had any substantial discussions with director Matt Reeves about The Batman Part II. Wright expressed excitement about returning but admitted he hasn’t read a script or spoken to Reeves recently, as both have been focused on separate projects. Despite the lack of updates, Wright praised Reeves’ vision of Gotham as “rich and grimy in the best way,” remaining optimistic about the sequel’s potential. Set to release in 2026, filming is expected to start in 2025, with Reeves likely refining the script. Fans shouldn’t worry—Wright’s lack of information suggests production hasn’t begun, rather than there being any delays. With a strong reception to The Penguin spinoff, enthusiasm for Reeves’ Batman universe remains high, and Wright’s return as Commissioner Gordon is all but certain.
Thanksgiving Showdown: Can Moana 2 Surf Past Frozen 2’s Holiday Record?!
Disney’s Moana 2 is set to dominate the Thanksgiving weekend, projected to earn $135-$145 million in North America over five days, surpassing past holiday hits like Frozen II. With an additional $100 million internationally, its global debut could reach $235 million. Following Disney’s recent theatrical successes like Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, Moana 2 is a major holiday release, originally conceived as a Disney+ show. The first Moana grossed $680 million globally and remains popular on streaming platforms, fueling excitement for the sequel. Stars Dwayne Johnson and Auliʻi Cravalho return, while new songwriting talent takes over. The Thanksgiving box office will also see strong performances from Wicked ($80M) and Gladiator II ($45M), promising a record-breaking turnout after lackluster post-pandemic holidays.
