‘Titane’ Director Julia Ducournau’s Next Project to Star Golshifteh Farahani, Tahar Rahim; FilmNation and Charades Launching Sales

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Harry Shearer has voiced dozens of characters on Fox’s “The Simpsons,” from Mr. Burns to Ned Flanders and Principal Skinner, but he was replaced as the voice of Springfield physician Dr. Hibbert when producers of the show vowed in 2020 to no longer have white actors voice characters of color.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer Neon, the Oscar-winning distributor of “Parasite,” is getting back in business with “Titane” director Julia Ducournau. In one of the first big rights deals of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the studio announced it has acquired North American territories for Ducournau’s “Alpha.” Plot details were not immediately disclosed, except that the film will be “genre-defying.” Neon previously released Ducournau’s acclaimed “Titane,” which won Cannes’ highest honor, the Palme d’Or, in 2021. She is only the second woman director to do so, following Jane Campion for “The Piano.” “Alpha” will star Golshifteh Farahani (“The Patience Stone,” “Paterson”) and Tahar Rahim (“The Mauritanian,” “A Prophet”).

After serving as the U.S. distributor for Julia Ducournau‘s Palme d’Or-winning 2021 body horror Titane, Neon is getting back into business with the filmmaker as the North American distributor for her next genre-bending feature, Alpha.

“Definitely the most challenging thing I’ve had to do thus far as an actor, a lot of mental gymnastics involved,” Jharrel Jerome admits about the uniqueness of his role in the Boots Riley-created absurdist series I’m A Virgo, on which he plays a previously extremely sheltered 13-foot-tall Oakland teen. “At no point do I look my scene partners in the eye, and as an actor that’s so critical, you know, as connection.”

EastEnders star Patsy Kensit has reportedly ended her engagement to property mogul Patric Cassidy following a series of heated arguments. A source told The Sun: “It’s been a tumultuous relationship between Patsy and Patric. “While there was a lot of passion in their whirlwind romance, and they had a lot in common, ultimately it became too much hard work.

Coronation Street star Jude Riordan has been flooded with birthday wishes as he recreated a family tradition before a weekend celebrating in London. The young actor has officially entered his teenage years as he turned 13 on Saturday (May 11).

Bad reviews? Bah, says Chris Pine, who is ignoring the brickbats thrown at his directorial debut, Poolman. 

Jack Dunn The South by Southwest festival, held annually in Austin, Texas, will launch a European edition in London in June 2025. SXSW London will feature the mix of keynotes conversations, film and TV events, music showcases and showcases for innovations in digital and gaming that have defined SXSW since the festival began in 1987. The London festival will emphasize visual arts, design and fashion with exhibitions and immersive experiences that will be held in the Shoreditch area of east London.

EXCLUSIVE: Marco Kreuzpaintner has signed with CAA for representation. 

Former Love Island star Chris Hughes has shared his joy as one of his horses, named Annie, gave birth to an adorable baby foal.The reality star-turned sports presenter is big into horse racing and, thus, is into horses too, so, naturally, he was thrilled at the new addition to his life. Posting on Instagram, he shared a snap of chestnut mare, Annie, lying in the hay alongside her newborn baby foal, as he gushed: "The BEST news to wake to! Annie had her first foal this morning, at 5.15am and we couldn’t be happier.

There is more heartbreak ahead in Weatherfield as one couple splits and another relationship may be over before it's even begun. It starts when Liam Connor and Joseph Brown settle down to watch a film. When Joseph asks Liam if things have improved at school, Liam struggles to breathe and reaches for his inhaler.

2021 Palme d’Or winner Julia Ducournau returns to the Cannes Film Festival this year, but not in competition. Instead, Variety reports that she’ll be on the Croisette shopping her next project, entitled “Alpha,” with FilmNation and Charades handling its sales.

EXCLUSIVE:Here’s a buzzy one. Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables) and Emmy winner Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) are attached to star in new movie The Death Of Robin Hood, we can reveal.

Iranian-French actress Golshifteh Farahani and French actor Tahar Rahim are set to star in Julia Ducournau’s new film Alpha, her third feature after Cannes Palme d’Or winner Titane and breakout debut Raw.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has been in the spotlight since Prime Minister Rishi Sunak first shone a light on proposed welfare reforms for benefits delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) last month.

This Morning star Michelle Elman bravely spoke about her cheating ordeal on the This Morning sofa with Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard on Wednesday 1 May. Michelle, who is a body and confidence coach, revealed in April that she discovered her fiancé had been cheating on her, less than 24 hours after he proposed. Taking to social media, Michelle informed her fans on what had happened and said: “All this f*****g sucks, I was engaged for 24 hours".

Uberto Pasolini, who wrote and directed the James Norton-starring Nowhere Special that opened this weekend, says, rightfully, the film’s power emanates from the tangible bond you feel between father and son. Norton – the BAFTA-nominated British actor (Bob Marley: One Love, Little Women, Happy Valley) – is John a 35-year old window washer and single father to four-year old Michael (BIFA-nominated Daniel Lamot). John has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and is on a quest to place his son in a loving home.  

Brendan Rodgers has challenged Celtic to win the Premiership and Scottish Cup double for Joe Hart to sign off his career.

EXCLUSIVE: The new 28 Years Later trilogy from director Danny Boyle and Sony Pictures is gaining momentum, and some serious star power. Sources tell Deadline that Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes have boarded the first pic, a sequel to the original 28 Days Later.

Jamie Lang Leading French production-distribution outfit Le Pacte has boarded the upcoming 2D animated feature project “Conference of the Birds,” which will be spotlighted at the Marché du Film’s Animation Day during this year’s Cannes Festival. In addition to co-producing, Le Pacte will handle French distribution and serve as international sales agent on the film, part of the five-title Annecy Showcase at the Animation Day.