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Toby Jones and Rafe Spall in Talks to Join Sequel to ‘Jurassic World’ (Exclusive)
4 hours ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Toby Jones and “Prometheus” actor Rafe Spall are in talks to join Universal and Amblin Entertainment’s next chapter in the “Jurassic World” franchise.
Jones and Spall join Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, who are returning to star. Sources say producers are also getting ready to test for two other key roles in the project but wanted to get these offers out of the way first before making choices.
Plot details are unknown at this time, including who Jones and Spall will be playing in the sequel to the 2015 hit.
J.A. Bayona is on board to direct with Frank Marshall producing along with Pat Crowley and Belén Atienza. Colin Trevorrow, who helmed “Jurassic World,” penned the script with his writing partner Derek Connolly.
Trevorrow will also exec produce with Steven Spielberg.
“Jurassic World” blew away box office records, scoring the biggest domestic opening of all time with $205 million. The »
- Justin Kroll
‘Stranger Things’ Season 2 Casts Sean Astin, Paul Reiser, Linnea Berthelsen
3 hours ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »
The shape of “Stranger Things” to come is becoming a little clearer. Season 2 of the Netflix horror thriller will include Sean Astin, Paul Reiser, and Linnea Berthelsen in the cast.
Astin will play Bob Newby, a kind hearted former nerd who went to high school with Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) and Sheriff Hopper (David Harbour). Bob is now the manager of the Hawkins RadioShack. Astin’s ’80s and ’90s bona fides (“The Goonies,” “Rudy”) and “Lord of the Rings” stardom fit well with the “Stranger Things” aesthetic.
Reiser is Dr. Owens, a Department of Energy muckety muck who is tasked with “containing” the events of the previous year, when a murderous being from another dimension came through to our own, kidnapping young Will Byers (Noah Schnapp). In addition to “Stranger Things” and his current role on Amazon’s “Red Oaks,” Reiser will debut an eight-episode scripted series set at “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” on NBCU »
- Oriana Schwindt
Live-Action ‘Voltron’ Is Ready To Form At Universal
7 hours ago | The Playlist | See recent The Playlist news »
Among the many pieces of IP that Hollywood has been trying to big the screen, “Voltron,” of all things, has been one of the toughest nuts to crack. Stuck in development hell for at least a decade if not longer, it’s one of those projects that rears its head every couple of years only to disappear again. So before you exclaim “Childhood ruined!” just bear in mind this thing has been moving along for years, you just might not have known about it.
Continue reading Live-Action ‘Voltron’ Is Ready To Form At Universal at The Playlist. »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Tyler Perry to Produce English-Language Remake of Korean Film ‘Miss Granny’ With CJ E&M
20 hours ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
“Madea” star Tyler Perry has teamed with Cj E&M, Korea’s largest entertainment conglomerate, to produce an English-language remake of Korean hit film “Miss Granny.”
The production, targeted at the African-American community, will be a co-venture between Cj, and Tyler Perry Studio’s 34th Street Films.
Cj has also pacted with actor-director Eugenio Derbez’s 3 Pas Studios to produce a Spanish-language version. Both films are set for release in 2018 and both are aimed primarily at the North American market.
“Miss Granny” is a body-swap romantic comedy featuring a 70-year-old woman who transforms into a young woman in her 20s. It was released in January 2014 in Korea and earned $53.7 million from 8.65 million admissions, before going on to be remade in Chinese and Vietnamese.
“We could not find a partner more suitable for the English-language remake of ‘Granny,’ than Tyler Perry Studio,” Cj said in a statement. “We expect to see a great English remake, »
- Sonia Kil
Exclusive: Charlie Heaton Dishes on 'Stranger Things' Time Jump in 'Darker' Season 2: 'It's Gonna Be a Ride'
22 hours ago | Entertainment Tonight | See recent Entertainment Tonight news »
The second season of Netflix's breakout hit Stranger Things is on its way, and it sounds like fans have an even bigger adventure waiting for them.
Charlie Heaton, who stars as the reclusive Jonathan Byers, spoke with Et at a junket for his new thriller, Shut In, on Saturday, where he revealed that the upcoming episodes are going to "slightly darker" than the already-terrifying first season.
"You follow these characters a year later, and you're straight back in the world of Hawkins, [Indiana], which we know and love so well," he explained. "The scope feels bigger this year."
