IPO Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

UTA has become the latest talent agency to play in the public markets, forming a special-purpose acquisition company that will start trading tomorrow on the NASDAQ.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorWarner Music Group posted a solid fiscal fourth quarter and strong fiscal year results in earnings reported Monday, with revenue up 22.2% (20.8% in constant currency) driven by digital revenue growth of 19% (17.5% in constant currency) across recorded music and music publishing for the quarter; and revenue up 19% (15%) and net income of $307 million (versus a $470 net loss for 2020) for the year.

WeWork co-founder and fallen CEO Adam Neumann said Jared Leto advised him not to watch the upcoming Apple TV+ miniseries WeCrashed where the actor plays the former high-flying executive whose company crashed in 2019 (before being resurrected in a SPAC-led IPO last month). Lawyers for the much-dramatized Neumann recently convinced HBO to tweak some wording around him for an episode of its upcoming miniseries Generation Hustle.

Two years after Hong Kong cracked down on pro-Democracy demonstrators, the local legislature passed a new film censorship law, according to multiple reports. As part of the measure, Hong Kong’s powerful Chief Secretary can now revoke a film’s license if it conflicts with China’s national security interests.

EXCLUSIVE: Actress Jennifer Esposito will make her directorial debut with the independent feature film Fresh Kills. 

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorFaZe Clan says it’s about to become a unicorn.The esports and gaming media company announced plans Monday to combine with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in a deal to become a publicly traded entity — giving it an implied value of $1 billion.FaZe Clan, founded in 2010, said it combine with B. Riley Principal 150 Merger Corp.

Redbox, the 19-year-old entertainment mainstay known for its network of disc-dispensing kiosks, will become a public company on Monday.