Michael Gracey, known for The Greatest Showman, is set to direct, with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson writing the script.

Disney is officially bringing Tangled to life as its latest animated classic to receive the live-action treatment. The project will be helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Michael Gracey, who gained widespread recognition for directing The Greatest Showman. Writing duties will fall to Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, whose previous works include Netflix’s edgy dark comedy Do Revenge, Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder, and the reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer.

The live-action adaptation will reimagine Disney’s 2010 animated hit, itself inspired by the Brothers Grimm tale of Rapunzel. The original Tangled told the enchanting story of a princess with magical, impossibly long hair who escapes her isolated tower with the help of a charming outlaw, Flynn Rider. Featuring the voice talents of Mandy Moore as Rapunzel, the film was both a critical and commercial success, grossing $592 million globally. It also earned an Oscar nomination for its memorable songs, including “When Will My Life Begin.”

Following the animated film’s success, Disney expanded the Tangled universe with the 2012 short film Tangled Ever After and the 2017 television series Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure.

This announcement continues Disney’s trend of revisiting beloved animated classics through live-action adaptations. Hits like The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Mulan, and The Little Mermaid have already received the treatment, with more on the horizon. Upcoming projects include Snow White starring Rachel Zegler, Lilo & Stitch, and Moana.

While details about casting and release dates for Tangled remain under wraps, fans are already buzzing with excitement to see Rapunzel’s hair-raising adventure unfold in a whole new way.

Peacock is officially developing a reboot of Friday Night Lights, the beloved football drama that captured hearts in the 2000s.

The upcoming series, currently in development at NBCUniversal, introduces a fresh storyline. According to the official synopsis, the reboot centers on “a ragtag high school football team and their damaged, interim coach” as they embark on an unlikely journey to win the Texas High School State Championship. This inspiring effort takes place in the aftermath of a devastating hurricane, transforming the team into a beacon of hope for their struggling community.

Fans of the original series will be pleased to know that Jason Katims, who served as showrunner and executive producer of the first Friday Night Lights, is returning to helm the reboot. Joining him are Peter Berg, the original series’ director and executive producer, and Brian Grazer, another key producer from the original run.

The original Friday Night Lights premiered in 2006 and aired for five critically acclaimed seasons. The show was inspired by H.G. Bissinger’s 1990 book of the same name, which was first adapted into a 2004 film starring Billy Bob Thornton. The TV series starred Kyle Chandler as Coach Eric Taylor, whose leadership of a high school football team in the fictional town of Dillon, Texas, offered a compelling mix of sports drama and heartfelt storytelling. Chandler was joined by an ensemble cast that included Connie Britton, Taylor Kitsch, Minka Kelly, Zach Gilford, Jesse Plemons, Michael B. Jordan, and Jurnee Smollett.

Over its run, the series earned 14 Emmy nominations, with Chandler taking home the award for Best Actor in a Drama in 2011 and Katims winning for Best Writing that same year.

While it’s still unclear if any original cast members will return for the reboot, fans can expect the same spirit of resilience, teamwork, and small-town heart that made the original a classic. Stay tuned for more updates as this highly anticipated project develops.

Hot Ones is taking the leap into independence. Buzzfeed has confirmed the sale of its First We Feast studio, the powerhouse behind the wildly popular Hot Ones celebrity interview series, for $82.5 million USD. The deal sees First We Feast returning to its roots under the leadership of founder Chris Schonberger and host Sean Evans, with backing from a consortium of investors.

The investor group includes Mythical Entertainment—run by YouTube icons Rhett and Link—along with podcast company Crooked Media and Soros Fund Management. According to reports, additional partners will be revealed in the future. The acquisition also provides Buzzfeed a much-needed financial lifeline, allowing the media company to significantly reduce its debt load. Proceeds from this sale, combined with other operational funding, will cut Buzzfeed’s $124 million USD debt by $88.8 million USD, leaving the company with more cash than liabilities.

For fans of Hot Ones, this marks the beginning of an exciting new era. Hosted by Sean Evans, the show has become a pop-culture phenomenon, praised for its unique format of interviewing celebrities while they tackle progressively spicier chicken wings. Big names such as Sydney Sweeney, Billie Eilish, Paul Mescal, and Rosé have braved the heat, earning the series a dedicated following.

This sale also represents Buzzfeed’s continued restructuring following its acquisition of Complex Networks three years ago. While the $300 million USD deal initially helped Buzzfeed go public, declining investor confidence in digital media led to a significant drop in stock value. Earlier this year, Buzzfeed offloaded Complex for $108.6 million USD and shut down its news division in 2023.

