Thursday, June 4, 2026

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from June 1st to 6th, 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.

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NEWS:

CELEBRITY - From Variety:  Emmy-winning actor and voice performer Keith David received his star on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame," and looks back on his extensive career in film, television, and theatre.

TELEVISION - From Variety:  DEI political hire and unqualified blogger skeez, Bari Weiss, defends firing real journalist Scott Pelley from the venerable CBS New program, "60 Minutes."  Weiss is currently cos-playing as the editor-in-chief of CBS News.

MOVIES - From ThePlaylist:  Director Dito Montiel ("Riff Raff") is set to direct a biopic of Gene Wilder ("Young Frankenstein," "Blazing Saddles"), which is approved by the Wilder estate.  Wilder, who died in 2016 at the age of 83, was actor, comedian, author, screenwriter, and filmmaker.  Wilder was twice nominated for an Academy Award and also won a Primetime Emmy in 2003.

AMAZON - From Variety:  In an exclusive story, "Variety" is reporting that Amazon will not go forward development of a new "Stargate" television series.  The new show was to guided by writer and executive producer, and showrunner, Martin Gero, who was a writer on the former series, "Stargate: SG-1" (1997-2007) and "Stargate; Atlantis" (2004-09).  All "Stargate" media is based on the 1194 film, "Stargat."

MOVIES - From ThePlaylistClint Eastwood's son, Kyle Eastwood, confirms that his Oscar-winning father, who is 95, is retiring from filmmaking.

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  Oscar-winner Joel Coen's mysterious "Jack of Spades" film is apparently due in 2026.

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.

OBITS:

From BBC:  The English film, television, and stage actor, voice performer, and singer, Anthony Head, had died at the age of 72, Monday, June 1, 2026.  Head is best known for the role of "Rupert Giles" on The WB's former teen supernatural teen drama, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997-2003). Head recently gained acclaim as "Rupert Mannion" on Apple TV+'s sports drama, "Ted Lasso" (2020-23).  He voiced "Alfred Pennyworth" in the animated film, "Batman: Gotham by Gaslight" (2018), and he was "Benedict," a monk in "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" (2011).

From Deadline:  The French and Iranian film director, graphic novelist, comics creator, and children's book author, Marjane Satrapi, has died at the age of 56, Thursday, June 4, 2026.  Satrapi was best known as the author of the autobiographical graphic novel series, "Persepolis."  The first volume of Persepolis was published by L'Association in 2000. "Persepolis: The Story of Childhood Vol. 1" was published in 2003 by Pantheon.  She was also known for her 2006 graphic novel, "Chicken with Plums."  Satrapi co-directed an animated feature film adaptation of "Persepolis" (2007), which earned an Oscar-nomination for "Best Animated Feature."  Among her live-action films was also an adaptation of "Chicken with Plums" (2011).

From Variety:  American singer and songwriter, Peabo Bryson, has died at the age of 75, Tuesday, June 2, 2026.  Bryson is best known for his duets with a number of singers, who preceded him in death, such as Natalie Cole, Robert Flack, and Cissy Houston, Luther Vandross.  Bryson's best known duets are connected to the soundtracks to legendary Disney animated feature films.  He sang the song, "Beauty and the Beast" (from "Beauty and the Beast") with Celine Dion.  He sang "A Whole New World" (from "Aladdin") with Regina Belle, which reached No. 1 on "Billboard's" "Hot 100" chart.  Both of his Disney records with Dion and Flack won the Grammy Award for "Best Pop Performance by Duo or Group with Vocals."  Bryson was nominated six other times for a Grammy Award.

