Exclusive: 'Superman’s Skyler Gisondo Joins 'Batman' Star Robert Pattinson in A24’s Crime Drama 'Primetime'

Happy Tuesday, folks!

Last week, I enjoyed watching the finale of Dexter: Resurrection, which is fully expected to return for a second season, as well as Dead of Winter, the indie thriller from Game of Thrones director Brian Kirk that pits Emma Thompson against a pair of desperate kidnappers played by Judy Greer and Marc Menchaca.

I love a good wintry thriller, and though Thompson’s midwestern accent is a little iffy, she’s otherwise quite good, and I found the end of the film to be unexpectedly moving.

Elsewhere, hats off to Warner Bros., New Line, and producers James Wan and Michael Clear, whose latest Conjuring movie is the cherry on top of WB’s extraordinary summer box office streak, which climbed to seven-straight movies that opened to more than $40 million domestic. They’re saying no studio has ever seen a streak like it, folks!

The Conjuring: Last Rites was tracking to open in the $40 million to $50 million range, yet it wound up grossing $84 million, which is an astounding figure for the fourth film in a franchise, further proving that audiences crave horror movies year-round.

Warner Bros. wasted no time in reassuring the town that a Conjuring TV series remains in the works at HBO Max, as Nancy Won has come aboard as writer/showrunner/EP. Meanwhile, Peter Cameron and Cameron Squires will serve as writers on the series, which will continue the story laid out on the big screen.

If done right, this could be a huge hit for HBO Max, as the Conjuring franchise — which includes spinoffs Annabelle and The Nun — has collectively grossed $2.5 billion worldwide.

While there’s plenty of reason to celebrate the success of Last Rites, there’s reportedly drama behind the scenes, as Wan is threatening to walk away from the franchise if Warner Bros. doesn’t pay him more for his producing services and, perhaps more importantly, his imprimatur.

Frankly, I think Wan is worth every penny, and Warner Bros. will end up giving him a slight raise to stick around. It may not be what he wants, but this is his baby, and you don’t abandon your children over a few million, give or take. They say to start high in any negotiation, and it sounds like Wan’s reps did just that, and Warner Bros. is prepared to call his bluff.

However, now that this has gone public, it’s time for Wan and New Line’s Richard Brener to kiss and make up for the sake of shareholders and Conjuring fans around the world.

Kudos to Puck’s Matt Belloni for that report, as well as last week’s screed against Rotten Tomatoes, which has become a stain on the world of film criticism. It’s truly remarkable to me how many critics actively contribute to their own demise.

But hey, at least none of them paid $3.7 million for Darth Vader’s lightsaber from Star Wars, even if some of them would if they could. That topped a 22-inch-long X-wing fighter from the original film, which sold for $2.3 million back in 2022. I’m a much more sensible consumer, as I would’ve sprung for Leonardo DiCaprio’s flamethrower from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which sold last week for nearly $350,000.

Tonight, you’ll read about a Superman star joining Batman himself in a new A24 movie, plus a recap of all the moves that Paramount made last week and whether they were good or bad.

There are also items about Alan Ritchson heading to Vietnam, new movies starring The Smashing Machine co-stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, a shakeup behind the scenes on the Alien: Romulus sequel, a possible shakeup regarding the Conjuring franchise, an Amityville Horror reboot, Michael Bay’s replacement on Fast and Loose, RuPaul’s new movie, and finally, a look at WB’s steamy teaser for Emerald Fennell’s romantic thriller Wuthering Heights starring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie.

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