Contents Telly Titan • Forward-thinking and fiercely loyal, ITV CEO Carolyn McCall wants to change the world, one television show at a time


ITV’s Boss Shares Her Vision for the Future


Contributors


A French Connection: Leo, Indy and Wes? • Cannes is trying to attract a star-studded lineup, but cost-cutting studios may not be on board


She’s With the Band • How Riley Keough and the ‘Daisy Jones & the Six’ cast transformed into ’70s rockers


Oscar-Worthy Spirits on the Big Night • Bar cart essentials for a legendary viewing party


Unions Seek Peek Behind Garden Wall • Push for viewership data may become a flash point in Hollywood contract talks


Variety Promotes Two Veteran Sales Leaders


Variety Gets New Video Executive Producer


‘Everything’ Wins Big at PGA and SAG • A24’s record-breaking sci-fi comedy is the front-runner as final voting opens


JUST FOR VARIETY


EXPOSURE


Master of the Turnaround • ITV chief Carolyn McCall grapples with a wildly changing business landscape --but that’s where she thrives


revenge of the nerds • Where other film makers tried and failed to adapt ‘Dungeons & Dragons,’ John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein got the tone just right


what’s hot in texas • Twelve must-see movies and shows from SXSW


the funnies • Rolling out Variety’s first Power of Comedy Awards


BUY MY SHOW • Top European TV sales execs talk deals, dilemmas and learning to play nice again


Parting Shots • As awards season comes to a close, previous kudosfests show the path to Oscars


Planting a Bigger Tent on the Beach • The Independent Spirit Awards find creative solutions for industry changes


Evolving Tools Serve Eternal Art • Tech remains a key component of a cinematographer’s talent, but adept storytelling forms the core


Precision Cutters • This year’s ACE Eddie nominees used a variety of techniques to ratchet up the drama on their movies


Going Abroad in ‘Fleishman’ • Nostalgia a pulsing force in limited series nominee


FILM NOMINATIONS


Black Org Proves Crucial Relevance in Showbiz • In 20 years African American Film Critics Assn. has withstood the ebbs and flows of a fickle industry


Finding the Perfect Fit • Casting Society of America nominees talk about their role in movies


Michael B. Jordan Shares His Creed • Actor-director says he just ‘got here’ as he gets his Walk of Fame star


Iranian Creatives Champion Change • Women-led protests against the regime have included strong showbiz support despite dangerous consequences


All-Stars Around the World • Variety’s Intl. Women’s Impact Report spotlights talents, creatives and execs delivering globally successful entertainment


Celebrating the Human Connection • Music and dance abounds at the 40th edition of the Miami Film Festival


Staying Humble in a ‘Star Wars’ Spectacle • ‘Andor’ star Diego Luna will be honored with the inaugural Variety Virtuoso Award


The Making of an Acting Legend • Variety’s honoree Nicolas Cage has tried all genres


Creed III


Daisy Jones & the Six


Kerry Condon • “It was much different than the other characters that I had done.”

Contents Hello, Upper East Siders. Stay Away From Joe Goldberg’s Cage.


Contributors


Bob Iger’s Hidden Hand? • As the Disney CEO returns to power, the entertainment company’s frosty relationship with China has thawed


What Went Wrong With the Césars? • France’s top film awards are under fire after snubbing women filmmakers


Burt Bacharach • The prolific composer broke every rule in music to craft indelible pop hits


Brewing Up With the BAFTAs • Make like a native at one of these time-honored London teahouses


The Heart of the Matter • A+E’s Don’t Skip a Beat initiative is rooted in a very personal story


Three Men and a Best Director Race • Will DGA reward the 50-year career or the hot dog fingers?


JUST FOR VARIETY


EXPOSURE


America’s Most Wanted


Pink Side of Life • The Grammy-winning singer is stronger than ever — practically bionic — with her new album ‘Trustfall’


BATGIRL RISES • In her first major interview since Warner Bros. Discovery canned the $90 million film ‘Batgirl,’ its star, Leslie Grace, is speaking out


OG Ice-T Rolls to Hollywood Walk of Fame • Reality rap master brings street cred to acting and commercials career


A Wolf Finds His Shark • Ice-T’s fruitful TV partnership on ‘SVU’ leads to long friendship


Singers Shine in Harmony • A capella group Pentatonix gets starry reception on Hollywood Blvd.


Helmers Pick Their Favorites • Directors of seven nominated films talk up challenging scenes


Breakups, Breakdowns and Bereavement • From ‘Banshees of Inisherin’ to ‘The Fabelmans,’ screenwriters wrestle with loss


Cast of Characters • The SAG Awards sometimes lead the way for other kudos bodies


BAFTA’s Efforts to Level the Film Field Bear Some Fruit • Rule tweaks seek to reward the deserving, as well as deliver surprises


DGA Awards Celebrate 75 Years • Diamond anniversary sees inclusive changes, updated awards and a hopeful outlook


Production Designers on Production Designers • Pros share insights into the work of this year’s Art Directors Guild nominees


Lights, Camera, Sound! • The Cinema Audio Society Awards will showcase tuneful music and visceral aural effects


New Tools Create New Worlds • Visual Effects Society honors cutting-edge visuals and emerging technology


Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania


The Company You Keep


Madelyn Cline • “With any character, I’m approaching them with empathy and figuring out the why.”

Contents Will ‘Cocaine Bear’ Save Movie Theaters From Hibernation?


Contributors


Cut, Combine or Grow? • Showtime-Paramount+ tie-up reflects TV’s trials in the streaming transition


Laugh Until It Hurts • Marc Maron returns with a new HBO special that tackles personal tragedy and grief


A Mother of a Title • TLC’s new series ‘MILF Manor’ gave marketers a titillating challenge


Is ‘Banshees’ Headed to a Best Picture Win? • The Searchlight stunner could take the prize every studio wants most

Contents Features breaking entertainment news, reviews, box office results, cover stories, photo galleries and features
Barbara Walters Changed the Way We Watch TV

Contributors

‘If She Could Do It, I Could Do It’ • Barbara Walters loved to win, and her drive and tenacity changed TV journalism forever
Seven Things to Know About Globes Super Tuesday • The HFPA’s annual awards show returns, but can the old magic be restored?

Party Lite

DC’s Off-Screen Drama • The conflict, turmoil and Dwayne Johnson of things as the film unit readies for yet another reboot
Can Tom Cruise Save the Box Office — Again? • Theater owners need hits. Here are our predictions for which films may soar or sink in 2023.

Will the Real Lydia Tár Please Stand Up? • Cate Blanchett and Todd Field answer all your burning questions about the most talked about indie of Oscar season

Give This Woman (Another) Talk Show • Chelsea Handler is ready to get back into late-night TV

Golden Globes Countdown/Oscar Shortlists • The awards show returns to the airwaves this year, although we don’t know what is in store for the HFPA’s ceremony. Meanwhile, the Academy Awards announced its shortlists in several categories.

Golden Globes Return After a Year Away • HFPA president promises surprises and wow moments

What’s Known and Unknown About the Globes • As the Golden Globes inch closer, Variety takes a look at the major categories

Films on Path to Oscar • The shortlists move many favorites forward in the campaign for the Academy Awards

Plan B Scores A Grade at Kudos Time • ‘Women Talking,’ ‘Blonde’ and ‘She Said’ among shingle’s awards hopefuls

Idol Got Us Dancing With Ourselves • Hollywood Walk of Fame honors rock legend’s long career

Return to the Desert • Palm Springs Intl. Film Festival celebrates its in-person comeback with diverse screening lineup

Oscar Hopefuls Feted at Desert Fest • Palm Springs lines up a powerful starry night of honorees for its gala

Variety Honors ‘Serial Collaborator’ Baz Luhrmann • ‘Elvis’ helmer says award highlights his team as well as his long career

Variety Lauds Master of the Whodunit • Rian Johnson channels Christie to great success in films including ‘Glass Onion’
Angela Bassett Reigns Strong • Variety Creative Impact in Acting honoree plays rock queens and fictional queens with ease
Versatile Brian Tyree Henry Shines in Big and Small Screen Roles • Variety lauds breakthrough performance of ‘Causeway’ actor
Helming Talent on the Horizon • Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch showcases filmmakers destined to make an impact

Paris Market Champions Commercial Gallic Movies • François Ozon’s ‘The Crime Is Mine’ opens Rendez-Vous in its 25th year

A Man Called Otto

Saint Omer

Lainey Wilson • “Looking back now, I don’t even know if I was ready a year ago.”

Tar Wars • How Todd Field and Cate Blanchett made an uncompromising masterpiece

Contents

Ringing In the New Year With ‘Psycho’



Contributors



Looking Back on a Year Packed With Drama • Hollywood girds for more industry upheaval after a tumultuous 2022



The Latest Weinstein Verdict: He’s Still Guilty • Even in the #MeToo era, these cases remain challenging to try



2022’s TV Ratings Winners and Losers



Bill Nighy Is ‘Living’ the Oscar Dream • The veteran British actor could finally receive awards recognition



THE 100 GREATEST MOVIES OF ALL TIME



STEVEN SPIELBERG ON ‘GOODFELLAS’



GINA PRINCE-BYTHEWOOD ON ‘BRIDESMAIDS’



ETHAN HAWKE ON ‘DAZED AND CONFUSED’



JUDD APATOW ON ‘WAITING FOR GUFFMAN’



JONATHAN MAJORS ON ‘THE DARK KNIGHT’



TODD FIELD ON ‘2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY’



AUDREY DIWAN ON ‘VAGABOND’



JASON BLUM ON ‘VERTIGO’



CHLOE OKUNO ON ‘CARRIE’



BAZ LUHRMANN ON ‘CASABLANCA’



Contenders: Best Picture



Oscar May Not Play With the Old Rulebook • Cannibal love story, Telugu-lingo actioner, donkey drama jostle for best picture attention



In Praise of the Written Word • Scribes discuss their favorite films of 2022 in insightful essays



‘Living’ It Up With Nighy and Ishiguro • Director Hermanus worked with writer and thesps to bring ‘emotions to life’



Babylon



I Wanna Dance With Somebody



Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu • “She’s not a saint either — she has dark sides, and I have a blast playing them all the way.”

Contents Can ‘Avatar’ Help Rescue the 2022 Box Office?


Contributors


Tenpercentery Titan Tells All • CAA’s Bryan Lourd offers his candid view on urgent industry issues for 2023


Enter ‘Sandman’ • Netflix’s Peter Friedlander explains the streamer’s focus on engagement


Sundance Gears Up for In-Person Return


5 Films to Watch


That’s His Jam • Britain’s Mo Gilligan gets his big break with a U.K. version of Jimmy Fallon’s primetime game show


A Few Things the Globes Noms Got Right • There were missed opportunities, but the HFPA is showing signs of improvement


RETURN to Pandora • Sam Worthington never wanted to be ‘Avatar’ famous, but 13 years later, he’s learned how to be a movie star on his own terms


TAYLOR SWIFT + MARTIN MCDONAGH


JOSEPH KOSINSKI + RIAN JOHNSON


GINA PRINCE-BYTHEWOOD + RYAN COOGLER


SARAH POLLEY + FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA


CHINONYE CHUKWU + TYLER PERRY


JAMES CAMERON + ROBERT RODRIGUEZ


LOVE LETTERS TO SOME GREAT MOVIES • This year, society almost got back to normal, with some caveats, and we all went back to film festivals and theaters,
thankful for the myriad features from some of the best filmmakers around.
In the following 18 essays, directors offer praise and insight into their
favorite films — or movies that moved them the most or ones they found
just plain astonishing — of 2022.


Voters’ Guide: Grammys Phase 2 • Emerging artists from TikTok mingle with veteran rockers, Latin musicians and Brandi Carlile, making for an interesting awards ceremony set for Feb. 5 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.


Doing the Grammy Dance • Brandi Carlile reflects on her career arc, Americana vs. country and why queer acceptance lags in mainstream music


History Waits in the Wings • Viola Davis inches closer to EGOT status with Grammy nom


TikTok Buzz Turns Into Noms • Grammys’ new artist nominees found fame on the social media app


Grammy Rock Categories Show Signs of Life • Dinosaurs still rule the Earth, but noms for Idles and Turnstile give reason for hope


Worth the Wait • Jorge Drexler breaks down his Latin Grammy-winning record ‘Tinta y Tiempo’


Crescent City Salute • Music film contender ‘Jazz Fest’ salutes the ‘life-affirming’ sounds of New Orleans


Oscar Contenders Address Mental Illness Head-On • Awards hopefuls tackle depression and the shadow it casts on families


Oscar Speaks in Foreign Tongues • Screenplay category is not shy about nominating international films


In a World of ‘Safe’ Movies, Pix Take Risks • From ‘Everything Everywhere’ to ‘Tár’ helmers did it their way


NEOM OPENS ITS DOORS • Officially open for business, Saudi Arabia’s sustainable region sets new production standards


SCALING REGIONAL PRODUCTIONS


Avatar: The Way of Water


Variety


Kindred


Noah Centineo • “I like to think of myself as the anti-Tom Cruise.”

Contents Actors on Actors Signals the Start of Oscar Season


Contributors


Lost in the Stream • CNN’s decision to gut sibling HLN is sign of tough times for nets that were once cable staples


Exhibitors Yearn for Surprise Gifts From Holiday Box Office • Theater owners expect ‘Avatar 2’ to easily dominate given the thin pipeline of new releases


TV News Biz Gets Tawdry for Leaders


LA3C Festival Celebrates Region’s Artistry, Culture


A Big Swing at 60 • APA positions itself for growth at a moment of upheaval for Hollywood talent agencies


1951-2022: Kirstie Alley


The Secret to Great ‘Sex’


What Women Want? More Oscar Nods for Writing • There are alarmingly few female contenders for screenplay recognition


JUST FOR VARIETY


EXPOSURE


THE BUSINESS OF LIFESTYLE


Oscars Wild!


Viola Davis The Woman King (SONY) & Jennifer Lawrence Causeway (APPLE ORIGINAL FILMS/A24)


Michelle Yeoh Everything Everywhere Allat Once (A24) & Cate Blanchett Tár (FOCUS FEATURES)


Eddie Redmayne The Good Nurse (NETFLIX) & Ana de Armas Blonde (NETFLIX)


Kate Hudson & Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (NETFLIX) & Glen Powell (SONY) Devotion Top Gun: Maverick (PARAMOUNT)


Margot Robbie Babylon (PARAMOUNT) & Carey She Said (UNIVERSAL) & Mulligan


Adam Sandler Hustle (NETFLIX) & Brendan Fraser The Whale (A24)


Austin Butler Elvis (WARNER BR OS.) & Janelle Monáe (NETFLIX) Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery


Paul Dano The Batman (WA RNER BROS.) The Fabelmans (UNIVERSAL) & Brian Tyree Causeway (APPLE ORIGINAL FILMS/A24) Henry


Joe Alwyn Stars at Noon (A24) Catherine Called Birdy (AMAZON STUDIOS) & Paul Mescal Aftersun (A24)


Laura Dern The Son (SONY PICTURES CLASSICS) & Michelle Williams The Fabelmans (UNIVERSAL)


Letitia Wright Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (DISNEY) & John Boyega Breaking (BLEECKER STREET) The Woman King (SONY)


Jamie Lee Curtis Everything Everywhere All at Once (A24) & Colin Farrell The Banshees of Inisherin (SEARCHLIGHT)


Directors/Intl. Film Previews/Oscar Shortlist • Foreign-language movies break into other categories, including the director race, while we handicap the shortlist nominees. Also, pics in Critics Choice phase 1 and European Film Awards are in the mix.


Through the Female Gaze • Gender, personal experiences affected quartet of helmers in awards race


DGA and Academy Connect • All but eight guild winners have failed to score an Oscar


Docs on the Awards Season Path • Newcomers mingle with vets for a shot at making the shortlist


Intl. Directors Stand in Hollywood’s Spotlight • From Mexico to South Korea, these helmers deserve Oscar recognition


Tough Truths in Tender Film • ‘Armageddon Time’ probes the socio-economic seeds planted in 1980


Critics Choice Awards Ready for Their Close-up • Expanding beyond film and TV, org is planning to move up kudos ladder


Euro Film Awards Turn Into Month-Long Celebration • Matthijs Wouter Knol is looking to make continent’s cinema shine brighter


Does European Film Awards Success Fuel Oscar Buzz? • Acad hopefuls are looking to use Euro kudos as a springboard


Breaking Into Oscar’s Intl. Film Race • With help from festivals, countries push aside the usual suspects


Philippines Film ‘Missing 8’ Double Dips • Intl. Emmy nominee wins acclaim as a film


The World Is Oscar’s Oyster • No longer confined, international films break into many races


Intl. Film Category Yields Plenty of Pics...

