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Françoise Hardy, a French singer, actor and model whose classical beauty and often melancholy music combined to transfix fans internationally in the 1960s and beyond, has died at age 80.
Her son, Thomas Dutronc, also a musician, reported the death on his Instagram account, posting a baby photo of himself with his mother and writing: “Maman est partie.” Or, mom is gone.
Hardy had battled cancer for at least the last two decades, and had been known to have been fighting lymphoma and laryngeal since 2004.
In a sign of her ongoing legend, in 2023, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Hardy as No. 162 on a ranking of the greatest singers of all time. She was the only French performer on the list. Will Hermes wrote that Hardy “epitomized French cool and Gallic heat simultaneously, with a breathy, deadpan alto that wafted like Gauloises smoke. Her words enhanced her tone: Writing her own material, unusual in the early mid-Sixties,...
Her son, Thomas Dutronc, also a musician, reported the death on his Instagram account, posting a baby photo of himself with his mother and writing: “Maman est partie.” Or, mom is gone.
Hardy had battled cancer for at least the last two decades, and had been known to have been fighting lymphoma and laryngeal since 2004.
In a sign of her ongoing legend, in 2023, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Hardy as No. 162 on a ranking of the greatest singers of all time. She was the only French performer on the list. Will Hermes wrote that Hardy “epitomized French cool and Gallic heat simultaneously, with a breathy, deadpan alto that wafted like Gauloises smoke. Her words enhanced her tone: Writing her own material, unusual in the early mid-Sixties,...
- 6/12/2024
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Ahead of the premiere of “The Boys” Season 4, showrunner Eric Kripke has announced the R-rated Amazon Prime Video superhero series will conclude with its fifth season.
“#TheBoys Season 4 Premiere Week is a good time to announce: Season 5 will be the Final Season!” Kripke said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday, which was accompanied with a screenshot of a redacted copy of the script for the Season 4 finale. “Always my plan, I just had to be cagey till I got the final Ok from Vought. Thrilled to bring the story to a gory, epic, moist climax. Watch Season 4 in 2 Days, cause the end has begun!”
Debuting in 2019, “The Boys” takes place in a world run by superhero mega corp Vought and follows the battle between the supes and the titular “Boys,” a group of humans whose lives have been ruined in one way or another by supes.
The series stars Karl Urban,...
“#TheBoys Season 4 Premiere Week is a good time to announce: Season 5 will be the Final Season!” Kripke said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday, which was accompanied with a screenshot of a redacted copy of the script for the Season 4 finale. “Always my plan, I just had to be cagey till I got the final Ok from Vought. Thrilled to bring the story to a gory, epic, moist climax. Watch Season 4 in 2 Days, cause the end has begun!”
Debuting in 2019, “The Boys” takes place in a world run by superhero mega corp Vought and follows the battle between the supes and the titular “Boys,” a group of humans whose lives have been ruined in one way or another by supes.
The series stars Karl Urban,...
- 6/11/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Hits from the weekend
Streaming movies and shows made up the majority of the top five titles this past weekend, based on traffic to their IMDb pages. That’s thanks to a trio of Netflix titles and the new Star Wars series, “The Acolyte.” In theaters, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s fourth installment in the Bad Boys franchise delivered Hollywood a much-needed box office win, while ‘The Watchers’—the mystery-horror film starring Dakota Fanning—drew enough interest to land in the top 10.
By the time ‘Hit Man’ dropped on Netflix, movie fans were probably well aware of who Glen Powell was, but the popularity of the comedic action film brought more IMDb users’ attention to co-star Adria Arjona and director Richard Linklater. If Arjona looked familiar to viewers, it’s likely from several supporting roles in other streaming hits like “Good Omens,” “Andor,” and ‘6 Underground’ with Ryan Reynolds.
It’s not often that directors crack the top five (or even top 10) names on IMDb, but viewers were clearly interested to know more about Richard Linklater, the versatile and irreverent director of indie films like ‘Slacker’ and ‘Dazed and Confused,’ who also found mainstream recognition with ‘School of Rock.’
Also big on Netflix were the French killer shark movie ‘Under Paris’ and the Benedict Cumberbatch miniseries “Eric,” which released all six episodes two weeks ago. Elsewhere in streaming, “The Acolyte” has had no trouble finding its audience on Disney+. According to Disney, the show drew 4.8 million viewers on its first day, making it the streamer’s biggest hit of 2024 to date. Amandla Stenberg and Dafne Keen were in the top five names on IMDb, and both will likely remain popular through the show’s first season, which ends on July 16.
What’s in store for the coming week?
Expect next weekend to be all about “The Boys,” the raunchy comic book adaptation from showrunner Eric Kripke. The first three episodes of Season 4 arrive Thursday (6/13) on Prime Video, with new episodes dropping weekly. Returning cast members Karl Urban, Antony Starr, and Erin Moriarty will likely climb IMDb’s STARmeter, but a few new supes on the scene could put some breakouts in the spotlight, such as Valorie Curry (playing Firecracker) or Susan Heyward (as Sister Sage).
In theaters, Disney and Pixar’s animated ‘Inside Out 2’ is a shoo-in to win next weekend’s box office, though it may not have the same interest on IMDb as the streaming releases. The original voice cast of emotions are returning, but it’s more likely one of the newcomers will spike in popularity, like Maya Hawke (“Stranger Things”) as Anxiety, Ayo Edibiri (“The Bear”) as Envy, or Paul Walter Houser (‘I, Tonya,’ ‘Richard Jewell’) as Embarrassment.
Streaming movies and shows made up the majority of the top five titles this past weekend, based on traffic to their IMDb pages. That’s thanks to a trio of Netflix titles and the new Star Wars series, “The Acolyte.” In theaters, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s fourth installment in the Bad Boys franchise delivered Hollywood a much-needed box office win, while ‘The Watchers’—the mystery-horror film starring Dakota Fanning—drew enough interest to land in the top 10.
By the time ‘Hit Man’ dropped on Netflix, movie fans were probably well aware of who Glen Powell was, but the popularity of the comedic action film brought more IMDb users’ attention to co-star Adria Arjona and director Richard Linklater. If Arjona looked familiar to viewers, it’s likely from several supporting roles in other streaming hits like “Good Omens,” “Andor,” and ‘6 Underground’ with Ryan Reynolds.
It’s not often that directors crack the top five (or even top 10) names on IMDb, but viewers were clearly interested to know more about Richard Linklater, the versatile and irreverent director of indie films like ‘Slacker’ and ‘Dazed and Confused,’ who also found mainstream recognition with ‘School of Rock.’
Also big on Netflix were the French killer shark movie ‘Under Paris’ and the Benedict Cumberbatch miniseries “Eric,” which released all six episodes two weeks ago. Elsewhere in streaming, “The Acolyte” has had no trouble finding its audience on Disney+. According to Disney, the show drew 4.8 million viewers on its first day, making it the streamer’s biggest hit of 2024 to date. Amandla Stenberg and Dafne Keen were in the top five names on IMDb, and both will likely remain popular through the show’s first season, which ends on July 16.
What’s in store for the coming week?
Expect next weekend to be all about “The Boys,” the raunchy comic book adaptation from showrunner Eric Kripke. The first three episodes of Season 4 arrive Thursday (6/13) on Prime Video, with new episodes dropping weekly. Returning cast members Karl Urban, Antony Starr, and Erin Moriarty will likely climb IMDb’s STARmeter, but a few new supes on the scene could put some breakouts in the spotlight, such as Valorie Curry (playing Firecracker) or Susan Heyward (as Sister Sage).
In theaters, Disney and Pixar’s animated ‘Inside Out 2’ is a shoo-in to win next weekend’s box office, though it may not have the same interest on IMDb as the streaming releases. The original voice cast of emotions are returning, but it’s more likely one of the newcomers will spike in popularity, like Maya Hawke (“Stranger Things”) as Anxiety, Ayo Edibiri (“The Bear”) as Envy, or Paul Walter Houser (‘I, Tonya,’ ‘Richard Jewell’) as Embarrassment.
- 6/11/2024
- by IMDb Editors
- IMDb News
Update: Though it initially appeared that “The Acolyte” may have had a stronger debut than 2023’s “Ahsoka,” Disney shared that the first episode of its latest Star Wars series reached 11.1 million views in its first five days — almost 3 million short of what “Ahsoka” achieved in the same amount of time. “The Acolyte” still represents Disney+’s biggest series premiere of 2024, however.
Previously: “The Acolyte,” Disney+’s newest Star Wars series, reached 4.8 million views in its first day of availability. This marks the streamer’s biggest series premiere of 2024, according to Disney.
