ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely isn’t about “standards” or “sensitivity.” It’s about power. It’s about Donald Trump’s fragile ego, corporate greed, and a media empire that would rather protect mergers than defend free speech. Jimmy Kimmel didn’t celebrate Charlie Kirk’s death—he did what he’s been doing since 2015: calling out MAGA hypocrisy. For that, he’s been gagged. And ABC, Disney, Nexstar, and Sinclair all rolled over without a fight.
The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere Could Pass $1 Billion
The Wizard of Oz is pulling in $2 million a day at Las Vegas’s Sphere, turning an 86-year-old movie into the year’s most profitable “blockbuster.” With $200 tickets, 16K screens, and 4D effects, it’s less film revival than spectacle—and it may reshape how Hollywood thinks about the big screen.
Critterz Is Toy Story for the AI Era — and That’s a Good Thing
Critterz isn’t a threat to art — it’s proof that the tools don’t matter as much as the story you tell. Made in nine months with a $30 million budget, this AI-powered animated feature could be the Toy Story moment of our time. Don’t fear AI in film. Embrace it, because when it works, it proves the only thing that matters is whether a story makes you feel something.
Carano’s “Future”? + Toxic Film Talk + Don’t Trust James Gunn | HWAD 08.10.25
In this episode of Hollywood After Dark, we break down Gina Carano’s surprise settlement with Disney, why movie talk is drowning in toxic positivity and fan tribalism, and why trusting James Gunn’s denials is a rookie mistake.
Why Gina Carano’s “Win” Over Disney Is Pure Culture War Theater
Gina Carano’s lawsuit against Disney is over, but it’s not the decisive victory her fans are cheering about. She walked away with $750,000, no admission of wrongdoing from Disney, and a vague “future opportunities” line that’s more PR than promise. The settlement lifts her Hollywood freeze, but it won’t erase four years of baggage — or the fact she let herself become a pawn in the culture war machine that will turn on her the second she steps back into mainstream work.
James Gunn Is Half-Right About Why Movies Are Dying
James Gunn says the movie industry is dying because studios keep filming without finished scripts—but that’s only half the story. From improv-heavy classics like Iron Man to the rising cost of a single IMAX ticket, the real problem runs deeper than screenplays. It's about value, spontaneity, and a film culture that's pricing itself into irrelevance.
Kathleen Kennedy Built the Films That Built Us—Let’s Not Rewrite History
There’s a rumor going around—again—that Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as president of Lucasfilm, and this time the source isn’t some dude in a voice modulator mask yelling into a webcam about secret studio coups. No, this one comes from Jeff Sneider, a real journalist with real credits, and also, yeah, a bit of a … Continue reading Kathleen Kennedy Built the Films That Built Us—Let’s Not Rewrite History
Finally, A Star Wars Celebration That Didn’t Feel Like a Scam
Star Wars Celebration has always been a bit of a gambler’s convention. You show up, they show you logos, maybe some concept art, maybe a director or two if they’re not off the project by lunch. It’s a hype machine with a notoriously bad track record of actually delivering. Remember Rian Johnson’s trilogy? Patty Jenkins’ … Continue reading Finally, A Star Wars Celebration That Didn’t Feel Like a Scam
The Cure for Toxic Masculinity Might Be A Goofy Movie
There’s something about A Goofy Movie that sticks with you. Maybe it’s the over-the-top ‘90s vibe, maybe it’s Powerline melting faces with “I2I,” or maybe it’s that quiet scene by the river, where Goofy and Max finally stop yelling and just talk. For a movie with talking cows, Bigfoot, and exploding possum mascots, it’s that … Continue reading The Cure for Toxic Masculinity Might Be A Goofy Movie
Dear LucasFilm, stop talking about Star Wars, and MAKE Star Wars
Tony Gilroy recently let slip in an interview that Lucasfilm is working on a Star Wars horror project. No official announcement. No trailer. Just a casual mention that, yeah, something’s apparently happening in that space. It wasn’t confirmation. It wasn’t denial. It was something Lucasfilm has become remarkably good at: vague, cryptic development chatter that … Continue reading Dear LucasFilm, stop talking about Star Wars, and MAKE Star Wars
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