Amazon Inks Critical Role to Overall TV and First-Look Film Deal, Greenlights ‘Mighty Nein’ Animated Series

Amazon has made a mighty embrace of the Critical Role cinematic universe.

Amazon Studios announced a multiyear exclusive overall TV and first-look film deal with Critical Role, the media company and D&D role-playing group behind Prime Video’s popular adult animation series “The Legend of Vox Machina.”

The first new series to be produced under the agreement is “Mighty Nein,” based on Critical Role’s second campaign, which ran from January 2018 to mid-2021. The Mighty Nein adventuring party — a band of criminals and misfits — are the only ones who can prevent the kingdom from plunging into chaos when an arcane artifact capable of reshaping reality falls into the wrong hands. “Mighty Nein” is set to begin production shortly in partnership with animation studio Titmouse, which has teamed with Critical Role and Amazon Studios for “Vox Machina.” The series will premiere exclusively on Prime Video, but there’s no release date as yet. Critical Role’s first animated series, “The Legend of Vox Machina,” is based on its first D&D campaign, which the group livestreamed from 2015-17. Season 1 premiered in January 2022 on Prime Video (and still holds a 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes), and Season Two debuted with the first three episodes on Jan. 20. A third season of “Vox Machina” was officially announced at New York Comic Con and is currently in production.

Under the deal with Amazon Studios, Critical Role will continue to produce under its production banner, Metapigeon, which will develop its own original TV shows, films and content while continuing to “partner with talented creatives on a new slate of projects, both in and outside of the Critical Role universe,” according to the companies.

With the success of our animated series ‘The Legend of Vox Machina,’ we are looking forward to continuing our relationship with Critical Role and expanding its universe with ‘Mighty Nein,’” said Vernon Sanders, head of global TV at Amazon Studios. “Expanding these iconic franchises for our global Prime Video customers continues to be an ambitious and rewarding journey and we are eager to see where this new series takes us.”

Travis Willingham, co-founder and CEO of Critical Role, said, “Critical Role’s livestream campaigns are the spark that lit the flame for our worldwide audience. Seeing the stories and characters from our first campaign come to life in ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ was a dream realized, and we are absolutely buzzing with excitement to do it again with ‘Mighty Nein.’ But with today’s announcement, we’re confident that the stories we tell will keep expanding into realms of entertainment beyond what we can even imagine.”

The forthcoming “Mighty Nein” series will be executive produced by Tasha Huo, Sam Riegel and Willingham alongside Metapigeon and Amazon Studios. From Titmouse, Chris Prynoski (“Legend of Vox Machina”), Shannon Prynoski (“Fairfax”), Antonio Canobbio (“Arlo the Alligator Boy”) and Ben Kalina (“Big Mouth”) will also executive produce.

Amazon Studios first pacted with Critical Role in 2019, securing a two-season order for “Vox Machina” after CR’s record-breaking Kickstarter campaign for their first animation project.

Critical Role started out in 2012 as a private D&D game-night among a group of friends in L.A. who are all voice actors. Since then, Critical Role — whose avid fans are affectionately known as “Critters” — has expanded into multiple lines of business. In addition to “The Legend of Vox Machina” on Prime Video, that has included comic books, graphic novels, fiction and nonfiction books on the New York Times bestsellers list, collectibles, tabletop and role-playing games, podcasts and live events.

Watch Amazon’s announcement video for the “Mighty Nein” series:

Pictured above (l. to .r): Critical Role founders Liam O’Brien, Taliesin Jaffe, Marisha Ray, Travis Willingham, Laura Bailey, Sam Riegel, Matthew Mercer, Ashley Johnson

 

Marilyn Manson, Esme Bianco Settle Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Actress Esmé Bianco and Marilyn Manson have reached an out-of-court settlement for the sexual assault lawsuit she filed against him and his business, Marilyn Manson Records, Inc., in 2021. The actress, who appeared on Game of Thrones, alleged the singer, whose real name is Brian Warner, had raped and battered her sexually; she also claimed he had violated California human trafficking laws. The terms of the agreement are unknown.

“Ms. Bianco has agreed to resolve her claims against Brian Warner and Marilyn Manson Records, Inc. in order to move on with her life and career,” her lawyer, Jay Ellwanger, tells Rolling Stone. “Ms. Bianco has agreed to resolve her claims against Brian Warner and Marilyn Manson Records, Inc.,” Warner’s attorney, Howard King, tells Rolling Stone.Bianco was one of more than a dozen women to come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against Warner after actress Evan Rachel Wood claimed on Instagram that Warner had abused her in Feb. 2021. Bianco — who, with Wood, co-created the Phoenix Act, which expands the rights for survivors of domestic violence — was the first woman to file a lawsuit against him. “Mr. Warner used drugs, force, and threats of force to coerce sexual acts from Ms. Bianco on multiple occasions,” the filing said. “Mr. Warner raped Ms. Bianco in or around May 2011.” 

