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Can 87-year-old filmmaker Ridley Scott claw his way to a Best Director triumph for “Gladiator II”? It’s not completely out of the question, say our five top Oscar experts from major media outlets: Gold Derby’s Debra Birnbaum, Deadline’s Pete Hammond, Variety’s Clayton Davis, The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg, and Indiewire’s Anne Thompson. Watch their 2025 Oscars slugfest video above.

“Ridley’s never won. People are hyper aware of that,” declares Davis. “When you’re a movie that’s gonna be doing well in the tech categories … and we have this year where there’s no obvious frontrunner, we end up with like an Ang Lee-by-accident second Oscar win for ‘Life of Pi.’ And that’s why I think that Ridley Scott is someone that everyone can coalesce around.”

Hammond recalls moderating a “Gladiator II” screening for Academy voters (which had “the biggest turn-out” of...

Is so-called “category fraud” taking over the Best Supporting Actress race at the upcoming Oscars? Is Kieran Culkin really on track to win Best Supporting Actor for “A Real Pain”?

Five top Oscar experts from major media outlets recently got together to dish these two supporting contests: Gold Derby’s Debra Birnbaum, Deadline’s Pete Hammond, Variety’s Clayton Davis, The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg, and Indiewire’s Anne Thompson. Watch their 2025 Oscars slugfest video above.

“Supporting actress is a very tough category this year, because we have some movies that are going to provide two,” Hammond says in reference to “Emilia Pérez’s” Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez. He adds that “Zoe is probably the frontrunner as we speak because, really, it’s a leading role.”

“Wicked” scene-stealer Ariana Grande is also a leading role campaigning in supporting, and she continues to climb up Gold Derby’s charts.

Variety earned 14 first-place wins Sunday night at the 17th annual National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards, including trophies for print journalist of the year, film critic, investigative reporting and news photo.

Chris Willman, chief music critic and senior writer, packed a punch with four wins including print journalist of the year. Tatiana Siegel, executive editor of film and media, won two top investigative categories. The ceremony was held at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

“We are so proud of the work produced across Variety every day. These big wins reinforce that we have the largest and strongest team of entertainment business journalists in the world,” said Cynthia Littleton and Ramin Setoodeh, co-Editors in Chief of Variety.

Here’s a rundown of Variety‘s wins:

Chris Willman’s singular voice and prolific output earned him the print journalist of the year honor. He was recognized for film criticism under 1,000 words.

The Best Limited/Movie Actress race at the 2025 Golden Globes has had the same two frontrunners all season long: Jodie Foster (“True Detective: Night Country”) and Cate Blanchett (“Disclaimer”). But there’s a brand new challenger in the third place position in the form of Cristin Milioti (“The Penguin”). Can she pull out a victory when the 82nd annual Golden Globes air on Jan. 5, 2025, on CBS?

Foster, Blanchett, and Milioti are expected to be joined by Sofia Vergara (“Griselda”), Naomi Watts (“Feud: Capote vs. The Swans”), and Nicole Kidman (“The Perfect Couple”) in this year’s nominations lineup, per our combined odds. Foster recently won the Emmy for “True Detective: Night Country, with Vergara and Watts being co-nominees. Blanchett, Milioti, and Kidman star on new programs that will be eligible at next year’s Emmys.

“The Penguin” is HBO’s take on the classic DC Comics “Batman” villain, with Colin Farrell playing the titular role.

No need to look to the western sky to find Cynthia Erivo — she can now be located in our Oscar experts‘ Best Actress predictions.

Buoyed by great reviews and record box office numbers, the “Wicked” star has soared into the top five nomination rankings of our influential media pundits. As of this writing, the experts collectively predict that the Best Actress Oscar lineup will be Mikey Madison (“Anora”) at 37/10 odds, Karla Sofía Gascón (“Emilia Pérez”) at 9/2 odds, Angelina Jolie (“Maria”) at 9/2 odds, Marianne Jean-Baptiste (“Hard Truths”) at 8/1 odds, and Erivo at 8/1 odds.

Universal Pictures’ “Wicked,” Jon M. Chu‘s long-awaited adaptation of the popular Broadway stage musical, finally opened in theaters on Friday, Nov. 22. Erivo plays Elphaba Thropp, aka the Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande takes on the role of her frenemy Galinda Upland, aka Glinda the Good Witch. Other notable cast members include Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar,...

Brick by brick, Pharrell Williams has built his life. Williams, a man of constant reinvention, has again surprised the world with the animated biopic, “Piece by Piece.” The documentary chronicles his life from childhood to international stardom and his eventual rediscovery of himself. The film, directed by Oscar-winner Morgan Neville, uses Lego to render Pharrell’s story, creating a playful and poignant narrative. For Pharrell, however, the story isn’t just about the bricks — it’s about the soul.

The metaphor of Lego resonates deeply with him, representing his construction of moments, relationships, and choices. “The concept came from a series of conversations I wasn’t initially open to,” Williams told Variety‘s Awards Circuit podcast. “When my agent said I could do it any way I wanted, it clicked. Lego was perfect because it gave me the distance to see my story objectively. I could finally appreciate my journey,...

