‘Mandalorian & Grogu:’ Lucasfilm to Sneak 25 Minutes at Imax Fan Event
Directed by Jon Favreau, the movie is a spin-of Disney+’s streaming series and brings Grogu, aka Baby Yoda, to the big screen for the first time.
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LISTEN: Why the Warner Bros.-Paramount Skydance Sale ‘Symbolizes Big Changes in the Industry’
On today’s episode of “Daily Variety” podcast, Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, breaks down the Warner Bros. Discovery sale saga as the company’s shareholders prepare to vote on the sale to Paramount Skydance. Gordon, who studies
Kraftwerk Loses Two-Decade-Long Copyright Dispute After Court Rules Unauthorized Sample Was a ‘Pastiche’
A circuitous and protracted copyright infringement case first brought by German electronic-music pioneers Kraftwerk in 2004 has finally been settled — and not in the pioneering electronic group’s favor. The European Court of Justice, the principal judicial authority of the
Celeste Rivas Died of Multiple Stab Wounds, Autopsy Finds
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old girl allegedly killed by the singer D4vd, died of multiple stab wounds, according to an autopsy report released on Wednesday. The singer, whose legal name is David Burke, was charged on Monday with murder and sexual abuse of a child in
Darrell Sheets, ‘Storage Wars’ Star, Dies at 67
Darrell Sheets, who appeared on 163 episodes of the popular A&E series “Storage Wars,” died Wednesday in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. He was 67. Police said he died of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. “On April 22, 2026, at approximately 0200 hours,
‘Heart Eyes 2’ Sets February 2028 Release Date at Paramount
Heart Eyes Killer, the deranged murderer who strikes on Valentine’s Day, has staked a big-screen return. Paramount Pictures will co-produce and co-finance “Heart Eyes 2,” with a release date set for Feb. 11, 2028. Sony Pictures had distributed the first film, which earned $33
‘Heart Eyes 2’ a Go for 2028 Release From Paramount, Spyglass
Director Josh Ruben will return to direct and co-write the script for the romantic slasher sequel.
Annecy Festival Rolls Out Inaugural Slate for New International Animation Institute
Annecy Animation Film Festival is rolling out a slate of events to mark its 2026 edition and the opening of its sprawling new institute, including a showcase for Laika, the studio behind “Coraline” and “The Boxtrolls,” and an exhibition dedicated to Ankama (“Krosmoz”). Annecy
‘Clayface’ Teaser Trailer: First Look at DC Studios’ R-Rated Body Horror Film
The introduction of a new Batman villain has been described as "pure horror" by James Gunn.
“People Just Don’t Care”: ‘Leaving Neverland’ Director on Why Michael Jackson Won the Court of Public Opinion
Seven years after his explosive HBO doc, Dan Reed watches Hollywood cash in on a man he calls "worse than Jeffrey Epstein" with the biopic 'Michael' — and explains why nobody seems to mind.
‘Clayface’ Trailer: Batman Villain Enters James Gunn’s DC Universe in Gross-Out Body Horror Movie
DC Studios has released the trailer for “Clayface,” which hits theaters on Oct. 23. The horror film, which is directed by James Watkins, will track the origins of the shape-shifting villain, played by Tom Rhys Harries. Clayface, who starts as struggling actor Matt Hagen,
MrBeast’s Beast Industries Sued by Former Employee Alleging Sexual Harassment and Retaliation; Company Says Suit Is Based on ‘Categorically False Statements’
The media company led by MrBeast, the YouTube megastar whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has been sued by a former employee, who alleges she was subjected to years of sexual harassment, gender bias and retaliation by Donaldson and other senior leadership. Donaldson’s company,
‘Uganda,’ ‘Job 1:21,’ ‘Trade’ Among Winners at Visions du Réel Industry Awards
Daniel Mann’s “Uganda” and Samuel Suffren’s “Job 1:21” are among the top winners at VdR-Industry 2026, which runs alongside Switzerland’s leading documentary film festival Visions du Réel in Nyon. “Uganda,” produced by La Bête and Acqua Alta, which revisits a little-known 1904
Michael Jackson’s Relative Calls Out Media as Biopic Opens: “You Don’t Get to Control the Narrative Anymore”
Taj Jackson defended his uncle's legacy on social media ahead of Lionsgate releasing 'Michael,' starring Jaafar Jackson and Colman Domingo.
