A24 and Bandai Namco Entertainment have announced the live-action adaptation of the fantasy game “Elden Ring,” written and directed by Alex Garland, is being filmed for Imax, with a release date of March 3 2028 now set.
Kit Connor, who was already rumoured to star, has now been confirmed alongside a bumper cast that also includes Ben Whishaw, Cailee Spaeny, Tom Burke, Havana Rose Liu, Sonoya Mizuno, Jonathan Pryce, Ruby Cruz, Nick Offerman, John Hodgkinson, Jefferson Hall, Emma Laird and Peter Serafinowicz.
Production begins in spring 2026
Peter Rice is set to produce the film alongside Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich from DNA, as well as George R. R. Martin and Vince Gerardis.
One of the most critically-acclaimed video games ever made, the dark fantasy action RPG debuted in 2022 and was developed under the direction of FromSoftware’s Hidetaka Miyazaki, based on a mythological story by Martin. It has since sold in excess of 30 million copies worldwide and received over 400 Game of the Year awards.
Garland is understood to have been a longtime fan of the game, and made a personal pitch to its publishers Bandai Namco and FromSoftware to bring it to screen.
“Double Freedom” (“La libertad doble”), Argentine director Lisandro Alonso’s sequel to his milestone debut “La Libertad,” has been acquired for worldwide sales by Paris-based Luxbox. The deal comes in the run-up to May’s Cannes Film Festival where “Double Freedom” will world premiere at Directors’ Fortnight.
Bowing at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard in 2001, “La Libertad” moved waves for what came to be called its minimalism, which can also be seen as an affirmation of cinematographic pleasures other than a propulsive plot. Championed by other cineastes such as Mexico’s Carlos Reygadas, this rebellion against usual cinema came to characterise part of a new Latin American cinema celebrated by its fans for its creative freedoms.
“Double Freedom” picks up the story woodcutter Misael, 25 years after he was seen in “La Libertad.” Two key questions posed by the film is how Miseal (Misael Saavedra) and indeed Alonso have evolved as a character and filmmaker respectively.
Misael begins “Double Freedom” still living his solitary existence felling trees to sell for a few pesos. An unexpected event, however, upends his existence and adds a distinctive political edge to “Double Freedom.” The film itself also delivers a clear statement by Alonso about the need for – and ways to achieve – creative independence.
“25 years after ‘La Libertad,’ Lisandro Alonso reunites with Misael in a political and powerful gesture,” Luxbox CEO Fiorella Moretti told Variety. “The result is as moving as it is unforgettable. We are proud to continue our collaboration with Lisandro, a director with such a singular vision.”
Notably, “Double Freedom” is produced by Fernando Buscuñan’s Chile-based Planta which is also behind a second Directors’ Fortnight title, Chilean Dominga Sotomayor’s “La Perra.” Chilean Augusto Matte also lead produces out of his London-based Dartford alongside Alonso’s label 4L.
“Double Freedom” is co-produced by Les Films Fauves, The Match Factory, Cimarrón, Pulpa Film and Carte Blanche.
“We worked with Luxbox on ‘Simon of the Mountain’ and the trust we built there made this decision very natural. They understand how to move a film like this through the market and they bring a real commitment to the work. We are very happy to be reuniting with them on ‘Double Freedom,’” said Bascuñán.
‘Fiorella has been working alongside Lisandro Alonso for many years, supporting his films across distribution, international sales and production,” added Matte. “No one understands his cinema better, the audience it speaks to and what it takes to bring that work into the world. Having her alongside our artistic producer Ilse Hughan gives ‘Double Freedom’ the best possible hands it could be in.”
Alan Mruvka’s vertical video platform Verza TV is already moving beyond verticals. Not that it’s leaving the portrait-mode shorts format behind.