An exact first-day viewership total isn’t available for “Ahsoka,” the most recent Star Wars series, though Disney did report that it took five days to reach 14 million views. That comes out to an average of 2.8 million viewers per day — 2 million below the launch of “The Acolyte,” though it’s likely that most of “Ahsoka’s” was concentrated in...
Previously: “The Acolyte,” Disney+’s newest Star Wars series, reached 4.8 million views in its first day of availability. This marks the streamer’s biggest series premiere of 2024, according to Disney.
An exact first-day viewership total isn’t available for “Ahsoka,” the most recent Star Wars series, though Disney did report that it took five days to reach 14 million views. That comes out to an average of 2.8 million viewers per day — 2 million below the launch of “The Acolyte,” though it’s likely that most of “Ahsoka’s” was concentrated in...
- 6/6/2024
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will lead the cast of Netflix’s upcoming thriller series “Man on Fire.” He will also executive produce the project alongside Steven Caple Jr., who has been set as director of the first two episodes under showrunner Kyle Killen.
“Man on Fire” is based on A.J. Quinnell’s first two novels about former French Foreign Legion solider John Creasy, titled “Man on Fire” (1981) and “The Perfect Kill” (1992). This is not the first adaptation of the Quinnell novels; Creasy was played by Denzel Washington in a 2004 “Man on Fire” film and by Scott Glenn in 1987.
The logline for Netflix’s adaptation reads, “Once a high functioning and skilled Special Forces Mercenary, known for surviving even the most desolate of situations, Creasy (Mateen) is now plagued with intense Ptsd. Determined to overcome his personal demons, he sets out on a path to redemption. But, before he can adjust to this new life,...
“Man on Fire” is based on A.J. Quinnell’s first two novels about former French Foreign Legion solider John Creasy, titled “Man on Fire” (1981) and “The Perfect Kill” (1992). This is not the first adaptation of the Quinnell novels; Creasy was played by Denzel Washington in a 2004 “Man on Fire” film and by Scott Glenn in 1987.
The logline for Netflix’s adaptation reads, “Once a high functioning and skilled Special Forces Mercenary, known for surviving even the most desolate of situations, Creasy (Mateen) is now plagued with intense Ptsd. Determined to overcome his personal demons, he sets out on a path to redemption. But, before he can adjust to this new life,...
- 6/10/2024
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ Delivers a Welcome $56 Millon Haul; ‘The Watchers’ Stumbles in First Weekend
The domestic box office finally changed course after a slow start to the summer release season, as ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ won the weekend with a successful $56 million opening. This is the best R-rated opening in theaters since last year's 'Oppenheimer.' It’s also Will Smith’s sixth-highest domestic opening and the first notable major summer title that over-performed against tracking numbers.
The fourth film in Smith and Martin Lawrence's action franchise was projected to do well, but Hollywood had reasons to temper that optimism. For starters, this was Smith’s first major release after the infamous Oscars slap in 2022, and it wasn’t clear if the fallout would have a lasting impact on his box office marketability. And while the previous installment, ‘Bad Boys for Life,’ was the biggest hit of 2020 with $427 million worldwide, it was also the last hit of 2020 when the global pandemic brought the industry to a screeching halt.
The thriller ‘The Watchers,’ the directorial debut of Ishana Shyamalan, opened in fourth place to just $7 million, a disappointing debut for a genre film supported by a bankable star in Dakota Fanning and a first-time director with built-in name recognition as the daughter of supernatural hit-maker M. Night Shyamalan.
Chris Pratt’s animated comedy ‘The Garfield Movie’ held in second place in its third week, earning $10 million for a $192 million worldwide total, while another family film—John Krasinski's animated/live-action film ‘IF’—also held its appeal with $8 million in its fourth weekend for a $160 million total worldwide.
It was another rough weekend for ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,’ as it dropped to sixth place behind ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.’ The 'Mad Max: Fury Road' prequel took in a $4.25 million, a 60% drop from last week, while 'Apes' continued to draw audiences with $5.4 million.
In the top 10 were also re-releases of two The Lord of the Rings movies, ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ ($2.44 million) and ‘The Two Towers’ ($1.91 million), which played on 1,529 screens each, capitalizing on audience nostalgia.
Next weekend, all eyes turn to Disney and Pixar to deliver with the release of animated sequel ‘Inside Out 2.’ Hollywood could use another bright spot this summer, and there isn’t another big hit expected until July, with the release of ‘Despicable Me 4’ and ‘Deadpool & Wolverine.’
See all the weekend box office results at Box Office Mojo...
The fourth film in Smith and Martin Lawrence's action franchise was projected to do well, but Hollywood had reasons to temper that optimism. For starters, this was Smith’s first major release after the infamous Oscars slap in 2022, and it wasn’t clear if the fallout would have a lasting impact on his box office marketability. And while the previous installment, ‘Bad Boys for Life,’ was the biggest hit of 2020 with $427 million worldwide, it was also the last hit of 2020 when the global pandemic brought the industry to a screeching halt.
The thriller ‘The Watchers,’ the directorial debut of Ishana Shyamalan, opened in fourth place to just $7 million, a disappointing debut for a genre film supported by a bankable star in Dakota Fanning and a first-time director with built-in name recognition as the daughter of supernatural hit-maker M. Night Shyamalan.
Chris Pratt’s animated comedy ‘The Garfield Movie’ held in second place in its third week, earning $10 million for a $192 million worldwide total, while another family film—John Krasinski's animated/live-action film ‘IF’—also held its appeal with $8 million in its fourth weekend for a $160 million total worldwide.
It was another rough weekend for ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,’ as it dropped to sixth place behind ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.’ The 'Mad Max: Fury Road' prequel took in a $4.25 million, a 60% drop from last week, while 'Apes' continued to draw audiences with $5.4 million.
In the top 10 were also re-releases of two The Lord of the Rings movies, ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ ($2.44 million) and ‘The Two Towers’ ($1.91 million), which played on 1,529 screens each, capitalizing on audience nostalgia.
Next weekend, all eyes turn to Disney and Pixar to deliver with the release of animated sequel ‘Inside Out 2.’ Hollywood could use another bright spot this summer, and there isn’t another big hit expected until July, with the release of ‘Despicable Me 4’ and ‘Deadpool & Wolverine.’
See all the weekend box office results at Box Office Mojo...
- 6/10/2024
- by IMDb Editors
- IMDb News
Production on the third installment of Rian Johnson’s Knives Out franchise is officially underway.
The director and writer gave fans a first-look at the beloved detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, who is set to see himself embroiled in another murder mystery in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
A host of top talent have already signed on to whet the appetite of audiences. The suspects so far include Dune‘s Josh Brolin, Challengers’ Josh O’Connor, Civil War actress Cailee Spaeny, Ripley star Andrew Scott, Scandal alum Kerry Washington, screen and stage veteran Glenn Close, Hawkeye straight shooter Jeremy Renner, and Mila Kunis, who starred in thriller Luckiest Girl Alive for Netflix.
On Monday, Johnson shared a photo of Craig on set, writing: “Aaaaand we’re off! Today is day 1 of shooting on the next Benoit Blanc mystery ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ – see you on the other side.
The director and writer gave fans a first-look at the beloved detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, who is set to see himself embroiled in another murder mystery in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
A host of top talent have already signed on to whet the appetite of audiences. The suspects so far include Dune‘s Josh Brolin, Challengers’ Josh O’Connor, Civil War actress Cailee Spaeny, Ripley star Andrew Scott, Scandal alum Kerry Washington, screen and stage veteran Glenn Close, Hawkeye straight shooter Jeremy Renner, and Mila Kunis, who starred in thriller Luckiest Girl Alive for Netflix.
On Monday, Johnson shared a photo of Craig on set, writing: “Aaaaand we’re off! Today is day 1 of shooting on the next Benoit Blanc mystery ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ – see you on the other side.
- 6/10/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“How to Have Sex” breakout and newly-crowned BAFTA Rising Star winner Mia McKenna-Bruce has landed her next major role.
The British actress is set to lead the cast of “The Seven Dials Mystery,” Netflix’s upcoming Agatha Christie series written by “Broadchurch” creator and former “Doctor Who” showrunner Chris Chibnall, Variety has learned. Joining McKenna-Bruce are Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman.
Set in 1925 and described as a “witty, epic and fast-paced drama,” “The Seven Dials Mystery” follows a lavish country house party where a practical joke appears to have gone horribly, murderously wrong. In the end, it’s up...
The British actress is set to lead the cast of “The Seven Dials Mystery,” Netflix’s upcoming Agatha Christie series written by “Broadchurch” creator and former “Doctor Who” showrunner Chris Chibnall, Variety has learned. Joining McKenna-Bruce are Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman.
