Movie Business

Nia Long is "quietly fighting" Lionsgate over a pay discrepancy for her role in "Michael" ... at least according to a new report.

According to Puck News, the actress had a "favored nations" clause in her contract that ensured she'd make as much as her costars ... but she reportedly learned Colman Domingo and Miles Teller had higher payouts than she did.

So, Nia's reportedly "threatening to take the studio to mediation" for allegedly shorting her salary.

He just won an Oscar ... and then he was filing a missing-persons report on it.

Award-winning filmmaker Pasha Talankin -- who thought his golden statuette, which he won earlier this year for Best Documentary Feature -- vanished for good Wednesday after a TSA showdown at John F. Kennedy International Airport in NYC -- is finally breathing easier … because the missing award has been found.

Talankin was forced to check his Oscar after agents flagged the 8.5-pound trophy as a potential weapon before his flight to Germany -- despite him previously traveling with it without issue. When he landed in Frankfurt, the box carrying Hollywood's biggest prize was nowhere to be found … sparking outrage and a frantic search.

Now, the airline, Lufthansa, says the statue has turned up ... Talankin’s collaborator, David Borenstein, posted a statement on Instagram from the airline confirming the Oscar has been located, and the company is in contact with the owner to arrange a handover.

Evangeline Lilly's stepping up to defend the real superheroes behind the Marvel characters onscreen ... blasting parent company Disney for letting some high-profile crew go.

Here's the deal ... the House of Mouse recently laid off about 1,000 staffers amid some notable shakeups at the company -- including the exit of CEO Bob Iger -- and comic book artist Andy Park, who worked on 40+ Marvel movies, was one of them.

In a video posted to social media, Lilly says she reached out to her friend -- who helped bring her character's superhero costume to life, she says -- about the firings and a pivot toward A.I. ... and, she says Park confirmed her worst fears.

David Allan Coe might be gone ... but, fans will get to hear some of the last songs he ever recorded in just a few short months, TMZ has learned.

Ken Madson -- Coe's manager near the end of his career -- tells TMZ ... he owns the controversial country singer's final album and plans to release it on September 6, 2026, which would've been the star's 87th birthday.

Coe last recorded for the album back in 2017, Madson says ... and, it will feature some previously released songs as well as new material. One song on it is called "A Million Reasons" -- which Coe apparently referenced on his social media last year. A title for the album hasn't been finalized yet.

Corey Feldman says he thought his time at the "Michael" premiere was gonna be a thriller ... but a miscommunication prevented him from rocking with other attendees all night.

Here's the deal ... tons of stars -- from Magic Johnson to Martin Lawrence to Tori Spelling and more -- stepped out for the Hollywood premiere on April 20. However, Feldman, a longtime friend and defender of MJ, was conspicuously absent from the event.

A rep for Feldman tells TMZ ... the actor did receive an invite to the "Michael" premiere about a month before it went down, but his manager -- in the midst of dealing with a personal issue -- thought Corey's attendance was confirmed when they actually had to reach out and get him put on the list.

"Michael" biopic honchos were reportedly paid $25 million more than their original deal after the estate had to reshoot the third act, which featured sexual abuse allegations against the pop star, TMZ has learned.

Director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King were originally set to make $10 million and $6 million, respectively ... but according to Bloomberg, Fuqua was paid an extra $15 million and King an extra $10 million from Michael Jackson's estate after the allegations needed to be cut out and several scenes reshot.

As you know, Michael was first publicly accused of child sexual abuse in 1993, and he reached a settlement with the family of his accuser, Jordan Chandler, the following year.

A new report that "Rush Hour 4" might've already hit a big roadblock with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker wanting major dough -- and that they ain't getting it -- is being overblown, TMZ has learned.

Puck reported on Friday ... 'RH4' is in a messy place ... because the iconic star duo has not signed on after the initial offer of $8 million apiece was rejected. The pair got around $20 million each for the third film in 2007. According to Puck, this current impasse means delays ... and maybe even a project collapse.

A source with direct knowledge tells TMZ ... negotiations with the stars are ongoing, and this is all a completely normal part of the movie-making business. We're told confidence is high that an agreement will be reached -- and Chris and Jackie will be kicking back into action.

Inmates at the federal slammer in Atlanta are pissed about the "Superman" sequel being shot there ... but we've now heard from prison officials, who say that those bitching about the production should realize the Man of Steel is good for them!