The complaint also alleged that Warner had sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious and unable to consent. It also detailed more ways in which he had allegedly abused her: “These acts include spanking, biting, cutting, and whipping Ms. Bianco’s buttocks, breasts, and genitals for Mr. Warner’s sexual gratification — all without the consent of Plaintiff.”

The actress had been living in London when she met the singer, and Warner, she claimed, enticed her to move to Los Angeles to star in a music video that never came out and to act in a movie that never materialized. “By inserting himself in Ms. Bianco’s visa process, Mr. Warner was able to control Ms. Bianco by threatening to withdraw support if she displeased him,” the suit said. She also claimed that at one point, he locked her in a bedroom to prevent her from fleeing. She alleged he also made her work for free, making him food, cleaning his apartment, and singing on an album — all of which violated the state’s trafficking laws. The suit originally named Warner’s former manager, Tony Ciulla, as a defendant, but his name was later removed.

 

Madonna biopic scrapped after singer’s world tour announced

The film, which generated an online frenzy over its gruelling audition process, was set to star Julia Garner and be directed by Madonna herself

A much-anticipated Madonna biopic, directed by the singer herself and starring the Ozark actor Julia Garner, has been scrapped.

The film, which had been in development since 2020 with Universal Pictures and had the working title Little Sparrow, was set to chronicle Madonna’s four-decade career spanning music, cinema and fashion.

According to a Variety report on Tuesday, Universal pulled out after Madonna’s announcement of a global tour last week – one that encompasses her entire catalogue and sold out its dates in New York, Paris and London within minutes.

But unnamed insiders told the Hollywood Reporter that the film’s cancellation had been decided late last year, long before the tour was announced.

There has been no comment from Universal, nor from representatives for Madonna or Garner.

The biopic had created much online frenzy due to its gruelling casting process

, which came to be known as “Madonna bootcamp”: 11-hour days of choreography, as well as readings and singing auditions in front of Madonna and her casting director. Before Garner clinched the role, young stars – including Florence Pugh, Euphoria breakout Alexa Demie and the pop musicians Bebe Rexha and Sky Ferreira – were considered. The Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody was once attached to pen the screenplay. Cody and Madonna appeared together in an Instagram live in late 2020, participating in an unconventional live writing session.

A second draft of the script was then completed by Madonna with Erin Cressida Wilson, best known for her screenwriting work on Secretary and The Girl on the Train.

Sources told Variety that Madonna is still committed to making the film, despite Universal pulling out.

“I want to convey the incredible journey that life has taken me on as an artist, a musician, a dancer – a human being, trying to make her way in this world,” the singer said in 2020. “There are so many untold and inspiring stories and who better to tell it than me.

“It’s essential to share the rollercoaster ride of my life with my voice and vision.”

Madonna has two directing credits to her name: the provocative comedy-drama Filth and Wisdom, and W.E., a time-hopping romance about King Edward VIII

 

Razzie awards remove 12-year-old from worst actress category after backlash

The group behind the awards faced widespread criticism after nominating the young star of Firestarter

The organisers of the Razzie awards have removed the 12-year-old actor Ryan Kiera Armstrong from the worst actress category after backlash.

The young actor, also known from Black Widow and The Tomorrow War, was included in the annual list of worst of the year nominees for her performance in the thriller Firestarter, a remake of the Stephen King adaptation starring Drew Barrymore. Armstrong was 11 at the time of filming.

“Sometimes, you do things without thinking,” John Wilson, head of the group who puts on the awards, said in a statement. “Then you are called out for it. Then you get it. It’s why the Razzies were created in the first place.”

The announcement led to widespread criticism earlier this week, which Wilson has called “valid” and the original decision “insensitive”. He said that in future a new rule will mean that no one under 18 can be nominated.

“We also believe a public apology is owed Ms Armstrong, and wish to say we regret any hurt she experienced as a result of our choices,” he said. He also added that the group has “never intended to bury anyone’s career”.

Earlier this week, Wilson had defended the decision to BuzzFeed, stating that Armstrong was “an experienced actress, even if she’s only 12” and that the reaction was “interesting” but “overblown”.

Armstrong was nominated alongside Bryce Dallas Howard, Diane Keaton, Kaya Scodelario and Alicia Silverstone. The Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde led the way with eight nominations.

