It was already clear Olivia Rodrigo is in full feminist mode these days, with her all-female music festival, Daisy Chain Fields, set to take place in California’s Orange County next Saturday. But it’s perhaps even clearer now that Rodrigo is releasing a non-album track, “Serena Joy,” named after a prominent character in “The Handmaid’s Tale” […]

Sandra Wollner’s “Everytime” continued its winning streak at the Sarajevo Film Festival, where the Cannes Un Certain Regard winner took home the Heart of Sarajevo for best narrative feature film. The Austrian director’s third feature was the unanimous choice of a jury headed by two-time Academy Award nominee Emily Watson, which said in its citation: […]

After enduring years of character assassinations by the right, Hunter Biden is in the throes of a chaotic media blitz that’s included Twitter-trolling, posting on Substack and appearances on a number of far-right podcasts, from Hitler worshipper Nick Fuentes and Russia stooge Tucker Carlson to conspiracy theorist Candace Owens. Is Joe Biden’s wayward son trying […]

I watched "Spa Weekend" and realized that the genre it’s in — the high-concept movie with the concept in the title, the comedy that puts out a vibe of "Look, I’m crass and dumb and obvious! And that’s why you like me!" — may be entering its twilight zone.

Paramount Skydance representatives are expected to meet on Monday with the California Attorney General’s office to discuss a potential settlement of the states’ antitrust case, according to two sources familiar with the situation. Paramount has been pushing hard for a deal to allow its $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery to close. The deal […]

Paramount has come out swinging against a Friday screed from Mark Ruffalo, in which the award-winning actor accused moguls David and Larry Ellison of “powering some of the most destructive and inhuman forces in the world.” A spokesperson for the David Ellison-run enterprise said the company is “troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported […]

Jason Bateman is this year’s Emmy overachiever, nominated for lead limited series actor and limited series directing on Netflix’s “Black Rabbit,” and as both supporting actor and executive producer on another limited series, HBO Max’s “DTF St. Louis.” So where does the multi-hyphenate’s brain reside more in these days, as an actor or director? “They […]

A group of Hollywood filmmakers, executives and actors has spent the last three years secretly meeting with Silicon Valley executives to try to address a simmering issue in the industry: how to define where AI is useful in the context of a human-controlled creative process. The meetings were first convened in November 2023 by LucasFilm […]

There’s no doubt that 2026 will go down as a milestone year for the growth in popularity of vertical media content in the U.S. The sector is booming but still incredibly diffuse. That will change as microdramas and other formats proliferate and generate more advertising, subscription and in-app purchase revenue. Those are among the conclusions […]

Jessie Cave, the actor who portrayed Lavender Brown in three “Harry Potter” movies, appeared in a recent interview on the U.K. talk show “This Morning” and spoke openly about her decision to launch an OnlyFans last year to help get her out of debt. Her decision resulted in a “Potter” fan convention barring her from […]

Chris Aronson, who was let go as Paramount’s head of domestic distribution last year, has filed a lawsuit accusing the company of reneging on an agreement to pay him $1.3 million. Aronson was fired as part of the executive shakeup that followed the Skydance merger. Shortly before the deal closed, he signed an extension that […]

Chris Hansen didn’t get to take a seat for the new A24 movie “Primetime.” The 66-year-old veteran journalist went to the offices of indie distributor A24 to watch the Lance Oppenheim film, in which he is played by Robert Pattinson, before it bows at the Venice Film Festival. But he left without seeing it. The […]

Now that the second “Michael” movie is closer to starting production, star Jaafar Jackson says it will indeed address the criticisms and child abuse allegations Michael Jackson faced in the ’90s. Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson says that while he doesn’t have much say in how the screenplay is written, he tells GQ Middle East […]

Ariana Grande has once again spoken out against the Trump administration for using one of her songs in a post on social media, this time for setting “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)” as the soundtrack for a post on the Team Trump TikTok account. Team Trump posted a video earlier on Thursday […]

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers for “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Season 4 Episode 5, titled “Level Five Transporter Accident,” now streaming on Paramount+. At long last, the most anticipated event in recent “Star Trek” memory is here. No, not another movie or another series focused on a legacy character. We are of course […]

Prime Video has unveiled a landmark $2 billion-plus investment plan in Latin American entertainment spanning 2027 to 2030 in a concerted bid to increase viewership and engagement. The move comes in what is considered the second fastest growing region for streaming in the world, with Netflix the clear frontrunner. At an inaugural showcase event in […]

Dave Bautista is officially taking up the mantle of the “God of War.” Variety has learned that the actor is now set to lead the Amazon Prime Video TV series based on the video game franchise in the role of Kratos. It was originally reported earlier this month that Bautista was in talks to play […]

The Hollies have officially called it a day. And perhaps, like many, you didn’t even realize a version of that classic rock band was still performing. Yet the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted group had endured in some form and continued to tour since 1962 — including two members who go back virtually to […]