Contents Hitmakers Issue Goes Deep Into the Grooves


Contributors


Peeling Back the Layers on Netflix’s ‘Glass Onion’ Strategy • The streamer deliberately limited the number of theaters releasing the sequel


Taking Their Best Shot at the Bard • Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo revisit ‘Romeo and Juliet’ with carefully curated cuts from their catalog


The Last Breakfast • Angela Yee takes the measure of her dozen years with Power 105’s hip-hop institution


Carved Out of the Big Bucks • Dozens of men in the music business have side hustles, but female execs? Not so much …


Passing the Torch on a ‘Willow’ Remake


In: A Killer Dress Out: Cable-Knit Sweater


Slap or No Slap, ‘Emancipation’ Deserves a Shot • Will Oscar voters see past Will Smith’s bad behavior at this year’s ceremony?


JUST FOR VARIETY


EXPOSURE


’Tis the Season


A Divine Duet • ‘Cold Heart’ is not only one of 2022’s biggest songs — the ELTON JOHN-DUA LIPA hit is the latest example of the music legend’s mentorship of young artists


‘Levitating’ to a Lofty Perch


The 25 Most Consumed Songs of 2022


Making the Cut • Who are the people responsible for birthing —
and breaking — the biggest songs of the year? Variety’s list of
2022’s Hitmakers includes the creators, executives and connectors
in the music industry who can spot a magical combination of
talents and turn it into a smash.


RICKY REED • The two-time Grammy winner explains the science of hitmaking and Lizzo’s smash ‘About Damn Time’


LATTO’S ‘BIG ENERGY’


KID HARPOON & TYLER J0HNSON • The secret to making a Harry Styles smash? Kick out the jams


THE KIDS WERE ALL RIGHT • Lin-Manuel Miranda credits lockdown for the surprise success of ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’


SELENA GOMEZ’S ‘MY MIND & ME’ • The tune from the documentary about her struggles with depression is her way of telling people, ‘Iseeyou’


The Artist Whisperers • Engineers have the ears of the talent — and now a piece of the publishing


KARA DIOGUARDI • The former ‘American Idol’ judge matches creators to deliver hits, like Gayle’s Grammy-nommed ‘Abcdefu’


FUTURE’S ‘WAIT FOR U’ FEATURING DRAKE AND TEMS


ATLANTIC RECORDS • Celebrating its 75th year, the music powerhouse continues its two-decade hot streak with Julie Greenwald and Craig Kallman at the helm


JESSE COLLINS • The Emmy-winning creative is Hollywood’s go-to producer to deliver musical extravaganzas


OMAR APOLLO • In a year of firsts for the Mexican American singer-songwriter, 2022 brought a viral hit and a Grammy nomination


EBONIE WARD • The Future whisperer also counts Gunna and Flo Milli on her roster


A Letter From Prison


FUTURE • The Atlanta rapper has spread his magic around, elevating the work of top artists


SAM SMITH & KIM PETRAS • Their Grammy-nominated song ‘Unholy’ is a queer anthem and a No. 1 hit


WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK • How Ryan Tedder turned OneRepublic’s ‘I Ain’t Worried’ into a sleeper smash for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’


LATTO • Internet trolls be damned, the Queen of the South ruled the charts this year


LIZZO’S ‘ABOUT DAMN TIME’ • The artist’s infectious celebration of post-COVID merrymaking was finely crafted by an ace team


IMAGINE DRAGONS • How Rick Rubin helped bandleader Dan Reynolds be more vulnerable than ever


REMIX RUN • An Ariana Grande feature extended the life of the Weeknd’s ‘Save Your Tears’


AMY COLES • The Sony Music Publishing exec locked in the sync of 2022, Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’


HIP-HOP VOICES • These...

Contents THE WACO WAY


For This Sequel, Will the Force Be With Bob Iger?


Contributors


When You Wish Upon a CEO • Elton John, the AMAs and Bob Iger’s stealth return collided on a Sunday night that Disney executives will never forget


Bob 2.0’s Biggest Blunders • Chapek made some key mistakes in his tenure as Disney CEO


Scaring Up a Properly ‘Kooky’ Creation • How ‘Wednesday’ production designer came up with look for Addams Family Netflix series


The Little Contenders That Should • Evocative films like ‘Till’ and ‘Close’ are just as deserving of best picture consideration as ‘Wakanda’ and ‘Maverick’


Tools of the Trade • Apps and other tech offerings designed for DIY digital creators are proliferating amid rising demand


Further Resources for Content Creating


JUST FOR VARIETY


EXPOSURE


Idina Menzel and Aaron Lohr


EXPOSURE


BUILT FROM SCRATCH • Joanna and Chip Gaines have unrivaled reach among lifestyle TV stars thanks to their powerful Magnolia brand


BORN TO BUILD • Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott are down to change the world with wainscoting, affordable home furnishings and a growing roster of TV shows


LIFESTYLE LEADERS 2022


CULTURE CATALYSTS DINNER


SAG Awards Preview • The SAG Awards must go on — we just don’t know where or when yet. Variety cuts through the uncertainty to analyze the movies and TV shows mostly likely to impress thesps.


Early Peek at Likely SAG Awards Nominations • Variety answers questions on what SAG-AFTRA voting body looks like and which films and TV series are likely front-runners


Designing Spielberg’s ‘Fabelmans’ • Rick Carter creates look on ‘a whole other level’


Mountain Film Festival Feast • Whistler fields strong Canadian content and emerging talent


Nigeria Builds for the Future • New construction looks to lure foreign shoots as biz plans to boost crew strength


THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN Rome, Italy


THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN Auckland, New Zealand


Hubs Keep Production Spinning • New Mexico hosts heavy-hitters Netflix, NBCUniversal while also servicing indies


Cherokee Nation Throws in Extras • From cash rebates to diverse scenery, tribe adds sweet treats


THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING WITH Fresco Film Services


Extreme Makeover for Peru • ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ shoot raises profile of the country as a place to stage big-budget pics


THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING AT Shinfield Studios


THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN ALULA


Productions Boom in South Africa • Big-budget projects fill up soundstages while the country wrestles with other challenges


BILAL BAIG • Playwright, Performer, Showrunner, Producer


JUSTIN DELORME • Composer


SOPHIE DUPUIS • Director, Screenwriter


SASHA LEIGH HENRY • Writer, Director, Producer


BRITT KERR • Producer


JULES KOOSTACHIN, ASIVAK KOOSTACHIN • Director, Writer; Actor


CHANDLER LEVACK • Writer, Director


KELLY MCCORMACK • Writer, Director, Actor


GAIL MAURICE • Director, Writer, Actor


DANIEL ROHER • Documentarian


Red Sea Opens for Global Cinema • Festival showcases regional talent and awards season faves


Variety Honors Labaki, Kapoor • Inaugural Intl. Vanguard Awards honor Cannes darling and Bollywood movie star


Six Rising Arab Film Players to Meet at Red Sea Festival • Execs in the vanguard of entertainment from the Middle East


London Production Gathering Brings Back...

Contents Reader Beware — Timothée Chalamet Might Devour You


Contributors


Recording Academy Can Exhale This Year • Fewer Grammy snubs and surprises as good buzz feeds the Beyhive


How ‘She Said’ Became a True Survivors’ Tale • Filmmakers took great care to involve victims of Harvey Weinstein in the #MeToo production


Tales From the Crypto


Winter Rolls Into ‘Tulsa’


‘Star Wars’ Super Fan Gets His Best Shot With ‘Andor’


‘Succession’ Helmer Dines on the Rich Again


No Kidding — Comedies Will Be Contenders • Several of 2022’s standout Oscar hopefuls lean on laughs to engage audiences


JUST FOR VARIETY


EXPOSURE


EXPOSURE


CHECK, PLEASE!


MUST ATTEND


EAT, PREY, LOVE • Cannibals thrive in Luca Guadagnino’s haunting love story ‘Bones and All,’ starring Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell


My Dog Blue • Steve Burns, the original host of ‘Blue’s Clues,’ is back with his Handy Dandy Notebook


Three’s Company • In an exclusive conversation with Variety, Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini and creator Liz Feldman emotionally break down the final season of ‘Dead to Me’


Golden Globes TV/Phase 1: Critics Choice TV/Governors Awards


Can the Golden Globes Restore Their Luster? • Despite many unanswered questions, the HFPA’s annual awards ceremony is coming back to NBC


Thesps Sharpen Their Skills • More shows call on actors to convey emotional truths but also move like expert cooks, archers and fighters


Finding Inspiration in Grief • Zoe Saldaña tapped her own life experiences for Netflix’s ‘From Scratch’


Finding Truth in Dark Places • Actor Jake Lacy had to adjust his charm to play a predator in ‘Friend of the Family’


Academy Salutes Outstanding Quartet • The Governors Awards will bestow the Jean Hersholt and three Honorary Oscars


Scottish Athlete Becomes German ‘Quiet’ Scribe • Sports and pic biz both test endurance


A Hero’s Welcome • ‘Deadpool’ and ‘Spirited’ star Ryan Reynolds to be feted at American Cinematheque


Horror Blooms Fresh • Jason Blum and his Blumhouse get their due


Fleishman Is in Trouble


Devotion


Glen Powell • “It’s funny to meet someone where you’re basically naked and pitching them.”


THIRST TRAPS • Bones and All’s Timothe, e Chalamet, Luca Guadagnino and Taylor Russell

Contents BRAVE NEW WAKANDA


The WALT DISNEY Company • CONGRATULATES ITS CHILDREN’S & FAMILY EMMY® AWARD NOMINEES


A Journey Back to Wakanda, With Grief and Danger


Contributors


NETFLIX • PROUDLY CONGRATULATES OUR 2022 CONGRATULATES ITS CHILDREN’S & FAMILY EMMY AWARD NOMINEES


Residual Problems • Hollywood employers are looking to stockpile scripts and shows, as an industry in transition braces for tough labor talks next year


Charlie Collier Makes His Case for Roku • The former Fox Entertainment CEO arrives at the digital company as it’s taking big swings


Social Insecurity • What does Twitter mean for brands under its volatile new leader?


It’s Brine Time in Primetime for CBS • Colbert’s ‘Pickled’ reflects TV’s insatiable demand for new forms of sports and entertainment


EXECUTIVE SHUFFLE


‘Sex’ Star Finally Finds Her Groove


More Evening Jolts of ‘Joe’ on the Way? • MSNBC’s a.m. anchor team is looking to expand further into primetime with deepdive specials


YouTube’s Charm Offensive With the Music Industry Pays Off • Platform’s paid subscribers soar from 50 million to 80 million in a year


His Comeback Story Is 30 Years in the Making • ‘Everything Everywhere’ co-star Ke Huy Quan is poised as kudos contender after long screen absence


JUST FOR VARIETY


EXPOSURE


MUST ATTEND


RESCUING ‘BLACK PANTHER’ • Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright and director Ryan Coogler discuss how their grief over Chadwick Boseman’s death inspired Marvel’s $250 million sequel, ‘Wakanda Forever’


THE SURVIVOR • SARAH AUBREY definitely didn’t sign up for this.


Artisan Preview


Packed Race Kicks Off • Artisan categories burst with contenders making for a very competitive season


‘Babylon’ Embraces Hollywood’s History • Damien Chazelle’s period pic plays with the transition from old to new


‘Wakanda’ Warriors • New characters and settings add to the worlds envisioned by the key women behind ‘Wakanda Forever’


Hybrid Superhero Standoff • ‘Black Adam’ team combined practical and visual effects for battle


Spielberg’s Gang Back in Force • Director gathered trusted artisans for the story of ‘The Fabelmans’


‘RRR’ Revs Ups the Action • Director and DP juggled CGI animals, stunts and real fire in setpiece sequence


Lenser Goes Big for War Pic • ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ DP used large-format cameras to convey the hell of battle


Altered States Drive Race • Makeup that transforms actors looks to be the big winner this year


Setting the Stage for ‘Women’ • DP Luc Montpellier prepped the mood for the drama


Score Built With Old, New Themes • Composer Simon Franglen honored the late James Horner with his ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ music


Docs Hit High Notes • Audiences drawn to upbeat films on sports, music and celebrities


Fall Fest Holds Influential Place in Awards Calendar • DOC NYC is famous for highlighting features that go on to win Oscar


‘Beer’ Drafts the ‘Real Guys’ for Script • Viet vets help make Farrelly’s comedy-drama factual


New Generation Steers Biz in Better Direction • Hollywood looks for leaders who can bring about positive change


Young Turks Head to Showbiz C-Suites • From representation to law, music, film and TV, these are Hollywood’s New Leaders


RICHMUSIC


Christina Applegate Achieves ‘Childhood Dream’ • The ‘Dead to Me’ actor got her SAG card at age 5 and a Walk of Fame star this month


Movies Shine Light on Military Experience • Projects explore veterans’ issues, probe meanings of...

Contents The Russo Brothers Know How to Put On a Show


BIZ + BUZZ • The industry watches with a wary eye as the maverick investor seals a $44 billion deal to acquire the ailing social media platform


‘Girls5eva’ Reunites (Again) at Netflix • How the Peacock comedy found its way to a bigger platform with the blessing of NBCUniversal leaders


How Low Can Broadcast Ratings Go? • CBS’ ‘East New York’ and ‘Fire Country’ are this fall’s early freshman leaders


Dressing Harry Styles • ‘My Policeman’ designer Annie Symons had to craft looks ranging from swim trunks to bobby outfits


Working Out Daddy Issues on Network TV


Boseman’s Legacy Could Bring Bassett to an Oscar • Can the MCU land its first acting nom?


OUR TOWN • JUST FOR VARIETY


EXPOSURE


EXPOSURE


EXPOSURE


MUST ATTEND


THE FUTURISTS • WITH AGBO, JOE AND ANTHONY RUSSO ARE USING THEIR MARVEL EXPERIENCE AND OUTSIDER SENSIBILITY TO BUILD AN INDEPENDENT STUDIO FOR THE FUTURE OF ENTERTAINMENT, WHEREVER THAT LEADS


INSIDE THE RUSSO UNIVERSE • BY PROMOTING HER TO CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER AT AGBO, THE RUSSO BROTHERS HAVE HAPPILY THROWN THEIR YOUNGER SISTER, ANGELA RUSSO-OTSTOT, INTO THE DEEP END


Int’l Film Preview


Int’l Film Selections Beset by Internal Politics • Local drama driven by egos means countries don’t always submit their best


A Simple Fix to a Complicated Category • Variety’s chief critic suggests a rethink of int’l film competition


1-Inch Barrier Can Be Too High • Foreign-language films struggle to break through to other categories


The Sun Never Sets on Oscars • Int’l race entries come from nearly all the continents of the globe


Oscar Voters: Don’t Overlook Some Pre-Fall Festival Gems • Pics from early in the year have terrific kudos potential


Location, Inflation, Re-Evaluation • Business managers are advising clients about real estate investments in a shifting market


Playing Hard, Working Harder Pays Off • Whether he’s enriching superstars or helping the homeless, Variety’s honoree is a man for all seasons


Advisers Guard and Grow Assets of Showbiz Stars • Experts steer clients through a swerving economy


Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll Hall of Fame • Inductees for the class of 2022 span a century of music and a lifetime of influence


The Book of Jimmy • On the eve of Iovine’s induction into the Rock Hall, the producer, executive and entrepreneur takes a fresh look back at his extraordinary career


Music’s Big Voice • Legendary lawyer Allen Grubman earned his spot in the Rock Hall by demanding respect for artists


A Rapper’s Delight • Sylvia Robinson was a hit artist before she became an influential hip-hop mogul


Starry Salute to Hip-Hop Pioneers Salt-N-Pepa • With their arrival on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the duo cements a place for female MCs


Festival Goes Live • AFI Fest returns as an in-person event with awards season hopefuls, docs and shorts


The Laughs Return • The New York Comedy Festival comes roaring back post-pandemic


Spector


Variety


The Philosophy of Modern Song


Weird Al Yankovic • “I think early-60s Al playing early-20s Al probably wouldn’t fly.”

Contents Let the Oscar Race Begin


Contributors


How Bad Will the Recession Get for Hollywood? • The industry will have to tighten its belt to endure the economic slowdown


An Ardent ‘Call’ for Action


Blurring Fact and Fiction in ‘Reasonable Doubt’


’Tis the Holiday Movie Season • This year’s festive lineup is bigger than ever and features unexpected talent


Sony Stakes a Claim in Israel’s Music Scene


A New Comedy Pipeline for a New Era


Pin Curls and Braids Define Looks for Black Period Films • Artisans use a variety of techniques to recreate hair and makeup from days gone by


Academy Branches Must Embrace Cinema’s Evolution • The disqualification of ‘Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood’ reflects a narrow mindset


EXPOSURE


EXPOSURE


Fright Night • Who doesn’t love celebrating Halloween with a horror movie? Here, we ask Hollywood stars to recall the scariest movie they’ve ever seen.


