by michael schneider ‘snl' stalwart kenan thompson steps into the spotlight with his own series

02.10.2021 VARIETY ● 3

FEATURES P.34 50 P.34 In the Funny Business

Kenan Thompson, the longest- By serving player on “Saturday Michael Night Live,” is ready for Schneider primetime with a new sitcom

P.44 Media Role Reversals

Legacy brands like Disney make By Brent bold financial moves like Lang and tech upstarts, while streamers Cynthia embrace traditional models Littleton

P.50 Blue-Collar Actor

Frank Grillo is in eight By movies coming out this year, Brent and he’s ready to add more Lang to his long list of credits

Kenan Thompson has been on “SNL” for 17 seasons and has a self-titled sitcom premiering on Feb 16. P.34 Styling: Eric Archibald; Grooming: Kathy Santiago Grooming: Styling: Eric Archibald;

Cover photograph by Chris Haston 4 ● CONTENTS 02.10.2021

P.55 Contenders examines the work of artisans for some awards hopefuls. FOCUS Plus Golden Globes, SAG nominees

P.69 Slamdance goes virtual this year and hopes to gain a wider audience

BIZ + BUZZ

P.17 28

P.17 China’s New Year holiday may help its box office rebound after struggles caused by the global pandemic

P.22 William Shatner remembers Christopher Plummer for his sophistication, humor

P.24 Veteran music artists look for ways to stay in touring form amid pandemic

P.25 Brandy-Whitney Houston version of “Cinderella” to debut on Disney Plus P.61 P.28 Awards Circuit: Who might be the P.45 Oscars’ surprise nominees? Chadwick Boseman (foreground), with Glynn Turman, Michael Potts and Colman Domingo, is Globe nommed for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”

OUR TOWN ARTISANS REVIEWS

TV FILM

“Clarice” “French Exit” P.83 P.85 P.29 31 P.75 81 P.83 85

P.29 Kesha’s podcast guest wish list P.75 “News of the World” director Paul includes Cardi B; Jeremy Pope Greengrass says his crew on the Recon- is prepping to play Sammy Davis Jr. struction-era film was “fearless”

P.30 If you’re looking for a Valentine’s P.79 “WandaVision” theme songs hark back Day getaway, these hotels are for you to hummable tunes from past series

P.31 Prim ’N Poppin’ project puts a retro P.81 “Judas and the Black Messiah” DP Sean Rebecca spin on beauty ads to bust stereotypes Bobbitt highlights key scenes FACETIME P.86 Breeds

Variety, VOL. 351, NO. 2 (USPS 146-820, ISSN 0011-5509) is published weekly, except the first week of September and the last week of December, with 21 special issues: Jan (6), Feb (1), June (4), July (5), and Aug (5) by Variety Media LLC, 11175 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025, a division of Penske Business Media. Periodicals postage paid at Los Angeles, CA and at other mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to: Variety, P.O. Box 15759, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5759. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Publications Mail Agreement No. 40043404. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: RCS International Box 697 STN A, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6N4. Sales agreement No. 0607525. Variety ©2021 by Variety Media, LLC. Variety and the Flying V logo are trademarks of Penske Business Media. Printed in the U.S.A. Ma Rainey: David Lee/Netflix; Clarice: Brooke Palmer/CBS Clarice:Ma Rainey: David Lee/Netflix; Brooke

8 ● MASTHEAD 02.10.2021

VARIETY IS OWNED & PUBLISHED BY P-MRC HOLDINGS, LLC

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10 ● PLUGGED IN 02.10.2021

close friend — had a distribution deal Stars with the studio. A few months earlier, of The Biggest Silver received a $4 million advance from NBCUniversal on his cut of the proceeds Upcoming from “Non-Stop,” an action film starring Films Stories of Liam Neeson. The casino transaction came to the attention of NBCUniversal within the last two weeks, prompting the the Week From studio to ask attorney Daniel Petrocelli Neve to look into it, according to a source who spoke to Petrocelli about the matter. The Our Reporters Campbell payment from Silver was specifically des- Compiled by Joe Otterson Joins ‘Lincoln ignated to pay off Meyer’s marker at the Lawyer’ casino. — Gene Maddaus 2 Series at 1HWДL[b

Neve Campbell has signed on for a lead- ing role in new Netflix series “The Lincoln Lawyer.” Manuel Garcia-Rulfo was pre- viously announced as title character Mickey Haller, who runs his law prac- tice out of the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car. Campbell will play Maggie Martin Gero, McPherson, Mickey’s first ex-wife and Brendan Gall a passionately committed deputy dist- China Anne rict attorney known to colleagues as Set Survival McClain “Maggie McFierce.” The role brings Drama Series Black Lightning Campbell back to Netflix after having DW1HWДL[b Vscore = 57 appeared in two seasons of the streamer’s 4 She’s added voltage since the hit show “House of Cards.” Most recently start of the year. she starred in the Disney Plus film Netflix has ordered a new hourlong

“Clouds” and opposite Dwayne Johnson Images; USA/AP McMullan/Sipa Alona Forsythe/Patrick Breeds: : Stewart Cook/Variety; ‘Masked Singer’ drama series from Martin Gero and in Universal Pictures’ “Skyscraper.” She ke Host Nick Brendan Gall, Variety has learned exclu- is perhaps best known for toplining the sively. The six-episode series is titled Cannon Tests “Scream” film franchise. — Joe Otterson Positive for “Breathe.” When a small plane crashes in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, COVID; Niecy Joel Silver a lone woman must battle the elements 1 1DVKWR)LOOb,Q and odds to survive. Gero and Gall are Settled Ron 0H\HUȄVˊː co-writing and -executive producing the Bryce Gheisar Nick Cannon has tested positive for COVID-19, which means series, with Gero exec producing under Are You Afraid “The Masked Singer” host won’t be seen in at least the first Million Debt his Quinn’s House production company. of the Dark: Curse few episodes of the fifth season of the hit Fox reality series. to Casino Warner Bros. Television will produce. of the Shadows Vscore = 55 Producers have tapped actor and host Niecy Nash to fill in until 3 Gero and Quinn’s House were under an His score has Cannon is ready to get back to work. Cannon is in quarantine overall deal at WBTV before he moved brightened by and resting, a rep for the star confirmed exclusively to Variety. Producer Joel Silver paid $1.7 million to over to Universal Television last year. seven points. Fox expects him to return to the series in later weeks. Season 5 the Wynn casino in Las Vegas to cover Gero and Gall previously collaborated on of “The Masked Singer” is scheduled to premiere in March. The Ron Meyer’s gambling debt in July 2014, the NBC drama series “Blindspot.” Gero celebrity musical guessing game wrapped Season 4 in December multiple sources confirmed to Variety. created the series and served as showrun- as TV’s No. 1 entertainment series, tied with NBC’s “This Is At the time, Meyer was the vice chair- ner, while Gall was a writer and eventually Us.” — Michael Schneider man of NBCUniversal, and Silver — his an executive producer. — Joe Otterson

The legendary Christopher Rebecca Rubin Regina King and Rebecca Breeds Plummer, who starred in “The @rebeccaarubin Melina Matsoukas on Clarice Sound of Music,” “Beginners,” Visualizing Vulnerability Vscore = 52 there’s only two kinds of people and most recently, “Knives Out,” and Celebrating The former “Girls” in the world: the ones who watch Black Men star is on an has died at the age of 91. #framingbritneyspears and the even keel entering ones who watch the super bowl darker waters. Uncovered

“[Kenan] is as funny and cheerful as you him, he only made it better. I had very high can imagine. He not only likes to make hopes going into this shoot; I walked away Ioan Gruffudd people laugh; he loves it when you make with such an admiration for my subject.” Harrow Vscore = 72 him laugh,” says Chris Haston, who Haston, who has been with NBC for 35 Accent on the photographed Kenan Thompson for this years, worked his way up from the lab to positive: This Campbell: Anthony Behar/Sipa USA/AP Images; Gero: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Images; McClain: Michael Buckner/TVLine; Gheisar Images; McClain: Michael Buckner/TVLine; Shotwell/Invision/AP Richard Images; Gero: USA/AP Campbell: Anthony Behar/Sipa week’s cover. “Every idea we threw at shooting gallery sessions for hit shows. Vscore is half full. Images; Plummer: Haston: David Bjer Photograph Rubin @rebeccaarubin; by Caitlin Cronenberg; Gruffudd: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP

12 ● FIELD NOTES 02.10.2021

The Fresh Loss of Four Legends Stirs Memories of Their Greatness

We’re a little more than a month into the new of her most unforgettable performances — as a year, and already Hollywood has in short order sharecropper’s wife in the 1972 film “Sounder” and mourned the losses of so many thespian treasures: her Emmy-winning turn as a 110-year-old former Cicely Tyson, Cloris Leachman, Hal Holbrook and slave in the 1974 TV drama “The Autobiography Christopher Plummer. When screen legends die, of Miss Jane Pittman.” it seems to carry an emotional resonance. Perhaps Who didn’t love Leachman as Phyllis in the it’s because over the decades, we’ve watched them groundbreaking “Mary Tyler Moore Show”? But deliver such memorable, substantive performances it was her heartbreaking, Oscar-winning perfor- that we feel some special connection to them, the mance as a neglected middle-aged housewife in characters they played and the empathy they Peter Bogdanovich’s 1971 movie “The Last Picture stirred in us. Show” that will always stand out. Leachman dis- Holbrook’s face is what generations of played such a wrenching range of emotions, from Americans conjure when they think of Mark the deep sadness of loneliness to pure elation over Twain, the famed humorist and novelist whom an affair she had with a tender high school stu- the actor portrayed some 2,000 times over the dent — then utter devastation, disappointment course of five decades beginning with his first and anger when it ended. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF performance in the solo show “Mark Twain It’s heartening to know that a new generation Tonight!” Off Broadway in 1959 and on Broadway of audiences were introduced to these 90-some- seven years later. thing actors later in their careers: Plummer in Tyson was not only a celebrated performer but an “Beginners” and “All the Money in the World”; American pioneer 50 years ago when Black actors Tyson in “How to Get Away With Murder” and were rarely cast in starring roles. When she died, “The Help”; Holbrook in “Lincoln” and “Into the Oprah wrote, “She used her career to illuminate Wild”; Leachman on “Dancing With the Stars!” the humanity in Black people. The roles she played No matter how old you are, there will be so much Claudia Eller reflected her values.” Of course, that included two to miss about these ageless icons.

When screen legends die, it seems to carry an emotional resonance.”

02.10.2021 VARIETY ● 17 BIZ+ BUZZ

China Box Office Stress Test

A spectacular lineup is helping to dispel local cinema operators’ anxiety over the Lunar New Year

This month’s Chinese New Year holidays will be a litmus test for the strength of China’s film industry recovery following a period of unprecedented turmoil. This time last year, China’s wrecked Spring Festival celebrations were emblematic of the coronavirus crisis that had dramatically engulfed the world’s most populous nation and was soon to become a global pandemic. Emergency hospitals were being hastily erected in Wuhan, lockdowns had spread nation- wide and businesses had little idea when they would reopen. For China’s cinemas, the annual 10-day By Patrick Frater holiday — which shifts between January and February depending on the year — is Illustration by usually an unparalleled boom time that Marcos Chin accounts for 10%-15% of annual gross 18 ● BIZ + BUZZ 02.10.2021

revenues. Holiday box office in 2019 hit record levels of RMB5.8 billion ($892 million), according to ticketing agency Maoyan. But in 2020, it was zero. Since January, China’s state media has been carefully managing expecta- tions downward, with reports quoting forecasts of festival period box office at RMB4.5 billion, which would represent a 22% decline on 2019. Resurgent COVID- 19 hot spots are crimping cinema seating capacity in a handful of northern prov- inces, Beijing cinemas must cut seating to 50% for the peak week, and streamer iQIYI will temporarily offer free access We will see what the full force of 1.3 billion to its subscription tiers in affected areas. people can do.” --Edwin Tan, Imax China CEO But with releases locked and tickets now finally available, there’s a more upbeat tone to the box office discus- entertainment options in the big cities. sion: Audiences forked over $16 million “Moreover, there is no international in advance bookings within 28 hours of travel. So we will see what the full force New Year tickets going on sale on Jan. 29. of 1.3 billion people can do.” “Our in-house team believes we can get Tan argues that Imax is already one of to 90% of the 2019 [holiday] total” over the biggest beneficiaries of audiences’ the current festival period, says Jimmy return to cinemas, which has ramped up Wu, CEO of Lumiere Pavilions, a high-end since doors reopened in mid-July: “Now, boutique chain with 40 cinemas and 353 post-COVID, we see people looking for screens, including one new complex in a differentiated and immersive experi- Nanjing that will debut just in time for ence, and in the first week of January, Spring Festival. we [were] tracking maybe three times Robert Mitchell, director of theatrical higher than the same period last year.” insights at box office analysis firm Gower Tan’s cause is aided by the fact that two Street Analytics, is also bullish on the of the big seven films have some element upcoming prospects: “It is conceivable of Imax DNA. “Detective Chinatown 3” that CNY 2021 could match or outper- was shot entirely with Imax cameras; “A form CNY 2019. What [October holiday Writer’s Odyssey was filmed in Imax via period] Golden Week showed was that the company’s camera certification pro- Chinese audiences have confidence in gram, and includes more than one hour coming out for strong content,” he says. of Imax expanded-aspect-ratio content; “I would expect to see that reflected animated “New Gods: Nezha Reborn” again for the Feb. 12 play week this year.” is also set to play in some of mainland Rance Pow, of China specialty exhibi- China’s 700 Imax screens. tion and distribution consultancy Artisan A handful of other potential problems Gateway, predicts a trend of continued have seemingly failed to dent exhibitors’ recovery. He notes that the January 2021 Also debuting: “End Game,” a comedy Indeed, nearly all major studios growing sense of optimism. box office weighed in at RMB3.3 billion, drama with superstar Andy Lau playing — Wanda Pictures, Alibaba, Huayi In most parts of the nation, restricted almost 99% of the January 2019 total. opposite comedian Xiao Yang, and “New Brothers, Bona Film Group, Enlight seating capacity has been locked at 75% “Average ticket prices will be up this Gods: Nezha Reborn,” from Light Chaser Pictures and UEP — are represented, since late September, and cinema opera- Chinese New Year to about RMB50 Animation, the studio behind 2019 ani- and most have teamed up with ticketing tors have learned to live with it. Without [$7.69], an increase of 11.9% compared mated hit “White Snake.” (Maoyan or Taopiaopiao) or short-form any specific social distance regulations, to the 2019 holiday,” says Pow. The title to beat, however, is video platforms (Bilibili) to further juice many cinemas have simply left the front A senior executive at one of China’s “Detective Chinatown 3,” the latest epi- their marketing efforts. two rows in an auditorium unsold. biggest private sector studios, who was sode in Wanda Pictures’ caper comedy “The cost of P&A during Chinese New China’s cinema operators were not authorized to speak to foreign media, franchise starring veterans Liu Haoran Year is too expensive for any distribu- unusually vocal this time last year says that there are many reasons to be and Wang Baoqiang. tor to release anything less than their when franchise comedy film “Lost in optimistic. “First, the direct effect of The film was one of the casualties strongest title,” says the studio exec- Russia” hurriedly ditched its theatrical coronavirus will be limited as the sec- of the sudden lockdown that wiped utive. “With the possible exception of release in favor of an online debut with ond outbreak is small,” the exec says. out last year’s festival bonanza. While ‘Detective Chinatown 3,’ all the other TikTok owner ByteDance. But since that “Second, the lineup of films is spectac- some of its erstwhile competitors opted films will be holding their breath through flurry of angst, straight-to-streaming ular. And the government’s advice to to go straight to streaming or target the the 10-day period, trying to pick up more and compressed theatrical windows people not to travel may help cinemas, less crowded December 2020 window, screens and hoping that word-of-mouth haven’t been an issue. especially in the big metropolises.” “Detective Chinatown” held out for the lasts until the last day of the season.” “We don’t see streaming as a signifi- The lineup of films on offer is indeed same slot this year — and in the first three The government’s restrictions on cant [threat] at this time,” says Artisan impressive, comprising tentpole con- days of ticketing, it accounted for 73% inter-province travel also may benefit Gateway’s Pow. “‘The Legend of Shaolin tenders from a wide range of genres (RMB131 million) of advance bookings cinemas. “The national travel advisory Temple,’ directed by Stanley Tong and and sources. Among them: “The Yin nationwide (RMB180 million), suggest- puts an unusual emphasis on Tier 1 and starring Wang Baoqiang, is perhaps the Yang Master,” a video game adaptation; ing that its appeal has not dimmed. 2 cities, because many people will not most significant title to debut online “Boonie Bears: The Wild Life,” the lat- Some commentators claim to have be able to travel back to their families in during CNY,” he says, noting that est installment in a long-running anima- seen the hand of the National Film the countryside,” says Imax China CEO Tencent and iQIYI raised membership tion franchise; “Hi Mom,” a time-travel Liu Haoran is back in Administration as the architect behind Edwin Tan. In pre-COVID years, China’s fees in November. comedy starring comedians Jia Ling and action in “Detective the diverse lineup. Others insist that annual return home was described as “Chinese New Year being particularly Shen Teng; and “A Writer’s Odyssey,” a Chinatown 3,” which competition is fierce and the season is as the world’s largest scheduled migra- crowded [reflects] the industry’s belief figures to do huge fantasy-action novel adaptation starring business over the overcrowded as usual, a result of robust tion. This year, instead of returning to that theatrical is still key to the success

Yang Mi and produced by Ning Hao. Chinese New Year. interstudio competition. their roots, people may be searching for of a big-budget film,” adds Pow. Pictures WanDa

22 ● BIZ + BUZZ 02.10.2021

Remembered ‘We Will Always Take It to 1929-2021: Another Christopher Plummer Level’

By William Shatner GUEST COLUMN By Ruben Santiago-Hudson

careers interwove in those early years, as to celebrate a human being who is the he stuck mostly to theater and I was same color as I am. As the author Zora mostly into television and film. Neale Hurston said [in “Their Eyes Were I admired him enormously for his Watching God”]: “To gleam it around, great talents and his sophistication. He to show my shine.” And Ma Rainey was a very elegant young man. Very did just that. good-looking. Aquiline nose. The I not only honored Ma when I was way he dressed and the way he spoke writing the movie — I honored all of the — he brought a classicism to what he As a person who fancies himself a histo- women I named and all of the women played. He was part of the Laurence rian, my life is built around celebrating I haven’t named because those Black Olivier group of actors that I so admired, people in our culture who paved the way women were revolutionary. all those great English actors. They for us all, so it’s hard to focus on any They were revolutionary in civil rights, enjoyed life after the show — and some- one person. in religion, in education, and it’s a tremen- times before the show. I didn’t know how But in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” dous pleasure when I can sing their glory. they were able to remember the lines, we tell the story of this singular icon, For us to have to depend on other peo- they enjoyed themselves so much! Ma Rainey. ple to teach us our history means we will We kind of lost each other She was a giant in her field and her never know our history. Not only will we as our careers took different paths. time. What a lot of people don’t under- not know our history, but we will also As you can imagine, having three kids, stand about the 1920s is that there were become strangers to ourselves. It’s up to over the years they’ve played “The Sound at least 100 blues women recording us to develop these stories, this history of Music” many times. He was terrific. records — from Paramount to Columbia and the glory and brilliance and beauty of You know, he’s not a singer, and he was and with the smaller record labels. the blue-collar people of color who faced surrounded by singers, but it was a great Great women like Ida Cox, Clara Smith a tumultuous journey in this country and step forward for him. He was his elegant and Victoria Spivey were recording. In rose to extraordinary levels. self, as the role called for. their own right, they were giants. In the We will always take it to another level We came together, finally, on a ’20s, Black people were being celebrated because it gives us that sense of freedom “Star Trek” movie [“Star Trek IV: The all over the world, both artistically and and expression that has been held back, Undiscovered Country”]. Some of that intellectually, because we are talking ripped away and distorted. classic training was shown as he tackled about the Harlem Renaissance. And there When Ma gets to sing, belt and moan a clever script. Chris was so wonderful was a celebration of Black culture in many and says, “Here I am” — you can feel in it. I felt like I was inviting him to my of the urban centers of the United States the tremendous legacy of strong Black home. I felt an obligation to him because where our people had migrated. women who have always been the rock I’d been his understudy [years ago] and At the time, there was also a sexual and foundation of our communities. I’d gone on [for him] and I’d gotten some revolution. You see evidence of that in Women like Fannie Lou Hamer, Coretta acclaim. He was a level above me for the “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” and you Scott King, Maya Angelou, Ruby Dee, longest time, and I would imagine you see evidence of that in Dussie Mae, Ma’s Betty Shabazz, Angela Davis, Shirley could see that in my face if we were being lover. Men were also very open about Chisholm and Sonia Sanchez. These filmed. He was an extraordinary actor, sexuality to a certain degree, yet none incredible women of color made them- and an extraordinary person. was as visible as Ma. selves queens, because no one else was The difference in our ages was only three I went up to Stratford for the first It was a time when, in a sense, Black going to do it. years, but in those early years in Montreal, time in years, and I interviewed him people were free to do what they wanted, Chris was more advanced as an actor, with at great length for a documentary that particularly if they had status. Ma Rainey Ruben Santiago-Hudson is an actor, experience and talent. He was part of the I was making [2013’s “Still Kicking”]. I was undaunted in flaunting her sexuality. playwright and director. He directed theatrical scene of Montreal, and he was got to know him better in that interview More importantly, she made her own rules. “Lackawanna Blues” and adapted August making a living working on Canadian than I had in all those many years. He What defines her and many artists Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” for Broadcasting Corp. radio and in theater. I had a tremendous, very dry sense of of the time is freedom. It’s wonderful the screen. had the opportunity to join a coterie of humor. We laughed a lot about our actors that the CBC producers would use mutual experiences in Canada. Was I a for their radio dramas, and that’s I believe great friend of his? I don’t know. I cer- where I met Chris. tainly was a great acquaintance of his. I At the Stratford Festival [in Ontario in wish I’d gotten to know him better. the 1950s], Chris was playing the leading —As told to Adam B. Vary roles, especially Henry V, and I under- WHEN MA GETS TO SING, BELT AND MOAN AND SAYS, ‘HERE studied. He got sick one night, and I went William Shatner is an actor, writer, pro- I AM’ — YOU CAN FEEL THE TREMENDOUS LEGACY OF STRONG on for him with no rehearsal whatsoever, ducer and director. Christopher Plummer BLACK WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN THE ROCK AND FOUNDATION OF OUR COMMUNITIES.” —RUBEN SANTIAGO-HUDSON and it was kind of a big deal for me. So our died Feb. 5 at the age of 91. Plummer: Photograph by Caitlin Cronenberg Santiago-Hudson: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP;

