‘On the Go,’ ‘Elite’ Icon Omar Ayuso’s Movie Debut, Closes France, Nears Deals for Spain, U.K., U.S. (EXCLUSIVE)

EXCLUSIVE: CJ 4DPLEX and Europe’s Kinepolis Group are expanding their longstanding partnership to include 21 further ScreenX auditoriums across Europe and North America. The Kinepolis openings bring the cinema chain’s total of ScreenX screens to 26. This pact will give Kinepolis the largest ScreenX footprint in mainland Europe.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent “There are really only two things that can turn a bad day into a great one: The first is love. But to be honest, that’s not for today. My third wife just dumped me.

Movistar Plus+ has struck deals for the Max and SkyShowtime streamers in Spain.

Variety. The value of the deal is not yet known.“Brittney is an exceptional athlete whose hardship and resilience are nothing short of extraordinary,” Burke Magnus, the president of content at ESPN, said in a statement.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter There’s nothing heroic about the final box office performance of “The Marvels.” The superhero sequel is officially the lowest-grossing installment in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After four weeks on the big screen, the comic book tentpole is running out of steam with $80 million in North America and $197 million globally. There would typically be optimism that attendance could rebound over the busy holiday season, but Disney apparently doesn’t expect that to be the case.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent In bigger picture terms, the major highlights of Ventana Sur were a masterclass by Cannes head Thierry Frémaux and an impromptu speech by San Sebastián director José Luis Rebordinos, heads of the most important film festivals in the world and Spanish-speaking world, supporting the continued existence of INCAA. There words came after Argentinian President elect Javier Milei had vowed on the campaign trail to shutter Argentina’s state-backed film-TV agency if voted into power. In industry terms, never has Ventana Sur, Latin America’s most important film-TV market, been this big, its final attendance numbers sky-rocketing to 4,300, some 30% up on 2022, beyond even the wildest expectations of organizers, Cannes Marché du Film and the INCAA.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Mexican Rigoberto Pérezcano’s “Lovers Fare Goodbye,” a poignant, exquisitely shot tale of star-crossed young love dominated prizes at Primer Corte, Ventana Sur’s key arthouse pic competition. The prize and dozens of others were announced Friday at Latin America’s most important film-TV mart-meet.

Deadline’s Read the Screenplay series spotlighting the year’s most talked-about scripts continues with Rustin, Netflix‘s biopic of civil rights icon Bayard Rustin. Colman Domingo stars in the film, which is directed by Tony winner George C. Wolfe and hit theaters and the streamer in November after its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival.

An advertising board welcoming Sir Jim Ratcliffe to Manchester has been spotted ahead of his imminent investment in Manchester United.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent BUENOS AIRES — In one of the first deals to close at this week’s Ventana Sur market, Spain’s Latido Films has boarded “Lo Que Quisimos Ser,” written-directed by Alejandro Agresti, produced by Fernando Sokolowicz at Aleph Media, and Gastón Duprat, who have teamed as producer and co-writer-director on “The Distinguished Citizen,” “The Man Next Door,” and “The Artist.” “Lo Que Quisimos Ser” marks the latest film from Agresti, one of Argentina’s most international talents best known for a Hollywood sojourn which saw him directing Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves in “The Lake House” and writing Argentina-set, English-language “No somos animales,” with John Cusack. Of his Argentine film, “Valentín” weighs in as a big-hearted coming of age tale of a cross-eyed and very lonely young kid.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent BUENOS AIRES — Delivering a masterclass in Buenos Aires just days after the election victory of far-right libertarian Javier Milei on Nov. 18, Cannes Film Festival head Thierry Frémaux voiced his support for Argentina’s INCAA public sector film-TV agency, which Milei has promised to destroy. Frémaux’s one and brief direct reference to the INCAA – which oversees Argentina’s crucial federal film funding, without which much of Argentine filmmaking would wither – came towards the end of a 90-minute masterclass entitled Cinema (of) Tomorrow.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, Spain’s Isabel Coixet and Chile’s Bernardita Ojeda, director of “Petit,” feature among the first recipients of funding from Ibermedia Next, a pioneering attempting to fund development on pioneering new IPs which yoke large artistic ambition and cutting edge tech. García Bernal and Luna’s Mexico-based label La Corriente del Golfo co-produces one of the 14 winning submissions, “El Origen De La Experiencia,” which offers a VR immersive experience of Mexican mysticism and trance culture.

Travis Kelce is all in — at least from his friends’ POV!

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent BUENOS AIRES — Brazil is beginning to come back as Latin America’s production powerhouse. At Ventana Sur on Monday, representatives of key federal, state and city authorities as well as a leading producer outlined some of the directions the giant would like to take on its return.

EXCLUSIVE: Whale with Steve Backshall, the latest high-end natural history series out of the UK is racking up international sales, as the Sky Nature show’s executive producer Wendy Darke talked up the importance of distribution and tax credits in getting such programs made.

TOWIE star Amber Turner has complained about being charged more than £400 for two suitcases to be added to her flight to Dubai.The TV star headed to the United Arab Emirates after confessing she'd had a "stressful and draining few days", flying to Dubai from London's Stansted airport on Saturday afternoon. However, the 30 year old had to fork out hundreds of pounds prior to her flight after trying to add an extra two suitcases on to her booking. Sharing an update from Emirates' website, the TOWIE star claimed two cases added up to £415.36 in total on the day of her flight, and called out the expensive add-ons on her Instagram story.

Rudie Obias editor If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. One of the best things about Black Friday is all the money you’ll save, especially when it comes to gaming. We rounded up the best deals on all sorts of PlayStation 5 games and accessories.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent São Paulo-based activist producer Maria Farinha Films, behind Globoplay hit “Aruanas” and one of the global South’s key impact entertainment companies, has boarded Marcel Beltrán’s mystery drama “Moa,” a big double winner at Locarno’s 2022 Open Doors. Produced by Paula Gastaud at Cuba’s Mediocielo Films, “Moa” is now set up as co-production with Mediocielo Filmes, also in São Paulo, and Maria Farinha Films, and the Dominican Republic’s Stems Group.

The cast of Asacha Media’s Spanish-Serbian thriller series Scar (Cicatriz) has taken shape.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” is staying put at ABC for the foreseeable future. Variety has learned that ABC and Dick Clark Productions have extended their deal for the annual New Year’s Eve show through Jan. 1 2029.