Latest news with #Deadline
Refinery29
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Why Love Island USA Watch Parties Feel Like A '90s Throwback
An audience of 130 people cheered infectiously at the big screen as they enjoyed cocktails, bar food and conversation with strangers at 275Park in Brooklyn, a venue typically used as a comedy club. This may sound like the scene from fans watching the NBA Finals, but instead, the crowd was locked in for a Love Island USA watch party thrown by Peak and Pace on Monday night as the highly anticipated Casa Amor episodes began. 'It's usually just me screaming at the TV, but doing it with other people just made it,' said Morenda Jebo, 31, who has been watching Love Island for the past three years. 'I'm not the only one who feels this way.' Since Season 7 premiered in early June, Love Island USA has become appointment TV, racking up more than 1 billion minutes viewed. According to Deadline, about 39% of viewers are new to the franchise. Night after night, conversations flood timelines, FYPs, and group chats with real-time reactions and recaps of the drama that ensued in Fiji, where the show is filmed. On social media alone, the show has generated 54 million interactions across Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube. As a result, Love Island watch parties have been in high demand and are popping up in cities across the country. 'It's basically watching sports, but for reality TV,' attendee David Gilstrap said, an attendee who'd never seen the show before last Friday when his homegirls convinced him to start watching all of the reality show drama. He enjoyed it so much that he ended up binging the latest season over the weekend and pulled up to the party alone, ready to watch, holler at the screen with strangers and make new friends. That's music to Peak and Pacer founder Owen Akhibi Herrera's ears. Herrera started Peak and Pace as a run/walk club to bring people together in a healthy way after his first year moving to New York. Over time, it evolved into a community dedicated to trying new things together, including skiing, hiking, and, now, watching Love Island USA together. ' The parties are a great example of how pop culture moments still drive real-world connection. ' 'It's a cultural moment, and it gave us an opportunity to bring our community together in a fun and unexpected way,' the founder said in a Zoom interview. '[The show] sparked so many different conversations online, and we saw the opportunity to take that digital energy into a real-life thing.' Peak and Pace announced the watch party just 24 hours before the event and packed the venue to a max capacity of 130. Herrera said they will host watch parties at 275Park every Monday for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, on Friday evening, Tyra McAdam also hosted a Love Island USA watch party at RumBar, a Black woman-owned bar in Brooklyn, where she works. Tired of watching the show on her phone behind the bar, she surveyed her TikTok followers to see if they'd be interested in joining a watch party. After receiving more than 26,000 views, 2,700 likes and hundreds of eager comments, that was enough for her boss to sign off on approval for McAdam to start creating Love Island -inspired cocktails for the event. ' Love Island is just the catalyst, but what they're really after is that authentic connection that only happens when you're actually in the same room, fully present with each other. ' 'The girls were like, 'I want it to be where the boys are watching sports games watching Love Island,'' she said. 'It's such a community, and it's such a girly thing. It's so feminine.' She credits the show's real-time reactions and the audience's ability to vote and influence what happens in the villa, making it perfect to watch in a sports bar setting. 'I like that it comes on every day, and we all have to watch it at the same time,' McAdam said. 'It's not like on Netflix, and you watch something before someone else. It's almost like back in the days in the '90s, we all had to watch the show at the same time.' On Eventbrite, hundreds of Love Island watch parties have been listed. Roseli Ilano, the platform's head of community and trends, said in a statement the parties are a great example of how pop culture moments still drive real-world connection. "Young people are craving shared experiences where they can have those immediate reactions together—the gasps, the debates, the collective investment in something happening right now,' Ilano said. 'Love Island is just the catalyst, but what they're really after is that authentic connection that only happens when you're actually in the same room, fully present with each other." A common thread between Herrera and McAdam's parties: They're building welcoming, inclusive and intentional spaces that prioritize joy and connection for Black audiences who can come out and have a great time near their own neighborhoods. Though Gilstrap admits the show stresses him out and the cast makes awful decisions, he's having more fun watching Love Island USA than he did watching the NBA Finals. He's already considering attending another watch party before the season ends. 'The fact that you get to hang out with your friends and then talk about it, that's what makes it fun,' he said. 'That's what keeps me watching every night. It's purely not like the content of the show. It's because I get to hang [out] with my friends and kiki with my homies. That's what keeps me coming every single time.'
