This chapter explores the difficulties faced by actors and filmmakers in Hollywood, including unmet expectations, broken commitments, and the influence of powerful figures like Harvey Weinstein. It also discusses the lack of originality in certain genres and platforms, the commercialization of the industry, and the hope for disruptive young filmmakers to challenge established giants.
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a look at the big surprises revealed during Disney’s Q1 earnings call. They also dive into the announcement of ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox’s joint sports streaming service set to debut this year.
Plus, Masters speaks to writer-director Ed Zwick about his new memoir, Hits, Flops and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood. The filmmaker shares lessons learned from his decades-spanning career in the industry, and he reads excerpts from the book, including stories from the making of the 1989 film Glory and how he nearly directed an early iteration of Shakespeare in Love, which he would later end up producing and winning an Oscar for Best Picture.