Verza TV, founded by the cofounder of E! Entertainment Television, just launched in December. Today, what the company is internally calling “Verza 2.0” is upon us, which includes horizontal videos and a complete shift to user-generated content, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. So, yeah, YouTube + YouTube Shorts, essentially, just on a much, much smaller level. (To be fair, compared with YouTube, even Netflix is on a much smaller level.) Verza TV is positioning itself as “the digital theatre for the next generation,” and says this transition will make the mobile-first platform scalable.
At launch, Verza licensed 80 Singapore-made microdramas from an international distribution company. It was something of a strange choice for the first U.S.-based (at the time of announcement, at least) microdrama platform.
“Verza was built on the idea that the future of entertainment is mobile, immersive, and accessible,” Mruvka said in a statement. “By evolving into a creator-driven ecosystem, we’re empowering the next generation of storytellers while maintaining the premium quality audiences expect. We are building the digital theatre for the next generation.”
There’s that tagline again. Mruvka is presenting Verza 2.0 at the NAB Show in Las Vegas.
Verza says adding traditional horizontal formats on the platform is “a first for the microdrama category.” Going fully UGC will not impact production quality, Verza says, and creators will be able to check their monetization stats in real-time.
Vertical videos, colloquially called “microdramas” (even though they’re sometimes comedies), are the newest trend in Hollywood, though most of the content comes from China (or the Ukraine, in Holywater’s case). Time will tell if the trend is more of a fad.
For now, the space is getting crowded. There are the major incumbents like ReelShort and DramaBox, as well as upstart companies from Hollywood veterans including MicroCo and GammaTime.
Microdramas are generally cheaply made dramas dubbed and diced up into roughly 60-second slices, though the details can vary by platform. These mobile apps tend to offer the first few “episodes” for free, hoping to hook a viewer, and then charge a user to finish the story.
Celebrity brand-building has become a big business.
So the United Entertainment Group has launched UEG Ventures after company founder Jarrod Moses had success connecting Queen Latifah and CoverGirl for their brand partnership.
UEG is an entertainment and sports marketing agency, part of DEJ Holdings (Daniel J. Edelman Holdings). Jarrod Moses launched UEG in 2007 and in 2024 became global chair of DJE’s entertainment, sports and culture business.
Now the agency is looking to pair more starry clients with capital investment for additional Madison Avenue success stories, whether with start-ups or as the face of brands.
Celebrity entrepreneurs will enter business ventures in the earliest stages of development or as they expand. “UEG Ventures was built to bring the power of culture into the foundation of business. By aligning investment with creative strategy and our unmatched access to talent, we help visionary brands move faster, connect deeper, and scale smarter,” Moses said in a statement.
Recent dealmaking at UEG to bring star wattage to new products includes Paris Hilton and her 11:11 Media banner teaming with the McCormick spice brand for campaign and product partnerships as part of a two-year tie-up, a partnership between the soda retail chain Cool Sips and actress Whitney Leavitt and actor and producer Wilmer Valderrama pacting with real estate developer Edens to create the Latin American-inspired cocktail bar Elegacia in Washington D.C. as part of the Union Market development.
“UEG Ventures has a clear understanding of the intersection of business and talent in a way few others do — and they bring a level of authenticity that was essential as I built the Elegancia brand, a Latin food and drink concept inspired by the dishes that are most authentic to me,” Valderrama stated.
As UEG moves beyond just offering expertise in marketing strategy, PR and other talent support, the new Ventures division is looking to strike celebrity and brand partnerships in the health and wellness, food and beverage, fashion and apparel, beauty and personal care, financial services, sports, retail and technology sectors.
UEG is headquartered in New York, with offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, London, Hamburg, Sydney, and Tokyo.
After 25 years, Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s debut feature “Amores Perros” will get a theatrical re-release from Mubi. The film will hit cinemas in New York and Los Angeles on June 12, expanding nationwide June 19.
