Variety Returns In-Person for Power of Law Breakfast on April 20

EXCLUSIVE: Japril will be back on Grey’s Anatomy. Jesse Williams and Sarah Drew are set to reprise their roles as Jackson and April in the Season 18 finale of the ABC medical drama, which airs May 26.

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorThe business of moviegoing may be grappling with unprecedented, pandemic-induced pressures, but no one should underestimate the economic value of a theatrical release.That was the strong perspective offered by Legendary Entertainment CEO Joshua Grode on Wednesday morning during a Q&A held as part of the Variety Power of Law breakfast, presented by City National Bank, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.“I think there’s going to be a very vibrant theatrical business,” Grode told Variety Editor-in-Chief Claudia Eller, who conducted the 30-minute interview. Grode, a former lawyer who took the reins of Legendary in 2018, emphasized that Legendary’s model for backing big tentpole movies relies on strength at the box office to drive pricing and fees for premium VOD, pay-one television deals and other after-market exploitation that goes on for years.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefYouTube, the Google-owned video streaming platform, has removed the account of John Lee Ka-chiu, the policeman-turned-politician who is poised to take over as Hong Kong’s next leader.All content on Lee’s YouTube page has been removed. In its place is a message that reads: “This account has been terminated for violating Google’s Terms of Service.”Lee’s campaign office said on Wednesday that it had been informed by Google that the removal of the account was in accordance with the company’s compliance with U.S. sanctions.“We find this very regrettable and completely unreasonable, but we think they can’t stop us from spreading our candidate’s message – our campaign’s message – to the public,” said Tam Yiu-chung, head of Lee’s campaign office.

Sebastian Stan and Tommy Lee’s friendship just got friendlier as the two were spotted enjoying a dinner out in Malibu together.

The Interactive Advertising Bureau has released the full schedule for next month’s NewFronts as the showcases return to in-person mode for the first time since 2019.

“Today, I celebrate 26 years of marriage to my extraordinary wife,” Hugh Jackman wrote on Monday (Apr. 11), sharing a picture of him alongside his better half, Deborra-Lee Furness. In the selfie, Hugh, 53, snuggled close to Deborra-Lee, 66, as they walked along the sandy shores of a beach somewhere. The Music Man actor added that ever since he and Deborra-Lee tied the knot in 1996, “every single day is filled with so much laughter, joy, and backgammon!!!! Deb you light up my life. I love you with all my heart!”

In the LGBTQ+-themed Nimona, Knight Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed) is framed for a crime he didn’t commit and the only person who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Moretz), a shape-shifting teen who might also be a monster he’s sworn to kill. Set in a techno-medieval world unlike anything animation has tackled before, this is an inclusive story about the labels we assign to people and the shapeshifter who refuses to be defined by anyone. Yang is playing a character named Ambrosius Goldenloin.

Chloë Grace Moretz (Mother/Android), Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal) and Eugene Lee Yang (Spring Bloom) will lead the animated film Nimona, based on ND Stevenson’s New York Times bestselling graphic novel, which is heading to Netflix in 2023.

HBO Max has plenty of new titles to thumb through in April. While there’s a lot to dig into, we’ve singled out seven newly added films we think are absolutely worth your time, across a wide range of genres so there’s a little something for everyone.

wcinkala pmc-editorial-managerVariety is pleased to announce that Dakota Johnson, Hulu President Joe Earley and Prime Video and Amazon Studios Global Chief Marketing Officer Ukonwa Ojo are among the speakers participating at the Variety Entertainment Marketing Summit, presented by Deloitte, on May 24 in Hollywood. Johnson will be joined by partner Katie O’Connell to discuss their strategy on building their production company TeaTime Pictures. Current projects in which Johnson stars and produces include upcoming film releases “Cha Cha Real Smooth” and “Am I OK?”Earley will be featured in a keynote conversation focusing on his leadership vision for Hulu.

Cannes Film Festival says it is anticipating in-person industry attendance at its 2022 edition to be “much higher than last year”, with the vast majority of delegates set to make the trip.

Pete Davidson was back on Saturday Night Live tonight after taking a break to shoot his latest movie. His first bit upon return was a music video, in which he rapped about movies getting too long.

Reconciled. Nearly seven years after Mo’Nique — full name Monique Angela Hicks — alleged that her Precious director, Lee Daniels, had “blackballed” her from the film industry, the pair are on much better terms.

Lee Daniels, 62, and Mo’Nique, 54, are ending their feud after 13 years. The director, who directed the actress’ 2009 film Precious, made an appearance on stage at her Mo’Nique and Friends: April Fools Day with The Queen of Comedy event at St. George Theatre on Staten Island on April 1, and made a public apology after she previously claimed he told her she’d been “blackballed” in the industry when she expected a pay increase due to winning an Oscar.

Mo’Nique will be reuniting with Lee Daniels for his next film, Demon House.

After being exclusively virtual the past couple of years we are happy to announce we are back in front of a live audience again.