Chris Schonberger, reflecting on the milestone, stated:

“Today’s announcement marks an exciting new chapter in First We Feast’s history. Being part of this incredible journey has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Our proven expertise in developing compelling formats, iconic IP, and best-in-class interviews makes us uniquely positioned to build on the brand’s momentum and supercharge our growth.”

With fresh investments, First We Feast plans to explore new platforms, expand into live events, and acquire talent. Its independence officially begins on December 19 with the launch of the Annual Hot Ones Holiday Extravaganza. Fans can also look forward to Season 26, set to premiere on January 23, 2025, featuring new celebrity guests and surprises to commemorate the show’s 10th anniversary.

The move positions First We Feast as a standalone entertainment powerhouse, ready to push boundaries in digital and live content while continuing to deliver the heat.

Despite the critical acclaim of Memento and a promising creative partnership, Guy Pearce recently disclosed that he and Christopher Nolan haven’t worked together since their groundbreaking 2000 film. The reason? A Warner Bros. executive who simply didn’t “get” him as an actor.

Speaking with Vanity Fair while promoting his upcoming film The Brutalist, Pearce revealed that while Nolan had considered him for roles in projects like Batman Begins and The Prestige, his career trajectory at Warner Bros. was ultimately hindered by an executive’s opinion.

“There was an executive at Warner Bros. who quite openly said to my agent, ‘I don’t get Guy Pearce. I’m never going to get Guy Pearce. I’m never going to employ Guy Pearce,’” Pearce recalled. “So, in a way, that’s good to know. I mean, fair enough. There are some actors I don’t get. But it meant I could never work with Chris.”

A Missed Opportunity in Batman Begins

One of the closest near-misses came when Pearce was briefly considered for the role of Henri Ducard, later revealed to be Ra’s al Ghul, in Nolan’s Batman Begins. The role ultimately went to Liam Neeson, but Pearce recounted how he learned about the decision mid-process.

“Nolan flew me out to London to discuss the part,” Pearce explained. “I think it was decided on my flight that I wasn’t going to be in the movie. So I get there, and Chris is like, ‘Hey, you want to see the Batmobile and get dinner?’”

When asked if he might have done something to offend the Warner Bros. executive, Pearce was candid. “I think he just didn’t believe in me as an actor,” he said.

Reflecting on Memento and Nolan’s Genius

Despite the challenges of working within the Warner Bros. system, Pearce remains deeply appreciative of his time with Nolan and his Memento co-star Carrie-Anne Moss.

“[Moss] was good fun. I’ve lost touch with her, unfortunately,” Pearce shared. “She had a good sense of humor, but it’s hard to compete with Chris Nolan. He’s such a towering intellect.”

Nolan, meanwhile, went on to forge an illustrious relationship with Warner Bros., beginning with Insomnia in 2002 and culminating with blockbusters like The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, and Tenet. That collaboration ended in 2021 when the director moved to Universal, where he released the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer.

Although Pearce hasn’t had another opportunity to work with Nolan, he speaks with reverence about the director’s brilliance. The two remain emblematic of Memento’s legacy, a film that helped establish Nolan as a visionary filmmaker and cemented Pearce’s reputation as a leading man capable of delivering complex performances.

For now, Pearce continues to look ahead, pursuing challenging roles in independent films like The Brutalist, while fans can only wonder what might have been if he and Nolan had reunited.

Denzel Washington commands attention wherever he goes. As he approaches his 70th birthday on December 28, the two-time Oscar winner reflects on his legendary career and embarks on a new chapter—one marked by groundbreaking roles, mentoring new talent, and prioritizing health.

Washington recently spoke with Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast about his personal and professional journey. “It’s been a two-year process to get healthier,” he shared. “At the Oscars, I looked at myself and decided it was time for a change. With the help of trainer Doug Romero, I’ve made progress. This is my birthday gift to myself—feeling good when I look in the mirror.”

In Ridley Scott’s upcoming “Gladiator II,” Washington takes on the role of Macrinus, a former slave turned scheming villain. Reuniting with Scott after their collaboration on “American Gangster” (2007), Washington described the trust he places in the veteran director. “With Ridley, you’re in it. You don’t overthink. You trust him to craft the final product,” he said.

The film also features rising stars like Paul Mescal and Fred Hechinger. Washington is energized by working alongside younger actors. “Ridley’s casting is impeccable,” he said. “Fred and Paul bring such vitality to the set. My role is to support and guide them where I can.”

Beyond acting, Washington continues to excel as a director. His critically acclaimed work includes “Fences” (2016), where he became the first Black director to earn an acting nomination for a film he helmed. Most recently, he produced “The Piano Lesson,” directed by his son Malcolm Washington. “Watching Malcolm’s growth as a filmmaker makes me incredibly proud,” he said. “Adapting August Wilson’s work is no small feat, but Malcolm delivered.”

