Entertainment
“Inside Out 2” Surpasses $1 Billion at Global Box Office, a First Since “Barbie”
Disney and Pixar’s animated feature “Inside Out 2” has achieved a remarkable milestone, crossing the $1 billion mark at the global box office. Notably, it is the first film to do so since Warner Bros.’ “Barbie.” As of Sunday, the film’s worldwide earnings stand at an impressive $1.014 billion.
This achievement is particularly significant for Disney’s Pixar animation studio, which faced challenges during the pandemic. Prior to “Inside Out 2,” no Disney animated feature from either Pixar or Walt Disney Animation had surpassed $480 million globally since 2019. The film’s success underscores the enduring appeal of compelling and entertaining movies on the big screen.
The family audience played a crucial role in driving the film’s box office performance. During its domestic debut, more than 70% of attendees were families, emphasizing the importance of catering to this underserved demographic. Additionally, “Inside Out 2” successfully attracted teenagers (aged 13 to 17), a group that had been absent from theaters in recent years.
In summary, “Inside Out 2” not only achieved financial success but also highlighted the resilience of the movie industry and the power of captivating storytelling. Audiences worldwide continue to appreciate the magic of cinema, even in an evolving entertainment landscape.
Entertainment
10-Year-Old Guitar Prodigy Maya Neelakantan Rocks ‘AGT’ Stage with Unforgettable Performance
“America’s Got Talent” may have just unearthed the next “rock goddess,” and incredibly, she’s only 10 years old. On the June 25th episode of the NBC competition series, Maya Neelakantan, who traveled all the way from India for her audition, stepped onto the stage with her guitar. With casual confidence, she began strumming the opening chords of Papa Roach’s iconic hit, “Last Resort.”
As the crowd and judges watched, Maya transitioned from headbanging to showcasing her impressive guitar skills. She flawlessly delivered the rock anthem, leaving the judges in awe. Backstage, her family cheered her on alongside host Terry Crews.
All four judges—Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel—stood up and applauded. Vergara playfully asked, “Maya, are you sure you’re 10 years old?” To which Maya sweetly replied, “I think so!”
Klum praised her energy and gutsiness, labeling it a “perfect audition.” Mandel inquired about her inspirations, and Maya mentioned watching guitarists like Adam Jones (Tool) and Gary Holt (Exodus and Slayer) on YouTube.
Cowell, known for his tough critiques, acknowledged that learning to play the guitar at 10 is challenging. He appreciated the unexpected transformation Maya displayed onstage: “You were so shy, and then you turned into, like, this rock goddess.”
Predicting a bright future, Cowell declared that Maya has a long music career ahead. All four judges gave her a resounding “yes,” propelling her to the next round.
Fans flooded the comments, calling her a rockstar and praising her talent. Even Papa Roach joined in, celebrating her audition on Instagram.
Maya, now 11 years old according to her YouTube page, expressed her gratitude: “What an honor for this early release and for playing on America’s Got Talent! Thank you for creating an unforgettable memory!” 🤘❤️🎸
The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s beloved manga, “One Piece,” is returning for a second season. Netflix recently announced the addition of new actors who will bring iconic characters to life in the upcoming episodes.
- Mr. 9: Werner Coetser, known for his role in “Dark Matter,” will portray Mr. 9. This character is a key member of the criminal syndicate Baroque Works.
- Mr. 5: Camrus Johnson, from “Batwoman,” takes on the role of Mr. 5. Like Mr. 9, he is part of Baroque Works.
- Miss Valentine: Jazzara Jaslyn, seen in “Warrior,” will play Miss Valentine. Her character’s abilities involve manipulating her weight.
- Mr. 3: David Dastmalchian, known for “Blade Runner 2049” and “Ant-Man,” joins the cast as Mr. 3. His wax-based powers make him a formidable adversary.
These four villains will challenge Monkey D. Luffy (played by Iñaki Godoy) and his Straw Hat crew as they continue their quest for the legendary treasure, One Piece. The first season received critical acclaim, and fans eagerly await the next installment.
Stay tuned for more adventures on the high seas when “One Piece” Season 2 arrives, likely in late 2024 or early 2025!
Warner Bros. Discovery is making a subtle shift in its original programming strategy. The upcoming Harry Potter TV series and the It prequel series, Welcome to Derry, will now be branded as HBO Originals instead of Max exclusives. This change comes as they aim to distinguish between HBO and Max content. Previously, both series were specifically branded for the streaming platform, but as they developed the shows, they found more similarities between HBO and Max content. According to May Bloys, CEO of HBO and Max Content, they used similar methods and thinking as they would for HBO shows.
The Harry Potter TV series, set to premiere sometime in 2026, has been in the works since 2021. While details remain tightly guarded, reports suggest it will be a more faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s novels. Actor Daniel Radcliffe, who portrayed the titular character in the films, is unlikely to make a cameo in the show.
Meanwhile, Welcome to Derry serves as a prequel to the recent It films directed by Andy Muschietti. Actor Bill Skarsgård will reprise his role as Pennywise the Clown in the series, which is slated to premiere next year.
Other Max original shows, such as The Batman spinoff series The Penguin and Dune: Prophecy, will continue under the Max banner. However, Bloys suggested that The Penguin would have been an obvious fit as an HBO Original if the timing had been better.
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