After COVID canceled the festival in 2020, the Cannes Film Festival is going ahead this year, albeit two months later than usual. Still, it’s remarkable that organizers were able to pull off the world’s largest film festival amid these uncertain times. We’ll tell you about all the COVID protocols at this year’s festival, not to mention all the movies, filmmakers and celebrities that made their way to the French Riviera.
Meanwhile, Disney announced that its new film Black Widow made $60 million in its opening weekend… not at the box office, but rather in homes. Subscribers of Disney+ could pay $30 to watch Scarlett Johannson save the day, rather than head to the movie theater. Is this a win for Disney? A loss for cinema? Or is it too soon to draw any conclusions from these COVID crazy times?
Of course we also cover some of the week’s top entertainment headlines including an increase in comic book sales, David Geffen helps the Yale drama school goes tuition free and Universal Pictures gives Peacock a boost.

Disney Claims $215M+ WW Victory At The B.O. & Disney+ Premier With ‘Black Widow’ Weekend
https://deadline.com/2021/07/black-widow-opening-weekend-box-office-1234789473/
‘Black Widow’ Weaves $79M Overseas Debut For $159M WW Theatrical Bow
https://deadline.com/2021/07/black-widow-disney-marvel-international-box-office-1234788577/
Quentin Tarantino Buys L.A.’s Vista Theatre
https://variety.com/2021/film/news/quentin-tarantino-buys-vista-theatre-los-angeles-1235011904/
Cannes Conquers COVID Challenge
https://celluloidjunkie.com/2021/07/09/cannes-conquers-covid-challenge/
The DGA Awards Ditch a Major Pandemic-Era Qualifying Rule
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/06/awards-insider-dga-awards-theatrical-requirement-dune
Critics Choice Association To Launch World Movie Awards In 2022, Adds International Branch With Global Footprint
https://deadline.com/2021/06/critics-choice-world-movie-awards-international-branch-golden-globes-meltdown-1234784237/
Academy Invites 395 New Members for 2021, Including Robert Pattinson, Andra Day, Steven Yeun
https://variety.com/2021/awards/awards/2021-academy-awards-membership-invited-robert-pattinson-bob-chapek-andra-day-steven-yeun-oscars-1235010018/
Netflix, Amazon Must Invest 20-25% of French Revenues in Local Content, France Government Decrees
https://variety.com/2021/streaming/global/avms-france-netflix-new-rules-streamers-1235008364/
Netflix Becomes Largest Commissioner of New Scripted European Content