Top News
Danny Boyle’s “28 Years Later” has added Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes to its cast.
The continuation of the “28 Days Later” franchise will be released in theaters globally by Sony Pictures. “28 Days Later” was released in 2002 and starred Cillian Murphy, then largely unknown. Boyle directed the feature, while Alex Garland wrote. A sequel, “28 Weeks Later,” was released in 2007.
Plot details are still being kept under wraps for the new screenplay, written by Garland. It will be part of an upcoming trilogy, for which Nia DaCosta is in talks to direct the second film.
Boyle and Garland are producing, as is original producer Andrew Macdonald and Peter Rice. Bernie Bellew is also producing. Murphy is also returning as an executive producer, and is not currently attached to star.
Comer earned an Emmy for her work as Villanelle on “Killing Eve.” She will next be seen...
The continuation of the “28 Days Later” franchise will be released in theaters globally by Sony Pictures. “28 Days Later” was released in 2002 and starred Cillian Murphy, then largely unknown. Boyle directed the feature, while Alex Garland wrote. A sequel, “28 Weeks Later,” was released in 2007.
Plot details are still being kept under wraps for the new screenplay, written by Garland. It will be part of an upcoming trilogy, for which Nia DaCosta is in talks to direct the second film.
Boyle and Garland are producing, as is original producer Andrew Macdonald and Peter Rice. Bernie Bellew is also producing. Murphy is also returning as an executive producer, and is not currently attached to star.
Comer earned an Emmy for her work as Villanelle on “Killing Eve.” She will next be seen...
- 4/24/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has set its lineup of narrative and documentary features for its 28th edition, including Jussie Smollett’s return to acting in “The Lost Holliday,” filmmaker Christine Swanson’s latest drama “Albany Road” and the acclaimed Luther Vandross doc “Never Too Much.”
This year’s festival takes place June 12-16 in Miami Beach, Fla., followed by a virtual segment June 17-24 on ABFF Play. Winners of film festival competition will be announced on June 15, during the “Best of ABFF Awards” hosted by Emmy-nominee Dondré Whitfield.
The 2024 narrative lineup includes “Albany Road,” directed and written by Swanson, starring Renée Elise Goldsberry, Lynn Whitfield and J. Alphonse Nicholson; “The Lost Holliday” directed by, co-written and starring Smollett alongside Vivica A. Fox, produced by Mona Scott-Young; “The Waterboyz,” directed by Coke Daniels and produced by Ben Crump, starring Akil McDowell, Alani “La La” Anthony and Quavo; and “Black Heat,...
This year’s festival takes place June 12-16 in Miami Beach, Fla., followed by a virtual segment June 17-24 on ABFF Play. Winners of film festival competition will be announced on June 15, during the “Best of ABFF Awards” hosted by Emmy-nominee Dondré Whitfield.
The 2024 narrative lineup includes “Albany Road,” directed and written by Swanson, starring Renée Elise Goldsberry, Lynn Whitfield and J. Alphonse Nicholson; “The Lost Holliday” directed by, co-written and starring Smollett alongside Vivica A. Fox, produced by Mona Scott-Young; “The Waterboyz,” directed by Coke Daniels and produced by Ben Crump, starring Akil McDowell, Alani “La La” Anthony and Quavo; and “Black Heat,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
Thandiwe Newton is the latest new cast member to join “Wednesday” Season 2 at Netflix.
Variety has learned exclusively from sources that Newton will star in the second season of the megahit series. Exact character details are being kept under wraps. She is the latest new cast member to be revealed, as Variety previously reported that Steve Buscemi will also appear in Season 2.
Reps for Netflix declined to comment.
Newton has held a number of TV roles in her career, perhaps most notably starring in the HBO series “Westworld.” She received three Emmy nominations for best supporting actress in a drama for that show,...
Variety has learned exclusively from sources that Newton will star in the second season of the megahit series. Exact character details are being kept under wraps. She is the latest new cast member to be revealed, as Variety previously reported that Steve Buscemi will also appear in Season 2.
Reps for Netflix declined to comment.
Newton has held a number of TV roles in her career, perhaps most notably starring in the HBO series “Westworld.” She received three Emmy nominations for best supporting actress in a drama for that show,...
- 4/23/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Terry Carter, who played sergeant Joe Broadhurst on the TV series “McCloud” and detective Colonel Tigh on the original “Battlestar Galactica,” died at his home in New York, N.Y., Tuesday morning. He was 95.
Born John Everett DeCoste in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Dec. 16, 1928, to parents of Dominican, Argentine and African American descent, Carter would go on to become the first Black TV news anchor for Boston’s Wbz-tv Eyewitness News, where he also became their first opening night drama and movie critic. He was also one of the first Black regulars on the 1956 TV sitcom series “The Phil Silvers Show,” in which he played Private Sugarman.
Carter’s other credits include the 1970 TV movie “Company of Killers,” in which he starred alongside Van Johnson and Ray Milland, and the 1974 film “Foxy Brown” with Pam Grier.
In 1979 Carter formed the Council for Positive Images, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing intercultural and interethnic understanding through media.
Born John Everett DeCoste in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Dec. 16, 1928, to parents of Dominican, Argentine and African American descent, Carter would go on to become the first Black TV news anchor for Boston’s Wbz-tv Eyewitness News, where he also became their first opening night drama and movie critic. He was also one of the first Black regulars on the 1956 TV sitcom series “The Phil Silvers Show,” in which he played Private Sugarman.
Carter’s other credits include the 1970 TV movie “Company of Killers,” in which he starred alongside Van Johnson and Ray Milland, and the 1974 film “Foxy Brown” with Pam Grier.
In 1979 Carter formed the Council for Positive Images, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing intercultural and interethnic understanding through media.
- 4/23/2024
- by Lexi Carson
- Variety - Film News
Peacock, the streaming service of Comcast’s entertainment unit NBCUniversal, grew its first-quarter revenue and narrowed its loss to $639 million from $704 million in the year-ago period, and $825 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, despite higher programming costs. The streamer ended March with 34 paying subscribers, compared with a year-end 2023 figure of 31 million, the company also said on Thursday.
“Peacock paid subscribers increased 55 percent compared to the prior-year period to 34 million, including net additions of 3 million in the first quarter,” Comcast highlighted. “Peacock revenue increased 54 percent to $1.1 billion.”
Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning epic Oppenheimer exclusively started streaming on Peacock on Feb. 16 after its theatrical release in July 2023.
As streaming profits, which have so far been elusive for most industry giants, remain in focus for Wall Street, Peacock previously posted a full-year 2023 loss of $2.75 billion. But Comcast CFO Jason Armstrong earlier this year emphasized that “2023 marked the peak in annual losses at Peacock,...
“Peacock paid subscribers increased 55 percent compared to the prior-year period to 34 million, including net additions of 3 million in the first quarter,” Comcast highlighted. “Peacock revenue increased 54 percent to $1.1 billion.”
Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning epic Oppenheimer exclusively started streaming on Peacock on Feb. 16 after its theatrical release in July 2023.
As streaming profits, which have so far been elusive for most industry giants, remain in focus for Wall Street, Peacock previously posted a full-year 2023 loss of $2.75 billion. But Comcast CFO Jason Armstrong earlier this year emphasized that “2023 marked the peak in annual losses at Peacock,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spanish-language media giant TelevisaUnivision reported virtually unchanged U.S. revenue of $739.9 million in the first quarter of 2024, as a 4 percent drop in “other” revenue was offset by subscription and licensing revenue, as well as advertising revenue that rose minimally. It also touted that its streaming business, which had ended 2023 with more than 7 million subscribers, would turn profitable by the back half of 2024.
Growth in streaming was “offset by some softness in linear networks,” the company said about its $399.4 million in U.S. ad revenue for the latest period.
In Mexico, quarterly advertising revenue jumped 19 percent to $249 million, “driven by private sector growth from both new and existing clients across linear and direct-to-consumer,” pushing the company’s total ad revenue for the latest period up 7 percent to $648 million.
Discussing subscription and licensing revenue trends in the first quarter, the media firm said that “growth in both the U.S. and Mexico...
Growth in streaming was “offset by some softness in linear networks,” the company said about its $399.4 million in U.S. ad revenue for the latest period.