Set in 1925 and described as a “witty, epic and fast-paced drama,” “The Seven Dials Mystery” follows a lavish country house party where a practical joke appears to have gone horribly, murderously wrong. In the end, it’s up...
- 6/10/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - TV News
Spoiler Alert: This article discusses the third episode of “Clipped,” “Let the Games Began,” now streaming on Hulu.
Laurence Fishburne had never even heard of Doc Rivers before signing on to play the perennial NBA coach in FX’s “Clipped.”
“I’m not a sports fan. My manager is a Clippers season-ticket holder, one of the faithful. I had thought that she sent this to me because it was a promotion for her team. And that turned out not to be the case,” Fishburne says, then chuckles. “At all.”
Indeed, the 2014-set limited series follows the basketball organization at its all-time nadir,...
Laurence Fishburne had never even heard of Doc Rivers before signing on to play the perennial NBA coach in FX’s “Clipped.”
“I’m not a sports fan. My manager is a Clippers season-ticket holder, one of the faithful. I had thought that she sent this to me because it was a promotion for her team. And that turned out not to be the case,” Fishburne says, then chuckles. “At all.”
Indeed, the 2014-set limited series follows the basketball organization at its all-time nadir,...
- 6/12/2024
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety - TV News
Johnny Depp has revealed which A-listers he beat out for his big screen breakout role in Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands.
During an interview in Tara Wood’s still-untitled Burton docuseries, which premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on Monday, the actor looked back at the 1990 film that ignited a years-long screen collaboration between Depp and the filmmaker.
Depp recalled some of the biggest Hollywood names at the time, including Tom Hanks, Michael Jackson and Tom Cruise, wanting to play the movie’s scissor-handed hero. He even said the latter “was not far away from actually playing Edward Scissorhands — true story.”
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor said when he first read the Edward Scissorhands script from Burton and screenwriter Caroline Thompson, it “passed through everything, anything, solid and went to the very core of whatever I am. The writing was beautiful. The character was beautiful.
During an interview in Tara Wood’s still-untitled Burton docuseries, which premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on Monday, the actor looked back at the 1990 film that ignited a years-long screen collaboration between Depp and the filmmaker.
Depp recalled some of the biggest Hollywood names at the time, including Tom Hanks, Michael Jackson and Tom Cruise, wanting to play the movie’s scissor-handed hero. He even said the latter “was not far away from actually playing Edward Scissorhands — true story.”
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor said when he first read the Edward Scissorhands script from Burton and screenwriter Caroline Thompson, it “passed through everything, anything, solid and went to the very core of whatever I am. The writing was beautiful. The character was beautiful.
- 6/12/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Study: U.S. Films, Series Remain Most Powerful Content Category for Global Streamers in Asia Pacific
Even in challenged times, no national entertainment industry can flex quite like Hollywood. According to new research from regional advisory group Media Partners Asia, U.S. films and series remain the most important content category for global streamers when it comes to customer acquisition and engagement across the Asia Pacific region — regardless of the way platforms continue to ramp up their local-language offerings in these territories.
In the first quarter of 2024, U.S. content was viewed by 60 percent of subscription video users in nine major markets — Australia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand — outperforming Korean titles (at 56 percent) and Japanese content (48 percent), according to new research from regional analysts Media Partners Asia (MPA). The report’s authors noted, however, that U.S. content’s reach has begun to wane in recent years.
“While U.S. content’s reach has declined steadily to 70 percent to 60 percent over the past two years,...
In the first quarter of 2024, U.S. content was viewed by 60 percent of subscription video users in nine major markets — Australia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand — outperforming Korean titles (at 56 percent) and Japanese content (48 percent), according to new research from regional analysts Media Partners Asia (MPA). The report’s authors noted, however, that U.S. content’s reach has begun to wane in recent years.
“While U.S. content’s reach has declined steadily to 70 percent to 60 percent over the past two years,...
- 6/12/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
U.S-produced film and TV content has maintained leadership in terms of reach among Subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) users in nine major markets in Asia-Pacific. And it remains important for acquiring and maintaining subscriptions, a new report finds.
New research from consultancy firm Media Partners Asia is based on passively-collected data from 40,000 digital users amassed by its Ampd sister company. Territories covered include Australia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, from May 2023 to April 2024.
American content was viewed by 60% of the monitored users in the first quarter of this year. That put it ahead of Korean shows, watched by 56% in the region,...
New research from consultancy firm Media Partners Asia is based on passively-collected data from 40,000 digital users amassed by its Ampd sister company. Territories covered include Australia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, from May 2023 to April 2024.
American content was viewed by 60% of the monitored users in the first quarter of this year. That put it ahead of Korean shows, watched by 56% in the region,...
- 6/12/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - TV News
Russell Crowe is sharing his thoughts on Ridley Scott‘s Gladiator sequel, admitting that he’s “slightly uncomfortable” that it’s being made.
During a recent interview with Kyle Meredith, the Oscar-winning actor said, “I’m slightly uncomfortable with the fact they’re making another one — because, of course, I’m dead and I have no say in what gets done. But a couple of the things I’ve heard I’m like, ‘No, no, no, that’s not in the moral journey of that particular character’. But I can’t say anything, it’s not my place, I’m six foot under. So we’ll see what that is like.”
Crowe played Roman general Maximus in 2000’s Gladiator. The film, also directed by Scott, follows his character as he sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.
“I reflect...
During a recent interview with Kyle Meredith, the Oscar-winning actor said, “I’m slightly uncomfortable with the fact they’re making another one — because, of course, I’m dead and I have no say in what gets done. But a couple of the things I’ve heard I’m like, ‘No, no, no, that’s not in the moral journey of that particular character’. But I can’t say anything, it’s not my place, I’m six foot under. So we’ll see what that is like.”
Crowe played Roman general Maximus in 2000’s Gladiator. The film, also directed by Scott, follows his character as he sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.
“I reflect...
- 6/12/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A year after Celine Dion canceled her tour as she adjusted to living with stiff-person syndrome, the superstar vocalist has now opened up in a primetime interview with NBC News to discuss the fear she felt during the rare neurological condition’s onset, how the decade-long struggle that nearly took her life also tore her apart as she hid the truth and the perseverance she has shown to ensure that she will see the stage again.
Dion, 56, was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome in 2022 but has revealed that for her, since 2008, its impact has been felt in many ways. The rare disorder causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms, double vision and impaired mobility in some of the roughly one in one million people who have been diagnosed with Sps worldwide.
In an exclusive interview on Tuesday night, Dion told NBC News’ Hoda Kotb that during the decade of testing that it...
Dion, 56, was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome in 2022 but has revealed that for her, since 2008, its impact has been felt in many ways. The rare disorder causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms, double vision and impaired mobility in some of the roughly one in one million people who have been diagnosed with Sps worldwide.
In an exclusive interview on Tuesday night, Dion told NBC News’ Hoda Kotb that during the decade of testing that it...
- 6/12/2024
- by Kevin Dolak
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
David Ellison, chief executive of Skydance Media, thanked employees of his company for their focus as he was engaged in a months-long bid to merge with Paramount Global. And even though that effort failed, he said that Skydance is stronger after having gone through the M&a cycle.
On Tuesday, Shari Redstone’s National Amusements, the controlling shareholder of Paramount Global, said it had ended merger talks with Skydance because it was not able “to reach mutually acceptable terms regarding the potential transaction with Skydance Media for the acquisition of a controlling stake in Nai.”
In a memo to Skydance staffers Tuesday evening obtained by Variety, Ellison wrote, “As you all know, for the last several months we have been actively exploring a transaction to acquire Nai and merge with Paramount Global, and today that chapter ended.”
“Skydance is stronger than ever because of you, and we are stronger because of this process,...
On Tuesday, Shari Redstone’s National Amusements, the controlling shareholder of Paramount Global, said it had ended merger talks with Skydance because it was not able “to reach mutually acceptable terms regarding the potential transaction with Skydance Media for the acquisition of a controlling stake in Nai.”
In a memo to Skydance staffers Tuesday evening obtained by Variety, Ellison wrote, “As you all know, for the last several months we have been actively exploring a transaction to acquire Nai and merge with Paramount Global, and today that chapter ended.”
“Skydance is stronger than ever because of you, and we are stronger because of this process,...
- 6/12/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety - Film News
Kevin Jonas revealed on Tuesday he recently had a cancerous mole removed from his face, and encouraged fans to stay vigilant about their own skin health.
“So today,” Jonas explained in a video on Instagram. “I am getting a basal cell carcinoma removed from my head.”
Per the Mayo Clinic, Basal Cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that “occurs most often on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, such as your head and neck.”
