News

The beloved Hollywood star Henry Cavill is set to lead the upcoming reboot of the 1986 classic fantasy action film Highlander, set to be directed by Chad Stahelski. While many fans eagerly await this fresh take on the franchise kicked off by Russell Mulcahy’s 1986 classic, some have also been skeptical. Concerns largely stem from Hollywood’s increasing trend of reboots, which some fear might tarnish the legacy of original works.

Highlander | Credit: 20th Century Fox

And in this case, the concerns have extended to the reboot star’s track record for the past few films. However, there’s a strong argument in his favor. Cavill has delivered standout performances in epic roles, most notably in Netflix’s The Witcher and the 2011 fantasy-action hit Immortals.

Why Henry Cavill is Perfect to Lead Chad Stahelski’s Highlander Reboot?

Starring Christopher Lambert in the lead role of Connor MacLeod, the 1986 film Highlander wasn...

Premiere Entertainment Group (Peg) has reported brisk sales at last week’s AFM on the crime thriller Desert Dawn starring Kellan Lutz and Cam Gigandet from Twilight.

Deals have closed in Australia & New Zealand (Rialto), Latin America (A2), Germany (Tiberius), Spain (Flins y Piniculas), France (Program Store), Benelux (Amazon), Eastern Europe (Daro), Russia/Cis (Filmster), Middle East (Eagle Films), Taiwan (Av Jet), and India and airlines (Pictureworks).

Desert Dawn centres on a new small-town sheriff (Lutz) and his resentful deputy (Gigandet) who get entangled in a web of lies and corruption involving shady businessmen and a cartel while investigating the murder of a mysterious woman.

Exclusive: Premiere Entertainment Group has licensed rights to action crime-thriller Desert Dawn starring Kellan Lutz and Cam Gigandet to Saban Films for North America and UK.

pic follows a newly appointed small-town sheriff (Lutz) and his begrudging deputy (Gigandet) who get tangled up in a web of lies and corruption involving shady businessmen and the cartel while investigating the murder of a mysterious woman.

Chad Michael Collins, Helena Haro, Texas Battle, Guillermo Iván and Niko Foster round out the key cast.

Marty Murray directed the film from an original screenplay by Chad Law and Johnny Walters. The film is produced by Elias Axume for Premiere Entertainment and Al Bravo for Al Bravo Films alongside HemDee Kiwanuka.

Desert Dawn reunites Lutz and Gigandet for the first time since the Twilight franchise. Lutz has gone on to star in films such as The Legend of Hercules, The Expendables 3, and Immortals. Gigandet...

Dev Patel is set to star in The Journeyman directed by Tarsem Singh, which is being launched by AGC International at this year’s AFM.

Patel stars as a down-on-his-luck tennis pro who is drawn into the dark world of match-fixing.The script is by the husband-and-wife duo of Bryan and Alexis Roberts, aka The Roberts.Production is set to commence next year.

AGC Studios will fully finance and produce the project. AGC International is handling international distribution rights, with CAA Media Finance handling domestic with AGC.

Singh’s previous films include The Fall and Immortals. Patel starred in Oscar-winner Slumdog Millionaire,...

The Cell will enter the mind of a killer on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on January 21, 2025 via Arrow Video. The 2000 psychological sci-fi horror film will be celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Tarsem Singh directs from a script by Mark Protosevich. Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn, and Vincent D’Onofrio star with Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Jake Weber, and Dylan Baker.

The theatrical and director’s cuts have been newly restored in 4K, approved by Singh, with Dolby Vision. An alternate version of the theatrical cut created by director of photography Paul Laufer is also included.

Disc 1 – 4K Uhd:

Theatrical cut (107 min) Director’s cut (109 min) Audio commentary with film scholars Josh Nelson & Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (new) Audio commentary with screenwriter Mark Protosevich & film critic Kay Lynch (new) Audio commentary with director Tarsem Singh Audio commentary with director of photography Paul Laufer, production designer Tom Foden, makeup supervisor Michèle Burke, costume designer April Napier, visual effects supervisor Kevin Tod Haug,...

Dev Patel will star in “The Journeyman,” a crime thriller directed by Tarsem Singh from a script by husband-wife duo Bryan and Alexis Roberts (aka The Roberts). Patel plays a down-on-his-luck tennis pro who is drawn into the dark world of match-fixing to make ends meet for his family.

AGC Studios will fully finance and produce the film with Academy Award nominee Scott Franklin, Patel’s Minor Realm and Lbi Entertainment.

Joining Franklin as producers are AGC Studios chairman and CEO Stuart Ford and Mason Eways for Lbi Entertainment. Shamier Anderson and Stephan James will executive produce for Bay Mills.

AGC Intl. represents the film’s international distribution rights and will introduce the film to buyers at the AFM next week; CAA Media Finance is handling domestic with AGC. Production is set to commence next year.

“The Journeyman” is the story of a struggling pro tennis player who is lured...

