# charles melton (news sources) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 2 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover charles melton. Page: Feed: --- ## [‘The Flintstones’ Live-Action Movie in the Works at Warner Bros. From Producer Ryan Gosling](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-flintstones-live-action-movie-warner-bros-ryan-gosling-1236681164/) _2026-08-25 · Ryan Gajewski · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ The property originated as an ABC cartoon before being adapted for Universal's 1994 live-action hit that starred John Goodman and Rick Moranis. ## [Oscars: Canada Picks ‘Nina Roza’ as Best International Feature Selection](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-canada-nina-roza-1236681157/) _2026-08-25 · Etan Vlessing · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ The transatlantic drama from Montreal-based director Geneviève Dulude-De Celles bowed in Berlin. ## [‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Hits No. 2 on All-Time Domestic Chart, Topping ‘Avengers: Endgame’](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spider-man-brand-new-day-box-office-avengers-endgame-1236680843/) _2026-08-25 · Ryan Gajewski · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ Only 'Force Awakens' has grossed more domestically than Sony's supercharged Tom Holland-led blockbuster. ## [Hamptons Film Fest Sets ‘I Play Rocky’ for Opening Night, Will Honor Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Exclusive)](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2026-hamptons-film-fest-phil-lord-chris-miller-awards-1236680880/) _2026-08-25 · Hilary Lewis · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ The 2026 edition of the annual Long Island event, set to run from Oct. 2-12, has revealed more of this year's lineup and honorees including 'Club Kid' director Jordan Firstman and 'Misty Green' star Rosalind Eleazar. ## [Oscars: Germany Picks Cannes Winner ‘Everytime’ as Best International Feature Selection](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-everytime-is-germany-international-feature-pick-1236680770/) _2026-08-25 · Scott Roxborough · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ Sandra Wollner’s drama about grief and loss won the Un Certain Regard section in Cannes. ## [Neil LaBute to Receive Career Honor at Oldenburg Film Festival](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oldenburg-career-honor-for-director-neil-labute-1236680567/) _2026-08-25 · Scott Roxborough · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ 'Murderous,' the new film from the director of 'In the Company of Men,' 'Your Friends & Neighbors' and 'Nurse Betty,' will have its world premiere at the German indie festival. ## [Awards Categories Set for Cannes-Winning ‘All of a Sudden’ Actresses Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto (Exclusive)](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/virginie-efira-tao-okamoto-awards-campaign-all-of-a-sudden-1236680696/) _2026-08-25 · Scott Feinberg · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ Neon, which will release Ryusuke Hamaguchi's French-language film in the U.S., will push Efira, who plays the director of a Paris nursing home in the film, for best actress, and Okamoto, who plays a terminally-ill Japanese playwright, for best supporting actress. ## [Cinespia Unveils Spooky October Lineup With Your Favorite Halloween Horrors (Exclusive)](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/cinespia-october-2026-lineup-hollywood-forever-1236679963/) _2026-08-25 · Beatrice Verhoeven · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ Following its 25th anniversary season, L.A.'s iconic outdoor cinematic experience will showcase four horror classics to embrace Halloween. ## [New York Film Festival Adds North American Premiere of ‘NAZA’ Documentary](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2026-ny-film-festival-naza-israel-gaza-documentary-1236680717/) _2026-08-25 · Hilary Lewis · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ The film, from 'No Other Land' directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor and produced by the Oscar-winning team behind 'The Zone of Interest,' was shot from the rooftops of Tel Aviv and documents Israel's bombing of Gaza. ## [TCM Classic Film Festival Sets Dates for 2027 Edition](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tcm-classic-film-festival-2027-edition-1236680201/) _2026-08-25 · Mike Barnes · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ The 18th annual event will take place in Hollywood on April 8-11. ## [Recipe PDFs Ready Fast (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/nhnkHcNB9wbl) _2026-08-25 · **Sponsored**_ Turn online or personal recipes into clean, printable PDFs in seconds. ## [‘Skintown’ Review: A Breezy, Loved-Up, Drugged-Up Guide to Getting Into Trouble in The Troubles](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/skintown-review-1236839532/) _2026-08-23 · Jessica Kiang · Variety_ Nostalgia, like ecstasy, is a hell of a drug and Kieron J. Walsh’s warm-hearted, hot-headed “Skintown” is buzzing on both. A more polite brother to the “Kneecap” boys and a more cautious cousin to those “Derry Girls” still, the Fermanagh-set friendship comedy sends fizzy, sweetly chemical energy coursing through a rave-romanticizing riff on the coming-of-age \[…\] ## [‘One Piece’ Season 3 Casts Its Koza, Toto, Pell and Chaka](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/one-piece-season-3-cast-koza-toto-pell-chaka-1236840397/) _2026-08-23 · Tanya Fedak · Variety_ Netflix has added four to the cast of “One Piece” Season 3, casting the roles of Koza, Toto, Pell and Chaka. Emilio Sakraya (“Rheingold”) will play Koza, Omid Abtahi (The Mandalorian”) will play Toto, Jamie Ward (“The Gentlemen”) will play Pell and Nabeel Khan (“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”) plays Chaka. Returning for the third \[…\] ## [Venice-Bound ‘Meteorite,’ Debut Feature From Colombia’s Sebastián Múnera, Acquired by MoreThan Films (EXCLUSIVE)](https://variety.com/2026/film/global/venice-meteorite-sebastian-munera-morethan-films-1236840956/) _2026-08-23 · Leo Barraclough · Variety_ MoreThan Films has acquired Colombian filmmaker Sebastián Múnera’s film “Meteorite,” which will have its world premiere in Venice Critics’ Week (Sept. 2-12). The film follows Tefa and Nia, who live in a small town near the Magdalena River, where they raise Nia’s young nephew. Nia persuades Tefa to join her in smuggling cellphones into the \[…\] ## [Upendra Joins Cast as Teja Sajja, Shanaya Kapoor, Suparn S. Varma’s Sequel Titled ‘Zombie Reddy Nxt Lvl’ (EXCLUSIVE)](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/upendra-teja-sajja-shanaya-kapoor-zombie-reddy-nxt-lvl-1236840852/) _2026-08-23 · Naman Ramachandran · Variety_ Kannada cinema superstar Upendra has joined the cast of “Zombie Reddy Nxt Lvl,” the sequel to the hit “Zombie Reddy,” in a powerhouse role, India’s People Media Factory has confirmed. The announcement, made on star Teja Sajja’s birthday, also confirms the film’s cast and creative team. The adventure zombie action-comedy marks the South Indian cinema \[…\] ## [‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Marty Supreme’ Take Top Honors at Location Managers Guild International Awards](https://variety.com/2026/artisans/news/location-managers-guild-international-awards-2026-winners-1236840833/) _2026-08-23 · Isabelle Farina · Variety_ “One Battle After Another” and “Marty Supreme” took top honors at the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) LMGI Awarda. The LGMI Awards were handed out on Saturday night and honor the use of filming locations across motion pictures, television, commercials, film commissions, and special achievement categories. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” won outstanding \[…\] ## [‘National Treasure 3’ Is “Finally Real” and “We Have a Script,” Director Says](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/national-treasure-3-finally-happening-director-says-1236679147/) _2026-08-23 · Lexi Carson · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ The Disney movies, released in 2004 and 2007, starred Nicolas Cage as treasure hunter Ben Gates. ## [‘Spa Weekend’ Review: Leslie Mann and Isla Fisher Go Underserved in a Lukewarm Bath of a Comedy](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/spa-weekend-review-leslie-mann-isla-fisher-anna-faris-1236678914/) _2026-08-23 · Angie Han · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ Anna Faris and Michelle Buteau also star in the film by 'Bad Moms' directors Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, about four childhood friends on a birthday trip that spirals out of control. ## [HBO Max Is Free Right Now For 7 Days With This Prime Video Promo](https://variety.com/2026/shopping/news/best-hbo-max-deal-offer-1235439129/) _2026-08-22 · Atingley4 · Variety_ Despite HBO Max hiking prices again last fall, the streamer is hoping to win over some new customers, with a 7-day free trial through Prime Video, just in time for the buzzy premiere of “Lanterns” and awards season pushes for critically-acclaimed shows like “Hacks” and “The Pitt.” While Amazon usually saves its streaming deals for \[…\] ## [Dale Morris, Titan of Nashville Management Who