Steve Pond's Blog, page 114
June 20, 2025
JD Vance Calls Sen. Alex Padilla ‘José’ in Dig That California Officials Say Was ‘Not an Accident’ | Video
Vice President JD Vance came under fire Friday afternoon after calling California Sen. Alex Padilla “José” in a dismissive dig that state officials including Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass were quick to condemn.
“Mr. Vice President. How dare you disrespect our senator,” Bass said in a fiery press conference that afternoon. “You don’t know his name? But yet you served with him before you were vice president and you continue to serve with him today because the last time I checked, the vice president of the United States is the president of the U.S. Senate. You serve with him today, and how dare you disrespect him and call him José. But I guess he just looked like anybody to you. Well he’s not just anybody to us. He is our senator.”
Watch Vance’s comments via Newsom’s own X post, along with Bass’ response, below.
JD Vance served with Alex Padilla in the United States Senate.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 20, 2025
Calling him “Jose Padilla” is not an accident. pic.twitter.com/UOgdzdKcuy
View on Threads
The vice president accused Padilla and other California Democrats of participating in “political theater” during his Friday trip to Los Angeles. He quipped that he was hoping Padilla would be present at the presser to “ask a question” (as he did for Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem last week), but that he must have skipped it “because there wasn’t the theater.”
“I think everyone realizes that that’s what this is: It’s pure political theater,” he said of his colleagues across the aisle.
Newsom responded to the moment, denouncing the vice president for the comment, considering he served with Padilla in the senate. “Calling him José Padilla was not an accident,” Newsom wrote.
When reached by NBC News and asked why Vance referred to Padilla as “José,” spokesperson Taylor Van Kirk said “he must have mixed up two people who have broken the law.”
In a video posted prior to the Padilla incident on X, Newson said he hoped Vance would meet with wildfire victims in the Palisades and Altadena while in L.A. He also indicated that the vice president should speak with President Donald Trump about securing disaster aid for those who need it in the state. The call came amid heightened tensions between the California governor and POTUS as they continue their legal battle over sending the National Guard to L.A. to quell protests related to increased ICE raids in the city.
According to Vance’s office, the vice president was scheduled to hold briefings with officials from the DOD, DEA, Homeland Security, ICE, the LAPD and California Highway Patrol to address the protests, raids and continued federal presence in L.A.
The post JD Vance Calls Sen. Alex Padilla ‘José’ in Dig That California Officials Say Was ‘Not an Accident’ | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Jon Bernthal’s Punisher Joins Cast of ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ With Tom Holland
Jon Bernthal is joining Tom Holland in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.”
Bernthal – who has played The Punisher on a number of TV shows – is reprising his role for the first time on the big screen TheWrap has learned. The gun toting vigilante was most recently seen in Season 1 of “Daredevil: Born Again.”
Bernthal first appeared as The Punisher back in the second season of “Daredevil” when it was still a Netflix series. He later reprised it for a few episodes in the aforementioned first season of “Daredevil: Born Again.” He’s tapped not only to appear in the second season of that series but also for a Punisher standalone on Disney+ – akin to the “Werewolf By Night” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” Christmas special. Bernthal is also co-writing the standalone special.
Along with Holland and Bernthal, Zendaya and Jacob Batalon are both tapped to return for the new Spidey film as MJ and Ned respectively. The only other major casting announced is that “Stranger Things” alum Sadie Sink has joined the film in an unspecified role. Rumors have swirled about her portraying a number of iconic characters from X-Men mainstay Jean Grey to Gwen Stacy – and possibly even Spider-Gwen.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” – the fourth film in Holland’s tenure as the wall crawler – is being directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and is slated for release on July 31, 2026. Cretton also handled directing duties for Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and a few episodes of the upcoming Disney+ series “Wonder Man.” Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers wrote the script.
The casting was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
The post Jon Bernthal’s Punisher Joins Cast of ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ With Tom Holland appeared first on TheWrap.
CNN Analyst Says Latest Polling Shows Trump ‘Has Lost the Political Battle’ Over LA Protests | Video
One CNN analyst says that if you look at the numbers President Trump is “way underwater” in his political battle the recent Los Angeles protests.
