https://www.scmp.com/rss/168024/feed The Walt Disney Co was founded by Walter Disney, who is best known for creating such cartoon characters as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and for pioneering theme parks. The group has theme parks in the US, Europe, Japan, China and Hong Kong. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Vincent Chow Vincent Chow ByteDance has bolstered its controversial video-generation model Seedance 2.0 with “advanced” watermarking and intellectual property (IP) protection guardrails ahead of its global roll-out, the TikTok owner has said. The much-anticipated international release comes amid intense scrutiny from Hollywood studios over alleged IP theft after numerous Seedance-generated videos featuring famous Hollywood actors and characters went viral in February. On Wednesday, ByteDance said its global safety and... https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3348290/bytedance-bolsters-seedance-20-watermarking-ip-safeguards-ahead-global-roll-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3348290/bytedance-bolsters-seedance-20-watermarking-ip-safeguards-ahead-global-roll-out?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 09:00:13 +0000 Reuters Reuters A powerful scene ⁠in the action epic Gladiator II (2024) has a problem: a camera crew is visible behind Paul Mescal as his character prepares for a high-stakes battle. Jack Zimmerman, a visual effects artist, erases the intrusion. Zimmerman works at Exceptional Minds, an American non-profit vocational academy and visual effects studio for adults with autism. The organisation provides training to help autistic artists launch careers in the competitive world of Hollywood. “It feels like a dream,”... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3347843/how-california-studio-helping-autistic-artists-break-hollywood?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3347843/how-california-studio-helping-autistic-artists-break-hollywood?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:15:10 +0000 Reuters Reuters TikTok’s ⁠Chinese parent, ByteDance, has put ⁠on hold the global ⁠launch of its latest video-generation model, Seedance 2.0, after copyright disputes with major Hollywood studios and streaming platforms, The Information reported on Saturday, citing two people with direct knowledge of the situation. Reuters could not ‌immediately verify the report. ByteDance did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ByteDance said last month it would take steps to prevent the unauthorised use of... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3346654/bytedance-reportedly-suspends-launch-seedance-video-ai-model-after-copyright-disputes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3346654/bytedance-reportedly-suspends-launch-seedance-video-ai-model-after-copyright-disputes?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 09:10:52 +0000 James Marsh James Marsh The future of Hollywood has never looked more uncertain, with the encroachment of artificial intelligence threatening to eradicate jobs across the industry, while the impending merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery casts doubt over the studio system itself. Nevertheless, for the everyday movie-goer, there remains – for now, at least – a steady stream of enticing prospects to lure us out of our homes and into the nearest multiplex. Below are 12 of the most exciting new releases coming to... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3346088/12-new-hollywood-films-watch-march-june-2026-including-toy-story-5-and-michael?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3346088/12-new-hollywood-films-watch-march-june-2026-including-toy-story-5-and-michael?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 23:15:10 +0000 Reuters Reuters For Piper Curda, who voices the animal-loving college student ⁠Mabel Tanaka in Hoppers, caring about the planet does not necessarily make the character an activist. “I think Mabel presents as an activist. I don’t know if she’d call herself one,” Curda says. “She’s just like, ‘I care. Why does that need a label?’” With that said, Curda does hope Mabel’s determination rubs off on audiences. “I do hope her drive to make the world a better place inspires people, whether that’s little girls or... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3346062/how-hoppers-star-piper-curda-hopes-inspire-people-pixars-new-film?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3346062/how-hoppers-star-piper-curda-hopes-inspire-people-pixars-new-film?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 09:11:43 +0000 Coco Feng Coco Feng Major Chinese technology companies, including ByteDance and Baidu, are aggressively expanding their US-based research and development teams, targeting high-level artificial intelligence and semiconductor recruits in key American tech hubs. The overseas hiring spree underscores these “big tech” firms’ growing ambitions to build up their skilled workforce in AI systems development and semiconductor design amid increased competition in their home market. Social media giant ByteDance, the parent... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3344212/chinas-tech-giants-pursue-ai-semiconductor-talent-us-competition-intensifies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3344212/chinas-tech-giants-pursue-ai-semiconductor-talent-us-competition-intensifies?