Top News
Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery — ordinarily rivals for consumers’ time and money — are teaming up for a triple-play bundle of Disney+, Hulu and Max.
The companies announced a new streaming bundle comprising Disney+, Hulu and Max will be available this summer in the U.S. There’s no pricing info or specific launch date at this point. Disney and Wbd said the bundle will be available for purchase on any of the three streaming platforms’ websites and offered as both an ad-supported and ad-free plan.
The apps and content from each company will remain separate. Disney recently integrated Hulu content...
The companies announced a new streaming bundle comprising Disney+, Hulu and Max will be available this summer in the U.S. There’s no pricing info or specific launch date at this point. Disney and Wbd said the bundle will be available for purchase on any of the three streaming platforms’ websites and offered as both an ad-supported and ad-free plan.
The apps and content from each company will remain separate. Disney recently integrated Hulu content...
- 5/8/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety - TV News
Steve Albini, the noise rock pioneer with Big Black and Shellac who also helped engineer some of the greatest alternative rock albums of all time — Nirvana’s In Utero and Pixies’ Surfer Rosa among them — has died at the age of 61.
Staff at Albini’s Electrical Audio Recording confirmed to Rolling Stone that Albini died Tuesday night, with the New York Times adding that the cause of death was a heart attack. Albini’s death comes just a week after his acclaimed noise rock project Shellac was set to release To All Trains,...
Staff at Albini’s Electrical Audio Recording confirmed to Rolling Stone that Albini died Tuesday night, with the New York Times adding that the cause of death was a heart attack. Albini’s death comes just a week after his acclaimed noise rock project Shellac was set to release To All Trains,...
- 5/8/2024
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
An HBO concert special based on Lady Gaga’s 2022 “Chromatica Ball” tour will premiere on the network on Saturday, May 25 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt and will be available to stream on Max.
stream 'chromatica ball tour' on max $9.99/Month
The special was filmed before a sold-out crowd of 52,000 people at Los Angeles’s Dodger Stadium in September of 2022 and features the Grammy and Oscar-winning artist performing such hits as “Bad Romance,” “Just Dance,” “Poker Face,” “Shallow,” “Rain On Me,” “Stupid Love” and more.
The special was produced, directed and created by Lady Gaga; executive producers were her longtime manager...
stream 'chromatica ball tour' on max $9.99/Month
The special was filmed before a sold-out crowd of 52,000 people at Los Angeles’s Dodger Stadium in September of 2022 and features the Grammy and Oscar-winning artist performing such hits as “Bad Romance,” “Just Dance,” “Poker Face,” “Shallow,” “Rain On Me,” “Stupid Love” and more.
The special was produced, directed and created by Lady Gaga; executive producers were her longtime manager...
- 5/8/2024
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety - TV News
New ‘The Office’ Series Picked Up at Peacock, First Plot Details Reveal Midwestern Newspaper Setting
The new iteration of “The Office” has been picked up to series at Peacock, Variety has learned.
As has been previously reported, the show is not a reboot or spinoff of “The Office,” but rather a new mockumentary show with a new cast set in the same universe. For the first time since the show was first revealed to be in the works in late 2023, plot details are now available. The official logline states:
“The documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch is in search of a new subject when they discover a dying historic Midwestern newspaper and...
As has been previously reported, the show is not a reboot or spinoff of “The Office,” but rather a new mockumentary show with a new cast set in the same universe. For the first time since the show was first revealed to be in the works in late 2023, plot details are now available. The official logline states:
“The documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch is in search of a new subject when they discover a dying historic Midwestern newspaper and...
- 5/8/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Travis Kelce has joined the cast of Ryan Murphy’s new horror series “Grotesquerie.”
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end has been cast opposite Niecy Nash-Betts, Courtney B. Vance and Lesley Manville in the FX series, which will premiere this fall. Although character details have not been revealed, this marks Kelce’s first major acting role.
Kelce confirmed the news in an Instagram Story featuring a video of himself and Nash-Betts.
“Guys, guess who I am working with in ‘Grotesquerie’?” Nash-Betts asks in the video before panning over to Kelce.
“Stepping into new territory with Niecy,” Kelce adds.
The NFL...
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end has been cast opposite Niecy Nash-Betts, Courtney B. Vance and Lesley Manville in the FX series, which will premiere this fall. Although character details have not been revealed, this marks Kelce’s first major acting role.
Kelce confirmed the news in an Instagram Story featuring a video of himself and Nash-Betts.
“Guys, guess who I am working with in ‘Grotesquerie’?” Nash-Betts asks in the video before panning over to Kelce.
“Stepping into new territory with Niecy,” Kelce adds.
The NFL...
- 5/8/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety - TV News
Isabelle Huppert will preside over the main jury of the upcoming Venice Film Festival.
The revered French actor has a longstanding rapport with the Lido, having won Venice’s
Coppa Volpi for best actress twice, first with “Story of Women” in 1988, and subsequently with “La Cérémonie” in 1995, both directed by Claude Chabrol.
Huppert – who has made a total of eight films with Chabrol – also has a close bond with the Cannes Film Festival where in 1978 she won the best actress statuette for Chabrol’s “Violette.” In 2001, Huppert won her second best actress award at Cannes for her tour-de-force performance as a sado-masochistic music professor in Michael Haneke’s “The Piano.” In 2005, Huppert was honored by Venice with a Special Golden Lion for her titular role in “Gabrielle,” Patrice Chéreau’s costume drama about an imploded marriage.
In 2017 she gained her first Academy Award nomination for her role as a rape...
The revered French actor has a longstanding rapport with the Lido, having won Venice’s
Coppa Volpi for best actress twice, first with “Story of Women” in 1988, and subsequently with “La Cérémonie” in 1995, both directed by Claude Chabrol.
Huppert – who has made a total of eight films with Chabrol – also has a close bond with the Cannes Film Festival where in 1978 she won the best actress statuette for Chabrol’s “Violette.” In 2001, Huppert won her second best actress award at Cannes for her tour-de-force performance as a sado-masochistic music professor in Michael Haneke’s “The Piano.” In 2005, Huppert was honored by Venice with a Special Golden Lion for her titular role in “Gabrielle,” Patrice Chéreau’s costume drama about an imploded marriage.
In 2017 she gained her first Academy Award nomination for her role as a rape...
- 5/8/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety - Film News
Mubi has kicked off its 2024 Cannes Film Festival early and in style, acquiring worldwide rights to one of the buzziest films set to premiere in competition.
The arthouse distributor, production banner and streamer has landed Coralie Fargeat’s body horror “The Substance,” starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Denis Quaid, picking up all rights for North America, U.K., Ireland, Germany, Austria, Latin America and Benelux, where it will release theatrically this year. Mubi has also acquired the rights for Turkey and India. The Match Factory, owned by Mubi, is handling sales for all other territories.
Written and directed by Fargeat, who made a noise with her debut, 2017’s action-thriller “Revenge,” “The Substance” goes into Cannes with a significant amount of intrigue, having been produced by Working Title, the Brit banner best known for rom-coms and prestige dramas.
“Have you ever dreamed of a better version of yourself?” reads the...
The arthouse distributor, production banner and streamer has landed Coralie Fargeat’s body horror “The Substance,” starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Denis Quaid, picking up all rights for North America, U.K., Ireland, Germany, Austria, Latin America and Benelux, where it will release theatrically this year. Mubi has also acquired the rights for Turkey and India. The Match Factory, owned by Mubi, is handling sales for all other territories.
Written and directed by Fargeat, who made a noise with her debut, 2017’s action-thriller “Revenge,” “The Substance” goes into Cannes with a significant amount of intrigue, having been produced by Working Title, the Brit banner best known for rom-coms and prestige dramas.
“Have you ever dreamed of a better version of yourself?” reads the...
- 5/8/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Susan Buckner, an American actor best known for her role as Patty Simcox in the 1978 musical “Grease,” died May 2. She was 72. Her death was confirmed by her publicist.