In Mexico, quarterly advertising revenue jumped 19 percent to $249 million, “driven by private sector growth from both new and existing clients across linear and direct-to-consumer,” pushing the company’s total ad revenue for the latest period up 7 percent to $648 million.
Discussing subscription and licensing revenue trends in the first quarter, the media firm said that “growth in both the U.S. and Mexico...
- 4/25/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Continued investment in streaming contributed to a first-quarter loss for Spanish-language media giant TelevisaUnivision, which is seeing the bulk of its growth come from its Mexican operations while U.S. revenue stays flat with year-earlier results.
The company, which operates the Univision TV network, said operating expenses grew 16% during the first quarter, to $821 million, driven by continued investments in its ViX streaming service and the expansion of a third party ad-sales business in Mexico.
Revenue during the quarter improved 7%, to $1.1 billion, but the bulk of that was contributed by TelevisaUnivsion’s Mexican TV assets. Revenue from Mexican operations rose 23%, to $409 million.
The company, which operates the Univision TV network, said operating expenses grew 16% during the first quarter, to $821 million, driven by continued investments in its ViX streaming service and the expansion of a third party ad-sales business in Mexico.
Revenue during the quarter improved 7%, to $1.1 billion, but the bulk of that was contributed by TelevisaUnivsion’s Mexican TV assets. Revenue from Mexican operations rose 23%, to $409 million.
- 4/25/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety - TV News
Walking And Talking
“Women of My Billion (Womb),” a documentary produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, will play on Prime Video from May 3. Directed by Ajitesh Sharma, “Womb” follows the journey of Srishti Bakshi, as she embarked on a walking pilgrimage from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, India, spanning 3,800 kms over 240 days, with a mission to find and share stories about women, their struggles, dreams, rights, and their wins, against all odds.
“Women have borne the brunt of gender bias for far too long, enduring a silent struggle against entrenched social injustices that seek to suppress their voices. With ‘Womb’, the aim is...
“Women of My Billion (Womb),” a documentary produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, will play on Prime Video from May 3. Directed by Ajitesh Sharma, “Womb” follows the journey of Srishti Bakshi, as she embarked on a walking pilgrimage from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, India, spanning 3,800 kms over 240 days, with a mission to find and share stories about women, their struggles, dreams, rights, and their wins, against all odds.
“Women have borne the brunt of gender bias for far too long, enduring a silent struggle against entrenched social injustices that seek to suppress their voices. With ‘Womb’, the aim is...
- 4/25/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - TV News
David Anthony Chan’s epic fantasy novel “The Kindred Chronicles” is set to be adapted into an animated series and will be the first project flowing from a partnership between Hip Studios and hybrid publisher 8 Letters.
The deal between the two companies was announced at the recent Philippine Book Festival. It aims to adapt 8Letters content into television content, movies, animations, mangas and games.
A subsidiary of Singapore’s Silver Media, Hip Studios is a Singapore, Sydney and Cebu, Philippines-based IP development and management company. Philippines and Hong Kong-based 8Letters has a catalog of more than 500 titles.
“Throughout the history of filmmaking,...
The deal between the two companies was announced at the recent Philippine Book Festival. It aims to adapt 8Letters content into television content, movies, animations, mangas and games.
A subsidiary of Singapore’s Silver Media, Hip Studios is a Singapore, Sydney and Cebu, Philippines-based IP development and management company. Philippines and Hong Kong-based 8Letters has a catalog of more than 500 titles.
“Throughout the history of filmmaking,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - TV News
Multi award-winning Filipina actress Ruby Ruiz has landed her first major screen role following her appearance in Amazon’s “Expats.” She will lead “First Light,” the feature directorial debut of James. J. Robinson.
Principal photography is now underway on the Australian-Filipino co-production, which comes with funding from Screen Australia. Veteran actress Maricel Soriano (“Mother Nanny”), Rez Cortez (“Bukal”), Soliman Cruz (“Blue Room”) and Kidlat Tahimik round out the cast.
Set in the remote mountains of the Philippines, “First Light” sees the death of a young construction worker force an elderly nun to confront the muddied ethics of an institution she has dedicated her life to. The script, also by Robinson, is a deeply personal story exploring the intersection of duty, faith and institutional power.
“Developing ‘First Light’ over the past two years has been an incredibly profound journey into the heart of pre-colonial Filipino philosophy,” Robinson said. “To be able...
Principal photography is now underway on the Australian-Filipino co-production, which comes with funding from Screen Australia. Veteran actress Maricel Soriano (“Mother Nanny”), Rez Cortez (“Bukal”), Soliman Cruz (“Blue Room”) and Kidlat Tahimik round out the cast.
Set in the remote mountains of the Philippines, “First Light” sees the death of a young construction worker force an elderly nun to confront the muddied ethics of an institution she has dedicated her life to. The script, also by Robinson, is a deeply personal story exploring the intersection of duty, faith and institutional power.
“Developing ‘First Light’ over the past two years has been an incredibly profound journey into the heart of pre-colonial Filipino philosophy,” Robinson said. “To be able...
- 4/25/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
U.K.-based sales and distribution outfit Blue Finch Films has boarded worldwide rights, excluding Canada, to 1980s-set wrestling action-horror “Dark Match.”
The film is headlined by professional wrestler and rock musician Chris Jericho and written and directed by Lowell Dean (“Wolfcop”). The film will launch later this year with its festival premiere to be announced imminently. Blue Finch will begin sales at the upcoming Cannes Film Market.
In the film, a small-time wrestling company accepts a well-paying gig in a backwoods town only to learn that the community is run by a mysterious cult leader with devious plans for their match. When the lights go down, Miss Behave and her friends are pitted against each other in a real fight for their lives. The cast also includes Steven Ogg (“The Walking Dead”) and Ayisha Issa (“Transplant”).
The film was produced by Dept. 9 Studios’ John K. MacDonald, Don Depoe, and Michael Feehan,...
The film is headlined by professional wrestler and rock musician Chris Jericho and written and directed by Lowell Dean (“Wolfcop”). The film will launch later this year with its festival premiere to be announced imminently. Blue Finch will begin sales at the upcoming Cannes Film Market.
In the film, a small-time wrestling company accepts a well-paying gig in a backwoods town only to learn that the community is run by a mysterious cult leader with devious plans for their match. When the lights go down, Miss Behave and her friends are pitted against each other in a real fight for their lives. The cast also includes Steven Ogg (“The Walking Dead”) and Ayisha Issa (“Transplant”).
The film was produced by Dept. 9 Studios’ John K. MacDonald, Don Depoe, and Michael Feehan,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety - Film News
‘Inside Gaza,’ ‘Edgar Hilsenrath the Masturbator’ Among 2024 Pitch Projects at Sunny Side of the Doc
International documentary marketplace Sunny Side of the Doc has revealed the 42 projects from 21 countries that make up the official selection for its 2024 edition.
As always, the projects are topical and eclectic, ranging from Helene Lam Trong’s “Inside Gaza,” that tells the inside story of the ongoing conflict in the region; to Francois-Xavier Destors’ “Edgar Hilsenrath The Masturbator,” an animated documentary journeying through the transgressive world of Edgar Hilsenrath, the first German-Jewish writer and Holocaust survivor who dared to laugh at death.
The projects will participate in pitch sessions in front of more than 300 international decision-makers, including major broadcasters, streamers, foundations, distributors, buyers and other investors looking for stories with the biggest impact.
This year’s call for projects received 320 responses (the same as 2023) from 60 countries, 52% of which were led by female filmmakers.
The Specialist Factual strand, which has a cash prize of €3,000, focuses on the topics Global Issues, Wildlife & Conservation,...
As always, the projects are topical and eclectic, ranging from Helene Lam Trong’s “Inside Gaza,” that tells the inside story of the ongoing conflict in the region; to Francois-Xavier Destors’ “Edgar Hilsenrath The Masturbator,” an animated documentary journeying through the transgressive world of Edgar Hilsenrath, the first German-Jewish writer and Holocaust survivor who dared to laugh at death.
The projects will participate in pitch sessions in front of more than 300 international decision-makers, including major broadcasters, streamers, foundations, distributors, buyers and other investors looking for stories with the biggest impact.
This year’s call for projects received 320 responses (the same as 2023) from 60 countries, 52% of which were led by female filmmakers.