Noah Kahan on Exploring Mental Health Issues With ‘Out of Body’ Netflix Doc: ‘If One Person Watches This and Confronts Something Within Themselves, It’s Worth the Discomfort’
It’s “speak-up season” in “Noah Kahan: Out of Body,” the new Netflix documentary from director Nick Sweeney about the celebrated musician. Kahan has been frank about the ups and downs in his emotional life, which was part of the essential appeal of “Stick Season,” one of the
How EcoSet Keeps Production Materials Out of the Landfill, While Letting Non-Profits Shop Its Warehouse for Free
It’s been 15 years since the Producers Guild introduced its Green Production Guide, and yet convincing film and television productions to think about the life cycle of their sets and props remains a work in progress. “A lot of these productions don’t have a plan in place,” says
Cannes Festival Adds More Films to 2026 Lineup, Including ‘Victorian Psycho’ Starring Maika Monroe, and Diego Luna’s ‘Ashes’
Cannes Film Festival has announced more additions to its lineup, including Zachary Wigon’s horror film “Victorian Psycho” starring Maika Monroe, and Judith Godrèche’s feature debut “A Girl’s Story” for its Un Certain Regard section. “Victorian Psycho” stars scream queen Monroe
Las Palmas Honoree Ignacio Agüero on Making Documentaries in an Era Without ‘Truth’ or ‘Certainty’
Chilean documentary filmmaker Ignacio Agüero will be honored with a retrospective at the 25th Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Intl. Film Festival, which takes place April 23-May 3 on Spain’s Gran Canaria island. The tribute will celebrate the life and career of the groundbreaking
Leonardo DiCaprio Urges Fans to Call U.S. Representatives and Fight Against Bill to Dismantle the Endangered Species Act: ‘Reject This Existential Threat’
Leonardo DiCaprio is marking Earth Day by calling on his 60 million Instagram followers to contact members of the U.S. House of Representatives and urge them to vote “no” on a bill that seeks to dismantle the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which was signed into law by Richard
Jon Favreau Admits “I Was Wrong” to Resist Killing Off Tony Stark in ‘Avengers: Endgame’
The 'Iron Man' and 'Mandalorian and Grogu' director on how he regrets quietly pushing back on killing off Robert Downey Jr.'s beloved character.
Nantucket Film Festival to Open With Olivia Wilde’s ‘The Invite’ and Close With Special Presentation of ‘The Five Star Weekend’ (Exclusive)
The 31st edition of the event will honor Paul Feig, Chloë Sevigny, Rashida Jones and Will McCormack and screen ESPN's '30 for 30' Billie Jean King doc 'Give Me the Ball!,' directed by Liz Garbus and Elizabeth Wolff.
Why Pilots Are Making a Comeback in the Streaming Era
Imagine this: Instead of committing tens of millions of dollars straight away to a full season of a TV show, you film one episode for a few million to see if it’s as good on-screen as it is on the page. If it is, you pick up more episodes. If it’s not, you move on. […]
Hulu, Freeform Order Reality Show ‘Million Dollar Nannies,’ Which Follows Hot Young Babysitters in Ibiza
Disney is set to explore the secret lives of hot nannies. Hulu and Freeform have jointly ordered “Million Dollar Nannies,” which follows a cast described as a “young group of elite nannies” who move to Ibiza to launch a new agency. Hi Mom Productions and 3Ball, a 3BMG company,
Christian College Dating Show ‘Ring by Spring Break’ Set at Hulu
The “Ring by Spring” TikTok trend — during which girls hope to get engaged before graduating college — is coming to life on Hulu’s upcoming dating show, “Ring by Spring Break.” Per the official logline, the series “is a bold dating series that drops single Christian college
Andrew Garfield’s ‘The Uprising’ From Paul Greengrass Lands Fall Release at Focus
Jason Blum produces the historical drama that also stars Jamie Bell, Stephen Dillane and Cosmo Jarvis.