At the age of 25, Buckner was cast in the role of the Rydell High cheerleader, joining a cast that included John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. As Simcox, Buckner played a solider of school spirit, with an iconic cheer cemented into fans’ minds: “Do the splits, give a yell! Show a little spirit for old Rydell! Way to go, red and white! Go Rydell, fight, fight, fight!”
Buckner continued working as an actor with guest credits across several television shows, including “The Love Boat,” “B.J and the Bear” and “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries.” She co-starred in the ABC series “When the Whistle Blows.” Among other notable feature credits, Buckner appeared in Wes Craven’s 1981 horror film “Deadly Blessing” opposite Sharon Stone, as...
At the age of 25, Buckner was cast in the role of the Rydell High cheerleader, joining a cast that included John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. As Simcox, Buckner played a solider of school spirit, with an iconic cheer cemented into fans’ minds: “Do the splits, give a yell! Show a little spirit for old Rydell! Way to go, red and white! Go Rydell, fight, fight, fight!”
Buckner continued working as an actor with guest credits across several television shows, including “The Love Boat,” “B.J and the Bear” and “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries.” She co-starred in the ABC series “When the Whistle Blows.” Among other notable feature credits, Buckner appeared in Wes Craven’s 1981 horror film “Deadly Blessing” opposite Sharon Stone, as...
- 5/7/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety - Film News
The “Blade Runner” series in the works at Amazon Prime Video has cast Michelle Yeoh in a lead role, Variety has learned.
The series, titled “Blade Runner 2099,” was ordered at Amazon in September 2022. It serves as a sequel to both the original “Blade Runner” film and the followup film, “Blade Runner 2049.” Exact plot details are being kept under wraps, but sources say Yeoh will play a character named Olwen, described as a replicant near the end of her life.
Amazon declined to comment on specific character details.
Yeoh won the Academy Award for best actress for “Everything Everywhere All at Once...
The series, titled “Blade Runner 2099,” was ordered at Amazon in September 2022. It serves as a sequel to both the original “Blade Runner” film and the followup film, “Blade Runner 2049.” Exact plot details are being kept under wraps, but sources say Yeoh will play a character named Olwen, described as a replicant near the end of her life.
Amazon declined to comment on specific character details.
Yeoh won the Academy Award for best actress for “Everything Everywhere All at Once...
- 5/7/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Some breaking news from Westeros: The Game of Thrones prequel series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has added a major talent from Black Mirror to serve as its debut season’s lead director, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Owen Harris has boarded the HBO drama as an executive producer and will also direct the first three episodes, establishing the directorial vision for the series. Harris is best known for helming two of Black Mirror‘s finest episodes — “Be Right Back” and the widely acclaimed “San Junipero.”
In addition, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms‘ episode count has now been revealed: The first season will be six episodes, making for a tighter opener than the 10-episode first seasons of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. The run time seems appropriate given Knight is an adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s 160-page novella The Hedge Knight rather than one of his 900-page epic novels.
Owen Harris has boarded the HBO drama as an executive producer and will also direct the first three episodes, establishing the directorial vision for the series. Harris is best known for helming two of Black Mirror‘s finest episodes — “Be Right Back” and the widely acclaimed “San Junipero.”
In addition, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms‘ episode count has now been revealed: The first season will be six episodes, making for a tighter opener than the 10-episode first seasons of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. The run time seems appropriate given Knight is an adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s 160-page novella The Hedge Knight rather than one of his 900-page epic novels.
- 5/7/2024
- by James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Primates will rule (the box office) again!
Disney’s “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is aiming for $50 million to $55 million from 3,700 theaters in its domestic debut, which will easily be enough to tower over the box office chart. Those ticket sales are roughly even with two of the three prior installments in 20th Century’s rebooted “Planet of the Apes” franchise: 2017’s “War for the Planet of the Apes” opened to $56.2 million and 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” opened to $54.8 million, while 2014’s “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” notched a series-best $72 million.
At the international box office, where “Apes” movies tend to make the bulk of their revenues, this installment is tracking to collect $80 million to $90 million. Based on those projections, the film should end up on Sunday with a solid $130 million to $140 million at the global box office.
Directed by Wes Ball,...
Disney’s “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is aiming for $50 million to $55 million from 3,700 theaters in its domestic debut, which will easily be enough to tower over the box office chart. Those ticket sales are roughly even with two of the three prior installments in 20th Century’s rebooted “Planet of the Apes” franchise: 2017’s “War for the Planet of the Apes” opened to $56.2 million and 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” opened to $54.8 million, while 2014’s “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” notched a series-best $72 million.
At the international box office, where “Apes” movies tend to make the bulk of their revenues, this installment is tracking to collect $80 million to $90 million. Based on those projections, the film should end up on Sunday with a solid $130 million to $140 million at the global box office.
Directed by Wes Ball,...
- 5/7/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Lionsgate will handle U.S. distribution of eagerly awaited “Greenland” sequel “Greenland: Migration,” Variety can confirm.
STX, which has a distribution partnership with Lionsgate, is handling international distribution.
Directed by Ric Roman Waugh from a screenplay by Chris Sparling and Mitchell Lafortune, “Greenland: Migration” sees Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin return as John and Allison Garrity. Along with their diabetic son Nathan, the couple were forced to flee in the first film as a comet hurtled towards earth, threatening to destroy the planet. In the sequel the family embark on a perilous journey across what’s left of Europe to find a new home.
Butler and Baccarin are joined by Roman Griffin Davis (“Jojo Rabbit”), Amber Rose Revah (“The Punisher”) and Trond Fausa (“Oppenheimer”) in the film, which is produced by Anton, STX Entertainment, Thunder Road Pictures and Butler’s G-base Entertainment.
“In the film, the Garrity family, having found...
STX, which has a distribution partnership with Lionsgate, is handling international distribution.
Directed by Ric Roman Waugh from a screenplay by Chris Sparling and Mitchell Lafortune, “Greenland: Migration” sees Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin return as John and Allison Garrity. Along with their diabetic son Nathan, the couple were forced to flee in the first film as a comet hurtled towards earth, threatening to destroy the planet. In the sequel the family embark on a perilous journey across what’s left of Europe to find a new home.
Butler and Baccarin are joined by Roman Griffin Davis (“Jojo Rabbit”), Amber Rose Revah (“The Punisher”) and Trond Fausa (“Oppenheimer”) in the film, which is produced by Anton, STX Entertainment, Thunder Road Pictures and Butler’s G-base Entertainment.
“In the film, the Garrity family, having found...
- 5/9/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety - Film News
“Lioness” has been renewed for Season 2 at Paramount+, Variety has learned.
Previously titled “Special Ops: Lioness,” the series debuted its first season at the streamer in July 2023. It hails from Taylor Sheridan, who produced the series under his expansive overall deal with Paramount.
The series stars Zoe Saldana, Laysla De Oliveira, Nicole Kidman, Michael Kelly, and Morgan Freeman. Freeman will be a series regular in the second season. Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, Lamonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton and Hannah Love Lanier also star.
“Our Paramount+ audience resoundingly has joined forces in support of ‘Lioness’’ gripping, global story...
Previously titled “Special Ops: Lioness,” the series debuted its first season at the streamer in July 2023. It hails from Taylor Sheridan, who produced the series under his expansive overall deal with Paramount.
The series stars Zoe Saldana, Laysla De Oliveira, Nicole Kidman, Michael Kelly, and Morgan Freeman. Freeman will be a series regular in the second season. Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, Lamonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton and Hannah Love Lanier also star.
“Our Paramount+ audience resoundingly has joined forces in support of ‘Lioness’’ gripping, global story...
- 5/9/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Warner Bros. has made it official: It will be returning to Middle Earth.
On Warner Bros. Discovery’s first-quarter earnings conference call on Thursday, CEO David Zaslav said that the company is “now in the early stages of script development” for new Lord of the Rings movies, which he says they “anticipate releasing in 2026” and will “explore storylines yet to be told.”
The first film, from New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, will be called Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum (Wt), with Andy Serkis set to star and direct the feature,
Zaslav says that director Peter Jackson and his longtime writing partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens “will be involved every step of the way.” Boyens and Walsh will write the screenplay. The deal covers two films in the franchise.
