Bryce Dallas Howard Discovered Harsh Truths About Elton John’s Mother While Researching For Rocketman

Bryce Dallas Howard Discovered Harsh Truths About Elton John’s Mother While Researching For Rocketman

Memorable art often is born from pain. Could be a broken heart. Could be a broken home. But art that stands the test of time too often can be traced back to an inspirational source of tragedy, and that has been proven time and again over the years.

Elton John can attest to this notion. In the new film Rocketman, it’s made clear that the piano prodigy’s home life as a child was a struggle, with his parents Stanley (Steven Mackintosh) and Sheila (Bryce Dallas Howard) being less than accepting of his talents and musical aspirations. It only got worse as the singer/songwriters’ career flourished.

Seeing as how Bryce Dallas Howard comes from a show business family, we wondered if she had a hard time connecting with a parental figure who didn’t support the fantastic dreams of a gifted child. And during a recent Rocketman press day in London, Howard told CinemaBlend:

I not only struggled to connect, I questioned it. A lot. … I had a lot of questions for production, but what I was interested in was hearing about Sheila from people who were not involved in the production. So I had a lot of confidential conversations, and again and again and again, heard stories where I realized that it was actually worse than what it was on the [script] page. It’s not that it tipped over into abuse. But it was absolutely chronic cruelty. It was an incredibly toxic, dysfunctional relationship.

Elton John, according to Rocketman, didn’t necessarily rebel against his strict parenting, but he did seek out new relationships through music. After studying at a sophisticated music academy, he gravitated to rock and roll, and eventually found a spiritual and artistic kinship with lyricist Bernie Taupin (Jaime Bell). Their collaborations span a lifetime, and still produce hits to this day.

In fact, when I pointed out to Bryce Dallas Howard that Elton John’s gift prevailed through the emotional hardship put upon him by his misguided mother, the actress wisely clarified:

He was able to overcome that. I feel like he had that gift within him always. For me, I’m still like, ‘Gosh, what could it have been if she hadn’t have treated him like that?’ What more… he always would have been extraordinary. But he would have been happier earlier.

She’s right. Sir Elton John has achieved perhaps the highest level of success in his chosen field. But there’s no telling how smoother his path might have been if he had received the support that he craved from Day One. Then again, without those hardships, we might never have a dramatic musical like Rocketman to appreciate in theaters.

Here’s Bryce Dallas Howard, talking about her preparation to play Sheila Eileen Dwight in Rocketman.

Dexter Fletcher directs the musical biopic Rocketman, which is carried by a breathtaking lead performance by Taron Egerton. The movie roars into theaters on Thursday night, and if you can’t tell, we think you need to check it out.

Sandra Bullock Was Offered The Role Of Neo In The Matrix

Sandra Bullock Was Offered The Role Of Neo In The Matrix

In the realm of sci-fi action movies, Keanu Reeves' Neo is considered a modern icon. Sure, the second and third Matrix movies didn't live up to expectations, however, the first remains a certified classic. Because of this, it's always strange to hear about actors who could have played the lead role in the film, as the end result might have been totally different. In the past we've heard stories about Will Smith and Brad Pitt, but apparently another name on the shortlist for the part was would-be Oscar winner and Reeves' Speed co-star, Sandra Bullock.

It's been previously reported that Bullock was one of the actresses up for the role of Trinity in The Matrix - a part that eventually went to Carrie-Anne Moss - but in a recent interview with The Wrap producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura revealed that the female lead wasn't always the role that the project had in mind for the star. According to him, there was a point where it was considered that the hero be gender swapped so that it could be played by the star of Hope Floats. Said Di Bonaventura,

We went out to so many people I don’t remember. We were getting desperate. We went to Sandy Bullock and said ‘We’ll change Neo to a girl.’ [Producer] Joel Silver and I worked with Sandy on Demolition Man and she was and continues to be a very good friend of mine. It was pretty simple. We sent her the script to see if she was interested in it. And if she was interested in it we would try to make the change. It just wasn’t something for her at the time. So really it didn’t go anywhere.

Instead of making The Matrix, Sandra Bullock instead took on Forces Of Nature as her big film for 1999 - and while that may have been the right choice for her at the time, the box office suggests it might not have been the right call. The comedy co-starring Ben Affleck went on to get a tepid critical response, and a box office haul of $93 million; while the sci-fi blockbuster wound up being a cultural phenomenon and made nearly $500 million by the time it was done with its global theatrical run.

