An anonymous Pixar staffer told THR that Disney rejected Be Fri, a female-led teen friendship film, after notes suggested the story wouldn’t appeal to boys. The team reportedly reworked it for six weeks, but Disney ultimately chose to shelve the project.
"Damsel" is a sumptuous new fantasy film starring Millie Bobby Brown as Elodie, a damsel in distress who must save herself after being sacrificed to a dragon following a royal wedding. The film offers a fresh, female-led take on the traditional tale, with stunning production design and costumes, but is weakened by some screenplay flaws. Despite this, Brown's performance and the sisterhood-is-powerful twist make it worth a watch.
The Marvels, the latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is projected to have a disappointing box office opening, with estimates ranging from $60 million to $65 million, potentially making it one of the lowest starts for Marvel Studios. The film, which serves as a sequel to Captain Marvel, faces challenges such as the ongoing actors' strike, superhero fatigue, and declining interest. To boost anticipation, Marvel and Disney released a new trailer emphasizing the movie's connection to the Avengers franchise. Directed by Nia DaCosta, The Marvels stars three female leads and is set to open globally with an estimated $140 million.