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Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang will star in Bleecker Street and Shivhans Pictures’ remake of Ang Lee’s 1993 romantic comedy “The Wedding Banquet” from director Andrew Ahn.
Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar-winner Yuh-jung Youn and Joan Chen are also attached to star.
The reimagination of Lee’s Oscar-nominated film is based on a screenplay by Ahn and James Schamus. Schamus also co-wrote the original film with Lee and Neil Peng.
The film, which begins filming in May in Vancouver, follows what happens when Min’s boyfriend Chris rejects his marriage proposal. Min convinces his best friend Angela to marry him instead, paying for her partner Liz’s IVF treatments in exchange for his green card. However, things begin to unravel when Min’s grandmother makes a surprise trip from Seoul to throw the couple a Korean wedding banquet.
“It warms my heart to see how my film from so many years...
Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar-winner Yuh-jung Youn and Joan Chen are also attached to star.
The reimagination of Lee’s Oscar-nominated film is based on a screenplay by Ahn and James Schamus. Schamus also co-wrote the original film with Lee and Neil Peng.
The film, which begins filming in May in Vancouver, follows what happens when Min’s boyfriend Chris rejects his marriage proposal. Min convinces his best friend Angela to marry him instead, paying for her partner Liz’s IVF treatments in exchange for his green card. However, things begin to unravel when Min’s grandmother makes a surprise trip from Seoul to throw the couple a Korean wedding banquet.
“It warms my heart to see how my film from so many years...
- 4/25/2024
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
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 + TV
A new Harry Potter audiobook series is coming to Audible.
As part of a partnership with Pottermore Publishing and Audible, the two will release seven new English language audiobooks scheduled for late 2025. The audiobooks will feature a full range of character voices, with the Audible CEO citing more than 100 actors, Dolby Atmos sound design and new scoring.
Each book will be released sequentially and globally. This is in addition to the original single-voice audiobook recordings by Jim Dale and Stephen Fry, which were first released in 1999 and have reached 1.4 billion global listening hours after launching on Audible in 2015.
“Together with Pottermore Publishing, best-in-class producers, and over one hundred actors, we will introduce a groundbreaking new soundscape for the Wizarding World, as well as performances that will inspire our listeners’ imaginations and redefine these quintessential characters for a new generation,” said Bob Carrigan, CEO of Audible.
“We are delighted to be...
As part of a partnership with Pottermore Publishing and Audible, the two will release seven new English language audiobooks scheduled for late 2025. The audiobooks will feature a full range of character voices, with the Audible CEO citing more than 100 actors, Dolby Atmos sound design and new scoring.
Each book will be released sequentially and globally. This is in addition to the original single-voice audiobook recordings by Jim Dale and Stephen Fry, which were first released in 1999 and have reached 1.4 billion global listening hours after launching on Audible in 2015.
“Together with Pottermore Publishing, best-in-class producers, and over one hundred actors, we will introduce a groundbreaking new soundscape for the Wizarding World, as well as performances that will inspire our listeners’ imaginations and redefine these quintessential characters for a new generation,” said Bob Carrigan, CEO of Audible.
“We are delighted to be...
- 4/25/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- 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 + 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
Dan Rather is returning to CBS News.
Nearly 20 years after stepping down as the anchor of the CBS Evening News, and 18 years after he last appeared on the network, the anchor will return to a CBS program. This time, he will be the subject of an interview on CBS Sunday Morning.
Per a release from CBS, “Lee Cowan talks with former CBS News anchor Dan Rather about his work at CBS and his life in news.”
A source confirms that it will be Rather’s first appearance on a CBS News program since he formally left the network under tumultuous circumstances nearly two decades ago.
Rather said that he was the scapegoat in a scandal over a 2004 report for 60 Minutes II on then-President George W. Bush’s military record, and the anchor subsequently sued the network for breach of contract. The 60 Minutes spin-off was canceled less than a year later.
Nearly 20 years after stepping down as the anchor of the CBS Evening News, and 18 years after he last appeared on the network, the anchor will return to a CBS program. This time, he will be the subject of an interview on CBS Sunday Morning.
Per a release from CBS, “Lee Cowan talks with former CBS News anchor Dan Rather about his work at CBS and his life in news.”
A source confirms that it will be Rather’s first appearance on a CBS News program since he formally left the network under tumultuous circumstances nearly two decades ago.
Rather said that he was the scapegoat in a scandal over a 2004 report for 60 Minutes II on then-President George W. Bush’s military record, and the anchor subsequently sued the network for breach of contract. The 60 Minutes spin-off was canceled less than a year later.
- 4/25/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Netflix has come on board “The Thursday Murder Club,” Amblin’s upcoming adaptation of the bestselling novel starring Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan and Ben Kingsley. Chris Columbus is writing and directing the story of a group of friends who solve murders.
The 2020 book by Richard Osman tells the story of four friends who live in a retirement community and take on cold cases for fun. When a shady property developer is found dead, the four find themselves in the middle of their first live crime. Mirren will play ex-spy Elizabeth, Kingsley will play ex-psychiatrist Ibrahim and Brosnan will play former union activist Ron.
Netflix and Amblin’s film partnership also includes the upcoming Jason Bateman-Taron Egerton film “Carry-On.”
Osman, a popular British quiz show presenter, said in a statement, “I’m so proud of this book, so it is a dream to see ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ in such incredible hands.
The 2020 book by Richard Osman tells the story of four friends who live in a retirement community and take on cold cases for fun. When a shady property developer is found dead, the four find themselves in the middle of their first live crime. Mirren will play ex-spy Elizabeth, Kingsley will play ex-psychiatrist Ibrahim and Brosnan will play former union activist Ron.
Netflix and Amblin’s film partnership also includes the upcoming Jason Bateman-Taron Egerton film “Carry-On.”
Osman, a popular British quiz show presenter, said in a statement, “I’m so proud of this book, so it is a dream to see ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ in such incredible hands.
- 4/25/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety - Film News
Gabby and her cats are coming to the big screen next year.
DreamWorks Animation and Universal revealed Thursday that Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie will open nationwide on Sept. 26, 2025.
The live-action/CGI series has been a smash hit for Netflix since its debut in 2021. Created by Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey, Gabby’s Dollhouse is a mixed-media preschool adventure that centers on a 12-year-old who, after unboxing an item, uses the power of her magical cat ears to shrink down to dollhouse size and go on adventures with the help of her animated cat friends. The show operates with a narrative ethos of flexible thinking and learning from your mistakes, and does so through a mix of things like music, dance, cooking and crafting.
Laila Lockhart Kraner will reprise her role from the series in the feature film, which follows Gabby as she goes on a road trip with her...
DreamWorks Animation and Universal revealed Thursday that Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie will open nationwide on Sept. 26, 2025.
The live-action/CGI series has been a smash hit for Netflix since its debut in 2021. Created by Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey, Gabby’s Dollhouse is a mixed-media preschool adventure that centers on a 12-year-old who, after unboxing an item, uses the power of her magical cat ears to shrink down to dollhouse size and go on adventures with the help of her animated cat friends. The show operates with a narrative ethos of flexible thinking and learning from your mistakes, and does so through a mix of things like music, dance, cooking and crafting.
Laila Lockhart Kraner will reprise her role from the series in the feature film, which follows Gabby as she goes on a road trip with her...
- 4/25/2024
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The annual Peabody Awards have unveiled its 2024 nominations.
This year, the Peabody Awards Board of Jurors selected nominees from over 1,100 entries from television, podcasts/radio, and the web in the entertainment, news, documentary, arts, children’s/youth, public service, and multimedia programming categories. Documentary films such as “Judy Blume Forever” and “The Eternal Memory” topped the list of nominees, along with series “The Bear” and “The Last of Us.”
