Joaquin Phoenix says he based the signature laughter of iconic DC villain The Joker on a neurological disorder known as Pathological Laughter and Crying (PLC).
The condition is characterised by inappropriate and involuntary laughing and crying due to a nervous system disorder.
Phoenix, who is set to star as the Clown Prince of Crime in the eponymous film, said he watched videos of people suffering from the condition as part of his preparation.
"I started (with the laugh). I watched videos of people suffering from pathological laughter, a neurological disorder that makes individuals laugh uncontrollably," the actor told Italian magazine Il Venerdi.
Phoenix follows the likes of Jack Nicholson, Mark Hamill, Heath Ledger and Jared Leto with his portrayal of the Joker in the Todd Philips-directed movie.
Also featuring Zazie Beetz, Robert De Niro and Marc Maron, "Joker" will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival later this month. It releases worldwide in October.

Joaquin Phoenix on how he cracked Joker's signature laugh

PTI Automatic

"How I Met Your Mother" alum Sarah Chalke will star alongside Katherine Heigl in Netflix series "Firefly Lane".
Based on the bestseller of the same name from author Kristin Hannah, the series will see Heigl play a magnetic, ambitious and loyal woman named Tully Hart.
According to The Wrap, Chalke will portray the role of Kate Mularkey, Tully's best friend and soulmate.
The story follows Kate and Tully, who meet as young girls and become inseparable best friends throughout 30 years of ups and downs, successes and failures, depression and disappointments.
When an unthinkable betrayal breaks them apart, the two women go their separate ways, and it is unclear whether they will ever be able to reconcile.
Ben Lawson is also a part of the cast.
Maggie Friedman will write, showrun and executive produce the 10-episode series.
Hannah is also onboard as a co-executive producer.
Peter O'Fallon will direct and executive produce the first episode.

Sarah Chalke joins Katherine Heigl's 'Firefly Lane'

Brad Pitt says he likes a good "underdog" story as it resonates with his own career graph in Hollywood.
The "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" star recalled starting out as an extra in showbiz and slowly gaining his base in the movies.
"I think it's easy to forget I came from Oklahoma and Missouri - places where the film industry is not on the vocational list, so I started as an extra and slowly learned about the industry. I still root for an underdog," Pitt, 55, told Ok! magazine.
He said the fame he has achieved over the years, sometimes feels like a double-edged sword.
"It can be both, it's a trade-off. It's liberating in the opportunities it provides but, on the other hand, it can be very confining.
"I haven't seen a hotel lobby in 15 years because I've got to go up the a** end of a hotel and out the same way. We get our moments, but it's good and bad," Pitt explained.
The actor will be next seen in James Gray's space epic "Ad Astra".
The film will have its world premiere at the ...

I still root for the underdog: Brad Pitt

The Woodstock name has become more brand than spirit for many hippies, but people spanning the generations continue to seek its aura, looking for more "authentic" ways to pay homage to the spot where it all began.
People like visual artist and activist Christopher Peter Vanderessen shun "commercial" events like those held at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, where the grounds that hosted the 1969 Woodstock stage are located and a handful of veteran acts like Santana are playing for the 50th anniversary weekend.
The 45-year-old is among those in a generation too young to reminisce about that 1969's weekend of peace, love and music, but who value the ideals that Woodstock came to symbolize enough to carry them on.
Wielding a walking staff etched with beaver teeth marks and wearing a long black cloak emblazoned with neon paint, he journeys each year to the forest behind the old Yasgur farmstead -- also part of the sprawling original grounds that were lent to Woodstock organizers by a ...

Hippies young and old keep the 'real Woodstock' flame alive

Marvel Studios may not have made any formal announcements about "Black Panther" sequel, but actor Martin Freeman has confirmed his involvement in the project.
Freeman, who played CIA Agent Everett Ross in the Chadwick Boseman-fronted 2018 film, said he is not sure when the much-anticipated sequel will get into production.
"As far as I know, I will be (returning). As far as I know, I will be in another Black Panther. That's my understanding. As to when that will happen, I don't know," Freeman told Collider when asked about his return to Marvel Cinematic Universe.
"Black Panther 2" was not announced during Marvel Studios' San Diego Comic-Con, but Ryan Coogler is expected to return as the director of the new film.
Feige, however, later on hinted that a Black Panther movie can be a part of the studio's fifth phase.
Apart from being a global blockbuster with USD 1.3 billion worldwide, "Black Panther" also became the first Marvel superhero film to earn a best picture Oscar nod.

