ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY and AWARD NEWS FROM HOLLYWOOD, compiled by REBECCA KEEGAN
Friday, October 27, 2017
It's Friday, and I haven't decided whether to use this money burning a hole in my pocket to buy a new iPhone X or fund a Blumhouse movie.
Hello from Los Angeles, where we're figuring out how to handle bad actors in the Academy, welcoming a new queen to The Crown, and binging the latest season of Stranger Things like it's candy corn.
MEMBERS ONLY
When the Academy voted to expel Harvey Weinstein on October 14, the industry group was breaking new ground, and opening the door to asking larger questions about its members' conduct. On Thursday, in an e-mail sent to members, Academy C.E.O. Dawn Hudson explained how the organization is planning to tackle the tricky new responsibility it has assigned itself. Hudson said the Academy is taking steps to establish a code of conduct for members, which will include a policy for evaluating alleged violations. "Although we have no intention of functioning as an investigative body or moral court, we do have a right and duty as a voluntary association to maintain clear standards of workplace behavior for those we accept as members," Hudson said in the e-mail. The Academy's board of governors will take up the issue at its next scheduled meetings in December and January.
At an event I attended last night, multiple Academy members told me they hope the group takes the time to get this process right. "Take a breath," one Academy member told me. "It's like 1984," said another, suggesting the process could lead to a Big Brother-esque environment in the group. Clearly, the Academy isn't alone in trying to deal with what has become a watershed moment for the industry. In an address to the national convention of the A.F.L.-C.I.O. this week, SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris said the actors' union will be part of a cross-industry group devoted to addressing sexual harassment. Meanwhile, the list of men fired or otherwise ousted for alleged misconduct since the Weinstein scandal first broke continues to grow, as V.F.'s Hillary Busiswrites. The latest is Rick Najera, who headed up CBS's Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase. PerVariety's Debra Birnbaum, CBS is parting ways with the writer-producer following an investigation into allegations that he made inappropriate comments to performers. A representative for Najera declined to comment to Variety.
Academy C.E.O. Dawn Hudson speaks at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences reception in London in 2016.
By David M. Bennett/Dave Bennett/Getty Images.
WELCOME, YOUR MAJESTY
V.F.'s Katey Rich writes:
Thanks to the multi-decade story unfolding on Netflix's The Crown, it was inevitable that Claire Foy's time in the lead role would come to an end—so that the 33-year-old breakout star could hand over the role to an older actress, one who could believably play Queen Elizabeth II in her forties and fifties without too much distracting aging makeup. It was also terrifying—how could anyone live up to Foy's commanding performance? What a relief, then, that Netflix has tapped Olivia Colman, the British television mainstay and scene-stealer in films as varied as The Lobster and Hot Fuzz. Viewers still get one more season with Foy when The Crown returns in December, but saying goodbye should be that much easier knowing the throne is in such good hands. Now, on to the speculation about who will be cast as Princess Diana!
HUSH, HUSH, SWEET CHARLOTTE
V.F.'s Hillary Busis writes:
Eternal optimist Charlotte York Goldenblatt was always the hopeless romantic of the Sex and the City crew—so perhaps it should come as no surprise that even now, as dreams of a third Sex and the City movie burn around us like so much expensive kindling, actress Kristin Davis—still seems to believe that someday, somehow, the world may live to see Charlotte, Samantha, Miranda, and Carrie brunch again. "We still . . . maybe we'll figure out something to do. I don't know. It would be great," she told E! News at—where else?—the 2017 Princess Grace Awards Gala Wednesday night, despite weeks of sniping among her co-stars about who, exactly, is responsible for the planned film falling apart at the last minute. Meanwhile, Cynthia Nixon continues to take the sensible, Miranda-approved route by keeping her mouth shut.
INSIDE THE UPSIDE DOWN
V.F.'s Laura Bradley writes:
Finally! Stranger Things 2 is now on Netflix, and we are all over it.Richard Lawson has already reviewed the Indiana-set drama's second season, and there's plenty more where that came from on its way: find out today how this season brings justice for Barb, what Eleven is up to, and how one Stranger Things kid prepped his pal for a big kissing scene. And keep your eye out for a full slate of interviews that will be posted in the coming days, with everyone from Sean Astin, whose new character Bob is sure to be a fan favorite, to Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington, Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers, and Sadie Sink, whose new character ("Mad") Max gives the boys a run for their money at the arcade. And finally, don't miss our spoiler sorceress Joanna Robinson previewing what might happen next in the drama's inevitable third season—which we plan to post after you've actually had a chance to watch the damn thing.
HEE-HEE! SHAMONE!
V.F.'s Hillary Busis writes:
What the hell is Michael Jackson's Halloween, a bizarre-looking animated special that will hit CBS tonight during the witching hour—or, you know, 8 P.M. Eastern? Well, as producer John Branca and director Mark A.Z. DippétoldV.F.'s own Yohana Desta, it's a family-friendly romp inspired by the King of Pop's love for all things spooky, featuring 25 M.J. hits both classic ("Thriller," duh) and less so ("Childhood"). The show also boasts the vocal talents of stars like Kiersey Clemons, Christine Baranski, Lucy Liu, Alan Cumming, George Eads, Brad Garrett, Lucas Till, and Jim Parsons—most of whom, yes, also happen to be card-carrying members of the CBS family. (What could be spookier than corporate synergy?) It could be the start of a full library of Jackson Estate-approved seasonal specials (Michael Jackson's Rosh Hashanah, anyone?), or it could be a one-off curiosity. In either case, it's probably worth a bit of space on your DVR.
That's the news for this sunny Friday in L.A. What are you seeing out there? Send tips, comments, and Michael Jackson's red leather "Thriller" jacket to Rebecca_Keegan@condenast.com. Follow me on Twitter @thatrebecca.
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