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Feb 2026 13:00:09 +0000 Vincent Chow Vincent Chow ByteDance is working to strengthen safeguards in its Seedance 2.0 video-generation tool after it received global blowback for alleged intellectual property (IP) violations, the Chinese short-video giant said on Sunday. The controversy focuses on the TikTok owner’s alleged use of copyrighted content to train its artificial intelligence model, as videos of Hollywood celebrities, Disney characters and comic book heroes generated by Seedance have flooded the web in recent days. On Saturday, Disney... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3343626/bytedance-ai-video-tool-seedance-accused-disney-copyright-smash-and-grab?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3343626/bytedance-ai-video-tool-seedance-accused-disney-copyright-smash-and-grab?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 09:07:51 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Oli Higginson may not be the leading man in Netflix’s hit Regency romance series Bridgerton, but he’s managed to capture the hearts of fans with his on-screen charm anyway. In the show, Higginson plays John, a footman of the Bridgerton household. While Higginson has been a cast member of the show since its early seasons, his character shines most in its latest season, which spotlights the “downstairs” world of maids and housekeepers who make the lavish lifestyle of the ton possible. Here’s... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3343437/who-oli-higginson-actor-who-plays-footman-john-bridgerton?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3343437/who-oli-higginson-actor-who-plays-footman-john-bridgerton?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:00:12 +0000 dpa dpa Turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, sunbeds under swaying palms – and complete privacy. Some celebrities and ultra-wealthy individuals have leased or even bought private islands. For most, however, having their own island will remain a dream. Unless you are a cruise passenger, who can today experience exclusive beaches and resorts as part of their journey. Major cruise lines such as MSC, Norwegian and Carnival have their own islands and operate resorts exclusively for the passengers on their... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3343251/disney-royal-caribbean-cruise-lines-are-spending-big-private-island-escapes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3343251/disney-royal-caribbean-cruise-lines-are-spending-big-private-island-escapes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:15:07 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Hong Kong-born artist Andrew Mok, 21, better known as YaLocalOffgod, got his start turning sketches into viral portraits of musicians and YouTubers, before branching out into fashion and sculpture. His brother and long-time collaborator, Tate Mok, 23, takes Andrew’s wild ideas and builds them into slick, futuristic objects. In their colourful Chai Wan studio, they talk about their sibling synergy and what’s left on their bucket lists. Andrew Mok: We’re both into art and drawing, and I learned... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3343194/conversation-tate-and-andrew-mok-hong-kong-artists-better-known-offgodtate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3343194/conversation-tate-and-andrew-mok-hong-kong-artists-better-known-offgodtate?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:17 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Super Bowl LX is happening today, on February 8, and while sports fans are hyped to see the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots battle it out for the National Football League championship, many others are looking forward to the star-studded entertainment acts. This includes a highly anticipated halftime show headlined by Bad Bunny, who recently won three Grammys, including one for album of the year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos. It was the first time that a Spanish-language record was named... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3342602/meet-coco-jones-rb-singer-who-performed-super-bowl-pregame-show?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3342602/meet-coco-jones-rb-singer-who-performed-super-bowl-pregame-show?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 22:00:17 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The Walt Disney Company announced on Tuesday that Josh D’Amaro, head of its theme parks division, will replace Bob Iger as chief executive when the entertainment titan steps down in March. D’Amaro, 54, will take the helm on March 18 following a unanimous board vote, the company said. He will succeed Iger, who has led Disney for nearly two decades across two separate stints. “Josh D’Amaro possesses that rare combination of inspiring leadership and innovation, a keen eye for strategic growth... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3342289/disney-theme-parks-chief-josh-damaro-succeed-bob-iger-ceo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3342289/disney-theme-parks-chief-josh-damaro-succeed-bob-iger-ceo?