RIP Luiz Carlos Barreto

 

Luiz Carlos Barreto called Bolsonaro's policy for cinema a "crime against the homeland"

Producer, who died at the age of 98, criticized cuts in audiovisual and the end of the renewal of the Screen

Veja

By Kelly Miyashiro

July 22, 2026

 

The death of producer Luiz Carlos Barreto, known as Barretão, at the age of 98, on Wednesday, 22, also rescues firm positions that he has adopted in defense of Brazilian cinema in recent years. In a 2020 interview, the producer classified as a "crime against the homeland" the conduct of audiovisual policy during the government of Jair Bolsonaro.

One of the most influential names in the history of national cinema, responsible for remarkable productions such as Vidas Secas (1963) and Dona Flor e seus Dois Maridos (1976), Barreto argued that the audiovisual sector should be treated as an important economic engine. For him, Brazil had the conditions to occupy a prominent position in the global entertainment industry.

"Cinema is part of the entertainment and leisure industry. This is now one of the fastest growing sectors of the world economy. Brazil has everything to be one of his leaders. This cannot be thrown away. It is a crime against the homeland what they are trying to do with Brazilian cinema," he said at the time, in conversation with Folha.

In the interview, Barretão also criticized the Bolsonaro government's decision not to renew the Screen Quota, a mechanism that, since 2001, determined the reservation of space for Brazilian films in movie theaters. According to him, the measure contradicted an obligation provided for by law. "A president who fails to comply with what is in the law is a crime of malfeasance," he declared.

The criticism extended to the scenario faced by the National Cinema Agency (Ancine), which, at that time, suffered from budget restrictions imposed by the federal government. For Barreto, the weakening of public policies aimed at audiovisual put at risk a strategic production chain for both culture and the country's economy.

Death of Luiz Carlos Barreto

The great producer of Brazilian cinema Luiz Carlos Barreto died in the early hours of Wednesday, 22, at the age of 98. Known as "Barretão", he had been facing various health problems since March 2024, after an accidental fall, and had been hospitalized since July 14

Barretão had a unique importance in the Cinema Novo scenario, when various filmmakers in Brazil decided to use cameras as a political tool, inspired by the mechanisms of Italian neorealism and the French new wave. Having graduated in Literature and worked as a journalist and photojournalist, he first served as director of photography for Vidas Secas (1963), an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Graciliano Ramos directed by Nelson Pereira dos Santos. He would repeat the function only one more time, in an even more significant film: Terra em Transe (1967), by Glauber Rocha.

In 1963, he founded the production company L.C. Barreto Produções Cinematográficas and thus provided several titles to be made. The list includes Garrincha – Alegria do Povo (1963), A Hora e a Vez de Augusto Matraga (1965) and O Dragão da Maldade Contra o Santo Guerreiro (1969).

Throughout his six-decade career, he produced more than 80 films, including historic public successes such as Dona Flor and her Two Husbands (1976), directed by his own son, Bruno Barreto — whose illustrious career still bore great fruits, including The Kiss on the Asphalt (1981) and What Is This, Companion? (1997), nominated for the Oscar for best international film. Luiz Carlos' other son, Fábio Barreto, was also a great filmmaker and competed for the Hollywood award with O Quatrilho (1995). In addition to the two, Barretão is also the father of Paula Barreto, who worked in the production of the brothers' films, among others.

The trio is the result of Luiz Carlos' marriage to Lucy Barreto, who became his work partner at L.C. Barreto. Together, they were the most renowned producer couple in the country.

Barretão participated in the backstage of God Is Still Brazilian, by Cacá Diegues, which will be released soon.

BARRETO, Luiz Carlos

Born: 7/20/1928, Sobral Ceare. Brazil

Died: 7/22/2026, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

 

Luiz Carlos Barreto’s westerns – producer:

Antonio das Mortes – 1969

Luzia - 1988

RIP Mitch Byrd

 

RIP Mitch Byrd (1962-2026)

Comic Art Fans

July 21, 2026

 

Artist Mitch Byrd has passed away this week following an illness at age 64 years old. On behalf of the CAF community, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fans.

Mitch Byrd, Known for Green Lantern, Guy Gardner: Warrior, and Lady Death, Dies

The comics community is mourning the loss of artist Mitch Byrd, whose energetic storytelling and distinctive style made him a familiar name to readers throughout the 1990s and beyond. Byrd built a career that spanned mainstream superheroes, independent comics, and fantasy illustration, earning the respect of fans and fellow creators alike. He died following a heart attack after a long illness, leaving behind a legacy of memorable artwork and countless fans inspired by his talent....

