👋 Your watchlist just got better — here’s what to watch this week…

• 🎥 Thunderbolts* | 5.2

• 🎥 The Surfer | 5.2

• 🎥 Rust | 5.2

Read time: 2 minutes | 421 words

TRENDING

• 🥊 First trailer for A24's The Smashing Machine drops, revealing Dwayne Johnson's dramatic transformation as fighter Mark Kerr (see the poster).

• 🐱 First Look: Austin Butler trapped in criminal chaos after cat-sitting for punk neighbor in Darren Aronofsky's star-studded "Caught Stealing."

• 🎬 A24's biopic Tony casts The Holdovers’ Dominic Sessa as Anthony Bourdain, directed by "Blackberry" filmmaker Matt Johnson

• 🏍️ John Mulaney's Terminator 2 stunt team reunion tops his Willie Loman gathering at #EverybodysLive, leaving fans stunned.

• 🐍 Before Harrison Ford, Tom Selleck was cast as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark. This is his screen test.

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FEATURE 

🎭 Jordan Peele Loses Bidding War for Weapons, Fires Manager.

Zach Cregger's 'Weapons' arrives shrouded in mystery, with industry insiders suggesting audiences should avoid even the trailer to preserve its surprises.

Following the breakout success of 2022's "Barbarian," Cregger's sophomore directorial effort has already generated remarkable industry buzz, not just for its content but for the fierce bidding war it sparked. New Line ultimately secured the script for a substantial $38 million, outbidding Universal and Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions despite Peele reportedly offering part of his contractual backend.

The behind-the-scenes drama escalated when Peele parted ways with his longtime managers at Artists First shortly after losing the auction.

This industry reshuffling highlights the perceived value of Cregger's vision, as he transitions from comedy origins (as a founding member of The Whitest Kids U Know) to becoming one of horror's most sought-after new directorial voices, mirroring Peele's own journey from sketch comedy to genre filmmaking.

True horror aficionados might consider preserving the element of surprise that made "Barbarian" such a revelation by avoiding promotional materials entirely.

Meanwhile, Peele continues his own successful trajectory as producer of upcoming horror film "HIM," which explores the dark side of sports fame and arrives in theaters this September, ensuring that fans of intelligent, boundary-pushing horror have much to anticipate regardless of who ultimately won the bidding war.

PUNCHLINES