Production on the sequel to “Freaky Friday,” the studio’s hit comedy from 2003 starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, began today in Los Angeles. The film will be released in theatres nationwide in 2025.

Curtis and Lohan reprise their roles as Tess and Anna Coleman. Other returning cast members from the original film include Mark Harmon, Chad Michael Murray, Christina Vidal Mitchell, Haley Hudson, Lucille Soong, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Rosalind Chao. They are joined by Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto, and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan.

The film is directed by Nisha Ganatra. The producers are Kristin Burr, Andrew Gunn, and Jamie Lee Curtis, with Nathan Kelly, Ann Marie Sanderlin, and Lindsay Lohan serving as executive producers. A sequel to the beloved 2003 film with a multigenerational twist, the film picks up years after Tess (Curtis) and Anna (Lohan) endured an identity crisis. Anna now has a daughter of her own and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the myriad challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might indeed strike twice.

From the producers of critical hits Barbarian and Late Night with the Devil, STRANGE DARLING is a clever and relentless thrill ride that defies audience expectation at every turn and leaves you on the edge of your seat! VVS Films release August 23, 2024.

SYNOPSIS

In Strange Darling, nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer’s vicious murder spree.

Written and directed by JT Mollner (Outlaws & Angels), Strange Darling stars Willa Fitzgerald (The Goldfinch, Reacher), Kyle Gallner (Smile, Dinner in America), Ed Begley Jr. (Better Call Saul, A Mighty Wind), and Barbara Hershey (Black Swan, Insidious).

Distributed in Canada by VVS Films, Strange Darling is a Miramax and Spooky Pictures Production. The film is produced by Bill Block, Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Giovanni Ribisi and Chris Ivan Cevic, with Giovanni Ribisi also serving as the Director of Photography.

Paramount+ today announced that production is underway on the political espionage thriller THE AGENCY (w/t) with two time Academy Award nominee Michael Fassbender set as star and executive producer. George Clooney and Grant Heslov will executive produce through their Smokehouse Pictures with Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios set to produce.

THE AGENCY is a fresh take on the critically acclaimed hit French drama Le Bureau des Légendes (The Bureau internationally). The series will stream internationally on Paramount+ in Canada, the UK, Australia, Italy, Germany, Latin America, Brazil and Japan. The series is co-distributed internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution and Federation Studios.

The series follows Martian (Fassbender), a covert CIA agent ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station. When the love he left behind reappears, romance reignites. His career, his real identity and his mission are pitted against his heart; hurling them both into a deadly game of international intrigue and espionage.

“Michael Fassbender is one of the most gifted actors of our time,” said Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President/CEO, Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios. “He brings a gravitas and nuanced complexity to every character he inhabits which is why we are so excited for him to star in The Agency as we start to roll out our new slate of SHOWTIME originals.”

Fassbender has just completed production on Steven Soderbergh feature, BLACK BAG with Cate Blanchett and will next be seen in Sundance Audience Award winner, KNEECAP, about the rise of the Belfast-based rap trio. Last year he returned to screens with David Fincher’s acclaimed noir assassin thriller, THE KILLER and also Taika Waititi’s comedy, NEXT GOAL WINS.

Fassbender’s previous screen work includes the X-MEN series – X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX, X-MEN FIRST CLASS, X MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST and X MEN: APOCALYPSE. PROMETHEUS and ALIEN: COVENANT, ASSASSIN’S CREED, THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS, MACBETH, TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE, A DANGEROUS METHOD, JANE EYRE, FRANK, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, EDEN LAKE, 300, and FISH TANK. Fassbender’s production company DMC Films recent films include BAFTA nominated features SCRAPPER and CALM WITH HORSES and Daniel Kaluuya’s directorial debut, THE KITCHEN.

The Bureau – Le Bureau des Légendes centers on the daily life and missions of agents within France’s principal external security service (DGSE). It focuses on the “Bureau of Legends” service, responsible for training and handling deep-cover agents on long-term missions in areas with French interests. Living under false identities for years, these agents’ missions are to identify and recruit good intelligence sources. The New York Times named it one of the top international shows of the decade, and NPR has called it “addictively suspenseful” and “one of the best TV shows in the world.” The Bureau – Le Bureau des Légendes was created by Eric Rochant and is a CANAL+ Creation Originale series produced by TOP – The Originals Productions and Federation Studios.

Golden Globe® nominee and multi-BAFTA® winner Joe Wright (Pride and Prejudice, The Darkest Hour and The Atonement) will direct and executive produce the new drama series and Tony® Award-winning writer Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth (Ford v Ferrari, Edge of Tomorrow) will executive produce and write all ten episodes.

