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Announcements, events and behind-the-scenes from across Art City's divisions. Like the stories you love and save them for later.

30 Jul 2026Casting

The Conjuring: First Communion Casts Young Ed & Lorraine Warren | Art City Casting News

New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. have officially cast Garrett Wareing and Amanda Fix to star as the younger versions of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring: First Communion. Directed by Rodrigue Huart from a screenplay by Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg, the horror prequel delves into the origins of the ghost-hunting couple. Scheduled for theatrical release on September 10, 2027, the production marks a major new chapter for Hollywood’s highest-grossing horror franchise.

Project Overview & Announcement Details

Serving as an origin story for the $2.7B+ Conjuring Universe, The Conjuring: First Communion explores the early years of Ed and Lorraine Warren as they encounter supernatural phenomena long before the events of the original 2013 film. Emerging filmmaker Rodrigue Huart takes the helm for this major studio prequel following the massive box-office success of The Conjuring: Last Rites.

Confirmed Lead Cast: Garrett Wareing as Young Ed Warren & Amanda Fix as Young Lorraine Warren

Director: Rodrigue Huart

Screenwriters: Richard Naing & Ian Goldberg

Producers: Peter Safran (Producer); John Rickard, Natalia Safran, Romel Adam (Executive Producers)

Studios / Distributors: New Line Cinema / Warner Bros. Pictures

Franchise Legacy: 5th Mainline Conjuring Feature (10th Overall Franchise Installment)

Target Release Date: September 10, 2027

Why This Casting Announcement Matters

For over a decade, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga defined the iconic roles of Ed and Lorraine Warren across four mainline films. Casting Garrett Wareing (Ransom Canyon, The Long Walk) and Amanda Fix (Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, Camp Miasma) signals a major studio strategy shift: refreshing legacy IPs by passing the torch to rising talent while building long-term career arcs.

Fix's strong physical resemblance to Vera Farmiga and Wareing’s steady dramatic presence demonstrate how studio casting offices align performance depth with visual continuity when re-launching flagship cinematic franchises.

What This Means for Casting Directors & Working Talent

From a film production logistics standpoint, launching a period horror prequel requires an extensive secondary casting operation:

Period-Accurate Background Casting (Extras): Setting the story in earlier decades demands background talent with natural, era-appropriate appearances (hairstyles, clean complexions, no visible modern tattoos) to authenticate historical environments.
Photo Doubles & Technical Stand-Ins: Studio prequels require precise physical matches for lead actors during long camera blocking and lighting setups.
Specialized Physical & Stunt Performers: Horror sequences require actors with movement backgrounds, practical stunt choreographers, and physical performers to bring demonic manifestations to life.
Featured Supporting Roles (Day Players): Origin narratives rely heavily on local day players to portray family members, clergy, and local community figures.

Audition Safety Notice: Verified casting directors and legitimate agencies will never request upfront registration fees or private identity documents via Instagram DMs or unofficial social channels. Always apply through verified platforms.

Verified News Sources
TheWrap (‘The Conjuring: First Communion’ Casts Garrett Wareing and Amanda Fix)
Dread Central (Exclusive Conjuring Prequel Casting Breakdown)
Warner Bros. & New Line Cinema Press Office
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Music

Nov 12, 2026

DistroKid Partners with Kobalt to Launch Publishing Service, and Samsung’s HARMAN Unveils Music Discovery App Drops

Two major developments spanning independent songwriter royalties and social music discovery platforms have been announced: Launch of DistroKid Publishing: On November 11, 2026, DistroKid partnered with Kobalt to roll out DistroKid Publishing, allowing independent songwriters to collect mechanical and public performance royalties. For a $75 setup fee, eligible artists retain 80% of collected royalties (excluding covers, remixes, and fully AI-generated tracks). Samsung & HARMAN Introduce Drops: Samsung subsidiary HARMAN debuted the invite-only music discovery app Drops, backed by Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and major indie distributors. The app curates 10-to-30-second song snippets paired with human recommendations and direct integration with Apple Music, TIDAL, and Qobuz. Source: Music Business Worldwide & Digital Music News

UK Inward Film Investment Drops 40%, BFI Commits £650K to AI Filmmaking R&D, and Daisy Ridley’s Horror Thriller Cupid Continues Shooting

Productions

Nov 12, 2026

UK Inward Film Investment Drops 40%, BFI Commits £650K to AI Filmmaking R&D, and Daisy Ridley’s Horror Thriller Cupid Continues Shooting