The actor gives ‘the performance of the year’ in A Complete Unknown according to one early reviewer. If Academy voters agree, he would be the youngest leading actor winner in Oscars history

A Complete Unknown, James Mangold’s biopic about Bob Dylan, finished filming five months ago. Shortly afterwards, the studio behind the film moved its release date forward to this Christmas – meaning it is in contention for next year’s awards.

Such confidence looks to have been well placed as after an early screening of the film in Hollywood this week, it has won rave reviews on social media. “Timothée Chalamet slides into Bob Dylan with an effortless yet focused determination,” wrote Variety’s senior awards editor, Clayton Davis. “He is fearless in some hypnotic moments.”...

Unlike Bob Dylan‘s decision to go electric, Timothée Chalamet‘s portrayal of the folk music legend appears to be a hit.

Following an early screening of the James Mangold-helmed biopic A Complete Unknown, which premieres Dec. 25 in US theaters and Jan. 17 in the UK, Chalamet is earning Oscar buzz as audiences rave on social media that the film is “nothing short of brilliance.”

“Timothée Chalamet delivers the performance of the year in A Complete Unknown,” wrote film journalist Scott Menzel on X. “A true tour-de-force where Chalamet is never seen. Chalamet’s performance is not just about the voice and look but rather all of the little nuances and mannerisms that he perfectly brings to his life in his portrayal of Bob Dylan. Great supporting performances too from Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger.”

Clayton Davis wrote on the platform, “Timothée Chalamet slides...

Hollywood loves a good musical biopic, and now it’s Bob Dylan’s turn in the spotlight. Based on the 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald, A Complete Unknown will hit theaters next month, but the first reactions have emerged, and they’re quite positive, with plenty of praise for star Timothée Chalamet. Some believe he’s even a shoo-in for Oscar glory.

Scott Menzel said: “Timothée Chalamet delivers the performance of the year in A Complete Unknown. A true tour-de-force where Chalamet is never seen. Chalamet’s performance is not just about the voice and look but rather all of the little nuances and mannerisms that he perfectly brings to his life in his portrayal of Bob Dylan. Great supporting performances too from Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger.“

Variety’s Clayton Davis said: “Timothée Chalamet slides into Bob Dylan with an effortless...

Like a rolling stone, James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” has officially entered the Oscar race. Last night at the Zanuck Theater on the Fox Lot in Los Angeles, the film screened for the first time in front of an audience with Mangold, as well as stars Elle Fanning and Monica Barbaro, costume designer Arianne Phillips, and production designer François Audouy all in attendance.

Throughout the screening, the crowd was enlivened by Mangold and team’s carefully crafted recreation of 1960s Greenwich Village, as well as the Newport Folk Festival held in Newport, Rhode Island. Following the screening, critics were quick to share their admiration via social media, highlighting Timothée Chalamet’s performance as Dylan, both acting and singing, as a major standout in this year’s awards race.

IndieWire’s own Anne Thompson offered her thoughts via Threads, writing, “James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown leans...

James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown,” starring Timothée Chalamet as young Bob Dylan in early 1960s New York City, has formally entered the Oscar race after its first screening for critics. Initial reactions from members of the press who saw the film have been positive, with particular praise going to Chalamet’s performance as well as Monica Barbaro’s as Joan Baez. Its positive reception helps clear the path for Chalamet’s expected Best Actor nomination.

“Timothée Chalamet slides into Bob Dylan with an effortless yet focused determination in A Complete Unknown. Fearless in some hypnotic moments,” Variety’s Clayton Davis wrote on X. “For me, it’s Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning that anchor the story of an illusive, mysterious man that remains in that sphere. James Mangold helms with confidence, with gorgeous sets and costumes. Much respect to one of the best to do it.”

“Not a fan...

With the holiday season upon us, anticipation builds for the release of ‘A Complete Unknown,’ the latest biopic that chronicles Bob Dylan’s enigmatic journey through the 1960s folk scene of Greenwich Village.

Directed by James Mangold, known for ‘Walk the Line,’ this film promises to delve into the layers that compose the legendary musician, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet.

The story captures a pivotal moment in music history—Dylan’s controversial switch from acoustic to electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, a move that stunned fans and altered the course of folk music.

The film is based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book ‘Dylan Goes Electric!’ and features a dynamic ensemble cast, including Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger.

Chalamet’s transformation into Dylan has been a focal point of attention. His performance is poised to offer a deep dive into the intricacies of Dylan’s persona,...

The first reactions to Timothée Chalamet’s “A Complete Unknown” have started rolling in on social media ahead of the Bob Dylan biopic’s Christmas release date, with members of the press praising Chalamet, Monica Barbaro and more for their performances in the film.

“Timothée Chalamet slides into Bob Dylan with an effortless yet focused determination. Fearless in some hypnotic moments,” Variety‘s senior awards editor Clayton Davis wrote on X. “For me, it’s Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning that anchor the story of an illusive, mysterious man that remains in that sphere. James Mangold helms with confidence, with gorgeous sets and costumes. Much respect to one of the best to do it.”

