Netflix almost pulled the streamer’s recent documentary “Michael Jackson: The Verdict” a week before its release for fear of reprisal, Variety has learned. The three-part docuseries re-examines Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial, which saw the pop superstar acquitted of all charges,
Amazon Studios has released the first look at the third season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” the fantasy television series based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. According to an official logline, “Season Three takes place at the height of the War of the Elves
"I would fucking railroad these fuckers. I would get those Epstein files out in two seconds," Reacher star says on Happy Sad Confused podcast, adding that president is a "bitch" and a "fucking rapist"
The same crystalline waters swooshing the pebbled coast of San Lucas Island were once murked by the crimson red of blood. From 1873 to 1991, the island served as Costa Rica’s principal penitentiary, where some of the country’s worst criminals were sent to serve often short and
Matt Damon has revealed the wild pitch from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. Damon, who is set to star in directors’ new sci-fi film revealed the details during an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show” radio show. Damon said, “The
Phil Rosenthal has travelled the world in search of the best bites. Now, to usher in a new era of his show “Somebody Feed Phil,” the comedian and host will offer fans a look at something a little closer to home. On July 27, Rosenthal will host a special episode giving viewers
It’s no secret that Charli xcx is a cinephile, so it wasn’t a shock when the avant-garde pop star revealed that her latest album would feature iconic horror auteur David Cronenberg — especially considering its title is “Music, Fashion, Film.” But what is surprising is just how
The Argentine spin-off of Joe Begos’ alien horror pic “Jimmy and Stiggs” has found its cast and crew. Argentina’s Agostina Palazzolo (“Ciclón), Agustina “Papry” Suásquita (Netflix’s “Envious”) and Maia Tarcic (“Letters to My Ex”) are poised to lead the main cast of “Burger
As part of Genesis House and The Gotham Film & Media Institute’s inaugural shorts fellowship program, three emerging New York City-based filmmakers have been chosen to receive $10,000, including Shanice Brette (“Mumma”), Annie Ning (“The Only Man to Ever Exist”) and April Wen
Tom Holland may be ready to rule Ithaca, but it turns out he’s not the master of his own stomach. So much so that “The Odyssey” star, who appeared on the latest episode of “Hot Ones,” ended up vomiting after consuming the show’s signature fiery chicken wings. Holland made an
Prime Video has released the first trailer for “Blade Runner 2099,” marking the return of Ridley Scott’s sci-fi franchise nine years after the film “Blade Runner 2049.” Starring Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh and “Euphoria” breakout star Hunter Schafer as its leads, “Blade Runner
Pickleball has exploded in popularity in the last decade as a variation of tennis that’s easier on bodies and simpler to pick up for people who want to try something new. When comedy writer Sean Clements heard about a local turf war involving the low-impact sport, his brain
It’s been a long time coming but Costa Rica can now claim an Oscar-nominated below-the-line talent, sound and music editor Felipe Pacheco, who was recognized for his sound editing work on Ryan Coogler’s multi-Oscar winning “Sinners.” Based in Los Angeles, he moved there after
After “Emilia Pérez” scored a best picture nomination at last year’s Oscars, Netflix is reuniting with French director Jacques Audiard on his next project, which will be an elevated horror film. Netflix has optioned “La Nuit ravagée” — a critically acclaimed horror novel by
HBO Max vet Pia Barlow has been hired as Amazon MGM Studios’ new head of original series marketing. In her new role, which Barlow will begin Aug. 3, the exec will oversee all marketing efforts for Prime Video’s U.S. and Global Original Series. Barlow will report directly to Sue
Prime Video is set to exclusively premiere worldwide a new docuseries about the Spanish National Team’s triumph at this year’s controversial and politically tainted FIFA World Cup — the feat that gave Spain its second World Cup winner’s star after trouncing Argentina in New
A flood of movie offers has meant shedding his signature wolf cut, at least for now, to play a “normie” husband in an upcoming gig.
“Reacher” star Alan Ritchson got fired up about politics on the latest episode of Josh Horowitz’s “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, spouting off about the Epstein files and the “fucking rapists” in politics. “The fucking Epstein files! God damn it! Where are they? It’s a fucking
“Ithaca’s king is coming home.” But when Oscar season arrives, where will the Academy welcome back its queen? Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” opened to a massive box office haul and an avalanche of critical praise, vaulting it to the front of the Oscar race months before the
Nicolas Winding Refn’s 11th film, “Her Private Hell,” is a long way away from the grounded work many fans are familiar with, like “Drive” and “Bronson.” The feature, now in theaters via Neon, is a neon-drenched sci-fi tale of an actress, Elle (Sophie Thatcher), a soldier,
The Ibero-American Film Commission Network, a non-profit organization that brings together film commissions and film offices across Ibero-America, took place in the Costa Rica Media Market for the first time this year as it reaffirms its strategic commitment to developing the
When his grandfather passed away, director Andrés Madrigal felt an urge to pick up his camera and capture every possible moment of that immediate grief. This archival impulse would eventually become Madrigal’s feature debut “Lost Men,” which has its world premiere at the Costa
LeBron James is taking his talents to Philadelphia. The 41-year-old star basketball player has left the Los Angeles Lakers and has signed with the 76ers in a two-year, $8 million deal, according to ESPN. “I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and
The upcoming “Game of Thrones” theater production “The Mad King” is still on track to open next month in the U.K. despite canceling its first week of previews, Variety can confirm. The Royal Shakespeare Company production was set to launch previews Monday, July 20 but all four
"We’ve lived long enough to see all the stuff that we were beaten for loving become the fine art of our day," said show creator Seth Green.