The Specialist Factual strand, which has a cash prize of €3,000, focuses on the topics Global Issues, Wildlife & Conservation,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety - Film News
In theory, Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives should be a feast for the misery wraiths, faceless creatures who feed on pain and suffering. The ghostly protagonists, Edwin (George Rexstrew) and Charles (Jayden Revri), are both teenagers bullied to death at the same British boarding school seven decades apart. They spend their time finding closure for other lost souls, like a pair of high schoolers cut down in their prime or a family slaughtered by an abusive patriarch. And they’re constantly on the run from the agents of Death, who would condemn Edwin to Hell on a technicality.
Yet the duo only ever encounter one such monster over the eight-episode first season, and perhaps that’s because despite its gloomy-sounding premise, Dead Boy Detectives is the furthest thing from dour. Dark, sure; bittersweet, sometimes. But it’s never less than entertaining, thanks to an appealingly quirky lead cast and a cheeky sense of humor.
Yet the duo only ever encounter one such monster over the eight-episode first season, and perhaps that’s because despite its gloomy-sounding premise, Dead Boy Detectives is the furthest thing from dour. Dark, sure; bittersweet, sometimes. But it’s never less than entertaining, thanks to an appealingly quirky lead cast and a cheeky sense of humor.
- 4/25/2024
- by Angie Han
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“The Imaginary,” an upcoming hand-drawn animated fantasy film from Japan’s Studio Ponoc that is tipped to play at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival, is set to debut July 5 on Netflix. An Oscar-qualifying run is also planned.
“The Imaginary” is directed by Yoshiyuki Momose, whose credits as an animator include Studio Ponoc’s 2017 debut feature “Mary and the Witch’s Flower” and Studio Ghibli’s Academy Award winner “Spirited Away.” Studio Ponoc founder Yoshiaki Nishimura, the Oscar-nominated producer of Studio Ghibli’s “The Tale of The Princess Kaguya” and “When Marnie Was There,” is producing.
Based on the novel of the same name by A.F. Harrold and illustrated by Emily Gravett, “The Imaginary” is described as a fantasy that “portrays the depths of humanity and creativity through the eyes of young Amanda and her imaginary companion, Rudger. Their fantastical adventures launched from her attic, lead them to discover...
“The Imaginary” is directed by Yoshiyuki Momose, whose credits as an animator include Studio Ponoc’s 2017 debut feature “Mary and the Witch’s Flower” and Studio Ghibli’s Academy Award winner “Spirited Away.” Studio Ponoc founder Yoshiaki Nishimura, the Oscar-nominated producer of Studio Ghibli’s “The Tale of The Princess Kaguya” and “When Marnie Was There,” is producing.
Based on the novel of the same name by A.F. Harrold and illustrated by Emily Gravett, “The Imaginary” is described as a fantasy that “portrays the depths of humanity and creativity through the eyes of young Amanda and her imaginary companion, Rudger. Their fantastical adventures launched from her attic, lead them to discover...
- 4/25/2024
- by Carolyn Giardina
- Variety - Film News
Dermot Mulroney said he knows what’s to blame for not landing another acting role for a year following 1997’s My Best Friend’s Wedding.
The actor, who starred alongside Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz and Rupert Everett in the Oscar-nominated rom-com, recently told The New York Times that he had few acting opportunities following its release, despite it being a successful film.
“I was sitting there ready for the gift with purchase that was supposed to come along with being in a popular movie, and instead, I probably didn’t work for a year,” Mulroney explained. “I chalked it up to me being so tiny on the poster, the little guy on the cake. I thought, gosh, you guys, if you’d made me a little bigger, maybe I could have gotten a job.”
My Best Friend’s Wedding, directed by P.J. Hogan, follows a woman who realizes she’s in love...
The actor, who starred alongside Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz and Rupert Everett in the Oscar-nominated rom-com, recently told The New York Times that he had few acting opportunities following its release, despite it being a successful film.
“I was sitting there ready for the gift with purchase that was supposed to come along with being in a popular movie, and instead, I probably didn’t work for a year,” Mulroney explained. “I chalked it up to me being so tiny on the poster, the little guy on the cake. I thought, gosh, you guys, if you’d made me a little bigger, maybe I could have gotten a job.”
My Best Friend’s Wedding, directed by P.J. Hogan, follows a woman who realizes she’s in love...
- 4/25/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jennifer Aniston is ready to pour herself a cup of ambition.
Aniston and her Echo Films partner Kristin Hahn are producing a “9 to 5” reimagining for 20th Century Studios, Variety has confirmed.
The film is currently in development, with Diablo Cody working on the latest draft of the “9 to 5” reimagining. Plot details are being kept under wraps.
The original “9 to 5” follows three female office colleagues who decide to exact revenge on their sexist, egotistical boss. Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Dabney Coleman starred in the 1980 office satire, directed by Colin Higgins and written by Patricia Resnick. The hit comedy film spawned a sitcom of the same name, which aired on ABC from 1982 to 1983, and in first-run syndication from 1986 to 1988. Parton, Tomlin and Fonda participated in the 2022 documentary “Still Working 9 to 5,” which focuses on the impact of the classic film 40 years later.
Aniston and her Echo Films partner Kristin Hahn are producing a “9 to 5” reimagining for 20th Century Studios, Variety has confirmed.
The film is currently in development, with Diablo Cody working on the latest draft of the “9 to 5” reimagining. Plot details are being kept under wraps.
The original “9 to 5” follows three female office colleagues who decide to exact revenge on their sexist, egotistical boss. Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Dabney Coleman starred in the 1980 office satire, directed by Colin Higgins and written by Patricia Resnick. The hit comedy film spawned a sitcom of the same name, which aired on ABC from 1982 to 1983, and in first-run syndication from 1986 to 1988. Parton, Tomlin and Fonda participated in the 2022 documentary “Still Working 9 to 5,” which focuses on the impact of the classic film 40 years later.
- 4/25/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety - Film News
Out of all the cars on the road today, there is perhaps no vehicle more associated with Los Angeles than the Mercedes-Benz G-Class — that tall and boxy bank-vault of an SUV which hasn’t really changed shape or size since it was first released by Mercedes-Benz in 1979 as the Geländewagen. The first G’s were made for the trades, rescue services and the military, and Mercedes-Benz likes to tout the fact that more than 80 percent of the G’s ever made are still around on and off-roading.
This all-purpose, go-anywhere vehicle has, throughout the years, had a glow-up or two — and what 45-year-old in the limelight hasn’t. But, at Los Angeles’ Franklin Canyon Park above Beverly Hills on Tuesday, April 23, Mercedes-Benz showed off their latest iteration, one which has had G-Wagen fanatics waiting on tenterhooks: the G 580 with Eq Technology, the first all-electric G-Class model.
Selma Blair (left) and...
This all-purpose, go-anywhere vehicle has, throughout the years, had a glow-up or two — and what 45-year-old in the limelight hasn’t. But, at Los Angeles’ Franklin Canyon Park above Beverly Hills on Tuesday, April 23, Mercedes-Benz showed off their latest iteration, one which has had G-Wagen fanatics waiting on tenterhooks: the G 580 with Eq Technology, the first all-electric G-Class model.
Selma Blair (left) and...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jon Alain Guzik
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Like many coming-of-age directorial feature debuts, Dìdi (弟弟) is semiautobiographical, but Sean Wang’s personal background played as much of a role in literally making the movie as it did in inspiring its narrative.
The film, which was acquired by Focus after winning the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award at Sundance in January, is the opening night feature tonight at Sffilm, Wang’s hometown festival. Both fests played a role in the development of the movie, with Wang having picked up multiple grants and fellowship awards, including a 2022 Sffilm Rainin Grant, in his journey to the screen. His tenure at the Google Creative Lab before becoming a professional filmmaker also equipped him with a unique cinematic toolkit for telling a hyper-specific story about being an adolescent during social media’s adolescence.
And finally, Wang not only depicts a fictionalized version of his family unit in the movie, with Joan Chen...
