VFX Firm Digital Domain and PRG Set Virtual and Post-Production Partnership

Powerhouse Japanese boyband agency Johnny & Associates, which is embroiled in a sexual abuse scandal relating to its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa, has announced it will change its name and split into two companies. In September, the pop giant acknowledged that Kitagawa, who died in 2019 at age 87, had sexually abused boys signed by the agency over a span of several decades.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief EST N8, a recently-established finance, production and film sales company, has appointed Chen ; Tata’ Xinrui as its sales and distribution manager. Chen will serve under Tenten Wei, head of studios for EST N8 and will be based in Los Angeles. EST N8 is a partnership between EST Studios and Bangkok-based N8 Studios that was officially launched at Cannes this year and operates under the combined moniker.

Everybody who needs to be in the room when SAG-AFTRA and the studios sit down for talks next week will be.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony will be streamed live for the first time in November, as Disney+ has picked up rights to let viewers see the event as it happens, a marked change from the years in which music fans had to wait weeks to see an edited broadcast. The Disney+ livestream will go out coast-to-coast from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Nov. 3 at 8 p.m..

Queen and Adam Lambert are set to embark on their North American ‘Rhapsody’ tour next week – find all the details below.The legendary band launched the acclaimed show back in 2019, and brought it to the UK, Ireland and Europe last year.Per a press release, Queen and their frontman Lambert are now taking the newly “expanded and updated” production back to the US and Canada “where it first began”. The group have promised an “even more ambitious show” at the upcoming dates.Queen’s 2023 Rhapsody’ tour is scheduled to begin with two consecutive nights at the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Maryland next Wednesday (October 4) and Thursday (5).From there, they’ll visit Toronto, Detroit, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and other cities throughout the month.

The Tokyo Film Festival has set the lineup for its bumper 2023 edition, running October 23 to November 1. Scroll down for the full list. 

Ellie Duque has joined Deadline as President. Duque will bring her vast experience to help the continuing evolution of Deadline beyond being the preeminent breaker of Hollywood news, and into other domestic and international platforms. Duque replaces Stacey Farish, whose resignation was accepted during the summer. Duque will report to Tom Finn, Penske Media’s Executive Vice President of Operations and Finance based in Los Angeles. She starts October 9.  

Thundercat has announced the details of his upcoming 2024 UK and Ireland tour.The two-time Grammy Award-winning artist will kick off the tour at the O2 Academy in Glasgow on March 25. From there, he will make stops in Dublin, Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol and Wolverhampton.

Sky Ferreira has announced a UK and Ireland headline tour for next year – find all the details below.The Los Angeles-born singer-songwriter is due to hit the road in mid-March for shows in Dublin (March 17), Glasgow (19), Birmingham (20), Leeds (22), Manchester (24), London (26), Bristol (29), Oxford (31) and Brighton (April 1).Ferreira hasn’t played live in the UK since she performed as part of the Grace Jones-curated edition of Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre in London in June 2022. Next year’s stop-off in the capital will take place at KOKO in Camden Town.Tickets for the upcoming tour go on general sale at 10am BST this Thursday (September 28) – you’ll be able to buy yours here.

Russell Brand has posted a video addressing a “distressing week” following allegations of rape, sexual assault and controlling behaviour by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches in a joint investigation.The actor, comedian and presenter had already denied what he termed “very serious criminal allegations” in a video that was released last week (September 15). In the video, Brand insisted that his relationships have always been consensual.The allegations against Brand relate to a seven year period “at the height of his fame” between 2006 and 2013 according to The Sunday Times and come from four women, one of whom was 16 at the time.

Scottish icon Billy Connolly reportedly had a few harsh words for Russell Brand over his behaviour whilst on the set of a musical.

Captain Sandy Yawn has announced her engagement to partner of five years Leah Shafer.The Below Deck Mediterranean star, 59, took to Instagram to share the exciting news after she popped the question to Leah, 49, during a romantic weekend getaway. Sharing the news, Sandy wrote: "It official! I asked Leah to marry me, and she said YESSSSS We are engaged! stay tuned for wedding [ring emoji]." Her Below Deck co-star Aesha Scott led congratulatory comments, writing: "SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITING GAAAHHH!!!! Couldn’t be happier for you two!!!!! [three heart-eye emoji] best couple!" and Bugsy Drake added: "OMG this makes my heart beyond happy!!! Love you both [three heart emojis]" Speaking to E! News about her engagement, Sandy said: "I have been thinking about marrying Leah for years.

Captain Sandy Yawn is engaged!

Russell Brand has been accused of sexual assault by four different women, with the alleged assaults taking place during a seven-year period from 2006 to 2013.

Selena Gomez's Mirror Selfies because every 'fit is a work of art.All summer long, Gomez has been sharing on her Instagram Stories, which are at least 70% responsible for my current obsession with and , while simultaneously making me want to rebuild the quintessential cool girl I left behind when I moved from NYC to Los Angeles. How can all these aesthetics exist in harmony? I don't know, ask Selena Gomez.

Teen pop star Olivia Rodrigo has added further dates to her huge GUTS world tour in 2024 with a second date in Manchester due to demand.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer Media watchdog GLAAD released its Studio Responsibility Index on Thursday, using its annual ranking of queer representation in mainstream films to stand with striking unions SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America. Convening in-person at the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center’s Ed Gould Plaza in Hollywood, leadership from both show business unions, queer talent and GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis spoke of the dangers that work stoppages from the strokes pose to inclusive storytelling.

Dick Clark Productions said Thursday that it has hired Richard A. Pizante as its new SVP Production. The veteran producer, whose credits include co-executive producing on the first season of NBC’s The Voice and working on the Primetime Emmys, the BET Honors and the 2019 TV special Dolly Parton: 50 Years at the Opry, will be based out of Los Angeles and begin immediately.

Tom Holland and Zendaya inspired a viral meme after they were spotted in the audience during Beyonce‘s Renaissance World Tour, and the Spider-Man actor showed it some love.

McKinley Franklin editor Tom Sandoval can’t remember the last time he and Raquel Leviss were in communication, but he tells Variety he surely wasn’t expecting her to block him on Instagram Tuesday. Sandoval and Raquel Leviss have been at the center of one of reality television’s greatest controversies since it was revealed that he cheated on his long-term partner Ariana Madix with Leviss, whom they both co-star with on “Vanderpump Rules.” The deemed #Scandoval went on to draw record-breaking ratings for the Bravo series (even landing the show its first Emmy nominations) but at a clear cost.