Giant Pictures Hires Ahbra Perry and Jennifer Luisi, Ups Madeleine Schumacher to Director Roles (Exclusive)

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International The debate around self-taped auditions has been quietly gaining traction in the U.K., where many actors share their American counterparts’ concerns about the regulation of the popular practice. Variety can reveal that a group of U.K. actors have now launched a set of revised self-tape guidelines in a bid to raise awareness of a model they say is broken and inequitable. The collective argues that self-taping requirements rob actors of the in-studio learning experience and feedback from directors. Under the new guidelines, actors should receive a full script rather than small excerpts; know how many other tapes are being submitted; get sufficient time to deliver their materials; and have transparency on where their tapes will end up.

Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor are enjoying a romantic day out.

Sony Pictures Classics announced today they have acquired all rights in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Scandinavia, India, Middle East, Turkey, Southeast Asia (excluding Taiwan and South Korea) and airlines within those territories to Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal’s upcoming Bossa Nova-themed animated film, “They Shot the Piano Player.” Sony Classics plans to release the film at the end of the year to qualify for year-end awards consideration.A true international production, the film is produced by Cristina Huete of Trueba PC (“Chico & Rita”) in Spain, along with Serge Lalou for Les Films d’Ici (“Josep”) in France, Janneke van de Kerkhof for Submarine Sublime (“Buñuel in the Labyrinth of Turtles”) in the Netherlands, and Humberto Santana in Portugal. It is executive produced by Nano Arrieta of Atlantika and Fabien Westerhoff of Film Constellation.From Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal, who previously directed the Oscar-nominated “Chico & Rita,” “They Shot the Piano Player” is narrated by Jeff Goldblum.

Sony Pictures Classics has picked up rights to the animated feature They Shot the Piano Player for the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Scandinavia, India, the Middle East, Turkey, Southeast Asia (excluding Taiwan and South Korea) and airlines within the aforementioned territories. The film from Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal, two of the directors behind the Oscar-nominated animated feature Chico and Rita, is set up for a fall awards push from SPC.

Lionel Richie is looking back on his time in London fondly! Earlier this month, the «All Night Long» singer performed at King Charles III and Queen Camilla's royal coronation, and to return the favor, the newly crowned monarchs made a surprise cameo on . Speaking with ET's Denny Directo after Sunday's Disney Night episode of , Richie gushed over how «gracious» Charles and Camilla are.

K.J. Yossman Writers have staged a protest outside the Motion Picture Association of America’s (MPAA) European headquarters in solidarity with the WGA. A number of writers including Jennifer Davidson, the chair of Writers Guild of Ireland, and “Blasts From the Past” writer and director Hugh Farley participated in the protest in Brussels on Thursday evening, where it is understood the MPAA were holding a “social event for industry reps and friends,” according to a source. “What else are you going to do when you’re in Brussels with a bunch of writers guilds?!” Davidson tweeted along with photos and videos of the gathering.

BreAnna Bell Scott Ly has signed on to join HBO’s “The Sympathizer” in a recurring role, Variety has learned. He’s attached to play Gunner Dao, a Vietnamese former soldier who escaped to the US and is part of the Recon squad. Ly joins previously announced cast members Hoa Xuande, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Vy Le and Alan Trong, Sandra Oh, Kieu Chinh and Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen. Robert Downey Jr. is slated to play multiple supporting roles as the main antagonists. He also serves as an executive producer on the project. Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning debut novel of the same name, “The Sympathizer” is an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his resulting exile in the United States. Production recently wrapped and took place between Thailand and Los Angeles.

Ed Sheeran has opened up about the "dreadful" gig which prompted him to quit drinking alcohol before his live shows. The Thinking Out Loud singer, 32, explained how he used to drink tequila shots in between songs at his shows, which would make him "play longer" but after one particular gig, he decided he needed to give it up.

American Idol might be the last show we’d expect to share a synergy crossover with the coronation of the next British monarch, but here we are!