Three notable updates spanning UK film economics, responsible AI development, and US feature production have been released: UK Inward Film Investment Drops 40%: Inward investment for UK film production declined by 40%, bringing total spend across the first nine months of 2026 to £4.1 billion. Conversely, international co-productions grew by 31%, with 123 features—including The Batman: Part II—commencing production. BFI Allocates £650K for AI & Virtual Production: The British Film Institute (BFI) has committed £650,000 to support 18 filmmakers and creatives exploring responsible AI and Virtual Production workflows over a two-year initiative delivered via the NFTS and Falmouth University. Production Continues on Horror-Thriller Cupid: Filming is underway in Mississippi for director Tate Taylor's horror-thriller Cupid, starring Daisy Ridley, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Darren Criss. The plot follows a couple whose weekend retreat with a marriage counselor spirals into terror. Source: British Film Institute (BFI) Statistics & Production Trade Reports

Gang Dong-won & Kim Go-eun Lead Netflix’s The Twilight Between Us, and Wilson Bethel Joins Apple TV+ Thriller Series

Casting

Nov 12, 2026

Gang Dong-won & Kim Go-eun Lead Netflix’s The Twilight Between Us, and Wilson Bethel Joins Apple TV+ Thriller Series

Two high-profile television and streaming developments have officially been announced: Korean Historical Romance The Twilight Between Us: A-listers Gang Dong-won and Kim Go-eun are slated to star together for the first time in Netflix's upcoming historical action-romance series The Twilight Between Us. Directed by Kim Won-suk and written by Queen of Tears scribe Park Ji-eun, the narrative follows two individuals from rival bloodlines forced into a royal marriage. Apple TV+ Thriller Series Casting: Actor Wilson Bethel (Daredevil: Born Again) has joined the cast of Apple TV+’s upcoming high-stakes financial thriller series in a recurring role. Directed by Kari Skogland, the project stars Dakota Fanning, Stellan Skarsgård, Daryl McCormack, and Grace Gummer. Source: K-Drama Production Reports & Apple TV+ / Netflix Trade Announcements

How is Artificial Intelligence Changing the Way Influencer Campaigns are Managed?

Marketing

Nov 12, 2026

How is Artificial Intelligence Changing the Way Influencer Campaigns are Managed?

A startup named Tano has managed to raise $4 million in capital to simplify the management of influencer campaigns with the help of artificial intelligence. But what does this company do? Let's take an example. Suppose a clothing brand wants to work with 50 influencers to promote its new products. In the traditional method, the company needs to find the right people, contact them, agree on rates and terms, and then monitor the content publication. These tasks require a lot of time and effort. Tano's idea is to automate some of these tasks using artificial intelligence, so that brands can quickly organize and manage their campaigns. However, there is a crucial point: the fact that Tano has managed to raise $4 million is not proof that its system is more effective than the traditional method. This still requires real-world results and measurement. What is the marketing lesson of this news? Artificial intelligence can speed up repetitive tasks, but choosing the right influencer and building trust with the customer remain essential. Or in one short verdict: «In influencer marketing, success isn't solely measured by the speed of campaign management; rather, it is measured by how well the campaign has achieved the brand's objectives.»

Inter Medya licenses Turkish micro-drama slate to ViX, Canal 2 and Ditu

Distribution

Nov 12, 2026

Inter Medya licenses Turkish micro-drama slate to ViX, Canal 2 and Ditu

The Istanbul distributor will supply mobile-first short-form titles across the Americas through partnerships with TelevisaUnivision's streaming service, El Salvador's Canal 2 and Caracol Television's Ditu platform. Inter Medya has concluded distribution agreements across the Americas for its mobile-first Turkish micro-drama slate, securing platform deals with ViX, Canal 2 and Ditu. The Istanbul-based distributor has partnered with TelevisaUnivision's Spanish-language streaming platform ViX, Salvadoran broadcaster Canal 2, and Caracol Television's service Ditu. The package spans fifteen short-form productions: Boardroom to Bedroom, My Ugly Lover, The Scholarship Girl, The Repairman, A Woman’s Love Handbook, Pretend Lover, Love or Money?, Devotion to Love, Traces of Love, New Generation Family, Noble Captive, Dare for Love?, I’m My Husband Lawyer, Forget Me Not, and Unmasked. Source: videoageinternational.net Source: videoageinternational.net