Elle
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
We're Not Getting Another Season of 'Squid Game'—But We Might Get Something Else
Now that Squid Game's third and final season is out in the world, I am personally hoping for one thing: that Hwang Dong-hyuk can get some rest. The filmmaker and series creator has not been subtle about his exhaustion after creating the first season of the Netflix sensation. Imagine how he feels now, two seasons after that. 'Yeah, I'm very tired. I haven't had a deep sleep for a long time. I want to take a rest,' he told The New York Times before the season 3 premiere. 'Then I want to do feature films. I have an idea for my next feature.' There may be someone ready to take up the mantle: David Fincher, the director of Fight Club, Gone Girl, and The Social Network. In October 2024, Deadline reported that the filmmaker was eyeing an English-language offshoot of Squid Game, although neither he nor Netflix have confirmed the news yet. Still, it seems likely, given Fincher's ongoing collaboration with the streamer, which includes films and series like House of Cards, Mindhunter, Mank, and the upcoming Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood sequel. According to Deadline, 'Insiders say the Squid Game series is likely the project Fincher commits his time to in 2025.' The final scene of the Squid Game season 3 sure seems to set up an spinoff. (Warning: Spoilers ahead!) The episode closes with a scene of the Front Man in the U.S. coming across a person in a suit playing a version of Ddakji, the 'slap game' used to recruit players, with a disheveled man in an alley. When the recruiter turns around, it's a surprise reveal: She's played by Cate Blanchett. All she does is exchange a knowing look at the Front Man, their mutual recognition hinting that the Squid Game operation extends beyond South Korea. It's also the perfect setup for a U.S.-based spinoff. It's unclear if Blanchett will be the lead of that new show or just a one-time cameo, but the former is possible, since she previously worked with Fincher on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. For now though, that's just a theory. No casting announcements have been made yet. As for the creative team, Deadline reported that Dennis Kelly, writer of Matilda the Musical and the TV series Utopia, is supposedly writing the script. Hwang has also voiced his own ideas for an offshoot. He told Entertainment Weekly, 'I actually had this faint ideation about possibly a spinoff—not a sequel, but maybe a spinoff about the three-year gap between season 1 and season 2 when Gi-hun [Lee Jung-jae] looks around for the recruiters,' he said. 'Maybe I could have a portrayal of what the recruiters or Captain Park [Oh Dal-su] or officers or masked men were doing in that period, not inside the gaming arena, but their life outside of that.' That Hwang's limited series has now ballooned into an international franchise might be a little ironic, considering the show's pointed critiques of capitalism. But he hopes that at least it gets viewers to start thinking about such issues. 'If they do none of that and only enjoy the goods and experiences, that could be a problem. But as long as it entails food for thought, I'm good with that,' he told Times. And if Squid Game comes to America, there will surely be much to discuss.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Selena Gomez Returning To ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place' As Season 2 Guest Star
Fans haven't seen the last of Alex Russo in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. Selena Gomez will return to guest star in Season 2 of the Disney Channel sequel series, the star announced on social media Friday. More from Deadline 'Zombies 4: Dawn Of The Vampires' Trailer Sees Zed & Addison Diffusing Yet Another Monster Rivalry 'Zombies 4: Dawn Of The Vampires' Disney Channel Movie Gets Premiere Date & First Trailer 'Phineas And Ferb' Revival Gets Premiere Date At Disney Channel & Disney+; First Trailer Unveiled 'Just feels right…' she wrote in her post, which features her sitting on the iconic set holding a wand. Gomez is an executive producer on Wizards Beyond Waverly Place and she made a few guest appearances in the first season, introducing her brother Justin Russo (David Henrie) and his family to Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), a wayward wizard-in-training who needs his help safeguarding the future of the Wizard World. The only problem? Justin has chosen to lead a normal, mortal life with his family, Giada, Roman and Milo. Billie's arrival makes Justin realize he'll need to dust off his magical skills and get to mentoring. The first episode of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place became Disney Channel's most-watched series premiere ever on Disney+ with 3.2M global views in the first 12 days. In addition to Henrie, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place stars Janice LeAnn Brown (as Billie), Alkaio Thiele (as Roman Russo), Max Matenko (as Milo Russo), Taylor Cora (as Winter) and Mimi Gianopulos (as Giada Russo). Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas serve as writers and executive producers, along with executive producers Gary Marsh, Jonas Agin, Selena Gomez and Henrie. Wizards of Waverly Place was created by Todd Greenwald. Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Soundtrack: From Griff To Sabrina Carpenter
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eva Victor's Sundance Darling ‘Sorry, Baby' Debuts In Limited Release
