Dwayne Johnson Takes a Prestige Swing in First ‘The Smashing Machine’ Trailer
The movie star sports prosthetics and an accent for Benny Safdie's biopic of famed UFC champ Mark Kerr.
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‘The Smashing Machine’ Trailer: Dwayne Johnson Is Unrecognizable as UFC Legend Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie’s Biopic From A24
Dwayne Johnson undergoes his most dramatic on-screen transformation yet in the first trailer for “The Smashing Machine,” a biopic about two-time UFC heavyweight champ Mark Kerr. A24 pulled the curtain back on the drama Tuesday morning. Benny Safdie, one of the two Safdie
‘Frozen’ Animator Lino DiSalvo’s Next Film ‘Twisted’ Starts Production and Enlists French Partners; Sola Media to Show First Footage at Cannes (EXCLUSIVE)
“Twisted,” the next directorial outing of Lino Di Salvo, the award-winning head of animation on “Frozen,” has already been boarded by a raft of partners in the run up to the Cannes Film Festival where Mediawan Kids & Family and Sola Media will debut first-look footage. French
Sony Is Using Roblox to Market ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ to Children (Exclusive)
How else are you gonna teach Gens Z and Alpha to wax on and off?
Mike Peters, Frontman of the Alarm, Dies at 66 After Three-Decade Battle With Cancer
Mike Peters, frontman of Welsh rock band the Alarm, who became as known for his three-decade struggle with cancer and fundraising efforts to combat the disease, has died, according to the BBC. He was 66 and finally succumbed to his illness. The Alarm formed in 1981 and soon
Epsilon Boards Animated Feature ‘Dreamers – The Hunt for Shadowclaw’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Epsilon Film has boarded 3D CGI animated feature film “Dreamers – The Hunt for Shadowclaw” as both co-producer and worldwide sales agent. Epsilon will launch pre-sales for the family adventure at the Cannes Film Market, presenting an initial first-look scene. The film follows
Sony Future Filmmakers Awards Names Shortlisted Finalists (EXCLUSIVE)
30 filmmakers have been shortlisted for the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards. The filmmakers were selected for their originality across fiction, non-fiction, animation and student filmmaking. The shortlisted winners will be given the chance to attend a four-day immersive program
Teen Music Drama ‘Finding My Voice’ Heads to Cannes Market With Screenbound (EXCLUSIVE)
Screenbound International Pictures is set to shop helmer Arabella Burfitt-Dons’ sophomore feature “Finding My Voice” to international buyers at the upcoming Cannes Film Market, with a world premiere screening due on May 15. The coming-of-age music drama stars Michelle Ryan
‘A Minecraft Movie’ Stays on Top as ‘Sinners’ Holds Strong and ‘Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith’ Reissue Blasts Into Third at U.K. and Ireland Box Office
Warner Bros.’ “A Minecraft Movie” continues its domination at the U.K. and Ireland box office, topping the chart for a fourth straight weekend with £2.4 million ($3.3 million), according to Comscore. The film has amassed $68.7 million to date, firmly establishing itself as one
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Creative Duo Set for Sheffield DocFest as “Queer Stories Face Growing Resistance”
Producers-directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, the co-founders of World of Wonder, will host a virtual conversation with Ronan Farrow and preview HBO’s upcoming 'Murder in Glitterball City.'
Cannes: Christian Petzold’s ‘Miroirs No. 3’ Sells Wide Ahead of Festival Debut
The Match Factory closed multiple international deals on Petzold's latest, which will premiere in Cannes Directors' Fortnight next month.
