‘Avengers: Doomsday’ the “Most Mature, Emotionally Complex” in Franchise, Joe Russo Says
While Robert Downey Jr. says the writers have solved Marvel's post-'Endgame' slump problem.
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Walter Parazaider, Chicago Co-Founder, Flutist and Sax Player, Dies at 81
Walter Parazaider, a co-founding member of Chicago who was with the band from its start in 1967 through his retirement in 2017, died Wednesday, family members announced. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for six years. Parazaider played reed instruments in the band
Starz Acquires Russell T Davies’s Drama ‘Tip Toe’ for the U.S. and Canada
Russell T Davies’ drama “Tip Toe” is heading to Starz in the U.S. and Canada. The network has exclusively acquired the LGBTQ+ drama series, which stars Alan Cumming and David Morrissey as warring neighbors. The five-part series will premiere in North America later this year.
Ryan Gosling to Receive 2026 American Cinematheque Award
The 'Project Hail Mary' star will be honored at the Beverly Hills gala on Nov. 2.
NewFilmmakers LA Announces Nominees and Jury for 14th Annual Awards (EXCLUSIVE)
NewFilmmakers Los Angeles has unveiled the nominees and jury for the 14th annual best of NFMLA awards. Among the 16 categories, including best documentary feature film and best performance drama, 84 projects are recognized. The projects are selected from films shown during
Ken Ziffren on the Fight for a New Spin on Fin-Syn, Six Decades of Hollywood Dealmaking and Awaiting a ‘Cacophony of Decisions’ in AI Cases
Ken Ziffren has logged more than 50 years in Los Angeles’ legal community. He’s represented a wide range of players from the late great showrunner entrepreneur Stephen J. Cannell to the Television Academy to the Directors Guild of America. He’s been on every industry commission
Laika Animation Studio Becomes a Certified B Corporation; Meets Standards for Social and Environmental Performance (EXCLUSIVE)
Animation studio Laika, responsible for films like “Coraline” and “ParaNorman,” has become a Certified B Corporation. B Corporations are certified by the nonprofit organization B Lab and must meet rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and
Josh Johnson on His Unprecedented Comedic Output: ‘What Some People See as a Treadmill, I See as a Magic Carpet’
Josh Johnson is trying out bits on me in the back of a black Cadillac. We’re making conversation on the way from a “Daily Show” promotional event to his set at the New York Comedy Club in Midtown, and I can sense when small talk starts inching toward a punchline. He asks how I
How Banchi Hanuse’s ‘Ceremony’ Honors Nuxalk History, Healing and Survival
Indigenous director Banchi Hanuse’s “Ceremony” won the Audience Award at SXSW, a DGC Award at Hot Docs and the First Nations Award at the Sydney Film Festival — that success underlines her goals with the film. The film screens June 19 at the Bentonville Film Festival. Hanuse
Disney Is Unlocking ‘The Simpsons’ for Fortnite Games Developers
D’oh! Homer, Marge, Bart and the rest of “The Simpsons” cast of characters are set to run riot in a slew of new battles across Epic Games’ Fortnite under a new pact. Disney and Epic Games announced that “The Simpsons” is joining Fortnite’s IP Partner Program, giving third-party
‘Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It’ Movie in the Works at Netflix From ‘The Nightingale’ Producer, ‘Book Lovers’ Screenwriter (EXCLUSIVE)
“Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast” co-host Brooke Averick’s debut novel, “Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It,” is being adapted into a movie at Netflix. Following a highly competitive bidding war, the streamer landed the film rights to Averick’s “Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It,”
UTA Signs Powerhouse Christian Novelist Karen Kingsbury (EXCLUSIVE)
Karen Kingsbury, the bestselling author crowned the “Queen of Christian Fiction” by Time magazine, has signed with UTA for representation in all areas. Kingsbury has published nearly 100 novels and sold more than 30 million copies in the U.S. Her catalog includes the
Janelle James Comedy Series ‘Rock City’ in Development at Hulu
Janelle James is developing a new comedy series at Hulu with “Happy Endings” creator David Caspe. Titled “Rock City,” the show would follow a woman who returns to her hometown in the Virgin Islands after she inherits a local tourist trap from her estranged father. According to
BET Revives ‘ComicView’ With New ‘Rooftop Series’ Hosted by Chris ‘CP’ Powell (EXCLUSIVE)