That Christopher Nolan would hit a home run with “The Odyssey” was as predictable as Odysseus’s return to Ithaca. What’s maybe a little more surprising is that he has hit a grand slam. The movie earned a staggering $124 million its opening weekend, with its IMAX showings sold
Charlotte MacInnes accuses Wilson of giving “false evidence” and “dishonest statements” during initial trial
Jake Johnson has never been more booked and busy. The “New Girl” veteran is currently starring in three TV shows: “Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed,” a cheeky Apple TV+ thriller opposite Tatiana Maslany that’s drawn critical raves; “Sunset P.I.,” an upcoming NBC comedy as a private
SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers for the first eight episodes of “Cape Fear,” now streaming on Apple TV. Javier Bardem has played plenty of villainous roles — the suave Raoul Silva in “Skyfall,” the devilish Anton Chigurh in “No Country for Old Men.” But Max Cady
'Avengers: Doomsday' traps 60 characters in round rooms. Ed Harris channels Taylor Sheridan to criticize Taylor Sheridan. The TV Academy fumbles. Cinerama Dome saved.
Leslie Odom Jr. was forced to exit a matinee performance of “Hamilton” in London mid-show Thursday. Variety understands Odom bowed out after the first act and was replaced by Manaia Glassey-Ohlson. He did not appear in the evening performance of the show. A spokesperson for
As the Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) approaches its 10th anniversary next year, founder Joanne Goh is looking beyond expansion. “We expect the festival to become a hub of Southeast Asia,” Goh tells Variety, outlining her vision for MIFFest as a meeting place
Eight years after “Burning,” Lee Chang-dong is preparing to return with Venice competition title “Possible Love,” but the acclaimed Korean filmmaker says the long gap was never about stepping away from cinema. Speaking with Variety at the Malaysia International Film Festival
On today’s episode of Variety‘s “Strictly Business” podcast, Madison Wells Media chief Gigi Pritzker and newly appointed president and chief content officer Dan Steinman discuss how the well-positioned indie navigates the ups and downs of a transforming marketplace. “We have to
Cecilia Vega, who was fired as a correspondent from CBS News’ “60 Minutes” as part of a major shake-up three months ago, is speaking out about her experience at the TV newsmagazine under Bari Weiss’ leadership. Vega claimed that the “new administration” at CBS News — indicating
Sky Yang and Sean Kaufman will star alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones in Paramount‘s upcoming adaptation of Gabrielle Zevin’s best-selling novel “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.” Set over several decades, the story follows Sadie and her co-collaborator Sam Masur, who meet as
They may not make the music or mastermind the marketing campaigns, but — duh! — the music business wouldn’t and couldn’t exist without lawyers. The best of them oversee the mega-million deals and catalog sales of superstars, protect the creative work of human beings against AI
It’s a shame most fans of the “Avatar” franchise won’t have the chance to see its first animated feature on the big screen. (M. Night Shyamalan’s risible 2010 live-action film will be acknowledged here and here only.) “Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender” is the first official
Paris-based The Pool Films has taken world rights to coming-of-age drama “The Color of the Sun,” which marks the feature film debut of Tokyo-based photographer and commercials director Xavier Tera, who has collaborated with the likes of Harry Styles, Kaytranada and Rosalia.
The Moebius Entertainment founder and longtime Media Asia sales chief succeeds Albert Lee on Sept. 23, ahead of the festival's 51st edition next spring.
Charlotte MacInnes has appealed her defeat in a defamation case against Rebel Wilson, challenging the findings that Wilson’s Instagram posts were not defamatory and did not cause serious harm to her reputation. MacInnes filed her notice of appeal on Thursday, one day after
Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to affray in the U.K. in relation to a “vicious and unprovoked” attack at a London nightclub in 2023. His co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, also pleaded guilty. The U.K.’s Crown Prosecution Service (similar in function to the District Attorney)
India’s paid music streaming subscriber base could grow to between 28 million and 30 million by 2028, up from an estimated 14 million as of December 2025, according to the EY and the Indian Music Industry (IMI) “How India Listens, Streams and Pays for Music” report, released
Kino Rebelde has picked up international sales rights for “September Afternoon” by writer-director Nicolaas Schmidt, which has its world premiere in the Cineasti del Presente competition section at the Locarno Film Festival. The film is described as a work that “transforms the
Ewan McGregor, Kenneth Branagh, Ken Burns, Christine Vachon and Bruce Dern have boarded the Edinburgh Intl. Film Festival’s 2026 industry program, a talent-heavy five-day lineup anchored by the inaugural U.K. Film Conference, billed as a state-of-the-nation summit for British
The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society has appointed Fred Tsui, founder and CEO of Moebius Entertainment, as its new executive director, the organization said Friday. Tsui succeeds Albert Lee and assumes the role Sept. 23, reporting to HKIFFS chair Dr. Wilfred Wong
The BBC has acquired thriller series “Kabul,” starring the late Eric Dane and “Tehran’s” Shervin Alenabi, from Mediawan Rights. The six-part show, which is against the backdrop of U.S. troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan amid the Taliban’s return to Kabul, follows the chaotic
Sony Pictures International Productions’ Spanish operation is moving into short-form fiction with “Los Hilos del Miedo,” an eight-part psychological suspense series set to launch on Prime Video in Spain. Running approximately five minutes per episode, the production marks the
Luxbox Films has acquired the world sales rights to Mariano Llinás’ epic five-and-a-half -hour documentary “Life of Jorge Luis Borges,” which will world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in the Open – Non-Fiction section. The film forms a biography of Argentine writer and