Mitch Byrd (July 28, 1962 – July 21, 2026) was an illustrator that worked for numerous companies such as Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and Image. His work encompassed many popular titles like Green Lantern, Lady Death, Generation X, Shi, and Starman. He was also called upon to do licensed work on Predator and Starship Troopers.

BYRD, Mitch

Born: 7/28/1962, Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.A

Died: 7/22/2026, U.S.A.

 

Mitch Byrd’s western – comic book:

Cowboy Zombie - 2024

RIP Joachim Kerzel

 1941 – 2026: Joachim Kerzel

Batman News

By von Florian

July 22, 2026

 

As Peter Flechtner (the regular German voice of Ben Affleck) announced on his Instagram channel, his mentor—actor and dubbing legend Joachim Kerzel—passed away on July 20 at the age of 84.

Joachim Kerzel began his acting training in 1963 at the University of Music, Drama and Media in Hanover, graduating in 1965. Following a career on various theater stages and in television productions, Kerzel increasingly shifted his artistic focus toward voice dubbing starting in the 1970s.

Throughout his extensive dubbing career, his distinctive voice became inextricably linked with acting greats such as Dennis Hopper, Dustin Hoffman, Jean Reno, and Sir Anthony Hopkins. Following the death of Manfred Schott, Kerzel established himself as Jack Nicholson’s regular German voice, beginning with “The Witches of Eastwick” (1987). Consequently, he naturally provided the German voice for Jack Napier/the Joker in Tim Burton’s “Batman”.

But his contribution to the Batman films didn't end there: in 1992, he provided the German voiceover for the *Batman Returns* trailer—you can listen to it here.

In addition to his work as a voice actor, Joachim Kerzel was also in high demand behind the scenes of the dubbing industry. For instance, he wrote the German dialogue for the film “The Grifters” and served as dialogue director for the first and second seasons of David Lynch’s ‘Twin Peaks’.

He also left a lasting mark as an audiobook narrator, captivating a vast audience with his readings of Ken Follett’s “The Pillars of the Earth”, William Peter Blatty’s “The Exorcist”, and Stephen King’s “The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon” and the short story collection ‘Night Shift’.

The Batman-News team extends its deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. As fans of Batman, film, and television series, we will always remember him for his body of work as a voice actor and audiobook narrator.

KERZEL, Joachim

Born: 12/10/1941, Hindenburg, Upper Silesia, Germany

Died: 7/20/2026, Berlin, Berlin, Germany

 

Joachim Kerzel’s western – voice actor:

Return of Frank James – 1940 [1972 German voice of Louis Mason]

The Lone Ranger (TV) – 1956 [German voice of John Beradino]

Ghost Town – 1956 [1986 German voice of Kent Taylor]

Gunsmoke (TV) – 1955, 1961-1975 [German voice of Charles Wagenheim, Mayf Nutter, Ted Jordan, Larry Delaney, Ed Asner]

Bonanza (TV) – 1964, 1968, [German voice of John Vernon, Hal Baylor]

The Wild Wild West (TV) - 1965[German voice of Harold Gould]

The Legend of Custer (TV) – 1967 [German voice of Rory Calhoun]

Ace High – 1968 [German voice of bank employee]

Return of Sabata – 1971 [German voice of Luciano Rossi]

Alias Smith and Jones (TV) – 1971-1973 [German voice of John Russell]

Westworld – 1973 [German voice of Steve Franken]

The Crazy Bunch – 1974 [German voice of Oscar Giustini, Veriano Ginesi]

Mad Dog Morgan – 1976 [German voice of Dennis Hopper]

Centennial (TV) – 1978 [German voice of Clint Ritchie]

Wanda Nevada – 1979 [German voice of Ted Markland]

Chisolms (TV) – 1979-1980 [German voice of Michael Swan, Robert Barton,

Thunder 2 – 1987 [German voice of Bo Svenson]

Last of the Mohicans – 1992 [German voice of Mac Andrews]

Silent Tongue – 1996 [German voice of Alan Bates]

And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself (TV) – 2003 [German voice of Alan Arkin]

Gods and Generals – 2003 [German voice of narrator]

Westworld (TV) – 2016-2022 [German voice of Anthony Hopkins]

RIP Mike Preston

 

Mike Preston, ‘Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior’ and ‘Hot Pursuit’ Actor, Dies at 93

Variety

By Matt Minton

July 22, 2026

 

Mike Preston, known for playing settler leader Pappagallo in “Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior” and Detective Bob Delaney in the Australian series “Homicide,” died June 8 in Florida. He was 93.

