'Mario' Running Away With Second Weekend; Clint Eastwood Sets Next Film; Hollywood Surgeons Share Ozempic Concerns; 'Maisel' Team Unpacks Final Season

[View on web]( [New reader? Subscribe]( April 15, 2023 What's news: The Super Mario Bros. Movie is unstoppable. Tessa Thompson lands the lead in MGM's Hedda Gabler feature. Ryan Seacrest bids farewell to Live With Kelly and Ryan. Montana is set to become the first state to ban TikTok. Jennifer Garner heralds Reese Witherspoon's producing progress. — [Ryan Gajewski]( 'Super Mario' Scoring Crazy-Great Second Weekend ►⭐ Quite the star ⭐ THR's [Pamela McClintock]( reports that Illumination and Universal's The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a bona fide blockbuster. The Nintendo video game adaptation is now on course to gross $80 million or more in its second weekend of play at the domestic box office from 4,371 theaters, notably more than expected and representing a drop of just 45 percent. By the end of Sunday, the PG pic will boast a domestic cume of more than $340 million and roughly $659 million globally. [The story.]( —Goes into effect in 2024. As the government weighs a national TikTok ban, Montana lawmakers passed a bill requiring app stores to stop carrying it. The governor is expected to sign the measure. This action goes the furthest of any state that has passed legislation relating to TikTok in preventing users from downloading the Chinese-owned video app. [The story.]( —The pilot program would institute "safety advisors." Stakeholders in the entertainment industry are close to reaching a deal on final language for a California film and television set safety bill sparked by the tragedy on the set of Rust. THR's [Katie Kilkenny]( reports that the Motion Picture Association and a coalition of entertainment unions have largely landed on a version of SB 735 that is acceptable to both parties. [The story.]( Clint Eastwood Sets Next Movie ►Verdict is in. THR's [Borys Kit]( reports that Oscar-winning director Clint Eastwood is gearing up to make yet another film for his longtime home, Warner Bros. The 92-year-old is in the process of casting Nicholas Hoult and Toni Collette in Juror No. 2, a legal drama that is set up at the studio. [The story.]( —Landing one of the great roles in theater history. THR's [Alex Ritman]( has the scoop on Creed III star Tessa Thompson getting cast as Hedda Gabler in Nia DaCosta's upcoming film Hedda for MGM's Orion Pictures and Plan B. The feature from the Candyman director is billed as an epic and visceral reimagination of Henrik Ibsen's famed 1891 stage play. [The story.]( —The power of Home Alone 2. Donald Trump may have resigned from SAG-AFTRA, but he is still very much taking advantage of the union's work in the form of his six-figure SAG and AFTRA pensions.The former president received a SAG pension valued at as much as $1 million in 2022, a new filing shows. [The story.]( Hollywood Plastic Surgeons Confront Ozempic Concerns ►"If you lose a lot of weight quickly, everything is deflated." As patients rush to lose pounds via injectable drugs, Los Angeles doctors are addressing problems like loose skin and lack of volume with fillers, fat transfers and energy treatments. For THR, Ingrid Schmidt talks to medical professionals about such side effects as "Ozempic body," where quick weight loss results in head-to-toe laxity of skin. [The story.]( —"You've got to create your own stuff." Jennifer Garner is not only starring in the new Apple TV+ series The Last Thing He Told Me, but she also lands her first executive producer credit with the project, serving as EP alongside close friend Reese Witherspoon. THR's [Kirsten Chuba]( spoke to Garner at the show's Los Angeles premiere about taking on the producing role. [The story.]( —"I'm honored to be part of this family." Ryan Seacrest said goodbye to Live With Kelly and Ryan, departing the daytime show after six seasons. The host teared up midway through the show, following a clip package of emotional moments from his tenure. Ripa's husband, Mark Consuelos, will join her as co-host starting April 17. [The story](. 'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Team Unpacks Season 5 Episodes ►"Midge has chosen a somewhat selfish profession." The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel kicked off its final season with a new career opportunity for Midge, trouble ahead for the comedy's core duo and an emotional farewell. THR's [Christy Piña]( talks to Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Luke Kirby, Michael Zegen and Amy Sherman-Palladino about Mei's shocking decision, where Midge and Lenny go next and more. [The interview.]( —"A victory for hope." Director Euzhan Palcy is speaking out about the reversal of a ban on her 1998 Disney film Ruby Bridges in a St. Petersburg, Florida, elementary school. The historic movie was the center of a debate after a parent complained that it taught children that "white people hate Black people." [The story.]( This Week's Must Reads ►THR's cover story with Lil Dicky. Is Dave Burd the greatest rapper alive? Unlikely. The comedic voice of his generation? Maybe. The star of one of TV's most subversively hilarious hits? No doubt. THR's [Lacey Rose]( offers a deep dive into the neurotically immodest mind behind FX's Dave. [The cover story.]( —"This has been one long nightmare." Owners of faulty homes built by Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina were relieved to learn in August 2022 that charity Global Green had promised $20.5M for repairs. THR's [Gary Baum]( reveals that the deal has since imploded amid recrimination. [The story.]( —"It's kind of wild that I'm still active at my tender age." THR Icon Carol Burnett turns 90 this month, but that doesn't mean she's slowing down. THR's [Mikey O'Connell]( spoke to the sketch trailblazer about her upcoming TV special (Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love on NBC), the Emmy buzz for her turn in Better Call Saul and a new Apple TV+ comedy series. [The interview.]( —Get ready! The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards are fast approaching, and THR's executive editor for awards Scott Feinberg is already on the case. Scott offers his initial assessment of 24 categories. [The predictions.]( —No objections. Meet the 100 entertainment dealmakers and litigators at the top of their game in THR's 17th annual power list. [The list.]( In other news... —Flashdance turns 40: Stars, producer Jerry Bruckheimer reflect on [nixed nudity, mixed reviews and trendsetting fashion]( —Imax CEO Richard Gelfond's [pay slips in 2022]( What else we're reading... —As The Phantom of the Opera ends its Broadway run this weekend, Michael Paulson spends time with some of the show's most ardent "Phans" [[NYT]( —Helena Andrews-Dyer writes that a certain Love Is Blind couple gives Black love a rare win [[WaPo]( —According to Jack Hamilton, this feels like the toughest-to-predict NBA playoffs in a long time [[Slate]( —Erica Campbell picks 10 unmissable new acts to see — or stream — at Coachella this weekend [[NME]( —Following debate over media coverage of Succession, Ben Lawrence examines whether spoilers really ruin a viewing experience [[Telegraph]( Today... …in 1954, MGM's star-studded drama Executive Suite held its Hollywood premiere ahead of picking up four Oscar nominations. [The original review.]( Today's birthdays: Seth Rogen (41), Emma Thompson (64), Emma Watson (33), Luke Evans (44), Maisie Williams (26), Alice Braga (40), Toheeb Jimoh (26), Arian Moayed (43), Samira Wiley (36), Karen David (44), Tom Wilson (64), Paula Pell (60), Cody Christian (28), Leonie Elliott (35), Danny Pino (49), Julia Butters (14), Chris Stapleton (45) Do you have THR's next big story? Confidentially share tips with us at [tips@thr.com](mailto:tips@thr.com?subject=). This email was sent to {EMAIL} by Penske Media Corporation. Please add email@email.hollywoodreporter.com to your address book to ensure delivery to your inbox. Visit the [Preferences Center]( to update your profile and customize what email alerts and newsletters you receive. Copyright © 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved. 11175 Santa Monica Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90025 [View in Browser]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Your Privacy Rights]( | [Ad Choices]( | [Terms of Use]( | [Unsubscribe](