Top 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
David Corenswet gets dressed as Superman one boot at a time in the first look at the actor in costume. Superman writer-director James Gunn revealed the image on social media Monday.
The unveiling of an actor in costume as Superman is a rare affair, akin to the first look at a new James Bond. Only three men have starred as the character in its nearly 50-year big screen career: Christopher Reeve (1978-87), Brandon Routh (2006) and Henry Cavill (2013-2022), not counting serials that played in movie theaters in the late 1940s and early ’50s.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by James Gunn (@jamesgunn)
Corenswet is known in the world of TV, where he has been a Ryan Murphy regular on shows such as The Politician and Hollywood, but Superman is poised to bring him to a whole new level of fame. There is a lot riding on the film,...
The unveiling of an actor in costume as Superman is a rare affair, akin to the first look at a new James Bond. Only three men have starred as the character in its nearly 50-year big screen career: Christopher Reeve (1978-87), Brandon Routh (2006) and Henry Cavill (2013-2022), not counting serials that played in movie theaters in the late 1940s and early ’50s.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by James Gunn (@jamesgunn)
Corenswet is known in the world of TV, where he has been a Ryan Murphy regular on shows such as The Politician and Hollywood, but Superman is poised to bring him to a whole new level of fame. There is a lot riding on the film,...
- 5/6/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jeannie Epper, the peerless, fearless stunt performer who doubled for Lynda Carter on Wonder Woman and swung on a vine across a 350-foot gorge and propelled down an epic mudslide as Kathleen Turner in Romancing the Stone, has died. She was 83.
Epper died Sunday night of natural causes at her home in Simi Valley, her family told The Hollywood Reporter.
Just one member of a dynasty of stunt performers that Steven Spielberg dubbed the “Flying Wallendas of Film” — starting with her father, John Epper, there have been four generations of Eppers in show business since the 1930s — she worked on 150-plus films and TV shows during an astounding 70-year career.
In 2007, Epper received the first lifetime achievement honor given to a woman at the World Taurus Awards and ranks among the greatest stuntwomen of all time.
Known for her agility, horse-riding skills and competitiveness, the 5-foot-9 Epper also stepped in...
Epper died Sunday night of natural causes at her home in Simi Valley, her family told The Hollywood Reporter.
Just one member of a dynasty of stunt performers that Steven Spielberg dubbed the “Flying Wallendas of Film” — starting with her father, John Epper, there have been four generations of Eppers in show business since the 1930s — she worked on 150-plus films and TV shows during an astounding 70-year career.
In 2007, Epper received the first lifetime achievement honor given to a woman at the World Taurus Awards and ranks among the greatest stuntwomen of all time.
Known for her agility, horse-riding skills and competitiveness, the 5-foot-9 Epper also stepped in...
- 5/6/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Who was harshly booed during Netflix’s live roast of Tom Brady?
Not Kim Kardashian. At least, not anymore. Netflix has now edited out the boos from its blistering comedic special on its service.
The reality TV icon received a harsh reception as she took the podium during The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady and tried to launch into a Kevin Hart joke, causing others on stage to yell “woah-woah” to get the audience to be more respectful.
Here’s what the original sounded like:
Oh no Kim Kardashian is being boo’d at the Brady Roast
pic.twitter.com/Df2GvSg3Kr
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) May 6, 2024
(Don’t worry, they were just shouting “Boo-urns! Boo-urns!”).
Kardashian gamely soldiered on during her set, launching into her joke, “I wasn’t going to come tonight, but since I’m not here as Tom’s date, there’s still a good chance I might.
Not Kim Kardashian. At least, not anymore. Netflix has now edited out the boos from its blistering comedic special on its service.
The reality TV icon received a harsh reception as she took the podium during The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady and tried to launch into a Kevin Hart joke, causing others on stage to yell “woah-woah” to get the audience to be more respectful.
Here’s what the original sounded like:
Oh no Kim Kardashian is being boo’d at the Brady Roast
pic.twitter.com/Df2GvSg3Kr
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) May 6, 2024
(Don’t worry, they were just shouting “Boo-urns! Boo-urns!”).
Kardashian gamely soldiered on during her set, launching into her joke, “I wasn’t going to come tonight, but since I’m not here as Tom’s date, there’s still a good chance I might.
- 5/7/2024
- by James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Marvel Studios co-president Louis D’Esposito admitted to Empire magazine that “it’s been a rough time” for the Marvel Cinematic Universe following a rocky 2023 that included box office flops “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “The Marvels.” The latter title is the lowest-grossing MCU movie of all time with just $206 million worldwide. Marvel didn’t fare better on television, where series such as “Secret Invasion” were widely panned by critics.
Despite these setbacks, D’Esposito is committed to seeing the glass half full. He told the publication that “if we just stayed on top, that would have been the worst thing that could have happened to us. We took a little hit, we’re coming back strong.”
“Maybe when you do too much, you dilute yourself a little bit,” D’Esposito added. “We’re not going to do that anymore. We learned our lesson. Maybe two to three films a...
Despite these setbacks, D’Esposito is committed to seeing the glass half full. He told the publication that “if we just stayed on top, that would have been the worst thing that could have happened to us. We took a little hit, we’re coming back strong.”
“Maybe when you do too much, you dilute yourself a little bit,” D’Esposito added. “We’re not going to do that anymore. We learned our lesson. Maybe two to three films a...
- 5/7/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
“Deal or No Deal Island” has been renewed for Season 2 at NBC.
The news comes just under a week ahead of the Season 1 finale, which will air on May 13. Hosted by Joe Manganiello, the series is averaging 5.8 million total viewers across all platforms, per NBC, and ranks as the top NBC unscripted series on Peacock.
“With expert gameplay, adventure and a new layer of strategy, the reimagined ‘Deal or No Deal Island’ had fans on the edge of their seats, just like the original,” said Corie Henson, executive vice president of unscripted content at NBCUniversal. “A huge thanks to our...
The news comes just under a week ahead of the Season 1 finale, which will air on May 13. Hosted by Joe Manganiello, the series is averaging 5.8 million total viewers across all platforms, per NBC, and ranks as the top NBC unscripted series on Peacock.
“With expert gameplay, adventure and a new layer of strategy, the reimagined ‘Deal or No Deal Island’ had fans on the edge of their seats, just like the original,” said Corie Henson, executive vice president of unscripted content at NBCUniversal. “A huge thanks to our...
- 5/7/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Bette Midler took a moment to reflect on her career missteps this week, opening up about how her 2000 sitcom, Bette, went awry.
“I did a television show, does it get any more generic than that?” Midler told David Duchovny on this week’s installment of his Fail Better podcast. When Duchovny asked the singer to elaborate, Midler said: “It was for the wrong motivation, and it was a part of the media I simply did not understand.”
Bette aired its first and only season from 2000 to 2001 on CBS. It saw Midler playing herself in a semi-satirized version of her life. Midler said that she found herself in over her head when it came to producing a sitcom.
“I had made theatrical, live events, I had made films, and I had made a variety of television shows, I had been on shows, but I had never done a situation comedy,” she continued.
“I did a television show, does it get any more generic than that?” Midler told David Duchovny on this week’s installment of his Fail Better podcast. When Duchovny asked the singer to elaborate, Midler said: “It was for the wrong motivation, and it was a part of the media I simply did not understand.”
Bette aired its first and only season from 2000 to 2001 on CBS. It saw Midler playing herself in a semi-satirized version of her life. Midler said that she found herself in over her head when it came to producing a sitcom.
