Hollywood's Power Play: Scorsese Opens Up, Braff Drives Hard Bargain

Olivia Bennett, 5/22/2025Darlings, Hollywood serves up a delicious double feature! Martin Scorsese, cinema's crown prince, bares his soul in a star-studded five-part documentary, while Zach Braff finally says "I do" to slipping back into those iconic Scrubs after some deliciously dramatic negotiations. Talk about a study in contrasts, sweeties!

Hollywood's playing a fascinating game of "something old, something new" as 2025 kicks into high gear, serving up two deliciously different returns to the spotlight that nobody saw coming.

In what might be the most anticipated documentary series since Peter Jackson cracked open the Beatles vault, Martin Scorsese—cinema's eternal enfant terrible turned enduring maestro—is finally letting the cameras turn their gaze on him. And darling, it's about time.

"Mr. Scorsese" (could the title be any more perfect?) promises to be a five-part feast for film devotees on Apple TV+. The streaming giant clearly knows what it's doing, having learned from the runaway success of their Taylor Swift documentary that audiences are absolutely famished for intimate portraits of cultural icons—though one suspects there'll be considerably fewer friendship bracelets at these viewing parties.

Rebecca Miller's at the helm, and hasn't she pulled off quite the coup? What started as a modest single episode has blossomed into a five-part series over half a decade. "Artistic freedom and access," she says, which in Hollywood-speak typically means "I got everything I wanted and then some." The guest list reads like the seating chart at the Governors Ball—De Niro, DiCaprio, Day-Lewis, Robbie, Spielberg. Honestly, the only way to get more star power would be to film during a solar eclipse.

Meanwhile, in a completely different corner of the entertainment universe (though no less intriguing), Sacred Heart Hospital is prepping for new patients—and honey, this particular operation has been anything but routine. After enough drama to fill a season's worth of medical emergencies, Zach Braff has finally signed on to revive his role as the perpetually daydreaming Dr. J.D. in ABC's Scrubs revival.

Getting Braff back into those iconic blue scrubs? Think less "smooth surgical procedure" and more "emergency room chaos." The negotiations hit more critical conditions than a Grey's Anatomy season finale. First, there was the location drama (Vancouver? In this economy?), then the compensation conversations that nearly flatlined the whole project. But like any good TV doctor, they managed to revive it just in time.

Now that Braff's officially scrubbing in—alongside series mastermind Bill Lawrence—the dominoes are starting to fall. Word in the writers' rooms is that Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, John C. McGinley, and Judy Reyes are all circling their contracts, though Reyes's commitment to "High Potential" is throwing more shade than a hospital privacy curtain.

There's something deliciously symbolic about these two announcements dropping simultaneously. Here's Scorsese, fresh off "Killers of the Flower Moon" (and that adorable viral moment with his daughter's TikTok), opening up his creative sanctuary while Braff circles back to the role that made him more than just "that guy who directed Garden State." It's the circle of Hollywood life, darlings—every curtain call potentially doubles as an opening night.

And isn't that just the most perfectly Hollywood thing you've ever heard?

Hollywood's playing a fascinating game of "something old, something new" as 2025 kicks into high gear, serving up two deliciously different returns to the spotlight that nobody saw coming.In what might be the most anticipated documentary series since Peter Jackson cracked open the Beatles vault, Martin Scorsese—cinema's eternal enfant terrible turned enduring maestro—is finally letting the cameras turn their gaze on him. And darling, it's about time."Mr. Scorsese" (could the title be any more perfect?) promises to be a five-part feast for film devotees on Apple TV+. The streaming giant clearly knows what it's doing, having learned from the runaway success of their Taylor Swift documentary that audiences are absolutely famished for intimate portraits of cultural icons—though one suspects there'll be considerably fewer friendship bracelets at these viewing parties.Rebecca Miller's at the helm, and hasn't she pulled off quite the coup? What started as a modest single episode has blossomed into a five-part series over half a decade. "Artistic freedom and access," she says, which in Hollywood-speak typically means "I got everything I wanted and then some." The guest list reads like the seating chart at the Governors Ball—De Niro, DiCaprio, Day-Lewis, Robbie, Spielberg. Honestly, the only way to get more star power would be to film during a solar eclipse.Meanwhile, in a completely different corner of the entertainment universe (though no less intriguing), Sacred Heart Hospital is prepping for new patients—and honey, this particular operation has been anything but routine. After enough drama to fill a season's worth of medical emergencies, Zach Braff has finally signed on to revive his role as the perpetually daydreaming Dr. J.D. in ABC's Scrubs revival.Getting Braff back into those iconic blue scrubs? Think less "smooth surgical procedure" and more "emergency room chaos." The negotiations hit more critical conditions than a Grey's Anatomy season finale. First, there was the location drama (Vancouver? In this economy?), then the compensation conversations that nearly flatlined the whole project. But like any good TV doctor, they managed to revive it just in time.Now that Braff's officially scrubbing in—alongside series mastermind Bill Lawrence—the dominoes are starting to fall. Word in the writers' rooms is that Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, John C. McGinley, and Judy Reyes are all circling their contracts, though Reyes's commitment to "High Potential" is throwing more shade than a hospital privacy curtain.There's something deliciously symbolic about these two announcements dropping simultaneously. Here's Scorsese, fresh off "Killers of the Flower Moon" (and that adorable viral moment with his daughter's TikTok), opening up his creative sanctuary while Braff circles back to the role that made him more than just "that guy who directed Garden State." It's the circle of Hollywood life, darlings—every curtain call potentially doubles as an opening night.And isn't that just the most perfectly Hollywood thing you've ever heard?