Damon Lindelof Calls Axed ‘Star Wars’ Script a ‘True Labor of Love’

Welcome to this weeks Just for Variety.

In his first comments since it was revealed that he and Justin Britt-Gibson are no longer writing the script for director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoys Star Wars movie, Damon Lindelof tells me the project was a true labor of love. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is now penning the script. The movie is still happening, but unfortunately not with me, Lindelof said at the premiere of Mrs. Davis, the offbeat Peacock dramady he is shepherding with showrunner Tara Hernandez. I wish them all the best of luck. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is an incredible director, and I cant wait to see what she comes up with.

As for Mrs. Davis, it is one heck of a ride. Ive watched the first two episodes and it is completely bonkers, twisted and so much fun. Betty Gilpin stars as a nun searching for the Holy Grail while battling a mysterious AI. Gilpins performance is pure Looney Tunes genius and will hopefully earn her lots of awards attention.

THE BATMAN, Colin Farrell, as Oswald Cobblepot / the Penguin, 2022. Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection Courtesy of Warner Bros/Everett Collection Michael Keaton may be reprising his role as Batman in the The Flash, but Danny DeVito says theres no chance hell return as the Penguin in the DCU. Colin Farrell is the Penguin now, DeVito told me at the Breakthrough Prize gala. Hes a brilliant actor. I love him. Hes a good friend. Hes a good man.

I loved seeing him as the Penguin. I thought he was great, DeVito added before cracking, He reminds me of a couple of my relatives back in Jersey.

Farrell is filming The Penguin, an eight-episode spin-off of 2022s The Batman, for HBO Max, which will officially become Max next month.

Lionel Richie says he first met King Charles in the 1980s. Were about the same age, the 73-year-old singer says. I dont want to say we grew up together, but weve been in and out of each others lives for a long time. So now to see him step into his rightful place, itll be very interesting to see what his reign will be. It was announced last week that Richie will be among the artists to perform at the kings coronation concert on May 7. Youre told the palace is calling and you think, Am I being punked? Richie says. No, it was not that way at all. It was much more formal than that. And, of course, the answer was Yes, no matter what else I may have had planned. This only happens once in a billion years, as far as Im concerned.

Ari Aster and Joaquin Phoenix at the Los Angeles premiere of Beau Is Afraid held at the Directors Guild of America on April 10, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Michael Buckner for Variety Ari Aster is known for horror movies Hereditary and Midsommar and the new black comedy Beau Is Afraid. But he wouldnt mind directing lighter fare. I love rom-coms, he tells me. His favorite? Albert Brooks 1991 Defending Your Life: Its great. Its the best.

Aster hasnt started writing a rom-com yet. Give me a few years, he says.

Young Mazino as Paul in episode 102 of Beef. Cr. Andrew Cooper/Netflix 2023 ANDREW COOPER/NETFLIX Get to know Young Mazino. The Maryland native plays Paul on Netflixs Beef. The actor reveals that his father wasnt exactly thrilled when he told him he was drop- ping out of college to pursue acting. I just remember the way he put his spoon down and just looked at me, Mazino tells me. There was some friction over the years when I was struggling to make it in New York. I had some bitterness and resentment which was so foolish of me because we couldnt see eye to eye. I couldnt come to terms with the fact that he just wanted me to be safe and stable. His father, a cybersecurity and computer systems expert who has several masters degrees and a Ph.D., called him after watching Beef. He is a man of few words, but he said, Youre a good actor, Mazino recalls, smiling. That was a really cool thing.

Hes not only getting kudos for his acting, but when Mazino popped onto social media to see what viewers were saying about his performance, he discovered his body was getting lots of attention, too. I made the mistake of going to Twitter and my ass is all over the place and people are saying some of the most lewd things Ive ever read, Mazino says, laughing. I was horrified but also fascinated.

He adds, I hope people will look towards my acting more so than my abs and booty.

Check out the best celebrity party and event pics of the month here.