Jonas’ operation occurred on his forehead. “Yes, that is a actual little skin cancer guy that just started to grow,” he said in reference to the mole. “And now, I have to get surgery to remove it. So, here we go.”
When the procedure was finished, he said, “Now, it’s time to heal and home.”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kevin Jonas (@kevinjonas)
“Make sure to get those moles checked,...
“So today,” Jonas explained in a video on Instagram. “I am getting a basal cell carcinoma removed from my head.”
Per the Mayo Clinic, Basal Cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that “occurs most often on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, such as your head and neck.”
Jonas’ operation occurred on his forehead. “Yes, that is a actual little skin cancer guy that just started to grow,” he said in reference to the mole. “And now, I have to get surgery to remove it. So, here we go.”
When the procedure was finished, he said, “Now, it’s time to heal and home.”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kevin Jonas (@kevinjonas)
“Make sure to get those moles checked,...
- 6/12/2024
- by Zoe G. Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Skydance Media CEO David Ellison acknowledged in an email to staff Tuesday evening that the company will not be assuming control of Paramount, after Shari Redstone ended talks after months of difficult negotiations.
A source said that talks stalled over multiple issues, including the valuation of Redstone’s National Amusements, a desire to have non-Redstone Class A shareholders vote to approve the deal, and regulatory concerns.
“As you all know, for the last several months we have been actively exploring a transaction to acquire Nai and merge with Paramount Global, and today that chapter ended,” wrote in the email, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
The executive would go on to praise the staff for executing on its film, TV and video game slate while he was occupied with the deal talks, and suggested that the company will emerge in better shape thanks to the experience.
“Skydance is stronger than ever because of you,...
A source said that talks stalled over multiple issues, including the valuation of Redstone’s National Amusements, a desire to have non-Redstone Class A shareholders vote to approve the deal, and regulatory concerns.
“As you all know, for the last several months we have been actively exploring a transaction to acquire Nai and merge with Paramount Global, and today that chapter ended,” wrote in the email, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
The executive would go on to praise the staff for executing on its film, TV and video game slate while he was occupied with the deal talks, and suggested that the company will emerge in better shape thanks to the experience.
“Skydance is stronger than ever because of you,...
- 6/12/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NBC isn’t cutting “Late Night” off the network’s regular schedule, but it is going to cut the show’s budget.
The 8G Band, a signature element of the Seth Meyers-led program since it launched in 2014, will stop appearing on the after-hours NBC show, commencing in the fall. Eli Janney, the combo’s keyboardist, told Vulture Tuesday that the trio was informed in recent weeks that the band would cease to be a regular part of the program due to budget cuts.
“In the end, NBC was adamant about where they wanted the budget to go,” Janney told the entertainment-news site.
The 8G Band, a signature element of the Seth Meyers-led program since it launched in 2014, will stop appearing on the after-hours NBC show, commencing in the fall. Eli Janney, the combo’s keyboardist, told Vulture Tuesday that the trio was informed in recent weeks that the band would cease to be a regular part of the program due to budget cuts.
“In the end, NBC was adamant about where they wanted the budget to go,” Janney told the entertainment-news site.
- 6/12/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety - TV News
HBO’s “The Last of Us” scored two prizes from this year’s 2024 Rockie Awards International Program Competition, as announced Tuesday at the Banff World Media Festival. “The Last of Us” won for drama series: English language, and also picked up the Grand Jury Prize, which is selected from the top-scoring programs across the entire field of nominees.
Among other big winners from the U.S., Peacock’s “Poker Face” won for comedy series: English language, while Fox’s “The Masked Singer” received the honors for competition series/game shows. Also, Fox’s “Family Guy” won for animated series.
In total,...
Among other big winners from the U.S., Peacock’s “Poker Face” won for comedy series: English language, while Fox’s “The Masked Singer” received the honors for competition series/game shows. Also, Fox’s “Family Guy” won for animated series.
In total,...
- 6/12/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety - TV News
HBO’s The Last of Us was named best English-language drama in the international program at the 2024 Rockie Awards on Tuesday night.
The hit series based on the video game franchise also earned the Grand Jury Prize at the marquee awards show for the Banff World Media Festival. The festival’s jury also named Fox’s The Masked Singer the best competition series and game show, and Peacock’s Poker Face series, created by Rian Johnson, was named the best English language comedy series.
Elsewhere, BBC’s The Graham Norton Show from the U.K. won for best comedy and variety show, and the U.K. pubcaster’s Best Interests picked up the best limited series crown. The 2024 Rockie Awards like previous years turned into a shoot-out between American and British TV producers, with BBC’s Men Up winning for best feature film and Fox’s Family Guy comedy coming...
The hit series based on the video game franchise also earned the Grand Jury Prize at the marquee awards show for the Banff World Media Festival. The festival’s jury also named Fox’s The Masked Singer the best competition series and game show, and Peacock’s Poker Face series, created by Rian Johnson, was named the best English language comedy series.
Elsewhere, BBC’s The Graham Norton Show from the U.K. won for best comedy and variety show, and the U.K. pubcaster’s Best Interests picked up the best limited series crown. The 2024 Rockie Awards like previous years turned into a shoot-out between American and British TV producers, with BBC’s Men Up winning for best feature film and Fox’s Family Guy comedy coming...
- 6/12/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After 18 months, BTS’ eldest member, Jin, has officially returned from his mandatory military service.
The 31-year-old is the first from the powerhouse K-pop group to complete his military duties after enlisting in December 2022. BTS’ agency, Big Hit Music, released a statement to fans via Weverse officially announcing Jin’s military discharge.
“Jin is close to completing his active service in the army and will soon be discharged,” the statement read. It also reminded fans that there were no special events in place and that discharge day was for military personnel only, urging fans to not visit the site to avoid any “any issues arising from overcrowding.”
Korean media waited outside, streaming live on air and online. Video from Seoul Broadcasting System (Sbs), a major news outlet in Korea, showed Jin hugging his fellow soldiers as he prepared to exit the military site.
Shortly after, via the Sbs stream, Jin was...
The 31-year-old is the first from the powerhouse K-pop group to complete his military duties after enlisting in December 2022. BTS’ agency, Big Hit Music, released a statement to fans via Weverse officially announcing Jin’s military discharge.
“Jin is close to completing his active service in the army and will soon be discharged,” the statement read. It also reminded fans that there were no special events in place and that discharge day was for military personnel only, urging fans to not visit the site to avoid any “any issues arising from overcrowding.”
Korean media waited outside, streaming live on air and online. Video from Seoul Broadcasting System (Sbs), a major news outlet in Korea, showed Jin hugging his fellow soldiers as he prepared to exit the military site.
Shortly after, via the Sbs stream, Jin was...
- 6/12/2024
- by Nicole Fell
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie had a day to remember with its premiere screening Tuesday.
It debuted during a late-night event at the Annecy Animation Festival in France, where director Pete Browngardt and Warner Bros. Animation president Sam Register took the stage to introduce the movie. Centering on Looney Tunes mainstays Porky Pig and Daffy Duck (both voiced by Eric Bauza), The Day the Earth Blew Up hails from Warner Bros. Animation and is aiming to hit theaters later this year, although it does not yet have an announced release date.
The film spurred enthusiastic laughter throughout the screening, with some standout moments for the crowd including scenes that focused on the lead duo’s upbringing and their attempts to find a job. The Day the Earth Blew Up features the two characters teaming up in an effort to prevent a powerful alien from taking control of the planet,...
It debuted during a late-night event at the Annecy Animation Festival in France, where director Pete Browngardt and Warner Bros. Animation president Sam Register took the stage to introduce the movie. Centering on Looney Tunes mainstays Porky Pig and Daffy Duck (both voiced by Eric Bauza), The Day the Earth Blew Up hails from Warner Bros. Animation and is aiming to hit theaters later this year, although it does not yet have an announced release date.
The film spurred enthusiastic laughter throughout the screening, with some standout moments for the crowd including scenes that focused on the lead duo’s upbringing and their attempts to find a job. The Day the Earth Blew Up features the two characters teaming up in an effort to prevent a powerful alien from taking control of the planet,...
- 6/12/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The villa is coming to Fiji. Love Island USA returns for season six with 10 new Islander contestants looking for love — or survival — and the chance to win $100,000.
Premiering Tuesday, the American spinoff of the popular British dating series also brings a new host: Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix, who replaces seasons four and five host Sarah Hyland. Per the logline, the new season six brings “a brand-new vibrant villa, a spicy Casa Amor, and an unforgettable Hideaway. The new cast of Islanders will face more fun, messy drama than ever before, with brand-new challenges, jaw-dropping revelations, and surprise guests.”