Martin Freeman confirms 'Black Panther' return

Academy Award winner Olivia Colman is the latest addition to the star-studded voice cast of "The Simpsons".
The actor, who will be seen essaying the part of Queen Elizabeth II in the third season of "The Crown", will feature in the upcoming 31st season of the animated show.
In the episode, she will be playing "the most down home femme fatale ever" who is used to getting her own way when it comes to the opposite sex, reported Entertainment Weekly.
"Just this second came from recording one of the best guest appearances in Simpson's history. No kidding, I am flying," "Simpsons" executive producer James L Brooks tweeted on Friday.
Colman has joined the season 31 guest roster that also includes John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Jason Momoa, Bob Odenkirk, John Mulaney and Jane Goodall.

Olivia Colman to guest star in 'The Simpsons'

"Padmavaat", "Tiger Zinda Hai" and now "Sacred Games" are small yet seminal steps in Anupriya Goenka's quest to become one of the industry's most versatile performers.
Grateful is what Anupriya feels after her performances in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus and Salman Khan-starrer action flick were acknowledged by the critics. She currently stars in Netflix's critically acclaimed series "Sacred Games".
"I truly enjoy and love acting, it's a passion and is therapeutic for me. It is the one thing that makes me truly happy. My sole goal is to grow as a performer each day.
"The most important factors for any artist, is the honesty towards one's craft, hard work and passion that guides them," Anupriya told PTI.
The actor says the renewed emphasis of the industry on varying and distinct content has opened a lot of doors for artistes.
"The content and the kind of scripts that are being explored has created a a need for actors who are honest, malleable and versatile in both the mediums. A 

Acting is therapeutic for me: Anupriya Goenka

Model-actor Lisa Haydon on Saturday announced that she and her husband Dino Lalvani are expecting their second child together.
The couple are already parents to son Zack, who was born on May 17, 2017.
Lisa took to Instagram to share the news.
"Party of four on the way," she captioned a picture of her flaunting the baby bump while standing alongside her husband and son Zack in the sea.
Lisa and Dino, who is a son of Pakistan-born British entrepreneur Gullu Lalvani, tied in the knot in October 2016 after one year of dating.

Lisa Haydon pregnant with second child

"Western Stars", a documentary directed by music icon Bruce Springsteen, will hit the theatres later this year.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the release date of the much-anticipated documentary was announced after Warner Bros acquired its rights.
"Western Stars", which is also the name of Springsteen's first studio album in five years, features archival footage and personal narration, as well as the singer performing all 13 songs on the album, backed up by a band and a full orchestra in his historic nearly 100-year-old barn.
Thom Zimny has co-directed the documentary.
"Bruce lives in the super rarified air of artists who have blazed new and important trails deep into their careers.
"With Western Stars, Bruce is pivoting yet again, taking us with him on an emotional and introspective cinematic journey, looking back and looking ahead. As one of his many fans for over 40 years, I couldn't be happier to be a rider on this train with Bruce and Thom," Warner Bros. picture group ...

Warner Bros to release Bruce Springsteen documentary later this year

Filmmaker Steven Soderbergh has secretly started shooting his new film.
The movie has been titled "Let Them All Talk" and it features veteran actor Meryl Streep and Gemma Chan in the lead.
Streep has also worked on Soderbergh's upcoming Netflix feature "The Laundromat", which is set to have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival before heading to the Toronto International Film Festival.
Chan is the breakout star of romantic comedy "Crazy Rich Asians". She most recently starred in "Captain Marvel" alongside Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson and Jude Law.
According to The Playlist, Soderbergh will be the first filmmaker to use the new, cutting edge RED camera, the Komodo Dragon.
The official details of the film's plot, release date or distributor are yet to be known.

Steven Soderbergh secretly working on new film

Kerry Washington and Sterling K Brown will topline the action drama feature "Shadow Force".
The film is described as a "fresh take on 'Mr And Mrs Smith'" and will be produced by the two actors, reported Deadline.
The script has been penned by Leon Chills, who has also written the upcoming comedy "Heaven Hath No Fury."
Washington, best known for "Scandal", "Confirmation" and "Django Unchained", will produce through her banner Simpson Street with Pilar Savone.
Brown, the star of shows such as "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story" and "This Is Us", will producer via his production house Indian Meadows Productions along with Danielle Reardon.
Washington is currently filming the Lynn Shelton-directed limited series "Little Fires Everywhere" for Hulu.
Brown will next feature in the films -- "Waves" and "The Rhythm Section" with Blake Lively and Jude Law.

