International Insider: British Broadcasting Crisis; Oscar Roundup; Filmart/Qatar Dispatches; Fremantle Results

, and it gives fans a more in-depth look at what's coming in the sequel to 2018's Oscar-winning animated feature when it premieres on June 2. introduced fans to Miles (voiced by Shameik Moore), an intelligent teen whose life changes when he gets bit by a radioactive spider and replaces the recently deceased Peter Parker (Chris Pine) of his universe as the city's Spider-Man. His heroic journey is aided by a team of Spider-Men (or Spider-Women, or Spider-Hams) from other universes, who band together to save the multiverse, including Peter B.

Rachel Brosnahan and Oscar Isaac will begin Broadway performances of The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window on April 25 and open on April 27 at the James Earl Jones Theatre.

Gardening may not be the first pastime that comes to mind when you think of Joe Lycett, however, the popular comedian has proved he’s got quite the green fingers. The 34 year old, who famously boycotted the World Cup in Qatar last year, regularly takes to his Instagram to update his followers on his gardening progress, alongside showing snippets of his modest Birmingham terraced house. Amongst the comedy highlights on his profile, he’s got a fair few icons specifically dedicated to the outdoors.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Andrea Scrosati, who is group COO and continental Europe CEO of Fremantle, isn’t too worried about various types of turbulence that are currently creating anxiety in the U.S. media market such as draconian cost cuts being made by juggernaut groups and the impending prospect of a Writers Guild of America strike. Speaking in Italy at a panel titled “Less is More – What to Do When the Streaming Boom is Over” Scrosati noted that the effect of market consolidation in the U.S. and fear due to plunging stock market results that is prompting cost cuts at Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery certainly means that “some of the big buyers are in a conflict.”

Naman Ramachandran Fremantle and Sinestra, the production outfit from director Johan Renck and producer Michael Parets, are in development on feature film “The Prisoner in His Palace.” The film will be based on Will Bardenwerper’s bestselling book “The Prisoner in His Palace: Saddam Hussein, His American Guards, and What History Leaves Unsaid” that tells the story of 12 U.S. soldiers who guarded Saddam Hussein in the months leading up to his execution. It explores the two distinct sides of Saddam Hussein: the cruel tyrant who uses torture and murder as tools and the contemplative prisoner who exhibits surprising affection, dignity, and courage in the face of death. The book delves into the guards’ experiences and shows how Saddam’s presence affected them on a personal level.

Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart penning the newsletter this week in what has been a (surprise, surprise) hugely busy week in the world of international TV and film. We really should stop qualifying that. Read on. And sign up for our weekly Insider here.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Top Middle East broadcaster MBC Group has forged a partnership with U.S. anime and manga distributor Tokyopop under which they are forming a hub dedicated to the licensing, promotion, and production of anime content in the region. The joint venture, called MBC Anime, is led by Stu Levy, the American anime and manga expert who is founder and CEO of Tokyopop, a prominent international distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime and manga. Through the new initiative, MBC Anime “will commission, produce, and invest in a series of world-class quality anime titles,” according to an MBC statement.

The Manchester United takeover process continues in the background as Premier League football prepares to return.