Film critic Scott Menzel said Chalamet “delivers the performance of the year,” adding: “A true tour-de-force where Chalamet is never seen. Chalamet’s performance is not just about the voice and look but rather all of...

Talk about popular! Buoyed by positive critics’ reviews and social media reactions, Ariana Grande (“Wicked”) has skyrocketed in Gold Derby’s Oscar odds for Best Supporting Actress in recent weeks. In fact, the pop star now places among the top five most likely supporting actress contenders to receive a nomination at the upcoming 2025 Oscars. Note that it’s still quite early in this awards season, and things could keep changing as our experts, editors, and users continue to update their predictions.

Grande plays a young Galinda Upland in Universal Pictures’ adaptation of the long-running Broadway stage musical. While attending Shiz University, Galinda takes a new student under her wing, the misunderstood Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), and tries to teach her how to be less of an outcast. Jon M. Chu directed the movie from a screenplay by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox.

This would be Grande’s first major acting award,...

Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” is creeping nearer.

The latest version of the classic 1922 silent film by F.W. Murnau, which was famously remade in 1979 by Werner Herzog, had splashy screenings in New York and Los Angeles (where Guillermo del Toro moderated a post-screening Q&a with Eggers) on Thursday. And the response was rapturous, with people hailing the movie’s production design, cinematography and fastidious attention to detail, all hallmarks of previous Eggers movies like “The Witch,” “The Lighthouse” and “The Northman.”

This new “Nosferatu” stars Bill Skarsgård as the vampire, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin and Willem Dafoe.

Rodrigo Perez, editor in chief of The Playlist, said the film was “a masterful, unnerving, spine-tingling gothic horror of the highest order, Robert Eggers’ best film.” He also singled out Rose-Depp’s performance, a common refrain among those who saw the movie yesterday.

‘Nosferatu’: a masterful, unnerving, spine-tingling gothic horror of the highest order,...

As we first reported on FearHQ.com, the first reactions for Nosferatu have just hit social media and they are glowing. Horror fans have had high hopes for Robert Eggers' long-awaited return to horror and, rather than exceeding expectations, all signs point to him blowing them away.

Lily-Rose Depp and Bill Skarsgård receive the lion's share of praise, while the movie's stunning imagery and themes appear every bit as effective as the horror and gore you'd hope to see in a vampire movie. Crucially, it's being hailed as the "perfect remake."

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, director Robert Eggers teased Count Orlok's appearance - which has yet to be fully revealed - and explained that he's more akin to a corpse than a traditional vampire.

"This Orlok is more of a folk vampire than any other film version," the filmmaker said. "That means he's a dead person. And he’s not like,...

As we first reported on FearHQ.com, the first reactions for Nosferatu have just hit social media and they are glowing. Horror fans have had high hopes for Robert Eggers' long-awaited return to horror and, rather than exceeding expectations, all signs point to him blowing them away.

Lily-Rose Depp and Bill Skarsgård receive the lion's share of praise, while the movie's stunning imagery and themes appear every bit as effective as the horror and gore you'd hope to see in a vampire movie. Crucially, it's being hailed as the "perfect remake."

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, director Robert Eggers teased Count Orlok's appearance - which has yet to be fully revealed - and explained that he's more akin to a corpse than a traditional vampire.

"This Orlok is more of a folk vampire than any other film version," the filmmaker said. "That means he's a dead person. And he’s not like,...

One of cinema’s most iconic vampires is out of the coffin again. Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” finally debuted to film press, and first reactions are calling the horror drama a “knockout” with impeccable below-the-line craft.

A reimagining of F. W. Murnau’s 1922 silent German Expressionist film, “Nosferatu” stars Lily-Rose Depp as a young woman who becomes the object of desire for the terrifying vampire Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård). Eggers’ supporting cast includes Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney and Willem Dafoe. The director penned the script for “Nosferatu” himself.

Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis called the film “gorgeous and horrifically brilliant,” saying Depp is “haunting” and Skarsgård is “menacing.”

Indiewire chief film critic David Ehrlich highlighted all the sweaty “writhing” in the movie, perhaps a superlative amount. And he meant it as a compliment.

Variety senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay flipped for the movie, saying...

Ryan Reynolds’ brand of humor has made him a beloved star in Hollywood both on and off the screen, and it still doesn’t feel real to him — even when his movie “Deadpool & Wolverine” grosses more than $1.5 billion.

“Deadpool & Wolverine” became a box office behemoth, pulling in an astounding $636 million domestically and securing its place as the 12th highest-grossing film in history. It now sits just behind Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and ahead of Warner Bros.’ summer sensation “Barbie.” It’s also surpassed the 2019 thriller “Joker” to become the highest-grossing R-rated film ever. And among Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe juggernauts, “Deadpool 3” claims the seventh spot, having recently overtaken “Iron Man 3” globally.

