id Software has reportedly cut about half its workforce as part of broader Xbox layoffs, with estimates of more than 90 roles eliminated. The reductions reportedly hit the studio's QA function particularly hard.
12:09 PMThe Verge15 stories from 3 sources
Franchise bets endure as gaming absorbs deeper cuts
Day’s Recap
Supporting Articles
Honey Trehan’s drama “Satluj” (formerly titled “Punjab ’95”), inspired by human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, began streaming worldwide on ZEE5 Global on July 3 in an uncut version. The film, starring Diljit Dosanjh, arrives three years after it ran into censor-board trouble and was pulled from a Toronto festival lineup.
12:50 PMVarietyDisney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5” stayed at No. 1 in the U.K. and Ireland for a third weekend, adding £5.7 million and reaching £37.9 million after three weeks. Universal’s “Minions & Monsters” opened wide in second place, positioning itself as the main near-term challenger.
3:17 AMVarietyLiz Meriwether will write Universal’s Britney Spears biopic, with Jon M. Chu directing and Marc Platt producing. The film draws from Spears’ memoir "The Woman in Me," a blockbuster release that fueled the project’s momentum.
2:40 PMVariety12:09 PMThe Verge
Doom developer id reportedly cut in half as part of Xbox layoffs
Summary
id Software has reportedly cut about half its workforce as part of broader Xbox layoffs, with estimates of more than 90 roles eliminated. The reductions reportedly hit the studio's QA function particularly hard.
Why it matters
Deep cuts at id signal tighter capital allocation at Xbox, with direct implications for release timelines, quality control, and the near term value proposition of Game Pass.
12:50 PMVariety
Diljit Dosanjh Speaks Out After ‘Satluj’ Pulled From ZEE5 in India: ‘It Wasn’t a Surprise to Me’
Summary
Honey Trehan’s drama “Satluj” (formerly titled “Punjab ’95”), inspired by human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, began streaming worldwide on ZEE5 Global on July 3 in an uncut version. The film, starring Diljit Dosanjh, arrives three years after it ran into censor-board trouble and was pulled from a Toronto festival lineup.
Why it matters
A high-profile, uncut global release sets a clearer route around censorship for Indian political cinema and changes how such films get financed and distributed.
3:17 AMVariety
‘Toy Story 5’ Holds No. 1 as ‘Minions & Monsters’ Chases at U.K. and Ireland Box Office
Summary
Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5” stayed at No. 1 in the U.K. and Ireland for a third weekend, adding £5.7 million and reaching £37.9 million after three weeks. Universal’s “Minions & Monsters” opened wide in second place, positioning itself as the main near-term challenger.
Why it matters
A durable No. 1 in a key European market locks in revenue for Disney and constrains theatrical upside for rival summer releases.
2:40 PMVariety
Britney Spears Biopic Movie to Be Written by ‘New Girl’ Creator Liz Meriwether
Summary
Liz Meriwether will write Universal’s Britney Spears biopic, with Jon M. Chu directing and Marc Platt producing. The film draws from Spears’ memoir "The Woman in Me," a blockbuster release that fueled the project’s momentum.
Why it matters
A Spears biopic with top-tier studio backing will shape the mainstream narrative of her career and the post-conservatorship era.
Other Developments
A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.
Anne Hathaway said she spent a week preparing to pitch Harley Quinn before meeting Christopher Nolan for “The Dark Knight Rises,” only to learn two hours into the conversation that the role was Catwoman. The anecdote underscores how tightly Nolan controlled information during casting for the film.
6:36 PMVariety“Selamlik,” a Sweden and Denmark project directed by Jerry Carlsson, won the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award at Karlovy Vary’s KVIFF Promises program, including a 20,000 euro cash prize. The festival also announced additional industry prizes for projects in development.
6:35 PMVarietyCBS is expanding the “NCIS” franchise with “NCIS: New York” and has added Jennifer Beals, Jacqueline Byers, Shane Harper, and Devin Druid to the cast. The hires deepen the show’s bench ahead of its launch as the newest franchise entry.
5:21 PMVarietyLouise Lasser died at 87. She broke through in early Woody Allen films and became best known as the pigtail-wearing Ohio housewife at the center of the satirical TV hit "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman."
4:49 PMNew York Times ArtsChristopher Nolan says his upcoming "The Odyssey" uses contemporary English dialogue, even as he acknowledges the decision could backfire. Trailer reactions have already sparked debate over modern speech and American accents in an adaptation of Homer’s epic.
4:38 PMVarietyJuVee Productions, led by Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, signed a first-look deal with Universal Global Television to develop projects across platforms. The first title in development is the romantic drama "Pawn," based on an original short story by Kennedy Ryan.
1:30 PMVarietyNBC has tapped "Law & Order: SVU" star and executive producer Mariska Hargitay to host the 78th Emmy Awards. She will be the first woman to host the ceremony in 15 years, since Jane Lynch in 2011.
1:00 PMVarietyProducer Greg Shapiro says "Harold & Kumar 4" is moving forward with key players from the franchise, including stars John Cho and Kal Penn. He indicated the project is progressing toward production and could shoot soon.
12:25 PMVarietyParamount moved the animated film "Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender" up from an October release to July 25, with a global debut planned on Paramount+. The film continues the story after the original "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and arrives alongside a newly released first trailer.
11:00 AMVariety"Dolly: A True Original Musical," based on Dolly Parton’s life and music, will begin Broadway previews at the St. James Theatre on Dec. 7, with an official opening on Jan. 19, 2027. The opening is timed to Parton’s 81st birthday.