A DIFFERENT HUGH • The once and future Wolverine gives the performance of his career in Florian Zeller’s wrenching drama ‘The Son’


mother COURAGE • With every cell of her body, Danielle Deadwyler embodies Mamie Till, whose relentless pursuit of justice for her 14-year-old son, Emmett — lynched in 1955 — changed the course of history forever


The Imagen FOUNDATION IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS OF THE 37th Annual Imagen Awards


Kudos Season Launch • As the film awards campaign starts off, Variety surveys the landscape for hopefuls that are eyeing nominations and eventual victories in best picture and other top races.


The Story of the Billion-Dollar Backup Group • ‘Elvis’ omitted the Jordanaires, whom the King considered essential to his sound


Circuit Contenders Are Off and Running • Variety spotlights hopefuls in the pursuit of awards glory


Advice on Oscarcast: Go Crazy! • No time for Band-Aids, ceremony needs major surgery


Inventive Indies Weather Stormy Market • As AFM approaches, distribs try on new strategies and options for their wares


Equity Not Equal for Indies • Recouping investments more risky now but some players are good bets


Filmmaking on the Rise in Colombia • With new incentives, crews and diverse locations, the Latin American country lures shoots


Fledgling Industry Races to Keep Up With Shooting • Investors sought to ramp up soundstages in Colombia


Thessaloniki Fest’s Rise Parallels Resurgent Greek Film Biz • New generation of filmmakers rode out crisis and found international success


In Birthplace of Western Drama, Series Make Mark • Growing demand plus cash rebates drive local production


OCTOBER 17 NEW YORK


Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio


OCTOBER 14 NEW YORK


God Forbid


THE NEW YORK PARTY • october 19


Keegan-Michael Key • “I thought to myself, ‘How has no one come up with this yet?’”

Contents Meghan’s Next Chapter in Hollywood: Royal Producer


Contributors


The Dash for Streaming Ad Cash • Netflix and Disney+ court subscribers by launching ad-supported tiers as media buyers brace for a flood of digital inventory


‘Survivor’ Distributor Banijay Outlasts the Rest • The biggest production outfit outside the U.S. is adding muscle to its business model — and is determined to keep its rights


Here’s Johnny! • The death-defying stuntman pulls off new tricks on Hulu’s ‘Reboot,’ but Knoxville isn’t ruling out more ‘Jackass’


Up Close and Personal


Two for the Show • ‘High School’ stars Railey and Seazynn Gilliland on being plucked from TikTok to play Tegan and Sara


Will Voters Listen to What ‘She Said’ About Weinstein? • Films about the issue of sexual assault could strike a chord with industry viewers — or hit a nerve


JUST FOR VARIETY


EXPOSURE


Oct. 15 Academy Museum Gala • Academy Museum, Los Angeles


Oct. 12 ‘Black Adam’ Premiere • AMC Empire 25, New York


Oct. 11 ‘Halloween Ends’ Premiere • TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood


Oct. 12 ‘The Watcher’ Premiere • The Paris Theater, New York


Oct. 12 ‘The Piano Lesson’ Opening • Ethel Barrymore Theatre, New York


Oct. 13 ‘She Said’ Premiere • Alice Tully Hall, New York


No Turning Back • Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, gets candid about her Netflix and Spotify deals, Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy and her future


The Royal Treatment • MEGHAN CHAMPIONS WORKING MOTHERS


Which Way, L.A.? • Karen Bass and Rick Caruso spar over how to fix the city’s homelessness problem, in their battle over the mayoralty of Hollywood’s hometown


Southern Hospitality Charms Showbiz for 25 Years • Savannah Fest gives students the chance to interact with showbiz pros


Delayed But Definite • Costume designer Sandy Powell to receive Variety’s Creative Impact Award


Crafting Careers in Showbiz • Variety will salute 2022’s class of 10 Artisans to Watch, who are carving below-the-line paths, at SCAD


Fest Toons Up Hollywood • Animation Is Film brings the best to enthusiastic audiences for fifth year


Build Back Better, San Diego-Style • Film fest unspools in full live mode with awards contenders and galas


Czech Doc Fest Takes on Russia’s War • Ji.hlava supports Ukrainian filmmakers, while showcasing American talent


She Said


The School for Good and Evil


Drake Rodger • “It’s like Romeo acting opposite Juliet and not being able to spew out some poetic love.”

Contents Yes, the Star of ‘The Mummy’ Could Win an Oscar


Contributors


The Long Road Back • Musicians grapple with glut of post-COVID tours, economic uncertainty and fierce competition


Five Years After #MeToo, Weinstein Is Back on Trial • His is one of four highprofile sexual violence cases playing out in courtrooms this week


Turns Out You Can Go Home Again • Production designer Happy Massee used steam and period pics to revisit ’80s in ‘Armageddon Time’


Remembered • 1925-2022: Angela Lansbury


Style and Substance • In her new book, CNBC’s Julia Boorstin studies how women lead


Five Reasons to Love This New York Indie Mainstay • Sony Pictures Classics has racked up more than 150 Oscar nominations in the three decades since its formation


Riding the Genre Wave


‘Wagatha’ Producer Reels In Buzzy Projects


Will Nice Guys (and Gals) Finish First? • This season of awards hopefuls has some very likable and beloved contenders


EXPOSURE


New York Film Festival • Alice Tully Hall, New York City


EXPOSURE


The New York Issue


These Two Went ‘Whale’ Watching • Brendan Fraser makes a triumphant, Oscar-worthy return to movies in Darren Aronofsky’s acclaimed new drama


Truth and Fiction • At Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel’s Protozoa Pictures, the movie magic is based in fact


Growing Up Too Fast • Can an intimate musical like ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ survive spectacle-laden Broadway?


Good Times Square • Carolines on Broadway is back and ready to spotlight the next generation of stand-ups


Dialing It Up • Model, celebrity feminist and social media star Emily Ratajowski is coming out with a new podcast … her way


Married to Their Work • Samuel L. Jackson and director LaTanya Richardson Jackson bring August Wilson back to Broadway


A Bear Market • How Wall Street fell out of love with media stocks


The New Power of New York List


Lea Michele


Sutton Foster


Jesse at the Bat • As ‘Take Me Out’ returns for an unexpected encore, Jesse Williams reflects on race, sexuality and onstage nudity


Michael R. Jackson


Maya Hawke


Sara Ramirez


Bowen Yang


Variety Voters’ Guide: Grammys Phase 1


Latin Music Poised for Major Showing in 2023 Race • Bad Bunny, Rosalia, Anitta and Becky G have released some of the year’s biggest albums, but will it translate to big wins?


Do You Get Déjà Vu? • The 2023 Grammy nominations — announced on Nov. 15 — are as unpredictable as ever, but one race is certain to return: Beyoncé vs. Adele


The Write Stuff • After years of lobbying, the Grammys have finally created an award specifically for non-performing songwriters


Game On • A new category for scoring interactive play is long overdue, says the creative community


The Wide-Open Race of Remixes • Is Sickick the new Imanbek? Committee members will decide the dance-heavy category


Can Anyone Top Kendrick Lamar? • Five years after his last full-length, the Compton king seems like a sure bet for rap album — but upsets have happened before


From Knobs to Noms • Past producer winners — like Greg Kurstin and Jack Antonoff — had big years, but is it time for a new face?


We Need to Talk About ‘Encanto’ • Best-selling soundtrack features eight songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda


Accidental Anthem • Dove Cameron’s cheeky ‘Boyfriend’ lofts the singer-actor to Grammy consideration


Orange County Fest Draws Hollywood Eyes • Newport Beach Film Festival takes a ‘Weird’ turn

Contents PRIME MOVER • JENNIFER SALKE HARNESSES THE POWER OF TOLKIEN TO ENERGIZE AMAZON STUDIOS


power of WOMEN • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 LOS ANGELES


Amazon Studios Grows Up With Some Tolkien Magic


Contributors


Asia’s Free Agent for Change • Peter Chan hopes to build a busy indie studio with his latest venture in Hong Kong


Blind Optimism or Fraud? • MoviePass’ former leaders have run afoul of the SEC, which claims they lied about their business


Late-Night Flight


Wait. What Did George R.R. Martin’s Collaborators Say? • Critics on Twitter are breathing fire at the married authors’ offensive comments about inclusive casting in fantasy shows


Plastic Sofa Covers? It’s ‘Elementary’


‘The Mole’ Burrows Back Into the U.S. TV Landscape


Buzz for ‘White Noise’ Is Muted — but Why? • Noah Baumbach’s latest film scored two major fest spots, yet surprisingly little heat surrounds it


EXPOSURE


Sept 28 Variety’s Power of Women L.A. • Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Beverly Hills


EXPOSURE


SEIZING THE RINGS • ONE DOWN, FOUR TO GO: JENNIFER SALKE BANKS ON FIVE SEASONS OF MYTH AND SPECTACLE TO BUILD AMAZON STUDIOS INTO A GLOBAL LEADER


this guy is going places • Like young Russell Crowe and Brad Pitt before him, Harris Dickinson, who blew audiences away at Cannes in ‘Triangle of Sadness,’ is not just another very pretty face


Domee Shi Pulls Inspiration From Her Past • Variety’s Creative Impact in Animation honoree forges her own path at Pixar


Nickelodeon Brings in the Network Cavalry • Paramount’s various subsidiaries add programming width to kiddie channels


Drawing the Future • Variety’s 10 Animators to Watch will be feted Oct. 6 with a cocktail pour at Nickelodeon Animation Studio


Leveling Up on Gaming • Variety and Pixel United fete these impact honorees at the Leaders in Gaming & Entertainment Breakfast Oct. 4


Middleburg Film Festival Fetes Above- and Below-the-Line Artists • Honorees Rian Johnson and his editor Bob Ducsay to participate in conversation at the fest


Small Town, Big Film Love • Mill Valley fest celebrates 45 years with the latest awards hopefuls


Andrea Berloff Brings Grit and Gripping Drama to Big Screen • Variety’s Creative Impact in Screenwriting honoree ascends filmmaking ranks


Scribe Tribe’s Rising Stars • Variety’s 10 Screenwriters to Watch are making a splash on awards and film festival circuits


Hamptons Parties Like It’s 2019 • Festival reasserts itself as a must-stop on the awards season circuit


Amsterdam


The Lincoln Project


WRITERS GUIDE OF AMERICA WEST • The WGAW wishes to honor the following members for their devotion to their craft and contribution to all of our lives. They will be missed.


Paul Reiser • “Don’t show me everything; don’t show me the magic.”

Contents The Power of Giving Back


Inside the Elusive NFT Sale of Tarantino’s Royale With Cheese • Recriminations abound among the group that purchased the token before the market crashed


Sizing Up the TV Season — and Beyond • Top network and platform content execs gamely answer Variety’s annual survey


Epix Embraces Its New Corporate Identity


1971-2022 Zack Estrin


Moving Beyond TikTok Fame


New Leader, New Logo


Skirting the Issue • ‘Blonde’ costume team used math and more to revisit Marilyn Monroe’s most iconic outfits


A Popular Movie Could Win Best Picture This Year — Really • ‘Everything Everywhere’ is one of numerous films with broad appeal and in the hunt for Oscar glory


OUR TOWN • JUST FOR VARIETY


EXPOSURE


EXPOSURE


EXPOSURE


The Power of Women Issue


THE CLINTONS’ NEXT ACT • Hillary and Chelsea Clinton aim to inspire with their new production company


YAAS, QUEEN SUGAR! • How Oprah Winfrey and Ava DuVernay changed the industry by championing women directors


THE AVA EFFECT • Introducing the 42 women who directed Ava DuVernay’s “Queen Sugar”


MALALA’S NEW MISSION • The Nobel laureate tests the Hollywood waters as a producer for Apple TV+


Fighting for Inclusion


FINDING HER VISION • Elizabeth Olsen leverages her Marvel fame to make change


Giving It All and More


PACKING A PUNCH • These executives, creatives, movers and shakers on Variety’s 2022 Women’s Impact Report saw opportunity, took chances and adapted to changes in the entertainment business


INCISIVE ANALYSIS. VARIETY INTELLIGENCE PLATFORM • A subscription service for the business of media


LEAP OF FAITH • Google’s Social Impact Award honoree, Jacqueline Martinez Garcel, left New York to build up California Latinos


Master of the Mic • Baseball announcer Jaime Jarrín’s career blossomed after he and the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles


Salute to the Voz of Excellence • Jaime Jarrín’s gift for calling games helped my family bond around baseball


Streak of Kindness • Jaime Jarrín’s legacy is defined by empathy and a strong work ethic


After 65 Years, BFI London Fest Can Still Surprise • Film festival director Tricia Tuttle balances prestige with cinematic discovery


N.Y. Film Festival Keeps the Faith • Now marking its 60th edition, the fest stays true to its founding principles


Busan Festival Doubles Down on Discovery Function • Fest evolves along with revived global demand for Korean content


China Returns to Busan • Big-budget pics will screen as country promotes recovering film business


Ticket to Paradise


Bros


Guy Fieri • “I don’t want a fucking luncheon. I want a rager.”

Contents
Marilyn Monroe Was Never on Time

Contributors

Broadway Gears Up for Fall Season Rife With Uncertainty • With ‘Phantom’ gone, what does ‘normal’ even look like anymore?

Artisan Oscar Buzzometer • Craft titans worked behind the scenes on some of this season’s buzziest films

Broadcasters Get Into the Fall Spirit • Major networks have lined up promo pushes for their new shows

Get Ready for an Epic Emmy Traffic Jam • The 2023 TV awards season is looking even more packed than the last one

Gala Celebrates Music Creators, Executives, Change-makers

Sunrise Shake-Up • Chris Licht plans on leveraging Warner Bros. Discovery talent on CNN’s retooled morning show

JUST FOR VARIETY

MUST ATTEND

Street Art Finds a Home

VERIETY CHANEL

EXPOSURE

VARIETY CAST RECEPTION SEPTEMBER 9 TORONTO

Her ‘Blonde’ Ambition • ANA DE ARMAS put everything she had into playing MARILYN MONROE. And you’ll never see either woman the same way again.

Christmas with Candace • IN HOLLYWOOD’S NEW WAR OVER CHRISTMAS MOVIES, CAN THE ‘FULL HOUSE’ STAR HELP BOOST THE CONSERVATIVE GREAT AMERICAN FAMILY?

Oscar Buzz and Bloody Murder

007 Producers Leave Imprint in Hollywood • Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson set hands and feet at TCL Chinese Theatre

Will Rogers Pioneer Assistance Fund Honors Bond Pair • Broccoli and Wilson are ‘legends and icons’ in showbiz

From ‘Walking Dead’ to Walk of Fame • Honoree Norman Reedus never envisioned the TV and film success he’s found

Beverly Hills Bar Assn. Honors Two Legal Eagles • Mathew Rosengart puts advocacy at the heart of his career

COCKTAIL PARTY SEPTEMBER 10 TORONTO

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Reboot

Long Live the Movies! Fall Festivals Come Roaring Back to Life • As Venice continued its awards-season ascent, Toronto made an impressive comeback while Telluride played it quiet, focusing mostly on docs

VERIETY @ TORONTO

Brent Faiyaz • “When I watch Tarantino films, it just makes me want to make music.”

Contents
The Industry Calendar Never Rests

Contributors

Requiem for a Queen • The global press is mobilizing to cover the monarch’s funeral on Sept. 19

Remembered: 1930-2022 Jean-Luc Godard • ‘Breathless’ filmmaker provided key spark for French New Wave

New Season, New Closer • CBS’ long-running newsmagazine, ‘60 Minutes,’ hasn’t stopped experimenting with its format

Green Scene • Organizers of Norway’s Øya, possibly the world’s most eco-friendly music fest, explain how it’s done

Game On for Amazon Prime • Can the streamer get football fans on board Thursday nights?