Reflecting on his latest blockbuster with Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast, Reynolds describes the whirlwind of emotions watching “Deadpool & Wolverine” break records. “It feels great,” he says with a laugh, “but I...

“Anora” has remained Gold Derby’s predictions front-runner to win Best Picture at the 2025 Oscars for several months now, but the runner-up position has kept our awards pundits on their toes. In fact, there is now a three-way tie for second place, as “Emilia Perez,” “The Brutalist,” and “Conclave” all have the same odds of 17/2, compared to “Anora’s” leading 15/2 odds. Note that the Oscar odds will continue to change as our Experts from major media outlets, our website staff Editors, and our Users keep making or updating their predictions.

Sean Baker‘s “Anora” stars Mikey Madison as the titular Brooklyn stripper who gets married to a Russian oligarch (Mark Eydelshteyn). Its Oscar chances received a major boost earlier this year when it won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The dramedy has the support of these 14 Oscar Experts: Anne Thompson (Indiewire), Cole Jaeger (The Oscar Expert...

Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Glen Powell took on bad guys and tornados this year, but that’s nothing compared to the threat of an ass-kicking from 94-year-old June Squibb. Earlier this year Squibb starred in “Thelma,” her first lead role in a film, playing a grandmother who tracks down her swindlers. While promoting the film, the dumpling-faced Oscar nominee posted short videos in which she warned other action stars: “I can kick your ass!”

The question is – did she get any responses from her targets? Squibb laughs good-naturedly. “I don’t think we did, but we got a lot of laughs,” she admits. She also cites a clip she saw of Austin Butler and his costars from “The Bikeriders” watching her video, noting: “They all laughed about it.”

@foodfollowsme

June Squibb is coming for Ryan Reynolds...

Key contenders for this season’s animated feature Oscar race shared their insights on creating emotionally authentic features on the Variety Animation Panel – Pixels & Pencils at the Scad Savannah Film Festival, moderated by Clayton Davis, senior awards editor.

“I would say that your fears are not your limitations. They’re your opportunities. That when you really look at the things that scare you, those are the things to turn towards and to try and work out, because that’s where the good stuff lies,” said Morgan Neville the writer, director and producer of Pharrell Williams’s Lego-animated film “Piece by Piece.”

Neville was honored alongside Gints Zilbalodis, director of “Flow”; Oscar winner Josh Cooley, who directed “Transformers One”; Chris Sanders, three-time Academy Award nominee and the writer and director of “Wild Robot”; Kelsey Mann, writer and director of “Inside Out 2″; and Adam Elliot, writer, director and producer of “Memoir of a Snail.

Despite a career with varying celebrated roles, Isabella Rossellini has never received an Academy Award nomination. This year, fans and critics alike are hoping that changes with her latest film, “Conclave.”

At the Middleburg Film Festival, the iconic actress graced the grounds of the Salamander Resort to promote “Conclave,” directed by Edward Berger. Interviewed there for the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Rossellini gave astounding insights into her iconic career, discussed her latest role, and reflected on the intricate dance between artistic expression and the commercial pressures that define the film industry. Listen below.

In “Conclave,” Rossellini plays Sister Agnes, a nun who subtly navigates the power dynamics within the Catholic Church while selecting a new Pope. The role allowed Rossellini to embody subservience and authority through a reserved yet respectful demeanor. She described infusing Sister Agnes with “authority through silence and modesty,” capturing the tension between reverence and influence many women experience within patriarchal institutions.

Wicked Part 1 Early Reviews Revealed ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Ariana Grande starrer Wicked Part 1 by Jon M Chu’s initial verdict is out and is looking good. The film will clash against Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II. This is helmed as 2024’s Barbenheimer phenomenon. Both movies have extensive budgets and are among this year’s much-awaited movies. Scroll below to find out what the critics say about it.

It features Ariana Grande as the Good Witch and Cynthia Ervio as the Wicked Witch of the West. The film is based on the stage musical of the same name. The characters are from L Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It also features Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Leala Settle, Ethan Slater and Pete Dinklage.

Wicked Part 1 is set in the Land of Oz. It follows the green-skinned Elphaba’s studies at Shiz University and the beginning of...

Moviegoers, get ready. This November promises to be one of the most competitive months at the multiplex since the summer, with a handful of big-ticket event films getting ultra-wide releases as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches. As for whether these movies will be worth your time, we've already heard some enthusiastic reactions to Ridley Scott's "Gladiator II," and been duly warned that Robert Zemeckis' "Here" is not where it's at. We should also be getting social media reactions to "Red One" and "Moana 2" any day now, but today is "Wicked" day on Twitter.

Before we check the tweets, keep in mind that John M. Chu's adaptation of the beloved, long-running Broadway musical riff on "The Wizard of Oz" has been viewed, sight-unseen, with tremendous skepticism due to its 160-minute runtime. Given that Chu's first "Wicked" film is just half of the story (with "Wicked Part Two" due to...