“It is an honour and a privilege to travel back to Middle-earth with our good friend and collaborator,...
On Warner Bros. Discovery’s first-quarter earnings conference call on Thursday, CEO David Zaslav said that the company is “now in the early stages of script development” for new Lord of the Rings movies, which he says they “anticipate releasing in 2026” and will “explore storylines yet to be told.”
The first film, from New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, will be called Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum (Wt), with Andy Serkis set to star and direct the feature,
Zaslav says that director Peter Jackson and his longtime writing partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens “will be involved every step of the way.” Boyens and Walsh will write the screenplay. The deal covers two films in the franchise.
“It is an honour and a privilege to travel back to Middle-earth with our good friend and collaborator,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Music Group reported fiscal second-quarter revenue of $1.5 billion, up 7 percent from a year ago, and net income of $96 million, up from $37 million a year ago. While both numbers saw a jump, the company reported earnings per share of 18 cents per share, below Wall Street expectations of 20 cents.
The bottom-line results were driven by a strong operating performance, $12 million in savings from a March 2023 restructuring plan, and the impact of exchange rates on the company’s Euro-denominated debt, which led to a gain of $21 million in the quarter compared to a loss of $20 million in the prior-year quarter.
“Our performance in the quarter was driven by an acceleration in Recorded Music subscription streaming growth and continued momentum in music publishing,” said Bryan Castellani, CFO of Warner Music. “Encouraged by the continued growth in engagement and value of music, we remain focused on delivering on our strategy and driving long-term shareholder value.
The bottom-line results were driven by a strong operating performance, $12 million in savings from a March 2023 restructuring plan, and the impact of exchange rates on the company’s Euro-denominated debt, which led to a gain of $21 million in the quarter compared to a loss of $20 million in the prior-year quarter.
“Our performance in the quarter was driven by an acceleration in Recorded Music subscription streaming growth and continued momentum in music publishing,” said Bryan Castellani, CFO of Warner Music. “Encouraged by the continued growth in engagement and value of music, we remain focused on delivering on our strategy and driving long-term shareholder value.
- 5/9/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. will release the first of its new batch of “The Lord of the Rings” films in 2026, which will focus on Andy Serkis’s Gollum.
Original “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy filmmaker Peter Jackson and his writing partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are producing the movie and “will be involved every step of the way” on the movie, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said during an earnings call Thursday.
The project is currently in the early stages of script development and will “explore storylines yet to be told,” Zaslav said.
The Wbd chief added: “‘Lord of the Rings’ is one of the most successful and revered franchises in history and presents a significant opportunity for theatrical business.”
Warner Bros. first announced in February 2023 that then-newly-installed studio leaders Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy had brokered a deal to make “multiple” films based on the beloved J. R. R. Tolkien books.
Original “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy filmmaker Peter Jackson and his writing partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are producing the movie and “will be involved every step of the way” on the movie, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said during an earnings call Thursday.
The project is currently in the early stages of script development and will “explore storylines yet to be told,” Zaslav said.
The Wbd chief added: “‘Lord of the Rings’ is one of the most successful and revered franchises in history and presents a significant opportunity for theatrical business.”
Warner Bros. first announced in February 2023 that then-newly-installed studio leaders Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy had brokered a deal to make “multiple” films based on the beloved J. R. R. Tolkien books.
- 5/9/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety - Film News
As it cruises toward its $13 billion deal to go private with Silver Lake, Endeavor reported first-quarter earnings Thursday.
The company reported total revenue of $1.85 billion, and a net loss of $303.5 million, with adjusted Ebitda of $374.1 million. Total revenue was way up compared to last year, thanks to sports entertainment powerhouse WWE now being controlled by the company.
While the company’s owned sports division (consisting primarily of Tko Group Holdings) reported a strong quarter of $685.4 million, its other divisions reported slight declines compared to last year, owing to fewer events being held in the first quarter of 2024 than the prior year.
In Endeavor’s representation segment, which includes the WME talent agency, revenue was $345.3 million, down 1.4 percent. The company says that WME’s music, comedy, talent and sports divisions were all up, but that “certain fashion projects” that took place in the first quarter of 2023 did not happen in the quarter this year,...
The company reported total revenue of $1.85 billion, and a net loss of $303.5 million, with adjusted Ebitda of $374.1 million. Total revenue was way up compared to last year, thanks to sports entertainment powerhouse WWE now being controlled by the company.
While the company’s owned sports division (consisting primarily of Tko Group Holdings) reported a strong quarter of $685.4 million, its other divisions reported slight declines compared to last year, owing to fewer events being held in the first quarter of 2024 than the prior year.
In Endeavor’s representation segment, which includes the WME talent agency, revenue was $345.3 million, down 1.4 percent. The company says that WME’s music, comedy, talent and sports divisions were all up, but that “certain fashion projects” that took place in the first quarter of 2023 did not happen in the quarter this year,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Pan-Arab distributor Mad Solutions is expanding operations by setting up Mad World, a Dubai-based company dedicated to selling Arab movies internationally that will officially launch in Cannes.
Touted as Arab cinema’s first global sales outfit, Mad World segues from Mad Solution’s first foray in the international distribution arena last year with Sudanese director Mohamed Kordofani’s “Goodbye Julia” which they sold widely after it’s splashy launch from Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section.
In addition to acquiring global rights to an increasing number of international co-productions, the Cairo-based studio has been stepping up its involvement in packaging Arabic projects with global market potential.
Besides fresh product, Mad World will be handling sales on an extensive library of recent festival award-winners, including shorts, and a back-catalog of titles comprising regional theatrical and streaming titles, many of which have not reached audiences outside the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.
Touted as Arab cinema’s first global sales outfit, Mad World segues from Mad Solution’s first foray in the international distribution arena last year with Sudanese director Mohamed Kordofani’s “Goodbye Julia” which they sold widely after it’s splashy launch from Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section.
In addition to acquiring global rights to an increasing number of international co-productions, the Cairo-based studio has been stepping up its involvement in packaging Arabic projects with global market potential.
Besides fresh product, Mad World will be handling sales on an extensive library of recent festival award-winners, including shorts, and a back-catalog of titles comprising regional theatrical and streaming titles, many of which have not reached audiences outside the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.
- 5/9/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety - Film News
Oscar winner Cate Blanchett will receive the Donostia Award at the 72nd San Sebastian Film Festival.
The Australian star, known for her roles in films such as The Aviator, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and more recently the Oscar-nominated Tár, will also feature on the official poster for the festival, created by graphic designer José Luis Lanzagorta.
Blanchett has racked up more than 200 acknowledgments and accolades across her long-spanning career, including two Academy Awards from six nominations. She has won four BAFTAs and four Golden Globes.
It will be her first visit to the event in San Sebastian, Spain, taking place Sept. 20-28, though the festival has already screened a number of her films, including Babel (2007) and Veronica Guerin (2003), competing for the top prize, the Golden Shell.
The announcement marks the second time an Australian actor has been given the festival’s highest honorary award after Hugh Jackman in...
The Australian star, known for her roles in films such as The Aviator, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and more recently the Oscar-nominated Tár, will also feature on the official poster for the festival, created by graphic designer José Luis Lanzagorta.
Blanchett has racked up more than 200 acknowledgments and accolades across her long-spanning career, including two Academy Awards from six nominations. She has won four BAFTAs and four Golden Globes.
It will be her first visit to the event in San Sebastian, Spain, taking place Sept. 20-28, though the festival has already screened a number of her films, including Babel (2007) and Veronica Guerin (2003), competing for the top prize, the Golden Shell.
The announcement marks the second time an Australian actor has been given the festival’s highest honorary award after Hugh Jackman in...
- 5/9/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Protagonist Pictures has unveiled the new drama-thriller Press Your Luck, starring Paul Walter Hauser (Black Bird, Richard Jewell, I, Tonya). The company on Thursday also unveiled a first glimpse at the project, based on the “incredible” true story of Michael Larson, an unemployed ice-cream truck driver from Ohio who steps onto the game show “Press Your Luck” harboring a secret: the key to endless amounts of money. But his winning streak gets threatened when executives in the control room start to uncover his real motivations.
