Smollett: Hollywood Hoax?; Stakes of WGA vs. Agents; Netflix's Next Oscar Plan; Warner Eyes Greenblatt; New THR Cover

What's news: How did Jussie Smollett, a beloved Empire castmember and former child star, come to allegedly fake a hate crime? Plus: What's at stake for the WGA against the agencies, a look at Netflix's next Oscar push and WarnerMedia eyes Bob Greenblatt for a key role. — Will Robinson [The Hollywood Reporter - Today In Entertainment]( February 27, 2019 What's news: How did Jussie Smollett, a beloved Empire castmember and former child star, come to allegedly fake a hate crime? Plus: What's at stake for the WGA against the agencies, a look at Netflix's next Oscar push and WarnerMedia eyes Bob Greenblatt for a key role. — Will Robinson [On the cover:]( Empire star Jussie Smollett claimed to be the victim of a heinous crime that played perfectly into Hollywood's worst fears about hate in America. Did the pressures of childhood fame or a struggling music career play a role in causing him to concoct what police are now deeming an elaborate hoax? Scott Johnson, Michael O'Connell and Chris Gardner report: + Conflicting images: Many of his colleagues, who would only speak on background, call Smollett one of the most popular castmembers on Empire. One executive seemed close to tears when wrestling with the possibility that Smollett faked the whole thing. "I'm trying to filter all this information through the experiences I've had with him," says a high-ranking show source who worked closely with Smollett, "and it doesn't connect." + Being put out there: His private life was no longer his own. Empire execs held meetings, sometimes without Smollett present, where his sexuality was discussed, according to media reports. The scrutiny began to affect his self-esteem. "I was kind of thrust out there," he later said. "Everybody had these expectations of what I should be, how I should be, who I should be seen with … And I just wasn't used to that." + Chasing relevancy: "There's an incredible amount of pressure on people to stay relevant, to stay white hot in celebrity," says Donna Rockwell, a clinical psychologist who specializes in fame and celebrity. "To just be a so-so actor isn't enough. With child actors, this is embedded in their psyche from an early age. It would be more frightening to a child star than someone who didn't start that young. They're always afraid that this could be the end." [Full cover story.]( -> Ellen Page: Hate violence is not a hoax: While the media debates the Empire star's case, it's critical that we not lose sight of the real threats underrepresented communities face every day, writes the actress and activist, the actress writes: "I ask you not to question our pain, not to draw into question our trauma, but to maintain, wholeheartedly, that hate violence exists," Page writes. "The merits of one case should not and cannot call that into question. The media coverage does not convey the reality and totality of the cruelty and danger we face. This is the story that must be told." [Full essay.]( -> Hollywood's history of alleged hate-crime hoaxes. Very few hate crimes are fake — according to FBI data, they accounted for just 23 of the 7,175 such assaults reported in the U.S. in 2017 — but the industry does offer a few historical precedents, Seth Abramovitch details. [History.]( Stakes of Writers vs. Agents Prepping for battle: As an April 6 contract expiration approaches, a "power grab" by the WGA threatens packaging fees — which would cut into agency profit margins but might not result in more money for union members, Jonathan Handel reports: + Targeted fees: The WGA says that eliminating packaging fees would free up more money for writers and make up for the fact that writers would have to pay commissions. "Packaging is where the agencies' big profit margins are," says industry analyst Hal Vogel, which explains why they're resisting fiercely. with packaging fees gone, actors and directors would also have to pay commissions, which is unlikely to make them happy. + Headed for deadlock: With no meetings scheduled, both sides acknowledge that a negotiated agreement seems improbable. Come April 7, the guild is convinced, writers will comply with WGA rules, leave the major agencies and flock to smaller boutiques that the WGA believes will sign on to the code. The ATA and agency representatives are equally adamant that most writers won't leave and most agencies won't sign. [Full story.]