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:29:53 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg The Walt Disney Company can ill afford another succession implosion. The last time CEO Bob Iger handed over the reins, the plan backfired, executives revolted, his replacement got bounced, and Iger returned to lead the storied entertainment giant for another four years. Iger will close out his two-decade tenure at Disney at the end of this year when his contract expires. The board is preparing to make a pivotal leadership move at a perilous time for the industry. This time, Disney has entrusted... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3341798/who-will-succeed-bob-iger-disney-ceo-4-candidates-tipped-take-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3341798/who-will-succeed-bob-iger-disney-ceo-4-candidates-tipped-take-over?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 11:15:07 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press As the new robot called Sprout walks around a Manhattan office, nodding its rectangular head, lifting its windscreen-wiper-like “eyebrows” and offering to shake your hand with its grippers, it looks nothing like the sleek and intimidating humanoids built by companies like Tesla. Sprout’s charm is the point. A five-year-old child could comfortably talk at eye level with this humanoid, which stands one metre (three feet) tall and wears a soft, padded exterior of sage-green foam. Forged by stealth... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/gadgets/article/3341774/forget-soulless-humanoid-robots-teslas-optimus-ones-more-wall-e?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/gadgets/article/3341774/forget-soulless-humanoid-robots-teslas-optimus-ones-more-wall-e?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 11:15:08 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Today, California’s Disneyland – the first ever – is so fully formed that it is taken for granted. People debate ticket prices and crowd calendars, strategising the optimal time to visit. The new documentary Disneyland Handcrafted hits pause on all of that. Culled from about 200 hours of mostly unseen footage, director Leslie Iwerks’ film takes viewers back to the near beginning, tracing the largely impossible creation of the park from a year before its opening. “Can you imagine LA without... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3341351/disneyland-handcrafted-shows-crazy-year-building-worlds-first-disneyland?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3341351/disneyland-handcrafted-shows-crazy-year-building-worlds-first-disneyland?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:15:08 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service The Golden Raspberry Awards on Wednesday released the nominees for the 2026 Razzies, “honouring” last year’s most dubious achievements in film. Among the biggest losers was Disney’s Snow White, which was nominated for worst picture and worst remake. The 2025 adaptation of the Disney classic also netted a worst director nomination for Mark Webb and a worst supporting actor nod for “All Seven Artificial Dwarfs”, who also got a nod for worst screen combo. The 46th Golden Raspberry Awards will crown... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3340833/malaysias-michelle-yeoh-worst-actress-razzie-star-trek-role?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3340833/malaysias-michelle-yeoh-worst-actress-razzie-star-trek-role?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:17:08 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li A former boss of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort will take the reins at the city’s Kai Tak Sports Park as CEO from April, with the landmark complex looking to the new head to “unlock the full potential” and “amplify its economic impact”. The park said on Friday that Andrew Kam Min-ho would succeed its first CEO, John Sharkey, who was stepping down after a nearly 10-year stint that established the complex as “a premier destination for world-class sports, entertainment, culture and leisure... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3340196/ex-hong-kong-disneyland-boss-take-reins-ceo-kai-tak-sports-park?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3340196/ex-hong-kong-disneyland-boss-take-reins-ceo-kai-tak-sports-park?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:33:20 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A woman in the Philippines spent four years worshipping a green Buddha statue before discovering that it was actually a 3D-printed figure of the cartoon character Shrek. The woman’s misplaced faith has sparked amusement across social media. The story began four years ago when the unidentified woman from Manila, the capital of the Philippines, bought a “Buddha statue” from a local shop. With its round shape and gentle expression, she believed it to be a depiction of Buddha and treated it with... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3338886/filipino-woman-worships-green-statue-4-years-finds-out-it-animated-character-shrek?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3338886/filipino-woman-worships-green-statue-4-years-finds-out-it-animated-character-shrek?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 01:00:12 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Eat this Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic x Qu Lang Yuan Anne-Sophie Pic’s Hong Kong outpost welcomes Beijing talent Li Zhanxu of Qu Lang Yuan for a two-night residency on Monday and Tuesday. Li, whose home restaurant is housed in a serene courtyard in the capital’s historic Dongsi Hutong, brings a poetic Franco-Chinese dialogue to Pic’s harbourfront establishment. Expect a seamless meld of techniques: Pic’s signature comté berlingots are receiving an oolong infusion while Alsatian venison is... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3339304/our-cheat-sheet-what-do-hong-kong-january-11-17?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3339304/our-cheat-sheet-what-do-hong-kong-january-11-17?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Jan 2026 05:00:11 +0000 Reuters Reuters Warner Bros Discovery’s board has unanimously turned down Paramount Skydance’s (PSKY) latest attempt to acquire the studio, saying its revised US$108.4 billion ‌hostile bid amounted to a risky leveraged buyout that investors should reject. In a letter to shareholders on Wednesday, Warner Bros’ board said Paramount’s offer hinges on “an extraordinary amount ‍of debt financing” that heightens the risk of closing. It reaffirmed its commitment to streaming giant Netflix’s US$82.7 billion deal for... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3339085/warner-bros-rejects-paramounts-updated-us108-million-bid-prefers-netflix-deal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3339085/warner-bros-rejects-paramounts-updated-us108-million-bid-prefers-netflix-deal?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jan 2026 12:53:25 +0000 James Mottram James Mottram Predicting the movie business is a fool’s errand, but with a new year under way, let us start with a moment of cautious optimism: 2026 could be a great year for cinema. Last year, with artificial intelligence (AI) encroaching on the industry and ticket sales still trailing pre-pandemic levels, there was much soul-searching. This year, cinema is boldly heralding the theatrical experience, with heavyweights Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg and Denis Villeneuve all back with new films. Behind... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3338872/hollywood-2026-movies-and-bigger-china-focus-dunesday-heres-what-expect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3338872/hollywood-2026-movies-and-bigger-china-focus-dunesday-heres-what-expect?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jan 2026 11:15:09 +0000 Jill Lander Jill Lander January 2026 marks the Ox month, from January 5 to February 3. The element of the month is Yin Earth. The Earth Ox, yi chou, represents the 12th and final month of the Chinese calendar. Now is the time to reflect on the shared experiences of the past year to prepare for the year ahead – the third of the current 20-year feng shui cycle, which began in 2024. Be prepared for a period of major change ahead, acknowledge strengths and weaknesses, and learn from the past. At the beginning of any new... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3338883/horoscopes-whats-your-luck-january-2026-earth-ox-month-we-head-fire-horse-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3338883/horoscopes-whats-your-luck-january-2026-earth-ox-month-we-head-fire-horse-year?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jan 2026 08:00:16 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji Netflix’s proposed US$72 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery is stirring concern across India’s entertainment sector, with local players warning that the deal could accelerate a shift away from cinemas and intensify competition in the streaming space. The deal – one of the biggest in the global entertainment industry in years – is expected to strengthen Netflix’s position at the top of the global streaming market by giving it a more extensive content library, including titles from the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3338556/indias-entertainment-sector-eyes-netflix-warner-deal-fears-impact?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3338556/indias-entertainment-sector-eyes-netflix-warner-deal-fears-impact?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Jan 2026 12:31:33 +0000 Coco Feng Coco Feng One of the biggest moments for China’s booming robotics industry this year was the catwalk performance by carmaker Xpeng’s new humanoid robot: it was so lifelike that founder He Xiaopeng had to unzip its back to prove there was no person inside. The reveal exposed what was under the covers: bionic “muscles” that enable such uncanny lifelikeness, made possible by the 3D printing technology and high-performance materials from Chinese start-up PollyPolymer. Wang Wenbin, founder and chairman of... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3337880/how-chinese-start-scaling-3d-printing-sneakers-robots?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3337880/how-chinese-start-scaling-3d-printing-sneakers-robots?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Dec 2025 23:00:10 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Oracle tech tycoon Larry Ellison is offering a US$40.4 billion personal guarantee to back Paramount’s hostile bid for Warner Bros Discovery, deepening a bidding war with Netflix, a statement said on Monday. The amended proposal, worth a total US$108 billion from the company run by Ellison’s son David, addresses concerns raised by Warner Bros’ board, which saw the Paramount bid as too risky and asked shareholders to accept a competing buyout offer from Netflix. Netflix shocked the industry on... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3337388/paramount-vs-netflix-ellison-guarantees-us40-billion-sons-warner-bros-bid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3337388/paramount-vs-netflix-ellison-guarantees-us40-billion-sons-warner-bros-bid?