Hollywood
Julia Roberts joins ‘The Secret in Their Eyes’ remake
MUMBAI: Actress Julia Roberts is in talks to come on board for the English-language remake of Oscar-winning Argentine thriller Secret in Their Eyes.
To be directed by Billy Ray; Chiwetel Ejiofor and Gwyneth Paltrow have also been cast in the remake. IM Global is fully financing the project and selling the rights to the project at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The original Spanish-language Juan Jose Campanella movie which was based on the Eduardo Sacheri novel, won the Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards in 2009. The movie centered on a retired attorney who seeks closure for an two decade old unsolved case and for his unrequited love for his former superior by writing a book.
Roberts will portray a character whose daughter is murdered. Her friend digs up the case years later when he thinks he’s found the guy who got away with it. Roberts’ role initially was earmarked for a male actor, but Ray rewrote it specifically for the actress.
Mark Johnson will produce along with John Ufland. The remake, described as a sophisticated crime thriller, is scheduled to start production this fall with plans to shift the shoot from Boston to Los Angeles.
The movie will be a reunion for Roberts and Paltrow, both of whom appeared in Steven Spielberg’s 1991 movie Hook.
Robert’s role in 2013’s August: Osage County got her the best supporting actress Oscar nomination. She most recently appeared in HBO’s The Normal Heart, for which she received a best supporting actress nomination at Emmy.
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
