Angelique Jackson Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Angelique Jackson “Bullet Train” producer and 87North co-founder Kelly McCormick’s guiding principle in filmmaking has been “finding the truth in fiction,” a response to earlier documentary work, where “it was not uncommon to twist stories to make them more entertaining.” So she pivoted to producing content that packs a different sort of emotional — and physical — punch.McCormick’s latest film, “Bullet Train,” directed by her husband and 87North partner David Leitch, stars Brad Pitt as a hitman who finds himself on a snatch-and-grab job that grows more complicated by the minute. Pitt leads an ensemble cast, including Sandra Bullock, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry and Bad Bunny, in a wild ride that showcases the company’s signature blend of hyper-violence and heart.

Angelique Jackson Byron Allen’s Black news and entertainment media platform theGrio will present a 90-minute session at the 2022 National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention and career fair, with a focus on the recently-launched theGrio Black Podcast Network (TGBPN) and the Allen Media Group’s acquisition of Black News Channel.The annual NABJ convention, held in collaboration with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), begins Aug. 3 in Las Vegas, NV, with theGrio making its presentation on Fri.

Michaela Zee editorFormer “Doctor Who” star Matt Smith couldn’t help but praise “Sex Education’s” Ncuti Gatwa for becoming the 14th Time Lord on the hit sci-fi series.During the “House of the Dragon” world premiere Wednesday night at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, Smith admitted that he and Gatwa haven’t met in person yet, but the two have “talked via WhatsApp.”“I think it’s the most sensational bit of casting. What an actor — he’s brilliant in ‘Sex Education,'” Smith, who played The Doctor between 2010 and 2013, told Variety Senior Entertainment Writer Angelique Jackson.

Angelique Jackson Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has announced its programming plans for this year’s journalism conferences for the Asian Americans Journalism Association (AAJA), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and the Association of LGBTQ Journalists (NLGJA).The company has set a series of panels, screenings and workshops via WBD brands including CNN, HBO, OWN, Turner Sports and Bleacher Report with the mission of “helping amplify unique voices, supporting creatives of color and advancing representation in media and news.”The first in-person programming is planned for the AAJA conference, which began July 24 in Los Angeles and runs through July 28, as CNN Worldwide returns for the 10th anniversary of its trademark reporter and producer journalism workshops.

Angelique Jackson When Keke Palmer got a call from Jordan Peele asking her to star in his latest film, “Nope,” she was quick to jump at the chance to join the Oscar-winning filmmaker’s mysterious project. After all, she’d already DM’d him on Instagram about a year earlier hoping to work together.Upon reading the script — which centers on Emerald Haywood (Palmer) and her brother OJ (Daniel Kaluuya), children of a Hollywood horse trainer who begin to witness mysterious events at their inland California farm — Palmer was struck by the trajectory of her character.“She’s of so many archetypes, from the jester to the orphan — she’s so skillfully created,” Palmer told Variety on the carpet at the world premiere of “Nope” on Monday night.

Angelique Jackson Eddie Murphy is set to star and produce “Candy Cane Lane,” a new holiday comedy for Prime Video. Reginald Hudlin will direct the film, from Amazon Studios, Imagine Entertainment, and Eddie Murphy Productions, from a spec script written by Kelly Younger, inspired by Younger’s childhood holiday experiences.

Angelique Jackson “Euphoria” actor Storm Reid is set to star in and produce the Paramount Pictures’ feature “Becoming Noble,” which follows a high school senior who learns she’s a princess of an African nation and travels to her home country on the continent to discover her roots, and to determine if “royal” is something she really wants to be.Reid will produce the film alongside her mother Robyn Simpson under their A Seed & Wings Productions banner. Cas Sigers Beedles (“Unthinkably Good Things”) is also set to produce the film with Nneka Gerstle (“Just Beyond”) writing the script.“This has truly been a passion project and we are so excited to bring this story to life,” stated Reid, Simpson and Sigers Beedles, announcing the project.