Oscar nominee Dev Patel (The Green Knight) is set to star in The Journeyman, a new crime thriller fro director Tarsem Singh (The Fall) and Stuart Ford’s AGC Studios, which will produce and fully finance the project.

AGC International reps the film’s international distribution rights and will introduce it to buyers at AFM.

Scripted by the husband-and-wife duo of Bryan and Alexis Roberts, aka The Roberts, The Journeyman is the story of a struggling pro tennis player who is lured into an illegal match-fixing ring to support his family and finds himself trapped in a ruthless world of corruption and violence he may never escape.

Oscar nominee Scott Franklin is producing alongside Ford for AGC, Mason Eways for Lbi Entertainment, and Patel’s Minor Realm, with Shamier Anderson and Stephan James exec producing for Bay Mills. CAA Media Finance is handling domestic alongside AGC, with EVP of Legal...

Veteran visual effects producer Nancy St. John, whose credits include the films “Babe” and “Gladiator” (both of which won VFX Oscar kudos), has died at the age of 70, the Visual Effects Society confirmed.

St. John held a career in VFX and computer animation that spanned more than four decades. She was a former Ves executive board committee member who received the distinction of Fellow in 2021.

“Nancy and I served together on the Society’s executive committee, and she passionately represented the worldwide members,” past Ves chair Jeffrey A. Okun said in a statement. “She was a vibrant, creative person and a knowledgeable practitioner who helped so many individuals and VFX companies along the way – always generous with her wit and wisdom, but also always aware of the bottom line. She will be sorely missed, and the world is now a little colder because she has moved on.”

St. John’s...

The Russo Brothers’ success with the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to follow them through their careers outside of the multi-billion dollar franchise. Although they have come back for the next phase, their works outside of the superhero genre have not been any less impressive. Recently, the pair are set to be a part of Disney’s Hercules live-action film.

In a Still from Disney’s Hercules (1997 film) | Credits: Walt Disney Animated Studios

While there has been confirmation on this from their side, very little is actually known about the film itself. With so little information and so much time for speculation, many theories and fan casts have taken over the internet. Keeping this in mind, here is the perfect reason why the Russos could be perfectly equipped to handle Henry Cavill as the titular character.

Henry Cavill Would Be Perfect For Hercules

It has been collectively acknowledged by the internet that in any given scenario,...

Henry Cavill with his cinematic prowess has enjoyed significant cinematic success, particularly with his portrayal of Superman in the Dceu. This role not only brought substantial box office earnings but also widespread fan admiration. But despite the highs, Cavill’s career was marked by several lows as well.

Henry Cavill as Superman in a still from Man of Steel || Warner Bros. Pictures

A user on Reddit recently pointed out a string of setbacks that even his portrayal of the red-caped superhero and Geralt’s grit couldn’t entirely shield him from.

Reddit Post Sparks Debate About Henry Cavill’s Career Trajectory Henry Cavill as Geralt in a still from The Witcher || Netflix

A Reddit user in his post detailed how Henry Cavill‘s career, despite his star power, paints a mixed picture when scrutinized closely. He acknowledged that Cavill’s tenure as Superman in the DC universe brought some financial success and enthusiasm.

Top 9 Bollywood Actors who made a mark Internationally(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Over the years, several Bollywood actors have crossed borders, leaving an indelible mark on international audiences. These stars have not only showcased their talent but also brought a slice of Indian culture to the global stage. Here’s a look at the top 10 Bollywood actors who have made a significant impact internationally.

1. Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is undoubtedly the queen of global domination. After winning Miss World in 2000, Priyanka has come a long way, becoming a household name in Hollywood. Her role as Alex Parrish in the hit TV series Quantico put her on the global map. She has also starred in movies like Baywatch alongside Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron. Not just an actor, Priyanka is also a singer, author, and producer, making her one of the most versatile talents from Bollywood.

Fun Fact:

Priyanka’s single “Exotic,...

Exclusive: Saddle up! One of the great westerns is getting a remake.

Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood classic A Fistful Of Dollars is set for a movie remake from Euro Gang Entertainment, the company founded by Hollywood vet Gianni Nunnari (300) and Simon Horsman (Magazine Dreams), alongside Italian production vet Enzo Sisti (Ripley) of Fpc, and Rome-based Jolly Film, which produced the original movie.

Hit western A Fistful of Dollars is the story of a wandering gunfighter with no name who plays two rival families against each other in a town torn apart by greed, pride, and revenge.

The film, released in the mid ’60s, helped launch the “spaghetti western” genre and Eastwood’s career (and others including that of composer Ennio Morricone). Its huge success spawned two more films in an iconic trilogy also comprising For a Few Dollars More and The Good the Bad and the Ugly, all starring Eastwood.

