Behind 'Lightyear's Box Office Problem

►No Buzz or buzz. Pixar/Disney's Toy Story spinoff Lightyear debuted over Father’s Day weekend to $50.6m, instead of an expected $70m to $85m. Worse, it bowed in second place behind holdover Jurassic World Dominion in a surprise upset. THR's Pamela McClintock goes into the reasons for the spluttering start, including brand confusion, fierce competition and public criticism from right-wing politicians. The analysis. 

—"We are adding an ad-tier, we’re not adding ads to Netflix as you know it today." It’s official: ads are coming to Netflix. Netflix’s Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, speaking at the Cannes Lions advertising festival on Thursday, confirmed that the future of the streaming giant will include ads as a cheaper sub option. Sarandos took the opportunity to explain the volte-face. The story. 

—Important get. Discovery+ has acquired Unprecedented, documentary filmmaker Alex Holder’s three-part series on former president Donald Trump’s re-election campaign that has gained the attention of the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. After announcing on Tuesday that raw footage from the docuseries had been subpoenaed by the House Select Committee, Holder himself is set to testify before the committee investigating the attack today. The story. 

—Extended detention. A judge in southern Italy on Wednesday ordered Oscar-winning film director Paul Haggis to remain under detention at his hotel while Italian prosecutors continue to investigate a woman’s allegations that he had sex with her over two days without her consent. The judge concluded that while Haggis, who lives in the U.S., isn’t a flight risk, there was the “danger” evidence could be compromised or that the alleged crime could be repeated. The story. 

—Welcome boost. The Tony Awards provided a boost for several shows, including best musical winner A Strange Loop. The production saw its highest gross yet last week, bringing in ​​$845,313 and playing to 99.9 percent capacity, also its highest since performances started in April. Michael Jackson musical MJ, which took home four Tonys, also had its highest grossing week since opening in December, bringing in $1.7m. The story.

—New blood. Producer Jason Blum, Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin and filmmaker Jason Reitman are among the twelve newly elected members of the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. A total of 54 people sit on the board and 37 were not up for election this cycle. The story.  

Why Stars Turn to the Entertainment Industry Foundation for Their Charity Work

►"EIF will always be the answer." Colin Kaepernick. Cher. George Clooney. Charlize Theron. Sherry Lansing. Dwyane Wade. Barbara Broccoli. Jennifer Hudson. The common thread among this disparate group of people is that they have entrusted the same organization to help them run their charities, the Entertainment Industry Foundation, THR’s Philanthropic Organization of the Year. Founded 80 years ago by Hollywood’s biggest names (Goldwyn! Bogart! Crawford!), THR's Rebecca Keegan writes that the organization empowers celebrity activists to tackle the world’s most daunting challenges. The story.

—Not dead yet. Peacock has handed out a second-season renewal for its Craig Robinson-led comedy Killing It. The comedy, from Universal Television, debuted in April and revolves around one man’s quest to achieve the American dream — and hunt really big snakes. The comedy was created by Brooklyn Nine-Nine showrunner Dan Goor and his No. 2, Luke Del Tredici. The duo serve as co-showrunners and exec produce alongside Robinson. The story. 

—Heading back. Billy Porter and his newly launched Incognegro production company has signed a first-look deal with FX for whom he once starred for three seasons on the groundbreaking drama Pose from creator Steven Canals. Under the pact, Porter will create and develop new content alongside his Incognegro producing partner, D.J. Gugenheim. The story.

—"Synchronize your watches." The Back to the Future musical is heading to Broadway. The stage adaptation of the iconic ’80s film, which debuted in the U.K. in 2020 and has been a long-running success in London's West End, is set to debut sometime in 2023. On Wednesday, the Back to the Future franchise’s official Twitter published a teaser trailer for the show. The story.

—"I understand how much this dress means to American history." Kim Kardashian denied that damage was done to the Marilyn Monroe dress she borrowed from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! for the Met Gala. In an interview with Today show hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, Kardashian said that she put the dress on right before the red carpet and then took it off right after, and that Ripley’s had handlers "in gloves that put it on me." The story. 

Europe's Theatrical Window Standoff Gives Studios Pause Over Strategy

►"The threat is real." Trouble is brewing for the studios in key European markets, THR's Scott Roxborough writes that as France and Italy enforce exclusive cinema runs, Hollywood execs now have to consider whether it’s worth bypassing exhibitors altogether (and forgoing grosses) to boost their streaming services. The analysis. 