Lawmakers in Sacramento introduced a budget fix on Thursday that helps film producers by adjusting a state cap on tax credits. The agreement, first reported by Variety on Tuesday, falls short of a full carveout for film and TV tax credits from a blanket $5 million annual cap, which industry leaders have been seeking since […]

Comedy development exec Andy Weil is exiting Netflix after 11 years to join Amazon as its new head of comedy. The exec rejoins his former Netflix boss Peter Friedlander, now head of global TV at Amazon MGM Studios. Weil is a well-known comedy buff who has championed some of Netflix’s biggest laffers, including “Master of […]

The viral story of a runaway pig in West Hollywood turned out to have a Hollywood ending. This past weekend, a video showed a piglet running through the streets of West Hollywood. Jamaal Harrison, who filmed the video, is seen chasing the pig as he yells, “There’s a pig in West Hollywood!” He later says, […]

Longtime TV exec Chuck Saftler, who helped build FX into the powerhouse it is — having joined the company in 1993, prior to its before its June 1994 launch date — is departing the company after nearly 33 years. The well-regarded Saftler most recently served as head of acquisitions for Disney networks including ABC, Freeform, […]

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urged California attorney general Rob Bonta and Paramount to resolve their differences and “urgently” find a resolution to the 12-state antitrust lawsuit that is blocking Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. Bass said at a press conference Thursday, “While there are varying perspectives on the proposed transaction, today we are […]

Neutrogena, the popular cosmetics and skin care brand, has issued a statement following the death of Hayden Panettiere, who served as a spokesperson and brand ambassador for the company for nearly a decade during the height of her career. Panettiere’s death ignited widespread backlash against Neutrogena across social media due to comments the actor made […]

“Lanterns” haters are going to be green with envy. The series premiere of the DC Studios show has racked up 9.3 million views in its first three days of availability across HBO and HBO Max. That represents the biggest premiere for a DC Studios show on HBO Max to date and one of the top […]

Sonic the Hedgehog will headline Fortnite’s new “Override” season. Players will be able to play as Sonic and unlock the Tails Sidekick with the purchase of the Battle Pass for the hedgehog’s 35th anniversary. The collaboration will also feature the Tails Sprite, Rings and Sonic Power Sneakers, which allows players to Spin Dash in their […]

Apple Music will begin labeling songs on the platform derived from AI platforms, adding a “Made With AI” label to such songs later this year. In a note to its industry partners and one viewed by Variety, the service said that record labels and distributors will be required to tag songs in which “a material portion […]

Netflix and AMC Studios are set to co-produce the drama series “Bannerman,” Variety has learned. The series is based on John R. Maxim’s Paul Bannerman novels, of which five were published. This marks the first Netflix/AMC Studios co-production. The show will air on AMC in the US and Canada and then become available on Netflix […]

“Naruto” fans will have access to the popular anime franchise’s first-ever official digital cards app with Thursday’s worldwide launch of “Naruto Ninja Cards.” Described as “a gamified card-collecting experience,” “Naruto Ninja Cards” lets app users collect the series’ most iconic characters in card form, uncover exclusive artworks, and enjoy real-time strategic activities with friends. While […]

The Sussexes are coming home. In a shock announcement on Wednesday, it was revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are moving back to the U.K. for an “extended period” with their two young children after six years of living in California. But after the pair’s dramatic exit from royal life in 2020, will England […]

Charles Melton is in close talks to play Kakashi Hatake in Destin Daniel Cretton’s upcoming live-action “Naruto” movie, Variety has learned. The news comes amid speculation that Melton would be announced to join the “X-Men” cast at last week’s D23 convention. The global “Naruto” casting search began last month to find the live-action versions of […]

CBS will fill key morning and primetime hours on September 11 with live coverage and special programming devoted to the 25th anniversary of terrorist attacks on America on that date in 2001. The CBS programming will also be available on Paramount+. A selection of reporting on the attacks and their aftermath from “60 Minutes” will […]

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II says the “optics” at Marvel are obvious after the studio canceled his Emmy-nominated series “Wonder Woman” after one season and failed over multiple years to bring to life the “Blade” movie it announced starring Mahershala Ali. Marvel canceled “Wonder Man” in July after previously renewing the series for Season 2. The show’s […]

Tennis has never been more in fashion. On-court (and court-side) style will be on full display when the U.S Open returns to Flushing this weekend. Defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka headline a field that also includes Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic, Jessica Pegula and Ben Shelton. Earlier this year, the ATP launched “Athlete Arrivals,” […]

A documentary feature about Jessica Simpson has proved to be irresistible to Netflix, who’ve snapped up the project, Variety has learned. Directed by “Robbie Williams” helmer Joe Pearlman, the feature doc will give fans a deeper look into Simpson’s life and career. The singer and entrepreneur first came to public attention in the same era […]