“Whether a hilarious comedy, an engaging interactive experience, or a heartwarming children’s show, Peabody is dedicated to honoring the most compelling stories across the media landscape,” Jeffrey Jones, executive director of Peabody, said. “Each of the 68 nominees this year deserve to be recognized for telling unique stories that leave a profound impact in capturing our imaginations. From exposing injustice to capturing the struggles and triumphs of inspirational figures across the world, these extraordinary nominees demonstrate the power and beauty of compelling storytelling.
This year, the Peabody Awards Board of Jurors selected nominees from over 1,100 entries from television, podcasts/radio, and the web in the entertainment, news, documentary, arts, children’s/youth, public service, and multimedia programming categories. Documentary films such as “Judy Blume Forever” and “The Eternal Memory” topped the list of nominees, along with series “The Bear” and “The Last of Us.”
“Whether a hilarious comedy, an engaging interactive experience, or a heartwarming children’s show, Peabody is dedicated to honoring the most compelling stories across the media landscape,” Jeffrey Jones, executive director of Peabody, said. “Each of the 68 nominees this year deserve to be recognized for telling unique stories that leave a profound impact in capturing our imaginations. From exposing injustice to capturing the struggles and triumphs of inspirational figures across the world, these extraordinary nominees demonstrate the power and beauty of compelling storytelling.
- 4/25/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Bill Kong is cautious, vastly experienced and has an impeccable reputation as a key gateway between Hollywood and China to maintain. He is someone far more likely to deadpan than gush.
So, to hear him getting into high gear with a pitch for his bucket list martial arts movie project “The Furious” immediately invites comparison with previous Kong-produced action pictures including Oscar-winner “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Jet Li’s Fearless” or the Zhang Yimou-directed “Hero.”
“I’m going to do an action movie that rocks the world. And to prove that Hong Kong still has something to give the film industry. I want to show that Asian people can still make an action movie that is better than the rest of the world,” Kong tells Variety.
Significantly, “The Furious” is a project made by Hong Kong, rather than made in Hong Kong. Kong’s Edko Films is financing and producing.
So, to hear him getting into high gear with a pitch for his bucket list martial arts movie project “The Furious” immediately invites comparison with previous Kong-produced action pictures including Oscar-winner “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Jet Li’s Fearless” or the Zhang Yimou-directed “Hero.”
“I’m going to do an action movie that rocks the world. And to prove that Hong Kong still has something to give the film industry. I want to show that Asian people can still make an action movie that is better than the rest of the world,” Kong tells Variety.
Significantly, “The Furious” is a project made by Hong Kong, rather than made in Hong Kong. Kong’s Edko Films is financing and producing.
- 4/25/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
A quartet of fast-rising British names are coming together for a buzzy new project launching at the Cannes market.
Bella Ramsey, Louis Partridge and Ruby Stokes are set to lead “Sunny Dancer,” the sophomore feature from George Jaques. Embankment Films is handling global pre-sales of the film, which it says showcases the “best of new British talent.”
“Sunny Dancer” follows Ivy (Ramsey), a teenager in remission from cancer, whose gloriously outspoken mum and well-intentioned dad insist she attend Children Run Free Camp, a summer retreat for young adults affected by cancer. The camp’s slogan, “Where kids come to kid,” does little to alleviate Ivy’s apprehension, and a quick Google search confirms her fears when she stumbles upon a cringeworthy promotional video filled with tacky messages and clichéd sunsets. As if conquering cancer wasn’t enough of a challenge, Ivy now faces the prospect of spending her summer at what she calls “chemo camp.
Bella Ramsey, Louis Partridge and Ruby Stokes are set to lead “Sunny Dancer,” the sophomore feature from George Jaques. Embankment Films is handling global pre-sales of the film, which it says showcases the “best of new British talent.”
“Sunny Dancer” follows Ivy (Ramsey), a teenager in remission from cancer, whose gloriously outspoken mum and well-intentioned dad insist she attend Children Run Free Camp, a summer retreat for young adults affected by cancer. The camp’s slogan, “Where kids come to kid,” does little to alleviate Ivy’s apprehension, and a quick Google search confirms her fears when she stumbles upon a cringeworthy promotional video filled with tacky messages and clichéd sunsets. As if conquering cancer wasn’t enough of a challenge, Ivy now faces the prospect of spending her summer at what she calls “chemo camp.
- 4/25/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
When Ncuti Gatwa makes his first appearance as the 15th Doctor in the science-fiction series “Doctor Who,” he isn’t wearing any pants.
In a 60th-anniversary special released in December, the previous Doctor — played by series icon David Tennant — subverts the show’s long-standing practice of regeneration: Instead of simply transforming into the next Doctor, he literally splits in half, bringing Gatwa’s Doctor into the world alongside him. In the process, the two divide the clothes of Tennant’s Doctor between them, leaving Gatwa in nothing but a dress shirt and a pair of tighty-whities.
“Oh, my God, that first costume fitting!
In a 60th-anniversary special released in December, the previous Doctor — played by series icon David Tennant — subverts the show’s long-standing practice of regeneration: Instead of simply transforming into the next Doctor, he literally splits in half, bringing Gatwa’s Doctor into the world alongside him. In the process, the two divide the clothes of Tennant’s Doctor between them, leaving Gatwa in nothing but a dress shirt and a pair of tighty-whities.
“Oh, my God, that first costume fitting!
- 4/25/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety - TV News
While Jerry Seinfeld and his writing partner Spike Feresten didn’t necessarily have an initial plan for the casting in Unfrosted, the pair knew they had to have Hugh Grant as Frosted Flakes’ mascot Tony the Tiger.
The director and writer recently spoke to IndieWire about how they scored the Notting Hill star for the role of Thurl Ravenscroft in the Netflix Pop-Tart comedy.
“There was a long time where we didn’t have anybody to make this movie. We had the budget, we had the script, but we didn’t have any people to play the parts,” Seinfeld recalled. “That was one of the most terrifying moments. We would go into this little room that we had with each part on a 3×5 card on the wall. And we had [Jim] Gaffigan as Kellogg — and that was it. And there were like 30 parts.”
They started filling out the cast, one by one,...
The director and writer recently spoke to IndieWire about how they scored the Notting Hill star for the role of Thurl Ravenscroft in the Netflix Pop-Tart comedy.
“There was a long time where we didn’t have anybody to make this movie. We had the budget, we had the script, but we didn’t have any people to play the parts,” Seinfeld recalled. “That was one of the most terrifying moments. We would go into this little room that we had with each part on a 3×5 card on the wall. And we had [Jim] Gaffigan as Kellogg — and that was it. And there were like 30 parts.”
They started filling out the cast, one by one,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Freelance casting assistants are launching an attempt to unionize with the Teamsters.
Nearly 150 New York- and Los Angeles-based casting assistants are supporting the drive to unionize with Teamsters Local 399 and Teamsters Local 817, the former union announced on Thursday. The group has requested voluntary recognition from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents major Hollywood companies in collective bargaining and negotiates a casting director agreement with the Teamsters, and Netflix, which has its own casting director contract with the union. By taking this two-pronged approach, the Teamsters are seeking to represent casting assistants working on projects associated with most major Hollywood companies.
With this organizing drive, the Teamsters also appear to be attempting to fill out the union’s representation of the casting department: Locals 399 and 817 already represent casting directors and associate casting directors, but non-union casting assistants also have an “integral role in production,” Local 399 stated.
“Teamsters...
Nearly 150 New York- and Los Angeles-based casting assistants are supporting the drive to unionize with Teamsters Local 399 and Teamsters Local 817, the former union announced on Thursday. The group has requested voluntary recognition from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents major Hollywood companies in collective bargaining and negotiates a casting director agreement with the Teamsters, and Netflix, which has its own casting director contract with the union. By taking this two-pronged approach, the Teamsters are seeking to represent casting assistants working on projects associated with most major Hollywood companies.