The film, which was acquired by Focus after winning the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award at Sundance in January, is the opening night feature tonight at Sffilm, Wang’s hometown festival. Both fests played a role in the development of the movie, with Wang having picked up multiple grants and fellowship awards, including a 2022 Sffilm Rainin Grant, in his journey to the screen. His tenure at the Google Creative Lab before becoming a professional filmmaker also equipped him with a unique cinematic toolkit for telling a hyper-specific story about being an adolescent during social media’s adolescence.
And finally, Wang not only depicts a fictionalized version of his family unit in the movie, with Joan Chen...
- 4/25/2024
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rebel Wilson’s memoir “Rebel Rising” will be published in the U.K. with redacted passages about her experience working with Sacha Baron Cohen.
“We are publishing every page, but for legal reasons, in the U.K. edition, we are redacting most of one page with some other small redactions and an explanatory note,” publisher HarperCollins told The Guardian in a statement. “Those sections are a very small part of a much bigger story.”
Following the news of the redaction in the U.K. edition, a spokesperson for Baron Cohen told Variety in a statement, “Harper Collins did not fact check this chapter in the book prior to publication and took the sensible but terribly belated step of deleting Rebel Wilson’s defamatory claims once presented with evidence that they were false.”
The statement continued, “Printing falsehoods is against the law in the U.K. and Australia; this is not a ‘peculiarity’ as Ms.
“We are publishing every page, but for legal reasons, in the U.K. edition, we are redacting most of one page with some other small redactions and an explanatory note,” publisher HarperCollins told The Guardian in a statement. “Those sections are a very small part of a much bigger story.”
Following the news of the redaction in the U.K. edition, a spokesperson for Baron Cohen told Variety in a statement, “Harper Collins did not fact check this chapter in the book prior to publication and took the sensible but terribly belated step of deleting Rebel Wilson’s defamatory claims once presented with evidence that they were false.”
The statement continued, “Printing falsehoods is against the law in the U.K. and Australia; this is not a ‘peculiarity’ as Ms.
- 4/25/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety - Film News
Korean comedy action film “The Roundup: Punishment” destroyed all competition in local theaters on its Wednesday opening day.
The film earned $4.92 million from 821,000 ticket sales, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). That represented a crushing 97% share of the day’s theatrical market.
Including a smattering of previews over the latest weekend, the film finished Wednesday with a cumulative of $5.26 million earned from 862,000 spectators.
Earlier, it was reported that the film had broken the Korean record for advanced ticket sales. On the eve of its arrival in cinemas, the film had notched up 830,000 pre-sales for Wednesday and other subsequent days. That comfortably exceeded previous record-holder “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days,” which pre-sold 646,000 tickets in 2018, and last year’s “The Roundup: No Way Out,” which pre-sold 640,000 before arriving in cinemas.
The film, which sees a tough-guy cop go after gangsters involved in drugs,...
The film earned $4.92 million from 821,000 ticket sales, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). That represented a crushing 97% share of the day’s theatrical market.
Including a smattering of previews over the latest weekend, the film finished Wednesday with a cumulative of $5.26 million earned from 862,000 spectators.
Earlier, it was reported that the film had broken the Korean record for advanced ticket sales. On the eve of its arrival in cinemas, the film had notched up 830,000 pre-sales for Wednesday and other subsequent days. That comfortably exceeded previous record-holder “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days,” which pre-sold 646,000 tickets in 2018, and last year’s “The Roundup: No Way Out,” which pre-sold 640,000 before arriving in cinemas.
The film, which sees a tough-guy cop go after gangsters involved in drugs,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
Spoiler Alert: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 11, Episode 8 of “The Masked Singer,” “Girl Group Night,” which aired April 24 on Fox.
Jenifer Lewis spent a year recovering from a devastating 10-foot fall while on safari in Tanzania. It was while she was still in bed, convalescing, that she got a call from “The Masked Singer.” “I still couldn’t walk,” she told Variety. “And my friends encouraged me to get out of bed and go do what I love to do. ‘You’ll be in front of a live audience, you’ll be singing, you’ll be in a mask,...
Jenifer Lewis spent a year recovering from a devastating 10-foot fall while on safari in Tanzania. It was while she was still in bed, convalescing, that she got a call from “The Masked Singer.” “I still couldn’t walk,” she told Variety. “And my friends encouraged me to get out of bed and go do what I love to do. ‘You’ll be in front of a live audience, you’ll be singing, you’ll be in a mask,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety - TV News
Donna Kelce is sharing her high praises for Taylor Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department.
The mother of Super Bowl-winning athlete Travis Kelce recently told People magazine at the Age of Possibility summit in Las Vegas, “I listened to the whole album, and I listened to it all morning long when it was released.”
On April 19, the Grammy-winning singer dropped Tortured Poets, which features 16 songs, plus an additional 15 tracks on a surprise “double album,” titled The Anthology.
“I was just very impressed,” Donna added. “She is a very talented woman, and I think it is probably her best work.”
When the outlet later asked the football star’s mom if she had any life advice for the “Fortnight” singer about growing older, she dismissed the idea, saying, “She doesn’t need my advice on anything. In fact, I hope she will give me advice.”
Following the album’s release,...
The mother of Super Bowl-winning athlete Travis Kelce recently told People magazine at the Age of Possibility summit in Las Vegas, “I listened to the whole album, and I listened to it all morning long when it was released.”
On April 19, the Grammy-winning singer dropped Tortured Poets, which features 16 songs, plus an additional 15 tracks on a surprise “double album,” titled The Anthology.
“I was just very impressed,” Donna added. “She is a very talented woman, and I think it is probably her best work.”
When the outlet later asked the football star’s mom if she had any life advice for the “Fortnight” singer about growing older, she dismissed the idea, saying, “She doesn’t need my advice on anything. In fact, I hope she will give me advice.”
Following the album’s release,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Miranda Cosgrove is recalling an interaction she had with a young iCarly fan that didn’t necessarily go as expected.
During an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of Live With Kelly and Mark, host Kelly Ripa noted how the 30-year-old actress and singer had “not changed very much” since her debut acting role in 2003’s School of Rock at 9 years old.
“I do sometimes [get recognized],” Cosgrove said in response. “It’s funny because there was a moment when a lot of young kids didn’t really know who I was because [iCarly] hadn’t been on for a while. Then, Netflix got the show and they started playing the old seasons.”
The Mother of the Bride actress went on to remember an encounter she had with a young fan during a recent Target shopping trip.
“There’s a little boy just kind of looking at me in the toy aisle. He kept looking up at me.
During an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of Live With Kelly and Mark, host Kelly Ripa noted how the 30-year-old actress and singer had “not changed very much” since her debut acting role in 2003’s School of Rock at 9 years old.
“I do sometimes [get recognized],” Cosgrove said in response. “It’s funny because there was a moment when a lot of young kids didn’t really know who I was because [iCarly] hadn’t been on for a while. Then, Netflix got the show and they started playing the old seasons.”
The Mother of the Bride actress went on to remember an encounter she had with a young fan during a recent Target shopping trip.
“There’s a little boy just kind of looking at me in the toy aisle. He kept looking up at me.
- 4/25/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jerry Seinfeld is in full support of Larry David’s infamous Elmo attack. The comedian said on Wednesday that he “enjoyed” watching his friend shove the beloved puppet off his balance in a February altercation that took the internet by storm.
Seinfeld spoke about the incident during an appearance on the Today show, after host Jenna Bush Hager asked him, “Did you see when Larry David was here and he attacked Elmo?”
As co-host Hoda Kotb said it was “sad,” Seinfeld responded, “No, I liked it. I enjoyed that!”
On Feb. 1, David walked onstage at the Today show while the group was taping a segment about mental health with Elmo and physically attacked the Sesame Street puppet. The incident took the hosts by surprise, and later caused great discussion on the internet, with many speaking out against David.
Fraggle Rock puppeteers later told The Hollywood Reporter the altercation scared them.
Seinfeld spoke about the incident during an appearance on the Today show, after host Jenna Bush Hager asked him, “Did you see when Larry David was here and he attacked Elmo?”
As co-host Hoda Kotb said it was “sad,” Seinfeld responded, “No, I liked it. I enjoyed that!”
On Feb. 1, David walked onstage at the Today show while the group was taping a segment about mental health with Elmo and physically attacked the Sesame Street puppet. The incident took the hosts by surprise, and later caused great discussion on the internet, with many speaking out against David.
Fraggle Rock puppeteers later told The Hollywood Reporter the altercation scared them.