To go back to what was said at the start, however, it's hard to even know if The Matrix would have been the same film without Keanu Reeves as its lead. While there were some at the time who didn't think much of his acting skills at the time, he proved to have the absolutely perfect stoic charisma that was needed for the Wachowski film. Just like Ted from Bill & Ted and John Wick from the John Wick movies, the star made the role his own, and the fantastic results speak for themselves.

And obviously Sandra Bullock clearly didn't see her career end after turning The Matrix down. About one year after the release of The Matrix she starred in what was at the time her biggest hit as a front-and-center lead (2000's Miss Congeniality), and since then she has been a part of many $100 million-plus hits, including The Proposal, Gravity, and The Blind Side (a performance that also won her an Academy Award).

This is a fun year for The Matrix stories, as we are soon going to be celebrating the blockbuster's 20th anniversary (which, specifically, will be on March 31, 2019). You'll probably be seeing a lot more floating around, so stay tuned here on CinemaBlend, as we'll be collecting the best stuff we can find.

Spider-Man: Far From Home Hopes The Elementals Will Raise The Stakes

Spider-Man: Far From Home Hopes The Elementals Will Raise The Stakes

It’s no secret that the classic Spider-Man villain Mysterio will be turned on his head – er, fish bowl – when Jon Watts’ Spider-Man: Far From Home opens in theaters later this year. We have been told that Mysterio will be an ally to Spidey, hired by Nick Fury to respond to a new threat. And in the latest trailer for Far From Home, it was revealed that Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal) will hail from an alternate Earth, opening up the doors to a Multiverse in the MCU.

So if Mysterio isn’t this film’s major villain, than who is? Well, when CinemaBlend visited the London set of Jon Watts’ Spider-Man: Far From Home last year, we first learned about the switch Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios planned to introduce with Mysterio. And we started to hear more about The Elementals, creatures inspired by the natural elements that will spring up around the globe.

We have seen traces of these creatures in the early marketing for Spider-Man: Far From Home, and the creative team confirmed to us that these threats are based on villains Spidey has faced off in his comic books over the years. More on those in a moment. For starters, Jon Watts opened up to us about introducing the Elementals, explaining:

Because Mysterio is playing a hero in this story, we needed real antagonists that could put Peter in danger. And for me, I wanted to really raise the action stakes from the last movie. With the Vulture, it's a one-on-one fight [against] a mechanized villain. But with Spider-Man, you have the ability to do so much more. We've seen him fight much larger villains and have spectacular set pieces, and I felt like the way to do that would be to bring in -- I mean, you say B-level heroes, but I've always loved Hydro-Man and Molten Man and this ability to have a giant, Elemental kind of creature for Spider-Man to fight against. Anything that makes things more difficult for him and opens up visual opportunities for me, I'll run at that.

Spider-Man definitely does seem to be out of his element (sorry, I had to do that) in this story. First, he’s out of New York City, and needing to fight in European locations he’s never seen before. The sequel will stage battles in Venice, Prague and London, with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) encountering this universe’s version of Sandman in Mexico City.

Of course, there’s a theory running around, which we can not confirm, that these Elementals are illusions controlled by Mysterio. The character from the comics is supposed to be a master of illusions, and we could see Quentin Beck conjuring these beasts to fight so that he can win over the trust of people who have just lost some key Avengers. Is that really Mysterio’s dubious plan?

As for Spider-Man himself, Tom Holland tells us that he was just happy to have these antagonists in the sequel because he felt it gives him better opportunities to see Spidey in fight mode. The new trailers did show off Peter Parker taking down enemies in his Iron Spider suit, his Stealth Suit, and a new suit he appears to wear in London. On the action, Holland told CinemaBlend:

At the end of the day, it's always about saving people and doing the right thing. The world is at risk in this film. I feel like the Vulture was sort of low-level crime. It was sort of under the radar. Not many people know about it. But this is a worldwide event. So the stakes are much higher for him, and I think he understands that. Meaning, he has to really show up and bring his A game. But at the heart of the film, Peter Parker just wants to tell the girl he really likes that he loves her, and have a nice holiday.

