One would have thought that self-isolation brought about by the coronavirus pandemic could lead to “the most fruitful productive time” for writers, as “Defending Jacob” showrunner Mark Bomback put it. 30 more words

via Limited-Series Showrunners Discuss ‘Centering Voices Left on the Margins’ at Variety’s ‘A Night in the Writers’ Room’ — Variety

Janelle Monáe, Cate Blanchett and Patti LuPone were among the entertainment industry stars offering a salute to female frontline workers in the TV special “Lifetime Presents Variety’s Power of Women: Frontline Heroes,” which premiered Thursday on Lifetime. 20 more words

via Hollywood Stars Honor Frontline Workers in ‘Lifetime Presents Variety’s Power of Women’ — Variety

Throughout its almost 50-year history, the Daytime Emmy Awards have delivered as heartfelt and, at times, humorous moments as the shows the ceremony itself celebrates. This year, in honor of the upcoming 47th annual kudofest, Variety is looking back on some of the most memorable parts of events past. 9 more words

via Daytime Emmy Awards’ Most Memorable Moments — Variety

Jenny Slate is exiting her role as Missy (pictured above, center) on the Netflix show “Big Mouth” due to the character being biracial while Slate is white. 32 more words

via Jenny Slate Exits ‘Big Mouth’: ‘Black Characters Should Be Played by Black People’ — Variety

Universal Pictures is looking to reboot the classic tentpole “Twister,” and looks to have found a director to weather the storm. Sources tell Variety that Universal Pictures is developing a reboot of the 1996 blockbuster and is in negotiations with “Top Gun: Maverick” helmer Joseph Kosinski to direct. 9 more words

via ‘Twister’ Reboot in the Works at Universal With Joseph Kosinski Eyed to Direct (EXCLUSIVE) — Variety

David Leitch, whose film credits include “Deadpool 2,” “Hobbs & Shaw” and “Atomic Blonde,” is heading back to the big screen with action thriller “Bullet Train” for Sony Pictures. 28 more words

via ‘Deadpool 2’ Director David Leitch Boards ‘Bullet Train’ for Sony Pictures — Variety

In the latest twist in the data hack involving top entertainment law firm Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, the party purportedly responsible for the hack, which calls itself REvil, has threatened to auction off a vast amount of sensitive documents from some of the firm’s top clients. 10 more words

via Hackers Threaten to Auction Legal Documents Involving Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, MTV, More — Variety

Warner Records has signed in-demand songwriter Amy Allen to a recording contract. The deal was inked last July when Allen began cutting back on session work with other artists (her past collabs include Harry Styles, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello) and focusing on her forthcoming solo debut. 10 more words

via After Writing Hits for Halsey and Selena Gomez, Amy Allen Finds Her Sound, and a Home at Warner Records — Variety

“Gone With the Wind” is back on HBO Max — with two additional videos that discuss the historical context of the classic film. WarnerMedia had pulled the movie two weeks ago, citing the need to address its “racist depictions.” In the first video, TCM host and film scholar Jacqueline Stewart discusses “why this 1939 epic…

via HBO Max Restores ‘Gone With the Wind’ With Disclaimer Saying Film ‘Denies the Horrors of Slavery’ — Variety

Hollywood studios are opening their wallets for the runaway slave thriller “Emancipation” with Will Smith attached to star and Antoine Fuqua directing. Warner Bros, Apple, MGM, Lionsgate and Universal have all made offers on the property at the Cannes virtual market this week. 14 more words

via Studios Bidding Big for Will Smith-Antoine Fuqua’s ‘Emancipation’ — Variety