Lionsgate’s Michael, a biopic of Michael Jackson directed by Antoine Fuqua, is tracking for a major opening this weekend in North America, with domestic estimates at $65 million to $70 million from roughly 3,900 theaters (including about 1,600 premium large-format auditoriums). Some exhibitors predict the weekend total could climb toward $80 million. Internationally, Universal — handling most foreign markets except Japan (Kino) — is projecting $75 million to $90 million, putting a global opening in the roughly $140 million to $150 million range. The film’s production reportedly cost about $155 million plus an estimated $15 million in additional photography tied to legal and creative retooling; some outlets cite a $200 million figure. Early critical reception is poor (about 33% on Rotten Tomatoes), but strong advance sales, fan enthusiasm and sizable foreign demand have analysts forecasting a potential record opening for a music biopic and long-term franchise upside, despite controversies and selective coverage of abuse allegations.

A former executive at Beast Industries, Lorrayne Mavromatis, filed a federal lawsuit on April 22, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina alleging years of sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination and retaliation. Hired in 2022 as head of Instagram and later promoted, Mavromatis says she complained in November 2023 about a hostile, male‑dominated workplace and was demoted after raising concerns. She alleges harassment by then‑CEO James Warren, inappropriate remarks about her appearance tied to company founder Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson, exclusion from all‑male meetings, requests to work while in labor and termination weeks after returning from maternity leave. The complaint asserts violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act, wrongful discharge and intentional infliction of emotional distress and seeks lost wages, benefits, punitive damages and injunctive relief. Beast Industries has denied the allegations, calling the suit “clout‑chasing” and saying it has evidence — Slack and WhatsApp messages and witness testimony — that refute the claims. The case is supported by the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund and arrives amid heightened scrutiny of workplace practices across the creator economy.

DC Studios on April 22 released the first full teaser for Clayface, an R-rated body-horror entry in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s rebooted DC Universe. Directed by James Watkins from a script by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, the film stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen — a rising actor who is brutally disfigured and transformed into the shapeshifting villain Clayface after an experimental medical procedure. Naomi Ackie co-stars alongside Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan, David Dencik, Nancy Carroll and Joshua James. The trailer, debuted publicly after a CinemaCon preview, shows graphic practical and VFX-driven transformation imagery — bandaged hospital scenes, melting and reshaping faces, and a shadowed sequence in which Clayface forms a mace-like arm. Clayface is slated to open Oct. 23, 2026, moved into the Halloween season, and is positioned as the darker, horror-leaning follow-up to Superman and Supergirl within DCU: Chapter One. The clip underlines the studio’s intent to broaden tonal range across its slate while keeping the story grounded in Gotham City without revealing any Batman cameo.

Universal Pictures' reboot of the 1980s TV series has a title and leads: Miami Vice ’85 will be directed by Joseph Kosinski and star Michael B. Jordan as Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs and Austin Butler as Sonny Crockett. The period film, inspired by the original pilot episode and first season, will be shot for IMAX and is scheduled to open Aug. 6, 2027. Production is set to begin in 2026 after the studio greenlit the budget. Dan Gilroy wrote the current screenplay based on characters created by Anthony Yerkovich; Dylan Clark and Kosinski produce. The project follows previous screen versions, including Michael Mann’s 2006 film adaptation, and arrives amid Kosinski’s recent commercial successes directing large-format tentpoles. Jordan, coming off an Academy Award win, and Butler, an Oscar-nominated actor, closed deals after months of development and negotiations.

Dave Mason, the English singer, songwriter and guitarist who co-founded the psychedelic rock band Traffic and penned classics including “Feelin’ Alright?” and “Hole in My Shoe,” died on April 19, 2026, at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada. He was 79. The family said Mason passed away peacefully after cooking dinner with his wife, Winifred, then taking a nap with the couple’s dog at his feet. No cause of death was disclosed. Mason rose to prominence with Traffic in the late 1960s, later launching a successful solo career that produced hits such as “Only You Know and I Know” and 1977’s “We Just Disagree.” He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and collaborated with major artists including Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac. Mason had postponed tours in 2024 after doctors discovered a serious heart condition and announced his retirement from touring in 2025. He is survived by his wife Winifred Wilson and daughter Danielle.

Jon Favreau, the filmmaker who helped launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe with 2008’s Iron Man, said on April 22, 2026 that he was wrong to resist directors Anthony and Joe Russo’s decision to kill off Tony Stark in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live! while promoting his new film Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, Favreau said he called the Russos at the time to warn that Stark’s death could deeply affect fans, particularly those who grew up with the character. He added that after seeing Endgame he was moved, praised the Russos’ handling of the arc and lauded performances by Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow. Favreau—who appears in the MCU as Happy Hogan—also expressed excitement about Downey’s return to Marvel, now reportedly cast as the villain Doctor Doom in the December Avengers: Doomsday release. His remarks were reported across entertainment outlets the same day.