24 ● BIZ + BUZZ 02.10.2021

With live concerts on Dimming the Lights indefinite hold, veteran performers struggle to stay in touring shape

By Jem Aswad

The latter category is crucial, even for artists whose performances don’t require the physicality of a Stones or Kiss concert, because vocal strength relies so much on other parts of the body. “It takes a lot to support vocal capac- ity,” Wiebe says. “How you’re using your diaphragm, your postural control sys- tem, your endurance, your vocal cords — it’s all very intertwined.” Stanley notes that building the strength and endurance needed for a long and energetic performance, night after night for months on end, has lit- As the pandemic raged on last fall, it was tle to do with stereotypical notions of no surprise when veteran folk singer and bodybuilding. “You might be able to road staple Arlo Guthrie called off his lift really heavy weights, but that’s not plans for future live performances. After gonna mean squat when you’re onstage,” suffering a series of strokes over the past he says. “Your aerobic capacity and core three years, Guthrie, 73, decided he no strength are really what it’s all about — longer could perform “up to the stan- and the size of your muscles can actually dards I expected of myself, let alone the become a detriment, because endurance expectations that our friends and fans is based on cardio fitness.” had come to enjoy,” he said in announc- Unlike many of his contemporar- ing the move. ies from the decadent 1970s, the Kiss While Paul McCartney, the Rolling singer eschewed most excesses and Stones, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and began working with a trainer in his other venerable artists have toured ener- early 30s. He developed such a regular getically far into their 70s, the shutdown regimen that he says he didn’t need to of live entertainment has proved to be a ramp up before the group’s “End of the last straw for others. Country icon Kris Road” farewell tour, which launched Kristofferson, 84 and suffering from in January 2019 and rolled on for more Lyme disease, quietly retired from per- than 120 dates before grinding to a forming late last month. COVID-induced halt last March. EvenEven lilivingving llegendegend TTonyony BBennett,ennett, “Your vocal cords are muscles, and 94,94, whowho hadhad becomebecome thethe goldgold standardstandard as you get older, they lose pliancy and for a gravity-defyinggravity-defying career — hishis most it takes more air to get them to vibrate,” recent concert was in MarchMarch — recentlyrecently he says. “So as time goes on, you’re chal- revealedrevealed thatthat hehe hashas beenbeen strugglingstruggling witwithh lenged by how much air you can push Alzheimer’sAlzheimer’s diseasedisease sincesince 2016.2016. It’s safesafe to get them to respond. And I don’t to assume thatthat manmanyy otothershers wiwillll not drink alcohol the night before a perfor- return to full-scalefull-scale touringtouring even whenwhen From toptop:: GGeneene SSimmonsimmons NewNew Year’s Eve globalglobal livestreamlivestream concon- mance, because it tends to dry out my and Paul SStanleytanley of Kiss in thethe musicmusic worldworld does.does. March in Los AngAngeles;eles; the certcert in Dubai.Dubai. sinus membranes. But other than that, NothingNothing kkeepseeps a pperformererformer in sshapehape Rolling Stones’Stones’ Mick JaggerJagger TheThe bestbest wawayy to bbee in sshapehape is to bbee in it’s just common sense. Obviously, you likelike performing.performing. But in tthehe aabsencebsence of a inin DenverDenver iinn 20201919 shape,shape, andand once youyou getget there,there, staystay tthere,”here don’t want to run around screaming.” regularregular tourintouringg reregimen,gimen, hhowow ddoo mimid-d- StanleyStanley tellstells VarietyVariety. There’sThere’s nnoo timtimee liklike Stanley has used lockdown time to dle-ageddle-aged musicians keepkeep theirtheir voices andand thethe presentpresent to start, notes Wiebe.Wiebe. “The“Th get in even better shape. “I’ve been bike physiquesphysiques fit? LiLikeke ananyy phyphysicalsical activitactivity,y, decisionsdecisions youyou makemake in yyourour 40s or 50s50 riding 25 miles, three times a week,” he singingsinging and pperformingerforming relrelyy on muscles willwill determine what hahappensppens in youryour 60s60 says. And he knows all of that work will thatthat neeneedd to bbee kkeptept in tone, accoraccordingding to andand 70s, andand hhopefullyopefully bbeyond,”eyond,” sshehe saysays. pay off. vocalvocal coaccoachh JJulieulie WiebeWiebe as wellwell as Kiss “You“You havehave controlcontrol over youryour longevitylongevity byb Although he’s had several corrective frontman PaulPaul StanStanley.ley. Kiss concerts, thethe choiceschoices you makemake — andand obviouslyobvious surgeries over the years, including hip by ddefinition,efinition, are physicallyphysically andand vocallyvocally COVIDCOVID putsputs thatthat demographicdemographic at an evevene replacements, Stanley declares, “I’m demandingdemanding for bbandand memmembers.bers. Even higherhigher risrisk.k. So rereduceduce aallll risriskk factorsfactors:: BBe good for another 50,000 miles” — once after 10 monthsmonths off htthee roaroad,d, S tanStanley,ley, mindfulmindful of heartheart ddisease,isease, checkcheck wwithith a Kiss can resume its COVID-postponed

69, was in strongstrong form for thethe group’sgroup’s nutritionistnutritionist andand getget adequateadequate exerciexercise.”se final tour. via Getty Images Denver Post Joe Amon/MediaNews Group/The Jagger: Images/ABA; Winter/Getty Kevin Kiss: Walt Disney Television/sEverett Collection 02.10.2021 week ago. “Thisisthemonthoflove; this film would cometostreaming justover a tells specialonABC. of Disney” originally televised asa“Wonderful World Plus torerelease themusical,whichwas long awaited by fanswhourged Disney Houston, would beginstreaming Feb. 12. Cinderella,” starringBrandy andWhitney that 1997’s “Rodgers &Hammerstein’s Last week, DisneyPlusannounced By AngeliqueJackson on Disney Plus Fits: Brandy’s ‘Cinderella’ The GlassSlipper Still teams stayed intouchfornearlyayear, the Rodgers &Hammerstein estate. The the process ofworking outtherightswith found outthatDisneyhadalready begun out how togetthedealdone. she startedworking thephonestofigure that afterseeingthesocialmediapleas, Producer Debraing? Martin Chasesays Black princess—finallymake ittostream- this version of‘Cinderella.’” generation hasn’t seenanything quitelike really excited becauseIfeellike thisnew and connectingtoit,” Brandy says. “I’m feel theenergy ofeverybody feelingit until it’s actuallyoutthere, andIcan Fairy Godmother. in thefilm.Houston famouslyplayed the Goldberg, whoplaysQueenConstantina with “Cinderella” castmateWhoopi on ABC’s “TheView,” where shereunited with everyone.” perfect timeforthisproduct tobeshared is amonthofBlackhistory. Thisisjust the Vanessa Morrison, anoldfriend,and Chase calledDisneyPluspresident So how didthefilm—whichfeatures a Brandy madethepublicannouncement “I feellike it’s divinetiming,” Brandy The movie’s streaming debuthasbeen “I don’t think it’ll hitalltheway home “I don’t thinkit’ll Variety , saying she learned that the , sayingshelearnedthatthe ys dy n Plu s

Cinderella hadn’t beendonebefore.” this multicultural mosaic,thatcertainly the firsttime, andtherest ofthecastwas Black woman, Brandy, was Cinderella for for whatever reason. Thefactthatayoung with probably oneversion inparticular, says. “And Ithinkeverybody associates Barrymore-starrer “Ever After.” mated “Cinderella” andthe1998Drew princess’ story—includingthe1950ani- now features sixversions ofthefairy-tale Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” thestreamer emailed meandsaid,‘We didit!’” to audienceswas officiallya go: “[Shepard] been waiting for—bringingtheclassicfilm appetite forit.” and realized thatthere was suchahuge motivated,” Chasesays. “Theytookalook Disney PlusexecutiveDisne Sarah Shepard. with periodicupdatescomingfromw they probably thinkare impossible.” young artists that want todothingsthat to helpopenthedoors forsomany other of themthatIwas abletobethatperson Craig ZadanandNeil Meron —it’s because Houston, producers Debra Martin Chase, in “Peter Pan,” themovie’s legacylives on. Mermaid” andYara ShahidiasTinkerbell Disney’s upcominglive-action “TheLittle thought itwas enlightenedandvisionary.” was biased,andwe hadotherpeoplewho who were skeptical thattheaudience before,” Smithrecalls. “You hadpeople together becauseithadnever beendone as itsimmenselycatchy tunes. Jason Alexander) was just asimportant Bernadette Peters, Victor Garberand multiracial cast (includingGoldberg, says. “And it’s because ofWhitney it With theadditionof“Rodgers & In January, Chasegotthenewsshe’d “Once“ theygotintoit,Ithinkwere “I feellike itopeneddoors,” Brandy With Halle Bailey starring as Arielin As Chasenotes, thestar-studded and “‘Cinderella’ isaniconicstory,” Chase “It was incredibly hard toputthecast nete o noi hn hywere they think I it into got they Once h

y p P erio l us executive Sara d ic u pd ates comin h S h e p g ar from

d . Source: Maru/Matchbox; surveyconductedJan.20,with 1,513respondents,A18+ NBCU in2019 committed $500 million for theexclusiverightsto“TheOffice,” the rolloutt of manyof theservice’soriginals in2020. It’s nowonderthat year and isy aimingtouseitaccelerate growth afterthepandemicsidelined forf NBCU’s Peacock, streaming theshowexclusivelythis which started about. Thata subscription-drivingpowerimpliesitcould be adifference maker watch “TheOffice”thanforw anyotherlicensedTVshowthatwas asked respondents (10%)saythey’dsignedupfor avideostreaming serviceto for Varietyf Maru/Matchbox,whichfound IntelligencePlatform by thatmore newsurveyconductedexclusivelysubscriptions. That’s suggesteds by a “The Office”is likely among themostvaluable, due toitsability togenerate Most major videostreaming servicesoffer classic licensedTVseries,but which was also the most-streamed licensedw seriesNielsenmeasured in2020. (72% RESPONDED “NONE OF THE ABOVE”) ORDER TO WATCH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SHOWS? SUCH AS NETFLIX OR AMAZ HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED TO A STREAMING SERVICE STREAMING LIBRARY MVP: ‘THE OFFICE’ Parks andRecreation The BigBangTheory Two andaHalfMen VARIETY INTELLIGENCEPLATFORM Schitt’s Creek Grey’s Anatomy Rick andMorty The Simpsons Law &Order South Park The Office For moredatafromVIP+,visit Seinfeld Friends ON PRIME VIDEO IN VIP+ 10% 6% 8% 8% 6% 6% 6% 6% 7% 4% 7% 4% By KevinTran

variety.com/vip. VARIETY ● 25

28 ● BIZ + BUZZ 02.10.2021

Searching for the Oscar Nomination Shocker

Who will receive the acting nod that no one saw coming?

AWARDS CIRCUIT By Clayton Davis

Always expect the unexpected, especially in Yeun (actor) and Yuh-Jung Youn (supporting this unpredictable awards season. actress). Could there also be a spoiler in the Film Awards I’ve been wondering if we might see the best actress race? With four spots ostensi- Editor Clayton “WTF nomination” on Oscar-noms morning. bly taken by Viola Davis, Vanessa Kirby, Davis provides I’m talking about an actor who is catapulted Frances McDormand and Carey Mulligan, his analysis, into the race without any previous mentions we could be in store for a surprise that isn’t predictions and from the most crucial televised awards shows Globe nominee Andra Day or SAG nominee perspective on — BAFTA, Critics Choice, the Golden Globes Amy Adams. In the vein of the jaw-drop- the battle for and SAG. Not many can achieve it, but it’s per that was Samantha Morton in 2003’s Oscars, Golden usually telling of a film’s support within the “In America,” can the emotional impact of Globes and other Academy when that occurs. Some “WTFs” Han’s Monica, a mother desperately trying honors. in the past decade have been Javier Bardem to find hope in a foreign land, make enough (“Biutiful”), Bradley Cooper (“American headway? It would be utterly worthy, and Sniper”), Laura Dern (“Wild”), Marina de it would mark the first nomination for an Tavira (“Roma”), Jonah Hill (“The Wolf of Asian woman in best actress, a moment that Wall Street”), Max von Sydow (“Extremely is way overdue. Loud & Incredibly Close”) and Jacki Weaver (“Silver Linings Playbook”). BO BURNHAM With Critics Choice, the Globes and SAG “Promising Young Woman” already announced, and the long list of (Focus Features) BAFTA showing the shortlist of acting con- Emerald Fennell’s darkly relevant story tenders, can this extraordinary year produce about a woman taking revenge on those one or even two Oscar-morning surprises? who wronged her has stormed the awards The shocks are typically tied to perfor- circuit. With Mulligan performing very well mance in the best picture nominees, while so far, she could be the front-runner to win others indicate deep respect in the industry best actress, and the film will be competi- (this is where the preferential ballot can help). tive in categories such as picture, director In a year devoid of parties and mingling, and and original screenplay. When a lead actor Other “WTF” 30 days until Oscar-nomination voting con- — see Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Wolf of possibilities: cludes, a lot can happen. Wall Street” and “The Revenant” or Hilary 1. Nicole Beharie Let’s take a look at two possibilities: Swank in “Boys Don’t Cry”— pulls in a large (“Miss Juneteenth”), majority of the vote, a co-star can benefit from 2. Dominique YERI HAN that. In those cases, it was Jonah Hill, Tom Fishback (“Judas and “Minari” (A24) Hardy and Chloë Sevigny, respectively. That the Black Messiah”), could be great news for Mulligan’s co-star Bo 3. David Strathairn (“Nomadland”), Lee Isaac Chung’s touching look at a Korean Burnham, who is infectiously memorable and 4. Glynn Turman family in Arkansas is heavily in the mix for deserving of a nod, especially after missing (“Ma Rainey’s Black multiple nominations, including best pic- out for original screenplay for his writing and

Bottom”) ture, director and acting noms for Steven directorial debut, “Eighth Grade,” in 2018. Features Focus Woman: Young Promising Johnson/A24; Minari: Josh Ethan 02.10.2021 VARIETY ● 29 OUR TOWN

JUST FOR VARIETY (1) (4)(4)

Attention (1) Cardi B! (2) Kesha may be slipping into your DMs. The “Praying” singer-songwriter tells me she’d love to have the “WAP” hitmaker on her podcast “Kesha and the Creepies.” “I just love listening to her, and she makes me feel calm,” she says. “She’s like a walking rainbow for me.” No surprise, Kesha would like to make music with Cardi: “I’ll have to send her a direct message when I get home.” Kesha recently dropped the video for “Stronger,” her single with Sam Feldt. “I was a little bit paralyzed, to be honest, with just the state of affairs for a good while. It made me really nervous and scared,” she says. “And I just felt like, your music is not important right now. You just need to survive. Then after the elec- tion, I felt a little bit of a sense of ease, and I started getting more creative.” She’s (2) (5)

ss/Invision/AP Images; Images; ss/Invision/AP also gotten through the pandemic with TV bingeing: “When I’m feeling like I need like the equivalent of Xanax, I watch… ‘Vanderpump Rules.’” What’s that massive red shipping crate doing on Rodeo Drive? It’s the Louis Vuitton Temporary Residency pop-up for the fashion house’s 2021 men’s col- lection, designed by men’s artistic director (3) Virgil Abloh. I checked it out this weekend: The windowless structure features a black-and-white-check- ered floor and houses 119 pieces from the colorful collection. Scan the QR codes and you activate Zoomies, animated characters that Abloh debuted during Paris Fashion Week, on your phone.… It’s all very “Alice in Wonderland.” (4) Jeremy Pope is in NYC finishing his work on “Pose.” He joins the series in its third season as the love interest of Mj Rodriguez’s Blanca. Pope is also prepping to play Sammy Davis Jr. in the Janet Mock-directed film about the singer’s interracial romance with Kim Novak. “I’m digging in deep, listening to Sammy at the gym, in the shower,” he says. Meantime, Pope has launched Every- thing’s Local, a foundation that raises money for various nonprofits. Its first initiative is an $85 T-shirt, designed by artist Jessica Rose, that features a por- trait of Dr. Martin Luther King and benefits the “I Have a Dream” Founda- (3)(3) (6) tion in L.A. “While it’s shirts now, we’re looking at sock drives or things thatt people need as we enter into the summertime and back to school,” Pope says.. “We’re looking for innovative ways to… plug in.” Go to imwearinglocal.com. “It’s a Sin,” (5) Russell T. Davies’ series about a group of gay friends in the earlyy days of the AIDS epidemic in London, is having a major impact in the U.K. Fol-- lowing the premiere, HIV organization Terrence Higgins Trust announcedd that 8,200 HIV tests were ordered on Feb. 1, compared with its previous dailyy record of 2,800. “It’s incredibly humbling, moving, to see a real-time response,” series star (6) Olly Alexander tells me. “It’s shown that there’s a real need forr this conversation and for people to discuss their status and their sexual healthh and mental health.” Here’s hoping “It’s a Sin” can do the same in the U.S. whenn Cardi B: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Sipa USA/AP Images; Pope: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images; Kesha: Jordan Strau Jordan Images; Kesha: USA/AP Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa Images; Pope: USA/AP Agency/Sipa Collin/Image Press B: Xavier Cardi Davies: Ian West/PA Wire/AP Images; Abloh: Aurore Marechal/Abaca/Sipa USA/AP Images; Alexander: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP Images Images; Alexander: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP USA/AP Marechal/Abaca/Sipa Images; Abloh: Aurore Wire/AP Davies: Ian West/PA it premieres on HBO Max on Feb. 18. 30 Downtown a Ready forReal Love hypnosis session vice. Take ittothenext level by adding features aRose Revival couple’s soakser- Just forTwo package startsat$895and The downtown Manhattan location’s • $895 sunsettowerhotel.com bottle ofMoët &Chandon. Tower Bar, served intheroom, anda dinnerfortwoa three-course from the where theValentine’s Day stayincludes suite atthehistoricSunsetStrip hotel, Angeles —unlessyou’re inadeluxe king Indoor diningisn’t happeninginLos • $875 seductive one-nightstay. four hotelsofferseveral twists fora staycation makes iteasytorelax. These the absenceofdirtydishes, aValentine’s it’s theanonymity, thethread countor romance thanstayingathome. Whether Hotels are muchmore conducive to By PatSaperstein StaycationDaya With Celebrate Valentine’s Four SeasonsHotel New York Sunset Tower ● OUR TOWN of Frette bedlinens. spa saltscrub, plushpillows andafullset macarons, signature microfiber robes, a that includesabottleofVeuve Clicquot, package delivers anat-home experience brings theposhlodgingstoyou. The LosAngeles, Bubble from Ritz-Carlton, have toleave your home. TheLove A hotelstaydoesn’t meanyou actually • $3,350 or TheBar. outfit selectionintheglamGrand Salon professional styling, hair, makeup and vate fashionphotoshootwith one-hour robes andbreakfast inbed—plusapri- souvenir Champagneflutes, cashmere & Luxuries package offerschocolate, The midtown Manhattan hotel’s Love • $4,000 fourseasons.com/newyorkdowntown available inpersonorvirtually. compatibility orlove andpartnering, or anastrological reading basedaround Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles Hotel Baccarat baccarathotels.com ritzcarlton.com

of itschicrooms. a nightinone special includes Valentine’s Day Tower hotel’s The iconicSunset and anauthor;Shattuckisashort- Ben Shattuck Ben that sheisninemonthspregnant child, with herfiancé also anactor. Konkle’s “Pen15” announced her engagement to announced herengagementto wrote onInstagram onJan.28 F with “EntertainmentTonight.” announced their engagement announced theirengagement Slate is an actor, a comedian Slate isanactor,acomedian co-star news in November when she news inNovemberwhenshe on Instagram onFeb. 1. “Like Hulu’s “Pen15”; Anfangeris pregnant. Sherevealed the announced she and fiancé first child.Konkle stars on actor fiction writerandpainter. Beyoncé... but with an butwithan Beyoncé... SamanthaBarks and Ida Lupine Alex Michael Stoll AlexMichaelStoll Broadway actors. ,” Barks wrote. are Both Michael Angarano Maya Erskine AnnaKonkle Jenny Slate JennySlate welcomed theirfirst Alex Anfanger’s , in aninterview