Forged Superstar Careers for Kenny Chesney and Alabama, Dies at 89](https://variety.com/2026/music/obituaries-people-news/dale-morris-dead-manager-kenny-chesney-alabama-1236840866/) _2026-08-22 · Chris Willman · Variety_ Dale Morris, one of the leading names in the ranks of Nashville music managers, who helped build up superstar careers for the group Alabama and then Kenny Chesney nearly from scratch, died Friday at 89. A representative said Morris died in his sleep. “He lived a big, bold, beautiful, blessed life, and I’m holding onto \[…\] ## [Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez Livestream: Where to Watch the Welterweight Pay-Per-View Match Online](https://variety.com/2026/shopping/news/how-to-watch-rolly-romero-vs-teofimo-lopez-ppv-boxing-live-online-1236838232/) _2026-08-22 · Rudie Obias · Variety_ In an epic bout, Premier Boxing Champions travels to Nevada this weekend, as Las Vegas-native Rolando “Rolly” Romero (17-2-0) defends his WBA welterweight title against Brooklyn-born boxer Teofimo Lopez (22-2-0) in a high-profile match. Romero vs. Lopez takes place on Saturday, Aug. 22 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with a start time of \[…\] ## [AI Summaries & Audio Briefings (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/24Kpd9uhtf42) _2026-08-22 · **Sponsored**_ Read AI summaries and listen to concise audio briefings for the latest stories. ## [Taylor Sheridan Accused of Stealing ‘Yellowstone’ From 2016 Pitch in Copyright Lawsuit](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/taylor-sheridan-accused-stealing-yellowstone-lawsuit-1236840854/) _2026-08-22 · Jack Dunn · Variety_ Writer Lauren J. Salkin has accused Taylor Sheridan of stealing his marquee series “Yellowstone” from her 2016 pitch in a lawsuit filed on Friday. 101 Studios, Paramount and Elevate Entertainment are also listed as defendants. Reps for Sheridan, 101 Studios, Paramount and Elevate Entertainment did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment. In the \[…\] ## [‘Sentimental Value’ Sweeps Amanda Awards](https://variety.com/2026/awards/awards/sentimental-value-amanda-awards-one-battle-after-another-1236840778/) _2026-08-22 · Marta Balaga · Variety_ Joachim Trier’s Oscar winner “Sentimental Value” became this year’s biggest Amanda Awards winner, taking home eight statuettes, including the top prize for best Norwegian film. Trier was also awarded for directing, as well as his screenplay written with longtime collaborator Eskil Vogt. “There’s a lot of stuff going on when you make and release films, \[…\] ## [Mark Ruffalo Fires Back After Paramount Slammed His Merger Attack as ‘Antisemitic’: ‘Appalling and Fundamentally Dishonest’](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/mark-ruffalo-response-paramount-merger-antisemitic-1236840844/) _2026-08-22 · Jack Dunn · Variety_ Mark Ruffalo has fired back at Paramount after the company slammed the actor as “antisemitic” for accusing David and Larry Ellison of “powering some of the most destructive and inhuman forces in the world.” “The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling and fundamentally dishonest,” Ruffalo wrote on X Saturday morning. “Criticizing the actions of \[…\] ## [Why Do We Love Spider-Man So Much?](https://variety.com/2026/film/columns/why-do-we-love-spider-man-so-much-tom-holland-1236840784/) _2026-08-22 · Owen Gleiberman · Variety_ Why does everyone love Spider-Man so much? When “Spider-Man: No Way Home” came out at the end of 2021, it made an insane amount of money ($814 million in the U.S. alone), blasting away any vestige of that era’s comic-book-movie fatigue. I thought the reason for the film’s mind-boggling success was obvious: It had three \[…\] ## [‘National Treasure 3’ Is ‘Happening,’ Says Franchise Director Jon Turteltaub](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/national-treasure-3-nicolas-cage-jon-turteltaub-1236840826/) _2026-08-22 · Jack Dunn · Variety_ “National Treasure” director Jon Turteltaub says a third film is happening. “I have not said anything before this, but you deserve to have the scoop,” Turteltaub said at a live taping of the “National Treasure Hunt” podcast (via The Philadelphia Inquirer). He added that the audience was “the first people I have said this out \[…\] ## [How ‘Abbott Elementary’ Pulled Off Its Big Phillies Game Episode](https://variety.com/2026/artisans/focus/abbott-elementary-phillies-game-episode-1236840283/) _2026-08-22 · Carolehorst · Variety_ They say that every trip to watch a ballgame is a different experience: a chance to see stolen bases and home runs; antics from the bleachers that end up on kiss cams and dance cams; fly balls soaring into