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Fox’s ‘Fantastic Four’ Stars Jamie Bell and Kate Mara ‘Excited’ About MCU Reboot: ‘It’s a Great Cast’
Jamie Bell and Kate Mara have made no secret that they’re not fans of their “Fantastic Four” movie, but that doesn’t mean they’re not looking forward to the upcoming reboot.Charlize Theron Says 'Old Guard 2' Post-Production Got 'Shut Down' by Netflix, but the Sequel Will Come Out 'Soon': 'I Really Love This Movie' “We’re excited,” Mara, who played Sue Storm/Invisible Woman in the 2015 Fox adaptation of the comic book with Bell playing Ben Grimm/The Thing, told me at Giorgio Armani’s Mare pop-up party at Soho House’s Little Malibu Beach House on Tuesday. “It’s a great cast.” The new movie, the first...
Halsey Says She Received Britney Spears’ ‘Blessing’ to Sample ‘Lucky’ for Her New Single
Ahead of the release of her new single “Lucky,” Halsey has confirmed she received Britney Spears’ “blessing” to interpolate Spears’ 2000 song of the same name.Halsey Gears Up for Fifth Album With New Single 'The End,' Revealing Serious Health Struggles: 'Lucky to Be Alive' The Columbia Records artist shared the news via X on Thursday morning in response to a fan’s question about Spears’ involvement in getting the sample cleared. “Yes of course!,” Halsey wrote, adding “I wouldn’t even dream of doing it without her blessing!” The confirmation may come as a somewhat of a surprise to those following Spears on social...
Netflix’s Ted Sarandos: Generative AI Tools Will Be a ‘Great Way for Creators to Tell Better Stories’
What the long-term impact of generative AI will be on Hollywood is “hard to predict,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said — but he took a shot at addressing it anyway.'Star Trek: Prodigy' Is the Perfect Show for Trekkies -- Now They Need to Watch It Sarandos, speaking on the streamer’s Q2 earnings interview, said, “I think that AI is going to generate a great set of creator tools, a great way for creators to tell better stories.” And, he said, the business case for generative AI isn’t to reduce costs but to improve the quality of storytelling. “There’s a lot of filmmakers...
Maya Rudolph Is Emmys MVP, ‘The Simpsons’ Gets a ‘The Bear’ Halo — and Other Trivia From 2024’s Nominations
Is there anything Maya Rudolph can’t do? It’s a serious question, as the comedy superstar reigns as this year’s Emmy nominations MVP. Rudolph earned four nominations — a stunning achievement in itself, but made even more impressive because those nods come from three different programs. She’s nominated in comedy lead actress for Apple TV+’s “Loot” (just renewed for a third season), in character voice-over for her role as Connie the Hormone Monstress in Netflix’s animated “Big Mouth,” and in comedy guest actress for her hosting stint on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” (which also got her an original music and lyrics...
‘Halo’ Canceled After Two Seasons at Paramount+
The live-action “Halo” series has been canceled at Paramount+, Variety has learned. 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Adds Karim Diané, Zoë Steiner to Cast The big budget series based on the popular Xbox video game franchise aired two seasons at the streaming service. The show originally debuted in 2022, while the second season aired between February and March 2024. “Paramount+ can confirm that ‘Halo’ will not move forward with a third season on the service,” the streamer said in a stataement. “We are extremely proud of this ambitious series and would like to thank our partners at Xbox, 343 Industries and Amblin...
‘Grown Men’ Were ‘Sobbing’ During ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Camera Tests Because Hugh Jackman Showed Up in Wolverine’s Yellow Suit
“Deadpool & Wolverine” executive producer Wendy Jacobson recently told HeyUGuys (via IGN) that adult men were “sobbing” during Hugh Jackman’s camera test, which marked the first time the beloved “X-Men” actor wore Wolverine’s iconic yellow and blue superhero suit from the comics. The suit alone has generated significant buzz for the upcoming Marvel tentpole, as Jackson never wore the comics-accurate costume during his previous 17-year stint playing Wolverine.Ryan Reynolds Says 'I Let Go of Getting Paid' on 'Deadpool' and 'Took the Little Salary I Had Left' to Pay for the Screenwriters to Be on Set “It was one of the craziest...
Fox Entertainment Restructures Operations, Layoffs Hit About 30 Staffers
Fox Entertainment has unveiled a restructuring of its operations that includes layoffs for about 30 staffers.Sex, Drugs and Music Joined by Sports, Religion and Animation as Major Themes Influencing YA Scripted Production “While there are many exciting aspects to realizing our path forward, one of the most difficult phases in any reorganization is recognizing where redundancies exist and how evolving priorities affect our team,” Rob Wade, CEO of Fox Entertainment, wrote in an all-employee email. “Today, we informed some of our colleagues that their jobs were impacted by the restructuring process. This step was solely related to aligning our business operations,...
