Stunt pilot Frédéric North has decades of experience working in Hollywood on films like “Kong: Skull Island,” “Pacific Rim: Uprising” and Justin Lin’s latest “Fast & Furious” sequel, “F9.” So I shouldn’t be nervous as I climb aboard in mid-February for my first trip on a helicopter with him and aerial director of photography Dylan…

via ‘F9’ and ‘Matrix 4’ Helicopter Camera Crews Aim High For Action Shots — Variety

====An actor who worked at the “Walking Dead” attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood alleges that visitors repeatedly attacked and groped cast members, and that the theme park did little or nothing to stop it. 23 more words

via ‘Walking Dead’ Actors Attacked and Groped by Theme Park Visitors, Suit Alleges — Variety

“Saturday Night Live” will return this weekend, but it won’t be “live from New York” in the way its viewers have come to expect. NBC said that the venerable late-night series, which has been off the air for several weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, would air original content on Satuday, April 11, with material…

via ‘Saturday Night Live’ Will Return With Original Content — Variety

The Walt Disney Company’s previously announced furloughs have impacted each of its premium film labels, insiders tell Variety. Beginning on Thursday, staffers at labels like Marvel, Lucasfilm, Pixar, Searchlight and more were notified of furloughs, primarily impacting staffers who cannot perform their job duties due to ongoing shutdowns related to the coronavirus pandemic. Marketing and…

via Disney Furloughs Hit Film Labels, Including Marvel and Lucasfilm — Variety

The head of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will appear on a CNN town-hall broadcast Thursday evening, ending a short stand-off between the White House and the cable-news outlet over its recent coverage of the Trump administration’s daily coronavirus briefings. 14 more words

via White House Elects to Make Health Officials Available to CNN — Variety

Allen Garfield, an actor who appeared in movies like “Nashville” and “The Stunt Man,” has died of coronavirus, according to his “Nashville” co-star Ronee Blakely. He was 80. 31 more words

via Allen Garfield, ‘Nashville’ and ‘The Conversation’ Star Dies of Coronavirus at 80 — Variety

“Space Force,” Greg Daniels and Steve Carell’s new workplace comedy, will launch May 29 on Netflix with Lisa Kudrow set to play a recurring role in the series, the streamer announced Wednesday. 26 more words

via Lisa Kudrow Joins Steve Carell in ‘Space Force,’ Netflix Sets Premiere Date — Variety

MGM has nabbed rights to Ridley Scott’s true crime drama about the murder of fashion icon Guccio Gucci’s grandson Maurizio Gucci, Variety has confirmed. Lady Gaga is in early negotiations to star in the project, which MGM will release on Thanksgiving 2021. 15 more words

via MGM Buys Ridley Scott, Lady Gaga True Crime Drama About Gucci Family — Variety

Toyota was the first advertiser to drive into a partnership with the ABC comedy “Modern Family.” Tonight, it will be the last. As viewers watch a tribute to the program in the 8 p.m. 23 more words

via Why Advertisers (And ABC) Will Miss ‘Modern Family’ — Variety

The COVID-19 pandemic is still ripping through the U.S.; the hardest-hit state, New York, is still weeks away from a projected peak of infections; and the prospect of widespread, comprehensive testing still remains agonizingly out of reach. 21 more words

via After Entertainment Venues Reopen, When Will the Public Feel Safe Enough to Return? — Variety