In this Aug. 3, 2016 file photo, actor Jared Leto poses for photographers at the European Premiere of Suicide Squad, at a central London cinema. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) --
Fresh off a divisive turn as the Joker in "Suicide Squad," Jared Leto is set to take off on new adventure in the sequel to Ridley Scott's 1982 dystopian cult classic "Blade Runner."
The Oscar-winning actor will play a never-before-seen character, according to an announcement from Alcon Entertainment Thursday.
He'll star alongside Harrison Ford, who is reprising his role as Rick Deckard, in addition to Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis and Barkhad Abdi.
"Sicario" and "Prisoners" helmer Denis Villeneuve is set to direct the still-untitled film, set several decades after the original, with a script from Hampton Fancher and Michael Green. Scott is an executive producer.
Warner Bros. has dated the film for an Oct. 6, 2017 release.
Pepsi soft drinks in plastic bottles are on sale at a grocery store in New York on Weds., Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion … could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More