Spotify Adds More Premium Subs in Q1 Than Expected to Reach 268 Million, but CEO Warns of Near-Term ‘Noise’ Amid Economic Uncertainty
Spotify hauled in 5 million net new Premium subscribers for the first quarter of 2025, its highest Q1 gains in five years, but macroeconomic uncertainty could bring some near-term “noise,” CEO and founder Daniel Ek said. The audio streaming giant gained 3 million net new
Isabel Arrate Fernandez Named as IDFA’s New Artistic Director
International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) has selected Isabel Arrate Fernandez to be its new artistic director. She takes the reins from Orwa Nyrabia, who will step down on July 1 after seven years as festival chief. Arrate Fernandez will work alongside managing
Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sejal Shah on Challenges of Bringing True Heroism to Screen for ZEE5 Global’s ‘Costao’: ‘It’s About Bravery, Honesty, Discipline and Suffering’
Real heroism comes at a devastating cost in Indian film “Costao.” “The reality is you don’t always win the way you want to win,” director Sejal Shah tells Variety about her true-story drama premiering on ZEE5 Global. The film chronicles Goan customs officer Costao Fernandes,
Netflix Showcases Deep Asian Movie Lineup in Tokyo
The streamer offered first looks and teasers for a diverse slate of features from Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea and India.
The Match Factory Secures Multiple Deals for Christian Petzold’s Cannes-Bound ‘Miroirs No. 3’ (EXCLUSIVE)
The Match Factory has closed multiple distribution deals for the new Christian Petzold feature “Miroirs No. 3” ahead of its world premiere as part of the Directors’ Fortight lineup in Cannes. As previously announced Metrograph Pictures will distribute the film in North America.
Twenty Rising European Producers Chosen for Producers on the Move Program in Cannes
European Film Promotion has selected 20 rising European producers for the 26th edition of its Producers on the Move networking program, which runs during the Cannes Film Festival. Variety is the program’s main media partner. The following producers are taking part: Blerina
Terrence Howard Rejected Marvin Gaye Biopic Because He Didn’t Want to Kiss a Man
"I can’t play that character 100 percent. I can’t surrender myself to a place that I don’t understand"
SND Boards French Action Comedy Series ‘My Wife is a Spy’ Starring Marie Gillain
SND has acquired international distribution rights to “My Wife is a Spy,” a high concept action comedy starring Marie Gillain (“Under the Influence”) which world premiered at Canneseries. Directed by Leo Karmann, whose credits include “Simon’s Got a Gift,” the series is
Jon Stewart Reflects on Trump’s First 100 Days: ‘Donald, Stop!’
"I’m so tired. It’s aging this nation in Tom Hanks’ Castaway years," the host quipped
‘Parasite’ Producer Miky Lee to Receive Ellis Island Medal of Honor
CJ Group vice chair Miky Lee, the power player behind Oscar history-maker “Parasite,” will add another honor to her collection when she receives the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The executive, who has spent three decades as a driving force in elevating Korean entertainment to
Jackie Chan to Be Honored With Locarno Film Festival Career Award
The Locarno Film Festival will honor Jackie Chan with a lifetime career award honoring the martial arts master who helped define Hong Kong action cinema before becoming a Hollywood mainstay. Chan is “beloved for action films that bridged the gap between East and West,” the
Jackie Chan to Receive Locarno Film Festival Lifetime Honor
Star, director, producer, writer, "choreographer, singer, athlete, and daredevil stuntman," he is "a key figure in contemporary Asian cinema ... whose influence has rewritten the rules of Hollywood cinema."
India’s Hansal Mehta, Vinod Bhanushali Strike Three-Film Deal (EXCLUSIVE)
Acclaimed Indian filmmaker Hansal Mehta’s True Story Films and Vinod Bhanushali’s Bhanushali Studios Limited have inked a three-picture pact, with the films set to roll out through 2025 and 2026. The partnership, which signals an expansion into regional cinema for both
Nicole Kidman to Receive Milestone Women in Motion Award During Cannes Film Festival
Kidman will be the 10th recipient of the Kering honor joining a roster that includes Donna Langley, Jane Fonda, Patty Jenkins, Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon, Viola Davis, Michelle Yeoh and Salma Hayek Pinault.