( Elsewhere in TV... ► WarnerMedia eyes Bob Greenblatt for major new role. The parameters of such a job remain unclear, but AT&T is believed to be planning changes in light of Tuesday’s D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in its favor. Greenblatt brings with him the kind of entertainment résumé that WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey, a veteran AT&T executive, lacks. [Full story.]( ► Appeals Court won't stop AT&T-Time Warner merger. The government [fails to convince]( the DC Circuit that the $85 billion deal would violate antitrust law. -> Michael Sanchez, in the middle of the Jeff Bezos affair. The brother of Lauren Whitehall-Sanchez reached out to Sarah Ellison: “It’s pretty simple: Jeff Bezos had an extramarital affair, lied about it in his tone-deaf ‘divorce’ tweet and has engaged in a scorched-earth campaign to cover up responsibility for the demise of two families and the failure to protect the privacy and technology of the man [who] practically owns the cloud." [[The Washington Post](] ► Paramount promotes Dan Cohen to home entertainment, TV head. The president of worldwide TV licensing [will assume]( the role previously held by Mary Daily, newly elevated to co-president, worldwide theatrical marketing and distribution. ► ITV, BBC to bring BritBox streaming service to U.K. ITV in its full-year earnings report said its advertising revenue rose 1 percent despite the "uncertain economic and political environment" due to Brexit, which is [also affecting]( its ad trends in the early part of 2019. Renewals... ► NBC re-ups all three Chicago dramas. Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago PD are all [averaging]( better than 11 million viewers for the season ► HBO bringing back Axios. The second season of Axios on HBO will [include]( eight episodes and four specials. ► Fox renews Hell's Kitchen for two more seasons. The pickup [will take]( the Gordon Ramsay-led show through its 20th season. ► USA returning to Temptation Island. The rebooted reality series, now set for season two, has [put up]( solid ratings and shown growth since its premiere. Casting call... ► Jenna Bush Hager named co-host of fourth hour of Today. She replaces Kathie Lee Gifford, who will [step down]( this spring. ► Nathan Lane joins Showtime's Penny Dreadful revival. The Tony Award winner [will play]( a veteran police officer in the L.A.-set series. ► Amazon's Gillian Flynn series Utopia casts four key roles. Ashleigh LaThrop, Desmin Borges, Farrah Mackenzie and Christopher Denham [will star]( with Sasha Lane in the thriller. ► Mary Steenburgen joins NBC's Paul Feig musical dramedy. The Oscar winner will [star opposite]( Jane Levy in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist. ► CW's gender non-conforming drama casts its lead. Openly gay actor Ben J. Pierce [will play]( the lead in Glamorous, from exec producer Damon Wayans Jr. [Quoted:]( "In those moments when you are detained in a dictatorship and you see a tweet or a message from the American media, you feel, we felt, we were not alone." — Jorge Ramos to Sean Hannity, on being detained in Venezuela. ^Orange Is the New Black wraps final season. Showrunner Jenji Kohan shared an image of the final cast and crew photo taken on the New York set (in what looks to be the Litchfield Max setting of season six). [Photo.]( Exec chatter... ► Comcast CEO: NBCUniversal streamer won't go "cold turkey" and pull content from rivals (yet). "Our thinking going in is we have an awful lot of content. And lots of it will [monetize]( best with this advertising platform. And other (content) will be best on third-party platforms," Brian Roberts explained. "We should be in all parts of the eco-system." ► Bob Bakish calls Pluto TV "cornerstone" of Viacom's direct-to-consumer strategy. After [curtailing]( licensed content in 2017, Viacom now has "warehoused a set to rights" that will go to Pluto TV, the ad-supported streaming service it agreed to buy in January for $340 million. ► Discovery's channel venture with Fixer Upper couple will have direct-to-consumer offer. The partnership with the Chip and Joanna Gaines family will "take a network that is doing OK and take it to the next level," says Discovery CEO David Zaslav. He [didn't provide]( further details or which network they will rebrand. Zuckerberg's company... -> Inside Facebook's battle against hate speech. Simon Van Zuylen-Wood goes deep inside the company's battle against trolls and racists: "When Facebook mass-deletes 'men are scum,' it’s not thanks to top-down