Actors Jennifer Carpenter, left, and Vince Vaughn pose for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Brawl In Cell Block 99 ' during the 74th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
VENICE, Italy (AP) --
Vince Vaughn is becoming a surprising regular at the Venice Film Festival.
Vaughn, best known for comedies, is at the Italian festival as star of S. Craig Zahler's bone-crunching prison thriller "Brawl in Cell Block 99," which screens Saturday.
Last year, he attended to promote Mel Gibson's war movie "Hacksaw Ridge."
Vaughn says he hasn't abandoned comedy, but "I have just had the fortune of being able to try different stuff."
He says it's rewarding to work with directors like gore-master Zahler, who made cannibal horror Western "Bone Tomahawk."
Vaughn said Zahler is refreshing because he has a strong vision and "does not go out saying, 'How do I get the majority of people to like me?' He goes out trying to pick unique characters, and unfold a dramatic life."
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
