In this Feb. 11, 2016, file photo, director George Miller arrives at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2016 Outstanding Directors Awards held at the Arlington Theatre, in Santa Barbara, Calif. The “Mad Max: Fury Road” prequel “Furiosa” isn’t speeding into theaters anytime soon. The film’s release date was pushed back a year — to May 24, 2024, Warner Bros. said Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Miller is returning to write and direct the film. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
By Lindsey Bahr, AP Film Writer
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The "Mad Max: Fury Road" prequel "Furiosa" isn't speeding into theaters anytime soon. The film's release date was pushed back a year — to May 24, 2024, Warner Bros. said Friday. It had originally been set for June 2023.
George Miller is returning to write and direct the film, which is being touted as Australia's biggest production ever. "The Queen's Gambit" star Anya Taylor-Joy is set to play the title role, which Charlize Theron originated in "Fury Road." Chris Hemsworth and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II also star.
"Mad Max: Fury Road" had a famously turbulent production, but out of the fires came a critical hit that went on to score 10 Oscar nominations, including for best picture and best director, winning six. Yet it was still in the red after over $375 million in global grosses.
The studio also said Friday that the new adaptation of "Salem's Lot" will hit theaters on Sept. 9, 2022.
Pepsi soft drinks in plastic bottles are on sale at a grocery store in New York on Weds., Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion … could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More