Millie Bobby Brown & Jack Innanen to Star in Netflix Rom-Com Non-Refundable, and The Nee Brothers Tapped to Direct Catan Feature

Casting

Nov 11, 2026

Millie Bobby Brown & Jack Innanen to Star in Netflix Rom-Com Non-Refundable, and The Nee Brothers Tapped to Direct Catan Feature

Two new film updates regarding Netflix's upcoming production slate have emerged: Millie Bobby Brown Cast in Non-Refundable: Millie Bobby Brown and Jack Innanen are attached to star in Netflix's upcoming romantic comedy feature Non-Refundable. The narrative follows two exes whose paths cross in a comedic sequence of events. Live-Action Catan Adaptation: According to Deadline, directing duo Aaron Nee and Adam Nee (The Lost City) have been tapped to write and direct Netflix's live-action feature adaptation of the iconic board game Catan. Source: Variety, Production Reports & Deadline

Music

Nov 11, 2026

Spotify Expands AI DJ Personalization with New Voices, while Warner Music Group Acquires French Indie Label Délicieuse Musique

Two major developments spanning streaming feature rollouts and international music label acquisitions have been announced: Spotify AI DJ Updates: On November 10, 2026, Spotify introduced enhanced customization controls for its AI DJ feature for Premium subscribers. Users can now select from multiple DJ personas—adding seven new English accents and two Spanish voices—or disable commentary between tracks entirely. The feature reaches over 94 million Premium listeners across 95 markets. Warner Music Group Acquires Délicieuse Musique: On November 9, 2026, Warner Music France acquired indie French label and management company Délicieuse Musique. Representing over 1,200 artists across electronic and indie pop, the entity will continue operating independently out of Bordeaux while plugging its catalog into WMG's global distribution, licensing, and marketing networks. Source: Digital Music News & Music Business Worldwide

Russell Crowe’s Sci-Fi Thriller Bluefly Begins Filming in Australia, The Raid Star Heads Pendekar in Malaysia, and Germany Launches Dogma25 Slate

Productions

Nov 11, 2026

Russell Crowe’s Sci-Fi Thriller Bluefly Begins Filming in Australia, The Raid Star Heads Pendekar in Malaysia, and Germany Launches Dogma25 Slate

Three international film production milestones have been officially announced: Russell Crowe Stars in Australia's Bluefly: Principal photography has commenced in Australia for the sci-fi action thriller Bluefly, directed by Nimród Antal and starring Russell Crowe alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The production generates 190 local jobs and an estimated A$7.3 million direct economic impact. Iko Uwais Leads Action Feature Pendekar: Shooting has started at Iskandar Studios in Malaysia for the martial arts action film Pendekar (Warrior), starring The Raid breakout Iko Uwais and directed by John Radel. Centered on a Silat fighter from Jakarta, completion is targeted for early 2027. Germany Kicks Off Dogma25 Initiative: Principal photography has begun on the first two German features produced under the Dogma25 manifesto, directed by Oscar nominee İlker Çatak and Helene Hegemann. The initiative prioritizes minimalist filmmaking and director-driven narrative freedom. Source: Production Weekly & International Film Trade Reports

Universal and Crosswalk acquire rights to K-pop concert doc Twice: This Is For… You

Distribution

Nov 11, 2026

Universal and Crosswalk acquire rights to K-pop concert doc Twice: This Is For… You

The concert documentary, filmed at London’s O2 Arena during the group’s world tour, is scheduled to open across global theatres on February 5, 2027. Universal Pictures Content Group and Bleecker Street’s event distribution banner Crosswalk have secured global distribution rights to the upcoming concert film Twice: This Is For… You. Under the agreement, Crosswalk will handle the theatrical release across North America, while Universal Pictures Content Group takes all remaining international territories. The feature has been slated to debut in cinemas worldwide on February 5, 2027. Produced by Live Nation Studios, the documentary follows the K-pop girl group performing live at London’s O2 Arena as part of their world tour. The film is co-directed by Hannah Lux Davis and Paul Dugdale, whose previous concert feature Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience took more than $23m at the global box office following its North American rollout through Crosswalk. The distribution agreement was negotiated by Miranda King and Avy Eschenasy representing Crosswalk, with Ross Putman acting on behalf of Live Nation Studios. Source: vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com

Marketing

Nov 11, 2026

How Does the Rao’s Brand Create an Impactful Emotional Ad by Counting the Remaining Meals with Family?

