Entertainment Industry Continues Wave of Layoffs in 2026

• Project Hail Mary debuted with $80.6 million at the US box office this weekend, marking the biggest opening of 2026 so far. • Starring Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller, the film achieved the largest opening ever for distributor Amazon MGM Studios. • The sci-fi adaptation of Andy Weir's novel highlights strong audience interest in major studio releases amid competitive weekend performance.

• Jim Parsons turns 53 on March 24, known for four Emmy wins as Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory and currently starring in Titanique musical. • Jessica Chastain and Peyton Manning also celebrate birthdays today, with Manning famous for his 2007 SNL United Way spoof sketch. • Alyson Hannigan, star of Buffy and How I Met Your Mother, shares the date after competing on Season 32 of Dancing with the Stars.

• Lainey Wilson attended the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special premiere on March 23 in a glamorous sheer open-back jumpsuit with dramatic long sleeves. • The special began streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on March 24, marking 20 years since the show's debut with Miley Cyrus as the youngest Disney Legend at age 31 in 2024. • Wilson previously covered the show's theme song 'The Best of Both Worlds' in August 2024 and connected with Cyrus over their shared Hannah Montana fandom.

• A 2024 Instagram video of Kid Rock yelling 'You f--k with Trump, you f--k with me!' while shirtless has resurfaced, drawing mockery amid his Rock the Country festival's poor ticket sales. • The musician, real name Robert James Ritchie, appeared aggressive outdoors wearing sunglasses and a 'White boy of the year' cap. • Recent March 2026 comments jeer the clip, questioning his threats after two years, as his festival faces financial struggles.

• NBCUniversal has canceled Access Hollywood, ending the long-running celebrity news show after nearly 30 years amid shifts in daytime TV programming. • Production of the show will continue through the summer of 2026 before the final episodes air. • The cancellation marks the close of a significant era in Hollywood gossip and celebrity coverage on broadcast television.

• Director Kirill Sokolov’s thriller 'They Will Kill You,' featuring Zazie Beetz, Tom Felton, and Patricia Arquette, premieres in theaters across the United States on March 24. • The film arrives alongside other releases like Independent Film Company’s 'Forbidden Fruits' starring Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, Alexandra Shipp, and Emma Chamberlain. • This national rollout highlights a busy day for independent and genre films targeting US audiences.

• Brandy has been selected to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with the official star ceremony scheduled for March 30, 2026. • The Grammy Award-winning artist's biggest hit '1998's The Boy is Mine' featuring Monica topped the Hot 100 chart for 13 weeks, cementing her legacy in music history. • This honor recognizes Brandy's significant contributions to music and entertainment, adding to her illustrious career that has spanned decades.

• California's new legislation AB 2602 and AB 1836 now require explicit consent and detailed descriptions for creating digital replicas of performers, addressing growing concerns over generative AI in entertainment. • Union agreements place additional limitations on how entertainment companies use generative AI tools, providing protections for performers and creatives amid ongoing industry consolidation. • The Los Angeles entertainment sector continues to navigate back-to-back crises including COVID-19, strikes, and fires, but industry experts predict consolidation will create opportunities for nimble new players and innovative talent pursuing independent projects.

• American actress Victoria Pedretti celebrates her 31st birthday on March 23, 2026, continuing her career in psychological thrillers and acclaimed television work. • Pedretti gained widespread attention for her roles in popular Netflix series, where she anchors narratives with raw emotional intensity and has earned critical praise and a dedicated fanbase. • The actress was diagnosed with ADHD at age seven and expressed early interest in musical theatre before pursuing her successful acting career.

• The sci-fi epic 'Project Hail Mary' starring Ryan Gosling earned $80.5 million in its opening weekend, representing approximately 5 million ticket buyers across North America and marking Amazon MGM Studios' largest opening ever. • The film's performance puts it in 'rarefied air' alongside 'Oppenheimer,' achieving success for a non-franchise film that the industry hasn't seen since that blockbuster, with strong overindexing in markets like Salt Lake City, Denver, and Portland. • 'Ready or Not 2: Here I Come' opened in fourth place with $9.1 million, while Disney's 'Hoppers' earned $18 million and the Bollywood sequel 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' made $9.6 million in their respective positions.

• Actress Keri Russell, known for her Golden Globe-winning role in 'Felicity' and her acclaimed work in 'The Americans,' celebrates her 50th birthday on March 23, 2026, currently starring in Netflix's political drama 'The Diplomat'. • Michelle Monaghan also celebrates her 50th birthday today; the versatile actress gained wide recognition through the Mission: Impossible film series and acclaimed HBO's True Detective. • Before her dramatic acting career, Russell was a Mouseketeer on Disney Channel's 'The All New Mickey Mouse Club,' where she starred alongside Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and Ryan Gosling.

• Nicholas Brendon, known for playing Xander Harris on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' has died at age 54, prompting tributes from former castmates. • The news emerged in Los Angeles entertainment updates on March 22, 2026, highlighting his enduring legacy in the cult classic series. • Brendon's death adds to reflections on pop culture icons, amid other entertainment notes like Dan Bucatinsky's return in 'The Comeback' final season.