‘Revenge,’ Gen Z Style • Jennifer Kaytin Robinson revisits teenage troubles for Netflix comedy pic

EXPOSURE

Toronto Intl. Film Festival Toronto

‘Pinocchio’ Premiere

‘Gutsy’ Premiere

D23 Expo

THE EDUCATION OF QUINTA BRUNSON • THE MULTI-HYPHENATE FEELS THE WEIGHT OF HER EMMY-WINNING SUCCESS AS THE SOPHOMORE YEAR OF ‘ABBOTT ELEMENTARY’ BEGINS

STUCK IN REVERSE • THE KUDOCAST’S TOP MOMENTS DEMONSTRATE WHY EMMY VOTERS NEED TO RECOGNIZE A WIDER VARIETY OF SHOWS

HEARTFELT SPEECHES ELEVATE THE SHOW • VARIETY’S TV CRITICS GENTLY SPAR OVER THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF THIS YEAR’S PRIMETIME EMMYS KUDOCAST

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS • EMMY NOMINEES AND PRESENTERS KICKED OFF THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY’S BIG NIGHT WITH A WALK DOWN THE GOLD CARPET BEFORE HEADING INTO THE MICROSOFT THEATER FOR THE 74TH ANNUAL CEREMONY

NIGHT MOVES • THE EVENING DIDN’T END WHEN THE LAST EMMY WAS HANDED OUT — CHAMPAGNE BOTTLES WERE POPPING INTO THE WEE HOURS

WON LOVE • CHECK OUT THE NIGHT’S FRESHLY MINTED WINNERS WITH THEIR SHINY NEW STATUETTES

CASUAL AFFAIRS • THE INDUSTRY GOT ITS PARTY ON IN THE DAYS AND NIGHTS LEADING UP TO THE BIG CEREMONY

EXECUTIVES COMING THROUGH! • INDUSTRY INSIDERS TOOK TIME TO MIX AND MINGLE ON THE EMMYS’ GOLD CARPET

Campaigns That Elevate Great Product • Brand marketing gurus take cues from fans to promote film and TV

Brand Marketing Mavens Drive Hit Campaigns • Variety highlights the successful promos behind the year’s top series and films

AFCI Cineposium Marks Several Firsts • Confab meets in person in Latin America as pandemic eases

Colombia Takes Lead in Latin America • Incentives, crews, locations available to lure productions

New Zealand Focuses on Diversity • Heritage Trust works to preserve film materials for future generations

British Columbia Tackles Growth • Creative B.C. bows website with training and networking for crews

Biz Flirts With Financial Wild West • NFTs and cryptocurrency entice producers looking for funding but buyer beware

Indies Wrestle With Inflation • Producers see budgets balloon over skyrocketing interest rates and COVID costs

Inaugural Fest Focuses on Spanish-Language Culture • Viva Texas includes tribute to Frido Kahlo

Zurich Film Festival Flexes Star Muscle • A heady mix of Hollywood and auteur films, and a stellar guestlist awaits

Inside Bowie’s Brain With Sound and Vision • Audio pros teamed with director Brett Morgen for complex production on ‘Moonage Daydream’

Luma Pictures Surfs VFX and Previz Wave

How ‘Goodnight Mommy’ Visuals Build Fear, Tension

Blonde

The Handmaid’s Tale

Rina Sawayama • “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to seeing myself in a movie, to be honest.”

Contents
Make Way for the Fall

Contributors

Rising Global Force Takes the Stage • Seoul-based CJ ENM aims to scale up in Hollywood and flex Korea’s muscle

Emmy Comedy Race Is Still Anyone’s Guess • ‘Squid Game’ gains drama momentum heading into Primetime kudocast

Thin Line Between Laughs and Screams

Price Wasn’t the Problem for MoviePass, Ex-CEO Insists in Memoir

His Back Pages • Jann Wenner talks about magazine publishing and the power of rock in his memoir

Designed for Battle • Gersha Phillips relied on African artisans to create costumes for ‘The Woman King’

Rooting for Emmy Night Surprises • As the Television Academy evolves, so may its voting tendencies

EXPOSURE

MUST ATTEND

JUST FOR VARIETY

A Moment Like This America’s Idol • KELLY CLARKSON changed TV as the first winner of ‘American Idol,’ but can she save daytime as the next queen of talk?

THE PRODUCERS 2022 • At a time when TV audiences needed great TV as much as they wanted it, these content creators came through

Prolific Producer Leaves Imprint on TV • Variety’s Creative Consciousness Award honors David E. Kelley

Emmys Commemorative • After two years of limited ceremonies and virtual elements, the Television Academy looks forward to giving out the trophies and celebrating in person.

Back to Normalish, With Precautions • COVID-19 protocols loosen at the Primetime Emmys, but it’s not business as usual

The Ultimate Emmys Party Guide • Showbizzers are eager to mix and mingle in person again after staying home in 2020 and 2021

Plan Your Home-Viewing Fete • If you’re throwing a bash for TV’s big night, here are some ideas for the perfect beverage

The Spanish Connection • As movie and TV shoots soar, film commissions become vital

Making Film Commissions Count • SFC helps producers chart negotiate shooting resources

SFC Ambassadors Tout Spain’s Credentials • James Costos, Terry Gilliam and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón among notable figures to help promote the network’s efforts

A Guide to the Spanish Film Commissions • From Alicante to Zaragoza, these offices keep the film biz humming

From Fest for a Privileged Few to Event for the Public • 70 years after its start, San Sebastian brings in global films and filmmakers

10 Takes on the Festival • San Sebastian promises to wow audiences with

Spanish Screenings Pitch Films to Int’l Buyers • Zinemaldia challenge, investors conference

They Are the ‘World’ • Movistar+’s series ‘Offworld’ is a showcase for Spanish creators

Back on the Block • ‘Prison 77’ is the latest effort from Movistar+ to boost young filmmaking talent

‘Simple’ Tackles Complex Issues • Anna R. Costa adapts Cristina Morales’ acclaimed novel in this Movistar+ series

New Tech Still Needs Storytelling Skills • Variety summit panelists tackle changing media

The Idea That Made ‘Carmen’ Sing Onscreen • Composer Nicholas Britell helped Benjamin Millepied’s reimagined tale come to life

‘Don’t Worry Darling’ Teases a Secret With Costumes

White Noise

The Kingdom Exodus

Vicky Krieps • “I was too young to understand, but I was sure there was something darker.”

Contents
Billy Eichner Takes TIFF

Contributors

TRUTH SEEKERS SUMMIT

Superhero-Sized Problems Await New DC Chief • Whoever takes the role will have to overcome corporate and creative challenges

Oscar Spoiler Alert • The 2022 film calendar is still not locked, even as fall festival season begins

Numbers Tell the Tale for ‘Dragon’ and ‘Rings’

‘Copenhagen’ Comeback for ‘Drive’ Director

Will the Global Box Office Catch Hollywood’s Cold? • After growth spurt, overseas movie markets show signs of a slowdown

Great Expectations for British TV Titans Pay Off

Executives Branch Out

Why Gender Should Skip These Races • The industry trend is clear as awards orgs remove male and female labels from kudo categories

JUST FOR VARIETY

CHECK, PLEASE!

Hollywood & Vine Paints the Town

EXPOSURE

WRiTe in the KISSER • BILLY EICHNER ‘BROS’ OUT WITH A GROUNDBREAKING ROMANTIC COMEDY ABOUT GAY CULTURE — BUT WILL AUDIENCES PAY TO SEE IT?

The Party Returns to Toronto • The festival and city once again welcome crowds of film lovers, A-listers and industry mavens

Pre-Screening Bites • Toronto’s lively food and drink scene expands with five new restaurants

Back With Massive Buzz • TIFF’s lineup is packed with great pics, but these are the ones we can’t wait to see

Creative Arts Emmys Finds the Perfect Balance • The two-night event will honor below-the-line talent at in-person ceremonies and galas

‘Sk8er Boi’s’ Muse Grows Up • Avril Lavigne celebrates 20 years since her debut album ‘Let Go’ with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Artists Take Top Honors • The Tribute Awards continue to be the fest’s biggest fundraiser

Production Hub Heats Up • Streamers make a home in Spain as production investment rockets up

How to Tap Into Spain • Incentives can be found in every corner of the country

The Best of What Spain Offers • Incentives, talent and facilities give projects a big boost

One-Stop Shop Opens • The Spain Audiovisual Bureau makes it easy for producers to access anything needed to lense in the country

Building for the Future • The Spain Film Commission tackles several challenges in action plan to bolster growing locations industry

Spain’s Bustling Biz • A sampling of some international productions in the country since 2012, main locations and shoot dates

Island Shooting at Its Best • Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ embraced the elements on windswept Canary Islands

Case Study: ‘The Crown’ • The Netflix hit found almost everything it needed in Spain

Inside Owain Arthur’s Hair-Raising Makeover • How the ‘Rings of Power’ crew let the actor’s expressiveness show through a 16-piece beard

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.

Lashana Lynch • “I’d been looking for a very complicated woman to play for a very long time.”

Contents
Hollywood Goes to the City of Canals

Contributors

Variety

Amazon Casts Its Net for Top Movie Exec • The streaming giant is weighing the merits of top film leaders as it debuts its biggest TV bet yet

TV Awards Shows Scramble to Remain on Air • The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. and SAG-AFTRA are facing stiff headwinds as they fight for network backing

The High Cost of High Inventory • HBO Max is jettisoning shows from its on-demand library to reduce expenses

CNN Breaks Up With Brian Stelter • The cancellation of ‘Reliable Sources’ means one less spotlight for press analysis

‘Top Gun’ Filmmakers Take a Victory Lap — and Look Ahead

EXECUTIVE SHUFFLE

Fall Fests Rev Up International Oscar Race • The competition that got underway at Cannes continues with strong Venice contenders

Make Way for the Children • New Emmy competition concentrates on programming for the younger set

JUST FOR VARIETY

EXPOSURE

WHERE THE WILDE THINGS ARE • In ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ things aren’t as they seem, but director Olivia Wilde knows exactly where she wants to be

RETIRE? QUELLE HORREUR! • As Venice gives Catherine Deneuve the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement, she plans for more roles

OSCAR SEASON’S BIG LAUNCH • Venice loads up on potential awards players for its 90th anniversary

JOLIE BACK IN CHARGE • In an exclusive first look, the actor turned director reflects on her new film ‘Without Blood’

‘THE SON’ RISES ON THE LIDO • Florian Zeller looks to repeat ‘The Father’s’ artistic success with a new film

‘Star Wars’ Grows Up • With ‘Andor,’ Lucasfilm and ‘Rogue One’ screenwriter Tony Gilroy have created the first ‘Star Wars’ TV series for adults

Seaside Celebration of Cinema • Deauville embraces the diversity of the U.S. film industry

Hotel Danieli Celebrates 200 Years of Dreams • Venice’s legendary lodging has played a big role in films and the festival’s history

A Final Rub of the Magic Lamp • Oscar-winning DP John Seale caps a nearly five-decade career with ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing’

VFX Supervisor Helps ‘The Champion’ Take a Swing for Global Understanding

The Patient

Vol. II

Alia Bhatt • “I like to take challenges that maybe seem a little out of reach, seem a little impossible.”

Contents
UNICORN OR TROJAN HORSE? • HOLLYWOOD STRUGGLES TO MAKE SENSE OF THE BONKERS WORLD OF WEB3

The Entertainment Insider’s Guide to Web3

The Multiplexes Are Alive With the Sound of Movies • After a pandemic lull, audiences flocked to spectacles such as ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and ‘Elvis’

Price Wars, in Reverse • Top streamers are hiking subscription rates. So which ones deliver the best binge for the buck?

Anne Heche ‘Never Hid From Her Past’ • 1969-2022: Actor was gifted, passionate and worked hard to counter her ‘crazy’ reputation

The Rosebud Moment for ‘Succession’ Season 3

‘Hulk’-ing Out for the Small Screen • Marvel’s half-hour legal comedy is its most technically challenging show to date

Once a Rebel, Still Rocking • Billy Idol has a new EP on Dark Horse and a documentary in the works

‘Beast’ Leans Into Family Suspense

Making It ‘Werk’ Overseas

Why Kenan Wanted the Hosting Job • The ‘SNL’ vet said yes to the thankless task of being Emmy emcee

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A ‘Regeneration’ of Black Cinema at the Academy Museum

EXPOSURE

Can Crypto Be Boffo? • Hollywood is trying to suss out whether blockchain technology will add up to a windfall or a washout for the content business

RATTLING THE CHAIN • THE NEXT ITERATION OF THE INTERNET IS FULL OF PROMISE AND PERIL FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

How to Speak Web3 • A glossary of terms that guide this emerging online universe

FUNGIBLE RIGHTS FIGHTS • WEB3 TECHNOLOGIES OPEN A MINEFIELD OF LEGAL BATTLES OVER WHO OWNS WHAT

A Market in Flux • Investors went all-in on crypto last year, but the blockchain biz has taken hits so far in 2022

BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE? • THE MURDOCHS ARE BLOCKCHAIN BELIEVERS, INVESTING TO KEEP FOX ENTERTAINMENT AHEAD OF THE CURVE

THE SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • ‘THERE’S NO REALWORLD-USE CASE’ FOR CRYPTOCURRENCIES, SAYS A FINANCIAL SYSTEMS SCHOLAR

CAN SEX SAVE STREAMING? • OUTLETS LIKE NETFLIX AND HULU ARE TAPPING INTO AN APPETITE FOR SOFT-CORE FARE

Après Emmys Getaways • Destinations to relax after a peak TV awards season

Emmys Music Cheat Sheet • Sizing up the nominees in 7 races including score, song and supervision

Nominated Main Title Composers Confront the Skip Intro Button • The industry standard is a thorn in the side of music professionals but also spurs experimentation, say creatives in the Emmy race

Needle Drops Catapult Classic Songs • Now more than ever, a well-placed synch — as in Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” in “Stranger Things” — can mean hundreds of millions of streams

A Hunger to Make a Difference • ‘We Feed People’ team uses Emmy nom as a call to action

Diverse Voices Matter, On Screen and Off • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar examines the inherent biases that affect narration performers

Celebrities on Celebrities • A-list talent goes behind the camera to study stardom

W. Kamau Bell Uses His Voice for Good • The ‘We Need to Talk About Cosby’ director is determined to shine a light on industry darkness

Variety Talk Series

Variety Special

Reality Host

Korean Wave Hits With Big Impact • Pandemic problem-solving and global breakout redefine the rules of the country’s booming entertainment industry

K-Dramas Can’t Be Denied • Series’ rise on the pop culture stage — thank you, Netflix — has created a global market for niche streaming services

Contents
Holy Tax Write-Off, Batgirl!

Contributors

High-Stakes Balancing Act • Warner Bros. Discovery ruffles feathers as it tries to manage its assets in a declining pay TV world

Exhibitors Brace for Morass at the Multiplex • After a busy summer, few surefire successes are on the horizon

Remembered: 1948-2022 Olivia Newton-John • Fans found it easy to honestly love the Australian singer-actor who hit big with ‘Grease’

Taking TV’s Temperature • UTA lit leaders weigh in on the Emmy landscape and the rise of AVOD

Why It’s Important to Look Both Ways

How Amazon’s Turn at Bat Compares to Penny Marshall’s ‘League’

1929-2022 Bert Fields

Starz Programming Chief Leans in, With Swagger

EXECUTIVE SHUFFLE

Nonsense in Longform Noms Needs to Be Fixed • This Emmy category has a long history of wacky choices

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EXPOSURE

The Young Hollywood Issue Hy BeckyG • Rising from humble Mexican American origins, the teen pop star-turned-empowered businesswoman has knocked down obstacles one at a time

brooKlYn peLtz BecKham • The scion of Britain’s other royal family has found his passion — and made a name for himself — through cooking

haLLe bAiLeY • The singeractor is poised to make a big splash with Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid’

aNguS CloUd • His ‘Euphoria’ character Fez is a fan favorite, but the first-time actor is not the guy he plays on TV

NEXT GENERATION HEAVY HITTERS • Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood list spotlights showbiz powerhouses

Passing the Directing Baton • Liz Patrick took over helming duties from vet ‘Saturday Night Live’ helmer Don Roy King

Walking the Tightrope • How ‘Hacks’ co-creator Jen Statsky balances a successful series and home life

Lead (Drama)

Directing (Comedy)

Directing (Limited Series)

Writing (Drama)

Writing (Comedy)

Writing (Limited Series or TV Movie)

Character Counts for Emmy Voters • Contenders took a deep dive into relationships and storylines that run the gamut of sublime to ridiculous

Supporting Actor (Drama)

Supporting Actress (Drama)

Supporting Actor (Comedy)

Supporting Actress (Comedy)

Supporting Actor (Limited or TV Movie)

Supporting Actress (Limited or TV Movie)

Poet Laureate of L.A. Streets Is Immortal on Walk of Fame • Nipsey Hussle’s legacy stretches far beyond his music

Renaissance City Spotlights Talent • Sarajevo festival is the place to discover exciting films from Southeast Europe

‘SNL’ Stalwart Keeps Boots on the Ground • Walk of Fame honoree Kenan Thompson shows why he’s all that and more

Broadway Meets TikTok as Tuner Heads to TV • ‘13: The Musical’ crew adds pop sensibility to live performance for Netflix film

‘League’ Costume Chief Draws on Field of Dreams

Emergency Declaration

Luck

10 TO WATCH COMICS

D’Arcy Carden • “This is out of my comfort zone. I’m so used to playing the weirdo goofball.”

