Entertainment and Media

Topic overview

Film, television, streaming, music, creators, and media companies.

Recently curated for this topic.

Jul 10, 2026Variety Com

Broadcast Emmy Woes, Lots of Martin Short, Bad Bunny and Other Trivia From 2026’s Nominations

The 2026 Emmy nominations underscored how little broadcast networks now matter in the top series races: across drama, comedy, and limited/anthology series, only ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” made it into the major categories. The nomination list also leaned heavily on a small set of high-profile talent and buzzy names, including repeat recognition for Martin Short and visibility for pop-culture figures like Bad Bunny. Awards attention increasingly functions as a streaming marketing asset, leaving broadcast with less cultural proof to sell viewers and advertisers.

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Jul 10, 2026Variety Com

‘Moana’: Lin-Manuel Miranda on Writing the Song ‘Along The Way’ in a Week and Being in the Oscar Race With Taylor Swift

Lin-Manuel Miranda described the speed and pressure of writing “Moana” songs, including drafting “Along the Way” in a week while juggling “Hamilton,” as Disney continues to expand the franchise after the original’s $643 million global run and the 2024 sequel’s $1 billion-plus haul. He also framed the current awards landscape as a competitive Oscar field that includes major pop power like Taylor Swift. As franchises sprawl, original songs become a strategic tool for both awards campaigning and sustained consumer engagement.

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Jul 10, 2026Variety Com

Christopher Nolan Says ‘Odyssey’ Backlash Over Casting and More Is ‘Irrelevant’ and He’s Learned Not to Worry: ‘Remember, I Spent 10 Years Dealing With Batman’

Christopher Nolan dismissed online backlash to his upcoming “The Odyssey,” saying the criticism over casting and historical fidelity is irrelevant and that he has learned not to worry after years of scrutiny on “Batman.” The film’s early controversy has been amplified by high-profile culture-war figures and purists before audiences have seen the movie. Studios and filmmakers are testing whether blockbuster brands can ignore social-media backlash without letting it define the theatrical conversation.

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Jul 10, 2026Variety Com

Neon, Oscar-Winning Studio Behind ‘Anora’ and ‘Longlegs,’ Sells Stake to Department M

Department M acquired a significant stake in indie film studio Neon, with financial terms undisclosed. Neon founder Tom Quinn will remain CEO as the company continues operating under existing leadership. New capital behind a top indie distributor can reset pricing and deal leverage across the independent film market.

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Jul 10, 2026Variety Com

‘Moana’ Director Thomas Kail on Dwayne Johnson’s Live-Action Maui Look and Remaking a Beloved Hit: In Theater, ‘We Do Revivals All the Time’

Thomas Kail frames Disney’s live-action “Moana” as a revival approach, arguing that revisiting a recent animated hit can still feel fresh if the filmmaking choices change. He addresses scrutiny around Dwayne Johnson’s live-action Maui look and positions the remake as a performance-forward translation rather than a beat-for-beat copy. The live-action “Moana” is a test of whether Disney can keep monetizing its newest classics without triggering consumer fatigue or brand damage.

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Jul 10, 2026Variety Com

French Box Office Surges Nearly 20% in First Half of 2026 as Local Films and Hollywood Hits Drive Recovery

France’s box office rose 19.7% year over year in the first half of 2026, reaching about €680 million on nearly 92 million admissions, powered by a mix of French titles and Hollywood tentpoles. The rebound is notable for its balance between domestic hits and imported blockbusters rather than reliance on a single breakout. A balanced rebound in France signals theatrical demand is returning in a key European market, supporting both local production and global studio release strategies.

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