Horror Animation Anthology Series ‘A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts’ to be Served Up by Global Partners (EXCLUSIVE)

off-its-rocker “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, which had Indy survive a nuclear explosion by hiding inside a refrigerator — and ended with a Spielbergian alien encounter.Running time: 154 minutes. Rated PG-13 (sequences of violence and action, language and smoking.) In theaters June 30.Of course, we always feel happy seeing Harrison Ford — the greatest American action star ever — back in the iconic fedora, even at 80 years old.And Phoebe Waller-Bridge of “Fleabag” adds a welcome dose of spit and vinegar as Helena Shaw, Jones’ goddaughter and latest co-adventurer. But I still left asking “Why?” Everybody knows the Indy series should’ve called it quits with 1989’s “The Last Crusade,” after Indiana Jones and his dad, Dr.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” is gunning for the top spot on box office charts. The fifth and final adventure to star Harrison Ford as the legendary, globe-trotting explorer is targeting at least $65 million from 4,500 North American theaters in its opening weekend. The latest Indy installment is also debuting day-and-date at the international box office, where it’s aiming to add $80 million for a global start of $145 million to $150 million. Those ticket sales are decent, especially for the fourth sequel to a decades-old property that’s aimed at older audiences. But Disney spent a mind-boggling $295 million to bring the action-adventure to life. That’s not including marketing costs, such as a no-expense-spared premiere and afterparty at the Cannes Film Festival where much champagne was tippled. Even in the best circumstances, it’ll take a heroic feat — and a lot of nostalgia from long-time fans of the series — for “Indiana Jones 5” to turn a profit in its theatrical run.

John Bleasdale Guest Contributor As “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” rolls through its premiere schedule like a boulder chasing the eponymous hero, Variety spoke with Harrison Ford at the 69th Taormina Film Festival. On the terrace of Hotel Metropole, Ford looked resplendent in his black tuxedo, reminiscent of the suave version of Indiana Jones that opened “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.” Despite a curmudgeonly reputation, underlined even more by his role as the scene-stealing psychiatrist Paul in the hit Apple sitcom “Shrinking,” Ford seems to be enjoying his goodbye tour as he celebrates his fifth and final outing as the whip cracking archaeologist.

Christopher Vourlias The release of “Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire,” a pan-African Disney Plus Original animated series that will drop globally on the streaming platform on July 5, could be a game-changer for an African animation industry that continues to scale new heights. Executive produced by Oscar winner Peter Ramsey (“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”), Anthony Silverston of South African animation house Triggerfish, and Tandayi Nyeke, the 10-part anthology series offers a dizzying blend of mythology, science fiction and Afrofuturism, presenting 10 bold, wholly original visions of the future from a distinctly African perspective. The series, which is produced by Triggerfish, features animators from six African countries drawing on their own ancient histories, folklores and contemporary urban landscapes to reimagine a world populated with cyborg cattle, flying minibus-taxis, radioactive octopi and robotic birds. Collectively, they present a portrait of the continent that’s never been seen before.

purchase your tickets here.The R&B and soul trio – Raphael Saadiq, his brother D’Wayne Wiggins and Timothy Christian Riley – have announced that they will be embarking on a the ‘Raphael Saadiq Revisits Tony! Toni! Toné Just Me and You’ US tour this September.Kicking off in Birmingham, Alabama on September 21, the group will make stops in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Nashville, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and many more, before finishing up in San Francisco, California on November 17.Fans can access pre-sale here, some of which are happening now, before general sale starts Friday (June 23) at 10am EDT. You can find the full list of dates below and purchase tickets here.Announcing the news in a press statement, Saadiq, who will also perform works from his solo career, shared: “I’ve always wanted to put my family back together.

Harrison Ford will forever be cemented as a Hollywood icon, largely due to his beloved roles in two George Lucas-created franchises, Star Wars and Indiana Jones. But in the past, the actor has famously spoken a tad ill of Lucas’ creations, virally calling Han Solo a “relatively thin” character whom he wanted to see killed off, and reportedly convinced the filmmakers to do it in the Sequel Trilogy.

If Arnold Schwarzenegger weren’t constitutionally barred from entering the race, he’d be the next president of the United States.

Ed Sheeran broke an impressive record last week when he played the biggest USA shows of his career… and they grossed a LOT of money!

Emily Longeretta The search for the next dramatic alley crew is underway. The casting process has officially begun for “Vanderpump Villa,” Hulu’s upcoming reality show that will follow the staff of Lisa Vanderpump’s luxury French villa. The 10-episode unscripted series is produced by Bunim-Murray Productions and Entertainment 360. Currently, producers are searching for hospitality professionals to work under Vanderpump’s guidance. Openings include head chef, mixologist, sous chef, line cook, housekeeper, fine dining server, event coordinator, event assistant and estate manager. According the the press release, the hospitality team “will navigate every extravagant desire of their well-to-do guests in the French countryside,” and candidates should have “television-ready charisma.” They can apply now at BMPCASTING.COM/STAFF.

