Tag Archives: Variety

Harrison Ford on Playing Indiana Jones for the Last Time | Variety

By Marc Malkin, January 31, 2023

Lucasfilm Ltd.

Welcome to this week’s “Just for Variety.”

It’s not every day that an action movie stars an 80-year- old.

But leave it to octogenarian Harrison Ford to return as Indiana Jones in “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” the fifth installment of the iconic franchise.

While moviegoers may be surprised to see Ford return four decades after making the first film, the actor has long felt he’d be back.

“I always wanted to do it,” he told me at the premiere of his Apple TV+ comedy series “Shrinking.” “I wanted to do the rest of the story to see the end of his career.”

Source: Harrison Ford on Playing Indiana Jones for the Last Time – Variety

How Barbara Walters’ Career Mirrored the Rise of TV News – Variety

A look back at the pioneering journalist’s ascent as documented in the pages of Variety

By Cynthia Littleton, December 31, 2022

Getty Images

It’s hard to imagine Barbara Walters as anything other than a marquee-name, intrepid and pioneering journalist. But she didn’t get there overnight. A look back at the early career of the broadcast journalist, who died Dec. 30 at age 93, as documented in the pages of Variety shows the clear trajectory of a well-connected, industrious young woman who was destined to reach the summit of New York media and literati circles.

Variety’s coverage of Walters’ climb starting in the early 1950s also neatly tracks the rise of network TV news as a cultural force, and the subsequent evolution of TV news personalities into celebrities.

Walters’ status as the daughter of Broadway producer, booking agent and nightclub owner Lou Walters surely afforded her an early entrée into attention from Variety. Her first few references always included a reference to her father’s showbiz pedigree. But it wasn’t long before the younger Walters was earning items on her own. Barbara Walters stood out for the quality of her work even before she was on camera.

Editor’s Note: Read more, see link below for original item… see video at link…

Source: How Barbara Walters’ Career Mirrored the Rise of TV News – Variety

Back to the Future Fans Cry as Michael J Fox Christopher Lloyd Reunite – Variety

By Zack Sharf, Oct 10, 2022 8:24am PT

Mike Coppola/Getty Images for ReedPop

Back to the Future” fans were brought to tears on social media after videos from New York Comic Con went viral for capturing the emotional reunion between stars Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. The duo appeared visibly moved when they took the stage to a huge applause from the crowd, with Fox emotionally hugging Lloyd and Lloyd putting his arm around Fox. One video of the reunion has earned over 7 million views on Twitter.

“Watching [Michael J. Fox] hug Christopher Lloyd like this is so beautiful,” wrote one Twitter user. “I think it’s safe to say that today belongs to Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. As it should… It’s a beautiful moment in time.”

Fox joined “Back to the Future” after production was already underway, with Lloyd having filmed scenes with original Marty McFly actor Eric Stoltz. Director Robert Zemeckis came to realize that Stoltz wasn’t right for the part, so Fox was cast and the production had to reshoot scenes.

Source: https://variety.com/2022/film/news/back-to-the-future-fans-cry-michael-j-fox-christopher-lloyd-reunion-1235397800/

‘Rings of Power’: How to Watch the Lord of The Ring Series Online – Variety

The hotly anticipated series premieres on Amazon Prime Video this week.

By Anna Tingley, Aug 30, 2022 11:44am PT

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

It’s almost time to travel back to Middle-Earth. Amazon Prime Video’s hotly anticipated new Lord of the Rings series, “The Rings of Power,” arrives on the streamer on Sept. 2.

The fantasy series is one of Amazon Studios’ most ambitious projects to date, already breaking records ahead of its release.

Not only is it reported to be the most expensive television series ever made (Amazon apparently shelled out close to $715 million for all eight episodes), but the show’s first trailer racked up an unmatched 257 million views when it first debuted at this year’s Super Bowl, more than any Super Bowl trailer in history.

Source: ‘Rings of Power’: How to Watch the Lord of The Ring Series Online – Variety

Best Food Network Hosts Ranked – Variety

By Clayton Davis, Carson Burton, August 22, 2022

from article…

Many of the emcees of Food Network have crafted their own lanes with signature dishes, and the ability to connect with viewers globally. From Bobby Flay’s laid-back approach to barbecuing to Ina Garten’s timeless approach to preparing a quick meal for friends, these cooks have anchored the cable channel since its 1993 inception.

To celebrate Italian chef Giada De Laurentiis’ birthday, Variety ranks the 14 best hosts and emcees of Food Network (and spinoff Cooking Channel) in the last 20 years. For the purposes of the list, we’re only citing those who were the host of a particular series, not guest judges. Although conquerors of the culinary world, don’t expect to see the names of veterans Julia Child, Wolfgang Puck or Anthony Bourdain (although they are some of the best in history).

The New York-based cable channel has produced some of the most entertaining and mouth-watering television shows of all time. Whether it’s Guy Fieri “rolling out” with his “Triple D” or Aarón Sánchez bringing the wizardry of Mexican flavors, there’s someone for everyone watching at home.

Source: https://variety.com/lists/best-food-network-hosts-ranked/

Michael Mann, Kathy Bates React to James Caan’s Death – Variety

By Carson Burton, July 7, 2022

Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Michael Mann and Kathy Bates have both shared tributes to “The Godfather” and “Misery” star James Caan, who died on Wednesday at 82 years old.

“What a terrible and tragic loss,” Mann wrote in a statement to Variety. “Jimmy was not just a great actor with total commitment and a venturesome spirit, but he had a vitality in the core of his being that drove everything from his art and friendship to athletics and very good times. There was a core of values within him about how people should be, more or less. It might be variable, the corners could be rounded with urban irony, but there was a line and it was non-fungible. And it produced many outrageous and hilarious anecdotes.

“Mann and Caan worked together on the 1991 crime film “Thief.” Caan starred as Frank, a highly skilled jewel thief and safe cracker. The movie was Mann’s first feature film, kicking off a long and successful career in Hollywood.

See also: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083190/

Source: Michael Mann, Kathy Bates React to James Caan’s Death – Variety