“Wicked” may not arrive in theaters for another three weeks and change, but early reactions are already pouring in from film critics who screened it on October 30. And they’re all “wick-ed-ly” positive, as John Travolta might declare. “The world is not ready,” raves Variety’s Jazz Tangcay. Others agree with her, claiming it’s a “masterpiece” with a “stunning vision,” and claiming, “‘Wicked’ rocks, kids.”

Critics are also singling out director Jon M. Chu and lead actresses Cynthia Erivo (as Elphaba Thropp) and Ariana Grande (as Galinda Upland) for their work on the big budget movie musical, saying they “will blow you away.” Other cast members include Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, and Marissa Bode.

“Wicked: Part 1,” which arrives in theaters on November 22, was already garnering major Oscar buzz before today’s onslaught of sugary mini-reviews. “Wicked: Part 2,” meanwhile, is scheduled to debut the...

Universal has just introduced ‘Wicked’ to film critics, and the response is overwhelmingly positive. Jon M. Chu’s take on the famous Broadway show has received high praise, with lead actresses Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande being lauded for their performances, catapulting them into this year’s Oscar discussions.

Critics are already tipping ‘Wicked’ as a standout film. Variety’s Katcy Stephen called it a ‘masterpiece,’ impressed by Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda, which she describes as full of humor and charisma.

I was 'pessimistical' going in, but…Wicked is a masterpiece. Ariana Grande makes Glinda sparkle: she milks every moment with gusto, humor and hair flips. Jon M. Chu added so much new life to the story that I can see why it needed to be 2 parts! Well worth the 20-year wait. pic.twitter.com/dJIYdoZgPc

— Katcy Stephan (@katcystephan) October 30, 2024

Simon Thompson from another publication was captivated by...

Variety leads the field in nominations for the 17th annual National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards. The list includes a bid for best entertainment website, four contenders for journalist of the year honors, a photo journalist of the year mention for veteran staffer Dan Doperalski and a nonfiction book of the year nom for co-Editor in Chief Ramin Setoodeh.

Variety nominations are spread widely across the masthead, recognizing a range of journalists as well as the photography, illustration and design of the weekly print magazine and social media efforts.

Nominated for print journalist of the year are executive editor Brent Lang, Tatiana Siegel, executive editor of film and media, and Chris Willman, chief music critic and senior music writer. Clayton Davis, senior awards editor, is up for online journalist of the year. The eligibility period for the kudos administered by the Los Angeles Press Club is July 1, 2023 through June 30.

Willman is...

John Magaro went from an extra on a Steven Spielberg film to leading his own movie about the same tragic events 20 years later.

Magaro has steadily built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors, seamlessly transitioning between indie gems and major studio films such as “Not Fade Away” and “Past Lives.” But despite his steady rise in the industry, he remains grounded and deeply connected to the craft of acting, driven by a passion for storytelling and a dedication to exploring the complexities of each role.

In this episode of the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Magaro discusses his latest project, Paramount Pictures’ “September 5” — a dramatic thriller about the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis. He also reflects on his early days in the business, which included an unexpected start as an extra in Steven Spielberg’s 2005 film “Munich,” a full-circle moment for him. Listen below.

“What makes this...

The 2025 Oscars race for Best Adapted Screenplay has a new front-runner.

“Conclave,” the Edward Berger-directed film that’s written by Peter Straughan and based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris, now holds the #1 position to win the adapted screenplay contest at Gold Derby. The movie just opened in U.S. theaters on Friday, October 25. Note that our Oscar odds will continue to change as our Experts, Editors and Users keep making or updating their predictions.

The Focus Features drama stars Ralph Fiennes as Thomas Lawrence, a Cardinal who is tasked with overseeing the election of the late Pope’s successor. But he soon realizes that many of the candidates have personal scandals that could upend the church. Other cast members include Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini, John Lithgow as Cardinal Tremblay, Sergio Castellitto as Cardinal Tedesco, and Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes.

Straughan received an...

Believe it or not, Saoirse Ronan — a four-time Oscar nominee and one of Hollywood’s brightest stars — is just a cool girl from the Bronx.

Ronan was born in the U.S., moved to Ireland when she was three, and still splits time between there and her native land. And yes, she still votes in every election and can even one day run for president (if she chooses to). Beyond her acclaimed performances in films like “Lady Bird” and “Little Women,” Ronan remains deeply grounded. She recently married her longtime partner Jack Lowden, who celebrated his first Emmy nomination for “Slow Horses” (with Ronan secretly wishing for him to play James Bond). Nonetheless, she’s deeply committed to making the entertainment industry a safer, more supportive environment for young actors.

On this film awards season premiere of the award-winning Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Ronan opens up about her early start in the film industry,...

With every new Ridley Scott film we're treated to a new Ridley Scott press run, which essentially means a ton of delightfully grumpy quotables are headed our way. "Gladiator 2," set to debut on November 22, 2024, has been no different. The British filmmaking legend told Empire magazine (via Deadline) that he has a "good relationship" with Russell Crowe, star of the original "Gladiator," before adding that Crowe shouldn't "start b***hing about how he wasn't consulted" for the sequel because "He's dead!". Scott also gave "Gladiator 2" star Paul Mescal some brutally terse advice for the highly-anticipated sequel, essentially telling him to immediately stop being nervous about fronting such a gargantuan production.

