News

Netflix delays Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ movie for big theatrical push in 2027

Published

12 hours ago

May 2, 2026

Preport

Audiences will have to wait a few months longer to see “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,” with the release date pushed back from Thanksgiving to February 12, 2027.

In addition to relaunching “Narnia” on big screens and serving as writer-director Greta Gerwig’s first film since “Barbie,” “The Magician’s Nephew” also looks like the next step in Netflix’s relationship with movie theaters — and it’s becoming an even bigger step with the delay.

The company had previously said “The Magician’s Nephew” would play exclusively on Imax screens for at least two weeks before a streaming release for Christmas. That would be an ambitious theatrical release by Netflix’s standards, but relatively limited compared to many other Hollywood blockbusters.

Now, Netflix says “The Magician’s Nephew” will begin exclusive Imax previews on February 10, 2027, followed by a wide global release in theaters on February 12. (In Netflix’s words, it will be a “global eventized release.”) The movie won’t start streaming until April 2.

The company’s announcement doesn’t get more specific about which theaters will be showing “The Magician’s Nephew,” but Imax released a statement noting that the delay will allow the film to have “a full theatrical window,” so the major theater chains are unlikely to complain

In fact, AMC Theatres recently highlighted the success of its“Stranger Things” finale screenings and said it has plans for more collaborations with Netflix. At the same time, the streamer’s limited support for theatrical releases and its resistance to exclusive theatrical windows was reportedly a “dealbreaker” in negotiations with the creators of “Stranger Things,” who ultimately signed an exclusive deal with Paramount.

With a cast that includes Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep, “The Magician’s Nephew” adapts one of the later books in C.S. Lewis’ classic fantasy series — a prequel that lays out the origins of Narnia.

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In Netflix’s announcement, Gerwig said she first read the book as a child, when she “fell in love with the gorgeously improbable but completely brilliant concept of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia to life.”

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Business

Royal Exchange Shifts to Asset Management, Boosts Income to N1.7bn

Published

6 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Preport

From left: Ms. Idu Okeahialam, GMD, Royal Exchange Plc; Chairman Ikeme Osakwe and the company Secretary

BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Royal Exchange Plc has accelerated its transition into an asset management-focused business, reporting a 5 percent increase in earned income to N1.7 billion, up from N1.57 billion in 2024, as the company begins to reap the benefits of its completed three-year transformation strategy.

The improved performance also saw profit after tax rise to N851 million, underscoring growing momentum in its restructured operations.

Speaking at the company’s 57th Annual General Meeting held virtually, Chairman Ikeme Osakwe revealed that the Group recorded a profit after tax of N851 million, reflecting improved financial performance.

Osakwe attributed the growth to the successful execution of a three-year transformation strategy, which concluded in 2024 and repositioned the company into an asset management-focused entity.

According to him, the strategic shift has begun to yield measurable results, with stronger financial trends and a more diversified portfolio. He noted that the next phase of the company’s journey will centre on deepening its asset management capabilities while driving growth and profitability across its investee companies.

He added that Royal Exchange aims to leverage its restructured portfolio to deliver long-term value, while evolving beyond its legacy status into a more agile and reliable partner for clients. The company, he said, is focused on building a culture rooted in transparency, disciplined risk-taking, and sustainable growth.

Osakwe also emphasised that the Group’s newly established structure will support its expansion beyond traditional insurance, enabling the development of products tailored to current market realities. He highlighted ongoing investments in talent and strategic partnerships as key to strengthening customer engagement and scaling operations profitably.

He expressed appreciation to the board and management team for their commitment over the past year, noting that their efforts were instrumental to the company’s achievements.

Looking ahead, he reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering long-term value and exceeding the expectations of investors.

The post Royal Exchange Shifts to Asset Management, Boosts Income to N1.7bn appeared first on Business Today NG.

News

AI-generated actors and scripts are now ineligible for Oscars

Published

8 hours ago

May 2, 2026

Preport

The organization behind the Academy Awards released new Oscar rules on Friday, including several that address the use of generative artificial intelligence.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said that only performances “credited in the film’s legal billing and demonstrably performed by humans with their consent” will be eligible for Academy Awards. Similarly, the academy said that screenplays must be “human-authored” to be eligible.

The academy also said it has the right to request more information about a film’s AI usage and “human authorship.”

These rule changes come as an independent film is in the works with an AI-generated version of Val Kilmer, as AI “actress” Tilly Norwood keeps making headlines, and as new video models are causing at least a few filmmakers to make sweeping declarations of despair. AI was also one of the main sticking points in the actors’ and writers’ strikes back in 2023.

Outside Hollywood, at least one novel has been pulled by its publisher due to the apparent use of AI, and other writers’ groups are declaring that AI usage makes work ineligible for awards.