‘Speed Racer’ Live-Action Series in the Works at Apple, J.J. Abrams Executive Producing

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefBaidu, operator of China’s dominant search engine, has reportedly put up for sale its entire stake in iQiyi, the country’s second largest conventional video streaming platform. IQiyi has close to 100 million subscribers, nearly all in mainland China.The sale plan was revealed as an exclusive report by the Reuters news agency.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSeven-time Grammy-winning producer Mark Ronson will give an in-depth master class on music production in a forthcoming BBC Maestro series, demonstrating in detail how he works as a producer, beat maker, musician, songwriter and collaborator. Ronson’s long resume includes classic albums with such legendary artists as Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Adele, Bruno Mars (including the smash “Uptown Funk”), Paul McCartney, Lily Allen, Duran Duran and many others.The series, which launches on July 5, features 18 online lessons — with individual sub-chapters — wherein Ronson educates beginners on how to tackle songwriting, recording, production as well as advice on how to successfully collaborate with other musicians to create genre defying and timeless music.

Wilson Chapman editorIn the second part of her first post-trial interview, Amber Heard opened up to NBC News’ Savannah Guthrie on “Today” about her life after the trial that captivated the nation.When asked if she’s worried about being sued again by him for defamation, even in the interview, she said, “I’m scared that no matter what I do, no matter what I say or how I say it, every step that I take will present another opportunity for this sort of silencing,” she said.Guthrie brought up Depp’s text message to Heard that she would suffer “total global humiliation,” and asked Heard if she thought that came true.“I know he promised it,” she said. “I testified to this. I’m not a good victim, I get it, I’m not a likable victim, I’m not a perfect victim.

Lise Pedersen Disney will unveil a raft of new animated series productions Wednesday at the Annecy Intl. Animation Film Festival, and show sneak peeks of the upcoming slate of new original animated shows to air on Disney+ and other Disney-owned platforms in 2023 and beyond.Highlights include second season greenlights for hit Disney+ series “Monsters at Work” and “Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life,” and seasons three for “Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” and “Mickey Mouse Funhouse.”Additional episode orders for some of Disney Television Animation’s upcoming series, including “Hamster & Gretel,” “Kiff,” “Hailey’s On It” and “Primos” will also be announced.“The announcements out of Annecy today further cement Disney as the leader in animation,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television.

Naman Ramachandran Universal’s “Jurassic World: Dominion” debuted atop the U.K. and Ireland box office with £12.1 million ($14.8 million), according to numbers released by Comscore.Paramount’s “Top Gun: Maverick” scored £5.5 million in its third weekend and now has a mighty total of £50 million, jetting towards being one of the highest grossers of the year in the territory. In third place and in its sixth weekend, Disney’s “Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness” collected £398,401 for a total of £41.5 million.

A US travel writer has posted an incredible rant giving the reasons why he hates Loch Ness - dubbing it the "longest, deepest, most boring, and most overhyped lake" he has ever laid eyes on.

Irvine Vineburgh boxer Brooke Neely shrugged off a freak sparring injury to be crowned British champion for a record-breaking third time.

A masked motorcycle gang have been caught on camera recklessly driving their bikes around Scotland's capital and terrorising locals.

Victoria Beckham's daughter Harper could be one of them.READ: Victoria Beckham reveals the secret to happy marriage with David BeckhamThe fashion designer married former footballer David Beckham on 4 July 1999, just four months after welcoming their eldest son Brooklyn. They said 'I do' in front of the couple's famous friends and family at Luttrellstown Castle in Dublin, with VB wearing the first of two show-stopping bridal gowns.WATCH: Victoria Beckham shows off stunning metallic dress designed for son Brooklyn's weddingShe walked down the aisle at her Robin Hood-themed wedding in a strapless Vera Wang satin ballgown with a corseted top and full skirt, which was reportedly worth $100k (around £82.6k) – and it could be passed down to Harper if she decides to get married.The revelation came during a chat with Stylist back in 2014 when Victoria admitted she had kept several sentimental outfits from her relationship with David, which began in 1997 when David was a Manchester United footie ace and Victoria was part of girl band the Spice Girls.MORE: Victoria Beckham’s mother-of-the-groom dress revealed in a colour that may surprise youREAD: Where to buy wedding dresses online in 2022A post shared by David Beckham (@davidbeckham)VB wore a strapless Vera Wang gown at her 1999 wedding"I kept my wedding dress," she said after clearing out her wardrobe for charity.