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& —Marc Malkin to have my nameonsuchalandmark.” come home,” shetells I gostraight from theairport whenI I would goindrag regularly, andwhere “That’s where Ihadmy first drink,where gay barshevisitedwhenturned21. a specialplaceinherheart—it’s thefirst in LosAngeles, butthewatering holehas native Milwaukee. Trixie maybebased This Is It!, a52-year-old gay barinher invested of inandbecomeco-owner ness. The“RuPaul’s Drag Race”star has Trixie Mattel Happy Hour helped rescue asachild,Jan.30. @bestcoastpepper. Healyisa dedicated pageonInstagram adopted his family’s 14-year- Miss Lola and whose initials, @baderlolamajors. Porter is old tabby, BLM, are intributeto Black Lives Matter,onInstagram Majors welcomed 3-month-old welcomed 3-month-old Jan. 30. Miss Lola hasa Pepper’s Instagram is an actor and asinger. cockapoo

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first fully starring TV vehicle after years of being the seasoned utility player whom everyone else looked to for sup- port — be it on “SNL” or the multitude was working on the Warner Bros. lot one of projects that have come out of his afternoon in the early 2000s when he “SNL” colleagues. spotted “Friends” star Matthew Perry “There’s nothing he can’t do,” says zooming out of the studio gates in a “SNL” supremo and “Kenan” execu- BMW convertible. tive producer Lorne Michaels. “He’s “The sun was shining, he had his one of the greatest of all time. ... Kenan sunglasses on and he looked like he may be a genius.” could not have been happier,” Thomp- “Kenan,” which debuts Feb. 16, stars son recalls. “It was like 2 o’clock in the Thompson as a local TV morning host afternoon. And he was done for the day. in Atlanta and the widowed father of It just looked like the sweetest existence two young girls. But don’t consider this I’ve ever seen. That shit sticks out in my his “SNL” exit strategy — far from it. mind. Like, he was fucking beaming.” Thompson and Michaels have a long- Thompson, now 42, was no stranger term plan for the star, and more on that to TV comedy at that point, having in a moment. been a part of the late 1990s Nickel- Thompson’s unprecedented 17-sea- odeon ensemble sketch series “All That” son run (so far) on “SNL” has earned and then joining with Kel Mitchell to him four Emmy nominations. He’s the topline the spinoff “Kenan & Kel.” But as show’s longest-serving player, surpass- those shows came to an end, the young ing Darrell Hammond (14 seasons). As Thompson’s ambitions only grew larger. 2021 began and “SNL” took a deserved “Especially for anybody that’s been monthlong break from production, put into the comedy category, a sitcom Thompson and the “Kenan” crew were is kind of like the Holy Grail,” he says. “It busy producing the single-camera com- was always one of those achievements edy as swiftly as possible in order to as far as like, will this ever happen?” adhere to COVID-19 protocols — shoot- The answer is yes, it’s finally happen- ing with multiple cameras, for example, ing. After several attempts at develop- to move faster from scene to scene and ing his own half-hour network comedy, not prolong any interactions. But the the “Saturday Night Live” star is ready fast pace will also help get Thompson for primetime. NBC’s “Kenan” is his and one of his co-stars, fellow “SNL” player Chris Redd, back to New York For a large contingent of “SNL” fans “Kenan” director and executive based on an “All That” sketch. For and “SNL’s” Studio 8H full-time by — and even for much of its cast — it producer Ken Whittingham remem- Michaels’ kids, “Kenan was already spring. (They’re doing quick weekend does seem like Thompson has always bers directing an episode of “Kenan a star. And I think you can see, there’s commutes in the meantime, to have been a part of their lives. & Kel” in 1999 and being wowed by something about people learning how some sort of presence on the show.) Thompson way back then. to do that much at an early age. You “He’s the O.G., the wise man,” Redd “I was very impressed with how just get better at it.” says of Thompson. “I’m constantly professional he and Kel were and how After “Kenan & Kel” ended, asking about how stuff used to be committed they were to comedy,” Thompson’s career was at a cross- in comparison to now, and they’re says Whittingham, who much later roads. He scrounged up guest roles always the most interesting stories. became good friends with Thomp- on shows like “Felicity,” but he calls I remember having a conversation As a 12-year-old in Atlanta, with the son. “I learned a lot from him about it “the realest period of time that with him and Maya Rudolph, and support of his parents, Thompson was sketch at an early age, and he was I’ve experienced. In between Nick- at some point, you sit back and hear laser-focused in auditioning for com- just very gifted and very commit- elodeon and ‘SNL,’ I was just surviv- them share stories about how things mercials, which led to a role in 1994’s ted. He’s still that same person that ing, one of the millions of people out used to be back then versus now. I “The Mighty Ducks” sequel, “D2,” and I remember him being young. He was here in Los Angeles that are paying just pick his brain and want to learn. then starting in 1996, “All That.” never arrogant; he was always really their bills however they can. I was And I want to make sure I’m bringing “I was like, engage me in what you polite. Nothing negative to say about caught in between looking young and my best to impress this guy. This guy want me to do,” he says, “and I’ll show anybody. He’s from the South; he’s a wanting to be taken seriously. So I made me laugh for years.” you what I can do. Luckily that shield Southern gentleman.” would turn down things that would of armor, that confident front that I Years before hiring Thompson on put me back in the kid category, and would put up, led to me getting the “SNL,” Michaels took his young chil- then I would not be given the green opportunities to actually learn how dren to see “Good Burger,” the movie light on things that would boost me to be good in front of audiences. And starring Thompson and Mitchell out of it.” I was always a very happy, get-along- Thompson kept sending tapes to with, barbecue-y type of guy.” “SNL,” but he’d hear back that he “I grew up watching Kenan, but he come up with an idea that makes felt like family immediately,” Redd everybody happy.’” says. “I’ve never had a big brother At the same time, as the lon- before, but he immediately assumed gest-standing player in “Saturday that role and put me on game. ‘SNL’ Night Live” history, Thompson knew can be hard especially when you Especially for anybody the pressure was on to make his next don’t know how to navigate it quite that’s been put into move the right one. “It was starting yet, and he’s such a calming pres- to get close to me being at ‘SNL’ for ence, like he’s mastered the thing. the comedy category, like, a long time, in everybody’s opin- ... Talk to anybody in that building a sitcom is kind of like ion,” he says. “Not just fans notic- looked too young. The big shot came at ‘SNL,’ and they would have simi- the Holy Grail. ing but myself being like, ‘Is there in 2003, when he auditioned with lar things to say about Kenan. He’s — Kenan Thompson an end date to it? And if there is, Finesse Mitchell and J.B. Smoove, just a consistently good dude. With I should prepare a bridge for that among others. raw talent.” day.’ Because that was the thing that “He had all the skills we needed, His tenure at “SNL” secure, in Lorne always told me from early on: right away, but also he found a way to recent years Thompson still had ‘Don’t leave the show until you got a shine almost immediately,” Michaels good reason to wonder if his sitcom firm hold on that next branch.’” says. “And then he was essential. He dreams would come true. That branch came via a meeting became the person everybody would In 2012, the actor partnered with with writer Jackie Clarke (“Super- like to have in their sketch. And the “SNL” writer Bryan Tucker — with store,” “Happy Endings”). Clarke, audience feels always that, with him, whom he collaborated on memora- who lost her mother as a child, had they’re in good hands.” ble sketches such as “Black Jeop- been kicking around an idea about a Thompson says some of the writ- ardy” and “What Up With That?” family moving on from the death of a ers and stars on “SNL” knew of his — to develop a half-hour that went parent, and Thompson had been con- Nickelodeon background, but to nowhere. The next year, he worked sidering a similar concept. others he was an unknown. In those with “The Mindy Project” alums “What if there was a guy struggling early years he was the “babyface cast Josh Bycel and Jonathan Fener on with the love of his life not being member” willing to play any bit char- a show about a volunteer firefighter. in his life anymore, and what that acter and try to figure out a way to That also wound up in turnaround. would look like?” Thompson says. get a laugh. “Actors don’t need any more panic “And how do you still make that a Michaels says he and Thompson buttons, so whenever it felt like there sitcom? I thought that would be have developed a shorthand during was any kind of disagreements with intriguing to watch.” “SNL” shows: “We just make eye con- what I’m doing, it’s like, oh, shit, NBC gave a big production commit- tact. I’ll smile; he’ll smile. Occasion- is my whole career in jeopardy?” ment to what was first called “Sav- ally, he’ll do something so remarkable Thompson recalls. “Do they think ing Larry,” and then “Saving Kenan,” that I’ll walk over and say, ‘God, that that my taste is awful? Do they not and then “The Kenan Show.” Now it’s was amazing.’ He knows I’m there want to be in business with me?” just “Kenan.” The original pilot, shot for him, and I know he’ll always be Thompson being Thompson, in 2019 and directed by Chris Rock, there for me in the same way.” however, he quickly chilled out. featured Thompson as the widowed Michaels has frequently referred “They would always explain like, father of two girls and Andy Garcia to Thompson as his good-luck ‘No, it’s not because of you. It’s only as Kenan’s father-in-law. charm, and the two have developed because of this, that and the other, Ultimately, network execs thought a close relationship. and we’ll figure out.’ So after hear- the show needed more energy — and “Lorne’s my buddy now, which ing that twice, I was just kind of more laughs. “We just leaned into the is crazy for me to say,” Thompson like, ‘All right, I don’t know what situation of my wife passing away says. “I thoroughly respect what they really want me to do. But hope- a little too heavy,” Thompson says. Lorne has done, and the fact that he fully, we’ll get to a place where we’ll “It’s much lighter now, and that way would take the time to dedicate his attention to hopefully getting laugh- ter or an enjoyable moment by being around me is just crazy.” Director Ava DuVernay says she’s never met Thompson, but she’s a super fan. “He has been the center- piece of that show for so many years, and has become central to every sketch that I’ve loved,” she says. “I think in the conversation about the greatest ‘SNL’ performers, he’s often left out because we’re think- ing of the folks who have moved on and done their TV shows and done their movies. But the longevity, the consistency, the variety, the stick-to- itiveness of his presence there — I think he’s pretty awesome.” On “Kenan,” Redd says he bonded with Thomp- Thompson stars son immediately after joining “SNL” as the widowed in 2017, and has learned so much dad of daughters played by Dannah from the star just by watching him Lane (left) in action. and Dani Lane. Casey Durkin/NBC I was like, ‘Hell yeah, like bring him “In its time, ‘The Cosby Show’ was over,’” Thompson says.) probably one of the greatest shows And the cast’s riches grew from that had lived,” Thompson says. “It we can embrace the fun. Everybody’s there, with Broadway star Taylor was a show that brought everybody aware of the situation but also try- Louderman as Kenan’s co-host in together, and it was all positive. It’s ing to hold me up on my two feet the show-within-the-show, Kimrie tough to separate the man from the with joy, instead of everybody cry- Lewis (“Single Parents”) as his pro- art. That’s the thing about a lot of ing together.” ducer and comedian Fortune Feim- about his experience. “I wouldn’t subjects lately, unfortunately. But “Happy Endings” creator David ster — a last-minute addition — as know how to engage anybody on what can you say about that subject Caspe, known for his rapid-fire, the weathercaster. that specific topic, especially some- that doesn’t wind you in a world joke-filled scripts, was added as an “Thank God, they gave us the time one who I adore. And I am a fan of of shit? You leave it for the history executive producer. Kenan’s job was to focus in on it,” Thompson says. Patton, so everything in me is dying books. My show won’t have drama switched from a nondescript real “Even though it’s my third time to ask one question. But when I first attached to it like that.” estate gig to a TV morning show around the development cycle, you saw him and met him, I just gave him host, which opened the universe to really only get one shot at it. Once a giant hug. Like, ‘I just love you.’ And the kind of interactions that viewers the show launches, it’s either a hit that was it. I couldn’t fathom even love seeing Thompson do. or miss. And if it’s a miss, that’s kind bringing up a subject like that. But “I think the first [pilot] was sort of of a big deal. It’s a lot to be stressed it was seeing what he said about it a shakedown cruise,” Michaels says. out about, but time and working with naturally, reading his Instagram and “We found what was good about it super professional people like Jackie different articles, and watching his Thompson has managed to mostly and also what I thought the show and then bringing in David Caspe, stand-up, where he talks about it.” avoid drama or controversy and keep needed more of in terms of a com- now we feel like the team is strong.” Thompson is also conscious of his head above water despite launch- edy ensemble, because it is a comedy A happily married father of two making sure he’s offering a proper ing his career at such an early age. “I show. Yes, it will have emotion. But girls himself, Thompson had plenty representation of a young Black had a very stable home life, a close- these [emotions] are coming mostly of personal experience to dig into father on “Kenan.” It’s not lost on knit family,” he says. “I was never because you think it’d be funny.” as he prepared to play a TV dad. He him that his show is airing on NBC, taken advantage of when I was being Don Johnson was brought in to also did some quiet research into where “The Cosby Show” broke bar- given these opportunities. And I never take over as Kenan’s father-in-law, how widowers handle the loss of a riers in the 1980s for its depiction wanted to ever front on my immedi- while the cast expanded to include spouse — most notably, comedian of an upper-middle-class African ate family, which led to not wanting to Redd as Kenan’s offbeat brother — a Patton Oswalt, whose wife Michelle American family. One of Thompson’s front on other people. That just kept suggestion that Michaels made. (“To McNamara died in 2016. early signature impressions was Bill me just eating humble pie, throughout me it was always sacred ground to try “I was watching what Patton went Cosby, and he starred as Fat Albert in the entire experience.” and cast from ‘SNL’ people, but it was through” from afar, says Thompson, the 2004 live-action movie based on If there has been one misstep in his

rock star Lorne making those moves. who opted not to grill the comedian Cosby’s animated character. time at “SNL,” it’s a 2013 TVGuide.com Chance The Rapper: (3); Harvey: Will Heath/NBC Che/Thompson, Gianny Matias/NBC/NBCU; Thompson/Redd/Glover: Dana Edelson/NBC Hader/Freeman/Thompson: Rosalind O’Connor/NBC;

From top: Thompson, Chris Redd and Michael Che and Thompson; Redd, host Thompson as Darnell Hayes and as Diondre Cole host Donald Glover on “SNL”; as Steve Harvey Chance the Rapper and Thompson interview in which Thompson now says he was misunderstood. Asked why “SNL” hadn’t cast many Black women, Thompson said, “It’s just a tough part of the business. Like in There’s nothing he auditions, they just never find ones can’t do. He’s one of the that are ready.” greatest of all time. ... Thompson says that what he meant And that sense of social respon- Kenan may be a genius. to point out was that there also needs sibility also includes playing a role to be more representation of Black model on “Kenan” while continuing — Lorne Michaels, women in the training grounds that to do everything he does on “SNL.” executive producer, traditionally prepare performers for Despite the busy sitcom schedule, ‘SNL’ and ‘Kenan’ “SNL,” including improv troupes. Thompson has no plans to leave “I would never say anything deroga- “SNL” anytime soon. tory towards Black women — like, I “I have a certain number I would would never say Black women aren’t love to get to,” he says of how many funny or anything like that,” he says. seasons he’s aiming for. “I think 20 is “I would never throw towards my a good, round, even number that I’m mother, sister, wife, whoever.” close to. I feel like that is in reach, but Thompson says last year’s national also it would be respected if I don’t conversation about police brutality get there. Like, 18 is fine, 19 is fine. It and systemic racism also led him to doesn’t really matter. What matters is, reassess the ways he can use his voice will I have time for my family? There’s to effect change. only 24 hours in a day.” “Just wanting to be in the fight,” he Michaels is also fine with allow- says. “Having to fight from a distance, ing his talent to balance extracur- because I have to watch my household. ricular gigs with the mother ship. But making sure however I can use my (He’s also an executive producer on platform that I would do that. Trying Aidy Bryant’s Hulu comedy “Shrill,” to put out the fires of extreme frus- which filmed in the fall and limited tration and anger and channeling that her “SNL” screen time as a result.) energy into where it can actually make “The industry finally came around direct change, or just paying attention to my way of thinking, which is, why

Bodega Cat, De’What, Ortiz: Will Heath/NBC (3); Trump: Rosalind O’Connor/NBC Bodega Trump: Cat, De’What, (3); Ortiz: Will Heath/NBC to Stacey Abrams in general.” does a series have to be 24 episodes, and why do you have to leave ‘SNL’ for it?” Michaels says, adding that he welcomes Thompson’s goal to reach at least 20 years. “And I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to hit the 50-year mark soon, so it’s good.” Thompson, meanwhile, is already looking at his next bridge — produc- ing. He was a producer on Nickel- odeon’s recent “All That” revival, and now he’s got more ambitious plans. “I left DreamWorks today doing a voiceover for a ‘Trolls’ holiday spe- cial that’s coming out later this year, and just walking around the Dream- Works campus, it’s the most massive thing that’s employing all of these different lives and really making a mark on people,” he says. “Now that As the Bodega Cat and as Reese De’What As Darius Trump and as David Ortiz I’ve achieved what I’ve achieved, if there’s any kind of a way to put down a steppingstone that’s a little smoother than the one that’s there, then I feel it’s my obligation to do so. So that’s kind of my approach to producing. I have a lot of ideas up in the air, and it’d be nice to pull them down into realities for people. That’s what I’m working toward.”

Legacy Hollywood players including Disney and WarnerMedia are suddenly acting like tech companies, while streaming pioneer Netflix is starting to behave like an old media giant