Following three characters as their lives converge following a fatal car crash, “Amores Perros” first premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000, going on to debut in theaters on March 30, 2001. At the festival, the film won the Grand Prize of the Critics’ Week, an achievement credited with launching Iñárritu’s international career. The film also received an Academy Award nomination for best foreign language film in 2001. “Amores Perros” stars Emilio Echevarría, Gael García Bernal, Vanessa Bauche and Goya Toledo.
The streaming service, film distributor and production company first acquired rights for the restored 4k version of the film during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered in the Cannes Classics selection. Criterion Collection, Estudio Mexico Films and Altavista Films carried out the restoration, with color supervision by Iñárritu and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto
“It’s incredible that these wild dogs are still barking 25 years later,” said Iñárritu. “I’m very excited that Mubi is bringing ‘Amores Perros’ back to the big screen, especially for younger generations who never had the chance to experience it in theaters. This film changed the lives of all of us who made it.”
In the years since ‘Amores Perros’ premiered, Iñárritu has won five Academy Awards; the Mexican filmmaker took home best picture, best director and best original screenplay awards for “Birdman” in 2015, best director for “The Revenant” in 2016 and was the recipient of a special achievement Academy Award in 2017 for the virtual reality installation “Carne y Arena.”
Anniversary celebrations for “Amores Perros” also includes “Sueño Perro,” an exhibit of never-before-seen footage that opened last fall and is currently on display at LACMA until July 26, and an artbook for the film, published by Mack last fall.
Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company have released the trailer for “Raja Shivaji,” the historical epic charting the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The film is set for a worldwide release on May 1 in the Marathi and Hindi languages.
“Raja Shivaji” chronicles the rise of young Shivaji Bhonsale, who challenged the might of established empires to found the Maratha kingdom and lay the groundwork for “Swarajya” (self-rule) during a turbulent period of Indian history.
Riteish Deshmukh serves as director, lead actor, writer and producer on the project, which traces the evolution of the young warrior into one of India’s most revered historical figures. The production draws from lesser-known stories surrounding the leader’s life, focusing on his strategic acumen and valor.
The trailer launch event in Mumbai was attended by Jyoti Deshpande, Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Jitendra Joshi, Genelia Deshmukh and music composers Ajay–Atul. The film’s earlier-released teaser and title anthem “Chhatrapati” have already generated strong audience response.
“For 10 years, I have been trying to make Raja Shivaji. When we finally began in 2023, it feels like even Maharaj is saying – now your time has come,” Deshmukh said at the launch. “Because dreams alone don’t make things happen. To bring them to life, you need support. Jio Studios and Jyoti Deshpande stood by us and showed that courage and I am extremely grateful to them.” The director and star described the film as “a humble offering… at the feet of Maharaj.”
“‘Raja Shivaji’ is not just a film, it is a celebration of India’s spirit, identity, and rich history,” said Jyoti Deshpande, president of Jio Studios. Jio Studios previously backed the massively successful “Dhurandhar” duology. “At Jio Studios, our endeavor has always been to champion stories that are rooted in India yet resonate universally. The phenomenal success of the ‘Dhurandhar’ duology reaffirmed that audiences are deeply connected to powerful, homegrown narratives told with conviction and scale. With ‘Raja Shivaji,’ we continue that journey, bringing to life the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a towering symbol of courage, vision, and Hindavi Swarajya, whose larger-than-life legacy continues to inspire generations.”
“We wanted to showcase the human story behind the legend as well as his strategic brilliance and valor. Riteish and his team have crafted a narrative that goes beyond the spectacle to explore the making of a leader, his values, and the forces that shaped him,” Deshpande continued. “Backed by authenticity, scale, a stellar ensemble cast and soul-stirring music, ‘Raja Shivaji’ reflects our commitment to presenting Indian stories with both grandeur and heart to audiences across the world. This is not just a cinematic experience, but a tribute to the pride of India, bringing the pages of our history books alive for audiences across generations.”