Jon Stewart Tackles Trump’s First 100 Days in Office: ‘I Am So Tired’
On this week’s episode of “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart recapped President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office. During the show’s opening, Stewart appeared to be a no-show until he emerged from under his desk wearing a long white beard. “It’s officially been 100 days of
Beyoncé Set List: Every Song Played on ‘Cowboy Carter’ Tour Opener in Los Angeles
Beyoncé kicked off her highly anticipated “Cowboy Carter” tour at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium tonight, giving the first look at her 32-date trek spanning nine global cities. The show is the first taste of the “Cowboy Carter” tour experience, coming a little over a year since she
Pedro Almodóvar Slams Trump in Fiery Speech at Lincoln Center Honors: ‘You Will Go Down in History as a Catastrophe’
Pedro Almodóvar did not hold back on his opinion of Donald Trump as he accepted the 50th annual Chaplin award from Film at Lincoln Center on Monday evening in Manhattan. As the celebrated Spanish filmmaker expressed his gratitude for the honor at Alice Tully Hall, he said, “I
Cora Sue Collins, Celebrated Child Actress at MGM in the 1930s, Dies at 98
She spent time alone with Greta Garbo, played William Powell and Myrna Loy's daughter and had Lana Turner for a babysitter before leaving acting at age 18.
‘Back to the Future’ Screenwriter Bob Gale Says There Will ‘Never’ Be Another Sequel, ‘Prequel’ or ‘Spinoff’: ‘It’s Just Fine the Way It Is’
Don’t expect “Back to the Future” to return from the past. While speaking at Universal Fan Fest Nights on Friday (via People), “Back to the Future” screenwriter Bob Gale shut down the possibility of any more follow-ups to the classic 1985 film after the “Cobra Kai” finale
Mamoru Hosoda’s Anime Princess Film ‘Scarlet’ Lands December 2025 Release
Sony Pictures is co-producing and co-financing the pic with the acclaimed Japanese writer-director's Studio Chizu and Nippon TV.
Mamoru Hosoda’s Animated Princess Tale ‘Scarlet’ Lands December Release From Sony
Academy Award-nominated Japanese director Mamoru Hosoda‘s latest film, “Scarlet,” has landed a Dec. 12 domestic release date from Sony Pictures. The film centers on a brave princess who transcends time and space. Hosoda’s previous feature films include “Digimon: The Movie”
Terrence Howard Turned Down Marvin Gaye Biopic Because He Didn’t Want to Kiss a Man: ‘I Would Cut My Lips Off’
Terrence Howard almost starred in a biopic of legendary soul singer Marvin Gaye, but there was one major hold-up for the actor. During a recent appearance on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, Howard said that the “biggest mistake” of his career was turning down the starring
Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ Is the First Oscar Movie of 2025
This year, the Oscar season prayer has a name, and it is “Sinners.” With “Sinners,” writer-director Ryan Coogler, one of Hollywood’s most quietly seismic forces, steps into a genre long neglected by the Academy, and once again, reshapes the game. A slow-burn psychological
‘Picture of Dorian Gray’: How the Costume Designer Transformed Sarah Snook into 26 Different Characters
Sarah Snook plays all 26 characters in the new Broadway production of “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” It’s not a question of can she pull it off, but how? Costume designer and scenic designer Marg Horwell is responsible for seamlessly transforming Snook, who plays the title
Fox News Hosts, Anchors Pay Virtual Visits Across U.S. in New ‘For All America’ Campaign
Fox News Channel wants viewers to think of its hosts and anchors as the type of people you might see while taking in a football game, eating at the local diner, or even on board a military transport. A new Fox News promo uses digital technology to insert Sean Hannity in a
Katy Perry Has Become an Internet Laughingstock Post-Blue Origin — but Only True Stars Demand This Much Attention
Since her return from a brief sojourn to outer space, Katy Perry has been brought — rather forcefully — down to earth. The singer’s recently commenced Lifetimes Tour, intended to promote her most recent album, “143,” is occurring against the backdrop of near-nonstop mockery
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Writer’s Cousin Says He Wrote ‘Key Scenes’ in New Lawsuit
Shaun Gray says he "maintained meticulous, time-stamped files and emails" tracking his contributions to the film
Sling Lowers Monthly Subscription Price by $10 As Part of New Promotion
Live TV streaming service Sling is introducing a limited-time discount as part of a new promotion for spring. Right now, both of the service’s base plans, Sling Blue and Sling Orange, are available from just $35.99 a month, a 22% discount off the regular $45+ monthly
John Cleese on ‘Holy Grail’ at 50 and Comedy Being Dictated by People Declaring “You Can’t Say That”
The star and co-writer of 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' reflects on the chaotic process that brought the classic film to life and the evolution of comedy projects today: "American culture has gotten more trivial."