Henry Cavill has become one of the most underappreciated actors in Hollywood. Over the past few years, fans have seen an incredibly talented actor, with great knowledge about the projects he takes up, get mistreated over and over again. Starting with his award-worthy performance as Superman, being one of the best people suited for the role, and continuing on with the disloyalties of The Witcher.

Henry Cavill as Superman I Warner Bros.

As all hope was lost for fans of the actor, it was announced that he would be starring in the television adaptation of Warhammer 40K. Cavill has a reputation for having a great understanding of source materials, and knowing that he would be a part of this new chapter in the stories of the games brought a sense of relief to fans.

However, this flame may also burn out soon if he does not care. One simply must...

You can’t make a silly mistake anywhere near a nerd like Henry Cavill. During an interview in 2011 at the premiere of his movie, Immortals, Cavill destroyed a reporter with his knowledge of Greek mythology. When the reporter asked him about playing a demigod in the film, the Man of Steel actor immediately replied that his character was not a demigod in the myths.

Henry Cavill in a still from Man of Steel | Warner Bros

It is not the only time that Cavill put out his nerd self in front of the media. He has been often open about his craze for comics, mythical novels, and games. Cavill is often hailed as the ‘King of the Nerds’ by his fans on social media.

Henry Cavill Shames Reporter For Making A Silly Mistake With His Greek Mythology Character Henry Cavill in a still from Immortals | Relativity Media

Henry Cavill played the...

Action star Kellan Lutz, known for his work in the Twilight films and the FBI franchise among others, has signed with Gilbertson Entertainment for management.

Lutz’s breakout role came in 2008’s Twilight as vampire Emmett Cullen. He went on to star in the next four Twilight films and also starred in film franchises including Extraction, The Expendables, Legend of Hercules, Prom Night, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Immortals, all of which combined have earned billions in worldwide box office.

In television, Lutz recently appeared in more than 30 episodes across all three of Dick Wolf’s FBI series, the mothership FBI, FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International as Special Agent Kenny Crosby. His other television credits include HBO comedy series The Comeback, 30 Rock and on the film side, in Paramount’s What Men Want with Taraji P. Henson, a starring role in Love, Wedding, Marriage opposite Mandy Moore,...

British actor Henry Cavill has arrayed a wide range of roles in his screen career, but to the average moviegoer, he is probably best known as the most recent Superman in the four DC Comics films under the tutelage of Zack Synder. Despite his obvious physical strengths, Cavill’s performances in the dual roles of Clark Kent and the “Man of Steel” are considered by many to be more character-based than in other editions that reflects his priorities as an actor.

In fact, Cavill has taken on a number of other iconic characters in his career, from Sherlock Holmes in two “Enola Holmes” films, superspy Napoleon Solo in “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” and even the mythological Theseus in “Immortals.” And while he usually portrays heroes, he’s not afraid of being a bad guy now and then, most notably as Tom Cruise’s nemesis in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.”

Now...

Above: 1980 Japanese poster for Apocalypse Now. Design by Eiko Ishioka, artwork by Haruo Takino.With Francis Ford Coppola’s long-gestated Megalopolis having premiered yesterday at Cannes, it's a good time to look back at the posters from his 60-year-long career. The only problem is that many posters for his films are either too well known or nothing to write home about. Like Coppola’s career itself, there are peaks and valleys—one of my very first posts for Notebook, almost exactly fifteen years ago, was about the gorgeous design for The Rain People (1969)—but a career retrospective of his posters seems like it might result in less than the sum of its parts. Yet of all his posters there are three rare Japanese designs that have always stood out as utterly extraordinary: two for Apocalypse Now (1979) and one for Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992).I’ve always seen these posters attributed to Eiko Ishioka,...

When Netflix released Blood of Zeus in 2020, it changed the entire interpretation of Greek mythology in the anime world. The anime is one of the most popular series following a Greek storyline, along with the likes of Record of Ragnarok, Knights of the Zodiac, Rage of Bahamut, etc. And the second season of the series is scheduled for release on May 9, 2024.

Netflix’s Blood of Zeus

The show is created and written by Charley and Vlas Parlapanides for Netflix, who are known for the Death Note live-action adaptation and the 2011 Immortals, starring Henry Cavill. The Parlapanides brothers are of Greek descent, and they once revealed that they wanted to add more authenticity to the stories told by Hollywood about Greek mythologies.

They even targeted gigantic media franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Universe and called their rendition of portraying Greek culture “Greek Mythology with costumes.”

Vlas Parlapanides...

Henry Cavill may not be reprising his role as the Man of Steel anytime soon, but fans don’t need to burst into tears for him. The Hollywood Reporter discovered that the actor was paid a whopping $250,000 ‘each’ for his brief appearances in Black Adam and The Flash.

Yes, that’s what it is—a quarter of a million dollars for just a few minutes of screen time. Not bad for a day’s work, right? While some may feel sorry for Cavill for not getting the chance to star in James Gunn’s 2025 Superman release, it’s abundantly clear that the actor isn’t hurting for cash. Also, compared to Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot, the Immortals actor received a higher salary for his brief cameos in other DC flicks.