BET is returning to its comedy roots by rebooting its beloved stand-up series “ComicView.” Titled “ComicView: Rooftop Series,” the 10-episode revival will premiere on the network on June 30 at 9:30 p.m. ET. It’s hosted by Chris “CP” Powell and will take place outside, from a
The New York Comedy Festival to Present Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch
For the first time, the New York Comedy Festival (NYCF) will present Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch, bringing the annual industry spotlight on emerging comedic talent into the festival’s official programming. The presentation and showcase will take place on Nov. 12 during the
‘Prison Break’ Star Lukas Gage Teases ‘Dark’ and ‘Scary’ Reboot: ‘It’s on Hulu … So We Can Get Really Gritty’
Lukas Gage is getting into politics. Not really, but he’s playing on aspiring politician on TV. The actor is starring in Hulu’s upcoming “Prison Break” as a politician running for the first time for Congress. He tells me he prepared for the role by primarily studying former
‘One Night in Idaho: The College Murders’ Renewed for Season 2 at Amazon With New Testimony (EXCLUSIVE)
Amazon Prime Video has greenlit a second season of “One Night in Idaho: The College Murders,” its 2025 docuseries about the horrific stabbings of Idaho college students carried out by Bryan Kohberger in 2022. The new season features never-before-heard testimony from the law
Studio That’s Developing ‘Skibidi Toilet’ Movie and TV Projects With Michael Bay Has Raised $25 Million in Funding
The company that has movie and TV projects in the works based on viral YouTube sensation Skibidi Toilet has just banked a roll of cash — and it’s eyeing additional capital to move forward with other digital creators’ intellectual property as well. Invisible Narratives, an
Don’t Call It a Sequel. Or a Reboot. Or a Remake. Why Certain Words Trigger Hollywood
What do you call a movie that takes place after the events of a previous film, features the same characters and has the same creative team? That’s not the set-up to a joke; it’s a real question that’s plaguing marketing executives at studios. As audiences grow wary of
Olivia Wilde ‘Never Felt More Disconnected’ Than During the ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ Media Storm
The director isn’t certain she made the right call on keeping her true thoughts to herself. “I think that my own attempt to be strong,” she said, “it in a way came off as inauthentic”
Amanda Seyfried Had to Use a Bodyguard After Calling Charlie Kirk ‘Hateful’ Ignited MAGA Outrage: ‘I’m Allowed to F—ing Voice My Feelings’
Amanda Seyfried revealed in a recent British GQ profile that she had to hire a bodyguard after she called Charlie Kirk “hateful” shortly after the Turning Point USA co-founder was shot and killed last year. Seyfried’s comment ignited outrage from conservatives on social media.
‘Overwatch’ Art Director Arnold Tsang Launches Original Manga ‘Azuki’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Azuki Labs has unveiled “Azuki,” an original manga written and illustrated by Arnold Tsang, the former character art director at Blizzard Entertainment who shaped the visual identity of “Overwatch,” the studio’s blockbuster team-based shooter game. The manga will have its world
How Constance Zimmer Honors the Power of Profound Grief in ‘Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’
It’s the tightness around her lips, the glassiness of her eyes and the way her eye makeup smears as she fights back tears. When Constance Zimmer breaks down in the final episode of FX’s “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette,” every inch of her face exudes that
‘Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World’ to Open NewportFilm Outdoors as Festival Unveils 2026 Summer Lineup (EXCLUSIVE)
NewportFilm Outdoors, which unfolds each summer in the legendary resort town of Newport, Rhode Island, is returning with a lineup of new documentaries covering everything from sports icons to writers and girl scouts. The outdoor screenings take place across Aquidneck Island and
Sinclair Invests in IRCODE, a ‘Shazam for Images’ AI Vision Start-Up, and Sets Interactive TV Rollouts in Two Markets
Local TV station operator Sinclair is going to let viewers interact with its on-air programming — and ads — in a new way under a partnership with IRCODE. Sinclair has made a strategic investment in IRCODE, a computer vision and AI company that claims its system makes TV
Americans Fear AI’s Societal Impact and Don’t Believe Government Can Regulate It, Pew Study Finds