“I had made theatrical, live events, I had made films, and I had made a variety of television shows, I had been on shows, but I had never done a situation comedy,” she continued.
- 5/7/2024
- by Zoe G Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Susan Buckner, the actress and dancer best known for her turn as the bubbly and often-teased Rydell High cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 blockbuster musical Grease, has died. She was 72.
She died Thursday in Miami, family spokesperson Melissa Berthier announced. No cause of death was revealed.
Buckner portrayed Hollywood bad girl Jean Harlow alongside Tommy Lee Jones in the 1977 CBS telefilm The Amazing Howard Hughes and was one of the dancers/synchronized swimmers known as the Kroffettes on The Brady Bunch Hour (the 1976-77 ABC variety show was created by Sid and Marty Krofft). She also starred opposite Sharon Stone in Wes Craven’s Deadly Blessing (1981).
In Grease, directed by Randal Kleiser at Paramount, Buckner’s Patty convinces Olivia Newton-John’s Sandy Olsson, a new student, to try out for the cheerleading squad. She often is the butt of jokes from the Pink Ladies and T-Birds and called the “bad...
She died Thursday in Miami, family spokesperson Melissa Berthier announced. No cause of death was revealed.
Buckner portrayed Hollywood bad girl Jean Harlow alongside Tommy Lee Jones in the 1977 CBS telefilm The Amazing Howard Hughes and was one of the dancers/synchronized swimmers known as the Kroffettes on The Brady Bunch Hour (the 1976-77 ABC variety show was created by Sid and Marty Krofft). She also starred opposite Sharon Stone in Wes Craven’s Deadly Blessing (1981).
In Grease, directed by Randal Kleiser at Paramount, Buckner’s Patty convinces Olivia Newton-John’s Sandy Olsson, a new student, to try out for the cheerleading squad. She often is the butt of jokes from the Pink Ladies and T-Birds and called the “bad...
- 5/7/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Uri Singer’s Passage Pictures has acquired the rights to the Rich Cohen nonfiction book The Fish that Ate the Whale about America’s “banana king” and the implications that his reign had on multiple Latin American countries.
Cohen’s book, which was published in 2013 via Macmillan imprint Picador, tells the story of Samuel Zemurray who, according to the book’s synopsis, “rises through the banana trade to become America’s Banana King and the president of United Fruit. As a businessman and power broker, Zemurray’s story led to the origin of the phrase ‘Banana Republic’ and influenced the political future of several Latin American countries, including working with the CIA to lead the 1954 coup in Guatemala.”
Passage previously worked on an adaptation of Don DeLillo’s White Noise, directed by Noah Baumbach for Netflix. Singer is also set to produce the DeLillo adaptation Underworld, with Ted Melfi attached the direct for Netflix.
Cohen’s book, which was published in 2013 via Macmillan imprint Picador, tells the story of Samuel Zemurray who, according to the book’s synopsis, “rises through the banana trade to become America’s Banana King and the president of United Fruit. As a businessman and power broker, Zemurray’s story led to the origin of the phrase ‘Banana Republic’ and influenced the political future of several Latin American countries, including working with the CIA to lead the 1954 coup in Guatemala.”
Passage previously worked on an adaptation of Don DeLillo’s White Noise, directed by Noah Baumbach for Netflix. Singer is also set to produce the DeLillo adaptation Underworld, with Ted Melfi attached the direct for Netflix.
- 5/7/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On-set photographer Kyle Bono Kaplan and art photographer Bryan Schutmaat have collaborated to showcase their work taken during the shooting of Jeff Nichols’ film “The Bikeriders” in a new coffee table book titled “Vandals: The Photography of The Bikeriders.”
“The Bikeriders” is a drama directed by Nichols and stars Austin Butler, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy. It is adapted from Danny Lyon’s book, and follows the rise and fall of a fictional 1960s motorcycle club in the Midwest. Michael Shannon, Mike Faist and Norman Reedus round out the ensemble.
The book is out May 8, published by Inside Editions, and the film is out June 21. Here Kaplan and Schutmaat share stories behind the rare on-set moments.
Vandals: The Photography of The Bikeriders
Buy Now On Amazon $40.49
Kaplan captured Hardy who plays Johnny in between takes as the actor was riding back to set. Kaplan noticed the natural lighting and was...
“The Bikeriders” is a drama directed by Nichols and stars Austin Butler, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy. It is adapted from Danny Lyon’s book, and follows the rise and fall of a fictional 1960s motorcycle club in the Midwest. Michael Shannon, Mike Faist and Norman Reedus round out the ensemble.
The book is out May 8, published by Inside Editions, and the film is out June 21. Here Kaplan and Schutmaat share stories behind the rare on-set moments.
Vandals: The Photography of The Bikeriders
Buy Now On Amazon $40.49
Kaplan captured Hardy who plays Johnny in between takes as the actor was riding back to set. Kaplan noticed the natural lighting and was...
- 5/7/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety - Film News
“Girls5eva” deserves to be heard. Yes, the laugh-out-loud comedy, from the minds of Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, creator Meredith Scardino and others, is funny. The music industry is wickedly skewered. The music, led by Jeff Richmond, is clever and catchy.
But really, the heart of the show comes from its stars — Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps and Paula Pell — and the characters they play. These are women of a certain age who are rediscovering their voices and finally taking on their dreams, after years of settling for something less.
Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast recently spoke to Philipps...
But really, the heart of the show comes from its stars — Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps and Paula Pell — and the characters they play. These are women of a certain age who are rediscovering their voices and finally taking on their dreams, after years of settling for something less.
Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast recently spoke to Philipps...
- 5/7/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety - TV News
In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Amazon Prime Video is releasing content to diversify and celebrate the Asian & Pacific Islander communities.
The selected material will include Aapi-led Amazon originals & exclusives, and added titles included with Prime. As well as content available to rent or buy, and films and TV series accessible with add-on subscriptions or for free with ads on Amazon Freevee. “Aquaman,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “Past Lives” and “Invincible” are all titles available for streaming this month.
Three seasons of “Heritage Heroes,” by the Asian American Foundation are also available. The series consists of short films Aapi creators and highlights activists, and community leaders for the impact they’ve made in culture. The featured talent in “Heritage Heroes” includes Daniel Dae Kim, Simu Liu, Liza Koshy, Auli’i Cravalho, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Ming-Na Wen, Jeannie Mai, Lisa Ling, Lea Salonga, Prabal Gurung, Phillip Lim and more.
Lower...
The selected material will include Aapi-led Amazon originals & exclusives, and added titles included with Prime. As well as content available to rent or buy, and films and TV series accessible with add-on subscriptions or for free with ads on Amazon Freevee. “Aquaman,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “Past Lives” and “Invincible” are all titles available for streaming this month.
Three seasons of “Heritage Heroes,” by the Asian American Foundation are also available. The series consists of short films Aapi creators and highlights activists, and community leaders for the impact they’ve made in culture. The featured talent in “Heritage Heroes” includes Daniel Dae Kim, Simu Liu, Liza Koshy, Auli’i Cravalho, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Ming-Na Wen, Jeannie Mai, Lisa Ling, Lea Salonga, Prabal Gurung, Phillip Lim and more.
Lower...
- 5/7/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay, Lexi Carson and Selena Kuznikov
- Variety - Film News
Ethan Hawke took a moment to recount how he ended up in Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight” music video.
The Wildcat director stopped by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert to promote the film, which stars his daughter, Maya Hawke. Ahead of their conversation about the project, the late night host asked Hawke about his experience working on the music video alongside his Dead Poets Society co-star and lifelong friend, Josh Charles.
