Gkids acquired U.K. and Ireland distribution rights to Studio Ghibli’s 23 film library across theatrical, home video, TV, and digital. The rollout starts with an Imax release of Kiki’s Delivery Service on Aug. 21.
10:00 AMVariety9 stories from 1 source
Entertainment Bets On Libraries, Partnerships, And Interactive Formats
Day’s Recap
Supporting Articles
Warner Records formed a strategic partnership with Sickamore and his Three Times Louder imprint, which will continue its existing relationship with SoundCloud. The partnership will launch with Brooklyn alternative R&B artist Laila as the flagship act, while Sickamore maintains his role co-managing Don Toliver at Cactus Jack Management.
5:35 PMVarietyNetflix’s “Unhinged” is a video game that plays like a TV series, using a smartphone as the controller. David Fincher and Zach Cregger quietly helped shape the project’s creative direction.
5:33 PMVariety10:00 AMVariety
‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ Gets Imax Release as Gkids Adds Studio Ghibli Library in U.K., Ireland
Summary
Gkids acquired U.K. and Ireland distribution rights to Studio Ghibli’s 23 film library across theatrical, home video, TV, and digital. The rollout starts with an Imax release of Kiki’s Delivery Service on Aug. 21.
Why it matters
Owning a blue chip library with cross window rights lets Gkids monetize Ghibli repeatedly and predictably, especially through premium format theatrical events.
5:35 PMVariety
Music Industry Moves: Warner Teams Up With Sickamore’s Three Times Louder, Laila to Be Partnership’s ‘Flagship Artist’
Summary
Warner Records formed a strategic partnership with Sickamore and his Three Times Louder imprint, which will continue its existing relationship with SoundCloud. The partnership will launch with Brooklyn alternative R&B artist Laila as the flagship act, while Sickamore maintains his role co-managing Don Toliver at Cactus Jack Management.
Why it matters
Major labels are competing on speed to break talent, and executive-led imprints can turn platform traction into hits faster than traditional internal pipelines.
5:33 PMVariety
LISTEN: How David Fincher and Zach Cregger Secretly Shaped Netflix’s Video Game-TV Hybrid ‘Unhinged’
Summary
Netflix’s “Unhinged” is a video game that plays like a TV series, using a smartphone as the controller. David Fincher and Zach Cregger quietly helped shape the project’s creative direction.
Why it matters
A successful TV-game hybrid would expand what “a Netflix show” can be and put pressure on rivals to fuse streaming and gaming more tightly.
Other Developments
A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.
“Peluru Senja: The Ghost & the Gun” released its first trailer and set a nationwide Malaysian theatrical release for Aug. 28, timed to the Independence Day weekend. MSK Cinemas will distribute the Bahasa Malaysia-language film.
9:00 PMVarietyProducer Moritz Borman died in Munich at 71 from natural causes, according to longtime producing partners Eric Kopeloff and Philip Schulz-Deyle. He produced more than 25 films, including Oscar-nominated titles and multiple projects with Oliver Stone.
6:34 PMVarietySeth Rogen said Anne Hathaway left the female lead role in "Knocked Up" after learning the production would use graphic real-birth footage for the delivery scene, which he said she felt did not fit her brand. Rogen discussed the casting shift on a podcast with Olivia Wilde, who had auditioned for the role but did not get it.
4:44 PMVarietyLaRoyce Hawkins will leave NBC's "Chicago P.D." during its upcoming 14th season after starring as Officer Kevin Atwater since the series launched. Details of how the character exits are being kept private.
12:36 PMVarietyQuestlove is developing a digital talk show called The Next Move with North Road Company and Two One Five Entertainment, built around his celebrity game nights. The format pairs conversation with structured gameplay featuring Questlove and three guests.
11:00 AMVarietyStudiocanal released a teaser for Fred Cavaye’s new adaptation of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, positioning it as a large scale, prestige retelling. The footage spotlights Vincent Lindon as Jean Valjean and Tahar Rahim in a key role, signaling a star led, theatrical ambition for the project.
10:35 AMVariety9:00 PMVariety
War Drama ‘Peluru Senja: The Ghost & the Gun’ Locks Malaysia Theatrical Date, Drops Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)
Summary
“Peluru Senja: The Ghost & the Gun” released its first trailer and set a nationwide Malaysian theatrical release for Aug. 28, timed to the Independence Day weekend. MSK Cinemas will distribute the Bahasa Malaysia-language film.
Why it matters
Holiday-timed local releases test whether domestic-language features can reliably command premium theatrical windows against Hollywood and streaming competition.
6:34 PMVariety
Moritz Borman, Producer of ‘Terminator’ Movies and Oliver Stone Films, Dies at 71
Summary
Producer Moritz Borman died in Munich at 71 from natural causes, according to longtime producing partners Eric Kopeloff and Philip Schulz-Deyle. He produced more than 25 films, including Oscar-nominated titles and multiple projects with Oliver Stone.
Why it matters
Producers who can assemble global financing and marquee creatives are scarce, and their exit can stall or reshape a pipeline of in-flight film projects.
4:44 PMVariety
Anne Hathaway Quit ‘Knocked Up’ Over Graphic Birthing Scene, Says Seth Rogen: ‘She Felt That It Was Not Her Brand’
Summary
Seth Rogen said Anne Hathaway left the female lead role in "Knocked Up" after learning the production would use graphic real-birth footage for the delivery scene, which he said she felt did not fit her brand. Rogen discussed the casting shift on a podcast with Olivia Wilde, who had auditioned for the role but did not get it.
Why it matters
It underscores how creative constraints and personal branding shape casting and final content in studio comedies.
12:36 PMVariety
‘Chicago PD’ Star LaRoyce Hawkins to Exit Series in Season 14
Summary
LaRoyce Hawkins will leave NBC's "Chicago P.D." during its upcoming 14th season after starring as Officer Kevin Atwater since the series launched. Details of how the character exits are being kept private.
Why it matters
Long-running procedurals rely on character continuity, and losing an original lead tests ratings durability and the economics of keeping the franchise running.
11:00 AMVariety
Questlove Teams Up With North Road for Digital Talk Show ‘The Next Move’
Summary
Questlove is developing a digital talk show called The Next Move with North Road Company and Two One Five Entertainment, built around his celebrity game nights. The format pairs conversation with structured gameplay featuring Questlove and three guests.
Why it matters
Digital talk shows that engineer short form moments are increasingly the safest way to monetize celebrity access without the economics of traditional late night.
10:35 AMVariety
Studiocanal Unveils Teaser for ‘Les Miserables,’ Fred Cavayé’s Sweeping Take on Victor Hugo’s Classic Novel Starring Vincent Lindon and Tahar Rahim
Summary
Studiocanal released a teaser for Fred Cavaye’s new adaptation of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, positioning it as a large scale, prestige retelling. The footage spotlights Vincent Lindon as Jean Valjean and Tahar Rahim in a key role, signaling a star led, theatrical ambition for the project.
Why it matters
A recognizable IP with top French talent and visible production scale can become one of the few adult prestige theatrical bets that still draws meaningful international demand.
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