Beau Starr, the American actor best known for playing Sheriff Ben Meeker in “Halloween 4” and “Halloween 5,” has died, according to TMZ. He was 81 years old. TMZ confirmed the death via Beau’s younger brother, Mike, who said the actor died of natural causes at his Vancouver home. Mike described his brother as “very unique and special.”

Meryl Streep paid tribute to Stanley Tucci as he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, using the moment to reflect on both his career and their decades-long friendship. Tucci was honored alongside Emily Blunt in a rare joint ceremony in Los Angeles, drawing a crowd that included John Krasinski, Matt Damon and Dwayne Johnson. Streep, who has starred with Tucci in “

Kid Rock kicked off the first show of his Freedom 250 Tour in Dallas with a pre-show hype video featuring himself and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth riding in twin Apache helicopters. The video opens with Rock touching down at an airport on a private jet. As he steps onto the tarmac, he’s greeted by Hegseth. After a familiar bro hug, Rock asks Hegseth, “Mr.

Oscar nominees Ralph Fiennes, Colin Farrell and Wagner Moura are set to play three friends in upcoming comedy “Art,” based on French playwright Yasmina Reza’s Tony-winning pay satirising modern art, friendship and intellectual pretension. The film — launching in the Cannes market with Patrick Wachsberger’s Legendary-backed 193 — is being directed by Fernando Meirelles, the Oscar-nominated Brazilian director best known for “City of God,” “The Constant Gardener” and “The Two Popes,” from a script by two-time Oscar winner Christopher Hampton (“Dangerous Liasons,” “The Father”).

Barry Manilow took to X on Friday afternoon to share an update about the cancerous spot on his lung. He said he is making “great progress” in his recovery, but his doctor told him he’s “not quite ready” to perform and must postpone some upcoming Las Vegas dates. “Good news! I went to the doctor yesterday and he said I’m making great progress and look great,” …

“Don’t be ridiculous, Andrea. Everybody wants this. Everybody wants to be us.” That’s most likely the attitude at 20th Century Studios this weekend, because “The Devil Wears Prada 2” easily topped the box office charts on Friday with $32.5 million from 4,150 North American theaters. The fashion-forward sequel is targeting $75 million to $80 million by Sunday, but some box office projectionists have earnings climbing even higher to around $90 million over its debut weekend.

SPOILER WARNING: This story discusses plot details for “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” in theaters now. After reading the script for “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” costume designer Molly Rogers had one thought, “I have to put the cerulean blue sweater in 2.” It was the first call she put into 20th Century Studios, and director David Frankel agreed.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. The first race of the 2026 Triple Crown is here with Kentucky Derby. The 152nd annual running of the horse-racing event features 20 thoroughbreds and jockeys on Saturday, May 2. Want to watch Kentucky Derby? Here’s what you need to know.

While The Devil Wears Prada 2 opening this weekend will no doubt be fashion’s top drama at the box office, Monday night’s Met Ball will have plenty of its own. Sure, its theme “Fashion Is Art” is true — but lest we forget, it’s also commerce. This Monday’s Met Gala — “fashion’s biggest night of the year,” as the cliché goes — will deliver beaucoup theatrical looks, with Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and of course Vogue’s…

Donald Trump on Friday acknowledged that Melania Trump “hates” when he performs his signature stiff-armed, fist-pumping dance to the Village People‘s “YMCA” at his rallies and other events. He then proceeded to bust a few moves to the 1978 disco hit. Trump, speaking to a crowd at Florida’s The Villages retirement community Friday evening, said his wife “hates when I dance to what’s sometimes referred to as ‘the gay national anthem,’ you know that,” adding about “YMCA”: “We love that song.”

Marjolein Busstra’s House of Hope, a film about a Palestinian couple teaching young students non-violent resistance in an elementary school in the occupied West Bank, picked up the best international feature documentary prize at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival on Friday night. The top jury prize win at the festival means Busstra’s film, a Palestine-Netherlands co-production that world premiered at…

The Cannes Critics’ Week, the sidebar that runs alongside the main Cannes Film Festival, has unveiled the four short films created for its Next Step Studio initiative from four young directors from Indonesia. The first edition of Next Step Studio has given them a voice by enabling them to co-write and co-direct shorts. which will be screened during the 65th edition…

PETA has debuted a new “The Devil Wears Prada”-inspired ad calling for a ban on all animal skins in fashion. The spot, which will run for two weeks before showings of “The Devil Wears Prada 2” in 100 theaters throughout the U.S., features a playful nod to the first “Prada.” As a Stanley Tucci look-a-like delivers the iconic line, “Gird your loins,” his co-workers scramble to hide their animal skin clothing and accessories.