- 4/24/2024
- by Zoe G Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nicola Coughlan opened up about her support for Palestine and how she was told it could affect the acting gigs she’s offered.
In a Teen Vogue cover story, the Bridgerton star sat down to discuss the show’s upcoming and highly anticipated season three. In the conversation, she also got candid about her support for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Coughlan has been vocal on social media about her support for the people, especially the children, of Palestine, who are caught in the middle of the Israel-Hamas War. She acknowledged her support stems from a “moral responsibility to give back” because of her privilege as a white woman.
The actress noted her advocacy began before she landed her breakout role on Derry Girls. She was involved in different causes, like going door-to-door campaigning for marriage equality in her home country of Ireland and marching for abortion rights.
“I’ve always...
In a Teen Vogue cover story, the Bridgerton star sat down to discuss the show’s upcoming and highly anticipated season three. In the conversation, she also got candid about her support for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Coughlan has been vocal on social media about her support for the people, especially the children, of Palestine, who are caught in the middle of the Israel-Hamas War. She acknowledged her support stems from a “moral responsibility to give back” because of her privilege as a white woman.
The actress noted her advocacy began before she landed her breakout role on Derry Girls. She was involved in different causes, like going door-to-door campaigning for marriage equality in her home country of Ireland and marching for abortion rights.
“I’ve always...
- 4/24/2024
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Showtime’s satirical thriller “The Curse,” created by stars Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie and also starring Emma Stone, has exclusively shared its Emmy submission plans with Variety.
The three multi-hyphenates will have more than one chance at recognition across various categories for producing, acting, directing, writing and editing.
“The Curse” explores the tumultuous lives of a married couple (Fielder and Stone), who encounter a string of misfortunes while filming an HGTV series in New Mexico. Their challenges are compounded by a dubious “curse” and a manipulative producer (Safdie), which together threaten both the show and their relationship.
Stone, fresh...
The three multi-hyphenates will have more than one chance at recognition across various categories for producing, acting, directing, writing and editing.
“The Curse” explores the tumultuous lives of a married couple (Fielder and Stone), who encounter a string of misfortunes while filming an HGTV series in New Mexico. Their challenges are compounded by a dubious “curse” and a manipulative producer (Safdie), which together threaten both the show and their relationship.
Stone, fresh...
- 4/24/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety - TV News
Julia Garner, emerging quickly as one of Hollywood’s most in-demand talents, has nabbed the starring role in Weapons, the New Line horror movie from Barbarian filmmaker Zach Cregger.
Garner will star opposite Josh Brolin in the feature, which is due to begin shooting in mid-May in Atlanta.
Cregger wrote the top secret script for Weapons, which is described as an interrelated, multistory horror epic that tonally is in the vein of Magnolia, the 1999 actor-crammed showcase from filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson.
The project is also a reunion of the Barbarian producing team. Cregger is producing along with Roy Lee of Vertigo and J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules of BoulderLight Pictures. Vertigo’s Miri Yoon also produces.
Garner gained notice for her three-time Emmy-winning turn in Netflix’s acclaimed crime drama Ozark. Since wrapping that up, she has been on a tear about nabbing big-studio gigs, in the process of becoming...
Garner will star opposite Josh Brolin in the feature, which is due to begin shooting in mid-May in Atlanta.
Cregger wrote the top secret script for Weapons, which is described as an interrelated, multistory horror epic that tonally is in the vein of Magnolia, the 1999 actor-crammed showcase from filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson.
The project is also a reunion of the Barbarian producing team. Cregger is producing along with Roy Lee of Vertigo and J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules of BoulderLight Pictures. Vertigo’s Miri Yoon also produces.
Garner gained notice for her three-time Emmy-winning turn in Netflix’s acclaimed crime drama Ozark. Since wrapping that up, she has been on a tear about nabbing big-studio gigs, in the process of becoming...
- 4/24/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rachel Stavis, billed as the “Hollywood Exorcist,” is channeling her creativity for a number of upcoming scripted projects.
Stavis is an author and filmmaker whose day job — as a “non-denominational exorcist on a mission to create global change by eradicating darkness from one person or place at a time,” per her bio – has put her in the employ of studio chiefs, movie stars and global political figures.
Stavis’ work ranges from the personal and therapeutic to paranormal investigations, and content makers are taking notice. Stavis is currently in the casting phase for her feature directorial debut “Da Wee Do Wa,” for which she also wrote the script. The film explores generational trauma suffered by women in the context of body horror. XYZ Films is in the mix to produce the project. V, formerly known as Eve Ensler, is on board as an executive producer. Acclaimed multi-hyphenate and “Better Things” creator...
Stavis is an author and filmmaker whose day job — as a “non-denominational exorcist on a mission to create global change by eradicating darkness from one person or place at a time,” per her bio – has put her in the employ of studio chiefs, movie stars and global political figures.
Stavis’ work ranges from the personal and therapeutic to paranormal investigations, and content makers are taking notice. Stavis is currently in the casting phase for her feature directorial debut “Da Wee Do Wa,” for which she also wrote the script. The film explores generational trauma suffered by women in the context of body horror. XYZ Films is in the mix to produce the project. V, formerly known as Eve Ensler, is on board as an executive producer. Acclaimed multi-hyphenate and “Better Things” creator...
- 4/24/2024
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety - Film News
Fandango veteran Stephanie Terifay has been tapped to help AMC Theatres build out its new movie distribution business following the record-shattering success of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour tour and Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé.
Terifay’s title is vice president, distribution. In the newly created role, she’ll be responsible for working with the music industry to develop other projects, come up with customized distribution strategies and marketing campaigns designed to optimize fan engagement.
In a twinned move, AMC’s fledgling distribution venture — headed up by Nikkole Denson-Randolph — has promoted Kevin Arnold to vp of programming promotions & partnerships, effective immediately. The mandate for all three execs is to bring additional leading music artists to the big screen via AMC Theatres Distribution.
Last year, Hollywood was caught off guard when Swift’s team bypassed the Hollywood studio system and hired AMC as the film’s distributor. It was virtually unheard...
Terifay’s title is vice president, distribution. In the newly created role, she’ll be responsible for working with the music industry to develop other projects, come up with customized distribution strategies and marketing campaigns designed to optimize fan engagement.
In a twinned move, AMC’s fledgling distribution venture — headed up by Nikkole Denson-Randolph — has promoted Kevin Arnold to vp of programming promotions & partnerships, effective immediately. The mandate for all three execs is to bring additional leading music artists to the big screen via AMC Theatres Distribution.
Last year, Hollywood was caught off guard when Swift’s team bypassed the Hollywood studio system and hired AMC as the film’s distributor. It was virtually unheard...
- 4/24/2024
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Barbie juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down, and now, fans of the record-breaking film can add another collectible to their mantle with Amazon’s deal on the official Little People Collector Barbie: The Movie Special Edition Set.
On sale for a whopping 67 percent off, the Little People figurines ($8.99, reg. $26.99) offer miniaturized versions of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling’s iconic characters — and their iconic outfits — from the big screen. The four mini dolls come in an official Barbie: The Movie box for easy displaying on your bookshelf or table.
$8.99 $26.99 67% off Buy Now On Amazon
The Little People Barbie set includes a blond Barbie in a gingham dress (similar to the dress seen on the official Margot Robbie Barbie doll), a bleach-blond Ken in an ab-baring ensemble; a Presidential Barbie (inspired by Issa Rae’s character in the film) and Barbie’s new friend Gloria (played by America Ferrera...
On sale for a whopping 67 percent off, the Little People figurines ($8.99, reg. $26.99) offer miniaturized versions of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling’s iconic characters — and their iconic outfits — from the big screen. The four mini dolls come in an official Barbie: The Movie box for easy displaying on your bookshelf or table.
$8.99 $26.99 67% off Buy Now On Amazon
The Little People Barbie set includes a blond Barbie in a gingham dress (similar to the dress seen on the official Margot Robbie Barbie doll), a bleach-blond Ken in an ab-baring ensemble; a Presidential Barbie (inspired by Issa Rae’s character in the film) and Barbie’s new friend Gloria (played by America Ferrera...