The whole cast recently got together for the first table read, and the second season hits the ground running, with Heaton teasing, "From episode one through four, it's gonna be a ride."
While he couldn't »
‘Gilmore Girls’: Alexis Bledel Felt Pressure for the Final 4 Words Scene to Be ‘Awesome’
9 hours ago | Indiewire Television | See recent Indiewire Television news »
The final four words spoken in “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” had better be good.
The Netflix revival series has only been a couple years in the making, but the original show’s creator Amy Sherman-Palladino has known how she wanted it to end since 2006. After a fateful reunion panel at the Austin Television Festival in 2015, the fan reaction was so fervent that the revival had to happen. When the Netflix deal came along, Sherman-Palladino finally got her wish to work those four words into a final farewell script.
Alexis Bledel, as the bookworm-turned-journalist Rory Gilmore, felt the weight of those years and fans’ expectations while shooting the scene, in which she may or may not be the one uttering those final words.
“I felt a lot of pressure to try to get it right, to make it awesome, »
- Hanh Nguyen
‘Secret Life of Pets,’ ‘Suicide Squad’ Propel AMC to Record Quarter
41 minutes ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Hits like “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Suicide Squad” contributed to record quarterly results at AMC Entertainment.
The move comes as AMC is trying to close a deal to acquire Carmike Cinemas for $1.3 billion. If it is consummated, the pact will make AMC the world’s largest theater chain. However, the companies have faced opposition from some Carmike shareholders who believe the sale undervalues the chain.
AMC said that total revenues increased 13.2% to $779.8 million and ticket sales jumped 12.6% to $496.7 million. Profits nearly doubled, topped out at $30.4 million, with earnings per share rising to 31 cents, up from 14 cents in the year-ago period. The rise in sales came as average ticket prices climbed 2.6% to $9.57.
Earnings beat Wall Street expectations, but revenues missed. Analysts had expected earnings of 28 cents on $781.8 million in revenue.
A slew of late-summer blockbusters helped increase foot traffic in the theaters, leading to a nearly 10% jump in attendance of 51.9 million consumers. »
- Brent Lang
Taraji P. Henson to Host Second Annual Fox Holiday Special
43 minutes ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »
“Empire” star Taraji P. Henson is set to return to host a Fox holiday special for the second year in a row.
The music and variety show, “Taraji’s White Hot Holidays,” will air Thursday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m., Fox announced on Monday.
Last year, Henson co-hosted “Taraji and Terrence’s White Hot Holidays” with her “Empire” co-star Terrence Howard. Insiders say that while Howard isn’t co-hosting this year, additional guest names have yet to be announced and many surprises are in store, so perhaps Howard could pop up during the special.
Guests that have been announced are “Empire’s” Jussie Smollett, Taye Diggs, Pharrell Williams, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, Darryl McDaniels of Run-dmc, Snoop Dogg and TLC, who will all sing new versions of classic holiday songs. Tyler Perry and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s” Terry Crews will also make cameo appearances during the hourlong special.
Henson stars as Cookie on Fox’s “Empire,” which »
- Elizabeth Wagmeister
Marc Weinstock Exiting Fox for Annapurna Films President Post
43 minutes ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Marc Weinstock is leaving 20th Century Fox as president of domestic theatrical marketing to join Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Films as president.
He will be leaving Fox at the end of the year and report to Annapurna founder and CEO Ellison. Weinstock will oversee development and production for the company.
Weinstock joined Fox in 2014 after leaving Sony Pictures, where he worked on Annapurna Films’ “American Hustle” and “Zero Dark Thirty.” Annapurna is in post-production on a Detroit riots movie with Kathryn Bigelow directing and John Boyega starring; Richard Linklater’s “Where’d You Go, Bernadette”; and a Zelda Fitzgerald biopic with Imagine Entertainment.
Weinstock is the latest Fox exec to depart following Stacey Snider replacing Jim Gianopulos as studio chief. Pamela Levine came on board last month as president of worldwide theatrical marketing, replacing Paul Hanneman; communications chief Chris Petrikin announced his departure on Oct. 27.
While at Fox, Weinstock oversaw »
- Dave McNary
‘The Jinx’ Subject Robert Durst Pleads Not Guilty in 16-Year-Old Murder Case
48 minutes ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »
“I did not kill Susan Berman,” real estate heir Robert Durst told a Los Angeles court on Monday, pleading not guilty in the in the 2000 killing of Susan Berman.
