Amazon European Originals Creative Chief Daniel Grabiner Exits, Replaced by Tara Erer

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic How much is Paul Westerberg like Bob Dylan? That’s a provocative question — maybe one we need to save for when we know each other better. So let’s just start a related, but easier, one.

Rudie Obias editor If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. “Gran Turismo” is the latest video game movie from PlayStation Productions and it’s available to stream as a digital purchase on Amazon Prime Video on September 26.

The Office might be coming back.

Caroline Brew editor After 37 years in the making, “Of Things Past” will debut on Oct. 3 on Amazon, Vudu and other major VOD platforms. Reimagined by TGA Productions and Cedar Films Studios, the movie will include footage from both 1985 — when filming began — and 2022, when an additional storyline was shot.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Panos Panay, who is exiting as Microsoft’s as chief product officer, has been hired to run Amazon’s devices group, which houses the Fire TV streaming devices, Kindle e-readers, Alexa voice assistant and Echo smart speakers, according to a Bloomberg report. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Whitney Cinkala Variety has announced the lineup for its annual Business of Broadway Breakfast, presented by City National Bank and taking place in New York on Oct. 2.

Zack Sharf Digital News Director “Casino Royale” director Martin Campbell recently told Express UK that he was concerned Daniel Craig wasn’t sexy enough to be James Bond when his name was thrown into the ring to replace Pierce Brosnan as 007. The filmmaker had previously directed Brosnan in the beloved 1995 Bond tentpole “GoldenEye” and was returning to the franchise at the time to launch a new 007 following Brosnan’s exit after 2002’s “Die Another Day.” “My only reticence with Daniel…he was really a superb actor, there’s no doubt about that,” Campbell said.

James Bond director Martin Campbell has said he was sceptical of Daniel Craig playing the role of 007.Campbell directed 2006’s Casino Royale, which was Craig’s first film in the role after taking over from Pierce Brosnan.Speaking to The Express, Campbell explained why he was a little hesitant to cast the actor in the legendary role, largely owing to his physical differences from previous Bonds.“My only reticence with Daniel… he was really a superb actor, there’s no doubt about that… it was the fact that with people like Sean Connery, Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan was that they were all traditional looking Bonds,” Campbell said. “All handsome guys, all sexy, all very attractive to women and so forth.“Daniel was obviously tougher and ruggeder, but he wasn’t a traditional handsome guy,” he added.

When I was in college cinema courses I made a Super 8 film called Movie Girl. It was a Hollywood-set love letter to movies centered on a Musso & Franks waitress who put herself dreamily into the plots of classic films. It won an award there but was the highlight of the directing career I never had. However I have always been partial to filmmakers who put their own early film going experience and passion into their careers now. You may have heard of them. Kenneth Branagh won an Oscar for doing just that in Belfast. Steven Spielberg got several nominations last year for his very personal The Fabelmans . Woody Allen had his own charming take in The Purple Rose Of Cairo. Peter Bogdanovich made a lasting impression with 1971’s The Last Picture Show, as did Giuseppe Tornatore with his Oscar winner, Cinema Paradiso. It is a combination of the latter two especially that might describe the feel of the latest movie about the love of movies, The Movie Teller (La Contadora de Peliculas) which had its World Premiere tonight at the Toronto Film Festival. And just in sheer numbers of classic film clips incorporated into its near two hour running time, this one sets a record in the little sub-genre. For movie lovers everywhere The Movie Teller is a must see.

EXCLUSIVE: Zola Mashariki, the former Fox Searchlight and BET exec who has headed up Audible Studios for the last two years, is leaving the Amazon-owned company.

EXCLUSIVE: Don’t bet the farm on Amazon parting ways with Jeremy Clarkson.

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has reportedly been in talks about a “secret role” in Deadpool 3.The delayed film, starring Ryan Reynolds, will hit cinemas on September 6, 2024 and be directed by Shawn Levy.According to insider Daniel Richtman, Radcliffe has now become an unlikely rumour for an unspecified role in the forthcoming Marvel film.Nothing has yet been revealed regarding the type or level of role that Radcliffe may take in the film.A first look at Deadpool 3 was shared earlier this summer, featuring Hugh Jackman‘s high-profile return as Wolverine.In a new post on Reynolds’ Instagram, a first look of Jackman’s latest portrayal of Wolverine has been shared, and the yellow and blue costume worn in the picture hints at a return to the Wolverine from the classic comic books, moving away from the iteration previously played by Jackman in other films.“Don’t blink,” Reynolds wrote on his Stories, sharing a photo of Jackman alongside himself as Deadpool.Last year, Jackman revealed that he needed one specific guarantee to get him to play Wolverine in Deadpool 3 – namely that it wouldn’t ruin the end of Logan.Jackman had previously said that there was no chance of him returning to the role, however, he will now star in Deadpool’s first MCU movie.

Another senior Amazon Studios UK executive is exiting for the indie production sector.

The WICT Network, an association serving women in media, is honoring four execs at the upcoming Leadership Excellent Awards (LEA).

EXCLUSIVE: UK unscripted vet Daniel Pearl is exiting Paramount UK for Lion TV.

The identity of Dan Grabiner’s new production house wasn’t secret for long. The outgoing Amazon UK exec is teaming with British factual veteran Nicola Hill to launch Orchard Studios.

EXCLUSIVE: Amazon’s UK content arm, which is behind series such as Clarkson’s Farm and The Rig, is saying goodbye to its boss.

Gogglebox stars Stephen Webb and husband Daniel Lustig have announced their departure from the much-loved Channel 4 show after a decade on the programme as they made an emotional statement on social media on Thursday.

Disney+ dropped a new trailer for Loki Season 2 and the god of mischief is trying to understand what is happening around him.

Coronation Street star Daniel Brocklebank has shared a sweet relationship update with his fans weels after going 'Instagram official' with his new man. The actor shared his first photo on social media alongside his boyfriend Jordan Coulthard at the end of July.