Commissioned by Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and produced in association with 101 Studios, THE AGENCY is executive produced by Keith Cox and Nina L. Diaz of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios; David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin and Bob Yari of 101 Studios (Yellowstone); George Clooney and Grant Heslov for Smokehouse Pictures; Alex Berger for TOP-The Originals Productions; Ashley Stern and Pascal Breton for Federation Studios/Federation Entertainment of America; and Michael Fassbender. Jez and John-Henry Butterworth are writers and executive producers; Joe Wright is executive producer and director for the first two episodes.

INSIDE OUT 2 continues to turn it up, bringing-in a stellar $90 million in its second weekend out for Disney. This number is a record for best second week ever for an Animated Feature, taking it to $345 million already, domestically.

BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE continues to performing fantastically, taking $18 million in its third weekend for Sony Pictures, a tally of $146 million over three weekends.

Third goes to a debuting THE BIKERIDERS with $9.5 million from 2,665 theatres for Focus Features/Universal Pictures. This Jeff Nichols film starring Austin Butler and Jodie Comer, gets 82% on the Tomatometer.

In fourth is THE GARFIELD MOVIE with $4 million, taking it to $85 million over five weekends for Sony Pictures.

Rounding things off is THE KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES with $3.7 million, a total domestic run of $165 million for 20th Century Studios.

In the upcoming season of “Only Murders in the Building,” our trio’s investigation leads them all the way to Los Angeles where a Hollywood studio is readying a film about the Only Murders podcast featuring Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis and Eva Longoria (playing themselves) in the roles of Charles, Oliver and Mabel.

Season four of “Only Murders in the Building” premieres on August 27, 2024 exclusively on Disney+ in Canada. Seasons one to three are available to stream on the service now.

In celebration of BLACKPINK’s 8th anniversary, Trafalgar Releasing and CJ 4DPlex are proud to bring the record-breaking BORN PINK tour to big screens worldwide this summer. Relive the live performances that captivated 1.8 million fans and hit the global Top 10 for the year. BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] IN CINEMAS will have limited screenings starting July 31, showcasing the highest-grossing tour from an Asian act and a female group in history once again. Fans can experience even more with screenings in ScreenX, 4DX, and ULTRA 4DX special formats.

Tickets for BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] IN CINEMAS are on sale from Thurs., June 27 at 8:00 PDT / 11:00 EDT / 16:00 BST / Fri., June 28 at 00:00 KST at BornPinkInCinemas.com.

Join BLINKS across the globe to relive the electrifying energy of the show that supported their chart-topping album, BORN PINK, the first by a K-Pop girl group to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200. BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] IN CINEMAS premieres in more than 110 countries, marking the largest ever global cinema event release for a female group.

Featuring the iconic “Hanok” set that has mesmerized fans and press worldwide, the film showcases an unprecedented production scale, presenting exclusive versions of BLACKPINK’s hit songs unique to this concert. It includes performances from Seoul’s Gocheok Dome alongside footage from cities across the global tour.

CEO of Trafalgar Releasing, Marc Allenby, said: “We are delighted to collaborate once again with our longstanding partner, CJ 4DPlex, for the new BLACKPINK release. Since their debut, we have witnessed BLACKPINK’s exponential rise to become one of the biggest names in music with a massive global appeal. Cinemas are the perfect venue to harness the power of their dedicated fanbase, and we look forward to welcoming BLINKs from around the world to enjoy this unmissable theatrical event starting July 31.”

Jun Bang, Chief Content Officer at CJ 4DPLEX, shared, “I am delighted to announce the release of BLACKPINK’s world tour film in theaters globally. ScreenX, 4DX, and ULTRA 4DX are the optimal formats to capture the essence and liveliness of a concert. We eagerly anticipate immersing audiences in the spectacular performances of BLACKPINK, showcasing their talent as world-class touring artists, across cinemas worldwide.”

Title: BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] IN CINEMAS
Production Year: 2024
Directors: Yoondong Oh, Geun Min
Producers: Tu Sun Song
Cast: BLACKPINK’s JISOO, JENNIE, ROSÉ, LISA
Runtime 92 min approx.
Genre: Concert film
Production Company: CJ 4DPlex, ScreenX Studio
Country of Origin: Republic of Korea
Distribution: Trafalgar Releasing (global, excluding Korea & Japan), CJ 4DPlex (Korea) & AVEX (Japan)
URL: bornpinkincinemas.com

About BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK is a girl group from YG Entertainment consisting of JISOO, JENNIE, ROSÉ and LISA. BLACKPINK, who captivated the public at the same time as its debut single [SQUARE ONE] was released in August 2016, has since become the world’s top girl group by making big hits with each song released such as ‘DDU-DU DDU-DU’ and ‘Kill This Love’.