Denzel’s pride in his family extends beyond professional achievements. At a recent event, he eagerly shared a trailer for “The Piano Lesson” that Malcolm edited himself. “Look at that!” he said with fatherly pride. “Isn’t it great?”

As for his future projects, Washington will star in “High and Low Man,” a collaboration with longtime partner Spike Lee. “Spike’s vision is extraordinary,” Washington said. “I’ll be reviewing the cut soon, and I know it’ll be special.”

While rumors about “Black Panther 3” swirl, Washington remains tight-lipped. “Ryan Coogler is brilliant,” he said. “I apologized for letting slip about the project. He’s humble and full of ideas. Whatever he writes, I’ll read.”

Reflecting on his career, Washington acknowledges the challenges he faced as a Black actor. “Roles for us weren’t always great,” he said. “We were often sidelined. But things have changed, and I’ve had opportunities to tell meaningful stories.”

With nine Oscar nominations and two wins, Washington’s legacy is unmatched. Yet, he’s not ready to slow down. “Retirement isn’t imminent, but it’ll come eventually. Until then, I’m focused on working with great directors and sharing impactful stories,” he said.

As he approaches his milestone birthday, Washington prioritizes health and family. “I’ve been training, eating better, and simplifying my life,” he said. “Clearing out 40 years’ worth of stuff was liberating. Watching my family grow is the greatest reward.”

Also in this Awards Circuit episode, actor Jharrel Jerome discusses his role in “Unstoppable,” and the team analyzes the Golden Globes nominations and emerging Oscar contenders.

Tom Holland has launched a new production company, Billy17, signing a producing deal with Sony Pictures. He is joined in this venture by Harry Holland and Will South.

The first project under the Billy17 banner is an original film titled “Burnt,” developed by the trio. Rodney Rothman, the Academy Award-winning writer of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” will pen the screenplay. While plot details remain under wraps, the film is set to feature Tom Holland in the lead role.

Billy17 has additional projects in the works with Sony Pictures. These include an adaptation of Graeme Simsion’s bestselling novel “The Rosie Project” for TriStar Pictures. This production will also involve Matt Tolmach and Michael Costigan from Jason Bateman’s Aggregate Films. Another upcoming project is an adaptation of Teddy Wayne’s novel “The Winner,” which Holland will star in and produce alongside Amy Pascal.

“I’ve had a strong and positive relationship with Sony Pictures for almost a decade, so partnering with them for this new venture felt natural,” said Tom Holland. “Starting Billy17 has been a long-time goal, and we’re excited to create movies that are both entertaining and rewatchable. Our first project, ‘Burnt,’ has been on our minds for years, and having Rodney involved as the writer is incredible. We’re fully committed and eager to see what’s next.”

Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, commented, “Tom, Harry, and Will bring fresh ideas and the energy to make them happen. Extending our partnership with Tom, who has already been instrumental in our success, is a fantastic step. Beyond his acting talent, this new venture highlights his potential as a producer. We’re committed to these new projects and look forward to more in the future.”

Holland’s collaboration with Sony Pictures has been highly successful. He starred in and executive produced “Uncharted,” which earned $407 million globally and became the fourth highest-grossing video game adaptation in the U.S. He also played a key role in the “Spider-Man” trilogy directed by Jon Watts, which has collectively made nearly $4 billion worldwide. The latest film in the series, “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” grossed $1.9 billion globally, making it the seventh highest-grossing movie of all time worldwide and Sony’s most successful release to date.

Billy17 is represented by WME and Sloane, Offer, Weber, Dern. Tom Holland is represented by WME, Shelter PR, and Sloane, Offer, Weber, Dern.

A stay-at-home dad in Ventura County has uncovered a rare collection of unreleased Michael Jackson recordings from the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Gregg Musgrove, a former California Highway Patrol officer turned full-time parent, never expected his hobby of buying storage units would lead him to a treasure trove of unreleased tracks by the King of Pop. The discovery came when Musgrove acquired a storage unit in Van Nuys, California, previously owned by music producer and singer Bryan Loren, whose current whereabouts are unknown.

The storage unit contained cassette and DAT tapes featuring 12 unreleased songs recorded by Jackson between 1989 and 1991, during the early phases of his work on the album Dangerous. According to Musgrove, some of the tracks had been rumored among fans, while others had never been mentioned or leaked.

“I’ve gone through all the fan sites. Some of these songs are known, but a few are completely unheard of,” Musgrove told The Hollywood Reporter. “Hearing Michael Jackson talk and joke during the recording process gave me goosebumps.”