Contents
VARIETY • HOLLY WOOD DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH JENNIFER COOLIDGE. THEN CAME THE ROLE OF A LIFE TIME. SHE FOUND HER SELF AT THE WHITE LOTUS.

Welcome to a New Era of Variety

Streamers Go Broad — and Risk Confusion • Disney and others are loading up their streaming platforms with content that promises to blur long-established brands

‘Prey’ Reimagines ‘Predator’ With Frontier Setting • Native American input was key to adapting the action franchise for a new generation

Stars of Upcoming TV Premieres

Daddy Doesn’t Always Know Best • Patton Oswalt ups the ante on cringe comedy in his latest film

Nichelle Nichols

Mo Ostin

Italy’s Mob Tales Open Up to Women • ‘Bang Bang Baby’ is among a group of offerings with a decidedly female point of view

Starry Climate Scofflaws Spur Carbon Scrutiny

RECESSION COULD SEND MEDIA LAYOFFS SURGING

It’s Time for Action on Variety-Talk • Late-night exits are further shrinking the pool of candidates for yakker trophies

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EXPOSURE

THE HEATON COOLIDGE • Fans knew she was capable of the heartbreaking, soulful, Emmy-nominated performance she gives on HBO’s ‘The White Lotus.’ The only person who needed convincing was JENNIFER COOLIDGE.

Living in a Fantasy • Some of TV’s biggest hits, from ‘Game of Thrones’ to ‘Stranger Things,’
were totally unexpected. Now, several franchise genre shows, like HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon,’
Amazon’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ and AMC’s ‘Interview With the Vampire,’ aim to manufacture smash
success.

SPORTS&ENTERTAINMENT

A ‘Race’ That Won’t Quit • The husband-and-wife duo behind the hit CBS series show off their Emmys and souvenirs

Here to Make Friends • Nominated reality TV shows play up the happy over the nasty

Proactive and Provocative • Production designers share insight into what makes their nominated episode stand out

Reality Competition Series

Reality Series

Truth Be Told • Emmy-nominated limited series actresses reflect on bringing real women to the screen

The Happiest of Endings • ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ got a rare second chance at closure

Limited/Anthology Series & TV Movie

Fight Club for Assassins • ‘Bullet Train’ stunt coordinator teaches Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock how to do battle — in character

Training the Next Class of Stunt Performers

Exceptional Minds Alumni Get VFX Posts

Prey

Reservation Dogs

Joey King • “My character’s biggest strength is her mind.”

Contents
NFT KING • MADONNA AND U2 MANAGER GUY OSEARY IS LEVERAGING HIS SUCCESS TO BECOME THE NEXT GREAT TECH WHISPERER

The Biggest Stories of the Week From Our Reporters

Amid Studio Changes, Oscar Season Promises Big Entries • Belt-tightening may affect campaigns for this year’s awards hopefuls

Twitter to Musk: Pay Up • The big question in the legal battle is how much the tech baron will be forced to shell out

Comic-Con Ramps Up Fan Experiences

EXECUTIVE SHUFFLE

Bob Rafelson • The director of ‘Five Easy Pieces’ first found success with a TV series about a zany band

France Says ‘Mais, Non!’ to Nixing Film Official • Despite a pending sexual assault case, Dominique Boutonnat secures a second term

Kelly McCormick Packs a Punch as Action Producer

Variety Bolsters International Team

BET’s Big Bets Pay Off in Emmy Noms • CEO Scott Mills has lured high-profile creatives to the channel and its streaming service

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EXPOSURE

THE SECRET OF GUY'S SUCCESS • From NFTs to stadium tours, Guy Oseary never fails to bet big on talent he believes in

YACHT ROCKERS • Woody Harrelson, Matthew McConaughey and Chris Rock dish on the friend they hail as ‘a great curator of people’

A Guide to Guy • Oseary’s universe thrums with activity as a cross section of talent traverses music, film, TV, art and tech

MADONNA’S RAY OF LIGHT • Oseary and the superstar client who put him on the map have an unusually deep bond

THE DOMINO EFFECT • Investment partners Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary are forever in the hunt for ‘the next big thing’

TAKING ARABIC MUSIC GLOBAL • Weeknd manager Wassim ‘Sal’ Slaiby vows to bring Arab pop stars into the mainstream through his new label partnership with Universal

THE ISRAELI FACTOR • U.S.-based labels are taking notice of the multilingual talent that the tiny nation has to offer

A ROYALTY BATTLE ROYAL • The future of music is at stake as publishers, labels and streaming giants brawl over their piece of the pie

What’s Old Is New Again • This year’s nominations prove that nostalgia reigns supreme

It’s Time to Spread the Wealth • TV Academy voters keep a tight focus on a handful of series despite abundant options

Togs for the Times • Emmy-nominated costume designers went the extra mile to create unique looks

That Sense of Place • Emmy nominees for production design deliver worlds inspired by opulence and mid-century architecture

Dancing With the Camera • Choreographers add modern changes to classic storytelling

Titles Tap Into Deep Themes • Opening credits not only stand out, but also convey feeling

CGI Adds to Story • Major programming was massively changed by visual effects

Diversifying Killer Music • ‘Only Murders’ theme song was created with Home Depot buckets

Superstar Songs Snubbed • In the music categories, big names are often overlooked

A Loud and Welcome Tweak • In an exciting change, the TV Academy is recognizing more diverse groups in the music categories

The First-Timers Club • For a dozen of the accomplished guest actor and actress nominees, 2022 could mark their inaugural Emmy win

TV’s Worldwide Opening • The Emmy nominations reflect the globalization of the small-screen biz

Global Indie Temple Opens Doors to Hollywood • Locarno Fest has repositioned itself as a hub for filmmakers of all kinds of movies

A New Yorker’s-Eye View of Texas • How dark comedy ‘Vengeance’ captures its fish-out-of-water protagonist

Contents
THE END OF OWNERSHIP • Inside Movie and TV Star Salaries

The Biggest Stories of the Week From Our Reporters

FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS

Offstage Drama • ‘Paradise Square,’ a Broadway musical about a turbulent chapter in American history, has become mired in lawsuits

Volume Dealers • TV’s upfront market is strong, but wary buyers drive hard CPM bargains

Running to Run the Academy

Bad Bunny Is Good News for Latin Music

Make-or-Break Time for Comic-Con • The upcoming (masked) confab marks the fan fest’s first live July event since 2019

Cracking the Code for ‘Easter Sunday’

HOW MUCH HIGHER CAN SPORTS RIGHTS SOAR?

‘Black-ish’ Siblings Trade Roles on Spinoff • Marcus Scribner takes the baton from Yara Shahidi in ABC’s ‘Grown-ish’

No Matter What, ‘Succession’ Topped Emmy Noms • The TV Academy sidestepped debate over corporate bragging rights

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EXPOSURE

BYE-BYE, BACKEND • ACTORS, WRITERS AND DIRECTORS ARE ANGRY THAT PROFIT PARTICIPATION DEALS ARE ALL BUT DISAPPEARING, SETTING THE STAGE FOR TOUGH 2023 CONTRACT TALKS

PAYBACK TIME?

WAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE • A-list salaries continue to rise, but an economic downturn and cloudy streaming waters could change everything

HOW MUCH DO MOVIE STARS MAKE?

INSIDE TV ACTORS’ PAYCHECKS

Timing Is Everything • With the race tighter than ever, scheduling strategy comes into play for front-runners

Crime Clan’s MotherSuperior • Laura Linney adds Walk of Fame star to accolades as ‘Ozark’ finishes Netflix run

King Lear Reaches a Milestone • As the mega TV producer reaches his 100th birthday, he is still laughing and telling important stories

Pros Look to Level Up in Biz • Variety’s Sports and Entertainment event spotlights trends, top athletes

KUDOS • TO THE 2022 EMMY® NOMINEES

A Rich Trail of Clues • A parrot, a painting and a secret compartment illuminate the life of the victim on this season’s ‘Only Murders in the Building’

Creating International Intrigue for the Russo Brothers’ ‘Gray Man’

Animation, Lip-Syncing Bring ‘My Old School’ to Life

The Last Movie Stars

Entering Heaven Alive

Michael Aloni • “It was pandemic lockdown, and it felt like the city was just for us — like our own playground.”

Contents
TOM BRADY CAN’T LOSE • The NFL GOAT is looking beyond the field — producing movies, NFTs and even a clothing line. As for football: ‘Could this be my last year? Absolutely.’

The Biggest Stories of the Week From Our Reporters

Distributors Flex Plex Pecs • Movie studios are reeducating consumers about where to watch the latest releases

‘Trash’ Talking With a ‘Dope Queen’ • Phoebe Robinson leans into her podcast experiences for Freeform’s new comedy

How Tax Incentives Overlap With Abortion Rights • Some states that offer robust production credits now severely restrict reproductive freedom

Norman Jewison on James Caan: ‘We Lost a Great One Here’ • The director of ‘Rollerball’ praises the actor for his intense commitment to acting and his vulnerability

Marvel Hero on Screen, Bloody Villain Onstage

Keeping Up the Fight for Gun Control

HBO Max Rankles Global Industry With European Pivot • Streamer’s exit from some international originals criticized as ‘big mistake’

Reveling in the Female Gaze • Juliette Binoche explains her bond with Claire Denis and why she turned down Steven Spielberg three times

Looking Ahead at Tomorrow Studios • Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements’ banner expands with Scott Free, Julia Garner deals

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New Heimat Gym Is Made for Hollywood

Louis Vuitton Men’s Store Opens on Rodeo Drive

CHECK, PLEASE!

EXPOSURE

GAME TIME FOR BRADY • AFTER WINNING SEVEN SUPER BOWLS, WHAT’S HE GOING TO DO NEXT? THE FAMED QUARTERBACK IS READY TO PLAY A DIFFERENT GAME — AS A MULTIFACETED CEO AND CONTENT CREATOR

EMMY NOMS REVEALED • As frequent favorites are overlooked, new series take the spo tlight

74th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Ballot

Don’t Ignore the Quirks • While snubs can turn into Emmy noms, other gems lay ready for discovery

Blurred Lines • Variety’s TV critics dive deeper into the big trends from the Emmys

Series Scorecard • 2022 Emmy nominations breakdown by series

Women Dominate But Diversity Issues Persist • Emmy noms include Asian representation on an upward trend, but other areas are lacking

THE WHITE ALBUMS • SUCCESSIVE RELEASES HINT AT A SPLIT MUSICAL PERSONALITY, BUT VINYL HAS PROVED A MITIGATING FACTOR FOR THE ARTIST WHO OWNS HIS OWN PRESSING PLANT

A Co-starring Role for Mother Nature • Murder mystery ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ leans into the marshy world of a complex character

Finding the Musical Sound of Dreams

Revisiting the Couture of Dior for ‘Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris’

The Rehearsal

The Gray Man

Quinn Shephard • “Film was the one place where you could kind of do everything.”

39 WINS • LA PRESS CLUB’S 64TH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA JOURNALISM AWARDS

Contents The Biggest Stories of the Week From Our Reporters

The ‘Halo’ Effect • The video game-based series brings a handy global metaverse to Paramount+

Summer Retreat • From new power players to bear market jitters, what to expect as moguldom descends on Sun Valley

Netflix’s Charm Offensive

Gail Berman Gets to Face the Music Again

Variety Sets Design Department Leaders

‘Vida the Vet’ Is Spin Master’s Newest Bet

Trading In Zombies for Vampires • AMC Networks aims to rebuild with Anne Rice-inspired series after ‘Better Call Saul,’ ‘The Walking Dead’ bow out

Don’t Forget About These Worthy Contenders • With so many quality TV shows and performances this year, get ready for lots of Emmy snubs

Rising Voices

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EXPOSURE

IT’S HAMMER TIME • » IN ‘THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER,’ NATALIE PORTMAN FINALLY GETS TO FLEX HER BICEPS AS A MIGHTY SUPERHERO

SO LONG, ‘SNL’ • AFTER EXITING HER POST ON THE BELOVED NBC SKETCH SHOW, AIDY BRYANT IS OUT TO PROVE SHE CAN PLAY MORE THAN JUST THE BEST FRIEND

AWARDS CIRCUIT

Emmy Nominations Ripe for Making History • From talent to networks and streamers, records are ready to be set

Unsung Heroes of TV • Variety shines a light on the teams you may have missed this Emmys season

Creativity and Imagination Inspire VFX Shop • From ‘Star Wars’ to ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Boba Fett,’ Phil Tippett celebrates 40 years in special effects biz

TIPPETT PASSION PROJECT READY FOR PRIMETIME

Digital Studio Builds Kids’ Biz on YouTube Stars • Pocket.watch has grown into a franchise powerhouse as it celebrates fifth anniversary

POCKET.WATCH POTPOURRI

Karlovy Vary Fest Expands Its Horizons • Czech event widens geographic, creative and commercial scope

Boom Times for Production Pros • Film commissioners from around the world hit AFCI Week to swap info and learn what’s new

Second Home Splurge Fuels Market • Summer real estate report: Pandemic-induced buyers hit more off-beat markets

Capturing the Kardashians • Cinematographer had to be ready to drop everything for the fly-on-the-wall shoot

How ‘Marcel the Shell With Shoes On’ Survived the Big Screen

Natalie Portman Got Ripped for ‘Thor’

Minions: The Rise of Gru

Menudo: Forever Young

Zawe Ashton • “I sent my agent and my manager an email saying, ‘Get me in a corset, ASAP.’”

Contents Bob Chapek Arouses Anger, Shock and Awe With Peter Rice’s Firing

The Biggest Stories of the Week From Our Reporters

Big Drama at Disney TV • Dana Walden promises ‘relentless’ focus on audience following Peter Rice’s surprise exit

Comcast Stirs It Up • The company has failed to land a major M&A deal in recent years, but it may still be shopping

From Watergate to Trump, Truth Can’t Be Silenced

A GOLDEN GAMING OPPORTUNITY FOR NETFLIX

Papa Don’t Preach • How a filmmaker’s new take on beloved film ‘Father of the Bride’ shows the boundaries of tradition

Game On for Cablers • FX, USA Network load up on sports to stay relevant with viewers, distributors

When a Show’s End Is Just the Beginning • Revived ‘Bosch’ follows a long TV tradition of spinoff series

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EXPOSURE

ON THE EDGE • AS ‘BETTER CALL SAUL’ COMES TO AN END, FANS ARE DYING TO KNOW WHETHER RHEA SEEHORN’S CHARACTER LIVES — OR BREAKS BAD

The Reinvention • Peter Fetterman became an esteemed photo collector and gallery owner after flopping in Hollywood: ‘I went cold turkey and never looked back’

Emmys: The Writer & the Director/Daytime Emmys

Fan-Fueled Twitter Accounts Boost Series • Netflix co-opts no context trend for ‘Sex Education’ marketing

Newcomers to the Emmys Circle • Helmers finally get a chance at a nomination and perhaps a win with these buzzy series

Scribes’ Secrets • Top television creators delve deeper at Variety’s annual Night in the Writers’ Room

Daytime Emmys Return But With a Makeover • After three years, the awards show will take place live in a full theater

From ‘Sesame Street’ to ‘Jump Street’ • Walk of Fame honoree Holly Robinson Peete’s career has come full circle

‘Doc McStuffins’ Opened STEM Careers • Ten years after its debut, the groundbreaking toon series still impacts girls of color

Just What the ‘Doc’ Ordered • Famous voices helped ‘McStuffins’ tackle big issues like adoption, cancer and same-sex parents

Banijay Opens Hollywood Doors to Minorities • Cris Abrego and Karla Pita Loor broaden professional opportunities in the unscripted space

Champions for Change • Variety highlights advocates for inclusivity who’ve made an impact in the industry over the past year

A Century of Giving Back • The Motion Picture & Television Fund hits 100 with eye on future and a continued mandate to help entertainment industry workers

72 NOMS • LA PRESS CLUB’S 64TH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA JOURNALISM AWARDS

Boosting Funds and Spirits • The MPTF gala celebrates the org but also raises money for its work

The Greatest Awards Show You’ve Probably Never Seen • Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony returns to honor Mariah Carey, Eurythmics, Pharrell Williams, Lil Nas X and more

Execs and Creatives Peer Into the Future • Cannes Lions convene live and find a changed world

Short Films Long on Inspiration • Palm Springs fest returns to in-person event with 300 films

Sending Buzz Lightyear Into Cinematic Orbit • How film noir inspired the look of the ‘Toy Story’ spinoff

Latino South Florida Theme Inspires ‘Father of the Bride’ Dresses

How ‘Evil’ Revisited a Science Experiment From the Early 1900s

Lightyear

The Old Man

Daryl McCormack • “I was like, I have a feeling there’s not many other people going to be in this film.”