TMZ broke the news ... inmates are mad because the "Man of Tomorrow" shoot is messing up their routines -- and more importantly, access inside the joint and at the commissary. Basically, while the flick is in production, we're told prisoners have to remain in their cells way more than under normal circumstances.

But the Federal Bureau of Prisons now tells TMZ ... they've heard nothing but positive feedback about the production from inside the joint ... and it's an honor for the facility to be a location for the DC movie.

Things got bloody in Rome ... but it's all for the cameras, with actor Andrzej Chyra going full method as Pope John Paul II.

Check the video -- the acclaimed Polish star was deep in character for the upcoming historical thriller "Santo Subito!" ... recreating the 1981 assassination attempt and dramatically collapsing after the "shot," fake blood splattered all over.

The scene's no joke ... packed with extras to mirror the real-life moment when Mehmet Ali Ağca opened fire as the Pope entered St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.

Superman fans are super stoked the sequel to James Gunn's DC blockbuster has started production in Georgia ... but there's a group of people who ain't so happy ... local prisoners.

TMZ has learned from an inside source ... inmates at FCI Atlanta are pissed at the production because the "Man of Tomorrow" shoot is allegedly messing up their routines -- and more importantly, access inside the joint. Basically, while the flick is in production, we're told prisoners have to remain in their cells way more than under normal circumstances -- and even worse ... no access to commissary.

A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons tells TMZ ... they'd never comment on internal security practices or procedures in general ... but if a warden did put a facility on modified operations status, it would be for the safety of staff and inmates. Usually, such an order would happen after a violent incident that needed to be investigated.

The Michael Jackson biopic opens tomorrow ... but one cast member told fans this morning, don't expect to see her in the film.

Kat Graham was cast as the iconic Diana Ross ... but the singer and actress says her scenes were among those cut for legal reasons -- meaning they were likely intertwined with Jackson's fall from grace amid the child abuse allegations.

KG says the team did the best they could to keep the story of Michael's life intact ... but decisions were made, and she's out.

Universal’s live-action "How to Train Your Dragon 2" has hit a rough patch before cameras even finish rolling ... 'cause a crew member just lost multiple fingers in a brutal accident during production.

A source with direct knowledge tells TMZ ... a special-effects tech working at the UK's Sky Studios Elstree severed multiple fingers on one hand earlier this month during an incident involving a saw in a workshop tied to production.

Doctors tried to save the severed digits, but they couldn’t be reattached, despite surgery.

Ariana Grande is showing off her acting chops in the first trailer for "Focker-In-Law" ... and she's funny as Fock.

Universal Pictures dropped the first trailer for the "Meet the Parents" sequel on Wednesday, giving Arianators their first look at the pop star in the famed franchise.

Ari holds her own alongside legends Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro as she stars as Olivia Jones ... the latest love interest to be grilled in the family's famed interrogation process.

It looks like Tom Cruise is down for a three-peat ... Paramount says he'll be back to reprise his role for "Top Gun 3."

Sources confirm to TMZ ... the acclaimed actor will return as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell for the famed franchise's third installment.

The news comes just a month before the 40th anniversary of the original 1986 blockbuster ... and it seems the film's fandom is still going strong.

We first learned 'TG3' was getting developed back in 2024 ... with "Top Gun: Maverick" writer Ehren Kruger returning to pen the script.

4/18 -- 6:25 AM PT -- The GoFundMe has had an update ... the funds raised on the platform will now go to an account specifically created for the late singer's Walk of Fame induction honor.

Aaron Carter's mom is working to cement his legacy in Hollywood and she's calling on fans to help make it happen ... TMZ has learned.

Jane Carter tells TMZ ... she's raising $85K through GoFundMe so she can apply for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Aaron's honor. The process requires a formal application, a sponsorship fee and approval from the Walk of Fame selection committee ... and Jane says she plans to submit everything before the May 15 deadline.

She says her late son "would've loved" the idea, noting the two used to stroll along the Walk of Fame whenever they visited Los Angeles.

Nia Long says the haters can beat it -- she’s protecting her peace while stepping into Michael Jackson territory.

The actress, who plays Katherine Jackson in the highly anticipated upcoming biopic, “Michael,” made it clear in her Playboy spring issue interview she’s not letting outside noise shake her focus.

“No one can interfere with my sanity. That’s number one,” Long said, adding she learned early on that success in Hollywood means tuning out distractions completely.