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Joe Otterson TV Reporter Leigh Bardugo has signed with WME for representation, Variety has learned exclusively. WME will now rep the New York Times bestselling author for film and TV rights services. New Leaf Literary & Media represents Bardugo for publishing and will now co-represent her with WME in all other areas. Bardugo is best known for writing the so-called Grishaverse novels, which consists of nine books total beginning with the “Shadow and Bone” trilogy. Her books have sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. Netflix currently airs the series version of “Shadow and Bone,” which is based on the three books of the trilogy as well as Bardugo’s “Six of Crows” duology. The cast of the series includes Jessie Mei Li, Archie Renaux, Freddy Carter, Amita Suman, Kit Young, Danielle Galligan, Calahan Skogman, and Ben Barnes. The series launched on Netflix in April 2021 and was renewed for a second season in June. Season 2 premiered on March 16 of this year and remains in the Netflix Top 10 at the time of this publishing. Bardugo is an executive producer on the series.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Fremantle is restructuring management of its Italian operations by promoting Marco Tombolini to the role of CEO Fremantle Italy. Tombolini, who since May of 2022 was Fremantle Italy co-CEO, will now “Take the helm of all areas and functions of the company, with the senior management of Fremantle Italy reporting directly to him,” a Fremantle statement said. Gabriele Immirzi – who had long served as Fremantle Italy CEO prior to sharing the CEO role with Tombolini since last May – has now stepped down but is staying in the Fremantle fold becoming co-CEO with Lorenzo Mieli of The Apartment Pictures.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent “Lamya’s Poem” centers around a Syrian refugee girl named Lamya who draws strength from the verses of ancient poet Rumi after violence forces her to flee from her country. The animated film was recently released digitally in the U.S. roughly around the anniversary of Syria’s 12-year uprising and in the aftermath of massive back-to-back earthquakes that have hit Turkey and Syria.  The timely tale’s impressive voice talent includes Mena Massoud, the star of Disney’s most recent “Aladdin,” as Rumi when he was a young poet; Millie Davis (“Wonder,” “Orphan Black”) as Lamya; and Faran Tahir (“Iron Man,” “Star Trek”) as Baha Walad, Rumi’s father.

Bonjour, Insiders. Jesse Whittock with you as another busy week in entertainment land draws to a close. Max and I were in Lille France for Series Mania for most of it, where encountered everything from Hollywood stars to raging rioters. Read on and sign up for the newsletter here.

Manchester United fans have praised former striker Cristiano Ronaldo as he prepares to become the most-capped men's international player in history.

Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo will become the most-capped international footballer of all time when Portugal take to the field on Thursday night.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Fremantle’s Documentaries division has launched Undeniable, a label dedicated to producing premium feature documentaries and series, in partnership with high-profile talent and international commissioners, Mandy Chang, Fremantle’s global head of documentaries, revealed Tuesday at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen. The label is already developing several international projects and partnerships with high-profile filmmakers, including Amy Berg (“Deliver Us From Evil,” “Phoenix Rising”), Chris Smith (“Tiger King,” “Bad Vegan”), and Penny Lane and Gabriel Sedgwick (“Hail Satan?,” “Listening to Kenny G”). Chang said: “The launch of Undeniable further underlines our commitment and ambition to build Fremantle’s documentary output on the premium side. Working with the very best filmmakers and emerging talent, the label will provide editorial and production expertise and support in multiple genres. Importantly, it will provide a platform and freedom for creative talent to unlock and explore important issues and stories to be told.”

Australia head coach Graham Arnold says Ryan Strain deserves another opportunity to impress for his country.

Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani visited Manchester United on Thursday as he bids to takeover the club.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter David Burtka and Carey Cox will lead the upcoming revival of “God of Carnage,” which is expected to open Off-Broadway in the spring. Theater Breaking Through Barriers, an inclusive theater company that works to spotlight people onstage and backstage with disabilities, is backing the production. It will begin performances at Theatre Row on April 18 before opening night on April 27. The limited engagement is running through May 20. Along with Burtka (Sam Mendes’ “Gypsy,” Edward Albee’s “The Goat or Who Is Sylvia”) and Cox (“The Glass Menagerie,” Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”) the ensemble cast includes Gabe Fazio (“The Good Nurse”) and Christiane Noll (“Ragtime,” “Dear Evan Hansen”).

There were a number of guaranteed wins this Oscar Sunday, but perhaps none as anticipated as the Supporting Actor category. In a surprise to no one, Ke Huy Quan capped off an incredible award season winning his first Academy Award for his performance in The Daniels’ “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” In so doing, he becomes just the second actor of Asian descent to win this category after Haing S.