Idris Elba Boards U.K. Production of ‘School Girls’ as Associate Producer (EXCLUSIVE)

fan-favorite frontrunner Idris Elba is the next British man in a suave suit to embody the super spy.“Understand this,” Hanks told the BBC recently. “James Bond has a license to kill. I would issue that license to Idris Elba just based on the work that I’ve seen him do.” While Elba’s much-desired turn as Bond has earned the love and support of both fans and the spy franchise’s longtime producer, Barbara Broccoli, he’s not so sure he wants to play the role.“It is not a goal for my career,” Elba told “The Shop” podcast last September.

EXCLUSIVE: Luther and Hobbs & Shaw star Idris Elba is set to star in, produce and direct action-thriller Infernus, which Millennium Media will also produce and shop at next week’s Cannes market.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer “Aladdin” and “Charlie’s Angels” breakout Naomi Scott will star alongside “Game of Thrones” alum Kit Harrington and Oscar winner Jeremy Irons in the epic romance “Eternal Return,” Variety can report exclusively. Village Roadshow Pictures is producing the project and will introduce the film to buyers at next week’s Cannes Film Festival. “Eternal Return” follows Cass (Scott), a young woman who has resigned herself to a life of emotional invulnerability until she meets Virgil (Harington), a cartographer who makes maps to imaginary places. Along with his partner Malcolm (Irons), a vibrant renaissance man, the pair relentlessly attempts to travel back in time awaken Cass to love again. The original feature is written and directed by Yaniv Raz (“Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets”).

—it's the flower girl (in her adorable flower girl dress). She's one of the most memorable members of the bridal party, after all.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Rolling off a successful collaboration on “Charlatan,” Films Boutique has boarded Agnieszka Holland’s next film “The Green Border,” which just completed principal photography in Poland. Now in post production, “The Green Border” tells the fateful story of a family of Syrian refugees, a solitary English teacher from Afghanistan and a young border guard, all of whom meet on the Polish-Belarusian border during the most recent humanitarian crisis triggered by President Lukaschenko opening doors to migrants in Belarus as a back door to enter the EU.  The screenplay, penned by Holland, Gabriela Łazarkiewicz-Sieczko and Maciej Pisuk, is inspired by real events. Research for the film included hundreds of hours of document analysis, interviews with refugees, border guards, borderland residents, activists and experts.

Tom Hanks is backing Idris Elba to be the next James Bond. The 66-year-old actor is unequivocal in his verdict that the 'Luther' star should be granted 007's "licence to kill" and succeed Daniel Craig as the legendary spy. Hanks told the BBC: "Understand this.

Naman Ramachandran Tom Hanks is all for Idris Elba to play the next James Bond. “Understand this, James Bond has a licence to kill. I would issue that licence to Idris Elba just based on the work that I’ve seen him do,” Hanks told BBC News. Hanks was speaking to BBC News to promote his first novel “The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece,” about the making of a big-budget Hollywood superhero movie, spanning 80 years of a changing America and featuring characters including a troubled soldier returning from war, a young boy with an artistic gift, an inspired and eccentric director, a pompous film star on the rise, a tireless production assistant and film crew members.

Tom Hanks has weighed in on the hunt for the next 007, telling BBC News that Idris Elba is the man for the job. “Understand this,” he told the outlet, “James Bond has a licence to kill. I would issue that licence to Idris Elba just based on the work that I’ve seen him do.”

A special connection. Lori Harvey and boyfriend Damson Idris are fully committed to their relationship after making their romance public earlier this year.

Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Retinol has long been one of the most popular ingredients in Hollywood skincare routines, known for its efficacy in fading dark spots, fighting acne and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, gentler retinol alternatives have become increasingly more popular in recent years for those with sensitive skin, who can suffer adverse effects when prescribed in high doses or without proper sun protection. “All skin types can experience retinol side effects, but sensitive skin, dry skin or anyone who has acne or rosacea are more prone as their skin is already sensitized due to the condition,” New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Shereene Idriss, MD., whose clients include Ashley Graham, Emily Ratajkowski and Paloma Elsesser, tells Variety.

EXCLUSIVE: Gloria Sanchez Productions has promoted Alex Brown to Head of Film and hired Alix Taylor as Head of Television.