Henry Cavill’s Kal-El

Cavill was a hot commodity at Warner Bros. Pictures before Gunn and Safran were named co-CEOs of DC Studios.

Developers of Immortals of Aveum, Ascendant Studios have reportedly furloughed a large percentage of its employees. The news became public through a LinkedIn post a couple of days back when Principal Engineer at Phoenix Labs, Kris Morness, who had formerly also held the same position at Ascendant.

2023 was a year dominated by an unfortunate number of layoff news from several gaming studios that lasted all year and the trend continued earlier this year as well. While being laid off was bad enough, getting furloughed is worse, though Morness did speculate there were not many left in the studio in the first place.

Immortals of Aveum Developer Furloughs Employees Months After a Massive Layoff Immortals of Aveum developers Ascendant Studios recently furloughed a significant number of employees.

Ascendant Studios’ Immortals of Aveum (Ioa) was released for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S consoles late last year on the 22nd of August 2023. Just a month later,...

Euro Gang Entertainment, the company launched last year by Hollywood veterans Gianni Nunnari and Simon Horsman (“Legacy: The True Story of the L.A. Lakers”) is ramping up operations in Italy through a partnership with Rome-based Alfred Film, the young shingle co-founded by experienced producers Roberto Amoroso and Maria Theresia Braun.

The Euro Gang deal with Alfred currently comprises three feature films and an English-language TV series that will shoot in Italy and elsewhere, according to a statement.

Founded in 2020, Alfred Film – which is named in homage to Alfred Hitchcock – is focused on commercially-driven quality projects such as their mainstream comedy “Tre di Troppo,” directed by and starring Italian comedy draw Fabio De Luigi, which grossed €4.7 million ($5 million) at the local box office and is the third highest-grossing Italian film of 2023.

Amoroso is a former creative director at Sky Italia, where during a long stint at the pay-tv platform he was...

For PlayStation Plus subscribers, the most exciting time of the month is when the company announces the next lineup of free games for the month. It’s the highlight of the membership.

However, the April 2024 announcement has left many members feeling disappointed, with some even dubbing it “the worst month” they’ve seen. Let’s take a closer look at the games included and the mixed reactions they’ve garnered from fans.

PlayStation Plus April 2024 Games

Did Sony fumble the bag for PlayStation Plus subscribers this time?

Earlier today, the official announcement for next month’s batch of Ps Plus games dropped. These games will be available to download from April 2nd onward.

The first title is Immortals of Aveum, an action-adventure game developed by Nexus Studios. Set in a fantastical world teeming with magic and mythical creatures, players assume the role of a hero on a quest to save...

Fans have always talked about Henry Cavill’s relationships, but nothing was more controversial than when he dated a teenage university student. He was 32 when he first met Tara King, then a 19-year-old freshman at Bristol University in England.

Henry Cavill in Man of Steel

At the time, Cavill was already known as Superman and had a steady footing in Hollywood. He met the art history student at a London nightclub in 2015. They were also spotted hanging out at a rugby match at Twickenham. It wasn’t until February 2016 when they publicly appeared as a couple at Vanity Fair’s Oscars party.

Henry Cavill In His 30s Once Dated A Teenager

During his candid interview with Elle Magazine, actor Henry Cavill talked about his relationship with Tara King. Their age gap has become the concern of the public, though the Man of Steel star was not really bothered by it.

Mythology offers some of the most enduring and rich stories when it comes to epic storytelling. And at the top of the pantheon of mythical figures sits Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology. Throughout Hollywood history, many stars have tried their hands at playing this powerful deity, with varying degrees of success.

Having said that, it makes sense that we should honor the actors who gorgeously portrayed Zeus on screen. Since he is the undisputed leader of Mount Olympus, it is about time he had his own list. Those who have portrayed Zeus on screen have done so with a certain stoicism that is more in line with ancient Greek depictions.

Russell Crowe as Zeus in a still from Thor: Love and Thunder

Here are six actors who have truly nailed it as Zeus on the big screen.

1. Luke Evans in Immortals (2011)

Greek mythology is adapted in...

Revolutions bring hope for a better life and strength in community. “Immortals,” a documentary about young Iraqi activists, deals with the aftermath of 2019’s October Protest Movement. What happens when the promise of a better life has been hijacked by insidious political forces? An insightful look into the social and political fabric of modern Iraq, Maja Tschumi’s film shows the quiet desperation of losing hope and having raging emotions that cannot be outwardly expressed. It also chronicles the plight of a generation who shares their dreams and frustrations with other people around the world suffering from similar oppressions.

Although “Immortals” captures the specificity, language and culture of Iraq, the aspirations of the activists it follows mirror those of others in Sudan or Iran, to name just two other places where recently youth have shown that they demand change. The film follows Milo, a feminist dealing with a family of strict constrictive rules,...

