The National Association of Theatre Owners has named Andrew Stewart as chief communications officer. Stewart will lead communications and media relations strategy for the association in his new role.  Stewart, a former Variety reporter and alum of 42West and Imax, will be based in Los Angeles and report to Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of […]

Billie Lourd paid tribute to Carrie Fisher on what would’ve been her mother’s 68th birthday. The “Star Wars” icon died on Dec. 27, 2016, at the age of 60. “Dead person birthdays are weird to say the least,” Lourd wrote on Instagram Monday. “On my mom’s birthday every year, I try to celebrate her as much […]

Ben Stiller’s comedy “Nutcrackers” has been acquired by Hulu and will stream exclusively on the service in the U.S. starting Nov. 29. The streamer acquired the worldwide rights to the film, which is directed by David Gordon Green. Green’s lengthy credits as a director include the “Halloween” franchise, “Pineapple Express,” “The Exorcist: Believer,” “Vice Principals” […]

Starz, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) and The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) have announced the participants for Season 3 of the Starz Take the Lead Writers’ Intensive. Set to begin on Oct. 14, this year’s program will feature writers Alyssa Katalyna, Eric De La Rosa, Justin Omori and Nneka Samuel.  Starz has tailored […]

The first trailer for “The Monkey,” a supernatural horror film based on the short story by Stephen King, has been released. The film, directed by “Longlegs” filmmaker Osgood Perkins, stars Theo James (“The White Lotus”) as twin brothers Hal and Bill. The cast also includes Tatiana Maslany (“She-Hulk”), Elijah Wood (“The Lord of The Rings”), […]

Arlene Winnick, a veteran publicist in Hollywood for over 30 years and an integral part of Solters & Digney and its successor Digney & Co. Public Relations, died in Beverly Hills on Oct. 1 from an extended illness. A native of Great Neck, N.Y., Winnick helped pioneer marketing and publicity campaigns for one of the […]

At 82 years old, Harrison Ford is glad he’s continued to keep acting, since it brings him “essential human contact.” “I get to imagine with people that have great skill and experience…. It’s fun to work with these people,” Ford said in a recent interview with Vanity Fair when asked about what drew him to […]

Peter E. Strauss, the film executive behind projects such as “The Jacket” and “Air,” died Oct. 6 at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 83.  Strauss held a number of roles over the course of his five-decade career, including most recently, executive vice president of Mandalay Pictures and previously president of Lions Gate Entertainment. […]

As New York’s 2024 Advertisement Week comes to a close, Variety’s Executive Interview Studio, presented by Canva, rounded out its week with an impressive list of industry innovators and respected advisors. The interview studio featured major personalities from companies such as Spotify, NBC Universal, Ford, and even pop stars like Camila Cabello. Moderated by Variety editors, Thursday’s […]

Chad A. Verdi of Verdi Productions and Anthony Gudas and Aaron Kaufman of Public School Productions have partnered with producers John Scalise, Keanu Reeves and Fisher Stevens to produce “The Jet,” a documentary on the life story of Benny “The Jet” Urquidez. The film is currently in production from director Jennifer Tiexiera. Verdi, Gudas, and Kaufman […]

Variety continued its three-day Executive Interview Studio, presented by Canva, as part of New York’s 2024 Advertising Week. This round of discussions included podcasting elites like Rachel Lindsay, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and actress Camila Cabello, and executives from Spotify, Warner Bros., NBCUniversal and Ford, all moderated by Variety editors. The conversations tackled recent advancements in technology, marketing and […]

Netflix is conjuring up an entire haunted house’s worth of ways for fans to celebrate Halloween, with a screening series, “Stranger Things” merch tie-ins including new Squishmallows, live experiences and costume suggestions. The push to keep viewers engaging with spooky content throughout the month, both in-person and on streaming, includes the new Netflix & Chills […]

Nicholas Pryor, who played a father to both Tom Cruise and to Robert Downey Jr. in “Risky Business” and “Less Than Zero,” died Oct. 7 of cancer in Wilmington, N.C. He was 89. His agent, Susan Tolar Walters, said, “He was one of the nicest people I have ever met and he will be missed.” […]

Variety kicked off the second year of its Executive Interview Studio, presented by Canva, during New York’s 2024 Advertising Week. Already, on day one, the studio hosted several discussions centered around technology’s transformation in today’s marketing space with the minds behind Tubi, Uber, and celebrity innovators such as actor Terry Crew and award-winning journalist Michael Strahan. […]

Dolly Parton has announced she will be donating over $1 million to support those affected by Hurricane Helene.  “This is my home,” Parton said at a Walmart in Newport, Tennessee on Friday, according to CNN. “This is a time for me to step up again, for all of us to step up and do what […]