The all-star ensemble cast also includes Walton Goggins (Fallout, The Righteous Gemstones, The Hateful Eight), David Strathairn (Nomadland, Good Night and Good Luck), Maisie Williams (The New Look, Game of Thrones), Haley Bennett (Swallow, The Magnificent Seven), Shamier Anderson (John Wick: Chapter 4, “Invasion”), and David Rysdahl (Fargo, Oppenheimer).
Jackass legend Johnny Knoxville, Brian Geraghty (The Hurt Locker, Chicago P.D.), Patti Harrison (Theater Camp,...
The all-star ensemble cast also includes Walton Goggins (Fallout, The Righteous Gemstones, The Hateful Eight), David Strathairn (Nomadland, Good Night and Good Luck), Maisie Williams (The New Look, Game of Thrones), Haley Bennett (Swallow, The Magnificent Seven), Shamier Anderson (John Wick: Chapter 4, “Invasion”), and David Rysdahl (Fargo, Oppenheimer).
Jackass legend Johnny Knoxville, Brian Geraghty (The Hurt Locker, Chicago P.D.), Patti Harrison (Theater Camp,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paul Walter Hauser has added another project to a packed upcoming slate.
The Emmy and Golden Globe winner, who in the last few weeks alone has been tapped to play Chris Farley in Josh Gad’s biopic and has joined the cast of both “Fantastic Four” and the “Naked Gun” reboot, is to lead “Press Your Luck,” a drama-thriller based on the true story of Michael Larson. Protagonist Pictures has unveiled the drama-thriller — from Plenty Good in co-production with Fabula — alongside a first look image and will handle international sales, while CAA Media Finance represents North American rights.
Set in 1984, “Press Your Luck” follows Larson, an unemployed truck driver from Ohio who stepped onto the game show “Press Your Luck” harbouring a secret: the key to endless amounts of money. But his winning streak gets threatened when the executives in the control room start to uncover his real motivations.
The...
The Emmy and Golden Globe winner, who in the last few weeks alone has been tapped to play Chris Farley in Josh Gad’s biopic and has joined the cast of both “Fantastic Four” and the “Naked Gun” reboot, is to lead “Press Your Luck,” a drama-thriller based on the true story of Michael Larson. Protagonist Pictures has unveiled the drama-thriller — from Plenty Good in co-production with Fabula — alongside a first look image and will handle international sales, while CAA Media Finance represents North American rights.
Set in 1984, “Press Your Luck” follows Larson, an unemployed truck driver from Ohio who stepped onto the game show “Press Your Luck” harbouring a secret: the key to endless amounts of money. But his winning streak gets threatened when the executives in the control room start to uncover his real motivations.
The...
- 5/9/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
Endeavor delivered a loss for the first three months of the year as the parent company of UFC, WWE, WME and Img burned through nearly $400 million in cash during the first quarter.
The company released its Q1 2024 earnings report Thursday, which is likely to be one of its last as a public company as Endeavor awaits the completion of its deal to be bought out at $27.50 per share in cash by private-equity firm Silver Lake. That deal is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
The parent company that controls publicly traded sports firm Tko Group Holdings,...
The company released its Q1 2024 earnings report Thursday, which is likely to be one of its last as a public company as Endeavor awaits the completion of its deal to be bought out at $27.50 per share in cash by private-equity firm Silver Lake. That deal is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
The parent company that controls publicly traded sports firm Tko Group Holdings,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety - TV News
Warner Bros. Discovery reported its first-quarter 2024 earnings Thursday, revealing it had reached 99.6 million paid streaming subscribers in a tough quarter for studios and networks.
That’s a growth of nearly 2 million subscribers from the 97.7 million subs across HBO and streamers Max and Discovery+ that Warner Bros. Discovery reported for the end of 2023.
On Wednesday, Wbd and Disney announced a deal to launch a streaming bundle with Max, Disney+ and Hulu this summer. Pricing wasn’t disclosed.
Wbd’s overall net loss for the first quarter of 2024 was $966 million. Free cash flow stood at $390 million. The company paid $515 million in net...
That’s a growth of nearly 2 million subscribers from the 97.7 million subs across HBO and streamers Max and Discovery+ that Warner Bros. Discovery reported for the end of 2023.
On Wednesday, Wbd and Disney announced a deal to launch a streaming bundle with Max, Disney+ and Hulu this summer. Pricing wasn’t disclosed.
Wbd’s overall net loss for the first quarter of 2024 was $966 million. Free cash flow stood at $390 million. The company paid $515 million in net...
- 5/9/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety - TV News
Warner Bros. Discovery posted a first-quarter profit of $86 million for its Direct-to-Consumer (Dtc) unit, which includes its streaming and premium pay-tv services, compared with a $50 million year-ago profit, after turning a full-year 2023 profit earlier this year.
The company, led by CEO David Zaslav, said Thursday that it ended March with 99.6 million global streaming subscribers, compared with 97.7 million as of the end of 2023 and ahead of Wall Street expectations. Segment revenue was nearly unchanged at $2.46 billion, helped by subscriber price increases and higher advertising revenue, driven by Max U.S. ad-lite subscriber gains.
With Netflix profitable and being seen by some observers as the king of streaming, Wall Street has been looking for Hollywood conglomerates to make their streaming business units profitable after an initial focus on subscriber growth. Most sector giants ended 2023 with a ways to go.
On a morning analyst call, Wbd execs talked about proposed streaming bundle partnerships with rival studios,...
The company, led by CEO David Zaslav, said Thursday that it ended March with 99.6 million global streaming subscribers, compared with 97.7 million as of the end of 2023 and ahead of Wall Street expectations. Segment revenue was nearly unchanged at $2.46 billion, helped by subscriber price increases and higher advertising revenue, driven by Max U.S. ad-lite subscriber gains.
With Netflix profitable and being seen by some observers as the king of streaming, Wall Street has been looking for Hollywood conglomerates to make their streaming business units profitable after an initial focus on subscriber growth. Most sector giants ended 2023 with a ways to go.
On a morning analyst call, Wbd execs talked about proposed streaming bundle partnerships with rival studios,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amsterdam- and Beijing-based Fortissimo Films is to pre-sell Chinese crime drama “Family at large,” kicking off at the Cannes Market.
The film had previously been announced with sales handled jointly by Fortissimo and Rediance. Now, Fortissimo alone is representing rights worldwide, ex-China.
Directed by Kang Bo, the film is set in the chilly far north of the country. Recently released from prison, Zhu Shaoyu is a former trafficker of women who is forced to return to the sordid business when his son is abducted. He goes undercover and tries to infiltrate the kidnap gang. But he finds that the boy’s minder, awash in gambling debts, is also intent on holding him hostage. In order to gain leverage, the gang targets the minder’s pregnant girlfriend and convinces her to sell her unborn child.
The cast is headed by the in-demand Hu Ge “(“The Wild Goose Lake,” Wong Kar-wai’s...
The film had previously been announced with sales handled jointly by Fortissimo and Rediance. Now, Fortissimo alone is representing rights worldwide, ex-China.
Directed by Kang Bo, the film is set in the chilly far north of the country. Recently released from prison, Zhu Shaoyu is a former trafficker of women who is forced to return to the sordid business when his son is abducted. He goes undercover and tries to infiltrate the kidnap gang. But he finds that the boy’s minder, awash in gambling debts, is also intent on holding him hostage. In order to gain leverage, the gang targets the minder’s pregnant girlfriend and convinces her to sell her unborn child.
The cast is headed by the in-demand Hu Ge “(“The Wild Goose Lake,” Wong Kar-wai’s...
- 5/9/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
Doctor Who mastermind Russell T. Davies is weighing in on the controversy surrounding Netflix‘s smash hit series Baby Reindeer.
The writer said in an interview with The Times that the BBC would have been “much stricter” when it comes to disguising the real-life identities of the characters created by Scottish comedian Richard Gadd. “Compliance and editorial policy drives us mad here but I sleep at night,” Davies said.