All of this is par for the course with Scott, who despite his own crotchetiness has been a Hollywood mainstay for decades now. That doesn't mean he hasn't endured some rocky moments in his impressively prolific career, however. Still...

“Gladiator II” screened for the first time on Friday, October 18 at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, and based on early reactions on social media from film critics and influencers, it is “a big, bloody and bad ass action spectacle,” a “true epic and Ridley Scott’s best in years,” and an all-caps “Masterpiece.”

Though official reviews are embargoed until a later date, the early reactions highlighted Scott’s direction, Mescal, Pascal, and Washington’s performances, and the overall production values of the sequel worthy of its Oscar-winning predecessor.

Following a screening of the 148-minute sequel, cast members Paul Mescal (as Lucius Verus), Connie Nielsen (as Lucilla), Denzel Washington (as Macrinus), and Fred Hechinger (as Emperor Caracalla) engaged in a panel discussion moderated by Jacqueline Coley, awards editor of Rotten Tomatoes. Washington praised Scott’s direction, saying his elaborate world-building made it easy for him to get into character. “He built Rome,...

The LA premiere of ‘Gladiator II,’ directed by Ridley Scott, has sparked a wave of positive reactions. Although some critics feel it doesn’t quite match the original’s grandeur, the sequel is being praised as a strong comeback for Scott, known for his recent polarizing films.

Paul Mescal shines in the lead role, with Denzel Washington captivating audiences with a powerful performance. Despite the excitement, it’s wise to wait for detailed reviews for a comprehensive view, as initial social media buzz can be misleading. Check the reactions below:

Ridley Scott returns to the Colesseum to prove to the world that He's. Still. Got. It. Absolutely Buzzing after #GladiatorII! An Epic shakespearean tale of hope, futility & power w/in a crumbling system. Denzel Feasts in a showstopping, Machiavellian performance. What a picture! pic.twitter.com/B5Woi7Tqku

— Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) October 19, 2024

#GladiatorII lacks the focus and emotional punch of the original,...

Are you not entertained? You will be after watching Gladiator II if these first reactions are anything to go by.

The world premiere of Ridley Scott's swords-and-sandals sequel was held in LA last night, and the response from critics in attendance has been mostly very positive so far. While quite a few posts mention that the movie doesn't reach the heights of its iconic predecessor (always a tall task), Gladiator II is being hailed as a return to form for the legendary director after a string of highly divisive films.

Paul Mescal is receiving praise for his lead performance, although it sounds like Denzel Washington steals the movie with a typically scenery-chewing turn.

It's always best not to read too much into these initial social media reactions (Napoleon was also Scott's best work since The Martian... apparently), but have a read through the posts below and keep an eye...

Over the past few months, buzz has steadily been building for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II. While various news stories mentioned that the budget for Scott’s Roman epic had spiralled out of control, word from early test screenings suggested that whatever it cost, it might be worth it, with Paramount having enough confidence in the movie that they’re positioning it for awards season with a prime November release date. And now, the studio has finally started showing the film, and critics in attendance raved about what they saw, with many saying it’s Ridley Scott’s best film in many years.

In it, Paul Mescal plays the now-grown Lucius (the son of Russell Crowe’s Maximus from the original), who finds himself forced to fight as a gladiator for Denzel Washington’s Macrinus, a former slave plotting to take control of Rome. Pedro Pascal co-stars as Marcus Acacius,...

Early reviews for Ridley Scott’s highly-anticipated “Gladiator II” were overwhelmingly positive following the film’s first screening for media and critics. Set for theatrical release on November 22, 2024, the sequel has generated a buzz of enthusiastic reaction on social media.

The film stars Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus II, the nephew of emperor Commodus from the original Oscar-winning “Gladiator.” The story follows Lucius as he works as a gladiator in Rome seeking revenge, after being forced into slavery. Critics praised Mescal’s performance, along with the star-studded supporting cast which includes Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Joseph Quinn.

#GladiatorII serves up the richest feast in the epic action set pieces and deliciously ribald treachery. Dovetailing stylishly with the original, Paul Mescal leads a solid, stellar cast with aplomb. Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are a collective powerhouse...

Gladiator 2 is a sequel to director Ridley Scott’s critically acclaimed 2000 film with Paul Mescal taking over the lead role. The epic historical action film follows the story of Lucius Verus, the son of Maximus as he is captured by the Roman forces and forced to fight as a Gladiator to seek his freedom and overthrow the empire.

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 held its first screening (Credit: Paramount Pictures).

The much-anticipated film recently held a screening for the press with early reactions to it cropping up on the internet. The initial reactions are extremely positive with several viewers who saw the movie at the screening praising it as one of Ridley Scott’s best works in recent times. Here is what the first reactions to Gladiator 2 reveal about the sequel’s quality.

Early Reactions Praise Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 as an Oscar-Worthy Spectacle

Gladiator directed by...