In “Hot Spot,” the future of law enforcement looks somewhat different from what “RoboCop” predicted in 1987. With his bleach-blond, frizzy-permed mullet, giant hoop earrings, cuban-heeled Beatle boots and black-and-white lycra biker suit fitted to accentuate his every dadbod curve, police detective Djonny (Andrzej Konopka) instead appears to have been teleported directly from 1987 to […]

Whether you’re heading to class or commuting to the office, you’ll need a decent laptop bag to keep all of your accessories or supplies together in one easy-to-carry package. That’s where a good laptop backpack comes in, with the convenience of an over-the-shoulder bag, and the practicality of pockets, secured compartments and handy organization. These […]

Larry David told The Atlantic that ex-friend Alan Dershowitz “made a deal with the devil” when he became a lawyer on Donald Trump’s defense team during the president’s first impeachment trial in 2020, hence the two gentleman are no longer friends. Dershowitz and David got into an infamous altercation on Martha’s Vineyard in 2021 that […]

For two decades, Crunchyroll built its business on anime, growing the U.S. audience for the animated content from a niche genre to a mainstream giant. But its growth has been built on thinking small. “We like to say that we don’t want to be something for everyone. We want to be everything to someone, and […]

Hulu is bringing back “Good American Family” for a second season, with the show taking on an anthology format. The second season will focus on the case of Lorena Bobbitt and her husband John Bobbitt. Series creator and executive producer Katie Robbins will return for Season 2, as will Season 1 star and executive producer […]

Range Media Partners has signed Corey Hawkins for representation, Variety can exclusively reveal. Hawkins continues to be represented by WME, JTWAMM and Shelter PR. Hawkins, a graduate of the Juilliard School’s drama program, got his break starring as Dr. Dre in F. Gary Gray’s 2015 NWA biopic “Straight Outta Compton.” Some of Hawkins’ other early […]

Venice Film Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera took to social media on Wednesday to fight back against criticism of the inclusion of Russian filmmaker Ilya Khrzhanovsky’s “DAU” in this year’s edition. Acknowledging the “bloody and cruel war” in Ukraine, Barbera wrote in an Instagram post that “to build a web of accusations based on false […]

If you’ve always been terrified of dental work and the idea of someone poking around your pearly whites with sharp tools, you’re not alone. With “Insidious: Out of the Further,” the sixth entry in the infinitely inventive horror franchise, writer-director Jacob Chase is unashamed to declare that he shares your fears, while having some gross-out […]

Nielsen is really working the room. The media-measurement giant aims to measure viewers of video content more accurately and will place a focus on capturing so-called “co-viewing,” or multiple viewers watching the same piece of programming together at the same location. The effort means TV executives may get more credit for shows that bring people […]

“Murderbot” has added a murderer’s row of talent for its upcoming second season. The Apple TV sci-fi series, which stars Alexander Skarsgård as the titular Murderbot, has added the following cast members for Season 2: Blair UnderwoodBrendan HuntBridget EverettBritne OldfordDamian YoungDivian LadwaElla Jay BascoEtienne BeydonGriffin NewmanJaedynn LatterJason GeorgeKali ReisKaty O’BrianMaddy StraussMarc MenchacaMartha PlimptonMeredith SalengerMichael SheenNia […]

Produced by Skydance Sports and Netflix Sports, “Rafa,” a four-part portrait of Spain’s greatest sports icon Rafael Nadal, packs several singular punches. It’s the first time a non-English language docuseries has ever nominated for a Primetime Emmy, Netflix notes. Also, it takes up Nadal’s story in a largely present tense of early 2024 where he’s not […]

Indie horror novel “Haunting Skies” is primed for an on-screen adaptation. Christian Kang Bachini, the filmmaker who wrote the novel, is set to helm the big-screen version of “Haunting Skies” through Via Mantra Productions, Variety can report. Per the logline, “Haunting Skies” “imagines an Earth already conquered by alien invaders, who abduct the remaining survivors […]

MS NOW is betting its followers need more than news and opinion in the moment. The Versant-backed news outlet unveiled its most detailed plans yet around the launch of a new subscription based “Membership” service that is expected to debut in September for $7.99 per month or $79.99 annually. The network sees “Membership” as an […]

Allison Janney was the first guest on CNN’s new interview series “Coming Up,” hosted by former Variety chief correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister, and the Emmy winner revealed the dispiriting advice she heard from a Hollywood agent when she was first starting out in the industry. “I remember when I was very young trying to find an […]

Rory Kennedy thought she was through with Boeing. The Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind “Last Days in Vietnam” and “Ghosts of Abu Ghraib” — and youngest child of late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy — had spent years making “Downfall: The Case Against Boeing,” a 2022 documentary exploring the “profits over people” approach at the […]