ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY AND AWARD NEWS MARCH 26, 2019 Whatever Happened to Fan Bingbing? She was the highest-paid female star in China—and then she disappeared. For the last year, the film world has been transfixed by the tax scandal swirling around Fan Bingbing, the actress who was held under residential surveillance for months by the Chinese government, then later ordered to pay $131 million in back taxes and penalties. In the April issue, May Jeong does a deep dive on the scandal, tracing Fan’s ascent as a star and speaking to a wide range of sources, from English teachers to film execs to lawyers—all of whom have worked with the actress. “She so much cares about the people working for her and treats them really well,” said Fang Li, a producer on several of Fan’s films. “Not many actresses are like Fan Bingbing. She is so strong, spiritually. She can take a lot of pressure, and still smile.” Jeong also uncovers the ripple effect the tax scandal has had on the Chinese film industry, which will never be the same again. Elsewhere in HWD, Laura Bradley takes a look at the latest (major!) Jussie Smollett update, and chats with the bunny whisperer behind Us; Joanna Robinson whisks us inside Apple’s grand Hollywood unveiling; and K. Austin Collins reviews Dragged Across Concrete, starring Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn.

Gone Girl Here’s how Fan Bingbing has spent the last few tumultuous months of her life—and how she got into this mess in the first place. READ MORE » Walking Free? All 16 counts of disorderly conduct against Jussie Smollett have been dropped, putting an end to the endless controversy. READ MORE » Peak TV, Round Two Apple set the industry abuzz on Monday with its showy slate reveal—but what was the mood really like inside the Steve Jobs Theater? READ MORE » Hardly Harsh S. Craig Zahler’s controversial movie about a pair of racist cops gone rogue has more bark than bite—and that’s telling. READ MORE » Bad Bunnies Us spoilers ahead: Producer Ian Cooper shared all the dirty details behind wrangling up to 110 rabbits on the film’s wild set. READ MORE »