- 4/24/2024
- by Tim Chan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ari Emanuel, in his capacity as CEO of Tko Group Holdings — the parent company of UFC and WWE — had a compensation package last year that hit nearly $65 million.
Tko granted Emanuel, who also is CEO of Endeavor, a base salary of $911,538, plus a $24 million cash bonus and stock awards worth $40 million in 2023, per a regulatory filing by Tko. All told, the exec’s pay package totaled $64.91 million.
Tko previously disclosed that Emanuel received stock grants worth $40 million, vesting over a four-year period, in conjunction with the closing of the UFC-wwe merger in September 2023 (which is majority owned by Endeavor).
Among other Tko execs,...
Tko granted Emanuel, who also is CEO of Endeavor, a base salary of $911,538, plus a $24 million cash bonus and stock awards worth $40 million in 2023, per a regulatory filing by Tko. All told, the exec’s pay package totaled $64.91 million.
Tko previously disclosed that Emanuel received stock grants worth $40 million, vesting over a four-year period, in conjunction with the closing of the UFC-wwe merger in September 2023 (which is majority owned by Endeavor).
Among other Tko execs,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety - TV News
The U.K. edition of Rebel Wilson’s new memoir Rebel Rising will be published with redacted passages about her past on-set experiences with Sacha Baron Cohen.
The Pitch Perfect actress previously shared that in chapter 23, titled “Sacha Baron Cohen and Other Assholes,” she recounts filming 2016’s The Brothers Grimsby with Baron Cohen. Earlier, she also claimed that the previously unnamed actor had hired “a crisis PR manager and lawyers” to “threaten” her over a chapter in her book.
While the complete chapter is still in the U.S. version of the memoir, which hit bookshelves April 2, publisher HarperCollins told The Guardian in a new statement, “We are publishing every page, but for legal reasons, in the U.K. edition, we are redacting most of one page with some other small redactions and an explanatory note. Those sections are a very small part of a much bigger story.”
Following the news of the redaction,...
The Pitch Perfect actress previously shared that in chapter 23, titled “Sacha Baron Cohen and Other Assholes,” she recounts filming 2016’s The Brothers Grimsby with Baron Cohen. Earlier, she also claimed that the previously unnamed actor had hired “a crisis PR manager and lawyers” to “threaten” her over a chapter in her book.
While the complete chapter is still in the U.S. version of the memoir, which hit bookshelves April 2, publisher HarperCollins told The Guardian in a new statement, “We are publishing every page, but for legal reasons, in the U.K. edition, we are redacting most of one page with some other small redactions and an explanatory note. Those sections are a very small part of a much bigger story.”
Following the news of the redaction,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway, Bullet Train) is set to join Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry’s untitled musical for Universal Pictures inspired by Williams’ formative years growing up in Virginia Beach in the 1970s.
Henry, an Oscar, Emmy and Tony award nominee, has recent credits like Warner Brothers’ Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Causeway, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination, and Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse. He also co-starred in Atlanta as Alfred Miles and appeared in If Beale Street Could Talk as the character Daniel Carty.
His upcoming projects include Amazon/MGM’s The Fire Inside, written by Barry Jenkins, and Paramount’s animated film Transformers One. Henry is also set to star in the Apple TV+ series Sinking Spring from director Ridley Scott.
In live theater, Henry originated the role of The General in the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon, and in 2018 he returned to...
Henry, an Oscar, Emmy and Tony award nominee, has recent credits like Warner Brothers’ Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Causeway, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination, and Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse. He also co-starred in Atlanta as Alfred Miles and appeared in If Beale Street Could Talk as the character Daniel Carty.
His upcoming projects include Amazon/MGM’s The Fire Inside, written by Barry Jenkins, and Paramount’s animated film Transformers One. Henry is also set to star in the Apple TV+ series Sinking Spring from director Ridley Scott.
In live theater, Henry originated the role of The General in the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon, and in 2018 he returned to...
- 4/24/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ufeg’s Make It Universal and Rotten Tomatoes have partnered to create the new “Seen on Screen” podcast hosted by Rotten Tomatoes awards editor Jacqueline Coley. The bi-weekly podcast offers a behind the scenes look into Universal productions and conversations with Universal employees about the impact of film on their lives.
“Seen on Screen” also aims to demystify the interworkings of the film industry to listeners. Episodes will showcase the many employment opportunities available across a major studio and highlight the diversity within the Universal staff.
“Movies have the unique ability to unite us – in them we either see a reflection of ourselves or they give us a window into perspectives and experiences that are unlike our own but are worth exploring,” said Dwight Caines, Universal Pictures president of domestic marketing. “The ‘Seen on Screen’ podcast celebrates the inclusive culture of our studio by putting a spotlight on the people...
“Seen on Screen” also aims to demystify the interworkings of the film industry to listeners. Episodes will showcase the many employment opportunities available across a major studio and highlight the diversity within the Universal staff.
“Movies have the unique ability to unite us – in them we either see a reflection of ourselves or they give us a window into perspectives and experiences that are unlike our own but are worth exploring,” said Dwight Caines, Universal Pictures president of domestic marketing. “The ‘Seen on Screen’ podcast celebrates the inclusive culture of our studio by putting a spotlight on the people...
- 4/24/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety - Film News
Brian Tyree Henry has joined the cast of Universal’s untitled Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry musical project.
The Oscar, Emmy and Tony nominee joins Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey and Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the coming-of-age musical, set in the summer of 1977 at Virginia Beach and inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson. Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through the recording company I Am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s senior vice president of production development Ryan Jones and Christine Sun, director of production development, will oversee the project for the studio.
Henry starred on Donald Glover’s acclaimed series “Atlanta” for four seasons as Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles, earning an Emmy nomination for his performance. He also scored a supporting actor Oscar...
The Oscar, Emmy and Tony nominee joins Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey and Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the coming-of-age musical, set in the summer of 1977 at Virginia Beach and inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson. Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through the recording company I Am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s senior vice president of production development Ryan Jones and Christine Sun, director of production development, will oversee the project for the studio.
Henry starred on Donald Glover’s acclaimed series “Atlanta” for four seasons as Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles, earning an Emmy nomination for his performance. He also scored a supporting actor Oscar...
- 4/24/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
If there’s one perk to being a student, it’s the many student deals you can take advantage of by signing up with your student email address — think cheaper commuter passes, movie tickets, museum passes, Amazon Prime and perhaps best of all, streaming services.
Case in point: Hulu has rolled out an epic deal for all U.S college students, that brings down its monthly subscription cost by 75%. Through the deal, students can get Hulu’s ad-supported plan...
If there’s one perk to being a student, it’s the many student deals you can take advantage of by signing up with your student email address — think cheaper commuter passes, movie tickets, museum passes, Amazon Prime and perhaps best of all, streaming services.
Case in point: Hulu has rolled out an epic deal for all U.S college students, that brings down its monthly subscription cost by 75%. Through the deal, students can get Hulu’s ad-supported plan...
- 4/24/2024
- by Anna Tingley
- Variety - TV News
Gwyneth Paltrow kicked off her 11th In Goop Health Summit April 19 to 21 at the upscale Park Hyatt Aviara Resort Golf Club & Spa in Carlsbad, where a Miraval Life in Balance Spa Aviara was unveiled in September as the final phase of a $60 million resort-wide renovation. Guests paid $1,200 for a daylong Summit Pass or $4,000 for a Weekender Pass, which included a two-night stay at the resort, a welcome dinner and brunch.
As usual, there was an array of wellness experiences and thought leaders. The keynote featured Justina Blakeney, founder of home décor brand Jungalow, and powerhouse entrepreneur Emma Grede, who co-founded Khloé Kardashian’s denim brand Good American in 2016, co-founded Skims shapewear with her husband, Jens Gredes, and Kim Kardashian in 2019, and rolled out both Kris Jenner’s natural cleaning brand Safely in 2021 and Kylie Jenner’s Khy fashion label in October 2023.
Tapping into Grede’s smarts for business strategy, Paltrow asked her,...
As usual, there was an array of wellness experiences and thought leaders. The keynote featured Justina Blakeney, founder of home décor brand Jungalow, and powerhouse entrepreneur Emma Grede, who co-founded Khloé Kardashian’s denim brand Good American in 2016, co-founded Skims shapewear with her husband, Jens Gredes, and Kim Kardashian in 2019, and rolled out both Kris Jenner’s natural cleaning brand Safely in 2021 and Kylie Jenner’s Khy fashion label in October 2023.