bias at the company, or some rogue men’s-rights Facebooker taking his stand against misandry. ... The posts get removed because of one of Monika Bickert’s well-intentioned, though possibly doomed, policies." [[Vanity Fair](] ► Facebook's The Real World reboot to feature fan-selected castmember. The social network will [also air]( three classic seasons of The Real World ahead of the new season premiere. ► Facebook won't renew most of Watch's new shows. "In recent months, Facebook has been telling news publishers that it will only renew about a third of the existing news shows that it has funded for Facebook Watch. ... Publishing sources stressed that Facebook is still paying for news shows on Watch — the company is just being more selective and careful about what it funds going forward." [[Digiday](] Ratings notes... ► Walking Dead, True Detective finale ratings unfazed by Oscars. The Walking Dead [improved]( its adults 18-49 rating a little from the prior week's series low, and the season finale of True Detective delivered above-average ratings opposite the awards show. Digital digest... ► Stephen Colbert's tech company Scripto hires ex-BuzzFeed exec. Alice DuBois [will be head]( of product for the company that provides collaborative software to TV writing teams. ► Vox Media drops mandatory arbitration clauses amid union push. The Vox Media Union [responded positively]( to the company's decision, saying on Twitter that it is "the right thing to do" and listing some of the blue-chip companies that have made a similar decision. Latest reviews... ► Amazon and ITV's The Widow. "[The show] is a big whiff even though you could see it being presented as the next shiny new thing viewers might be tricked into watching after they've binged Jack Ryan," Tim Goodman writes. [Full review.]( Talking points... ► How Michael Cohen's testimony could deal damage to Trump. Did President Donald Trump break the law? That's the key question Trump's formal personal lawyer and "fixer" will be expected to Wednesday on Capitol Hill. [What to expect.]( Coming attractions... ► Trailer: Amy Schumer jokes about marriage, pregnancy in Netflix special Growing. The special marks Schumer's second comedy special on Netflix, following 2017's Leather Special. [Watch.]( Obamas formalize exec leadership team for Netflix-based production company. Former Chernin film exec Tonia Davis [will lead]( Higher Ground Productions alongside the previously announced Priya Swaminathan. Qadriyyah "Q" Shamsid-Deen has also joined the company as a creative executive. Enjoy reading this? Six days a week, look for Today in Entertainment in your inbox to stay up-to-date on the industry. Sign up for this newsletter (and others) at [THR.com/Newsletters](. Netflix's Next Oscar Push Marty and Robert: After Roma comes up short, The Irishman may get a wide theatrical release as competitors clamor for the streamer (and new MPAA member) to report box office figures, Rebecca Keegan reports: + Going big: "Netflix wants a big footprint for The Irishman," says one industry source. "They've put themselves in a position by supporting these kinds of filmmakers where they have to come to grips with the theatrical business model and how it works." To appease director Martin Scorsese, Netflix will have to expand the three-week art house theatrical window it pioneered amid controversy this awards season. + Established rules: At the MPAA, which welcomed Netflix as a new member in January, other studios are advocating for the company to be transparent about its box office numbers. "Now that they're in the MPAA, they should have to play by the same rules all of the rest of us do," says one executive from a member studio. * Other films that might go theatrical: Netflix also is looking at its theatrical strategies for at least five other potential awards films, including Steven Soderbergh's The Laundromat, David Michôd's The King, Dee Rees' The Last Thing He Wanted and an as-yet-untitled Noah Baumbach film starring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver. [Full story.]