Good morning: In today's edition of The Industry, we look at:
Tom Cruise’s Dig, Matthew McConaughey’s Caper, and a Love Island movie.
Let’s go!
If you enjoy today’s edition, please hit the like button or leave a comment.
Tom Cruise is jumping for joy.
No, not on Oprah’s couch. But in the new teaser for Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Digger from Warner Bros.
This is the first non-sequel film he’s been in since American Made (2017), and the first comedy since Rock of Ages (2012).
So we thought it would be worth jumping into Cruise’s zanier performances to see what he might do in this new film. He’s already got an Oscar, what could he lose?
There are two styles of Cruise’s comedic performances. Both stretch his already explosively charismatic personality in opposite directions.
On one side, he ramps up to “fuck your own face” intensity à la Tropic Thunder (clip).
But the other side of this extreme exudes a laid-back coolness that can come out feeling goofy. Like when he played Austin Powers in the opening of Goldmember (2002). He’s got a relaxed grin that feels like Mike Myers jumped into his soul (clip).
Alejandro Iñárritu discussed Cruise’s performance in Digger when presenting him with his honorary Oscar last month, stating:
“What’s truly defined Tom Cruise is not how far he runs or how high he jumps. It’s how precisely he decides to move. Those tiny calibrations, the tilt of a chin, the half breath before a sprint, the millimeter between silence and revelation... That’s where his real and invisible craftsmanship lives.”
We can’t wait to see it in October 2026. Just in time for the Oscars.
For More:
Digger teaser.
THE INDUSTRY TLDR
Netflix is developing Positano, a romantic caper starring Matthew McConaughey and Zoe Saldaña.
Sony is acquiring WildBrain’s 41% stake in the comic Peanuts for $457M.
Three former NEON execs exit to launch new indie film label inside Warner Bros.
Standard General co-founder is in talks to buy/invest in WBD’s cable networks.
Paul King (Paddington) will direct Sony’s feature adaptation of Labubu.
Netflix has acquired So Far Gone, a straight-to-series adaptation.
Miranda Lambert is developing a Hulu drama inspired by her music w/ Sony TV.
ITV America is exploring a Love Island feature film.
CBS has ordered a pilot for Regency, a multi-cam sitcom set in the 19th century.
LuckyChap names Natalie Berkus SVP of Television.
Jason Isaacs has joined Amazon MGM’s live-action Tomb Raider series.
Will Poulter stars in Apple TV+’s new Beat the Reaper dramedy series
Wayne Knight has joined Dallas-shot indie One In A Million.
Kevin Spacey will return to television in Italy’s comedy series Minimarket.
Netflix is developing In a Holidaze, a rom-com starring Rob Lowe.
YouTube has shut down major AI-generated fake trailer channels.
Mubi has restructured leadership with 12 exiting the company.
Incline Studios unveils debut slate, including Red Ink, Engaged, and Blood Bank.
Sony Pictures Networks India executive Danish Khan is departing after a decade.
THE INDUSTRY NEWS
When Oscar winners and Positano collide, Netflix sees a winner. Matthew McConaughey is joining Zoe Saldaña in Positano, a new stylish romantic caper film from yet another Oscar-winning documentarian, Daniel Roher (Navalny, 2022). For Working Title (Ticket to Paradise).
All we know of the coastal Italian set (most likely big-budget) film is that it is a love story, presumably between its two A-list leads.
So this is an interesting one; both these actors are best when their performances are raw, gritty, and stylized (e.g., True Detective, Emilia Pérez). And McConaughey hasn’t been in a romance since Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009). We hope Positano will pack some narrative punch. We know it’ll do well at the box office with Ticket to Paradise grossing $168M WW.
Sony is acquiring WildBrain’s 41% stake in Peanuts Holdings (Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the gang) for about $457M, boosting Sony’s ownership to 80%. The Schulz family retains 20%. Sony appears to be making big plans with the classic IP.
They’ve been all-powerful with animation recently, although mostly with anime via Crunchyroll (Chainsaw Man, Demon Slayer).
20th Century’s The Peanuts Movie (2015) made $246.2M WW.
Neon is not enough. Three execs at Neon have exited to form a new indie film label inside Warner Bros.