Durst wore a neck brace as he entered the courtroom in a wheelchair. “I do want to say here and now, I am not guilty,” he said in a hoarse voice.
Prosecutors will not be seeking the death penalty in the case. Durst, who will be held without bail, will next appear in court on Feb. 15.
Durst, 73, who pled guilty to unrelated gun charges this February in New Orleans and was sentenced to 85 months in federal prison under a plea deal, was extradited to Los Angeles in August. He was arrested in March for the December 2000 murder of Berman, his friend and former spokeswoman. Berman was shot execution-style in her L.A. home as New York authorities were preparing to interview her after reopened their investigation into Durst »
- Maane Khatchatourian
Doctor Strange is Marvel's most unlikable superhero to date
56 minutes ago | Hitfix | See recent Hitfix news »
On the whole, I liked Doctor Strange, the movie. But I would have liked it a lot more if I had liked Dr. Strange, the person. He's pretty terrible, did you notice? Let me preface this by saying I'm a comic book person, but I've never read a Doctor Strange comic so that factors into my opinions on the film and its main character. If that bothers you, maybe stop reading now instead of harping on me for not reading the comics. You shouldn't have to have read the comics to understand Marvel's films (or any adaptations for that matter). [Some small spoilers to follow for Doctor Strange.] Ok, we good? Disney and Marvel's Doctor Strange was number one this weekend with a $84.9 million box office take domestically, making it the tenth largest openings for an McU film. As far as the solo outings are concerned, it did better than the first Captain America, Thor, and Ant-Man films »
- Jill Pantozzi
Sony Developing S.J. Kincaid’s Thriller ‘The Diabolic’ as Movie
1 hour ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Sony Pictures and Matt Tolmach are developing a movie based on S.J. Kincaid’s sci-fi thriller “The Diabloic.”
The studio bought the movie rights in a preemptive deal on the heels of the Nov. 1 release of the book from Simon and Schuster Books. The novel will be published in 21 different foreign territories.
“The Diabolic” was recently named a Best Book of November at Amazon in two categories, both Teen and Adult Science Fiction. Kincaid’s debut novel, “Insignia,” was shortlisted for the Waterstones prize and sequels, “Vortex” and “Catalyst,” have received strong reviews.
Tolmach will produce through Matt Tolmach Productions. David Manpearl will executive produce and work with Tolmach Productions executive Brad Zimmerman to develop the project with Tolmach.
“The Diabolic” is about a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter and take as many lives as necessary to keep the daughter safe.
Sony’s David Beaubaire is overseeing for the studio. »
- Dave McNary
Annapurna Names Fox Marketing Exec Marc Weinstock President
1 hour ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
Twentieth Century Fox President of Domestic Theatrical Marketing Marc Weinstock will leave the studio at the end of the year to become president of Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Films. Weinstock will become the latest veteran marketing and distribution executives to join Annapurna, which Ellison founded in 2011. Last year, Annapurna hired former Sony exec David Kaminow as its president of marketing. And in March, Ellison’s production company attracted longtime Weinstein Company distribution chief Erik Lomis, prompting speculation the indie shingle had designs on becoming a full-fledged distribution engine as well as content creator. Also Read: Erik Lomis to Exit The Weinstein Company to. »
- Matt Pressberg
Our Staff Picks: TV Shows to Watch the Week of Nov. 7, 2016
1 hour ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »
Each week, Variety’s TV team will be combing through the week’s TV schedule, selecting our picks. We’ll tell readers what to watch and when/how to watch it. And of course, prepare for an overwhelming amount of TV news coverage devoted to the election and its aftermath.
“Kevin Can Wait,” CBS, Monday, 8 p.m.
Adam Sandler guest stars this week on Kevin James’ CBS sitcom. The duo has worked together in many comedy films, including “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry” and the “Grown Ups” movies. Fun fact: Sandler guest starred on James’ former CBS sitcom, “The King of Queens.”
“Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party,” VH1, Monday, 10 p.m.
Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg are hosting a weekly talk show together. Need we say more?
“SNL Election Special,” NBC, Monday, 10 p.m.