44 / Variety By Brent Lang and Cynthia Littleton

Variety / 45 with this crazy [content] arms race going crazy valuation that was bigger than the rest of on,” Quadrani observes. “But the emphasis in the them, and it had done that on the backs of the marketplace is on subscriber growth. Nobody product they created,” says Peter Newman, the wants to see any of these [streaming] companies head of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts’ MBA/ start pulling back on growth strategies to focus MFA program. more on profitability.” The Walt Disney Co. is one of the most storied So far, the role reversal has been most ● brands in history, world renowned for its animated stark with Disney. The company’s stock has been movies and Marvel films, its theme parks and mer- on a tear, growing nearly 50% over the past three On the other side of the streaming stand- chandising, and for its singular emphasis on fami- months despite the fact that losses have mounted. off, Netflix, which made an art of seeing its market ly-friendly entertainment. It’s a legacy that’s been Some of its theme parks remain shuttered due to cap rise as it went deeper into hock, is beginning forged over nearly a century, winding back gener- COVID-19, and the theatrical movie business is a to behave more like a traditional media giant. The ations to the company’s formation in 1923. shell of its former self because cinemas in major company has signaled that it may have maxed What Disney decidedly is not is some kind of cities like Los Angeles and New York remain out on domestic subscribers and must look to Silicon Valley upstart. And yet, over the course of closed. The reason investors are so bullish on emerging markets in Asia, Africa and South the past year, as a pandemic has ravaged the tra- the company is simple: Disney Plus is crushing it America to keep bringing in new customers. ditional ways that Disney used to make money, when it comes to signing up new viewers. When it reported quarterly earnings last month, the entertainment giant has successfully sold In the 13 months since its debut on Nov. 12, its shares rose; the hike was partly attributable Wall Street on a new way of gauging its success. 2019, the service has attracted 86.6 million sub- to the announcement that it was cash-flow neu- The stunning transformation is due largely to scribers globally. Disney projects it will have as tral and would be cash-flow positive through the company’s 2019 launch of Netflix challenger many as 260 million subscribers by 2024, roughly 2021 and beyond. That means that the days that Disney Plus, as well as its massive investment 60 million more than Netflix currently boasts. Netflix burns through money may be behind it. in streaming services such as Hulu and ESPN What’s particularly impressive, analysts say, is “It signals that they won’t have to keep bor- Plus. Disney’s goal is to create a rich direct-to- that Disney has managed this feat while launch- rowing,” says Newman. “Debt has been so cheap consumer bundle controlled outright by the com- ing only a handful of original shows like “The for so long, but the question has always been is pany. Analysts are looking at a whole new set of Mandalorian.” “WandaVision,” its “Avengers” it sustainable and how will that impact Netflix metrics, instead of profits and revenues, to assess spinoff series, launched just last month, and other as an ongoing venture?” the house that Mickey Mouse built. buzzy programming like “The Falcon and the Netflix presented its fourth-quarter results as “What’s getting measured is no longer the Winter Soldier,” “Loki” and a Star Wars series an inflection point for the company, which has amount of money being generated from a movie about Obi-Wan Kenobi remain on tap. defined disruption in contemporary Hollywood. or show but bumps in subscription bases and “They’ve been able to get here largely “We’re super proud of where we are from a free new sign-ups,” says Derek Johnson, professor with library content,” says Bernie McTernan, cash flow perspective,” says Netflix’s Neumann, of media and cultural studies at the University an analyst with Rosenblatt Securities. “Many “and we talked a bit internally before the calls, of Wisconsin-Madison. of their marquee programs don’t premiere what was a bigger milestone for us: [passing the] Disney is not alone among legacy media for months, and 2021 is filled with new original 200 million member mark or kind of turning to this giants in persuading Wall Street to cut them programming that will drive subscribers. They next chapter in terms of our free cash flow and the some slack as they invest in new services and have a long runway for growth.” ability to self-fund our growth going forward? We restructuring of operations. Comcast, AT&T and It’s not that Disney Plus is making money — in think that’s a pretty big milestone for us.” even long-beleaguered ViacomCBS are enjoying a fact, Disney’s direct-to-consumer arm, which con- Be careful what you wish for. Netflix may soon stock run, although not to the same double-digit tains its streaming empire, had an operating loss of come to experience the kind of yoke that tradi- degree as Disney. $580 million during the most recent quarter. But tional media companies used to bridle against “Honestly, it’s been a bit surprising to me that investors believe that that future of media will be — getting assessed in terms of how much money it seems like all companies have to do is put a streamed, and they’re willing to rack up losses in they bring in relative to how much they spend. plus sign in front of their name, have an inves- the short term in anticipation of riches to come. Take Comcast and AT&T, both of which took tor event and the stock rallies right up,” says That requires something of a leap of faith from deep write-offs in the most recent quarter to adjust Alexia Quadrani, a media analyst at JP Morgan. the investment community, and it calls on com- for restructuring costs and the diminished value And while the old guard is being viewed through panies like Disney to have the intestinal fortitude of the 2021 Warner Bros. movie slate that AT&T a new prism, Netflix executives are suddenly to say no to easy money. Streaming was lucra- had shipped off to HBO Max. Comcast wrote off talking about profitability being in sight, as pan- tive for Disney and its studio brethren nine years $828 million for the full year “as we took actions demic conditions drove 2020 subscriber growth ago when Netflix shelled out $300 million for the to position our businesses for success in a post- that surpassed the most bullish expectations. right to offer Marvel and “Star Wars” movies to COVID world,” the company’s chief financial Netflix chief financial officer Spencer Neumann its customers. That was a lot of cash for Disney officer, Mike Cavanagh, explained. Part of that last month even referenced the prospect of using — the kind of steady stream of licensing revenues presumably involves devoting money to Peacock, excess revenue to buy back shares as a way of that helps cushion a rough financial quarter. But the streaming service being sent out into the world returning cash to shareholders — a move that has Wall Street and media companies got wise to the by NBCUniversal, Comcast’s entertainment arm. been made for years by legacy media giants. fact that Netflix was using their content to build Comcast chairman-CEO Brian Roberts demon- “Any company at this stage is going to want market share. strated the repositioning effort by legacy media to be able to tell investors, ‘This isn’t forever. “At some point the light bulb went off and these players in a comment he made toward the end We’re going to turn a profit here,’ especially studios recognized that Netflix was enjoying a of the company’s Jan. 28 earnings call. Roberts noted that about 70% of the firm’s operations are now “broadband-centric.” “Broadband,” of “What’s getting measured is no longer course, is now synonymous with on-demand streaming entertainment. the amount of money being generated from Comcast’s ability to take big write-downs without the stock getting pulverized is a sign that a movie or show but bumps in Wall Street is encouraging the major studios to invest deeper in streaming businesses. Hollywood subscription bases and new sign-ups.” filmmakers may want Jason Kilar’s head, but investors are happy to see entertainment CEOs — Derek Johnson, taking what Kilar’s boss, WarnerMedia chief John Stankey, called a “bold and aggressive University of Wisconsin-Madison swing” with the movie slate decision. Those moves are putting pressure on Netflix, which 46 / Variety A NEW KIND OF BALANCE SHEET Entertainment companies are touting the consumer reach of their streaming services rather than earnings as they reinvent their businesses.

As of September 2020 As of December 2020 As of January 2021 All figures are global unless indicated with * as U.S. only Streaming services reporting 203.7M paid subs Netflix

Disney 137.1M (includes subs of Disney Plus, 86.8M; Hulu, 38.8M; ESPN Plus, 11.5M)

ViacomCBS *17.9M (includes subs of CBS All Access, Showtime OTT and other ViacomCBS SVODs)

Lionsgate 14.6M (includes subs of Starz OTT, Starzplay Arabia and Pantaya)

Discovery 5.2M (includes subs of Discovery Plus, MotorTrend OnDemand and other Discovery SVODs)

Streaming services reporting 37.7M another HBO Max * (eligible by direct sign-up or via wholesale provider such as an MVPD) reach metric HBO Max *17.2M (acitve accounts)

Peacock *33M (nonpaid users + paid subscribers) Streaming services that haven’t Prime Video 140.7M (Ampere Analysis estimates of those with access, no short-term free trials) reported any reach metric Apple TV Plus 42.6M (Ampere Analysis estimates of those with access, no short-term free trials)

For more data, visit VIP+ Source: Company filings, Ampere Analysis Disney Plus sub count includes subscribers of Disney Plus Hotstar may have kicked off the streaming era but is no now trying to elbow into Netflix’s territory, such issues faced by formerly red-hot companies like doubt painfully aware that revolutions have a as Apple and Amazon with market capitalizations Facebook and Twitter, which have been plunged way of eating their own. Its strategy has been of $2.2 trillion and $1.7 trillion, respectively, have into the political maelstrom as the arena for larger to capitalize on its early entry into the digital tremendous financial resources they can tap. debates about privacy and free speech. In the video space — for many consumers, streaming “It’s not like Apple or Amazon are short of old days, it was MPAA chief Jack Valenti who and Netflix are interchangeable — in the hopes cash,” says Vogel. “The cost of talent is going to was getting hauled before Congress to defend of building an insurmountable head start. rise exponentially because there are so many Hollywood content from charges of indecency. “Being first was a tremendous advantage for more outlets to approach.” Now it’s Facebook pooh-bahs who are getting Netflix, but that’s changing now that Disney So far, subscriber growth has been a use- grilled in various Senate subcommittees. has followed in its path and there are all these ful way for Wall Street to measure the rela- From a financial perspective, change and disrup- other companies going after the same custom- tive heat of a streaming service, but there are tion have been profitable even if no one is quite sure ers,” says Hal Vogel, a veteran media analyst. “It’s risks for companies that get overly reliant on how this will all work out in the end. Wall Street crowded with Peacock and Discovery Plus and that rubric. Subscribers are fickle: They add and is applauding companies taking dramatic steps Apple and Amazon and all these other guys.” drop streaming services with relative ease — a today. But the patience won’t be infinite. There’s a Netflix has scored with hits like “The Queen’s keystroke or two rather than the old-school has- strong feeling that clear winners (beyond Disney Gambit” and “The Crown,” but it faces more sle of having to return cable or satellite equip- Plus) and losers will emerge in short order. competition from new entrants in the space. It’s ment. If there’s nothing compelling to watch “The sentiment right now is, if a company is responded to the challenges by locking up key tal- on Disney Plus for a month, they can always hit leaning into investment and trying to reinvent for ent, bringing on board the likes of Shonda Rhimes the “cancel” button and take their business the future, give them the benefit of the doubt,” (“Bridgerton”) and Ryan Murphy (“Ratched,” to Paramount Plus. says JP Morgan’s Quadrani. “But that won’t “Hollywood”), and announcing that it will release The fresh look at the media business is a wel- always be the mentality. It’ll become clear in a new movie every week. Some analysts believe come change for a sector that has been mostly the next six to 12 months who has momentum that the rising costs of producing this content out of favor with investors during the past decade on the subscriber-acquisition front. At that point will make Netflix’s moves toward fiscal pru- or so — fueled by concerns about cord cutting the investment community will become more dence more of a flirtation than a wholehearted and audience fragmentation. The business has skeptical of dollars allocated to something that embrace. Plus, some of the companies that are also benefited from the mounting public relations doesn’t seem to be a winning strategy.” Variety / 47

Frank Grillo has eight movies coming out in 2021... and no plans to slow down By Brent Lang

ringing if he doesn’t stay active, but Grillo is everywhere these days. He’s appearing in low-budget indies like the recently released “No Man’s Land,” as well as action flicks like the upcoming “Boss Level” and “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,” a follow-up to the 2017 hit “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” that finds Grillo playing an Interpol agent opposite Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek and Ryan Reynolds. And he’s formed a production company, WarParty, with his frequent collaborator and “Boss Level” director and writer Joe Carnahan, with whom he partnered on “The Grey” and “Wheelman.” The goal is to make the kind of testosterone-drenched action movies that dominated multiplexes during the ’80s and ’90s but have been relegated to the ash heap by major studios in favor of superhero spectacles. Their pitch to financiers and distributors is that they can deliver big set-pieces and thrills more efficiently and for a reasonable price. “I’ve been struck by how absurd the amount of time we spend prepping films has become,” says Carnahan. “You go back to the old studio system, and they would prep a film like ‘Casablanca’ in a couple of weeks and shoot it in a couple more weeks. I find nothing wrong with that approach. We’ve conditioned ourselves to need a year or a year and a half to make a movie, and that’s become the norm, but I just find it wasteful.” In the case of “Boss Level,” the story of a special forces officer ensnared in a time loop that causes him to repeat the same day, Frank Grillo has an insatiable appetite the producers shaved 15 days off a planned for flexing his movie muscles. 41-day shoot to get the movie made. It was a The actor is superhumanly prolific, punishing experience, one that found Grillo practically cornering the market on macho dodging explosions, engaging in intricate roles as he veers from facing off with sword fights and consistently putting his Captain America in “The Winter Soldier” body in the line of fire (OK, they were to entering the ring with Nick Jonas in blanks) while filming sequences in one “Kingdom.” Over the past five years, the afternoon that would normally take days 55-year-old Grillo has starred or had a to produce. Grillo, a skilled boxer and an supporting turn in 30 films or television inveterate gym rat, trained for six months shows, eight of which are scheduled to to get ready for the role. debut in 2021 alone. But he insists that “I’m an athlete and a fighter, and I have he’ll hang up his spurs the second he stops to be as truthful with the action as I am feeling a thrill when he sees his name in to the words in the script,” he says. “A lot lights or his face on a billboard. of actors will talk about ‘Oh, I gained 40 “The day that isn’t cool is the day you pounds for this role.’ Well, that’s not so should ride off into the sunset and stop hard. I could gain 40 pounds. How about doing it,” says Grillo. “It’s pretty magical going down to 4% body fat? Pulling off to be able to make movies. It’s pretty the physical part of a film like this is very magical to have people come up to you underrated and very hard to do.” and say, ‘Hey, you were great in this or Grillo waited for years before he got you made me laugh or you made me cry.’ his big break, appearing in commercials I wake up every day grateful and thankful for beer and deodorant along with a that I got this far. That’s no bullshit.” few blink-and-you-miss-them roles in Maybe it’s his work ethic, the product “Minority Report” and the like. That of a blue-collar upbringing, or his break came with 2011’s “Warrior,” playing

nagging fear that the phone will stop Joel Edgerton’s friend and trainer. Anderson spread) Eric Ryan (Previous Shortly after the film was released, upended the movie business. To pull off to obscurity had Netflix not decided to director Gavin O’Connor fielded several the shoot, WarParty worked with veterans license it. With much of the world in calls from filmmakers and agents wanting of Doctors Without Borders who had lockdown, audiences that had never to know who “that guy” was. operated in pandemic-ravaged areas to heard of “Kingdom” embraced the show, “There’s a danger to Frank, and it just create a system of best practices. Cast and following the trials and tribulations of the comes off of him,” he says. “He has a crew were put into working pods, tested There’s a danger to Frank, Kulina clan over the course of 40 episodes. street fighter attitude, and you sense he every other day and discouraged from and it just comes off “It is the greatest thing that’s happened has some miles on him. He’s like a pit bull socializing between takes — craft-service of him. He’s like a pit bull in my career,” says Grillo. “I always thought with a handsome face. And that’s unique. stations were even abolished entirely. with a handsome face. that show was beyond underrated and There’s not a lot of actors like that.” “You can’t really do a socially distanced —Gavin O’Connor, director unrecognized. It was a sin. We worked Grillo was north of 40 when he fight scene,” says Grillo. “But I felt safe hard on that show physically as well as achieved big-screen success, and he knowing that the other actors were taking artistically. But DirecTV really shit the thinks that the long wait helped him the same precautions I was.” bed. It didn’t know what it was doing and keep his feet on the ground. He’s wary of In fact, Grillo says that the COVID still doesn’t know what it’s doing. It had no the Hollywood scene, both its corporate protocols made the shooting more efficient. business being in the business.” mandates and its system of star perks. “There’s too much socializing on sets,” he In the months since “Kingdom” That skeptical view of the business says. “That results in a lot of wasted time. developed an avid following, fans have helped him bond with Carnahan. This was much more streamlined.” pushed for a fourth season, with creator “We’re not Hollywood guys, and we “Cop Shop” also got Grillo out of the Byron Balasco even hinting that the show don’t go for the parties or the premieres house and back in front of cameras, after could be revived. Grillo isn’t so sure. or the trappings and the bullshit that months stuck at home in quarantine. He “We’re all in different places four years Hollywood has to offer,” says Grillo. was feeling restless and bored, while later, and we’re doing different things,” “We’re just normal dudes who happen grappling with a divorce from Wendy says Grillo. “The idea of it would be to make movies.” Moniz, his wife of two decades. awesome, but I think the show ended “Boss Level,” which plays like “If I’m not working, I’m going stir perfectly. I really do. It ended the way it “Groundhog Day” with a much, much crazy,” says Grillo. “I always feel like if should end, and to try to come back and higher body count, debuts on Hulu on I don’t work, the offers are going to stop try to recapture lightning in a bottle is a March 5. Carnahan hopes that he can make or the opportunities are going to dry up. very dangerous thing.” a film every year or two with Grillo; the I still have that poor-kid mentality, and I And don’t hold your breath for pair quickly followed “Boss Level” with don’t think it will ever go away.” many more appearances in the Marvel “Cop Shop,” a thriller that unfolds in a rural One silver lining of the whole COVID Cinematic Universe after Grillo lends his police station and finds the actor playing an experience has been the surge in interest voice to “What If … ?,” an animated series oleaginous con man, complete with a man in “Kingdom,” a show about the Kulinas, a that will find him re-creating his role as bun. Gerard Butler will play his adversary, a family of MMA fighters, that was critically the villainous Crossbones. The character hit man who forces him to seek protection beloved but low-rated during its three is a staple in the Captain America comic from the cops. The film, which is in post- years on DirecTV. The show wrapped books but largely a bit player in the movies. production, was shot after the coronavirus up in 2017 and may have been relegated Crossbones was killed off in “Captain America: Civil War,” and even though dead characters have a way of being brought back to life in comics, Grillo thinks his alter ego will stay six feet under. “They’re done with me,” he says. “Because of the way the stories wound up being told and just how big the stories became, the Crossbones of it wasn’t really part of the future of the Avengers.” Grillo does hope to keep stretching himself. Over the past decade, he’s assumed the mantle of a big-screen brawler, taking and Jonathan Tucker Clockwise from right: Grillo in “Boss Level,” the kind of roles that previously would “No Man’s Land” and “Kingdom,” with Nick Jonas have been played by a Kurt Russell or a Sylvester Stallone as easily as he would a well-worn muscle shirt. He’s also eager to avoid being pigeonholed; hence one of his upcoming projects, the indie crime drama “Ida Red,” finds him playing very much against type as a gay man whose wardrobe includes mesh shirts and cowboy boots. “I don’t want to just be the guy from ‘The Purge,’” says Grillo. “It’s OK getting typecast if they’re paying me well, but I’m still going to seek out those little movies, so I can flex different muscles, get better and better, and put more characters

Boss Level: Quantrell D. Colbert/Hulu; Kingdom: DirecTV/Everett Collection; No Man’s Land: IFC Films IFC Collection; No Man’s Land: D. Colbert/Hulu; Kingdom: DirecTV/Everett Quantrell Level: Boss under my belt.”

02.10.2021 VARIETY ● 55 CONTENDERS

Variety Voters’ Guide/ Look Book

A behind-the-scenes peek at how artisans put together the sets, costumes and visual effects, as well as worked on music, cinematography and editing World of ‘Mank’ to Life Onscreen Faux Fur and Jewelry Bring the W By Jazz Tangcay days, atthemostfive days“for ittobebuilt.” cuff,” shesays. it balloonsintheforearm withafitted full ontop, withalittletwist toitand these interesting sleeves —where it’s because alotofclothingbackthenhad tions andtherightsilhouettefortime. books from the1930sthathadillustra- to give thefurdimension. liberty toheavily paintonthecostume into ittogive itmore depth.” is fauxtomimicaminx,andwe painted pale dusty periwinklewool crepe. Thefur was amutedpowdery blue. “It’s like a Summerville ditchedthatidea. Spiteri hadmadesuchanicewig, since hairdepartmentheadKimberley sketch ofSeyfried’s onscreen look,but to oldHollywood. Seyfried intheblackandwhitetribute of Marion Davies, played by Amanda tographs outthere,” shesays, especially an advantage. “There were alotofpho- 56 rental housesthathave coolsleeves COSTUME DESIGN The coat,sheguestimates, tookthree “I pulledsomeoldpiecesfrom old Summerville hadordered pattern The coatshesports, Summervillesays, Summerville includedahatinherfirst Shooting inblackandwhitegave her ● CONTENDERS ating thecostumes hen itcametocre- Summerville had designer Trish “Mank,” costume of David Fincher’s ● LOOK BOOK that period.” belt —andlittlethingslike thathelpsell as Etsy. at collectorsandeven onlinestores such of business.” rare, sincebuttonstores are goingout as thebuttons, whichare now becoming enough fabric,[and]even thingsaslittle garments includingshirts,” shesays. mean anewcostumeeachtime. are needed,whichdoesn’t necessarily each character andhow many changes to freak outmaybe.” costumes shemade“becauseIdon’t want was renowned forherjewelry collection. brooch, reflecting thereal Davies, who just genuinecomingfrom achild.” see herdaughter’s reaction, whichwas ‘Mama you’re sopretty.’ It was great to daughter was intheroom. “She said, coat onSeyfried,asitturnedout,Seyfried’s Seyfried andLilyCollins. are very narrow, andthesizingissmall.” in themovie. “A lotoftheshoesthattime responsible andinstrumental fortheshoes designer was “makingsure we had “That enamelbuckleisfrom avintage Summerville searches online, looking The mainthingforthecostume “We probably built90%ofalltheir Instead, sheprefers abreakdown for Summerville doesn’t counthow many The firsttimeSummervilletriedthe company,Remix, anL.A.-based was Summerville addedaheavy diamond Summerville purchased footwear for designed. Summerville depth to thecoat Blue added costume includedahat. Amanda Seyfried’s initial sketches for Trish Summerville’s 02.10.2021

Netflix (2) 02.10.2021 CONTENDERS ● LOOK BOOK ● 57

VISUAL EFFECTS Creating VFX Waves for Tom Hanks’ Battle at Sea Violence

By Jazz Tangcay

n unrelenting cold photographed a full hemisphere in HDR Atlantic Ocean, huge for time-lapse footage at the coastline so waves and overcast they could gain perspective of the horizon. weather were the ele- That time-lapse was critical in the ments for the Tom Hanks development of the environment and drama “Greyhound.” thus the resulting look of the ocean. AWhile much of the film was built on Director Aaron Schneider and pro- soundstages in Louisiana and on the ducer Gary Goetzman had accrued a mass decommissioned USS Kidd, visual effects of library material from the period for ref- came into play for the film’s main bat- erence. That material was heavily relied tle sequence. Hanks plays Commander on and matched to ensure authenticity. Krause, the officer who has to defend his McGuinness and Bebb add: “The water ship and its convoy of vessels as it comes FX was critical. The sheer amount and under attack from U-boats in the Battle totality of coverage it required was exactly of the Atlantic. what we saw in the reference footage. “This shot perfectly encompasses “The entire bow of these Fletcher class everything we were trying to achieve in destroyers would go underwater in high the recreation of the North Atlantic for Beaufort Sea conditions. There was no “Greyhound,” say DNEG visual-effects artistic direction in the water simulations, supervisors Nathan McGuinness and we calculated the ocean scale, we calcu- Pete Bebb. “The first challenge was to lated the ship displacement and speed and VISUAL EFFECTS determine the look of the ocean — this is then we set the simulation in motion. It is Realism was key essentially another character in the nar- as physically true as it can be.” to amping up fight rative that had to be developed. The ocean When it came to their inspiration sequences via Realism Key to is determined by weather so capturing the for the ship itself, since they were in VFX in “Mulan.” correct weather was imperative.” the U.K., the HMS Belfast in London Creating Magic for The U.K. winter helped both served as an idea for how to create their McGuinness and Bebb imagine those visualizations. The size and scale of the North Atlantic weather conditions since former World War II battleship helped Live-Action ‘Mulan’ it was cold and miserable. Using a bespoke set the mood when taking on the wartime 10-camera system called Sky Capture, they action film.

