David Harewood to Succeed Kenneth Branagh as President of RADA, Cynthia Erivo Appointed Vice President

EXCLUSIVE: Imagine Entertainment has hired Jeb Brody to be President of Imagine Features. Brody had most recently been President of Amblin Partners, which was downsized by Steven Spielberg. Imagine founders Brian Grazer and Ron Howard are bringing Brody aboard to lean more heavily into feature films.

EXCLUSIVE: After a five-year run at the company and the recent acquisition of Oscar nominee Io Capitano, Robert Aaronson has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Cohen Media Group (CMG).

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Nick Offerman and Betty Gilpin have joined the upcoming Netflix historical drama series “Death by Lightning,” Variety has learned. The duo join previously announced series leads Matthew Macfadyen and Michael Shannon in the show, which will tell the story of U.S. President James Garfield (Shannon) and his assassination by Charles Guiteau (Macfadyen).

EXCLUSIVE: David Dastmalchian (Oppenheimer) has been tapped to star opposite Alexander Skarsgård on Apple TV+‘s new sci-fi series Murderbot from Academy Award nominees Chris and Paul Weitz (About a Boy, Mozart in the Jungle).

Sting still owns the famous codpiece that he wore in David Lynch’s 1984 film version of Dune.The musician played the role of Feyd-Rautha in the film – the nephew of and heir to Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Kenneth McMillan). In one memorable scene in the film, Sting is naked, apart from a bright blue winged codpiece.Now, Austin Butler, who plays the same character in the second part of Denis Villeneuve’s new film adaptation of Dune, has revealed that Sting told him personally that he still owns the legendary item of clothing.“Sting obviously played the part in David Lynch’s [version],” Butler said during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this week.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor David Duchovny is diving deep into screwing up in “Fail Better,” marking his first foray as a podcast host. The actor, writer, director, author and singer-songwriter’s seasonal weekly series is produced by podcast network Lemonada Media. “Fail Better” is slated to premiere in May 2024, to be available across all major audio platforms.

EXCLUSIVE: Effective immediately, Walt Disney‘s President of Motion Picture Studios Sean Bailey, who turned the company’s animation vault into a multibillion-dollar live-action movie business, is departing after 15 years on the lot. Searchlight co-president David Greenbaum is stepping in to replace him.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Disney executive Sean Bailey is exiting after 15 years as the motion picture group’s president of production. He’ll be replaced by Searchlight’s chief David Greenbaum, who has been named to the newly created role of president of Live Action and 20th Century Studios.

Investigation Discovery has named Kathryn Vaughan to the post of senior vice president, head of production. Vaughan will be based in New York and report to Jason Sarlanis, president of Turner Networks, Investigation Discovery and HLN, linear and streaming.

Sir Keir Starmer said his party would deal with Donald Trump if the United States chooses him as the next president.

EXCLUSIVE: Dylan O’Brien is set to headline in James Sweeney‘s dark comedy Twinless, which the latter wrote and will also star in. Republic Pictures has taken global rights to the movie. Cameras are currently rolling on the movie in Portland, OR. O’Brien will executive produce.

David Harewood is the new President of famed British acting school the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

Jason Wormser has been named Senior Vice President of CW Sports.

Wicked: Part One has given the first look at Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as the witches of Oz.The trailer premiered tonight (February 11) during the Super Bowl 2024 broadcast as the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers face off against each other in Las Vegas.“Something just takes over me, and when it does, bad things happen,” Erivo’s Elphaba tells Grande’s Glinda after the latter expresses shock at her green skin. Later, Glinda reassures her: “Don’t be afraid.”“I’m not afraid,” Elphaba replies.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo took us to Oz in the very first trailer for their new Wicked movie, and they flew straight from there to the 2024 Super Bowl!

The first trailer for the Wicked movie has arrived!

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are a vision in green and pink as they grace the fantastical land of Oz in Jon M. Chu’s upcoming movie musical. And the first look at the film, which debuted during the Super Bowl on Sunday, unfolds to the familiar strains of “Defying Gravity,” the show’s signature anthem.

Intellectual property and franchising always mean trying to use some popular I.P. and spinning it however possible.

West Ham manager David Moyes has reassured fans that England midfielder Kalvin Phillips will be given plenty of time to become a key player for the team. Phillips, who joined West Ham on loan from Manchester City, had a rocky start but Moyes is not worried.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Universal is down a director for its next “Jurassic World” installment after negotiations with David Leitch went the way of the dinosaur. The parting is said to be amicable. However, the breakdown in talks leaves the studio in search of a new filmmaker to take over one of its most popular franchises.