The summer movie season kicks off in theaters this month with major Hollywood studio fare such as “The Devil Wears Prada 2” and “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” but it’s also kicking off on streaming as some of the buzziest movies of 2026 start arriving on SVOD platforms. Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights,” which brought Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi’s smoldering chemistry to the big screen, arrives on HBO Max after dividing audiences with its eroticism.

Writer and director Joseph Sperber’s political murder mystery film “Behind Closed Doors” has announced its cast as it begins production in Los Angeles. Elijah Reed (“Doom Patrol”), Nick Samson (“Poser”), Melissa Alce (“Matlock”), Christian Haines (“Law & Order”) and Charrell Mack (“The Pitt”) are set to star. This is Sperber’s feature debut, following his live-action short film “Let Us Play” which starred Doug Jones and was an official selection at the LA Shorts International Film Festival.

Post Malone‘s “Big Ass Stadium Tour Part 2” just got smaller. The artist took to social media Friday night to announce that he was canceling the first few weeks of his outing in stadiums with Jelly Roll, saying that he wants to get his forthcoming album finished before hitting the road in earnest. The cancellation affects the first six regularly scheduled dates on the Live Nation-produced joint tour, the first of which was to have been May 13 at El Paso’s Sun Bowl Stadium, on through a nixed show scheduled for June 5 in Oxford, Miss.

During California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s last appearance on “Real Time with Bill Maher” in 2025, the titular host took pains to grill his governor on what he felt were the many needless layers of bureaucracy in the Golden State — namely, that he was forced to pay for two roof inspections on his home following the wildfires that ravaged the Pacific Palisades and Altadena.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. In a title bout for the undisputed super bantamweight (junior featherweight) championship, Japanese fighter Naoya Inoue takes on fellow Japanese boxer Junto Nakatani in a 12-round match. What’s on the line? Inoue’s IBF, WBC and WBO World Super Bantam title belts.

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass is the latest politician to back an unlimited state tax incentive for film and TV production, following a similar move by her rival, Councilwoman Nithya Raman, last week. Bass is facing a tough fight for reelection on June 2, and the dramatic downturn in production jobs has become a key issue in the race. As Assembly speaker, Bass helped pass the state’s original production credit lottery of $100 million.

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass is the latest politician to back an unlimited state tax incentive for film and TV production, following a similar move by her rival, Councilwoman Nithya Raman, last week. Bass is facing a tough fight for reelection on June 2, and the dramatic downturn in production jobs has become a key issue in the race. As Assembly speaker, Bass helped pass the state’s original production credit lottery of $100 million.

NBC has canceled the medical drama “Brilliant Minds” after two seasons and the mockumentary comedy “Stumble” after one season, Variety has learned. “Brilliant Minds” is based on the books “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” and “An Anthropologist on Mars” by Oliver Sacks. The series stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, following “Dr.

Meryl Streep is weighing in on the state of modern filmmaking, arguing that the dominance of superhero storytelling has led to less nuanced character work across the industry. As Miranda Priestly puts it in the “Devil Wears Prada” sequel, there’s a shortage of “visionaries” in lieu of “vendors.” Speaking in a recent interview on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show alongside Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt during “

Having wrapped up his run on “Andor,” Diego Luna is moving from one part of the Disney empire to another. The “Star Wars” actor will appear in the the studio’s live action adaptation of “Tangled” alongside Teagan Croft (“Titans”), Milo Manheim (“Zombies”) and Kathryn Hahn (“The Studio”). For those unfamiliar with the 2010 animated feature of the same name, it’s a retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairytale story of Rapunzel, she of the “let down your hair” fame.

Greta Gerwig‘s “Narnia” movie will be getting a full Imax theatrical release in early 2027. Previously slated for a Thanksgiving 2026 release, the film is now set to open in theaters on Feb. 12, 2027, and on Netflix on April 2, 2027. Sneak previews of “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” will begin on Imax screens on Feb. 10.

Sony’s PlayStation debuted “Saros,” its latest splashy AAA title for the PS5, this week to overwhelmingly positive reviews. But while critics have had advance time with single-player action game, players just diving in this weekend after the title’s Thursday release have an uphill battle ahead of them as they take on the bullet-hell environment that developer Housemarque counts as its speciality.