By Jazz Tangcay

wealth of visual effects the Hubei province in China, shooting were used to take view- there with the second unit. We knew we ers into the Imperial needed to be getting a lot of material for City and create epic fight that which would then be used for the sequences for Disney’s main shoot in Auckland.” live-action “Mulan.” The film’s rooftop chase sequences AVFX houses around the world includ- called for paint and roto work to remove ing Crafty Apes, Framestore, Image stunt rigs, unpractical scenery and Engine, Sony Pictures Imageworks and any glimpses of modern China in the Weta Digital all joined forces in bringing background where live-action plates the film to life. weren’t used. The key to the film’s visual effects Hubert Maston, VFX supervisor was to have audiences immersed in the for Framestore, says: “While Disney’s vibrant world of “Mulan” and make them live-action features often allow us to feel a part of the landscape and action. explore pure fantasy, ‘Mulan’ required Director Niki Caro wanted to shoot as a different approach, using VFX to aug- much as possible on locations and sound- ment and enhance both the sweeping stages, while VFX would expand, repli- grandeur of Niki Caro’s epic yet natural- cate and create where needed. istic vision and the graceful cinematogra- More than 485 shots were provided phy of Mandy Walker. Realism was key, by the team at Weta Digital. Extensive so our work had to be utterly seamless research was conducted to design an when it came to extending sets, crafting authentic layout of the Imperial City, which volcanic environments or amping up that was given its vast scale using CG, equating edge-of-the-seat fight sequence. This it to almost the size of Manhattan. being a Disney film there was, of course, Getting the water “Mulan” is the largest LiDAR scan the also more than a sprinkling of magic — effects right was company had ever done, VFX supervisor as much as we enjoyed helping build critical for “Grey- Anders Langlands says. (LiDAR scanners ‘Mulan’s’ world, it was also a joy to work hound,” in which measure distances and depth for use in on the majestic phoenix and Xianniang, the ocean was a

Mulan: Disney (2); Greyhound: Apple TV+ (2) Mulan: Disney (2); Greyhound: 3D imagery.) “We went to a backlot in the eerily graceful shapeshifter.” character. Soil forCinematography ‘Nomadland’s’ Journey IsFertile C By Jazz Tangcay never seethemagain. bounce offofeachotherand you might road. You happenuponpeopleandyou people tofeelwhatit’s like beingonthe and fiction. blurred thelinebetween documentary moments thatwere sovividthatthey how tocapture theperformancesand their latestfilm. a tasteofthenomadiclives depictedin Richards says. Theirtravels gave them road becauseofourlasttwo movies,” and “Songs My Brother Taught Me.” two previously worked on“TheRider” — thisistheirthird collaboration. The understand Zhao’s vision,it’s Richards James Richards. Andifanyone can vast AmericanWest, captured by Joshua in thestunning cinematography ofthe sonal journeyofself-discovery aswell as ple wholive onthemargins ofsociety. real-life nomadsalongtheway —peo- travels from Empire, Nev., andmeets 58 CINEMATOGRAPHY Of visualideas, Richards says, “Iwant “Chloé andIspentalotoftimeonthe There ismuchbeautyinFern’s per- The journeyisaliberating oneasFern Early conversations revolved around ● CONTENDERS she putsit,houseless. McDormand, isleft,as Fern, played by Frances ney ofself-discoveryas land” celebrates ajour- hloé Zhao’s “Nomad- ● LOOK BOOK naturalism andtruth. lighting was partofhiscommitmentto true onlytothem.” Thefilm’s natural with very specificexperiences thatare May.” Theirfaces carry “linesthatcome nomads inthefilm]Swankie andLinda look prettier. Thesamewith[thereal-life Frances McDormand’s facetomake her Wrath,’ Steinbeckian way ofliving.” the people, the faces andthe‘Grapes of Richards says, “to capture thelocations, hadn’t seenintheAmericanroad movie,” ence inthatexperience inaway that I “Nomadland.” and onlocation on Richards, below, Joshua James meant thathecould usethecamera’s says, “Iwouldn’t putasingle lighton He usedanArriAlexa 1280, which When itcametolighting, Richards “We were soexcited toputtheaudi- distance withzoom lenses.” and Ididn’t want tobeshootingfrom a jects. “Iwanted tobeinsidetheir world, get upcloseandpersonalwithhissub- with wideUltra Primelensessohecould shadows aren’t anissue.” the atmosphere andcomingdown and 360 becausethelightisbouncingupinto ased andtruest form.You’re free tobe and thingsbecomemore saturated.” and thesunhasleftus. Ourworld isalone by thesun.We are litby theatmosphere it’s thisspecialtimewhere we are notlit to thenatural lightingavailable tohim. sensors toaddshadows andbesensitive Zhao onlocation. Richards andChloé Joshua James Frances McDormand, Additionally, hepaired thecamera He adds:“Thingsbecometheirunbi- “The reason forusembracing that— 02.10.2021

Searchlight Pictures (3) 02.10.2021 CONTENDERS ● LOOK BOOK ● 59

ANIMATED SHORT Sparse Colors Relay Grief and Loss in Toon Short on Gun Violence

By Jazz Tangcay

t runs at only 12 minutes, but the animated short “If Anything Happens, I Love You” is a sweeping story of grieving parents after losing their daughter to gun violence. Devoid of dialogue, the 2D animation reliesI on a colorless world as a couple Trent Reznor, argues over dinner. Their shadows are Jon Batiste and dark and the world is a grim place. Atticus Ross at the Writers and directors Will McCormack music recording and Michael Govier explain: “We wanted session for “Soul” to create an elegy for all the parents and families who lost loved ones to gun vio- ORIGINAL SCORE lence. These are not numbers, but lives.” It was up to animation director Youngran Nho to bring that elegy to life. “I was trying to convey the emotions in How Composers the script of grief and loneliness, and to also show the great love and hope they manage to find.” The film stresses its message on gun Brought a Celestial violence in the simplistic animation, using grays and earth tones throughout. Colors are only introduced to remind the parents of happier times, and the impor- Sound to Pixar’s ‘Soul’ tance of their daughter, whose life was tragically taken. The artist spent time watching videos of parents who talked about the loss of their children and how they dealt with the emotions for research and inspiration. Nho’s favorite sequence comes toward the end, where the parents accept the loss of their daughter, capturing the grief, which transcended animation and film. By Jazz Tangcay The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles add a haunting yet angelic sound he musical landscape “Soul” required more exploration in developed ways of recording in their to the animation, but when it comes its for Pixar’s “Soul” was their technique because the Great Before studio, such as bringing in different impact is a powerful and striking one as one of two worlds. “The was a world that audiences had never mic setups, voices and scraping sounds the parents start to face their trauma. Late Show With Stephen been to before. to create the foundations of the world. Behind the scenes, the film is supported Colbert” resident band “There had to be clear definitions “We might be using samples and by a largely female crew including a frontman Jon Batiste used between the hectic pace of the world recordings of instruments and pro- female animation director (Nho), com- a jazz-filled, hectic musical palette to and falling through those layers and that cessed them [in a way] that [highlights] poser (Lindsay Marcus), production man- reflectT New York City and the world of Joe next section,” Ross says. … imperfections in humanity that it “If Anything agers (Eliza Govier and Lydia Keating) Happens I Love Gardner, a middle-school band teacher “All of that is so much that we can’t becomes an interesting response,” and executive producers, Laura Dern and You” uses grays who yearns to be a jazz pianist in the Pete even put it into words, but when Joe Reznor says. “It was very experimen- her producing partner Jayme Lemons. and earth tones. Docter-directed animated feature. gets into the zone, the music speaks to tal and combinational that all worked A prepared piano — an instrument that — the feeling of being connected to together in the right key and we pre- with its sound temporarily altered — something bigger than us,” Batiste says. sented it to Pixar.” helped Batiste find his way into the Reznor and Ross discussed how omi- At the turn of the console or a slide of sound of the celestial world that Joe nous, friendly, or even terrifying the the fader, “we would dial up this musi- finds himself in after plunging down sound would be as Joe lands in that void. cal piece that felt malleable, and that a manhole. Over the years, Reznor and Ross had became the boot print for Pete.” The world is “the Great Before.” This is where composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross stepped in to work on the music of the soul world where everything is translucent and opaque. “One of the first tasks of composition would be to understand what it would There had to be clear definitions between the sound like — what technique would be ‘‘ deployed and what instruments we’d use hectic pace of the world and falling through those to bring it to life,” Reznor says of their

Soul: Deborah Coleman/Disney/Pixar; If Anything Happens: Netflix Coleman/Disney/Pixar; Soul: Deborah composing process. layers and the next section.” — Atticus Ross F By Jazz Tangcay takes over from thecandy-colored pastels. has becomefarmore pronounced and warmth andsafety. But red atthispoint plaid, givingtheaudienceafalsesenseof Perry setouttousewarm wood tonesand and turningitonitshead. discussed —takingthewarm andsafe represented Cassieconfronting authority. and issheabouttogoinsane?”Theshift But you alsodon’t know what’s goingon, Cassie hasdonewhatshesaidhas. things there becauseyou don’t know if dark wood andagreen rug. “There’s two “It’s there throughout themovie.” by stackingtheshelves withred books. teased thered inthedean’s officescene shelving withthered coffeecups. it seems.” Perry says. Theclueisinthe head’s up. Thatallisnotnecessarilyas ent placestogive audiencesasubliminal safe place. “Ipopulateditinred indiffer- Burnham) shows up, suddenlyit’s nota acquaintance from medschool,Ryan (Bo the predatory world. But whenanold where Perry saysCassiefeelssafefrom Nancy Steiner’s colors. work onmakeup andcostumedesigner palette filtersthrough toAngieWells’ the bluesandpinks.” Thatsamecolor eries. “Iwanted thattofeelbrightwith job, Perry was inspired by French bak- friend unimaginablepain. revenge onthemenwhocausedherbest medical schoolyears whodecidestotake woman wounded by events from her be thefoundationforfilm. to Danger Serve asaDecoy Woman’ Merely ‘Promising Young Pastel Colors of 60 Coffee-shop Cassieandat-homeCoffee-shop Cassie was mirrored inWells andherwork. was aconversation Perry andFennell boots andinhershoes. Perry further coffee shopwhere Cassieholdsaday PRODUCTION DESIGN The graduation ofthecolorpalette Similarly, withthecabinsequence, Theideaofthecontrasting colors Thedean’s officehasatonalshiftwith Red alsoshows upinthebars— The coffeeshopistheoneplace Blues andpinkswere key. For the Carey Mulligan playsCassie, ayoung ● CONTENDERS bright candycolorswould Perry haddecidedthat duction designerMichael Emerald Fennell andpro- Young Woman” director rom theonset,“Promising ● LOOK BOOK k B h h n n ne c t ay k o l o e e o th er a i th a l l m k el a st st r a s’ s. n d d o g g e e e e r r r s r r - - - t l

Mulligan inthedark “Promising Young Woman.” Makeup artist Angie Wells addscandy-colored hair andfacial touches to Carey wood andplaid. Perry used warm designer Michael production sequence, For thecabin point ofthecharacter. the descentofCassie, the transformation from that scene.” shade toremove any feelingoflightness that sowe choseadeep blue-red/maroon tutorial. We wanted a‘darker’ lookfor scene where shesmearsitafterthe video rose, mauve, pinkorfuchsiaexcept the “Cassie’s lipsare always someshade of role inmy makeup design,” Wells says. become more prominent. the harshnessandedgetohermakeup bolder colors. Asthestory progresses, pink, butrevenge-minded Cassieused wore sheercolorsandlightertonesof InanodtotheJoker, thatpointistruly “The colorpinkplayed apredominant 02.10.2021

Mulligan/Wells: Angie Wells/Focus Features; Sketch, Cabin: Michael Perry/Focus Features (2) Prom: Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix; Promising Young Woman: Merie Weismiller Wallace/Focus Features in Motion Picture Noms Women Make History is anotherBroadway translation, andits “movieness” ofit.Netflix’s “TheProm” ferent way, andsomequestions thevery phenomenon, althoughinamuchdif- musical). “Hamilton” isalsoacultural Baron Cohen won foractor, comedyor with anominationhere (starSacha Globes voters rewarded thefirst “Borat” once inRudy Giulianisegment),and and whiteprivilege(seeminglyallat once againAmericanracism, sexism very different laidbareways. “Borat” (Walt DisneyPictures), althoughin (Amazon Studios) and“Hamilton” films: “Borat SubsequentMoviefilm” The strongest contendersare political the baggageofacastingcontroversy. ers atAFMlastyear. It’s alsodragging seen itare theHFPA members andbuy- since itseemstheonlypeoplewhohave Verticle’s “Music” ishard tocategorize cals andcomedies(natch),although year thecontendersare mostlymusi- Always aninteresting category, this Musical orComedy Motion Picture– unstoppable since. Venice withaGoldenLionandhasbeen which kicked offits awards campaignat come themomentumof“Nomadland,” be hard forany ofthefilmshere toover- drama in“TheFather”; however, itwill to throw in.Sony Classicshasaterrific here, somethingtheGlobesvoters like matter make itanicesurprisepick black humorandaucourant subject set story. “Promising Young Woman’s” that awards voters love aHollywood- more boxes asconventional wisdomsays contemporary politics, “Mank” ticksoff and astrong thematicconnectionwith “Trial” features buzzyperformances Two Popes” grab nominations. While gory whichsaw “TheIrishman”and streamer’s take inlastyear’s drama cate- Trial oftheChicago7”—onparwith films inthiscategory—“Mank” and“The Netflix hastwo ofthefive nominated Motion Picture–Drama Historic triooffemalefilmmakersindirectorcategory 02.10.2021 awards night. winner AndySamberg, willsurpriseon love storyfrom Neon andstarringGlobes “Palm Springs,” asci-fi tingedtimetravel also anoutsidechancetheinventive enough votes totopple“Borat.” There’s Ryan Murphy itcouldactuallygarner performances. Directed by Globesfave story centered ontolerance plusterrific “Promising Young Woman,” pullsoffthe so. Emerald Fennell’s first feature, bulk ofthecategory. Anddeservedly three femaledirectors takingupthe Much hasalready beenwrittenabout Director – Motion Picture “Promising Young or comedy yielded anom starry cast was Woman” took four Corden while Corden while writer/director nominee “The nominee “The passed over. nods, including Prom” also Best pic—musical Bo Burnham(right). Laverne Cox and Emerald Fennell the rest of the for James for star Carey (center) onset with Mulligan (left) and ●

By Carole Horst her atrophy atVenice and thrust her acting in“Piecesof aWoman” won race. Indeed,Vanessa Kirby’s brauvura Black Bottom”willmake thisatight as thetitularcharacter in“Ma Rainey’s favorite Viola Davis inherpowerful turn A richfieldofnomineesledby Globes Picture –Drama Actress inaMotion this ishisfirstdirecting nod. been nominatedpreviously forwriting, Trial oftheChicago7,” and whilehehas plays upthebestofhistalentswith“The Network”). Anothervet, Aaron Sorkin, noms here andonewin(“TheSocial tics. Fincherhasthree previous Globes with commentsonthemediaandpoli- “Mank” weaves agoodHollywood yarn veterans suchasDavid Fincher, whose tons ofaccolades. Butnever countout with “Nomadland” already scoring has allthemomentuminthisgroup, and onewinforacting. ButChloéZhao has three previous Globesnominations a stageplaythatsoarsonscreen. King “One Night inMiami,” anadaptationof King, wowed fallfestival audienceswith theatrical feature filmrookie, Regina exec produced inSeason3. Another “Killing Eve,” forwhichshewrote and tricky tone, andcarriesthesameDNA as Gambit,” forwhichsheisalsonommed, her star-making turn in “TheQueen’s a revelation tomany thisyear, more for comedy equal.Anya Taylor-Joy was also that sheiseasilySacha Baron Cohen’s seemingly cameoutofno in thepic—Bulgarian actorwho Subsequent Moviefilm” isarevelation Frontrunner Maria Bakalova of“Borat or Comedy Picture –Musical Actress inaMotion first Globesnomination. film comesoutonHulu. ThisisDay’s here althoughthatwillchangeoncethe istheleast-knownHoliday” quantity Holiday in“TheUnited States vs. Billie for “An Education.” Andra Day’s Billie ors. Mulligan was nominatedin2010 turn putherintheleadforactinghon- Mulligan’s edgy, gutsyandempathetic Young Woman” hitscreens, Carey debut lastfall.Assoonas“Promising has alsobeenlaudedsincethefilm’s whose performancein“Nomadland” Globes magnetisFrances McDormand, may want toreward herhere. Another prize-winning “TheCrown” sovoters Princess Margaret ontwo seasonsofthe never gotaGlobesnomforherturnas into awards consideration. Oddly, she

VARIETY where p ● roved 61 62 ● CONTENDERS ● VARIETY VOTERS’ GUIDE: GOLDEN GLOBES FILM 02.10.2021

7,” he also could win two trophies on Feb. “The Mauritanian,” are also strong con- Coppola’s “On the Rocks.” It’s a funny, 28. James Corden’s Broadway actor who tenders. Young Helena Zengel earned nuanced take on a father-daughter rela- makes amends with his mother in “The plaudits for her searing performance in tionship in which Murray shines. This is Prom” was, surprisingly, the only perf German drama “System Crasher,” and in Jared Leto’s second Globes nomination nominated from the musical as Globes “News of the World,” she’s a great foil for — he won this category in 2014 for “Dallas voters decided to shun Meryl Streep’s Tom Hanks in an almost-mute role. But Buyers Club” — and his nod here for the diva. This is his first Globes nomina- “Mank” scene-stealer Amanda Seyfried recently released “The Little Things” tion. He’ll have a hard time holding off may be the one to beat here, gliding to might be the dark horse of this race. Lin-Manuel Miranda from “Hamilton,” glory on her first Globes nomination. the Broadway to Disney Plus mega-hit. Motion Picture – Dev Patel, who nabbed a supporting Actor in a Foreign Language ‘Mank’ ticks off all the boxes actor nom for “Lion,” proves he’s a Supporting Role The Globes stirred up controversy by since conventional wisdom leading man, and brings the right mix Voters may want to reward Sacha Baron ruling that the U.S. film “Minari” (A24) of naivete and grit as the title charac- Cohen for his charismatic Abbie Hoffman didn’t contain enough English dia- says that awards voters love ter in “The Personal History of David in “The Trial of the Chicago 7”; he’s logue to qualify for the best picture — Copperfield.” Previous Globes winner shown his range since his Ali G days. drama category; nevertheless, Lee Isaac a Hollywood-set story.” — for TV’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” — Andy Speaking of charismatic actors playing Chung’s lovely film about his childhood Samberg, though, could take this cate- counterculture leaders, Daniel Kaluuya’s is a front-runner here. It’s going to have than in this delightful adaptation of gory for his hilarious and heartfelt guy Fred Hampton in “Judas and the Black to contend against Thomas Vinterberg’s “Emma.” Rosamund Pike is riveting in stuck in a time loop in “Palm Springs.” Messiah” is currently electrifying audi- sometimes funny, sometimes melan- the thriller with black comedy elements, ences. This is Kaluuya’s second Globes choly musing on a middle-age crisis “I Care a Lot.” This is her third Globes Actress in a nom after his actor — comedy or musical in “Another Round” (Samuel Goldwyn nomination. The grande dame of the Supporting Role nod for “Get Out.” As Sam Cooke in “One Films). The performance of the leg- field is Michelle Pfeiffer, whose caustic, Glenn Close is the best thing to come out Night in Miami,” Leslie Odom Jr. lays endary Sophia Loren pushes Edoardo commanding and funny performance in of the poorly received “Hillbilly Elegy,” bare the singer’s thoughts and conflicts; Ponti’s “The Life Ahead” (Netflix) into “French Exit” has had awards pundits and she’s been racking up Golden Globes although he’s just as effective as Aaron consideration, while feature debutant buzzing. This is her eighth nom; she has noms since the 1980s. However, awards Burr in “Hamilton,” he’s the big breakout director Filippo Meneghetti’s bitter- one win. The surprise is Kate Hudson in vets Olivia Colman, whose stellar work of “Miami.” Bill Murray won a Globe for sweet lesbian love story “Two of Us” “Music,” a film that’s not been seen by on “The Father” is recognized here, and Sofia Coppola’s “Lost in Translation,” and (Magnolia Pictures) could grab voters many but suffice it to say,. Jodie Foster, riding the rising tide of now he’s back in the race thanks to looking to reward a progressive story starring two veteran actors. The outsider Actor in a Motion — and potential spoiler — might be the Picture – Drama Aaron Sorkin’s political film disguised as a genre movie in “La Llorona” (Shudder), from rising The late Chadwick Boseman electri- “Trial of the fied in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” Chicago 7” world cinema star Jayro Bustamante. grabbed four and surprisingly, this is his first Globes Golden Globes Screenplay nom and looks likely to translate into a nominations, The daring “Promising Young Woman” posthumous win. However, Riz Ahmed’s including one screenplay by Emerald Fennell could powerhouse performance as a musi- for Sacha Baron be the way Globes voters may want cian who loses his hearing in “Sound of Cohen (right). to honor this hard-to-categorize film. Metal” deserves serious consideration. Also making this a tight race are “Mank,” It’s Ahmed’s second Globes nomination. penned by Jack Fincher, director David Globes perennial and previous Cecil B. Fincher’s late father, and Aaron Sorkin’s DeMille Award winner Anthony Hopkins searing script for “The Trial of the portrays a man succumbing to dementia Chicago 7.” Christopher Hampton and in “The Father,” delivering a truthful per- Florian Zeller adapted Zeller’s play formance that never dips into anything about a man succumbing to dementia showy or maudlin. Gary Oldman, in his in “The Father,” with the translation to first Globes nomination, won for portray- the big screen delivering the perspec- ing Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour,” tive in an innovative way. Chloé Zhao and now has a shot at another trophy adapted Jessica Bruder’s nonfiction by portraying Hollywood screenwriter book “Nomadland” and is reaping the Herman Mankiewicz in “Mank.” Globes rewards of her sensitive script. voters may want to reward an actor play- ing a writer. Versatile French star Tahar Motion Picture Rahim sees his first Globes nomination in – Animated “The Mauritanian,” a film that is picking No surprises here as polished studio up traction on the awards trail. fare dominates. The two frontrunners are Disney/Pixar’s “Soul” and Cartoon Actor in a Motion Picture Saloon’s “Wolfwalkers” — both devel- — Musical or Comedy Olivia Colman may oped and brought to the big screen by go home with two Previous winner Sacha Baron Cohen award-winning teams. “The Croods: A trophies on Globes seems to be the frontrunner here for night: one for “The New Age” (Universal Pictures), “Onward” “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” although Father” (right) and (Walt Disney Pictures) and “Over the Globes voters may want to reward him for another for series Moon” (Netflix) — all hits and all wor-

supporting in “The Trial of the Chicago “The Crown.” thy — round out the field. Classics Pictures Sean Gleason/Sony Father: Tavernise/Netflix; Niko the Chicago 7: of Trial 02.10.2021 VARIETY ● 63 Fresh Faces Flood the Small-Screen Ballot

