Summary: As countries all over the globe shut down their economies during the COVID-19 pandemic, roughly 94% of the world’s movie theaters closed down for business due to health concerns or lack of new releases. There has been countless speculation about when cinemas would reopen or if audiences would actually return once they do. As well, Hollywood studios have pushed back the release of so many titles, what new movies will even be available to show?<br> As the head of the film department at the research firm Omdia, and an expert in the cinema sector, David Hancock has been tracking all the data associated with the industry’s current predicament. He joins us to explain how movie theaters are reopening, what obstacles they face even if successful and why the industry may lose $35 billion in box office over the next two years due to the pandemic.<br> Of course we also cover some of the week’s top entertainment headlines including why the Metropolitan Opera in New York has canceled its fall season, why one of the most successful e-sports athletes of all-time is retiring at 23 and filmmaker James Cameron returns to New Zealand to continue production on the “Avatar” sequels.<br> <br> David Hancock – Omdia<br> <a href="https://technology.informa.com/Biographies/400733/david-hancock" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://technology.informa.com/Biographies/400733/david-hancock</a><br> Omdia – Cinema Intelligence<br> <a href="https://technology.informa.com/624347/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-the-global-cinema-business-as-at-10620" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://technology.informa.com/624347/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-the-global-cinema-business-as-at-10620</a><br> Dick Wolf Fires Writer for Threatening To Light Up Looters Who Threaten His Property<br> <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/dick-wolf-fires-writer-threats-light-up-looters-1296878" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/dick-wolf-fires-writer-threats-light-up-looters-1296878</a><br> Hartley Sawyer Fired From ‘The Flash’ After Racist, Misogynist Tweets Surface<br> <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/hartley-sawyer-fired-flash-misogynist-tweets-surface-1297483" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/hartley-sawyer-fired-flash-misogynist-tweets-surface-1297483</a><br> Gabrielle Union Files Discrimination Complaint Against ‘AGT’ Producers<br> <a href="https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/gabrielle-union-discrimination-complaint-americas-got-talent-1234625479/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/gabrielle-union-discrimination-complaint-americas-got-talent-1234625479/</a><br> AEG to Make Significant Layoffs and Furlough Employees, Staff Memo Says<br> <a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9398066/aeg-staff-layoffs-furlough-employees-staff-memo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9398066/aeg-staff-layoffs-furlough-employees-staff-memo</a><br> Byron Allen: Black America Speaks. America Should Listen.<br> <a href="https://deadline.com/2020/06/byron-allen-black-america-speaks-america-should-listen-guest-column-1202953595/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://deadline.com/2020/06/byron-allen-black-america-speaks-america-should-listen-guest-column-1202953595/</a><br> Uzi, China’s League of Legends Legend, Retires at 23<br> <a href="http://www.sixthtone.com/news/1005764/uzi%2C-chinas-league-of-legends-legend%2C-retires-at-23" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">http://www.sixthtone.com/news/1005764/uzi%2C-chinas-league-of-legends-legend%2C-retires-at-23</a><br> The Metropolitan Opera Cancels All Fall Performances<br> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/01/arts/music/metropolitan-opera-cancels-season-virus.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.nytimes.</a>