His comments follow a whirlwind of scrutiny for Netflix producers, and even fans of the series, who took it upon themselves to try and unveil the real people depicted on the show, including the trans woman Gadd’s character dates, played by Nava Mau, and the TV producer who sexually assaults him, portrayed by Tom Goodman-Hill.
On Thursday, British host Piers Morgan will interview a woman named Fiona Harvey who claims to be the inspiration behind the show’s stalker, Martha.
The writer said in an interview with The Times that the BBC would have been “much stricter” when it comes to disguising the real-life identities of the characters created by Scottish comedian Richard Gadd. “Compliance and editorial policy drives us mad here but I sleep at night,” Davies said.
His comments follow a whirlwind of scrutiny for Netflix producers, and even fans of the series, who took it upon themselves to try and unveil the real people depicted on the show, including the trans woman Gadd’s character dates, played by Nava Mau, and the TV producer who sexually assaults him, portrayed by Tom Goodman-Hill.
On Thursday, British host Piers Morgan will interview a woman named Fiona Harvey who claims to be the inspiration behind the show’s stalker, Martha.
- 5/9/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Venice Film Festival will honor Australian director and screenwriter Peter Weir (Dead Poets Society, The Truman Show, Master and Commander) with its Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 81st edition, running Aug. 28 to Sept 7.
The decision was made by the board of la Biennale di Venezia, based on a proposal made by festival director Alberto Barbera.
“The Venice Film Festival and its Golden Lion are part of the folklore of our craft,” said Weir. “To be singled out as a recipient for a lifetime’s work as a director is a considerable honor.”
Said Barbera: “With a total of only 13 movies directed over the course of 40 years, Peter Weir has secured a place in the firmament of the great directors of modern cinema. At the end of the 1970s, he made a name for himself as the main man behind the rebirth of Australian film thanks to two movies,...
The decision was made by the board of la Biennale di Venezia, based on a proposal made by festival director Alberto Barbera.
“The Venice Film Festival and its Golden Lion are part of the folklore of our craft,” said Weir. “To be singled out as a recipient for a lifetime’s work as a director is a considerable honor.”
Said Barbera: “With a total of only 13 movies directed over the course of 40 years, Peter Weir has secured a place in the firmament of the great directors of modern cinema. At the end of the 1970s, he made a name for himself as the main man behind the rebirth of Australian film thanks to two movies,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Venice Film Festival will honor Australian director and screenwriter Peter Weir – whose body of work comprises “Dead Poets Society,” “The Truman Show,” and “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” – with its 2024 Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.
“With a total of only thirteen movies directed over the course of forty years, Peter Weir has secured a place in the firmament of the great directors of modern cinema,” Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera said in a statement.
Barbera added that Weir made a name for himself at the end of the 1970s as the leading figure behind the rebirth of Australian cinema thanks to two movies: “The Cars That Ate Paris” (1974) and cult classic “Picnic at Hanging Rock” (1975). The international success of his following two films, “Gallipoli” and “The Year of Living Dangerously” then “opened Hollywood’s doors.”
“Weir combines reflections on personal themes and a need to...
“With a total of only thirteen movies directed over the course of forty years, Peter Weir has secured a place in the firmament of the great directors of modern cinema,” Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera said in a statement.
Barbera added that Weir made a name for himself at the end of the 1970s as the leading figure behind the rebirth of Australian cinema thanks to two movies: “The Cars That Ate Paris” (1974) and cult classic “Picnic at Hanging Rock” (1975). The international success of his following two films, “Gallipoli” and “The Year of Living Dangerously” then “opened Hollywood’s doors.”
“Weir combines reflections on personal themes and a need to...
- 5/9/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety - Film News
Skyline Media, a leading Vietnamese studio, is getting ready for Cannes with a string of sales on its local and Southeast Asian film sales slate.
Since appearing at FilMart in Hong Kong in March, Skyine has licensed Cambodian horror title “The Night Curse of Reatrei” to Taiwan’s Cai Chang International and to Exponenta Film for the Cis region. The film about a woman doctor who takes up a job in an orphanage, only to find that the place is haunted, is directed by Leak Lyda. Starring Jenna Norodom, Shin Yubin and Paing Takhon, the Khmer-language film is Cambodia’s highest-grossing horror title of all time.
Vietnamese horror film, “The Soul Reaper,” scored $2.34 million at its domestic box office, having been released at the end of 2023. Since its market debut in Busan last year, the film has since added $320,000 of theatrical revenue in Myanmar and Taiwan and been licensed to Netflix for 11 East Asian territories.
Since appearing at FilMart in Hong Kong in March, Skyine has licensed Cambodian horror title “The Night Curse of Reatrei” to Taiwan’s Cai Chang International and to Exponenta Film for the Cis region. The film about a woman doctor who takes up a job in an orphanage, only to find that the place is haunted, is directed by Leak Lyda. Starring Jenna Norodom, Shin Yubin and Paing Takhon, the Khmer-language film is Cambodia’s highest-grossing horror title of all time.
Vietnamese horror film, “The Soul Reaper,” scored $2.34 million at its domestic box office, having been released at the end of 2023. Since its market debut in Busan last year, the film has since added $320,000 of theatrical revenue in Myanmar and Taiwan and been licensed to Netflix for 11 East Asian territories.
- 5/9/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
Actor George MacKay has reunited with his “For Those in Peril” director Paul Wright for “Mission.”
Backed by BBC Film, Screen Scotland and Ffilm Cymru Wales with funding from the U.K. National Lottery, “Mission” is a co-production between Early Day Films (BAFTA winner “Bait”) and 65 Wilding Films (“Baltimore”). The project was developed with Screen Scotland and BBC Film.
The producers describe “Mission” as “a punk exploration of the psyche which follows alienated Dylan (MacKay) as he throws off the shackles of his solitary life in an attempt to experience the highs and lows of existence at its most extreme, embarking on a thrilling journey of self-discovery that proves both inspiring and terrifying.”
Blue Finch Films will be handling worldwide sales on the project.
“Mission” is produced by Kate Byers, Linn Waite (Early Day Films), Alex Thiele (65 Wilding Films), Marie-Elena Dyche (Meraki Films) and Lowri Roberts (Rapt), with Maisie Williams...
Backed by BBC Film, Screen Scotland and Ffilm Cymru Wales with funding from the U.K. National Lottery, “Mission” is a co-production between Early Day Films (BAFTA winner “Bait”) and 65 Wilding Films (“Baltimore”). The project was developed with Screen Scotland and BBC Film.
The producers describe “Mission” as “a punk exploration of the psyche which follows alienated Dylan (MacKay) as he throws off the shackles of his solitary life in an attempt to experience the highs and lows of existence at its most extreme, embarking on a thrilling journey of self-discovery that proves both inspiring and terrifying.”
Blue Finch Films will be handling worldwide sales on the project.
“Mission” is produced by Kate Byers, Linn Waite (Early Day Films), Alex Thiele (65 Wilding Films), Marie-Elena Dyche (Meraki Films) and Lowri Roberts (Rapt), with Maisie Williams...
- 5/9/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety - Film News
Documentary festival Millennium Docs Against Gravity, running in Poland from Friday to May 19 and online from May 21 to July 3, is in its 21st edition, but its industry section is a relatively recent addition. However, it is growing in size and impact.
The section started small four years ago, as Anna Szczypińska, head of the section, explains.
“At the beginning we held small, intimate networking events,” she says. “Then in 2022, when I joined, we had a short program of industry events. It included a pitching session of seven projects by Polish, Belarussian and Ukrainian filmmakers. Some panel discussions and a few networking events.”
This year’s edition reflects the emphasis of the festival organizers on growing this section. Szczypińska says, “This year we will present the 37 projects in four different pitching sessions. We are offering an extensive program of talks, masterclasses and discussion panels. These would be on different topics like distribution or the financing process.
The section started small four years ago, as Anna Szczypińska, head of the section, explains.
“At the beginning we held small, intimate networking events,” she says. “Then in 2022, when I joined, we had a short program of industry events. It included a pitching session of seven projects by Polish, Belarussian and Ukrainian filmmakers. Some panel discussions and a few networking events.”