“I feel deeply emotional today and I am truly grateful to the entire team from production to design to every single person who came together to bring this vision alive,” said producer and cast member Genelia Deshmukh. “More than just a film, ‘Raja Shivaji’ is our heartfelt tribute to the legend his life, his legacy, and everything he stands for. It’s not just a project, it’s a responsibility and a blessing that we could bring this dream to life.”
The ensemble cast includes Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Boman Irani, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amol Gupte, Genelia Deshmukh, and Riteish Vilasrao Deshmukh.
The production features music by Ajay–Atul and cinematography by Santosh Sivan. Jio Studios is presenting the Mumbai Film Company production, with Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh producing.
The May 1 release date coincides with Maharashtra Day, a holiday commemorating the formation of the western Indian state of Maharashtra from which the titular ruler hailed.
SiriusXM will launch two new channels in collaboration with Disney’s ABC News, expanding its news offering.
“ABC News Live,” a simulcast of ABC News’ live-streaming service, debuted Monday on Channel 796 and on the SiriusXM app, while “20/20 True Crime” will launch launching coming weeks on Channel 794.
In addition to the new channels, two ABC News programs will soon be available on SiriusXM’s P.O.T.U.S., found on Channel 124. Both “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” and the “Start Here Weekend” newscast will launch later in the spring.
ABC News joins other mainstream news outlets, including NBC News, MS NOW, CNBC, Fox News, Bloomberg, BBC World Service and NPR that are already in the company’s content lineup.
“ABC News Live” delivers breaking news from across the United States and around the world. Listeners can get new developments in politics, weather, health, business, and more. “20/20 True Crime” will serve as a destination for in-depth storytelling from “20/20” and ABC News. The channel will feature narrative podcasts, full episodes of “20/20,” installments of “20/20: The After Show,” and curated cases from the “20/20 True Crime Vault.”
“This Week with George Stephanopoulos” is anchored by George Stephanopoulos, and co-anchored by Martha Raddatz and Jonathan Karl. The show features newsmaker interviews, in-the-field reporting, and panel discussions. “Start Here Weekend,” hosted by Brad Mielke, dives deeper into the stories driving headlines through in-depth conversations with ABC News correspondents, experts, and newsmakers.
Starting this weekend, This Week can be heard on P.O.T.U.S. every Sunday at 2pm ET, with Start Here Weekend available on Saturdays at 9am and 6pm ET.
European trade organizations representing the full film industry sector spectrum are up in arms against the EU Commission’s plans to make major changes to its Creative Europe funding program by combining its culture and media strands under the so-called AgoraEU initiative.
As the deadline looms for the new 2028-2034 financial framework to be implemented in Brussels, the orgs — which comprise the European Producers Club, Europa Distribution and arthouse cinemas org Cicae — issued a joint statement on Monday “urging the European Parliament” and member states “to preserve the identity and the core objectives of the Creative Europe — MEDIA program” and to reinforce its impact on the entire film value chain and ensure that the “intrinsic and artistic value of culture” remain “at the heart of the program.”
One crucial bone of contention is that under the planned overhaul, the budget of the MEDIA program — which supports EU film-TV-videogame development, distribution, training and promotion — would most likely shrink from its current €2.44 billion ($2.8 billion) for 2021-2027 to a total €3.2 billion ($3.7 billion) sum that in 2028-2034 would be allocated to the new MEDIA+ program covering film, TV and video games on the one hand, but also going to the news media sector. This blurs the boundaries and risks jeopardizing some of the film and audiovisual industry support.
The EU funding overhaul proposal refers generically to “media” bunching together film, TV, video games and also the news, immersive reality and multimedia industries, the trade organizations complained.
“The word ‘film’ should be reintroduced, to clearly distinguish the film and audiovisual sector from the broader media sector and avoid confusion that could undermine the specificities and independence of each sector,” they said.
Creative Europe’s MEDIA Program has been a crucial EU film and TV industry driver for the past 35 years.
99% Invisible creator Roman Mars is hosting a new series about the objects that shaped the history of America.