While reporting on Trump’s approval ratings, CNN’s Harry Enten broke down how much of a nosedive his numbers took following the handling of the ICE immigration raids and subsequent protests in Los Angeles the last few weeks.
“I think we can say that Donald Trump has lost the political battle when it comes to what has happened out in Los Angeles,” Enten said. “Donald Trump’s net approval rating in LA – overall way, way, way underwater at -15 points. How about him on independents, or those who don’t identify with either major party, way even lower -24 points.”
Harry Enten: "I think we can say that Donald Trump has lost the political battle when it comes to what has happened in Los Angeles. Trump's net approval rating on LA — way, way, way underwater at -15 points … this is happening on what should be on Donald Trump's best issue …… pic.twitter.com/bLeTTBoH7W
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 20, 2025
He continued: “Of course, this is happening on what should be one of Donald Trump’s – in fact the best issue for Donald Trump: immigration. Yet when it comes to these Los Angeles protests, 15 points underwater overall and 24 points underwater among independents. No good.”
Entren added that if the protestors focus was to shift the lens onto Trump and his immigration policy and arrests it has been largely successful.
“This is his core issue and he’s losing at his core issue at this point,” he said.
Protests began popping up across LA in larger numbers after Trump federalized 2,000 National Guard troops – and later 700 Marines – to “support” ICE as their immigration raids spread throughout the city. Governor Gavin Newsom later sued over the deployment and alleged that Trump actions were designed specifically to cause unrest in order to justify federal escalation.
Despite that, and the low approval rating, three judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled unanimously that Trump could maintain control over the California National Guard.
“Affording the President that deference, we conclude that it is likely that the President lawfully exercised his statutory authority under § 12406(3), which authorizes federalization of the National Guard when “the President is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States,” the decision reads in part.
The post CNN Analyst Says Latest Polling Shows Trump ‘Has Lost the Political Battle’ Over LA Protests | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
‘Superman’ Soars Into Theaters Soon: Release Date, Cast, How to Get Tickets and More
It’s been 12 years and more than 20 DC movies since a Superman solo adventure came to theaters. Now, in what DC and Warner Bros. have dubbed the “Summer of Superman,” the Man of Steel is set to once again have his day in the sun. With new trailers, posters, behind-the-scenes videos and real-life advertisements appearing daily, the “Superman” marketing drive is in full swing.
This July will mark the release of “Superman,” the first film in a rebooted DC universe with a new cast taking on a slew of iconic heroes and villains. While you wait for the last son of Krypton to fly back to the big screen, here’s everything you need to know about 2025’s “Superman.”
When does “Superman” come out?“Superman” releases nationwide on July 11, 2025.
Who’s in the cast?The film marks David Corenswet’s first time in the capes, boots, and — yes — trunks as Superman. Rounding out the movie’s central trio are Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.
But these three are far from the only characters joining Clark Kent/Kal-El in Metropolis. Daily Planet staffers like Jimmy Olsen and Perry White and fellow heroes such as Green Lantern, Hawkgirl and Mister Terrific will officially join the DCU in the film. With “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” set to hit theaters next summer, don’t be shocked if Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) makes a surprise cameo in her cousin’s big outing.
For now, here are some of the names we know will be in James Gunn’s “Superman”:
David Corenswet as Superman (Clark Kent/Kal-El)Rachel Brosnahan as Lois LaneNicholas Hoult as Lex LuthorEdi Gathegi as Mister Terrific (Michael Holt)Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern (Guy Gardner)Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders)Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho (Rex Mason)María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer (Angela Spica)Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.Sara Sampaio as Eve TeschmacherSkyler Gisondo as Jimmy OlsenWendell Pierce as Perry WhiteBeck Bennett as Steve LombardMikaela Hoover as Cat GrantChristopher McDonald as Ron TroupePruitt Taylor Vince as Pa KentNeva Howell as Ma KentAlan Tudyk as Superman Robot #4When can I get tickets?Tickets for “Superman” are on sale now. Amazon is currently allowing Amazon Prime members to purchase tickets to an early screening on July 8. You can buy tickets for regular screenings below.