This year’s edition reflects the emphasis of the festival organizers on growing this section. Szczypińska says, “This year we will present the 37 projects in four different pitching sessions. We are offering an extensive program of talks, masterclasses and discussion panels. These would be on different topics like distribution or the financing process.
- 5/9/2024
- by Murtada Elfadl
- Variety - Film News
Netflix and “Elite” creator Carlos Montero have reteamed on the new medical drama “Breathless,” and Variety has been given exclusive access to new first images from the show.
“Breathless” is produced by Montero’s El Desorden Crea and executive produced by Montero and Diego Betancor. David Pinillos and Marta Font shared directing duties, working from screenplays by Montero, Carlos Ruano, Guillermo Escribano, and Pablo Saiz.
Alongside today’s photos, Netflix released a new synopsis for the show: “The Joaquín Sorolla is much more than a public hospital in Valencia where lives are saved every day. Doctors and residents work their...
“Breathless” is produced by Montero’s El Desorden Crea and executive produced by Montero and Diego Betancor. David Pinillos and Marta Font shared directing duties, working from screenplays by Montero, Carlos Ruano, Guillermo Escribano, and Pablo Saiz.
Alongside today’s photos, Netflix released a new synopsis for the show: “The Joaquín Sorolla is much more than a public hospital in Valencia where lives are saved every day. Doctors and residents work their...
- 5/9/2024
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety - TV News
Korean sales firm Finecut has inked multiple deals for horror thriller “Noise” and for “A Traveler’s Needs,” the recent Berlin prize-winner directed by Hong Sangsoo.
“Noise” is a “multi-sensory and realistic horror” film that intertwines societal motifs of “floor noise” with suspenseful elements. Directed by Kim Soo-jin, the film centers around a woman with a hearing aid haunted by inexplicable sounds linked to her sister’s disappearance in her own apartment and attracting a malevolent presence. The film is currently in post-production.
Among the pre-completion buyers are France’s Kmbo, Red Castle Group for the Cis region, Indonesia’s Prima Cinema Multimedia and Thailand’s Iris Cinema Thailand. Finecut will screen a promotional extract at its booth and in the Cannes Market.
The Isabelle Huppert-starring, Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize-winner “A Traveler’s Needs” has scored multiple deals since launching at Berlin’s EFM. These include one with The Cinema...
“Noise” is a “multi-sensory and realistic horror” film that intertwines societal motifs of “floor noise” with suspenseful elements. Directed by Kim Soo-jin, the film centers around a woman with a hearing aid haunted by inexplicable sounds linked to her sister’s disappearance in her own apartment and attracting a malevolent presence. The film is currently in post-production.
Among the pre-completion buyers are France’s Kmbo, Red Castle Group for the Cis region, Indonesia’s Prima Cinema Multimedia and Thailand’s Iris Cinema Thailand. Finecut will screen a promotional extract at its booth and in the Cannes Market.
The Isabelle Huppert-starring, Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize-winner “A Traveler’s Needs” has scored multiple deals since launching at Berlin’s EFM. These include one with The Cinema...
- 5/9/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
The 50-strong cohort for the fourth iteration of the TV Collective’s groundbreaking Breakthrough Leaders program has been unveiled.
The initiative is in partnership with Fremantle, BBC Studios, Amazon, Sky, and ITV Studios. The program has identified and will empower 50 exceptional individuals from Black, Asian and global majority backgrounds who are poised to become the future leaders of the U.K. TV industry.
This year’s selection process saw a significant increase in female leaders and a broader geographic representation beyond London. Among those recognized are BAFTA-nominated screenwriter and director Shiva Raichandani, documentary filmmaker Georgie Yukiko-Donovan and Ellie Sabine-Singh, head of development at Chatterbox Media.
The initiative is in partnership with Fremantle, BBC Studios, Amazon, Sky, and ITV Studios. The program has identified and will empower 50 exceptional individuals from Black, Asian and global majority backgrounds who are poised to become the future leaders of the U.K. TV industry.
This year’s selection process saw a significant increase in female leaders and a broader geographic representation beyond London. Among those recognized are BAFTA-nominated screenwriter and director Shiva Raichandani, documentary filmmaker Georgie Yukiko-Donovan and Ellie Sabine-Singh, head of development at Chatterbox Media.
- 5/9/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety - TV News
‘Mother of the Bride’ Review: Brooke Shields Says I Do to Netflix’s Aggressively Inoffensive Rom-Com
After “Ticket to Paradise” and “Destination Wedding” showed us the different ways in which calamity ensues when planning weddings abroad, Netflix releases “Mother of the Bride,” which combines the essential elements of both those recent romantic comedies into one passable package. The far-off setting emphasizes the lavish and luxe, though the narrative is cheaply woven and fairly threadbare. While “Mean Girls” director Mark Waters’ latest fails to add anything unique to the conversation, it does scrounge up a modest amount of heart when it comes to its saccharine sweet message of never giving up on happily ever after.
Mere seconds after her extravagant proposal, Emma (Miranda Cosgrove) begins fretting to her fiancé Rj (Sean Teale) about how to frame their engagement to her judgmental widowed mom Dr. Lana Winslow (Brooke Shields), who doesn’t even know her only child has a steady beau. Cue zany, plucky score. Mom’s been busy saving the world,...
Mere seconds after her extravagant proposal, Emma (Miranda Cosgrove) begins fretting to her fiancé Rj (Sean Teale) about how to frame their engagement to her judgmental widowed mom Dr. Lana Winslow (Brooke Shields), who doesn’t even know her only child has a steady beau. Cue zany, plucky score. Mom’s been busy saving the world,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Courtney Howard
- Variety - Film News
Bodkin, Netflix’s new darkly comic mystery series about true crime podcasting, is a slow burn, not to be confused with Slow Burn, the true crime podcast briefly adapted as an Epix series.
Created by Jez Scharf, boasting the Obamas’ Higher Ground among its producers and featuring Will Forte as its most prominent star, Bodkin is a show that I felt a reasonable amount of investment in by the end. But the cumulative effect belies the fact that it’s a series that does a bunch of little things well in a low-key way, rather than doing any one thing spectacularly well.
It’s a satire without any big laughs, a puzzle without many shocking twists and a character study, but of a very muted sort. If you go in looking for big reactions to anything, you’ll be disappointed. If you look for some minor insights into our instinctive love of voyeuristic storytelling,...
Created by Jez Scharf, boasting the Obamas’ Higher Ground among its producers and featuring Will Forte as its most prominent star, Bodkin is a show that I felt a reasonable amount of investment in by the end. But the cumulative effect belies the fact that it’s a series that does a bunch of little things well in a low-key way, rather than doing any one thing spectacularly well.
It’s a satire without any big laughs, a puzzle without many shocking twists and a character study, but of a very muted sort. If you go in looking for big reactions to anything, you’ll be disappointed. If you look for some minor insights into our instinctive love of voyeuristic storytelling,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ukrainian production powerhouse Film.UA is developing a bone-chilling slate of horror films all set within the same cinematic universe, the company revealed exclusively to Variety on the eve of this year’s Cannes Marché du Film.
Steeped in local folklore and delving into the rituals, sorcery and mysticism that are woven into the fabric of Ukrainian culture and mythology, the films will transport viewers into a realm where ancient powers stir and darkness reigns, unspooling stories that are rooted in historical and cultural facts and set against the backdrop of current events.
“We’re not just producing movies; we’re crafting an entire universe and forming an industry of the specific genre in Ukraine,” says Iryna Kostyuk, the producer behind two upcoming features as well as last year’s animated hit “Mavka. The Forest Song.” “Our goal is to create a diverse and immersive storytelling experience that resonates with audiences on a global scale.
Steeped in local folklore and delving into the rituals, sorcery and mysticism that are woven into the fabric of Ukrainian culture and mythology, the films will transport viewers into a realm where ancient powers stir and darkness reigns, unspooling stories that are rooted in historical and cultural facts and set against the backdrop of current events.
“We’re not just producing movies; we’re crafting an entire universe and forming an industry of the specific genre in Ukraine,” says Iryna Kostyuk, the producer behind two upcoming features as well as last year’s animated hit “Mavka. The Forest Song.” “Our goal is to create a diverse and immersive storytelling experience that resonates with audiences on a global scale.