From ESPN:  Former professional basketball player and coach, Rick Adelman, had died at the age of 76, Monday, June 1, 2026.  After playing collegiate basketball for Loyola Marymount (1965-98), Adelman was drafted in to the National Basketball Association (NBA) the San Diego Rockets (now Houston Rockets).  He played for five teams over seven seasons.  Adelman's career as an NBA coach began as an assistant with the Portland Trailblazers in 1983 before becoming the head coach in 1989.  Adelman remained the Blazers coach until 1994 and during that time, they won the Western Conference Championship twice, before losing in the finals (1990 to the Detroit Pistons; 1992 to the Chicago Bulls).  Adelman would also coach the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves, before he retired in 2014.  Adelman was inducted into the "Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame" in 2021.

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Monday, June 1, 2026

A Negromancer June 2026

Welcome to June 2026. Welcome to Negromancer 2.0.  This is the rebirth of the Negromancer, the former movie review site, as a movie review and entertainment and culture news blog.

All images and text appearing on this blog are © copyright and/or trademarks of their respective owners.

While you're at it, have AnotherCookie.

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Also, my first original graphic novel, THE WRATH OF KARAPACE: A BIG SPIRITS EPIC, which is published by Candle Light Press.  Co-created by Carter J. Allen, (Warning Comics), The Wrath of Karapace is now on sale at Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.

Other online shops that are selling "The Wrath of Karapace" include the following:

- AmazonUK;

Bookshop.org;

- ElmStreetBooks;

- the German book shop, OrrellFussli;

- Powells.com;

- Russell Books.com;

- SuperBookDeals.com;

Walmart online.

Of note, The Wrath of Karapace is also available on eBay from a few different sellers.

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"The Wrath of Karapace" also a "Google Books" listing.




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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 these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).


Sunday, May 31, 2026

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.

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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 ToonadoAmazon 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). 
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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 DeadlineLucasfilm 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.

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Saturday, May 23, 2026

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 17th to 23rd, 2026 - UPDATE #8

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.

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NEWS:

CANNES - From Deadline:  Director Cristian Mingui's film, "Fjord," has won the Palme d'Or at the 79th Cannes Film Festival.  The film stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve star as a mixed Romanian and Norwegian couple who move to the wife's hometown where they find complications.  The Romanian Mingui also won the Palme d'Or at the 60th Cannes Film Festival (2007) for his film, "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days."  He is now the tenth director to win the Cannes top prize, the "Palme d'Or," twice.

MOVIES - From VarietyMel Gibson has released the first image from his upcoming two-part Biblical epic, "The Resurrection of the Christ," which is a sequel to his 2004 box office smash, "The Passion of the Christ."  "Part One" is due May 6, 2027, and "Part Two" is due May 28, 2028.

MOVIES - From DeadlineUniversal Pictures and director Michael Bay are teaming up to tell the true story behind the recent rescue mission to save two downed U.S. pilots behind enemy lines in Iran, during the so-called "Operation: Epic Fury."  The film will be based on the upcoming book by Mitchell Zuckoff, which HarperCollins will publish in 2027.

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Director David Fincher's film, "Cliff Booth," a sequel to director Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," will hit theaters November 25, 2026 for a two-week run.  The film, which stars Brad Pitt, will debut on Netflix December 23, 2026.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Oscar-winner Matt Damon is in talks to star in the secret film project from "the Daniels," the nickname of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the Oscar-winners behind "Everything Everywhere All at Once."  Ryan Gosling had been attached to the project, but had to drop out due to scheduling issues.

AMAZON - From DeadlineAmazon has announced the cast for its new series, "Delphi," which is set in the universe of the film, "Creed" (2015).  The series, which is from Michael B. Jordan's "Outlier Society" production company, will feature a cast that includes (Oscar-nominee) Demien Bichir, Andre Holland, Andre Royo, and Benji Santiago, to name a few. 

DISNEY/TELEVISION - From DeadlineABC has ordered a spinoff of it long-running hit, "Grey's Anatomy."  The series will be co-created by "Grey's Anatomy" creator and executive producer, Shonda Rhimes.  The other co-creator is the new series' showrunner, Meg Marinis.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/15 to 5/17/2026 weekend box office is Lionsgate's "Michael" with an estimated take of 26.1 million dollars.

