The use of AI to double, de-age or even replace actors is a huge talking point. But is there potential as well as problems for Hollywood with this new tech and how can image rights issues be resolved? We speak to experts and insiders to find out.
The Star Wars franchise will continue its time at Disney+ with the arrival of new series Star Wars: Tales of the Empire. This release follows the conclusion of 2021 series Star Wars: The Bad Batch which will premiere its third and final season on 1 May. The new animated sci-fi series from the Lucasfilm production team will premiere on 4 May.
Universal’s horror film Abigail hit theatres on 19 April. Reviving the vampire genre with its hints of comedy and all the necessary gore, the film stars Kathryn Newton, Melissa Barrera, and Alisha Weir as the titular character. At the helm of the project are Ready or Not and Scream VI filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. Filming for Abigail predominantly took place in Ireland at the Guinness manor, taking advantage of the country's 32% filming incentive.
Today, Climate Spring announced the return of their The Hot House development lab for scripted long-form television and feature film projects. Run in partnership with BBC Writers and Film London, this year’s initiative will incentivise screenwriters to craft engaging and relatable climate stories set in a near future without fossil fuels and polluting practices. Applications are open from today until 30 June at midnight.
Getting off to a good start this year, Netflix have reported a net income jump of USD 2.3 billion, beating expectations. In addition to this profit surge, the streaming platform have added 9.3 million subscribers. New releases such as The Gentleman, Baby Reindeer and their investment into the coverage of WWE tournaments, along with the surprisingly successful ad based tier service on offer, have all contributed to Netflix’s early 2024 success.
Stirling Council in Scotland announced the opening of their new film and television studios. The development, built on former Ministry of Defence land at Forthside currently provides 100,000 sq ft of studio space and 110,000 sq ft for production as assessed by experts. Becoming one of Scotland’s largest film campuses, the facility will provide thousands of jobs for the local community.
Taiwan’s film industry is absolutely booming. If you’ve never considered it as a filming location, then it’s time to think again. From its stunning natural landscapes to its thriving metropolises, Taiwan offers filmmakers a treasure trove of cinematic opportunities.
The Festival de Cannes have announced they will be awarding Studio Ghibli with their Honorary Palme d’or. The iconic Japanese studio known for films such as Spirited Away and Oscar-winning The Boy and the Heron, will be the first group to receive the honour.