- 5/9/2024
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety - Film News
U.K. broadcaster ITV has reported mixed financial fortunes for the first quarter of 2024.
Its advertising revenue growth of 3%, with the second quarter expected to be up around 12%, is offset by the downturn in revenues from ITV Studios. Total revenue was down 7% to £887 million ($1.10 billion), between January and March, compared to £952 million ($1.18 billion) during the same period in 2023.
Within that total, ITV Studios revenues were down by 16% to £382 million (2023: £457 million), “due to the phasing of deliveries which are heavily weighted to H2 and the expected impact from both the 2023 U.S. writers and actors strikes and the weaker demand...
Its advertising revenue growth of 3%, with the second quarter expected to be up around 12%, is offset by the downturn in revenues from ITV Studios. Total revenue was down 7% to £887 million ($1.10 billion), between January and March, compared to £952 million ($1.18 billion) during the same period in 2023.
Within that total, ITV Studios revenues were down by 16% to £382 million (2023: £457 million), “due to the phasing of deliveries which are heavily weighted to H2 and the expected impact from both the 2023 U.S. writers and actors strikes and the weaker demand...
- 5/9/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety - TV News
U.K. TV giant ITV on Thursday reported a 3 percent advertising revenue gain for the first quarter of 2024, with the current second quarter forecast to record stronger growth. But its ITV Studios unit posted a big drop “due to the phasing of deliveries which are heavily weighted to the second half and the expected impact from both the 2023 U.S. writers and actors strikes and the weaker demand from free-to-air broadcasters in Europe” which, the company said, “have been holding back spend until they see more certainty in the advertising market.”
ITV’s quarterly ad gain was in line with management’s forecasts. Compared to the same period in 2023, ITV had previously forecast its first-quarter 2024 ad revenue would be up 3 percent, “with continued strong growth in digital advertising revenues.”
On Thursday, the company highlighted “strong momentum into the second quarter, expected to be up around 12 percent,” helped by the Euros soccer...
ITV’s quarterly ad gain was in line with management’s forecasts. Compared to the same period in 2023, ITV had previously forecast its first-quarter 2024 ad revenue would be up 3 percent, “with continued strong growth in digital advertising revenues.”
On Thursday, the company highlighted “strong momentum into the second quarter, expected to be up around 12 percent,” helped by the Euros soccer...
- 5/9/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lady Gaga’s long-awaited Chromatica Ball will finally hit screens this month following a two-year wait, the singer announced Wednesday.
The concert film, originally announced in 2022, will include footage from Gaga’s global Chromatica Ball stadium tour, which featured music from her 2020 album, Chromatica. The movie premieres on HBO on May 28, and will subsequently be available to stream on Max.
“Put your hands up, come on!” the singer shouts in the trailer for the film. On Instagram, she elaborated: “This film chronicles a time of immense creativity…the fashion, the dance, the music. Revisiting the tour leaves me speechless the way we had each other — you all showed up for music and art in a big way, and with a level of excitement and freedom that I will never forget. Stadium after stadium. Sold-out crowds. The deafening sing-alongs. Chromatica was colorful revenge. The chaos of it all became pure energy and life.
The concert film, originally announced in 2022, will include footage from Gaga’s global Chromatica Ball stadium tour, which featured music from her 2020 album, Chromatica. The movie premieres on HBO on May 28, and will subsequently be available to stream on Max.
“Put your hands up, come on!” the singer shouts in the trailer for the film. On Instagram, she elaborated: “This film chronicles a time of immense creativity…the fashion, the dance, the music. Revisiting the tour leaves me speechless the way we had each other — you all showed up for music and art in a big way, and with a level of excitement and freedom that I will never forget. Stadium after stadium. Sold-out crowds. The deafening sing-alongs. Chromatica was colorful revenge. The chaos of it all became pure energy and life.
- 5/9/2024
- by Zoe G Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jerry Seinfeld has apologized to Howard Stern for comments he made about the radio personality in a recent podcast interview, including that Stern lacked “comedy chops.”
“I really feel bad for what I said about my friend Howard Stern in a conversation with David Spade and Dana Carvey, talking about the glut of comedy podcasts,” he told TMZ, referring to his appearance on Carvey and Spade’s “Fly on the Wall” podcast.
While discussing the popularity of podcast culture with Carvey and Spade, Seinfeld asked the two fellow comedians, “Howard Stern invented this, right?”
“But we’re better than him now,...
“I really feel bad for what I said about my friend Howard Stern in a conversation with David Spade and Dana Carvey, talking about the glut of comedy podcasts,” he told TMZ, referring to his appearance on Carvey and Spade’s “Fly on the Wall” podcast.
While discussing the popularity of podcast culture with Carvey and Spade, Seinfeld asked the two fellow comedians, “Howard Stern invented this, right?”
“But we’re better than him now,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety - TV News
Whoopi Goldberg took a moment this week to spotlight her friendship with Maggie Smith, recalling a time when the British actress offered support amid news that Goldberg’s mother’s health had taken a turn for the worse.
Goldberg told People she was performing in the stage adaptation of Sister Act in London when her late brother, Clyde K. Johnson, called to tell her their mother was on life support following an aneurysm. Smith, who co-starred with Goldberg in the Sister Act films, happened to be visiting the production that day.
“Having Maggie Smith be there, and being able to fall apart and having her say, ‘Listen, my friend. We’ll get you through this. We’ll get you through this. We’ll get you to the hospital so you can get her. Get you back to Berkeley so you can get home,’” Goldberg said.
The View co-host said that...
Goldberg told People she was performing in the stage adaptation of Sister Act in London when her late brother, Clyde K. Johnson, called to tell her their mother was on life support following an aneurysm. Smith, who co-starred with Goldberg in the Sister Act films, happened to be visiting the production that day.
“Having Maggie Smith be there, and being able to fall apart and having her say, ‘Listen, my friend. We’ll get you through this. We’ll get you through this. We’ll get you to the hospital so you can get her. Get you back to Berkeley so you can get home,’” Goldberg said.
The View co-host said that...
- 5/9/2024
- by Zoe G Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After producing the upcoming documentary “The Blue Angels,” J.J. Abrams and Glen Powell are in early talks to team up for a new movie, with Abrams eyeing Powell to star in his next directorial effort.
Deals have yet to close, but in the aftermath of “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Anyone but You,” no one’s career has been hotter than Powell’s, who continues to garner interest from big-name filmmakers and studios.
There’s no telling when this project would fit into Powell’s jam-packed production schedule. He’ll next be seen starring in Netflix’s “Hit Man,” which he co-wrote with director Richard Linklater, but he’s also set to star in Edgar Wright’s “The Running Man” reboot for Paramount. That news was revealed at CinemaCon, where the actor also promoted Universal’s “Twisters” as a prospective summer blockbuster. Also in the works is “Chad Powers,” a half-hour...
Deals have yet to close, but in the aftermath of “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Anyone but You,” no one’s career has been hotter than Powell’s, who continues to garner interest from big-name filmmakers and studios.
There’s no telling when this project would fit into Powell’s jam-packed production schedule. He’ll next be seen starring in Netflix’s “Hit Man,” which he co-wrote with director Richard Linklater, but he’s also set to star in Edgar Wright’s “The Running Man” reboot for Paramount. That news was revealed at CinemaCon, where the actor also promoted Universal’s “Twisters” as a prospective summer blockbuster. Also in the works is “Chad Powers,” a half-hour...
- 5/9/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
Glen Powell continues to be one of Hollywood’s most in-demand leading men of the moment.
The actor is in early talks to star in the next film from director J.J. Abrams, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. No deal is yet in place, and plot details are currently under wraps, although the project does not involve time travel, putting to rest recent rumors about Abrams’ potential plans.
A representative for Abrams’ production company, Bad Robot, declined to comment.
Powell and Abrams are both producers on Paul Crowder’s documentary film The Blue Angels, which hits Imax on May 17 before streaming on Prime Video a week later. The project follows a year with the Navy’s highly regarded Flight Demonstration Squadron.
