Donna Langley Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentIllumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri, the driving force between the “Despicable Me” and “Sing” franchises, was welcomed on stage like a rockstar at Barcelona’s CineEurope event on Monday. Founded 15 years ago, Universal’s co-owned animation banner Illumination is finally getting ready for the release “Minions: The Rise of Gru” in theaters on July 1.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle EditorCharlize Theron is lining up another star-studded benefit for her Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project.I can exclusively report that her guest list for the 2022 Block Party on June 11 will include Theron’s “Snow White and the Huntsman” co-star Kristen Stewart, Cara Delevingne, Patty Jenkins, Seth MacFarlane, Mary McCormack, David Oyelowo, June Diane Raphael, Paul Sheer, Lauren Conrad, Sofia Boutella, Jordana Brewster, Alycia Pascual-Pena and Lilly Singh.The festivities, taking place on the Universal backlot, will include a screening of “Jurassic World Dominion” following a Q&A with the film’s director Colin Trevorrow and stars Bryce Dallas Howard, DeWanda Wise, Jeff Goldblum and Mamoudou Athie and writer Emily Carmichael.

Julia Garner has a new icon to embody. ET has learned that the  actress is the top choice to play Madonna in her new biopic.The project is in active development at Universal Pictures with garner pegged as the film's leading lady. The news of Garner as the «top choice» for the biopic comes after speculation that Florence Pugh, 's Alexa Demie, Odessa Young and singers Bebe Rexha and Sky Ferreira were reportedly in the running to play the music legend.Per , the film will follow the early days of the controversial artist and the aptly crowned queen of pop.

Julia Garner has been offered the role of Madonna in a forthcoming biopic about the pop icon, sources familiar with the project told Variety.Garner has emerged the favorite from over a dozen candidates, one insider added, and has for months been speculated as a frontrunner for the part — a performance Madonna will shepherd herself as director. Garner’s team is considering and expected to accept the offer, said another source.The film is set up at Universal Pictures, and will follow the early days of the oft-controversial artist and queen of perpetual reinvention.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterAbhijay Prakash has been named president of Blumhouse, the genre juggernaut founded by Jason Blum over twenty years ago.Prakash joins the company from the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, where he served as president under chairman Donna Langley for nearly four years. He will oversee all business aspects at Blumhouse, succeeding veteran executive Charles Layton.Layton has been named vice chairman at the company, and will serve in an advisory role through at least 2024.“From my vantage point at Universal over the years, it was clear that nobody else in the business was as adept at figuring out how to create value from content as the Blumhouse team,” Prakash told Variety.

Just days after the news Justin Lin would be parting ways as director of the next Fast and Furious installment, sources tell Deadline Louis Leterrier is the front-runner to step in as director of Universal’s Fast X. Sources add he’s the studio’s top choice but scheduling still had to be worked out with some of Leterrier’s other projects so. a deal has not closed yet. When the shocking news broke that Lin would be leaving a week into production, studio sources were confident a replacement would be made and the pause in filming would brief and clearly that was the cast. Insiders go on to add that Studio Chief Donna Langley has had a great relationship over the years with Leterrier and he was quickly put at the top of the list of directors to approach following Lin’s departure.

many CinemaCon attendees with a presentation that featured various movie theater owners introducing the studio’s upcoming attractions. This year, they did it again for arguably the most diverse studio presentation at the trade show.

Refresh for updates Universal continued its motif from CinemaCon 2021 today of spotlighting the work of movie theater workers, and pairing them with their favorite stars. It’s a classy way of paying homage to those in exhibition particularly after the industry was brought to its knees in 2020 to early 2021 due to Covid.

James Bond franchise architects Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have been set to receive the 2022 Pioneer of the Year Award from the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation. The honor will be bestowed September 21 during a ceremony at the Beverly Hilton.