With this organizing drive, the Teamsters also appear to be attempting to fill out the union’s representation of the casting department: Locals 399 and 817 already represent casting directors and associate casting directors, but non-union casting assistants also have an “integral role in production,” Local 399 stated.
“Teamsters...
- 4/25/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Emily Blunt is staunchly opposed to algorithms making any decisions in Hollywood. Ahead of the release of her summer tentpole “The Fall Guy,” the Oscar nominee joined co-star Ryan Gosling for a Vanity Fair Italy cover story in which she expressed frustration over algorithm-driven decision making. Blunt pointed to Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” as the kind of gamble that an algorithm or date-crunching would probably advice not to make given it’s a biopic with an R rating and a three-hour runtime that features no action scenes.
“Some new things frustrate me: algorithms, for example,” Blunt said. “I hate that fucking word, excuse the expletive! How can it be associated with art and content? How can we let it determine what will be successful and what will not?”
“Let me explain with an example,” she continued. “I was in a three-hour film about a physicist, which had the the impact...
“Some new things frustrate me: algorithms, for example,” Blunt said. “I hate that fucking word, excuse the expletive! How can it be associated with art and content? How can we let it determine what will be successful and what will not?”
“Let me explain with an example,” she continued. “I was in a three-hour film about a physicist, which had the the impact...
- 4/25/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Netflix’s 3 Body Problem delivered its second straight No. 1 showing among streaming titles, leading the rankings for the last week of March. The acquired series top 10 had several new entrants, thanks in part to a change in how Nielsen reports the numbers.
The ratings service says it made an “enhancement” to its Streaming Content Ratings, which is the basis for the weekly top 10 lists, that results in a number of programs being added to the Scr product. (They weren’t previously “due to business agreements which preceded the rankings, coupled with the associated technical aspects of measurement.”) The affected programs stream mostly on Hulu and Peacock after airing on linear networks.
The upshot is that former Fox series The Resident (1.48 billion minutes on Hulu and Netflix) and animated mainstays Family Guy (837 million minutes on Hulu) and American Dad (619 million on Hulu) all made their first appearance in the top...
The ratings service says it made an “enhancement” to its Streaming Content Ratings, which is the basis for the weekly top 10 lists, that results in a number of programs being added to the Scr product. (They weren’t previously “due to business agreements which preceded the rankings, coupled with the associated technical aspects of measurement.”) The affected programs stream mostly on Hulu and Peacock after airing on linear networks.
The upshot is that former Fox series The Resident (1.48 billion minutes on Hulu and Netflix) and animated mainstays Family Guy (837 million minutes on Hulu) and American Dad (619 million on Hulu) all made their first appearance in the top...
- 4/25/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
More than 250 artists, including Billie Eilish, Green Day, Sia and Cyndi Lauper, signed a letter Thursday urging the Senate Commerce Committee to support a bill that would reform the ticketing system for live events.
The Fans First Act, which was initially introduced in December by Senators John Cornyn, Amy Klobuchar, Marsha Blackburn, Peter Welch, Roger Wicker and Ben Ray Lujan, aims to address flaws in the current live event ticketing system. The bill hopes to increase transparency in ticket sales, protect consumers from fake or overpriced tickets, and hold those who engage in illegal ticket sale practices accountable.
“As artists and members of the music community, we rely on touring for our livelihood, and we value music fans above all else,” the letter said in part. “We are joining together to say that the current system is broken: predatory resellers and secondary platforms engage in deceptive ticketing practices to inflate...
The Fans First Act, which was initially introduced in December by Senators John Cornyn, Amy Klobuchar, Marsha Blackburn, Peter Welch, Roger Wicker and Ben Ray Lujan, aims to address flaws in the current live event ticketing system. The bill hopes to increase transparency in ticket sales, protect consumers from fake or overpriced tickets, and hold those who engage in illegal ticket sale practices accountable.
“As artists and members of the music community, we rely on touring for our livelihood, and we value music fans above all else,” the letter said in part. “We are joining together to say that the current system is broken: predatory resellers and secondary platforms engage in deceptive ticketing practices to inflate...
- 4/25/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Endeavor chief Ari Emanuel received a roughly $84 million pay package last year — between his base salary, bonus, stock awards and other compensation — the company disclosed in its proxy filing on Thursday.
President Mark Shapiro received $38.8 million, by those same measures, in 2023 while executive chairman Patrick Whitesell saw $13.2 million in pay, the filing disclosed.
As for Emanuel, his Endeavor pay includes his pay day at Tko Group Holdings, the owners of WWE and UFC, where his compensation package was valued at nearly $65 million last year.
After a three year run as a public company, Endeavor is set to go private in a reversal for Silver Lake and the executives running the company. But Emanuel, Whitesell and Shapiro will all be the beneficiaries of some generous deal-related bonuses.
For starters, they are incentivized to be sellers. While a source says that no major asset sales are imminent and there is no rush to sell anything off,...
President Mark Shapiro received $38.8 million, by those same measures, in 2023 while executive chairman Patrick Whitesell saw $13.2 million in pay, the filing disclosed.
As for Emanuel, his Endeavor pay includes his pay day at Tko Group Holdings, the owners of WWE and UFC, where his compensation package was valued at nearly $65 million last year.
After a three year run as a public company, Endeavor is set to go private in a reversal for Silver Lake and the executives running the company. But Emanuel, Whitesell and Shapiro will all be the beneficiaries of some generous deal-related bonuses.
For starters, they are incentivized to be sellers. While a source says that no major asset sales are imminent and there is no rush to sell anything off,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It’s been well over a year since news first broke that Disney was moving forward with “The Princess Diaries 3.” Anne Hathaway can’t reveal any details, but she did assure fans in a recent V magazine interview that development continues on the long-anticipated sequel, and the intention remains to get it off the ground.
“We’re in a good place,” Hathaway said. “That’s all I can say. There’s nothing to announce yet. But we’re in a good place.”
Hathaway would return as down-to-earth royal Mia Thermopolis in “The Princess Diaries 3.” It appears to be the sequel she is most interested in seeing through, as she doesn’t see a feasible way to bring another one of her popular classics, “The Devil Wears Prada,” back to life.
“Probably not,” Hathaway answered when asked about making a “Prada” sequel. “We all love each other and if somebody could...
“We’re in a good place,” Hathaway said. “That’s all I can say. There’s nothing to announce yet. But we’re in a good place.”
Hathaway would return as down-to-earth royal Mia Thermopolis in “The Princess Diaries 3.” It appears to be the sequel she is most interested in seeing through, as she doesn’t see a feasible way to bring another one of her popular classics, “The Devil Wears Prada,” back to life.
“Probably not,” Hathaway answered when asked about making a “Prada” sequel. “We all love each other and if somebody could...
- 4/25/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Roku reported total net revenue of $882 million in the first quarter, up 19 percent year over year.
Both platform revenue and devices revenue saw a year-over-year increase of 19 percent in the first quarter results reported Thursday, with platform revenue of $754.9 million and devices revenue of $126.5 million. The company narrowed its loss from operations to $72 million from $104.2 million in the previous quarter, and $212.5 million a year ago.
Roku’s net loss was $50.8 million compared to a net loss of $193 million a year earlier.
Total streaming hours reached 30.8 billion, up 5.7 billion hours year-over-year, while the number of streaming households, or the distinct number of user accounts that have streamed content in the platform in the last 30 days, reached 81.6 million, up 14 percent. Sequentially, Roku added 1.6 million households.
To grow engagement, Roku highlighted its launch of the NBA Zone on the home screen, which features NBA games, highlights, documentaries, original series, league news, and more.
