HappyNest Investing in Audio Company GoKidGo, Deal Includes R.L. Stine Projects (EXCLUSIVE)

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaRoadside Attractions has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Free Turn’s “Gigi & Nate.” The film stars Charlie Rowe, Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Harden, and Jim Belushi, and is based on true events. It tells the story of Nate Gibson, a young man whose life is turned upside down after he suffers a near-fatal illness and is left a quadriplegic.And “Gigi & Nate” also serves as the introduction to a pint-sized, though still formidable new talent.

Erika Jayne opened up to ET about her ongoing legal and personal conflicts, saying she never thought she'd be in a situation so complex.The 50-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star has been ensnared in a legal battle concerning her divorce from her now-estranged husband, Thomas Girardi, and their alleged embezzlement of money that was meant for the families of the victims in the fatal Lion Air plane crash of 2018.She's also been the subject of increased media attention surrounding her feud with fellow star Sutton Stracke, who allegedly spread rumors surrounding Jayne's involvement in the lawsuit while the group was filming season 12. «It's not a good place to be and I feel like the court of public opinion is also hard to navigate because people don't have all of the facts, and they tend to gravitate towards sensationalized headlines,» Jayne told ET's Denny Directo.    «I think people have sort of dehumanized me into this place,» she said, saying that the public sometimes seems to think she doesn't care about the severity of the claims made against her, «which is not the case. I'm fighting literally for my life.» Though the last two years have brought intense scrutiny, she sees a light at the end of the tunnel. «Some of the immediate pressure has been lifted and time has gone on,» she said.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaQuiver Distribution has acquired “The Wheel,” a relationship drama about a young couple on the brink of divorce. That film is from Steve Pink, the co-writer of “High Fidelity” and the director of “Hot Tub Time Machine” and “About Last Night.” It premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Quiver will distribute the film on July 22, 2022.

EXCLUSIVE: On the heels of us revealing their Katy Perry animated musical Melody, The Trial Of The Chicago 7 and The Pale Blue Eye outfit Cross Creek Pictures and animation specialist Zag have set an agreement to develop and produce a slate of ten animated, live-action and hybrid format features, the majority of which will be musicals.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaNewportFILM Outdoors has unveiled its upcoming season of award-winning documentaries. The organization showcases non-fiction features and screens them in dramatic, often opulent settings around Newport, Rhode Island, a legendary summer getaway.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaBleecker Street, the indie studio behind “The Assistant” and “Mass,” and online film packaging, financing and distribution marketplace Slated have entered a strategic partnership. It is described as a multi-picture, multi-year output deal.It’s also an innovative alliance that will see the two companies use new to technology to identify high scoring films from Slated’s curated content pipeline to distribute domestically via Bleecker Street.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and Media“Topdog/Underdog” will return to Broadway this fall with Corey Hawkins and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II appearing in the two lead roles.The revival is timed to the 20th anniversary of Suzan-Lori Parks’ play, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama when it debuted. Kenny Leon, the Tony Award-winning director of the 2014 revival of “A Raisin in the Sun” and 2020’s “A Soldier’s Story,” will direct “Topdog/Underdog.”The strictly limited, 16-week engagement will begin previews on Sept. 27 at the John Golden Theatre and will officially open on Oct.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaBrian Gersh has been named president of Network Entertainment USA. He brings three decades of experience in the entertainment industry, having worked as an executive, agent, manager, and producer, where he has greenlit scores of film and television projects around the world.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaIt’s that time of year again. That post-July 4th period when media barons and billionaires break out the Brooks Brothers casual and don their sweater vests to hit an idyllic Idaho resort town of Sun Valley for another edition of “lets make a deal.”Many of the names expected to rub elbows next month are familiar ones. Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Liberty Media’s John Malone, Comcast chairman Brian Roberts, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Apple pasha Tim Cook and Berkshire Hathaway guru Warren Buffett are among those who have once again made the cut for Allen & Co.’s annual media conference.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaPaul Yanover is stepping down as president of Fandango after nearly a decade atop the country’s leading movie ticketing service. He will be replaced by Will McIntosh, who currently serves as executive VP of NBC Sports Next.His new role will be slightly different, as he will serve as president of both NBC Sports Next and Fandango.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaProducer and entrepreneur Alex Lieberman has launched Bright West Entertainment, a new film finance and production company with a special focus on backing documentary content.The company is making a big splash this month. Three of its next feature documentaries — “On the Line: The Richard Williams Story,” “Subject” and “Rudy! A Documusical” — are set to world premiere at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival, which kicks off on Wednesday.“I’m focused on financing interesting stories and trying to serve as a catalyst to help projects get made,” Lieberman tells Variety.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaElmo, Cookie Monster, Grover and more are New York City bound.Rockefeller Productions and Sesame Workshop are teaming for “Sesame Street: The Musical,” a new Off-Broadway stage production adapted from the beloved children’s TV program, Variety has learned exclusively. Previews will start on Sept. 8, 2022, with opening night set for Sept.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series at Disney+ is rounding out its cast with five new additions, Variety has learned exclusively.Virginia Kull, Glynn Turman, Jason Mantzoukas, Megan Mullally, and Timm Sharp are all set to appear in recurring guest star roles in the small screen adaptation of the popular Rick Riordan book series. They join previously announced series lead Walker Scobell as well as recently announced co-stars Aryan Simhadri and Leah Sava Jeffries. News of the casting comes as the series kicks off production in Vancouver.Mullally (“Will & Grace,” “Party Down,” “Children’s Hospital”) will play Alecto, a.k.a.

