AGP Executive Report

Hollywood Merger Watch: Paramount Skydance has reached a settlement with California and other US states over its $111bn Warner Bros. Discovery takeover, clearing the last major legal hurdle and setting up a fast path to close—reportedly tied to commitments like keeping operations in California, distributing 30 movies a year, and adding protections for CNN/CBS editorial independence. Theatre Etiquette: Cate Blanchett urged National Theatre audiences to stop filming during her London run of Electra/Persona, saying it “spoils it for the next group.” Box Office Buzz: Sony’s Resident Evil reboot opened at No. 1 in the US with about $60m, while fans debate the hero’s “incompetence” online. Festival & Awards: Nagaland’s ANGH won TIFF’s Platform prize, earning a direct Oscars-eligibility path; India also selected Marathi thriller Gondhal as its Oscars entry. Global Screenings: Italy’s “Italian Screens” showcase lands in Kuala Lumpur (Sept 26–Oct 11) with six contemporary films. Horror TV: AMC confirmed FearFest 2026 will be hosted by The Crypt Keeper, kicking off Oct 1.

Box Office Buzz: Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil roared to an estimated $60M weekend and the biggest opening for an R-rated video game adaptation, topping the franchise’s prior domestic record. Streaming Mystery: Supergirl hit No. 1 on HBO Max, but the lack of public viewership numbers keeps the real impact murky. Indian Cinema Spotlight: Ayushmann Khurrana called Yeh Prem Mol Liya “a movie for Bharat, not India,” while Himesh Reshammiya said the film’s music count is down to six songs and he’s pushing for a seventh. Oscar Pathways: Marathi film Gondhal was named India’s official Oscar entry, and Nagaland-set debut Angh won TIFF’s Platform Prize, putting it on the International Feature shortlist track. Legal/Industry Watch: Paramount-Warner Bros. settlement talks drag on as some state AGs resist “too lenient” terms. Court Drama: Rebel Wilson appeared in NSW Supreme Court defending a suit tied to her The Deb directorial debut.

Viva Films’ Horror Launch: Darryl Yap’s first horror outing, “VHS,” unveiled its official poster with Sarah Lahbati and McCoy de Leon leading the cast; it hits cinemas Nov. 4 as part of Viva’s 45th anniversary. On-Screen Pairing Milestone: Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia mark 10 years as a screen duo with “Always Yours, Never Mine,” recalling their start in “Vince & Kath & James” and their box-office momentum from “Un/Happy For You.” Toronto Buzz: Spain’s “La Bola Negra” won the Toronto Film Festival People’s Choice Award, with Netflix set for a later release and Oscar-race chatter already swirling. Box Office Shockwave: Zach Cregger’s “Resident Evil” roared out with a $60M U.S. debut, resetting franchise expectations after earlier reboots stumbled. Real-World Theater Incident: In Burbank, a man was arrested after allegedly pepper-spraying a moviegoer using a cellphone during “The Uprising,” sending at least two patrons to hospital. Big Franchise/Industry Drama: Mark Ruffalo urged California AG Rob Bonta not to “cave” in the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger fight as settlement talks with state attorneys general reach a critical stage. Casting Spotlight: Vidya Balan officially joins “Jailer 2” as Kantha, with a first-look video and an Oct. 15 theater release date. Festival Programming: The Phoenix Theatre’s new film festival kicks off with Palestinian family drama “All That’s Left of You,” mixing new releases with cult favorites. India Film Honors: The 72nd National Film Awards will be presented Sept. 22, marking seven decades of India’s top cinema recognition. Horror/Indie Genre Watch: “SCP: Containment Breach” got a proof-of-concept short set to expand into a feature, bringing Site-19 anomalies to life.

Hollywood Antitrust: Mark Ruffalo urged California AG Rob Bonta to “do not cave” and reject any settlement in the Paramount-Skydance/Warner Bros. Discovery merger fight, as talks reportedly accelerate ahead of a March 2027 trial. India Film Regulation: India’s CBFC rules were revised to tighten scrutiny of drug use, sexual violence and violence, including a required anti-drug warning for narcotics scenes. Box Office Buzz: Kunal Kemmu and Preity Zinta’s “VIBE” climbed to Rs 2.65 cr on Day 2 (55.9% jump), while “Resident Evil” is drawing record-setting critical heat for Zach Cregger’s reboot. Festival Watch: Kerala’s IDSFFK had screening permission denied for 31 selected films, sparking calls for reconsideration. New Releases: This week’s must-sees include “Bad Apples” and “Resident Evil,” plus indie picks and streaming guides for the weekend. Global Screen Culture: The Latino Film Festival returns to the Hamptons with a “Courage and Truth” theme, spotlighting belonging and resilience. Local Events: Kansas City’s KC FilmFest International brings international shorts and documentaries to the big screen. Cinema Safety Incident: A man was cited after allegedly pepper-spraying a moviegoer in Burbank for using a phone.