Contents More Sex Crime Trials for Cosby, Weinstein in Los Angeles

View From the Top • Paramount Pictures chief Brian Robbins weighs in on ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and the state of the movie business

Warner Players Dine on New Prospects

CNN Rethinks Its Chyron Crutch

Not Just Playing by the Book • The author of ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ oversaw Amazon’s adaptation of ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’

Can Johnny Depp Stage a Comeback? • After legal victory, the former A-lister will still struggle to land major roles

Putting a Cape on Inclusion • Disney+ series ‘Ms. Marvel’ mixes Muslim culture and entertainment to tell the tale of a teen from Jersey City

Mad Gene Makes Moves • Oscar Isaac and Elvira Lind sign a first-look deal with Endeavor Content for their production banner

TV Trend Alert: They’re Everywhere • Pickleball and private body parts are among the recurring motifs this awards season

EXPOSURE

MUST ATTEND

Actors on Actors

Andrew Garfield & Zendaya

Amanda Seyfried & Jared Leto

Jenn ifer Aniston & Sebastian Stan

Samuel L. Jackson & Viola Davis

Martin Short & Jean Smart

Jeremy Strong & Anne Hathaway

Adam Scott & Quinta Brunson

Tom Hiddleston & Lily James

Jung Ho-yeon & Sandra Oh

Courteney Cox & Faith Hill

Cynthia Nixon & Bowen Yang

Christina Ricci & Sydney Sweeney

Josh Brolin & Josh Brolin

The Gender Dynamics of ‘Saturday Night Live’ Hosts • Male performers dominate in turns and Emmy submissions

Guest Actor and Actress

Ensembles Seize Broadway Spotlight • Tonys reward season that underscored collective effort

Beginners’ Luck • Meet the artists who broke through in their first time on Broadway

Broadway Bytes: Lifetime Honor and Notable Nominations • Five-time Tony winner says theater is her first love

Gallic Cartoon, VFX Biz Booms • Streamers boosted the French visual effects and animation sectors

Annecy Returns to the Fore • The premier animation event is back to full strength

Monte-Carlo Bets on Crowd-Pleasers • Festival mixes splashy premieres with long-running soaps

Sardegna Festival Hopes to Goose Italian B.O. • Parade of celebs serves to celebrate film and television

Theaters Look for Rebound • CineEurope confab faces challenge of growth in world edging back to normal

Change in Showbiz Thinking Takes Incremental Steps • Variety’s inclusion summit features creators and artists boosting industry diversity

Ms. Marvel

Hustle

Katja Herbers • “I think she will always try to find a psychological or scientific explanation for anything.”

Contents How Many Children Must Die Before We Have Gun Control?

Networks Hang Tough • ‘Yellowstone’ and a few freshmen broadcast shows were among the bright spots this TV season

The Real Winners at Cannes

LGBTQ ‘Deviant’s War’ Takes Off at Amazon

Ray Liotta Made Casts and Crews Better • ‘GoodFellas’ and ‘Field of Dreams’ actor was ‘incapable of being false’

‘The Boys’ Is Back in Town • Amazon’s sleeper superhero hit returns for more mayhem after a two-year absence

Behind the ‘Music Man’ Magic • Warren Carlyle helped Hugh Jackman perfect his dance moves for the Tony-nominated revival

The Fine Art of a Good Needle Drop • Music supervisors gain Emmy respect, but still face ‘false impressions’ about soundtrack work

JUST FOR VARIETY

MUST ATTEND

Pretty in Pride • Six fashion brands are giving back to the LGBTQ community this Pride Month

EXPOSURE

EXPOSURE

POWER OF PRIDE CRAVING SOME CHE • By playing a non-binary comedian on ‘And Just Like That …,’ Sara Ramírez has forever changed ‘Sex and the City’

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • How Antoni Porowski is branching out beyond his role as the culinary expert on ‘Queer Eye’

IN THE ‘LOOP’ • How Michael R. Jackson created the year’s boldest Broadway musical and became a Tony darling

THE MASKED SINGER • He might not show his face, but country artist Orville Peck isn’t hiding from anybody

AN ACT OF DEFENSE • As a trans woman, here’s why the adage ‘representation matters’ really does

MAKING BLACK WOMEN PROUD • Aunjanue Ellis on being bisexual and the homophobia she still encounters in her life and career

ANGELIC UPSTART • The gloriously retro, bittersweet album ‘Big Time’ was inspired by Angel Olsen’s coming out and the death of her parents

COMING OUT FROM THE DARK • As Elvira, she thrived with her spooky alter ego, but Cassandra Peterson is now free to be herself

PRIDE IMPACT LIST • For Variety’s biggest Power of Pride list yet, we’re celebrating these 55 LGBTQ entertainers who represent
the vast spectrum of storytelling savvy across the industry. From Oscar winner Ariana DeBose to ‘Bridgerton’ heartthrob Jonathan
Bailey, from ‘Heartstopper’ scribe Alice Oseman to ‘Our Flag Means Death’ breakout Vico Ortiz, these actors, comedians,
musicians, writers, producers, directors and executives continue to expand opportunities and trailblaze representation.

Cinematic Spirit of Massachusetts • Bay state’s incentives create thriving production industry as series, features take advantage of diverse locations, talent

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN Massachusetts

Marina Studios Offers Safe Harbor • The biggest soundstage in the state gives productions what they need and want in the Boston area

Solid State Technology Boosts VFX • Massachusetts sees more post-production talent headed to regional shingles

Incentive Changes Boost Biz • Massachusetts makes program permanent, which triggers influx of big-budget series and features

Film Tourists Flock to the Bay State • Fans seek out sites from classics such as ‘Jaws’ and ‘Cheers’ to recent faves ‘Little Women’ and ‘Free Guy’

For Your Crafts Consideration/Music for Screens • From costume and production design, to hair and makeup and music, we shine the spotlight on below-the-line contenders for the Emmys.

‘Squid Game’s’ Textbook Production Design • Killer sets were inspired by Korean tomes

David Lynch Inspired ‘Russian Doll’ Set • Time-traveling second season steps back to the 1980s

Recreating ‘Godfather’s’ Look for Paramount+ Series • ‘The Offer’ makeup...

Contents
No Wonder Hollywood Is Depressed

The Biggest Stories of the Week From Our Reporters

Back, but Forever Changed • Shows are a no-show as upfront presentations lean into sports and streaming instead

At Cannes, a Slow Market Gradually Heats Up • Netflix’s megadeal for ‘Pain Hustlers’ spurs sales activity at the fest

Music to All Their Ears • An unusual group of collaborators teamed up for the ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ soundtrack

A New Spin on the Recording Contract

NETFLIX STILL ON TOP DESPITE TUMBLE

Peak TV Has Led to Peak Awards Consultants • PR gurus are tripping over each other as they try to garner attention for shows and performers during Emmy season

JUST FOR VARIETY

MUST ATTEND

EXPOSURE

EXPOSURE

THE BURSTING POINT • THE MARKET CRASH IS FORCING HOLLYWOOD GIANTS TO REASSESS DIGITAL STRATEGIES AND DEBT-DRIVEN CONTENT SPENDING

Market Cap Massacre • Investors bail on media stocks as streaming reaches a saturation point

Tight Squeeze • Hollywood may regret relying on debt to drive direct-to-consumer initiatives as economic conditions worsen

How High Is the Sky? • NETFLIX’S FIRST-QUARTER SURPRISE IS DRIVING TOUGHER SCRUTINY OF THE WORLDWIDE MARKET FOR SUBSCRIPTION STREAMERS

The Sisterhood • The sixth film in the dinosaur series, ‘Jurassic World Dominion,’ underscores the hit franchise’s feminist evolution

A Pitch for Series That Deserve Kudos • Variety’s chief TV critics highlight shows and talent that are serious contenders

Comedy Road Warrior Takes New Turn • After four decades of stand-up, Bill Engvall is relishing his final tour

‘Anatomy’ of a Landmark Show • This month, the ABC medical drama celebrates 400 episodes and 18 seasons

How ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Took Flight • Production designer got help from the Navy to secure real fighter planes for long-awaited sequel

How Julia Roberts Becomes Martha Mitchell in ‘Gaslit’

Makeup on the Edge for ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’

Elvis

Cruel Country

Maisie Williams • “There’s so much more that I have to give, and I could never have done with Arya.”

Contents TV’s Biggest Pack • Dick Wolf blazes new trails and vows to be ‘last man standing’ in broadcast TV


A Landmark Closing: Say It Ain’t So!!!


The Biggest Stories of the Week From Our Reporters


Media’s Rough Ride • Amid stock gyrations, investors are reassessing the industry’s streaming future


Still Prescient, After All These Years • Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio spotlight George Carlin in a two-part documentary for HBO


Where in L.A. Can Indie Movies Play Now?


THE INEXORABLE PACE OF CORD CUTTING


TV Learns How to Depict Mental Health • ‘The Girl From Plainville’ co-creator Liz Hannah on doing it right


OUR TOWN • JUST FOR VARIETY


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EXPOSURE


New Roku Search Data Helps Marketers Win Streaming Pop Culture • From trending genres to award nominees, Roku Search reveals what’s hot; Plus, Roku unveils the Top 10 movie and series searches for April 2022


Miracle on WOLF Street • How the prolific producer reconquered TV by delivering shows at unprecedented scale


HIGH-OCTANE TV • The cornerstone of Wolf Entertainment is its formidable stable of branded dramas


Day Time Disruption • As hosting stalwarts ELLEN DEGENERES, WENDY WILLIAMS, MAURY POVICH, JERRY SPRINGER and DR. OZ leave the scene, the daypart faces its biggest shake-up since OPRAH exited


Emmy Sneak Peek • As the nominations voting window approaches, networks and streamers vamp up in-person FYC events and welcome crowds with pricey draws


Emmy Campaigns Back in Force • Awards FYC returns to in-person events with TV Academy members eager to mingle


Busiest Man in the Biz Finds Joy in Giving Back • Hollywood Walk of Fame honoree Greg Berlanti funnels passion for storytelling into his own shows and those of others


CAREER INSIGHTS • Greg Berlanti reflects on lessons he’s learned over his long career.


WHAT BERLANTI WATCHED • The producer shares his favorite shows growing up


Mavens on Constant Lookout for New Promos • Variety Marketing Visionary Award honorees reflect on digital success in the past year


Showbiz Visionaries Examine Future of Media • Topics at Variety’s Entertainment Marketing Summit range from appealing to social good to the re-imagination of digital outreach


New Media Mavens • Variety’s Digital Marketing Impact Report spotlights the creative minds behind content promotions


A New Lens for L.A. Screenings • The industry’s shift to direct-to-consumer models means less content is up for grabs, but international TV buyers are still coming to shop


Are the Kids All Right? • Amid spiking rates of adolescent depression and suicide, the depiction of teen mental health in showbiz grows more believable


NORTHWESTERN U. SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON MENTAL ILLNESS • New film program promotes stories about clinical depression


Variety Voice of Inspiration Honoree Is Master of Her Career • Regina Hall will be feted at the Reel Works gala


95 Years of Hollywood History • TCL Chinese Theatre’s past is entwined with showbiz


A California Look for ‘Stranger Things’ • Production design team helps Byers family relocate — and adds a little mystery


Bringing ‘MJ’ to Broadway


How ‘Essex Serpent’ Added Turmoil Through Designs


Top Gun: Maverick


Harry’s House


Jessica Biel • “I got really interested in why and how did this very normal woman commit this crazy act of violence?”

Contents Time to Speak Out Against Likely Abortion Ban


The Biggest Stories of the Week From Our Reporters


Uncovered


Stars of Upcoming TV Premieres


Ads That Make You Want to Twitch • At the upfronts, dollars are going to be stretched between networks and their digital rivals


If It Worked for ‘Schitt’s Creek’… • Roku beefs up original offerings with a comedy from the Great White North


No Winners in This Messy Courtroom Battle • Legal experts doubt the trial between Johnny Depp and ex-wife Amber Heard will break new ground


Dylan Museum Looks Back in Tulsa


SOCIAL MEDIA SLOWDOWN TESTS INVESTOR LOYALTY


Cannes Films Gathering Early Buzz • Actioners and environmental thrillers are stoking interest from potential buyers


Emmy Daypart Departure • A subtle eligibility change underscores the TV industry’s move to a post-linear era


JUST FOR VARIETY


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EXPOSURE


‘The Staircase’ Premiere • Museum of Modern Art, New York


New York City Center Gala • Plaza Hotel, New York


GLAAD Media Awards • New York Hilton Midtown


Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Awards • Cary Grant Theatre, Sony Pictures Studios, Culver City


Variety ’s Power of Women New York • The Glasshouse, New York


PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST • In ‘Showing Up,’ MICHELLE WILLIAMS reunites with director Kelly Reichardt for a look at the joys and frustrations of the creative process


MORE THAN YACHTS AND LATTES • Why Cannes? Because of the art, the commerce, the stars and the contribution to world cinema for 75 years


LOOKING AHEAD, STAYING AHEAD • Cannes topper Thierry Frémaux guides the 75th edition of the glamorous film festival through a fast-changing world


21ST CENTURY CANNES • How TikTok plans to shake up the South of France, bringing hip tech to a backdrop of tuxedos and ballgowns


Pathé Doubles Down on Content • Variety’s Intl. Achievement in Film Award honoree moves ahead with big investments in movies, while also plunging into premium TV series production.


Pathé Gaumont Revamps Filmgoing Experience • Exhibition chain adapts to meet customer demands


Pathé Follows Haute Couture Model in U.K. • Cameron McCracken, head of the British arm, focuses on quality


Passing on the Love of Movie Heritage • Foundation preserves, restores and promotes classic Pathé films


Sales Slate Reflects Growing Global Ambitions • Pathé is selling two of France’s biggest-ever productions


TV Arm Pursues Large-Scale Event Shows • Pathé’s projects range from period epics to edgy, contemporary shows


French Film Remake Creates History • Pathé backed ‘CODA’ went on to win big at the Oscars


End of an Era • Paillard exits Cannes Market after overseeing unparalleled growth and change in the biz


Wild Tales Fuel Cannes Lore • Market’s dealmakers provide the fun and games


Biz Still Embraces Basics • Film market pre-sales may be down but not out — it all depends on selling the sizzle


Incentive to Build • European governments sweeten deals for producers


‘Walking’ to His Own Beat • As he finishes his first film since 2015, the forever iconoclastic Peter Greenaway reflects on his career


Putting the Pieces Together • Greenaway pic backer APX Capital Group looks to be a one-stop shop for co-productions


Banks Face New World Order • Lending sector has seen players exiting the field, while those soldiering on adapt to reality of the worldwide indie pic market

Contents Venus Williams Considers Life Beyond the Court


The Biggest Stories of the Week From Our Reporters


High Anxiety • Hollywood is bracing for more fallout from mergers and a streaming slowdown


Rating CinemaCon • Which studios wowed the crowd, and which lacked sizzle


Broadening Horizons • Israeli actor Niv Sultan returns for another season of ‘Tehran’ on Apple TV+ — now co-starring Glenn Close


Is ‘Happening’ Ancient History or Current Events?


UNEXPECTED VULTURES CIRCLE AILING UBISOFT


Mining the Asian American Experience • Melvin Mar and producing partner Jake Kasdan have eight active TV and film projects leveraging AAPI storytelling


Why the Emmys Telecast Is Better Than the Oscars • But there’s still a need to shake things up. How about a ‘Law & Order’ ceremony?


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EXPOSURE


POWER OF WOMEN


Venus Williams • Charity: Yetunde Price Resource Center


Drew Barrymore • Charity: World Central Kitchen


Amanda Seyfried • Charity: International Network for Aid, Relief and Assistance


Camila Cabello • Charity: Healing Justice Project


Queen Latifah • Charity: Jalen Rose Leadership Academy


Kim Cattrall • ‘Sex and the City’ made her an international icon, but the actor explains why she stopped playing Samantha to pursue other roles, including on ‘Queer as Folk’ and ‘How I Met Your Father’


Women in the War Zone • Female journalists in Ukraine face gender-specific challenges and special insight into what they’re covering


Vision for the Future • Google Social Impact Award honoree Topeka K. Sam helps formerly incarcerated women build new lives


Leaders Drive Wide Range of Change • Variety highlights those who made an impact on the media landscape in the past year


Power of Women


CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022 VARIETY POWER OF WOMEN HONOREES


THANK YOU TO OUR POWER OF WOMEN NEW YORK GIFT BAG PARTICIPANTS • Variety’s annual invite-only event celebrates the
achievements of six outstanding women in entertainment who have made a significant impact in philanthropy and charity.
All guests receive this exclusive Variety Gift Bag.


