Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 24th to 31st, 2026 - UPDATE #9

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

-------------------

NEWS:

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/29 to 5/31/2026 weekend box office is A24's "Backrooms" with an estimated take of 81.45 million dollars.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  There is a television limited series remake of director Alfred Hitchcock's legendary film, "The Birds" (1963).  However, the producers of the limited series are saying that it is closer to Daphne du Maurier's 1952 short story that inspired Hitchcock's film.  Starring Sarah Snook ("Succession"), the series is currently for sale on the international marketplace.

AMAZON - From Toonado:  Amazon MGM Studios will not release its live-action movie, "Voltron," to movie theaters. It will go straight-to-streaming and with debut on either Prime Video or on the add-on service, MGM+.  Starring Henry Cavill ("Man of Steel"), the film is based on the 1980s animated series, "Voltron, Defender of the Universe."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/22 to 5/24/2026 weekend box office is Disney/Lucasfilm's "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu" with an estimated take of 82 million dollars.

STREAMING - From Variety:  In an exclusive story, "Variety" is now reporting that Tom Hardy has not been fired from the Paramout+ hit crime series, "Mobland."  "Things are being worked creatively" for him to return for Season 3 of the series.

From Variety:  After production on Season 2 of Paramount+'s crime series, "Mobland," was completed, star Tom Hardy was fired from the series.  Although it has yet to be announced, there will apparently be a third season of the hit series.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American-born musician, songwriter, and vocalist, Ronald LaPread, has died at the age of 75, Saturday, May 30, 2026.  LaPread is best known as the former bassist of popular 1970s and 80s R&B and pop music band, "The Commodores."  LaPread joined the band in 1970, two years after its initial founding, and he was one of the original members when the band signed its recording deal with Motown Records.  LaPread won a Grammy Award as a member of "The Commodores" for their hit 1985 single, "Nightshift" ("Best Vocal R&B Performance by a Duo/Group").  LaPread left The Commodores in 1986 and moved to Auckland, New Zealand.

From THR:  American film and television actress, Kelly Curtis, has died at the age of 69, Saturday, May 30, 2026.  Kelly was the oldest child of the legendary Hollywood actors, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.  Kelly was also the older sister of Oscar-winning actress, Jamie Lee Curtis.  Her two biggest film roles were in the films, "Magic Sticks" (1987) and "The Devil's Daughter" (1991).  Kelly was a regular on the first season of CBS' former action-crime thriller series, "The Sentinel."  She was a guest on the "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" episode, "Captive Pursuit" (Season 1, Episode 6).  Other TV appearances include guest roles on original version of "The Equalizer" (CBS), "Hunter," (NBC), and "Judging Amy" (CBS). 

----------

From Variety:  American film editor, Marcia Lucas, has died at the age of 80 Wednesday, May 27, 2026.  Marcia is best known for her work with her ex-husband, George Lucas, to whom she was married from 1969-83.  Marcia was on the Academy Award for Best Film Editing for "Star Wars" (1977), sharing it with Paul Hirsch and Richard Chew.  Marcia's work on "Star Wars" is often credited as being what saved the film.  She was also Oscar-nominated for editing editing George's 1973 film, "American Graffiti."  Marcia would later edit "Return of the Jedi" (1983) for the film's director Richard Marquand.  Marcia edited three films for director Martin Scorsese, including "Taxi Driver" (1976).

From Deadline:  Lucasfilm offers a tribute to Oscar-winning film editor, Marcia Lucas, who died Wed., May 27th.  The ex-wife of Star Wars creator, George Lucas, Marcia contributed greatly to shape and form of both "Star Wars" (1977) and "Return of the Jedi" (1983), as a film editor and advisor.

--------------------