EXCLUSIVE: TaikaWaititi looks to have found his next project to direct, as sources tell Deadline that the Oscar winner is in negotiations to direct Klara and the Sun, based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s New York Times bestselling novel, for Sony’s 3000 Pictures. The project is in development, with Dahvi Waller penning the original draft of the screenplay.

Angelique Jackson On the heels of a breakthrough role in Netflix and A24’s “Beef,” actor Young Mazino has signed with M88 for representation. The Korean American actor stars in the dramedy series as Paul Cho, the crypto-investing younger brother of Danny (Steven Yeun), whose road rage incident with a woman named Amy Lau (Ali Wong) marks the show’s central “beef.” With Danny and Amy unable to move past their vitriolic interaction, Paul finds himself increasingly embroiled in their drama to a dangerous end. Strong reviews for Mazino’s performance amid the buzz for the show — which premiered at SXSW before launching on Netflix last month — have put him in the mix for his first Emmy nomination (in the outstanding supporting actor in a limited series or TV movie category).

So many celebs were in attendance at The Prince’s Trust Global Gala just days ahead of the 2023 Met Gala.

Idris Elba knows how to plan a romantic dinner.

Daddy’s look-alike! Khloé Kardashian shared a sweet new photo of her and daughter True — and the little one was the spitting image of her father, Tristan Thompson.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor Bungalow 8 is back – for one night only. Gucci is hosting a Bungalow pop-up in New York City on April 29, two nights ahead of the Met Gala. The fashion house isn’t commenting, but I got my hands on the official invite, which reads, “Amy Sacco & Gucci invite you to Bungalow Gucci.” Idris Elba will deejay the late-night soirée. Sacco opened the original Bungalow 8 in Chelsea in 2001. The small venue at 515 W. 27th St. went onto to become the hottest nightclub in the early and mid-aughts, attracting an A-List crowd — including George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Colin Farrell, Naomi Campbell and every other supermodel, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Justin Timberlake, John Mayer, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Heidi Klum — before closing in 2009. Even former President Bill Clinton hosted a fundraiser for his presidential library at the club in 2003.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Berlin-based sales agent M-Appeal has come on board to sell “Power Alley,” the debut film by Brazilian filmmaker Lillah Halla, which will world premiere in Cannes’ Critics’ Week, it was announced Tuesday. Set in Brazil, where abortion is illegal, “Power Alley” is a suspense-filled drama tackling one of society’s most divisive issues. The story follows star volleyball player Sofia who is faced with an impossible scenario on the eve of her championship game. Pregnant and panicked, Sofia seeks an illegal abortion but unwittingly becomes a target instead. As the town’s herd-mentality turns violent, Sofia risks being consumed by the fervor – but neither Sofia nor those who love her are willing to surrender.

BreAnna Bell SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers for the series finale of “Snowfall.” When John Singleton set out to tell the story about the effects of the ’80s cocaine business on Los Angeles, he had a clear vision in mind. He wanted something that came full circle and ultimately led into his directorial debut “Boyz ‘N the Hood,” a film that was set in the ’90s and explored the harsh realities of Black families living in South Central L.A. The movie earned the then 24-year-old his first Oscar nomination, making him the youngest and first Black filmmaker to be nominated for best director. Damson Idris was a major part of the story of “Snowfall.” Starring as Franklin Saint, Idris carried out Singleton’s tale and vision down to the show’s final scenes. As Franklin’s story came to an end on Wednesday night, fans finally said goodbye to what was left of its prolific anti-hero after his brutal war with the CIA, his family and the dealers of South Central which rendered him penniless, alone and on the brink of sanity.

Naman Ramachandran U.K.-based sales and distribution company Blue Finch Film Releasing has acquired international sales rights, excluding North America, to the debut feature from the Burghart Brothers, “Head Count.” The company plans to begin sales on the film during the Cannes Film Market. “Head Count” follows the story of an escaped prisoner, Kat, who finds himself facing an unknown assailant with his own revolver pointed straight at his head. To survive, he must remember what happened on the crazy ride that brought him to this point, one bullet at a time. The cast includes Ryan Kwanten (“True Blood”), Aaron Jakubenko (“Tidelands”), Melanie Zanetti (“Bluey”), Chris Bylsma (“El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie”), Addam Bramich (“Poker Face”), Polaris Banks (“Reklaw”) and Cinnamon Shultz (“Winter’s Bone”).