Roughly two-thirds of Americans believe AI is advancing at too fast a rate — even as a majority of adults are using chatbots, according to a new Pew Research Center study examining U.S. sentiment toward the technology. The study also found that 40% of respondents believe AI
BBC to Cut 550 Jobs and Reduce Commissioning Spend by More Than $100 Million as Part of Savings Plan, New Director General Says
New BBC director general Matt Brittin has outlined the first phase of his savings plan for the broadcaster, which includes cutting jobs, commissioning spend and already existing programs. In a memo to staff on Wednesday, Brittin — a former Google executive who started in the
Juicy Hong Kong Hulu Drama ‘The Season’ Is a Spiritual Successor to ‘Crazy Rich Asians’: TV Review
One of the more baffling mysteries in modern entertainment is why the 2018 blockbuster “Crazy Rich Asians,” a rom-com that grossed $239 million worldwide on a $30 million production budget, didn’t get a sequel. We maynever know the answer, but eight years later, the Hong
Annecy’s MIFA Bets on Cross-IP, AI and Global Growth Amid Animation Financing Squeeze
The Annecy festival will continue to grow even as the wider animation sector contracts — a tension set to define this year’s Marché International du Film d’Animation (MIFA), which runs June 23-26. “What people call an animation crisis is, at root, a financing crisis,” says MIFA
Box Office: ‘Toy Story 5’ Eyes Record $150 Million-Plus Opening Weekend
“Toy Story 5” should send the box office to infinity… and beyond. The latest entry in Disney and Pixar’s beloved animated franchise is targeting a debut of $145 million to $150 million from 4,400 North American theaters. Industry watchers believe that initial ticket sales could
‘Minions & Monsters’ Opens Annecy 2026 as Festival Eyes Record Crowds, New Class A Status and a Global Animation Spotlight
Organizers of the Annecy Intl. Animation Festival aren’t shy about calling this upcoming edition “historic.” With 18,300 accredited attendees from 118 countries already confirmed, participation is poised to meet, and likely exceed, past records. More consequentially, the June
YouTube India Positions Connected TV as New Prime-Time Screen, Unveils Three-Lever Strategy for M&E Partners at APOS
Connected TV has become YouTube’s fastest-growing screen in India, reaching more than 75 million adults, as the platform pushes deeper into living-room viewing and signals a structural shift in how it partners with the country’s media and entertainment sector. Gunjan Soni,
Vans Releases ‘Kpop Demon Hunters’ Collection Inspired by Hit Song ‘Golden’
Vans get the “Golden” treatment in a new “Kpop Demon Hunters” collection, which will drop in stores and online later this summer. The release includes the beloved shoe brand’s top-selling sneakers – the Classic Slip-On, Old Skool, Old Skool V and Sk8-Hi — in a new golden
TikTok Sets Cannes Lions Creator Lineup With Tineke Younger, Morgan Jay, Katie Fang and More (EXCLUSIVE)
TikTok is set to have a big presence at Cannes Lions later this month with a 16-strong creator lineup spanning the worlds of food, lifestyle, music, comedy, sports and beauty. TikTok creators attending the festival of creativity in the South of France include chef and author
Streaming Titles Are Following the Theatrical Trend of Less Diversity, Finds UCLA Hollywood Report
Despite the global success of Netflix’s Oscar-winning “KPop Demon Hunters,” which was directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, UCLA’s Hollywood Diversity Report has found that diversity in streaming movies is falling overall, following in the footsteps of theatrical
Screen X to Launch New Premium Large Format With ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ (EXCLUSIVE)
CJ 4DPlex, the Korean cinema technology company behind ScreenX and 4DX, is launching a new premium large format in time for the release of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” The new initiative is called “Shot for ScreenX” and will be deployed on the company’s immersive 270-degree
How an Incentives Arms Race Is Drawing ‘Dune 3,’ ‘Wednesday,’ ‘Resident Evil’ and More to Central and Eastern Europe
While an ongoing production exodus has prompted much soul-searching and handwringing in Hollywood, industry professionals in Central and Eastern Europe couldn’t be more bullish, as studio blockbusters, streaming series and other international productions continue to flock to
Hollywood Diversity Report: Streaming Films Have Abandoned Women and People of Color
Despite Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters,' 2025 was not a great year for representation.