Musgrove’s inventory includes unreleased songs and snippets of additional tracks, accompanied by discussions between Jackson and Loren about their creative process. Among the songs is “Don’t Believe It,” which appears to address the media rumors that surrounded Jackson. Another track, “Seven Digits,” references the identification numbers used in morgues, with Jackson explaining its meaning in detail.

One of the most unique recordings is “Truth on Youth,” a rap duet between Jackson and LL Cool J. The rapper has previously confirmed working with Jackson, and this song highlights Jackson’s rare venture into rapping.

Despite the excitement surrounding the tapes, fans hoping to hear them may be disappointed. Musgrove approached the Jackson Estate earlier this year, but the Estate declined to purchase the recordings. While they provided Musgrove with a letter confirming that they do not claim ownership of the physical tapes, they emphasized that the copyright for the music remains with the Estate. This means the recordings cannot be released commercially.

A representative for the Estate clarified that the recordings on the tapes are not new discoveries. “The Estate of Michael Jackson was presented with DAT copies, not master recordings. The master recordings are already housed in the Estate’s vaults,” the representative said. “Ownership and rights to exploit the recordings remain with MJJP Records, and no commercial use can be made of the copies.”

Musgrove and his team estimate the collection’s value to be in the seven-figure range. He plans to take the tapes to major auction houses, hoping to attract collectors of Michael Jackson memorabilia. High-profile collectors, such as Lady Gaga, who has purchased dozens of Jackson items at auction, may find the tapes appealing for private ownership.

Currently, the tapes are stored in a secure facility managed by Musgrove’s attorney.

This story first appeared in the Dec. 13 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

Disney is moving forward with a live-action adaptation of Tangled.

The new version will revisit the 2010 animated musical based on the Brothers Grimm tale of Rapunzel, a princess with enchanted, long hair. Michael Gracey, known for directing The Greatest Showman, is in talks to lead the project. The script is being written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, whose past work includes Netflix’s Do Revenge, Thor: Love and Thunder, and the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot. Casting details have not been announced.

The original Tangled followed Rapunzel, voiced by Mandy Moore, as she escaped her tower with the help of a charming outlaw, Flynn Rider. Released around Thanksgiving in 2010, the movie earned $592 million worldwide. However, its success was tempered by a reported production budget of $260 million. The film featured the Oscar-nominated song “When Will My Life Begin” and inspired the 2012 short Tangled Ever After and the TV series Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure.

Gracey made his directorial debut with 2017’s The Greatest Showman, a musical about P.T. Barnum starring Hugh Jackman. Although it had a slow start at the box office, the film became a sleeper hit, grossing over $450 million worldwide. Gracey is also working on Better Man, a semi-autobiographical film about British musician Robbie Williams, with a chimpanzee portraying Williams.

Disney has produced live-action versions of several animated classics, including The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Mulan, Dumbo, and The Little Mermaid, with varying box office results. Future releases include Snow White and Lilo & Stitch in 2025, as well as Moana in 2026, with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui.

The news of Gracey’s involvement in Tangled was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.

ABC is expanding its hit series The Rookie universe with a new spinoff currently in early development. Created by The Rookie mastermind Alexi Hawley, the untitled project is set in Washington state and will explore the life of a male police officer navigating a transformative “second act” in his career.

Behind the Scenes

The spinoff will be co-produced by Lionsgate Television and 20th Television. Lionsgate gained rights to the series following its acquisition of eOne in 2023, while ABC Signature, previously a partner, has been integrated into 20th TV under Disney’s recent restructuring. Hawley will serve as the writer and executive producer, joined by The Rookie star Nathan Fillion as an executive producer, along with Michelle Chapman and Bill Norcross.

A Growing Franchise

This marks the second spinoff of the original The Rookie series, which debuted in 2018. ABC previously launched The Rookie: Feds in 2022, starring Niecy Nash Betts as Simone Clark, a late-career FBI recruit. While The Rookie: Feds lasted only one season, it demonstrated the franchise’s potential to branch into new narratives.

The Legacy of The Rookie

Currently gearing up for its seventh season, The Rookie continues to be a top performer for ABC. The Season 6 premiere attracted 11.9 million viewers across platforms in the Live+35 ratings, marking the show’s strongest numbers since its debut. The original series features an ensemble cast including Nathan Fillion, Mekia Cox, Alyssa Diaz, Richard T. Jones, Melissa O’Neil, Eric Winter, Jenna Dewan, Shawn Ashmore, Tru Valentino, and Lisseth Chavez.

What’s Next?

While details about the cast and timeline for the new spinoff are under wraps, fans can look forward to another fresh take on life in law enforcement, this time through the lens of a cop reinventing himself in a new chapter of his career.