May 16, 2013 12:33PM PT

‘Scorpion’ Scoops Global Pre-Sales

Carlos Bardem stars in the adaptation of his novel.

Wild Bunch has inked a bunch of major territory pre-sales in Santiago Zannou’s “Scorpion in Love.”

Produced by Morena Films’ Alvaro Longoria, producer of Oliver Stone’s “Comandante” and Steven Soderbergh’s two “Che” movies, “Scorpion” is a tale star-crossed lovers starring Carlos Bardem — on whose novel the film is based — Alex Gonzalez, Judith Diakhate and Carlos’ brother Javier Bardem.

In Wild Bunch major territory pre-sales, Capelight Pics has acquired Germany, FP Media Distribution CIS states, California Filmes all of Latin America, Rialto Distribution Australia and New Zealand and Yeni Bir Film Turkey.

Endemol Shine Sets Up German Scripted Label Ahead of Banijay Acquisition (EXCLUSIVE)

“Black Mirror” and “Peaky Blinders” producer Endemol Shine Group has set up a new scripted label in Germany, Variety can reveal. Based in Berlin and led by joint CEOs Nanni Erben and Gunnar Juncken, MadeFor Film will focus on both high-end TV series and feature films for the domestic and international markets, as well as [...]

9 hours ago
Recording Academy in Mediation with Ousted CEO Deborah Dugan

The Recording Academy and its ousted president and CEO Deborah Dugan have officially entered mediation, just over a month after their dispute broke into the open, sources confirm to Variety. While a report in Billboard states that mediation began today, a source tells Variety that the two parties have been in communication for at least [...]

14 hours ago
Weinstein Jury Ends Day With Request for Annabella Sciorra's Testimony, No Verdict

The jurors in the Harvey Weinstein trial ended their third day of deliberations on Thursday with a request to hear the testimony of Annabella Sciorra. The jury has now been deliberating for more than 14 hours, and will return for further deliberations on Friday morning. In a note to the judge late Thursday afternoon, the [...]

16 hours ago
Berlin: European Film Policy Seminar Examines Changing Landscape

The Berlinale’s European Film Market opened on Thursday with the inaugural European Film Politics Seminar, offering a look at the pressing challenges facing independent European producers in a fast-changing landscape increasingly dominated by the growing number of U.S. streaming giants. The seminar was hosted by Steven Gaydos, executive vice president of global content of Variety. [...]

17 hours ago
Are Harvey Weinstein's Accusers Planning to Sue? Gloria Allred Says 'This Is All Speculation'

Gloria Allred is representing three of the six women who have testified in Harvey Weinstein’s criminal trial. The high-profile attorney has been accused by Weinstein’s legal team of having plans to sue the former Hollywood honcho after his rape trial concludes. During closing arguments, Weinstein’s lead attorney Donna Rotunno said Allred sits in court every [...]

19 hours ago
'Friends' DVD, Digital Sales Soar as It Takes a Break From Streaming

They’re on a streaming break — but “Friends” will still be there for you. WarnerMedia’s home entertainment division is aiming to capitalize on the brief disappearance of the hit sitcom from streaming video on demand, as fans look for other ways to get their “Friends” fix. Repeats of the wildly popular laffer, which ran for [...]

19 hours ago
Berlin Film Festival to Hold Minute of Silence for Victims in German Shooting

The Berlin Film Festival has announced it will hold a minute of silence at its opening gala on Thursday for the victims of the shooting that took place in the German city of Hanau. “With great dismay and sorrow, the Berlinale learned of the fatal attack yesterday in Hanau,” the festival said in a statement. [...]

20 hours ago