Samuel Goldwyn Films Acquires Rom-Com ‘Divorce Bait’; HBO Max Lands Dramedy ‘Love And Baseball’

K.J. Yossman Bobby Cannavale is set to star in comedy drama “Inappropriate Behavior” from “Conviction” director Tony Goldwyn.

EXCLUSIVE: The single-camera teen comedy Wild Life from Imagine Kids+Family has received a pilot order at HBO Max with rising star Izabella Alvarez (Euphoria, The Casagrandes) set as the show’s lead.

EXCLUSIVE: Shout! Studios has acquired North American rights to the sci-fi dramedy Linoleum from Sub_Sequential Pictures, following a competitive bidding situation. The multi-platform entertainment distribution and production arm of Shout! Factory is planning a strategic launch of the movie across all major entertainment platforms, beginning with a theatrical launch later this year. Pic will be presented at the Cannes Film Market by Blue Fox Entertainment.

Selena Gomez poked fun at long-term boyfriends in a skit on Global’s “Saturday Night Live”.

Brandon Silverstein, the founder and CEO of S10 Entertainment, is partnering with Simon Fuller for scripted and unscripted projects across film, television, documentary and audio mediums under the S10 Films banner.Fuller, the founder of XIX Entertainment and creator of the “American Idol” format, will offer a pipeline to S10 clients — which include Anitta and Normani as well as business and publishing ventures with Ryan Tedder, Harv and Max Matsura — and access to additional film and television opportunities.Said Silverstein: “I’m psyched to partner with Simon, he is someone I grew up idolizing (no pun intended) and has been an incredible resource to me. We already have so much in the works, including one concept we think has all the makings of a hit, that brings together some of today’s most exciting culturally important musicians with an incredibly compelling content creator who is a specialist in making music-based moments go viral… It’s just one great idea that has come out of our relationship but this partnership is already off to a great start.” “Brandon is one of the most exciting young managers I have come across in recent years,” added Fuller.

In a further expansion of their kids and family programming slate, HBO Max and Cartoon Network are teaming on new live-action coming-of-age comedy series, Home Sweet Rome, from Emmy-nominated Hannah Montana and That’s So Raven creator Michael Poryes, for premiere in 2023.

Beloved doll and book line American Girl is getting two new live-action specials. Mattel, Inc.

Selome Hailu HBO Max and Cartoon Network has greenlit and acquired several projects for their kids and family live action slate, Variety has learned exclusively. The slate includes two specials based on Mattel’s American Girl franchise and a supernatural romance starring Peyton List.The first American Girl special has the working title “American Girl: Corinne Tan,” inspired by the doll brand’s 2022 girl of the year and the first doll of Chinese descent.

EXCLUSIVE: James DuMont (The Righteous Gemstones), Christopher James Baker (Ozark), Manny Galan (City on a Hill), Juvian Marquez (Power Book II: Ghost) and Anirudh Pisharody (9-1-1) will round out the cast of the thriller Unit 234, from director Andy Tennant, which is currently in production in the Cayman Islands. The quintet will star alongside previously announced cast members including Isabelle Fuhrman, Don Johnson and Jack Huston.

Harry Styles has announced a North American headline tour for this year – see all the details below.The pop star, whose third album ‘Harry’s House’ arrives on May 20, will return to New York to perform 10 nights at Madison Square Garden between August 28 and September 21 in continuation of his global ‘Love On Tour’.He’ll then head over to Los Angeles to play 10 shows at the city’s Kia Forum between October 31 and November 15.Styles is also scheduled to play five concerts in both Austin (September 25 to October 2) and Chicago (October 6-14) after kicking off the stint with two nights at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena (August 15, 16).Support will come from Blood Orange (New York), Ben Harper (LA), Madi Diaz (Toronto), Gabriels (Austin) and Jessie Ware (Chicago).Ticket details are yet to be confirmed – you’ll be able to find them here when they go live. Check out the announcement post below, and head to Styles’ official site for more information.A post shared by @harrystylesThe UK and Ireland leg of Styles’ 2022 tour commences next month, with the run including two consecutive nights at Wembley Stadium in London (June 18, 19).

What Happens Later.The actor will both direct and star in the new film, which has been described as an “evolved and nostalgic” romantic comedy, according to Variety.What Happens Later adapts American playwright Steven Dietz’s stage show Shooting Star, who co-wrote the screenplay with playwright and novelist Kirk Lynn.Ryan will be starring in the film alongside David Duchovny as ex-lovers Willa and Bill, who are reunited for the first time since separating decades prior in an airport overnight.A logline for the movie reads: “What if late one snowy night you came face to face with someone from your long ago? Someone who once held your secrets, because once, long ago, that person held your heart.”The film will mark the second film directed by Meg Ryan after directing and starring in 2015’s Ithaca alongside Sam Shephard and Alex Neustaedter. It is co-produced by Bleecker Street, and Ten Acre Films.Ryan made her name in romantic comedies including You’ve Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Julia” has been renewed for Season 2 at HBO Max.The series is inspired by the life of Julia Childs and her long-running cooking show “The French Chef.” Through Childs’ perspective, the series explores the emergence of public television as a new social institution, feminism and the women’s movement, the nature of celebrity and America’s cultural evolution.Sarah Lancashire stars as Childs. The cast also includes David Hyde Pierce, Bebe Neuwirth, Brittany Bradford, Fran Kranz, and Fiona Glascott.

EXCLUSIVE: Quiver Distribution has acquired North American rights to the dramedy Small Town Wisconsin, starring David Sullivan (Sharp Objects), Bill Heck (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs), Kristen Johnson (3rd Rock from the Sun), Tanya Fischer (Life on Mars) and Cooper J. Friedman (9-1-1: Lone Star), slating it for wide release in theaters and on digital platforms on June 10th.

Manori Ravindran International EditorMeg Ryan will direct and star alongside David Duchovny in “What Happens Later,” an “evolved and nostalgic” take on the romantic comedy.The film is based on the play “Shooting Star” by American playwright Steven Dietz, who also co-wrote the screenplay with playwright and novelist Kirk Lynn, and Ryan. Bleecker Street has snapped up the U.S.

Kacey Musgraves is set to feature on the soundtrack for the upcoming Elvis Presley biopic Elvis, contributing a cover of Presley’s ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’.The singer revealed her addition to the soundtrack on the red carpet of the 2022 Met Gala. Variety reports that Musgraves was in attendance alongside both Priscilla Presley and Elvis‘ director, Baz Luhrmann. While Luhrmann would only hint that Musgraves’ song on the soundtrack was “something to do with love”, Musgraves herself confirmed it would be her version of Presley’s best-known love song.

Leo Barraclough International Features EditorMenemsha Films has taken distribution rights in North America to Thomas Roth’s drama “Schaechten – A Retribution” in a deal with Berlin-based sales company Picture Tree Intl. PTI has debuted the film’s trailer, and will hold an invitation-only private screening of the film for buyers in Cannes.Neil Friedman, president of Menemsha Films, said: “The film ‘Schaechten’ is a true discovery.

Kaz Kamwi and Liberty Poole have reportedly been left terrified after they were said to have been held at knifepoint in Los Angeles. Love Island besties Kaz, 26, and Liberty, 22, were said to be heading on a night out when they ended up in "the wrong part of the neighbourhood" and were threatened by a 40 year old woman. Kaz and Liberty were then reportedly defended by two men, who were said to be passing by, who apprehended the attacker and called the police.