Christopher Reeve’s Son Will ‘Had to Memorize One Line’ for His Cameo in James Gunn’s ‘Superman’: ‘I Was Actually Nervous Doing That’
Will Reeve, son of the late Superman actor Christopher Reeve, gave his first comments to TMZ about what it was like filming a cameo for James Gunn’s upcoming “Superman.” It’s a full-circle moment as Will’s father played the Man of Steel in four comic book tentpoles, including Richard Donner’s iconic 1978 “Superman.” Variety reported earlier this month that Will would be making an appearance in Gunn’s new movie.James Gunn's 'Superman' Is 'Getting Close' to the End of Filming After Wrapping Six-Week Cleveland Shoot: 'Still a Couple Weeks Left' “I know the folks making the film, and they’ve been so kind to...
Lou Dobbs, Conservative Pundit and Former CNN Host, Dies at 78
Lou Dobbs, the conservative political pundit and longtime host of “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” on CNN and then Fox Business Network, has died. He was 78. Fox Business Will Launch Larry Kudlow in 4PM Slot “It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of ‘The Great Lou Dobbs,'” reads a post on Dobbs’ X account. “Lou was a fighter till the very end — fighting for what mattered to him the most, God, his family and the country. Lou’s legacy will forever live on as a patriot and a great American. We ask for your prayers for Lou’s wonderful wife...
‘Quir’ Director Nicola Bellucci on His Documentary About a Palermo Handbag Shop and the LGBTQ+ Community Who Gather There (EXCLUSIVE)
Italian filmmaker Nicola Bellucci’s documentary “Quir” – a phonetic spelling of queer – tells the story of a gay couple, Massimo Milani and Gino Campanella, living and making handbags in the Sicilian city of Palermo, who have become icons of the Italian gay movement. The film had its premiere this week at the Taormina Film Festival.Palestinian Director Rashid Masharawi on Producing 22 Short Films in Gaza During the War Bellucci met his subjects during COVID by pure chance. “I got to know Massimo and Gino as I was walking through Balarò, this unique neighborhood of Palermo, which is very well known...
Kanye West Sued for Copyright Infringement Over Unauthorized Use of Music on ‘Donda’ Album
Kanye West’s legal troubles keep on coming as he’s been struck with yet another lawsuit, this time by DJ Khalil and three other artists for a pair of tracks off of 2021’s “Donda.”Lawsuit Over Kanye West's King Crimson Sample in 2010 Track 'Power' Settles Ahead of Trial Artist Revenue Advocates filed the suit yesterday in California on behalf of Khalil, Sam Barsh, Dan Seef and Josh Mease, who attempted to recoup revenue for three years before transferring their rights to ARA. Collectively, the four musicians have worked with artists spanning Eminem and Drake to Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd. The suit, shared...
Emmys 2024: Variety Critics Celebrate ‘Reservation Dogs,’ Disagree About ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ and Cackle Over ‘The Morning Show’
Every year, the Television Academy’s Emmy nominations honor hundreds of individuals , dozens of shows and inspire enough material for a week’s worth of trend pieces. Sorting through it all is daunting, which is why Variety TV critics Alison Herman and Aramide Tinubu convened to give their big-picture thoughts on the nominations , from breakout shows to the larger forces shaping the field.Natalie Portman's 'Lady in the Lake' Misfire Is a Puzzle No One Will Care to Solve: TV Review Alison Herman: Aramide, this was always going to be a weird year for the Emmys — after all, the last Emmys happened...
Peter Naylor is Latest Senior Ad-Sales Executive to Exit Netflix
Peter Naylor, a media-industry veteran who has held senior ad-sales roles at NBCUniversal, Snap and Hulu, is leaving Netflix after joining the company in 2022 as it launched its first foray into luring Madison Avenue to support its programs.Netflix Rejects Direct Streaming Bundles With Max, Disney+ Because It 'Already Operates as a Go-To Destination' “Peter’s enthusiasm, industry knowledge and relationships have been invaluable in getting our advertising business off the ground,” said Amy Reinhard, president of advertising at Netflix. “I want to thank him for all he has done to build our team, grow the business and position Netflix for success.” Naylor...