Angelique Jackson Hillman Grad, the multi-platform entertainment company founded by actor, producer and Emmy-winning writer Lena Waithe, has bolstered its executive ranks with a new round of promotions: Naomi Funabashi has been named president of film and television at Hillman Grad Productions, with Justin Riley as vice president of operations and business development; Lacy Lew Nguyen Wright is now executive director of the Hillman Grad Foundation; and Marquis Phifér is head of cultural marketing.The executive appointments comes after Rishi Rajani, who joined the company in 2018 as president of film and television, was elevated to CEO earlier this year.Since its inception in 2015, and under the leadership of Waithe and Rajani, Hillman Grad has grown to include six divisions and 20 employees, rising to become one of the most prominent companies in entertainment, with a focus on amplifying and celebrating the stories of diverse, historically marginalized communities and developing a new generation of underrepresented creatives. “I’m thrilled that Naomi, Justin, Lacy, and Marquis are stepping into leadership roles here at Hillman Grad,” Rajani said in a statement announcing the promotions.

Angelique Jackson Nia DaCosta is set to write and direct “Hedda Gabler,” a reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s famous play, for MGM’s Orion Pictures and Plan B.Hot off the box office success of “Candyman” and ahead of her upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe debut with “The Marvels,” DaCosta will present her fresh take on the fabled story. “Hedda Gabler” has seen numerous adaptations on stage and screen, and in several languages, since its 1891 debut, including 1975’s “Hedda,” which earned Glenda Jackson a best actress nomination at the Academy Awards.Produced by Gabrielle Nadig, who also produced DaCosta’s debut feature “Little Woods,” and Plan B, “Hedda Gabler” follows its titular character as she navigates a house she does not want, a marriage she feels trapped in and an ex-lover who has reappeared in her life. The film also marks DaCosta’s latest collaboration with MGM and Plan B.

Angelique Jackson The American Black Film Festival has announced this year’s Best of ABFF award winners, with “Our Father, the Devil” and “Feel Like Ghosts” among the top honorees.After two years of virtual programing, ABFF returned to Miami Beach for its 26th edition, with live events held June 15-19. The 2022 winners were announced by Emmy nominee Dondré Whitfield, who hosted the ceremony on the final day of ABFF’s in-person program, with a virtual presentation of the event now available to view on its custom-designed online platform, ABFF PLAY, where the festival continues until June 30.The Best of ABFF Awards includes winners in the official film selection categories — narrative and documentary features, web series and the 25th HBO Short Film Award Showcase, decided by a jury led by Michael Quigley, Warner Bros.

Angelique Jackson “Bridgerton” fans were whipped into a frenzy at the news that the hit Netflix series would skip ahead of the book’s timeline to feature the love story between Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) in Season 3.Coughlan announced the news during an FYSEE panel celebrating the show on May 15, telling Variety the next day that it was slightly overwhelming to make the proclamation.“I had a moment because I’ve been keeping this secret for so long, that right before — because I was given the job of NOC which was so lovely, but that right before I went, ‘I’m too scared, to school, because if it becomes real…” Coughlan recalls shyly, as her costars Simone Ashley and Charithra Chandran cooed their support from opposite ends of the podcast studio. On this episode of the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, we talk to Coughlan, Ashley and Chandran about this past season of “Bridgerton,” and even more importantly, what comes next.But first, our Awards Circuit Roundtable is back, and discussing directing categories and also offering up our pleas to TV Academy members as nomination voting gets underway.

Angelique Jackson Issa Rae might be best known as the queen of South L.A. — she was given the key to the city of Inglewood earlier this year — but Miami also holds a special place in her heart.After wrapping the final season of “Insecure” last year, Rae shot the new HBO Max comedy series “Rap Sh!t” on location in the 305.

Angelique Jackson Chris Evans certainly has the market cornered on superheroes, voicing the iconic space ranger Buzz Lightyear shortly after hanging up (and handing over) his shield as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Captain America.At the world premiere of the Disney-Pixar animated movie on June 8, Evans admitted that taking on the voice role was “intimidating,” especially when following the work of Tim Allen as Buzz in the four “Toy Story” films.“The first time you have to do that iconic line, ‘To Infinity and Beyond…,’ you kind of just do a shameless Tim Allen impression. It’s intimidating,” Evans told Variety, crediting “Lightyear” director Angus MacLane and the Pixar team for helping him craft his own take on the voice.

