Entertainment News

Debbie McWilliams, former James Bond casting director for 40 years, expressed her preference against rumored contenders like Jacob Elordi, Callum Turner, and Harris Dickinson for the 007 role. She believes the next actor should be "out of the blue" rather than a well-known personality. This stance reflects her experience from "For Your Eyes Only" to 2021, emphasizing a fresh, unknown

Bill Maher was awarded the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in Washington, D.C. The prestigious ceremony, now in its 27th year, honored Maher for his significant contributions to comedy. The event featured a blend of accolades, insights, and light-hearted roasting from fellow entertainers and colleagues, marking a notable recognition of his career.

Taylor Sheridan has built one of the most-watched television empires on the planet, and he wants everyone to know he did it without chasing trophies or taking notes from the people who sign his paychecks. The “Yellowstone” creator unloaded on studio and network brass during an appearance on “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” where he turned […]

There’s a scene toward the end of “Supergirl” that perfectly encapsulates how tonally inept it is. After what feels like an eternity, our Kryptonian hero, Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock), has quit drinking away her sorrows, embraced her superpowers, thrown on her cape and decided to whoop some evil ass. It’s a moment of triumph for […]

The music streaming service Tidal said on Monday that artists uploading music wholly or substantially created using AI will have them label them as such — and those songs won’t be eligible for royalties. The service’s new AI policy goes into effect July 15, and it also applies to Tidal’s independent artist franchise Tidal Upload. Tidal […]

The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office has announced a cause of death for Daveigh Chase, who voiced Lilo in “Lilo & Stitch” and starred in “The Ring.” Chase died June 17 in Los Angeles at 35. Chase, who also went by Daveigh Schwallier, died of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS, according to the coroner’s office. A […]

The other shoe has dropped in the aftermath of the “Summer House” scandal: Amanda Batula will not be returning for Season 11 of the Bravo show, Variety has learned. Though this development may be obvious — in that Batula upended her life and career by beginning a romantic relationship with castmate West Wilson, who’s also […]

Tubi is expanding its 2026 rollout with a wide range of film and TV titles arriving throughout July. The free, ad-supported streamer is adding hundreds of movies and series spanning various genres, from action-packed blockbusters and popular romantic comedies to arthouse dramas and chilling horror flicks. Highlights this month include the addition of the Tubi […]

The Amazon Prime Video TV adaptation of “The Probability of Miracles” has added two new cast members. Variety has learned exclusively that Brian Tee and Ben Feldman are both set to appear in the series, which is based on the Wendy Wunder novel of the same name. Production on the series is now underway in […]

When schools across the U.K. closed early last week as record-breaking temperatures touched on 100 F, marking the hottest June on record, there was one noticeable benefactor. Reports from cinemas up and down the country were of packed-out screenings during otherwise quiet, mid-afternoon slots. Parents, stuck for options to keep their kids both entertained and cool […]

The artisans behind “The Death of Robin Hood,” including hair designer Sean Flanigan and costume designer Lorna Mugan, wanted Hugh Jackman to become unrecognizable as Robin Hood. But of course, director Michael Sarnoski‘s (“Pig,” “A Quiet Place: Day One”) vision for Robin Hood is much darker than most filmed adaptations. “This was really rough and […]

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 […]

SPOILER ALERT: This story includes key storylines and details about “I Will Find You,” now streaming on Netflix. Sam Worthington has his wife to thank for his role in one of Netflix’s most successful series, “I Will Find You.” The show, the latest adaptation from novelist Harlan Coben, sees Worthington as David Burroughs, a man […]

The Palm Springs International Shortfest has unveiled its winners for 2026. The winners were announced at Sunday’s award ceremony. Honorees receieved $30,000 dollars in cash prizes, and five films were presented with Academy Award qualifying awards. See the list of winners below: Oscar-Qualifying Awards:The winner of these awards may be eligible to submit their short […]

Madonna recently slammed artificial intelligence in a new interview with Vogue Italia, telling the outlet that relying on AI is the “opposite of making art.” “Once you were around painters and musicians and dancers and artists in one place and working from a very pure place for each other. I value that experience a lot,” […]

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 […]

Olivia Wilde did almost everything you are not supposed to do to make “The Invite.” She shot her third feature as a director in a tight 21 days, scene by scene, in story order, which is a luxury most directors give up before the first morning of prep work. She also got to shoot it […]

Gracie Abrams, the daughter of “Star Trek” director J.J. Abrams and Bad Robot co-CEO Kaite McGrath, recently told The New York Times’ “Popcast” that she understands the online discourse about her nepotism. “The nepo stuff is obviously in the discourse, appropriately,” Abrams said. “I think about the privilege there, and it’s like, I had a […]