There will always be enough room for a wacky and cynical action film on the release schedule, and in the future, Henry Cavill is all set to bring The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, a film by prolific director Guy Ritchie, which is setting itself up to be a promising movie.

Even with just the trailer, it has showcased just how unhinged it’s willing to be to achieve that wow-factor from the audience.

Henry Cavill in a still from The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

To corroborate that belief, Cavill’s co-star from the movie, Alex Pettyfer, has laid down the things that make this worth everyone’s time. In a recent interview, the star revealed that this film has hints of several past classics like Robert Downey Jr.’s Sherlock Holmes series and Brad Pitt’s Inglourious Basterds through its progression.

Henry Cavill’s The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare Has...

It’s been so long since we had seen Hugh Jackman brandish his adamantium claws and slice away at his enemies on the big screen. But in the upcoming Deadpool and Wolverine, we will witness the star doing his iconic Wolverine things soon enough. But as if this wasn’t enough, there are now rumors that joining Ryan Reynolds and Jackman will be a former Dceu star.

Hugh Jackman in a still from X-Men: Days of Future Past

There had been several reports even in the past that suggested that Henry Cavill, who is iconic for playing the role of Superman in the now-dismantled DC cinematic universe, might appear in the film as a variant of Wolverine. But now, an insider source reveals that Cavill will indeed be introduced in the franchise in this manner in the upcoming film.

Henry Cavill Might Make Appear As Wolverine In The Upcoming Deadpool...

Paris-based outfit Cat&Docs has acquired world sales for “Immortals,” the sophomore feature film by Swiss director Maja Tschumi (“Rotzloch”). The film will compete in the main competition at leading European documentary festival Cph:dox, and will also screen at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival in the Open Horizon section.

Catherine Le Clef, president and CEO of Cat&Docs, said the “striking film” had “the potential of becoming a cult film of its genre.”

It tells the story of Milo, a feminist who sneaks out of the house dressed as a man so she can take part in the October 2019 protest movement in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, and Khalili, a young filmmaker who uses his camera as a weapon to document the bloody crackdown on the youth demonstrations.

The film offers a rare cinematic glimpse into life for Iraq’s youth, in a country where more than half the population is under the age...

Dark thriller The G has been officially selected for Glasgow Film Festival and will celebrate its UK Premiere on 29th February 2024. Tickets are available now at glasgowfilm.org.

From writer, director Karl R. Hearne and 3Buck Productions, The G takes aim at how in today’s world the elderly can be routinely undervalued or taken advantage of. Dale Dickey (Hell or High Water, Winter’s Bone) takes the lead as the Ann Hunter aka ‘The G’, with a forceful performance and an unforgettable reminder of why you shouldn’t underestimate the elderly.

The G follows Ann and her husband, who retired to an unnamed American suburb 10 years ago to be near his family. But one day out of the blue they are snatched from their home by a corrupt legal guardian who believes they have hidden wealth.

Their home and assets are legally stripped from them and they are put in a prison-like “eldercare facility,...

Henry Cavill was well on his way to enlisting in the military and joining the Royal Marines like a couple of his older brothers if acting had not snatched him up when he was 17. He stepped into Hollywood with a role in the film Laguna, released in 2001. Luckily, he caught the eye of a casting director visiting his school who cast him in a role in 2002’s The Count of Monte Cristo.

Henry Cavill went on to star as the DC Comics superhero Clark Kent/Superman. Recently, there has been a lot of talk surrounding his debut as a Marvel character. Although the actor is not opposed to playing a character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), he has a condition that must be fulfilled if he plays a Marvel character.

Henry Cavill in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015) Henry Cavill’s Condition to Play a Marvel...

Henry Cavill has aced every single acting gig he has taken on to date, irrespective of the character being heroic or villainous. With a professional acting career as vast as his, Cavill has proved just how worthy of an actor he is through all his roles that span multiple genres including action, comedy, drama, mystery, fantasy, and even thrillers.

Henry Cavill in Man of Steel

But while fans are used to mostly seeing him in heroic roles, recent rumors swirling around are suggesting that Cavill just may step into the shoes of Fantastic Four saga’s merciless villain, Doctor Doom. Though it hasn’t been confirmed yet, it would be no harm to discuss the possible merits of having Henry Cavill as the Marvel supervillain, would it?

Suggested“I get to sit playing games for ridiculous amounts of hours”: Henry Cavill’s Idea of a Weekend Plan Makes it...

Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival (Cph:Dox) has unveiled the line-ups for its five competitive sections for its 2024 edition. All films in the main Dox:Award competition are world premieres for the second successive year.

Scroll down for the full list of competition titles

Titles in that section include Alessandra Celesia’s The Flats, a France-uk-Ireland-Belgium co-production about Belfast youngsters accessing their memories of the Troubles. Belfast-based Italian filmmaker Celesia has previously made documentaries including 2017’s Anatomy Of A Miracle, which played at Locarno.

