Company Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

EXCLUSIVE: Actor-producer Esha Bargate is launching a production company that aims to challenge how Hollywood views and portrays Indian culture and society.

EXCLUSIVE: Veteran unscripted agent and producer Bill Thompson, former Head Of Unscripted Television at Verve, is launching his own management and production company, Artists Group | Unscripted.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor The descendants of Walt Disney and his brother Roy O. Disney have weighed in on the bid by two activist investment firms to win seats on the board of the Walt Disney Co. Nelson Peltz, the activist investor who runs hedge fund Trian Partners, is waging a proxy-fight battle to install himself and ex-Disney CFO Jay Rasulo as directors; Peltz’s stated aim is to drive up the price of Disney’s stock.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor Former Verve CEO Bill Weinstein has filed a lawsuit against the talent agency, alleging that he was improperly ousted from the company on Feb. 19 by two partners who are looking to sell the company.

Alex Ritman Well-established Italian producers Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli — who left their Fremantle-owned banners, Wildside and The Apartment, respectively, earlier this year — are returning to the growing TV and film powerhouse with their new scripted outfit. The duo — who co-founded “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend” production house Wildside in 2009 before Mieli exited to set up The Apartment, which was behind the recent hit “Priscilla” — are yet to reveal details of their new company.

Paramount Global‘s earnings in the fourth quarter edged Wall Street forecasts, but a double-digit slide in advertising dragged down total revenue by 6%.

Endeavor grew revenue 25% last quarter to $1.58 billion, beating forecasts, and shrunk losses to $29 million from $226 million as CEO Ari Emanuel reminded Wall Street that it’s still looking at strategic options – four months after the company said it was evaluating its businesses, and its largest shareholder Silver Lake floated the idea of taking the company private.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Janet Yang, the Los Angeles-based producer and president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, has been appointed as an independent non-executive director to the board of Imax China, a subsidiary of premium large format cinema company Imax that has its own share listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The company, Wednesday, reported a return to net profits of $27.5 million for the 2023 calendar year. That compared with net profit of $10.8 million in 2022.

After a three year court battle, Hilary Duff has won her lawsuit.

Thania Garcia Universal Music Group Nashville is stepping into the TV and film landscape with the launch of Sing Me Back Home Productions. Sing Me Back Home Productions will “tap into the deep catalog of artists from throughout UMG Nashville’s history as well as celebrating both newly discovered talent and stories,” according to the company’s official announcement.

EXCLUSIVE: Emmy nominee Rain Valdez (Razor Tongue) on Monday announced the launch of Rainbow Entertainment, an equity-centered and trans-led production company focused on elevating BIPOC and queer storytellers, both in front of and behind the camera.

EXCLUSIVE: Candis Cayne, who made her name as one of the only trans actresses on TV when she featured on ABC drama series Dirty Sexy Money, has launched a trans-focused production company.

Colossal Biosciences, the company bringing wooly mammoths and other extinct species back to life, and production partner Teton Ridge Entertainment are teaming with acclaimed filmmaker James Reed on a multiyear docuseries.

Alex Ritman French TV giant Banijay is losing its chief commercial officer. The company confirmed to Variety that Owain Walbyoff is stepping down from his role, adding that the London-based exec — who was formerly at Endemol Shine Group and was hired in August 2020 following Banijay’s $2.2 billion acquisition — would be leaving on Feb. 29.

Bridgit Mendler announced 2 major pieces of news on Monday (February 19): she’s a mom and she’s also now the CEO of a space startup called Northwood Space!

A rail company has apologised to Martin Lewis after the money saving expert slammed the 'degrading' conditions of a East Midlands Railway service that was packed with '500 people'.

A single mum sacked from her job after eating a sandwich is suing the company for unfair dismissal. Gabriela Rodriguez tucked into the £1.50 tuna snack after it was thrown away at a law firm.

Naman Ramachandran Its raining biopics of revered 17th century Indian ruler Shivaji Bhonsle in Mumbai. Days after Sandeep Singh’s “The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj” was announced, billionaire Mukesh Ambani‘s Jio Studios and actors Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh’s Mumbai Film Company have unveiled their collaboration on “Raja Shivaji.” Both films were revealed on the occasion of the 394th birth anniversary of Shivaji, Feb. 19.

