Spotify denies Drake’s accusation of allegedly inflating Kendrick Lamar’s streams.
Streaming platform, Spotify has denied allegations by Drake that it colluded with Universal Music Group (UMG) to artificially boost streams of Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us”. In a Manhattan court filing on Friday, the streaming platform called the claims “false” and criticized Drake’s use of pre-action discovery—a rare legal tactic to gather evidence before filing a lawsuit—as an improper attempt to bypass standard judicial processes, according to Billboard. Drake alleges Spotify and UMG used bots, payola, and manipulation to inflate Lamar’s streams amid their public feud. However, Spotify refuted this, asserting, “Spotify and UMG have never had any such arrangement,” and emphasizing the platform’s efforts to prevent fraudulent streams. David Kaefer, Spotify’s Vice President of Music, testified to the company’s investments in stream integrity to protect artists. The case underscores tensions between Drake and Lamar while raising broader concerns about artificial streaming practices in the music industry.
https://twitter.com/popcrave/status/1870122748833607706
A new The Mummy film is reportedly in the works at Blumhouse.
Lee Cronin, known for Evil Dead Rise, is set to write and direct a new The Mummy film for New Line, as confirmed by Deadline. Plot details remain under wraps, but the movie will be co-financed and produced by Atomic Monster, Blumhouse, and Cronin’s Doppelgängers, with a release date slated for April 17, 2026. Producers include James Wan, Jason Blum, and John Keville, with Michael Clear, Judson Scott, and Macdara Kelleher serving as executive producers. Blumhouse announced the project on Instagram, teasing, “Something terrifying will be unleashed in 2026.” Mummy-themed films have long been a horror staple, from Universal’s 1930s classic The Mummy to Brendan Fraser’s blockbuster franchise. Cronin, who directed the acclaimed Evil Dead Rise ($147M global gross), is also attached to New Line’s horror thriller Thaw. His breakout film, The Hole in the Ground, premiered at Sundance in 2019.
https://twitter.com/culturecrave/status/1870155365545099709
The Weeknd announces release date for his film, Hurry Up Tomorrow.
Canadian singer, The Weeknd and Lionsgate are set to release their psychological thriller Hurry Up Tomorrow in theaters on May 16, 2025. The film, directed and written by Trey Edward Shults (Waves, It Comes At Night), stars The Weeknd alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. Sharing its title with The Weeknd’s upcoming album, the film features a score composed by Daniel Lopatin and The Weeknd himself. Lionsgate’s Adam Fogelson praised The Weeknd as a “visionary” expanding his artistry to the big screen, promising a groundbreaking cinematic experience. Fans are eagerly anticipating the project, with excitement building for a trailer. The album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, part of The Weeknd’s After Hours-Dawn FM trilogy, drops on Jan. 24, 2025, followed by a Rose Bowl concert on Jan. 25. It will include singles, “Dancing In The Flames,” “Timeless” with Playboi Carti, and “São Paulo” featuring Anitta.
https://twitter.com/discussingfilm/status/1870152924137173301
Stranger Things season five officially wraps up filming ahead of its 2025 release.
Netflix has announced that filming for the final season of Stranger Things has officially wrapped after an 11-month shoot in Atlanta. Co-creator Ross Duffer shared an emotional post reflecting on nearly a decade of storytelling, highlighting the cast’s growth from childhood to family-like bonds and praising the crew’s dedication. Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers, posted a heartfelt message about his final scene, expressing gratitude for the lessons learned and the unique experiences of growing up in the spotlight. Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler) echoed the sentiment, saying he’s still “in shock” that the journey is over and hopes fans will love the final season. Set to debut in 2025, the concluding season features a time jump to fall 1987. Netflix has revealed the titles of all eight episodes, though one, “The Vanishing Of,” remains partially censored, sparking fan speculation.
https://twitter.com/popcrave/status/1870129867129233773
Paramount bumps up the release date of The Running Man from November 21st to 7th.
Edgar Wright’s The Running Man will now release on November 7, 2025, two weeks earlier than its original date of November 21, to avoid competition with Wicked: For Good and secure more IMAX screens. However, it will now face tough rivals, including Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Badlands and Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia, also set for the same day. Starring Glen Powell as Ben Richards, the film follows a desperate father who enters a deadly game show to earn money for his sick daughter, exposing its dark secrets. The cast includes Josh Brolin, Katy O’Brian, Lee Pace, Daniel Ezra, Emilia Jones, and Michael Cera. Wright’s adaptation, co-written with Michael Bacall, will stay truer to Stephen King’s 1982 novel, unlike the 1987 Schwarzenegger movie. Wright said he’s long wanted to adapt the book, calling it a story “crying out” for proper treatment.
https://twitter.com/discussingfilm/status/1870266066263519273