Will he be able to? It’s going to be difficult, but we have learned through the years never to bet against Spider-Man.

Sony’s Spider-Man: Far From Home swings into theaters on July 2. We have plenty more content from the set coming to CinemaBlend, so stay tuned.

It’ll Reportedly Be Years Before The X-Men Make Their Way To The MCU

It’ll Reportedly Be Years Before The X-Men Make Their Way To The MCU

It's no secret that superhero movies are everywhere. The comic book genre is arguably the most profitable one in the filmmaking world, leading to a variety of studios producing their own installments, and vying for box office supremacy. 20th Century Fox's X-Men franchise was there through it all, starting with Bryan Singer's original 2000 movie. But now that series of films may be coming to an end, as Disney has officially acquired Fox and its various properties.

Marvel fans seem mostly excited about the merger, as it will give the X-Men (and hopefully The Fantastic Four) the opportunity to finally join the massive Marvel Cinematic Universe. But it's unclear when this transition might occur, especially with Dark Phoenix and The New Mutants both in the can. And a new report indicates that the mutants wont join the shared universe for a number of years.

According to THR, the X-Men probably won't appear in the MCU until 2021 or later. If Kevin Feige doesn't already have a completed script for the mutant group, then it should take some time to develop a project for the titular team to star in. Marvel blockbusters don't happen over the night, so 2021 might even be a bit generous. After all, we're already waist deep into 2019, and there's been a ton of attention paid to releases like Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame.

With the Fox and Disney deal in ink, the House of Mouse is seemingly moving forward with its plans-- including certain characters previous owned by Fox. While the future of the X-Men is currently unclear, Walt Disney Studios has already prominently featured Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool on its website. It looks like the Merc With A Mouth is going to be left to his own devices, but that probably won't extend to the current X-Men franchise.

There's a ton of star power associated with X-Men movies, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe likely won't want to foot the bill such A-list actors. James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, and Sophie Turner no doubt require some serious cash for their services. Instead, it seems more likely that Marvel Studios will start fresh, and assemble a new cast of X-Men.

Additionally, most of the starring X-Men cast has been with the franchise since 2011's X-Men: First Class. The actors' star power have grown considerably, and Dark Phoenix will mark the fourth film for the OG cast members who are still on board. As such, they might want to switch it up, and be released from their contracts with the franchise. Jennifer Lawrence has been slowly headed toward the door for years, and it looks like she's being killed off early in Dark Phoenix.

If the current cast of X-Men is let go so Marvel Studios can start fresh, it'll probably be a disappointment for some of the newer additions, including Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, and Kodi Smit-McPhee. Those actors are returning to play their respective X-Men characters in Dark Phoenix, but that upcoming blockbuster might also end up being their swan song.

While ideally Marvel Studios would adopt the X-Men cast, it would be a confusing experience for the fandom, and would seriously break the timelines. There's no reason for the world to hate mutants when The Avengers are celebrated and given great power. Furthermore, it doesn't make sense that the team would have sat out major events like The Battle of New York.

As such, it makes more sense to start fresh, whenever the X-Men finally join the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe. The MCU has a particular way of introducing new heroes, as the ranks of The Avengers were methodically filled out across the past decade of filmmaking. It doesn't make sense throwing an entire group of characters who have their own four movies of history. But that unfortunately means that the X-Men franchise as we know it will likely come to an end with either Dark Phoenix or The New Mutants.

It should be interesting to see how Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios ultimately approach the X-Men. Is it possible that the various members will be given origin stories, before colliding in an Avengers-esque crossover film? With so many of the OG Avengers coming to the end of their contracts, the MCU will need number to fill out its ranks.

Then again, the X-Men work because they're a team who count on each other. As such, the MCU may take a note from James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy, and figure out a way to bring the motley crew of superpowered individuals together. But the question is: who will make the team?

Wiping the X-Men slate clean also gives Marvel the chance to bring the most beloved character of them all back: Wolverine. Hugh Jackman retired from his iconic clawed role after completing James Mangold's Logan. The project even earned an Academy Award Nomination for Best Screenplay, with Jackman leaving on a serious high note. The X-Men franchise hasn't recast the role, but it's clear that the fans are hoping he'll return sooner than later. In fact, plenty of fan lists and art have hit the internet regarding who should take on the mantle.