Thanks to this success, BLACKPINK became the first Korean girl group to be invited to the Coachella Festival, the largest music festival in the United States, in both 2019 and 2023, establishing an unrivaled position in the global music market. In October 2020, BLACKPINK won trophies at numerous awards ceremonies by hitting various global charts, including the U.S. Billboard, with their first full-length album ‘THE ALBUM’. In particular, the album became the first million-seller of the female K-pop group in history, reaching the record of 1.3 million copies of sales volume.

BLACKPINK then wrote a unique new history with their second full-length album [BORN PINK], which was released in 2022. The album has set the record of 2.82 million copies of sales volume, letting BLACKPINK the honor to have the title as the first K-pop girl group to become a ‘double million-seller’. The album also topped the U.S. Billboard 200 and the U.K. official album charts at the same time. This is the first achievement of an Asian female artist and also is the first milestone in 21 years among every girl group around the world.

Moreover, since October 2022, BLACKPINK [BORN PINK] tour, which has been held 66 times in 34 cities for about a year, drew 1.8 million audiences. This is the highest figure ever for a KPOP girl group. If the Coachella Festival in which the girls performed as the first Asian headliner (250,000 total) and Hyde Park in the U.K. (65,000) are added, they have worked with 2.115 million music fans.

BLACKPINK’s influence as a global top artist is getting stronger day by day. They have expanded their influence through continuous collaboration with global pop stars, and all four members are active as ambassadors for famous fashion and beauty brands as representative style icons leading the trend. In addition, the number of subscribers to BLACKPINK’s official YouTube channel surpassed 93 million, ranking first in the field among both male and female artists around the world.

One of our favourite Japanese spots in the City introduces some exciting new Happy Hour and late-night options. Perfect for before/after a movie or a show!

OG Happy Hour and NEW late-night Happy Hour

Minami is excited to re-introduce its Happy Hour and new late-night Happy Hour! Minami’s OG Happy Hour is from 2:00pm to 5:00pm daily. The new late-night Happy Hour is from 8:30pm to close Sundays to Thursdays, and 10:00PM to close on Fridays and Saturdays.

Happy Hour cocktail specials are a selection of Minami’s signature cocktails for just $12: The Miyazaki Margarita, Ume Nigori, Raspberry Sake Sour, Shinjuku and the Ube Nigori Colada. Happy Hour also offers $6 shots (including soju) and $8 canned beer (in partnership with Asahi).

Minami’s Happy Hour exclusive item is the Sushi Bao (two piece) with chicken nanban, obie braiser, nori and sushi rice. Other Happy Hour food items include Minami’s calamari, truffle dashi pork gyoza and edamame.

New additions: Cocktails

Minami introduces seven new cocktails to its beverage program The new cocktails feature fresh summer flavours featuring Pineapple, shiso-apple, ube and raspberry.

The new cocktails include the Ume Negroni, Ube Colada, Shiso Apple Martini, Mezcal Margarita, a Spritz Tower featuring 3 spritz cocktails, Raspberry Sake Sour, and a surprise cocktail which will be launched soon!

New additions: Food

Minami introduces three new menu items in collaboration with MICHELIN chef Ryusuke Nakagawa: Roasted A5 Miyazaki Wagyu, Chicken Nanban and Sous-vide Duck. Minami has also updated their Wagyu Luxe Trio showcasing the marriage between Minami’s extensive premium wagyu offering and innovative sushi-making.

More here.

R&B legend Brandy is back in Horror THE FRONT and today we get a new Trailer!

Synopsis:

Everything goes to hell for newly-pregnant Belinda (Brandy) after her mother-in-law (Kathryn Hunter) moves in. As the diabolical guest tries to get her claws on the child, Belinda must draw the line somewhere…

Starring Brandy, Andrew Burnap, Neal Huff, and Kathryn Hunter
Written and Directed by Max and Sam Eggers

Brandy‘s definitely back! She and “The Boy is Mine” Co-Singer Monica team-up also with “The Boy is Mine (Remix)” by Ariana Grande. Just released as well!

Elevation Pictures release THE FRONT ROOM September 6, 2024.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

SUPER CHANNEL announce their July 2024 programming highlights including Documentaries, Movies and Series!

DOCUMENTARIES

Stolen Time

*Super Channel Fuse Original | Premiere Saturday, July 13 at 9 p.m. ET Available On Demand on July 1 Trailer

As her firm receives more and more complaints against Canadian for-profit senior care homes, attorney Melissa Miller builds a case to sue facilities for neglect and expose a system wrought with abuse.

SERIES

To Kill a Dictator *Super Channel Fuse Original | New Episodes Tuesday, July 2 at 9 p.m. ET // New episodes air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET All episodes available On Demand now

Trailer

Assassinations, even of the most treacherous dictator, can shake a nation’s confidence, launch wars, or end them. But no matter who the mark is, high profile takedowns always shock the world… In stories motivated by obsession, hatred, politics, and fanaticism, covert plots and dark conspiracies take shape. For decades, the details of these plans, hatched to put an end to tyranny, have remained virtually unknown. Now, we go behind closed doors to meet the rebels, revolutionaries, and intelligence operatives tasked with undertaking these ruthless takedowns. Upcoming episodes include: Hilter, Stalin, Kim II Sung, El Jefe and Saddam Hussein.