“Well, Stephen, I’m very popular. People seek me out. It just happens,” the multihyphenate joked to Stephen Colbert, before adding, “We got this call: ‘Taylor’s releasing an album, The Tortured Poets Department. And I think she wanted to hide a little easter egg about Dead Poets Society in it.”
He recalled walking through the airport with Charles and seeing all the young people wearing Swift’s Eras Tour merchandise and thinking, “We’ve got something on them.
The Wildcat director stopped by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert to promote the film, which stars his daughter, Maya Hawke. Ahead of their conversation about the project, the late night host asked Hawke about his experience working on the music video alongside his Dead Poets Society co-star and lifelong friend, Josh Charles.
“Well, Stephen, I’m very popular. People seek me out. It just happens,” the multihyphenate joked to Stephen Colbert, before adding, “We got this call: ‘Taylor’s releasing an album, The Tortured Poets Department. And I think she wanted to hide a little easter egg about Dead Poets Society in it.”
He recalled walking through the airport with Charles and seeing all the young people wearing Swift’s Eras Tour merchandise and thinking, “We’ve got something on them.
- 5/7/2024
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
For those who were wondering, “Where in the world is Jon Stewart?” when tuning in to Monday’s The Daily Show (which was hosted by correspondent Jordan Klepper), viewers only had to tune in to Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Stewart, who has been behind the desk at the Comedy Central staple on Mondays for two months, took the night off the desk for the Netflix Is a Joke festival happening in Los Angeles. On Friday, he headlined at The Greek Theatre for his “Jon Stewart and Friends” show, which saw him bring out Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman and Mike Birbiglia as special guests. Stewart is also slated to be a guest on John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A. on Netflix this week, a set of live talk shows that are part of the streamer’s fest.
While in L.A., Stewart also decided to spend time with Kimmel and his family,...
Stewart, who has been behind the desk at the Comedy Central staple on Mondays for two months, took the night off the desk for the Netflix Is a Joke festival happening in Los Angeles. On Friday, he headlined at The Greek Theatre for his “Jon Stewart and Friends” show, which saw him bring out Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman and Mike Birbiglia as special guests. Stewart is also slated to be a guest on John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A. on Netflix this week, a set of live talk shows that are part of the streamer’s fest.
While in L.A., Stewart also decided to spend time with Kimmel and his family,...
- 5/7/2024
- by Kevin Dolak
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Netflix’s Roast of Tom Brady got loads of press coverage (including several stories on this very website), but a different live special from the streamer’s Netflix Is a Joke festival racked up more views over the weekend.
Katt Williams: Woke Foke, which streamed live on Saturday, May 4, earned 4 million views (determined by total viewing time divided by running time) worldwide, according to Netflix’s internal measurement for April 29-May 5. That’s double the 2 million for the Brady roast, albeit with an extra day for users to watch as the roast streamed Sunday evening. The roast had more total viewing time at 6.2 million hours, to 4.1 million hours for Williams’ special — but it was also almost three times as long as Woke Foke.
That both specials made the global top 10, however, is testament to Netflix’s growing capacity to host live events. The streamer’s first live stand-up special,...
Katt Williams: Woke Foke, which streamed live on Saturday, May 4, earned 4 million views (determined by total viewing time divided by running time) worldwide, according to Netflix’s internal measurement for April 29-May 5. That’s double the 2 million for the Brady roast, albeit with an extra day for users to watch as the roast streamed Sunday evening. The roast had more total viewing time at 6.2 million hours, to 4.1 million hours for Williams’ special — but it was also almost three times as long as Woke Foke.
That both specials made the global top 10, however, is testament to Netflix’s growing capacity to host live events. The streamer’s first live stand-up special,...
- 5/7/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Academy of Country Music Awards show set for May 16 is getting some additional octane in its performance lineup with the addition of two of the biggest artists of the moment from outside the country genre, Post Malone and Noah Kahan.
Malone looks set for a solo moment on the ACM Awards show, while Kahan will join female artist of the year nominee Kelsea Ballerini for a duet.
Even without a new album out, Malone has been ubiquitous lately, in pop and even country. He has appeared as a featured performer in the last three months with arguably the three...
Malone looks set for a solo moment on the ACM Awards show, while Kahan will join female artist of the year nominee Kelsea Ballerini for a duet.
Even without a new album out, Malone has been ubiquitous lately, in pop and even country. He has appeared as a featured performer in the last three months with arguably the three...
- 5/7/2024
- by Chris Willman
- Variety - TV News
“The reason I’m successful is because I’m passing, straight up,” said producer Naomi Scott, who is Chamorro (Indigenous people of the Mariana Islands), during the Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti (Peak)’s second annual Peak Conversations panel. It was held on the first day of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month last Wednesday night.
“I’m married to a white man who’s famous. I don’t want to sugarcoat it,” added Scott, who is married to actor Adam Scott. “But now that I’m here, I have a responsibility to keep the door open.”
The experience of Pasifika women in Hollywood was at the center of the discussion in West Hollywood, created to celebrate Pacific Islander filmmaking, entertainment and community.
Scott was joined on the panel by Moana and Mean Girls star Auli’i Cravalho and RuPaul‘s Drag Race season 15 winner Sasha Colby, who are both Hawaiian. “There’s...
“I’m married to a white man who’s famous. I don’t want to sugarcoat it,” added Scott, who is married to actor Adam Scott. “But now that I’m here, I have a responsibility to keep the door open.”
The experience of Pasifika women in Hollywood was at the center of the discussion in West Hollywood, created to celebrate Pacific Islander filmmaking, entertainment and community.
Scott was joined on the panel by Moana and Mean Girls star Auli’i Cravalho and RuPaul‘s Drag Race season 15 winner Sasha Colby, who are both Hawaiian. “There’s...
- 5/7/2024
- by Brande Victorian
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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
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...
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...
- 5/7/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety - TV News
The Blood Window Showcase will scare Cannes once again. This time, with six new features, currently in progress.
During an exclusive screening on May 19, in Palais K, industry guests will get to see “The Tree House,” “1978,” “Fifteen,” “Eyes of the Abyss,” “Parvulos” and “Remanence: A Voltage Cosmic Tale.”
“One of the highlights this year is the quality of projects and their diversity,” said the head of the program Javier. C. Fernández.
“We have a coming-of-age story among zombie apocalypse in ‘Parvulos,’ a vengeful quinceañera with plenty of gore and dark humor in ‘Fifteen’ or even a horror tale set on a ship during the Falklands War in 1982 [‘Eyes of the Abyss’]. This is different from previous editions, focusing more on stories about exorcisms and urban legends. Now, there are offerings for every taste.”
Written and directed by Isaac Ezban, “Parvulos” is a dystopian horror involving three young brothers. They live in a cabin in the middle of the woods,...
During an exclusive screening on May 19, in Palais K, industry guests will get to see “The Tree House,” “1978,” “Fifteen,” “Eyes of the Abyss,” “Parvulos” and “Remanence: A Voltage Cosmic Tale.”
“One of the highlights this year is the quality of projects and their diversity,” said the head of the program Javier. C. Fernández.
“We have a coming-of-age story among zombie apocalypse in ‘Parvulos,’ a vengeful quinceañera with plenty of gore and dark humor in ‘Fifteen’ or even a horror tale set on a ship during the Falklands War in 1982 [‘Eyes of the Abyss’]. This is different from previous editions, focusing more on stories about exorcisms and urban legends. Now, there are offerings for every taste.”
Written and directed by Isaac Ezban, “Parvulos” is a dystopian horror involving three young brothers. They live in a cabin in the middle of the woods,...