Variety breaks down the 78th annual Golden Globes Award nominations by category ● By Danielle Turchiano

Drama Series likely see him overshadowed a bit by these heavyweights. With both Bateman and Three out of five nominees come from Odenkirk up for the penultimate seasons Netflix this year: “The Crown,” which is of their shows, it could come down to them. seeing its fourth nomination for its fourth season; “Ozark,” which picked up its first- ever series nom for its penultimate sea- Drama Actress son; and newcomer “Ratched.” The other Olivia Colman has won every Golden two series in the running are Disney Plus’ Globe for which she has thus far been “The Mandalorian” and HBO’s “Lovecraft nominated, so her second consecu- Country,” which are new to the Globes. tive nom for “The Crown” makes her Although “The Crown” has real heat the top contender. But that doesn’t for a season that refreshed itself with mean this race should be called just yet. the entrances of Princess Diana (Emma Stacked full of HFPA favorites — Jodie Corrin) and Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Comer, with her second consecutive Anderson), it has been celebrated so many nom for “Killing Eve”; two-time win- times previously (winning in 2017) that ner Laura Linney, earning her first nod focus should be on the freshmen. for “Ozark”; one-time winner Sarah Paulson with her first nom for “Ratched” Musical or Comedy — this category may end up going to the Series truly fresh face: Colman’s “Crown” co-star Emma Corrin, who took the Kaley Cuoco There are no returning nominees in (right) sees her world by storm with her portrayal of this race and even more notably all but first-ever one (Pop TV’s “Schitt’s Creek,” which Princess Diana. HFPA attention cleaned up at the Emmys in September) with a nom in are being celebrated for their first seasons. Musical or Comedy Actor the TV musical or The new kids on the comedy block are Not since Alec Baldwin a decade ago has comedy actress race, while Netflix’s “Emily in Paris,” HBO Max’s the HFPA awarded this trophy twice “Lovecraft “The Flight Attendant,” Hulu’s “The consecutively to the same person, so Country” (below) Great” and Apple TV Plus’ “Ted Lasso.” although Ramy Youssef (“Ramy”) made is a standout The power of “Schitt’s” couldn’t be denied history in 2020 by winning, that likely in the drama but here, too, the HFPA will likely want to hurts his chances this year. For similar series race. award something for the first time: “Ted Lasso,” which has had everyone talking for months, seems to be the one to beat. Limited Series/TV Movie This is one category where, histori- cally, the HFPA hasn’t seemed to mind following the TV Academy’s lead with nominees as well as winners. Yet, while two nominees (Hulu’s “Normal People” and Netflix’s “Unorthodox”) already had their turn at Emmys, only “Unorthodox” was nommed and it didn’t win, so no matter who is awarded here it will be for the first time. Still, the edge goes to the true newcomers (Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit,” Amazon Prime Video’s “Small Axe” and HBO’s “The Undoing”). The fact of “Small Axe” being a collection of standout films could push it to the top, but don’t count out the star power of the Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant- led “Undoing.” Drama Actor Veterans dominate this category, with Jason Bateman seeing his third nomina- tion for “Ozark,” Bob Odenkirk picking up his fourth for “Better Call Saul,” 2001 Cecil B. DeMille recipient Al Pacino collecting his first for “Hunters” and Matthew Rhys getting a career third but first for “Perry Mason.” “The Crown’s” Josh O’Connor

Flight Attendant: Colin Hutton/HBOMax; Lovecraft Country: Eli Joshua Ade/HBO Lovecraft Flight Colin Hutton/HBOMax; Attendant: is the only first-timer here and that will 64 ● CONTENDERS ● VARIETY VOTERS’ GUIDE: GOLDEN GLOBES TV 02.10.2021

reasons (he has won in this category before), “Black Monday’s” Don Cheadle Daniel Levy scored seems like a longer shot to win. This leaves a supporting three first-time nominees to duke it out: actor nom and a series nom for “The Great’s” Nicholas Hoult, “Schitt’s the final season of Creek’s” Eugene Levy and “Ted Lasso’s” “Schitt’s Creek.” Jason Sudeikis. Overall, it may be hard to deny the power of “Ted Lasso,” also a frontrunner in the comedy series race, which will likely push Sudeikis forward. Musical or Comedy Actress Typically this award goes to an up-and- comer who has taken the HFPA by storm, which this year would point to Elle Fanning (“The Great”) or Jane Levy (“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist”). But, although Kaley Cuoco (“The Flight Attendant”) and Catherine O’Hara (“Schitt’s Creek”) have been turning heads and earning laughs for years, neither has ever been nominated at the Globes before, making these noms feel long overdue. (Surprisingly, the only Globes vet in this race is “Emily in Paris’s” Lily Collins, who earned a film nomination in 2017.) If the HFPA tries to split the dif- ference, this one will go to Cuoco. Limited Series/ TV Movie Actor Coming off his Emmy win for playing twins in “I Know This Much Is True,” Supporting Actor Mark Ruffalo should seem like the one Two-time Globe winner Donald to beat, but all the other men in the race Sutherland is back in the conversation are rookie nominees in their new roles, with “The Undoing,” while one-time win- and that timeliness cannot hurt. Bryan ner Jim Parsons was a surprise addition Cranston once again proved why he’s so to this ballot for “Hollywood.” Joining good at breaking bad in “Your Honor,” them are first-timers John Boyega (“Small while Hugh Grant took his darkest-ever Axe”), Brendan Gleeson (“The Comey turn in “The Undoing.” Jeff Daniels and Rule”) and Daniel Levy (“Schitt’s Creek”). Ethan Hawke both portrayed real-life Boyega and Gleeson each only performed figures during extremely tumultuous in what was essentially one episode of a times in history in “The Comey Rule” multi-part piece, which could see them and “The Good Lord Bird,” respectively. overshadowed. If that is the case, the fact It’s a category of riches that is too close that Levy is the lone comedy actor here to call just yet. could make him stand out. Limited Series/ Supporting Actress TV Movie Actress This category is a mix of long-time HFPA The five women nominated in this cate- favorites such as Gillian Anderson (“The gory all delivered incredibly emotional Crown”), Helena Bonham Carter (“The and nuanced work, from Cate Blanchett Crown”) and Cynthia Nixon (“Ratched”), as the real-life Phyllis Schlafly in “Mrs. and first-time nominees (“Ozark’s” Julia America” to Daisy Edgar-Jones breathing Garner and “Schitt’s Creek’s” Annie life into a literary character in “Normal Murphy). Murphy seems at a disadvantage People” and Shira Haas fleeing oppres- simply because she is the only comedy per- sion in “Unorthodox.” The extra visibility former in the race, while Garner is hot off of also being nominated on the film side two consecutive Emmy wins, which may of the ballot for “Emma” may give “The make the HFPA look to someone whom Queen’s Gambit’s” Anya Taylor-Joy a that org has yet to champion. Anderson bump, but after being nominated for five Nicole Kidman is seems the shoo-in here, as the perfect consecutive years in different categories, back in the Globes combination of all of the above, plus the “The Undoing’s” Nicole Kidman seems conversation sheer full-body transformation she made

on-track to pick up a career fifth Globe. with “The Undoing.” to portray Margaret Thatcher. Tavernise/HBO Undoing: Niko PopTV; Schitt’s Creek: 02.10.2021 VARIETY ● 65 Unprecedented Year Brings Unpredictable Nominations

From fewer series to tighter ensembles, Variety highlights trends at the SAG Awards ● By Jenelle Riley and Danielle Turchiano

uild awards season is officially underway. The 27th annual SAG Awards nominations are proving to still be a good indicator of how things may shake out Gat the upcoming Academy Awards. In many ways, the same can be said for the television series and talent that broke onto this ballot after having its first go at awards this winter season, too. Ahead of the ceremony on April 4, Variety breaks down some of the bigger categories, as well as trends and unique tidbits about this year’s nominee pool. Ensembles by the Numbers With both “Da 5 Bloods” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7” landing on the ballot for ensemble, there is almost a titular digit trend in the race. But what’s also notable about these film nominees is how compact the casts are. “One Night in Miami” is essentially four actors in a hotel room for a large part of the film’s running time, “Minari” focuses primarily on one family in Arkansas and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is a group of musicians in a sweltering recording studio. In the past, sprawling casts Chadwick Boseman have sometimes been seen as having (right) earned four an advantage, but this year proves that noms including two when perfectly put together, the size of for “Ma Rainey’s the ensemble is irrelevant. Black Bottom,” while “Schitt’s Creek” Few Series Make the Cut earned noms in every If the individual acting categories on TV comedy category. the small screen side of the ballot are any indication, this year SAG voters only seemed to watch a handful of shows. Most obviously among them were Netflix’s “The Crown,” “Ozark” and “Dead to Me,” as well as Pop TV’s “Schitt’s Creek.” “The Crown” not only snatched up its fourth drama series ensemble nom and a male drama actor nom for Josh O’Connor, but it also dominated the female drama actor category, with Olivia Colman, Emma Corrin and Gillian Anderson taking three of the five slots. The other two noms in that category went to “Ozark’s” Laura Linney and Julia Garner. “Ozark” also picked up a drama series ensemble nom and a male drama actor nom, for Jason Bateman. Meanwhile, “Dead to Me” picked up a comedy series ensem- ble nom and two female comedy actor noms, for Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini. “Schitt’s Creek” pulled in a comedy series ensemble nom, two more female comedy actor noms (for Catherine O’Hara and Annie Murphy) and two male comedy actor noms (for

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Taking the Lead The male actor in a leading film role race features one previous SAG Award winner in this category — Gary Oldman (“Mank”) won for “Darkest Hour” in 2018 — and three first-time nominees to the category: Steven Yeun (“Minari”) lands his first SAG nom, while Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”) was nominated for the limited series “The Night Of” and the late Chadwick Boseman (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) already won for the “Black Panther” ensemble. As for the fifth nominee, it’s hard to believe, but Anthony Hopkins (“The Father”) has never won a SAG Award, despite six previous nominations. In case you’re won- dering, the awards didn’t exist the year he won the Oscar for “Silence of the Lambs.” Always Some Surprises The female actor in a leading film role category mostly went as expected, with Viola Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”), Vanessa Kirby (“Pieces of a Woman”), Frances McDormand (“Nomadland”) and Carey Mulligan (“Promising Young Woman”) all landing nominations. The fifth slot, which could Gillian Anderson’s (left) portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in “The Crown” has earned her two SAG noms; “One Night in Miami” scored in film ensemble. have gone in several directions includ- ing Zendaya (“Malcolm & Marie”), 28, 2021, to be included. This was good remaining three nominees are all are the sole nominees from their Michelle Pfeiffer (“French Exit”) or news for “Cobra Kai,” which dropped its making their American film debuts: ensembles. Sacha Baron Cohen (“The Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie third season on Jan. 1. “The Karate Kid” Maria Bakalova (“Borat Subsequent Trial of the Chicago 7”), Boseman (“Da Holiday”), instead went to Amy Adams franchise continuation project now has Moviefilm”) and Helena Zengel (“News 5 Bloods”) and Leslie Odom Jr. (“One of “Hillbilly Elegy,” marking her 10th its first-ever stunt ensemble nomina- of the World”) have credits in Bulgaria Night in Miami”) were individually SAG Award nomination. tion. The third season was also the first and Germany, respectively, but launched nominated here and also received nods for it as a Netflix original, after YouTube their Hollywood careers with showy for their work in ensembles. (Boseman Benefitting From Premiere got out of the scripted game. roles opposite big stars. (They were also has two more noms for ensemble Eligibility Extension also both named to Variety’s 10 Actors and his lead turn in “Ma Rainey’s Black Normally a calendar year denotes the Big Breakouts to Watch for 2020.) And “Minari” actor Bottom.”) Daniel Kaluuya was singled SAG Awards’ in-contention ability, but in Supporting Youn Yuh Jung, often considered the out of the wonderful “Judas and the because the ongoing pandemic has The female supporting actor category Meryl Streep of South Korea, makes her Black Messiah” cast, while Jared Leto caused so many production pauses is notable for two reasons: first, it’s American movie debut at the age of 73. is the sole nominee from “The Little and theater closures, the window was another showdown between Glenn Things,” in which he co-starred with widened to allow projects that were Close (“Hillbilly Elegy”) and Olivia Category Confusion? fellow Oscar winners Rami Malek and released between Jan. 1, 2020, and Feb. Colman (“The Father”). But also, the Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” Denzel Washington. already snatched up a slew of Tonys, but now that a filmed version of Back in the Race the stage play has been released on Shondaland is known for producing streaming it is going for more glory. sprawling ensemble dramas, but before It entered into the film races at the “Bridgerton” broke onto the ballot this Golden Globes (and picked up two year, the last time one of shingle’s shows noms there, for musical or comedy was nominated in the SAG drama film, and for Miranda in that same cat- series ensemble race was in 2008 egory’s lead actor race), but for SAG (“Grey’s Anatomy”). “Bridgerton,” it went the small-screen route. This Shondaland’s first scripted show for resulted in only one nomination from Netflix, is an adaptation of the first SAG voters — for Daveed Diggs in the book in Julia Quinn’s Regency era male limited series/TV movie actor set novel series and features not only category. Following SAG, “Hamilton” a big cast of various members of the will continue to compete on television titular family, as well as their friends The third season awards ballots, eventually becoming an in the Featherington family and var- of “Cobra Kai,” Emmy, not an Oscar, hopeful. ious potential romantic matches and now a Netflix political foes and allies, but also a original, picked up its first Ensemble Standouts global cast. Regé-Jean Page also earned stunt ensemble in Supporting an individual male drama actor nom

nom this year. All the supporting male actor nominees this year. Kai: Curtis Bonds Baker/Netflix Sophie Mutevelian/Netflix; One Night in Miami: Amazon Studios; Cobra Crown: 02.10.2021 VARIETY ● 67

Underdogs Can Still Be Winners

Eight Films That Deserve Voters’ Love

By Tim Gray

Another Round the radar of many voters. But it’s got a Samberg deadpans, “It’s one of those Mads Mikkelsen stars in the Danish great script and great acting: Variety’s “Another Round” infinite time loops you might have film, directed and co-written by Thomas Peter Debruge said the film is “more is deserving of heard about,” it’s clear that that the Vinterberg, as a teacher who experiments deeply felt than your typical American a look beyond the characters have seen “Groundhog with raising his alcohol level. Mikkelsen debut” and that Lance Henriksen “gives international Day” and “Edge of Tomorrow” and offers key criteria for an Oscar nominee: the performance of his life.” See it. film category. that they will be taking the time-warp His work is always surprising; you can’t idea into places we’ haven’t seen. imagine any other actor playing the part; Let Them All Talk In addition, the film embodies our and he has several outstanding scenes, Steven Soderbergh continues to push the COVID year when one character says, including a finale that is one of the year’s boundaries of filmmaking, and creates “My sense of time is a little fuzzy.” greatest. On Jan. 16, Guillermo del Toro fascinating movies in the process. His tweeted “The final scene (incredibly direction, cinematography and editing The Personal History of skilled and beautiful) had me standing are first-rate. Also FYC: Candice Bergen David Copperfield up, clapping.” I agree. as supporting actress. You may think you’ve seen this GRAY’S GOLD Dickens tale a million times but Borat Subsequent The Little Things director/co-writer Armando Iannucci Things always gets intense in awards sea- Moviefilm John Lee Hancock’s script is great makes the story seem like something son, and voters may feel overwhelmed by When Amazon debuted Sacha Baron because it’s so subtle in the ways it defies new and exciting. The film is con- the huge numbers of contenders (stream- Cohen’s “Borat” sequel in October, those audience expectations: Hancock uses the sistently entertaining, exhibiting ing and sometimes in theaters) that are right-wing buffoons seemed easy targets cop/thriller genre well and offers a hard- Iannucci’s “Veep” sensibility yet hoping for some love. for mockery. However, the D.C. events to-predict third act. In addition, actors maintaining more fidelity to Dickens This year, as always, several films are of Jan. 6 showed that buffoons can be including Jared Leto are very strong, and than most adaptations. getting the bulk of attention, while other lethal. That sobering reminder could Hancock’s BTL peeps (composer Thomas movies may need a little extra love. So give “Borat” enough urgency to land a Newman, DP John Schwartzman, edi- Supernova we are offering some gentle reminders to best-picture Oscar nomination. tor Robert Frazen, production designer The film features two actors at the top voters. You can call them underdogs. Or Michael Corenblith) do stellar work. of their game, Colin Firth and Stanley simply call them deserving of attention. Falling Tucci. With a script by director Harry In alphabetical order: The film, marking the writing-directing Palm Springs Macqueen, this is the very definition debut of Viggo Mortensen, has begun Andy Siara’s screenplay juggles sci- of a “little film,” and it’s a reminder

Henrik Ohsten/Samuel Goldwyn Films Henrik Ohsten/Samuel screening late in the season, so it’s below ence, comedy and heart. When Andy that little films pack a wallop.

