Conan O’Brien to Bring His Irreverent Comedy to the Oscars for Third Consecutive Year
The comedian looks to score a three-peat as host of the 99th Academy Awards
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Cate Blanchett Co-Founds RSL Media, a Non-Profit to Address Consent Around AI Usage
Cate Blanchett has co-founded a new non-profit company, RSL Media, which helps provide a human consent framework for AI’s use of creative work, name, image and likeness. Advocates and supporters include Javier Bardem, George Clooney, Viola Davis, Tom Hanks, Dame Helen Mirren,
‘The Pitt’ Seeks to Overturn ‘Baseless’ ‘ER’ Knock-Off Claims in Appeal
Lawyers for Max’s “The Pitt” submitted a final briefing Monday in an attempt to defeat claims that the Emmy-winning show is a knockoff of “ER.” This marks the most recent development in a lawsuit brought by “ER” creator Michael Crichton’s estate against Warner Bros. in 2024. In
SAG-AFTRA Deal Stirs Concerns on Artificial Intelligence and Pensions
SAG-AFTRA leaders are beginning the process of selling their new studio contract to the membership, amid lingering concerns about artificial intelligence and the merger of two pension funds. The deal, unveiled on Monday, allows studios to use synthetic performers only if they
‘VisionQuest’ Gets Fall Release Date on Disney+
“VisionQuest,” Marvel’s long-awaited spinoff of “WandaVision,” will debut on Disney+ on October 14. It was previously known that the show was coming fall 2026. Disney revealed the release date at the Upfronts, where the company also announced a slew of other programming news.
Jimmy Kimmel Nods to ‘Bachelorette’ — and His — Drama at Disney Upfronts: ‘In Order for ABC to Pull You Off the Air, You Have to Throw a Chair at Your Mormon Boyfriend’
It’s been quite a year for Kimmel since the last time he met with advertisers on the Disney upfront stage. Most notably was last year’s Kimmel media firestorm, when Disney temporarily benched the late-night host in the wake of threats from the Trump administration. On Tuesday,
Disney’s 2026 Upfront Goes All in on Savannah Bananas, Billie Jean King and ‘American Horror Story’
Disney’s annual upfront presentation to advertisers in New York on Tuesday kicked off with some high-energy antics (and singing) courtesy of the viral sensations the Savannah Bananas. Not long after, it was revealed that the team’s Banana Bowl will stream live on Disney+ in
Culver City Sweetens its Production Incentives Package to Draw More TV and Film Shoots
Culver City has sweetened the pot. Six months after the the Culver City Council voted for a package of incentives to support film and TV production, the city has waived key fees and parking restrictions in an effort to attract more production activity in the area that was once
Macaulay Culkin Says He Has “Unfinished Business” With ‘Home Alone’ Mother Catherine O’Hara
"I feel like I owed her a favour — and I don't like having an outstanding debt," the actor said of his relationship with the late Emmy winner.
Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet Photos
The Cannes Film Festival got off the ground in the French Riviera resort town on Tuesday, bringing the traditional mix of stars and international auteurs to the Croisette. This year will see fewer big American movies, but stars including Scarlett Johansson, Rami Malek, Javier
Grammy Awards Set Nominations and Telecast Date for 2027 Move to ABC and Hulu
The Grammy Awards will be held on Feb. 7, 2027, as the ceremony moves to ABC, Hulu and Disney+ in the U.S. after more than 50 years on CBS. Nominations for the 69th annual Grammy kudos will be revealed on Nov. 16. The ceremony will originate live from Crypto.com Arena in
Jimmy Fallon to Send Viewers to Stephen Colbert for Final ‘Late Show’
The Tonight Show will air a rerun on May 21
Shatara Michelle Ford’s ‘Dreams in Nightmares’ Sets Summer Theatrical Release
“Dreams in Nightmares,” Shatara Michelle Ford’s sophomore film, will release theatrically in New York and Los Angeles this summer before a wider expansion across the country. Lunette Films will lead the film’s booking and release strategy. The film, which follows a group of
‘American Horror Story’ Season 13 Casts ‘Love Story’ Star Paul Anthony Kelly
Paul Anthony Kelly, who recently rose to prominence playing John F. Kennedy Jr. in FX’s “Love Story,” is joining another Ryan Murphy series at the network: He has been cast in Season 13 of “American Horror Story.” Kelly announced the news himself at Disney’s annual presentation
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Sets Disney+ Release Date
Fan will have another chance to see the return of Jake Sully and his family when “Avatar: Fire and Ash” arrives on Disney+ on June 24. This time, the Sully clan is at war with a fiery enemy Na’vi tribe on Pandora. The third film in James Cameron’s “Avatar” series stars Sam
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic ‘Dare to Be Stupid’ Broadway Musical Is in the Works
Led by Moulin Rouge director Alex Timbers, the musical will include renditions of Yankovic’s biggest hits
Jack Douglas, Producer for John Lennon, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick and More, Dies at 80
Jack Douglas, a top-flight rock producer whose work in the 1970s and early 1980s included John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Double Fantasy,” Aerosmith’s “Rocks” and “Toys in the Attic,” Cheap Trick’s debut album, Patti Smith’s “Radio Ethiopia” and more, died on Monday, according to a
Conan O’Brien to Return as Oscars Host for Third Year in a Row
The comedian will emcee the 2027 Academy Awards, which will be produced by Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, for the fourth consecutive year, and Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney, for the third year in a row.
‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 35 Adds Savannah Bananas Player; Disney+ to Stream Live Banana Bowl Game
Savannah Bananas second baseman Jackson Olson is hoping to knock it out of the ballroom in Season 35 of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” He joins previously announced celebrity contestants Maura Higgins (“The Traitors,” “Love Island”) and Ciara Miller (“Summer House”). The full
Conan O’Brien to Host the 2027 Oscars, Marking Third Consecutive Year
If Conan O’Brien needs a friend, he’s certainly found one in the Academy. For the third year in a row, O’Brien has been tapped to host next year’s Oscars. Also back are live TV event producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan as the show’s executive producers for the fourth
Amazon MGM Studios’ Head of Business Affairs Dan Scharf to Exit; Mandy Schaffer, Craig Muhlrad Set to Lead Decentralized TV and Film Operations
Amazon MGM Studios is parting ways with its head of business affairs, Dan Scharf, amid on overall restructuring of operations at the ecommerce giant’s studio division. Later Tuesday, the company announced that under its new decentralized format, Mandy Schaffer will take over as
‘The Electric Kiss’ Review: Cannes Opens With a Thud — a ‘Light’ French Period Romance About an Artist and a Fake Psychic, but the Movie Is Inert
Salvadori has conceived "The Electric Kiss" as a film about fake magic, yet there’s no spirit of real magic underlying the fakery that’s supposed to be playful but is actually leaden.
Eight Feature Films from Cannes and Sundance Alumni Selected for Inside Out Toronto’s International LGBTQ Finance Forum
Inside Out, the producer of Canada’s queer-focused 2SLGBTQ+ film festival, has selected eight projects for its 10th International Film Financing Forum, held in Toronto May 28-29. Presented by Netflix, the forum will showcase the films “Summer in Heat,” from Cannes alum Levan
Persol and Brooklyn Bridge Park Partner on Free Outdoor Film Series, ‘Movies With a View’
Persol and Brooklyn Bridge Park have announced a partnership to present Movies With A View, the park’s long-running free outdoor film series, for its 26th season this summer. The series, which draws thousands of New Yorkers to the Brooklyn waterfront each week for screenings
‘Off Campus’ Star Ella Bright on Her Attention-Getting Role as Hannah Wells and the Post-‘Heated Rivalry’ Hockey Romance Takeover
