Hollywood
Paul Greengrass to helm ‘The trial of Chicago 7’
MUMBAI: Paul Greengrass is in final talks to direct the movie written by Aaron Sorkin, creator of the Newsroom, the movie is based on the trial of seven people who were charged with conspiracy and inciting to riot during the Chicago protests of 1968’s Democratic national Convention.
DreamWorks will be funding development while Disney will be distributing the movie. Sorkin had signed a three project deal with DreamWorks in 2007.
The project which has been in the doldrums since long, Steven Spielberg’s name was once attached to it. Due to the delay, he left, after which the contenders were Greengrass and Ben Stiller.
Greengrass’ next movie is Captain Phillips. He is represented by CAA.
Hollywood
Disney chair confident CEO Josh D’Amaro will ‘rise to the occasion’ in Trump–Kimmel row
Board backs new chief as ABC controversy tests leadership early on
NEW YORK: The Walt Disney Company has placed the responsibility of handling the escalating dispute between Donald Trump and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel squarely on its new chief executive, Josh D’Amaro.
Speaking at a business conference in Oslo, Disney chair James Gorman said it would be up to the CEO and his team to determine the company’s response to the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He noted that such challenges are not uncommon for large corporations and require careful handling at the leadership level.
The row intensified after both Donald Trump and Melania Trump publicly called for Kimmel’s dismissal following remarks made on his show. The comments, which referenced the First Lady, sparked backlash in the days leading up to a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Kimmel addressed the issue on-air, clarifying that his joke was intended as a reference to the couple’s age difference and not an incitement to violence. He also expressed sympathy for those affected by the incident and reiterated his stance against violent rhetoric.
Despite mounting pressure, Gorman refrained from offering specific guidance on the future of the show or the host. Instead, he voiced confidence in D’Amaro’s leadership, describing him as “world class” and capable of navigating the situation effectively.
The episode presents an early and high-profile test for D’Amaro, who stepped into the top role just last month. How Disney balances editorial independence, public sentiment and political pressure will likely shape not just the outcome of this controversy, but also the tone of its leadership in the months ahead.
