Movies

Keith Olbermann, who dominated MSNBC as the host of “Countdown” from 2003 to 2011, railed against the network (via The Daily Beast) after it cut ties with hosts Joy Reid, Alex Wagner, Katie Phang, Jonathan Capehart and Ayman Mohyeldin. He posted on X: “An MSNBC purge so brutally racist it makes you think it was

“Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” is returning to theaters for its 20th anniversary, starting April 25. For the re-release event, graphic artist Matt Ferguson has created a new poster to celebrate the film. The film will run in U.S. theaters and select international territories for one week, including new formats like 4DX. “Revenge of

Anonymous Oscar ballots have become a contentious topic among film pundits. Some consider them a red herring, arguing they distract from a predetermined outcome. There’s some truth to that. I conducted my first batch of casual chats with Oscar voters in 2012, sparked by a conversation with an industry professional at a New York event.

“I’m a glass half-full motherfucker,” says Bert Kreischer. I can practically hear him smiling through the phone as he discusses his upcoming Netflix special, “Lucky,” an aptly titled hour that sees the notorious party animal turned family man counting his blessings. Just moments after articulating his reverence and appreciation for his fan base, the comedian,

“The Bear” star Ayo Edebiri is set to write the screenplay for the upcoming live-action “Barney” movie and is also in talks to star in the film. “Barney” will be co-developed and produced by A24 and Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions in partnership with “Barney” IP owner Mattel Films. Kevin McKeon and Andrew Scannell are overseeing

Millie Bobby Brown may be the star of “Stranger Things,” but she’s never been allowed to watch new episodes before they premiere on Netflix, including the upcoming fifth and final season. “We haven’t done that for 10 years,” she told me Monday night at the premiere of her new movie, “The Electric State.” “I don’t

Mediawan-owned ON Animation Studios, the Montreal-based banner whose credits include “Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie,” “The Little Prince” and “Playmobil the Movie,” has shut down, Variety has confirmed. ON Animation Studios, which was launched by French producers Aton Soumache (“Little Nicholas”) and Dimitri Rassam (“The Count of Monte Cristo”) in 2012, was acquired by

“Moana 2,” the sequel to the Oscar-nominated film about a young Polynesian woman on a quest to break an ancient curse, will be available to stream on Disney+ on March 12. Initially developed as a Disney+ TV series for streaming, “Moana 2” was revamped into a film with a theatrical release. The adjustment was said to be a

Ozzy Osbourne is the subject of a new Paramount+ documentary, titled “No Escape From Now,” which will chronicle his health issues and upcoming final show with Black Sabbath. The feature-length project, which is currently in production and slated to premiere on the streamer later this year, will “reveal the devastating setbacks” the 76-year-old Brit has

A Rabbit’s Foot, the film and culture magazine founded by British producer Charles Finch, perhaps best known for throwing some of awards season’s most star-studded parties, has partnered with its sister production house Rabbit’s Foot Films on a short film division. The announcement comes as the two unveil the winners of a short film competition

Atomic Features, the production company co-founded by Daniel Ragussis (“Imperium”) and Dennis Lee (“Fireflies in the Garden”), has closed, what it is describing as “a significant” new round of equity financing. The round was led by Fanghua Jiang, Li Jing, and Lanfu Yang.  The company says the new investments will enable it to expand its

This year’s biggest blockbuster (so far) isn’t from Marvel, Pixar or James Cameron. In fact, most Americans aren’t even familiar with the box office juggernaut — because it’s barely playing in the United States. “Ne Zha 2,” a Chinese animated movie, has become an unprecedented smash, racking up $1.9 billion from nearly 80,000 screens after

Kathleen Kennedy, the longtime president of Lucasfilm, is expected to step down at the end of 2025. She intends to retire after her current contract ends, according to a source with knowledge of her plans. A separate source close to Kennedy, however, dismissed the initial report by Puck as “pure speculation” and said nothing has

“Wicked” director Jon M. Chu will be honored with the Motion Picture Association’s 2025 Creator Award. Chu will be presented with the kudo at the MPA’s fourth annual awards program, which will also feature 2025 Industry Champion Awards presented to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.).