King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s unexpected cameo during Sunday’s “American Idol” was almost as big a surprise for Ryan Seacrest as it was for everyone watching.

The King and Queen appeared on American Idol as surprise guests amid the coronation celebrations.

American Idol welcomed royalty onto the show on Sunday evening, with King Charles and Queen Camilla making a surprise appearance alongside Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Judges Katy, 38, and Lionel, 73, appeared via video link on American Idol as they missed this week's show due to performing at the Coronation Concert in the UK, and chatted to host Ryan Seacrest about the historic celebrations taking place in London.

Katy Perry has revealed she spent the night in Windsor Castle ahead of delivering a spectacular performance at the King’s Coronation concert.The US singer, 38, gave electric renditions of her hit tracks 'Roar' and 'Firework' at the celebratory event held in the grounds of the castle on Sunday evening, dedicating the latter to the King in honour of the work they do together with the British Asian Trust and their Children’s Protection Fund. Dressed in a glistening, metallic-gold, voluminous ballgown which featured a train and matching sleeves, she made a dramatic entrance by walking out singing the opening lyrics to 'Roar' as a drone projection of a lion’s head graced the sky above her.The upbeat pop song was enjoyed by Princess Charlotte who could be seen singing along with the American pop star, next to her mother the Princess of Wales, who swayed along to the song.The performance was accompanied by a dazzling light display which lit up the audience and the sky.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla's unexpected cameo during Sunday's was almost as big a surprise for Ryan Seacrest as it was for everyone watching.Following Sunday's new episode of, Seacrest spoke with ET's Denny Directo, and explained how quickly the high-profile cameos came together.«I have to tell you, I was driving in and my phone rings and it's the executive producer and she says, 'Well, we've got some news,'» Seacrest shared. «I thought maybe something happened [with a contestant].

It’s a British invasion! King Charles III and Queen Camilla appeared on American Idol after Katy Perry and Lionel Richie played at the coronation concert on Sunday, May 7.

With judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie across the pond in England for the coronation of King Charles III, the ABC music competition show had to get creative.Though Richie and Perry appeared live from Windsor Castle for a brief cameo, the regular judges had some A-list substitutes on the panel this week.Ed Sheeran and Alanis Morissette stepped in to help out regular judge Luke Bryan as they offered commentary on the live shows for the Top 8. Sheeran also gave a special performance ahead of the release of his newly released album, . Perry and Richie performed for the official coronation concert for King Charles III on Sunday following Saturday's coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.Richie previously teased to ETs plans for including them in Sunday's episode.«We are going to be live from the castle as only we could do, which is fantastic.

American singer Katy Perry stunned the audience at the Coronation Concert with her performance - and her incredible gold dress.

Katy Perry is bringing the fireworks!

Katy Perry was a regal firework duringKing Charles III's coronation concert!On Sunday, the judge took the stage for a performance in honor of the new king at Windsor Castle. For her set, Perry performed her hits, «Roar» and «Firework.»Starting things off the castle's steps, Perry was shined bright as ever in a big gold ballgown as she made her way to center stage.The royal family got in on the fun, with  Prince William and Kate Middleton's daughter, Princess Charlotte adorably singing along. Before singing «Firework,» Perry addressed the crowd and thanked the newly crowned king and queen for allowing her to be there but also for the work she's been able to do on behalf of the crown via the British Asian Trust and their children's protection fund.«Thank you for bringing out the firework in so many young people,» Perry said.Ahead of the special concert, Perry dished to ET about the opportunity to have a part in the festivities. «I'm grateful I get to go.

Ed Sheeran has claimed he never received an invite to perform at this evening's Coronation Concert this evening, as fans begin to flood to central London for the special music event. Speaking earlier this month, the Thinking Out Loud singer, 32, expressed his desire to "set the record straight" after reports began circulating that he'd rejected the opportunity to perform before the newly crowned King and Queen.