Friends and Fans Help James Hong Land His Star • Actor and activist shows his range from ‘Blade Runner’ to ‘Seinfeld’


Order in the Court • Walk of Fame honoree Greg Mathis dispenses TV justice with jokes and inspiration


Kicking Down Barriers Onstage • Director-choreographer Camille A. Brown makes history at the Met and on Broadway


Music Supervisor in Sync With ‘Winning Time’


Building Sonic Armies for ‘Halo’


The Staircase


Happening


Quincy Isaiah • “I think you’re seeing Magic grow throughout the season, but I feel like you’re also seeing Quincy grow as an actor.”

Contents Buyouts, Sell-Offs and Bad Behavior


Uncovered


How Elon Musk Backed Twitter Into a Corner • The mega-billionaire’s moves left the social giant’s board with no options. Hollywood asks, now what?


Streaming Slams Into a Wall • Netflix’s subscriber shock and CNN+’s flameout reflect new economic realities of the direct-to-consumer biz


Newsies Bring Back D.C. Glitz • The White House Correspondents’ Dinner returns with host Trevor Noah — and more cameras for all the stars


Costumers Fight to Close Pay Gap • Artisans have stepped up campaign for greater equity with their peers


Through the Eyes of a Nephew • Jordan Walker-Pearlman is collaborating on a documentary about his famous uncle, Gene Wilder


Stream Me Up


Massive Comedy Festival Is No Joke


WWE MAKES PEACOCK CROW


It’s Getting a Bit Too Crowded Out There • With more Emmy contenders than ever, this is undoubtedly the most jampacked spring in TV history


POWER OF LAW


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CHECK, PLEASE!


EXPOSURE


Walden’s Pond • DISNEY’S TV OPERATIONS HAVE NEVER BEEN STRONGER AFTER TWO TOUGH YEARS OF POSTMERGER RESTRUCTURING


Cavalcade of Content • The Walt Disney Television leader steers vital creative engines for the Mouse’s many TV platforms


THE POWER OF PETER PARKER • TWENTY YEARS LATER, THE MAKERS OF ‘SPIDER-MAN’ EXPLAIN HOW AN EARNEST TEENAGE NERD RESCUED THE SUPERHERO GENRE AND CHANGED HOLLYWOOD FOREVER


Keeping Up With Fulwell 73 • How James Corden and Ben Winston’s company got into business with Hollywood’s biggest stars


Roses and Thorns Drive Dating Franchise • After a milestone 20 years, ‘The Bachelor’ thrives in spite — or maybe because — of its many controversies


Titans of Unscripted TV • Whether it was on a streamer, broadcast or cable, these execs and creatives made their mark on TV’s top reality shows


Kentucky Opens Doors to Production • Boosters tout generous new incentive program, diverse locations, hospitality and other factors to lure projects to Bluegrass state


THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FILMING IN Kentucky


REBUILD EFFORT UNDERWAY • Kentucky’s production community ramps up facilities


Makeover Magic • Wrigley Media Group transforms old multiplex into new soundstage complex


Entertainment Educators Talk State of Teaching Cinema • James Schamus and Joely Proudfit proffer film school philosophies


30 Film Schools for Everyone • From Northridge to Nashville, these entertainment education programs have a lot to offer


Dishing Up Diverse Programming • After two years of virtual events, Toronto’s Hot Docs fest brings more than 200 films to live auds


Setting the Stage for an Aristocratic Pirate • ‘Our Flag Means Death’ designers mixed history with broad theatricality to present a big canvas for the HBO Max sitcom


Putting Some Visual Punctuation on ‘Ozark’


Palomino


Downton Abbey: A New Era


Elle Fanning • “I think the toughest part was to balance the fiction and reality.”

Contents Cannes Has Trouble Fulfilling Its Promises to Women Directors


This Could Get Ugly • Johnny Depp’s defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard is revealing some dark details about the A-list actor


The Early Champs • Dismissed as lightweights, Sony and Paramount instead show real box office might


Stars of Upcoming TV Premieres


An ‘Offer’ Paramount Could Not Refuse • How a 90-something producer led the studio to a limited series about the making of one of its crown jewels


Left for Dead, ‘Beetlejuice’ Scores an Unlikely Revival


GLAAD, Black List Unveil LGBTQ Script Rankings


All in the Franchise-ish • ‘Black-ish’ leaves strong legacy at Disney as ABC comedy ends


Building Irony, One Partnership at a Time


MOST POPULAR STREAMERS


Time for an Awards Reset • Exorcising Dolby’s demons as we head smack into Emmy season


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EXPOSURE


A FIST FULL OF DRAMAS • SHOWRUNNER TAYLOR SHERIDAN WRAIGLES ABUMPER CROP OF SERIES THAT REFLECT HIS MAVERICK STORYTELLING VISION


A Sprint, Not a Marathon • The ‘Yellowstone’ showrunner works overtime to seize a moment for content creators that may not come again


PLANNING FOR HEAVEN’S DOOR • Music legends Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Neil Young and others secure their financial legacies with megabucks song-catalog sales


Emmy Season Kickoff • The award competition starts off with a lot of questions and more contenders than ever, but reading the signs from earlier kudofests can give voters a high-quality filter of how the TV races may shape up


First-Timers and Farewells Poised to Fuel Emmys Race


How Jean Smart Designed the Career of Her Dreams • ‘Hacks’ star focused on stage before switching to the screen


Multi-Emmy Winner Jean Smart Straddles Comedy and Drama • Walk of Fame honoree says amazing roles are coming on a ‘silver platter’ now


Power of Law 2022 • Variety recognizes the best of the showbiz legal eagles on our impact list, while our 2022 honoree, Mathew Rosengart, made headlines around the world.


Legal Eagles Shape the Future • As entertainment lurches into a new reality, lawyers provide navigation for their clients


Rosengart Reigns Supreme • Britney Spears’ legal counsel is king of Hollywood litigators


Rosengart Is the Boss • Power attorney played guest DJ on Sirius XM’s Springsteen channel E Street Radio


The CORE Matter • Mathew Rosengart handles legal affairs for Sean Penn’s nonprofit, which recently expanded its charitable work to Ukraine


Legendary Leader • Fresh off the success of ‘Dune,’ Joshua Grode is optimistic about the future of the biz


Legal Impact Report • The entertainment industry’s top attorneys fight for their clients and win in the courtroom and at the negotiating table


Litigators


Transactional


No Limits to Justice for All • Andrew Brettler knows what it’s like to represent clients already tried in the court of public opinion


In-House


Up Next


Showbiz Law Pioneer Saw It All • After a long, high-profile run in entertainment law, Latham & Watkins’ Joe Calabrese is taking it easy


Humanist Comedian Makes an Impression • Lily Tomlin’s hands and feet will be imprinted at the Chinese Theatre


The Future of the Arthouse • There is good news for indie films as CinemaCon starts


Blockbuster Plan for Future • Imax bullish on the future of moviegoing as it tees up tentpoles and auteur-driven fare for its theaters

Contents The Slap That Won’t Stop Stinging


New Owners, Same Challenges • Networks remain skeptical about Nielsen’s TV measurement methods


Grammy Snubs and Surprises


TV STILL MORE PROFITABLE THAN STREAMING


The Last Mile • WarnerMedia and Discovery cruise toward deal-closing date as questions abound


Streaming Turbulence


Fingers on History • ‘The Simpsons’ uses deaf actors for the first time in its 33-year run


Second Chances • Martin McDonagh brings ‘Hangmen’ back to Broadway with a renewed appreciation for the stage


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EXPOSURE


Grammy Awards • MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas


Post-Parties


Pre-Parties


DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC? • FROM BASKETBALL BATTLES WITH LARRY BIRD AND MICHAEL JORDAN TO BECOMING THE FACE OF HIV TO THAT INFAMOUS LATE-NIGHT TALK SHOW, THE LAKERS STAR REVISITS HIS EXTRAORDINARY LIFE IN A NEW DOCUSERIES


Monstrous Bosses • How Kathleen Robertson rebooted ‘Swimming With Sharks’ as a TV series for Roku after Quibi imploded


DJ Khaled Rose From Record Stores to ‘The Best!’ • Music star works with top names but keeps focus on family and friends


The Best! • DJ Khaled’s top tracks


Estefans Keep Musical Miami Connection Tight • Married superstars’ art is inspired by and inspires the Magic City


Giving Back • Gloria and Emilio Estefans’ philanthropic works fill many community needs


Miami Stakes Showbiz Claim • South Florida lures heavy hitters from music, TV and film while celebrating Latino heritage


Miami Hit List • South Florida’s tastemakers push the envelope on global entertainment


South Florida Sees Luxury Rush • High-end real estate snapped up as low inventory gives sellers the upper hand


Bob Odenkirk Answered ‘Saul’s’ Call • ‘SNL’ writer segued from writing comedy to starring in drama


Standups Salute Mirth Mecca’s Golden Milestone • Career incubator of top comics marks 50 years in Hollywood while looking forward


Leading Lady • How Mitzi Shore transformed the Comedy Store


Memorable Moments • A look at significant events in the history of the Comedy Store


Defining Strength • Ashanti’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame comes 20 years after her breakout single, and she’s busier than ever


‘Everything Everywhere’ Limits the Double Takes • Stunt coordinator helps stars do the work in action comedy from the Daniels


The Twisted Lighting of ‘Severance’


Mick Jagger Horses Around With Spy Series Theme


Tokyo Vice


WRITERS OF AMERICA WEST • The WGAW wishes to honor the following members for their devotion to their craft and contribution to all of our lives. They will be missed.


Wet Leg


Lucius • “Nothing beats being in a room with 500 fans screaming your own lyrics.”

Contents Oscarcast Needs to Find Its Identity • Can the Academy Awards rebound from the slap heard round the world?


WINNERS’ CIRCLE • Those who took home this year’s Oscars share their moment in the spotlight


THE WINNERS


'CODA' FOR THE WIN • Troy Kotsur becomes the second deaf actor to earn an Academy Award on a triumphant night for Apple original films


KUDOS • TO THE 2022 OSCAR WINNERS & NOMINEES


ARTISANS TAKE CENTER STAGE • Craft winners celebrate their wins — even if they were denied a live TV moment with Oscar


SUNDAY NIGHT FEVER • HOLLYWOOD TURNED UP THE PARTY VOLUME AT LONG LAST FOR OSCAR WEEKEND


GRAMMYS 2022


THE STAGE IS SET • As the show moves to Las Vegas for yet another broadcast remix — thanks, omicron — what will music’s biggest night look like?


Instant Vintage • The retro sounds of Silk Sonic nabbed four Grammy noms this year. Here’s a look at other albums written intentionally (and often hilariously) to sound old.


LONG TIME COMING • Black women are making their voices heard in Nashville and beyond


TESTED AND TRIED • Terence Blanchard and Jon Batiste compare notes on making music in troubled times


WORST GRAMMYS EVER? • The 1992 ceremony took music’s biggest night to a new low


Street Urchins Made Good • The Red Hot Chili Peppers cement their rock-royalty status with a star on a boulevard they know so well


Supernatural Studio • The myth of the haunted ‘Blood Sex Sugar Magik’ sessions, dispelled … or is it?


Making ‘Unlimited Love’ • The Peppers’ 12th studio album reunites the band with guitarist John Frusciante


Savvy Business Leader Took Global Path to C-Suite • Sky Studios boss Cécile Frot-Coutaz, Variety Int’l Achievement in TV awardee, discusses content and strategy


Gillian Anderson Relishes Playing Radical Women • From Margaret Thatcher to Eleanor Roosevelt, the Variety CannesSeries Icon awardee has portrayed feminist role models


Inside the Animated Houston of ‘Apollo 10½’ • How live-action touches convey the nostalgia of Richard Linklater’s childhood


Making Moves for Charli XCX


‘Ghosts’ Hunt: Finally Finding Trevor’s Pants


Ambulance


How We Roll


Jazmine Sullivan • “The why for me is the story — it’s where the important stuff lies.”

Contents The Sally Field We Knew—and Didn’t Know


Crisis in the Magic Kingdom • Disney CEO faces unrest in the ranks but retains support of board


The Incredible Shrinking Pilot Season • The big five are ordering fewer of these offerings as COVID accelerates a shift in TV development


‘Pachinko’ Demands Big Bet • Small-screen adaptation of trilingual tale reflects cultural awakenings and a changing TV landscape


Better Together? • HBO Max and Discovery Plus face content and tech hurdles as the streamers combine


Tegna and the Private-Equity Battle for Local TV • Investors eye station deals but rapid sales turnover is bad for broadcasters


One Oscar to Rule Them All: What Wins the Top Award? • Final projections for the 94th Academy Awards ceremony


EXPOSURE


STAYING HUNGRY • After winning two Oscars and three Emmys, SALLY FIELD is still going strong at 75 with a trio of splashy projects


SALLY FIELD’S NOTABLE ROLES


QUICK TAKES


WANDA SYKES WON’T BE STAR-STRUCK • The first-time Oscar host talks ‘House of Gucci,’ the category controversy and the time she shushed Michelle Obama


WILL PACKER IS READY TO LEAD OSCAR CEREMONY’S RATINGS REVIVAL • Balancing pre-ceremony predictions and criticism with grace, the prolific producer and successful showman hopes to deliver


FASHION REFRESH • Celebrity stylists get creative with sustainable and diverse designs


RED CARPET REWIND • Ahead of the Academy Awards, Variety looks back at three nominees’ fashion highlights


PREP AND PAMPER • Sculpted skin and gleaming visages are top priority for glowing looks


EVAN FUNKE PREPARES TO TANTALIZE • With deep roots in both Oscar history and authentic Italian cuisine, one of Hollywood’s top chefs gets ready for the big night


THE ULTIMATE PARTY GUIDE • Film biz celebrates Oscar week in person again


SPIRITUALITY SHINES BRIGHT • Stars put their faith in designer Brooke Rayn’s jewelry


HOLLYWOOD HANGOUTS READY WITH FACELIFTS • Thanks to emerging and evolving spaces, newly opulent venues await


DESTINATION RELAXATION • Unwind apres awards season at these restorative locales


RACE TIPS FROM FOUR QUADRANTS • The potential is there for setting marks and breaking records on awards night


ACADEMY HONORS LEGACY TROUPE • Danny Glover to receive Jean Hersholt prize, while trio get honorary awards


94TH ACADEMY AWARDS BALLOT • Pick your favorites to win


From the Bank to ‘Boyz’ to the Walk of Fame • Morris Chestnut aims to mentor the next generation


High-Rise Living Heats Up • The downtown Los Angeles luxury real estate market resurges as pandemic eases


Nobody Does Buzz Better • Publicists Awards fete industry’s top praisery pros


Sun Valley Back on the Slopes • Idaho fest to honor Woody Harrelson, Amy Poehler and Danny Strong


A Foreboding Slurp Informs True-Crime Tale • Composers create an offbeat ‘Jaws’-like theme for ‘The Thing About Pam’


Choreographer Highlights the Process of Dancing in Lizzo’s ‘Big Grrrls’


Designing a Family History for ‘Pachinko’


Halo


The Lost City


Ke Huy Quan • ‘When you’re in a movie with the queen of martial arts movies, you need to step up your game’

Contents Disney’s Bob Chapek Still in Hot Water Over ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Imbroglio


These Movies Heated Up SXSW • The Texas festival, which returned for the first time since 2019, brought hope for Hollywood’s spring slate of theatrical releases


Ball in the Family • DeVaughn Nixon beat out brother Norm Nixon Jr. to play their Laker dad in HBO’s ‘Winning Time’


Sony’s Streaming Bet Is All About Anime • After buying Crunchyroll for $1.2 billion, the conglom is tooning its digital strategy to the superfan business


‘Windfall’ Hits Close to Home for Lily Collins


Mastering the Art of Julia Child Projects


William Hurt • Oscar-winning actor was meticulous yet embraced the moment


Celebrities Game for a Tropical Challenge


ROSY MEDIA EMPLOYMENT PICTURE


All Eyes on PGAs as Oscar Voting Begins • The film that takes the Producers Guild’s top honor may do the same at the Academy Awards


AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR “BANK TO THE STARS” • To City National Bank and Royal Bank of Canada.


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EXPOSURE


VAMPIRE WEEKEND JARED • Jared Leto is set to carry a comic book movie for the first time, playing Marvel antihero Morbius


YOU HAD ME AT ‘HALO’ • After 17 years of trying, the blockbuster video game has finally been adapted into a scripted TV series


Producers Guild Awards • The PGA membership gathers (at last!) to celebrate at an in-person event as Oscar voters get ready to mark their ballots and the dramatic awards season nears the final showdown.