From his father, a Holocaust survivor, cartoonist Art Spiegelman learned how to best utilize the limited space in a suitcase, knowledge that he then applied to his hand-drawn panels, where information has to be conveyed in a concise manner. An eminence in the realm of comics, Spiegelman is best known for “Maus,” the two-volume graphic

The Doha Film Institute has recruited Oscar nominee Walter Salles (“I’m Still Here”), iconic Hong Kong director Johnnie To, prominent Filipino auteur Law Diaz, ace cinematographer Darius Khondji and master Mexican costume designer Anna Terrazas to hold onstage conversations and act as mentors during its upcoming Qumra Arab industry incubator. The event, now celebrating its 11th

Korean entertainment company Kakao Entertainment is expanding its global footprint through a new partnership with Japanese content studio Babel Label. The alliance aims to co-produce new dramatic content and adapt Kakao’s IP library for international audiences. The first collaboration under this partnership will be helmed by Babel Label’s director Fujii Michihito, marking his first project

Keshet International has closed a raft of major deals on “Hitler’s Treasure Hunters,” a six-part unscripted series produced by Perpetual Entertainment which forms part of Keshet International’s showcase at the London TV Screenings on Feb. 26. The docuseries was picked up by Hearst Networks EMEA in a pan-regional deal comprising Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Luxembourg, the

U.K. sales and distribution outfit Blue Finch Films has acquired worldwide sales rights to “The Surrender,” a supernatural horror feature marking the directorial debut of Julia Max. The chiller is set to make its world premiere at SXSW as part of the fest’s Midnighter section. Colby Minifie (“The Boys”) and Emmy nominee Kate Burton (“Grey’s

Yves Saint Laurent‘s 1966 Le Smoking tuxedo jacket is among the most iconic fashion pieces of all time. The tuxedo jacket for women, with its satin lapels and sharp shoulders, was adopted as a symbol of liberation and revolution. Paolo Sorrentino‘s latest feature, “Parthenope” is a love letter to the director’s native Naples. Focused on

Happy Oscars Week! As Los Angeles gets ready for Hollywood’s biggest night of the year, here’s Variety’s ultimate party guide for all things happening before, during and after the 97th Academy Awards on March 2. From Diane Von Furstenberg’s luncheon for women in film to Madonna and Guy Oseary’s annual late-night bash, as well as

Following a weekend during which it tried to make 11th hour deals to save the company and its brands, Technicolor Group CEO Caroline Parot sent a memo to employees Monday, writing “due to inability to find new investors for the full Group, despite extensive efforts, [Paris-headquartered] Technicolor Group has filed for Court ‘recovery procedure’ before

“Snow White” star Rachel Zegler says the backlash against Disney‘s latest live-action remake is due to “passion” for the original film. While Disney’s live-action re-releases have seen better days since 2019’s “The Lion King,” the “Snow White” rehash has been a particular point of contention in some circles due to Zegler’s Columbian heritage. The outrage

In the Warsaw-set “Letters From Wolf Street,” an immigrant filmmaker takes to the streets — which is to say, he captures the unassuming sidewalks beneath his window. What begins as a series of wry observations about the director’s immediate surroundings gradually unfurls as a vibrant reflection (and self-reflection) on the fabric of modern Poland, as told

When asked about how the Trump administration’s attacks on queer rights may affect their films going forward, “I Saw the TV Glow” director Jane Schoenbrun recognized the major political implications of the current moment, but says there are higher priorities than “trying to react.” “Hopefully [my directing] won’t change much,” Schoenbrun told Variety‘s Marc Malkin

“Four Down,” a documentary based on Nick Schuyler and Jere Longman’s best-selling book “Not Without Hope,” will open the 20th edition of the Sunscreen Film Festival on April 24 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Directed by Steven Cantor, the docu examines Schuyler’s harrowing 2009 rescue by the U.S. Coast Guard, 43 hours after a tragic boating

“Captain America: Brave New World” fell at the box office with a 68% drop in its second weekend, marking the third biggest drop of the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far after flops like “The Marvels” (78% drop) and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (69% drop). “Deadpool” creator Rob Liefeld reacted to the news with a

Variety veteran Steven Gaydos was hailed as a “Renaissance man” of movies and journalism as he received career achievement honors from the Filming Italy Los Angeles festival, supported by the Italian Cultural Institue arm of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Gaydos, who is Variety‘s VP and executive editor of features, was feted

Amid financial difficulties, Technicolor — which includes leading VFX brands MPC (“Mufasa”) and short form VFX banner The Mill — has started to shut down parts of the company. But the creative leadership and “practically the entire creative staff” of what was Technicolor’s The Mill U.S. has pivoted and is joining forces with Dream Machine

At the SAG Awards on Sunday night, Colin Farrell may have picked up yet another honor for his work as the villainous titular character in “The Penguin,” but the actor insists he isn’t currently inclined to do a second season. “I don’t want it. I don’t not want it,” he told me exclusively backstage at