Brooks Barnes

Shunned by bigger studios as too risky, “Michael” and other hits have revived Hollywood’s last major independent studio. But is it enough?

A Netflix adaptation of the beloved tale empowers Ma and adds new Black and Native characters to challenge prejudices. The creators know criticism is coming.

Overall, ticket sales for the weekend were up 21 percent from last year. But the expensive “Supergirl” debuted as a disappointing second, with an estimated $38 million.

For years, creators were on the fringes at Creative Artists Agency, a Hollywood talent behemoth. Now the agency is putting them center stage.

In a clear sign of Hollywood’s softening stance on artificial intelligence, the cinema icon is backing Black Forest Labs, an image generation start-up.

“Backrooms,” a psychological horror flick opening this weekend, is part of a wave of breakout films from fledgling directors who honed their instincts on YouTube.

The movie, which cost $300 million to make and market, was expected to collect about $102 million from Thursday through Monday at domestic theaters.

An actress accused the director James Cameron of stealing her likeness for a digitally created, blue-skinned warrior princess.

It was the biggest opening weekend for a traditional comedy in 11 years. One analyst called the debut “sensational.”

Josh D’Amaro, who took the helm in February, will have to lead Disney through surprising new scrutiny from the president.

Lionsgate estimated on Saturday that the Michael Jackson biopic would collect more than $200 million over its first few days in theaters.

Reshoots, reluctant studios and family holdouts: the production faced many issues. But now the box office is expected to be huge.