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As a filmmaker, Markus Schleinzer owes much to his 17-year career as a casting director. “Directing a movie and being a casting director are quite similar jobs,” he tells Variety. Both require making the right choices under pressure and persuading others to believe in them. For a casting director, that means convincing a filmmaker or […]
Sally Rooney is sticking to her guns. The Irish author behind the bestselling novels “Conversations with Friends” and “Normal People” — the latter adapted into an award-winning miniseries that launched the careers of Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones — has claimed spoken out about being forced to not sell her books in the U.K. over […]
YouTube will label AI-generated songs across its main website and YouTube Music, the latest service to publicly mark tracks as not produced by humans. “Generative AI is opening up new ways for artists to create, experiment, and share music,” YouTube said in a blog post on Wednesday. “As these tools evolve, our listeners have told us […]
In an expected development, shareholders for both Fox Corp. and Roku voted to approve Fox’s $22 billion acquisition of the streaming-video platform company. At separate special meetings of shareholders Wednesday to vote on the deal, the majority of shares owned by Fox Corp. and Roku investors were in favor the deal. The proposed Roku deal […]
Jorge Rodriguez has been removed from OFAC's sanctions list in latest US push for oil control and bilateral diplomacy.
Former President Joseph Kabila has joined forces with M23 fighters.
SMH says it can no longer afford search-and-rescue work in one of the world's most dangerous migration routes.
Russia attack hits Kyiv after reported intelligence lapse
Twenty Bangladeshi citizens have been killed after being used by Russia as 'bait' to locate enemy positions, police say.
Celine Dion’s comeback year now includes a Barbie doll. Mattel has unveiled a new collectible doll honoring the Canadian superstar, recreating her look from the 1998 Academy Awards, where she performed “My Heart Will Go On” from James Cameron’s “Titanic.” The $60 doll is available exclusively through Mattel Creations. The Barbie Signature release features Dion’s […]
Aaron Paul honored his late “Breaking Bad” co-star RJ Mitte by posting to Instagram one of Mitte’s many videos advocating for mental health awareness. Mitte, who played Walt Jr. on the Emmy-winning AMC drama series, died Oct. 12 at 34 years old. The actor’s official cause of death was suicide. “Hey everyone, I hope y’all […]
Netflix’s layoffs have hit several executives on its TV development and production side — including longtime staffer Carolina Garcia, who has been let go as director of original series after a decade with the streamer. Other execs in TV that are departing include Lisa Lang McMullen (director, overall deals, series), Andrew McQuinn (director, original series), […]
Fans won’t have to wait until December to return to Arrakis. Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment are bringing the world of Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” films to downtown Los Angeles next month, with a new immersive attraction that lets visitors encounter giant sandworms, sit on Paul Atreides’ throne and get an up-close look at actual props […]
Mark Duplass has been added to the cast of Hulu’s limited series “Victoria,” joining previously announced stars Li Jun Li and Diane Lane. The San Francisco-set drama is described as an “erotic thriller” that follows a con woman who finds herself in the elite world of venture capital and a “dark web of power, luxury […]
Just hours after his departure from Republic Records was announced, Jim Roppo has been officially named vice chairman of Warner Records Group. He will be based in Los Angeles and report to Chairman & CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck; his start date will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Roppo joins the company following nearly three decades […]
After 17 years of leadership, Bob Daly will step down as chair of the American Film Institute Board of Directors at the next trustee meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 21, Variety can reveal exclusively. Daly, former Warner Bros. chair and co-CEO, joined the AFI Board in April 1981 and was named chair on Oct. 8, 2009, […]
Bar and Netanyahu have traded blame over the Hamas-led attack, as elections in Israel loom.
The former British Army member harboured 'extreme right-wing' views and was ordering explosives components, say police.
Suspected online espionage triggers intense security crackdowns and counter-intelligence measures in Iran and Lebanon.
A relative of the first case, 39-year-old man's infection raises concerns of a cross-border spread.
