This week, “The Take” welcomes special guest host Marc Malkin, Variety‘s senior culture and events editor and host of the “Just for Variety” podcast, to break down the biggest stories in the entertainment business.
“Batgirl” being scrapped by Warner Bros. sent shockwaves throughout the industry with an unprecedented move that has left the film’s director’s “shocked” and “saddened.” The cancellation of the $90 million film, which now will not be released theatrically or on any streaming platform despite being wrapped and in post-production, comes after the Warner Bros. Discovery merger and the long-expected news that HBO Max and Discovery Plus will merge into one mega streaming service.
“We’re not going to launch a movie until it’s ready,” David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, said on an earnings call. “We’re not going to launch a movie to make a quarter and we’re not going to put a movie out unless we believe in it.”
In wouldn’t be a normal week in Hollywood without ample controversy, so aside from the “Batgirl” shocker, Will Smith released an apology video, four months after his “slap heard around the world” at the Oscars. In his mea culpa, Smith says he has been working on his own healing and reached out to Chris Rock, who he says is not ready to talk yet.
“The View” is always creating drama, and this week was no exception. The hit daytime talker announced two new co-hosts who will fill the conservative seat left vacant by Meghan McCain. Former Trump staffer Alyssa Farah Griffin and longtime “View” contributor Ana Navarro will both join the show in Season 26 alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin and Sara Haines.
Meanwhile, Brad Pitt is having the time of his life promoting his new film “Bullet Train,” making headlines for wearing a skirt and hamming it up on red carpets around the world at the film’s premieres. On “The Take,” Malkin shares his red carpet conversation with Pitt.
Hosted by Variety chief correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister and senior awards editor Clayton Davis, Variety‘s “The Take,” presented by Apple TV+, is a weekly series that navigates the week’s top stories from entertainment, pop culture and media, while providing expert analysis and exclusive insight on what’s buzzing in Hollywood. Filmed in Variety‘s state-of-the-art studio in Los Angeles, new episodes are released on Fridays on Variety.com, YouTube and social media.
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