Preston’s death was confirmed to Variety by his wife, Josie Preston.

Preston, who was born Jack Davis, was an early U.K. chart-topping singer in the late ’50s with three Top 40 hits. He then relocated to Australia and began working as a nightclub singer and performer.

He found success hosting “In Melbourne Tonight,” before going on to appear in 42 episodes of the Australian series “Homicide.” He had a recurring role in the soap opera “Bellbird” and also appeared in “Dixon of Dock Green,” “Tandarra,” “Chopper Squad” and “Cop Shop.”

His first feature film role was in 1969’s “Stoney,” which also featured Barbara Bouchet and Richard Jaeckel. He worked with George Miller on the beloved “Mad Max” sequel “The Road Warrior,” led the sci-fi flick “Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn” as the titular character, and appeared in eight episodes of “Hot Pursuit” as Alec Shaw, alongside actors like Kerrie Keane, Eric Pierpoint and Dina Merrill.

Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Preston appeared in guest spots on over a dozen shows, including “Ellen,” “Scarecrow and Mrs. King,” “Shadow Chasers,” “Outlaws,” “Superbly,” “Alien Nation,” “Dark Justice,” “Highlander,” “Steel” and “Law & Order.” His last credit was a voice role in the video game “The Getaway,” released in 2002.

Preston is survived by his wife, Josie Preston, and two daughters.

PRESTON, Mike (Jack Davis)

Born: 5/14/1938, Hackney, London, England, U.K.

Died: 6/18/2026, Florida, U.S.A.

 

Mike Preston’s westerns – actor:

Rush (TV) – 1974 (Green)

Lost in the Wild - 1976 (O’Shaunessy)

Tandarra (TV) - 1976 (Davey Doolin)

Five Mile Creek (TV) – 1984 (Boz Deagan)

Outlaws (TV) – 1987 (hit men leader)

RIP Charles Gaines

 

Charles Gaines, author of Birmingham-based novel ‘Pumping Iron,’ dies at 84

AL.com

By Michaela Yielding

July 21, 2026

 

 

Charles Latham Gaines III, the Birmingham author whose book and documentary “Pumping Iron” helped launch Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career and bring bodybuilding into the mainstream, died at age 84 on July 21, 2026.

According to alabamaauthors.org, Gaines was born January 6, 1942, to Margaret Shook Gaines and Charles Latham Gaines in Jacksonville, Florida. When he was about 10, he and his family moved to Birmingham.

In Birmingham, Gaines attended Mountain Brook Grammar School, Indian Springs School and Birmingham University School, one of the institutions that later became the Altamont School, according to the American Museum of Fly Fishing.

According to the Notable People Project, in 1960, Gaines enrolled at Washington and Lee University but left the school to travel the country. He later enrolled at Birmingham-Southern College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1963. Gaines married his wife Patricia Ellisor, an artist and the 1961 Miss Alabama, on June 20, 1963.

They were married for 63 years until his passing.

The alabamaauthors.org profile noted that Gaines and his wife spent two years living in Ireland, where he wrote and she painted and sculpted. In 1967, He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Iowa Creative Writing Workshop.

Gaines had three children: Latham, Greta and Shelby. Since 2003, Gaines and his wife split their time between homes in Monastery, Nova Scotia and Argo, Alabama.

Gaines published numerous books throughout his career, including novels “Stay Hungry,” “Dangler” and “Survival Games.”

According to Alabama Public Radio, Gaines’ first novel, “Stay Hungry,” published in 1972, and set in Birmingham, drew on the bodybuilding culture he explored as a teenager. Gaines later wrote the screenplay adaptation, which became the 1976 film “Stay Hungry,” starring Jeff Bridges, Sally Field and Schwarzenegger.

The film was shot in Birmingham and featured several historical sites.

His non-fiction book, “Pumping Iron” and the later film of the same name, which he wrote and narrated, are credited with introducing competitive bodybuilding and Arnold Schwarzenegger to a wider audience, according to The Barbell.

Gaines and George Butler used the book as the basis for their 1977 documentary “Pumping Iron.” The film centers on the rivalry between Schwarzenegger and fellow bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno in the competition for the Mr. Olympia title.