The organisers have previously nominated child actors, including Jake Lloyd for Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Macaulay Culkin for three performances in 1995.

Last year, the category of worst performance by Bruce Willis was rescinded after it was revealed that the actor has aphasia.

 

Hulu Follows Adult Swim By Splitting From Justin Roiland, Co-Creator Of ‘Solar Opposites

Less than one day after Adult Swim severed ties with Rick and Morty creator Justin Roiland, Hulu announced that it, too, will distance itself from the performer/producer who’s been accused of domestic violence.

Roiland is the co-creator/executive producer and voice cast member of Hulu’s animated series Solar Opposites as well as a performer on the streamer’s animated comedy Koala Man. “We have ended our association with Justin Roiland,” according to a statement from 20^th Television Animation and Hulu Originals.

Solar Opposites and Koala Man are expected to continue without Roiland’s involvement.

On Tuesday, Adult Swim revealed that it would sever ties with Roiland, who co-created Rick and Morty with Dan Harmon. The hit series received a massive 70-episode order in 2018 when Adult Swim signed long-term deals with the duo. The show, which has been renewed through Season 10, has completed six seasons, with four more to go as part of the pickup.

The title characters of Rick and Morty had been voiced by Roiland. He will be recast.

Roiland has been charged with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit by the Orange County District Attorney’s office. The incident in question against a Jane Doe allegedly occurred in January 2020, according to a May 2020 complaint. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in October 2020. The semi-sealed case was kept out of the public until a hearing on January 12.

Roiland is required to attend a April 27 hearing. No trial date has been set, but Roiland could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.

Roiland’s attorney has insisted that his client is innocent, noting that “we also have every expectation that this matter is on course to be dismissed once the District Attorney’s office has completed its methodical review of the evidence.”

 

Adam Scott gets a new love interest in first-look photos from the Party Down revival

Brush off those pink bow ties

Party Down was last on the air in 2010, but no matter how much things have changed since then, some things will always stay the same. EW has your exclusive first look at STARZ's upcoming revival series featuring all your favorite cater waiters back in those iconic pink bow ties, and although it's been more than a decade since these characters worked their last party together onscreen, these photos make it seem like no time has passed at all. Scroll through our gallery to see all the familiar and new faces starring in the long-awaited season 3, premiering Friday, Feb. 24. 

The gang's back together

When the revival begins, most of the Party Down catering team has moved on, including actor/bartender Henry (Adam Scott). But after a surprise reunion, the gang find themselves once again stoically enduring the procession of random parties and oddball guests all over Los Angeles. And all the OG's are back — Ken Marino as Ron, Jane Lynch as Constance, Martin Starr as Roman, Ryan Hansen as Kyle, and Megan Mullally as Lydia.

Joining the party

One of the new cast members joining this season is Jennifer Garner, who's already catching the eye of a certain someone at the bar. With Henry's on-again, off-again love girlfriend Casey (Lizzy Caplan) not returning for the revival, he's got a new love interest now in Evie (Garner), a successful movie producer fresh off a breakup. As she's reconsidering her life choices, this new relationship with Henry becomes a way for her to explore what else is out there.

Raise a toast

Another new face joining the revival is James Marsden, recurring as a guest star. He's playing Jack Botty, a famous actor known for being the lead in a popular superhero franchise. He enjoys his life, his fame, and being the center of everyone's attention. 

Off the clock

It's not all work and no play for some of these characters.

Catching up

Looks like the time away from catering has been good for Constance and Lydia.

Oh, Ron

Like we said earlier, some things never change!

Kylie Jenner sparks fashion controversy over noose-shaped necklace

Kylie Jenner continues to make headlines with her fashion statements at the 2023 Paris Fashion Week.

The Kardashians star, 25, stepped out in the French capital and sparked yet another fashion-fueled controversy with Givenchy’s noose-like necklace.

Kylie, on Monday, was spotted leaving a Paris restaurant wearing a noose-shaped necklace. She paired the Givenchy jewelry piece with an electric blue figure-hugging dress and sparkly pink boots, also by Givenchy.

The Kylie Cosmetics founder dropped pictures of her outfit on Instagram. She gave fans a detailed look at her outfit.

However, the controversial accessory grabbed massive attention on the internet. Kardashians fans took to social media and reacted with comments, “This is disgusting. Omg." Another fan wrote, "wrong in so many ways."

Kylie previously landed in controversy after stepping out in a black velvet gown with a massive fake cut-off lion head attached to the front. She wore the dress to the Schiaparelli Haute Couture show.

The faux lion head was sewn onto the bodice of Kylie's dress. She completed the look with gold-toed shoes and a croc-skin bag.