Who is directing “Superman”?James Gunn wrote and directed “Superman,” which completed post-production in early June. Disney and Marvel Studios temporarily fired Gunn between the second and third “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, allowing him to write and direct “The Suicide Squad” for DC. He then became co-CEO of DC Studios after returning to Marvel, endeavoring to relaunch the DC movie universe.
What’s the deal with the dog?Much of the marketing campaign for “Superman” highlights Krypto, a super-powered dog and companion to Superman. Debuting in 1955’s “Adventure Comics #210,” Krypto generally arrives on Earth as a survivor of Krypton, much like Kal-El himself. Krypto first appeared on the big screen in 2022’s animated “DC League of Super-Pets” voiced by Dwayne Johnson.
Gunn debuted his version of Krypto — a fully CGI character — back in October during Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Krypto was revealed in a motion poster sitting alongside Superman on the moon — a reference to an iconic panel from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s “All-Star Superman.” In a Tweet, Gunn said Krypto was partially based on Ozu, a dog he rescued from a hoarding situation and who “was problematic to say the least.”
“I remember thinking, ‘Gosh, how difficult would life be if Ozu had superpowers?’ – and thus Krypto came into the script & changed the shape of the story as Ozu was changing my life.”
What comes after “Superman”?Krypto arrives on screens in Superman this summer. Krypto was inspired by our dog Ozu, who we adopted shortly after I started writing Superman. Ozu, who came from a hoarding situation in a backyard with 60 other dogs & never knew human beings, was problematic to say the least. He… pic.twitter.com/zw8rVqv0n0
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 15, 2024
“Superman” marks the first feature film of a new DC universe helmed by Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safran. “Creature Commandos,” an animated series Gunn created for Max, became the first official project of the DCU when it released in late 2024 and early 2025. The series, which features the first appearance of Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr., has already been renewed for a second season.
After “Superman,” the next DCU project will be the second season of “Peacemaker,” which premieres Aug. 21. Because “Peacemaker” began as part of the previous DC franchise (featuring cameos from 2017’s Justice League lineup), the second season will serve as both a continuation and a soft reboot of the series to integrate it into the new universe. It seems Gunn has fully adopted the messiness of comic book canon.
A number of other projects have been announced and slated for the DCU, including the aforementioned “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” in June 2026. Other entries include a solo Clayface feature in Sept. 2026, a “Swamp Thing” movie directed by James Mangold and a TV series focused on the Amazons of Themyscira. Both Batman and Wonder Woman, among other heroes, additionally have new films on the way.
Is “Superman” based on any specific comics?Though “Superman” does not directly adapt any one storyline, Gunn stated on Threads that he drew inspiration from a number of specific comics and adaptations.
Superman’s logo in the film reflects a costume worn by the character in Mark Waid and Alex Ross’ “Kingdom Come.” Released in 1996, the story features an older Superman returning to heroics after becoming disillusioned by a new generation of violent vigilantes. The use of this logo may signal a thematic connection to “Kingdom Come” in the film, as trailers hint at Superman grappling with his place in a world of political agendas and corporate-backed heroes.
“Kingdom Come” appears in a “Superman” tie-in box set releasing in August. Also included are Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s “Superman for All Seasons,” Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s “All-Star Superman,” and Alan Moore and Curt Swan’s “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” — three classic Superman adventures featuring the early and final days of the Man of Steel. It is likely Gunn’s movie will draw at least tonal inspiration from each.
DC Comics released a reprint facsimile of Krypto’s first appearance, “Adventure Comics #210,” on June 18. Two lucky fans will find Krypto’s Golden Biscuit stickers in their copies, which they can use to claim tickets to the world premiere of “Superman.”
Are there any new trailers?You can watch the latest trailer for “Superman” below.
The post ‘Superman’ Soars Into Theaters Soon: Release Date, Cast, How to Get Tickets and More appeared first on TheWrap.
Gavin Newsom Urges JD Vance to Meet With Wildfire Victims During LA Visit | Video
Gavin Newsom urged Vice President JD Vance to meet with wildfire victims during his trip to Los Angeles on Friday.
In a video posted midday on X, the California governor indicated that the vice president should also speak with President Donald Trump about securing disaster aid for those who need it in the state. The call came amid heightened tensions between the governor and POTUS as they continue their legal battle over sending the National Guard to L.A. to quell protests related to increased ICE raid in the city.
