Apple Original Films announced Antoine Fuqua’s “Emancipation” with Will Smith will be released in December, in time for this Oscar season. How will Smith’s involvement affect the film’s awards chances with the actor and producer banned from the ceremony and Academy-related events for the next decade?
In other news, Angelina Jolie filed a countersuit alleging ex-husband Brad Pitt of “choking” and “striking” their children, which he has vehemently denied. With Pitt attached to four high-profile projects in the awards race — “Babylon” (Paramount Pictures), “Blonde” (Netflix), “She Said” (Universal Pictures) and “Women Talking” (MGM/United Artists Releasing) — will this be a distraction on the campaign?
Aligning with the five-year anniversary of the launch of the #MeToo movement, two big trials are set to begin next week, for actor Danny Masterson and former Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. How much progress has been made in the workplace in the years following #MeToo?
Finally, “Bros” opened to a disappointing box office debut, which writer and star Billy Eichner attributed to straight people not going out to watch the gay rom-com. Does that track? Also, the revelation of Velma from “Scooby Doo” being lesbian broke the internet, confirming suspicions fans have held for decades.
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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