Independent Entertainment Expands to LA, Taps Marc Hofstatter and Sarah Lebeutsch For New Roles (EXCLUSIVE)

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterA juicy new documentary about the life and public battles of late real estate mogul Leona Helmsley is currently in production, Variety has learned exclusively.  The film will contain never-before-heard tapes of Helmsley and her archrival Donald Trump, as well as “smoking gun” evidence that will question the tax evasion case brought on her by Rudy Giuliani in 1988.Helmsley was an icon of the “greed is good” era, an owner of luxury hotels and condominiums who left behind a $5 billion estate (which famously included a $12 million trust fund for her dog, a Maltese). Branded the “Queen of Mean” by the New York tabloids for her acid tongue and regal air, she was a bitter rival of Trump — who once called her “a disgrace to the industry and a disgrace to humanity in general.” Of Trump, Helmsley once reportedly said: “I wouldn’t trust him if his tongue was notarized.” Trump notoriously tried to snatch the crown jewel of Helmsley’s property portfolio, the Empire State building.Indie studio Gunpowder & Sky has boarded the project from Filmbank’s Keith Robert Patterson (HBO’s “All About Ann”), who will direct and produce.

Kelly Ripa has been enjoying spending quality time with her youngest son Joaquin of late, as he's been away from his current home in Michigan and back with his family in New York City.MORE: Kelly Ripa's daughter Lola has a big year ahead - and it's bittersweet for her familyThe 18-year-old made quite the impression this week too, after Kelly proudly shared a new photo of him on Instagram, posing alongside his parents in their lavish foyer in New York City.The trio were on their way to the Gaynor Gala, and the picture prompted many of Kelly's followers to compliment Joaquin's smart appearance.WATCH: Kelly Ripa shares proud video from son's graduation The teenager twinned with his dad Mark Consuelos in a smart black suit, and comments included: "He looks just like Mark, very handsome young man," and: "Joaquin looks so much like his dad. Very good looking family." A third person added: "Your son looks more like Mark than Mark does!"MORE: Kelly Ripa stuns with Hollywood-esque transformationREAD: Kelly Ripa's son Michael makes tongue-in-cheek comment about his appearance during graduation ceremonyOther fans praised Kelly's stylish pink dress, with many telling her: "Pink is your color."Joaquin has been back in New York for the past few weeks, and recently attended his older brother Michael's graduation ceremony at Yankees Stadium.Kelly Ripa with son Joaquin and husband Mark ConsuelosThe 24-year-old's graduation had been delayed due to Covid, but the family made it a night to remember as they all stepped out to support him during his big moment.READ: Where is Kelly Ripa? Absence from LIVE! explainedKelly and Mark became official empty nesters last September when Joaquin left home to go to university.

EXCLUSIVE: World Builder Entertainment, the artist management, production and brand development company founded by Dannie Festa and Marc Manus, has expanded its leadership team with the addition of new managers Nick Terry and Missy Masters. Terry will focus primarily on television/streaming and motion pictures while Masters’ concentration will be books and authors. Both will also seek out IP for development and production.

the first film, pulls from real-life events, with the historical drama drawing inspiration from a chapter in Alfred Hitchcock’s professional life as a director. According to director Simon Curtis, the sequel’s movie-within-a-movie subplot is a direct reference to the prolific filmmaker’s early days of making silent movies, most notably 1929’s . [: Some spoilers for ]At the time, Hitchcock was working on his latest silent film, an adaptation of Charles Bennett’s 1928 play about a woman who is blackmailed by a man who tried to assault her.

 reunites the beloved sprawling ensemble cast that make up the extended Crawley family and their many household staff members, there is one performer notably absent from the new film. Matthew Goode, who joined the franchise as Henry Talbot in season 5 and later wed Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), sadly is nowhere to be seen onscreen despite previously returning for the franchise’s first film.Goode's absence, however, doesn’t come as a total surprise given that he has not appeared in any of the trailers or images leading up to ’s theatrical debut.

The OG Jersey Shore cast is pumping their fists in fury over MTV’s upcoming reboot of the beloved reality show — complete with a new cast!

Taylor Swift wasn't the only famous face in attendance at New York University's graduation ceremony on Wednesday. Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos watched from the crowd as their eldest son, 24-year-old Michael, crossed the stage to receive his diploma from NYU. The proud parents both shared multiple images on their Instagram Stories, with Consuelos posting a sweet family photo which showed that their daughter, Lola, and son, Joaquin, both tagged along to celebrate their older brother's accomplishment.