Culver City Approves Permanent Production Incentive Measures as Netflix and MGM+ Film on Location in the Heart of Screenland
When the Culver City Council voted to approve its annual budget last week, the temporary film incentive measures that were implemented in May formally became a permanent part of the city’s pitch to production companies. Already, new projects from Netflix and Amazon-owned MGM+
Indonesia’s Ismail Basbeth Sets Next Feature ‘Love Letters of Our Life’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Indonesian director Ismail Basbeth has set “Love Letters of Our Life” as his next feature. The director is at the Shanghai International Film Festival presenting the world premiere of his film “My Own Last Supper”, which is part of the main competition. “Love Letters of Our
Raindance Founder Elliot Grove Praises ‘Exceptional’ Connor Storrie, Says ‘Some of the Most Exciting Filmmakers Working Today’ Come From Horror
Ahead of kicking off the 34th edition of Raindance Film Festival, founder Elliot Grove still keeps the event’s original mission ethos to his chest. Raindance, the largest independent film festival in the U.K., was born out of a desire to platform underseen and upcoming talent.
Is ‘Austin Powers 4’ Happening? Mike Myers Says ‘Yes’ (but Nothing Else)
Mike Myers has claimed that a long-awaited fourth “Austin Powers” movie is happening, albeit with a single word and absolutely zero elaboration. As a guest on “Trevor Noah’s World Cup Watch Party,” Myers — who currently stars as Powers in a new Verizon commercial — was asked by
Australia’s Warwick Thornton Brings ‘Wolfram’ to Shanghai, Discusses Film’s Roots in Family History
Australian auteur Warwick Thornton attended a post-screening event at the Shanghai International Film Festival following the Chinese premiere of “Wolfram,” his latest feature, which was in the main competition of the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year. Set in a 1930s
Ester Expósito, Mario Casas and Anna Castillo Lead Prime Video’s New Originals Slate in Spain, Its No. 1 Non-English Powerhouse
Prime Video Spain unveiled 13 new titles plus production updates in Madrid on Wednesday, led by the announcement of a second “Zeta” movie, starring Mario Casas (“Cross the Line”), details of “Enfrentados: Marfil,” starring Ester Expósito, and first look images of “Su Majestad,’
Maria José of Savoy, Queen of Italy for Only 27 Days, to Be Subject of Film From Ginevra Elkann and Marco Bellocchio (EXCLUSIVE)
The story of Maria José of Savoy, who served as queen of Italy after World War II for only 27 days before Italians voted to abolish the monarchy, is set to be the subject of a new historical drama. Titled “Maestà” (“Majesty”), the film will be directed by Ginevra Elkann (“If
Netflix, Prime Video, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery Bet on Local Content and Fandom to Drive APAC Growth
Executives from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery converged at APOS 2026 in Bali this week with a shared conviction: Asian IP and local storytelling are no longer regional plays but the streaming industry’s most valuable global assets. During the session
‘April X’ Director Michel K. Parandi Says Casting Connor Storrie Before ‘Heated Rivalry’ Felt Like Casting Harrison Ford in ‘Blade Runner’: I Was ‘Telling Everybody He’s Going to Be a Movie Star’
Producers urged Michel K. Parandi to take his time and audition as many actors as possible for the main role of Baxter in his long-gestating sci-fi “April X,” but the French-American director knew early on who his man was: Connor Storrie. What he did not know is that, a few
COL Group, Virtue Asia Team for Southeast Asia Microdrama Brand Push
V47 Entertainment’s specialist agency Virtue Asia has struck a deal with China-listed microdrama company COL Group to develop and distribute brand-funded entertainment across Southeast Asia, the companies announced on the sidelines of the APOS conference in Bali. Under the
Locarno’s Inaugural Open Doors Connect: Meet the Four Participants and Their Sponsors
"Bringing together film professionals from Benin, Madagascar, Brazil and Mongolia, the goal is "to ideate and facilitate opportunities for South-South collaborations."
Juno Hong’s ‘Only the Moon Knows’ Wins Annual Focus at Shanghai Project Market
Juno Hong’s “Only the Moon Knows” claimed the Annual Focus award at SIFF Project, the project promotion component of the Shanghai International Film Festival. It also took home the Regent Presents “Cinematic Escapes” Special Focus Award, worth 200,000 IHG One Rewards Points.