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  "World of Reel" says a source at Warner Bros. indicated that the studio has no plans to release director Kevin Costner's "Horizon An American Saga: Chapter 2." "Horizon: Chapter 1" grossed $38 million dollars when released in 2024, the same year that Chapter 2 was supposed to be released.


Saturday, May 16, 2026

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 10th to 16th, 2026 - UPDATE #8

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.

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NEWS:

MOVIES - From IndieWire:  It has been way more than a decade since the release of writer-director John Sayles "Go For Sisters" (2013).  His new film, "I Passed This Way," is set to star Oscar-winners, Amy Madigan and Chris Cooper, and is being shopped 2026 Cannes Film Market.

OSCARS - From DeadlineConan O'Brien will return as the host of the Oscars ceremony for a third year in a row.  The 99th Academy Awards will air on ABC and Hulu on March 14, 2027.

MOVIES - From THR:  Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o plays two roles in director Christopher Nolan's upcoming "The Odyssey." She is "Helen of Troy," the most beautiful woman in the world who is married to Menelaus (played by Jon Bernthal) and gets blamed for starting a war after she’s spirited away by a prince. Nyong'o also plays Helen’s sister, "Clytemnestra," who is married to Menelaus’ brother, Agamemnon (played by Benny Safdie).

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Emmy-winner, Aaron Paul ("Breaking Bad"), will join the cast of "Fallout" Season 3.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/8 to 5/10/2026 weekend box office is 20th Century Studios' "The Devil Wears Prada 2" with an estimated take of 43 million dollars.

NETFLIX - From WorldofReelShawn Levy will direct Netflix's "Somewhere Out There," which is based on a spec script by Max Taxe that Netflix won in a competitive bidding war.

OBITS:

From RollingStone:  American singer, songwriter, record producer, musician, and recording class, Clarence Carter, has died at the age of 90, Thursday, May 14, 2026. Born blind, Carter was known for his bawdy R&B and soul music recordings and was an influential figure in Southern soul music.  Carter's best known singles include "Tell Daddy" (1967), "Slip Away" (1968), "Back Door Santa" (1968), "Patches" (1970), and "Strokin'" (1986).  According to IMDb, Carter's songs appeared in at least 51 films and television episodes, including "Hawkeye" (2021, Marvel/Disney+), "Licorice Pizza" (2021), and "Almost Famous" (2000), to name a few.  Carter was a two-time Grammy Award nominee.

From THR:  American film and television actor, Donald Gibb, has died at the age of 71, Tuesday, May 12, 2026.  Gibb is best known as the dimwitted and aggressive fraternity brother, "Frederick 'Ogre' Palowaski" in the 1984 comedy film, "Revenge of the Nerds," and its sequels, "Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise" (1987) and the made-for-TV comedy, "Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love" (1994).  He is also known for roles in the films "Bloodsport" (1988) and "Bloodsport II: The Kumite (1996).  Gibb also appeared in all seven seasons of HBO's "1st & Ten" (1984-91) and in all seven episodes of the former ABC sitcom, "Stand by Your Man" (1992).  Gibb also had an extensive list of TV credits, appearing in such series as "The X-Files" (Fox), "Step by Step" (ABC), "Weird Science" (USA Network), and "The Young and the Restless" (CBS).

From ESPN:  Former American collegiate and professional basketball player, Jason Collins, has died at the age of 47, Tuesday, May 12, 2026.  After playing basketball for Stanford University, Collins was drafted in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. He played for seven teams over 13 seasons.  After the 2012-13 season, Collins came out as gay, become the first openly gay NBA player.  In February 2014, while playing for the Brooklyn Nets, Collins became the first openly gay athlete to play in one of the four major North American professional sports league.


