Welcome to Horror Explorer, a curated column showcasing the month’s best movies, series, books and everything else spooky worth checking out. I’m William Earl, the editor of Variety.com and the publication’s resident horror enthusiast. Please drop me a line at wearl@variety.com if there’s something I should check out for next month’s missive.
Variety
Zoe Saldaña Is ‘Processing’ the Karla Sofía Gascón Fallout, but ‘I’m Allowing Myself to Still Experience Joy’ Amid ‘Emilia Pérez’ Oscar Campaign
Zoe Saldaña is speaking out about the controversy surrounding her “Emilia Pérez” co-star Karla Sofía Gascón, whose past social media posts have resurfaced, drawing criticism for their offensive and Islamophobic rhetoric. The backlash has overshadowed the film’s historic Oscar recognition, including Saldaña’s first Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress. In an interview for an […]
Howie Mandel Apologizes to Bill Burr After Interview Drama, Says ‘I Feel Horrible’; Burr Slammed Mandel as a ‘Hollywood Whore’
Howie Mandel has apologized to Bill Burr after forcing an awkward interaction between the comedian and Smashing Pumpkins guitarist Billy Corgan on his “Howie Mandel Does Stuff” podcast. “I want to apologize,” Mandel said on a recent “Does Stuff” episode. “I feel horrible, and I’m sorry, Bill. I’m sorry, Billy. I only tried to do […]
Olivia Holt Says Playing Britney Spears in Movie Biopic ‘Would Be a Dream’ Amid Fan Casting Buzz
When it was announced that Jon M. Chu would be developing a Britney Spears biopic at Universal after the studio acquried rights to her memoir, fans immediately flooded social media with their top picks to play the pop princess. Among the hopefuls is Olivia Holt. Like Britney, Holt, 27, is a former Disney star. She’s […]
Megan Thee Stallion, Psy to Star in K-Pop Competition Series for Apple
Apple TV+ has ordered a K-pop competition series with “Gangnam Style” singer Psy and Megan Thee Stallion set to star, Variety has learned. The series is titled “KPopped.” Apple has commissioned eight episodes. Per the official description, “In each episode, western icons reimagine one of their biggest hits, collaborating with top-tier K-pop idols to deliver […]
Ben Affleck to Replace Matt Damon in Netflix Thriller ‘Animals,’ Gillian Anderson Joins Cast
Ben Affleck is set to star in his upcoming Netflix thriller “Animals,” which he’s also directing. His longtime friend Matt Damon was originally slated to lead the film but had to depart due to scheduling conflicts with Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic “The Odyssey.” More to come…
‘The ‘Burbs’ Series Starring Keke Palmer Casts Jack Whitehall, Paula Pell, Julia Duffy, Mark Proksch, Kapil Talwalkar
“The ‘Burbs” TV series adaptation at Peacock has cast five series regulars, Variety has learned. Jack Whitehall (“Jungle Cruise,” “The Afterparty 2”), Julia Duffy (“Palm Royale,” “Newhart”), Paula Pell (“Girls5eva,” “Saturday Night Live”), Mark Proksch (“What We Do In The Shadows,” “The Office”), and Kapil Talwalkar (“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” “Night Court”) have all been cast […]
‘Bystanders’ Director Mary Beth McAndrews on the Power of Her Female-Directed Rape Revenge Film: ‘No More Male Gaze’
Mary Beth McAndrews is determined to make art that wakes people up. “There’s always been strong women in horror, incredible female characters,” she says. “I think what’s shifting in the horror of the last decade is more and more women are being given budgets by people to make movies that are much more of a […]
Rooster Teeth Lives! Co-Founder Burnie Burns Buys Company Assets From Warner Bros. Discovery
Almost a year ago, Rooster Teeth said it was shutting down after 21 years following parent Warner Bros. Discovery’s failure to find a buyer for the money-losing fandom, gaming and comedy entertainment studio. On Wednesday, Burnie Burns — one of Rooster Teeth’s co-founders — announced that his independent company, Box Canyon Productions, has acquired the Rooster […]
Sienna Miller and Oli Green Star in Fashion Company Frame’s Sexy New Ad Campaign (EXCLUSIVE)
Sienna Miller and her actor-model boyfriend Oli Green star in the new ad campaign for Frame, making them the first celebrity couple to model for the fashion company. The two wear pieces from the brand’s spring 2025 collection. The sexy photo – both are wearing jeans with Miller in a white tanktop and Green showing […]