Vertical Buys ‘The Queen Mary,’ Horror Film Shot on Famous Ocean Liner (EXCLUSIVE)

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic You can easily hear the impact of Tina Turner in the music of Yola, one of the greatest singers of our generation. But it goes far beyond any basic level of influence for this British-bred, now Nashville-based powerhouse. Before becoming a recording artist and Grammy nominee, back in her native U.K., she was a teacher and lecturer in vocal biomechanics who would instruct young singers in how to emulate Turner’s singular voice… or at least how to try. Yola spoke with Variety about Turner, who died May 24 at age 83. These are some of her thoughts, on everything from Tina’s pure technique to the unique challenges she faced as a Black stylist without parallels or filters to her place in genre-bridging musical history.

Anthony Chen’s well-regarded Mainland China-set “The Breaking Ice” has found favor with multiple European and Asian buyers in the few days since its Sunday premiere as part of the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard. The film narrates a love triangle story among China’s lost youth generation and is set in the middle of winter in Yanji, a town that is heavily populated by ethnic Koreans. It is headlined by a star-studded Chinese cast of Zhou Dongyu (“Better Days”), Liu Haoran (“Detective Chinatown” franchise) and Qu Chuxiao (“The Wandering Earth”). “The Breaking Ice” has been newly licensed to Challan for release in South Korea, Trigon-Film for Switzerland, One From the Heart for Greece, Tucker Film for Italy and Edko Films for Hong Kong.Rights sales are handled by Rediance, Mainland China’s leading indie sales company, which reports that addition territory deals are currently being negotiated.

SPOILER ALERT! This post contains details from the series finale of The CW’s The Flash.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Vertical has secured North America, United Kingdom, and Ireland rights to “Natty Knocks,” a new horror film from Dwight H. Little, the director of “Halloween 4.” The film’s casts includes a collection of horror all-stars such as Bill Moseley (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2”), Danielle Harris (“Halloween”) and Robert Englund (“A Nightmare on Elm Street”). “Natty Knocks” unspools on Halloween Eve, as a small-town babysitter and the kids she is looking after struggle to survive a serial killer named Abner Honeywell. Vertical has slated the film for a day-and-date release on July 21. The screenplay was penned by Benjamin Olson. The cast also includes Charlotte Fountain-Jardim (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), Thomas Robie (“Insidious: The Last Key”), Noen Perez (“Grace and Frankie”) and Jason James Richter (“Free Willy”). The film’s executive producers are Amit Sarin and Vineesha Arora Sarin; producers are Jason Richer and Sandy Little.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Kaouther Ben Hania, the Oscar-nominated director of “The Man Who Sold His Skin” whose latest film “Four Daughters” is competing at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, will next direct “Mimesis,” an epic love story set in Tunisia. While the plot is under wraps, the story is set in two different periods, the 1990s and the 1940s, paying tribute to cinema and Arab-Muslim cultural heritage. It’s being produced by Nadim Cheikhrouha at Tanit Films, who produced Ben Hania’s “Four Daughters” and her previous film “The Man Who Sold His Skin” which world premiered at Venice where it won best actor for Yahya Mahayni and was nominated for best international film at the Oscars in 2021.

Naman Ramachandran German distributor Dolphin Medien has partnered with U.K. horror production house Red Shadow Studios on horror films based on public domain children’s properties Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan, it was revealed at the ongoing Cannes film market. “Winnie the Pooh: Death House,” described by the makers as “The Strangers” meets “The Purge,” is a stylized serial killer slant on A.A. Milne’s beloved character, which recently entered the public domain. The film is written by Red Shadow’s Adam Stephen Kelly and is directed by S.J. Evans (“Dead of the Nite”). The story centres around an unexpected school reunion in a remote country mansion – an event orchestrated by members of a cult who were mercilessly tormented by the guests as children. Now, years later, they’re out for gruesome revenge. Filming is underway at U.K. locations.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story – check it out below.Created by Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy), the Netflix prequel series follows young Queen Charlotte’s (India Amarteifio and Golda Rosheuvel) rise to prominence in the late 18th century.A synopsis reads: “Young Queen Charlotte’s marriage to King George of England sparks an epic love story and transforms high society in this Bridgerton universe prequel.”Alongside Amarteifio and Rosheuvel, the show’s cast includes Arsema Thomas, Adjoa Andoh, Ruth Gemmell, Corey Mylchreest, Michelle Fairley and Sam Clemmett.After scoring the first two seasons of Bridgerton, Kris Bowers returns to provide the soundtrack for Queen Charlotte. Along with working with Jay-Z, Kanye West and Jose James, his other past credits include When They See Us, Dear White People and 2018 Oscar winner Green Book.You can stream the official score below.Like Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte features orchestral covers of pop songs throughout.

