Brooks Barnes
@theancientqueen.bsky.social
Short-order cook slinging Hollywood hash for the New York Times since 2007. Forged in Montana and Wisconsin.
"These mergers always promise benefits, but they always deliver diminished competition, lower pay and fewer jobs for workers."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/06/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/06/b...
Angst Turns to Anger in Hollywood as Netflix Hooks Warner Bros.
www.nytimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:16 PM
"These mergers always promise benefits, but they always deliver diminished competition, lower pay and fewer jobs for workers."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/06/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/06/b...
But Who Is the Snake in ‘Zootopia 2’?
After sparring with Disney in court over the first Zootopia, Gary Goldman is convinced that Gary De'Snake is based on ... him
“Is this meant as some kind of confession? How on earth did this ever get approved by Disney?”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/b...
After sparring with Disney in court over the first Zootopia, Gary Goldman is convinced that Gary De'Snake is based on ... him
“Is this meant as some kind of confession? How on earth did this ever get approved by Disney?”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/b...
But Who Is the Snake in ‘Zootopia 2’?
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:54 PM
But Who Is the Snake in ‘Zootopia 2’?
After sparring with Disney in court over the first Zootopia, Gary Goldman is convinced that Gary De'Snake is based on ... him
“Is this meant as some kind of confession? How on earth did this ever get approved by Disney?”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/b...
After sparring with Disney in court over the first Zootopia, Gary Goldman is convinced that Gary De'Snake is based on ... him
“Is this meant as some kind of confession? How on earth did this ever get approved by Disney?”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/b...
Parents need ways to entertain the kiddos, even in the iPad age. But plenty of people went without kids, perhaps looking for a pick-me-up: Entertaining is entertaining
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/b...
‘Zootopia 2’ Goes Wild at the Worldwide Box Office
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Parents need ways to entertain the kiddos, even in the iPad age. But plenty of people went without kids, perhaps looking for a pick-me-up: Entertaining is entertaining
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/b...
Miss P's production-worn suede pumps sold for $22,400. Alas, outside of my bidding range.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/b...
Miss Piggy, Fraggles and an Auction at the Twilight of a Hollywood Era
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Miss P's production-worn suede pumps sold for $22,400. Alas, outside of my bidding range.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/b...
I did a short profile on Jared Bush, Disney Animation's newish chief creative officer and "Zootopia 2" writer-director. Among other things, I learned that his dad and granddad both worked for the CIA 👀
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/b...
Can Disney Animation Reclaim Its Magic?
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:26 PM
I did a short profile on Jared Bush, Disney Animation's newish chief creative officer and "Zootopia 2" writer-director. Among other things, I learned that his dad and granddad both worked for the CIA 👀
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/b...
"WTF Is That on Your Shoulder?" sadly did not pass muster with the copy desk as a hed on this late-summer brite
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/b...
Move Over, Mouse Ears: For Disney Adults, There’s a New Obsession
www.nytimes.com
August 22, 2025 at 3:51 PM
"WTF Is That on Your Shoulder?" sadly did not pass muster with the copy desk as a hed on this late-summer brite
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/b...
Reposted by Brooks Barnes
Voight's been making the rounds of Hollywood and showed up at Mar-a-Lago with two one-page docs drafted by the MPA and endorsed by a bunch of guilds outlining the industry's needs. No tariffs were mentioned in either. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/m...
Trump Called for Movie Tariffs After a Meeting With Jon Voight
The president’s call for tariffs caused confusion in Hollywood, which has seen a steep drop-off in local film and television production.
www.nytimes.com
May 5, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Voight's been making the rounds of Hollywood and showed up at Mar-a-Lago with two one-page docs drafted by the MPA and endorsed by a bunch of guilds outlining the industry's needs. No tariffs were mentioned in either. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/m...
The British family that has steered the James Bond franchise for more than 60 years, zealously protecting the superspy from the indignities of Hollywood strip mining, has agreed to relinquish control to Amazon. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/b...
Amazon Gains Creative Control Over the James Bond Franchise
The British family that has for decades held complete control over everything involving the globe-trotting superspy is relinquishing it to Amazon.
www.nytimes.com
February 20, 2025 at 5:28 PM
The British family that has steered the James Bond franchise for more than 60 years, zealously protecting the superspy from the indignities of Hollywood strip mining, has agreed to relinquish control to Amazon. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/b...
Marvel’s New ‘Captain America’ Is No. 1, Despite a Backlash and Poor Reviews www.nytimes.com/2025/02/16/b...
Marvel’s New ‘Captain America’ Is No. 1, Despite Poor Reviews
“Captain America: Brave New World” was expected to take in $84 million from Thursday through Sunday in North America.
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Marvel’s New ‘Captain America’ Is No. 1, Despite a Backlash and Poor Reviews www.nytimes.com/2025/02/16/b...
Alex Gibney sold his doc film company to Wendy Schmidt -- Google money -- and will expand into more progressive-issue topics. She told me she made an offer to buy Participant but Jeff Skoll decided he'd rather shut it down 👀
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/b...
Documentarian Alex Gibney Teams Up With a Google Billionaire
The Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney has sold a majority stake in his Jigsaw Productions to the philanthropist Wendy Schmidt.
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Alex Gibney sold his doc film company to Wendy Schmidt -- Google money -- and will expand into more progressive-issue topics. She told me she made an offer to buy Participant but Jeff Skoll decided he'd rather shut it down 👀
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/b...
Bob Iger: "Can we help in setting up temporary schools? Can our Imagineers help design new town centers? Rebuilding is not just about money. It’s about ingenuity and determination.”
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
Bob Iger on Disney’s relief efforts: ‘Can we help in setting up temporary schools?’
