'Hunger Games,' 'Harry Potter' Signal How Franchise Fever is Invading Theme Parks

June 05, 2014
'Hunger Games,' 'Harry Potter' Signal How Franchise Fever is Invading Theme Parks
By Marc Graser Lionsgate investors who presumed there was no more value to wring out of "The Hunger Games" beyond its final installment next year got a nice surprise last week. CEO Jon Feltheimer announced a new way to capitalize on the mega-franchise: A touring exhibition devoted to the movie will kick off next summer, the first element of a bigger plan aimed at putting the studio in the theme park business. Indeed, blockbuster entertainment franchises are... Full Story on Variety.com→
Big Questions Loom Over Academy Museum as New Artistic Director Begins By Tim Gray Even before he starts work on July 1, Kerry Brougher has his hands full. Brougher will become artistic director of the proposed Academy Museum, a project embroiled in shifting personnel, a withering review in the Los Angeles Times and general anxiety over a $300 million project that's been in the planning stages for 10 years and isn't slated to open until 2017. Full Story→	Israeli Sitcom About Palestinian Family Confronts Racism, Politics By Pat Saperstein Variety's Under the Radar series looks at movies and TV shows that deserve a closer look. What: "Arab Labor" Full Story→	Five Questions for Los Angeles Film Festival Director Stephanie Allain By Dave McNary Stephanie Allain is in her third year as director of the Los Angeles Film Festival, which runs June 11-19, kicking off with "Snowpiercer" and closing with "Jersey Boys." It's the fifth straight year that the festival — now in its 20th year — has been in downtown Los Angeles. Why has the festival been shortened from 12 days to nine? Full Story→
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