Judd Apatow and his Apatow Productions have signed a multiyear production deal for both film and TV with Universal Pictures and Universal Studio Group, continuing the director’s relationship with the studio. Apatow’s relationship with Universal dates back to 2005’s “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” and the upcoming “Bros” with Billy Eichner.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterUniversal will continue to be in the business of Judd Apatow.The company’s film and television studios announced on Wednesday that they have entered into multi-year production agreements with Apatow and his company Apatow Productions.Apatow’s relationship with Universal Pictures began in 2005 with “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and has continued to be mutually successful. His films, including “Knocked Up,” “Trainwreck” and most recently “The King of Staten Island,” have grossed nearly $3 billion at the global box office.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaWhen Christopher Nolan was shopping for a studio for “Oppenheimer,” his look at the creation of the atomic bomb, Donna Langley sprang into action. The Universal Filmed Entertainment Group chairman believes that Nolan, along with Steven Spielberg and Jordan Peele, is one of the few filmmakers whose name above the title demands that audience will pay attention.

In the first five minutes of his conversation with Universal Film Entertainment Group Chairman Donna Langley today at SXSW, CNN’s Frank Pallotta got to the aorta of what anyone in Hollywood wants to know from the studio boss: what’s the situation on theatrical-day-and-date, the state of moviegoing and whether the pandemic truly messed the business up.

Sasha Urban editorNBCUniversal announced Wednesday the launch of its California Below-the-Line Traineeship, which gives on-set experience and mentorship to underrepresented talent behind the camera. The program debuted with six trainees last year on the Southern California set of Jordan Peele’s “Nope,” which is being produced by Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions.“In line with our efforts to provide more gateways into the industry, we could not be more excited to bring this traineeship to a new generation of below-the-line talent,” said Universal Filmed Entertainment Group chairman Donna Langley.

Director George Lucas and Lucasfilm president/producer Kathleen Kennedy will be honored with the 2022 Milestone Award, the Producers Guild of America announced today. The award is being given “for their unparalleled contributions to the film industry both individually and collaboratively through Lucasfilm.”

George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy will be honored with the Milestone Award from the Producers Guild of America (PGA) at the upcoming 2022 ceremony, acknowledging their contributions to the film industry both individually and collectively through Lucasfilm. The duo will accept the honor at the 33rd Annual Producers Guild Awards on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the Fairmont Century Plaza.  Past recipients of the Milestone Award, which is the PGA’s most prestigious honor, include Steven Spielberg, Bob Iger, Sherry Lansing, Clint Eastwood, James Cameron, Walt Disney, Louis B.

Last month, it was revealed that after weeks of speculation (especially after Warner Bros. upset quite a few filmmakers by releasing blockbusters day-and-date in theaters and HBO Max), Christopher Nolan is leaving behind his years-long WB relationship and taking his next, untitled film to Universal.

Donna Langley, chair of Universal Filmed Entertainment, said the studio will accommodate a 100-day theatrical release for Christopher Nolan’s next film but that’s an exception not the rule as windows inevitably shorten. Separately, she said she expects fewer “stunting” day-and-date releases on Peacock, but more studio originals directed to the streamer.

Antonio Ferme editorFrank Price is stepping down from his role as chair of the USC School of Cinematic Arts Board of Councilors at the end of the spring semester.Price, who serves as chairman and CEO of Price Entertainment Inc., has served as the board’s chair since its inception in 1992. His role will be filled by Donna Langley, chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, for the next year to come.

Former UTA and Annapura vet Ashley Momtaheni and Hulu’s Kendel White have joined Universal Filmed Entertainment Group as VPs of Global Communications.

Frank Price, who serves as Chairman and CEO of Price Entertainment Inc., is retiring from his role as Chair of the USC School of Cinematic Arts Board of Councilors at the end of spring semester, with Donna Langley taking on the role for the year to come.

Longtime Universal Pictures corporate communications executive Cindy Gardner has been promoted to the newly created role of executive vp of NBCUniversal West Coast. In a twinned move, Evan Langweiler will now head all communications for the film studio.

Universal has elevated two of the top-notch corporate communications execs in the biz. Cindy Gardner, who has been head of global communications for the past four years, has been promoted to the new role of Executive Vice President of NBCUniversal West Coast to support all lines of business across the West Coast and help position the company competitively for the future.