Angelique Jackson On Monday night, “Jurassic World Dominion” DeWanda Wise posed outside the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, taking in the emotions around unveiling her brand-new character, pilot Kayla Watts, to a theater full of anxious fans.Asked what she’ll most remember about joining this nearly 30-year-old franchise, Wise told Variety, “Probably the fan love, especially tonight.”Clad in a shimmering Valentino gown, Wise shared the black carpet moment with her mother, brother, husband (fellow actor Alano Miller) and some of her lifelong friends. “My family’s here.

Angelique Jackson Uma Thurman and Henry Golding are set to join Charlize Theron in Netflix’s “The Old Guard 2.” The “Kill Bill” and “Crazy Rich Asians” stars join previously announced returning cast members Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Veronica Ngo and Chiwetel Ejiofor who reprise their roles from the original movie, which follows a covert team of immortal mercenaries who have to fight to keep their identity a secret when they find themselves exposed and an unexpected new member is discovered. It’s yet to be revealed how Thurman and Golding play into the new story, but both stars certainly have action hero experience.

Angelique Jackson “Jurassic World Dominion” features the long-awaited return of Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and Sam Neill, appearing on screen for the first time together since 1993’s “Jurassic Park,” but there’s another franchise O.G. who’s part of the mix — BD Wong.Wong’s Dr.

Wilson Chapman editorDisney-Pixar’s “Lightyear” sees Chris Evans voicing a new version of one of the company’s most famous characters, Buzz Lightyear. First introduced in 1995’s “Toy Story,” Buzz was made famous thanks to Tim Allen’s voice performance across the franchise’s four films, and Evans admitted that taking on the title role was a daunting prospect“The first time you have to do that iconic line, ‘To Infinity and Beyond…,’ you kind of just do a shameless Tim Allen impression.

Angelique Jackson Lamorne Morris has signed with CAA for representation.Best known for starring as Winston on the hit Fox comedy “New Girl” opposite Zooey Deschanel, Morris currently leads the hybrid live-action and animated series “Woke.” The second season of the Hulu series premiered in April and followed the aftermath of Morris’ cartoonist character Keef Knight being thrust into the spotlight after standing up against the white police officer who had racially profiled and assaulted him in the series premiere. The eight new episodes explored how Keef, an apolitical artist-turned-activist, grappled with the responsibility of gaining a following.“The question for Keef this season is, what else can you do? Are you a one-trick pony?” Morris told Variety TV business writer Jennifer Maas ahead of the season’s launch.

Angelique Jackson In its 26th year, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is more star-studded than ever, with a robust lineup of Black film and television stars and creators.After two years of COVID-related pivots, the festival returns to South Beach in Miami for a five-day engagement full of special screenings, panel discussions and events celebrating the Black film and television community. Among the talent joining ABFF festival ambassador Issa Rae, who will debut her new HBO Max series “Rap Sh!t” at the festival are Chanté Adams, Yahya Abdul- Mateen II, Kenya Barris, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Ben Crump, Michael Ealy, DeVon Franklin, Kasi Lemmons, Judge Greg Mathis, LisaRaye McCoy, Kyla Pratt, Trevante Rhodes, Kendrick Sampson, Robin Thede, Judge Lynn Toler, Susan Kelechi Watson and Salli Richardson Whitfield, among many others.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentFans have been calling for Kim Cattrall to make an appearance on “Emily in Paris,” ever since the “Sex and the City” sequel, “And Just Like That,” debuted without her iconic character Samantha Jones. Why, you ask? Well, “Emily in Paris” is created by Darren Star, who also created “Sex and the City.”Star isn’t directly involved with “And Just Like That,” and neither is Cattrall.

Angelique Jackson Screenwriter Matt Lopez has signed with CAA for representation just ahead of the premiere of his adaptation of “Father of the Bride” for HBO Max. The new movie, starring Andy Garcia as the titular father, Gloria Estefan, Adria Arjona, and Isabela Merced, will debut on June 16, timed to Father’s Day Weekend.Lopez also penned the script for another upcoming adaptation — this time, Walt Disney Studios’ “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” movie, which is set to be directed by Marvin Lemus, with 21 Laps and the Jim Henson Company producing.