The 12-strong Dox:Award competition also includes Manon Ouimet and Jacob Perlmutter’s UK title Two Strangers Trying Not To Kill Each Other,...

Despite decent reviews, the 2023 shooter Immortals Of Aveum was an $85m sales disappointment. A new report places it into a broader industry context.

Pre-launch, things looked reasonably promising for Immortals Of Aveum, a novel-sounding first-person shooter which replaced guns and grenades with ballistic magic spells. Developed by Ascendant Studios – which comprised a number of veterans from the likes of Telltale and Sledgehammer – the game had real pedigree behind it, and its Unreal Engine 5-powered action looked impressively slick.

Immortals Of Aveum had the misfortune of coming out in a summer 2023 packed with big-name rivals, however, not least Bethesda’s eagerly-awaited sci-fi behemoth, Starfield. Even with some decent reviews behind it – not to mention an expensive marketing campaign bankrolled up by publisher EA – the shooter’s sales failed to meet expectations. Within weeks, around half of Ascendant’s staff had lost their jobs, with Immortals Of Aveum's slow sales cited as the catalyst.

Welcome to our rundown of the most-watched branded YouTube videos of the week.

We’re publishing this snippet of a larger Gospel Stats Weekly Brand Report in order to analyze sponsorship trends in the creator economy. Any video launched in tandem with an official brand partner is eligible for the ranking.

And – as the name up above would imply – all the data comes from Gospel Stats. If you’re interested in learning more about Gospel – and which brands are sponsoring what creators on YouTube – click here.

Welcome back to the Gospel Stats Weekly Brand Report! For the second week in a row, MrBeast is on top, with Electronic Arts tapping him to promote its newest game Immortals of Aveum while he explores the immortal ups and downs of the job market.

Read on to see more about his deal, plus get an inside look at sewing machines, go around the world in style,...

A funny thing happened on the way to the Colosseum. That unbelievably epic three-minute Pepsi commercial you surely remember from the early 2000’s where Britney, Pink, and Beyoncé at their full-on fiercest joined forces to commandeer the ancient Roman amphitheater with a diva-liciously badass riff on Queen’s “We Will Rock You”… yeah, you don’t actually remember that.

The fond impressions were planted later, Blade Runner-style, by online fandom — because what should have been herstory’s greatest Super Bowl ad of all time never actually aired in America!

Def Jam India, the coveted Hip-Hop label division within India & South Asia at Universal Music Group (Umg), is stoked to announce its exclusive signing of rapstar Raga. The strategic partnership arrives amidst Def Jam India’s unwavering commitment towards recognising and supporting raw Hip-Hop/Rap talents in India & South Asia.

While the partnership serves as a crucial moment in Raga’s extraordinary rap career, it strengthens Def Jam India’s resolve to provide unprecedented push to Indian Hip-Hop & its vivid sub-cultures across the country.

Through a hard-hitting discography of numerous rap records, Raga has risen to nationwide prominence and is now considered one of the most influential rappers in Northern India. Recognised for his lethal rap verses and provocative vocal delivery, Raga has turned himself from an underground rap icon to a mainstream rapstar within a few years. To his fans, Raga is a cult figure with a rare ability...

Def Jam India, the coveted Hip-Hop label division within India & South Asia at Universal Music Group (Umg), is stoked to announce its exclusive signing of rapstar Raga. The strategic partnership arrives amidst Def Jam India’s unwavering commitment towards recognising and supporting raw Hip-Hop/Rap talents in India & South Asia.

While the partnership serves as a crucial moment in Raga’s extraordinary rap career, it strengthens Def Jam India’s resolve to provide unprecedented push to Indian Hip-Hop & its vivid sub-cultures across the country.

Through a hard-hitting discography of numerous rap records, Raga has risen to nationwide prominence and is now considered one of the most influential rappers in Northern India. Recognised for his lethal rap verses and provocative vocal delivery, Raga has turned himself from an underground rap icon to a mainstream rapstar within a few years. To his fans, Raga is a cult figure with a rare ability...

‘A nasty, nightmarish thrill ride from a master of gore’

Morbidly Gruesome

‘Energetic direction by Ryuhei Kitamura, excellent practical gore effects and strong performances’

Variety

‘Ramps up the gratuitous gore along with a clever twist that blurs the line between good and evil’

Cinemalogue

Get more bang for your buck in The Price We Pay, a wickedly dark, gritty and brutal thriller from respected director Ryûhei Kitamura (Midnight Meat Train), starring Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild, The Darkest Hour) and Stephen Dorff (Blade, Immortals). The film has made its UK debut on Digital from 101 Films.

When a pawn shop robbery goes horribly wrong and the criminals take a young woman, Grace (Gigi Zumbado – Bridge and Tunnel), hostage, things quickly go from bad to unimaginable.

Forced to go on the run, they head into the woods and as darkness starts to fall, they find a remote farmhouse and decide to take refuge.

