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NBCUniversal, Hornbill Capital Back EloElo, Parent of Indian Microdrama Platform Story TV, in $80 Million Funding Round

NBCUniversal and India-focused investment firm Hornbill Capital have co-led an $80 million Series C round in EloElo Group, the Bengaluru-based company behind Indian microdrama platform Story TV. MIT Investment Co. joined the round alongside existing backers Play Ventures, Kalaari Capital, Waterbridge Ventures and Griffin Gaming Partners, among others. The raise takes EloElo’s total funding to […]

Entertainment

Cristian Mungiu’s Cinematographer Tudor Vladimir Panduru Breaks Down Long Takes on ‘Fjord,’ ‘R.M.N.’ at Jakarta World Cinema Masterclass

Known for his long-time collaboration with Romanian auteur Cristian Mungiu, cinematographer Tudor Vladimir Panduru shared his experience making “Graduation,” “R.M.N.,” “Fjord” and Iraqi director Hasan Hadi’s “The President’s Cake” during his masterclass at Jakarta World Cinema. Benh Zeitlin, the Oscar-nominated director of “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” said he was moderating the session because “we […]

Entertainment

Lucy Liu’s ‘The Pirate Queen’ Expands With Graphic Novel, New Game and International Tour as Creator Eloise Singer Joins BAFTA Breakthrough Cohort (EXCLUSIVE)

Lucy Liu and Eloise Singer are preparing to take “The Pirate Queen: No Safe Waters,” their immersive experience about Chinese pirate leader Cheng Shih, on an international tour next year, Singer tells Variety. The pair have also co-written a graphic novel and are developing a new game. The news comes as Singer, the project’s writer […]

Entertainment

BAFTA Unveils 2026 Breakthrough U.K. Cohort, Including ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ Star Ella Bruccoleri

BAFTA has unveiled its 2026 Breakthrough U.K. cohort, selecting 21 emerging creatives across film, television and games for its annual talent development program, supported by Netflix. Now in its 13th year, the initiative recognizes rising talent across the screen industries, offering year-round career support, mentorship, networking opportunities and full BAFTA membership. Among this year’s honorees […]

Entertainment

Kurosawa Award Winner O Mipo Is ‘Making Up for Lost Time’ After Career Break to Raise Her Sons

Co-recipient of the 2026 Kurosawa Akira Award together with Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, Korean-Japanese director O Mipo was in an understandably upbeat mood when she met with Variety just before the award ceremony on Tuesday at Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel, under the aegis of the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival. The award honors filmmakers of substantial […]

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‘La Bola Negra’ Becomes Spain’s Third Biggest Spanish Hit Ever as Its Box Office Surges 8% Above Pre-Pandemic Average

Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi’s “La Bola Negra” has become the third highest-grossing Spanish film of all time at Spain’s domestic box office, earning an estimated €36.7 million ($41.0 million) through Nov. 1, according to Rentrak figures. Only Emilio Martínez-Lázaro’s blockbuster comedy “Ocho apellidos vascos” (“Spanish Affair,” $61.8 million) and J.A. Bayona’s disaster survival drama […]

Entertainment

Olga Kurylenko and Alex Pettyfer to Star in Crime Thriller ‘Breakwater,’ WestEnd Films Boards Sales (EXCLUSIVE)

Olga Kurylenko (“Quantum of Solace,” “Oblivion,” “Black Widow”) and Alex Pettyfer (“Magic Mike,” “The Butler,” “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”) are set to star in crime thriller “Breakwater,” which has been boarded for world sales by WestEnd Films. The film, directed by Luc Walpoth (“In Tandem,” “Dead Money”), is set to begin production in April […]

Entertainment

Josh O’Connor Describes Bond Rumors as ‘Incredibly Bizarre Pinch Me Moment’: ‘To Be Considered Is Extraordinary’

Josh O’Connor is the latest James Bond contender to address speculation surrounding the coveted role, calling the prospect of succeeding Daniel Craig an “incredibly bizarre pinch me moment.” The “Challengers” and “The Crown” actor, who is rumored to be one of the finalists in the search for the next 007, told the BBC that he […]

Entertainment

BBC Deputy Director-General Says ‘A Lot Has Changed’ After Editing Error That Triggered Trump’s $10 Billion Lawsuit: We’re in a ‘Much Stronger Place’

Speaking about an editing error that triggered a $10 billion defamation lawsuit pursued by President Donald Trump against the BBC, the broadcaster’s deputy director-general Rhodri Talfan-Davies said Tuesday that “a lot has changed since then.” Talfan-Davies said there were two issues about the BBC’s handling of the controversial episode of investigative show “Panorama.” “One was […]

Entertainment

Paul Bettany, Asha Banks, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Colin Firth Team for Feel-Good Comedy ‘It’s Alright,’ Protagonist Launches Sales at AFM (EXCLUSIVE)

Paul Bettany is set to play an ageing popstar in upcoming feel-good comedy “It’s Alright,” which he also co-wrote. The “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” and “VisionQuest” star will appear alongside fast-rising actor and musician Asha Banks (“My Fault: London,” “Your Fault: London”) as his estranged daughter and aspiring singer-songwriter. Colin […]

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Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie Reunite — Again — for Netflix Revenge Action Movie ‘Dogfight’

The Jason Statham-Guy Ritchie partnership is set to extend into a seventh film. “Dogfight” — announced by Netflix — is described as a “stylish revenge actioner” set in the London criminal underworld. No other plot details have been revealed, but it’s safe to presume there’ll be guns, blood and — probably — some mean-looking faces. Production is due to […]

Entertainment

‘The Celebrity Traitors’ Star James Acaster Rejects Report He Complained About Competitors: ‘Completely Fabricated’

James Acaster is clearing the air about his time on “The Celebrity Traitors,” calling a report that he complained about his competitors “completely fabricated.” A few weeks ago, the Daily Mail claimed that the comedian had “complained to producers” that he was being teased by fellow players (and comedians) Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan and […]