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:00:10 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar If you’ve ever wondered what multi Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift enjoys listening to when she’s not working on her own tunes, the answer is in her newly released Disney+ docuseries, Taylor Swift: The End of an Era. Avid fans noticed that the star was listening to an audiobook in the series and figured out from an excerpt that it was Liz Moore’s New York Times bestselling novel, The God of the Woods. Swift is in good company. In 2024, the title was recommended by former US... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/entertainment-news/article/3336905/what-was-book-taylor-swift-listened-end-era-all-you-need-know-about-god-woods?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/entertainment-news/article/3336905/what-was-book-taylor-swift-listened-end-era-all-you-need-know-about-god-woods?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 10:00:29 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press In a seismic shift for one of television’s marquee events, the Academy Awards will depart ABC and begin streaming on YouTube beginning in 2029, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday. ABC will continue to broadcast the annual ceremony through 2028. That year will mark the 100th Oscars. But starting in 2029, YouTube will retain global rights to streaming the Oscars through 2033. YouTube will effectively be the home to all things Oscars, including red-carpet... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3336833/oscars-will-move-youtube-2029-leaving-long-time-home-abc?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3336833/oscars-will-move-youtube-2029-leaving-long-time-home-abc?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:52:24 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Google’s highly anticipated Year in Search 2025 report, which reveals the top trending search queries of the year, is officially out. In the entertainment category, Oscar winner Mikey Madison topped the most Googled actors’ ranking globally, while The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal took the No 1 spot in the US. Pascal is surprisingly followed by a much younger actor, Malachi Barton. The 18-year-old was in the Disney Channel film Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires this year, alongside Milo Manheim,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3336618/meet-malachi-barton-second-most-googled-actor-us-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3336618/meet-malachi-barton-second-most-googled-actor-us-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Dec 2025 22:00:22 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Dick Van Dyke turns 100 today, on December 13, and the world is celebrating this milestone with him. The Mary Poppins icon and author of 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life recently admitted to The New York Times that while he’s “super old ... sometimes I feel like I’m 15 again”. The secret to ageing gracefully, Van Dyke says, is exercise, pets and playfulness. In a chat with Today’s Al Roker, the Emmy-winning actor also shared that his 54-year-old wife, Arlene... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3335999/dick-van-dyke-turns-100-5-things-know-about-mary-poppins-star?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3335999/dick-van-dyke-turns-100-5-things-know-about-mary-poppins-star?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Dec 2025 04:00:11 +0000 Reuters Reuters Paramount Skydance on Monday launched a hostile bid worth US$108.4 billion for Warner Bros Discovery, in a last-ditch effort to outbid Netflix and create a media powerhouse that would challenge the dominance of the streaming giant. Netflix had emerged victorious on Friday from a weeks-long bidding war with Paramount and Comcast, securing a US$72 billion equity deal for Warner Bros Discovery’s TV, film studios and streaming assets. But Paramount’s latest attempt means the jockeying for Warner... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3335657/paramount-counters-netflix-us1084-billion-bid-warner-bros?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3335657/paramount-counters-netflix-us1084-billion-bid-warner-bros?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:07:02 +0000 David D. Lee David D. Lee When online outrage torpedoed the latest episode of One‑Punch Man, few saw past the animation flaws. But what followed exposed a creative industry buckling under impossible expectations. The sixth episode of the long-awaited third season of the Japanese superhero saga – once praised for its sharp humour and kinetic style – stumbled onto screens under the weight of its own hype in October. Viewers flooded social media with complaints about its uneven pacing and “rushed” storytelling. On reviews... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3335388/one-punch-man-backlash-exposes-cracks-japan-and-south-koreas-soft-power?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3335388/one-punch-man-backlash-exposes-cracks-japan-and-south-koreas-soft-power?