The Entertainment Factor: Universal Pictures: Movies, TV Shows, Music and Video Games

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Sunday, June 21, 2026

Curry Barker's New Original Horror Film in the Works at Universal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster

Following the huge success of his horror film "Obsession", Curry Barker's next film is currently in development with Universal Film Group and Blumhouse Atomic Monster. The film will be written, directed and produced by Barker, and it has been described as an original horror concept based on an original idea from the filmmaker's own pitch. Plot details are being kept under wraps. Universal Film Group will handle worldwide distribution.

The film landed at Universal through the filmmaker's relationship with Blumhouse Atomic Monster, Roy Lee and Steven Schneider's Spooky Pictures and Adam Hendricks and Greg Gilreath's Divide/Conquers. Meanwhile, Barker's "Anything but Ghosts", is currently in post-production for Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Focus Features, which also released "Obsession".

"Anything but Ghosts" is directed by and co-stars Barker, who also co-wrote the script alongside Cooper Tomlinson, who also stars. The cast also includes Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard. The story follows two fraudulent paranormal investigators who are forced to face real ghosts and the lies underpinning their business. Blumhouse Atomic Monster, Spooky Pictures and Divide/Conquer were already on board for "Anything but Ghosts" even before "Obsession" premiered in Toronto. Blumhouse Atomic Monster then joined "Obsession" as an executive producer.

Barker had this to say in a statement: "This film is something I've been excited to make for a while, and I'm thrilled to be reteaming with Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Universal Film Group for it. They've built the kind of home for bold, original storytelling that every filmmaker dreams of, and I couldn't imagine better collaborators for this film".

NBCUnniversal Entertainment chairman Donna Langley said the following: "Curry Barker has an exceptional ability to tap into the cultural zeitgeist, pairing an innate instinct for what resonates with audiences with extraordinary filmmaking prowess. Barker's talent is redefining what's possible and we're thrilled to continue our partnership with him"

Blumhouse Atomic Monster's James Wan and Jason Blum added in a joint statement: "With 'Obsession' Curry did what only a handful of filmmakers manage in a generation: he made something wholly original that connected with a massive audience, and that connection is what we care about most. The best filmmakers can work anywhere, and we are proud to have a growing slate with Curry. Getting to put this project in front of the fans his work speaks to is the whole reason we do this".

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Friday, May 29, 2026

Michael Bay to Direct Movie About Dramatic US Pilot Rescue in Iran

Michael Bay ("Pearl Harbor", "Transformers", "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi") is set to reteam with Universal Pictures for a new true story military movie about the recent "Operation Epic Fury" rescue in Iran. In April, a rescue mission took place to save two pilots after their F-15E Strike Eagle was struck down by Iranian forces. "Operation Epic Fury" is the codename given to the military campaign against Iran that President Trump started in February 2026.

Bay will reunite with "13 Hours" screenwriter Scott Gardenhour and producer Erwin Stoff. Bay and Stoff will produce the film, while Gardenhour is adapting the script from Mitchell Zuckoff's upcoming book about the incident, which is set to be published by HarperCollins in 2027. Bay most recently directed "Ambulance" for Universal and has a production deal with the studio.

The rescue operation ended with the daring recovery of the pilot as well as the weapons system officer from hostile forces behind enemy lines. The mission made global headlines and caught Bay's eye as he was deciding on what his next directorial project will be.

Bay said the following about the project: "I've had an amazing partnership over my 30-year career working with the Department of War and amazing U.S. military members. In my film 13 Hours, no rescue force answered the call for help. This film is about everyone who answered the call in one of the most complex, intricate and high-stakes operations in recent history. It celebrates the true heroism and unwavering dedication of our service members".

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Friday, May 22, 2026

Matt Damon in Talks to Star in New Film From EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE Duo Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert

Matt Damon Joins New Film From The Daniels

Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, aka the Daniels, the filmmakers behind the Oscar-winning sci-fi epic "Everything Everywhere All At Once", are hard at work on their next untitled movie, which has been described as an "event film", in development at Universal Pictures since 2024. Casting is underway, and the first big piece of news arrived this past spring as Ryan Gosling was reportedly attached to the project. Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, he was forced to exit, but it now seems that the Daniels have found their leading man: Matt Damon.

