Don’t call it a comeback. Call it a reintroduction. After 13 years of an uphill struggle, Mo’Nique’s emphatic return to Hollywood promises to be a new chapter for the comedian as she rebuilds her career — and reassesses her relationships. After an astonishing 2010 Oscar win for best supporting actress in “Precious,” the comedian quickly found…
TV Academy and Fox Reveal Emmy Date, Key Art for 2023 Telecast
The 2023 Primetime Emmys have an airdate: Monday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT on Fox. Meanwhile, a week before the Fox telecast, the 2023 Creative Arts Emmy Awards will take place over two consecutive nights on Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 10. As usual, an edited presentation of the combined…
Warner Music Group Weathers ‘Tough Quarter’ in Q1 2023 as New CEO Robert Kyncl Looks Ahead to Strong Release Schedule, New Initiatives
Warner Music Group Corp. weathered a “tough quarter” in first financial quarter of 2023, as described by new CEO Robert Kyncl, who took the helm of the company on Jan. 1, the day after the quarter ended. In the period ended Dec. 31, 2022, total revenue decreased 8% or 3% in constant currency, with digital…
‘The World Knows Our Culture, We Need Their Support’: Turkish Actor and Philanthropist Mert Firat on His Earthquake Relief Effort
Turkish actor and philanthropist Mert Firat is among the country’s most popular talents, known to international audiences for his roles in romantic blockbuster “The Butterfly’s Dream,” thriller “Pure White,” and Netflix Turkish original “Love 101.” A United Nations Development Program Goodwill Ambassador in Turkey, Firat is a co-founder of Ihtiyac Haritasi (Map of Needs), a…
Brazilian Survival Thriller ‘Property‘ Slated for Berlinale Panorama Joins Loco Films’ EFM Roster (EXCLUSIVE)
Paris-based banner Loco Films will be hitting the European Film Market with mix of French and international movies, including the Berlinale Panorama title “Property,” as well as “Grand Expectations” and “Like An Actress.” “Property,” which marks the sophomore outing of Brazilian helmer Daniel Bandeira, is a survival thriller lensed Pedro Sotero, the cinematographer of Kleber…
‘Luther: The Fallen Sun’ Trailer: Idris Elba’s Detective Returns in Netflix Film Continuation of the BBC Series
Following the 2019 conclusion of his acclaimed BBC series “Luther,” Idris Elba is back as detective chief inspector John Luther in Netflix’s film continuation. “Luther” ran for five seasons between 2010 and 2019. Elba notched four Emmy nominations, plus two Golden Globe wins, a Screen Actors Guild award, a Critics Choice award and a Royal…
Jay Shetty Launches Purpose-Driven Talent Agency (EXCLUSIVE)
Bestselling author, podcast host, social media sensation, life coach and former monk Jay Shetty is expanding his media footprint, now launching a talent agency, Variety has learned exclusively. Shetty, along with partners Rula Zaabri, Brittany Louks and Blaire Zierke, has announced the formation of House of 1212, a full-service, purpose-driven talent agency that will represent…
Hulu’s ‘Stolen Youth’ Sensitively Tells the Harrowing Story of the Sarah Lawrence Cult: TV Review
Half the battle in pulling together a creatively successful true-crime documentary is, surely, finding the right story — one that can hold our interest and can, potentially, generate insights beyond the simple facts of the case. But the other half, the filmmaker’s approach, matters every bit as much. In narrating the famous tale of a…
EFM: China-U.S. Animation ‘Shimmy: The First Monkey King’ Picked Up by Odin’s Eye (EXCLUSIVE)
Odin’s Eye Animation has picked up sales rights to “Shimmy: The First Monkey King,” an animated family entertainment film that is rare official China-U.S. coproduction. Sales activity will begin at the European Film Market starting next week alongside the Berlin Film Festival. The story involves Shimmy, a cheeky monkey with newly discovered superhero-like powers who…
‘The Universe Works in Very Interesting Ways’: Paul Mescal on Emotional Timing of ‘Aftersun’ Oscar Nomination
Paul Mescal, nominated for best actor at the BAFTAs and Oscars for “Aftersun,” has reacted to the emotional timing when the latter nod was announced. The Oscar nomination announcement came as Mescal’s mother Dearbhla was preparing to go into chemotherapy for cancer, as revealed by his sister Nell. Speaking to Martha Kearney on BBC Radio…