At a Glance: How to Watch Love Island USA Online
Premiere date June 11 at 6 p.m. Pt/9 p.m. Et Episode release schedule Daily except Wednesdays for six weeks Stream online Peacock
Fans can also play matchmaker using the Love Island USA app, where they can vote for their favorite couples and decide who gets dumped.
Premiering Tuesday, the American spinoff of the popular British dating series also brings a new host: Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix, who replaces seasons four and five host Sarah Hyland. Per the logline, the new season six brings “a brand-new vibrant villa, a spicy Casa Amor, and an unforgettable Hideaway. The new cast of Islanders will face more fun, messy drama than ever before, with brand-new challenges, jaw-dropping revelations, and surprise guests.”
At a Glance: How to Watch Love Island USA Online
Premiere date June 11 at 6 p.m. Pt/9 p.m. Et Episode release schedule Daily except Wednesdays for six weeks Stream online Peacock
Fans can also play matchmaker using the Love Island USA app, where they can vote for their favorite couples and decide who gets dumped.
- 6/12/2024
- by Danielle Directo-Meston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rihanna is continuing to keep fans looped in on the status of her highly-anticipated next album, dubbed R9, but they shouldn’t expect anything soon.
At her Fenty Hair launch party in Los Angeles on Monday, the Grammy-winning singer gave Entertainment Tonight an update on new music and shut down retirement rumors.
“I think that music, for me, is a new discovery,” Rihanna said. “I’m rediscovering things. I have been working on the album for so long that I kinda put all that stuff aside and now I’m prepared to go back in the studio. I’m gonna start — give me a second!”
The “Work” singer noted that she’s not rushing her creative process, which includes revisiting already recorded tracks as well as creating new ones.
“Yeah, I’m starting over,” she explained. “But I don’t want to neglect the songs that I have, so I...
At her Fenty Hair launch party in Los Angeles on Monday, the Grammy-winning singer gave Entertainment Tonight an update on new music and shut down retirement rumors.
“I think that music, for me, is a new discovery,” Rihanna said. “I’m rediscovering things. I have been working on the album for so long that I kinda put all that stuff aside and now I’m prepared to go back in the studio. I’m gonna start — give me a second!”
The “Work” singer noted that she’s not rushing her creative process, which includes revisiting already recorded tracks as well as creating new ones.
“Yeah, I’m starting over,” she explained. “But I don’t want to neglect the songs that I have, so I...
- 6/12/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
All eyes were on Ricky Martin during CAA’s seventh annual Amplify summit on Tuesday where the Grammy-winning entertainer took the stage to discuss his storied career with Bruno Del Granado, the head of CAA’s global Latin music touring division.
Martin discussed his role in Apple TV+‘s (newly-renewed for Season 2) “Palm Royale,” and opened up about his major career milestones, including his impact on Latin American music in the United States, and LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream spaces.
Martin showed love for his “Palm Royale” castmates and the “life-changing” stories they’ve been able to portray. Set in the 1960s in Palm Beach, Martin portrays Robert, a gay man and a bartender at the high society club Palm Royale.
“A couple of years ago when I was promoting ‘[The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story’], this journalist from Poland asked me ‘Ricky, aren’t you afraid that you’re going to be typecast as a gay...
Martin discussed his role in Apple TV+‘s (newly-renewed for Season 2) “Palm Royale,” and opened up about his major career milestones, including his impact on Latin American music in the United States, and LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream spaces.
Martin showed love for his “Palm Royale” castmates and the “life-changing” stories they’ve been able to portray. Set in the 1960s in Palm Beach, Martin portrays Robert, a gay man and a bartender at the high society club Palm Royale.
“A couple of years ago when I was promoting ‘[The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story’], this journalist from Poland asked me ‘Ricky, aren’t you afraid that you’re going to be typecast as a gay...
- 6/12/2024
- by Thania Garcia and Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
Looking beyond the glitz of Canadian broadcasters rolling out their latest new and returning U.S. series at their recent upfront presentations in Toronto, you’d have seen local networks putting their best foot forward in pitches to local media buyers and agencies.
But below the surface, the Canadians are paddling furiously to keep pace in a rapidly-changing TV industry where increased cord-cutting and a continuing linear TV ad recession has local players chasing viewers online with pricey American series to keep pace with Netflix.
Ahead of the Banff World Media Festival this week, Warner Bros. Discovery did deals to move popular lifestyle and entertainment brands like HGTV, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Magnolia Network and OWN from Corus Entertainment to rival Rogers Media and Sports. Canadians Drew and Jonathan Scott of Property Brothers fame on HGTV are mainstays of the lifestyle and entertainment channel popular across North America.
Corus will...
But below the surface, the Canadians are paddling furiously to keep pace in a rapidly-changing TV industry where increased cord-cutting and a continuing linear TV ad recession has local players chasing viewers online with pricey American series to keep pace with Netflix.
Ahead of the Banff World Media Festival this week, Warner Bros. Discovery did deals to move popular lifestyle and entertainment brands like HGTV, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Magnolia Network and OWN from Corus Entertainment to rival Rogers Media and Sports. Canadians Drew and Jonathan Scott of Property Brothers fame on HGTV are mainstays of the lifestyle and entertainment channel popular across North America.
Corus will...
- 6/12/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Françoise Hardy, a French singer, actor and model whose classical beauty and often melancholy music combined to transfix fans internationally in the 1960s and beyond, has died at age 80.
Her son, Thomas Dutronc, also a musician, reported the death on his Instagram account, posting a baby photo of himself with his mother and writing: “Maman est partie.” Or, mom is gone.
Hardy had battled lymphatic and laryngeal cancer over the last two decades, since first being diagnosed with the former condition in 2004.
In a sign of her ongoing legend, in 2023, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Hardy as No. 162 on a ranking of the greatest singers of all time. She was the only French performer on the list. Will Hermes wrote that Hardy “epitomized French cool and Gallic heat simultaneously, with a breathy, deadpan alto that wafted like Gauloises smoke. Her words enhanced her tone: Writing her own material, unusual in the early mid-Sixties,...
Her son, Thomas Dutronc, also a musician, reported the death on his Instagram account, posting a baby photo of himself with his mother and writing: “Maman est partie.” Or, mom is gone.
Hardy had battled lymphatic and laryngeal cancer over the last two decades, since first being diagnosed with the former condition in 2004.
In a sign of her ongoing legend, in 2023, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Hardy as No. 162 on a ranking of the greatest singers of all time. She was the only French performer on the list. Will Hermes wrote that Hardy “epitomized French cool and Gallic heat simultaneously, with a breathy, deadpan alto that wafted like Gauloises smoke. Her words enhanced her tone: Writing her own material, unusual in the early mid-Sixties,...
- 6/12/2024
- by Chris Willman
- Variety - Film News
In a significant development for the Indian entertainment industry, Artist International Group (Aig), under the leadership of David Unger, and Creativeland Studios, helmed by Sajan Raj Kurup, have unveiled a joint venture to establish Aig India. This new talent and production company aims to bridge the gap between Hollywood and India’s vibrant creative scene.
Aig India will focus on discovering, nurturing, and promoting Indian talent across various artistic fields, leveraging Aig’s global reach and Creativeland Studios’ in-depth knowledge of the Indian market. The collaboration seeks to provide Indian talent with opportunities to achieve international acclaim while also introducing international talent to the Indian subcontinent.
Aig’s current roster includes Michelle Yeoh, Anil Kapoor, Fan Bingbing, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Gong Li. Aig India is expected to unveil a lineup of Indian talent soon.
Creativeland Studios Entertainment Llp, a part of Creativeland Asia Group, specializes in curating,
producing and aggregating long-format storytelling.
Aig India will focus on discovering, nurturing, and promoting Indian talent across various artistic fields, leveraging Aig’s global reach and Creativeland Studios’ in-depth knowledge of the Indian market. The collaboration seeks to provide Indian talent with opportunities to achieve international acclaim while also introducing international talent to the Indian subcontinent.
Aig’s current roster includes Michelle Yeoh, Anil Kapoor, Fan Bingbing, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Gong Li. Aig India is expected to unveil a lineup of Indian talent soon.
Creativeland Studios Entertainment Llp, a part of Creativeland Asia Group, specializes in curating,
producing and aggregating long-format storytelling.
- 6/11/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety - Film News
Producer Joe Sabia first encountered tennis legend Roger Federer in 2019 for Vogue’s “73 Questions” series. Sabia enjoyed the interview and kept in touch with his team. Three years later, as Federer looked to retire from the sport as a professional player, Sabia was brought into his offices. Federer was planning to officially announce the news via his Instagram page with an audio message accompanying the post. His team pondered if Federer’s retirement should be filmed.