Box Office Preview: Michael Jackson Biopic Aims for Record Moonwalk With $65M-$70M U.S. Debut
All signs point to 'Michael' dodging controversy and passing up 'Straight Outta Compton' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' to score the top domestic opening ever for a music biopic, not adjusted for inflation.
‘Waiting for Godot’s’ Production Designer on How a Subway Ride Inspired the Tunnel-Like Set
Is it a tree trunk? Is it a void? Those are some questions “Waiting for Godot” set and costume designer Soutra Gilmour asked during the creative process of bringing Samuel Beckett’s beloved play to Broadway. “Waiting for Godot” has been a mainstay of the New York theater scene.
Katie Couric on Media Companies’ ‘Capitulation’ to Trump, Network News ‘Blurring the Truth’ and Her Wild Threads Feed
When the New York Times recently posted a fluffy profile of billionaire socialite Lauren Sánchez Bezos, Katie Couric couldn’t resist. “Hi Amy Chozick,” she tagged the story’s writer on Threads. “Are you allowed to refuse assignments? This feels, um off.” Couric is quite active
Katherine LaNasa, Pom Klementieff, Matthias Schweighöfer, Micheál Neeson Join Action-Comedy ‘Mister’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Katherine LaNasa, Pom Klementieff, Matthias Schweighöfer and Micheál Neeson have joined the cast of the upcoming action-comedy “Mister.” The film marks the directorial debut of legendary second unit and action director Wade Eastwood, who has worked on the likes of “Mission:
‘Leviticus’ Trailer: Neon Horror Movie Unleashes a Gay Conversion Therapy Nightmare
Neon has released the trailer for “Leviticus,” the highly anticipated conversion therapy horror film that had a buzzy debut at Sundance. The film marks the feature directorial debut of writer-director Adrian Chiarella. According to the official plot description, “Leviticus” is
Variety’s Education Impact Report Spotlights Innovation and Storytelling as Schools and Students Adapt to Changing Biz Landscape
AFI Los Angeles AFI boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, with instructors comprised of active industry professionals such as James Mangold and Len Amato. The school embraces new technology and innovation in its curriculum, including what they call “the Sandbox — a
Hulk Hogan Consumed Enough Fentanyl to ‘Kill a Horse’ Following Divorce
In the docuseries Hulk Hogan: Real American, the wrestling figure, who died at the age of 71 in July 2025, detailed his excessive consumption of fentanyl after returning to TNA Wrestling in 2009
‘Game Changer’ Sets Season 8 Premiere on Dropout (TV News Roundup)
Comedy streaming service Dropout has announced that the eighth season of “Game Changer,” the panel game show with a constantly changing premise, will premiere on May 18. The season will release its 10 episodes on Dropout biweekly and will host Brennan Lee Mulligan, Vic
NYU’s Black List-Inspired Purple List Reveals 2026 Picks (Exclusive)
Chloé Zhao and 'The President's Cake' filmmaker Hasan Hadi are among those whose works have been included in the selection of the best production-ready screenplays from Tisch School of the Arts graduate film students and recent alumni.
Trump’s FCC Wants Input on Whether ‘Transgender and Gender Nonbinary’ TV Programming Is ‘Appropriate’ for Children
The FCC, led by Trump-appointed chairman Brendan Carr, is opening a new front in its “anti-woke” campaign: The agency is seeking feedback about whether the TV industry’s voluntary ratings system needs to be changed — specifically with regard to how shows with child-friendly
Cannes Adds James Gray’s Star-Stacked ‘Paper Tiger’ to Competition Lineup
Neon has picked up North American rights for the crime drama from the 'Armageddon Time' director starring Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver and Miles Teller.