Oscar Buzz (India): Marathi thriller “Gondhal” has been selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2027, with director Santosh Davakhar and lead Ishita Deshmukh getting major congratulations. Festival Momentum (Philippines): After Cinemalaya, CinePanalo 2026 unveils a lineup of 7 feature films and 19 student shorts, aiming to keep momentum for Filipino filmmakers. Genre Spotlight (Horror): Zack Cregger discusses why his Resident Evil approach leans into both scares and comedy, after his breakout from Barbarian and Weapons. Streaming/Franchise Watch: VisionQuest showrunner Terry Matalas says no GenAI was used, with production design mimicking AI “glitches” by hand. Censorship/Rules: India’s film certification framework is updated, including mandatory anti-drug warnings and tighter provisions on violence and other content. Global Pop Culture: The Pentagon released another batch of UFO/UAP files, including footage tied to a 1952 Utah sighting.

Philippines Indie Push: CinePanalo 2026 unveiled its lineup after Cinemalaya, spotlighting 7 feature films and 19 student shorts as festivals keep momentum for local filmmakers. India Oscar Buzz: Marathi thriller Gondhal was picked as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, with director Santosh Davakhar calling it a “go to the Olympics” moment. Box Office Watch: Daayra opened to about ₹90 lakh (early estimates) while Vibe is projected around ₹90 lakh–₹1 crore; Mirzapur: The Movie and Hanuman Ansh kept strong runs. Horror Franchise Heat: Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil reboot landed with a major ending twist that sets up sequel possibilities, while Paramount’s Angry Birds Movie 3 teased it via a parody “Resident Eagle” poster. Hollywood Merger Update: Paramount and California AG Rob Bonta made progress in settlement talks over the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery antitrust fight. Local Cinema Incident: A man was arrested in Burbank after allegedly pepper-spraying a moviegoer for using a phone during “The Uprising.” New Adaptations: A live-action Lollipop Chainsaw prequel is in development as an R-rated action comedy, and Borderlands is climbing streaming charts after its theatrical flop.

Oscars 2027 Push: India has picked Marathi thriller “Gondhal” as its official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, spotlighting Maharashtra culture on the Best International Feature stage. Festival Buzz: Belgium’s Film Fest Gent returns Oct. 7–18 with 100+ features, including Lukas Dhont’s “Coward” and Cannes/major-festival standouts plus a Rohmer tribute. Superhero Animation: Whoopi Goldberg and Keith David will voice “Captain Zero” as it expands from the award-winning short into a feature tackling depression and cyberstalking. Horror in Theaters: Zach Cregger’s “Resident Evil” is out now, with Thursday previews hitting $8.8M and early reviews driving strong audience scores. Censorship Update: India’s CBFC revised film certification rules now require anti-drug warnings and tighten guidance around violence and glorification. Streaming/Classic Home Video: “The Munsters” gets a restored worldwide Blu-ray set with all 70 episodes plus added feature films. Global Politics & Film: Russia has labeled acclaimed director Andrey Zvyagintsev a “foreign agent,” escalating pressure on dissenting filmmakers.

Press Freedom Lesson: Annenberg Classroom released “Holding the Line: Journalism and Democracy,” a 28-minute film using real reporting cases to teach First Amendment free-press basics. Ocean Cinema Tour: Ocean Film Festival’s world tour lands in Christchurch (Oct 8, Nov 19) and Poole (Nov 17), spotlighting restored 16mm adventure and marine-life stories. Biotech Meets Sustainability: Researchers turned discarded fish scales into a biodegradable, flexible film (breaks down in ~8 weeks) with no soil-toxicity signals in plant tests. Box Office Watch: “Hanuman Ansh” keeps climbing—Day 42 hits Rs 6.25 cr domestic and Rs 309.15 cr worldwide—while “Mirzapur: The Movie” holds steady around Rs 203.20 cr net after Day 14. Industry Power Move: The FCC cleared foreign investment for the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, limiting investors from voting or influencing content. Festival Buzz: Aesthetica Film Festival returns to York (Nov 4–8) with 300+ films and major immersive media additions. Horror Spotlight: Zach Cregger’s “Resident Evil” leans into game-like dread and dark humor, with early reviews praising its inventive survival approach. New Narnia: Netflix set “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” for Feb 12, 2027 theaters and April 2, 2027 streaming.