But Sabia responded, “Yes,” believing “it’d be a mistake not to.’”
As conversations went back and forth, the idea was that the video would be stripped back, private, under the radar, and like Federer himself, effortless. So, Sabia used two cameras, and the idea was to shoot an 8 to 12-minute film. “If Roger doesn’t want anyone to see it, I’m completely fine doing this, knowing that it’s going to be just for friends and family,...
But Sabia responded, “Yes,” believing “it’d be a mistake not to.’”
As conversations went back and forth, the idea was that the video would be stripped back, private, under the radar, and like Federer himself, effortless. So, Sabia used two cameras, and the idea was to shoot an 8 to 12-minute film. “If Roger doesn’t want anyone to see it, I’m completely fine doing this, knowing that it’s going to be just for friends and family,...
- 6/11/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety - Film News
Visual effects company Rearden has settled one of the last remaining lawsuits over the unlicensed use of its motion-capture technology by major Hollywood studios, this time with Paramount.
Both sides on Monday moved to dismiss the lawsuit, which accused Paramount of infringing on Rearden’s VFX software called Mova Contour in the 2015 film Terminator Genisys, according to a court filing. With the move, Rearden draws to a close a legal blitz on studios that it started in 2017 when it filed blockbuster complaints demanding courts block the release of several films from Disney, Fox and Paramount that featured characters made with the stolen tech.
The agreement follows Rearden last month reaching deals to resolve identical lawsuits involving use of Mova in Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Deadpool, Fantastic Four and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. Terms of the settlements weren’t disclosed.
Possibly playing a...
Both sides on Monday moved to dismiss the lawsuit, which accused Paramount of infringing on Rearden’s VFX software called Mova Contour in the 2015 film Terminator Genisys, according to a court filing. With the move, Rearden draws to a close a legal blitz on studios that it started in 2017 when it filed blockbuster complaints demanding courts block the release of several films from Disney, Fox and Paramount that featured characters made with the stolen tech.
The agreement follows Rearden last month reaching deals to resolve identical lawsuits involving use of Mova in Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Deadpool, Fantastic Four and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. Terms of the settlements weren’t disclosed.
Possibly playing a...
- 6/11/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When series creators David Benioff, D.B. Weiss and Alexander Woo first crafted the moment Jin Cheng (Jess Hong) and Thomas Wade (Liam Cunningham) enter the game in “3 Body Problem,” they made it so they “would put on the headset and then there’ll be a moment of black and then they go into the game.” But when they saw the scene cut together, they felt there was “something missing.” So for inspiration, they reached to another popular sci-fi series for inspiration: “Severance.”
“We’re actually influenced by ‘Severance’ in the elevator scenes, you know where they have that kind of weird camera effect,...
“We’re actually influenced by ‘Severance’ in the elevator scenes, you know where they have that kind of weird camera effect,...
- 6/11/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety - TV News
Josh O’Connor won’t be playing Alfredo Linguini anytime soon. Pixar chief creative officer Pete Docter said this week that the animation-to-live-action craze “sort of bothers me.”
“This might bite me in the butt for saying it, but it sort of bothers me,” Docter told Time. “I like making movies that are original and unique to themselves. To remake it, it’s not very interesting to me personally.”
Docter’s comments came in response to a question about whether he’d seen the trend online campaigning for Josh O’Connor — who has long spoken about his love for Pixar’s 2007 hit Ratatouille — to play a live-action protagonist Alfredo Linguini.
Docter said the casting probably couldn’t happen — plus, it might be difficult to make a “live-action rat cute,” he said.
The latter issue spans across most of Pixar’s canon. “So much of what we create only works because of the rules of the [animated] world,...
“This might bite me in the butt for saying it, but it sort of bothers me,” Docter told Time. “I like making movies that are original and unique to themselves. To remake it, it’s not very interesting to me personally.”
Docter’s comments came in response to a question about whether he’d seen the trend online campaigning for Josh O’Connor — who has long spoken about his love for Pixar’s 2007 hit Ratatouille — to play a live-action protagonist Alfredo Linguini.
Docter said the casting probably couldn’t happen — plus, it might be difficult to make a “live-action rat cute,” he said.
The latter issue spans across most of Pixar’s canon. “So much of what we create only works because of the rules of the [animated] world,...
- 6/11/2024
- by Zoe G. Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Daniel Radcliffe has revealed his preferred shows that he likes to consume and it may come as a surprise to some that it’s not popular television dramas.
Following his time leading the widely successful Harry Potter franchise, the actor has found joy in guest starring in adult animation series, including The Simpsons, particularly because those are some of his favorites to watch.
“Honestly, I watch cartoons, and I watch reality TV,” Radcliffe recently told Cbr. “I’ve never seen Breaking Bad. I’ve never watched The Sopranos, or The Wire. All the sort-of, heavy hour-long stuff. Just, I can’t. … I think it does probably in part stem from growing up on The Simpsons in the way that I think so many people of our generation’s kids.”
The Miracle Workers actor has not only landed guest voice roles in three episodes of The Simpsons, but also in other animations over the years,...
Following his time leading the widely successful Harry Potter franchise, the actor has found joy in guest starring in adult animation series, including The Simpsons, particularly because those are some of his favorites to watch.
“Honestly, I watch cartoons, and I watch reality TV,” Radcliffe recently told Cbr. “I’ve never seen Breaking Bad. I’ve never watched The Sopranos, or The Wire. All the sort-of, heavy hour-long stuff. Just, I can’t. … I think it does probably in part stem from growing up on The Simpsons in the way that I think so many people of our generation’s kids.”
The Miracle Workers actor has not only landed guest voice roles in three episodes of The Simpsons, but also in other animations over the years,...
- 6/11/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ayden Mayeri has joined the cast of an upcoming Peacock comedy series led by Steph Curry and Adam Pally.
Per the official logline, the currently untitled series follows Danny (Pally), “a down-on-his-luck memorabilia dealer who looks for redemption by reuniting with his sixth-grade teammate, NBA legend Steph Curry.”
Mayeri will play Samantha, Danny’s ex-wife.
Mayeri is best known for playing Beth Ann in the 2022 Showtime comedy series “I Love That For You.” She also starred in Season 1 of “The Afterparty” on Apple TV+ as Jennifer No. 2, with other TV credits including “Into the Dark” on Hulu, “Veep” on HBO,...
Per the official logline, the currently untitled series follows Danny (Pally), “a down-on-his-luck memorabilia dealer who looks for redemption by reuniting with his sixth-grade teammate, NBA legend Steph Curry.”
Mayeri will play Samantha, Danny’s ex-wife.
Mayeri is best known for playing Beth Ann in the 2022 Showtime comedy series “I Love That For You.” She also starred in Season 1 of “The Afterparty” on Apple TV+ as Jennifer No. 2, with other TV credits including “Into the Dark” on Hulu, “Veep” on HBO,...
- 6/11/2024
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety - TV News
Steve Carell will not be starring in the new iteration of “The Office” coming to Peacock, but he did encourage Domhnall Gleeson to sign on to star. The two actors acted together in FX’s 2022 limited series “The Patient,” which earned Carell a Screen Actors Guild award nomination. Gleeson, meanwhile, was nominated at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards.
“I know Domhnall Gleeson – who I did ‘The Patient’ with – is going to be one of the leads. I know that for sure,” Carell told Jimmy Fallon during a recent interview on “The Tonight Show.” “He’s an excellent actor.
“I know Domhnall Gleeson – who I did ‘The Patient’ with – is going to be one of the leads. I know that for sure,” Carell told Jimmy Fallon during a recent interview on “The Tonight Show.” “He’s an excellent actor.
- 6/11/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - TV News
You know you’re wasting time on a documentary when you feel the urge to Wikipedia its subject while you’re in the middle of watching an entire feature film devoted to them. And once I had finished Dana Flor’s tedious music biodoc 1-800-on-her-own, I oddly felt like I knew even less about folk-rock legend Ani Difranco than I did going into it. At a mere 80 minutes, the film should at least come across as tight and succinct (and chock full of information). Instead, the narrative mostly centers Difranco’s muted pandemic years — were they interesting for anyone? — and offers only a surface-level retelling of her rise to prominence in the 1990s, her innovations as an artist-entrepreneur and her songwriting prowess.
It’s hard not to compare 1-800-on-Her-OWN to more compelling punkumentaries about defiant female musicians of the 90s, including It’s Only Life After All...
It’s hard not to compare 1-800-on-Her-OWN to more compelling punkumentaries about defiant female musicians of the 90s, including It’s Only Life After All...