Fresh off his collaboration with Universal on Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated epic "The Odyssey", Damon was reportedly not looking for a new project, and instead planned to rest and spend time with family. However, in recent weeks he started looking at scripts, and came upon the Daniels' new film. Following a meeting with the filmmaking duo, it was agreed that the film would shoot later this summer in Los Angeles, after Damon is done promoting "The Odyssey", which opens in theaters on July 18, 2026.

Plot details have not been revealed. Last year, the project was conditionally approved for a $38.4 million California tax credit on its projected qualified expenditure in the state of $107.3 million. It is set to open in theaters on November 19, 2027.

Kwan, Scheinert and Jonathan Wang will produce through their company Playgrounds' overall deal with Universal. Executive VP Production Development Sara Scott and Director of Production Development Jacqueline Garell will oversee the Daniels' new project for Universal.

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Thursday, April 30, 2026

Emma Stone and Chris Pine to Star in Universal Rom-Com THE CATCH

Emma Stone Chris Pine Universal Rom Com The Catch

Emma Stone and Chris Pine have signed on to star in Universal's upcoming romantic comedy "The Catch". The film is directed by Stone's husband Dave McCary ("Brigsby Bear"), and Jen Statsky ("Hacks") and Travis Helwig penned the most recent draft of the script, which was originally written by Patrick Kang and Michael Levin. This is McCary's first directorial project since 2017.

Plot details are being kept under wraps. The film will be released in theaters on May 21, 2027. "The Catch" was reportedly among several movies that Stone was considering, and she ended up choosing this one after the new draft of the script caught her attention.

Shawn Levy and Dan Levine will produce through their banner 21 Laps, alongside Michael H. Weber, while Stone, McCary and Ali Herting produce via Fruit Tree. Universal signed Fruit Tree to a first-look deal after landing the film in 2024.

Robin Fisichella will executive produce. Universal's Senior EVP Production Development Erik Baiers and Director of Production Development Jacqueline Garell will oversee the project on behalf of the studio.

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Thursday, April 23, 2026

Universal Reveals MIAMI VICE Reboot Title As Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler Officially Set to Star

Miami Vice Movie Title Austin Butler Michael B Jordan Officially Set To Star

Universal Pictures announced a few major updates regarding their upcoming "Miami Vice" big screen reboot. First of all, the film has a new title, which is "Miami Vice '85". Secondly, it has now been officially confirmed that Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan ("Sinners") and Oscar nominee Austin Butler ("Elvis") are set to star, as the two actors closed their respective deals with the studio.

The reboot, which is directed by Joseph Kosinski ("Top Gun: Maverick", "F1") from a script by Oscar nominee Dan Gilroy ("Nightcrawler"), will explore the glamour and corruption of mid-1980s Miami in an all-new version inspired by the pilot episode and first season of the landmark Universal Television series that influenced culture and set the style in everything from fashion to filmmaking.

Jordan and Butler will star as Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs, and James "Sonny" Crockett, characters portrayed by Philip Michael Thomas and Don Johnson in the classic 1980s TV series, and by Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell in Michael Mann's 2006 big-screen adaptation. Production starts later this year, and the film will be shot for IMAX. The release date has been set for August 6, 2027.

"Miami Vice '85" will be produced by Dylan Clark via his Dylan Clark Productions and Kosinski. Gilroy is writing the script, based on characters created by Anthony Yerkovich from the series executive produced by Yerkovich and Michael Mann. Eric Warren Singer wrote an earlier draft of the screenplay. EVP Production Development Sara Scott and Creative Executive of Production Development Christina Hoffrogge will oversee the project for Universal.

Jordan will next direct, star in and produce Amazon MGM Studios' remake of "The Thomas Crown Affair", which will be released in theaters on March 5, 2027. Butler's next film is the A24 crime thriller "Enemies", in which he stars opposite Jeremy Allen White.

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Monday, March 30, 2026

Ryan Gosling to Star in New Film From EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE Filmmakers [UPDATED]

UPDATE: It seems that Ryan Gosling will no longer star in the next film from Oscar-winning filmmakers Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The reason appears to be a scheduling conflict. Original news below:

"Project Hail Mary" star Ryan Gosling is set to star in Universal Pictures' upcoming untitled film from Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the Oscar-winning filmmakers behind "Everything Everywhere All at Once". Plot details have not been revealed. Production is set to begin this summer in Los Angeles. The release date has been set for November 19, 2027.