10:40 AMVarietyJay-Z added a London show to his 'Jay-Z 30' concert run marking his 30-year career. He will play Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sept. 4 as his only U.K. date, alongside previously announced shows in Paris and Los Angeles.
7:13 AMVariety6:36 PMVariety
Anne Hathaway ‘Spent a Week’ Prepping for Harley Quinn Before ‘Dark Knight Rises’ Meeting; Nolan Didn’t Reveal Catwoman Until Two Hours Into Their Chat
Summary
Anne Hathaway said she spent a week preparing to pitch Harley Quinn before meeting Christopher Nolan for “The Dark Knight Rises,” only to learn two hours into the conversation that the role was Catwoman. The anecdote underscores how tightly Nolan controlled information during casting for the film.
Why it matters
It reveals how blockbuster leverage works in practice: information control becomes a tool that affects performance prep, bargaining, and career decisions.
6:35 PMVariety
‘Selamlik’ Wins Eurimages Co-Production Development Award at Karlovy Vary Film Festival
Summary
“Selamlik,” a Sweden and Denmark project directed by Jerry Carlsson, won the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award at Karlovy Vary’s KVIFF Promises program, including a 20,000 euro cash prize. The festival also announced additional industry prizes for projects in development.
Why it matters
Development awards can decisively shift which films get made by de-risking projects and signaling credibility to funders and partners.
5:21 PMVariety
‘NCIS: New York’ Casts Jennifer Beals, Jacqueline Byers, Shane Harper, Devin Druid
Summary
CBS is expanding the “NCIS” franchise with “NCIS: New York” and has added Jennifer Beals, Jacqueline Byers, Shane Harper, and Devin Druid to the cast. The hires deepen the show’s bench ahead of its launch as the newest franchise entry.
Why it matters
Franchise procedurals remain one of the few reliable mass-audience engines on broadcast, and cast strength is an early indicator of network commitment.
4:49 PMNew York Times Arts
Louise Lasser, Star of TV’s ‘Mary Hartman,’ Is Dead at 87
Summary
Louise Lasser died at 87. She broke through in early Woody Allen films and became best known as the pigtail-wearing Ohio housewife at the center of the satirical TV hit "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman."
Why it matters
Her passing revives the legacy and market value of a show that helped widen what American TV comedy-drama could look like.
4:38 PMVariety
Christopher Nolan Says ‘The Odyssey’s’ Modern English Dialogue ‘Was a No-Brainer’ Even If ‘It Might Bite Me on the Ass’ and ‘I Was Maybe Being Naïve’
Summary
Christopher Nolan says his upcoming "The Odyssey" uses contemporary English dialogue, even as he acknowledges the decision could backfire. Trailer reactions have already sparked debate over modern speech and American accents in an adaptation of Homer’s epic.
Why it matters
If the bet works, it lowers the barrier for future prestige adaptations to modernize language without apologizing for it.
1:30 PMVariety
Viola Davis, Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions Set First-Look Deal at Universal Global Television, to Develop Drama ‘Pawn’
Summary
JuVee Productions, led by Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, signed a first-look deal with Universal Global Television to develop projects across platforms. The first title in development is the romantic drama "Pawn," based on an original short story by Kennedy Ryan.
Why it matters
First-look deals concentrate development power and signal which producers studios think can reliably cut through a slower commissioning cycle.
1:00 PMVariety
Mariska Hargitay to Host Emmys; First Woman to Emcee the Show In 15 Years
Summary
NBC has tapped "Law & Order: SVU" star and executive producer Mariska Hargitay to host the 78th Emmy Awards. She will be the first woman to host the ceremony in 15 years, since Jane Lynch in 2011.
Why it matters
Host selection is one of the few controllable levers the Emmys have to broaden viewership and set the tone for the telecast.
12:25 PMVariety
‘Harold & Kumar 4’ on Track and ‘Everybody’s Back,’ Producer Greg Shapiro Says: ‘Hopefully We Should Be Shooting It Soon’
Summary
Producer Greg Shapiro says "Harold & Kumar 4" is moving forward with key players from the franchise, including stars John Cho and Kal Penn. He indicated the project is progressing toward production and could shoot soon.
Why it matters
If it reaches production, it reinforces that familiar IP remains the safest path for studio comedy in a tougher greenlight environment.
11:00 AMVariety
‘Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender’ Moves Up Release Date to July, Drops Intense First Trailer
Summary
Paramount moved the animated film "Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender" up from an October release to July 25, with a global debut planned on Paramount+. The film continues the story after the original "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and arrives alongside a newly released first trailer.
Why it matters
Release-date pulls and streaming-first positioning show how major franchises are being used as subscription levers, not just box office bets.
10:40 AMVariety
Dolly Parton’s ‘Dolly: A True Original Musical’ Sets Broadway Run, With Previews Beginning in December
Summary
"Dolly: A True Original Musical," based on Dolly Parton’s life and music, will begin Broadway previews at the St. James Theatre on Dec. 7, with an official opening on Jan. 19, 2027. The opening is timed to Parton’s 81st birthday.
Why it matters
A Dolly Parton bio-musical with a prime venue and date strategy is a high-probability blockbuster play that will shape Broadway’s competitive calendar and capital flow.
7:13 AMVariety
Jay-Z Adds London Date to ‘Jay-Z 30’ Concert Series
Summary
Jay-Z added a London show to his 'Jay-Z 30' concert run marking his 30-year career. He will play Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sept. 4 as his only U.K. date, alongside previously announced shows in Paris and Los Angeles.
Why it matters
A one-off London stadium booking signals top-tier live demand and tests how far legacy superstars can push scarcity pricing in Europe.
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