Variety

Features breaking entertainment news, reviews, box office results, cover stories, photo galleries and features

The Biggest Stories of the Week From Our Reporters

The ‘Halo’ Effect • The video game-based series brings a handy global metaverse to Paramount+

Summer Retreat • From new power players to bear market jitters, what to expect as moguldom descends on Sun Valley

Netflix’s Charm Offensive

Gail Berman Gets to Face the Music Again

Variety Sets Design Department Leaders

‘Vida the Vet’ Is Spin Master’s Newest Bet

Trading In Zombies for Vampires • AMC Networks aims to rebuild with Anne Rice-inspired series after ‘Better Call Saul,’ ‘The Walking Dead’ bow out

Don’t Forget About These Worthy Contenders • With so many quality TV shows and performances this year, get ready for lots of Emmy snubs

Rising Voices

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EXPOSURE

IT’S HAMMER TIME • » IN ‘THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER,’ NATALIE PORTMAN FINALLY GETS TO FLEX HER BICEPS AS A MIGHTY SUPERHERO

SO LONG, ‘SNL’ • AFTER EXITING HER POST ON THE BELOVED NBC SKETCH SHOW, AIDY BRYANT IS OUT TO PROVE SHE CAN PLAY MORE THAN JUST THE BEST FRIEND

AWARDS CIRCUIT

Emmy Nominations Ripe for Making History • From talent to networks and streamers, records are ready to be set

Unsung Heroes of TV • Variety shines a light on the teams you may have missed this Emmys season

Creativity and Imagination Inspire VFX Shop • From ‘Star Wars’ to ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Boba Fett,’ Phil Tippett celebrates 40 years in special effects biz

TIPPETT PASSION PROJECT READY FOR PRIMETIME

Digital Studio Builds Kids’ Biz on YouTube Stars • Pocket.watch has grown into a franchise powerhouse as it celebrates fifth anniversary

POCKET.WATCH POTPOURRI

Karlovy Vary Fest Expands Its Horizons • Czech event widens geographic, creative and commercial scope

Boom Times for Production Pros • Film commissioners from around the world hit AFCI Week to swap info and learn what’s new

Second Home Splurge Fuels Market • Summer real estate report: Pandemic-induced buyers hit more off-beat markets

Capturing the Kardashians • Cinematographer had to be ready to drop everything for the fly-on-the-wall shoot

How ‘Marcel the Shell With Shoes On’ Survived the Big Screen

Natalie Portman Got Ripped for ‘Thor’

Minions: The Rise of Gru

Menudo: Forever Young

Zawe Ashton • “I sent my agent and my manager an email saying, ‘Get me in a corset, ASAP.’”