News

MTV Commissions ‘Celeb Ex In The City’

MTV International is preparing the latest extension of its Ex On The Beach franchise in the shape of Celeb Ex In The City. Premiering on December 8, the series follows celebrity singletons as they attempt to find love in London. Filmed prior to the latest nationwide lockdown in the UK, Celeb Ex In The City features the likes of Calum Best and Michael Griffiths. The show is made by eOne-owned Whizz Kid Entertainment, with Lisa Chapman, Rachael Parker, and Jaime Brannan executive producing. Ex On The Beach first launched on MTV in the UK in 2014 and remains a strong brand for the channel after Celeb Ex On The Beach ranked as its highest-rated show of the year so far.

Stone Village, BlackBox Plan Latest ‘Frankenstein’ Adaptation

Scott Steindorff and Dylan Russell’s Stone Village Television is partnering with international producer BlackBox Multimedia to adapt...

In today’s Global Bulletin, Johnny Depp’s “Minamata and “Crock of Gold” get U.K., Ireland release; a brace of Princess Diana TV documentaries in the works; and MTV debuts short form series.

Vertigo Releasing has acquired U.K. and Ireland distribution rights from HanWay Films for Berlin Film Festival title Andrew Levitas’ “Minamata,” starring Johnny Depp, Hiroyuki Sanada, Minami and Tadanobu Asano, and will release the film Feb. 12, 2021.

Depp plays war photographer W. Eugene Smith who travels to Japan where he documents the devastating effect of mercury poisoning in coastal communities.

The film was developed by Depp’s Infinitum Nihil and produced through Metalwork Pictures. Producers are Sam Sarkar, Bill Johnson, Gabrielle Tana, Kevan Van Thompson, David K. Kessler, Zach Avery, Levitas and Depp.

HanWay Films, which is overseeing international sales and distribution, has also closed deals with Eagle Pictures (Italy), Swift Distribution (France), Odeon S.A. (Greece), Films...

Disney Apac Boss Uday Shankar Quits

Uday Shankar, president of The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific and chairman, Star & Disney India, is to step down at the end of 2020 after less than two years in the role. Shankar said he intends to pursue new entrepreneurial opportunities to “give back to the country.” Before stepping down, he will work with Rebecca Campbell, chair of Disney’s direct-to-consumer and international segment, to identify a successor. Campbell said: “With the successful launch of Disney+ throughout the region, he has helped put The Walt Disney Company in a commanding position in this dynamic and incredibly strategic part of the world. His vast experience and expertise have been invaluable in bringing together a strong, cohesive Apac leadership team to chart a path forward for our streaming businesses in the region and beyond.”

BBC Three Picks Up Lena Waithe’s ‘Twenties’

The first two seasons of...

Caroline Flack, the former host of the U.K. reality competition, “Love Island,” has died. She was 40.

“Everybody at ‘Love Island’ and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news. Caroline was a much loved member of the ‘Love Island’ team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends,” an ITV spokesperson told Variety in a statement.

Saturday night’s episode of “Love Island,” which airs daily in primetime, has been pulled in the wake of Flack’s death.

The British star first began her career as an actress on the 2002 sketch comedy show “Bo’ Selecta!” and then joined the ITV network to host shows like “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me out of Here Now!,” “The Xtra Factor,” “Minute to Win It” and “Viral Tap.” In 2014, she won the 12th season of the British dancing show “Strictly Come Dancing” with her dance partner Pasha Kovalev.

The world premiere for Margot Robbie's newest movie, Birds of Prey, took place in London on Thursday night, and if there's one thing we learned, it's that Margot is just as obsessed with Love Island as the rest of us. Walking the red carpet at the Odeon BFI IMAX, you could see the excitement on her face as she spotted a few of the 2019 islanders - Jordan Hames, Michael Griffiths, and Lucie Donlan - and immediately posed for a few photos with them.

Jordan, Michael, and Lucie all documented the night on their Instagram accounts, from the red carpet moments to the afterparty where they joined Margot to take tequila shots at the end of the night. No, of course we're not insanely jealous . . . but, damn, we would have loved to be a fly on the wall. Ahead, see all the best moments from the Birds of Prey premiere in London.