Dark Star Pictures Acquires Australian Queer Horror Film ‘Bad Girl Boogey’ (Exclusive)

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Sarah Snook is pregnant in real life — and in HBO’s “Succession” — but in “Run Rabbit Run,” she plays a mother and fertility doctor who is frightened by her young daughter’s inexplicable memories of a past identity. The Australian thriller from director Daina Reid and writer Hannah Kent released its first trailer as the film is confirmed to screen at next month’s Sydney Film Festival. “Run Rabbit Run” made its world premiere as the opening title of the Midnight section of the Sundance festival in January. The film will launch on Netflix on June 28. Emmy-nominated Snook stars alongside Damon Herriman and Greta Scacchi. Variety’s review from Sundance called the film an “effective if familiar mommy-issues chiller.”

Olivia Plath is mourning the loss of her brother.

EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong-American actor Byron Mann (Wu Assassins) has joined the cast of Korean studio Showbox’s Moral Hazard (working title), alongside previously announced Korean stars Yoo Hai-jin (The Night Owl) and Lee Je-hoon (Taxi Driver 2).

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor DR Sales has sold Canadian distribution rights for Norwegian director Tonje Hessen Schei’s “Praying for Armageddon” to LevelFilm. The deal was revealed follows the film’s North American premiere at Hot Docs Film Festival. The film made its world premiere in CPH:DOX. The film explores the power and influence of powerful U.S. fundamentalist evangelicals as they aim to fulfil the biblical prophecy of Armageddon. With close quarters journalism, the feature documentary embeds with American believers who prepare for the Holy War and exposes how powerful megachurch pastors call for the “final battle” that they believe will trigger the Second Coming of Christ. A deep dive into power and policy, the film unveils how politicians driven by faith embrace Israel as the key to their prophetic vision for the end of days. At any cost.

No bad blood here! Bradley Cooper and ex-girlfriend Irina Shayk reunited for a chat inside the Met Gala on Monday, May 1.

Naman Ramachandran Global independent film distributor Gravitas Ventures has acquired North American, Australian and New Zealand rights to Scott Lyus’ debut feature, “Walking Against the Rain.” The follows the story of Blair and Tommy, two strangers who traverse an empty landscape in search of each other, relying only on their two soon-to-die battery-operated radio mics for communication. As they try to evade a new evil monster, they confront loss and grief and learn to trust humanity once again. “Walking Against The Rain” is written and directed by Lyus and produced in partnership with Chris Nials under their U.K. production company Crossroad Pictures.

EXCLUSIVE: Beijing-based world sales and multi-territory distribution outfit Tiger Pictures Entertainment has acquired international rights to Chinese comedy Godspeed, which is currently topping China’s May Day holiday box office.

Sydney Sweeney and her fiance Jonathan Davino are still going strong.

Angelina Pivarnick said yes… Again!

Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor Shiv’s the boss! On “Succession,” Sarah Snook plays the youngest Roy daughter Siobhan “Shiv” Roy, who isn’t sitting idly by while her newly minted co-CEO brothers run the media empire Waystar Royco — and neither is Snook with her Emmy chances. Variety has learned exclusively that Snook will be submitted into the lead drama actress category for this year’s Primetime Emmys, changing from her supporting bids for the three previous seasons. “Succession” is exhibiting its finest writing, directing and acting of the show’s short history. With each new weekly episode, Snook has shined dramatically, becoming the season’s clear standout of the large, sprawling ensemble. This campaign shift could now firmly cement her as the presumptive front-runner for the most coveted television prize for acting.

McKinley Franklin editor Cinedigm has acquired the North American rights to horror-comedy film “Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls,” which will be released in theaters this fall, Variety has learned exclusively. The film is based on writer, director and star Andrew Bowser’s viral character, Onyx, which has accumulated over 300 million views online with over 1 million followers on TikTok. According to the film’s official plot description, as an “amateur occultist, [Onyx] learns that sometimes when you raise HELL…you get a little burned.” Just when Onyx is about to give up his paranormal pursuits, he receives an invitation to meet with his idol, Bartok the Great, to take part in a ritual to revive an ancient demon. Onyx makes friends with fellow disciples as things take a turn for the worst and they battle to keep their souls. 

Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe has made his debut as a first-time dad, as he was spotted pushing a pram in New York City. Daniel, 33, welcomed his first baby with long-term partner Erin Darke, 38, who he has been dating for over 10 years. The former British child star was pictured with the newborn while Erin followed on behind the pram.

Daniel Craig will star alongside Outer Banks actor Drew Starkey in the upcoming movie Queer.

EXCLUSIVE: MVD Entertainment Group has claimed North American rights to the darkly comedic thriller Wrong Reasons, marking the feature debut of writer-director Josh Roush. The film, executive produced by and featuring Kevin Smith (Clerks III, Red State), is slated for release on digital, VOD, Blu-ray and DVD on August 15.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Luca Guadagnino will next direct the William S. Burroughs adaptation “Queer” with Daniel Craig playing the renowned counterculture author’s alter ego, an outcast American expat who lives in Mexico, and “Outer Banks” star Drew Starkey starring as a younger man with whom he becomes madly infatuated. “Queer” will also topline Lesley Manville (“The Crown”), frequent Wes Anderson collaborator Jason Schwartzman; and Henry Zaga (“The New Mutants”), according to inside sources. The boldly ambitious indie film is set to start shooting this month at Rome’s refurbished Cinecittà Studios where the Mexico City-set movie will be filmed in its entirety.

EXCLUSIVE: Ben Cosgrove and Josh Foer’s Leviathan Productions has tapped Daniel Handler, the visionary behind the hit children’s book series A Series of Unfortunate Events, to pen a contemporary horror film based on the Golem legend from Jewish folklore, which Cosgrove will produce.

Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner have set the internet on fire after a video of the two showed them dancing and having a good time in Coachell together. Still, Jenner’s ex Devin Booker doesn’t think the relationship between the two is “serious.” Bad Bunny’s big surprise at Coachella: Is Kendall Jenner joining him?Is Bad Bunny beefing with Harry Styles?A post shared by @badbunnyprA source close to Booker spoke to US Weekly, claiming that he isn’t happy with Jenner and Bad Bunny’s relationship.

Ed Meza @edmezavar Warner Bros. Intl. Television Prod. (WBITVP) has appointed former Fremantle exec Harry Gamsu as new VP, creative, for format, development and sales. He will report to Andrew Zein, SVP creative, for format development and sales and oversee relations between WBITVP’s international division and the WB’s U.S. TV production units Warner Horizon, Telepictures and Shed. Gamsu will also evaluate formats in WB’s catalogue for international exploitation and format sales to Canada. He succeeds Adam Steinman, who ankled WBITVP earlier this year. In his previous role as VP of non-scripted content acquisitions at Fremantle, Gamsu managed the U.S. content acquisition team and working on factual and entertainment series.

Erykah Badu has announced the dates for her "Unfollow Me" tour with direct support from Black Star member Yasiin Bey f.k.a. Mos Def.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Religion of Sports, the Emmy Award-winning sports media company founded by director and producer Gotham Chopra, American football legend and Hall of Famer Michael Strahan, and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, has acquired Jiva Maya, a U.K.-based production company formed in 2020 by writer and director Manish Pandey (“Senna,” “Grand Prix Driver,” “Lucky!”).  The deal marks the second company that was brought underneath the ROS umbrella, following the acquisition of Main Event Media earlier this year. The combined company plans to significantly expand its work in global football, cricket, and motorsport, especially Formula 1, for which Pandey is known.