Both platform revenue and devices revenue saw a year-over-year increase of 19 percent in the first quarter results reported Thursday, with platform revenue of $754.9 million and devices revenue of $126.5 million. The company narrowed its loss from operations to $72 million from $104.2 million in the previous quarter, and $212.5 million a year ago.
Roku’s net loss was $50.8 million compared to a net loss of $193 million a year earlier.
Total streaming hours reached 30.8 billion, up 5.7 billion hours year-over-year, while the number of streaming households, or the distinct number of user accounts that have streamed content in the platform in the last 30 days, reached 81.6 million, up 14 percent. Sequentially, Roku added 1.6 million households.
To grow engagement, Roku highlighted its launch of the NBA Zone on the home screen, which features NBA games, highlights, documentaries, original series, league news, and more.
- 4/25/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Gkids and European animation distributor Anime Ltd. have acquired global rights to Naoko Yamada’s new film “The Colors Within.” Gkids has acquired the film for North America, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, while Anime Ltd. has acquired the film for the United Kingdom, Ireland, and all of Europe.
“We have long admired Naoko Yamada and her ability to create dazzling, emotional stories out of the everyday concerns of teenagers,” said Gkids president David Jesteadt. “’The Colors Within’ is her most beautiful film yet, and we are proud to partner with our friends at Anime Ltd. on another soon to be classic from Science Saru and Story inc., who are responsible for some of the best anime productions of this new century.”
According to an official logline, “The Colors Within” follows “a high school student with the ability to see the ‘colors’ of others. Colors of bliss, excitement and serenity,...
“We have long admired Naoko Yamada and her ability to create dazzling, emotional stories out of the everyday concerns of teenagers,” said Gkids president David Jesteadt. “’The Colors Within’ is her most beautiful film yet, and we are proud to partner with our friends at Anime Ltd. on another soon to be classic from Science Saru and Story inc., who are responsible for some of the best anime productions of this new century.”
According to an official logline, “The Colors Within” follows “a high school student with the ability to see the ‘colors’ of others. Colors of bliss, excitement and serenity,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety - Film News
Even as linear TV continues to struggle, the video advertising market on YouTube continues to grow.
The Google-owned video platform on Thursday reported advertising revenue of $8.1 billion in Q1 2024, up more than 20% from $6.7 billion in the Q1 quarter a year ago. Wall Street estimates were for YouTube ad revenue of $7.7 billion.
Q1 is often a soft one for advertising, in Q4 (which is usually the best quarter for ads), YouTube had ad revenue of $9.2 billion. Both quarters were up by more than $1.2 billion from a year ago.
“Our results in the first quarter reflect strong performance from Search, YouTube and Cloud,” Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said in a statement. “We are well under way with our Gemini era and there’s great momentum across the company. Our leadership in AI research and infrastructure, and our global product footprint, position us well for the next wave of AI innovation.”
YouTube...
The Google-owned video platform on Thursday reported advertising revenue of $8.1 billion in Q1 2024, up more than 20% from $6.7 billion in the Q1 quarter a year ago. Wall Street estimates were for YouTube ad revenue of $7.7 billion.
Q1 is often a soft one for advertising, in Q4 (which is usually the best quarter for ads), YouTube had ad revenue of $9.2 billion. Both quarters were up by more than $1.2 billion from a year ago.
“Our results in the first quarter reflect strong performance from Search, YouTube and Cloud,” Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said in a statement. “We are well under way with our Gemini era and there’s great momentum across the company. Our leadership in AI research and infrastructure, and our global product footprint, position us well for the next wave of AI innovation.”
YouTube...
- 4/25/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
From “Glee” to “The Golden Bachelor,” “Empire” to “The Dropout,” “Arrested Development” to “Abbott Elementary” and “24” to “9-1-1,” Shannon Ryan has played a critical role in the launch of countless TV
series over the past three decades.
Now president of marketing for Disney Entertainment Television, Ryan oversees marketing, publicity and communications for an unprecedented portfolio of more than 200 active series at any given time across Hulu, ABC, National Geographic, Disney Channel, Onyx Collective, Freeform and other platforms. In recognition of Ryan’s track record at Fox and Mouse House, as well as her commitment to mentorship programs for girls and young women,...
series over the past three decades.
Now president of marketing for Disney Entertainment Television, Ryan oversees marketing, publicity and communications for an unprecedented portfolio of more than 200 active series at any given time across Hulu, ABC, National Geographic, Disney Channel, Onyx Collective, Freeform and other platforms. In recognition of Ryan’s track record at Fox and Mouse House, as well as her commitment to mentorship programs for girls and young women,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety - TV News
Harvey Weinstein was already effectively serving a life sentence when he was flown to Los Angeles to face his second trial on rape and sexual assault charges.
That second conviction is now the only thing keeping him in prison, after the New York Court of Appeals overturned his original verdict in a 4-3 ruling on Thursday.
The court’s ruling could now be used to bolster the appeal in California, which, if successful, could set the former Hollywood producer free.
“At the time the jury was deciding the evidence in California, they were working under the assumption and the belief that he had properly been convicted in New York,” said Jennifer Bonjean, the attorney who is handling Weinstein’s California appeal. “Now we know that’s not true.”
The Los Angeles jury was informed of Weinstein’s earlier conviction during the trial, and it also came up during jury selection.
That second conviction is now the only thing keeping him in prison, after the New York Court of Appeals overturned his original verdict in a 4-3 ruling on Thursday.
The court’s ruling could now be used to bolster the appeal in California, which, if successful, could set the former Hollywood producer free.
“At the time the jury was deciding the evidence in California, they were working under the assumption and the belief that he had properly been convicted in New York,” said Jennifer Bonjean, the attorney who is handling Weinstein’s California appeal. “Now we know that’s not true.”
The Los Angeles jury was informed of Weinstein’s earlier conviction during the trial, and it also came up during jury selection.
- 4/25/2024
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety - Film News
Caitlin Cronenberg’s assured directorial debut Humane begins with the planet plagued by ecological disaster. After decades of ignoring the warnings of scientists, society is battling the threat of its own extinction. Erratic weather patterns are commonplace. A scarcity of food and water has led to strict rations. Curfews abound. The ozone layer is anemic from years of abuse, leaving little protection from Uv rays. Everyone walks around with reflective umbrellas.
In this not-so-distant dystopian future, countries have one year to reduce their population by 20 percent. These grim terms are part of the Athens accord, an emergency international meeting convened to respond to this man-made crisis. In North America, where Humane is vaguely set, the government has created a voluntary euthanasic program. Families of citizens who enlist are paid $250,000 and receive gratitude in the form of a shoddily constructed “Thank you” video on a nationally televised piece of propaganda. The...
In this not-so-distant dystopian future, countries have one year to reduce their population by 20 percent. These grim terms are part of the Athens accord, an emergency international meeting convened to respond to this man-made crisis. In North America, where Humane is vaguely set, the government has created a voluntary euthanasic program. Families of citizens who enlist are paid $250,000 and receive gratitude in the form of a shoddily constructed “Thank you” video on a nationally televised piece of propaganda. The...
- 4/25/2024
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Look around and you just may find yourself amid a Pet Shop Boys renaissance.
Of course, the English duo — consisting of Neil Tennant, 69, and Chris Lowe, 64 — never went anywhere. They have been steadily putting out music since their landmark 1984 debut, Please, which instantly established them with timeless songs like “West End Girls” and “Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money).”
But Pet Shop Boys’ deep catalog has been plundered in recent years everywhere from Madison Avenue (“Opportunities” showed up in a Super Bowl ad for Allstate) to Hollywood (several classics were used to wonderful effect in two of last year’s zeitgeistiest movies, Saltburn and All of Us Strangers). Their signature sound is suddenly everywhere — wistful and longing, danceable and intellectually sophisticated synth-pop. Their 15th studio effort, Nonetheless, drops tomorrow and features more of that infectious trademark music.
