Universal Pictures

19 Stories

Film Studio: 'Sorry for the Pain' of Laverne Cox Dubbing Flap

Universal hired male actor for Italian version of 'Promising Young Woman'

(Newser) - In the Oscar-winning film Promising Young Woman, Laverne Cox plays the role of Gail, the best friend and boss of Cassie, the protagonist. But the Italian version of the movie has now spurred a dubbing controversy, as the voice of the transgender actor has been replaced with that of a...

AMC to Universal: We're Not Showing Your Movies Anymore

Movie theater chain upset at studio's decision to show more films digitally

(Newser) - Before the coronavirus pandemic took hold, Trolls World Tour was set for release on April 10. But with theaters closed, Universal Pictures made a decision the Wall Street Journal notes has "[paid] off handsomely": The studio behind the animated film made the sequel available to rent digitally that day...

Trump Slammed Film, Universal Shelved It. It's About to Debut

New marketing campaign for 'The Hunt' launched ahead of March release

(Newser) - The Hunt has a release date. The controversial film in which a group of liberal elites hunt conservatives for sport hits theaters March 13, with not a single scene changed since Universal Pictures opted to shelve the film in the wake of mass shootings last year, per the New York ...

Cats to Prove Costly for Universal
Cats to Prove
Costly for Universal
Dec 31, 2019 7:11 AM CST

Cats to Prove Costly for Universal

Some predict a $100M loss for studio

(Newser) - Universal Pictures could be out $100 million thanks to its horribly received holiday film, Cats. The star-studded musical has drawn only $38.3 million globally, and $17.8 million in the US and Canada, since its Dec. 20 release, reports the Los Angeles Times . And though studio executives expect those...

The Mummy Is 'a Monster Fail'
Universal Kicks Off New
Franchise With a Bomb
MOVIE REVIEW
Jun 9, 2017 9:29 AM CDT

Universal Kicks Off New Franchise With a Bomb

The Mummy is 'a monster fail,' say critics

(Newser) - The Mummy marks a return to the past and a nod to the future for Universal: Taking inspiration from its 1932 and 1999 films of the same name, it's the first installment of a new "Dark Universe" franchise that is set to include flicks like Jekyll & Hyde ...

A Dog's Purpose Premiere Canceled After Cruelty Outcry

Producer says he's horrified by video of terrified dog

(Newser) - The Hollywood premiere of A Dog's Purpose was canceled Thursday evening after the event was overshadowed by a disturbing video of a dog apparently being mistreated during filming . Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment said that because the investigation is ongoing, they decided to "cancel this weekend's premiere...

Disturbing Video of Scared Dog on Movie Set Investigated

'A Dog's Purpose' handler seen forcing dog into water

(Newser) - The American Humane Association has launched an investigation and PETA is calling for a boycott over disturbing footage of a dog on the set of A Dog's Purpose. In a video released by TMZ, an apparently terrified German shepherd struggles as a handler forces it into churning water, the...

Spike Lee: Hollywood Clueless About Black People

Sundance speech gets testy

(Newser) - Spike Lee screened his latest film—Red Hook Summer, a quasi-sequel to Do the Right Thing—at the Sundance Film Festival last night, but what really got people talking was the profanity-laden tirade he delivered in the Q&A afterward. The fireworks started when surprise attendee Chris Rock stood up...

Hollywood Heads Roll as DVD Sales Plunge

New studio heads place bets on 'branded entertainment'

(Newser) - In previous downturns, the corporate owners of America's movie studios would cut Hollywood some slack. Not anymore: these days, the corporate suites of LA look like the aftermath of a slasher flick, with old hands kicked out at Disney, Universal, MGM, and Paramount. With DVD sales down 25% and...

Seuss' Lorax Slated to Be 3D Movie

(Newser) - Dr Suess' green-themed story The Lorax is becoming the first of his works to get the 3D treatment, Variety reports. Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment plan to release the animated picture in 2012, on what would have been the author's 108th birthday. His 1971 book told the story of a...