- 5/7/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety - Film News
Live sports are coming to Disney+ sooner than you might think.
ESPN says that next Tuesday’s WNBA tip-off games, including Caitlin Clark’s regular season debut with the league, will stream on Disney+.
On May 14, Clark’s Indiana Fever will face off against the Connecticut Sun, and the Phoenix Mercury will face the Las Vegas Aces. Both games will stream on Disney+, the company says, and will also be available on ESPN+, and on ESPN2.
The WNBA games are a big deal, as until now, Disney+ has not been in the live sports business, with one rare exception. Disney has done some experimental streams with the NFL and NHL, in which it used technology to stream games live, but with animated characters in place of the actual athletes.
The WNBA games will be the full, studio productions, not animated simulcasts. And given the hype and interest Clark is bringing to the league,...
ESPN says that next Tuesday’s WNBA tip-off games, including Caitlin Clark’s regular season debut with the league, will stream on Disney+.
On May 14, Clark’s Indiana Fever will face off against the Connecticut Sun, and the Phoenix Mercury will face the Las Vegas Aces. Both games will stream on Disney+, the company says, and will also be available on ESPN+, and on ESPN2.
The WNBA games are a big deal, as until now, Disney+ has not been in the live sports business, with one rare exception. Disney has done some experimental streams with the NFL and NHL, in which it used technology to stream games live, but with animated characters in place of the actual athletes.
The WNBA games will be the full, studio productions, not animated simulcasts. And given the hype and interest Clark is bringing to the league,...
- 5/7/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ariana Madix is trading West Hollywood for Fiji very soon.
Peacock has revealed the premiere date for the upcoming sixth season of Love Island USA, which will be hosted by the Vanderpump Rules star. A new teaser trailer gives viewers a first look of the Sur alum getting ready to guide islanders through their summer romance.
“I got a text!,” announces Madix in the teaser after waking up to the news. “‘Ariana Madix, will you host Peacock’s Love Island USA?’ Yes!”
“Look out, world: a hot new bombshell is heading to the villa, where new adventures are going to take flight,” announces the show’s narrator Iain Stirling, as a Barbie-inspired montage plays of Madix’s fantastical journey to paradise.
The new season arrives on June 11.
Peacock also teased that season six will feature “a brand-new, vibrant villa including a spicy Casa Amor and an unforgettable Hideaway” where islanders...
Peacock has revealed the premiere date for the upcoming sixth season of Love Island USA, which will be hosted by the Vanderpump Rules star. A new teaser trailer gives viewers a first look of the Sur alum getting ready to guide islanders through their summer romance.
“I got a text!,” announces Madix in the teaser after waking up to the news. “‘Ariana Madix, will you host Peacock’s Love Island USA?’ Yes!”
“Look out, world: a hot new bombshell is heading to the villa, where new adventures are going to take flight,” announces the show’s narrator Iain Stirling, as a Barbie-inspired montage plays of Madix’s fantastical journey to paradise.
The new season arrives on June 11.
Peacock also teased that season six will feature “a brand-new, vibrant villa including a spicy Casa Amor and an unforgettable Hideaway” where islanders...
- 5/7/2024
- by Tatiana Tenreyro
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rochelle Oliver, who starred on Broadway in Lillian Hellman’s Toys in the Attic and Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and taught acting at New York’s respected Hb Studio since the 1970s, has died. She was 86.
Oliver died April 13, the Hb Studio announced. “Those who knew Rochelle will know what a luminous artist, sensitive and passionate teacher she was,” it said in an Instagram post. She died two days shy of her birthday.
For the big screen, Oliver starred in the Horton Foote-written 1918 (1985) and Courtship (1987) and appeared in such other films as The Happy Hooker (1975), Paul Mazursky‘s Next Stop, Greenwich Village (1976), John Sayles’ Lianna (1983), An Unremarkable Life (1989), Martin Brest’s Scent of a Woman (1992) and Woody Allen’s Hollywood Ending (2002).
She also recurred as Judge Grace Larkin on Law & Order from 1993-03.
A protégé of Uta Hagen — who also taught for decades at Hb and...
Oliver died April 13, the Hb Studio announced. “Those who knew Rochelle will know what a luminous artist, sensitive and passionate teacher she was,” it said in an Instagram post. She died two days shy of her birthday.
For the big screen, Oliver starred in the Horton Foote-written 1918 (1985) and Courtship (1987) and appeared in such other films as The Happy Hooker (1975), Paul Mazursky‘s Next Stop, Greenwich Village (1976), John Sayles’ Lianna (1983), An Unremarkable Life (1989), Martin Brest’s Scent of a Woman (1992) and Woody Allen’s Hollywood Ending (2002).
She also recurred as Judge Grace Larkin on Law & Order from 1993-03.
A protégé of Uta Hagen — who also taught for decades at Hb and...
- 5/7/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ron Howard has been part of our collective consciousness for as long as I can remember. Or at least he looms large in mine. Born in 1954, he was on many of the TV series I grew up watching and had his own starring role on “The Andy Griffith Show” by 1960. And his father had the idea that little “Ronny Howard” should play a good kid, not the wise-guy type popular in those “Dennis the Menace” years. He’d be nice. It stuck. He’s been known as “nice” ever since.
That made him much too easy to dismiss. However prominent he was — as a principal star of “American Graffiti” in 1973, top-billed “Happy Days” actor the next year and then as a director debuting with “Night Shift” in 1977 — we could take him lightly. By then I was reviewing films, and I overlooked him to a fault. I didn’t even give...
That made him much too easy to dismiss. However prominent he was — as a principal star of “American Graffiti” in 1973, top-billed “Happy Days” actor the next year and then as a director debuting with “Night Shift” in 1977 — we could take him lightly. By then I was reviewing films, and I overlooked him to a fault. I didn’t even give...
- 5/7/2024
- by Janet Maslin
- Variety - Film News
Billy Porter will receive the 2024 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award for his dedication and contributions as an activist and spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ communities.
The honor, announced Tuesday, includes the Pose star’s work with The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and the Entertainment Community Fund, among other organizations. The Tony is given each year to a member of the theater community who “made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations.”
Porter is an ambassador of The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, as well as a member of the board of trustees for the Entertainment Community Fund, who he has worked with for several decades. Additionally, Porter works with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Hrc (Human Rights Campaign), GLAAD and Planned Parenthood
In addition to his onscreen work, which includes roles in the films 80 for Brady and Our Son, Porter...
The honor, announced Tuesday, includes the Pose star’s work with The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and the Entertainment Community Fund, among other organizations. The Tony is given each year to a member of the theater community who “made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations.”
Porter is an ambassador of The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, as well as a member of the board of trustees for the Entertainment Community Fund, who he has worked with for several decades. Additionally, Porter works with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Hrc (Human Rights Campaign), GLAAD and Planned Parenthood
In addition to his onscreen work, which includes roles in the films 80 for Brady and Our Son, Porter...
- 5/7/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nikki Glaser was one of the highlights of Netflix’s Tom Brady roast, eviscerating the NFL superstar with jokes about his divorce from Gisele Bündchen and her reported new romance with Jiu-Jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente. But Glaser didn’t get to deliver every punchline she intended to during the live comedy event. During a post-roast interview on “The Howard Stern Show,” Glaser rattled off some of the Brady jokes she cut from her set.
“Tom, I love your work — that you’ve done on your face,” read one of Glaser’s cut jokes about Brady’s alleged plastic surgery. “Seriously,...
“Tom, I love your work — that you’ve done on your face,” read one of Glaser’s cut jokes about Brady’s alleged plastic surgery. “Seriously,...