The three execs + their former roles at Neon:
Christian Parkes - CMO
Jason Wald - EVP, Acquisitions & Production
Spencer Collantes - VP Creative Marketing
Here’s their new WB label’s brief:
“Smartly budgeted global theatrical releases with innovative marketing campaigns that enhance Warner Bros.’ long history of socially relevant, provocative, and impactful cinema.”
They’ll focus on acquiring films, starting at Sundance, as well as in-house development.
Pretty wild shake-up given that Warner Bros. is about to be swallowed by Netflix (or Paramount). But we love that they want to put more indie films in theaters. Hurray!
Paul King (Paddington) will direct the Labubu movie.
King will take the reins, fleshing out this year’s fad Labubu, the cute yet ugly monster plush line by artist Kasing Lung, as it heads toward a film via Sony Pictures.
Paddington is considered by many to be a perfect movie, so in King’s hand, he could make these freaky little things lovable.
The hit Chinese doll brand exploded last year thanks to TikTok and Pop Mart’s blind-box sales model
Tidbits:
Alongside the Netflix and Paramount bidding drama, hedge fund Standard General‘s co-founder Soo Kim is in talks to buy or invest in WBD’s cable networks, including CNN, TNT, TBS, etc. Standard General is currently the biggest shareholder in gambling, owning Bally’s Corporation as well as Burbank-based TV and radio business MediaCo.
After another tense bidding war, Netflix remains on top, acquiring So Far Gone from a script by writer Mark Bomback (Defending Jacob) for a TV series. Based on Jess Walter’s 2025 novel, the story begins with a reclusive writer stunned when his estranged grandchildren are left on his doorstep after the disappearance of their mother. It unfolds into a full-on mystery chase, joining the growing list of straight-to-series book acquisitions to work out for the streamer (e.g., Rabbit Rabbit, Trigger Point).
From country lyrics to small screens, ‘The House That Built Me’ singer Miranda Lambert is working with Sony Pictures Television on an untitled series for Hulu inspired by her own music. Described as Big Little Lies gone country, the show will follow a messy friend group facing gossip, scandals, and life-changing domestic disputes that rock their small Texas town. Judalina Neira (EP: The Boys), through her deal with SPT, is showrunning, writing, and producing the in-development series.
Mini Tidbits:
ITV’s Love Island film
CBS’s spin on Bridgerton
Tubi’s Speed
LuckyChap’s promotion
Details on all the above and more, here:
https://theindustry.co/p/love-island-film-cbss-bridgerton
Renewals:
Adult Swim’s Haha, You Clowns (for S2)
Netflix’s Last Samurai Standing (for S2)
Trailers:
Greenwich Entertainment’s Dreams
Cast: Jessica Chastain
Release: February 27, 2026
Showtime’s Coldwater
Cast: Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead)
Release January 9, 2026
Prime Video’s Young Sherlock
Cast: Hero Fiennes Tiffin (After), Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love)
Release March 4, 2026
Amazon MGM Studios’ The Sheep Detectives
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson
Release May 8, 2026
Poster:
Universal Pictures’ The Odyssey
Dir: Christopher Nolan
Release: July 17, 2026
Release Dates:
Magnolia Pictures’ It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley (Doc)
UK & Ireland release: February 13, 2026
Apple TV+’s Imperfect Women
Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington
Release March 8th, 2026
THE ACTOR SPOTLIGHT
Jason Isaacs (The White Lotus) joins Amazon MGM’s live-action Tomb Raider series in an “undisclosed role,” but let’s be honest, he’s most likely the villain. You don’t get those steely blues on board and not at least have him down for a double cross.
Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones) stars as Lara Croft, with Sigourney Weaver (Alien) also attached. Created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), the adaptation begins production on January 19.
Will Poulter stars in Apple TV's new dramedy series, Beat the Reaper, based on Josh Bazell’s 2009 novel. Poulter will play Dr. Peter Brown, a gifted medical intern working a brutal overnight shift at Boston’s worst hospital while hiding a lethal past.
Synopsis:
When a patient recognizes him as a former mafia hitman now in witness protection, Brown has eight hours to stay alive as mobsters, federal agents, and hospital chaos close in.