One Way Mirror *Super Channel Fuse Original | Premiere Friday, July 5 at 9 p.m. ET // New episodes air Fridays at 9 p.m. ET Episodes 1 – 12 available On Demand July 1

Trailer

One Way Mirror uses actual interrogation footage released by courts after reaching a guilty verdict as the backbone of each story. Each episode reveals the most telling parts of the investigation, including when the criminals began to crack and when the investigators closed in on their case. Crime experts screen and analyze the interrogation and help the audience understand these interrogation techniques, taking the audience into the killer’s mindset in this high-pressure situation.

Almost Unsolved Heists *Super Channel Fuse Original | Premiere Monday, July 15 at 9 p.m. ET // New episodes air Mondays at 9 p.m. ET All episodes available On Demand July 15

Trailer

A ‘whodunnit’ true crime series examining the world’s most baffling and bizarre stories about brazen thieves who pull off elaborate heists. Heists they almost get away with. From the moment the crime is committed, it’s a race against time to catch the thieves and with every minute, day, and month that go by, criminals snitch, mistakes are made, and detectives find a way to catch up.

MOVIES

Unwind with Heart & Home every night this month at 8 p.m. ET for a delightful Christmas in July movie, including the Super Channel premiere of Toying with the Holidays starring Chad Michael Murray. For more featured programming, click HERE.

Toying with the Holidays *Super Channel Heart & Home | Premiere Sunday, July 14 at 8 p.m. ET Available On Demand on July 1

Trailer II

A workaholic single mom returns to her hometown determined to introduce her young son to some beloved holiday traditions. While there, she reconnects with a former classmate, now a model train hobbyist. Starring: Chad Michael Murray, Cindy Busby

Paramount Plus Canada have announced that Patrick Dempsey will join the cast of DEXTER®: ORIGINAL SIN as a series regular and will play Aaron Spencer, the Captain of the Miami Metro Homicide who has a decades-long relationship with Harry Morgan (Slater).

Previously announced cast includes Christian Slater as Harry Morgan, Patrick Gibson as Dexter Morgan and Molly Brown as Debra Morgan, along with James Martinez as Angel Batista, Christina Milian as Maria LaGuerta, Alex Shimizu as Vince Masuka and Reno Wilson as Bobby Watt.

“Patrick Dempsey is a beloved actor who is internationally known for the iconic characters he has played and his performances,” said Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President/CEO, Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios. “We are thrilled to have him join our all-star cast of Dexter: Original Sin, the highly anticipated origin story of the franchise.”

Set in 1991 Miami, DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN follows Dexter (Gibson) as he transitions from student to avenging serial killer. When his bloodthirsty urges can’t be ignored any longer, Dexter must learn to channel his inner darkness. With the guidance of his father, Harry (Slater), he adopts a Code designed to help him find and kill people who deserve to be eliminated from society without getting on law enforcement’s radar. This is a particular challenge for young Dexter as he begins a forensics internship at the Miami Metro Police Department.

Emmy® nominee Clyde Phillips (DEXTER, NURSE JACKIE) serves as showrunner and executive producer.
The series is produced by SHOWTIME Studios and Counterpart Studios.

Executive producers also include Scott Reynolds (Jessica Jones), Michael C. Hall (DEXTER), Mary Leah Sutton (Resident Evil), Tony Hernandez (Emily in Paris) and Lilly Burns (Russian Doll). The series is being produced by Robert Lloyd Lewis (The Lincoln Lawyer). Michael Lehmann (Heathers) serves as directing executive producer.

Patrick Dempsey Bio:
Dempsey is best known for his portrayal of Dr. Derek Shepherd on the hit ABC series, Grey’s Anatomy, which earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award and multiple Golden Globe nominations. He can most recently be seen in Michael Mann’s Ferrari where he portrays Piero Taruffi and is featured alongside Adam Driver. Prior to this, he starred in Eli Roth’s horror film Thanksgiving and the Disney+ film Disenchanted. His film credits include: Bridget Jones’s Baby, Transformers: Dark of The Moon, Valentine’s Day, Made of Honor, Enchanted, Freedom Writers, Sweet Home Alabama, Scream 3, With Honors, Outbreak, Hugo Pool, The Treat, The Palace Thief, Heaven Help Us, Happy Together, Some Girls, Coupe De Ville, Run, Mobsters, and In the Mood. Dempsey became well known from such classic ‘80s nostalgia films such as, Can’t Buy Me Love and Loverboy.

(Photo credit: Carter Smith)