Saturday, May 9, 2026

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 1st to 9th, 2026 - UPDATE #10

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:

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  NBC‘s "pilot season" is over. Four of the network’s eight pilots are going to series.  They are the dramas, "The Rockford Files," starring David Boreanaz, and "Line of Fire," starring Peter Krause.  Also going to series are the comedies "Sunset P.I." (single-camera), starring Jake Johnson, and "Newlyweds" (multi-camera), starring Téa Leoni and Tim Daly.  All four come from NBC sibling studio, Universal Television. The four that did not make it are "Key Witness," "What the Dead Know," "Puzzled," and "Jill & Ginger."

BUSINESS - From Variety:  Oscar-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo says that many actors are against the Paramount-Skydance/Warner Bros. Discovery merger, but don't want to make their objections public because of the fear of being blacklisted.

AMAZON - From Deadline:  The hot rumor is that Amazon Prime will reboot NBC's former reality TV series, "The Apprentice" (2004-17), which was hosted by Donald Trump for the first 14 of its 15 seasons.  The reboot would have (wait for it) Donald Trump, Jr. as the host.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/1 to 5/3/2026 weekend box office is 20th Century Studios' "The Devil Wears Prada 2" with an estimated take of 77 million dollars.

SAG - From Deadline:  The actors' unions, SAG-AFTRA, have reached a tentative four-year deal with the Hollywood studios to avoid an actors strike.

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  After the difficulties of the two-part "Mission: Impossible" film franchise finale, Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie are taking a break from each other. So McQuarrie won't be involved with "Top Gun 3"... reportedly.

DOCUMENTARY - From Variety:  Five hours of never-before-heard Princess Diana recordings will be the basis of a new documentary series, entitled "Diana: The Unheard Truth."  It is set to launch August 31, 2027, the 30th anniversary of her murder.

MUSIC - From THR:  Writer Leena Tailor of "The Hollywood Reporter" tells us "How the Backstreet Boys Helped Breathe New Life Into “Dying” Vegas with Multimillion-Dollar Sphere Residency"

OBITS:

From CNN:   American businessman, media mogul, television producer, and philanthropist, Ted Turner, has died at the 87, Wednesday, April 6, 2026.  In June 1980, he launched "Cable News Network" (CNN), the first 24-hour cable news channel.  He also launched WTBS (or "TBS"), the first national "superstation."  Turner would go on to create such cable networks as "TNT," Turner Classic Movies" (TCM), and "Cartoon Network."  During his ownership of the "Atlanta Braves" Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise, the team won the 1995 World Series.  These are just a few of his accomplishments.

From THR:  American film and television actor and professional football player, Beau Starr, has died at the age of 81, Friday, April 24, 2026.  Starr may be best known for playing "Sheriff Ben Meeker" in "Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers" (1988) and "Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers" (1989).  His other notable film appearances includes roles in films such as "Goodfellas" (1980), "Hoodlum" (1997), and "Cinderella Man" (2005).  He was a main character in the Canadian crime comedy-drama series, "Due South" (1994-1999).  Starr also appeared in numerous TV series and movies, including "Hill Street Blues," "The A-Team," "Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter" (1991), "Murder, She Wrote," and "Cagney & Lacey: True Convictions" (1996), to name a few.  As a pro football player, Starr spent three years on the NFL's New York Jets taxi squad, and he played for two seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

From Deadline:  American actress and boxing referee, Gwen Farrell, has died at the age of 93, Thursday, April 30, 2026.  Farrell played recurring nurse roles in 26 episodes of the former CBS sitcom, "M*A*S*H" (1972-83), over the course of the series' 11-year run, including in the series finale in 1983.  In 1979, Farrell became the first female licensed boxing referee.  On June  5, 1988, she became the first woman to officiate a world title fight - the "junior-middleweight" bout between Pedro Ortega and Luis “Yory Boy” Campas in Tijuana, Mexico.  In 1993, she worked on "ESPN Top Rank Boxing."  Farrell was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame and the California Boxing Hall of Fame.