Brad Pitt‘s ‘Heart of the Beast’ Sets 2026 Release Date
Brad Pitt’s survival thriller “Heart of the Beast” will debut in theaters on Sept. 25. David Ayer directed the Paramount Pictures film, which follows a former Army Special Forces Soldier and his retired combat dog who battle for survival after a plane crash deep in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness. J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe round out the cast.
Academy Museum Announces Summer Programming
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has announced its 2026 summer programs, which will include appearances by special guests such as Guillermo Del Toro, Bill Duke, Guy Maddin, Michael Mann and more. The slate includes film series, public programs and education programs.
Programming highlights include five nights of Guillermo del Toro dissecting Alfred Hitchcock’s genre-blending in film; the “Summer of Thrills” screening series featuring “Michael Mann’s Manhunter: The Final Cut,” a Marilyn Monroe series featuring 17 of Monroe’s films; and Fùtbol Free Day, which will screen football-focused movies, including “Bend it Like Beckham” in 35 mm.
Additionally, attendees can look forward to a 50th anniversary screening of “Car Wash,” joined by filmmaker Michael Schultz and the movie’s stars; a conversation with filmmaker Guy Maddin; “Spy Kids” and “From Dusk Til Dawn” anniversary screenings; live performances from Chingon and the Rodriguez Family Spy Band; and a series of rare VistaVision prints of films such as “White Christmas” (1954) and “The Ten Commandments” (1956).
For the full lineup, visit academymuseum.org
Wednesday, May 13
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation Gives Guests A Pre-Annecy Peak Into Its Upcoming Slate
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation (WBPA) gave filmmakers, creatives and collaborators an early look into its upcoming slate Tuesday night at the WBPA offices in Burbank.
Hosted by WBPA President and Chief Creative Officer Bill Damaschke and joined by Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group Co-Chair and CEO Pam Abdy, guests could tour the space, meet the creative teams and preview works-in-progress from upcoming projects ahead of WBPA’s debut at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June.
“Tonight is about the next chapter for Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and the artists building it,” said Abdy in a statement. “Animation is a core part of how Warner Bros. tells stories – and what Bill and his team are creating here represents the studio at its most ambitious. We are deeply invested in WBPA as a creative home for the filmmakers reimagining what animated storytelling can be, and we have full conviction in the slate they’re bringing to audiences starting with ‘The Cat in the Hat’ this November.”
“Warner Bros. Pictures Animation is an artists-first home,” said Damaschke in a statement. “Our creative philosophy is driven by our storytellers, and we are reimagining what an animation studio can be. We’re prioritizing originality when we identify new projects with global potential and curating new films from the incredible existing IP across Warner Bros. Discovery. With a singular focus on theatrical, our upcoming films are full of humor, heart, and hope – stories grounded in universal human themes. We’re not bound by any single style of animation, and we’re proud to be partnered with some of the most innovative storytellers in the industry.”
Monday, May 11
VFX and Production Company Digital Domain Hires Nishant Khanna as CG Supervisor
Visual effects and digital production company Digital Domain has announced the appointment of CG Supervisor Nishant Khanna to its Hyderabad, India, office.
Khanna has over two decades of experience in computer graphics and visual effects at global studios, including DreamWorks Animation, MPC, Brown Bag Films, Atomic Arts, Assemblage Entertainment, Riva Animation & VFX, and Prime Focus.
Khanna also helped set up a Nickelodeon Dedicated Unit in Bangalore, India, with Xentrix Studios, where he supervised “Monster High” and contributed to a range of international and domestic projects.
In his new role as CG Supervisor, Khanna will oversee creative and technical teams on high-profile projects, collaborating with international partners and clients.
“We are excited to welcome Nishant to the Digital Domain family. His proven track record in creative supervision and technical leadership perfectly aligns with our mission to deliver groundbreaking visual experiences to audiences worldwide,” said Sudhir Reddy, Global President of VFX Business at Digital Domain.
“I am thrilled to join Digital Domain and contribute to its legacy of innovation,” added Khanna. “I look forward to collaborating with the talented team in Hyderabad and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in visual storytelling.”
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