—In demand. THR's Borys Kit has the scoop on Brit actress Olivia Cooke (Slow Horses, House of the Dragon) starring in Breeders, a horror project just acquired by Lionsgate that will mark the feature directorial debut of rising fright filmmaker Kelsey Bollig. Adam McKay is one of the originators of the idea and is producing via his Hyperobject Industries banner along with the company’s Todd Schulman. The story.

—Plum role. Euphoria star Hunter Schafer has joined Lionsgate’s Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Schafer will play Tigris Snow, Coriolanus’ cousin and confidant, who advises him in everything — from his role as mentor to the core of his moral compass. She will appear onscreen opposite Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler, who will play Lucy Gray, the girl tribute from impoverished District 12. The story. 

—Going early. Steven Spielberg’s next film, The Fablemans, is switching up its release plans. The film will now open Nov. 11 in New York City and Los Angeles during a limited run before expanding nationwide on its previously announced date of Nov. 23, 2022, the eve of the long Thanksgiving weekend. The coming-of-age pic is loosely based on Spielberg’s formative years and his relationship with his parents. The story.

—"The world’s gone mad." Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" is running up the charts around the world thanks to an appearance in Stranger Things season four. In a rare interview with the BBC, the singer spoke about the song's success, all the new-found interest in her music and also praised the Duffer Brothers in particular for the way they used the song. The story. 

—"Our biggest thing is safety." THR's Carolyn Giardina spoke to Baird B. Steptoe Sr., the newly elected national president of the International Cinematographers Guild. Steptoe, who takes office following the tragic death on the set of Rust top of mind, says safety is his "main issue." The interview. 

THR Critics Pick the 10 Best Films of 2022 (So Far)

►First half standouts. THR's film reviewers David Rooney, Sheri Linden, Lovia Gyarkye and Jordan Mintzer choose faves from the first half of the year, including a Pixar charmer, two urgent abortion dramas and a doc about an unusual teacher. The selection. 

—"Tugs on the heartstrings and opens the mind." Lovia reviews Ross Kauffman’s Of Medicine and Miracles. The documentary braids leukemia survivor Emily Whitehead and scientist Dr. Carl June’s experiences to tell the story of a novel cancer treatment. The review. 

In other news...

—Universal releases Nope featurette showcasing diverse below-the-line crew

—Jude Law’s Riff Raff Entertainment gets new CEO, fresh financing

—Warner Music Group CEO to step down in 2023

—Cineplex introduces $1.50 online movie ticket booking fee

—CAA unveils round of promotions to agent

—Thriller novelist Simon Gervais signs with APA 

—James Rado, co-creator of groundbreaking Hair musical, dies at 90

—Robert J. Ross, longtime engineer at CBS, dies at 70

What else we're reading...

—Another banger interview from E. Alex Jung, this time he speaks to Laura Linney and it's well worth your time [Vulture]

—Jim Waterson reports that despite offering lefties money to get screamed at by Piers Morgan, the U.K.'s Fox News clone is in deep trouble, so much so Rupert Murdoch himself is getting involved to save it [Guardian]

—Kim Bhasin and Katarina Hoije goes inside the NBA's plans for Africa to fuel its next era of growth [Bloomberg]

—Here's Ottessa Moshfegh's profile piece on Brad Pitt that everyone is talking about (the pics are worth checking out too) [GQ]

—Rebecca Jennings explains the entire history of the capitalist labor market through the lived experience of Minions [Vox]

Today...  

...in 1933, director Harry Beaumont’s adaptation of When Ladies Meet hit the big screen. The film would go on to nab an Oscar nomination for art direction at the 6th Academy Awards ceremony. The original review.

Today's birthdays: Frances McDormand (65), Sian Heder (45), Duffy (38), Selma Blair (50), Joel Edgerton (48), Melissa Rauch (42), Emmanuelle Vaugier (46), HoYeon Jung (28), Miles Fisher (39), Bryan Brown (75),  Aaron Ruell (46), Joe Taslim (41), Matias Varela (42), Earl Cave (22), Russell Mulcahy (69), David Dobkin (53), Allie Bertram (33), Marielle Jaffe (33), Luci Romberg (41), Glenn Danzig (67)