The NBA today announced that Jennifer Hudson will perform a special tribute to the late Kobe Bryant at the All-Star Game on Sunday at Chicago’s United Center. 32 more words

via Jennifer Hudson to Sing Kobe Bryant Tribute, Lil Wayne and Quavo to Perform at NBA All-Star Game — Variety

Harvey Weinstein’s attorney, Donna Rotunno, implored a New York jury on Thursday to exonerate the former movie mogul, arguing that his accusers have shirked responsibility for their own actions. 29 more words

via Harvey Weinstein Defense Closing Argument: Women Need to Take Responsibility for Actions — Variety

Zoe Saldana is starring in the sports drama “Fencer” with Casey Affleck producing and Jasmine McGlade directing from her own script. HanWay Films will commence sales at next week’s European Film Market with UTA Independent Film Group and CAA Media Finance overseeing the U.S. 15 more words

via Zoe Saldana Starring in ‘Fencer,’ Casey Affleck Producing — Variety

Hope Hicks is leaving her post as Fox Corp. chief communications to return to the White House, a Fox spokesperson confirmed Thursday. She will serve as senior counselor to the president, while working with adviser Jared Kushner. 20 more words

via Hope Hicks Leaves Fox to Return to White House — Variety

A24 debuted a mysterious and fantastical trailer for Dev Patel’s upcoming film “The Green Knight,” a take on the 14th century poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.” Patel, portraying Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew and Knight of the Round Table, battles the monstrous green-skinned creature in the new footage. 9 more words

via ‘The Green Knight’ Trailer Starring Dev Patel Debuts — Variety

Big-screen romantic drama, like romantic comedy, needs a conflict. When two great-looking stars play characters who lock eyes and flirt and get closer and fall in love, the pull of that chemistry is so strong that if there isn’t something to keep them apart, you don’t have a movie — or, at least, that’s the…

via ‘The Photograph’: Film Review — Variety

When Paolo Sorrentino needed a new conclave of cardinals for HBO’s “The New Pope,” his specialized casting agent Alessandra Troisi sent a team combing through Rome’s community centers for senior citizens who, she says, are the “biggest reservoirs” from which high-ranking prelates get picked. 13 more words

via Italian Casting Agents Hit the Streets for Fresh Talent for Shows Like ‘The New Pope’ — Variety

Zoe Kravitz is in the process of curating a pretty dope playlist. After a few catchy early numbers and some recent jams like “Big Little Lies,” the actor, singer, model and now producer is pumping up the volume on her career with new Hulu series “High Fidelity” and, of course, Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” in…

via Zoe Kravitz on ‘High Fidelity,’ Playing Catwoman to Robert Pattinson’s ‘Batman’ — Variety

“Downhill” feels a lot like it should be a comedy. It looks like one, for starters. It stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the most lauded comedic actress on American television, and Will Ferrell, the “Saturday Night Live” goofball whose caricatures of men and masculinity have carved out an inimitable place in American humor. 7 more words

via Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell Talk Balancing Drama & Comedy in ‘Downhill’ — Variety

Disney-Pixar’s fantasy film “Onward” is heading for a respectable $45 million opening on the March 6-8 weekend, early tracking showed Thursday. “Onward” is directed by Dan Scanlon from a script he wrote with Keith Bunin and Jason Headley. 19 more words

via Disney-Pixar’s ‘Onward’ Tracking for $45 Million Opening Weekend — Variety