A crucial change in Gold Derby’s Oscar odds for Best Actor now has Ralph Fiennes saying, “Amen.” The “Conclave” star has officially broken his tie with Colman Domingo (“Sing Sing”) at the upcoming 2025 Oscars. Fiennes now has leading 4/1 odds to win the trophy, compared to Domingo’s second-place odds of 9/2. It goes without saying that it’s still quite early in this awards season, and things will undoubtedly keep changing as our Experts, Editors and Users continue to update their predictions.

Fiennes plays Cardinal Thomas Lawrence in the Focus Features mystery-thriller from director Edward Berger. Following the death of the Pope, Lawrence is tasked with overseeing the election of the successor, but he soon realizes many of the candidates have personal scandals that could upend the church. Fellow cast members include Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini, John Lithgow as Cardinal Tremblay, Sergio Castellitto as Cardinal Tedesco and Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes.

Zoe Saldaña, Pablo Larraín and Issa López will be honored at the 4th annual Celebration of Latino Cinema & Television, the Critics Choice Association announced Wednesday. The event, which takes place Oct. 22 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, recognizes achievements from the Latino entertainment community.

“We are incredibly proud to have such a remarkable group of honorees. This year’s roster of projects, helmed, produced and starring Latino artists, is another stunning example of our community’s deep and rich talents,” Cca board member Clayton Davis said in a statement. “We cannot wait to honor them for their remarkable achievements.”

Zaldaña will receive the Groundbreaker Award for her role as the fierce, singing and dancing lawyer Rita in “Emilia Pérez.” At the Cannes film festival in May, Saldaña shared the best actress prize with her co-stars Selena Gomez, Karla Sofía Gascón and Adriana Paz (the film is also France’s Oscar...

Variety will host its third annual “Pixels and Pencils” series at this year’s Scad Savannah Film Festival on Monday, Oct. 28. The panel, featuring directors of some of the year’s most celebrated animated feature films, is presented in partnership with the Savannah College of Art and Design (Scad). Moderated by Clayton Davis, Variety’s senior awards editor, the event will showcase a diverse range of animation styles and artistic approaches, culminating in a roundtable discussion with the directors.

This year’s lineup of films and directors includes:

“Flow” (Sideshow/Janus Films) – Director Gints Zilbalodis “Inside Out 2” (Walt Disney/Pixar) – Director Kelsey Mann “Memoir of a Snail” (IFC Films) – Director Adam Elliot “Piece By Piece” (Focus Features) – Director Morgan Neville “Transformers One” (Paramount Pictures) – Director Josh Cooley “The Wild Robot” (Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Animation) – Director Chris Sanders

Last year’s “Pixels and Pencils” panel featured Academy Award nominees Peter Sohn...

The Critics Choice Association has announced dates and initial honorees for its upcoming diversity Celebrations series of awards shows.

The 4th Annual Celebration of Latino Cinema & Television will honor actress and producer Zoe Saldaña with the Groundbreaker Award at the awards ceremony, taking place on October 22, 2024 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Saldaña will be recognized for her starring role in Netflix’s Emilia Pérez, which won the Best Actress Prize for the ensemble cast at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. Saldaña’s career spans over 20 years and she is the only actor in history to have starred in four films that grossed over 2 billion dollars. Co-Programmer is Cca Board member Clayton Davis.

The 3rd Celebration of Aapi Cinema & Television will award veteran actress Joan Chen with the Career Achievement Award at the annual event, set for November 12, 2024 , also at the Egyptian Theatre. Chen will be celebrated for her storied career,...

Congratulations to our Experts Nikki Novak (Fandango) and Christopher Rosen (Gold Derby) for tremendous scores of 80.00% when predicting the Primetime Emmys 2024 winners at the ceremony on Sunday night. Novak and Rosen are best among 20 Experts, journalists who cover the entertainment industry throughout the year. See Experts’ scores.

Over 2,700 people worldwide predicted these TV champs with our top scorers getting 20 out of 25 categories correct. The event was hosted on ABC by past winners Eugene Levy and Dan Levy in downtown Los Angeles. Both missed out on Comedy Series (choosing “The Bear” over “Hacks”) but got the series wins correct for “Shogun” and “Baby Reindeer,” among other great selections..

SEEthe complete list of 2024 Emmy winners in all 25 categories

You can see how your score compares to all others in our leaderboard rankings of all contestants, which also includes links to see each participant’s predictions. To see your own scores, go to...

(L to R) Ryan Destiny as Claressa Shields and Brian Tyree Henry as Jason Crutchfield in director Rachel Morrison’s The Fire Inside. An Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo Credit: Sabrina Lantos © 2024 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Watch the trailer for the inspirational true story of two-time Olympic Boxing Gold Medalist Claressa Shields The Fire Inside starring Ryan Destiny and Academy Award® nominee Brian Tyree Henry.