Diego Ramos Bechara editor Batman comic book writer James Tynion IV announced the launch of a new independent multimedia production company, Tiny Onion, with plans to create content across television, film, animation and publishing. The company will seek to assemble top talent in the realm of behind-the-scenes comic book creation — their goal is to establish an independent editorial and design team to enhance their clients’ work via curation and packaging before presenting them to various publishing partners throughout the industry.

James Tynion IV, the New York Times bestselling author behind comic books like Something is Killing the Children and The Department of Truth, on Friday announced the launch of Tiny Onion, an independent multimedia production company that will be active across the publishing, film, television, and animation industries.

Having recently left Millennium Media after a 14-year run, Jeffrey Greenstein is launching production and sales company, A Higher Standard.

EXCLUSIVE: German production and sales company Augenschein, whose credits include Joseph Gordon-Levitt thriller 7500 (pictured) and Anna Kendrick sci-fi Stowaway, has sold a minority stake to Erfttal Film, the longtime shareholder in All Quiet On The Western Front producer Amusement Park.

Naman Ramachandran Singapore’s Momo Film Co has unveiled a six-film slate that includes projects from recent prize-winners at Cannes and Locarno. Momo is one of five outfits selected at the 2024 Berlinale Co-Production Market‘s company matching program. Fresh off two wins at Locarno 2023 for Nelson Yeo’s debut feature “Dreaming & Dying,” Momo is continuing its relationship with the Singaporean filmmaker for his sophomore feature “The Drought,” a dark comedy-horror film set in the time of a drought.

Margot Robbie is staying in business with Warner Bros. and she hosted a star-studded party to celebrate the exciting news!

EXCLUSIVE: Brooklyn-based filmmaker Ged Dickersin (CODA) is launching True Indy, a production company intent on making films that can and should be made independently, with filmmakers telling acutely relevant stories for the world market.

EXCLUSIVE: Brooklyn-based filmmaker Ged Dickersin (CODA) is now launching TRUE INDY, a production company intent on making films that can and should be made independently, with filmmakers telling acutely relevant stories for the world market.True Indy sees the opportunity to attract financing for films that can be made in the one to five million dollar range, reducing the financial risk to investors, and increasing the chances for a return on the investment. The company is introducing its slate of original U.S.-born indies, at the European Film Market during the Berlinale this year, as well as looking to partner with filmmakers from around the world in international co-productions. 

Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) are off at lunch with Bob (Robert Shafer) and Phyllis Vance (Phyllis Smith), Michael loses all hope of finding his lucky lady — but Kevin comes out a winner after getting someone’s digits.Ever the wingman, Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) tags along on Joey Tribbiani’s (Matt LeBlanc) date — and at request of Joey’s date — only to be set up with Janice (Maggie Wheeler), who he recently dumped on New Year’s Eve. And just like that they’re back together, but only for a day since Chandler has learned his lesson from the last go-around.Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) goes on a date with his neighbor, but accidentally ruins his shot at a second date when his ex-wife, Carol (Jane Sibbett), walks into the restaurant.

Couple to Throuple all bed down for their first night, the show could be any other in the proliferating genre of hookup TV, populated by bed-hopping singles shacked up in sex mansions.But look closely, once the screen shifts to spy-cam night vision of bodies writhing beneath the sheets, and you’ll not mistake a third eager, willing participant bumping and grinding with the main pair. Set to boldly explore the bounds of polyamory, the show’s couples and singles — thirds, if you will — might represent a lighthearted, next logical step in society’s surging discourse on ethical non-monogamy.Then again, to more traditionally-minded viewers, or those simply with different tastes in popular entertainment, these semi-exhibitionist throuples might just speak to the unrelenting decline of American culture.

When it comes to slippers there’s nothing better than a cosy, fluffy-lined pair to keep your feet toasty and warm when the weather outside is less than desirable, but there’s no reason your slippers can’t be just as chic as some of your favourite outdoor footwear. That definitely seems to be the consensus of The White Company shoppers, who’ve been snapping up the brand’s Suede Corkbed Mule Slippers, £55 here, to keep their feet warm whilst still looking stylish.

Rafa Sales Ross Guest Contributor Marcelo Gomes’ new film “Portrait of a Certain Orient” will be represented for world sales by Brazil’s O2 Play. The deal was sealed ahead of the film’s premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, where it plays as part of the Big Screen Competition.