Exclusive: Hollywood vet Gianni Nunnari, producer on movies including the 300 franchise, Immortals, and From Dusk Til Dawn, is teaming with producer Simon Horsman to launch Euro Gang Entertainment.

The company plans to develop, finance and produce movies, scripted and unscripted TV series, stage productions and other live events.

The outfit will have offices in London, Rome and Madrid, while keeping a base in Los Angeles, and is affiliated to Nunnari’s long-time label Hollywood Gang Productions, which will continue to develop and service legacy projects.

Euro Gang says it has more than 30 projects in development across various genres, formats, and budget ranges, and this week it sealed a co-development agreement with Warner Music Group’s film and TV division Warner Music Entertainment, headed by Charlie Cohen.

Under terms of the pact, the companies will co-develop nine scripted projects, which include original concepts,...

Robbie Brenner, who was previously executive producer of Mattel Films, has been named President of Mattel Films. Brenner had a key role in the success this summer of “Barbie” which became the top-grossing movie of the year with over $1.4 billion globally.

Ynon Kreiz, chairman and CEO of Mattel, said in an official statement: “Robbie joined the company five years ago to bring the vision of Mattel Films to life, collaborating with leading filmmakers to make standout quality movies based on our iconic brands that will resonate in culture and appeal to global audiences. She has done exactly that and so much more, positioning Mattel Films as a key partner for innovative creators, world-class talent, award winning producers, and major studios.”

Mattel has announced a robust, 14-film slate of projects that are currently in active development, including live-action features based on American Girl, Barney, Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Matchbox, Major Matt Mason,...

A first clip has been unveiled for Tarsem Singh Dhandwar’s return to feature film direction, “Dear Jassi.”

Dhandwar, the filmmaker previously known simply as Tarsem, returned to the big screen and to his roots with the film which had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, where it won the 2023 TIFF Platform Award in an unanimous decision.

Written by Amit Rai (“Omg 2”) and based on the reporting of journalist Fabian Dawson, “Dear Jassi” is a modern-day tragedy inspired by the tragic true story of Jaswinder “Jassi” Kaur and Sukhwinder “Mithu” Singh Sidhu, told in a Punjabi folk style. In 1996 Punjab, India, Canadian-born Jassi (Pavia Sidhu) falls in love with Mithu (Yugam Sood), a rickshaw driver beneath her social status. Their attraction is pure and unconditional, but is it has to fight the dictates imposed by Jassi’s family and Punjabi society.

The film is currently seeking distribution,...

Exclusive: Twilight actors Kellan Lutz and Cam Gigandet are reuniting on screen for the first time in action crime-thriller Desert Dawn.

While Lutz and Gigandet’s characters clashed in Twilight, this time the actors team up as the newly appointed small-town sheriff (Lutz) and his begrudging deputy (Gigandet) who get tangled in a web of lies and corruption involving shady businessmen and the cartel while investigating the murder of a mysterious woman.

L.A.-based sales and production outfit Premiere Entertainment Group is behind the project, which began filming this week in Nevada. The production received a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement to allow filming during the union strikes.

Marty Murray (Paranormal Island) directs the movie from an original screenplay by Chad Law and Johnny Walters.

Premiere’s Elias Axume produces with Al Bravo of Al Bravo Films. Jason Abustan and Mehrab H. Deboo executive-produce alongside Carlos Rincon.

Matthew Helderman...

Director Tarsem Singh has spilled beans on ‘Dear Jassi’; which is his first film to be shot in India. According to him, the film takes certain threads of inspiration from his own late mother, where he wondered why a Canadian woman of Indian heritage would plot to have her daughter abducted then murdered. ‘Dear Jassi’, ahead of its global release, was first premiered at the TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival), and it is touted to be a romance story, but also features grisly murder and violence.

Speaking to Deadline, Tarsem Singh said: “It is a love story, but with a grisly murder at its centre.”

‘Dear Jassi’ is inspired by the real-life honour killing of the Indo-Canadian beautician Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu in June 2000.

The incident saw thugs ambushing the Sikh couple of Jaswinder and her husband Sidhu, who dragged the young bride to a desolate farm in a Punjabi village and slit her throat,...

Director Tarsem Singh has spilled beans on ‘Dear Jassi’; which is his first film to be shot in India. According to him, the film takes certain threads of inspiration from his own late mother, where he wondered why a Canadian woman of Indian heritage would plot to have her daughter abducted then murdered. ‘Dear Jassi’, ahead of its global release, was first premiered at the TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival), and it is touted to be a romance story, but also features grisly murder and violence.

Speaking to Deadline, Tarsem Singh said: “It is a love story, but with a grisly murder at its centre.”

‘Dear Jassi’ is inspired by the real-life honour killing of the Indo-Canadian beautician Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu in June 2000.