The American brand Rao’s Homemade, which produces food sauces, has utilized a different marketing concept in a new campaign. The company released a four-minute film titled «Limited-Time Only». In the film, three people discuss how often they eat with their families and loved ones. Then, they are presented with a jar of Rao’s sauce with a number written on it. That number is an estimation of how many shared meals they have left with their loved ones. This makes them reflect on how crucial it is to spend time with family and how it passes by without us even realizing. But what is the marketing idea behind this campaign? In marketing, the phrase «limited-time offer» is frequently used to encourage people to buy a product more quickly. However, Rao’s has utilized this concept in a different way. Instead of saying «you only have a few days left to buy this sauce at a discount», it says: «the time you spend with your loved ones is limited.» This way, the brand tries to associate its product with memory and familial connection. This is a successful example of emotional marketing, where the brand attempts to build a closer relationship with the customer through emotion and storytelling. Or in one short verdict: «Sometimes the most powerful ad isn't the one that talks about your product; rather, it is the one that makes people think about something important in their lives.»

Music

Nov 10, 2026

YouTube Returns to Billboard Charts Following System Redesign, and Estate Holders for Elvis Presley & Eminem Sue AI Music Startup Suno

Two significant developments regarding music chart mechanics and AI copyright litigation have emerged: YouTube Returns to Billboard Charts: On November 9, 2026, Billboard announced a shift in its streaming weight calculations (lowering the ad-supported to paid streaming ratio from 2.5 to 1.5), effective January 16, 2027. Following the update, YouTube confirmed it will resume feeding data back into Billboard charts starting in 2027, ending a withdrawal that began in early 2026. Copyright Lawsuits Against Suno: Rights holders for Elvis Presley and Eminem filed two separate federal lawsuits in California against generative AI music company Suno. The complaints (Elvis Presley Enterprises v. Suno and Eight Mile Style v. Suno) allege that Suno trained its AI models on copyrighted music catalogs without proper licensing. Source: Music Business Worldwide / Billboard & Reuters

Bill Skarsgard Set to Star in Kojima’s PHYSINT, and Ram Pothineni Joins Rajinikanth in Dharman

Casting

Nov 10, 2026

Bill Skarsgard Set to Star in Kojima’s PHYSINT, and Ram Pothineni Joins Rajinikanth in Dharman

Two major updates spanning interactive narrative games and Indian cinema slates have been officially announced: Bill Skarsgård Headlines PHYSINT: Actor Bill Skarsgård has officially been announced as the lead performance capture actor for Kojima Productions and Xbox's upcoming action-espionage game PHYSINT. He stars alongside Charlee Fraser, Don Lee, and Minami Hamabe. Casting Expansion for Dharman: Actor Ram Pothineni has officially joined the cast of the Tamil-language feature Dharman, produced by Kamal Haasan and directed by Ashwath Marimuthu. The project marks Pothineni's Tamil debut, starring alongside Rajinikanth, Nayanthara, Raashii Khanna, and Sreeleela. Source: Kojima Productions Official Press Release & Times of India

James Gunn & Peter Safran Depart DC Studios, Korean Historical Action Feature The Hit List Begins Filming, and Yango Play Launches Drama Series Asal Ahmar

Productions

Nov 10, 2026

James Gunn & Peter Safran Depart DC Studios, Korean Historical Action Feature The Hit List Begins Filming, and Yango Play Launches Drama Series Asal Ahmar

Three major film and television industry announcements spanning executive transitions and regional productions have been released: Executive Leadership Shift at DC Studios: Skydance announced that James Gunn and Peter Safran will step down from DC Studios after four years. Former Marvel executive Jeremy Latcham has been named the new President and Chief Creative Officer, effective December 1, 2026. Korean Historical Action Feature The Hit List: Production has officially commenced in South Korea for director's (Project Wolf Hunting) new 15th-century Joseon Dynasty action feature The Hit List. Starring Jung Woo-sung and Wi Ha-jun, the project is adapted from a popular Kakao webtoon with over 120 million views. Yango Play Original Arabic Series Asal Ahmar: Streaming platform Yango Play has greenlit production on the original Arabic series Asal Ahmar, starring Hend Sabry and Asser Yassin. Directed by Mariam Ahmady, the series is based on Ibrahim Eissa's novel Blood on the River. Source: Official Press Releases from Skydance / DC Studios, Korean Film Council (KOFIC) & Yango Play

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