World health experts have warned we should prepare for deaths in Europe from monkeypox.

Hollywood joined forces with the English Premiership League this week when Steven Gerrard enjoyed a night out with Will Ferrell.

Foo Fighters have announced the full list of artists performing at a tribute concert for their late drummer Taylor Hawkins, which includes Manchester’s own Liam Gallagher.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJohn Malkovich, Emily Mortimer, and Claes Bang are set to star in the upcoming Apple drama series “The New Look.”The series will be led by Ben Mendelsohn and Juliette Binoche, with Maisie Williams previously announced as a cast member. “The New Look” is set against the World War II Nazi Occupation of Paris when Coco Chanel’s (Binoche) reign as the world’s most famous fashion designer ends and Christian Dior (Mendelsohn) rises helping return spirit and life to the world with his ground-breaking, iconic brand.Malkovich (“The New Pope,” “Space Force,” “Places in the Heart”) will star as Lucien Lelong, President of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture whose influential eponymous fashion house employed Dior and Balmain during the Occupation. Mortimer (“ The Pursuit of Love,” “The Newsroom,” “Doll & Em”) will play Eva Colozzi, a friend, confidante and style inspiration to Coco Chanel.Bang (“The Northman,” “The Square,” “Bad Sisters”) will appear as Spatz, a.k.a Hans Von Dincklage, a Nazi operative stationed in Paris to both seduce and spy on the Parisian female elite.Malkovich is repped by WME.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series at Disney+ is rounding out its cast with five new additions, Variety has learned exclusively.Virginia Kull, Glynn Turman, Jason Mantzoukas, Megan Mullally, and Timm Sharp are all set to appear in recurring guest star roles in the small screen adaptation of the popular Rick Riordan book series. They join previously announced series lead Walker Scobell as well as recently announced co-stars Aryan Simhadri and Leah Sava Jeffries. News of the casting comes as the series kicks off production in Vancouver.Mullally (“Will & Grace,” “Party Down,” “Children’s Hospital”) will play Alecto, a.k.a.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFX has commissioned a comedy pilot from Brian Jordan Alvarez.The pilot is called “English Teacher.” Alvarez will star as Evan, a gay high school English teacher in Austin, TX, and his fellow teachers trying to balance the competing demands of the students and their parents in a world where the rules seem to change every day. Alvarez is writing the pilot and will also executive produce in addition to starring.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterWill Arnett is officially set to voice the iconic character Sweet Tooth in the “Twisted Metal” TV series at Peacock.The character in the show is described as a hilarious and terrifying hulk of a man, who is as emotional as he is cunning. A lover of chaos, this majestic rage-filled killer dons an ever-smiling clown mask and uses “Lost Vegas” as his own personal kill-ground, all while he drives his infamous doomsday ice cream truck.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Slow Horses” has been renewed for two more seasons at Apple, Variety has learned. The show will now run through Season 4 at the streamer.The series is based on the “Slough House” spy book series by Mick Herron.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDanielle Macdonald has been cast in the Natasha Lyonne-led Peacock series “Poker Face,” which hails from creator Rian Johnson.Macdonald is the latest addition to the growing cast. In addition to Lyonne, previously announced cast members include Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Benjamin Bratt, Stephanie Hsu, and David Castañeda.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJude Law is going to star in a new “Star Wars” series coming to Disney+. The announcement was made at the “Star Wars” Celebration in Anaheim, CA.The show was previously reported as being in the works earlier in May as part of a larger “Star Wars” story published by Vanity Fair.The description they gave was, “The show takes place during the post–’Return of the Jedi’ reconstruction that follows the fall of the Empire, the same as ‘The Mandalorian,’ but its plot remains a secret.

J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot has a lot of plates on the stove right now, from “Star Trek 4” to a live-action “Hotwheels” movie to numerous TV shows in development for HBO Max and AppleTV+.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLeslie Jones is set to lead the voice cast of an adult animated comedy series currently in early development at Warner Bros. Animation, Variety has learned exclusively.Jones will executive produce the untitled series in addition to voicing the lead character of Plastic Woman. According to an individual with knowledge of the project, the show is not connected to the female-led take on the DC character Plastic Man that was reportedly in the works as a feature back in 2020.Plot details for the show are being kept under wraps.