Since the TV adaptation of Elle Kennedy’s “Off Campus” novels was announced in 2024, fans of the massively popular book series have been wondering: Who is going to play Hannah Wells? The answer is Ella Bright, the 19-year-old, British actress who will be gracing our screens
‘Swapped’ Hits 38.7 Million Views in Seven Days, Netflix’s Best-Ever Single-Week Viewership for an Animated Movie
“Swapped,” the new animated film with a voice cast led by Michael B. Jordan and Juno Temple, has broken a Netflix record. After debuting as Netflix’s No. 2 English-language film of the week with 15.5 million views in its first three days, “Swapped” took a major leap, hitting
Betty Gilpin, Alec Baldwin, David Costabile Join Oscar Isaac in Netflix Las Vegas Series ‘The Roman’
Netflix is rounding out the cast of its upcoming Las Vegas casino series, now dubbed “The Roman.” Variety has learned that Betty Gilpin, Alec Baldwin, and David Costabile have all joined the drama as series regulars alongside previously announced lead Oscar Isaac. The official
LISTEN: Tech Talk, Streaming, Sports and Reboots Dominate Day 1 of Upfronts; NBCUniversal’s Liz Jenkins on Risk-Taking Amid Disruption
On today’s episode of “Daily Variety” podcast, Variety’s Brian Steinberg reports on the triple-header kickoff of Upfronts week after attending Monday’s presentations by NBCUniversal, Fox and Amazon Prime Video. He parses each platform’s pitch to Madison Avenue. And we’ll hear
Robert Irwin Outruns a Stamped of Inflatable Crocodiles in New Columbia Sportswear Campaign
Robert Irwin has wrangled snakes, cuddled koalas, and charmed television audiences from Australia to America. Now, he’s outrunning a stampede of inflatable crocodiles through the outback. Columbia Sportswear has unveiled its latest campaign starring its global brand ambassador,
Peter Jackson Receives Cannes Palme d’Or From Elijah Wood in Upbeat Opening Ceremony
Despite a selection light on Hollywood fare, the Croisette got whipped into frenzy nonetheless by boldfaced names like Demi Moore, Chloe Zhao, Jane Fonda, Diego Luna and Heidi Klum on night one.
Guillermo Del Toro Lectures, Marilyn Monroe Screening Series and VistaVision Prints Join Academy Museum’s Summer Programming Slate – Film News in Brief
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has announced its 2026 summer programs, which will include appearances by special guests such as Guillermo Del Toro, Bill Duke, Guy Maddin, Michael Mann and more. The slate includes film series, public programs and education programs.
Hayden Panettiere Opens Up About Sexuality, Addiction and Postpartum Depression in New Memoir ‘This Is Me: A Reckoning’
Hayden Panettiere, who became a household name by her early teens, is opening up about her rise to fame for the first time in a new memoir. In “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” out May 19, the now 36 year-old actor recounts the traumatizing Hollywood experiences and tabloid scrutiny
Rebecca Yarros’ ‘Empyrean’ Box Set Goes on Sale Online on Heels of ‘Fourth Wing’ Adaptation News
It’s official: author Rebecca Yarros’ “Empyrean” book series is heading to the small screen with a new Amazon Prime Video series based on the first book, “Fourth Wing.” First released in 2023, “Fourth Wing” became a runaway bestseller, topping critics’ lists and TikTok charts
Harrison Ford Didn’t Know He Was Humming ‘Indiana Jones’ Theme Song in ‘Shrinking’: ‘I Just Thought It Was Some Familiar Thing’
In a twist that might shock “Indiana Jones” fans, Harrison Ford didn’t actually pick up on most of those easter eggs nodding to the iconic action-adventure franchise sprinkled throughout “Shrinking” Season 3. During the show’s Apple FYC Event, moderated by Variety’s Emily
Madonna to Chronicle a ‘F–ked Up Night Out’ in ‘Confessions II’ Film Premiering at Tribeca
The pop icon will partake in a conversation with Jimmy Fallon after the premiere
Peter Jackson Gets Palme d’Or From Elijah Wood at Cannes as Director Credits Festival for Saving ‘Lord of the Rings’: ‘It Was a Huge Gamble’
It was a “Lord of the Rings” reunion at Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday night as Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson received an honorary Palme d’Or from Elijah Wood, who played Frodo Baggins in the fantasy franchise. In his speech, Wood recalled meeting Jackson for the first
Jimmy Fallon to Go Dark on Night of Stephen Colbert’s Final ‘Late Show,’ Joining Jimmy Kimmel in Show of Solidarity
Jimmy Fallon is going dark on Stephen Colbert’s last day as a late-night host. Instead of producing a new episode, NBC will air a rerun of “The Tonight Show” on May 21, which marks the final episode of Colber’s “Late Show” following its cancellation by CBS last year. Fallon
Marshall’s New Jimi Hendrix Collection Includes Bluetooth Speaker and Half Stack Amp Redesigned in Psychedelic ’60s Palette
Sixty years after Jimi Hendrix first plugged into a Marshall amplifier, the two names are aligning again — this time to produce a limited-edition collection that commemorates one of the most consequential relationships in rock history. Announced today, the Marshall x Hendrix
Barry Blaustein, Writer for Eddie Murphy on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and the ‘Coming to America’ Films, Dies at 71
He and David Sheffield teamed on Buckwheat, Gumby and Mr. Robinson sketches and on scripts for Murphy’s ‘Nutty Professor’ movies as well.
