In a surprise cameo that nobody in a galaxy far, far away saw coming, Jar Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best returned to the “Star Wars” universe in Wednesday’s episode of “The Mandalorian.” But instead of playing the infamous Gungan, Best made his return as a Jedi named Kelleran Beq. In the newest episode, titled “The…

Paris-based CAT&Docs has come onboard as sales agent for Italian-Swedish director Erik Gandini’s “After Work,” which had its world premiere in the main competition at CPH:DOX, the Copenhagen Intl. Documentary Film Festival. Variety speaks to the director at the festival. In this stunningly cinematic doc, lensed by Ruben Östlund’s long-time DOP Fredrik Wenzel and shot…

LILLE, France — Paramount+ will be bowing “Drag Race Italia” Season 3 on the streaming service in Italy, followed by the U.S. and Latin America later this year.  The Italian Season 3 follows on the recent announcement of three new “Drag Race” editions in Brazil, Germany and Mexico and a “Global Drag Race All Stars,”…

Wendi McLendon-Covey said during a recent interview with Andy Cohen for SiriusXM that Jeff Garlin’s exit from “The Goldbergs” was “a long time coming.” The two comedians headlined the ABC sitcom from its 2013 debut until December 2021, when Garlin was fired from the show after a series of HR investigations into his alleged misconduct…

Peter Chernin’s North Road Co. has pacted with Israel’s Sipur production banner for the drama series “Bad Boy” from the creators and producers of the original “Euphoria.” North Road and Sipur will partner on the production of the series from creator Ron Leshem and director Hagar Ben-Asher. Israel’s HOT platform and Tedy Productions are co-financing…

UTA is setting up shop in the Peach State. The talent agency and its partner company Klutch Sports Group officially opened their Atlanta offices on Wednesday. The companies say its the first among the industry’s biggest talent, sports, entertainment and marketing agencies to establish a full-service base of operations in Georgia’s biggest city, which has…

Variety is pleased to announce additional speakers for its annual Entertainment Marketing Summit, presented by Deloitte, on April 19 in Los Angeles, including Christian Parkes, CMO, Neon; Catherine Halaby, head of entertainment, North America, TikTok; Deon Graham, chief brand officer, Combs Global; and Rachel Delphin, CMO, Twitch. Parkes and Halaby will join a Keynote Entertainment…

“Grease” fans hungry for a cool slider (a cool, cool, cool, cool slider) or hopelessly devoted to fries will have a chance to indulge via a pop-up version of the film franchise’s Frosty Palace on Thursday, April 6, and Friday, April 7. Paramount+ has partnered with Popsugar to take over Mel’s Drive-In on Sunset Blvd….

Wet Leg lead the nominations for the 2023 Libera Awards, the celebration of independent music presented by the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM). The Grammy-winning British group lead all nominess with six, while Sudan Archives, Allison Russell, Fontaines D.C., and Soul Glo have three each. The ceremony takes place on Thursday, June 15 at…

Netflix teased its slate of European series, including season 3 of its hit heist show “Lupin,” starring Omar Sy, during its showcase at Series Mania in Lille. The panel was attended by Katja Hofem from Germany, Damien Couvreur from France and Jenny Stjernströmer Björk from the Nordics, who each discussed their editorial strategies. The streamer…