Alex Newell has always had two musical-theater dream roles — and after the recent, Tony-winning revival of “Once On This Island,” he’s already played one of them. 39 more words

via Listen: Alex Newell Is Destined for ‘Dreamgirls’ — Variety

Making half an hour of scripted, original television in the middle of a pandemic isn’t easy, but “Parks and Recreation” co-creator Mike Schur told press Tuesday that the current climate presented a “compelling reason” to create one more story for Leslie Knope and other beloved characters from the NBC series for the fundraising special that…

via ‘Parks and Recreation’ Co-Creator Mike Schur on Making the Reunion Special — Variety

Viewership for all three of the nation’s main cable-news outlets soared in April as viewers tuned in at all hours for information on the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. 28 more words

via TV Ratings: Cable-News Views Soar During Pandemic — Variety

Lionsgate has hired “American Hustle” scribe Eric Warren Singer to write “Now You See Me 3,” the latest installment in the franchise based on a fresh take by Singer. 29 more words

via ‘Now You See Me 3’ in the Works With ‘American Hustle’ Writer — Variety

Leaders of the Writers Guild of America have told members that the guild will press on in its legal battle with WME, CAA and UTA over packaging fees in the wake of a federal judge’s decision to dismiss most of the guild’s lawsuit against the talent agencies. 10 more words

via WGA Leaders Vow to Maintain ‘Powerful Pressure’ With Legal Battle Over Packaging Fees — Variety

In a new interview with U.K. publication The Sunday Times, Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette made some revelatory comments concerning the #MeToo movement in the music industry as she reflected on her decades-long career. 25 more words

via Alanis Morissette: Nearly Every Woman in Music Has Been ‘Assaulted, Harassed, Raped’ — Variety

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be on the “frontlines” when it comes time to encourage people to return to movie theaters, say president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson. 30 more words

via Film Academy Bosses Talk New Oscar Rules and Getting People Back Into Movie Theaters — Variety

Sen. Ted Cruz wants to cut off Defense Department cooperation for Hollywood productions that allow Chinese authorities to censor their films. The Texas Republican announced a bill on Tuesday that would bar the Pentagon from working with productions unless they commit not to alter their content to accommodate Chinese censors. 7 more words

via Ted Cruz Tries to Force Hollywood to Stand Up to Chinese Censorship — Variety

AMC Theatres has hit hard at Universal Pictures, announcing it will no longer play any of the studio’s films in the wake of NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell’s promise to open titles on premium and in theaters at the same time. 18 more words

via AMC Theatres Refusing to Play Universal Movies in Wake of ‘Trolls World Tour’ Dispute — Variety

In today’s film news roundup, Romola Garai’s “Amulet” and crime drama ”Punching And Stealing” find homes and the Human Rights Watch Film Festival unveils a digital edition. 33 more words

via Film News Roundup: Sundance Horror Movie ‘Amulet’ Bought By Magnet for July Release — Variety