Marge Dean Appointed As Head Of Skybound Entertainment’s Animation Studio

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Party Down” revival at Starz has added Jennifer Garner, Zoë Chao, and Tyrel Jackson Williams as series regulars, Variety has learned. James Marsden will also appear in the series in a recurring guest star role.The new cast members join previously announced returning original series cast members Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Martin Starr, Ryan Hansen, and Megan Mullaly.Garner (“Alias,” “Dallas Buyers Club”) will play Evie, a successful producer of studio franchise movies, who, in the wake of a breakup, is reconsidering her life choices.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterThe family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who was shot and killed on the set of “Rust” in October, has taken the first step toward filing a wrongful death lawsuit.A Santa Fe, N.M., attorney, Kristina Martinez, filed a petition on Wednesday to be appointed as the personal representative of Hutchins’ estate. Martinez is seeking appointment “solely for the purpose of investigating and pursuing a lawsuit under the New Mexico Wrongful Death Act in the courts of New Mexico,” the filing states.Hutchins was preparing for a scene in a church building at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, near Santa Fe, when actor Alec Baldwin fired a Colt .45, killing her and injuring the film’s director.

The police investigation into Alec Baldwin’s fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust last fall is ongoing, but the family of the cinematographer is moving closer to a big move of its own.

A touching reminder. Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant were honored at the site of their helicopter crash on Wednesday, January 26, two years after their deaths.

A heartbreaking loss. Days after Michael Madsen confirmed the death of his son, Hudson Madsen, the Reservoir Dogs actor is opening up about his grief.

The American Cinema Editors has spliced together the nominees for its 72nd annual ACE Eddie Awards.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe full list appears below, but highlights include Cassandra Jenkins (New York), Coogie (South Korea), Ian Sweet (Los Angeles), Kosha Dillz (New York), La Doña (San Francisco), Moonchild Sanelly (South Africa), Pom Pom Squad (New York), Sloppy Jane (Los Angeles), Wet Leg (England), Wolf Eyes (Detroit) and dozens more.According to the announcement, SXSW continues to plan for a hybrid event (in-person with online viewing and participation options). The festival has updated its Covid-19 guidelines and will continue to coordinate with both the City of Austin and Austin Public Health — more details on SXSW’s Covid protocols are available on the SXSW website.All SXSW Music registrants receive primary access to Music and Convergence Conference programming, including Keynotes and Featured Speakers, Music Festival showcases, the Comedy Festival, exhibitions, networking Meet Ups, the Flatstock Poster Show, Registrant Lounge, the SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake concerts, and the closing BBQ & softball tournament.

The same attributes that helped the Omicron variant of Covid-19 drive a historic rise in cases and then hospitalizations earlier this month in Los Angeles now seem to be precipitating a nearly-as-rapid decline in those same numbers.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterSony Pictures Television has promoted Jennifer Turner to head of its TriStar Television, effective immediately.As the new executive vice president of the banner, Turner aims to expand the creative universe for TriStar Television, canvassing both coasts for fresh perspectives and projects that align with the label’s mission to champion diverse, authentic characters and underrepresented voices, per Sony. She will report to Jason Clodfelter, co-president of Sony Pictures Television Studios, and work closely with TriStar Television senior vice president Christina Jokanovich and director Alex Villalta.Turner, who is filling the position left vacant by Kathryn Busby following her move to Starz, will be based in New York while also traveling regularly to Los Angeles.

Mila Kunis and Demi Moore have a lot in common...well, one big thing, in particular.Ashton Kutcher’s current wife and his ex-wife unexpectedly teamed up for a new AT&T ad called “A Lot in Common,” one of the first Super Bowl commericals of 2022. For the bit, the women play themselves at a high school reunion, nearly matching as the long-haired brunettes wear sparkly black dresses.

Taylor Swift is not going to let anyone discredit her as an artist. The singer defended herself Monday, after Damon Albarn claimed she does not write her own music in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. Swift, tweeted at the singer directly to let him know she used to be a big fan.

Damon Albarn addressed the backlash over his controversial comments about Taylor Swift while performing in LA last night.The Blur and Gorillaz frontman was playing a show at Los Angeles’ Walt Disney Concert Hall yesterday (January 24) in support of his most recent solo album, ‘The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows’.Ahead of the concert, Albarn participated in an interview with the LA Times where he explained that Swift’s “co-writing” approach was at odds with his “traditionalist” view of songwriting.When journalist Mikael Wood put it to him that Swift was “an excellent songwriter”, Albarn responded: “She doesn’t write her own songs.” He went on to say that co-writing “doesn’t count”.Swift later hit back at the musician, tweeting: “@DamonAlbarn I was such a big fan of yours until I saw this.“I write ALL my own songs. Your hot take is completely false and SO damaging. You don’t have to like my songs but it’s really fucked up to try and discredit my writing.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefTop Australian actor Damon Herriman and U.K.-Italian star Greta Scacchi join “Succession” star Sarah Snook in horror-thriller “Run Rabbit Run” from “The Handmaid’s Tale” director Daina Reid. The film starts production in Victoria and South Australia this week.Snook replaced Elizabeth Moss who was previously attached, but who dropped out late last year due to scheduling clashes.

Damon Albarn has addressed the fact that Taylor Swift doesn’t write all her own songs, saying that her co-writing approach is at odds with his “traditionalist” view on songwriting.The Blur and Gorillaz frontman, and soloist in his own right, was speaking in a new interview when he highlighted what he argued are “big” differences between acts who write their own songs, such as Billie Eilish, verses those who seek input from others.He told The Los Angeles Times that performing stripped-back sets in promotion of his new album ‘The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows‘, leaves him more exposed than when performing with a full band. “You learn whether the songs are any good or whether they were popular at the time because of the sound and the attitude,” he said.The interviewer picked up on his comment and asked whether many modern acts rely on “sound and the attitude” rather than the timeless quality of their music, to which Albarn replied: “Name me someone who’s not.”After it was suggested to him that Swift is an “excellent songwriter”, he said that she doesn’t write her own songs (the interviewer clarified that co-writing is involved).“That doesn’t count.

Michael Lee Aday, who is better known by his stage name Meat Loaf, has died. “Our hearts are broken to announce the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight surrounded by his wife Deborah, daughters Pearl and Amanda, and close friends,” a message on the 74-year-old’s Facebook page read. “His amazing career spanned six decades that saw him sell over 100 million albums worldwide and star in 65 movies, including Fight Club, Focus, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Wayne’s World.”