NBC’s Peacock Logo Turns 40: How the Network Landed on the Iconic Design
In the history of broadcast network logos, NBC’s Peacock is relatively young. CBS introduced its “Eye” icon in 1951, while the ABC meatball has been more or less the same (with some slight font alterations) since 1962. But although NBC first started using a peacock to promote
Paramount Skydance Defends WBD Merger by Arguing That Neither Paramount+ nor HBO Max Could ‘Catch Up’ to Netflix, Disney or Amazon on Their Own
Paramount Skydance is continuing to insist that the David Ellison-led company’s $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery will bring “new competitive energy to the entertainment ecosystem,” in the words of its top lawyer — not reduce competition. On May 7, Paramount chief
‘The Remembered Soldier’ Movie in the Works from ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ Filmmaker Olivia Newman (Exclusive)
Newman will write and direct the adaptation, which will reteam with her with Netflix and 'Bright Creatures 'producers Bryan Unkeless and Peter Craig
Cinerama Dome Moves One Step Closer to Opening After L.A. City Planning Approves Alcohol Permit
Hollywood’s ArcLight Hollywood and Cinerama Dome has moved one step closer to once again screening films after a conditional use permit for serving alcohol was approved. However the Dome’s owners, Dome Center LLC, did not offer any timeline for the reopening at a public hearing
Secuoya Studios Taps José María Caro as Chief Content Officer to Boost Creative Strategy
Secuoya Studios has appointed José María Caro as chief content officer, a day after his HBO Max Spain exit was announced, to strengthen the Madrid-based company’s global content strategy. His broader executive track record includes Amazon MGM Studios, Buendía Estudios and
‘Hamilton’ Gets First 4K Blu-ray Release in New Collector’s Edition
The filmed version of “Hamilton” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray for the first time on June 16, in a Collector’s Edition that includes a new documentary, a sing-along version and physical memorabilia. The release upgrades the production to Dolby Vision picture quality and Dolby
Steve Zahn Joins Kate Hudson, Javier Bardem in Amazon MGM Rom-Com ‘Hello & Paris’ (Exclusive)
Elizabeth Chomko helms the film that is currently in production and inspired by Deborah McKinlay's novel 'That Part Was True.'
Jack Taylor, American Actor in European Horror and Fantasy Films, Dies at 99
He appeared with Christopher Lee in ‘Count Dracula,’ with Arnold Schwarzenegger in ‘Conan the Barbarian’ and in lots of exploitation flicks made in Spain.
Delroy Lindo to Be Honored at 2026 Legal Defense Fund National Equal Justice Awards Dinner Hosted by Leslie Odom, Jr. (EXCLUSIVE)
The Legal Defense Fund will honor Delroy Lindo, Gabrielle Kirk McDonald and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at its 38th National Equal Justice Awards Dinner on May 14 in New York City. The annual event, known as NEJAD, will be hosted by Leslie Odom, Jr. and feature
Man Accused of Stealing Beyoncé Unreleased Music Pleads Guilty in Theft Case, Sentenced to Two Years in Prison
The man accused of stealing hard drives that contained unreleased Beyoncé music in July 2025 pleaded guilty on Tuesday to avoid a jury trial. Kelvin Evans, 40, entered a guilty plea to single counts of criminal trespass and entering a vehicle with the intent to commit theft in