“Supergirl” didn’t catch her stride at the international box office. The latest comic book adaptation from Warner Bros. and DC Studios has collected just $30 million from 77 markets, a weak start for a tentpole of this size and scale. “Supergirl” also stumbled in North America with $38 million for a worldwide debut of $68 […]

We all used to send postcards to show loved ones our location when we traveled away from home; some of us still do, though it’s a practice tinged with nostalgia. It’s more immediate, after all, just to send a photo, though somehow both more and less personal: What you lose in tactile, handwritten effort, you […]

Colombian animator María Cristina Pérez's experimental short film, "Once in a Body," competed in the Annecy Animation Festival's Perspectives sidebar. This fourth short explores human connection, a central theme in her work. Her participation signifies rising talent and growing international recognition for Colombian animation, showcasing diverse narratives and artistic approaches within the global animation community, fostering cultural exchange and industry

The Annecy International Animation Film Festival, a leading global event, has designated Colombia as its Country of Honor for 2027. This significant recognition by the 66-year-old festival and its market, Mifa, highlights the burgeoning animation industry within the South American nation. The honor aims to boost international visibility and collaboration for Colombian animators and studios, marking a notable shift in

“The Violinist” beat out major competition at Annecy, such as “In Waves,” “Viva Carmen” and “Iron Boy,” all already big hits at Cannes, to win on Saturday the biggest festival prize in animation: Annecy’s feature film Cristal. A tale of two young violinist virtuosos in and after WWII Singapore, “The Violinist” certainly had its fans […]

There was no measurable rain in Washington, D.C. Friday night, but even a threat of scattered showers was enough to melt Vanilla Ice’s planned performance on the National Lawn as part of the Freedom 250 events, as the free show was called off hours before it was set to occur due to “inclement weather.” Vanilla […]

The way art connects (and saves) these two on a daily basis is its own idiosyncratic story, and it speaks to a certain vanishing culture of passionate New York literary brainiacs that used to be thought of as practically the essence of the city.

It was anything but June gloom when the Gotham Television Awards kicked off the month in New York City. Winners and honorees included Chase Infiniti, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kerry Washington, “I Love LA” and “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette.” In London, Variety launched its London edition of Power of Women with Cynthia […]

Christopher Nolan recently told The New York Times that Hollywood studios should take more risks with their blockbusters, because audiences are desperately “looking for something new.” “If you’re really interested in movies and the history of movies, the one thing you see absolutely is that you have to take risks to succeed. The biggest risk […]

San Francisco holds a special place in Colman Domingo’s heart. He called it home from 1991 to 2001 and it’s where “I became of age as an artist,” he says. It’s only fitting that Variety, in partnership with the Frameline Film Festival, honors Domingo with our Creative Conscience Award June 27 at the Castro Theatre. […]

SPOILER ALERT: This story contains plot details, including about the ending, from DC Studios’ “Supergirl,” now playing in theaters. It took more than five-and-a-half years, and countless hours reading comic books, for screenwriter Ana Nogueira to get to this moment: watching Supergirl fly onto the silver screen in her full glory. “I’ve seen the movie […]

Oscar voters…don’t forget to RSVP to “The Invite.” “The Invite,” Olivia Wilde’s third feature as a director and the most sleek and assured work of her career behind the camera, is an indie film with a lot to say. Oscar voters shouldn’t be afraid to listen. A24, the distributor that bought the film out of […]

Chef Sean Brock, at his one-year-old West Hollywood restaurant Darling, revealed the five essential fats for his fried chicken. The article also explores his passion for vintage vinyl, reflected in Darling's central listening bar, and shares a Dolly Parton anecdote. This piece highlights Brock's unique blend of Southern culinary interpretation and personal interests, offering insights into his approach to food

Amazon MGM has signed a first-look deal with Mercedes Ron, doubling down on an already hugely successful partnership with the bestselling author behind some of the biggest global hits on Prime Video. A Wattpad breakout, Ron is the writer of the “Culpables” trilogy of YA romantic fiction books, the Spanish-language movie adaptations of which have […]

Variety highlights the enduring importance of stereo and AV receivers for classic home audio and theater systems, despite the growing popularity of soundbars and powered speakers. The article suggests that while often overlooked by new users, receivers remain a fundamental component for comprehensive sound setups, guiding consumers on selections for 2026.

Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza’s killer animatronics are out for more blood. Blumhouse Atomic Monster has tapped Gary Dauberman to write the script for the next installment of “Five Nights at Freddy’s.” Dauberman has penned some of the most successful horror franchises of the past decade including “It,” “Annabelle” and “The Nun.” The two previous “Five Nights at […]

A grim, personal real-life case inspired Tõnis Pill’s directorial debut, “Fränk.” When the director was a young boy living in a small Estonian town, a person with an intellectual disability died after tragically falling under a train. A rumor quickly spread that a gang of boys, used to bullying the man, was responsible for pushing […]

A24 explained its research partnership with Google’s DeepMind unit as a bid to have “a seat at the table“ in Hollywood’s reckoning with AI after fans pelted the independent studio with criticism for embracing the technology. “This is a research partnership,” A24 communications rep Sophia Shin said about the deal in a statement first reported by […]

Appearing on a screen straight from the legendary Troma Entertainment headquarters in Long Island, New York, veteran producer and filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman has both hands occupied: one is gripping a compact vape pen, the other holding a massive can of sugar-free energy drink. It would be a pretty standard sight for a busy producer, but […]

The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) has announced its Emerging Executives Committee for 2026. The initiative, known as CEEC, will be supported by The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) and the Robert & Lien Chen Family Foundation. CEEC aims to fast-track rising Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander assistant and coordinator-level employees to […]

The first-ever Toronto film market has attracted more than 150 sales companies and promotional bodies. The bazaar, known as TIFF: The Market, takes place Sept. 10-16, running as part of the Toronto Film Festival. Among the confirmed exhibitors are Goodfellas, Anton, Playtime, AGC Studios, CAA, Pyramide, XYZ Films, WME, FilmNation, UTA and more. Last week, […]

Darren Mann has signed with talent agency Paradigm for representation, Variety has learned exclusively. He continues to be repped at Principal Entertainment, Webster Talent, and by attorney Jared Bloch. Mann most recently appeared in “1923,” the hit “Yellowstone” prequel that streamed on Paramount+. The show served as a followup to the previous “Yellowstone” prequel “1883.” […]

Starz is developing a new TV series based on Lauren Palphreyman’s popular romantic fantasy book series, "The Wolf King." The project will follow Princess Aurora, who is kidnapped by a werewolf and becomes entangled in a "lethal love triangle." This adaptation marks a significant expansion of the book's narrative into a television format, bringing the story to a broader audience

Director Adam McKay expressed openness to collaborating with Will Ferrell again, five years after their creative partnership dissolved in 2019. In a Business Insider interview, reported by Variety, McKay also discussed an unproduced 'Talladega Nights 2' plot. This signals a potential shift in their professional relationship, which previously yielded successful comedies like "Anchorman" and "Step Brothers," impacting future film projects.

Chris Berend a digital-media executives who has had a hand in helping to create new distribution platforms for NBC News journalism and properties including “Today,” is leaving the company after a seven-year tenure. In a memo sent to staffers Thursday, Berend said he would soon be “leaving NBCUniversal soon to pursue my passions outside of […]

A new player in the horror movie streaming space has arrived. Genre magazine HorrorHound announced today the launch of HorrorHound TV, a new independent horror-focused streaming platform. The service is set to launch on July 1, with Orin Black’s “The Babysitter Murders: Timing’s Off” set as one of the launch exclusives. “The Babysitter Murders: Timing’s […]

A series adaptation of the 2006 film “Aquamarine” has received a pilot order at Disney+ and Disney Channel, Variety has learned. Emma Roberts, who starred in the original film, will guest star as Claire Brown in the pilot, with Roberts also onboard as an executive producer. The project hails from writer Sarah Watson, with the […]

Nex and SEGA are partnering up to bring “Sonic Forces” to Nex Playground later this year. The upcoming title introduces Sonic the Hedgehog to the platform in celebration of the franchise’s 35th anniversary. “Sonic Forces” (a working title) reimagines the running and action gameplay, offering a replayable, physically active experience. The game is built by […]

Lizzy Caplan has joined the cast of FX’s upcoming “Far Cry” TV series, Variety has learned. The series was first reported to be set up at FX in November 2025 from creators Noah Hawley and Rob Mac, with Mac also set to star. Exact plot and character details remain under wraps, but the series will […]

Xbox is hiking the prices of its X and S gaming consoles by more than $100 across models, the Microsoft-owned company announced Thursday. This marks the second time Xbox has raised the prices of its consoles in less than year. The increase comes as the company is undergoing a significant round of layoffs under new […]

Suno on Thursday unveiled a new incubator program for artists, “Spark,” that it says is designed to allow artists to receive grants, mentorship and distribution opportunities for their work. The program — which is open to unsigned singers, songwriters and producers 18 and older – will give the selected individuals grants ranging in the thousands to tens of […]

Keanu Reeves thrilled fans at Annecy, sending a video message to confirm his participation in samurai stop-motion project “Hidari.” “I think that the stop-motion and what they’ve done, their hope and ambition is very cinematic. It can be both big scale and very intimate, and with the script they have developed, I think it’s extraordinary. […]