Hollywood
Brothers in arms The Wrecking crew smashes action with heart
MUMBAI: Some family reunions come with hugs. Others come with fists, secrets and the occasional explosion. That is the premise powering The Wrecking Crew, an action comedy that brings together two of Hollywood’s most physically commanding stars, Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista, as estranged half-brothers forced back into each other’s orbit. Set against the sun-soaked streets of Hawaii, the film blends brute-force spectacle with bruised emotions, turning sibling rivalry into a full-throttle mystery.
Momoa plays Jonny and Bautista stars as James, brothers separated by time and temperament, reunited only after their father’s mysterious death. What begins as an uneasy truce soon spirals into a deeper investigation, as buried family truths and long-simmering resentments rise to the surface. The closer they get to answers, the clearer it becomes that the conspiracy they have stumbled into could tear what remains of their family apart. The result is a story where loyalty is tested as often as bones, and nothing is off-limits once the gloves come off.
The film is directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, following his work on Blue Beetle, and written by Jonathan Tropper. Production duties are shared by a heavyweight team including Jeff Fierson, Jason Momoa, Dave Bautista, Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris, signalling a project designed to balance scale with character. At 2 hours and 2 minutes, the runtime leaves room for both chaos and contemplation.
Beyond its leading duo, The Wrecking Crew features an eclectic supporting cast that adds texture and tonal contrast. The ensemble includes Claes Bang, Temuera Morrison, Jacob Batalon, Frankie Adams, Miyavi, alongside scene-stealing turns from Stephen Root and Morena Baccarin.
What sets the film apart, however, is not just the muscle on display. At its core, The Wrecking Crew is a story about brotherhood, masculinity and redemption, probing what it means to face the parts of your past you would rather outrun. The chemistry between Momoa and Bautista, long talked about by fans, finally finds its outlet here, mixing self-aware humour with moments of unexpected tenderness.
In an action landscape often dominated by interchangeable explosions, The Wrecking Crew positions itself as something sturdier. Loud when it needs to be, but surprisingly heartfelt when it matters, the film suggests that even the hardest-hitting action comedies work best when they remember what is really at stake.
Hollywood
Disney unifies streaming, film, TV and games under Dana Walden
Debra O’Connell to chair Disney Entertainment Television in new setup
LOS ANGELES: The Walt Disney Company is pressing play on a more tightly woven future. As audiences hop between cinema screens, streaming apps and game worlds, the media giant is stitching its storytelling arms into one coordinated machine under Dana Walden.
Set to take charge as president and chief creative officer on March 18, Walden will oversee a newly unified Disney Entertainment structure that brings together streaming, film, television and the company’s fast-expanding games and digital business. She will report directly to incoming chief executive officer Josh D’Amaro.
The thinking is simple. Whether viewers are watching on Disney+, heading to the cinema or diving into a game, Disney wants the experience to feel like chapters of the same story. Walden summed it up as strengthening the emotional thread between Disney’s characters and its audiences, wherever they choose to engage.
The leadership reshuffle reads like a carefully cast ensemble. Alan Bergman continues as chairman of Disney Entertainment, studios, steering film production, marketing and distribution while sharing oversight of direct to consumer.
Streaming gets a dual command. Joe Earley and Adam Smith step in as co-presidents of direct to consumer, jointly handling strategy and financial performance across Disney+ and Hulu. Earley will also guide content strategy, while Smith retains his role as chief product and technology officer across Disney Entertainment and ESPN.
A new chair enters the frame with Debra O’Connell taking on the role of chairman, Disney Entertainment Television. She will oversee an expansive slate that includes ABC Entertainment, National Geographic and Hulu Originals, while continuing to supervise ABC News and owned stations.
Gaming, once a side quest, is now a central storyline. Sean Shoptaw, executive vice president, games and digital entertainment, moves into the Disney Entertainment fold. His remit includes partnerships such as the collaboration with Epic Games, aimed at building a Disney universe linked to Fortnite.
Elsewhere, John Landgraf remains chairman of FX, reporting to Walden, while Asad Ayaz continues as chief marketing and brand officer, reporting to both D’Amaro and Walden.
The message behind the reshuffle is clear. Disney is no longer thinking in silos of screens but in stories that travel. And with Walden at the creative helm, the company is betting that a single, seamless narrative can keep audiences hooked, whether they are watching, scrolling or playing.