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired worldwide rights to “Wishful Thinking,” which was written and directed by Graham Parkes. It stars Lewis Pullman, who also produced, and Maya Hawke. The film had its world premiere at SXSW, where it took home the top narrative feature prize. The story follows Julia, an ambitious game designer, and Charlie, a struggling musician, who are at a loss for how to repair their volatile relationship.

Taye Diggs is getting into the rapidly growing vertical drama business. The actor has partnered with producers Autumn Federici (“All For Love,” “Forever”), Shelby Stone, James Black (“All-American”) and Troy Brookins to launch Microhouse Films. Diggs and partners join a space that first grew in popularity overseas, with Hollywood veterans now dabbling in it as well. Microhouse Films touts itself as driven by filmmakers.

The Academy of Country Music has announced a round of performers for the upcoming ACM Awards in Las Vegas, including two of the top nominees, Ella Langley and Zach Top, along with other favorites ranging from Jordan Davis to the Red Clay Strays. The full list of 11 performers announced Friday includes Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown, Carter Faith, Dan + Shay, Tucker Wetmore, Blake Shelton and Avery Anna, along with the aforementioned Langley, Top, Davis and Strays.

Movie theaters are girding their loins for the arrival of “The Devil Wears Prada 2” this weekend. The long-awaited sequel from 20th Century Studios has made $10 million at the box office in previews. It’s projected to earn between $75 million and $80 million in its opening weekend, but some estimates put it even higher at $90 million to $100 million due to the popularity of the original and the recent over-performance of Lionsgate’s “Michael.” Internationally, “The Devil Wears Prada” sequel has made $40.5 million in its first two days after opening in 45 markets.

“Saturday Night Live U.K.” has revealed the hosts for the last two episodes of its inaugural season: Hannah Waddingham and Ncuti Gatwa. Waddingham, known for “Ted Lasso” and “Ride or Die,” hosts the May 9 edition with Brit Award winner Myles Smith as the musical guest. Gatwa, whose credits include “Doctor Who,” “Sex Education” and “Barbie,” headlines the May 16 installment alongside indie-pop singer Holly Humberstone.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. After a month-long hiatus, Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Team Mercedes has 72 points after three races (F1 Japanese Grand Prix was the previous event back in March). His teammate George Russell came in second with 63 points, so Mercedes is in the lead at the top of the leaderboard, but Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari are in third and fourth place.

Blue Finch Films has taken worldwide sales rights to Indonesian action crime thriller “Queen of Malacca,” excluding select Southeast Asian territories. The U.K.-based outfit unveiled the acquisition ahead of the Cannes Film Market, where the Visinema Pictures production will debut its first footage at the Frontières Buyers Showcase. The project was first revealed by Variety at the Cannes Film Market 2025.

After hooking viewers with French shark movie “Under Paris,” Netflix is finally getting ready for another bite of the cherry as “Under Paris 2” has gone into production in the south of France, Variety can confirm. Original cast members Bérénice Bejo and Nassim Lyes return alongside Guillaume Gouix, Phillippe Bas, Manon Bresch and Anne Marivin. The sequel is set three years after the events of “Under Paris,” when a triathlon in the French capital turned into a bloodbath after a bunch of mutated sharks not only set up camp in the River Seine but started reproducing.

Ashutosh Gowariker, director of “Lagaan,” has been appointed festival director of the 57th International Film Festival of India by India’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Gowariker succeeds Shekhar Kapur, who served a two-year term as festival director across the 55th and 56th editions. “It gives me immense pride and joy to serve as the festival director for the prestigious 57th International Film Festival of India, Goa,” Gowariker said.

A new Korea-Japan content joint venture, StudioMonowa, has been launched by CJ ENM, TBS and U-Next Holdings following a signing ceremony held April 30 at the CJ ENM Center in Seoul, attended by the top leadership of all three companies. The venture pairs CJ ENM’s K-drama production expertise with TBS’s original IP pipeline and U-Next’s streaming infrastructure, with the goal of covering every stage of the content business – from developing a property to putting it in front of a global audience and extending it into ancillary revenue.

When you hear the phrase “body-swap comedy,” you tend to think of complications. A good entry in the genre, like “13 Going on 30” or “All of Me,” can involve so much personality juggling that it becomes a heady experience. That was true, in its way, of “Hoppers,” the recent Pixar film in which a skate-punk college kid found herself in the body of a beaver who was actually a robot avatar.