- 6/11/2024
- by Robyn Bahr
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kevin Spacey fought back tears during an interview on “Piers Morgan Uncensored” in which he revealed his house has been foreclosed on as he owes “many millions” of dollars in legal fees from his sexual misconduct trials. Piers Morgan asked the actor where he lives, to which Spacey said he no longer has a permanent home and barely has any money left to his name.
“It’s funny you ask that question because this week, where I have been living in Baltimore is being foreclosed on. My house is being sold at auction, so I have to go back to...
“It’s funny you ask that question because this week, where I have been living in Baltimore is being foreclosed on. My house is being sold at auction, so I have to go back to...
- 6/11/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - TV News
Ben Potter, a YouTube personality known for the audio dramas that he created from comic books, has died. He was 40.
The content creator died Saturday after “an unfortunate accident,” his wife, Nathalie Potter, shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account. She did not provide any details.
Known to his 3 million followers as Comicstorian, Potter had been a part of the YouTube community for more than a decade and a fixture in the world of comic-book fandom on the platform, regularly discussing the Marvel and DC universes in his 4,000-plus posted videos.
“To many of you, he was Comicstorian, voicing stories from across multiple different mediums. To his loved ones, he was one of the best and most supportive individuals anyone could ask for,” Nathalie wrote.
“As a husband, a son, a brother, a friend, or even just a stranger, Ben was loving and genuine. He was someone who would listen...
The content creator died Saturday after “an unfortunate accident,” his wife, Nathalie Potter, shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account. She did not provide any details.
Known to his 3 million followers as Comicstorian, Potter had been a part of the YouTube community for more than a decade and a fixture in the world of comic-book fandom on the platform, regularly discussing the Marvel and DC universes in his 4,000-plus posted videos.
“To many of you, he was Comicstorian, voicing stories from across multiple different mediums. To his loved ones, he was one of the best and most supportive individuals anyone could ask for,” Nathalie wrote.
“As a husband, a son, a brother, a friend, or even just a stranger, Ben was loving and genuine. He was someone who would listen...
- 6/11/2024
- by Kevin Dolak
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As The CW has changed its financial model under new owners Nexstar, entertainment president Brad Schwartz has relied more on international co-productions from countries like Canada. Speaking on Tuesday at the Banff World Media Festival, Schwartz — who hails from Canada — acknowledged that in the past, Canadian acquisitions on U.S. networks have often been seen in a lesser light. He’s hoping that perception is changing, however.
“I would hate for anybody to ever think that Canada is the discount area, because that’s kind of our Canadian personalities in the first place,” Schwartz said. “Canada has the advantage of...
“I would hate for anybody to ever think that Canada is the discount area, because that’s kind of our Canadian personalities in the first place,” Schwartz said. “Canada has the advantage of...
- 6/11/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety - TV News
During CAA Amplify, Lionsgate announced the development of Story Spark, a free online tool that helps creatives and development executives measure diversity and intersectionality in storytelling.
The studio describes Story Spark as a “filmmaker-first and creative-driven, collaborative and open-ended development tool,” which provides guidance toward telling more inclusive stories. There’s no pass or fail grade for each script and, to note, this tool is not artificial intelligence, but instead guided by the creatives and executives who bring these stories to life.
“Story Spark is a simple, friendly, easy-to-use partner in content development that feels more like a Buzzfeed quiz than a checklist,” said Kamala Avila-Salmon, Lionsgate motion picture group’s head of inclusive content, announcing the project. “It’s a tool to start discussion, a dialogue prompt and a step in the right direction for constructive collaboration.”
Avila-Salmon demoed for a collective of filmmakers, creatives, tastemakers and executives as...
The studio describes Story Spark as a “filmmaker-first and creative-driven, collaborative and open-ended development tool,” which provides guidance toward telling more inclusive stories. There’s no pass or fail grade for each script and, to note, this tool is not artificial intelligence, but instead guided by the creatives and executives who bring these stories to life.
“Story Spark is a simple, friendly, easy-to-use partner in content development that feels more like a Buzzfeed quiz than a checklist,” said Kamala Avila-Salmon, Lionsgate motion picture group’s head of inclusive content, announcing the project. “It’s a tool to start discussion, a dialogue prompt and a step in the right direction for constructive collaboration.”
Avila-Salmon demoed for a collective of filmmakers, creatives, tastemakers and executives as...
- 6/11/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
The collaboration process to develop a character’s look can typically take months, going back and forth among filmmaker, artisans and actor to refine details through countless emails and photo attachments. But with four separate characters (plus a surprise fifth persona in the finale) just for Robert Downey Jr. on HBO’s The Sympathizer, prosthetic designer Vincent Van Dyke knew they didn’t have that kind of time, so he invited the key players to his studio in Burbank for a live sculpting session.
“Walking into Vincent’s studio for the first time and seeing those clay molded heads of the characters was a very surreal experience,” Downey says. “You’re not just throwing on a costume; you’re stepping into someone else’s skin. Working with director Park [Chan-wook], molding and adjusting the clay, was hands-on in a way you don’t get with CGI. It was like stepping back...
“Walking into Vincent’s studio for the first time and seeing those clay molded heads of the characters was a very surreal experience,” Downey says. “You’re not just throwing on a costume; you’re stepping into someone else’s skin. Working with director Park [Chan-wook], molding and adjusting the clay, was hands-on in a way you don’t get with CGI. It was like stepping back...
- 6/11/2024
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ahead of the 77th Tony Awards, which will be held on June 16 at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater in New York City, The Hollywood Reporter gathered six of the 2023-24 Broadway season’s standout performers at Pmc’s east coast headquarters for our annual Tonys Roundtable.
Joining us to discuss their paths to Broadway, Tony-nominated parts and pet peeves were two nominees for best actress in a play, Rachel McAdams (Mary Jane) and Sarah Paulson (Appropriate); best actor in a play nominee Leslie Odom Jr. (Purlie Victorious); best actress in a musical nominee Kelli O’Hara (Days of Wine and Roses); best actor in a musical nominee Eddie Redmayne (Cabaret); and best featured actor in a musical nominee Daniel Radcliffe (Merrily We Roll Along).
Three of them already have a Tony on their mantelpiece: O’Hara, 48, a longtime leading lady of Broadway musicals who has accumulated eight noms and...
Joining us to discuss their paths to Broadway, Tony-nominated parts and pet peeves were two nominees for best actress in a play, Rachel McAdams (Mary Jane) and Sarah Paulson (Appropriate); best actor in a play nominee Leslie Odom Jr. (Purlie Victorious); best actress in a musical nominee Kelli O’Hara (Days of Wine and Roses); best actor in a musical nominee Eddie Redmayne (Cabaret); and best featured actor in a musical nominee Daniel Radcliffe (Merrily We Roll Along).
Three of them already have a Tony on their mantelpiece: O’Hara, 48, a longtime leading lady of Broadway musicals who has accumulated eight noms and...
- 6/11/2024
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Matt Smith is being praised online for gently course-correcting a red carpet interview in which a reporter misgendered his “House of the Dragon” co-star Emma D’Arcy. Smith and D’Arcy star on the “Game of Thrones” prequel series as Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen, respectively.
During an interview at the “House of the Dragon” Season 2 premiere in London, Smith chatted with reporter Sue Perkins on the red carpet about the climactic moment in the first season finale where Daemon informs Rhaenyra about the death of her son, Lucerys. Perkins, who hosts Sky’s fan show “House of the Dragon: War Room,” incorrectly...
During an interview at the “House of the Dragon” Season 2 premiere in London, Smith chatted with reporter Sue Perkins on the red carpet about the climactic moment in the first season finale where Daemon informs Rhaenyra about the death of her son, Lucerys. Perkins, who hosts Sky’s fan show “House of the Dragon: War Room,” incorrectly...
- 6/11/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - TV News
Since 2019, 98 animated titles have benefited from France’s tax-rebate on international productions (Trip) scheme, representing 27% of all projects and reflecting a wider industry desire to make the country a global toon boom hub.
This year’s Annecy Animation Festival will share the fruits of that program – which offers an across-the-board 30% tax rebate for international productions, with an additional 10% bonus to projects that partner with local VFX houses — showcasing internationally funded, made-in-France projects like Illumination’s “Despicable Me 4” and Studio Ponoc’s anime fantasy “The Imaginary.” Meanwhile local artists are currently hard at work bringing Illumination’s “The Super Mario Bros. 2” to life at Illumination’s Paris facility.
Recent big-screen blockbusters that benefited from that program include “Minions: The Rise of Gru” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” while Netflix’s small-screen sensation “Blue Eyed Samurai” and upcoming titles “The Doomies” from Disney+, “Creature Commandos” from James Gunn and Max/Warner,...