is coming back, and it's shaping up to be more exciting than ever before!In this exclusive first look at season 14, sideline reporter Zuri Hall joins hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila to break down what fans can expect from the brand new season.First and foremost, there are some new wacky and wonderful obstacles that the competitors will be facing, including the Despica-balls — moving spheres made to look like the minions from the franchise that contestants will have to run over.Additionally, there's a carnival-themed set of obstacles that will challenge players to maneuver a ball into a slot while hanging above the ground. Like so many of the challenges, the new additions are mind-bending and thrilling.However, for Iseman, the most interesting thing about the show — more so than the obstacles or challenges themselves — are the contestants and their journeys.«For me, without a doubt, it's about the stories,» Iseman shared.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaAs viewers gear up for the final seasons of “Stranger Things,” “Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical” is launching new productions this fall in London and Australia. It will also mount an Off-Broadway revival, where the show was a hit during its initial 2021 run.The London production gets points for atmosphere — it will set “Stranger Sings!” within a maze of disused railway arches underneath Waterloo Station.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaDocumentary studio XTR and Crooked Highways are teaming up on “Merch!”The upcoming documentary will look at the origin and impact of music merchandise through the stories of pivotal musicians, designers, fans, and entrepreneurs who helped commodify artists. The non-fiction feature will trace the history of these products, starting with the first Elvis Presley concert t-shirt.

Naman Ramachandran India’s Kamal Haasan is a true multi-hyphenate. Beginning as a child actor in 1960, he is one of the country’s most consummate actors with films like “Pathinaru Vayathinile” (1977) “Moondram Pirai” (1982) “Nayakan” (1987), “Thevar Magan” (1992) and “Vishwaroopam” (2013) behind him.He also produces via his Raajkamal Films International (RKFI), writes, directs, and runs the  Makkal Needhi Maiam political party.The upcoming “Vikram,” directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj (“Master”) and costarring Fahadh Fasil (“Maalik”) Vijay Sethupathi (“Kadaisi Vivasayi”), will be Haasan’s first release since 2018’s “Vishwaroopam 2.” It is produced by RKFI.Haasan was at the Cannes Market to launch NFTs based on “Vikram” from Fantico, a digital licensed platform of Singapore’s Vistas Media Capital.

Leo Barraclough International Features EditorEuropean Film Promotion has been playing host at the Cannes Film Festival to 20 up-and-coming European producers, selected for its Producers on the Move program. Variety invited the producers to share details of their upcoming projects.Maarten Schmidt, Belgium Project: “Under the Surface” Director: Guido Verelst Anne, born premature, has Asperger’s and wants nothing more than to be able to live underwater as a mermaid.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaDouglas Carter Beane, the Tony Award-nominated playwright behind “The Nance” and “The Little Dog Laughed,” has signed with Verve for representation in all areas.Beane is one of the most prolific and celebrated writers in the theater business, having seen many of his works produced to great acclaim both on and off Broadway. He has moved seamlessly between genres and subject matter, from straight plays to musicals, often injecting a drawing-room wit and sophistication into the material.Beane’s plays include “As Bees in Honey Drown,” “The Closet,” “Shows for Days,” “Mr.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentLola Arabia and Dubai’s Charisma Group are readying Agustí Villaronga’s “Arabian Aroma” and Pau Miró’s “Lost Symphony,” the first two titles in a 12-pic production alliance unveiled during the Berlin. FestivalBoth movies are in pre-production, budgeted around $6 million and feature women “who passionately set themselves on a mission,” the partners announced.