Mummy Sequel Misses Top Spot at Box Office

Dark Knight still rules, banking $43M in third weekend win

(Newser) - Even the undead can't stop Batman: The Dark Knight defeated The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor in its third weekend win, grossing an unexpected $43.8 million and hitting nearly $400 million. The Mummy sequel took second with $42.4 million, while Kevin Costner's Swing Vote, the only other...

Wall-E Sees Box Office Stars
 Wall-E Sees
 Box Office Stars 
Jun 29, 2008 5:30 PM CDT

Wall-E Sees Box Office Stars

Jolie's Wanted surprises in 2nd at weekend box office

(Newser) - Wall-E charmed filmgoers and Angelina Jolie's Wanted beat out expectations in a strong box office weekend, Variety reports. The Pixar-Disney animation flick banked $62.5 million while Wanted raked in $51.1 million. Get Smart held at third with $20 million and Kung Fu Panda kicked up $11.7 million...

Get Smart Gets Rich at Box Office

Mike Myers' 'Love Guru' fails to impress

(Newser) - Mike Myers' Love Guru failed to work its mojo at the box office this weekend, caving to Get Smart, which raked in $39.1 million. It wasn't a close race: Myers' live-action comedy grossed $14 million, coming in at No. 4. The Incredible Hulk and Kung Fu Panda—in their...

Baby Mama Tickles Box Office Rally
Baby Mama Tickles Box Office Rally
Apr 27, 2008 7:02 PM CDT

Baby Mama Tickles Box Office Rally

Chick flick laffer helps spark 17% ticket surge

(Newser) - Comedy sparked a box office comeback this weekend as Baby Mama banked $18.3 million from mostly female film-goers, Variety reports. Also fueling the 17.2% hike over last year's frame were stoner sequel Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay with $14.6 million in second, and Jackie Chan's...

Board Games Set for Turn on Big Screen

Monopoly, Candy Land to follow in steps of Transformers , Toy Story

(Newser) - Paramount has the rights to any Transformers sequels, but a new deal with toymaker Hasbro guarantees Universal Pictures sole access to nearly all the company's iconic brands, including board games. The studio is said to be developing a Monopoly film, and a new live-action version of the game Clue may...

Vudu to Match DVD HD Releases
Vudu to Match DVD HD Releases
Dec 10, 2007 10:37 PM CST

Vudu to Match DVD HD Releases

Service will offer HD downloads same day DVDs hit stores

(Newser) - The Bourne Ultimatum, the Matt Damon action movie, will be available online Tuesday - the same day as the DVD reaches video stores. AP reports it's the first of many high-definition movies to be released by Vudu, the on-demand video service. Vudu, which sells its set-top box for $399, will...

Fans to Reach Nirvana at the Movies
Fans to Reach Nirvana at
the Movies
Oct 19, 2007 3:11 AM CDT

Fans to Reach Nirvana at the Movies

Courtney Love will produce Universal bio-pic on Kurt Cobain

(Newser) - The story of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain will soon come to life on the big screen, Variety reports. Universal Pictures has commissioned a screenplay about the troubled life of the grunge rocker, which will be based on the Cobain biography “Heavier than Heaven.” Courtney Love, the rocker’s...

Ang Lee's 'Lust' Too Hot for Hollywood

Ratings group slaps 'Brokeback' director's new flick with NC-17

(Newser) - Focus Features says it will stand by Ang Lee and his racy new war flick “Lust, Caution,” even though a movie trade group branded the film NC-17. The film industry's Scarlet Letter could cost the pic audiences, ad dollars, and theater distribution, but Focus CEO James Schamus said...

'Bourne' Bests Bond
'Bourne'
Bests
Bond
Aug 5, 2007 6:13 PM CDT

'Bourne' Bests Bond

Damon's spy thriller earns more in debut than any 007 film

(Newser) - Hollywood’s top spy has a new name: Bourne, Jason Bourne. The Bourne Ultimatum shattered box office records this weekend by racking up the largest August opening ever, Variety reports. Domestically, the Matt Damon vehicle grossed $70.2 million, more than the two previous “Bourne” flicks or any James...

19 Stories