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Dec 2025 04:00:09 +0000 Reuters Reuters Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros Discovery’s TV, film studios and streaming division for US$72 billion, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood’s most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer. The agreement, announced on Friday, follows a weeks-long bidding war in which Netflix offered nearly US$28-a-share, eclipsing Paramount Skydance’s close to US$24 bid for the whole of Warner Bros Discovery, including the cable TV assets slated for a spin-off. Buying the owner of... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3335407/netflix-buys-warner-bros-us72-billion-gaining-harry-potter-game-thrones?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3335407/netflix-buys-warner-bros-us72-billion-gaining-harry-potter-game-thrones?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:31:01 +0000 James Mottram James Mottram 3.5/5 stars It would be fair to say that Zootopia was a surprise hit. The 2016 Walt Disney animation grossed over US$1 billion at the box office and won an Academy Award, making stars of its animal protagonists – the rabbit police officer Judy Hopps and the con-artist fox Nick Wilde. Now they’re back for Zootopia 2, a fun, if formulaic, follow-up that plunges us back into this urban jungle populated solely by animals. Now partners at the ZPD, Nick (voiced by Jason Bateman) and Judy (Ginnifer... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3334029/zootopia-2-movie-review-disneys-formulaic-animated-sequel-delights-visual-wit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3334029/zootopia-2-movie-review-disneys-formulaic-animated-sequel-delights-visual-wit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:00:12 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng China’s film market urgently needs a hit to draw audiences back to cinemas after a lacklustre few months. And an unexpected candidate looks set to fill that role: the Disney animated comedy Zootopia 2. Hollywood movies have underperformed in China over the past few years, but Zootopia 2 appears on track to break the curse. Its advance ticket sales have already surpassed 249 million yuan (US$35 million) – a record for a foreign animated film in China, according to box office tracker Dengta... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3334090/why-chinas-film-industry-banking-zootopia-2-being-smash-hit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3334090/why-chinas-film-industry-banking-zootopia-2-being-smash-hit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Nov 2025 10:30:09 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Corey Fogelmanis may be garnering attention for his recent coming-of-age movie, I Wish You All the Best, and his connection to pop stars Sabrina Carpenter and Conan Gray, but OG Disney fans know the actor from his days as the fan-favourite Farkle Minkus on the channel’s 2014 sitcom, Girl Meets World. He also plays Nathan on Netflix’s My Life with the Walter Boys, which has been likened to Amazon Prime’s hit The Summer I Turned Pretty, for its love triangle plotline involving two... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3332787/who-corey-fogelmanis-former-disney-star-who-plays-ben-i-wish-you-all-best?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3332787/who-corey-fogelmanis-former-disney-star-who-plays-ben-i-wish-you-all-best?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Nov 2025 22:00:15 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service A young woman is desperate to raise US$50,000 for her mum’s life-saving medical treatment. She will get the money, but only if she agrees to her stepsister’s unusual proposal: to marry her wayward fiancé, who comes from a wealthy family but also has a criminal record. That is the plot line for an episode of The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband. It may sound like a telenovela. In fact, it is a popular series that appears on ReelShort, an app where audiences can view on their smartphones... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3332638/disney-and-fox-are-investing-micro-dramas-what-are-they-and-why-are-they-popular?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3332638/disney-and-fox-are-investing-micro-dramas-what-are-they-and-why-are-they-popular?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Nov 2025 09:15:08 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Hyun Bin, Ji Chang-wook, Park Bo-young and Byeon Woo-seok were among the large contingent of Korean drama heavyweights who lent their star power to this year’s Disney+ Originals Preview event – a showcase of the content planned for the year ahead – at Hong Kong Disneyland on November 13. Five years after launching its Asia-Pacific content initiative, which has produced more than 150 original projects to date, Disney+ is doubling down on its collaboration with top-tier Asian talent, announcing a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3332732/disney-reveals-what-expect-year-ahead-k-dramas-bts-show-anime-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3332732/disney-reveals-what-expect-year-ahead-k-dramas-bts-show-anime-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Nov 2025 03:53:11 +0000 Matt Glasby Matt Glasby This is the latest instalment in our From the Vault feature series, in which we reflect on culturally significant movies celebrating notable anniversaries. M. Night Shyamalan has a knack for making genre films feel real. His 1999 breakthrough, The Sixth Sense, grounded a ghost story in an anxious family drama. Its immense financial success gave him the freedom to do whatever he wanted next. His next project was Unbreakable, which turns 25 this month. It placed a familiar superhero origin story... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3332453/how-m-night-shyamalans-unbreakable-redefined-superhero-movie-25-years-ago?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3332453/how-m-night-shyamalans-unbreakable-redefined-superhero-movie-25-years-ago?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Nov 2025 23:59:45 +0000 James Marsh James Marsh A visually ravishing journey into the afterlife is proving a hit in Hong Kong this week, as the animated feature Another World, an adaptation of Naka Saijo’s novel Sennenki: Thousand-Year Journey of an Oni, is generating plenty of discussion about its unusual subject matter. The film tells the dark, absorbing story of a deceased young girl (voiced by Christy Choi Hiu-tung) who is escorted through the afterlife by the spirit guide Gudo (Chung Suet-ying) as she searches for her little brother. Its... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3331421/10-best-animated-films-set-afterlife-grave-fireflies-soul?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3331421/10-best-animated-films-set-afterlife-grave-fireflies-soul?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Nov 2025 05:15:08 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Hong Kong Disneyland Resort has appointed Tim Sypko as its new president and managing director following the promotion of his predecessor, Michael Moriarty, to a global executive role. Sypko, who has served as senior vice-president of operations for the company over the past five years, will take the helm of Hong Kong Disneyland on November 23. His appointment follows the promotion of Michael Moriarty last week to executive vice-president and chief financial officer of Disney Experiences, after... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3330156/hong-kong-disneyland-resort-appoints-tim-sypko-new-head?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3330156/hong-kong-disneyland-resort-appoints-tim-sypko-new-head?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Oct 2025 03:59:56 +0000 Reuters Reuters Netflix is teaming up with Mattel and Hasbro to turn its blockbuster animated film KPop Demon Hunters into toys, deepening a consumer-goods push that could help diversify its revenue. The partnerships, announced on Tuesday, will produce toys, collectibles, games and role-play products based on the film, which follows a successful female K-pop trio that plays massive concerts while trying to save the world from sinister forces. The first products from the tie-up will be released next year. Since... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3329875/kpop-demon-hunters-headed-screen-toy-stores-netflix-taps-mattel-hasbro?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3329875/kpop-demon-hunters-headed-screen-toy-stores-netflix-taps-mattel-hasbro?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2025 03:28:49 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg The valuation of the world’s most lucrative cricket tournament, the Indian Premier League, eroded for a second year in a row, according to a report, marking a shift from years of ballooning growth on the back of competitive bidding for broadcast rights. The cricket league’s value dropped almost 11 per cent to US$8.8 billion in 2025, from US$9.9 billion in 2024, according to an October 15 report by consulting firm D&P Advisory. The coveted event was valued at a peak of US$11.2 billion in 2023, it... https://www.scmp.com/sport/cricket/article/3329117/indian-cricket-leagues-valuation-shrinks-second-year-row?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/cricket/article/3329117/indian-cricket-leagues-valuation-shrinks-second-year-row?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:30:08 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is searching for a new park head following the promotion of Michael Moriarty to a global role, after a significant financial turnaround at the attraction that analysts have credited to his creative leadership. Moriarty has been appointed executive vice-president and chief financial officer for Disney Experiences, according to the company’s announcement on Tuesday. “We are thrilled that Michael Moriarty will become Disney Experiences’ next CFO and look forward to his... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3329052/hong-kong-disneyland-seeks-new-head-after-michael-moriarty-assumes-global-role?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3329052/hong-kong-disneyland-seeks-new-head-after-michael-moriarty-assumes-global-role?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 02:46:00 +0000 Reuters Reuters Jilly Cooper, the British author of novels such as Rivals and Riders whose 1980s bestsellers were a blend of sex, satire and class-based snobbery, has died aged 88, her agent said in a statement on Monday. Cooper, a long-standing friend of Britain’s Queen Camilla, sold 11 million copies of her books in Britain alone. From the mid-1980s, her raunchy novels depicting the romantic adventures of an upper-class set of characters in the fictitious county of Rutshire, modelled on Gloucestershire where... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3328048/british-author-jilly-cooper-famous-her-novels-sex-and-snobbery-dies-88?