The show, A History of the United States in 100 Objects, is produced by SiriusXM and BBC Studios, and will see Mars uncover the stories behind objects such as a gold coin from a shipwreck in 1857 that led to a financial panic, an antebellum schoolbook that became a tool for Black liberation and a small screw that shows how the U.S. created a hidden industrial empire.
“The history of America can’t be captured in a single story,” Mars said. “So instead, we’re telling one hundred. By looking closely at the things we’ve made – and the things we’ve thrown away – we’re hoping to reveal a richer, more complicated picture of who we are.”
In addition to the new show, Mars hosts 99% Invisible, a narrative podcast about unnoticed architecture and design, which has led to multiple spin-off series, including Articles of Interest and the 99% Invisible Breakdown of The Power Broker. SiriusXM acquired 99% Invisible in 2021..
Throughout the new series, Mars will be joined by historians, journalists and podcasters, as well as individuals with personal connections to the stories being told. The lineup includes Radiolab founderJad Abumrad; Dan Taberski, investigative journalist and host of Hysterical,Song Exploder creatorHrishikesh Hirway; former MythBuster Adam Savage; current Radiolab co-hostLatif Nasser and more.
The first episode premieres May 19, with weekly episodes following in the “99% Invisible” feed on the SiriusXM app and wherever podcasts are available.
Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day, starring Haley Bennett, Jack Whitehall, Lily Allen, Timothy Spall, Jennifer Saunders, Sally Phillips, Misia Butler and Elyas M’Barek, will open the 2026 SXSW London film lineup, organizers unveiled on Monday.
The rom-com from director Tina Ghavari and screenwriter Justine Waddell is an adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s novel Night and Day. Talent so far confirmed to attend the film’s world premiere at SXSW London, which runs June 1-6, are Bennett, Whitehall, Phillips, Butler, Ghavari and Waddell.
Also set for the event is the darkly satirical Savage House, whose cast includes Richard E. Grant, Claire Foy, Bel Powley and Jack Farthing.
Joining these films will be an exclusive first-look screening of an Adult Swim animated series from Warner Bros. Animation, Get Jiro, based on the DC/Vertigo graphic novel from Anthony Bourdain. Executive produced by Brian Gatewood, Alessandro Tanaka, Jordan Blum, Anthony Bourdain, Joel Rose, and Sam Register, the show stars Brian Tee (A House of Dynamite). It is set in a not-too-distant future Los Angeles where master chefs rule the town and people literally kill for a seat at the best restaurants.
SXSW London on Monday also unveiled six films, all making their U.K. premieres, selected for this year’s official competition. They are The Other Side of the Sun, directed by Tawfik Sabouni, Juan Pablo Sallato‘s The Red Hangar, Roya by director Mahnaz Mohammadi, Vladlena Sandu’s Memory, Remake from director Ross McElwee, and Only Rebels Win by director Danielle Arbid.
Said Anna Bogutskaya, head of screen at SXSW London: “The films in our official competition embody what we are most excited about in contemporary cinema: no-holds-barred, deeply human and formally audacious films that provoke and challenge us to think wider, deeper and more empathetically.”
SXSW also added to its industry speakers and panel lineup on Monday. New sessions include “Toy Meets Tech: The New Technologies of Toy Story 5” with Thomas Jordan (Toy Story 5 VFX supervisor), “BookTok to Screen: Making Hits Out of Views” with Tara Erer, head of originals, U.K. & Europe at Prime Video, and Hannah Griffiths, head of adaptations at Banijay, “The Beyond the Audition: Casting Directors” with casting directors Sophie Holland (The Witcher, Wednesday) and BAFTA winner Lucy Pardee (Aftersun, Die My Love), “Responsibilities of Creative Leadership” with Mia Bays of the BFI Filmmaking Fund and Nadia Fall of The Young Vic, and “Big Stories, No Borders” with Samuel Kissous of Pernel Media and Claire Mundell of Synchronicity Films.
SXSW is majority-controlled by THR parent company PMC.