A24's black comedy , comedian and actor Eva Victor's feature writing and directing debut produced by Barry Jenkins, opens at Lincoln Square and Angelika in NY, and the Grove and Century City in L.A.. This was one of the buzziest titles in Sundance and one of the few there to sell in a major deal — for about $8 million. 'A star is born, and so is a born filmmaker,' said Deadline's review, with Pete Hammond calling it 'one of the most assured and heartfelt films I have seen in a very long time.' It went on to close the Directors' Fortnight section at Cannes. More from Deadline Venice Prize Winning 'Familiar Touch's Fresh Take On Aging, Caregiving; Korean Hit 'Hi-Five'; Marlee Matlin Doc & Rebel Wilson In 'Bride Hard' - Specialty Preview Sundance Audience Award Winning 'Prime Minister', Israeli-Iranian Sports Drama 'Tatami', 'Sex' & 'Simple Minds' Hit Theaters - Specialty Preview TIFF People's Choice Award Winner 'The Life Of Chuck' Latest Indie To Test Box Office Revival With Neon Gifting Campaign - Specialty Preview The film lands amid a box office boom with another big weekend led by F1 and M3GAN 2.0. Indie distributors have been carefully evaluating whether the rising tide of the past few months lifts all boats and has been rather upbeat so far. Victor, a standup comedian whose credits include HBO's Billions, also stars as Agnes, a young woman who begins to work through a trauma when a beloved friend on the brink of a major milestone visits, and the non-linear narrative keeps audiences guessing. Also stars Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges, John Carroll Lynch, Louis Cancelmi, Kelly McCormack. Sorry, Baby is Rotten Tomato Certified Fresh with critics at 97%. IFC Films debuts Berlin premiering at 375 theaters. See Deadline review. Rose (Fiona Shaw) and her daughter Sofia (Emma Mackey) travel to the Spanish seaside town of Almería to consult with the shamanic Dr. Gómez, a physician who may hold the cure to Rose's mystery illness, which has left her wheelchair bound. In the sun-bleached town, Sofia, who has been trapped by her mother's illness all her life, starts to shed her inhibitions, enticed by the persuasive charms of enigmatic traveler Ingrid (Vicky Krieps). Hope Runs High Films is out with Tomás Gómez Bustillo's at IFC Center. July 5 in L.A., July 6 in Seattle, July 19 in San Francisco. Nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards (Best First Feature, Best First Screenplay, and Best Cinematography). Chronicles is set in a tiny Argentinian town where a pious yet competitive woman decides that staging a miracle could be her ticket to sainthood. After discovering a lost statue, she orchestrates a grand reveal that will finally anoint her as the most admired woman in town. But before the unveiling, a jarring event forces her to reevaluate everything she once took for granted. At 100% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes (31 reviews). Greenwich Entertainment's on the iconic British band blur (Song 2, Girls & Boys). Directed by Toby L. Follows friends and bandmates Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree coming together to record its first album in eight years, the chart-topping The Ballad of Darren, and prepare for the biggest concerts of their career, two sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium. With footage of the band in the studio and on the road, plus performances of their much-loved, seminal songs. World premiered at Sheffield DocFest. Greenwich also acquired the director's sister film blur: Live At Wembley Stadium. Abramorama opens Elliot Kirschner doc on Robert Reich at the Quad Cinema. In LA July 10 at the Landmark Nuart, adds other cities thereafter and is holding one-day theatrical screenings June 30 (and July 14 and September 17) powered by Gathr at arthouse theaters in Seattle, Houston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Berkeley, Phoenix, Miami and Washington, D.C. The event cinema company helps indie helmers self-distribute their films. Restoration, re-releases: Wong Kar Wai's romantic masterpiece from Janus Films opens at the IFC Center and Film at Lincoln Center this weekend, at LA's Laemmle Royal and Glendale next. Fathom is re-releasing Amy Heckerling's thisSunday on the film's 30th anniversary. MORE Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Soundtrack: From Griff To Sabrina Carpenter
Geek Tyrant
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Paul Dano to Write and Direct Comedy For Universal Pictures and The Daniels — GeekTyrant
Almost a decade ago, actor Paul Dano ( Little Miss Sunshine , There Will Be Blood , Love & Mercy ) and filmmakers Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert blew away Sundance Film Festival attendees with Swiss Army Man , but now the trio now looks ready to reunite on Dano's next director outing. Deadline reports that Dano is set to write and is in talks to direct a new untitled comedy for Universal Pictures, with Kwan, Scheinert and their partner Jonathan Wang producing through their Playgrounds banner. Dano is also in talks to produce. Plot details are being kept under wraps other then it being a high-concept, original comedy. The Daniels have a first-look deal at the studio and, while they are still deep in development on a follow-up to their Oscar Best Picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once, this film would mark one of the first major projects they are solely producing under the deal. Dano just completed shooting the Olivier Assayas film The Wizard of the Kremlin in which he plays the title character amongst a cast that includes Jude Law, Alicia Vikander and Jeffrey Wright.
