Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn Is ‘Going to Blow Your Mind,’ Says ‘Joker 2’ Casting Director
Francine Maisler says casting the pop star for Joker: Folie à Deux was not originally her idea
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Coldplay Settles Lawsuit Filed by Former Manager Dave Holmes Over Contractual Dispute
Coldplay has settled its lawsuit with former manager Dave Holmes, court documents show. A judge approved a settlement agreement between the parties in May, with the terms remaining confidential. Both parties have agreed to bear their own costs. As Variety exclusively reported
‘Unstable’ Season 2 Trailer Spotlights Succession Drama in Rob Lowe, John Owen Lowe Father-Son Comedy (EXCLUSIVE)
Having triumphed in the Season 1 finale of “Unstable” over those trying to oust him from his own company, biotech genius Ellis Dragon (Rob Lowe) will face new challenges in the Netflix comedy’s second season, which drops on Aug. 1. And this time, his own son, Jackson (John Owen
Alec Baldwin on Trial: Is the Actor to Blame for a Fatal Shooting on Set?
Alec Baldwin’s temper is the stuff of Hollywood legend. His volatile behavior on the set of “The Edge” — he refused to shave his beard — left such an impression on producer Art Linson that he made a movie about it, “What Just Happened,” with Bruce Willis caricaturing Baldwin as
The Cast of ‘Twister,’ Then and Now
It’s been nearly three decades since Twister took the world by storm, captivating audiences with its story of rival Oklahoma tornado chasers. The film featured a beloved ensemble cast that included Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt as an ex-couple eventually forced to work together
‘Agatha All Along’ Trailer: Kathryn Hahn Investigates Wanda’s Dead Body and Teams Up With a Witchy Aubrey Plaza in ‘WandaVision’ Spinoff
Marvel has unveiled the first trailer for “Agatha All Along,” the upcoming spinoff of the hit Disney+ series “WandaVision.” Kathryn Hahn reprises her role as Agatha Harkness in the “WandaVision” spinoff series. Jac Schaeffer, head writer of “WandaVision,” serves as executive
‘The Bachelorette’ Returns Tonight: Here’s How to Watch the New Season Online
After making her way to the final six in the most recent season of “The Bachelor” and surviving her first (and hopefully last) televised heartbreak, Jenn Tran resumes her quest to find her husband in the newest season of “The Bachelorette.” The 21st season of the reality dating
In His New Cookbook,’The Bear’ Star Matty Matheson Redefines Cooking’s Most Basic Recipes (And Makes Them a Lot More Fun)
Matty Matheson may play a handyman with no culinary skill in “The Bear,” but behind the scenes, the Toronto-based celebrity chef and restauranteur knows good food (and how to make it) better than anybody. And now, Matheson, who has served as a culinary consultant and producer
Nicolas Cage Picks Just One of His 120 Movies That He Wants You to Watch
If you've never seen a Nicolas Cage film — and there are a lot of them to choose from — which should you see?
Comedian Hannah Berner on Her First Netflix Special and How ‘Summer House’ Prepared Her for Stand-Up
Hannah Berner’s former life as a reality TV show star has turned her into a documentary fiend. The 32-year-old comedian finds herself increasingly less inclined to turn on Bravo but can’t get enough of unhinged true stories about Ponzi schemers, con artists and cult leaders.
