‘Watch Dogs’: Sophie Wilde Tapped To Star In Movie Adaptation Of Hacker Video Game

Rudie Obias editor If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Back in October 2023, Microsoft acquired the game studio Activision-Blizzard with an eye towards growing Xbox‘s exclusive game library. And now, “Diablo IV” is the first major Activision-Blizzard game to hit Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s premium cloud gaming subscription service.

The drama from ITV's Love Island All Stars appears to have continued off-screen as Molly Smith was reportedly 'ignored' by her fellow cast members at a launch party. The event was to celebrate Molly's new fashion collaboration with popular brand Boohoo, and saw a number of stars and fellow Love Islanders flock to show their support. However, some notable faces were missing from the glitzy event, including Georgia Steel, Georgia Harrison and Anton Danyluk.

Camila Cabello is setting the stage for her new record. After debuting a new hairstyle, and teasing a new song on social media, Cabello has released “I LUV IT,” featuring Playboi Carti. Camila Cabello reveals why she left Fifth Harmony amid reported reunionKarol G’s bikini pics gets Camila Cabello, Becky G, and Paris Hilton riled upThe song is a departure from Cabello’s ballads and pop songs, having an electronic and hyper-pop edge.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday named Bridgette Wilder as its first Chief People and Culture Officer, a position that combines the AMPAS and Academy Museum’s human resources teams.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Advertisers plan to increase spend on in-video-game advertising by 40% this year, according to a new study, with total ad spend set to reach $8.5 billion in 2024 and increase to $11.5 billion by 2027. In IAB‘s “Changing the Game: How Games Advertising Powers Performance” report, which was revealed Tuesday, 86% of advertisers surveyed said gaming ad spend is “brand safe” and 85% are confident in their ability to measure the reach of games advertising.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer A video game based on HBO’s dark teen drama “Euphoria” is a key suggestion from this year’s edition of Fandom‘s Inside Entertainment study, which highlights the “entertainment and gaming tug of war.” Per the user-contented-centric entertainment platform’s 2024 survey, which was released Monday, drama is potentially the top “untapped” genre for gaming companies, as drama fans who play video games prefer these genres: role-playing (RPG): 73%, adventure: 72%, simulation: 62%, sandbox/open world: 62%, puzzle: 60%. “What do we know about ‘Euphoria’ and why was it such a big hit? Obviously, you have an amazing cast, storyline — but what is the story? And it was a really interesting take on the genre at the time, because if you think about the other shows that were coming out, they are a lot more positive than ‘Euphoria,'” Fandom’s director of sales research and insights Ally Saraniti told Variety.

Steve Burns shared on video on social media that has gotten Nickelodeon fans emotional.

“This Is Spinal Tap,” were spotted filming the movie’s long-awaited sequel last week in New Orleans. McKean, 76, dressed in a red velvet suit and donned a long blonde wig, photos obtained by The Post reveal.

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Gwyneth Paltrow was the latest guest on “Hot Ones” and waxed poetic on Hollywood’s push into superhero movies when asked by host Sean Evans about Cord Jefferson’s recent Oscar speech. The “American Fiction” director won best adapted screenplay this year and made a plea to Hollywood during his acceptance speech, saying: “Instead of making one $200 million movie, try making 20 $10 million movies.” “I absolutely understand where he’s coming from,” Paltrow said in response.

Katcy Stephan SPOILER ALERT: This review discusses minor plot details and gameplay elements from “Rise of the Ronin.” “Rise of the Ronin,” the latest release from “Nioh” developer Team Ninja, is one of the most highly-anticipated game releases of the year, promising a high-octane role-playing story combining eastern and western combat styles. From its announcement, “Rise of the Ronin” drew inevitable comparisons to Sucker Punch’s critically-acclaimed 2020 release “Ghost of Tsushima.” It’s understandable: although “Ronin” takes place about 600 years after “Ghost,” both follow samurai warriors in Japan as they swing their swords in an action-adventure open world.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer A Marvel video game, “1943: Rise of Hydra,” is set for 2025 release. The title, which hails from Skydance New Media and Marvel Games, will focus on characters Captain America and Black Panther (who at that time was King T’Chanda, also known as Azzuri) in World War II.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer When this year’s Game Developers Conference (GDC) kicks off Monday at the Moscone Center in San Fransisco, one topic is sure to be hanging over those in attendance at the five-day event: who has a job and who doesn’t — and who might still lose theirs soon. Rather than sweep the uncomfortable subject of the thousands of layoffs that have hit the video game industry recently under the rug, GDC leadership has specifically tailored GDC 2024’s programming lineup to address the issue head on and offer assistance to the out-of-work attendees looking to make the most out of participating in the 38th annual conference while unemployed.

Faye Bradley Actor Louis Koo is a household name in Hong Kong but off-screen, he’s an influential entertainment industry investor, producer and entrepreneur. Rising to prominence during the “golden age” of Hong Kong cinema, Koo built a respected career over the decades but less flashy are his businesses and investments. One Cool Group is one such revenue stream.

A first look teaser clip at the upcoming movie adaptation I Wish You All the Best has been revealed!

Will Hollywood experience another actors strike in the coming months?

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor Issues around the use of AI in the production process is the big sticking point in SAG-AFTRA’s negotiations with the largest video game companies, SAG-AFTRA chief Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said Saturday during a wide-ranging Q&A at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Crabtree-Ireland, who is national executive director and chief negotiator of the performers union, said he put the chances of union members striking against key game companies is “50-50, or more likely than that we will go on strike in the next four to six weeks because of our inability to get past these issues,” Crabtree-Ireland told Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company, during a conversation focused on AI.

There may soon be another actors strike in Hollywood — this time against the video game industry.

Game of Thrones was all about the battle for the Iron Throne. We can tell you who won that fight, but we’re posing a different question today: Which star from the cast is the wealthiest with the highest estimated net worth?

EXCLUSIVE: Following her breakout role in the A24 horror hit, Sophie Wilde has found her follow-up project as she is in talks to star in New Regency‘s Watch Dogs, an adaptation of the popular UbiSoft hit video game. The film is set within the universe of Ubisoft’s blockbuster video game franchise of the same name, with over 50 million players.

EXCLUSIVE: Altitude Media Group has boarded a documentary shot entirely inside the Grand Theft Auto video game world.