Those who deal with Peter Levinsohn, colleagues and rivals alike, unanimously describe him as whip-smart and consumer savvy. The business strategist rose through the studio system on the distribution and digital side and in February was promoted to vice chairman and chief distribution officer of Universal Filmed Entertainment, reporting to studio chairman Donna Langley and overseeing about 1,200 employees worldwide.

Universal Filmed Entertainment Group vice chairman and president Jimmy Horowitz has been promoted to Vice Chairman, NBCUniversal Business Affairs & Operations, effective immediately.

NBCUniversal announced on Tuesday that it is promoting Jimmy Horowitz, President and Vice Chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, to Vice Chairman of the parent company’s Business Affairs & Operations.Horowitz will continue to report to UFEG Chairman Donna Langley and work closely with NBCUniversal Television & Streaming Chairman Mark Lazarus and Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, Universal Studios Group, and their teams on new portfolio strategies surrounding streaming and new distribution

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterNBCUniversal has given executive Jimmy Horowitz a big boost across its content portfolio.Horowitz has been named Vice Chairman, NBCUniversal Business Affairs and Operations, effective immediately.

Andreas Wiseman International EditorEXCLUSIVE: Jurassic World: Dominion began pre-production more than 18 months ago when the world was a very different place.The $165M Universal blockbuster wrapped this morning at the UK’s Pinewood Studios after an unprecedented shoot, which required 40,000 COVID tests, millions of dollars spent on protocols, and for cast and key crew to isolate in a bubble for months.“There are a lot of emotions,” director Colin Trevorrow told me last night on his way to shoot

The question that seems to be on most film fans’ minds and definitely the minds of major Hollywood studios is simple, yet difficult to answer—when will movie theaters be back to normal? Namely, when will we see weekend after weekend dominated by new films at the multiplex and record-breaking box office, like we’ve been accustomed to? Well, given the recent decisions by Cineworld and the AMC financial situation, the answer might be “never.” But the heads of two major studios, Warner Bros.

Anthony D'Alessandro Editorial Director/Box Office EditorUniversal Pictures has pacted with LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s consumer and entertainment brand The SpringHill Company in a four-year first look deal.“LeBron, Maverick and the team at SpringHill are content creators with a purpose, and we’re excited to partner with filmmakers who challenge us to tell stories that move culture forward,” said Universal Filmed Entertainment Group Chairman Donna Langley.  “SpringHill’s projects are

Daniel Holloway Executive Editor, TVExecutive Janine Jones-Clark has expanded her role at NBCUniversal.Jones-Clark has been named executive vice president, inclusion – talent and content, NBCUniversal film, television and streaming. In her new position, she will continue to oversee diversity, inclusion and equity strategies for Universal Filmed Entertainment Group under Donna Langley.

What do WME's Ari Emanuel, CAA'sRichard Lovett, Universal's Donna Langley, Netflix's Bela Bajaria and Rideback's Dan Lin have in common? They have all appeared in The Hollywood Reporter's annual Next Generation issue, our definitive list of the year's 35 best and brightest leaders age 35 and under. THR is now accepting online submissions for the 27th edition of the Next Gen list, which is slated to publish Oct.

Anthony D'Alessandro Editorial Director/Box Office EditorBuried in AMC’s 1Q 2020 earnings release today on page 3 was the statement, “While we are in active dialogue with Universal, no movies made by Universal Studios are currently on our docket.”The note comes a little bit more than a month after AMC CEO and President Adam Aron alerted the studio in a public note to Universal Studios Chairman Donna Langley that the circuit is barring all the studio’s future titles.

Duncan Clark, Universal’s president of international distribution, will step down from his role this August, Donna Langley said in a letter to staff on Tuesday.Clark is a 41-year veteran of the industry and has been with Universal for the last 14 years.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaThere’s a changing of the guard at the team that leads Universal Pictures’ overseas distribution.Duncan Clark, the convivial and much-beloved president of international distribution, will be stepping down after a 14-year run at the studio.

By Matt Donnelly