The Morning Fix: Turkeys at box office. New cash for Relativity.
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After the coffee. Before wondering why people are surprised Jennifer Lopez didn’t shoot those Fiat ads in the Bronx.
The Skinny: Monday’s headlines include the box office wrap up, a unique marketing deal between Staples and NBC’s ‘The Office,’ and a preview of the next round of Hollywood labor talks.
Getting the jump: Angelenos just getting used to the fact that the holiday season is here may be surprised that next summer’s movie season has arrived as well. Just north of the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, one of the city’s most crowded tourist areas, posters went up the day before Thanksgiving for Universal Pictures’ June 2012 release ‘Snow White and the Huntsman.’ The posters, which feature the movie’s leads Charlize Theron, Kristin Stewart and Chris Hemsworth, stand out among nearby billboards for films already out in theaters or coming soon, including ‘The Muppets’ and ‘Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.’
Lots of leftovers. ‘Breaking Dawn’ stayed on top of the box office during the long Thanksgiving weekend. The latest chapter of the ‘Twilight’ saga took in just over $62 million. Among the new releases, ‘The Muppets’ made more than $40 million, which means Kermit will demand big bucks for the sequel. ‘Arthur Christmas’ posted a disappointing $17 million. Martin Scorsese’s ‘Hugo’ took in $15.4 million. Overall, ticket sales were off 11% from Thanksgiving weekend 2010. Box office coverage from the Los Angeles Times and Hollywood Reporter.
This is funnier than the show. Office supply store Staples has struck a deal with NBC to sell a Dunder Mifflin brand of paper. Dunder Mifflin, of course, is the fictional company on NBC’s long-running sitcom ‘The Office.’ According to The Wall Street Journal, NBC parent Comcast will get a 6% cut of any Dunder Mifflin sales. What does Staples get if the ratings go up?
What’s the interest rate? Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media got a $200-million loan from Colbeck Capital Management, an investment fund whose backers include former supermarket magnate (and Dodgers suitor) Ron Burkle. According to The Wrap, the loan was needed to cover costs behind Relativity’s latest movie, ‘Immortals.’ For more on Kavanaugh’s strategy, here’s a recent article from the Los Angeles Times.
Never too soon to start negotiating. It’s already time to start thinking about the next round of negotiations between the movie and TV industry and its various unions. The talks will be in full swing next spring, and the industry is hoping to avoid another strike. A preview from The New York Times.
Endemol endgame? Silvio Berlusconi-backed Mediaset, a co-owner of Endemol, has submitted a bid to buy the rest of the production giant, which is best known for reality and game shows. Time Warner submitted a bid earlier this month, but Endemol has indicated it wants to keep its present ownership structure intact. More from the Financial Times.
Regis eyes next gig. Regis Philbin, who this month walked away from his longtime job as co-host of the Disney syndicated morning show ‘Live with Regis and Kelly,’ still wants to be on TV. The veteran personality is pitching a family talent show, according to the New York Post. Philbin, 80, has said repeatedly that he’s not retiring.
RIP Ken Russell. Director Ken Russell, whose credits include the movie version of The Who’s rock opera ‘Tommy,’ died Sunday. An obituary from Variety.
Inside the Los Angeles Times: A plan to move canceled ABC soaps ‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ to the Web has been scrapped. A look at producer Jason Blum’s low-budget strategy for success.
— Joe Flint
Follow me on Twitter. It’s the best Christmas gift you can give yourself. Twitter.com/JBFlint
