Peter Caranicas, Longtime Variety Editor Known for His Expertise in Production and Technology, Dies at 80

When we meet Douglas Alexander in popular North Berwick cafe Cake, he’s waiting on a bacon roll.

Pat Saperstein Deputy Editor Francis Ford Coppola hit the Cannes Film Festival last month to triumphantly celebrate the completion of his epic film “Megalopolis,” which he has been working on for nearly 40 years. The celebrations were somewhat compromised, however, by mixed reviews for the film itself, as well as a Guardian report that alleged “chaotic behavior” on the set of “Megalopolis,” including the “Godfather” director reportedly “pulling women to sit on his lap” and “trying to kiss some of the topless and scantily-clad female extras.” New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis interviewed Coppola in Cannes, and did not hesitate to raise the topic of the accusations.

Revenge certainly was sweet for one West Lothian cyclist

Terrence Beasor, a veteran character and voice-over actor best known for Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, The Gods Must Be Crazy and recurring roles on The Middle and Raising Hope, has died. He was 89.

K.J. Yossman Greg Peters, co-CEO of Netflix, paid tribute to the streamer’s U.K.

EXCLUSIVE: Fresh off her Oscar-nomination for her performance in Anatomy of a Fall, Sandra Hüller looks to have found her follow-up project as she looks to team with another Oscar-nominee from the 2024 class. Sources tell Deadline, Hüller is set to join Ryan Gosling in Amazon MGM Studios adaptation of Project Hail Mary with Amy Pascal producing.

A new poll has revealed Labour is in line for a crushing general election victory over the SNP in Scotland.

Eamonn Holmes has opened up about the tensions with Ruth Langsford before they decided to call it quits.The beloved TV couple, who tied the knot 14 years ago, have confirmed they're parting ways and are beginning divorce proceedings. Eamonn, 64, and Ruth, also 64, had been an item for a total of 27 years, yet it's reported that Eamonn was reluctant to go public with their separation and is said to be heartbroken over the situation.

Pat Saperstein Deputy Editor Al Ruddy, two-time Oscar winner for producing “The Godfather” and “Million Dollar Baby,” died May 25 at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ruddy was also co-creator of “Hogan’s Heroes” and of “Walker, Texas Ranger.” After the success of sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes,” Ruddy went on to produce “Little Fauss and Big Halsy” and “Making It” before coming on to Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather,” which was nominated for 11 Academy Awards.

Pat Saperstein Deputy Editor In recent years, “Jaws” star Richard Dreyfuss has come under fire for speaking out on subjects such as Oscar diversity requirements and the use of Blackface. At a “Jaws” retrospective screening in Beverly, Mass. on Saturday evening, he appeared to take his inflammatory remarks even further as he ranted about subjects reported to include trans people, Barbra Streisand and women in general.

Walton Goggins is dishing on his role in the upcoming third season of The White Lotus!

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Alan Cumming isn’t much of a reality TV fan — so as host of Peacock’s “The Traitors,” he enjoys being a bit blind to the baggage that many of the contestants carry to the Scottish Highlands. “When I go to do ‘The Traitors, I have a crash course in reality TV stars, and random people,” he tells Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast. “I don’t know who many of the people are.

When it comes to whether AI is friend or foe, particularly in regards to its place in the film industry, David Cronenberg is both intrigued and terrified. “What do we do? I have no idea,” the Canadian horror sci-fi maestro said Tuesday at the Cannes Film Festival, the day after the world premiere of his new film The Shrouds.

Alex Garland’s Civil War has been set for a June 7 theatrical release date in China. This marks the first time an A24 production will officially hit cinemas there. The dystopian thriller was acquired by Huahua Media in the market with Alibaba set to partner on the local release. 

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Tubi hired Mike Bidgoli, a six-year veteran of internet giant Meta, as chief product and technology officer for the Fox-owned free streaming service. Bidgoli, who reports to CEO Anjali Sud, will be responsible for leading the product and engineering teams overseeing the product experience and innovation strategy for Tubi.

A leading Galloway forester has stepped into the debate over the upsurge in commercial tree planting in the province.

Pat Saperstein Deputy Editor Mark Damon, an actor-turned-independent sales executive who was a force in the foreign sales world and at film markets for many decades, died Sunday in Los Angeles, according to his wife. He was 91. Damon won the Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer for his starring role in 1960’s “House of Usher” for director Roger Corman, who died Thursday, then went on to appear in numerous Spaghetti Westerns and other B-movies shot in Europe, from “Johnny Yuma” to Mario Bava’s “Black Sabbath.” Born Alan Harris in Chicago, Damon earned an MBA at UCLA, then moved to Rome where he established a busy acting career.

Naman Ramachandran Actor George MacKay has reunited with his “For Those in Peril” director Paul Wright for “Mission.” Backed by BBC Film, Screen Scotland and Ffilm Cymru Wales with funding from the U.K. National Lottery, “Mission” is a co-production between Early Day Films (“Bait”) and 65 Wilding Films (“Baltimore”). The project was developed with Screen Scotland and BBC Film.

EXCLUSIVE: Peter Morgan‘s next project for Netflix is likely to be a film adaptation of his stage play Patriots rather than more of The Crown, according to sources close to the writer.

EXCLUSIVE: Following a competitive bidding, Linden Productions has acquired the rights to Alice Sadie Celine, the adult debut novel of NYT-Bestselling author, Sarah Blakley-Cartwright. Jen Silverman will adapt the script with Linden Productions on board to develop and produce the feature film. Blakley-Cartwright will also remain on the project as an Executive Producer.