Tennant and Lowe sat with The Hollywood Reporter recently to relive their...
Of course, the English duo — consisting of Neil Tennant, 69, and Chris Lowe, 64 — never went anywhere. They have been steadily putting out music since their landmark 1984 debut, Please, which instantly established them with timeless songs like “West End Girls” and “Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money).”
But Pet Shop Boys’ deep catalog has been plundered in recent years everywhere from Madison Avenue (“Opportunities” showed up in a Super Bowl ad for Allstate) to Hollywood (several classics were used to wonderful effect in two of last year’s zeitgeistiest movies, Saltburn and All of Us Strangers). Their signature sound is suddenly everywhere — wistful and longing, danceable and intellectually sophisticated synth-pop. Their 15th studio effort, Nonetheless, drops tomorrow and features more of that infectious trademark music.
Tennant and Lowe sat with The Hollywood Reporter recently to relive their...
- 4/25/2024
- by Seth Abramovitch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jill Ratner is moving from Disney to Sony. The executive is joining Sony Pictures Entertainment as executive vice president and general counsel. She steps into a role vacated by Leah Weil, who announced in January she would transition to an advisory position after 30 years with the company.
Ratner begins her new post on May 28, and will oversee all of Spe’s legal functions, compliance and labor relations, music affairs, government/external affairs, and corporate social responsibility teams. She will report to Spe chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra.
Ratner comes to Sony from the Walt Disney Company, where she has served as deputy general counsel since 2019.
She previously worked at 21st Century Fox from 2004 to 2019 and help steer the company through Disney’s acquisition of most of Fox’s assets. She previously served as domestic counsel at the Motion Picture Association, and as a litigation associate at Hogan Lovells Llp and...
Ratner begins her new post on May 28, and will oversee all of Spe’s legal functions, compliance and labor relations, music affairs, government/external affairs, and corporate social responsibility teams. She will report to Spe chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra.
Ratner comes to Sony from the Walt Disney Company, where she has served as deputy general counsel since 2019.
She previously worked at 21st Century Fox from 2004 to 2019 and help steer the company through Disney’s acquisition of most of Fox’s assets. She previously served as domestic counsel at the Motion Picture Association, and as a litigation associate at Hogan Lovells Llp and...
- 4/25/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When John Bradley met with David Benioff and D.B. Weiss about their new series “3 Body Problem,” the first thing they told the “Game of Thrones” actor is that they’d written a role in the sci-fi mind-bender for him. Quite literally. “They said, ‘It’s as close to yourself as any character you’ll ever play,’” Bradley says. “It’s kind of a daunting prospect. It’s a bit like you’re going to see yourself drawn by one of those caricature artists on the street. I’m going to find out what these highly perceptive, very bright people...
- 4/25/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - TV News
‘Unsung Hero’ Review: The Family That Prays Together, Plays Together in Uplifting Faith-Based Biopic
The heartrending hook behind “Unsung Hero” isn’t solely discovering how one tight knit family birthed two chart-topping contemporary Christian musical acts, although that is an interesting draw. It’s not necessarily learning how the Aussie expats survived a slew of hardships through togetherness and fortitude. The fascinating angle it adopts is similar to the way Steven Spielberg explored a tumultuous time in his childhood with “The Fablemans,” as Joel Smallbone (who co-wrote and directed with Richard L. Ramsey) also engages with family history, portraying his father grappling with financial and personal crises. The co-directors re-contextualize character-building circumstances, crafting a soul-stirring testament to the power of family and faith in the process.
David Smallbone (Joel Smallbone) is at the top of his game in early 1991. He’s got a great support system at work as one of Australia’s top Christian artist concert promoters, luring in such performers as the heavy metal hair band Stryper.
David Smallbone (Joel Smallbone) is at the top of his game in early 1991. He’s got a great support system at work as one of Australia’s top Christian artist concert promoters, luring in such performers as the heavy metal hair band Stryper.
- 4/25/2024
- by Courtney Howard
- Variety - Film News
“Jeanne du Barry” director Maïwenn is speaking out against The Independent after her interview with the publication, which posted online earlier this month, was headlined with a quote in which the filmmaker said her crew was “scared” of star Johnny Depp.
“I have to be honest. It’s difficult to shoot with him… all the crew were scared because he has a different kind of humor and we didn’t know if he was going to be on time, or if he was going to be ok to say his lines,” Maïwenn said during The Independent interview. “I mean, even if he was there on set, on time, the crew were afraid of him.”
Maïwenn clarified the comment in a statement to Variety, saying that she was referring to Depp’s “charisma” and “star status” when discussing why he was “scary.” Nothing about Depp’s behavior on set made anyone afraid of him,...
“I have to be honest. It’s difficult to shoot with him… all the crew were scared because he has a different kind of humor and we didn’t know if he was going to be on time, or if he was going to be ok to say his lines,” Maïwenn said during The Independent interview. “I mean, even if he was there on set, on time, the crew were afraid of him.”
Maïwenn clarified the comment in a statement to Variety, saying that she was referring to Depp’s “charisma” and “star status” when discussing why he was “scary.” Nothing about Depp’s behavior on set made anyone afraid of him,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Satirical news site The Onion has a new owner.
G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller announced on Thursday that the company had sold the publication to a Chicago-based company called Global Tetrahedron, which is comprised of “four digital media veterans with a profound love for The Onion and comedy based content.” (The name of the company, social media users pointed out on Thursday, is the same as a fictional firm that appears in The Onion’s first book, 1999’s Our Dumb Century: The Onion Presents 100 Years of Headlines from America’s Finest News Source.)
According to Spanfeller, the new company will preserve the publication’s current staff and keep the site based in Chicago. “The Onion for over 35 years has been an indispensable part of our country’s cultural fabric with its unique brand of satire and comedy that continues to be just as important and relevant today than...
G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller announced on Thursday that the company had sold the publication to a Chicago-based company called Global Tetrahedron, which is comprised of “four digital media veterans with a profound love for The Onion and comedy based content.” (The name of the company, social media users pointed out on Thursday, is the same as a fictional firm that appears in The Onion’s first book, 1999’s Our Dumb Century: The Onion Presents 100 Years of Headlines from America’s Finest News Source.)
According to Spanfeller, the new company will preserve the publication’s current staff and keep the site based in Chicago. “The Onion for over 35 years has been an indispensable part of our country’s cultural fabric with its unique brand of satire and comedy that continues to be just as important and relevant today than...
- 4/25/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cathy Schulman says getting into the movie business was a “bit of an accident.” It was a time before studying cinema was recognized as a fine art, so she was a playwrighting major at Yale. Then someone told her she would average about $1,500 for her plays. Concerned if she could support herself, she was advised to look into the movie business. “I said, ‘What’s that?’” Schulman, now the CEO and president of Welle Entertainment, recalls. “And the next thing you knew, I was in an interview, and I was hired to work on a set, and the rest is history.”
The movie was “Blue Steel,” and the-then 22-year-old Schulman was excited to see the film was being directed by a woman, Kathryn Bigelow. (She didn’t know it would be another 20 years before she worked with a female director.) From those humble beginnings, Schulman would go on to enormous...
The movie was “Blue Steel,” and the-then 22-year-old Schulman was excited to see the film was being directed by a woman, Kathryn Bigelow. (She didn’t know it would be another 20 years before she worked with a female director.) From those humble beginnings, Schulman would go on to enormous...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety - Film News
Kid Cudi has canceled his tour after he broke his foot when he jumped off the Coachella stage.
The rapper took to Instagram to share the news two days after he told his fans he had broken his foot at the musical festival. He explained that the injury was worse than he originally thought and had to undergo surgery for it.