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3328048/british-author-jilly-cooper-famous-her-novels-sex-and-snobbery-dies-88?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:44:29 +0000 Reuters Reuters China’s Pop Mart is borrowing from Disney’s playbook to turn toothy monster Labubu’s blockbuster sales into long-term success, according to the company’s executive director and co-chief operating officer, Si De. Pop Mart has already done what many thought impossible – making Labubu the first Chinese product to win a global audience for its emotional and creative appeal rather than because it represents value for money. Now, it aims to capitalise on the art toy’s success. “We have learned from... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3327367/labubu-theme-park-how-pop-mart-learning-disney-build-toys-success?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3327367/labubu-theme-park-how-pop-mart-learning-disney-build-toys-success?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:15:07 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco have officially tied the knot. The couple, who went public with their relationship in late 2023 and announced their engagement a year later, just exchanged vows in Montecito, California, on September 27. Gomez shared the happy news with photos and videos of the festivities, taken by Petra Collins, on Instagram, simply captioned “9.27.25”. Blanco later shared snaps of the wedding in his own posts, affectionately writing, “I married a real life Disney princess.” For... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3327213/selena-gomez-and-benny-blancos-fairy-tale-wedding-taylor-swift-speech-custom-ralph-lauren-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3327213/selena-gomez-and-benny-blancos-fairy-tale-wedding-taylor-swift-speech-custom-ralph-lauren-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 07:48:23 +0000 Reuters Reuters Millions of people tuned in to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday, watching the host’s return to late-night television after nearly a week off the air due to a suspension over remarks that drew fire from US President Donald Trump and officials in his administration. ABC said 6.26 million viewers watched Kimmel as he mixed humour with humility to address remarks he made on September 15 about the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk. It was Kimmel’s highest-rated regularly... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3326746/jimmy-kimmel-returns-record-ratings-says-you-almost-have-feel-sorry-trump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3326746/jimmy-kimmel-returns-record-ratings-says-you-almost-have-feel-sorry-trump?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 23:08:20 +0000 Reuters Reuters Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night television on Tuesday after a nearly week-long suspension and nearly broke down in tears, saying he was not trying to joke about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as US President Donald Trump slammed the host. “I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind, but I do want to make something clear, because it’s important to me as a human and that is, you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,”... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3326597/jimmy-kimmels-show-returning-broadcast-giants-nexstar-and-sinclair-wont-air-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3326597/jimmy-kimmels-show-returning-broadcast-giants-nexstar-and-sinclair-wont-air-it?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:04:05 +0000 Agencies Agencies Disney said Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to its ABC network line-up on Tuesday, six days after it suspended the talk-show host following threats by the Federal Communications Commission chairman over comments the host had made about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. In announcing the decision to bring Kimmel back to the airwaves, ABC’s parent company said it had suspended production of the show “to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country”. The Disney... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3326447/hundreds-stars-sign-letter-defending-free-speech-after-jimmy-kimmels-suspension?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3326447/hundreds-stars-sign-letter-defending-free-speech-after-jimmy-kimmels-suspension?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Sep 2025 19:40:29 +0000 Agencies Agencies After ABC suspended comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show following a threat from the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), congressional Democrats have denounced the Trump administration’s threats against political critics and unveiled a bill that would bolster free speech protections against government officials. While the bill is unlikely to gain traction in a Republican-controlled Congress, Democrats harshly criticised the Trump administration for pressuring ABC towards the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3326049/democrats-introduce-bill-protect-free-speech-following-kimmel-suspension?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3326049/democrats-introduce-bill-protect-free-speech-following-kimmel-suspension?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Sep 2025 20:03:59 +0000