Watch Newsom’s video below:
I just read JD Vance is coming into town. pic.twitter.com/mPUjgoE4uC
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 20, 2025
“Mr. Vice President, we read that you’re coming into California, which is important. It’s been months now since some of the most devastating wildfires in U.S. history occurred. Tens of thousands of lives completely torn asunder. I hope you have an opportunity to spend some quality time with some of the victims and the families of the Palisades and also spend some time in Altadena, which is incredibly important,” Newsom said.
“It’s also important, as well — and I honestly mean this — that you sit down with the president of the United States,” Newsom continued, “who just a couple days ago suggested that these American citizens may not get the support that other citizens get all across this country in terms of disaster relief. I hope we get that back on track. We’re counting on you Mr. Vice President.”
According to Vance’s office, the vice president is scheduled to hold briefings with officials from the DOD, DEA, Homeland Security, ICE, the LAPD and California Highway Patrol to address the protests, raids and continued federal presence in L.A.
The post Gavin Newsom Urges JD Vance to Meet With Wildfire Victims During LA Visit | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
FilmLA 5-Year Contract Approved Amid Worker Complaints
The Los Angeles Board of Public Works approved a new five-year contract with FilmLA on Friday, despite calls from industry groups for changes to the city’s film permitting system.
The Los Angeles Board of Public Works voted 4-0 to extend FilmLA’s contract through June 2030, just days before the current deal was set to expire.
Adrin Nazarian, who represents a district that includes North Hollywood, where many IATSE West Coast locals are headquartered, previously spoke about the rapid decline in Los Angeles production as studios have moved shoots to other states and countries amidst pressure to reduce production spending and make their streaming services profitable.
“We’ve been regressing and losing so much ground,” he stated. “Now we’re losing commercials and platforms and miniseries. We can’t have this happen.”
While a handful of high-profile productions have moved to California, including NBC’s “Suits L.A.” and the second season of Prime Video’s popular “Fallout,” TV production in Los Angeles has fallen 58% from its all-time high in 2021, according to the latest quarterly report from FilmLA.
In response to this, Hollywood unions and studios, who two years ago were in conflict amid an industry-paralyzing double strike, have joined forces to lobby local and state officials to make changes that would allow California to become a more competitive production hub.
In Sacramento, a pair of bills that would expand the types of productions eligible for the California Film and Television Tax Credit have been slowly advancing through various committees. The bills have the support of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who last fall called for the program’s cap to be raised from $330 million to $750 million.
Among the fees required of L.A. shoots that are reduced or nonexistent in other cities include county and city fees for fire review and notification, hourly fees for public safety and fire workers and additional fees for shoots that take place on roads, including for permit applications, road inspections and closures.
The post FilmLA 5-Year Contract Approved Amid Worker Complaints appeared first on TheWrap.
Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson Apple Comedy Series Halts Filming After Showrunner Exit
Apple TV+ and Skydance Television’s untitled brother comedy series starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson has suspended filming.
An individual familiar with the matter confirmed to TheWrap that production in Austin, Texas was paused late last week. The decision involves the departure of showrunner David West Read, who exited over creative differences on how to end the season.
As of the suspension, eight of the series’ 10 ordered episodes have been shot. “Lessons in Chemistry” creator Lee Eisenberg is in talks to join as showrunner to replace Read and a return to production has not yet been set.
Representatives for Apple TV+ did not immediately return TheWrap’s request for comment, while producer Skydance Television declined to comment.
The half-hour comedy, which reunites Harrelson and McConaughey after their award-winning turn on the first season of HBO’s “True Detective,” centers on a “heartfelt odd couple love story revolving around the strange and beautiful bond” between the pair’s characters.
Their friendship is tested, however, when they take their bond to the next level by inviting their combined families to live together on McConaughey’s ranch in Texas. Starring alongside Harrelson and McConaughey will be Holland Taylor, who will portray the mother of McConaughey’s character, known as Ma Mac.
In addition to serving as showrunner, Read was an executive producer on the series alongside Harrelson and McConaughey, Bill Bost, Jeremy Plager and Skydance Television’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Matt Thunell. Read previously collaborated with Skydance Television on Apple’s “The Big Door Prize” and “Foundation.”