If Disney starts a brand new X-Men cast, they can also find a new Wolverine for the group as well. While there will be endless comparisons to Hugh Jackman's long run as the character, the same can also be said for any potential new actors. After all, the X-Men franchise has been going strong for nearly 20 years. So the comparisons are going to happen regardless.

Aside from the X-Men, Marvel fans are also hoping that the Fantastic Four eventually make their way to the MCU. The last movie was a bit of a disaster, so it should be relatively easy to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. And with the cosmic side of the shared universe becoming a more important setting, it could be the perfect time to bring that quartet of heroes back to theaters.

Dark Phoenix will arrive in theaters (after a few delays) on June 7th. CinemaBlend will keep you updated on the X-Men's inclusion in the MCU as details become public. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Anna Paquin Has Never Seen X-Men: Days Of Future Past

Anna Paquin Has Never Seen X-Men: Days Of Future Past

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC live-action universe were battling for box office supremacy, Bryan Singer's 2000 hit X-Men broke new ground by proving the genre could be both profitable and popular. The X-Men property is still going strong today, with fans looking forward to the upcoming release of Dark Phoenix. The First Class and original trilogy collided with the ambitious X-Men: Days of Future Past, combining both casts of characters into one massive blockbuster.

Days of Future Past arrived in theaters back in 2014, and was a multi-tiered story that took place in both a dystopian future and 1973. While X-Men fans were happy to see so many familiar faces in one movie, one major mutant got left on the cutting room floor: Anna Paquin's Rogue. While she eventually got her scenes restored in the home video Rogue Cut, it turns out that Paquin has never seen the movie-- either version. As she recently revealed:

Truthfully, I haven't actually seen either [version]. Hey, everyone with newborn twins who sits down and watches films for their own pleasure, raise their hand. Not me.

Despite being an OG member of the X-Men franchise, it looks like Anna Paquin hasn’t seen her most recent appearance, and the finale to her trilogy’s story. But she’s got a good excuse, as she was still a new mother when Days of Future Past arrived in theaters.

Anna Paquin’s comments to EW about missing Days of Future Past mentions she had recently given birth at the time the blockbuster was released. Paquin and her husband and True Blood co-star Stephen Moyer had twins Poppy and Charlie Moyer in 2012, with the challenge of two babies proving too distracting for the actress to tune into Days of Future Past. And considering how her small role was ultimately cut from the theatrical release, the movie must have been even further from her mind.

While X-Men: Days of Future Past was a brave and bold part of the X-Men franchise, in the end it's just another gig for Anna Paquin. And when things in her personal life needed attention, she became less invested in the comic book property. Rogue hadn't factored heavily into the narrative since back in The Last Stand, so you can't blame Paquin for moving on with her life, while still being open for another cameo.

Rogue's role in Days of Future Past wasn't revealed until the film came out for home release, and the Rogue Cut arrived. After Logan lashed out and injured Ellen Page's Kitty Pryde, the future characters needed Rogue to relieve her. But they had to break her out of a mutant prison first, with Iceman and Magneto doing the honors, and reuniting her with the rest of the group. Iceman even perished in the process, giving him a death separate from the mass execution in the film's third act.

Ultimately, Rogue'e scenes weighed down Days of Future Past's already long runtime, so she ended up on the cutting room floor. Luckily Anna Paquin didn't seem too heartbroken, and her scenes were eventually made available to the fandom anyway. While the character became less vital to the story as the franchise lives on, Rogue's role in the first X-Men franchise was integral to the main plot, and the conflict between good and evil.

It should be interesting to see how Rogue functions onscreen once the deal between Disney and Fox is official. Rogue hasn't been part of the First Class franchise, which is set to continue with the upcoming release of Dark Phoenix. While she hasn't been seen onscreen in a number of years, that might change once the X-Men are adopted into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Comic book fans are eager to see the mutants finally appear in the massive shared universe, although smart money says Disney will be rebooting the property, rather than simply incorporating the existing cast into the MCU.