Netflix Rejects Direct Streaming Bundles With Max, Disney+ Because It ‘Already Operates as a Go-To Destination’
Netflix isn’t against creating a streaming bundle — just a certain type of bundle.Netflix Tops 277 Million Subscribers With Strong Q2 Gain, Beats Earnings Forecasts In a Thursday letter to shareholders that accompanied its Q2 financial results, the company noted why you won’t see it partnering directly with competitor streamers including Disney+ or Max, but has teamed up with distributor Comcast to launch a package including Peacock and Apple TV+. “From the early days of streaming, we saw partnerships with device makers and pay TV and mobile operators as key to ensuring Netflix was easy to find and use,” Netflix said. “These...
Netflix Tops 277 Million Subscribers With Strong Q2 Gain, Beats Earnings Forecasts
Netflix rang up solid subscriber gains in the second quarter of 2024 — considerably better than Wall Street expected — and posted financial results that beat forecasts.Netflix's Ted Sarandos: Generative AI Tools Will Be a 'Great Way for Creators to Tell Better Stories' The industry’s No. 1 premium streamer added 8.05 million net paid customers in Q2, bringing its global base to 277.65 million. The company reported revenue of $9.56 billion (up 17%) and net income of $2.15 billion (versus $1.49 billion a year ago), translating to earnings per share of $4.88. Netflix had forecast Q2 revenue of $9.49 billion and...
‘School of Rock’ Musical Choreographer JoAnn M. Hunter to Direct Broadway-Bound ‘Yasuke: The Black Samurai’ (EXCLUSIVE)
JoAnn M. Hunter, the choreographer of Broadway’s “School of Rock” and “Bad Cinderella,” has been hired to direct the upcoming musical “Yasuke: The Black Samurai.” Cole Escola's 'Oh, Mary!' Opens on Broadway With a Gay Leather Bar After-Party, a Closeted Abe Lincoln and Plenty of 'Stupid Gems' This production, which Hunter will choreograph as well, is aiming to open on Broadway during the 2026-27 season. “Yasuke: The Black Samurai” is based on the true story of events that unfolded in the 16th Century of Feudal Japan. It recounts the journey of Yasuke, an African man who was uprooted from his native...
Bob Newhart, Comedy Icon, Dies at 94
Bob Newhart, the genteel but sharply satirical comic whose TV series “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Newhart” were huge hits throughout the 1970s and ’80s, died Thursday in Los Angeles. He was 94. Grammy Museum to Bring Artist Programs Online, Starting With Billie Eilish, Brandi Carlile, Yola Newhart’s publicist Jerry Digney said he died after a series of short illnesses. Newhart was also known to younger audiences as Papa Elf in the 2003 Christmas classic “Elf,” his guest spots on “The Big Bang Theory” (for which he won his only Emmy, as a guest star in 2013) and most recently appeared in three...
Gravitas Ventures Acquires Music Family Dramedy ‘Trust in Love’
“Trust in Love” has been acquired by Gravitas Ventures for theatrical distribution and video-on-demand release following a successful festival run during which it garnered it 30 awards across 23 festivals.Gravitas Ventures Acquires Psychological Thriller 'Exposure' Starring Douglas Smith (EXCLUSIVE) Directed by Mick Davis (“Modigliani,” “Walden”), the film follows Mickey Ferrara, a record producer with a lackluster career. “His estranged wife wants a divorce, and his son is struggling with his sexuality, but Mickey is a warrior, so he’s about to get in the trenches and ‘Trust In Love’ to keep his family together and maybe make one more good record,” its...
Leighton Meester, Quenlin Blackwell Join Rachel Sennott’s HBO Comedy Pilot (EXCLUSIVE)
Leighton Meester and Quenlin Blackwell have both been cast in guest star roles in Rachel Sennott’s HBO comedy pilot, Variety has learned exclusively. 'Euphoria' Season 3 to Begin Filming in January 2025 With Entire Main Cast Returning The two will appear alongside Sennott in the pilot as well as cast members Odessa A’zion, Jordan Firstman, Miles Robbins, and True Whitaker. The pilot was picked up at HBO back in March. The official logline for the show states, “A codependent friend group reunites, navigating how the time apart, ambition, and new relationships have changed them.” Meester is best known for starring in...
‘My Spy The Eternal City’ Star Chloe Coleman on Becoming Best Friends With Dave Bautista and Wanting to Do a Marvel Movie
At just 15 years old, actor Chloe Coleman’s list of co-stars already includes Hollywood legends and A-listers. 'My Spy The Eternal City' Review: Dave Bautista Anchors a Kiddie Espionage Caper That's Too Generic to Fly Appearing in blockbuster productions such as “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “65” and “Gunpowder Milkshake,” Coleman has shared the big screen with Adam Driver, Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Hugh Grant, Michelle Yeoh and Paul Giamatti to name a few. Her first role was in the HBO series “Big Little Lies,” acting alongside Laura Dern, Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep. In...
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