“There’s gonna be a long recovery time,” he wrote. “We have to cancel the tour so I can focus on getting better to be out there in top shape to rage with you all. There’s just no way I can bounce back in time to give 100%. The injury is much more serious than I thought.”
He noted that anyone who bought tickets for the tour will be fully refunded and he’ll be back with new tour dates as soon as possible.
View this post on Instagram...
The rapper took to Instagram to share the news two days after he told his fans he had broken his foot at the musical festival. He explained that the injury was worse than he originally thought and had to undergo surgery for it.
“There’s gonna be a long recovery time,” he wrote. “We have to cancel the tour so I can focus on getting better to be out there in top shape to rage with you all. There’s just no way I can bounce back in time to give 100%. The injury is much more serious than I thought.”
He noted that anyone who bought tickets for the tour will be fully refunded and he’ll be back with new tour dates as soon as possible.
View this post on Instagram...
- 4/25/2024
- by Lexy Perez and Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Television Academy has announced its recipients for the 17th Television Academy Honors, which recognizes seven television programs and their producers “who have leveraged the extraordinary power of storytelling to propel social change,” according to the Academy.
The honorees are four non-scripted series and three scripted series: 1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed, The 1619 Project, A Small Light, Beef, Deadlocked: How America Shaped the Supreme Court, Heartstopper and Lakota Nation vs. United States.
“This year’s honorees have leveraged the medium’s power to drive meaningful conversation and create social impact,” says Television Academy chair Cris Abrego. “We honor their commitment to authentic, evocative storytelling that tackles important social issues that affect the global audience.”
Scott Freeman, Governor of the Reality Programming Peer Group, chaired this year’s Television Academy Honors selection committee with Bobbi Banks, governor of the Sound Editors Peer Group, serving as vice chair.
Added Banks: “The...
The honorees are four non-scripted series and three scripted series: 1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed, The 1619 Project, A Small Light, Beef, Deadlocked: How America Shaped the Supreme Court, Heartstopper and Lakota Nation vs. United States.
“This year’s honorees have leveraged the medium’s power to drive meaningful conversation and create social impact,” says Television Academy chair Cris Abrego. “We honor their commitment to authentic, evocative storytelling that tackles important social issues that affect the global audience.”
Scott Freeman, Governor of the Reality Programming Peer Group, chaired this year’s Television Academy Honors selection committee with Bobbi Banks, governor of the Sound Editors Peer Group, serving as vice chair.
Added Banks: “The...
- 4/25/2024
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Melanie Lynskey is praising husband Jason Ritter for putting his own acting career on hold for her success.
“He’s the most supportive person in the world,” the Yellowjackets star told People magazine about Ritter, whom she began dating in 2013 and married in 2020. “The last few years we’ve had this role of like, whoever’s job makes the most sense, whether it’s the most exciting career wise or it’s more money, we would prioritize the one that was going to help move the person’s career forward.”
Lynskey added that her success comes at the expense of Ritter’s work, as he has been “getting offered stuff all the time” but has passed on roles in support of his wife. “It’s like genuinely sacrificing,” she said.
The actress also credited the Parenthood alum for encouraging her to take on her memorable role in the first season of The Last of Us.
“He’s the most supportive person in the world,” the Yellowjackets star told People magazine about Ritter, whom she began dating in 2013 and married in 2020. “The last few years we’ve had this role of like, whoever’s job makes the most sense, whether it’s the most exciting career wise or it’s more money, we would prioritize the one that was going to help move the person’s career forward.”
Lynskey added that her success comes at the expense of Ritter’s work, as he has been “getting offered stuff all the time” but has passed on roles in support of his wife. “It’s like genuinely sacrificing,” she said.
The actress also credited the Parenthood alum for encouraging her to take on her memorable role in the first season of The Last of Us.
- 4/25/2024
- by Tatiana Tenreyro
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney deputy general counsel Jill Ratner has exited the Mouse House to join Sony Pictures Entertainment as executive vice president and general counsel.
Beginning in her new role May 28, Ratner will be overseeing all Spe’s legal functions, compliance and labor relations, Spe music affairs, government/external affairs and corporate social responsibility teams. She will report directly to CEO Tony Vinciquerra.
The new hire is a backfilling of the chief legal role on the heels of Leah Weil exiting the post of general counsel after almost three decades with the company back in January.
Ratner has served as deputy general...
Beginning in her new role May 28, Ratner will be overseeing all Spe’s legal functions, compliance and labor relations, Spe music affairs, government/external affairs and corporate social responsibility teams. She will report directly to CEO Tony Vinciquerra.
The new hire is a backfilling of the chief legal role on the heels of Leah Weil exiting the post of general counsel after almost three decades with the company back in January.
Ratner has served as deputy general...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety - TV News
Kenneth Branagh has spent much of his career bringing to life the works of British writers William Shakespeare and Agatha Christie. Now he will not get a chance to play a different famed scribe. Branagh will voice star as Charles Dickens in The King of Kings, a faith-based feature inspired by the lives of both Dickens and Jesus Christ.
Uma Thurman will voice star as Catherine Dickens, the wife of the author, while Jojo Rabbit‘s Roman Griffin Davis will voice the couple’s youngest son, Walter.
The King of Kings is inspired by “The Life of Our Lord,” a Dickens short story published in 1934, decades after his death. It follows Dickens and Walter as they — and their cat Willa — become immersed in the story of Jesus.
“It is through the Dickens family that our audience experiences the life of Jesus Christ, and Kenneth Branagh, Uma Thurman and Roman Griffin Davis bring all the emotion,...
Uma Thurman will voice star as Catherine Dickens, the wife of the author, while Jojo Rabbit‘s Roman Griffin Davis will voice the couple’s youngest son, Walter.
The King of Kings is inspired by “The Life of Our Lord,” a Dickens short story published in 1934, decades after his death. It follows Dickens and Walter as they — and their cat Willa — become immersed in the story of Jesus.
“It is through the Dickens family that our audience experiences the life of Jesus Christ, and Kenneth Branagh, Uma Thurman and Roman Griffin Davis bring all the emotion,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Village Roadshow Entertainment Group has renewed its production partnership with Content Cartel Production Studios, NBA legend Kevin Garnett’s film and TV banner.
In late 2021, Garnett’s Content Cartel inked a first-look development deal with Village Roadshow to cover scripted and unscripted projects for television, film and digital. The new and expanded deal includes Village Roadshow joining a new collaboration between Content Cartel and Bill Maher’s podcast network, Club Random Studios.
The new arrangement will see Village Roadshow look to develop films and series from podcast content stemming from that Content Cartel and Club Random partnership.
Village Roadshow and Content Cartel have already jointly worked on projects like Goliath, the docuseries about basketball icon Wilt Chamberlain for Showtime, and movies like Cinnamon, a crime-thriller starring Pam Grier and Damon Wayans, and Murder City, starring Mike Colter and directed by Michael D. Olmos. Both features were produced for Tubi as...
In late 2021, Garnett’s Content Cartel inked a first-look development deal with Village Roadshow to cover scripted and unscripted projects for television, film and digital. The new and expanded deal includes Village Roadshow joining a new collaboration between Content Cartel and Bill Maher’s podcast network, Club Random Studios.
The new arrangement will see Village Roadshow look to develop films and series from podcast content stemming from that Content Cartel and Club Random partnership.
Village Roadshow and Content Cartel have already jointly worked on projects like Goliath, the docuseries about basketball icon Wilt Chamberlain for Showtime, and movies like Cinnamon, a crime-thriller starring Pam Grier and Damon Wayans, and Murder City, starring Mike Colter and directed by Michael D. Olmos. Both features were produced for Tubi as...
