Warner Bros. Discovery Sets Out International Leadership Team, Puts Focus on Regional Heads

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” the newest timeline-altering tentpole in Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe, captured a huge $265 million in its international box office debut.Those mighty ticket sales represent the second-biggest opening weekend overseas in pandemic times. Sony’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home” still stands as the highest-grossing COVID-era debut with $340 million internationally.The second “Doctor Strange” film, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the goatee-rocking sorcerer, generated $185 million in North America over the weekend, bringing its global tally to a massive $450 million.

Amazon’s The Underground Railroad has been revealed as surprise winner of the prestigious BAFTA TV Award for Best International.

EXCLUSIVE: Emmy nominated Barry producer and scribe Jason Kim is set to pen a spinoff of Crazy Rich Asians which will center around the Gemma Chan character of Astrid Young Teo and her romance with Charlie Wu, played by Harry Shum Jr. in the original movie.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” the latest timeline-bending entry in Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe, has kicked off at the international box office, collecting $27.2 million on opening day.The film is currently playing in 20 overseas markets, including France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Korea. “Doctor Strange 2” opens in North America and several other territories on Friday.

Fearne Cotton has announced the return of her successful wellness festival, with guest speakers including Rylan, DJ Fat Tony and Jono Lancaster already confirmed. The Happy Place festival's northern date will take place at Tatton Park in Cheshire on September 3 and 4.

The newly-formed Warner Bros Discovery Sports is launching The Power Of Sport, a cross-platform magazine show that will run for 18 weeks in Europe. Premiering May 4 on Eurosport 1, discovery+ and Eurosport’s digital platform, the show looks to take fans deeper into human stories and issues in a “bold and powerful” take on the sporting week.

Michelle Keegan stepped out looking spectacular once again on Saturday night in aid of an exciting hen party alongside three friends.MORE: Michelle Keegan celebrates her exciting news with blissful breakThe brunette beauty showed off her impressive physique as she enjoyed a mouth-watering Chinese feast at Tattu in London - and it's safe to say we couldn't be more jealous.WATCH: Michelle Keegan looks sensational in satin bikini on Mexico holdidayTaking to her Instagram Stories to document the glamorous evening, Michelle penned: "Tonight we celebrate our hen," with a white heart, on a boomerang of the girls toasting their glasses.SEE: Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright reveal sneak peek inside cinema room at new homeREAD: Michelle Keegan is the ultimate beach babe in satin bikiniThe Our Girl star then posted a photo alongside her pals where she can be seen wearing the most gorgeous long-sleeve black outfit which had a cut-out top and perfectly displayed her wonderfully toned torso. Michelle shared the update with her 5.7 million followersThe photo also captured a marvellous view of London in the background, the backdrop of the exciting evening.The girls enjoyed beautifully prepared tapas-style Chinese dishes which looked delicious, and were served up on a stunning black marble table where the group were sat.One of the impressive plates appeared as a tree with candy floss leaves and had sorbet on the side.

EXCLUSIVE: Sony Pictures’ Stage 6 Films has acquired international rights (outside of China) to the dark comedy Bodies Bodies Bodies, from director Halina Reijn (Instinct).

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer“Barbie” is parking her pink convertible in U.S. theaters on July 21, 2023.The release date for the anticipated live-action adventure from the iconic doll, played by Margot Robbie with a juicy supporting cast, was announced on Tuesday during the Warner Bros. presentation at Las Vegas’ CinemaCon.Notably, this movie will open against Christopher Nolan’s sprawling ensemble film “Oppenheimer” — but Barbie came to play, and has a dream cast of her own.

Disruption will continue to weigh on the international theatrical system as the Russia-Ukraine war drags on and well over half of China’s theaters are shuttered in the latest Covid crackdown.

Thandiwe Newton had a trip to the ER.

Tom Hardy is kicking off the weekend with a workout!

With British Summer Time now upon us, it’s time to slather on the SPF and grab your sunnies as the UK is looking set to enjoy a spell of hot weather. According to predictions, some parts of Britain are expected to be hotter than Madrid this weekend as temperatures climb into the late teens. On Saturday 23 April, temperatures in London will make the capital hotter than Madrid as the mercury looks set to reach 17°C.To the east and south, the weekend will be characterised by “sunny spells and scattered showers” according to the Met Office.

Warner Bros Discovery International Head Honcho Gerhard Zeiler has set his leadership team, with big promotions for the likes of Priya Dogra and Anil Jhingan.

Refresh for latest…: It’s no secret that Warner Bros’ Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore had a less than magical opening domestically this weekend, coming after early overseas rollout began last frame. Still, offshore this weekend, the threequel was again the top movie and ranked No. 1 in 52 markets, including 41 of the 44 new openers. The overseas sophomore frame added $71.7M for a cume of $150.4M, bringing global just shy of $200M at $193.4M. In like-for-likes Dumbledore is running 38% behind the previous installment and 42% off the original.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterKevin Hart and Woody Harrelson’s action comedy “The Man From Toronto” is headed to Netflix, Variety has learned exclusively.The Sony Pictures production originally dated for an August theatrical release has sold in a worldwide rights deal to the streamer,  in all territories barring China. The transfer falls under the exclusive first-look deal Sony signed with Netflix last year, on the heels of its notable windowing agreement with the tech giant in 2021.The film revolves around a case of a mistaken identity after the world’s deadliest assassin, known as the “man from Toronto,” (Harrelson) and a stranger, played by Hart, run into each other at an Airbnb. Chaos soon follows as the assassin’s world comes crashing down on Hart.

Naman Ramachandran “Beautiful Blue Eyes,” the last film starring Roy Scheider, will release worldwide on June 10, following a charity premiere in London on June 6.The two-time Oscar nominee (“Jaws,” “The French Connection,” “Marathon Man,” “Klute,” “All That Jazz”) died in 2008 while “Beautiful Blue Eyes” was being filmed. Completion of the film was put on hold until AI and CG technology was advanced enough to overcome the technical challenges faced by the filmmakers.