After a roar of applause, Meryl Streep took the stage of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Thursday night alongside its embattled host, during her whirlwind promotional tour for the hotly anticipated sequel “The Devil Wears Prada 2.” “How are you?” Streep asked, clearly referring to President Trump loudly and repeatedly — calling for the host’s firing on every platform imaginable over a joke about how…

Six independent film projects from across Southeast Asia will share $160,000 in production and post-production support from the Purin Film Fund, the Bangkok-based nonprofit announced for its Spring 2026 session. Four projects received production grants. On the fiction side, “Dear Son An,” directed by Kim Quy Bui and produced by Le Diem Ha and Mai Nguyen Zeitmet for Vietnam’s A.T Sound Studio, centers on a nine-year-old boy who drifts between faith and fantasy as his mother, a single parent with cancer, prepares for her absence; and “Little Phnom Penh,” directed by Chheangkea Ieng and produced by Daniel Mattes for Anti-Archive, follows a Cambodian woman’s longing for home and belonging – spanning post-Khmer Rouge Phnom Penh to early-2000s California – as her first love resurfaces over time.

President Trump seems determined to get Jimmy Kimmel off the air. First came the pressure applied by Trump administration officials on FCC chairman (and Trump loyalist) Brendan Carr over a crack Kimmel had made on his late-night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” criticizing the MAGA reaction to Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The campaign worked, and Kimmel was not only suspended but also had his show temporarily removed from being broadcast in most households.

Documentary filmmakers who use unlicensed video clips can breathe a little easier, after an appellate panel reversed itself Thursday in a closely watched copyright case involving Netflix‘s “Tiger King” series. A three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the filmmakers’ use of a 66-second clip from a character’s funeral was sufficiently transformative to qualify for “fair use” protection.

The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards have announced the shortlist for the 2026 edition, which spans the categories of fiction, non-fiction, animation, student, and future format. The chosen filmmakers will join an exclusive program of interactive sessions and masterclasses at the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City from June 8-11, closing with a gala ceremony on June 11 where the category winners will be announced, awarded cash prizes and Sony Digital Imaging equipment.

Those unfamiliar with the popular anime franchise “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” may be disappointed to learn that goopy substances are pretty much absent from the series’ second standalone movie “Tears of the Azure Sea.” For the uninitiated, the title seems to promise something far stranger than what this basic anime offers at this point, now four seasons and one other film into its world-building epic about an average Japanese guy who is reborn in an alternate universe as a slime with the ability to absorb the powers of other beings.

Director Andy Serkis says Viggo Mortensen has no hard feelings towards Jamie Dornan after Dornan took over the role of Aragorn for the upcoming “Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.” Serkis appeared on the “Happy, Sad, Confused” podcast in an episode released on Thursday and told host Josh Horowitz that there was no animosity from Mortensen’s side regarding the “Lord of the Rings” prequel.

Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety chief awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender.

James Cameron’s otherworldly blockbuster “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and the Ryan Gosling-led space epic “Project Hail Mary” resulted in big business for Imax. But those visually striking tentpoles weren’t enough to boost the company’s profits and revenues, both of which were down during the first quarter of 2026. Imax logged $81 million for the three-month period ending in March, down 6.5% from the $86.7 million reported in the same quarter a year ago.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Samsung is one of the many brands capitalizing on the buzz surrounding “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” hitting theaters this weekend. The behemoth tech company is among those set to make an appearance in the long-awaited sequel, starting with a custom TV spot starring character Jin Chao, played by Helen J.

Senators voted on April 30 to restrict themselves from prediction markets as there is an increasing concern in the potential for insider trading by government officials, CNBC reports. The platforms, like Kalshi and Polymarket, are quickly growing in popularity as a way to effectively bet on the results on scores of outcomes, spanning from sporting events to when international war will be waged.

Josh Penn, the Academy Award-nominated producer behind “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” has launched Serenade, a new production company focused on documentary and narrative films. Serenade’s first film, “The Oldest Person in the World,” was directed by Sam Green and premiered at Sundance this year where it earned an enthusiastic critical reception. Penn’s credits include “Monsters and Men,” “32 Sounds” and “The White House Effect,” the latter of which earned two Emmy nominations.

Brendan Carr, the Trump-appointed chairman of the FCC, has not directly weighed in on the backlash over the agency’s order to force Disney’s ABC to reapply for spectrum licenses on an accelerated schedule — a move that comes as President Trump has called for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired over a joke the late-night host made about First Lady Melania Trump.

Love Monday TV and 53 Degrees Global are producing “Diana: The Unheard Truth” (working title), a three-part docuseries centered on five hours of audio recordings of Diana, Princess of Wales that have never been made public, with the series set to launch on Aug. 31, 2027 – the 30th anniversary of her death. The recordings were captured in 1991 by Dr.