A sixth season of Black Mirror is in the works. Remember that show? The three-episode season five debuted on Netflix in June of 2019, so it has been some time. And, to be honest, I don't remember there being a lot of enthusiasm for those three episodes either.
Charlie Brooker will be back leading the series. Fingers crossed the new Black Mirror series proves more rewarding than the abysmal interactive animated Cat Burglar special released on Netflix a few months ago.
Manori Ravindran
Two dimensions are good, three dimensions are better
The biggest challenge ahead for Avatar: The Way of Water is convincing viewers that Avatar in 3D is worth it. The problem is that Avatar was filmed in a native 3D format and looked gorgeous. All of those "3D" films that followed were digitally converted into 3D and looked largely rubbish. Viewers have been conditioned to think of 3D as rubbish-looking.
By 2017, 3D domestic grosses tumbled 55 percent from 2010, with many movies earning a scant 17 percent of their revenue from 3D tickets. The downturn prompted Imax — a longtime proponent of the format — to announce it was going to shift away from so many 3D releases. The company was wise. By 2019, 3D revenue was down more than 70 percent from 2010 levels.
“Warming up 3D has to be done thoughtfully and carefully,” says Imax Entertainment president Megan Colligan. “There were a lot of lessons learned. You’re not going to see every movie converted. We are really working with the studios and exhibitors to figure out how to get people used to it again. James Cameron understands the medium — 3D creates a richer, deeper experience when it serves the story. Intention is everything.”
Carolyn Giardina
- Julian Fellowes is keen on a third Downton Abbey film. Read: Variety
- Speaking of Julian Fellowes, his HBO show The Guilded Age has gone into production for season 2. Read: thefutoncritic
- Sony is quietly financially supporting US staffers impacted by the need to travel interstate for abortions and donating money to reproductive rights organizations. But they're trying to be a bit quiet about it. Good for them, I guess. But shhhh. Read: The Verge
- 800 attendees turned up for the Fox upfronts, only to discover it was mostly a pre-taped presentation that they could have watched from their offices/home. Read: Variety
- Amazon's ad-supported streamer FreeVee (nee IMDbTV) is now available on Apple TV in the US. Read: The Verge
- Marco Nobili and Olivier Jollet have been appointed as the international heads of Paramount Global's streamers Paramount+ and Pluto TV. Read: Screen Daily
- Edie Falco will play Pete Davison's mother in the new show Bupkis. Read: TV Insider
- Could Cannes be a COVID super spreader event? Read: Variety
- Amy Poehler’s Making It and Kristen Bell’s Family Game Fight! are not on NBC's new season schedule. NBC isn't ruling out more Making It, thankfully. I adore that show. Read: Deadline
- France is getting rid of its TV licence fee. Read: TBI Vision
- Is Robocop an American Jesus? Read: The Guardian
- Call Me Kat has been renewed for a third season. Great news for Jeopardy! fans. Read: Deadline
My favourite show of the last few years, For All Mankind, returns to Apple TV+ for season 3 June 10. The new season takes place in the 90s.
Prey, a prequel movie to Predator, debuts on Hulu August 5.
Jeff Bridges kicks some ass in the new FX drama The Old Man, debuting June 16.
The Boys returns June 3 on Amazon Prime Video for its third season.
Roswell New Mexico returns to The CW for its fourth and final season June 6.
Flatbush Misdemeanors returns June 19 to Showtime.
Shoresy debuts May 27 on Hulu.
That's it for today. More newsletter tomorrow.