Tapping into Grede’s smarts for business strategy, Paltrow asked her,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Ingrid Schmidt
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Danny Boyle’s “28 Years Later” has added Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes to its cast.
The continuation of the “28 Days Later” franchise will be released in theaters globally by Sony Pictures. “28 Days Later” was released in 2002 and starred Cillian Murphy, then largely unknown. Boyle directed the feature, while Alex Garland wrote. A sequel, “28 Weeks Later,” was released in 2007.
Plot details are still being kept under wraps for the new screenplay, written by Garland. It will be part of an upcoming trilogy, for which Nia DaCosta is in talks to direct the second film.
Boyle and Garland are producing, as is original producer Andrew Macdonald and Peter Rice. Bernie Bellew is also producing. Murphy is also returning as an executive producer, and is not currently attached to star.
Comer earned an Emmy for her work as Villanelle on “Killing Eve.” She will next be seen...
The continuation of the “28 Days Later” franchise will be released in theaters globally by Sony Pictures. “28 Days Later” was released in 2002 and starred Cillian Murphy, then largely unknown. Boyle directed the feature, while Alex Garland wrote. A sequel, “28 Weeks Later,” was released in 2007.
Plot details are still being kept under wraps for the new screenplay, written by Garland. It will be part of an upcoming trilogy, for which Nia DaCosta is in talks to direct the second film.
Boyle and Garland are producing, as is original producer Andrew Macdonald and Peter Rice. Bernie Bellew is also producing. Murphy is also returning as an executive producer, and is not currently attached to star.
Comer earned an Emmy for her work as Villanelle on “Killing Eve.” She will next be seen...
- 4/24/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
There were many memorable cinematic performances that came from actresses in 1999 (Annette Bening in American Beauty, Samantha Morton in Sweet and Lowdown, Julianne Moore in Magnolia). And then there was a truly iconic turn from Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick, the terrifying antagonist in Alexander Payne’s sharp political satire, Election.
A cunning, ambitious and oh-so-annoying foil to her teacher and would-be mentor, Omaha-area social studies instructor Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick), Tracy is at times the worst — for example, when her affair with Mr. McAllister’s best friend is discovered, the teenager has no qualms about abandoning him entirely — and in other moments, Tracy can be the absolute best. At least, she insists on that top slot, no matter what: having the highest grades, getting into the best college, winning a high school election — she’s destined for greatness, which in the time Election takes place means winning the office...
A cunning, ambitious and oh-so-annoying foil to her teacher and would-be mentor, Omaha-area social studies instructor Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick), Tracy is at times the worst — for example, when her affair with Mr. McAllister’s best friend is discovered, the teenager has no qualms about abandoning him entirely — and in other moments, Tracy can be the absolute best. At least, she insists on that top slot, no matter what: having the highest grades, getting into the best college, winning a high school election — she’s destined for greatness, which in the time Election takes place means winning the office...
- 4/24/2024
- by Kevin Dolak
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes are looking to take a bite out of 28 Years Later, with the actors joining the long-awaited sequel, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Danny Boyle is once again directing, after helming 2002’s 28 Days Later, which centered on a man (Cillian Murphy) who wakes up in the hospital to find the United Kingdom overtaken by a zombie plague. Civil War filmmaker Alex Garland, who penned the script, is back to write what is intended to be a trilogy of films for Sony. The original feature helped revive the zombie genre and already had a sequel, 2007’s 28 Weeks Later, which only nominally involved Boyle and Garland as executive producers.
Boyle and Garland will produce the new film with Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice and Bernie Bellew. Original star Murphy will serve as executive producer.
Comer has the period motorcycle drama The Bikeriders due out June...
Danny Boyle is once again directing, after helming 2002’s 28 Days Later, which centered on a man (Cillian Murphy) who wakes up in the hospital to find the United Kingdom overtaken by a zombie plague. Civil War filmmaker Alex Garland, who penned the script, is back to write what is intended to be a trilogy of films for Sony. The original feature helped revive the zombie genre and already had a sequel, 2007’s 28 Weeks Later, which only nominally involved Boyle and Garland as executive producers.
Boyle and Garland will produce the new film with Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice and Bernie Bellew. Original star Murphy will serve as executive producer.
Comer has the period motorcycle drama The Bikeriders due out June...
- 4/24/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Endeavor’s $21 billion deal to merge its UFC with the WWE and create Tko Group Holdings last year created a live sports powerhouse. The deal, orchestrated by the Ari Emanuel-led holding company, also delivered rich compensation packages for its top executives.
Emanuel took home a package valued at nearly $65 million last year, including a $911,538 salary (it is prorated to reflect only Sept. 12, 2023 to the end of the year), a $24 million bonus, and $40 million in stock awards, per Tko’s 2023 proxy filing disclosed on Wednesday.
As always with CEO pay packages (including Emanuel’s $300 million-plus package in 2021), that number is dependent on the company hitting key metrics, and the share price consistently moving upwards.
Tko president and COO Mark Shapiro earned a package valued at $16.1 million last year, while CFO Andrew Schleimer took home an $8.8 million package. WWE president Nick Khan, who is also a board member of the company,...
Emanuel took home a package valued at nearly $65 million last year, including a $911,538 salary (it is prorated to reflect only Sept. 12, 2023 to the end of the year), a $24 million bonus, and $40 million in stock awards, per Tko’s 2023 proxy filing disclosed on Wednesday.
As always with CEO pay packages (including Emanuel’s $300 million-plus package in 2021), that number is dependent on the company hitting key metrics, and the share price consistently moving upwards.
Tko president and COO Mark Shapiro earned a package valued at $16.1 million last year, while CFO Andrew Schleimer took home an $8.8 million package. WWE president Nick Khan, who is also a board member of the company,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The April 13 Saturday Night Live, with host Ryan Gosling and musical guest Chris Stapleton, had several talked-about moments, from Gosling’s monologue with his Fall Guy co-star Emily Blunt to a Beavis and Butt-head sketch that caused cast member Heidi Gardner to break down laughing. Taylor Swift also gave a thumbs-up to Gosling and Blunt’s Barbenheimer-themed reworking of “All Too Well.”
The water-cooler nature of the episode paid off in the ratings, as SNL hit some of its best numbers of recent years. After a week of cross-platform viewing, the episode drew 8.9 million viewers and a 2.0 rating (equivalent to about 2.64 million people) in the adults 18-49 demographic, both of which are season highs.
More than season highs, in fact: SNL had its best showing in total viewers since Dec. 11, 2021, when Billie Eilish was both the host and musical guest. The show also hit its best 18-49 rating since Nov.
The water-cooler nature of the episode paid off in the ratings, as SNL hit some of its best numbers of recent years. After a week of cross-platform viewing, the episode drew 8.9 million viewers and a 2.0 rating (equivalent to about 2.64 million people) in the adults 18-49 demographic, both of which are season highs.
More than season highs, in fact: SNL had its best showing in total viewers since Dec. 11, 2021, when Billie Eilish was both the host and musical guest. The show also hit its best 18-49 rating since Nov.
- 4/24/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As host of the April 13 episode, Ryan Gosling brought “Saturday Night Live” its biggest Peacock audience ever when accounting for seven days of viewership.
While an exact number of Peacock viewers is not available, the episode’s seven-day total across all platforms is 8.9 million — up from the 1.7 million viewers who tuned in night-of. This comes from a combination of Nielsen’s measurement of linear viewers on NBC and NBCUniversal’s own data regarding streams on Peacock.
This represents the show’s best seven-day viewership since December of 2021, when Billie Eilish served as both host and musical guest. Additionally, the episode...
While an exact number of Peacock viewers is not available, the episode’s seven-day total across all platforms is 8.9 million — up from the 1.7 million viewers who tuned in night-of. This comes from a combination of Nielsen’s measurement of linear viewers on NBC and NBCUniversal’s own data regarding streams on Peacock.
This represents the show’s best seven-day viewership since December of 2021, when Billie Eilish served as both host and musical guest. Additionally, the episode...
