On today’s episode of “Daily Variety” podcast, in our weekly Box Office segment, Variety‘s Rebecca Rubin unpacks what went wrong with Disney’s “Moana” live-action remake. And Jon Erwin, the filmmaker behind “Young Washington,” explains how his Wonder Project banner is making
“Top Chef” winner Rhoda Magbitang has signed with Buchwald and Leigh Taylor Public Relations+ Talent Management for representation. Magbitang is best known for winning Season 23 of Bravo’s “Top Chef.” She’s currently completing her culinary residency at Mauna Lani following her
A fifth “Hotel Transylvania” film, titled “The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania”, is coming to theaters on Oct. 8. Sony Pictures is set to distribute the film in North America, while Amazon MGM Studios will oversee international distribution. Jennifer Kluska and Alan Hawkins are
As Paramount Skydance’s deal to take over Warner Bros. Discovery is still pending, WBD CEO David Zaslav is continuing to cash out his stock in the company he is set to depart in the coming months. Zaslav filed to sell about 2.18 million shares of Warner Bros. Discovery stock,
“The Last of Us” voice actor Ashley Johnson got her start in Hollywood as a child actor, playing the role of Chrissy Seaver on the final two seasons of ABC’s sitcom “Growing Pains” from 1990 to 1992. On a recent episode of her “Weird Kids” podcast, Johnson revealed she was once
“My So-Called Life” creator and “Wicked” writer Winnie Holzman has been tapped to receive Humanitas’s Kieser Award, while writer/comedian Ashley Nicole Black has been named host of this year’s Humanitas Prizes Award Show & Toast, the org announced Monday. Also on Monday,
Mattel has launched a wave of new “Kpop Demon Hunters” merch after being announced as the franchise’s official toy licensee, alongside Hasbro, earlier this year. The new launch includes seven collectible figures of the the film’s Huntr/x members, including singing dolls of
Christopher Nolan does not agree with his “The Odyssey” leading man Matt Damon when it comes to their new epic being the last of its kind in Hollywood. Damon has stated repeatedly during the movie’s press tour that filming “The Odyssey” felt like his “last chance” to make an
Shi Nansun, the Hong Kong producer and executive who co-founded Film Workshop and helped establish international distribution networks for Chinese-language cinema, died Monday at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. She was 75. In a statement, Film Workshop said Shi had been in
Based on the 2024 podcast of the same name, Prime Video’s new docuseries “Murder 101” is a crime show that looks beyond the transgressions, facts and clues to give a real voice to victims and survivors. The series also highlights the importance of fostering autonomy and
“Monopoly” is about to get a lot more realistic. Netflix announced it is now casting for the new competition series based on the world of “Monopoly,” where contestants have the chance to win $2 million. Competing on a life-sized Monopoly Town Square, 12 players will use
Tye Blue, director and co-creator of the Tony-winning “Titaníque,” has joined the creative team of “The Pyramid: An Unauthorized ‘Dance Moms’ Musical”, a new parody written by longtime “Dance Moms” fans James Stryska, Isabel Grace, Erica Molfetto and Molly Russo. The original
Al Pacino is returning to the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute as the lead juror for the Lee Strasberg Film Festival (LSFF) this November. Pacino, who studied method acting under Strasberg, will lead a jury of actors and filmmakers, evaluating independent films and
Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison may think the promise of the Paramount Warner Bros. Discovery mega-merger is an offer we can’t refuse, but I’m here to say: He’s wrong. I am leading a coalition of 12 state Attorneys General in taking Paramount and Warner Bros. to court to
NowThis, the digital-first and social news outlet that targets Gen Z audiences, has hired producer Georgie Guinane as head of studio, L.A. In the new role, Guinane will lead NowThis’ Los Angeles studio, in charge of the company’s slate of original digital series. She reports
Paramount Skydance sharply criticized a coalition of 12 Democratic state attorneys general that sued to block the David Ellison-led company’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. The lawsuit filed by the state AGs “distorts settled antitrust law and is based on a
Billie Joe Armstrong is turning one of punk rock’s most recognizable guitar sounds into a signature Marshall amplifier. Marshall has unveiled the 1959BJA Artist Signature, a handwired, 100-watt amp developed with the Green Day frontman and modeled in part on the guitar tone
Jimmy Kimmel is currently on summer break from hosting his ABC late night talk show, but that’s not stopping him from continuing to take aim at the Republican party. Kimmel’s latest target is Sen. Mitch McConnell, who posted a photo of himself on social media as proof of life
The 16,000th episode of “General Hospital” airs today on ABC. The episode sees Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) return to the show’s hometown of Port Charles, New York, and Anna (Finola Hughes) and Valentin (James Patrick) reunite. Joining the staff is new surgeon Dr. Tristan
The company calls the South Korean auteur's 35th feature film, premiering in the Swiss fest's international competition, a "bittersweet reflection on the meaning, beauty and complexity of life."
Mythical, the entertainment company founded by top YouTube creators and talk-show hosts Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, promoted Jacob Moncrief to president, overseeing all aspects of the business. Moncrief, who most recently served as chief operating officer, will lead the
She’s a rainbow… and with a slew of carefully chosen guest artists on her new album, she might also count as a rainbow farmer. The acclaimed singer-songwriter Allison Russell is back with her third solo album, “In the Hour of Chaos,” featuring her Rainbow Coalition band and
“We will always have our Jurassic family, and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world,” Spielberg says
Freddy Krueger is ready for another close up. Paramount has closed a deal for the U.S. rights to adapt the original screenplay for “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” under its new genre label Paramount Primal. Domestic rights are being licensed from the Wes Craven estate, which
The Puerto Rico Film Festival has announced Costa Rica as the official country in focus for its upcoming 17th edition, taking place August 19–23. The announcement marks the first time the festival elects a country of honor, and comes ahead of this year’s Costa Rica Media
Labs will take place at Ucross Foundation in Clearmont, Wyoming for feature film producers from July 13-18, and for documentary producers July 20-25.
