UTA Engaging In “Character Assassination & Mudslinging,” Michael Kassan Claims; Agency Drops Bulk Of Claims Against MediaLink CEO, Tries To Move Dispute To Arbitration

Carolyn Giardina Chris Hemsworth, the voice of a young Optimus Prime, and Brian Tyree Henry, the voice of a young Megatron, got an enthusiastic welcome at CinemaCon as they introduced a first look and 3D scene from “Transformers One,” Paramount‘s animated origin story based on the Hasbro toys. “This origin story is how they transformed from brothers in arms to sworn enemies,” said Henry from Las Vegas on Thursday. In the clip, Optimus Prime, Megatron and their friends “proven worthy” are given their powers to transform — and awkwardly get accustomed to using those powers.

Pop star Lady Gaga has sparked rumours she’s engaged after she was seen wearing a huge diamond ring.The pop star, famous for her songs ‘Born This Way’ and ‘Bad Romance’ was seen in West Hollywood on Sunday, 7 April, wearing a long black overcoat with the ring peeking out from beneath her sleeve.The singer has been dating entrepreneur Michael Polansky since 2019.The pair went Instagram official four years ago after the Super Bowl in 2020 and shared snaps of them looking loved-up on holiday. She wrote on the post: “We had so much fun in Miami.

the 2016 plane incident that led to her filing for divorce. Pitt has not yet responded to the accusation.The new allegation comes as part of the former couple’s ongoing legal battle over their French winery Château Miraval, in which Jolie claims her sale of the property was blocked by Pitt, and that he’d only allow it if she agreed to a “more onerous” and “expansive” NDA.In the new filing, shared by PEOPLE, Jolie’s lawyers make the claim: “While Pitt’s history of physical abuse of Jolie started well before the family’s September 2016 plane trip from France to Los Angeles.“This flight marked the first time he turned his physical abuse on the children as well.

April 4, 2024.

No Labels, a group that sought to obtain ballot access across all 50 states to run a so-called third party “unity ticket” in 2024, said that they would “stand down” this cycle after failing to recruit candidates.

Coronation Street fans have been left confused as a 'missing' character's exit was officially confirmed. Viewers of the ITV soap have noticed that Aggie Bailey, played by Loran Laidlaw, hasn't been seen on the cobbles since June last year.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor The latest twist in the battle between UTA and former MediaLink chairman-CEO Michael Kassan is a defamation lawsuit filed by Kassan against UTA attorney Bryan Freedman. Kassan has sued Freedman for slander and libel stemming from a statement that the lawyer made earlier this week to Deadline, which is a sibling publication to Variety under Penske Media Corp. Kassan and UTA parted ways earlier this month amid a flurry of litigation and arbitration filings and heated accusations from both sides.

In all of the exorbitant fallout from Michael Kassan’s exit from UTA earlier this month even the lawyers are getting shrapnel now.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor UTA announced Eric Iverson as chief technology officer, where he will lead information-technology strategy — joining the company as artificial intelligence and other tech developments are threatening to disrupt the industry. Most recently, Iverson served as director of product strategy Amazon MGM Studios, where he led product, user experience and AI efforts, and before that was chief technologist for media and entertainment in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) division.

EXCLUSIVE: Michael Kassan‘s team promised late last week they would up the legal ante with UTA unless the agency completely dropped its lawsuit against the resigned/fired (depending on who you ask) MediaLink CEO, and today they did just that.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer United Talent Agency has amended its lawsuit against former MediaLink chief Michael Kassan — striking its initial claims against its former partner to move those grievances to arbitration. The amended complaint offers new details of allegations of financial mismanagement against the advertising industry’s famous matchmaker and fixer, who blasts the litigation in a statement to Variety as a “smear” effort.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer Joana Vicente has stepped down as CEO of the Sundance Institute. The news will come as a shock to the global independent film community, as Vicente served under three years in a plum role she took after years in leadership at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Michael Jackson‘s youngest son Blanket has filed a legal injunction against his grandmother, Katherine.As TMZ reports, the 22-year-old – real name Bigi Jackson – is attempting to prevent the late singer’s mother, 93, from using money from Michael’s estate to fight in an ongoing legal battle.In documents filed this week, Blanket asked the court not to allow Katherine to use Michael’s estate money to fund an appeal of a previous ruling.It is reported that Blanket and his grandmother were recently working together to stop the executors of Michael’s estate from going through with a large business transaction that they were both opposed to.The documents do not disclose the specific details of the transaction. However, it could be related to the landmark deal the estate reportedly made with Sony recently to sell half of Michael’s music catalogue for $600million (£475million).Blanket claimed that he and Katherine presented their arguments against the deal, but ultimately the court ruled against them – which seemingly brought the legal issue to a close.It is said that Katherine has decided to appeal the ruling, though Blanket doesn’t want to be involved any further.

Anti-Flag frontman Justin Sane has been accused of planning to “flee to Europe” following allegations of sexual misconduct.Accusations against the singer – real name Justin Geever – came to light last year, when Kristina Sarhadi, a New York holistic therapist and health coach, filed a lawsuit against him.In the filing, Sarhadi said: “Justin Geever used his platform as a celebrated, self-proclaimed ‘punk rock star’ to groom and lure vulnerable girls into feeling safe in his presence.”“While he sang about protecting women and standing up to abusers, it appears he was hiding an addiction to power and control, harming countless women who have been unable to speak up before now.

Marc Malkin Senior Editor, Culture and Events Former ID-PR brands boss Michael Smith has launched a new communications firm, Midnight Dawn. Smith departed ID-PR in January. “Midnight Dawn has been 25 years in the making and I’m honored to have the privilege of representing a world class group of talent and brands,” Smith said in an exclusive statement to Variety on Tuesday.

Donald Trump could earn him criminal charges, is back in the spotlight in a new documentary. Daniels (née Stephanie Gregory Clifford) is the subject of “Stormy,” from director/producer Sarah Gibson and Erin Lee Carr (“Britney vs Spears”), now streaming on Peacock. Daniels, 45, became a household name in 2018 when it was reported she had an affair with Trump in 2006 and was paid $130,000 in “hush money” in 2016 to stay quiet, allegedly arranged by Trump’s then-lawyer, Michael Cohen.

The forthcoming Michael Jackson biopic has been slammed by the maker of the documentary Leaving Neverland, with Dan Reed calling the movie’s script “a complete whitewash.”

Leah Remini‘s defamation and harassment suit against the Church of Scientology is far from dead, but it’s certainly constitutionally wounded.

EXCLUSIVE: 2 Broke Girls and Thor actress Kat Denningshas signed with Gersh for representation.

Loose Women star Coleen Nolan, who celebrated her 59th birthday yesterday, has faced numerous ups and downs. Both she and her sons have experienced their fair share of challenges.