Variety

Director Jon Watts, known for Marvel's Spider-Man films, will direct the next Star Wars movie, according to Variety. The announcement gives Lucasfilm's long-gestating film slate a concrete new name, though details on the plot, timeline and release date have not been disclosed. Fans and industry watchers are debating what the choice of Watts signals for the franchise's direction.

Amazon has cast Ben Hardy in the lead role of 'Stillwater', a series adaptation based on the graphic novel. The casting announcement was reported by Variety, confirming the actor will headline the show. 'Stillwater' is the supernatural comic series created by Ram V and Dev Pramanik, and the project had previously been in development at Amazon. Further details on the rest of the cast and premiere date have not been announced.

Winemakers are adopting new strategies to cope with climate change, as rising temperatures and unpredictable weather alter growing conditions in traditional wine regions. Reported approaches include experimenting with heat- and drought-resistant grape varieties, moving plantings to cooler altitudes and latitudes, adjusting harvest timing, and changing vineyard management techniques. The story highlights how an industry closely tied to specific climates is being forced to adapt its practices to survive.

Debate continues over how the Manchester City financial rule breach case could end, with analysts weighing the range of possible punishments. Outcomes being discussed include stripping the club of previously won Premier League titles and rival clubs seeking compensation for lost prize money and places. The sheer variety of sanctions under discussion is keeping the story prominent in football coverage.

Matt Groening tells Variety that Futurama will continue despite the animated series getting yet another finale, declaring 'we will rise again.' The show, which has been cancelled and revived multiple times since 1999, is once again wrapping a run while its creator signals the story is not over. Fans are weighing in on whether another revival could follow.

Researchers at the New York Botanical Garden have published a series of papers in the journal Plants, People, Planet arguing that growing threats to plant diversity are narrowing the options for building healthier, more resilient food systems. The papers explain why food plant diversity matters and set out a vision for collaboration between scientists, growers and communities to protect it. The warning highlights how the loss of crop varieties and wild relatives could undermine global food security.

Researchers are developing soybean varieties with deeper root systems, aiming to help crops endure droughts and extreme weather while locking away more carbon in the soil. The work reflects broader efforts to make staple crops more resilient as climate change disrupts growing seasons and threatens yields for farmers worldwide.

Producer David Matamoros, known for the hit Spanish thriller 'The Platform', has come on board 'Dog Legs', a project from filmmaker Matias Rojas. The industry news, reported by Variety, signals momentum behind Rojas' film as it builds its production team, though details on the plot, cast and financing have not yet been disclosed.

Formula 1 is working on a plan to introduce higher-degradation tyres from the 2027 season, working with tyre supplier Pirelli. The aim would be to create more racing variety and strategic pit-stop battles by making rubber wear faster during races. Details of the proposal and how teams and drivers respond to it are not yet fully known.

Hulu is developing a series adaptation of 'Kid Detective', according to an exclusive report by Variety. The project is in early stages, with details on cast, writers and a premiere date not yet announced. The news adds to Hulu's growing slate of adaptations and has drawn attention from television fans tracking which film properties are being reworked for streaming series.

RoseBerry is recutting Margot Robbie's early episodes of the Australian soap 'Neighbours' into a microdrama format for its Epis platform, Variety reports. Robbie appeared on the long-running series before her Hollywood breakthrough, and the re-edited episodes will reintroduce her early work to audiences in a short-form, mobile-friendly format. The deal highlights growing studio interest in repackaging classic TV content as microdramas.

Daisy Jelley and Connor Simos have been cast in the lead roles of 'Icebreaker', the upcoming Netflix series, according to Variety. The exclusive announcement gives the two relatively new names their biggest showcase yet, and attention is now turning to what the series will be about and when it will begin production.

Japanese presenter Miyane Seiji, whose long-running weekday news programme 'Miyaneya' has come to an end, has been announced as MC of a variety show airing the very next day, teaming up with former SMAP member Katori Shingo. Japanese entertainment media are calling the quick turnaround an unusual arrangement, and comments from those involved have been released.

Filmmaker Martin McDonagh says his upcoming film 'Wild Horse Nine' will be his most politically charged work to date. The claim, reported by Variety, has drawn attention from fans of the writer-director known for 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' and 'The Banshees of Inisherin', both of which blended dark comedy with social themes. Details about the film's plot and cast remain limited, but the political framing is fueling anticipation.

Scientists at CIMMYT argue that successful zinc biofortification of wheat depends on more than breeding fortified seed. In a new piece, they say outcomes hinge on matching the right varieties to local soil conditions and pairing them with proper crop management, including fertilizer practices. The message is aimed at researchers, policymakers and farmers working to reduce zinc deficiency through staple crops.