2023 is just getting started, and the showbiz news is rolling in. Time for a round-up!
Avatar: The Way of Water won its fourth consecutive weekend with $45 million at the North American box office, running its total to $516 million domestically and $1.1 billion internationally, according to Variety. Director James Cameron told Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace last week that the film is now in the black and he will continue with plans to produce three additional films in the franchise, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Meanwhile, Blumhouse horror pic M3GAN opened to a surprising $30.2 million.
Netflix has renewed Wednesday for a second season, the company announced via its Twitter (see Tweet below). The series, starring Jenna Ortega, Gwendoline Christie, Christina Ricci, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, was renewed just over a month after its launch on November 23, 2022 (see “Wednesday’ Trailers“).
WWE controlling shareholder Vince McMahon is returning to the board, one of several board changes, as the company explores “strategic alternatives,” according to an announcement Friday. McMahon had retired last year amid sexual misconduct allegations, which left Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan to run the company as co-CEOs. His return to the board, in conjunction with the three board departures and two new appointments he directed, sets up decision-making for a possible sale of the company amid upcoming media rights negotiations. A sale of WWE and where its programming ends up being aired could have a significant impact on comics and games licenses involving the brand (see “WizKids Tag Teams With WWE“).
Legendary has wrapped shooting on Dune: Part 2, with Tim Blake Nelson (Nightmare Alley) a late addition to the cast, according to The Hollywood Reporter, joining other cast additions Lea Seydoux, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, and Christopher Walken (see “’Dune’ Sequel Casting“). The film is set for release November 3, 2023 (see “’Dune’ Sequel Moved Up“).Source: ICv2