According to IMDb, “Pumping Iron” became a box-office success, helping make Schwarzenegger a household name and popularized the bodybuilding culture, which became a fitness craze of the 1980s.

In 2023, Gaines wrote about the kidnapping of his friend, Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr., in 2020.

The American Museum of Fly Fishing notes that Gaines was a lifelong bird hunter and angler who fished in more than 25 countries. He was a founding member of the U.S. Fly Fishing Team and competed in World Championship Fly Fishing events in New Zealand and Tasmania.

Gaines wrote scripts for two feature films, two award-winning documentaries and a PBS adaptation of Edith Wharton’s novel “Summer.” He also wrote numerous segments for ABC’s “American Sportsman.”

Gaines was the recipient of two Emmys and two Cine Golden Eagle Awards for his television writing, according to Alabama Authors.

According to his client profile for InkWell management, he also wrote extensively for publications including Harper’s, GEO, Sports Illustrated, Town & Country, Architectural Digest, Garden & Gun, Southern Living, Men’s Journal and Esquire.

Gaines also served as a board member of the U.S. Fly Fishing Team and a U.S. National Council member of the Atlantic Salmon Federation.

Along with Hayes Noel and Bob Gurnsey, Gaines co-invented the game of paintball and co-founded the company National Survival Game. He received the Paintball Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Paintball Hall of Fame.

The Notable People Project wrote that he was inducted into the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame in 2018 and received the Truman Capote Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Literary Nonfiction in 2020. In 2026, he received the Heritage Award from the American Museum of Fly Fishing for his contributions to the sport and to fishery conservation.

Gaines was also named a Distinguished Alumnus by both The Altamont School, formerly Birmingham University School, and Birmingham-Southern College, according to The American Museum of Fly Fishing. He periodically taught as an associate professor in the Graduate Creative Writing Program at Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky.

Gaines is survived by his wife, Patricia; children, Latham, Greta and Shelby Gaines; five grandchildren Cassidy and Ryder Haje, and Lucy Bo, Belle and Rose Gaines; and his sister, Hansell Burke, along with her children, Monte, Justin and Chris.

GAINES, Charles (Charles Latham Gaines III)

Born: 1/6/1942, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A.

Died: 7/21/2026, Trussville, Alabama, U.S.A.

 

Charles Gaines’ western – actor:

Thomasine & Bushrod - 1974 (bank customer)

RIP Francesco Massaro

 

Director Francesco Massaro has died, he worked with Visconti, Germi, Tognazzi

He was 90 years old, he has conducted in his career among others Serrault, De Sio, Placido, Banfi

 ANSA

July 20, 2026

Francesco died today in Rome Massaro, director, screenwriter and screenwriter, born in Padua on August 23, 1935.

"With him, a protagonist of more than half a century disappears century of Italian cinema and television, a man who had learned the trade on set alongside some of the greatest masters of our cinema and who, over the course of his long career, has been able to tell the story of the country through the great and the small screen, with a particular ability to speak to the large audience".

This is what a family of the director.

His professional history "has its roots in the great season of Italian cinema". Moved to Rome at the beginning In the sixties, Massaro began his apprenticeship as a volunteer assistant director in Luchino's The Leopard Visconti, whose details of the eternal dance scene with Alain Delon and Claudia Cardinale. Its true was however due to Pietro Germi, of whom he was for a long-time years as an assistant director, participating in masterpieces such as Divorce Italian style, Seduced and abandoned and Ladies and Gentlemen, entirely set in his Veneto, in Treviso. Its training ended working alongside directors such as Eduardo De Filippo and Dino Risi, in Straziami, ma di baci saziami (1968). It was at that time that he also met Ugo Tognazzi, destined to play an important role in his career.

In fact, the actor became, together with Mariangela Melato, protagonist of his directorial debut, The General Sleeps in feet (1972), an anti-militarist comedy with grotesque tones.

He became a versatile director, able to move with naturalness between different genres, from comedy to medical drama up to yellow. He has made caustic films such as La banca di Monate (1972), with Walter Chiari and a very talented and award-winning Paolo Bonacelli (1976), and very popular works such as Al bar dello sport (1983), with Lino Banfi and Jerry Calà, as well as productions television series such as Pronto soccorso (1990-1992), with Ferruccio Amendola, "who inaugurated in Italy the medical drama", and the miniseries Secret Province and Secret Province 2 - The crimes of the house on the river.