( Elsewhere in film... ► Brazil OKs Disney-Fox deal. To close the $71 billion deal, Disney will sell "the Fox Sports channel and program rights in the country," Mario Sergio Lima reports. [[Bloomberg](] ► Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu named jury president. The four-time Oscar winner [will preside]( over the jury for its 72nd edition, which begins May 13. ► Rotten Tomatoes remodels audience score system to combat online trolls. The move comes in response to a wave of negative reviews of Captain Marvel ahead of the film's world premiere. "We’re doing it to more accurately and authentically [represent]( the voice of fans while protecting our data and public forums from bad actors," reads a note from the aggregation site. ► MoviePass says shareholders were told of risks of failure. In a motion to dismiss a shareholder lawsuit, parent Helios and Matheson Analytics frames unrealized revenue deals with movie theaters and movie studios as "[aspirational goals](." ► View-Master movie in the works at MGM and Mattel Films. The deal [signifies]( the latest toy marked for development as part of Mattel’s new push into screen entertainment. ► Aquaman, Venom help boost Imax Q4 earnings. The giant screen exhibitor, led by CEO Richard Gelfond, [posted]( a $8.38 million one-time charge for exit costs and restructuring charges. ► Hotel Transylvania 4 books 2021 Christmas release date. Featuring Adam Sandler as Count Dracula, Sony's Hotel Transylvania franchise [has earned]( north of $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office. -> Euro exhibitors think awarding Roma is a "devaluation of the Oscars." "The Oscars proved correct in defending the theatrical release," added Francesco Rutelli, president of ANICA, Italy's national association of producers and distributors. "Green Book's victory [indirectly reasserts]( the power of cinema halls even as the value chain is becoming increasingly integrated." * Jennifer Lawrence partners with RepresentUs for anti-corruption short film. Lawrence narrates the short, called Unbreaking America: Solving the Corruption Crisis, which offers a crash course on how America ended up with "a broken democracy" and the actions people can take to reclaim political power by passing anti-corruption laws around the country. [Watch.]( Casting call... ► Aquaman actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in talks for Candyman. The Jordan Peele-produced spiritual sequel will be [directed]( by Nia DaCosta. [Quoted:]( "It's always been about money. I hate to say it when it's my uncle, it's almost like they see a blank check. These people ... felt that they're owed something. You know, instead of working for something, they blame everything on my uncle." — Taj Jackson, on Leaving Neverland accusers against Michael Jackson. ^The Upside crosses $100M in surprise windfall for Lantern, STX: The Kevin Hart-Bryan Cranston dramedy is the first movie from Lantern Entertainment, which bought Harvey Weinstein's embattled company for $287 million, Pamela McClintock reports: + The payday: Lantern could ultimately see a return of $40 million or more from box office receipts, home entertainment and other ancillary revenues, according to several sources. Another analyst suggests Lantern could even get back north of $50 million before talent participation. The film's budget was a reported $35 million-$37 million. * STX's take: STXfilms doesn't have any equity in The Upside, opting for a lucrative 10 percent distribution fee that could equal $12 million-$14 million, thanks to additional percentage points tied to certain box-office thresholds, according to sources. [Full story.]( Queen's mixed China reception... ► Bohemian Rhapsody gets surprise permission for China release. Many local industry observers had thought the film would be [blocked]( because of Beijing's past repressive handling of content involving gay characters. ► Rami Malek's acceptance speech censored in China. Chinese streaming site Mango TV cut the phrase "gay man" from the actor's words of encouragement to young people [struggling]( with their identity, replacing it with "special group." Around town... ► Whooping cough outbreak hits elite L.A. private school Harvard-Westlake. The previously unreported epidemic of pertussis [has risen]( to at least 30 students, as the prestigious academy works with the L.A. County health department to contain it. On the festival circuit... ► Hong Kong honoring South Korean director Lee Chang-dong to with lifetime honor. The acclaimed auteur of Cannes competition title Burning will be [honored]( during the Hong Kong event in March. Honoring film... ► Tilda Swinton, John Waters to appear at Film Society of Lincoln Center Gala. Director Pedro Almodovar and Marielle Heller also will be among the speakers celebrating the organization's 50th anniversary. [Details.]