Mentalist Oz Pearlman Sets Netflix Special — and Dishes on Skeptics, Missteps and Reading Trump’s Mind (EXCLUSIVE)
“Look for mirrors.” When I told some friends I would be profiling the mentalist Oz Pearlman — with the vague promise of being victimized by his mind-blowing mind-reading act — I received a list of instructions like the one above. “When you talk to Oz, he (or others) might be
Magnolia Pictures Acquires Dave Boyle’s Japanese Horror Film ‘Never After Dark’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to “Never After Dark.” The Japanese horror movie, written and directed by Dave Boyle and from XYZ Films, premiered at SXSW and went on to win the Midnighter Audience Award. “Never After Dark” stars SAG Award and Critics’
Hilary Duff Felt ‘Quite Sad’ Watching Docs on Britney Spears and Exploited Child Stars: ‘I‘m Grateful I Wasn‘t Put in Too Many Positions That Left Battle Wounds‘
Hilary Duff reflected on her child star upbringing at the TIME100 Summit in Manhattan, where Time executive editor Dan Macsai asked if documentaries like “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” or “Framing Britney Spears” changed her perspective on being a child star in the
‘High Potential’ Season 2 Finale Attracts More Than 12 Million Viewers (EXCLUSIVE)
ABC’s “High Potential” ended its second season once again living up to its name. Season 2 of the Kaitlin Olson starrer ended on April 7 with 12.69 million total viewers according live+7 multiplatform numbers. That’s a smidge down from the show’s Season 1 finale in February 2025
Mediterrane Film Festival 2026 Returns to Malta With Expanded Program
The Mediterrane Film Festival will return for its fourth edition from June 21–28, expanding across Valletta and several of Malta’s landmark locations. Organized by the Malta Film Commission, the festival is set to grow in both scale and ambition this year, with an enlarged
Malta Film Commission Readies Fourth Installment of Mediterrane Film Festival
The commission, led by commissioner Johann Grech, will present the festival on the island’s capital city of Valletta from June 21-28.
Box Office: ‘Michael’ Aims for $70 Million-Plus Debut, Record Start for Music Biopic
“Michael” will moonwalk to the top of box office charts. Lionsgate’s film about the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, is aiming for $65 million to $70 million from 3,900 North American theaters in its opening weekend. Some exhibitors are predicting the final number will be closer
Wile E. Coyote and Acme Lawyer Up in Long-Awaited ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ Trailer
Coyote vs. Acme hits theaters Aug. 28 following a battle for release with Warner Bros., which shelved the film in 2023 before selling it over to Ketchup Entertainment for global distribution
Bill Nye Warns Trump That Cutting NASA Budget by 23% Is a ‘Huge Mistake’: ‘The Word Science Is in the Constitution. That’s What Keeps the U.S. Ahead’
Bill Nye told NBC News that Donald Trump is making a “huge mistake” when it comes to a proposal to cut NASA’s budget by 23%, which was announced earlier this month amid national attention around NASA’s Artemis II flyby moon mission. “NASA is the best brand the U.S. has. People
Shania Twain to Host ACM Awards for First Time
Country-pop crossover superstar Shania Twain will host the ACM Awards in May, the Academy of Country Music and Dick Clark Productions announced Wednesday. It will mark Twain’s first time as host. “I’m thrilled to be hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels
Netflix Gets More Eco-Friendly: How Streamer Dramatically Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions on ‘The Witcher,’ ‘The Boroughs’ and ‘Apex’
It’s Earth Day 2026 — and Netflix is using the global day of eco-consciousness to tout progress it has made in cutting its carbon footprint on some original productions. A large potion of Netflix’s carbon footprint comes from the productions for its films and TV series. Fuel
Naomi Watts to Star as Ballerina Margot Fonteyn in Romantic Drama ‘Margot & Rudi,’ With WestEnd Films Selling in Cannes
Naomi Watts is set to star in romantic drama “Margot & Rudi,” which tells the true story of ballet legends Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev. The film, to be directed by “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” filmmaker Anthony Fabian, has been boarded by world sales agency WestEnd Films.
Naomi Watts to Play Ballet Legend Margot Fonteyn in ‘Margot & Rudi’
WestEnd handles sales on the romantic drama from 'Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris' director Anthony Fabian, which looks at the star's Swinging Sixties pairing with Rudolf Nureyev and will be introduced at Cannes.
Emilia Clarke, Victoria Pedretti Horror Film ‘When Darkness Loves Us’ to Launch Sales in Cannes With Cornerstone
Cornerstone has acquired international sales rights to James Ashcroft’s upcoming horror feature “When Darkness Loves Us” and will handle sales and distribution, excluding New Zealand and Australia, on behalf of Bleecker Street. The film is set to be launched to buyers at the