Kwan, Scheinert and Jonathan Wang will produce through their Playgrounds overall deal with Universal. Exec VP Production Development Sara Scott and Director of Production Development Jacqueline Garell will oversee the project for the studio. The project was originally set up at Universal in 2024.

The Daniels' last movie, "Everything Everywhere All at Once" was a big hit, raking in $147.9 million worldwide against a $25 million budget. It went on to receive 11 Oscar nominations, winning seven, including Best Picture, Director (Kwan and Scheinert), Actress (Michelle Yeoh), Actress in a Supporting Role (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Actor in a Supporting Role (Ke Huy Quan). The filmmaking duo also wrote and directed the 2016 dark comedy "Swiss Army Man" starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe.

Gosling's latest film "Project Hail Mary" is a suprrise box office hit, grossing $300.8 million after only 10 days in theaters. The actor can next be seen in Disney's "Star Wars: Starfighter", which opens in theaters on May 28, 2027.

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Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Bon Jovi Biopic In the Works at Universal

Music biopics are back in style, apparently, as Universal has recently won a bidding war for a feature film about the rock band Bon Jovi. The screenplay is penned by Cody Brotter, who also wrote the upcoming crypto thriller "Killing Satoshi" starring Pete Davidson and Casey Affleck. A director has not been set, and no casting information is available. It is also unclear how much of the group's history the movie will cover.

The band, which was formed in 1983, is best known for hits like "Livin' on a Prayer", "You Give Love a Bad Name", and "It's My Life", and consists of singer Jon Bon Jovi, keyboardist David Bryan and drummer Tico Torres, all of whom are still with the band, along with guitarist Richie Sambora, who left the group in 2013, and bassist Alec John Such, who departed in 1994 and died in 2022. Bon Jovi has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Producers on the Bon Jovi movie include Kevin J. Walsh and Gotham Chopra of Religion of Sports. Universal's director of production development Jacqueline Garell will oversee the project for the studio.

Universal also has international rights to the upcoming "Michael" film about Michael Jackson, which is set to release in April.

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Wednesday, February 11, 2026

THE MUMMY 4 Starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Gets Release Date

The Mummy 4 Brendan Fraser Rachel Weisz Release Date

Universal Pictures has officially confirmed that Academy Award winners Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz have closed deals to reprise their roles as Rick and Evelyn O'Connell in the upcoming sequel "The Mummy 4". The new installment will be directed by "Ready or Not" and "Scream" 5 & 6 helmers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, and the release date has been set for May 19, 2028.

Plot details are being kept under wraps. The series includes the 1999 reboot of "The Mummy" and its sequels "The Mummy Returns" in 2001, and "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" in 2008. Weisz did not reprise her role for the third film and was replaced by Maria Bello. The trilogy has grossed a total of $1.2 billion at the box office globally. A spinoff starring Dwayne Johnson titled "The Scorpion King" was released in 2002 and grossed $180.6 million worldwide.

The fourth film's screenplay is penned by David Coggeshall ("The Family Plan", "Orphan: First Kill"). Franchise producer Sean Daniel also returns for the film. William Sherak, James Vanderbilt and Paul Neinstein also produce through Project X Entertainment. Fraser will serve as an executive producer alongside Hivemind's Jason F. Brown and Denis Stewart. Executive VP of production development Jay Polidoro and director of production development Jacqueline Garell will oversee the project for the studio.

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Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo Joins Final FAST & FURIOUS Movie

Vin Diesel Cristiano Ronaldo Fast X Part 2

Vin Diesel has announced that he has written a role for football/soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in the upcoming final "Fast & Furious" installment titled "Fast X: Part 2". Diesel shared a picture of the two on his Instagram account, and here's what he wrote in the caption: "Everyone asked, would he be in the Fast mythology...I gotta tell you he is a real one. We wrote a role for him…".

No details are available about Ronaldo's onscreen debut, and no release date has been set for the 12th and final film. Diesel returns alongside Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Charlize Theron, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Momoa, Hellen Mirren, Cardi B, John Cena, Jason Statham, Gal Gadot, Ludacris, Bow Wow, Vanessa Kirby, Alan Ritchson and more. The character of Brian O'Connor, played originally by Paul Walker, would also return in the film.

Louis Leterrier, who previously directed "Fast X", returns to direct "Fast X: Part 2" from a script by Christina Hodson and Oren Uziel. Earlier this year, Diesel confirmed that production on the final film will "return home” to Los Angeles following the devastating wildfires in January.