Earlier Wednesday, THR reported that Powell is set to star opposite Anthony Mackie and Laura Dern in writer-director John Lee Hancock’s legal drama Monsanto. Rocket Science is set to...
The actor is in early talks to star in the next film from director J.J. Abrams, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. No deal is yet in place, and plot details are currently under wraps, although the project does not involve time travel, putting to rest recent rumors about Abrams’ potential plans.
A representative for Abrams’ production company, Bad Robot, declined to comment.
Powell and Abrams are both producers on Paul Crowder’s documentary film The Blue Angels, which hits Imax on May 17 before streaming on Prime Video a week later. The project follows a year with the Navy’s highly regarded Flight Demonstration Squadron.
Earlier Wednesday, THR reported that Powell is set to star opposite Anthony Mackie and Laura Dern in writer-director John Lee Hancock’s legal drama Monsanto. Rocket Science is set to...
- 5/9/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“How do I say this in a PG way?” asks Ncuti Gatwa, with a mischievous smile, ahead of the Los Angeles premiere of Doctor Who, which streams on Disney+ on May 10. Gatwa, who assumes command of the time and space-traveling Tardis as the Fifteenth Doctor, takes a pause before thoughtfully conveying his distinctive approach to expressive, headline-making style to The Hollywood Reporter.
“I’m someone that very much wears my heart on my sleeve. My emotions are very clear for everyone to see, so I like pieces that have a mixture of strength and vulnerability,” says Gatwa, who stole scenes as a Ken in Barbie, as well as on the film’s London premiere red carpet stunting in custom Valentino silver sequin short-shorts, a billowing cut-out cape and jaunty cowboy hat. “I always like something a little sexy, sensual.”
Through his close collaboration with stylist Felicity Kay, the Sex Education...
“I’m someone that very much wears my heart on my sleeve. My emotions are very clear for everyone to see, so I like pieces that have a mixture of strength and vulnerability,” says Gatwa, who stole scenes as a Ken in Barbie, as well as on the film’s London premiere red carpet stunting in custom Valentino silver sequin short-shorts, a billowing cut-out cape and jaunty cowboy hat. “I always like something a little sexy, sensual.”
Through his close collaboration with stylist Felicity Kay, the Sex Education...
- 5/9/2024
- by Fawnia Soo Hoo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
An intruder was detained in Toronto on Wednesday after allegedly attempting to gain access to Drake’s mansion. The incident comes one day after the rapper’s security guard was shot outside the same residence.
“Officers were called after a person attempted to gain access to the property,” a police spokesperson told CityNews.
“Officers were called after a person attempted to gain access to the property,” the Toronto Police Department told Toronto’s CityNews. “The person was apprehended under the Mental Health Act.”
No other details on the suspect were made available.
On Tuesday, Toronto Police posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the shooting, which occurred at Bayview Avenue and Lawrence Avenue in the city’s Bridle Path district, left one man with “serious injuries” which had to be treated at nearby Sunnybrook Hospital.
Inspector Paul Krawczyk of the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force said during a press conference...
“Officers were called after a person attempted to gain access to the property,” a police spokesperson told CityNews.
“Officers were called after a person attempted to gain access to the property,” the Toronto Police Department told Toronto’s CityNews. “The person was apprehended under the Mental Health Act.”
No other details on the suspect were made available.
On Tuesday, Toronto Police posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the shooting, which occurred at Bayview Avenue and Lawrence Avenue in the city’s Bridle Path district, left one man with “serious injuries” which had to be treated at nearby Sunnybrook Hospital.
Inspector Paul Krawczyk of the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force said during a press conference...
- 5/9/2024
- by Zoe G Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When “A People’s History of Black Twitter” was published in 2021, the social media platform appeared powerful as ever. As it had been for over a decade, the site was a hub of community and influence, where users might go to bullshit with friends, to organize with activists, to read and report news in real time, maybe even to mingle with a celebrity or two. Sure, it had its problems with trolls or bots or poor moderation; sure, TikTok was already moving in fast. But Twitter seemed to be, if not thriving, at least chugging along with no obvious end in sight.
A lot can change in three years, however — and a lot has, particularly since Elon Musk’s acquisition of the site in 2022. Onyx Collective’s Black Twitter: A People’s History reiterates and expands on Jason Parham’s Wired article, braiding together interviews with journalists, comedians and other commentators...
A lot can change in three years, however — and a lot has, particularly since Elon Musk’s acquisition of the site in 2022. Onyx Collective’s Black Twitter: A People’s History reiterates and expands on Jason Parham’s Wired article, braiding together interviews with journalists, comedians and other commentators...
- 5/9/2024
- by Angie Han
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nishtha Jain’s “Farming the Revolution” — winner of the best international feature documentary prize at Hot Docs — captures the vast emotional scope of revolutionary movements. Chronicling the lengthy stand-off between Indian farmers and the Modi government, during which tens of thousands of Sikh and Punjabi farm workers occupied highways and state borders, the film is remarkable in its audio-visual inquiry into protest as a cultural movement, and in its excavation of the emotional highs and lows involved in making lasting change.
Over eight months between 2020 and 2021, millions of people would weave in and out of these caravans of trucks and makeshift houses surrounding New Delhi, in the hope of curbing new laws that would open Indian agriculture to predatory corporate interests while plunging farmers into poverty. Jain captures the sweeping magnitude of the protests through overhead drone shots and careful compositions on the ground — she often shoots large crowds from just above eye level,...
Over eight months between 2020 and 2021, millions of people would weave in and out of these caravans of trucks and makeshift houses surrounding New Delhi, in the hope of curbing new laws that would open Indian agriculture to predatory corporate interests while plunging farmers into poverty. Jain captures the sweeping magnitude of the protests through overhead drone shots and careful compositions on the ground — she often shoots large crowds from just above eye level,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Siddhant Adlakha
- Variety - Film News
Spoiler Alert: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 11, Episode 10 of “The Masked Singer,” “Quarter Finals: Final Four,” which aired May 8 on Fox.
“This Is Us” star Chrissy Metz knew “The Masked Singer” would be a challenge. But that’s why Metz, who was revealed as latest celebrity to be unmasked on Wednesday night’s quarter finals, figured she had to do it.
“When I watched the show, and I would see either my friends or peers on the show, I’m like, how do they do it?” said Metz, who was revealed as the Poodle Moth.
“This Is Us” star Chrissy Metz knew “The Masked Singer” would be a challenge. But that’s why Metz, who was revealed as latest celebrity to be unmasked on Wednesday night’s quarter finals, figured she had to do it.
“When I watched the show, and I would see either my friends or peers on the show, I’m like, how do they do it?” said Metz, who was revealed as the Poodle Moth.
- 5/9/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety - TV News
Alec Baldwin’s lawyers have filed two more motions to throw out his manslaughter indictment in the “Rust” case in New Mexico.
Meanwhile, Rory Kennedy, who is making a documentary about Baldwin and the “Rust” shooting, is fighting a subpoena that would force her to turn over interview footage to the prosecutors in the case.
Baldwin faces a trial in July on a charge of negligently causing the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The actor was preparing to film a scene in the Western film in October 2021 when his Colt .45 fired, striking Hutchins and also wounding the director.
The armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, was sentenced last month to 18 months in prison for mistakenly loading a live bullet into the gun.
Baldwin’s latest motions argue that the charge is not legally justified, and that he has been deprived of a fair trial because the FBI broke the gun in the case during testing.
Meanwhile, Rory Kennedy, who is making a documentary about Baldwin and the “Rust” shooting, is fighting a subpoena that would force her to turn over interview footage to the prosecutors in the case.
Baldwin faces a trial in July on a charge of negligently causing the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The actor was preparing to film a scene in the Western film in October 2021 when his Colt .45 fired, striking Hutchins and also wounding the director.
The armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, was sentenced last month to 18 months in prison for mistakenly loading a live bullet into the gun.
Baldwin’s latest motions argue that the charge is not legally justified, and that he has been deprived of a fair trial because the FBI broke the gun in the case during testing.
- 5/9/2024
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety - Film News
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