This year’s Annecy Animation Festival will share the fruits of that program – which offers an across-the-board 30% tax rebate for international productions, with an additional 10% bonus to projects that partner with local VFX houses — showcasing internationally funded, made-in-France projects like Illumination’s “Despicable Me 4” and Studio Ponoc’s anime fantasy “The Imaginary.” Meanwhile local artists are currently hard at work bringing Illumination’s “The Super Mario Bros. 2” to life at Illumination’s Paris facility.
Recent big-screen blockbusters that benefited from that program include “Minions: The Rise of Gru” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” while Netflix’s small-screen sensation “Blue Eyed Samurai” and upcoming titles “The Doomies” from Disney+, “Creature Commandos” from James Gunn and Max/Warner,...
- 6/11/2024
- by Ben Croll
- Variety - Film News
After closing out last month’s Cannes competition, Michel Hazanavicius’ “The Most Precious of Cargoes” opened this year’s Annecy Animation Festival on an auspicious note. With French productions accounting for one half of Annecy’s 12 competition slots, the Alpine showcase doubles a show of force for Gallic filmmakers writ large – a fact made all the more impressive given their sector’s relative youth.
“20 years ago, French animation barely existed,” says “The Most Precious of Cargoes” executive producer Valerie Schermann, who credits “Kirikou and the Sorceress” director Michel Ocelot with forging a new path that many have since followed. “Michel showed that it was possible to produce animated features in France; without him I would never have been able to make my own films.”
But if Schermann built a sterling filmography in those ensuing decades – with credits such as “Zarafa,” “Wolfy, the Incredible Secret” and “The Red Turtle” – the stalwart...
“20 years ago, French animation barely existed,” says “The Most Precious of Cargoes” executive producer Valerie Schermann, who credits “Kirikou and the Sorceress” director Michel Ocelot with forging a new path that many have since followed. “Michel showed that it was possible to produce animated features in France; without him I would never have been able to make my own films.”
But if Schermann built a sterling filmography in those ensuing decades – with credits such as “Zarafa,” “Wolfy, the Incredible Secret” and “The Red Turtle” – the stalwart...
- 6/11/2024
- by Ben Croll
- Variety - Film News
Last year, Paramount Animation presented a work-in-progress version of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” at the Annecy Animation Festival, which was met with overwhelming support from the crowd.
On night two of this year’s event, the studio returned with a Wip screening of its big 2024 offering, “Transformers One,” and reactions were equally enthusiastic.
Backstage before the show, Annecy’s artistic director, Marcel Jean, told Variety that he’s wanted “Transformers One” at the festival since seeing early footage from the film during a West Coast trip last fall.
“In October of last year, I was in Los Angeles, and I had the opportunity to watch footage from the film,” he said. “It was, for me, a very high-level work. I spoke with Josh Cooley, and I said to Ramsey Naito, ‘We need to have the whole film in Annecy, like what we did with ‘Mutant Mayhem’ last year.
On night two of this year’s event, the studio returned with a Wip screening of its big 2024 offering, “Transformers One,” and reactions were equally enthusiastic.
Backstage before the show, Annecy’s artistic director, Marcel Jean, told Variety that he’s wanted “Transformers One” at the festival since seeing early footage from the film during a West Coast trip last fall.
“In October of last year, I was in Los Angeles, and I had the opportunity to watch footage from the film,” he said. “It was, for me, a very high-level work. I spoke with Josh Cooley, and I said to Ramsey Naito, ‘We need to have the whole film in Annecy, like what we did with ‘Mutant Mayhem’ last year.
- 6/11/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy and Jamie Lang
- Variety - Film News
Latasha Gillespie, global head of Deia for Amazon MGM Studios, Prime Video and Freevee, is leaving the company. Her exit was announced in an internal note from Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke Tuesday afternoon.
“It is very bittersweet that I am announcing that I have decided to take the next step in my personal and professional journey,” Gillespie wrote to the company, noting her official exit is August 29. “After seven years of transformational work, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey and life-changing work I had the great fortune to do with the help of some really smart people.”
She will be replaced by Amanda Baker-Lane, previously head of Deia product and strategy.
“I feel really good about leaving the work of Deia in amazing hands,” Gillespie continued. “I started this work as a team of one, but I am blessed to have a strong, competent team...
“It is very bittersweet that I am announcing that I have decided to take the next step in my personal and professional journey,” Gillespie wrote to the company, noting her official exit is August 29. “After seven years of transformational work, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey and life-changing work I had the great fortune to do with the help of some really smart people.”
She will be replaced by Amanda Baker-Lane, previously head of Deia product and strategy.
“I feel really good about leaving the work of Deia in amazing hands,” Gillespie continued. “I started this work as a team of one, but I am blessed to have a strong, competent team...
- 6/11/2024
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Elon Musk has dropped a lawsuit against OpenAI and chief executive Sam Altman over the company allegedly straying from its founding mission to develop artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity to instead focus on corporate profits.
The X. Corp owner moved on Tuesday to dismiss the lawsuit “without prejudice,” indicating that a settlement wasn’t reached to resolve the case. The complaint can be refiled.
In 2015, Musk helped found OpenAI, agreeing with co-founders Altman and Greg Brockman, president of the firm, to focus on non-profit work. He left the board of the start-up in 2017 before the company launched a for-profit arm and sued in March. The lawsuit targeted OpenAI’s partnership with Microsoft.
Under its founding agreement, OpenAI agreed to make its code open to the public instead of walling it off for private company’s gains, the lawsuit said. But by embracing a close relationship with Microsoft, OpenAI...
The X. Corp owner moved on Tuesday to dismiss the lawsuit “without prejudice,” indicating that a settlement wasn’t reached to resolve the case. The complaint can be refiled.
In 2015, Musk helped found OpenAI, agreeing with co-founders Altman and Greg Brockman, president of the firm, to focus on non-profit work. He left the board of the start-up in 2017 before the company launched a for-profit arm and sued in March. The lawsuit targeted OpenAI’s partnership with Microsoft.
Under its founding agreement, OpenAI agreed to make its code open to the public instead of walling it off for private company’s gains, the lawsuit said. But by embracing a close relationship with Microsoft, OpenAI...
- 6/11/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 2023-24 TV season was blown apart before it ever began. Two labor strikes and media companies’ refusal to budge on the demands of writers and actors wiped out a couple dozen fall premieres for scripted series on the broadcast networks. When management did agree to new terms with writers and actors (largely accepting the two unions’ demands), it meant shortened seasons for nearly every returning comedy and drama.
One thing remained consistent with previous years, however: The vast majority of shows on the five English-language broadcasters brought in smaller on-air audiences than they did the season before.
Of the 143 primetime series with complete data for the September-to-May TV season, only 11 drew bigger total audiences than they did in the 2022-23 season, based on Nielsen’s seven-day ratings for 2023-24. Just five shows scored better ratings in the key ad-sales demographic of adults 18-49 vs. last season.
(Complete seven-day ratings...
One thing remained consistent with previous years, however: The vast majority of shows on the five English-language broadcasters brought in smaller on-air audiences than they did the season before.
Of the 143 primetime series with complete data for the September-to-May TV season, only 11 drew bigger total audiences than they did in the 2022-23 season, based on Nielsen’s seven-day ratings for 2023-24. Just five shows scored better ratings in the key ad-sales demographic of adults 18-49 vs. last season.
(Complete seven-day ratings...
- 6/11/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amazon MGM Studios announced that Latasha Gillespie is departing her role as Global Head of Deia. She will be replaced by Amanda Baker-Lane who previously served as the studio’s head of Deia product and strategy.
Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, announced the internal shift via memo to staff. Salke wrote that Deia remains “crucial” to the work at Amazon MGM Studios.
“It’s very rare that you get to jump into a new venture with the support of your current org while also elevating the people you have been growing and nurturing along the way,” said Gillespie. “I look forward to tapping into other places and spaces that I’m equally passionate about, including public speaking, podcasts, consulting and executive coaching.”
Gillespie will officially exit her role on Aug. 20, but will remain with Amazon in a consulting capacity.
“Since joining Amazon 9 1/2 years ago, I have learned from many...
Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, announced the internal shift via memo to staff. Salke wrote that Deia remains “crucial” to the work at Amazon MGM Studios.
“It’s very rare that you get to jump into a new venture with the support of your current org while also elevating the people you have been growing and nurturing along the way,” said Gillespie. “I look forward to tapping into other places and spaces that I’m equally passionate about, including public speaking, podcasts, consulting and executive coaching.”
Gillespie will officially exit her role on Aug. 20, but will remain with Amazon in a consulting capacity.
“Since joining Amazon 9 1/2 years ago, I have learned from many...
- 6/11/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
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