002.10.20212.10 .20 21 VARIETYV ARIETY ● 69 FOCUS F From Crisis to Opportunity OCU

Dramatically opening up programming for its virtual 27th edition,

Slamdance hopes to bring independent film to a wider audience ● By Andrew Barker S nt e inm a rt

e Artist portrait “Kenny Scharf: h Ent When Worlds c Collide” will play nwi in Slamdance’s ee r

Greenwich Entertainment Greenwich G Spotlight section. M able togoPark Cityandexperience you’re inaprivilegedsituationifyou’re at filmfestivals, you lookatPark City— very exclusive,” Baxter says. “You look inclusive, butinalotofways it’s been policy oughttowork bothways. tunity toconsiderhow itsopen-door ongoing pandemicprovided anoppor- Peterco-founder Baxter, however, the atrical environment. have theirfilmsshown inaproper the- out muchintheway ofresources to talists andenterprisingdirectors with- themselves: first-timers, experimen- largely pertainedtothefilmmakers back in1995, thatsenseofinclusion freewheeling alternative toSundance tival, whichwas foundedasamore 70 “Independent filmshouldbeseenas For Slamdance’s president and ● FOCUS ● of thePark Cityfes- sion. Inthecase eye toward inclu- was startedwith an festival, Slamdance any existing film ore thanjustabout SLAMDANCE FILMFESTIVAL an acceleration ofwhatwas already but independentfilmitself. of thefestival modelthatdependsonit, sides. For him,it’s notjustthesurvival continue even oncethepandemicsub- connections toattendin-personwill who have neithertheresources northe ing engagementwithindiecinephiles Baxter hopesthatthisfocusonnurtur- extraordinary measures necessary, but to stageanin-personfestival hasmade have topayatall. registered before theendof2020didn’t $350 all-accesspass—andanyone who $10 —penniescompared toSundance’s every film,paneland Q&Arunsatamere as possible:anall-festival passtostream make itsfilmslateaswidelyavailable 12-25, Slamdancehasendeavored to be madetomore inclusive.” environment. Andwe feelthatitshould and family—that’s avery privileged accommodations, timeaway from work Sundance andSlamdance. Thetravel, “What thislast year showed uswas Obviously, thetemporary inability For its27thedition,whichrunsFeb. closing film. Slamdance’s will serve as Auditorium Story” The Olympic “18th & Grand: Stephen DeBro’s ‘‘ Slamdance, becausewe really want to emerge. Andthat’s an opportunityfor there isanewmodelthatgoingto think we’re atapointrightnow where falling away, decaying,” hesays. “And I try: thatanoldmodelwas fallingapart, happening intheentertainmentindus- --Peter Baxter City andexperience Sundance andSlamdance.” in aprivilegedsituation if you’re able to go to Park in alot of ways it’s been very exclusive. ... You’re Independent film shouldbeseenasinclusive, but wider newaudiencethathasnever make independentfilmavailable toa experienced …notjustouremerging a filmfestival. of itsonlineaudiencehadever beento week year-round, foundthatonly20% nel, whichprograms shortfilmsoncea survey onSlamdance’s YouTube chan- talent, butindependentfilm,period.” To underline, Baxter notesthata “That really opened oureyes,” hesays. 02.10.2021

Slamdance SlamdanceSlamdance (2)(2) 02.10.2021 Thriller “A Brixton Tale” will premiere inSlamdance’s narrative competition program. activism, “A Tiny RippleofHope”; doc portrait ofChicagocommunity “Taipei Jason SuicideStory”; Polevoi’s DJ-filmmaker narrative feature Keff’s social-media thriller“A BrixtonTale”; Carey andBertrand Desrochers’ Women ofStanding Rock”; Darragh docu“EndoftheLine:TheKring’s about thefamedgraffiti artist;Shannon Scharf: WhenWorlds Collide,” adoc Malia ScharfandMax Bausch’s “Kenny ue-turned-Korean megachurch. wrestling landmark/punkconcertven- fight palace/Bukowski haunt/pro delves intothehistoryofL.A.’s famed Olympic Auditorium Story,” which documentary “18thandGrand: The Closing thefestisStephen DeBro’s within aspeculative fictionpremise. of immigration andhumansmuggling er-director SimonLavoie, tacklesissues (“Nulle Trace”), from Canadianwrit- of subjects. umentaries aboutthemostunexpected films, idiosyncratic indiefare anddoc- from experimental projects togenre tidily sumup, encompassingeverything program reveals a slate that’s difficultto as usual,aglancethrough thefestival’s edly from last year’s haulof109. And feature-lengths andshorts),upmark- lineups, scheduling132films(including tival programming forslimmed-down the prevailing fes- trend inCOVID-era in Joshua Tree. drive-in openingnightgalascreening women migrant workers inHong Kong. an improv workshop withIndonesian whose scriptwas developed through and AlbertoGerosa’s “Dea,” afeature cumstances permitting),aswell asa cir-Southern California(pandemic ning drive-in screenings throughout ing options, thefestival isalsoplan- edition, Slamdancehasbucked Other programming ofnoteincludes Opening nightfilm“No Trace” As forthecontentsofthisyear’s In additiontothedigitalview- opening night. screening on will get a Simon Lavoie, Trace), from director “No Trace”(Nulle drive-in an artist-driven network.an artist-driven Sowe thought, because here’s afilmmaker, andwe’re this letter, we saw anopportunity, with disabilities. Andsowhenwe got putting onapanelaboutcreatives “She wanted Slamdancetojoinherin sickle cell,” Baxter saysofUnstoppable. Juliet Romeo, afilmmaker whohas abled community. on theconcernsofmembersdis- are eitherdirected by, starorfocus the sectionwillspotlight22 shortsthat ginalized groups. DubbedUnstoppable, most consistentlyignored andmar- on empowering oneoffilmmaking’s a uniquenewsectionthisyear, focused the bulkofSlamdance’s slate, features “It really startedwithaletterfrom The shortsprogram, whichmakes up up by Ava DuVernay’s Array foraNetflix Slamdance premiere “Residue,” picked recent successstories include last year’s whom gottheirstarts atthefest —more Lena DunhamandSeanBaker —allof Christopher Nolan, theRusso brothers, discovery. Inadditiontothelikes of val canboastquiteatrack record for less thanamilliondollars—thefesti- director’s firstfeature andbemadefor tion slots, Slamdancefilmsmustbea — inorder toqualifyforitscompeti- lack ofstarpower ornamedirectors ing talent.Consideringtheintentional part tospread theword about emerg- buyers andexecs whocandotheirown of gettingSlamdance’s filmsinfront the want tocelebrate.” unique stories. That’s always whatwe ery ofnewstorytellers andtheirown, Slamdance isreally allabout,thediscov- we haven’t seenbefore. That’s what see, andtosupportstorytellingthat see storiesthatwe otherwisewouldn’t But anotheropportunityhere isjustto movie industry, we allunderstandthat. tion ofcreators withdisabilitiesinthe types offilmstoencourage,” Baxter says. thought couldbetterunderstandwhat who, through lived experience, we only have adisabilitythemselves, but have ateamofprogrammers whonot Gabriel Cordell tobuildthenewsection. and “Roll With Me” producer-subject Chris Furbee, actorSteve Way “Ramy” ing “Huntington’s Dance” director festival alumniwith disabilitiesinclud- programmer, aswell asreached outto whole program.” let’s domore thanthat,let’s start a “There’s clearunder-representa- “That was very importanttous Of course, there’s always thematter Baxter asked Romeo tocomeonasa our future.” wanted tostepupthat challenge, for how we seeindependentfilm.We really part, butsohasthedesire toreevaluate been abletodo. Fortune hasplayed its what you do?Andthat’s what we’ve why wouldn’t you press firmeronwith community offilmmakers behindyou, says. “If you have your health,anda be summedupas, ‘Get onwithit,’” he a senseofoptimism. out from thepandemic,Baxter retains of beingsqueezedby theeconomicfall- filmmaking thatisinparticulardanger less onewhosefocusisasegmentof staging avirtualfestival mightbe, much cifically insupportofourfilmmakers.” we’re keeping intouchwiththemspe- signed upandare passholders, and members anddistributors whohave we’re created adirectory ofindustry “And from theindustry pointofview, preview itsprogram weeks inadvance. festival setupforpress andindustryto says, pointingtothe press portalthatthe previous years. gets thesameindustry attentionasin make sure thatitsclassofnewcomers the festival willhave itswork cutoutto City aconcentrated incubatorfordeals, Slamdance andSundancemakingPark for thefest:withoutconcurrence of 2021 doespresent anunusualchallenge awards a$25,000 filmmaker grant. But affiliated ABGO fellowship, which screenplay contest,aswell astheRusso- from thefest’s screenplay competition. from screenwriter Tyler Tice’s prize tion Jaime Foxx-starrer whichsprang release, and“Day Shift,” thein-produc- “[My philosophy] thisyear couldjust “We have thought aboutthat,” Baxter This year willsee the return ofthe But whatever theobvious hurdles of VARIETY ● 71

ParamountParamount PicturesPictures 02.10.2021 A ‘Love’ That Lasts Why am I crying?’ ”sherecalls.Why amIcrying?’ “So, I pretty sophisticated.Ithought,‘Why? dio. AndIread it,andIcried—I’m MacGraw intoaweepy mess. rassment whatsoever.” tears maybeshedwithoutany embar- Murphy called“a storysotouchingthat lasting impactofafilm Hollywood Walk ofFame, atributetothe they willreceive adjacentstarsonthe “Lovetwo-hander Letters.” OnFeb. 12, Gurney’s classic 2015 toperformA.R. are stillclosefriends;theyreunited in superstardom stratosphere. Oliver Barrett IV, respectively, intothe Segal, tointernationalliterary fame. finances andpropelled itswriter, Erich musical score), rescued Paramount’s nations (nettingawinforFrancis Lai’s global-wide phenomenon. Arthur Hiller’s “Love Story,” becamea drama containingsaidcatchphrase, was doing,” shesaysnow —thetearjerker no actingtraining, Ihadnoideawhat sentiment, oreven herdelivery —“Ihad at thetime, didn’t exactly agree withits the world. having tosayyou’re sorry.” blubbering theline, “Love meansnever I snow off my face.” O’Neal --Ryan wrestling. And shelicked the I hadsnow allover me. We were There was amoment in which Ali MacGrawandRyanO’NealreflectontheirexperiencesinoneofHollywood’smostromanticmovies Cavalieri and“All Ivy Harvard jock” ceited Radcliffebitch”Jennifer MacGraw andRyan O’Neal, as“con- rocketedStory” itstwo young leads,

Even reading thescriptturned Fifty years later, MacGraw andO’Neal Perhaps mostsignificantly, “Love The filmearnedseven Oscarnomi- While MacGraw, around 30years old It was thenon-apologyheard ’round “I was sentthisscriptby anotherstu- sobbing andshivering and duplex indeepwinter, steps ofaCambridge, Mass., Columbus,” satonthefront debut role in“Goodbye, turned-actress fresh offher relatively unknown model- n 1970, AliMacGraw, thena Variety ’s criticArt Walk of Fame. the Hollywood adjacent stars on will receive and Ryan O’Neal Ali MacGraw “Love Story” stars band andheadofproduction at we dothisatParamount?’ ” I know Iowe Paramount apicture. Can one ofthegreat agents. AndIsaid,‘Marty, And Icalledmy agentMarty Davidson, read itagain.AndIstill was very moved. ABC’s primetimesoap“Peyton Place.” of O’Neal, whoforfive seasonstoplined notes MacGraw ofherfirstimpression he was abig, gigantictelevisionstar,” just worked well together." it just never waned,” says O’Neal. “We they weren’t actuallyinlove. electric andreal, it’s hard to imagine mates, arelationship sopalpable and and O’Neal’s pairingasstar-crossed soul- old-fashioned love story.” some counterprogramming withagood recalls thinking, “It would befuntodo hadjust comeoutin1969,Cowboy” Bart and“Midnight including “EasyRider” greenlit thefilm.Sincegrittyfilms with tion atParamount atthetimeandnow Paramount, saidyes totheproject. Robert Evans, MacGraw’s then-hus- “He knewwhathewas doing. Imean, There was alsothematterofMacGraw Peter Bart, whowas VPofproduc- “We hadsomekindofchemistry, and Variety sister publicationDeadline, star, O’Neal spentthree weeks learning the partofOliver, aHarvard hockey beaches ofMalibu. (Inorder toland a Californiakidwhogrew uponthe and Cornellwas anovelty forO’Neal, seesaw between thesetwo extremes.” our country,” says MacGraw. “It was a the Vietnam War andtheracial crisisin the two terribledarkspots, whichwere ness ofthe’60s, withtheawareness of a wholelotoffreedom andthesweet- an interesting timebecausethere was ipice of1970. its two principalsettings, ontheprec- a nostalgic odetoBoston andNew York, that isvery muchofitstime. It remains marries girl,girldies—it’s alsoamovie indeed just that—boy meetsgirl,boy happy together.” we liked eachother. We were allso He’s very bright.Sorightoffthebat, somebody who’s areally goodactor. hadn’t seenit,” sheadds. “But he’s also snow-pounded campusesofHarvard friend atHarvard,” shootingonthe Wellesley Collegeand“hadaboy- While MacGraw graduated from “We shotthefilmin1969, andthatwas wasBut asmuch“Love Story” “I didn’t watch alotoftelevision,soI WALK OFFAME HONOR so funny.” is aman’s name. Ithoughtthatwas country, Iforget which one, where Ali said, ‘You’re AliMacGraw!’ you are.’ AndIsaid,‘WhoamI?’he ‘Yeah, Isaw you.’ He said,‘Iknow who said, ‘I’ve beenfollowing you.’ Isaid, finally Istopped.Andhewalked upand says. “And thisguywas following me. So Avenue inNew York lateatnight,” he one particularincident. paparazzi, O’Neal reflects fondlyupon both starswere trailed constantlyby has dimmedsincethoseearlydayswhen And shelicked thesnow off my face.” had snow allover me. We were wrestling. do that.’ There was amomentinwhichI and madewings:‘Igetit.Ican And thenAliswungherarmsaround a snow angel.’ Ithought,‘what’s that?’ England powder. “[Hiller]said,‘make of young love, roll around inapileofNew which heandMacGraw, inthethroes a doubleontheice.) how toskate, buttherole stillrequired says O’Neal ofthefamousscenein “Turns out,the guywas from a “I was walking alongMadison While collective fervor forthefilm “I hadn’t even seensnow before,” ●

By Malina Saval ● VARIETY ● 73

02.10.2021 VARIETY ● 75 ARTISANS

Director says his crew on Paul Greengrass the Reconstruction-era Western ‘News of the World’ and His ‘World’ Class was ‘fearless’ Collaborators

The “News of the World” sets occupied by Tom Hanks’ Captain Kidd and Helena Zengel’s Johanna (center) often served dual functions. By Tim Gray

Awards season contender “News of the World” is a departure for director Paul Greengrass after such high-adrenaline contempo movies as his Jason Bourne trio and “22 July.” He reunites with “Captain Phillips” star Tom Hanks in Universal’s Western about Captain Kidd, a man delivering the news to towns in Texas, accompanied by the orphan Johanna. Greengrass and his behind-the-camera team “shared the goal to honor the Western tradition and to remain true to 1870, but also make the film feel contemporary and relevant.” He says the biggest thrill was working with “people who are fearless artists

Bruce W. Talamon/Universal Pictures Talamon/Universal Bruce W. performing at a high level.”

Wolski: Bruce W. Talamon/Universal Pictures; Sketches: Mark Bridges/Universal Pictures (2) 02.10.2021 ing, choosingthemoment,judging in shapingthat.It’s allaboutstorytell- cat andmouse. Billywas instrumental shootout intherocks, thenbecomes It starts asachase, thenbecomesa was bothachallengeandgreat fun. Johanna are chasedby three baddies] sequence [whenKiddandyoung but notlosetheintensity. Oneaction “I wanted toslow down thetempo William Goldenberg, I thinkpushedhimtoo.” liant; hepushedmeinagoodway, and candlelit interiors. Dariusz issobril- expanse ofthelandandshadowy, a lot.Iwanted tojuxtaposethehuge talked aboutatmosphere and mood at how quicklywe slippedintoit.We language thatdoesthis?Iwas amazed authentic tome. Canwe findavisual do somethingdifferent butthat still felt new ground forme:Thetrickwas to my wanting tomake afilmbreaking beginning ofourconversation was about “He’s agreat guyandgreat artist. The Dariusz Wolski, — Paul Greengrass the landand the shadowy, candlelit interiors.” of wantedexpanse I huge to juxtapose the It’s sosubtleand dignified.” he deliveredthatmagnificent score. James workedand reworkedituntil face towiththeKiowatribe. Dallas wasone,anothercoming ing thosemoments—ontheroadto and transportyou.Itwasaboutchoos- it’s amovie,gottopickyouup have toenterthe“cinematicspace”; there aremusicalmomentswhenyou ney towardfindingharmonyagain.Yet Reconstruction. Theirmusicisajour- ies havebeenbrokenandre-formedin Civil War;theirinstrumentsandbod- of playerswho’vebeenthroughthe My ideawasthatthisisaconcert macy andsparenessofthescore. “The interestingthingwastheinti- composer James NewtonHoward, going forisinfactwhatyou’ve got.” not afraid toquestion ifwhatyou were deliver whatyou’re goingfor, but he’s is interrogate therushesandseekto does whataneditorshoulddo, which site, theway heassembledthatfilm.He hold itback.Billy’s pacingissoexqui- tempo — whentoletitgoor cinematographer editor language” for thefilm. develop a“visual Dariusz Wolski helped Cinematographer wear looklivedin. and Johanna’stravel Kidd’s reading suit Mark Bridgesmade Costume designer recycled thingsindifferent ways; he’d a ranch inNew Mexico andcycled and dollar onthescreen. We hadtherunof have hugeresources, andheputevery “Fantastic, absolutelybrilliant.We didn’t production designer David Crank, “He’s extraordinarilytalented.The Mark Bridges, completely different space.” the area, anditwas transformed intoa else, David would goinandrepurpose then whenwe were filmingsomething in aclever way. We’d shootaninterior, angles. We alsorecycled theinteriors other; it’s alittlebitmatterofchoosing graphed thebuildingsoneway, thenthe details were immaculate. We photo- even detailsinside a building. Andhis give usfacadesofbuildings, extensions, costume designer utterly livedin.Thatistheartistryofcos- he did.Alltheclothesfeelutterlytrue, to getKidd’sreadingsuitperfectly,and wasn’t aflashyentertainer.Markhad who wandersfromtowntotown;he me tothestory.He’salonelynewsreader character ofKidd—that’swhatattracted Filmmaking isabouttherightdetails.” then addorsubtractasmalldetail. “I’m notsureaboutthat,”andhewould at hisclothes,hewouldsometimessay, When youseeMarkonthesetlooking happiness intheclothes,butverysubtle. entirely organicways;thereisasortof Kidd andthelittlegirlatend,in way thatMarkchangedtheclothesfor end, whowereperfectlydressed.The right downtotheauntanduncleat acters’ storiesandmadesubtlechoices, character. Markculledallthosechar- tume design,totellthestoriesofeach VARIETY ● 77

WandaVision: Disney+; Minari: Melissa Lukenbaugh/A24 02.10.2021 yJnBrigm ByTimGray By JonBurlingame Musical Magic Creating Marvelous ‘WandaVision’: Show” or“Bewitched”“TheBradyShow” com songs, echoing“TheDickVan Dyke that harksbacktoanearlierera ofsit- complex andsinisterthanitappears. that isquicklyrevealing itselftobemore into anidealizedsuburbanenvironment Olsen) andandroid Vision (Paul Bettany) ping themystical ScarletWitch (Elizabeth the next “DoctorStrange” filmby drop- events ofMarvel’s “Avengers” movies with halfway through itsrun,bridgesthe penned 30, 40oreven 50years inthepast. songs thatsoundlike theymighthave been you’ve beentreated tolightheartedtheme you’ve beenwatching “WandaVision,” Plus, itwas probably decadesago. Butif and remember? If you don’t have Disney theme you couldhum,singalongwith— When’s thelast timeyou heard aTV and ‘Gilligan’s Island.’” could make itto‘ThePartridge Family’ wouldn’t sendyou back toschoolandyou your fever would holdonsoyour mom Sons’ and‘ThatGirl,’ andyou hoped watching and‘My ‘ILove Lucy’ Three got tostayhomefrom school,you were Anderson-Lopez. “If you were sickand Anderson-Lopez (“Frozen,” “Coco”). songwriters Robert LopezandKristen Bunch,” allcourtesyofOscar-winning “We are thererun generation,” says Most episodesopenwithafuntheme “WandaVision,” series anine-episode hero,” Beckpointsout.“She’s gotalot character. “She isnotatelevisionshow Vienna orchestra, helpdefineWanda’s butions, accomplishedwitha75-piece drama. Hismore symphoniccontri- sitcom musictolarge-scale orchestral which range from echoesofbouncy’60s sion” extends toBeck’s weekly scores, plement ofprofessional sessionsingers. of them,augmentedwithasmallcom- Lake Citytojustgohave asandwich.” the Rockies andthendescendingtoSalt “It was like training fortheOlympicsin was ‘Frozen 2.’” Adds Anderson-Lopez: fun andeasyafterthemammothtaskthat tone,” saysLopez.“It was unbelievably had tohave alittlestructure andseta ing anumberofminute-longsongsthat their years-longworkon“Frozen2.” on theshowmorethanayearago,after score aswell. TheLopezesstartedwork its wayintoChristopheBeck’sdramatic motif runsthroughallofthem,andfinds sequences. It was justheaven.” boot campandwatch azillionopening a chancetogothrough ourown sitcom cess ofmakingtheoldsitcoms. We got they were sotruetotheartandpro- producers: “Theshow was soevocative; her themereflected that.” witch, andIwanted tomake sure that tinue tobeinmovies tocome. She’s a major themeinthisseriesandwillcon- of darknessinher, andherstruggleisa h uia lvreso “WandaVi- The musicalcleverness of It’s theLopezes’vocals we hearonall “This feltlike awalk inthepark,writ- Their four-note“Wan-da-Vizh-un” Notes Lopezof“WandaVision” andits featured in“Minari.” tight interiors getcloseinthe Cho Yeri HanandNoel show’s retro feel. tapped intothe and ElizabethOlsen, starring Paul Bettany for “WandaVision,” The themesongs er-director LeeIsaacChung’ssemi-au- “Minari,” fromPlan BandA24,iswrit- closeup, insertorestablishingshot.When sometimes give mealistofshotstoget— or three days afterI’d shotthem.He would me, soIcouldreview andeditdailiestwo sendingscenesto shooting, hewas inL.A. We hititoff immediately. While we were editor, andI didn’t know whattoexpect. “This was my firsttimeworking withan Harry Yoon, space foranareathatreallyhadnospace.” thing toadddimensionalityandafeelingof including addingafewwindows—any- and differentwaysoflightingtheset, box? Hewassuperatfiguringoutangles many wayscanyoushootinsideasmall “With thehome,questionwas:How Lachlan Milne, they gettherecognitiondeserve.” them. Ithinktheyknowthat,andhope wouldn’t havebeenpossiblewithout his artisanteam,Chungsays,“Thisfilm of homeandthevast,greenarea.Praising challenges wastoconveyboththesense isolated patchofland; on an among others,liveinasmallmobilehome Yeri Han,Yuh-JungYounandNoelCho, The characters,playedbyStevenYeun, family startinganewlifein1980sArkansas. American tobiographical taleofaKorean Appear Simple Makes Complex Work ‘Minari’ Crew editor cinematographer o ne ofthe Yong Lee, Ok runs 1:55.] It was agreat startingpoint.” hone ittoundertwo hours. [Thefinalfilm hours and40minutes, andthegoalwas to wrapped, hehadaneditor’s cut.It was 2 aweek afterproduction I gotbacktoL.A., musician theway hedoesthosesounds.” sounds, andhewould tunethem;he’s a were filmingin.Kent would underlaythose mal sounds, crickets, close totheregion we details like that.He builtalibrary ofani- region, andherecorded them—little I toldhimaboutaspecificfrog from that even asked aboutsoundsIgrew upwith. “Kent was incredible withambiences; he Kent Sparling, within thesoundtrack.” ‘Minari Suite’thatcontainedeverything before westartedproduction.Onewasa tone. Hesentmelikefivesketches Satie, thatromantic,impressionistic films. We alsotalkedaboutRaveland liked theideaofAmericanWestern and Ithinkthatwasliberating.Weboth “I toldhimto Emile Mosseri, things theywould normallyjunk.” from thelate’70stoearly’80s, pulling trailers, andshepicked outallthethings afford. She went toaplacesellingused realistic andwithin whatthisfamilycan what shedid.For thehouse, we wanted it humanly possibleformost peopletodo with thebudgetwe had,itwas not “She onlyhadfourweeks ofprep, and production designer not do somethingKorean, sound designer composer VARIETY ● 79

02.10.2021 VARIETY ● 81

Showing the Power of Words in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ By Jazz Tangcay

When cinematographer Sean Bobbitt (“12 Years a Slave”) was shooting Shaka King’s “Judas and the Black Messiah,” he looked at more than 300 photos from the period and watched documentaries of Black Panther leader Fred Hampton speaking to crowds to see how Hampton was framed. “There were several references that Shaka had shown me, including a doc- umentary with Fred speaking,” Bobbitt says. “It’s a shot from below the eye-line, and Shaka said, that’s where we need to end up.” Bobbitt used Arri Alexa LF large for- mat cameras and the mini LF, not just for the quality, but also the imagery. “The contrast ratio is brilliant,” he says. “It could hold the full gamut of all of the flesh tones that we were dealing with. And it was very important to us that we get accurate flesh tones and that no one was washed out.” Bobbitt paired the Arri Alexas with DNA lenses, which had an anamorphic feel, giving the film its period look and the touch of softness he and King were seeking. Below, the DP breaks down two key scenes from the film and how color and closeups were key to the visual storytelling.

