Variety

The business of entertainment.

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This week’s cover story:

Skydance Succession: As David Ellison Sets His Team, Heads Are Rolling as Hollywood Finds Out Who's Really in Charge

https://t.co/IcK4eivITD

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Ariana Grande glows at the “Focker in Law” world premiere.

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Ariana Grande poses with Ricky Álvarez at the “Focker in Law” world premiere ❤️

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Quentin Tarantino fired Mélanie Laurent and Isabelle Huppert from "Inglourious Basterds" because Laurent was "terrible" at the table read and Huppert never showed up to it. Only Laurent got her role back.

"Isabelle didn’t show up. So f*ck it. I fired her. I mean, I love Isabelle Huppert — ‘Heaven’s Gate’ and all that — but there were issues with her contract. It just kept stalling. And then not coming to the table read... That invariably happens. As far as I’m concerned, if you’re cast and you are not at that table, I don’t owe you jack sh*t! You can be fired, especially if I get excited by what somebody else did in your absence... I have no moral compass when it comes to giving roles to actors: They have to be right. They have to feel like they are right for the world I have created. I have fired actors in the past. If it’s not right, it is not right. I don’t owe them shit. I owe my film the best actors I can find. Period.” (via “The Making of Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds”/People)

https://t.co/ftUdtK9nAk

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Ariana Grande and Ricky Álvarez make their red carpet debut at the “Focker in Law” world premiere.

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Ariana Grande arrives at the world premiere of “Focker in Law.”

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Tyriq Withers and Inde Navarrette pose together at the David Yurman dinner at Chateau Marmont.

See more photos from the night: https://t.co/wKLY6RDJfu

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James Gunn and Peter Safran's short-lived era spearheading DC Studios was less than super, writes Variety's @OwenGleiberman:

"When you look at who Ellison has chosen to replace Gunn and Safran, there's a clear directive there: Jeremy Latcham is a Marvel veteran who, by his own description, now leans toward a faith-based vision, one that's wholesomely heroic and upbeat.

In other words, say goodbye to any vestige of the James Gunn "edge." But if the Gunn edge had truly won an audience, we might be having a different conversation. Taken together, his moves and decisions gave him a (barely) passing grade."

Read the full column: https://t.co/rq4gzZLRQd

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Tarantino Fired Mélanie Laurent From ‘Inglourious Basterds’ After ‘Terrible’ Table Read and Axed Isabelle Huppert for Not Showing Up: ‘I Don’t Owe You Jack S—‘
https://t.co/BUIa7YWTKj

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Tom Holland requested a shorter skirt for his costume in “The Odyssey” to make himself appear taller, according to a new behind-the-scenes documentary about the movie.

Six weeks later, the alteration was complete, and the costume went before Nolan. “Two seconds into taking in the costume, he was like, ‘How come the skirt is shorter?’” Holland says.

https://t.co/sP1VMlDRjJ

[Zack Sharf @ZSharf]

Scarlett Johansson on movie offers: “Am I making something that other people want to see? Is there an audience for this movie Sometimes I get studio projects that I have to say: ‘I don’t think you should make this. It seems irresponsible to make this.’”

https://t.co/rzudS6frl7

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Jessica Chastain is returning to Broadway in "Lost Lear," a play that puts a meta spin on "King Lear."

Chastain was last on Broadway in "A Doll's House," an acclaimed 2023 revival of the Henrik Ibsen drama; this is her first time appearing in a new show.

In "Lost Lear," Chastain will portray Joy, a middle-aged actress suffering from early onset dementia, whose one clear memory is performing in the Shakespeare classic. The Oscar winner will star alongside Corey Stoll and Michael Urie.

https://t.co/eddUXK3E5Z

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Scarlett Johansson says some studio movie offers she's gotten have been so bad that she's had no choice but to respond: "It seems irresponsible to make this."

“Am I making something that other people want to see? Is there an audience for this movie? I’m not making a movie just for me. “Sometimes I get studio projects that I have to say, ‘I don’t think you should make this. I don’t know who you’re making this for. It seems irresponsible to make this.’” (via Los Angeles Times)

https://t.co/H7aiAuaam2

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Jessica Chastain Returning to Broadway in New Play 'Lost Lear' https://t.co/ucamzPiOXY

[Zack Sharf @ZSharf]

Frank Grillo (DC's Rick Flag Sr.) says "whether you like [James Gunn and Peter Safran's] movies or not is irrelevant to me" after they are booted from DC Studios.

"On a personal level, there just aren’t two better human beings that I’ve come across."
https://t.co/M2M9Iig6Ij

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“Malcolm in the Middle” star Frankie Muniz was rushed to the hospital after crashing his race car during a practice lap at the Daytona International Speedway.

https://t.co/Bb4SSgOqtv

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Frankie Muniz Hospitalized After Crashing Race Car at Daytona https://t.co/Bb4SSgNSDX

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Mary Hager, CBS News Politics and 'Face the Nation' Guru, to Retire https://t.co/IRlVdJIgkI

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Scarlett Johansson Has Gotten Such Bad Studio Movie Offers That She's Told Execs: 'I Don’t Think You Should Make This... It Seems Irresponsible' https://t.co/T1hQMeEalE

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DC actor Frank Grillo (Rick Flag Sr. in “Superman,” “Peacemaker,” “Creature Commandos” and next summer’s “Man of Tomorrow”) speaks out after James Gunn and Peter Safran are ousted from DC Studios:

"I feel like now that the dust has settled a bit and every jerk-off with an Instagram handle has an opinion, I just wanted to publicly thank two of the finest men that I’ve met in this business in Peter Safran and James Gunn, two of the most loyal guys, two of the most passionate and loving and creative human beings that I’ve had the pleasure and the honor of getting to work with. Just an amazing experience with both of them, with everything from ‘Creature Commandos’ to ‘Peacemaker’ to ‘Superman’ and now ‘Man of Tomorrow,’ it’s just been extraordinary. It’s been a gift. These two gentlemen are an example of what class and what men are really capable of in Hollywood. Whether you like their movies or not is irrelevant to me, but on a personal level, there just aren’t two better human beings that I’ve come across. I consider both of them dear, dear friends. I would even pick Peter up at the airport. Maybe not James, but Peter definitely. I want to thank you boys and I look forward to what we’re gonna do next."

https://t.co/fJbOfItsQ6

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'The Odyssey' Oscar Campaign Kicks Off With 8 New Revelations, From Tom Holland’s Shorter Skirt to Pattinson’s Rejected Wig and a Trojan Horse Stuck in Customs https://t.co/QAsnVMG3YX