Directed by Academy Award® nominee Rachel Morrison and written by Academy Award® winner Barry Jenkins, The Fire Inside is the inspirational true story of Claressa Shields, arguably the greatest female boxer of all time. Claressa, a high school Junior from Flint, Michigan, aided by her tough-love coach, Jason Crutchfield, pushes past all limitations to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. But even at the pinnacle of success, Claressa has to reckon with the fact that...

Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Jason Reitman and his longtime collaborator cinematographer Eric Steelberg will receive the third annual Variety Creative Collaborators award at Virginia’s Middleburg Film Festival in October.

The award will honor their collaborations on films such as “Juno,” “Up in the Air,” “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” and the upcoming release “Saturday Night.”

Middleburg Film Festival executive director Susan Koch said, “We are thrilled to once again partner with Variety on presenting the Creative Collaborators Award. This year’s recipients, Jason and Eric, couldn’t be more deserving. ‘Saturday Night’ is a fantastic film and beautifully showcases their remarkable decades-long partnership, which has produced so many memorable films.” Koch added, “We can’t wait to welcome Jason back to Middleburg and are delighted Eric will be joining him to share with our filmgoers a behind-the-scenes look at their collaborative process. “

“Saturday Night” editor Shane Reid, left, editor Nathan Orloff and cinematographer...

Clint Eastwood’s final film, Juror No.2, has been confirmed for release on the 1st November in the UK, following its US premiere in October.

Update: Warner Bros. has now confirmed that Clint Eastwood’s Juror No.2 will indeed land in UK cinemas on 1st November. The film is due to have its world premiere at the AFI Fest on 27th October so it’ll be hitting cinemas mere days after it.

There’s still no trailer to share, but we’re hoping one will materialise sooner rather than later.

But here’s the official synopsis to make up for the lack of a trailer:

Juror #2 follows family man Justin Kemp who, while serving as a juror in a high profile murder trial, finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma…one he could use to sway the jury verdict and potentially convict – or free – the accused killer.

Our original story follows…...

Congratulations to our User Jimini for a terrific of 70.07% when predicting the 2024 Creative Arts Emmy winners over two ceremonies Saturday and Sunday night. Our top scorer is actually tied with Yel_Yint and jgaul87 but has the better point score of 10,841 by using the two Super Bets (500 points each) wisely.

Over 1,050 people worldwide predicted these 76th annual Emmy champs with our top scorer getting 22 out of 31 categories correct. That included all four guest acting winners of Jamie Lee Curtis (“The Bear”), Jon Bernthal (“The Bear”), Michaela Coel (“Mr. and Mrs. Smith”) and Nestor Carbonell (“Shogun”).

See 2024 Creative Arts Emmys: Complete list of winners

You can see how your score compares to all others in our leaderboard rankings of all contestants, which also includes links to see each participant’s predictions. To see your own scores, go to the User menu in the top right corner of every page of Gold...

When a studio world premieres a movie at Telluride to tee off its chances during awards season, they have to make sure they’ve got the goods, and Sony certainly did coming away from its launch of Jason Reitman’s all-star Saturday Night about the 90-minute agita experienced by SNL producer Lorne Michaels before the show’s first broadcast in the fall of 1975.

Reitman is a true auteur in the sense of the word, a filmmaker who has done it his way. Saturday Night for one is shot in 16Mm, cinema verité style with shots careening through network hallways and backstage curtains. While Reitman is esteemed for such Oscar winners as Juno (which also doubled as a $143.3M grossing movie) and Up in the Air which notched six Oscar noms, he’s also had his fair share of niche misfires,...

This year, "Saturday Night Live" wrapped up its 49th season and held on to the title of TV's top-rated comedy for a fifth year running. But back when the show first premiered -- at 11:30pm on October 11, 1975 -- it was shaping up to be a total disaster. As the poster for "Saturday Night," Jason Reitman's upcoming account of that fateful night, neatly summarizes: 

"The writers are inebriated. The set is on fire. The sound system is wrecked. The actors are physically assaulting each other. The crew is in open revolt. They have 90 minutes to figure it all out or the network is pulling the plug."

The first episode of "Saturday Night" did ultimately make it to air, but was a bit of a mixed bag according to reviewers at the time. The movie about the making of that first episode, however, was a massive crowd-pleaser for the audience...

Live from Telluride, it’s Saturday Night! Appropriately enough, Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night debuted on, well, Saturday Night at the Telluride Film Festival. For fans of SNL, this is one of the most anticipated films of the year and, judging by the initial reactions, it could now be in the Oscars discussion.

Check out some of the first reactions below:

Saturday Night just blew the roof off #Telluride. One of Jason Reitman’s best films! Perfectly captures the chaotic energy, camaraderie & backstage shenanigans of putting together the first SNL in real-time. Crisp editing, long takes, a witty script with big laughs and a… pic.twitter.com/NvBB1iZ3eN

— Matt Neglia @Telluride (@NextBestPicture) September 1, 2024

The sneaky #Telluride programmers waited till Saturday night to share Jason Reitman's Saturday Night, and it's been the highlight of my festival so far: a crowd-pleasing re-creation of SNL's first episode that gets the daunting casting challenge right.