Festival Watch: Reykjavík International Film Festival (23rd edition) unveils its full programme, opening with Amir Bar-Lev’s Sundance doc The Last First: Winter K2 and featuring Iceland’s biggest screen event across unique venues. Arthouse Spotlight: Batumi International Arthouse Film Festival (25th edition) lines up its International Competition with Guria and other award-winning titles. Francophone Focus: Namur International French Film Festival (41st edition) kicks off with All About Corinne, starring Isabelle Huppert and Sandrine Kiberlain. Impact Initiative: DaVinci International Film Festival launches RiseUP at AMC The Grove, using the short Firebird to tackle child sex trafficking. Big Screen Buzz: Resident Evil returns with Zach Cregger’s reboot, while Ethan Hawke’s The Weight hits theaters this weekend. Industry & Culture: Paramount’s Hollywood exit and antitrust fight keep the business headlines hot. Streaming/Animation: Netflix teases Steps, a Cinderella twist voiced by Amanda Seyfried and Daniel Radcliffe. Music-Cinema Crossover: OZZY & BLACK SABBATH: BACK TO THE BEGINNING lands in cinemas from Oct. 28.

Box Office Watch: ‘Hanuman Ansh’ keeps roaring, crossing Rs 300 crore worldwide after earning about Rs 6 crore net on Day 41, even as ‘Haiwaan’ sinks to Rs 55 lakh on Day 6. Regional Hits: ‘Mirzapur The Movie’ inches toward the Rs 300 crore club (Rs 237.64 crore India gross by Day 13), while Malayalam ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ stays strong (Rs 312.40 crore worldwide). New Releases & Reviews: Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ lands with early praise as a standout video-game adaptation. Global Screenings: ‘Avengers Endgame: Encore’ returns to Singapore cinemas from Sep 24 with an exclusive look at ‘Avengers: Doomsday.’ Industry & Policy: Nepal’s minister vows government support for films tied to art and national importance; U.S. lawmakers push a federal film tax incentive. Controversy: Israel’s military chief orders review and possible legal action over documentary ‘NAZA’ after its Venice win. Festivals & Culture: San Sebastián Film Festival spotlights Naomi Watts, Brad Pitt and Penelope Cruz; TIFF premieres Neil Peart doc ‘No One’s Disciple.’ Animation: ‘Tamala 2030’ anime film sets a Jan 22 U.S./Japan debut.

Box Office: Spider-Man: Brand New Day has overtaken Star Wars: The Force Awakens to become North America’s highest-grossing domestic film, hitting $936.773M and setting a new U.S. record. DCU Ratings: Clayface, starring Tom Rhys Harries, has earned an R rating from the MPA for bloody violence, gore, language, brief drug use, and some nudity ahead of its Oct. 23, 2026 release. Hunger Games Buzz: The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping drops a new trailer and heads to theaters Nov. 20, with Haymitch’s origin story as District 12’s tribute. Franchise Spotlight: Resident Evil is getting major praise in early reactions and reviews, with Zach Cregger’s take called the best video game movie adaptation yet. Hollywood & Legal: The DOJ says states challenging the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger should post a “proper bond,” while Robert De Niro is reported to be in talks to play Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda in Tommy & Me. Festival & Honors: Viola Davis will receive the Gregory Peck Award at the San Diego International Film Festival, and FIPRESCI is partnering with Doha Film Festival for a new jury presence. International Scene: Reeling Chicago opens with La Bola Negra, while Tangier’s Cinémathèque de Tanger marks 20 years keeping arthouse cinema alive.

Box Office Momentum (India): “Hanuman Ansh” keeps climbing, banking about Rs 291.40 crore worldwide in 40 days and needing under Rs 9 crore to hit the Rs 300-crore club. Franchise-to-Theaters (India): “Mirzapur: The Movie” eyes the Rs 300-crore mark as it pushes past Rs 280 crore worldwide, with steady day-to-day grosses. New Studio Release (US): Ron Howard’s war drama “Alone at Dawn” stars Adam Driver and Anne Hathaway, landing in a platform release Dec 25, 2027, then expanding through MLK weekend. Legal/Industry Watch: California AG Rob Bonta and Paramount Skydance set a court-ordered antitrust settlement conference for Oct 14-15. Controversy & Ratings: South Korea’s ratings board plans a tougher, separate trailer caution label after a violent trailer upset kids at a “Teenieping” screening. Global Film Politics: Israel’s IDF orders an investigation into the Gaza documentary “NAZA,” while dozens of Israeli groups back the filmmakers. Cinema Culture: Vue Basingstoke brings back classic films for anniversary screenings, including “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Casino Royale,” and “Rocky.” Festival Spotlight: Cate Blanchett heads to Tokyo TIFF for Japan premieres tied to the Displacement Film Fund.

