-It’s got to be awkward AF to be asked about your longtime friend and former costar’s rape charges, but I think Ashton Kutcher did not bad in his Esquire interview: “[I want Danny Masterson] to be found innocent of the charges brought against him…Ultimately, I can’t know. I’m not the judge. I’m not the jury. I’m not the victim. And I’m not the accused. And so, in that case, I don’t have a space to comment.” He also talks about becoming a stepdad to Demi Moore‘s girls (“I was twenty-six, bearing the responsibility of an eight-year-old, a ten-year-old, and a twelve-year-old. That’s how some teen parents must experience their twenties”), says he wished someone had told him not to do Two and a Half Men (“Very few people want to tell you something is a bad idea when they’re financially incentivized not to”),
–Julia Roberts and Jennifer Aniston are teaming up for a body swap comedy. Yes, please!
–James Gunn posting a 5-minute video today outlining his plans for DC, and he and co-chief Peter Safran met with the press. Some of the highlights include Viola Davis starring in a HBO Max series based on her Amanda Waller character, new films revolving around Supergirl and Swamp Thing, someone other than Robert Pattinson playing Batman, and an acknowledgment that they’re leaving the door open for Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Zachary Levi and Ezra Miller to continue playing their DC superheroes roles. Specifically about Miller, Gunn said, “Let’s see what happens. Listen, Ezra is fully committed to their recovery right now, and we talk to them. We’re in constant contact, but when the time is right, we’ll have the conversation with them and decide what’s best for both them personally and also for us.” He also added, “Can I say one more thing? The Flash is fucking amazing. Like it’s one of the best superhero movies I’ve ever seen. [Director] Andy Muschietti did an amazing job.”
–Safran also weighed in on DC scrapping the Batgirl film: “I saw the movie, and there are a lot of incredibly talented people in front of and behind the camera on that film. But that film was not releasable, and it happens sometimes. That film was not releasable…I actually think that Zaslav and the team made a very bold and courageous decision to cancel it because it would have hurt DC. It would have hurt those people involved.”
–Meghan Trainor appeared on the Today Show to announce her pregnancy and her new book, and I kind of love how incredibly messy her house is in the background. Refreshing!
-Why am I not surprised that Louis C.K. is back to selling out shows? Cancelled my ass.
–Bad Boys 4 is in the works.
-I really liked the last episode of Last of Us, but I understand some of the complaints about how it depicted a gay couple. This take is really interesting, as is this one. “They grow old together in a sort of cottagecore postapocalyptic bear fantasy.”
–Alec Baldwin could face up to five years in prison if convicted of the fatal Rust shooting.
-This is a good explanation of why the Academy was looking into if Andrea Riseborough‘s grassroots campaign broke the rules. Actress Mary McCormack, wife of To Leslie director Michael Morris, reportedly sent multiple emails to Hollywood insiders (some of them Oscar voters) inviting them to a reception, which comes very close to breaking the rules about lobbying.
-Meanwhile, the Academy announced they won’t revoke Riseborough’s nomination, which I’m sure was never really in play anyway. They clearly have some work to do to level the playing field though — both in terms of spotlighting smaller films that aren’t backed by studio-led million-dollar FYC campaigns, and POC performers.
-Hulu cancelled Reboot (a show starring Keegan-Michael Key, Paul Reiser, Judy Greer and Rachel Bloom that I only saw a couple of episode of but really liked) and costar Johnny Knoxville is pissed. “It’s with a heavy heart that I say despite getting great reviews and being nominated for a Critics Choice Award Hulu has failed to pick up ‘Reboot’ even for a second season. Pretty unbelievable.”
-Some shows that were pulled off the HBO Max service, including Westworld, The Nevers, The Time Traveler’s Wife and FBoy Island, are going to be streamed for free on Roku and Tubi.
-We’re getting into scary times for Hollywood with the looming strikes. NBC gave La Brea a Season 3 pickup — but with catches reportedly influenced by the possibility of a writers and/or directors and actors strike. Deadline reports that NBC asked the cast to reduce their contractual minimum guarantee to six episodes from 10, in exchange for being free to take other jobs after Season 3.
-Here’s our latest look at Creed III.