‘Joker 2’ Casting Director Says ‘I Didn’t Suggest Lady Gaga’ for Harley Quinn, but ‘She’s Going to Blow Your Mind’: ‘I Was Really Surprised’
“Joker: Folie á Deux” casting director Francine Maisler revealed during a recent chat at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (via IndieWire) that casting Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix was not originally her idea. It was director Todd Phillips who
Prime Video Drops Trailer for First South African Original, Cape Town-Set Caper Comedy ‘The Shakedown’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Prime Video is set to release its first South African original film, the Cape Town-set crime caper comedy “The Shakedown,” which will be available globally on the streamer Aug. 8. Variety has been given exclusive access to the film’s trailer. “The Shakedown” follows the story
French Entertainment Industry Relieved Over Defeat of Far Right in Pivotal Elections, but a Fragmented Political Landscape Remains
After rollercoaster-like parliamentary elections, the French film and TV industry has expressed relief over the far right’s defeat. Predictions had pointed to a triumph from Marine Le Pen’s National Rally based on the first round’s results, marking the first time that such a
Paramount Global Will Pay Skydance $400 Million Breakup Fee if It Lands a Better Offer
Even after clinching a deal with Skydance Media, Paramount Global has the right to shop around for a better offer in a 45-day window. But if Paramount agrees to accept a more attractive buyout deal, it would be on the hook to pay Skydance a $400 million breakup fee, David
‘IF’ Sets Paramount Plus Streaming Date
Your favorite imaginary friends are coming to streaming. “IF” will be available to watch on Paramount+ on July 9. The film, released in May, follows a young girl named Bea (Cailey Fleming) who’s going through a hard time as her dad (John Krasinski) is in the hospital. Bea has a
As Alec Baldwin Heads to Trial, Dueling ‘Rust’ Documentaries Become Part of Tangled Drama
Among the many people who will be closely watching Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial when it begins in Santa Fe this week are two sets of documentarians covering parallel and potentially competing stories from the movie Rust. Both sets of filmmakers have also
Skydance Targets $2 Billion-Plus in Cuts After Paramount Merger
To help Paramount Global to grow, its new owner needs to make cuts. Skydance executives who are set to take over the owner of CBS, Nickelodeon and MTV have identified at least $2 billion in cost cuts that can be made at the company, much of it from its linear media operations,
Stephen King Says Joe Biden Must Step Down; Rob Reiner Agrees: ‘It’s Time to Stop F—ing Around’ Because ‘We Lose Our Democracy’ If Trump Wins
Rob Reiner and Stephen King have joined the growing chorus of Hollywood voices publicly urging Joe Biden to step down as the Democratic nominee in the 2024 presidential election. The “All in the Family” actor and “Princess Bride” director posted a statement on X to his 2.3
Willem Dafoe Named Artistic Director of Venice Biennale Theater Department
Willem Dafoe has been appointed the artistic director of the Venice Biennale theater department for 2025 and 2026. The Biennale’s theater department was founded in 1934, following the establishment of its art, music and cinema branches. Its previous directors include Renato
Jon Landau Remembered by ‘Titanic’ Backer Bill Mechanic: “That Movie Required a Lion, and He Proved He Could Roar”
Veteran film executive Bill Mechanic shares some memories about producer Jon Landau, who died July 5 at the age of 63, and the experiences they shared during the making of James Cameron’s 1997 epic Titanic, which was backed by Fox Filmed Entertainment when Mechanic was that
How A Song by The Cure Inspired Italian-French Film ‘My Summer With Irène’
Listening to The Cure song “To Wish Impossible Things” from 1992 was a key inspiration for Italian filmmaker Carlo Sironi in writing, with Silvana Tamma as co-writer, and directing the Italian-French drama My Summer With Irène. “The young and timid Clara meets the spirited
Kevin Spacey Wins Folkestone Independent Film Award for ‘Control’ Voice Acting Role
Kevin Spacey has won an award for his turn in micro-budget thriller “Control.” The actor, who does not appear on screen in the movie, has been awarded a gong for best thriller performance by the Folkestone Independent Film Awards. “Control,” which was directed by Gene Fallaize,
Warner Bros. Discovery Unveils Three Short Films for Season 3 of Black Britain Unspoken Program
Warner Bros. Discovery Access, the company’s talent development division for underrepresented creatives, on Monday unveiled Donell Atkinson-Johnson, Lauren Gee and Joladé Olusanya as the three filmmakers who will tell their stories of what it means to be Black and British in
Amazon Prime Video Sets Launch Date for Melanie Laurent’s ‘Freedom,’ Starring ‘Emily in Paris’ Actor Lucas Bravo; Unveils First Pics (EXCLUSIVE)
Amazon Prime Video has set the launch date and unveiled art for Mélanie Laurent’s upcoming heist romance “Freedom” (“Libre”) starring Lucas Bravo (“Emily in Paris”). The movie, which will launch exclusively on Prime Video on Nov. 1 across more than 240 countries, reteams the