( Musical notes... ► Shakira called to appear in Spanish court in tax fraud case. The Colombian singer is [accused of evading]( taxes in Spain between 2012 and 2014. ► German concert arena cancels contract for R. Kelly tour. "We regret the fans' understandable disappointment and ask them to turn to the tour's organizer" [regarding]( possible reimbursement of their tickets, Ratiopharm Arena wrote. ► Janet Jackson sets Las Vegas residency. The star will [set up]( at Park Theater at the Park MGM resort beginning May 17. In memoriam... ► RIP Ross Lowell. The cinematographer, filmmaker and Oscar winner whose inventions kept movie sets, lighting equipment and cables together and helped actors find their marks onstage died Jan. 10 at 92. [Obit.]( Costume designer slams Melissa McCarthy, Brian Tyree Henry's Oscar ensembles as "insulting." Oscar-nominated Arianne Phillips posted on Facebook [to criticize]( their outfits worn during the Oscars as "tasteless and insulting." Her post generated a discussion from both critics and supporters of Katja Cahill's work. How 'Green Book' Won Beating controversy: An industry pro who followed awards season closely offers an explanation to Scott Feinberg for why the controversies didn’t stick, the impact of Netflix and how Academy members "are not very self-aware:" + How it happened: Many Academy members, sad to say, aren't very rigorous and don't hold their choices to a high standard; the award is for excellence and artistry, not whether a movie made you feel good. Green Book is a fine enough film, but it's not an Oscar film — period — and I'm very disappointed that so many members thought it is. What's rather remarkable is that the Green Book "controversies" seemed to disappear — and, for many members, never even existed. + No Netflix backlash: Look at how many awards it did win [four]. There were certainly some members who had an issue with it, but most people recognize that this is just the way it is now. The bottom line: A foreign-language film in the best picture category always faces an uphill battle, no matter who made it or released it or how much money they spent campaigning for it. The fact that Roma got as far as it did is very impressive. [Full account.]( What else we're reading... — "John Mulaney and Seth Meyers Fondly Send Up Sondheim. He’s Amused." Mike Hale chats to the two and D.A. Pennebaker, about spoofing the Sondheim doc Original Cast Album: Company: "Hopefully, when Stephen sat down to watch it, he wasn’t hoping for an equal amount of elegance." [[The New York Times](] — "Selma Blair Steps Out." The actress opened up about living with M.S.: “I had been so embarrassed by some events in my life, whether it was drinking or immature behavior, that, as a mother, I wanted to prove I was great even when I was telling someone I had problems.” [[Vanity Fair](] — "What Can True Detective Tell Us About Race?" Micah Peters writes: "To be fair, the upper bounds of what True Detective can reasonably say about race are kind of baked in; one lead is a man who thinks pretty uncritically about himself, and the other is a white guy with a heart of gold. There’s also the fact that the series lead wasn’t originally written for a black actor." [[The Ringer](] — "How Schitt’s Creek Creator Made a Family of Rich Misfits Lovable." Nolan Feeney profiles Dan Levy: "What has drawn people to this show is this intangible spirit that is loving, and I have to say it comes from more than just people’s work, it has to come from good vibes. You have to send them through the TV." [[GQ](] — "Why Musicians Are Starting Their Own Podcasts." Cherie Hu reports on the trend: "A growing number of artists are treating record-label contracts not as a surefire path to a sustainable career, but rather as a restrictive last resort, relying instead on self-serve tools like CD Baby and TuneCore for distribution." [[Bello Collective](] What else we're watching... + "Javier Bardem & Penelope Cruz keep their Oscars next to their bed." [[Conan](] + "Tyler Perry's Madea Oscars prank wound up on Beyoncé's Instagram." [[Tonight Show](] + "Chloë Grace Moretz is a terrible waitress." [[Jimmy Kimmel](] Today's birthdays: Lindsey Morgan, 29, Kate Mara, 36, Bingbing Li, 46, Donal Logue, 53, Noah Emmerich, 54, Adam {NAME}, 57, Timothy Spall, 62. Follow The News Is this email not displaying correctly? [View it in your browser.]( ©2019 The Hollywood Reporter. 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 All rights reserved. [Unsubscribe]( | [Manage Preferences]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms of Use]( February 27, 2019