the stands; or your daily caloric intake from hot dogs and popcorn. This unpredictability can be \[…\] ## [‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Swinging to Fourth Box Office Victory as It Tops ‘Insidious’ Sequel](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spider-man-brand-new-day-box-office-insidious-mutiny-2-1236678980/) _2026-08-22 · Ryan Gajewski · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ Tom Holland's superhero blockbuster continues its dominance against the launches of 'Insidious: Out of the Further' and Jason Statham's 'Mutiny.' ## [Michael Wright, Star of ‘The Five Heartbeats’ and ‘Sugar Hill,’ Dies at 70](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/michael-wright-dead-five-heartbeats-sugar-hill-1236678985/) _2026-08-22 · Mike Barnes · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ The New York native also was memorable as a Resistance fighter on ‘V’ and as the doomed inmate Omar White on ‘Oz.’ ## [Andrew Garfield on His Secret Instagram, Thoughts of Leaving Hollywood and Playing Roy in the ‘Stranger Than Fiction’ Siegfried & Roy Television Series](https://variety.com/2026/film/columns/andrew-garfield-secret-instagram-siegfried-roy-television-series-1236840510/) _2026-08-22 · Marcmalkin · Variety_ Andrew Garfield admits he has a secret Instagram account. “I’m as addicted as anybody. My screen time notifications are horrific to me. It’s like, I’ve given all of those hours to nothing,” he says. “It’s genuinely enraging because we don’t have as much control over these impulses as we should, and it’s been by design. \[…\] ## [Actor Michael Wright, Star of ‘The Five Heartbeats’ and ‘V,’ Dies at 70](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/michael-wright-dead-five-heartbeats-the-principal-1236840765/) _2026-08-22 · Todd Spangler · Variety_ Michael Wright, an actor known for his roles in “The Five Heartbeats,” “The Principal” and “V,” has died, according to a statement from his family. He was 70. His wife, Susan Wright, announced his death in a post shared Friday evening on Instagram. “It is with profound sadness and an unimaginable heaviness in my heart \[…\] ## [Web Coding With AI, Live (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/yNDyPoiC3BSD) _2026-08-22 · **Sponsored**_ Collaborative screen sharing with simultaneous remote control, open source. ## [Emily Watson Says ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Season 2 Will Have ‘Lots of New Elements,’ Led Her on ‘A Quest in a Way Actors Always Get to Do and Actresses Don’t’](https://variety.com/2026/film/global/emily-watson-dune-prophecy-season-2-1236840725/) _2026-08-22 · Rafa Sales Ross · Variety_ Starring in HBO Max’s “Dune: Prophecy” has been a major “departure” for Emily Watson, whose lauded career was built upon major independent and arthouse successes such as Lars von Trier’s “Breaking the Waves” and Robert Altman’s “Gosford Park.” As she embarks on a second season of the hit show, the actress feels more settled in \[…\] ## [Here’s How to Watch 2026 Indycar Series Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. Live Online](https://variety.com/2026/shopping/news/how-to-watch-indycar-freedom-250-grand-prix-live-online-free-1236838320/) _2026-08-22 · Rudie Obias · Variety_ After the Grand Prix of Ontario in Canada in mid-August, Indycar Series travels to the United States’ capital city for the 2026 Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. It starts on Saturday, Aug. 22 with practice and qualifying rounds. Race day is the following day on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. \[…\] ## [‘Everything That’s Wrong With You’ Review: A Luminous Two-Hander from Slovenia About Online Pals Navigating the Waters of IRL Friendship](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/everything-thats-wrong-with-you-review-1236840724/) _2026-08-22 · Guy Lodge · Variety_ Anyone with a scrolling habit will know that social media can be a soothing place for the downbeat and lonely. Yet the intimacy you can strike up with strangers rubs up against the uncomfortable fact that our online personae are always manipulated to an extent. Writer-director Urša Menart’s luminous Sarajevo competition title “Everything That’s Wrong \[…\] ## [Sandra Wollner’s ‘Everytime’ Wins Best Film in Sarajevo, Ana Urushadze Crowned Best Director](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sandra-wollner-everytime-honorary-heart-sarajevo-urushadze-1236678968/) _2026-08-22 · Lily Ford · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ The jury at this year's Sarajevo Film Festival included British actress Emily Watson, European Film Academy director Matthijs Wouter Knol and