Hampton’s Rally at the Church “Fred has triumphantly returned from prison and gives this speech which is for people, that course is set. embraced that as we were going through room to room to room. It’s edited, not one pivotal to the whole film. We see his “We also had to look at how the scene the locations in Cleveland. It’s this pow- take, but it shows the numerous charac- power as an orator. We see his success Director Shaka opened and never let the audience get erful visual element that runs through the ters in the apartment. It was important as a man capable of building this remark- King confers with ahead of the story, so they have no idea film and pulls it together. It had the odd to show that, since they were indiscrim- DP Sean Bobbitt on able Rainbow Coalition. We also see the the church set what was coming next. We come up the period feel to it. I didn’t want to go against inately shooting through the walls, all in undercurrents that are going on behind of “Judas and the steps behind him, and then reveal the the realistic feeling of the lighting.” the knowledge that Fred was in that far it all. William O’Neal [Lakeith Stanfield] Black Messiah.” scale of the church where Fred makes his room. Everyone else was simply collat- recognizes the conflict building within comeback speech after the alliance had The Assault on eral damage. himself as being an FBI informant. He weakened while he had been in prison. Hampton’s Apartment “The final shot was the close up wants to be a Panther and has immense “We had that enormous scale, but also “This is the culmination of the film. It’s a on Deborah’s face. It was a very diffi- respect for Fred. that incredible personal space – almost distressing misuse of power by the FBI. It cult shot to conceive of because it’s so “At the same time, we’ve got Deborah interior space, that we explored as he’s was important to get the emotion of being important to pay respect to Fred and to [Dominique Fishback], and her grow- laying down his legacy and the commit- asleep and suddenly, you’re being shot at. pay respect to his family and everyone ing horror and realization [of what’s to ment he’s making to his community. “The crucial shot of that whole else is watching. Deborah is still alive, come]. As Fred starts talking about his The church, the Panther HQ and other sequence is a high-angle shot of Fred and she said she didn’t cry, so that was

Glen Wilson/Warner Bros. Glen Wilson/Warner commitment to the people and he’ll die locations were painted green, so we and the other characters that goes from one direction.”

Brooke Palmer/CBS Clarice By DanielD’Addario 02.10.2021 Lucca deOliveira andRebecca Breeds starin“Clarice.” REVIEWS for ClariceStarling, remember thatthe cedural. If this seemslike acomedown as anunusuallywell-made network pro- dynamic of“Silence,” findingitsstride the psychologically richinterpersonal is freed from theexpectation tomatch nobody’s shadow. Theshow sheanchors this Claricedwells indarknessbutis result, over thefirstthree episodes, isthat Starling butnothertormentor. The “Clarice,” islegallyentitledtodepict uation meansthatMGM,whichproduces choice; acomplicatedrights-holdingsit- from theseriesisnotsolelyacreative by removing avariable. Lecter’s absence Jenny Lumet, beginstosolve theproblem utive produced by Alex Kurtzman and Hannibal Lecter? Anthony Hopkins’ genteelandderanged that placedStarling onequalfootingwith when itwas Foster’s gritandquiet rage perhaps unwilling totry. Why bother, in thepart,unabletomake itherown and unbalanced. Julianne Moore drowned the sequel,2001’s “Hannibal,” fatally Foster’s refusal toreprise therole made 1991’s “TheSilenceoftheLambs”that learned toleave ClariceStarling alone. By now, you’d thinkwe would have memorably played by Jodie Foster in Cudlitz, JayneAtkinson, DevynTyler Starring: Feb.(10 episodes;3provided); 11 Drama: TV REVIEW “Clarice,” anewdrama onCBSexec- The doggedFBItrainee was so CBS Rebecca Breeds, Michael VARIETY ● 83 84 ● REVIEWS 02.10.2021

character’s ready to devote herself to whatever mission she’s assigned. Here, Clarice is played by Australian actor Rebecca Breeds, flickering between annoyance and sparking ingenuity. We are a year after the conclusion of the Lecter/Buffalo Bill case: Clarice is noto- rious within and outside the FBI. We’re told she’s subsisting on junk food, and we see her get through mandatory ther- apy sessions with a clenched insistence that she hasn’t changed. Fair enough, but her situation has: She’s forced to Clarice, here, has a genuine leverage her unwilling fame by work- ing with franchise-long antagonist Paul sense of mischief, and it doesn’t Krendler (Michael Cudlitz) on a special feel out of place.” task force. Attorney General Ruth Martin (a typically strong Jayne Atkinson), famil- iar as the mother of Buffalo Bill’s kidnap spoil before serving. But know this much: that she really can handle anything. that follows her in every underlit scene. victim Catherine on film (and played by “Clarice” is much more about the grimly, This is, perhaps, the option best avail- Which is not necessarily a better Diane Baker there), leads them. Martin’s glumly human cases that an FBI agent able for a network-drama restaging of version! This show could certainly be obsessive streak tends to blind the boss might face in a universe somewhat like characters from Thomas Harris’ novels. improved. Consider its sidelining of to certain facts of crime-solving, as well ours than it is about the depredations (The Grand Guignol “Hannibal” that Ardelia, Clarice’s Black roommate and as to the trauma of her unhappy daughter of Lecter-scale monsters. Indeed, that’s aired on NBC feels in every sense like an fellow FBI newbie (played on film by Kasi (Marnee Carpenter). Clarice, on the case the dynamic that plays out through the exception for broadcast, one unlikely to be Lemmons and here by Devyn Tyler). Or not by choice but eager to do a good job series’ early episodes. Dragged against replicated anytime soon.) One imagines its somewhat ham-handed attempts if she must, sees something other than her will into a morass she believed she’d the version of “Clarice” that might have to situate us in time. (The show takes sociopathy at the heart of the crimes the left behind, Clarice finds that Lecter and aired on premium cable, one in which place shortly after the 1993 siege of the team investigates. Bill didn’t just leave her psyche scabbed flashbacks to Buffalo Bill sewing human Branch Davidian compound in Waco, To say more would be to ruin the fun, and her dream life suffused with images flesh are more than seconds long, and in Texas, which it makes clear by restaging and it would violate this of all franchises’ of moths and skin suits: They imbued in which Clarice’s trauma is expressed in an alternate version of Waco and hav- tenets to let a meal as decent as “Clarice” her the belief, seemingly well-earned, fuller form than a sort of ambient dimness ing characters refer to the fictional cult as “another Waco.”) But “Clarice” also avoids past pitfalls. In trying to match the richness and depth of Jonathan Demme’s “Silence of the Lambs,” the franchise has often defaulted to an unpleasant reliance on shock, unconvincingly dressed up in the skin suit of sophistication. (This is par- ticularly on display in the Moore film, in The WGAW wishes to honor the following members which repulsive body horror is treated as a witty form of banter.) Watching Demme’s for their devotion to their craft and contribution to all of our lives. film, our loyalties shift between Foster and They will be missed. Lecter; here, Breeds’ inherent sympathy — the just-trying-to-get-through-the-day spin she places on lines Foster might have JUSTIN B. ANTONOW LINDA HAMNER JANET SAUNDERS RAEIN 8/11/39 11/25/20 spat out — serves a story that needs to 3/24/45 12/7/20 1/7/47 11/5/20 have our hearts with Clarice throughout. DONALD J. HECKMAN MEL BREZ AL RAMRUS Breeds is a great network lead ( an under- 9/19/36 11/18/20 12/18/30 11/14/20 11/19/30 12/27/20 valued skill set) who sells us on Clarice’s ALLISON HOCK anger but shines especially when the char- ALLAN BURNS DICK ROBBINS 5/7/53 12/31/20 acter finds a way not past it, but through 5/18/35 1/30/21 1/30/27 1/7/21 it. Clarice, here, has a genuine sense of JAMES INMAN mischief, and it doesn’t feel out of place. KEVIN J. BURNS BERNARD ROLLINS 3/2/31 1/8/21 All of which serves a show with more 6/18/55 9/27/20 HANS KRACAUER 7/19/33 12/21/20 going on within than one might first sur- JOSEPH P. B YRNE ALEXANDER SINGER mise. Clarice was brought back to life 12/29/33 1/2/21 on-screen for reasons beyond that she’s 3/29/36 12/16/20 RICHARD LINDHEIM 4/18/28 12/18/20 a familiar name, and — gratifyingly, if due KATHERINE COKER 5/28/39 1/18/21 SCOTT MARSHALL SMITH as much to realities of the business as 6/6/28 1/2/21 WILLIAM LINK 8/24/58 12/2/20 to artistic decisions — beyond that she once met a charismatic cannibal. In the DAVID A. DILLEY 12/15/33 12/27/20 STACY TITLE wake of her tangling with him, Clarice is 5/16/64 11/16/20 DIANA MADDOX 2/21/64 1/11/21 at once recovering and becoming some- MERL EDELMAN 4/25/26 11/9/20 JACK TURLEY thing new. She’s coming, further, into her own power. “Clarice” is made with curi- JAN MCCORMICK 5/1/31 11/30/20 7/21/27 1/19/21 osity, confidence and craft, and it comes GERALD GARDNER 6/10/28 11/4/20 MARC WILMORE as a happy surprise to realize that it cares 7/22/29 10/11/20 JAMES H. OGG 5/4/63 1/30/21 more about its protagonist’s mind than anyone else’s insides. DAVID GILER 11/11/31 12/17/20 NED WYNN BARRY ORINGER CREDITS: Executive producers: Alex Kurtzman, Jenny 7/23/43 12/19/20 4/27/41 12/20/20 Lumet, Elizabeth Klaviter, Heather Kadin. 60 MIN. Cast: Rebecca Breeds, Michael Cudlitz, Jayne Atkinson, Lucca 12/3/35 1/10/21 de Oliveira, Kal Penn, Nick Sandow, Devyn Tyler, Marnee Carpenter, Raoul Bhaneja, Simon Northwood 02.10.2021 VARIETY ● 85

French Exit

By Peter Debruge

Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges are mother and son in “French Exit.”

drink to the brink of sound reasoning?” socialite. Here’s a character who’s at once generation and that of Benjamin Braddock, That afternoon, Frances’ accountant larger than life and undeniably, recogniz- who dove into the pool to escape the world arrives with bad news: It seems she has ably real, and it’s the way Pfeiffer grounds in “The Graduate.” exhausted her inheritance. Naturally, she Frances’ self-absorption in whatever she So much of “French Exit” borders on has no plan. “My plan was to die before may have lived before her marriage that farce, especially once mother and son start the money ran out,” Frances says with a earns deWitt’s description of this portrait to fill up the apartment with an assortment FILM REVIEW nihilistic sigh. “But I kept and keep not as “a tragedy of manners.” of eccentrics, including Isaach De Bankolé dying.” In circles like Frances’, people talk Though she’s now down to the very last as a private detective and Valerie Mahaffey in euphemisms and hypocrisy. of her fortune, having liquidated everything as especially pathetic fellow widow Mme. Director: Azazel Jacobs Her husband’s death was “untimely,” but for a few stacks of euros, she hasn’t altered Reynard. While unexpected, pathos is With: Michelle Pfeiffer, in a way, Frances’ is more so in that it hasn’t her spending habits. Frances still pays for perhaps the correct tone for such a group Lucas Hedges, Valerie Mahaffey come soon enough. She has outlived her un café with a hundred-euro note, and at portrait, and Jacobs and deWitt temper the means, and now she must sell her things one point, quite late in the film, she seems mounting absurdity with just the right Frances Price married well, if one’s notion and take her cash and her son and her cat motivated to give away what remains. measure of melancholy. of success in that department is defined to Paris, where one of her few true friends DeWitt’s script doesn’t stray far from his Whether drunkenly slinging kitchen more by financial comfort than by romance. has offered her the use of an apartment. novel until the end, opting to be somewhat knives or soberly putting men in their Her marriage wasn’t so much loveless as (The cat, named Small Frank, may or may coy about Frances’ fate. Amid all of this, place, Pfeiffer ensures that audiences moneyful, and that arguably works out not be possessed by Frances’ late husband.) Malcolm has come across like a bystander won’t soon forget Frances. She comes on better for the wealthy Manhattan wife If this all sounds far removed from the to his own life, quietly resentful of the way strong, makes an impression, and aptly Michelle Pfeiffer so memorably embodies reality most of us experience, don’t let that Frances waited till widowhood to engage slips away without saying goodbye. in Azazel Jacobs’ “French Exit,” a sophis- discourage you. Yes, “French Exit” blisters as a mother. Here, as in director Jacobs’ ticated closing-night choice for this year’s amid the rarefied air of Tom Wolfe or Whit “Momma’s Man,” is another adult unable CREDITS: A Sony Pictures Classics release, presented with Stage 6 Films, of a Screen Siren Pictures, Elevation virtual-hybrid New York Film Festival, Stillman, but it’s cut with the schadenfreude to break the gravitational pull of his mother. Pictures, Blinder Films production, in association with Terminal City Pictures, Saalgo Prods., in association with which “The Sisters Brothers” author of “Schitt’s Creek.” Frances is nothing if not Clearly, Malcolm won’t be able to move Rocket Science, Arts & Sciences, with the participation of Patrick deWitt adapted from his own novel. a perfect Dorothy Parker character, and on until Frances lets go, and Hedges — who Telefilm Canada. Producers: Christine Haebler, Christina Piovesan, Noah Segal, Trish Dolman, Katie Holly, Olivier After the death of her husband, Frances in Pfeiffer’s clutches, privilege has seldom appears sheepish and shaggy-haired here Glaas. Executive producers: Thorsten Schumacher, Lars Sylvest, Vincent Maraval, Ian Cooper, Laurie May, Adrian pulled her son, Malcolm, out of boarding seemed so delectable, even as it attempts to — handles this lack of backbone well. He Love, Mal Ward, Marc Marrie, Matt Aselton, Azazel Jacobs, school, drove him home in her silver Rolls- make some necessary economies. has a gift for underplaying complex char- Patrick deWitt, Stuart Manashil, Darrin Navarro. Director: Azazel Jacobs. Screenplay: Patrick deWitt, based on Royce, and decided to express an interest in In this wryly satirical portrait, Jacobs acters, which is just the right tack to take his book. Camera: Tobias Datum. Editor: Hilda Rasula. Music: Nick deWitt. Reviewed at New York Film Festival his life. A dozen years later over breakfast, delivers to Pfeiffer the role she’s been lack- opposite Pfeiffer’s dominant persona. He (online), Los Angeles, Oct. 8, 2020. Running time: 103 MIN. she queries her son (now a sullen young ing all these years: not quite a diva, but an hides behind a napkin in one key confron- Cast: Michelle Pfeiffer, Lucas Hedges, Valerie Mahaffey, Imogen Poots, Susan Coyne, Danielle Macdonald, Isaach man played by Lucas Hedges), “Did you elegant, entitled and wickedly articulate tation, drawing a line between Malcolm’s De Bankolé, Daniel di Tomasso, Tracy Letts

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Variety Attn: Illescas Mitchell 12444 Victory Blvd Fl 4 North Hollywood, CA 91606 Q0AAMP3 Tobias Datumas/Sony Pictures Classics Pictures Datumas/Sony Tobias 86 agent ClariceStarling inCBS’ contin- shoes leftbehindby Jodie Foster asFBI Little Liars.” Now she’s stepping into such as“TheOriginals”and“Pretty moved intopopularstateside genre fare soap opera “Home andAway.” Shethen ular roles comingontheAustralian vorite series, withoneofherfirst reg- Rebecca Breeds isnostranger tofan-fa- Rebecca Breeds stars inthetitlerole, withMichaelCudlitzasFBIsectionleaderPaul Krendler, in“Clarice.” By DanielleTurchiano which isaptlytitled “Clarice.” uation of“TheSilence oftheLambs,” Rebecca Breeds ● FACETIME whole otherlevel, andIreallylike the characterfitinto mybodyona the charactersomuch forme.Itmade the accentjustworked,anditinformed moment, alittlebitofmagic—where like thecrystalslipper—aCinderella to convertthatthemouth.”Itwas accents andsaid,“Allright,brain,time to YouTubeandlistenedAppalachian Clarice’s accent? •> What didittake foryou tofind I immediatelytook “I don’t think I’ve ever hadto battlewithmy the book,andthat’s exactlywhatI’ve look tothatperson. Shewouldlookto one whoplayedClarice, shewouldn’t were steppingintotheshoesofsome- to becopycattingsomeone.IfJodie ant tocarrythrough? from themovie you feltwere import- •> a massivegift. so theaccentbecamework, character your wholejobisto express humanity.” humanity somuch, especially asanactress where What were Clarice’s otherfacets Ididn’twant Show” Canadian Baking Great“The Last binge-watch: --- Bieber.”to Justin Louis Armstrong Ella Fitzgerald and “Everyone from Mood musiconset: --- Her dad Childhood hero: --- books Writing children’s acting she’d be: If she wasn’t --- Sydney, Australia Hometown: --- Age: 33 Rebecca Breeds know about Thingsdidn’t you what theythinkherissuesare, includ- in literaryhistory.Herintelligenceand she’s oneofthebest-writtencharacters ters inliteraryhistory,butno,Ithink one ofthebest-writtenfemalecharac- so well-written;I’mtemptedtosayshe’s so funforme. job, butthat’swhatmakes thischaracter I’m tryingtosuppress humanityinthis is toexpresshumanity.Ikindoffeellike cially asanactresswhereyourwholejob battle withmyhumanitysomuch,espe- battle with.Idon’tthinkI’veeverhadto down thesehumanthings,andit’sfunto herself totheworld.Youhavepush tures upforwhichsheneedstopresent performance? when toletsomeofitshow inyour •> I don’t thinkitobviously reads asanger. way,driving herinaself-destructive and and fighttheseinjustices. Soherangeris dragging herbodythrough helltotry ing someone’s headin,itcomesoutin it. But rather thancomingoutaspunch- within her, butIthinkshe’s soblindto I thinksheabsolutelyhasadeeprage ing rage. Are theirassessmentsfair? •> a family,andshewillnothaveit. person, andsheknowswhatthatdoesto day andsheknowswhatthatdoestoa of thatinherownhearteverysingle of thisworld—shefeelsthegapinghole — aninnocentthathasbeentakenout For everysinglepersonunjustlykilled that’s thebigthinggoingonwithher: to hermayaswellbedad.Ithink just seesthevictims,andvictims can forgettolookattheperson.She you canlookatthescorecardand in thepatriarchalwayofdoingthings, trated bythepolitics.Whenyougetlost part oftheteam? things now thatsheissuchacentral good ol’boys’ club’s way ofdoing •> uses inherjob—it’sjustfascinating. that’s tryingtopokeitsheadinthatshe ery andallofthepsychologicaltrauma her nuanceandhumorbrav- done. The characterinthebookisjust Characters around Claricetellher What isthekey todetermining How willClaricechallengethe She hassomanystruc- Shegetsreallyfrus- 02.10.2021

Brooke Palmer/CBS