- 4/25/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The surprise ruling by New York’s highest court to overturn Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 conviction on felony sex crime charges hinged on a series of decisions by the case’s trial judge, who was accused of making a series of “egregious” errors that biased the jury.
The judge, Justice James M. Burke, was accused of allowing three women who claimed the producer had assaulted them to testify even though they were not part of the charges at hand (under what’s called “Molineux ruling”). Also, that the 72-year-old Weinstein’s right to testify was infringed by allowing prosecutors to cross examine him on unrelated accusations that demonstrated his “appalling, shameful, repulsive conduct.”
“No person accused of illegality may be judged on proof of uncharged crimes that serve only to establish the accused’s propensity for criminal behavior,” the court stated. “Even if we were to regard the evidence against defendant as ‘overwhelming,...
The judge, Justice James M. Burke, was accused of allowing three women who claimed the producer had assaulted them to testify even though they were not part of the charges at hand (under what’s called “Molineux ruling”). Also, that the 72-year-old Weinstein’s right to testify was infringed by allowing prosecutors to cross examine him on unrelated accusations that demonstrated his “appalling, shameful, repulsive conduct.”
“No person accused of illegality may be judged on proof of uncharged crimes that serve only to establish the accused’s propensity for criminal behavior,” the court stated. “Even if we were to regard the evidence against defendant as ‘overwhelming,...
- 4/25/2024
- by James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Leanne Morgan is set to star in a multi-cam comedy series at Netflix that boasts Chuck Lorre as one of its co-creators, Variety has learned.
Morgan co-created the series with Lorre and Susan McMartin. Netflix has given the untitled show a 16-episode order, while also commissioning two more stand up specials from Morgan. That will mark her second and third specials at the streamer following 2023’s “I’m Every Woman.”
“I’ve dreamed of this since childhood, and I can’t believe it has come true! When I started comedy 25 years ago, my goal was to be a part of a sitcom,...
Morgan co-created the series with Lorre and Susan McMartin. Netflix has given the untitled show a 16-episode order, while also commissioning two more stand up specials from Morgan. That will mark her second and third specials at the streamer following 2023’s “I’m Every Woman.”
“I’ve dreamed of this since childhood, and I can’t believe it has come true! When I started comedy 25 years ago, my goal was to be a part of a sitcom,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Netflix is investing in Leanne Morgan.
The streamer has handed out a 16-episode, straight-to-series order for an untitled multicamera comedy starring the stand-up comedian. Comedy kingpin Chuck Lorre (Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men) co-created the series alongside Morgan and Susan McMartin.
Netflix says the untitled comedy revolves around Leanne, whose life “takes an unexpected turn when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. Starting over when you’re a grandmother and in menopause isn’t exactly what she had in mind, but with the help of her family she will navigate this new chapter with grace, dignity and Jell-o salad.”
Morgan broke out thanks in large part to her 2023 Netflix stand-up special I’m Every Woman, which reached the top 10 comedy specials on the streamer. The Tennessee native has been in the comedy industry for 25 years and started out playing local comedy clubs before rising...
The streamer has handed out a 16-episode, straight-to-series order for an untitled multicamera comedy starring the stand-up comedian. Comedy kingpin Chuck Lorre (Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men) co-created the series alongside Morgan and Susan McMartin.
Netflix says the untitled comedy revolves around Leanne, whose life “takes an unexpected turn when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. Starting over when you’re a grandmother and in menopause isn’t exactly what she had in mind, but with the help of her family she will navigate this new chapter with grace, dignity and Jell-o salad.”
Morgan broke out thanks in large part to her 2023 Netflix stand-up special I’m Every Woman, which reached the top 10 comedy specials on the streamer. The Tennessee native has been in the comedy industry for 25 years and started out playing local comedy clubs before rising...
- 4/25/2024
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The trailer for the latest take on the demon extraction genre dropped on Thursday with a first look at The Exorcism, which stars Oscar winner Russell Crowe as an actor who begins to unravel while filming a supernatural horror film.
The Exorcism, from director Joshua John Miller, will see an exclusive theatrical release beginning on June 7.
In this go-around in the genre that has captivated audiences since 1973’s The Exorcist, Crowe is joined by Ryan Simpkins as his character’s estranged daughter, who begins to suspect her father’s troubles are more sinister than a relapse into former addiction issues.
Per the logline, Crowe stars as Anthony Miller, a “troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film.”
The cast is rounded out with several notable supporting actors, including Sam Worthington (Avatar: The Way of Water), Chloe Bailey (Praise This), Adam Goldberg (The Equalizer) and David Hyde Pierce...
The Exorcism, from director Joshua John Miller, will see an exclusive theatrical release beginning on June 7.
In this go-around in the genre that has captivated audiences since 1973’s The Exorcist, Crowe is joined by Ryan Simpkins as his character’s estranged daughter, who begins to suspect her father’s troubles are more sinister than a relapse into former addiction issues.
Per the logline, Crowe stars as Anthony Miller, a “troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film.”
The cast is rounded out with several notable supporting actors, including Sam Worthington (Avatar: The Way of Water), Chloe Bailey (Praise This), Adam Goldberg (The Equalizer) and David Hyde Pierce...
- 4/25/2024
- by Kevin Dolak
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Pinewood Toronto Studios has promoted general counsel Sarah Farrell to become the new general manager of the city’s downtown mega-studio.
Farrell, who joined film studio as legal counsel in 2013, had been overseeing legal, Hr and client relations. She replaces Geoff Grant, who left Pinewood Toronto Studios as general manager in Sept. 2023. That followed Pinewood Group, which runs Pinewood Studios in the U.K., in May 2023 acquiring full ownership of Pinewood Toronto Studios.
“Sarah is a great asset to the Pinewood Group and we are delighted that she has taken the reins as general manager. She is an extremely experienced and knowledgeable professional who understands Pinewood Toronto and the wider film and TV industry well,” David Conway, Pinewood Group CEO, said in a statement.
Pinewood Toronto Studios has 16 soundstages and hosts shoots for major Hollywood players. That includes Amazon MGM Studios, which earlier this year did a deal to get exclusive use of five soundstages,...
Farrell, who joined film studio as legal counsel in 2013, had been overseeing legal, Hr and client relations. She replaces Geoff Grant, who left Pinewood Toronto Studios as general manager in Sept. 2023. That followed Pinewood Group, which runs Pinewood Studios in the U.K., in May 2023 acquiring full ownership of Pinewood Toronto Studios.
“Sarah is a great asset to the Pinewood Group and we are delighted that she has taken the reins as general manager. She is an extremely experienced and knowledgeable professional who understands Pinewood Toronto and the wider film and TV industry well,” David Conway, Pinewood Group CEO, said in a statement.
Pinewood Toronto Studios has 16 soundstages and hosts shoots for major Hollywood players. That includes Amazon MGM Studios, which earlier this year did a deal to get exclusive use of five soundstages,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When composing the score for Netflix’s “Unfrosted,” Christophe Beck had a simple request from the film’s writer, director and star Jerry Seinfeld: “For everything to be just a little bit extra,” says Beck.
Set in the 1960s, “Unfrosted” is the Pop-Tarts origin story. Seinfeld plays the Kellogg’s employee who helps the company beat its rival, Post, in the breakfast pastry race. Beck used music to emphasize the optimism of American innovation. “I found it effective to inhabit a particular character in a scene, imagine what they were feeling in that moment, and then exaggerate it to a pretty extreme effect,...
Set in the 1960s, “Unfrosted” is the Pop-Tarts origin story. Seinfeld plays the Kellogg’s employee who helps the company beat its rival, Post, in the breakfast pastry race. Beck used music to emphasize the optimism of American innovation. “I found it effective to inhabit a particular character in a scene, imagine what they were feeling in that moment, and then exaggerate it to a pretty extreme effect,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety - TV News
When composing the score for Netflix’s “Unfrosted,” Christophe Beck had a simple request from the film’s writer, director and star Jerry Seinfeld: “For everything to be just a little bit extra,” says Beck.