- 5/7/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - TV News
International Wrestling Syndicate, which celebrates its 25th anniversary, is set to be the subject of a new feature documentary from the Generation Iron Network.
Vlad Yudin (“Jeremy Scott: The People’s Designer”) will direct the documentary film about the Canadian wrestling promotion company as its founders prepare for their anniversary “super event.”
Iws was founded by Edward Dorozowsky (also known as SeXXXy Eddy) and Manny Eleftheriou (Crazy Manny) along with their friends. It airs on streamer Triller+.
Yudin is also a co-founder of sports publisher and producer Generation Iron, alongside Edwin Mejia Jr.
“The film will provide an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes...
Vlad Yudin (“Jeremy Scott: The People’s Designer”) will direct the documentary film about the Canadian wrestling promotion company as its founders prepare for their anniversary “super event.”
Iws was founded by Edward Dorozowsky (also known as SeXXXy Eddy) and Manny Eleftheriou (Crazy Manny) along with their friends. It airs on streamer Triller+.
Yudin is also a co-founder of sports publisher and producer Generation Iron, alongside Edwin Mejia Jr.
“The film will provide an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes...
- 5/7/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety - TV News
“Green Book” director Peter Farrelly will take audiences behind-the-scenes on the unlikely and tumultuous production of “Rocky,” the boxing drama that catapulted Sylvester Stallone into stardom.
“I Play Rocky,” the upcoming film, will follow Stallone long before his action hero days. Here, he’s a struggling actor whose partially paralyzed face and a speech impediment hasn’t left him in demand by Hollywood. But betting on his talent, Stallone writes a hot script that a big movie studio wants to buy. However, he refuses to sell it unless he gets to play the lead. Turning down an offer of life-changing money, he instead works for a pittance in order to get the movie made with himself as the title character. The result is the biggest box office hit of 1976, as well as an Academy Award juggernaut that went on to win best picture.
Farrelly will produce the film with Toby Emmerich,...
“I Play Rocky,” the upcoming film, will follow Stallone long before his action hero days. Here, he’s a struggling actor whose partially paralyzed face and a speech impediment hasn’t left him in demand by Hollywood. But betting on his talent, Stallone writes a hot script that a big movie studio wants to buy. However, he refuses to sell it unless he gets to play the lead. Turning down an offer of life-changing money, he instead works for a pittance in order to get the movie made with himself as the title character. The result is the biggest box office hit of 1976, as well as an Academy Award juggernaut that went on to win best picture.
Farrelly will produce the film with Toby Emmerich,...
- 5/7/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety - Film News
David Letterman kicked off the first of three nights of his “Gods of Comedy” interview series at Netflix Is a Joke Fest on Monday, sitting down with Nate Bargatze at the Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood.
“I have not met this man, so to nudge up against a guy who is just as good as it gets is a thrill for me,” Letterman said, prepping the crowd for the surprise guest. “In the world of comedy, some perhaps are as good. No one is better.”
Over the next 90 minutes, Letterman probed Bargatze about his Tennessee upbringing and his journey as a comic, including the time bookers for The Late Show With David Letterman rejected his audition tape to appear on the talk show in 2012.
“I was told that it was ‘too mundane,’ and I did not know what that word meant so I looked at it and I put it in my head,...
“I have not met this man, so to nudge up against a guy who is just as good as it gets is a thrill for me,” Letterman said, prepping the crowd for the surprise guest. “In the world of comedy, some perhaps are as good. No one is better.”
Over the next 90 minutes, Letterman probed Bargatze about his Tennessee upbringing and his journey as a comic, including the time bookers for The Late Show With David Letterman rejected his audition tape to appear on the talk show in 2012.
“I was told that it was ‘too mundane,’ and I did not know what that word meant so I looked at it and I put it in my head,...
- 5/7/2024
- by Brande Victorian
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
YouTube star Laurenzside, also known as Lauren Weber, has signed with CAA for representation.
The gaming content creator has gathered over 13 million combined followers, and earned nearly 4 billion views on YouTube as her videos each earns an average one million views. Laurenzside’s draw is comedic gameplay and improv for her YouTube channel with video titles like 24 Hour Living as My Sim Challenge, I Tried Working as a Bus Driver… But My Passengers Are Creepy and I Worked 100 Jobs… But They Were All Terrifying.
CAA will be looking to expand Laurenzside’s business opportunities by leveraging her growing digital community. Her videos have a backdrop of playing games across Sims, Minecraft, Roblox, as well as indie horror games, while also introducing personality-based skits and challenges.
In 2022, she hosted her own YouTube Originals show, Secret Saboteurs, which pitted eight top content creators against one other to win a $100,000 grand prize.
Laurenzside...
The gaming content creator has gathered over 13 million combined followers, and earned nearly 4 billion views on YouTube as her videos each earns an average one million views. Laurenzside’s draw is comedic gameplay and improv for her YouTube channel with video titles like 24 Hour Living as My Sim Challenge, I Tried Working as a Bus Driver… But My Passengers Are Creepy and I Worked 100 Jobs… But They Were All Terrifying.
CAA will be looking to expand Laurenzside’s business opportunities by leveraging her growing digital community. Her videos have a backdrop of playing games across Sims, Minecraft, Roblox, as well as indie horror games, while also introducing personality-based skits and challenges.
In 2022, she hosted her own YouTube Originals show, Secret Saboteurs, which pitted eight top content creators against one other to win a $100,000 grand prize.
Laurenzside...
- 5/7/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jonathan Bailey was so blown away by “Heartstopper” that he just knew he had to be on the show.
“Like so many people, I watched the first [season] and thought it was one of the biggest, most beautiful gifts to so many people, and I wish I had that growing up,” the “Fellow Travelers” and “Bridgerton” star told me at the Met Gala Monday night.
It was announced in late April that Bailey will make a cameo appearance as Jack Maddox, an Instagram-famous classicist and celebrity crush of Charlie (Joe Locke). “I had a mutual friend who knows [executive producer Patrick Walters] and I just said,...
“Like so many people, I watched the first [season] and thought it was one of the biggest, most beautiful gifts to so many people, and I wish I had that growing up,” the “Fellow Travelers” and “Bridgerton” star told me at the Met Gala Monday night.
It was announced in late April that Bailey will make a cameo appearance as Jack Maddox, an Instagram-famous classicist and celebrity crush of Charlie (Joe Locke). “I had a mutual friend who knows [executive producer Patrick Walters] and I just said,...
- 5/7/2024
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety - TV News
Tiffany Haddish has addressed a viral moment from her stand-up performance at this weekend’s Netflix Is a Joke Festival, where she called out the protests happening on college campuses against the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
When speaking to TMZ in a video on Monday, Haddish acknowledged the response to her comments and said, “I think if they are going to protest for one place they should protest for all the places that are having genocide happening. How many Black people got to die before we can get a protest? … If you want to protest? Protest. But if you really want to be effective and make change, go up to the legislation office, go up to your Senator, call your council. Go to Congress. [Go to the people] who make change … it would be way more effective.”
In recent weeks, demonstrations and encampments have emerged at several universities across the United States, which have led...
When speaking to TMZ in a video on Monday, Haddish acknowledged the response to her comments and said, “I think if they are going to protest for one place they should protest for all the places that are having genocide happening. How many Black people got to die before we can get a protest? … If you want to protest? Protest. But if you really want to be effective and make change, go up to the legislation office, go up to your Senator, call your council. Go to Congress. [Go to the people] who make change … it would be way more effective.”