Box-Office Pulse (EMEA): European cinemas logged an exceptional summer, with EMEA box office up 88% year-on-year in August as global grosses hit a record $4.645B. Record-Breaking Stardom: Tom Holland became the highest-grossing actor in film history, powered by Spider-Man: New Day and Universal’s R-rated hit The Odyssey. New Horror Trailer: Universal dropped the official trailer for Jessica Chastain’s Other Mommy, a dual-role nightmare hitting theaters Oct. 9. Streaming/Release Watch: Kate Beckinsale and Ryan Phillippe’s psychological thriller The Patient lands VOD in December after a first-look reveal. Local Screen Culture: Milwaukee Film and Foley & Lardner launch Cinema Subpoena: Lawyers on Film at the Oriental Theatre, pairing courtroom classics with legal-themed programming. International Oscars Push: The Philippines selected Rafael Manuel’s Filipiñana as its official entry for the 99th Academy Awards. Industry Economics: A new U.S. study says a federal film/TV tax credit could double production by 2032 and create 143,500 jobs annually. Documentary Spotlight: UmutDoc wrapped in Bishkek, honoring screenwriter Algimantas Vidugiris with competitive docs, masterclasses, and a Kyrgyz-focused lineup.

Venice Spotlight: Lav Diaz’s “Makikiraan Po” won the Brian Award at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, adding momentum to the slow-cinema auteur’s third out-of-competition Venice entry. Oscar Watch: Hungary selected Ildikó Enyedi’s “Csendes barát” (“The Quiet Friend”) as its international Oscar submission, a philosophical plant-and-human story that already collected multiple Venice prizes. Festival Industry: TIFF: The Market signed modernised Canada-UK-Spain audiovisual coproduction treaties, aiming to make cross-border funding and international audience development easier. Streaming & Deals: Netflix and Sega confirmed major “Crazy Taxi” and “Stranger Than Heaven” adaptations, while “Crazy Taxi” is slated for a 2027 release. Box Office: India’s “Hanuman Ansh” kept climbing in week 6, nearing Rs 300 crore worldwide after strong Monday holds. Global Tensions in Film: Israel’s culture minister renewed threats to strip citizenship from “NAZA” filmmakers after the Gaza documentary’s Venice Special Jury Prize win. TV Production Wrap: FX’s “Shōgun” season 2 has wrapped filming in Vancouver, set about 10 years after season 1 with key cast returning.

Venice Spotlight: Israel’s IDF chief says it may pursue legal action over Venice Special Jury Prize winner NAZA, calling it “blood libels,” as the film’s creators face citizenship threats from Israeli officials after a 25-minute standing ovation. TIFF Buzz: Zack Snyder’s The Last Photograph gets savage early reactions at TIFF, with critics branding it an embarrassment and “worst” work. Franchise Watch: Courteney Cox says she’d love to direct Scream 8, while Netflix and Sega confirm new game-to-screen projects including Crazy Taxi plus Stranger Than Heaven and another Sonic series. Box Office/Next Up: India’s Hanuman Ansh (Rs 2 crore budget) crosses Rs 200 crore and Vishal Chaturvedi announces Rambola on Tulsidas; Nayanthara’s Mookuthi Amman 2 – Maha Sakthi lands for Diwali with a Nov 6 release date. Local & Global Indies: Filipino directors behind Forgotten Island push back on the idea Filipino stories are only for Filipinos, and Slovak Pop Up reveals its 2026 slate of five feature projects.

Venice Film Festival: Danish drama Woman Unknown won the Golden Lion, while Lee Chang-dong’s Possible Love took the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize—another big night for auteur cinema. Gaza Documentary Fallout: Israel’s culture minister Miki Zohar vowed to revoke citizenship of NAZA directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor after the film won Venice’s Special Jury Prize, calling it “vile” and “treason.” Box Office (India): Hanuman Ansh keeps defying expectations, adding Rs 22.50 cr on Day 38 and pushing toward Rs 300 cr worldwide; meanwhile Haiwaan slid after screen cuts, earning Rs 1.85 cr on Day 3. Streaming/Anime: Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – Part 1 lands on Netflix in the US on Sept. 28 (India via a different platform). Hollywood/Franchises: Marvel set a historic 2027 Avengers run with Avengers: Doomsday this year and Secret Wars next year.