This potential outcome is a bummer for fans who have followed the X-Men franchise for nearly two decades, but it opens up a ton of narrative possibilities for the titular team of Marvel heroes. Marvel Studios will get a fresh start at iconic characters like Wolverine, Cyclops, Magneto, and (hopefully) Rogue. Fans of Anna Paquin's signature X-Men character know that she's got a quite different origin in the comics than what was portrayed onscreen, so the MCU could break new ground and show a new side to casual moviegoers.

In the comics, Rogue is the adopted daughter of Mystique, who was trained to be a villain. Professor X eventually calls out to her, and she joins the X-Men and becomes a beloved member of the team. What's more, the backstory behind her powers directly relates to Carol Danvers, the character Brie Larson is bringing to theaters with Captain Marvel.

When working for Mystique, Rogue uses her power-stealing abilities to attack Carol Danvers aka Miss Marvel (this was before Captain Marvel became the character's primary name). She holds onto Carol so long that she absorbs her Kree abilities permanently, retaining super strength, near invulnerability, and flight-- in addition to her normal power. With Captain Marvel is set to be a major presence in the future of the MCU, it would be the perfect time to give Rogue the spotlight comic fans have been waiting for her to inhabit.

Unfortunately, most of Marvel's plans after Avengers: Endgame are a mystery. With the exception of Spider-Man: Far From Home, it's unclear what the future of the behemoth franchise holds. Fox and Disney's merger adds extra uncertainty to the situation, with the X-Men franchise still moving forward with the release of Dark Phoenix and The New Mutants. Additionally, there's the Deadpool franchise to worry about as well. While Disney will no doubt keep Ryan Reynolds character alive and well, fans have worried as to whether or not they'll still be rated R. All that remains to be seen, as the general public is left to wait for official news from either camp.

The next installment in the X-Men franchise will be Dark Phoenix on June 7th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Check Out The Brand New Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker Stills Shared At Star Wars Celebration

Check Out The Brand New Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker Stills Shared At Star Wars Celebration

It's a very exciting time for the generations of Star Wars fans out there. The annual Star Wars Celebration is currently going full force, and the festivities brought the first information regarding J.J. Abrams' Episode IX. The upcoming blockbuster's title was revealed to be The Rise of Skywalker, and it should be an epic story that wraps up the last eight movies of Star Wars flicks. The title was revealed during the final moments of the first teaser trailer, which teased the epic conclusion to the Skywalker Saga.

Prior to debuting the first trailer, the Episode IX panel at Star Wars Celebration brought out the cast and crew, with host Stephen Colbert inquiring about what The Rise of Skywalker might entail. During the presentation, still were revealed of each of the characters, and they didn't disappoint. Let's dive into what we were shown.

Poe's New Look

Poe Dameron is the ace pilot of the current trilogy, and one of the main protagonists alongside Rey and Finn. Poe usually functions in his own story, separate from his co-stars. But J.J. Abrams teased that The Rise of Skywalker will have the full group going on an adventure, and they're shown in the trailer wearing some fancy duds. Just check out Poe, who is in new casual gear to traverse an unknown desert planet. Actor Oscar Isaac commented on his affinity for Poe's scarf, so let's hope that Finn doesn't end up borrowing that item of clothing as well.

Supreme Leader Kylo Ren

Adam Driver may have been absent from Star Wars Celebration, but that doesn't mean Kylo Ren was. In addition to his brief appearances in the first The Rise of Skywalker trailer, fans were also treated to the first still of Ben Solo. After killing Snoke in The Last Jedi, Kylo is officially at the head of The First Order. The image shows him looking a bit rough for the wear, so perhaps the weight of his leadership is crushing him. Is there hope for Ben, as Rey thought in the last movie? We'll have to wait and see.

Resistance Leader Finn

Finn's journey from Stormtrooper to Rebel leader started with The Force Awakens, and broke new ground for the Star Wars franchise. After getting himself accidentally involved in the galactic conflict, Finn had a bit of an existential crisis in The Last Jedi. Was he meant to join The Resistance, or was it safer to run? In the end, he affirmed his position as a rebel, reuniting with Rey in the process. The first images from The Rise of Skywalker show Finn as his own person, rocking a new hairstyle and clothes in the process. It looks like being a leader suits him.