News of the suspension was first reported by Deadline.
The post Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson Apple Comedy Series Halts Filming After Showrunner Exit appeared first on TheWrap.
June 19, 2025
Trump Keeps Control of California National Guard After New Appeals Court Ruling
Three judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit handed Donald Trump another legal win over Gavin Newsom on Thursday, ruling unanimously in favor of his continued control over the California National Guard.
But the victory may be reversed on Friday, as the case returns to the federal District Court in San Francisco.
In their ruling, which you can read here, the judges effectively accepted the Trump administration’s argument for commandeering the Guard and deploying them to enforce his immigration policies.
“Affording the President that deference, we conclude that it is likely that the President lawfully exercised his statutory authority under § 12406(3), which authorizes federalization of the National Guard when “the President is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States,” the decision reads in part.
The three judge panel included 2 Trump appointees and one appointed by former President Joe Biden.
Thursday’s ruling was already effectively a fait accompli for Trump. The court had already paused a decision by Judge Charles Breyer of the US District Court for the Northern District of California, in San Francisco, ordering control to be returned to Gov. Newsom.
However, the case returns to Breyer’s court on Friday morning; he’ll be considering a new preliminary injunction against Trump’s control over the California National Guard.
Trump federalized the Guard on June 7 and ordered them to ‘support’ Immigrations and Customs Enforecement personnel after increasingly brutal ICE tactics sparked multiple protests in greater Los Angeles. The state sued over the deployment 3 days later. Newsom later alleged that Trump’s actions starting with the increased ICE raids were designed specifically to cause unrest in order to justify federal escalation.
Since then, Trump and other administration figures have repeatedly exaggerated the scope and scale of the protests and have spread falsehoods about the situation in order to justify the escalation.
The post Trump Keeps Control of California National Guard After New Appeals Court Ruling appeared first on TheWrap.
Chris Hayes Explains Why Trump’s Immigration Policies Are ‘an Assault on the Idea of America Itself’ | Video
Chris Hayes on Thursday examined an unsettling feature of the second Trump administration, increased actions by federal law enforcement that undermine one of America’s basic liberties — freedom of movement.
Hayes broke down just how bad the problem is getting with several chilling recent examples, eventually declaring that these actions are “an assault on the idea of America itself.”
“One of the cherished parts of being an American is freedom of movement. When you walk around, and this obviously applies more to certain folks than others, but you usually don’t have to stop at internal checkpoints or to show your papers to police,” Hayes began.
“I’ve traveled in other countries where, say, your bus stops and heavily armed federal agents climb on board to check everyone’s papers. It doesn’t feel good. It feels like a quintessential fixture of a country that’s not fully free, and it’s happening more and more and more in Trump’s America,” Hayes continued.
The MSNBC host then played video of the disturbing incident in Long Island, when ICE officers pulled over a United States citizen and started demanding to see his ID without cause. At once point ICE agents even threatened implied physical violence against the 23-year-old man for asserting his constitutional rights. The agents also refused to explain why the did this, and refused to provide identification.
“So those agents pulled that 23 year old from the van. They handcuffed him, later released him after confirming woopsies, he’s an American. No apologies, and he’s not alone,” Hayes continued. He then discussed the case of Brian Gavidia, an American citizen who, as video footage proves, was quite obviously racially profiled by border patrol agents in Los Angeles demanding to see his ID.
After playing footage of the encounter, Hayes said, “again, you’re working, you’re outside, armed mass federal agents come up and say, ‘show me your papers,’ push you up against the fence. He was not arrested, but he told the LA Times those agents took his real ID and never returned it,” noting that a Real ID is literally proof someone is American — meaning, by taking it they are actively preventing Gavidia from proving it should he be caught up in future racial profiling incidents.
“These are the cruel absurdities people are now facing every day, like this car full of members of an Arizona based Native American tribe who were followed for miles and then pulled over by border patrol last week,” Hayes continued, at which point he rolled a clip in which border patrol agents harassed a car full of an unnamed Arizona Native American Tribe.