Harrison Ford returned to the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday, picking up an honorary Palme d’Or before the world-premiere screening of Disney/Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor Sterling K. Brown could be on his way to Broadway. The three-time Emmy winner will star in a reading of a new stage production of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” on May 18 in New York City, sources exclusively tell me. Brown will play Randle P. McMurphy, a character famously portrayed by Jack Nicholson in the 1975 movie adaptation of Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel. Sources also tell me that Tony winner Laura Benanti will play Nurse Ratched. The team behind the reading have their hopes set on a Broadway run. The reading is directed by Young Vic artistic director Kwame Kwei-Armah. Scott Delman produces. Delman is also on board as a producer of the “Thelma & Louise” musical, which has been workshopped with Amanda Seyfried and Evan Rachel Wood starring.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Vertical has nabbed U.S. rights to Clement Virgo’s feature film, “Brother,” following its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. Virgo wrote the screenplay and adapted the story of two brothers facing questions of masculinity, family, race and identity from David Chariandy’s novel of the same name. The film stars Lamar Johnson (“The Hate U Give,” “The Last of Us”), Aaron Pierre (“The Underground Railroad,” “Foe”), Kiana Madeira (“Fear Street” franchise) and Marsha Stephanie Blake (“When They See Us”). The film is slated for a day-and-date release this summer.

Viewers were in tears as the Memorable Moment TV Bafta award was awarded to Paddington bear having tea with the late Queen during the Platinum Jubilee: Party At The Palace celebrations on the BBC. Queen Elizabeth II surprised the world when she appeared in a heart-warming sketch with the adorable bear to celebrate her 70 year reign on Saturday, June 4 last year.

The Weeknd is bidding to purchase NHL team the Ottawa Senators, according to the Ottawa Sun and Star. It is reported that Abel Tesfaye is part of a group, alongside Jeffrey and Michael Kimel of the Harlo Capital Group, seeking to gain a controlling stake in the company.

LEGALA judge has dismissed the majority of Marilyn Manson’s defamation claims against actor Evan Rachel Wood under California’s so-called anti-SLAPP free speech laws. Wood’s attorney, Michael Kump said that Manson had “failed to show that his claims against her have even minimal merit”.

Christine and the Queens has today (May 9) shared an emotive new track, ‘Tears Can Be So Soft’. Listen to the track below.The French singer-songwriter’s new album ‘PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE’ is due for release June 9 and will follow-up last year’s ‘Redcar les adorables étoiles’.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are getting their official portraits taken.

The young and mischievous Prince Louis was the very much the main focus of many people's attentions as he attended his grandfather Prince Charles' Coronation service.. The five-year-old royal - youngest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton - left people delighted as he sat with his parents and sibling, especially when he accidentally sang 'God save the Queen' instead of the updated lyric at the end of the service.

Queen Elizabeth II's ceremony occurred on June 2, 1953, while her son, King Charles III, had the crown bestowed upon him on Saturday in a ceremony that also formalized his role as the head of the Church of England and marked the transfer of his title and powers.  Queen Elizabeth was only 27 years old when her big day finally came calling, though she had to wait 15 months between her ascension to the throne and her coronation. Meanwhile, Charles was 74 on his coronation day, but he only had to wait two days shy of eight months from when he ascended the throne to his coronation day.

Queen Elizabeth II's ceremony occurred on June 2, 1953, while her son, King Charles III, will have the crown bestowed upon him on Saturday, May 6, in a ceremony that also formalizes his role as the head of the Church of England and marks the transfer of his title and powers.  Queen Elizabeth was only 27 years old when her big day finally came calling, though she had to wait 15 months between her ascension to the throne and her coronation. Meanwhile, Charles will be 74 on his coronation day, but he only had to wait two days shy of eight months from when he ascended the throne to his coronation day.

It’s been nearly 70 years since a coronation ceremony has taken place. Queen Elizabeth II‘s ceremony occurred on June 2, 1953, while her son, King Charles III, will have the crown bestowed upon him on Saturday, May 6, in a ceremony that also formalizes his role as the head of the Church of England and marks the transfer of his title and powers.

Sound the alarms! It looks like we have a whole new royal feud on our hands!