Yorgos Lanthimos’ producer Athina Rachel Tsangari. ## [Olivia Rodrigo Releases ‘Handmaid’s Tale’-Inspired Song, ‘Serena Joy,’ in a Tiny Run of CDs, With Digital Drop to Follow](https://variety.com/2026/music/news/olivia-rodrigo-serena-joy-cd-single-handmaids-tale-1236840709/) _2026-08-22 · Chris Willman · Variety_ It was already clear Olivia Rodrigo is in full feminist mode these days, with her all-female music festival, Daisy Chain Fields, set to take place in California’s Orange County next Saturday. But it’s perhaps even clearer now that Rodrigo is releasing a non-album track, “Serena Joy,” named after a prominent character in “The Handmaid’s Tale” \[…\] ## [Austrian Director Sandra Wollner’s ‘Everytime’ Wins Best Film at Sarajevo Film Festival](https://variety.com/2026/film/global/sandra-wollner-everytime-wins-sarajevo-film-festival-1236840695/) _2026-08-22 · Postcardjunky · Variety_ Sandra Wollner’s “Everytime” continued its winning streak at the Sarajevo Film Festival, where the Cannes Un Certain Regard winner took home the Heart of Sarajevo for best narrative feature film. The Austrian director’s third feature was the unanimous choice of a jury headed by two-time Academy Award nominee Emily Watson, which said in its citation: \[…\] ## [Bill Maher Puts Hunter Biden in the Hot Seat: ‘I’ve Seen You With Your Dick Out’](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/bill-maher-hunter-biden-dick-real-time-hbo-joe-biden-trump-sons-1236840676/) _2026-08-22 · Marlow Stern · Variety_ After enduring years of character assassinations by the right, Hunter Biden is in the throes of a chaotic media blitz that’s included Twitter-trolling, posting on Substack and appearances on a number of far-right podcasts, from Hitler worshipper Nick Fuentes and Russia stooge Tucker Carlson to conspiracy theorist Candace Owens. Is Joe Biden’s wayward son trying \[…\] ## [‘Spa Weekend’ Review: Leslie Mann and Isla Fisher in a High-Concept Comedy Without the Comic Highs](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/spa-weekend-review-leslie-mann-anna-faris-1236840170/) _2026-08-22 · Owen Gleiberman · Variety_ I watched "Spa Weekend" and realized that the genre it’s in — the high-concept movie with the concept in the title, the comedy that puts out a vibe of "Look, I’m crass and dumb and obvious! And that’s why you like me!" — may be entering its twilight zone. ## [Paramount and State A.G. to Meet Monday to Discuss Settlement of Antitrust Case](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/paramount-merger-warner-settlement-talks-bonta-california-1236840532/) _2026-08-22 · Gmaddaus · Variety_ Paramount Skydance representatives are expected to meet on Monday with the California Attorney General’s office to discuss a potential settlement of the states’ antitrust case, according to two sources familiar with the situation. Paramount has been pushing hard for a deal to allow its $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery to close. The deal \[…\] ## [‘Voice of Hind Rajab’ Director Slams Israeli Military Investigation Into 5-Year-Old Girl’s Death as a “Smokescreen”](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/voice-of-hind-rajab-director-israel-military-investigation-1236678876/) _2026-08-22 · Hilary Lewis · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ "What is needed now is not a public relations operation. What is needed is justice (delivered by an independent authority) for Hind and for all the victims of the genocide in Gaza," Kaouther Ben Hania, who helmed the Oscar-nominated docudrama, said, dismissing the criminal probe announced this week as Rajab's mother also called for an independent inquiry. ## [Paramount Slams Mark Ruffalo Merger Attack as ‘Antisemitic,’ Says Company Does Not ‘Tolerate Prejudice of Any Kind’](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/paramount-responds-mark-ruffalo-merger-attack-israel-1236840552/) _2026-08-22 · Varietymattdonnelly · Variety_ Paramount has come out swinging against a Friday screed from Mark Ruffalo, in which the award-winning actor accused moguls David and Larry Ellison of “powering some of the most destructive and inhuman forces in the world.” A spokesperson for the David Ellison-run enterprise said the company is “troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported \[…\] ## [Emmy Overachiever Jason Bateman on Whether He Considers Himself an Actor or Director First](https://variety.com/2026/tv/awards/jason-bateman-emmys-black-rabbit-dtf-st-louis-podcast-1236840514/) _2026-08-21 · Varietyschneider · Variety_ Jason Bateman is this year’s Emmy overachiever, nominated for lead limited series actor and limited series directing on Netflix’s “Black Rabbit,” and as both supporting actor and executive producer on another limited series, HBO Max’s “DTF St. Louis.” So where does the multi-hyphenate’s brain reside more in these days, as an actor or director? “They \[…\] ## [Secret Hollywood Group’s AI Plan Focuses on Defining How AI Is Used — While Keeping Humans in Control](https://variety.com/2026/biz/news/secret-hollywood-groups-ai-plan-protecting-copyrighted-work-1236840245/) _2026-08-21 · Corbin Bolies · Variety_ A group of Hollywood filmmakers, executives and actors has spent the last three years secretly meeting with Silicon Valley executives to try to address a simmering issue in the industry: how to define where AI is useful in the context of a human-controlled creative process. The meetings were first convened in November 2023 by LucasFilm \[…\] ## [Vertical Media on Track to Generate $150 Billion in 2026 as the Booming Sector Fights Crowded Content Field and High Subscriber Acquisition Costs](https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/vertical-media-150-billion-tiktok-microdramas-owl-co-1236840519/) _2026-08-21 · Cynthia Littleton · Variety_ There’s no doubt that 2026 will go down as a milestone year for the growth in popularity of vertical media content in the U.S. The sector is booming but still incredibly diffuse. That will change as microdramas and other formats proliferate and generate more advertising, subscription and in-app purchase revenue. Those are among the conclusions \[…\] ## [‘Harry Potter’ Star Jessie Cave Says It Was ‘Embarrassing’ to Join OnlyFans to Pay the Bills but ‘It Has Saved Me’: Lavender Brown ‘Was a Small Part 20 Years Ago’](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/harry-potter-jessie-cave-onlyfans-embarrassing-saved-me-1236840193/) _2026-08-21 · Zack Sharf · Variety_ Jessie Cave, the actor who portrayed Lavender Brown in three “Harry Potter” movies, appeared in a recent interview on the U.K. talk show “This Morning” and spoke openly about her decision to launch an OnlyFans last year to help get her out of debt. Her decision resulted in a “Potter” fan convention barring her from \[…\] ## [Chris Aronson Files $4 Million Age Discrimination Suit Over Ouster at Paramount](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/chris-aronson-paramount-lawsuit-1236840408/) _2026-08-21 · Gmaddaus · Variety_ Chris Aronson, who was let go as Paramount’s head of domestic distribution last year, has filed a lawsuit accusing the company of reneging on an agreement to pay him $1.3 million. Aronson was fired as part of the executive shakeup that followed the Skydance merger. Shortly before the deal closed, he signed an extension that \[…\] ## [Alex Aster on Writing Barbie World’s First-Ever YA Book, Sending Her ‘Lightlark’ Movie Producers ‘Really Smart’ Fan Casts](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/alex-aster-barbie-book-lightlark-movie-update-1236840314/) _2026-08-21 · Jennifer Maas · Variety_ BookTok sensation Alex Aster stepped away from the worlds of her bestselling “Lightlark” and “Starside” novels this week to celebrate the debut of her new book, which is based on IP that predates her works by more than six decades: Barbie. Author Aster, who has now released 10 titles over the past six years, was \[…\] ## [Miss USA, Miss Teen USA Pageants Pulled From The CW Just a Week Before Air](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/miss-usa-miss-teen-usa-pageants-pulled-the-cw-1236840360/) _2026-08-21 · Varietyschneider · Variety_ The Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants have faced several controversies in recent years, and here’s the latest: Just a week before the events were scheduled to air on The CW, they’ve suddenly been pulled from the network. The CW and Miss USA aren’t elaborating on the real reasons why, but in a statement, \[…\] ## [Michelle Pfeiffer Reveals Career Plans After Saying She “Never” Wanted to “Star in Another Movie”](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/michelle-pfeiffer-reveals-career-plans-never-star-in-movie-1236678525/) _2026-08-21 · Mariel Turner · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ The ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ actress is clarifying her comments about film after reports of retirement. ## [Niki Byrne, Director of Chase Infiniti TIFF Movie ‘The Juliet Set,’ Signs with Underground (Exclusive)](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-juliet-set-filmmaker-niki-byrne-signs-with-underground-1236657584/) _2026-08-21 · Aaron Couch · Movies | Hollywood Reporter_ The writer-director's film will bow at Toronto next month, even as she starts to put together her followup feature.