Leo Barraclough International Features EditorAidan Gillen, who played Littlefinger in “Game of Thrones,” and Sandrine Bonnaire, a best actress winner at Venice for “La cérémonie,” have joined Gabriel Byrne in Samuel Beckett biopic “Dance First,” directed by Oscar-winner James Marsh.Film Constellation has closed pre-sales on the film in Australia/New Zealand (Icon), Italy (Bim Distribuzione), Spain (Filmin), Portugal (Nos Audiovisuais), Greece (Filmtrade), Hungary (Vertigo Media), former Yugoslavia (Discovery) and Taiwan (Cai Chang). Pay TV outlet Sky developed the film as a Sky Original in the U.K.Marsh, best-known for “The Theory of Everything,” for which Eddie Redmayne won an Oscar, and Oscar-winner “Man on Wire,” will start shooting the film on May 30 in Budapest.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelo’s oldest son Michael has finally gotten to properly celebrate his college graduation.

is back with an anticipated sequel. not only reunites the beloved ensemble cast, but introduces new characters and new locations that helps expand the world of the franchise as it enters into the modern era. Picking up nine months after the first film in 1928, kicks things off with Tom Branson (Allen Leech) getting married to Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton), helping to secure the Crawleys’ fortune and fate at Downton.

 are back and only ET can debut their latest taglines! For the first time in  history, eight women hold diamonds — OG Kyle Richards, longtime stars Lisa Rinna, Erika Jayne and Dorit Kemsley, plus newer additions Garcelle Beauvais, Sutton Stracke and Crystal Kung Minkoff, and freshman Housewife Diana Jenkins — and each star's new catchphrase sets the tone for what to expect from them in season 12. «It was a really, a very intense season,» Kyle previously teased to ET of what's to come. «A lot of really intense things going on with a lot of the cast members — with Dorit and the home invasion, what Erika’s been going through and other personal things.

Lucky Daye has linked up with producer Mark Ronson for a new collaborative single, sharing the smooth cut ‘Too Much’.Released on Friday (May 13), it marks the second time the pair have worked together, after collaborating in 2019 on ‘Fly’ from the soundtrack for animated film Spies In Disguise. On ‘Too Much’, the pair join forces again to create a harmonious blend of disco, soul and funk, courtesy of Ronson’s sumptuous production and Daye’s velvety vocals.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorSpotify is making management changes to bolster the leadership of its podcast content operations following the departure of Courtney Holt, who served as head of studios and video.Max Cutler, who joined Spotify in 2019 with its acquisition of Parcast, the scripted podcast studio he co-founded, has been promoted to head of talk creator content and partnerships for Spotify. In the new role, he will oversee the streamer’s emerging podcast creator ecosystem, licensed content, and work on new content initiatives. As part of his appointment, Spotify will form a “creator content” unit led by Cutler.Cutler previously was Parcast’s head of new content initiatives and managing director.

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan lends her voice to the upcoming, and only ET premieres the exclusive trailer for the animated hour, which drops Thursday, May 26 on Netflix. Serving as the bridge between last year's film, and the main eight-episode  series, which debuts in September, the 44-minute special serves as a teaser for the upcoming episodes and will feature 3D CG animation.The series follows the Mane 5 as they go on a journey of self-discovery told through action-packed and heartfelt stories.In the bridge episode, now that magic has returned, Sunny (voiced by Jenna Warren) and her friends must convince the Earth Ponies of Maretime that Equestria is better with it than without it. Ramakrishnan voices Zephyrina «Zipp» Storm.A second  special will drop Monday, Nov.

Wendy Williams wants to meet with Sherri Shepherd following the comedian's recent comments about  host. The request comes after a bit of back and forth between the pair. It all started Friday when Williams spoke with Fat Joe on Instagram Live, who asked Williams whether she'll tune into Shepherd's daytime talk show, , which will premiere this fall after officially comes to an end. Shepherd joined a list of celebrities — including Fat Joe — who guest hosted for Williams on  last fall after she stepped away from the show due to ongoing health issues.The decision to end was made in February, with producers announcing Shepherd's own daytime series -- aptly named  -- taking its place.«I like her, but I won't be watching her because I know what she’s going to be doing and that’s really not my thing,» Williams said.

K.J. Yossman Independent Entertainment have boarded M.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterIndie film sales, financing, and distribution shop WME Independent has bolstered its ranks with several new hires, Variety has learned exclusively.Division co-heads Deborah McIntosh and Alex Walton announced on Monday the arrival of Julia Harris as senior vice president of business affairs, Melissa Martinez as vice president of marketing, and Victoria Romley as an agent focused on international distribution. All appointments are effective immediately.“Julia, Melissa and Victoria each bring unique perspective to the team, and we’re excited to continue the growth of this team with these hires” said McIntosh and Walton.

Rebel Wilson got Britney Spears' OK before using the singer's track in her upcoming flick. ET's Denny Directo spoke to the 42-year-old actress ahead of the release of Netflix's , and she revealed what went into getting to recreate the music video for Spears' 1999 song, "(You Drive Me) Crazy" in her film.«We had to get Britney's permission.

Frank Grillo (Kingdom) has signed on to star in the thriller The Dagon, from director Brad Anderson (The Machinist), which will soon head to Cannes. Independent Entertainment’s Head of International Sales Sarah Lebutsch will handle international at the Marché du Film, co-representing North American rights with CAA’s Nick Ogiony.