‘Fire Country’ Spinoff ‘Sheriff Country’ Casts ‘CSI: Vegas’ Star Matt Lauria
Matt Lauria has joined the cast of “Sheriff Country,” CBS’ upcoming spinoff of “Fire Country.” He will star opposite Morena Baccarin, who was previously announced to be leading the series when CBS greenlit it last May. Per the official logline, “Sheriff Country” will follow
‘A Minecraft Movie’ Sets Immersive Sing-Along and Meme-Along Block Party Screenings
If you loved “chicken jockey” or enjoyed yelling “I am Steve” while watching “A Minecraft Movie,” then get ready because Warner Bros. Pictures is inviting fans to experience the blockbuster in a new way. On May 2, showings of the movie will be showing across North America, and
‘Miami Vice’ Remake in the Works With ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Director Joseph Kosinski
“Top Gun: Maverick” filmmaker Joseph Kosinski is set to direct a “Miami Vice” remake for Universal Pictures. Dan Gilroy (“Nightcrawler,” “The Bourne Legacy”) is adapting the screenplay. Though plot details haven’t been revealed, the movie is based the 1980s TV series, starring
‘Miami Vice’ Movie in the Works With Joseph Kosinski Directing
Dan Gilroy will pen the script, with Dylan Clark producing the Universal feature.
Filmmaker Harmony Korine’s EDGLRD Teams With High-End Gaming Accessory Company Higround for Limited Edition Keyboard (EXCLUSIVE)
“Baby Invasion” filmmaker Harmony Korine’s creative collective brand EDGLRD is getting in on the lucrative trend of high-end gaming accessories with the launch of a limited edition keyboard in partnership with premium gaming hardware company Higround. Teased last month in a
Greg Berlanti Sets Skybound Comic Adaptation ‘Stillwater’ at Amazon, ‘Foster Dade’ at Hulu
Greg Berlanti has set up multiple projects across multiple streamers on which he will serve as co-writer, Variety has confirmed. Although Berlanti remains one of the most prolific producers in Hollywood via his Warner Bros. TV-based Berlanti Productions, the most recent show on
Last-Minute Gifts Delivered in Time for Mother’s Day: From Wine Subscriptions to Spa Appointments
If you have a tendency to leave shopping to the very last second, you’re certainly not alone. While there’s still ample time to procure the perfect gift, if you do procrastinate this year, you’ve still got plenty of options that you can order and send instantly online — but
Music Industry Moves: Nashville Vet Leslie Fram Launches FEMco Consulting; Joshua Simons, Dave Lory and Dick Wingate Announce Worldwide Entertainment Group
Veteran Nashville music executive Leslie Fram has officially announced her new business venture, FEMco (Fram Entertainment & Music), a consulting collective offering artist development, talent booking and production, and B2B connections to Nashville’s entertainment community.
Warners Announces Rowdy Screenings of ‘Minecraft Movie’ With “Block Party Edition”
The studio has announced special showings that encourage talking and singing along with the film, which is already known for inspiring in-theater hijinks.