In Donald Glover and Janine Nabers’ “Swarm,” a highly-detailed dedication to all-things Beyoncé and her “Bey Hive” fanbase is key to the show’s menacingly satirical look at obsessive fandom turned murderous. Credit “Swarm” production designer Sara K. White with taking its creators’ ideal of singing sensation Ni’Jah (Nirine S. Brown) to nuanced extremes, while folding…
Prime Video’s Feminist Drama ‘The Power’ Sizzles but Never Quite Sparks: TV Review
In an episode of “The Power,” Prime Video’s series adaptation of Naomi Alderman’s acclaimed speculative novel, Roxy (Ria Zmitrowicz) tries to walk into a nightclub without flashing the ID that would reveal she’s underage. The swole sentinel manning the door tries to turn her away until Roxy creates a tiny lightning bolt between her thumb…
Mariëtte Rissenbeek to Step Down After 2024 Berlinale Edition
Mariëtte Rissenbeek, who heads over the Berlin International Film Festival along with Carlo Chatrian, has decided to step down after next year’s edition. Rissenbeek’s contract expires in March 2024, and she has opted to not renew it, according to the German culture ministry, which is the main financier of the festival. German Culture Minister Claudia Roth said she regretted…
Psychedelic Documentary ‘Have a Good Trip’ Enters Production on a Sequel (EXCLUSIVE)
Good Trip Studios has entered production on a sequel to the 2020 documentary “Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics.” A distribution deal has yet to be finalized, though the first film — directed by Donick Cary and hosted by Adam Scott and Nick Offerman — streamed on Netflix. Like the first film, “Have a…
Emmy Predictions: TV Movie – Jennifer Lopez and Sydney Sweeney Lead Films Hoping to be ‘Weird’ Competition
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 senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences…
Michelle Rodriguez Won’t Let James Cameron Put Her in ‘Avatar’ Sequels: It’s ‘Overkill’ to Come Back From the Dead Again
Most actors would jump at the chance to star in sequels to the highest-grossing movie of all time. Michelle Rodriguez clearly isn’t most actors. The “Fast & Furious” favorite revealed to Vanity Fair that she told James Cameron he couldn’t bring her “Avatar” character back from the dead because that’s already happened three times in…
Raúl Alarcón, Ronald Day, Karen Barroeta and Timbaland to Participate in Variety’s Second Annual Miami Entertainment Town Event
Variety announced Thursday the programming for its second annual Miami Entertainment Town lunch, to be held on Thursday, April 13, in Miami. The event, in partnership with CN Bank, celebrates the growing entertainment and media industry based out of Miami and recognizes those profiled in Variety’s Miami Entertainment Impact Report. At the celebration, Ronald Day,…
Joe McGuire, Veteran Stage Manager, Dies at 66
Veteran stage manager Joseph E. McGuire II died on March 10 due to natural causes in his New York City home. He was 66. Born in Worcester, Mass., he graduated from Catholic University in 1978 with a B.F.A. in drama. McGuire first began his career as an actor, touring as Thomas Edison in “Young Tom…
Funko CEO Says Mondo Movie Poster Business Will Continue but Will End ‘Extremely Limited Runs’ That Limit Access ‘Unfairly’
Brian Mariotti, CEO of Funko, posted a message to fans of Mondo, the high-end collectibles company it acquired last year, after Mondo was hit with layoffs. As part of Funko’s 10% job cuts across the company, Mondo co-founders Mitch Putnam and Rob Jones as well as senior creative director Eric Garza were laid off last…
Universal Music Extends Chairman-CEO Lucian Grainge’s Contract, With One-Time Stock Grant of Up to $100 Million
Universal Music Group announced on Wednesday that its Board of Directors has extended the contract of Lucian Grainge, the company’s chairman and CEO, until May 1, 2028. According to the announcement, the “extended and amended” agreement transitions Grainge from an all-cash compensation package to one that is a combination of equity and cash and includes an…