It has been reported that Universal Pictures has imposed a much tighter budget on the film following "Fast X", which cost $340 million to produce, and grossed $704 million worldwide, which makes it one of the franchise's least profitable installments.

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Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Scarlett Johansson to Star in New EXORCIST Movie Directed by Mike Flanagan

Scarlett Johansson is set to star in Universal and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster's new "Exorcist" movie. The film is written, directed and produced by Mike Flanagan ("The Haunting of Hill House", The Life of Chuck", "Midnight Mass"). Filming will take place in New York City.

The new installment has been described as a radical new take on the property following a failed attempt to reboot the franchise with 2021's "The Exorcist: Believer" directed by David Gordon Green. For that movie, Universal payed $400 million to buy the rights for the franchise with the intention to make a new "Exorcist" trilogy. Unfortunately, "Believer" only grossed $136 million worldwide and received a scathing reception from both critics and moviegoers.

The 1973 original "Exorcist" was directed by William Friedkin and it was a critical and commercial hit, grossing $441 million worldwide, and receiving 10 Oscar nominations. The story followed a mother (Ellen Burstyn) who hires two Catholic priests to perform an exorcism on her demonically possessed 12-year-old daughter (Linda Blair).

Flanagan's film will be set in the same universe as the 1973 film and isn't a sequel to "Believer". Other than that, the plot is being kept under wraps. Here's what Flanagan had to say about Johansson's casting: "Scarlett is a brilliant actress whose captivating performances always feel grounded and real, from genre films to summer blockbusters, and I couldn't be happier to have her join this 'Exorcist' film".

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Sunday, November 16, 2025

Sabrina Carpenter To Star In And Produce Musical Inspired By ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Sabrina Carpenter To Star In And Produce Alice In Wonderland Inspired Musical

Two-time Grammy-winner Sabrina Carpenter has signed on to star in and produce an untitled musical inspired by Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland", for Universal Pictures. DGA Award and two-time Emmy nominee Lorene Scafaria ("Hustlers", "Succession") is set to direct from her own script.

Plot details are being kept under wraps. Marc Platt ("Wicked") will produce through Universal-based Marc Platt Productions. Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz Dutton will also produce through Alloy Entertainment. SVP Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Jacqueline Garell will oversee the project for the studio, with Katie McNicol overseeing for Marc Platt Productions.

Carpenter recently signed on to guest star in a "Muppet Show" special for Disney+. She also just added a second North America leg to her "Short n' Sweet Tour", which includes six shows at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and five shows at Madison Square Garden in New York. Her new album "Man's Best Friend" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 upon its August release and amassed over 180 million streams in the U.S. within the first week.

Scafaria is also set to direct the upcoming A24 comedy "Jonty" starring Jesse Plemons and Cole Escola.

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Thursday, November 6, 2025

Brendan Fraser & Rachel Weisz In Talks For New MUMMY Sequel

Oscar winners Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are in negotiations to return for Universal's new installment in "The Mummy" franchise. This would be fourth film in the series following "The Mummy" (1999), "The Mummy Returns" (2001) and "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" (2008). Weisz and Fraser starred together in the first two films, but Weisz did not want to star in the third installment and was replaced by Maria Bello.

Of course, plot details are under wraps, but it has been reported that the film will be directed by Radio Silence members Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett ("Ready Or Not", "Abigail", "Scream" 5 and 6) from a script by David Coggeshall ("The Family Plan", "The Deliverance").

Producers include franchise veteran Sean Daniel, William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, and Paul Neinstein of Project X Entertainment.

Based on one of Universal's original movie monsters, "The Mummy" franhise helped Fraser rise as one of the biggest stars of the late '90s and early 2000s. The first film grossed $417 million worldwide in 1999, while the second raked in $443 million globally in 2001, and the third finished its theatrical run with $403 million in 2008. In 2002, Universal releaed a spinoff titled "The Scorpion King" starring Dwayne Johnson, which grossed over $180 million worldwide. The "Mummy" films were so popular they were spun off into famed attractions for Universal parks in Hollywood, Orlando, FL and Singapore.

In 2017, Universal attempted to reboot the franchise with 2017's "The Mummy" starring Tom Cruise, which was intended to launch a new series of monster movies under the banner of the Dark Universe. The film did okay at the box office ($409 million worldwide), but was universally panned by critics and moviegoers, leading Universal to scrap its broader Dark Universe plans.

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