“This is the America that Donald Trump and Stephen Miller want, that’s what they’re trying to create. It’s what we saw unfold at Dodger Stadium earlier today and at Home Depot in Hollywood, just as we saw it on the other side of LA over the weekend, at a flea market that was effectively shut down by ice and border patrol agents armed with n 6m, 16, wearing masks full military body armor,” Hayes continued as footage of said raid played. “They look like they’re going to go kill Osama bin Laden, agents who went up to bystanders at a flea market and asked them, ‘Where are you from?’ Got to show your papers.”
“Americans are being forced to accept mass paramilitary forces stopping people anytime, anywhere, in any circumstance, demanding to know where people are from. The way Trump sold this on the campaign was by saying, ‘we’re going to go at these other people that you hate, right? There’s this other group, and they’re bad and they’re hurting our country, and I’m going to protect you, American citizens,” Hayes went on. “We’re seeing every day, there is no way to do this, what they want to do, mass deportation, that is not massively disruptive to the liberties of every American. In fact, it’s an assault on the idea of America itself.”
Watch the whole video below:
The post Chris Hayes Explains Why Trump’s Immigration Policies Are ‘an Assault on the Idea of America Itself’ | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Franklin Leonard Launches Substack to Clarify He Didn’t Call Hollywood Execs Racists Over ‘Sinners’
Franklin Leonard launched his Substack a bit earlier than planned on Thursday, noting that he was inspired to respond to “a podcast moment” from Matt Belloni’s “The Town” from Monday in which the host incorrectly recalled the Black List creator saying studio execs were “racists” amid frenzied coverage of Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” deal earlier this spring.
“I was not actually planning on launching this week,” Leonard said in a video posted to X Thursday, linking out to his debut Substack post. “Something happened this week — a podcast moment, let’s call it — that was clarifying for me, and so, instead of waiting, I wrote something.”
You can watch Franklin’s announcement below:
I suppose it was inevitable. I just wasn’t expecting it to be so soon. pic.twitter.com/rrpq0lWcaX
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) June 19, 2025
On Monday’s episode of Hollywood insider podcast “The Town,” Belloni and guest Lucas Shaw discussed an April episode of their show where the duo, joined by Leonard, talked about coverage regarding the box office performance of Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners.” Shaw noted that many studio heads and employees responded poorly to that conversation.
Belloni laughed, and explained the execs’ discontent: “Franklin Leonard was calling them racists, which I don’t think anyone appreciates.”
Leonard, however, never called anyone “racists” on the April episode of “The Town” — which is what his first Substack post addressed.
To Belloni’s credit, he has since issued corrections to his statement on “The Town.” Belloni clarified in an edit to Monday’s episode as well as Wednesday’s that Franklin “never actually called anyone racist. He called out the underinvestment in Black films using data from a McKinsey study as evidence.”
Leonard acknowledged Belloni’s apology Thursday and expressed appreciation. Still, he used the moment to address the mischaracterization — and restate the importance of his initial criticism. He underscored his goal to critique systems rather than individuals on “The Town.” Though he had intended to wait before launching the virtual newsletter, he felt it necessary to restate the points he made regarding “Sinners.”
Leonard last appeared on “The Town” in April shortly after “Sinners” debuted at the box office to speak about reporting from the New York Times, Variety, Vulture and elsewhere on the film’s finances. Articles questioning the deal Coogler and Warner Bros. struck — a deal that gave Coogler first-dollar gross and full ownership of the project after 25 years — gained traction in Hollywood circles as it became clear that “Sinners” was a runaway hit.
Leonard reiterated on his Substack Thursday that he criticized the media’s insistence that international audiences aren’t interested in Black films — a piece of “conventional wisdom” he debunked with data from McKinsey & Company. He likewise took some outlets to task for their use of anonymous critics in their reporting.
Since these articles’ publication, “Sinners” has gone on to become the highest-grossing original film of the decade domestically.
“Framing a systems-level critique as a personal accusation of racism is a rhetorical sleight of hand that replaces substance with outrage,” Leonard wrote. “It turns an argument about policy and economics into interpersonal drama, an amusing little culture war spat, and it shuts down the conversation before it can even begin.”
The post Franklin Leonard Launches Substack to Clarify He Didn’t Call Hollywood Execs Racists Over ‘Sinners’ appeared first on TheWrap.
Steve Pond's Blog