“Pitching in Hollywood is like your head against a brick wall right now.”

AniMela, India’s first-ever international festival for animation, VFX, XR, gaming and comics (AVGC-XR), has revealed dates for its inaugural edition in 2024. The festival is backed by India’s Aniverse and Visual Arts Foundation (AVAF) in partnership with Annecy Festival, France. AVAF is a not-for-profit organization founded by Kireet Khurana, Archana Trasy, Anne Doshi, Neha Jain and Tehzeeb Khurana to promote animation and other visual arts in India. The inaugural edition will take place Jan. 18-21, 2024 in Mumbai. AniMela has also confirmed leading leading South Asian player Hungama as the event’s digital media partner. Hungama offers content in more than 20 South Asian and international languages and boasts some 87 million music and video monthly streaming users.

The Sundance Institute revealed on Wednesday that it has received the largest endowment gift in its history, a $4M endowment in support of the the Institute’s Indigenous Program from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, which will provide new support for artists from California-based tribes, both federally and non-federally recognized.

EXCLUSIVE: Power Book II: Ghost star Woody McClain has signed a publishing deal with the Black-owned comic book publisher Godhood Comics to bring to life The Brotherhood comic series. McClain created the series set to be released later this year and also co-writes alongside DC Comics Milestone Initiative breakout writer Dorado Quick.

Jennifer Lopez, Dakota Johnson, Natalie Portman, Lucy Hale, Ashlee Simpson, Cindy Crawford, Kate Bosworth, and more celebs are on the hunt for unique fashion finds, all they have to do is pop into American Rag Cie in Los Angeles, California, and their style needs are bound to be met. The store has been the go-to destination for It-girls since its opening in 1984, and it all comes down to the retailer’s curated merchandise. Think: Vintage T-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, shorts, jackets, hats, belts, and jeans laid out in a 4,000-square-foot space, along with must-haves from brands like Ganni, Comme des Garçons Play, Paloma Wool, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Les Tien in the shop’s contemporary section.«Our pieces can be new, quirky, fun, whimsical, and sometimes humorous, but they’re always chic, tasteful, and stylish, so they can be worn over a long period of time,» founder and owner Mark Werts tells ET. «We seek unusual items that bring a little something more. … We want our customers to feel special when they wear or use items purchased at American Rag,» he continues. To gather this exclusive inventory, Werts makes an effort to stay inspired by traveling, reading, following his heart, and being friendly to everyone he comes across. «Celebrities and stars love the store because we treat everyone the same and with a big gracious smile.

Marta Balaga Disney Branded Television and Disney Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) looks set to reveal a slew of new titles at France’s Annecy Animation Festival. Apart from “Disney Junior’s Ariel,” a new series inspired by “The Little Mermaid,” pre-school adventure series “Magicampers” has also been greenlit.  Set at a day camp for magical creatures – its protagonists, Darly and Loomis, are half-pig and half-Pegasus, and half-donkey and half-unicorn – and created by Obie Scott Wade, it’s set to premiere globally on Disney+ and Disney Junior next year.

Prince Harry left a surprise gift for a flight attendant after he dashed back to California on Thursday.The Duke of Sussex had been in the UK for three days and headed home to be with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. As he jetted home with American Airlines, he gave a free copy of his tell-all memoir, Spare, to flight attendant and TikTok user Holden Pattern who looked after him during his flight. A delighted Holden took to Instagram to share a snap as he posed and beamed alongside Harry, 38, while onboard the flight.

Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard is searching for a new club after leaving Nottingham Forest.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent “Forest,” an Italian eco-themed animation film about deforestation, has scored some strong pre-sales for Rome-based True Colours at the Cannes Marché du film. The still-in-production 3-D animation feature – the protagonist of which is a young mushroom named Fey – has been picked up for roughly 20 territories by Top Film Distribution which will distribute “Forest” in Ukraine, CIS, the Baltics, and Eastern European countries including former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Poland, Czech and Slovak Republics, Romania, and Hungary.  Helmed by Luca Della Grotta and Francesco Dafano, the film is produced by Italy’s AI One, the same team that previously spawned 2020 similarly themed animation feature “Trash” that sold in more than 30 countries. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom will sit down for an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, on the heels of Newsom’s proposal for a 28th Amendment to the Constitution to address gun safety.

Selome Hailu The Native American and Indigenous Writers committee is “one of the smallest committees in the Writers Guild, but [with] one of the loudest voices ever” according to its vice chair Aiko Little — which was evidenced by the turnout of some 100 picketers who joined the NAIWC for a strike event in front of Walt Disney Studios on Wednesday. The NAIWC’s Disney picket was the most recent of a string of of WGA strike events over the past several weeks that have gathered writers from specific marginalized backgrounds — Trans Takeover Thursday, for example — to highlight how current working conditions are affecting them while celebrating storytellers from their communities.