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  The ManningCast, an alternative Monday Night Football broadcast featuring former NFL stars Peyton and Eli Manning, has seen a sharp decline in viewership. The 2024 season opener marked an all-time low with only 872,000 viewers, as reported by Sports Business Daily. This figure represents a staggering 43% drop compared to Week 1 of the 2023 season and accounts for just 4.2% of ESPN's total Monday Night Football audience of 20.5 million. The drop raises questions about the long-term viability and value of the ManningCast, especially given its production costs and star power. Why the Drop in Viewership? The decline to under one million viewers has been looming over the ManningCast for some time. For context, ESPN's main broadcast remains the dominant choice for most viewers, drawing a far more substantial audience. Notably, ESPN's reported figures exclude the DirecTV audience, which includes 11 million potential viewers. However, the omission of this fact in ESPN's press...

Musk's Disapproval Of 'The Acolyte'   Elon Musk, the tech mogul known for his candid opinions, recently targeted Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, accusing her of jeopardizing the "Star Wars" franchise with what he calls "woke" propaganda. His criticisms are focused on the latest spinoff, "The Acolyte," which features a storyline involving "lesbian space witches." Musk's comments sparked widespread debate on social media, where he compared Kennedy to the Death Star, labeling her a "franchise killer." The Controversy Around 'The Acolyte' Kathleen Kennedy, who has been leading Lucasfilm since its acquisition by Disney in 2012, has defended her choice of Leslye Headland to direct "The Acolyte," now streaming on Disney+. The series aims to diversify the "Star Wars" universe, featuring minority actors like Amandla Stenberg, who identifies as nonbinary and gay, and Korean star Lee Jung-jae. The ...

The Ryan Reynolds-Hugh Jackman starrer is poised to break records for an R-rated film, rejuvenating the superhero genre with its irreverent humor and high-octane action.   A Blockbuster in the Making Marvel and Disney’s Deadpool & Wolverine is finally hitting theaters, reuniting Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds. Directed by Shawn Levy, this film promises to be a box office juggernaut, thanks to its unique blend of humor, action, and star power. Tracking forecasts suggest it will open between $160 and $175 million in North America alone, with an additional $180 to $190 million internationally, totaling a potential $350 million worldwide. Breaking Records and Barriers The original Deadpool made waves in 2016, earning $133.7 million domestically during its opening weekend, setting a record for R-rated films. Deadpool 2 followed in 2018 with a $125.5 million debut. The third installment, Deadpool & Wolverine, is set to surpass these figures, thanks to its unique position as the f...

  Disney captured the spotlight at the CineEurope trade show in Barcelona with an exciting slate of upcoming films, capitalizing on the triumphant success of its latest release, “Inside Out 2.” Riding high on record-breaking box office numbers, Disney’s presentation was filled with thrilling previews and star-studded appearances, showcasing its diverse and ambitious upcoming projects. A Record-Breaking Success “Inside Out 2” has taken the global box office by storm, raking in an impressive $295 million during its opening weekend. This feat makes it the biggest opening of the year, the highest ever for an animated movie worldwide, and the most significant animated opening internationally with $140.8 million. As of Tuesday, the total has surged to $380 million, providing a much-needed boost to cinemas after a series of underperforming releases this year. ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Takes Center Stage The presentation took an exhilarating turn with the spotlight on “Deadpool & Wolv...

A Galactic Experience Grounded by a Faulty App   Disney's Galactic Starcruiser, a highly anticipated Star Wars-themed hotel, promised an immersive and interactive experience for its guests. However, the reality fell short of expectations, primarily due to poor app design. Despite the excitement and potential, the Datapad app's shortcomings contributed significantly to the hotel's downfall. A Glimmer of Hope When Disney announced the Galactic Starcruiser, fans of the Star Wars franchise were thrilled. The hotel offered a unique, all-inclusive adventure where guests could live out their Star Wars fantasies, complete with character interactions and storyline participation. The centerpiece of this experience was the Datapad app, integrated into the My Disney Experience app, designed to guide guests through their stay and immerse them in the narrative. A Promising Start In February 2022, Disney Parks hosted an abbreviated tour of the Galactic Starcruiser for influencers and pres...

  In an exciting development for Marvel fans, 20th Century Studios has announced that the X-Men will be making their much-anticipated return to live-action cinema. Building on the success of the “X-Men ’97” animated series, Marvel Studios is setting the stage for a new era of mutant adventures. Michael Lesslie to Pen New X-Men Film Deadline reports that Michael Lesslie, the accomplished writer known for “The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes” and “Now You See Me 3,” is in negotiations to write the script for the new X-Men film. This move marks a significant step forward in the project's development, which has been eagerly awaited by fans since Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019. Early Development Stage As of now, the film is still in the early stages of development. There are no actors cast, no director attached, and no release date has been set. The only other confirmed hire is Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, who will take on the role of produc...

Disney CEO Bob Iger's Praise for Netflix Marks a Strategic Shift in the Streaming Wars In the competitive world of digital streaming, Disney's CEO Bob Iger recently acknowledged Netflix as "the gold standard" during the company’s earnings call. This comes at a crucial time when Disney+ and Hulu have just reported their first profitable quarter, hinting at significant strategic shifts in the industry. Disney's streaming services, including the likes of Disney+ and Hulu, have finally begun to see financial success, marking a milestone in their journey towards sustainability in the fiercely competitive streaming market. Bob Iger's remarks about Netflix underscore a pivotal moment of recognition and adaptation. The Strategic Shift Iger's acknowledgment of Netflix's success isn't just about giving credit where it's due; it's about learning and adapting from the leader in the space. Netflix has long been a pioneer in the streaming industry, not j...

Revisiting Star Wars: The Phantom Menace at 25: A Fresh Look at the Prequels and Their Legacy As The Phantom Menace returns to theaters for Star Wars Day, we delve into how expanded universe media has reshaped its reception and legacy. In 1999, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace ignited a mix of excitement and controversy among fans and critics alike. Now, 25 years later, the film returns to the big screen, reigniting discussions about its impact and the broader prequel trilogy. Despite initial criticisms, time has led to a reevaluation and, in many cases, an embracement of these films, particularly among those who grew up with them as their primary Star Wars experience. The Phantom Menace introduced a new generation to the galaxy far, far away, setting the stage with its high-stakes political plots and vibrant universe. However, it was the subsequent spin-offs in the form of books, comics, and animated series that truly expanded and enriched the narrative landscape that George Lucas origin...