If you haven’t gotten enough of Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon this season, you »
- Variety Staff
Yahoo’s Katie Couric Dodges ‘Uptight TV Formats’ During ‘First Cord-Cutter Election’
1 hour ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
Katie Couric has been in the news business for 35 years but thinks the “first cord-cutter election” on Tuesday night will give Yahoo a chance to show viewers that online newscasts aren’t as stale and boring as typical coverage. “It feels intimate, a little more casual, frankly,” Couric told TheWrap. “For whatever reason, perhaps because I did broadcast television for so long, there is something very forgiving about being online… We all feel much more liberated to be ourselves in a way that uptight TV formats don’t allow.” Couric, the face of Yahoo News, said people are “increasingly discovering »
- Brian Flood
Taraji P. Henson’s ‘White Hot Holidays’ Special Brought Back by Fox
1 hour ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
It’s a very “Empire” Christmas — again. Fox is bringing back Taraji P. Henson’s “White Hot Holidays” special. The variety show will feature renditions of classic holiday songs by Jussie Smollett, Taye Diggs, Pharrell Williams, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, Darryl McDaniels of Run-dmc, Snoop Dogg and TLC. The event also will feature cameo appearances by Tyler Perry and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Terry Crews, among other guests and performances. Also Read: Fox's 'Star' Debut Scores Coveted 'Empire' Fall Finale Lead-in - and a New Trailer (Video) “Taraji’s White Hot Holidays” is produced by Casey Patterson Entertainment, Jane Mun, Greg Sills, »
- Tony Maglio
Robert Durst Will Not Face Death Penalty in California Murder Case
1 hour ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
Robert Durst will not face the death penalty in an upcoming murder trial — a crime the unwitting HBO star plead not guilty to on Monday in Los Angeles. “I do want to say here and now, I am not guilty. I did not kill Susan Berman,” Durst said of the 2000 charges. His defense team indicated they would plead not guilty days ago. Attorneys for Durst, the subject of the 2015 cable sensation “The Jinx”, said the 73-year-old had grown hard of hearing. Durst appeared wearing a neck brace, and addressed the court with a strained voice. Also Read: Robert Durst Movie in. »
- Matt Donnelly and Pamela Chelin
TV Land Greenlights Alicia Silverstone, Mena Suvari’s Dramedy ‘American Woman’
1 hour ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »
TV Land has greenlit “American Woman,” the 1970’s period dramedy inspired by the real life of “Real Housewives” star Kyle Richards, Variety has learned. The series stars Alicia Silverstone and Mena Suvari.
“American Woman” has landed a 12-episode order. No premiere date has been set yet.
Set amid the sexual revolution and the rise of second-wave feminism, “American Woman” follows Bonnie (Silverstone), an unconventional mother struggling to raise her two daughters (Makenna James and Lia Ryan McHugh) after leaving her husband. With the help of her two best friends, Kathleen (Suvari) and Diana (Bartels), these three women will each discover their own brand of independence in a world reluctant to give it.
The show is inspired by the upbringing of Richards’, who is known from Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” She will serve as co-executive producer on the series.
John Riggi is writer and will serve as executive producer, alongside »
- Elizabeth Wagmeister
AMC Entertainment Sets Q3 Records Off ‘Suicide Squad’ Strength
1 hour ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
Thank god for “Suicide Squad.” Reporting a record-setting third quarter across all business segments, AMC Entertainment made a revenue of $779.8 million and earnings of 31 cents a share, the company said on Monday. That represents a 13.2 percent increase from the same period a year ago, when it recorded $689 million in revenue. It’s also a huge 158.3 percent increase over the 12 cents a share reported in Q3 2015. Also Read: 6 Reasons Why 'Doctor Strange' Overperformed at the Box Office Revenue came in just shy of analyst estimates of $782 million; but the company was more profitable than Wall Street expected, coming »
- Meriah Doty
TV Land Orders Kyle Richards Dramedy ‘American Woman’ to Series
1 hour ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
TV Land ordered the dramedy “American Woman” based on the life of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Kyle Richards to series, the network announced Monday. Set amid the sexual revolution and the rise of second-wave feminism, the half-hour show follows Bonnie (Alicia Silverstone), a mother struggling to raise her two daughters (Makenna James and Lia Ryan McHugh) after leaving her husband. With the help of her two best friends, Kathleen (Menua Suvari) and Diana (Jennifer Bartels), each woman will try to discover her own brand of independence in a male-centric world. Also Read: TVLand's 'Heathers' Reboot Has Found Its »
- Joe Otterson
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