- 4/24/2024
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety - TV News
Michael Kors is back on Rodeo Drive after a nearly four-year hiatus. The new 1,500-square-foot Michael Kors Collection store opened at 242 N. Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills on April 18 and is the first North American location to premiere the brand’s new conceptual design for its collection boutiques.
A wide glass door welcomes customers to the street level of the two-floor store — which is done in walnut shelving, antique brass, gold Calacatta marble and oxidized maple — where shoes and handbags from the latest collection are showcased opposite a large video wall. In the lower-level study, the intentionally minimalistic space is decorated in a neutral color palette of grey, white and black. Mannequins are styled in items from the brand’s Spring-Summer 2024 collection, like the black chantilly lace bodysuit ($890) and matching skirt ($2,690) topped with the double crepe sablé boyfriend blazer ($2,290) and the suntan chantilly lace slip gown ($3,890).
“With this new concept,...
A wide glass door welcomes customers to the street level of the two-floor store — which is done in walnut shelving, antique brass, gold Calacatta marble and oxidized maple — where shoes and handbags from the latest collection are showcased opposite a large video wall. In the lower-level study, the intentionally minimalistic space is decorated in a neutral color palette of grey, white and black. Mannequins are styled in items from the brand’s Spring-Summer 2024 collection, like the black chantilly lace bodysuit ($890) and matching skirt ($2,690) topped with the double crepe sablé boyfriend blazer ($2,290) and the suntan chantilly lace slip gown ($3,890).
“With this new concept,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Brande Victorian
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Meta reported first quarter revenue of $36.5 billion, up 27 percent from the year-earlier period and above Wall Street expectations.
The company, which owns Facebook, Instagram and more, had issued guidance of $34.5 billion to $37 billion for the first quarter. Meta reported income of $12.4 billion, up 117 percent from the year-earlier period.
“It’s been a good start to the year,” said Mark Zuckerberg, Meta founder and CEO. “The new version of Meta AI with Llama 3 is another step towards building the world’s leading AI. We’re seeing healthy growth across our apps and we continue making steady progress building the metaverse as well.”
On the earnings call, Zuckerberg said the rollout last week of the new Meta AI, an assistant that can be used within search to answer complex queries, make recommendations and create animations from still images and more, is going well, with tens of million of people trying it and giving positive feedback.
The company, which owns Facebook, Instagram and more, had issued guidance of $34.5 billion to $37 billion for the first quarter. Meta reported income of $12.4 billion, up 117 percent from the year-earlier period.
“It’s been a good start to the year,” said Mark Zuckerberg, Meta founder and CEO. “The new version of Meta AI with Llama 3 is another step towards building the world’s leading AI. We’re seeing healthy growth across our apps and we continue making steady progress building the metaverse as well.”
On the earnings call, Zuckerberg said the rollout last week of the new Meta AI, an assistant that can be used within search to answer complex queries, make recommendations and create animations from still images and more, is going well, with tens of million of people trying it and giving positive feedback.
- 4/24/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tracee Ellis Ross is packing her bags and inviting audiences to join her solo travel adventures with the new Roku Original series “Tracee Travels.”
The series will chronicle the award-winning actor and Pattern CEO and founder as she “meticulously, laboriously, and sometimes ridiculously prepares for and travels solo to spectacular locations.” The series will shoot later this year, following Ross as she “charts her own path, exploring the intersection of beauty, fashion, design, food and culture at each stop.”
“I took my first solo trip when I was 22 years old. I decided way back then that I wouldn’t wait...
The series will chronicle the award-winning actor and Pattern CEO and founder as she “meticulously, laboriously, and sometimes ridiculously prepares for and travels solo to spectacular locations.” The series will shoot later this year, following Ross as she “charts her own path, exploring the intersection of beauty, fashion, design, food and culture at each stop.”
“I took my first solo trip when I was 22 years old. I decided way back then that I wouldn’t wait...
- 4/24/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - TV News
Jimmie Allen revealed he contemplated suicide following the sexual abuse allegations against him last year as a way to financially provide for his family.
In May 2023, the country music artist’s former manager, identified only as Jane Doe, alleged he raped and sexually abused her several times. In a statement released at the time, Allen claimed the two had a consensual sexual relationship that lasted for two years.
“It is deeply troubling and hurtful that someone I counted as one of my closest friends, colleagues and confidants would make allegations that have no truth to them whatsoever. I acknowledge that we had a sexual relationship,” his statement read. “During that time, she never once accused me of any wrongdoing, and she spoke of our relationship and friendship as being something she wanted to continue indefinitely. Only after things ended between us, did she hire a lawyer to reach out and ask for money,...
In May 2023, the country music artist’s former manager, identified only as Jane Doe, alleged he raped and sexually abused her several times. In a statement released at the time, Allen claimed the two had a consensual sexual relationship that lasted for two years.
“It is deeply troubling and hurtful that someone I counted as one of my closest friends, colleagues and confidants would make allegations that have no truth to them whatsoever. I acknowledge that we had a sexual relationship,” his statement read. “During that time, she never once accused me of any wrongdoing, and she spoke of our relationship and friendship as being something she wanted to continue indefinitely. Only after things ended between us, did she hire a lawyer to reach out and ask for money,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s streamer JioCinema is making a play to become India’s top streaming service by introducing cheap premium tier plans.
From April 25, the service’s existing INR999 ($12) annual plan for international premium content is being replaced by a monthly plan of INR29 (35 cents) for a single device or INR89 ($1.05) monthly for a family plan that covers four devices. The new plans are branded JioCinema Premium and will be up to 4K streaming quality.
JioCinema’s sports content that includes the lucrative Indian Premier League (Ipl) cricket tournament will continue to be available for free as an AVOD service.
From April 25, the service’s existing INR999 ($12) annual plan for international premium content is being replaced by a monthly plan of INR29 (35 cents) for a single device or INR89 ($1.05) monthly for a family plan that covers four devices. The new plans are branded JioCinema Premium and will be up to 4K streaming quality.
JioCinema’s sports content that includes the lucrative Indian Premier League (Ipl) cricket tournament will continue to be available for free as an AVOD service.
- 4/24/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety - TV News
Angelina Jolie’s scrapped “Cleopatra” movie was part romance epic and part “political thriller with assassinations and sex,” according to the movie’s original screenwriter Brian Helgeland. The Oscar-winning actor was set to play the Egyptian queen in a tentpole for Sony Pictures that once courted director David Fincher to helm. It never got off the ground.
“I was the very first writer on ‘Cleopatra’ when it was being developed for Angelina Jolie to star in, which was almost made,” Helgeland said in an interview with Inverse. “It had elements of a political thriller with assassinations and sex, but it’s an epic that’s divided between her love affairs with Caesar and Marc Antony. Lots of true events surprised me when I was writing it.”
“For example, the day Caesar was assassinated — the Ides of March and all that stuff — she was in Rome,” he continued. “They were leaving for Egypt,...
“I was the very first writer on ‘Cleopatra’ when it was being developed for Angelina Jolie to star in, which was almost made,” Helgeland said in an interview with Inverse. “It had elements of a political thriller with assassinations and sex, but it’s an epic that’s divided between her love affairs with Caesar and Marc Antony. Lots of true events surprised me when I was writing it.”
“For example, the day Caesar was assassinated — the Ides of March and all that stuff — she was in Rome,” he continued. “They were leaving for Egypt,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Here is an incomplete list of people who might really enjoy Hulu’s Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story: Longtime Bon Jovi fans, who know this story by heart but love it enough to want to hear it again. More recent converts, eager to fill in the gaps of their knowledge. Individuals who are deeply invested in Jon Bon Jovi as a person, and wondering how he’s been. Jon himself, presumably — though the frontman has stressed that he did not have final cut, director Gotham Chopra has assembled a portrait as reverent as any celebrity might reasonably hope for.
Everyone else — the casual listeners, the total newbies, the gossips and (at least in my case) the critics — can probably keep walking. Thank You, Goodnight is a perfectly nice retrospective, approachable and amiable and affectionate. But that’s not the same thing as saying it’s a particularly insightful one.
Everyone else — the casual listeners, the total newbies, the gossips and (at least in my case) the critics — can probably keep walking. Thank You, Goodnight is a perfectly nice retrospective, approachable and amiable and affectionate. But that’s not the same thing as saying it’s a particularly insightful one.
- 4/24/2024
- by Angie Han
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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