This is a fun one, and it leans both dramatic and comedic. Will Poulter, who made his breakout in We’re the Millers (many say he will forever be typecast), has been doing some harder-hitting drama recently with A24’s Warfare and Adam Meeks’ debut film at Sundance. We would love to see him straddle both sides of the comedy-drama spectrum.
Tidbits:
Wayne Knight (Seinfeld) joins Dallas-shot indie One In A Million, portraying a key member of the medical team battling HLH, a rare and deadly blood disorder. Recently back in the spotlight, Knight showed up in this year’s Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.
Kevin Spacey will return to television for the first time since his 2017 House of Cards exit, starring in Italian comedy series Minimarket for RAI (Italy’s National Broadcaster). He plays a fictionalized mentor to a Rome convenience store clerk chasing TV fame. The series premieres Dec. 26 on RaiPlay.
Netflix is already working on next year with In a Holidaze, a romcom led by Rob Lowe (Parks & Recreation) and Maddie Ziegler (My Old Ass, Dance Moms). Based on the 2020 novel of the same name, Ziegler will most likely play the directionless 20-something who finds herself in a time loop, reliving the same Christmas over and over again.
Sol Rodriguez (Peacemaker) and Lou Lou Safran (Annabelle) star in Illomen, a giallo-inspired vampire film directed by Nathalia Pizarro, about a grieving widow confronting a century-old vampire, with Booboo Stewart (Twilight) co-starring and a planned festival run next year.
FESTIVALS
Ahead of its premiere in Berlin’s Panorama section, Only Rebels Win, from French-Lebanese director Danielle Arbid, is picked up by Fandango Sales (Sweetheart) for international sales. Starring Hiam Abbass (Marcia in Succession), the politically charged drama follows an unlikely romance shaped by a city in crisis.
Few actors have as iconic a list of characters as Harrison Ford does, with the actor now rightfully being celebrated as the recipient of SAG-AFTRA’s Life Achievement Award. From his TV roles (Shrinking, 1923), to his nominated dramatic performances, to Han Solo and Indiana Jones, the ceremony will stream on Netflix on March 1st.
Scottish actor Alan Cumming is set to host the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards. Cumming has actually been in the news quite a bit for his award-winning turn as the host of Peacock’s hit competition show The Traitors, proving he’d be a great fit. The ceremony will air on February 22nd.
Screenplays:
Read Warner Bros.’ Sinners screenplay, written by Ryan Coogler and Amazon’s Tessa Thompson-starring Hedda script by Nia DaCosta (adapted from the Ibsen play).
Plus ten more prospective Oscar scripts:
https://theindustry.co/p/prospective-best-screenplay-academy-dbf
TECH SECTION
We all hate those fake YT AI-generated trailers. So, finally, YouTube has shut down the top two channels, Screen Culture and KH Studio. Sometimes these guys had more views than the actual trailers themselves.
INDIE FILMMAKER SPOTLIGHT
Mubi city shuffle. The studio behind Substance and Die, My Love is restructuring. Here’s who’s moving to a new role and who’s leaving.
New role:
Jason Ropell
Chief Content Officer → Top Strategic Advisor (working w/ founder)
Arianna Bocco
Global Distribution Lead → Head of Acquisitions and Distribution
Michael Weber
Head of Match Factory → Head of Mubi’s Global Production
12 folks are leaving, including:
Kevin Chan
Co-Head of Acquisitions
We love what Mubi is doing, and we hope they continue to release and support bold cinema for years to come. Mubi’s Die, My Love, directed by Lynne Ramsay, had the best opening of any film this year.
Incline Studios (Producer: Shuroo Process) announces its debut slate of films. Led by producers/directors Benjamin J. Murray (Clod) and Michael Christensen (Whelp), the New York-based production studio has announced three upcoming projects:
Red Ink - 1949 set newsroom thriller, taking place on the eve of the discovery of a mysterious pandemic. Shooting January in Syracuse
Engaged - Adventure comedy set in Malta about two best friends trying to stop a wedding, Shooting summer, produced with Malta-based Cineloop.
Blood Bank - Darkly satirical vampire heist film centered on an underground group attempting to raid a city’s blood reserve. Shooting next fall.
Neon has acquired worldwide rights to…
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The Industry to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.