Massaro "was much more than a director - it is emphasized -. Writing has accompanied his entire life professional". Screenwriter and screenwriter, "he was profoundly attentive to the construction of stories and characters and He collaborated, over the years, with the Pantheon of writers and screenwriters of Italian cinema", including Ugo Pirro, Rodolfo Sonego, Suso Cecchi D'Amico, Luciano Vincenzoni and, in more with Ennio De Concini, Enrico Vanzina, Giuseppe D'Agata, and Franco Ferrini. For him "directing was always born from the story and from writing, even before arriving on set".

In the cinema he has directed, among others, Michel Serrault and Tomas Milian in The Wolf and the Lamb, Diego Abatantuono and Leo Gullotta in I carabbinieri, Jerry Calà and Isabella Ferrari in Domani mi groom, up to Michele Placido, Kate Capshaw and Giuliana De Sio in Meet a friend. Among his latest works are the miniseries Benedetti dal Signore and O la va, o la spacca with Ezio Greggio, in 2004.

"Those who knew him remember his clear character, sometimes rough, but also his taste for storytelling and paradox, humanity and the ability to build authentic relationships - yes he adds -. With Francesco Massaro, a witness disappears precious of an unrepeatable season of Italian cinema, especially of that cinema that was inspired by literature and writing skills, and, at the same time, one of the architects of that popular television that has been able to bring together in front of the screen million people".

MASSARO, Francesco

Born: 8/23/1935, Padua, Veneto, Italy

Died: 7/20/2026, Rome, Lazio, Italy

 

Francesco Massaro’s western – assistant director:

A Stranger in Paso Bravo – 1968

RIP William Wisher

 

CBR

By Jeremy Dick

July 18, 2026

William Wisher Jr., the accomplished screenwriter best known for his collaborations with longtime friend James Cameron, has passed away. He was 71 years old.

 

Wisher's death was announced by his friend, David Poland, in a post shared on X. The post reads, "Sad to announce the passing of screenwriter William Wisher at the age of 71. His credits include T2, The Terminator, Judge Dredd, and Live Free or Die Hard. He loved his wife Debbi… and cigarettes, scotch, and guns. An old friend and a good guy."

Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld also commented on the news, noting in his own X post, "Oh man! William Wisher was a gem. I worked with him for 2 years on separate drafts of The Mark, a movie I set up with Tom Cruise at Paramount. So talented and so kind, full of great stories with Cameron. Rest In Peace."

William Howard Wisher Jr. was born on May 23, 1955. According to an obituary, he died on July 14, 2026. His cause of death is not yet known.

Cameron developed the original concept for The Terminator with Wisher, with the pair collaborating over the phone while fleshing out the script. Wisher also co-wrote a novelization of the beloved sci-fi action movie with Randal Frakes. Cameron and Wisher also both wrote the screenplay for Terminator 2: Judgment Day, which still stands tall as one of the most revered action movies ever made. Many fans and critics also consider T2 to be the best sequel to any film.

William Wisher Jr. Had On-Screen Cameos in Terminator 1 & 2iam Wisher Jr. Had On-Screen Cameos in Terminator 1 & 2

Additionally, Wisher had on-screen appearances in both of the Terminator movies he co-wrote. In the first installment, he appears as a police officer who refers to himself as 1L19; Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator incapacitates him before stealing his police cruiser. Wisher later appeared as a mall shopper in T2, where he can be seen taking pictures of Schwarzenegger's Terminator getting back up after being thrown through a window by the T-1000 (Robert Patrick). Cameron has stated that he considers both roles to be the same character.

Wisher also played a reporter in Cameron's The Abyss. His other on-screen credits include roles in Xenogenesis and Martini Ranch: Reach.

Beyond his work with Cameron, Wisher was a writer and executive producer for the Pierce Brosnan thriller I.T. as well as the Bruce Willis action sequel Live Free or Die Hard. He also worked on the scripts for several horror films, including Pumpkinhead, A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child, Exorcist: The Beginning, and Dominon: Prequel to The Exorcist. Wisher's other screenwriting work includes Judge Dredd, The 13th Warrior, Judgment Night, Broken Arrow, Eraser, and Mercury Rising.

WISHER, William (William Howard Manley Wisher Jr.)

Born: 5/23/1955, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A

Died: 7/14/2026, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

William Wisher’s western – writer:

Desperado: The Outlaw Wars (TV) – 1989