Jake Shane is bringing his viral “Pilates shakes” to Alo’s fitness app. The content creator and podcaster has teamed with Alo Wellness Club for “Shake & Train With Jake Shane: Strength x Pilates,” a four-part workout series launching July 13. Filmed aboard the Alo Voyage on the
A coalition of 12 states filed an antitrust lawsuit on Monday to block the merger of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros., defying the Department of Justice, which approved the deal last month. The coalition, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alleges that the $111
“Victoria in the Clouds,” starring Berlin best actress winner Paulina García, and “Quemada,” from the producer of 2026 Cannes winner “Forever Your Maternal Animal,” both feature at the 2026 Costa Rica Media Market’s Desde el Centro, a projects showcase that highlights key
The studio has inked a deal with the estate of Wes Craven to revive the Freddy Kreuger horror franchise and will release it via its newly launched Paramount Primal label.
Renowned Costa Rican actor, playwright and poet Ana Istarú will appear alongside daughter Ardélia Istarú in the latter’s next directorial outing, “Quemada.” Valentina Maurel’s production company Tres Tigres will produce alongside France’s Geko Films, Belgium’s Wrong Men and
Amazon Prime Video has revealed a first-look at “Carrie,” Mike Flanagan’s TV adaptation of the iconic Stephen King novel. The show was first reported to be in the works in October 2024, with Amazon officially greenlighting it for eight episodes in April 2025. Check out the
Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers on Monday evening start several weeks of late-night broadcasts aimed at reaching summer audiences, one of TV’s smallest pools of viewership. And yet, the two hosts have a giant opportunity ahead of them. Fallon will launch NBC’s “Tonight Show” on
"There’s a defeatist aspect of viewing it that way that I don’t agree with," explains Nolan.
The New York Comedy Festival has announced the headliners for its 2026 edition, taking place Nov. 6 through Nov. 15 across all five boroughs. Marc Maron, Ilana Glazer, Sarah Sherman, Adam Friedland, Ms. Pat, Daniel Sloss, Ziwe, Patti Harrison and more are set to perform at the
The Angelina Jolie-directed “Without Blood” has been acquired by Brainstorm Media. With a screenplay by Jolie and Alessandro Baricco, “Without Blood” is based on Baricco’s novel of the same name. Starring Salma Hayek Pinault and Demián Bichir with Juan Minujín, the film is set
The actor revived his classic character at the tennis tournament following reports that he’d secretly wrapped filming a new Ali G movie
Laura Dern has penned an emotional tribute to her “Jurassic Park” and “Jurassic World Dominion” co-star Sam Neill, saying: “I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant.” The news broke on Monday that Neill had died at the age of 78. He was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer in
Andy Serkis is currently in New Zealand taking on orcs, wizards, elves and boney-fingered ring fanciers in one of the highest profile films now in production: “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.” Serkis’ grand return to the franchise — due for release by Warner Bros.
Is David Ellison considering a nuclear option of relocating Paramount’s headquarters from California — and potentially diverting billions of production dollars from the Golden State — if California Attorney General Rob Bonta files an expected challenge to the Paramount-Warner
Steven Spielberg has paid tribute to his “Jurassic Park” star Sam Neill, who died on Monday at the age of 78. In a statement to Variety, the director said he was “saddened” by the news of Neill’s death. “I owe a debt of gratitude to Roger Donaldson, Gilliam Armstrong, Graham
iQIYI International’s global viewership rose 130% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, the streaming platform said in a report, crediting a dual-engine strategy that pairs premium Chinese dramas with fast-paced microdramas. All 10 titles on iQIYI International’s top Chinese
Revitalized last year as an offshoot of the Central America and Caribbean Audiovisual Market, the Costa Rica Media Market (CRMM) promises a packed two-day conference over July 14-15, followed by fam tours for most of its participants. Organized by Costa Rica’s Film Commission,
Josh Grisetti, who appeared in the Broadway musical “Something Rotten” and Prime Video’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” died July 10. He was 44. Broadway actor Rob McClure, who starred in “Something Rotten” with Grisetti, announced his friend’s death on Instagram Sunday night.
Women in Fan LatAm, a new initiative dedicated to championing women in fantastic cinema across Latin America, officially launches at the Costa Rica Media Market (CRMM), running over July 14–15. The new program came about after the partners behind the inaugural edition of
Tom Cruise had to dig deep for his latest starring role — pun intended. “I have never had something that could challenge me in this way, and neither has Alejandro,” Cruise said about starring in “Digger,” the black comedy from two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alejandro
Robert De Niro is jetting into Rome to be on hand Monday to introduce the restored version of Bernardo Bertolucci’s “Novecento,” marking the 50th anniversary of the historical epic shot in 1976. Besides De Niro, the film’s stellar cast also comprised Gérard Depardieu, Burt
“The Real Housewives of London” is coming back for a second round this fall. Season 2 of the reality series will premiere Sept. 7 on U.K. streamer Hayu, with new episodes dropping weekly. Juliet Angus, Amanda Cronin, Karen Loderick-Peace, Juliet Mayhew, Panthea Parker and
'The Queen of Hearts' director Donzelli will head up the Horizons jury, while 'Amanda' filmmaker Cavalli will chair the jury for best first feature.