Buzzzz-o-Meter: Big Blanket, a Cruelty-Free Lash Collection and More That Hollywood Is Buzzing About This Week

Wilson Chapman editorCandle Media co-CEOs Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs have been making waves in Hollywood for the past year as they hunt for content assets to acquire with the help of a bankroll from private executive giant Blackstone.The pair has mostly kept quiet about the venture, but Mayer sat down this month at the SXSW conference and festival in Austin, Texas, for a keynote session that featured his most expansive remarks to date on the new-model studio that he and Staggs are trying to build.In the conversation with MediaLink CEO Michael Kassan that was moderated by Variety co-editor-in-chief Cynthia Littleton, Mayer answered a number of key questions about how Candle Media intends to function — for one, it’s not a holding company nor an operating entity — and he detailed the vision for “social commerce” activity tied to such 360-media stars such as Reese Witherspoon, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. “We do have a vision for a modern creator economy business,” Mayer said.

Johnny Depp, 58, and his ex-wife, Amber Heard, 35, are getting ready to duke it out in court again, over a $50 million defamation lawsuit filed by Johnny against Amber in March 2019. According to court documents obtained by HollywoodLife, the upcoming showdown, which is taking place in a Fairfax County, Virginia, courtroom, will include communication that took place between the two and various celebrities, including Aquaman actor, Jason Momoa, 42, and Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling, 56.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief‘The Batman’ flew to an opening weekend of $11.6 million and landed in first place at the box office in China. It was the biggest opening this year in China for a Hollywood title but, with a return of coronavirus problems affecting cinema operations, the result has a tinge of missed opportunity.Data from consultancy Artisan Gateway showed the film amassing $11.8 million including previews from Thursday. Imax reported that the film earned $2 million of that total from its screens or 16% of the films China weekend total.

Refresh for latest…: Just days after Warner Bros/DC’s The Batman rounded the five-century mark globally, it is now just shy of $600M worldwide in its third weekend. A $49.1M overseas frame (down 46% versus last session) brings the international box office cume on the Matt Reeves-directed pic to $298M, with global standing at $598.1M through Sunday.

Heating up in Hollywood! Celebrities are known for their impeccable taste, and Us Weekly has the scoop on all of their latest favorites.

After two weeks in theaters, Warner Bros./DC’s “The Batman” has passed $500 million at the global box office, with more than half of that total coming from domestic theaters. On Wednesday, “The Batman” added $5.75 million domestically, bringing its total to $258.3 million in North America and $505.8 million worldwide.

Lisa Kudrow gathers up with her young co-stars at the premiere of Better Nate Than Ever held at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on Tuesday night (March 15).

Lisa Kudrow is all in for a  sequel. ET's Matt Cohen spoke to Kudrow at the premiere of her new film,  in Hollywood Tuesday, where she dished on the possibility of revisiting the '90s classic.«Tell Disney you want a sequel!» Kudrow said when asked what it would take for her to return for part two. «Robin Schiff will figure it out.

Heating up in Hollywood! If you love multivitamins or if you’re looking for a clean shampoo and body wash company, Us Weekly has you covered.

In the first five minutes of his conversation with Universal Film Entertainment Group Chairman Donna Langley today at SXSW, CNN’s Frank Pallotta got to the aorta of what anyone in Hollywood wants to know from the studio boss: what’s the situation on theatrical-day-and-date, the state of moviegoing and whether the pandemic truly messed the business up.

Zoe Kravitz said she felt "a little uncomfortable" on location in Monterey, California, while filming "Big Little Lies." "There were a few moments where I felt a little uncomfortable because it is such a White area," Kravitz, 33, told The Guardian. "Just weird racist people in bars and things like that," Kravitz said when asked by the outlet to elaborate on what she meant.

Lakeith Stanfield is opening up about what it was like to return to his former high school after achieving success in Hollywood.

Lily-Rose Depp is spending some quality time with her boyfriend!

Louisa Jacobson just made her talk show debut!

confirmed to Variety on Wednesday that she passed away on Feb. 25 in her Texas home from cancer.“Farrah was fierce, tender, loyal, loving, strong, funny, smart, protective, kind, passionate and utterly irreplaceable,” they said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

Farrah Abraham is checking into a rehabilitation center and treatment facility to get past recent trauma.

Sasha Urban editorThe Hollywood Critics Association held its fifth annual awards on Monday in-person at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles, Calif.Siân Heder’s “CODA,” which won for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture at the SAG Awards Sunday, took the top award for best picture, with Heder winning for adapted screenplay and Troy Kotsur winning for supporting actor. The HCA also honored the cast of the film with a spotlight award, while the best cast ensemble award went to the cast of Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast.”“Dune” led the evening with four awards, including the best director tie between Denis Villeneuve and “Power of the Dog” helmer Jane Campion.