Mr. Iger, the company’s chief executive, said Disney wants to be part of the rebuilding effort in Los Angeles.
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Bob Iger: "Can we help in setting up temporary schools? Can our Imagineers help design new town centers? Rebuilding is not just about money. It’s about ingenuity and determination.”
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
Hollywood finds itself in a surreal spot: reeling from personal loss with much of the business untouched
At Disney alone, 64 employees lost their homes. But there was almost no moviemaking in LA to disrupt -- all shooting elsewhere
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/b...
At Disney alone, 64 employees lost their homes. But there was almost no moviemaking in LA to disrupt -- all shooting elsewhere
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/b...
Hollywood’s Filmmaking Continues Despite L.A. Wildfires
Because of costs, few movies are shot locally, leaving the industry in a surreal spot: reeling from personal loss with much of the business untouched.
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Hollywood finds itself in a surreal spot: reeling from personal loss with much of the business untouched
At Disney alone, 64 employees lost their homes. But there was almost no moviemaking in LA to disrupt -- all shooting elsewhere
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/b...
At Disney alone, 64 employees lost their homes. But there was almost no moviemaking in LA to disrupt -- all shooting elsewhere
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/b...
After two days closed for the fires, Universal Studios Hollywood was back in the business of manufactured reality on Friday. A quick dispatch:
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
At Universal Studios Hollywood, a hint of normalcy returns.
www.nytimes.com
January 11, 2025 at 1:28 AM
After two days closed for the fires, Universal Studios Hollywood was back in the business of manufactured reality on Friday. A quick dispatch:
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
Golden Globe voters did little to clear up a blurry awards picture in Hollywood on Sunday, giving little-seen films like “The Brutalist” and “Emilia Pérez” roughly equal treatment and snubbing some perceived Oscar front-runners, including "Anora."
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/a...
Golden Globes 2025 Takeaways: ‘Emilia Pérez’ and ‘The Brutalist’ Win Big
“Shogun,” the FX drama, also had a strong night, winning best TV drama, best actor, best actress and best supporting actor.
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Golden Globe voters did little to clear up a blurry awards picture in Hollywood on Sunday, giving little-seen films like “The Brutalist” and “Emilia Pérez” roughly equal treatment and snubbing some perceived Oscar front-runners, including "Anora."
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/a...
Why is Ariana Grande a supporting nominee at the Globes when her role is a lead?
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/m...
Why Is Ariana Grande a Supporting Nominee at Golden Globes for Her ‘Wicked’ Role?
The pop star plays Glinda in the film, while Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, is nominated as the lead.
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Why is Ariana Grande a supporting nominee at the Globes when her role is a lead?
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/m...
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is gone. Its scandals will live on.
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Item: The Globes, long an ungodly mess, have seemingly pulled themselves together. Icky contretemps continue behind the scenes, however.
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
Golden Globes 2025 Live Updates: What to Expect Ahead of Red Carpet
The event, which honors work in both film and television, will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern time, 5 p.m. Pacific time, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif.
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Item: The Globes, long an ungodly mess, have seemingly pulled themselves together. Icky contretemps continue behind the scenes, however.
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
I was asked to answer this (perennial) reader question:
What Do Movie Producers Do, Anyway? www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/m...
What Do Movie Producers Do, Anyway? www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/m...
What Do Movie Producers Do, Anyway?
And why do they get the trophy for best picture at the Oscars?
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I was asked to answer this (perennial) reader question:
What Do Movie Producers Do, Anyway? www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/m...
What Do Movie Producers Do, Anyway? www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/m...
A lot of filmmakers took interesting risks this year 👏
But the box office, for the most part, swung squarely back to the same-old, same-old 👎
This is why studios take fewer and fewer chances on original movies:
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/31/b...
But the box office, for the most part, swung squarely back to the same-old, same-old 👎
This is why studios take fewer and fewer chances on original movies:
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/31/b...
The Top Movies of 2024: ‘Wicked’ and Nine Sequels
Box office returns have started to stabilize. But nine of the top 10 box office hits this year were sequels. And the 10th was “Wicked.”
www.nytimes.com
December 31, 2024 at 6:37 PM
A lot of filmmakers took interesting risks this year 👏
But the box office, for the most part, swung squarely back to the same-old, same-old 👎
This is why studios take fewer and fewer chances on original movies:
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/31/b...
But the box office, for the most part, swung squarely back to the same-old, same-old 👎
This is why studios take fewer and fewer chances on original movies:
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/31/b...
‘Wicked’ Jump-Starts the Box Office, but at a Cost
Movies, especially ones like “Wicked,” a mega-spectacle with mega-reviews based on a mega-musical, used to be able to commandeer the culture by themselves. Now it takes 10 months of marketing pleading.
www.nytimes.com/2024/11/24/b...
Movies, especially ones like “Wicked,” a mega-spectacle with mega-reviews based on a mega-musical, used to be able to commandeer the culture by themselves. Now it takes 10 months of marketing pleading.
www.nytimes.com/2024/11/24/b...
‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’ Jump-Start the Box Office, but at a Cost
Battling a 27 percent decline in domestic ticket sales compared with before the pandemic, studios left no marketing drum unthumped in releasing the movies.
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2024 at 3:19 PM
‘Wicked’ Jump-Starts the Box Office, but at a Cost
Movies, especially ones like “Wicked,” a mega-spectacle with mega-reviews based on a mega-musical, used to be able to commandeer the culture by themselves. Now it takes 10 months of marketing pleading.
www.nytimes.com/2024/11/24/b...
Movies, especially ones like “Wicked,” a mega-spectacle with mega-reviews based on a mega-musical, used to be able to commandeer the culture by themselves. Now it takes 10 months of marketing pleading.
www.nytimes.com/2024/11/24/b...