Angelique Jackson Prolific producer Debra Martin Chase has re-upped her multi-year first-look deal with Universal Television.The news comes as the two parties celebrate continued success for “The Equalizer,” starring Queen Latifah, which was renewed for a third and fourth season earlier this month.“I’m thrilled that this partnership with Debra continues to thrive to this day,” stated Universal Television president Erin Underhill. “It has been phenomenal to work with Debra and her team on ‘The Equalizer.’ She is a true inspiration, pioneer and friend.”With the extension, Chase will develop and produce new projects for network, cable and streaming services under her Martin Chase Productions banner.

Angelique Jackson Ron Howard’s ripped-from-the-headlines drama “Thirteen Lives” has moved to August, with the film launching globally on Amazon’s Prime Video shortly after a limited theatrical release.Produced and directed by Ron Howard, the film follows the 2018 rescue mission of a Thai soccer team and their coach who were trapped in a system of flooding underground caves. The film’s cast is led by Colin Farrell, Viggo Mortensen and Joel Edgerton, with a script by William Nicholson.Previously dated for Nov.

Angelique Jackson Last week, “The Equalizer” star and executive producer Queen Latifah announced that the hit CBS series had been picked up for a third and fourth season.The show, in which Latifah plays vigilante Robyn McCall, is currently the network’s No. 2 primetime series, behind only stalwart show “NCIS,” so the multi-season commitment is logical.

Angelique Jackson In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Amazon has announced the first in-person installment of its Voices series, featuring a conversation with “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” author and screenwriter Jenny Han.Han, whose series adaptation of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” launches June 17 on Prime Video, will sit for a for a wide-ranging discussion about her New York Times bestselling books moderated by journalist Dino Ray Ramos (The Diaspora Times). The three-hour event, titled “Voices: Asian & Pacific Islander Representation in Film & Media,” will take place on May 19 from 4-7 p.m.

Wilson Chapman editorIn “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” longtime Marvel Cinematic Universe hero Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) is at her most villainous, butting heads with the title character (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) over the course of the film. But Olsen, whose portrayal of the mystical Scarlet Witch has made her a consistent MCU fan favorite, insists that no matter what Wanda goes through, she’ll continue to defend the character.“I remember people saying at the end of ‘Wandavision,’ ‘She has no accountability!'” Olsen told Variety senior entertainment reporter Angelique Jackson on the red carpet at the “Multiverse of Madness” premiere on Monday.

Angelique Jackson After two years of upheaval due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sundance Institute has announced dates for the 2023 edition of the Sundance Film Festival.The fest will take place as an in-person and virtual hybrid, running Jan. 19-29, in Park City, Utah, and beyond, with selections also screening on Sundance’s digital platform.“We can’t wait to return to our home in Park City and present exciting new work from around the world live and in person,” stated festival director Tabitha Jackson.

Angelique Jackson Issa Rae has been tapped to serve as the ambassador for the 2022 American Black Film Festival (ABFF), and she’s bringing a special treat to Miami Beach. Rae will screen her highly anticipated HBO Max series “Rap Sh*t” for the festival’s closing night.“I’m honored to be this year’s Festival Ambassador,” said Rae, announcing her participation.

Angelique Jackson In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander heritage month, HBO Max is launching a special collection dedicated to AAPI stories.Starting May 1, HBO Max will spotlight its Asan American and Pacific Islander Voices Collection, with hours of curated programming including its Max Originals like “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” “Tokyo Vice,” “Take Out With Lisa Ling” and “House of Ho.” The collection also boasts hit movies including “In the Mood for Love,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Aquaman” and “Bend It Like Beckham;” as well as Warner Bros. streaming exclusive “Moonshot.” Plus, it will highlight anime and other global animation with a dedicated page that includes content from Studio Ghibli.

Angelique Jackson “Fast and Furious” director Justin Lin announced that he will no longer direct the franchise’s next installation, “Fast X.”Lin shared the news on social media, writing: “With the support of Universal, I have made the difficult decision to step back as director of Fast X, while remaining with the project as a producer.”Lin’s statement continued: “Over 10 years and five films, we have been able to shoot the best actors, the best stunts, and the best damn car chases. On a personal note, as the child of Asian immigrants, I am proud of helping to build the most diverse franchise in movie history.