Set in the 1960s, “Unfrosted” is the Pop-Tarts origin story. Seinfeld plays the Kellogg’s employee who helps the company beat its rival, Post, in the breakfast pastry race. Beck used music to emphasize the optimism of American innovation. “I found it effective to inhabit a particular character in a scene, imagine what they were feeling in that moment, and then exaggerate it to a pretty extreme effect,” he says.
Such an example can be heard early on, as Bob Cabana (Seinfeld) is in a diner in the present day, recalling the past and how the Pop-Tart came to be. “That music is very period, jolly and optimistic because we’re setting up the...
Set in the 1960s, “Unfrosted” is the Pop-Tarts origin story. Seinfeld plays the Kellogg’s employee who helps the company beat its rival, Post, in the breakfast pastry race. Beck used music to emphasize the optimism of American innovation. “I found it effective to inhabit a particular character in a scene, imagine what they were feeling in that moment, and then exaggerate it to a pretty extreme effect,” he says.
Such an example can be heard early on, as Bob Cabana (Seinfeld) is in a diner in the present day, recalling the past and how the Pop-Tart came to be. “That music is very period, jolly and optimistic because we’re setting up the...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety - Film News
Jennifer Aniston is bringing new life to 9 to 5.
The Morning Show star is set to produce a remaining of the iconic 1980 film starring Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Aniston will produce the project that is in development through her Echo Films banner, alongside her partner Kristin Hahn. Oscar-winning Juno writer Diablo Cody will pen the script. She’s also written movies like Jennifer’s Body and, most recently, Lisa Frankenstein, starring Cole Sprouse and Kathryn Newton.
The Friends star‘s production company has produced projects like Adam Sandler-starrer Murder Mystery 2, Dumplin‘, Cake and The Switch. The InSneider was the first to report the news that the women would be producing the remake.
Fonda confirmed a 9 to 5 sequel was in the works in 2018, with her, Tomlin and Parton set to reprise their original roles. News of the potential sequel broke when Rashida Jones...
The Morning Show star is set to produce a remaining of the iconic 1980 film starring Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Aniston will produce the project that is in development through her Echo Films banner, alongside her partner Kristin Hahn. Oscar-winning Juno writer Diablo Cody will pen the script. She’s also written movies like Jennifer’s Body and, most recently, Lisa Frankenstein, starring Cole Sprouse and Kathryn Newton.
The Friends star‘s production company has produced projects like Adam Sandler-starrer Murder Mystery 2, Dumplin‘, Cake and The Switch. The InSneider was the first to report the news that the women would be producing the remake.
Fonda confirmed a 9 to 5 sequel was in the works in 2018, with her, Tomlin and Parton set to reprise their original roles. News of the potential sequel broke when Rashida Jones...
- 4/25/2024
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyers celebrated his overturned rape conviction at a press conference in New York Thursday.
“From the bottom of our hearts, we knew Harvey Weinstein didn’t get a fair trial,” his attorney Arthur Aidala told reporters. “There are some people who are unpopular but we still have to apply the law fairly to. The law was not applied fairly to Harvey Weinstein. The court of appeals said today that no one is above the law, but no one is below the law either. You can’t throw out 100 years of legal precedent because someone is unpopular.”
The press conference took place in a park across from the Manhattan court where Donald Trump is currently on trial for hush money payments. Shouting Trump protesters surrounded the scrum of over 50 reporters, including a man in a pig mask with a sign that said “Trump is a pig.” Once he...
“From the bottom of our hearts, we knew Harvey Weinstein didn’t get a fair trial,” his attorney Arthur Aidala told reporters. “There are some people who are unpopular but we still have to apply the law fairly to. The law was not applied fairly to Harvey Weinstein. The court of appeals said today that no one is above the law, but no one is below the law either. You can’t throw out 100 years of legal precedent because someone is unpopular.”
The press conference took place in a park across from the Manhattan court where Donald Trump is currently on trial for hush money payments. Shouting Trump protesters surrounded the scrum of over 50 reporters, including a man in a pig mask with a sign that said “Trump is a pig.” Once he...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
Organizers of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the world’s oldest and most important animation festival, revealed Thursday that all the big U.S. studio animation players will be in attendance this year to preview some of their most exciting upcoming titles.
Annecy has long been a launch point for global and indie animation, but over the past several years, it has become an increasingly important platform for big studios as well. This year, that trend continues and, indeed, ramps up.
Disney will host sneak peeks of its 2024 animated feature releases: Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2.” Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Animation Studio will offer a preview of “Transformers One,” a new animated feature coming to theaters on Sept. 20 this year.
Illumination will host a sneak preview of “Despicable Me 4” in its entirety. The three previous “Despicable” films and the “Minions: The Rise of Gru...
Annecy has long been a launch point for global and indie animation, but over the past several years, it has become an increasingly important platform for big studios as well. This year, that trend continues and, indeed, ramps up.
Disney will host sneak peeks of its 2024 animated feature releases: Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2.” Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Animation Studio will offer a preview of “Transformers One,” a new animated feature coming to theaters on Sept. 20 this year.
Illumination will host a sneak preview of “Despicable Me 4” in its entirety. The three previous “Despicable” films and the “Minions: The Rise of Gru...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety - Film News
The Most Precious of Cargoes, the first animated feature from Oscar-winning French director Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist), will open this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
The feature is a 2D animated adaptation of the best-selling book by French author Jean-Claude Grumberg. Set during World War II, it tells the story of a French Jewish family deported to Auschwitz. On the train to the death camp, in a desperate gesture, the father throws one of his baby twins out into the snow, where he’s discovered by a childless Polish couple living deep in the forest.
Hazanavicius presented the film as a work-in-progress at Annecy two years ago. French actor Jean-Louis Trintignant narrates the film with voice acting from Dominique Blanc, Denis Podalydès, and Grégory Gadebois. Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat (The Shape of Water) composed the score. Animation is from 3.0 Studio – formerly Prima Linea — the group behind the...
The feature is a 2D animated adaptation of the best-selling book by French author Jean-Claude Grumberg. Set during World War II, it tells the story of a French Jewish family deported to Auschwitz. On the train to the death camp, in a desperate gesture, the father throws one of his baby twins out into the snow, where he’s discovered by a childless Polish couple living deep in the forest.
Hazanavicius presented the film as a work-in-progress at Annecy two years ago. French actor Jean-Louis Trintignant narrates the film with voice acting from Dominique Blanc, Denis Podalydès, and Grégory Gadebois. Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat (The Shape of Water) composed the score. Animation is from 3.0 Studio – formerly Prima Linea — the group behind the...
- 4/25/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Get your parasols out, because Netflix and Shondaland are launching a new “Bridgerton” fan event ahead of the show’s Season 3 premiere, and this one will encourage a great deal of strolling in the sun as you browse Regency-inspired merch.
Per Netflix and Shondaland, on May 11 “a plaza in New York City will be transformed into the Bridgerton Promenade, a bustling Regency-era market reminiscent of the iconic ‘Bridgerton’ ‘Ton where fans are invited to immerse themselves into the world of ‘Bridgerton’ with interactive experiences, a showcase of the new products, photo opps, live merriment, exciting giveaways and more.”
This marks...
Per Netflix and Shondaland, on May 11 “a plaza in New York City will be transformed into the Bridgerton Promenade, a bustling Regency-era market reminiscent of the iconic ‘Bridgerton’ ‘Ton where fans are invited to immerse themselves into the world of ‘Bridgerton’ with interactive experiences, a showcase of the new products, photo opps, live merriment, exciting giveaways and more.”
This marks...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety - TV News
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