The Debut Of Jannah

While Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has the pressure of wrapping up nine movies and servicing a variety of beloved characters, we should still expect some newcomers. Case in point: Jannah, played by Naomi Ackie. Not much is known about Ackie's mysterious character, but we got our first glimpse of Jannah during the panel presentation for Episode IX. She looks totally unique to any of the other characters, and it should be interesting to see how she affects the narrative of the upcoming blockbuster. Some fans are theorizing she could be Lando Calrissian's daughter, although the actress sidestepped the question by Stephen Colbert.

Rey's Classic Appearance

Daisy Ridley's Rey is the hero of the current Star Wars trilogy, and the first two movies have already shown her tremendous growth and Force Abilities. But this new still showed Rey in her classic signature costume, looking pretty consistent to her other appearances. And despite her Force Abilities and skill with a lightsaber, the image shows her still using a crude stick as a weapon. What's more, it's not even her signature staff. So many questions, so little time.

Finn And Poe Laughing

There's plenty of comedy in the current Star Wars trilogy, and some of the best moments have come from Poe Dameron. From his very first scene in The Force Awakens, Oscar Isaac's character was cracking jokes in the face of danger. The character's penchant for jokes was a major talking point for Isaac during the Episode IX panel, and this delightful photo was briefly shown. Despite the high stakes, it looks like Finn and Poe will find time to enjoy themselves in The Rise of Skywalker. And given all the fan rumors about the duo, this will only add fuel to the fire about a Poe/Finn romance.

The Return Of Rose Tico

Rose Tico was a new addition to the cast in The Last Jedi, and the rebel maintenance worker will likely have a significant role in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The character was the subject of much controversy, as actress Kelly Marie Tran was a victim of intense online harassment and hate, eventually leaving social media altogether. She got a standing ovation at Star Wars Celebration, and it seems the fandom is eager to see how Rose factors into Episode IX. Looks like she's out of that coma, and is seen sharing a scene with Rey in her first still.

As a reminder, you can check out the first Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker trailer below. While it may be relatively short, there's enough reason for a re-watch. I've probably done it about 6 times already today.

These stills and the first trailer will come into context when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker arrives in theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

More Layoffs Coming To Disney And Fox After Merger

More Layoffs Coming To Disney And Fox After Merger

As Disney continues to merge the 21st Century Fox organization into its existing structure, it's being reported that another round of significant layoffs are taking place. This time, layoffs are hitting both sides of the fence, with people within both the previous Fox company as well as Walt Disney Studios employees being cut. While no official statement has been made by Disney, the divisions that handle marketing, publicity, and domestic film distribution are expected to be the ones facing the biggest cuts.

It's too surprising to see cuts to these particular divisions happening now. It was just about 10 days ago that Walt Disney Studios released an updated release calendar, the first to include Fox projects. Making this decision was a major priority for the new company, and now that it was made, Disney knows exactly what its needs in the realm of distribution and marketing will be, and with that information, it knows how many employees will actually be needed. Clearly not as many as it has.

The Fox studio used to release a dozen or more movies in a year when it was a separate company, but is set to release only nine in 2020. Disney CEO Bob Iger says that he expects Fox will produce something life five to six films a year once things get settled. Clearly, with a reduction like that, there are going to be fewer employees needed to do the work of distribution and marketing those films.

We saw a first significant round of layoffs on March 21. The acquisition of Fox had been made official earlier that month. Those cuts reportedly were exclusive to the Fox side of the business, so this appears to be the first round of layoffs to have a significant impact on existing Disney cast members.

While the Disney/Fox merger may have some exciting possibilities when it comes to content, there are downsides from every other perspective. Having one fewer major studio will simply reduce the number of movies being made, which means fewer voices getting a chance to have their stories heard. It also means fewer people working in general, as these layoffs show.

The purchase of Fox in the first place was designed to make Disney more competitive in a modern media marketplace. Disney is launching the Disney+ streaming service in November and the Fox owned content like National Geographic adds to the depth of material the service will be able to provide.

At the same time, Disney has to keep its costs down as much as possible in order to remain as profitable as possible. Disney has already said that Disney+ will actually be a money loser in the short term of the next couple of years. Those loses will need to be offset by gains elsewhere, and that means keeping costs down at the movie studio.

Variety reports that the total number of layoffs could reach as many as 4,000 people before it's all over. We don't even know how many have been given the pink slip yet, so that means we also don't know how many more times this is going to happen.