The incident saw thugs ambushing the Sikh couple of Jaswinder and her husband Sidhu, who dragged the young bride to a desolate farm in a Punjabi village and slit her throat,...

Exclusive: Director Tarsem Singh thought of his own sainted mother as he tried to understand why a Canadian woman of Indian heritage would plot to have her daughter abducted then murdered.

It was to be a significant moment as Singh prepared to shoot Dear Jassi, his first feature shot in India, the land of his birth.

The riveting film played at TIFF, shocking audiences who thought they were going to watch a gentle love story. ”It is a love story,” Singh noted, but with a grisly murder at its center.

Dear Jassi is inspired by the real-life honor killing of Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu in June 2000.

Aided by a local policeman, thugs ambushed Jaswinder and her husband, dragged the young bride to a desolate farm in a Punjabi village and slit her throat on the direct orders of the girl’s mother, who was at the other end of a phone...

Tarsem Singh Dhandwar, director of The Cell and Immortals, returns with a tragic and horrifying romance that could afford a bit more subtlety

The director who got his start in music videos under the mononym of Tarsem expanded to Tarsem Singh for his feature debut The Cell, went back to a first-name basis for sophomore effort The Fall, billed himself as Tarsem Singh Dhandwar for his next two films, Tarsem Singh for one more, and back to the full moniker for the new romance Dear Jassi. If the constant rebrands suggest a continuous grappling with his Indian identity and Tinseltown assimilation, then his impassioned if overwrought take on a true-life Romeo and Juliet adds an intriguing wrinkle to the subject.

His works of pop-opera maximalism have ventured to every corner of the globe, the limits of the slumbering imagination, into myth and fable, and he’s now blazed a path...

Tarsem Singh Dhandwar, the filmmaker previously known simply as Tarsem, is returning to the big screen and to his roots with “Dear Jassi,” which has its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival Sept. 10.

The new film is set in the 1990s and based on a real-life incident. It follows Indian origin Canadian Jassi (Pavia Sidhu), who on a visit to her ancestral village in Punjab, India, falls in love with Mithu (Yugam Sood). They commence an epistolatory romance but familial objections, with the threat of terrifying consequences, get in the way of their love.

Dhandwar rose to prominence through commercials and music videos. Dhandwar previously directed films “The Cell” (2000), “The Fall” (2006), “Immortals” (2011) and “Mirror Mirror” (2012). His last feature film was “Self/less” in 2015, and he directed NBC series “Emerald City” (2017). The filmmaker hails from the Punjab, but “Dear Jassi” is his first film set in India.

“I’m just known...

Henry Cavill is in a weird place in his career. The "Man of Steel" star didn't have the best 2022 after officially announcing his return as Superman then officially announcing that he would, in fact, not return as Superman. It was all part of Cavill and Dwayne Johnson's bizarre attempts to stay in the DC Universe prior to James Gunn's new slate of DC films ushering in a new era for the beleaguered brand. At the time, Cavill made the dubious claim that he was told by the studio to make his return announcement before it all went wrong.

In the midst of all this, the actor also announced he would be leaving the role of Geralt of Rivia in Netflix's "The Witcher" after its third season — a show in which he'd lobbied hard to star. Then came the announcement Cavill would be producing and starring in a new Warhammer show for Amazon,...

Summer is heating up on Max.

Back in May, Max added programming from TLC, HGTV and Food Network. That means Discovery’s popular Shark Week will be available to stream when it kicks off on July 23, with programming to be announced soon.

For fans of unscripted series, Season 3 or “90 Day Fiancé: Love in Paradise: Pillow Talk” (July 4) and Season 5 of “90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way” (July 10) are both streaming, as well as the series premiere of “90 Day Fiancé: UK.”

Home renovation fans will want to catch Season 16 of “Barnwood Builders” (July 6) and the special “Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge” (July 16), hosted by Ashley Graham, just in time for the feature film.

Also Read:

Here’s What’s New on Amazon Prime Video in July 2023

“Project Greenlight” (July 13) returns, with executive producer Issa Rae along with Kumail Nanjiani and Gina Prince-Bythewood serve as mentors throughout the season.

Finally, the six-episode Max Original limited series “Full Circle,...

Max is following DC’s lead with its list of new releases for July 2023.

The two big ticket items this month are of the superhero variety. My Adventures with Superman arrives to Max on July 7 after making its Adult Swim premiere the night before. The end of the month sees Harley Quinn season 4 making its long-awaited debut on July 27. Other original TV titles of note are the Steven Soderbergh-directed Full Circle (July 13) and the third and final season of How To With John Wilson on July 28.

On the movie side of things, documentary Glitch: The Rise and Fall of HQ Trivia premieres on July 20. Before that on July 13 is both a fresh reboot of filmmaking competition Project Greenlight and the movie that came of it, Gray Matter. Library movies in July include Pulp Fiction, V for Vendetta, Lethal Weapon, and more on July 1.

Here is everything else coming to HBO and Max this month.