In recent weeks, demonstrations and encampments have emerged at several universities across the United States, which have led...
- 5/7/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hannah Brown knows a thing or two about love.
After appearing on season 23 of The Bachelor, the former Miss Alabama USA went on to became a fan favorite which led her to lead season 15 of The Bachelorette. Each week audiences watched Brown try to find love as she shared her vulnerability, humor and candidness (hint: who knew a windmill would become simpatico with the long-running ABC show). Despite that journey ending in heartbreak, Brown eventually found love and is now engaged. Now she’s also ready to embark on a new love story — or, better yet, write one with her debut romance novel, Mistakes We Never Made.
The novel, publishing Tuesday from Forever, an imprint of Hachette Books, centers on protagonists Emma Townsend and Finn Hughes who after almost dating in high school and reuniting in the following years after, don’t necessarily like each other. But when one of...
After appearing on season 23 of The Bachelor, the former Miss Alabama USA went on to became a fan favorite which led her to lead season 15 of The Bachelorette. Each week audiences watched Brown try to find love as she shared her vulnerability, humor and candidness (hint: who knew a windmill would become simpatico with the long-running ABC show). Despite that journey ending in heartbreak, Brown eventually found love and is now engaged. Now she’s also ready to embark on a new love story — or, better yet, write one with her debut romance novel, Mistakes We Never Made.
The novel, publishing Tuesday from Forever, an imprint of Hachette Books, centers on protagonists Emma Townsend and Finn Hughes who after almost dating in high school and reuniting in the following years after, don’t necessarily like each other. But when one of...
- 5/7/2024
- by Lexy Perez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Robert Downey Jr. is making his Broadway debut this fall in a new play by Ayad Akhtar.
The play, called McNeal, will see Downey portraying a talented writer who grapples with a new novel, a broken family life and “an unhealthy fascination with artificial intelligence.” Bartlett Sher, resident director at the Lincoln Center who also helmed To Kill a Mockingbird, among others, is directing.
Downey’s production company, Team Downey, is producing, in association with Lincoln Center Theater.
The play will run at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater starting Sept. 5 and opening on Sept. 30. The play will be a strictly limited engagement running through Nov. 24. Complete casting will be announced at a later date.
The Iron Man star won his first Oscar this year for his role in Oppenheimer. His recent projects include the HBO and A24 adaptation of the novel The Sympathizer. He is also slated to appear in Paramount Pictures’ Vertigo.
The play, called McNeal, will see Downey portraying a talented writer who grapples with a new novel, a broken family life and “an unhealthy fascination with artificial intelligence.” Bartlett Sher, resident director at the Lincoln Center who also helmed To Kill a Mockingbird, among others, is directing.
Downey’s production company, Team Downey, is producing, in association with Lincoln Center Theater.
The play will run at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater starting Sept. 5 and opening on Sept. 30. The play will be a strictly limited engagement running through Nov. 24. Complete casting will be announced at a later date.
The Iron Man star won his first Oscar this year for his role in Oppenheimer. His recent projects include the HBO and A24 adaptation of the novel The Sympathizer. He is also slated to appear in Paramount Pictures’ Vertigo.
- 5/7/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney’s latest quarterly earnings report and conference call with management had much for Wall Street to like, including progress toward streaming profits and an increased full-year earnings forecast, but it wasn’t enough to keep its shares from dropping around 10 percent on Tuesday.
As of 12:15 p.m. E.T., Disney’s stock was down 10.4 percent at $104.32, making it one of the stock’s worst days over the past year.
While many analysts sounded upbeat notes on several fronts, especially Disney’s moving closer to streaming profitability, the Hollywood conglomerate reported mixed fiscal second-quarter earnings and some near-term challenges, including at theme parks. Newish Disney CFO Hugh Johnston, for example, warned on the earnings call that despite “healthy demand” at parks, “we are seeing some evidence of a global moderation from peak post-covid travel.”
All in all, it wasn’t enough to boost bullishness to new heights. And with...
As of 12:15 p.m. E.T., Disney’s stock was down 10.4 percent at $104.32, making it one of the stock’s worst days over the past year.
While many analysts sounded upbeat notes on several fronts, especially Disney’s moving closer to streaming profitability, the Hollywood conglomerate reported mixed fiscal second-quarter earnings and some near-term challenges, including at theme parks. Newish Disney CFO Hugh Johnston, for example, warned on the earnings call that despite “healthy demand” at parks, “we are seeing some evidence of a global moderation from peak post-covid travel.”
All in all, it wasn’t enough to boost bullishness to new heights. And with...
- 5/7/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In “Take Me Out Feet First,” a new docuseries now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, director Serene Meshel-Dillman chronicles people’s right to choose medical aid in dying.
The six-part docuseries, made in partnership with the nonprofit advocacy organization Compassion & Choices, profiles 25 terminally ill people, their families, and friends, as well as experts in the medical field who advocate for Maid. The series chronicles people who have taken control of how their final days will play out. While some live in states where medical aid in dying is legal, some do not.
“Take Me Out Feet First” was inspired by the director’s mother, who, in 2017, chose to end her life using Maid after she was diagnosed with stage four spindle cell sarcoma, a rare form of lung cancer, and given less than three months to live. Meshel-Dillman documented her mother’s final days, leading up to her drinking apple...
The six-part docuseries, made in partnership with the nonprofit advocacy organization Compassion & Choices, profiles 25 terminally ill people, their families, and friends, as well as experts in the medical field who advocate for Maid. The series chronicles people who have taken control of how their final days will play out. While some live in states where medical aid in dying is legal, some do not.
“Take Me Out Feet First” was inspired by the director’s mother, who, in 2017, chose to end her life using Maid after she was diagnosed with stage four spindle cell sarcoma, a rare form of lung cancer, and given less than three months to live. Meshel-Dillman documented her mother’s final days, leading up to her drinking apple...
- 5/7/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety - Film News
The Cannes film festival has responded to calls for a strike by festival workers over pay and labor regulations.
On Tuesday, the festival issued its first official statement, saying it hoped “solutions will be found” to prevent film festival workers from disrupting the 2024 festival, which kicks off May 14. Yesterday, a group calling itself the Sous les écrans la dèche (Broke Behind the Screens) collective, and representing workers at the festival, as well as the Directors’ Fortnight, Critics’ Week and Acid sidebar sections, called for strike action to protest what it termed the “precarious” position of the Cannes festival’s freelancer employees.
Festival employees are typically hired on short-term contracts for the period of the festival. But unlike other so-called intermediate workers in the entertainment industry, many festival workers are not covered by France’s unemployment insurance program, meaning they do not qualify for unemployment benefits in between jobs or projects.
On Tuesday, the festival issued its first official statement, saying it hoped “solutions will be found” to prevent film festival workers from disrupting the 2024 festival, which kicks off May 14. Yesterday, a group calling itself the Sous les écrans la dèche (Broke Behind the Screens) collective, and representing workers at the festival, as well as the Directors’ Fortnight, Critics’ Week and Acid sidebar sections, called for strike action to protest what it termed the “precarious” position of the Cannes festival’s freelancer employees.
Festival employees are typically hired on short-term contracts for the period of the festival. But unlike other so-called intermediate workers in the entertainment industry, many festival workers are not covered by France’s unemployment insurance program, meaning they do not qualify for unemployment benefits in between jobs or projects.
