Michael B. Jordan to Direct and Star in ‘Thomas Crown Affair’ at Amazon MGM Studios
Michael B. Jordan’s next move has been revealed. Deadline first reported Wednesday that the actor will both direct and star in The Thomas Crown Affair, a project by Amazon MGM Studios. The Black Panther alum’s Outlier Society company will also produce alongside Elizabeth Raposo. This marks the third iteration of the heist film. The first arrived in 1968 and starred Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, while the remake was released in 1999 and featured Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo starring opposite one another.
NFL Records Most-watched Week 1 Ever with 21M Viewers Per Game
Fans apparently really missed the NFL over the summer. According to Nielsen data obtained by Forbes, Week 1 in the NFL averaged 21 million viewers per game, making it the most-watched opening week on record. Additionally, the per-game average on TV and digital platforms was a 12% jump over last season. In total, 123 million turned into at least part of one game, the league’s highest amount for an opening week since 2019.
Spike Lee Gets Brooklyn Alamo Drafthouse Dedication
Spike Lee is receiving another honor, as Alamo Drafthouse is dedicating its upgraded location in downtown Brooklyn to the Oscar-winning filmmaker. Per the Variety exclusive, Lee will be honored on Thursday with a ceremony, followed by a screening of his 1994 project Crooklyn and a live Q&A with the NYC native himself. The Brooklyn flagship was Alamo Drafthouse’s first location in New York, opening its doors in 2016 with seven screens.
US Inflation Reaches 3-Year Low; Federal Reserve Could Cut Interest Rates
US inflation fell to a three-year low, as a Wednesday report from the Labor Department revealed that consumer prices climbed 2.5% in August from a year prior, down from 2.9% in July. It was the fifth straight annual decrease and the smallest since February 2021. The drop could potentially clear the way for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. A significant catalyst for the overall decline in August was the third drop in fuel prices over the last four months.
2024 WNBA Regular Season Concludes As Most-Watched in ESPN History
The New York Liberty‘s win over the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday marked the end of ESPN’s coverage of the 2024 WNBA regular season. According to a Wednesday release, this was the most-viewed regular season ever across the network’s various platforms. Games averaged 1.2 million viewers, making it an impressive 170% increase from 2023. The popular pre-game program WNBA Countdown with Monica McNutt, LaChina Robinson, and Carolyn Peck also saw success, with 508,000 average viewers tuning in, a 113% jump.
James Earl Jones Tribute Special to Air on BET
BET confirmed Wednesday a tribute special will air to celebrate the life and career of James Earl Jones. Titled BET News & ET Present James Earl Jones: Life and Legacy, audiences can expect archival footage and never-before-seen interviews with the late actor at various points of his EGOT-winning career. The program will also highlight some of James’ most iconic roles, like his unforgettable voice work as Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King. Scheduled to air on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and BET+, there will be an encore presentation on Sunday at noon ET/PT.
Lakers to Honor Jerry West This Season with ’44’ Jersey Patch
When the Los Angeles Lakers begin their pursuit of an 18th championship on Oct. 22, they’ll be celebrating an NBA legend in the process. In commemoration of the late Jerry West, the team announced via social media that they’ll honor “The Logo” by wearing a “44” patch on their jerseys this season. West played the entirety of his pro career with the Lakers from 1960–74, winning one championship with the team and retiring as a 14-time All-Star and an Olympic gold medalist. He then coached the Lakers from 1976–79. West passed away in June at the age of 86.
TNT Sports to be Players Era Festival’s Exclusive Broadcast Partner
Despite not having the NBA after next season, you can still expect a plethora of college basketball on TNT Sports. Warner Bros. Discovery‘s sports sector announced Tuesday it is the exclusive broadcast partner for the Players Era Festival. The festivities tip off on Nov. 26 and feature eight teams divided into two groups playing a total of 12 games. The Impact Tournament will feature Alabama, Houston, Notre Dame, and Rutgers, while the Power Tournament will see Creighton, Oregon, San Diego State, and Texas A&M facing off. The 2024 Festival will also present opportunities for athletes from every team to engage in more than $1 million in NIL opportunities outside of competition.
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