Back and Better Than Ever • PGA goes in-person with awards as the org embraces change and challenges


Guild Fetes the Best • Return of PGA’s Honorary Awards adds exceitment to in-person ceremony


Last Looks as Voting Begins • Checking the top categories at the Academy Awards


DPs Shine a Light on the Latest Crop of Films and Shows • Top lensers to be feted by ASC in smaller ceremony


Cinema Audio Society Salutes Craft and Fellowship • Paul Massey and Ridley Scott to be honored along with film/TV pros


WGA Awards Sticks to Virtual Format During Uncertainty • Writers org celebrates scribes while adhering to core values


Diversity Triumphs Highlight Casting Society’s 40th Anniversary • Virtual Artios Awards celebrates year marked by many triumphs


Oscar Wilde Awards Salute Irish Connection • After a hiatus in 2021, ceremony moves to bigger space for COVID safety


Cruz and Iglesias: Mothers of Inventions • ‘Parallel’ nominees talk about their magical link and helmer Almodóvar


A Rebel and a ‘Creature’ of Hollywood • A conversation with Francis Ford Coppola on ‘The Godfather’ and his Walk of Fame star


Boy Wonder Coppola Grows Up in Hollywood • Before there was ‘The Godfather,’ there was Corman and Cannes


Tune in for This Talent • Variety’s 10 Europeans to Watch TV spotlights actors and content creators poised for a 2022 breakthrough


Series Mania’s Rise Reflects Buoyancy of Scripted Biz • The festival is a place where scriptwriters, producers and platforms can meet


Last-Minute Oscar Push for Top Contributors • Consider the work of these crew members when marking your ballot


Elevating Black Designers


A Clarion Call for Safety on Set


Everything Everywhere All at Once


The Girl From Plainville


Maren Morris • “I was intentionally leaving behind songs that were just depressing.”

Contents History in the Making at This Year’s Oscars


Great Reawakening • Producers believe Broadway may finally be on the road to recovery as COVID diminishes


C-Suite Shuffle • Creative executives are hot commodities as Hollywood charts its streaming future


Shady Ladies Invade the Small Screen


ROBLOX IS BIGGER THAN EVER — BUT HITTING A SNAG WITH YOUNGEST USERS


The Talent Hack • Management firms are selling stakes to production outfits eager to access marquee names


Developing Situation • Cate Blanchett banner Dirty Films juggles an eclectic slate


Baseball Lockout Hits Local Outlets Hardest • Loss of games due to MLB labor standoff sends regional networks scrambling


BAFTAs, CCAs Might Hold Key to Oscars • The front-runner for both ceremonies is ‘The Power of the Dog,’ but ‘Belfast’ might mount a comeback


Just for Variety: Oscar Nominees Luncheon • During the Academy’s annual gettogether on March 7 at the Fairmont Century Plaza hotel, some of the year’s biggest hopefuls stopped by Variety’s suite to chat and pose for a portrait. Here are four of the afternoon’s standouts.


EXPOSURE


EXPOSURE


THE NEXT KHAPTER • INSIDE THE KARDASHIANS’ PLAN TO STREAM THEIR WAY TO GREATER FAME AND WEALTH AS PART OF A NEW DEAL WITH HULU


AUSTIN’S ALCHEMY RETURNS • The festival’s in-person return is a sign of normalcy after its 2020 cancellation signaled the start of the pandemic


THE 10 HOTTEST THINGS TO CHECK OUT AT SXSW


Animation and Music


Animated Actors Craft Characters That Count • Voice performers used lots of methods to make sure their toon counterparts had emotional depth


New Perspective on Old Relationships • Oscar-nominated animated features delve into issues surrounding often messy situations found in families


Nominated Composers Cover Range of Genres • Voters use the category to score points


Songs to Savor • From Billie Eilish to Queen Bey and Van Morrison, nominees are inspired


Germaine Franco Makes History for Film Music • First Latina to be nominated and first woman to score a Disney film wins praise from peers


Entertainment: Great Escape? • The Critics Choice Awards nominees offer a response to troubled times


Crystal’s Career Mirrors Modern Showbiz History • Critics Choice honoree’s roots go deep into American entertainment


The DGA’s New Face • This year’s awards will be the first under president Lesli Linka Glatter


BAFTA Rule Changes Leave Awards in Flux • British Academy is torn between influencer status and individualism


BAFTAs Hope Rebel Wilson Shakes Up Ceremony • Aussie comedian reps a sharp change in direction for the event


Sounds Abound • Golden Reel noms mirror Oscar frontrunners


Guillermo del Toro’s Organic Approach to Filmmaking • ‘Nightmare Alley’ is a different film from those of his younger days


Hollywood’s Global Champion • MPA’s CEO Charles Rivkin talks China, piracy, incentives and much more


States Learn to Love Incentives • How ‘Chicago’ and the MPA brought productions back to the U.S.


The War on Piracy • MPA’s content-protection wing works with legal to ensure artists’ rights are protected globally


MPA Senior Leaders Take Diverse Approach • Team members make sure they change along with the industry


DEI Program Advocates ‘Holistic’ Art • The group has been ahead of the pack with its goals on racial depictions


Data Bank: An Invaluable Industry Resource • The org has collected stats for nearly a century, covering a broad spectrum of showbiz


Taiwan Goes Deep at SXSW •...

Contents Journalism’s Acid Test: Self-Coverage


Uncovered


Rising Stations • Broadcast outlets draw M&A interest as investors focus on fundamentals and future innovation


SAG Awards Ready for Live Takeoff


‘NCIS’ Favorite Finds New Role — Behind the Scenes


Black Excellence Exists in the Small Moments of Every Day • Striving for perfection is how many Black children were brought up — but it isn’t everything


Variety Elevates Brent Lang


NFT AWARENESS, OWNERSHIP RISE


Stacked Actors of ‘Studio 666’ • Dave Grohl explains why Foo Fighters romp through upcoming horror pic


Can You Hear Me Now? • Virtual goodbyes, technical glitches and access issues turn TCA into a seven-week endurance test


Stars of Upcoming TV Premieres


The Race for Lead Actress Is Wide Open • No Oscar nominees in the category come from best picture contenders, making it hard to handicap


JUST FOR VARIETY


New York’s The Hole Gallery Debuts Los Angeles Outpost


Celeb Chef Curtis Stone Gets Ready to Cook for 640 at the SAG Awards


EXPOSURE


LIZZO’S SISTERHOOD • THE ‘TRUTH HURTS’ SINGER IS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND STAR OF AMAZON’S REALITY SERIES ‘LIZZO’S WATCH OUT FOR THE BIG GRRRLS,’ WHERE SHE SEARCHES FOR A NEW SET OF PLUS-SIZE BACKUP DANCERS


Never-Ending Stories • Blockbusters such as ‘No Time to Die’ and ‘The Batman’ are getting long-winded. What’s behind the bloat?


Unbound TV • Producers revel in the freedom to vary episode run times — but it can be exhausting for viewers


Helen Mirren Continues Her Reign • SAG Life Achievement Award honoree moves from ‘Queen’ to ‘Duke’


Love and Loss During the Time of COVID • Int’l film nominees feature youth in search of a place in the world


Critics Take Victory Lap Over Runaway Int’l Nominees • Strong support sent voters to watch and respect films


Doc Race Puts Best Fact Forward • Nascent nonfiction distributors shake up race, add fresh faces and int’l flavors


NAACP Image Awards Salute Social and Cultural Action • Voting rights and midterm elections comprise themes of ceremony script


Editors Ace Punching Up Pace • ACE Eddies nominations celebrate gurus of shape and time


Oscars Go From Heyday to Mayday • Old standards of success won’t work anymore in our brave new world


Ranking Thesp’s ‘Strange’ Magic • Walk of Fame honoree Benedict Cumberbatch’s 10 best performances


Homebuying Booms Beyond Westside • In areas outside the L.A. Basin, real estate shortages send prices high while inventory shrinks


Selling the Luxe Life • These top-producing agents in California, Florida and New York lead a hot market to even more record sales


Miami Film Festival Celebrates Global Movie Culture • In-person program to honor international auteurs and pics


Cinema Italiano Festa in L.A. • Filming Italy — Los Angeles set to fete Giancarlo Giannini and fresh film and TV titles


‘Euphoria’ Music Supervisor Channels Nostalgia • Alt-rock and hip-hop hits from the 1980s and ’90s help the show find its groove


Making an Impact on Black History — and Entertainment — Through Hair Design


Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber


Cyrano


Katy Perry • “There are moments in the show where I think, ‘WWLD — What Would Liza Do?’”

Contents Academy Needs to Keep Oscar Attendees Safe


Uncovered


David Zaslav Gets Under the Hood of Warner Bros. Discovery • Chief exec aims to hit the ground running after regulators approve AT&T spinoff deal


Irreverent Producer-Director Made Comedy Its Own Rebellion • Ivan Reitman: 1946-2022


A Surprising Ride for ‘Drive My Car’


ENTERTAINMENT’S DEMOGRAPHIC DIVIDE


Hollywood Touches Down at the Super Bowl • The big game featured L.A. commercial shoots, music stars from the city — and a made-for-TV ending


Subdued Berlin Battles Through Pandemic • Virtual market yields fewer sales but indie lineup is robust and provocative


Lessons From My Mother, Jacqueline Avant • She never let me leave the house without the knowledge of my history


Beyond ‘Boba’: Lucasfilm Jumps to Light Speed • ‘Willow’ and ‘Andor’ series coming later this year as Disney Plus steps up its ‘Star Wars’ content


Stars of Upcoming TV Shows


Can ‘Dune’ Become the New ‘Cabaret’? • How Denis Villeneuve’s director snub can help the film in the artisan races


OUR TOWN • JUST FOR VARIETY


Awards Season Prep Talk


The Blame Game: Andy Warhol Goes to Trial in New Musical


EXPOSURE


KEN BURNS is scared about the future of America. • Ken Burns’ documentaries help define the American experience; he’s back with a new film — and an urgent warning


BACK ON THE CASE • The return of ‘Law & Order’ offers Sam Waterston the surreal experience of revisiting prosecutor Jack McCoy after 11 years


Characters at a Crossroads • Several picture nominees tell stories of pivotal moments in a young life


SAG Awards Offer First Look at Voters’ Thoughts • Film noms put family to the fore, while ‘Squid Game’ opens up foreign-language series


What Buzz Does in Year of Uncertainty • Pandemic punditry throws Oscar’s parallel race off course


Adam McKay Is Seriously Funny • Walk of Fame honoree finds the intersection between terror and humor


SCAD TVfest Grows Virtual Success in 10th Edition • Format allows for more participation from home and abroad


Variety Inaugural Showrunner Award Honors ‘Hacks’ Triumvirate • Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello and Paul W.Downs dug deep to create the HBO Max hit


Surface Changes Create Character Alterations • Makeup Artists & Hair Stylists Guild nominations target transformations


For ‘Uncharted’ Crew, the Game’s the Treasure • Creatives aimed to stay true to the look and sound of the PlayStation original while planting a few Easter eggs


‘Catch the Fair One’ Cinematographer Leans Into Darren Aronofsky’s Influence


Wealth — and Vulnerability — on the Nile


NINTH ANNUAL MAKE-UP ARTISTS & HAIR STYLISTS GUILD AWARDS


Fire


Space Force


Elsie Fisher • “It was fun to feel like I was back home every weekday while we were all getting slaughtered.”

Contents Jeff Zucker Should Have Known That Workplace Equity Matters


Uncovered


CNN Could Face Reset Under Discovery • David Zaslav is expected to focus more on news than opinion when his company takes control of the network, now without Jeff Zucker


A Supersized Kickoff • Peacock pins hopes on Will Smith’s new rendition of ‘Bel-Air’


Now Streaming: Madea’s Big Return • Tyler Perry’s signature character revived at Netflix as part of his budding relationship with the company


Stars of Upcoming TV Premieres


10 Films and a Series to Watch (Not Just) During Black History Month


Henson TV Boss Finds New Creatures and Returns to ‘Fraggle Rock’ • Halle Stanford on her new collaboration with ‘Walking Dead’ star Norman Reedus


Behind the Music, Super Bowl Edition


HBO MAX DOWNLOADS SURGE IN JANUARY


Netflix May Finally Have the ‘Power’ for the Oscar • Streamer hopes to at long last win the coveted best picture trophy


JUST FOR VARIETY


Ultimate Super Bowl Party Guide 2022


Michael Strahan’s Tips for Throwing a Super Bowl Viewing Party


CHECK, PLEASE!


Newborns & Nuptials


EXPOSURE


TACKLING THE MEGACAST • Peyton and Eli Manning’s buzzy ‘Monday Night Football’ experiment reflects the urgency to reinvent sports TV for a new era


FIELD OF STREAMS • Will tech-enhanced livestreams be game changers for younger fans — or are they niche gimmicks?


SHES FINALLY THE BOSS • Women are at last rising to leadership roles as A&R executives, breaking through what has always been an exclusionary boys’ club


Oscar Nominations


Big Year for Oscar • Epics, surprises and the usual controversy mark Academy Awards nominations


Oscar’s Classy Freshmen and Vets • Vibrant mix enlivens this year’s awards race


Talk Show Physician Gets Star Treatment • Dr. Mehmet Oz receives Walk of Fame honor for ability to bring healing and help to the masses


Lone Star State Sings Praises • Lefty Frizzell, Nanci Griffith, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Mark James will be honored at this year’s Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame


Lefty’s Bakersfield Baton Pass • New Merle Haggard biography recounts historic encounter between two country legends


Glitzy Gown Carries Heavy Burden • Costume designer Caroline Duncan builds dynamic wardrobe for Jennifer Lopez in ‘Marry Me’


Rocking a Criminal Look


Sounding Out the Next Generation


Death on the Nile


Bel-Air


Jordan Weiss • “How do these women grow up without growing apart?”

Contents The Power of Protest!


Uncovered


With Spinoff, AT&T Picks Safer Exit for WarnerMedia • Telco’s decision ahead of Discovery merger avoids a direct investor referendum on streaming


‘Ghosts’ Leaps Out as Primetime Hit • CBS single-camera sitcom trails only ‘Young Sheldon’ as the top-rated broadcast comedy


Honoring Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the ‘Father of Black History’


‘Claws’ Showrunner Launches Banner That Champions Inclusion


VARIETY INTELLIGENCE PLATFORM VIP+ • NFL ON TRACK FOR SUPER BOWL BOOST


Remembered: 1940-2022 Howard Hesseman • Actor best known for playing the beloved counterculture DJ on ‘WKRP’ was a talented actor and a gentle soul


Call of Dollars • Video game industry sees fast-growing esports sector as ripe for bigger TV platforms


Now Showing: Fewer Movies


Final Oscar Nomination Predictions • An unpredictable awards season is sure to yield a few surprises


JUST FOR VARIETY


Mike D, Kid Cudi Front Levi’s ’90s Nostalgia Campaign


Inside Four Seasons Beverly Hills’ New Director Suite


Dress Like an Olympian


Carrie, Quite Contrary


‘Artists Inspired by Music: Interscope Reimagined’ Opening • LACMA, Los Angeles


THE BALANCING ACT • AFTER TAKING A BREAK FROM ACTING TO PRODUCE, CHANNING TATUM IS BACK WITH DIRECTORIAL DEBUT ‘DOG,’ ‘THE LOST CITY’ OPPOSITE SANDRA BULLOCK — AND MORE ‘MAGIC MIKE’


‘WE WANT TO DISCOVER NEW TERRITORY’ • HOW CHANNING TATUM AND REID CAROLIN BUILT FREE ASSOCIATION


Three COSMOS, please • ‘AND JUST LIKE THAT…’ SHOWRUNNER MICHAEL PATRICK KING DISHES ON HOW HE BROUGHT ‘SEX AND THE CITY’ BACK — WITHOUT SAMANTHA


SHE COULDN’T HELP BUT WONDER… • Sarah Jessica Parker on returning to Carrie Bradshaw


Berlin Is (Almost, 100%) Back • The festival sees positive response from the global film community despite a shorter length and virtual European Film Market


Germany Balances on the Edge • Exhibitors cheer Berlin’s in-person move as a necessary cultural event but still see huge challenges ahead as pandemic continues


Fresh Faces Light Up Screens • European Film Promotion’s Shooting Stars ready to take center stage at the Berlinale


King of the Clubhouse: Andy Cohen Revels in His Rise • Executive’s on-camera work leads him to Hollywood Walk of Fame


Anything Can Happen on ‘Live’ • Andy Cohen recalls outrageous moments from his shows


John Williams a Whirlwind at 90 • Legendary composer releases new Berlin Orchestra recording


Our Favorite Artisan Moments of the Past Year


Pam & Tommy


Catch the Fair One


Discoveries From a Virtual Sundance • Debuting indies online instead of in Park City definitely puts a damper on the buzz factor; here are the breakouts from this year’s fest, with dozens more reviews online