- 5/7/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Steven Quale, best known for his work on “Into the Storm” and “Final Destination 5,” has been tapped to direct Capstone Studios and Hammerstone Studios’ “Black Box (Flight 298).” The upcoming supernatural thriller is based on an original screenplay from Stephen Susco, a horror writer whose many genre credits include “The Grudge,” “The Grudge 2,” “Texas Chainsaw 3D” and “Hell Fest.” According to the logline, the film follows the supernatural events surrounding Vero Airlines Flight 298 from New Orleans to Seattle.
Hammerstone Studios’ Alex Lebovici (“Barbarian”) and Jon Oakes (“The Guilty”) will produce alongside Capstone’s Christian Mercuri and David Haring (“Bill & Ted Face the Music”), Warren Zide (“The Final Destination” and Susco. Ruzanna Kegeyan and Roman Viaris of Capstone, and Clark Baker will executive produce. Sacker Law will handle production legal services. Principal photography is set to begin this month in Sofia, Bulgaria.
In addition to his work on the...
Hammerstone Studios’ Alex Lebovici (“Barbarian”) and Jon Oakes (“The Guilty”) will produce alongside Capstone’s Christian Mercuri and David Haring (“Bill & Ted Face the Music”), Warren Zide (“The Final Destination” and Susco. Ruzanna Kegeyan and Roman Viaris of Capstone, and Clark Baker will executive produce. Sacker Law will handle production legal services. Principal photography is set to begin this month in Sofia, Bulgaria.
In addition to his work on the...
- 5/7/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety - Film News
TikTok has sued the U.S. government, accusing it of trampling on its First Amendment rights when legislation was signed into law forcing its Chinese parent company to sell the social media platform or face a national ban.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court for the District of Columbia on Tuesday, marks the most momentous challenge to the government’s forceful rebuke of a Chinese firm’s ownership of the leading video-sharing app in America alleged to hoover up troves of data. It sets up what’s expected to be a lengthy legal battle that may land at the U.S. Supreme Court pitting national security concerns against free speech protections for the company and millions of users.
If upheld, TikTok says the law will allow the government to “circumvent the First Amendment by invoking national security,” with the aim of cornering websites or publishers into selling to “avoid being shut down.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court for the District of Columbia on Tuesday, marks the most momentous challenge to the government’s forceful rebuke of a Chinese firm’s ownership of the leading video-sharing app in America alleged to hoover up troves of data. It sets up what’s expected to be a lengthy legal battle that may land at the U.S. Supreme Court pitting national security concerns against free speech protections for the company and millions of users.
If upheld, TikTok says the law will allow the government to “circumvent the First Amendment by invoking national security,” with the aim of cornering websites or publishers into selling to “avoid being shut down.
- 5/7/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Food Network has renewed “24 in 24: Last Chef Standing” for Season 2 ahead of the new primetime competition’s first season finale.
Hosted by Esther Choi and Michael Symon, “24 in 24: Last Chef Standing” follows 24 talented and fearless chefs who take on 24 food challenges in 24 consecutive, non-stop hours, per Food Network’s description for the series. The winner will be revealed on Sunday’s Season 1 finale episode, when, at the end of the 24 hours, the final competitor remaining is named the last chef standing.
Since “24 in 24: Last Chef Standing” debuted on April 14, Food Network says the show...
Hosted by Esther Choi and Michael Symon, “24 in 24: Last Chef Standing” follows 24 talented and fearless chefs who take on 24 food challenges in 24 consecutive, non-stop hours, per Food Network’s description for the series. The winner will be revealed on Sunday’s Season 1 finale episode, when, at the end of the 24 hours, the final competitor remaining is named the last chef standing.
Since “24 in 24: Last Chef Standing” debuted on April 14, Food Network says the show...
- 5/7/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety - TV News
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is changing vehicles.
The legendary racer will leave NBC Sports’ NASCAR team, where he has held forth as a color commentator since 2018, in favor of lending his expertise to both Warner Bros. Discovery and Amazon. The two companies struck new pacts with the racing league last year in agreements that spread NASCAR properties around the media landscape. NASCAR remains with both its current rightsholders, NBC and Fox.
At Warner, Earnhardt will serve as an on-air commentator for TNT Sports’ exclusive coverage of five NASCAR Cup Series races each Summer, airing in consecutive weeks on TNT and the...
The legendary racer will leave NBC Sports’ NASCAR team, where he has held forth as a color commentator since 2018, in favor of lending his expertise to both Warner Bros. Discovery and Amazon. The two companies struck new pacts with the racing league last year in agreements that spread NASCAR properties around the media landscape. NASCAR remains with both its current rightsholders, NBC and Fox.
At Warner, Earnhardt will serve as an on-air commentator for TNT Sports’ exclusive coverage of five NASCAR Cup Series races each Summer, airing in consecutive weeks on TNT and the...
- 5/7/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety - TV News
Barry Diller’s Iac has cut a deal with one of the biggest players in artificial intelligence, OpenAI.
Dotdash Meredith, the Iac-controlled publishing company that owns publications like People, Food & Wine, Better Homes & Gardens, InStyle, Southern Living and Real Simple, has cut a “strategic partnership and licensing agreement” that will bring Ddm’s content to ChatGPT.
The content that will be accessible includes “time-tested recipes, expert health and financial information, leading style and entertainment content, and rigorous product reviews.” ChatGPT will display content and links in its responses.
The companies will also work together in other areas, including integrating OpenAI tech into Ddm’s cookieless ad-targeting solution and working “to create new AI products and features for its readers and use historical and ongoing Ddm content to enhance its model’s performance.”
Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.
Diller, the Iac CEO, has made no secret about his thoughts on generative AI,...
Dotdash Meredith, the Iac-controlled publishing company that owns publications like People, Food & Wine, Better Homes & Gardens, InStyle, Southern Living and Real Simple, has cut a “strategic partnership and licensing agreement” that will bring Ddm’s content to ChatGPT.
The content that will be accessible includes “time-tested recipes, expert health and financial information, leading style and entertainment content, and rigorous product reviews.” ChatGPT will display content and links in its responses.
The companies will also work together in other areas, including integrating OpenAI tech into Ddm’s cookieless ad-targeting solution and working “to create new AI products and features for its readers and use historical and ongoing Ddm content to enhance its model’s performance.”
Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.
Diller, the Iac CEO, has made no secret about his thoughts on generative AI,...
- 5/7/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Cinemart, the production company behind Amazon’s “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” and Netflix’s “Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal,” has signed an overall deal with Banijay’s Truly Original.
Under the new pact, The Cinemart will expand its development and production operations in premium documentaries and other genres of unscripted programming through Truly Original, a subsidiary of Banijay backed by co-CEOs Steven Weinstock and Glenda Hersh.
Run by co-CEOs and producing partners Julia Willoughby Nason and Michael Gasparro, The Cinemart was founded by Nason in 2011. The production company’s programming lineup currently includes “Welcome to Leith” (PBS...
Under the new pact, The Cinemart will expand its development and production operations in premium documentaries and other genres of unscripted programming through Truly Original, a subsidiary of Banijay backed by co-CEOs Steven Weinstock and Glenda Hersh.
Run by co-CEOs and producing partners Julia Willoughby Nason and Michael Gasparro, The Cinemart was founded by Nason in 2011. The production company’s programming lineup currently includes “Welcome to Leith” (PBS...
- 5/7/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety - TV News
Over two dozen pro-Palestine protesters were arrested on Manhattan’s Upper East Side on Monday evening while marching from a midtown college campus to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to demonstrate in front of the Met Gala, one of the most high-profile events of the year in the city.
The New York Police Department confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the arrests took place at 6:30 p.m. local time at 80th Street and Madison Avenue, just a block away from the star-studded red carpet event, which was teaming with paparazzi.
Waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Gaza! Gaza!”, according to The New York Times, the demonstrators were largely from student groups at Baruch College, Columbia University and New York University who had gathered to protest the war in Gaza, and then converged at Hunter College, according to the NYPD.
A total of 27 people were arrested and detained at the city...
The New York Police Department confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the arrests took place at 6:30 p.m. local time at 80th Street and Madison Avenue, just a block away from the star-studded red carpet event, which was teaming with paparazzi.
Waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Gaza! Gaza!”, according to The New York Times, the demonstrators were largely from student groups at Baruch College, Columbia University and New York University who had gathered to protest the war in Gaza, and then converged at Hunter College, according to the NYPD.
A total of 27 people were arrested and detained at the city...
- 5/7/2024
- by Kevin Dolak
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One of the most viral moments to emerge out of Tom Brady’s Netflix roast was when the NFL icon got up from his seat and told off roaster Jeff Ross after the comedian made a massage joke about Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Brady was heard telling Ross: “Don’t say that shit again.” But according to Ross, Brady was not actually pissed off at him.
“Come on, come on, no way, no way,” Ross said on “The Rich Eisen Show,” downplaying that Brady got angry at him for the Kraft massage joke. “He was having fun. You know, it’s like that’s his dad. Robert Kraft is like a father figure to him, he was just showing his love for Robert Kraft. And Robert Kraft loved it. We had a great talk afterwards. He was so happy that I gave him a shoutout and a salute. It was beautiful.
“Come on, come on, no way, no way,” Ross said on “The Rich Eisen Show,” downplaying that Brady got angry at him for the Kraft massage joke. “He was having fun. You know, it’s like that’s his dad. Robert Kraft is like a father figure to him, he was just showing his love for Robert Kraft. And Robert Kraft loved it. We had a great talk afterwards. He was so happy that I gave him a shoutout and a salute. It was beautiful.
- 5/7/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Disney’s adjusted earnings per share for the March quarter beat Wall Street forecasts — but the company’s stock price stumbled amid concerning signs for the Mouse House.
Shares of Disney were down 10.4%, to $104.41/share, as of noon Et on Tuesday, before closing at $105.39/share (down 9.5% for the day). The pullback comes after the stock was up 29% year to date as of Monday.
While Disney’s theme parks business drove top- and bottom-line growth for the first three months of 2024 — with revenue growth of 10% and segment operating income up 12% — the company said the June quarter’s segment operating income is...
Shares of Disney were down 10.4%, to $104.41/share, as of noon Et on Tuesday, before closing at $105.39/share (down 9.5% for the day). The pullback comes after the stock was up 29% year to date as of Monday.
While Disney’s theme parks business drove top- and bottom-line growth for the first three months of 2024 — with revenue growth of 10% and segment operating income up 12% — the company said the June quarter’s segment operating income is...
- 5/7/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety - TV News
Drake’s Toronto mansion was the scene of a drive-by shooting early Tuesday, but the Canadian rap sensation is safe and cooperating with a police investigation that as yet has no motive.
Toronto Police in a post on X, formerly Twitter, said the shooting at Bayview Avenue and Lawrence Avenue in the city’s Bridle Path district left one man with “serious injuries” and having to be treated at nearby Sunnybrook Hospital.
During a morning press conference outside Drake’s home, Inspector Paul Krawczyk of the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force said officers were called to the residence just after 2 a.m. Tuesday morning and found a young man with a gunshot wound.
“That person was working apparently as a security guard at the residence. He was standing outside the gates in front of the residence when the shooting occurred,” officer Krawczyk said. The inspector added that there’s...
Toronto Police in a post on X, formerly Twitter, said the shooting at Bayview Avenue and Lawrence Avenue in the city’s Bridle Path district left one man with “serious injuries” and having to be treated at nearby Sunnybrook Hospital.
During a morning press conference outside Drake’s home, Inspector Paul Krawczyk of the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force said officers were called to the residence just after 2 a.m. Tuesday morning and found a young man with a gunshot wound.
“That person was working apparently as a security guard at the residence. He was standing outside the gates in front of the residence when the shooting occurred,” officer Krawczyk said. The inspector added that there’s...
- 5/7/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Audiences may not be the only thing about TV that continues to shrink.
Advertisers are expected to once again press for “rollbacks,” or declines in the rates they pay for reaching streaming and TV viewers, in early “upfront” talks with TV networks, according to five media buying executives and other people familiar with these annual discussions in which U.S. media companies try to sell the bulk of their commercial inventory ahead of their next cycle of programming.
And while the buyers have a vested interest in cooling any potential hot spots in the upfront market, TV -sales executives this...
Advertisers are expected to once again press for “rollbacks,” or declines in the rates they pay for reaching streaming and TV viewers, in early “upfront” talks with TV networks, according to five media buying executives and other people familiar with these annual discussions in which U.S. media companies try to sell the bulk of their commercial inventory ahead of their next cycle of programming.
And while the buyers have a vested interest in cooling any potential hot spots in the upfront market, TV -sales executives this...
- 5/7/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety - TV News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
Robert Downey Jr. to Make Broadway Debut This Fall
- 5/7/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jeannie Epper, Legendary ‘Wonder Woman’ and ‘Romancing the Stone’ Stuntwoman, Dies at 83
- 5/6/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Aida Rodriguez: Unpacking My Childhood Traumas Through Comedy Is Cathartic
- 5/6/2024
- by Aida Rodriguez
- Popsugar.com
How Erik Rivera Uses Comedy to Heal and Help Others
- 5/6/2024
- by Miguel Machado
- Popsugar.com
Ian Lara: Comedy Gave Me the Strength to Overcome My Mother's Death
- 5/6/2024
- by Ian Lara
- Popsugar.com
‘The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed’ Had a Lot of People Looking at It
- 5/7/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
Marvel Execs Acknowledge “Rough” 2023, But Say Studio Has “Learned Their Lesson” With Rethink Approach
- 5/7/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
‘Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy’ Trailer: ‘Four-Piece’ Animated Special Mixes Up Good and Evil
- 5/7/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
‘Schmigadoon!’ Heads to Kennedy Center for Live Adaptation
- 5/7/2024
- by Mark Peikert
- Indiewire
AI, Uhd and 35mm: Arbelos Films’ David Marriott on the Present and Future of Film Restoration
- 5/7/2024
- by Vadim Rizov
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Box Office: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Aims for $50 Million-Plus Opening Weekend
- 5/7/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
‘Superman’ Unveils First Look at David Corenswet as the Man of Steel
- 5/6/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Marvel Studios Boss Admits 2023 Was a ‘Rough Time,’ but Says: ‘If We Just Stayed on Top, That Would’ve Been the Worst Thing’ and ‘We Learned Our Lesson’
- 5/7/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Anya Taylor-Joy Bent Over Backwards To Make Her Dune Cameo Happen
- 5/7/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
‘The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed’ Had a Lot of People Looking at It
- 5/7/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
Michelle Yeoh to Star in ‘Blade Runner 2049’ Sequel Series at Amazon
- 5/7/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
‘Game of Thrones’ Spinoff ‘Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Adds ‘Black Mirror’ Director in Major Role
- 5/7/2024
- by James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Taylor Swift vs. Scooter Braun’ Docuseries Coming to Discovery+ in U.K.
- 5/7/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety - TV News
Jeannie Epper, Legendary ‘Wonder Woman’ and ‘Romancing the Stone’ Stuntwoman, Dies at 83
- 5/6/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chicago Fire’s Eamonn Walker Exits as Series Regular After 12 Seasons
- 5/7/2024
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com