Jamie Dornan Starrer ‘The Tourist’ Set to Get Indian Adaptation From Banijay Asia
Jamie Dornan starrer “The Tourist” is set to get an Indian adaptation. Banijay Asia has inked a deal with “The Tourist” distributor All3Media International, acquiring the rights to create a local adaptation. “The Tourist,” which was written by Harry and Jack Williams, stars
The Skydance Vision for a New Paramount: Cash Injection, ‘Stability’ for Creatives and Tech Savvy
Now that Shari Redstone has signed on the dotted line to sell her father’s media empire to Skydance and RedBird Capital, what future awaits? The vision for a combined Skydance – tech scion David Ellison’s production entity behind franchises like “Mission: Impossible” – and
Shari Redstone Tells Paramount Employees Skydance ‘Has a Clear Strategic Vision for the Future’; Co-CEOs Say in Memo ‘It’s Business as Usual’ for Now
After months of talks, Paramount Global and Skydance Media officially announced a deal to merge Sunday night. Shari Redstone, non-executive chair of Paramount Global and its controlling shareholder through National Amusements Inc., addressed the pact in a memo to employees, as
China Box Office: Remade Crime Thriller, ‘A Place Called Silence’ Makes $50 Million Debut
“A Place Called Silence,” a remake of a crime thriller that debuted at the Busan film festival in 2022, kicked off its commercial career in mainland China with a $50 million theatrical debut. The new film is directed by the same filmmaker, Sam Quah, but with a different cast
‘House of the Dragon’ Actor Eve Best on Rhaenys’ Game-Changing Scene and Filming That Epic Dragon Battle: ‘She Had to Take That Responsibility’
SPOILER ALERT: This story contains plot details for HBO’s “A Dance of Dragons,” Season 2, Episode 4 of “House of the Dragon,” now streaming on Max. The war had already started in earnest, but with Sunday’s episode of “House of the Dragon,” the Dance of the Dragons has
Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet Remember ‘Titanic’ Producer Jon Landau
“Jon was an incredibly kind, wise, and empathetic soul, who wanted to create nothing but a positive impact on anyone or anything approached,” actor says
Heaven Peralejo in Mikhail Red’s Philippines Horror ‘Lilim,’ Teaser Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)
Filipino filmmaker Mikhail Red is taking another stab at the horror genre with his latest feature, “Lilim,” set for release in 2024. A teaser has been unveiled. The film, which marks Red’s return to horror following his success with “Deleter,” which is one of the highest
Korea Box Office: ‘Inside Out 2’ Reaches $48 Million After Strong Fourth Weekend
Disney’s “Inside Out 2” held very strongly in its fourth weekend of release in South Korea to reach a cumulative score of $48 million. It earned $6.30 million between Friday and Sunday, earned from 906,000 ticket sales, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service
David Ellison Set as Chairman-CEO, Jeff Shell as President of Paramount; Shari Redstone to Sell Family Empire to Skydance Media in $8 Billion Deal
The sides have made it official: David Ellison’s Skydance Media has set a deal with Paramount Global that calls for Ellison to become chairman and CEO of an enhanced Paramount while former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell will take operational reins as president. “In 1987, my
‘Black Media Matters’: Philadelphia’s WURD Parts Ways With Radio Host Involved in Biden Interview Questions Flap
Black talk radio station WURD in Philadelphia has ended its relationship with host Andrea Lawful-Sanders in the wake of criticism the station has endured after Lawful-Sanders acknowledged using pre-determined questions from President Joe Biden’s campaign team for her July 3
Your Favorite Comedians Are on the Road: Here’s How to Buy Tickets
Comedians are taking the stage to embark on national tours and debut brand new material. From Nikki Glaser, fresh off her headline-grabbing Tom Brady roast, to Shane Gillis, currently midway through a nationwide tour, there are dozens of stand-up shows to see this year. Below
France’s Leftist Party Wins Second Round of Pivotal Parliamentary Elections, Beating Far Right
In a surprise twist, the leftist coalition Nouveau Front Populaire dominated the second round of the pivotal parliamentary elections with approximately 172 to 192 seats, beating the far right and defying political pronostics, according to exit polls on July 7. The turnout rate
Leonardo DiCaprio, Zoe Saldaña, Sam Worthington and More Remember Producer Jon Landau: ‘I See You, Jon’
Zoe Saldaña, Sam Worthington and more have paid tribute to Jon Landau, the Oscar-winning producer behind the “Avatar” movies and “Titanic,” who died of cancer July 5 at age 63. “Avatar” star Saldaña remembered Landau in an Instagram post, writing, “Words are hard to put
Global Box Office: ‘Inside Out 2’ Passes ‘Minions’ as Fifth Highest-Grossing Animated Film, ‘Despicable Me 4’ Nears $230 Million
It was a big weekend globally for animated movies as Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and Universal and Illumination’s “Despicable Me 4” cleaned up at the international box office. “Inside Out 2,” already the biggest hit of 2024, continued to climb up the list of all-time