Kerry Washington, Sterling K Brown teaming up for 'Shadow Force'

British actor-comedian Russell Brand is in negotiations to board the cast of "Death on the Nile", Fox's follow-up to "Murder on the Orient Express".
Kenneth Branagh, who helmed the 2017 film, will return to the director's chair for the new project and reprise his role of the mustachioed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.
Based on celebrated author Agatha Christies novel of the same name, the follow-up will chronicle Poirot's vacation in Egypt where he discovers a murder on the banks of river Nile as a love triangle goes awry.
If finalised, Brand, best known for starring in films such as "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" "Get Him to the Greek", will join Gal Gadot, Letitia Wright and Armie Hammer in the project.
The project, being written by Michael Green, is scheduled to start filming at the end of September. The movie has a release date of December 20, 2020, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"Death on the Nile" has been previously adapted into a 1978 film, with Peter Ustinov as Poirot ...

Russell Brand in talks for 'Death on the Nile'

Actors Jahnvi Kapoor and Vjay Verma will be playing the leads in director Zoya Akhtar's short in Netflix's "Ghost Stories".
The anthology film is a follow-up to the streamer's 2018 movie "Lust Stories".
Zoya, Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee and Anurag Kashyap are coming back to direct four shorts, which will all be thematically connected, in the new film.
Before "Lust Stories", the four filmmakers had worked together on 2013 anthology "Bombay Talkies".
Zoya's short marks her reunion with Vijay, who worked with her earlier this year in "Gully Boy". The actor received a special praise for his performance in the Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt-starrer movie.
It is for the first time that Jahnvi, who made her Bollywood debut with 2018's "Dhadak", will be working with Zoya.
The shoot of the short has just commenced and it will be produced by RSVP Pictures and Tiger Baby, the makers announced in a statement.

Zoya Akhtar's 'Ghost Stories' short to feature Jahnvi Kapoor, Vijay Verma

Australian director-screenwriter Justin Kurzel is set to helm Apple's "Shantaram" series.
The 10-episode original is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Gregory David Roberts.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show will get into production in October and will be shot in Victoria, Australia.
Kurtzel will direct the first two and last two episodes of the Paramount Television and Anonymous Content project.
The novel, a fictionalised account of David Roberts life, revolves around Lin, a one-time bank robber and heroin addict who escaped from Melbourne's infamous maximum security Pentridge Prison.
His life on the run took him to Germany and then slums of Mumbai, where he set up a clinic as a way of giving back to the society, followed by his involvement with freedom fighters against the Russians in Afghanistan.
The 2003 novel has been published in 39 languages in 42 territories worldwide and has sold more than six million copies.
The Australian government will ...

Justin Kurzel to direct 'Shantaram' series from Apple

Chad Stahelski, the director of Keanu Reeves-starrer "John Wick" franchise, is tackling new action scenes of Warner Bros-DC film "Birds of Prey".
The movie, whose full title is "Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)", is a spin-off of the studio's 2016 supervillain feature "Suicide Squad".
It focuses on Harley Quinn, played by Margot Robbie in the original, and the pack of DC's women characters called Birds of Prey, which also includes the likes of the Black Canary, the Huntress, and Renee Montoya, among others.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cathy Yan, who has directed the feature, will be working with Stahelski for some of the film's action scenes.
Stahelski will be taking an uncredited role of overseeing second unit photography team. He will tackle and design new action scenes for the movie.
"Birds of Prey" features Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Huntress, Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain and Rosie Perez as ...

Chad Stahelski to oversee new actions scenes for Margot Robbie's 'Birds of Prey' movie

Veteran Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki will be honoured with the 2019 Sklar Creative Visionary Award.
The creator of iconic fantasy/mystery animation "Spirited Away", Miyazaki will receive the award at this year's annual Ryman Arts dinner and program on October 25.
"Ryman Arts is thrilled that the legendary Hayao Miyazaki will be the next recipient of the Sklar Creative Visionary Award. His incredible work has advanced the art of visual storytelling and influenced the entire genre of animation, while inspiring us all.
"I can't imagine any other individual who so strongly exemplifies the essence of the visionary creativity which this award celebrates," Ryman Arts Board President and Creative Executive of the Hettema Group, Phil Hettema, said in a statement to Variety.
Miyazaki will be the second recipient of the award after last year's winner, Marvel Studio chief, Kevin Feige.
The Tokyo-born director has an array of widely-acclaimed films to his credit including "Howl's Moving ...

'Spirited Away' creator Hayao Miyazaki to receive 2019 Sklar Creative Visionary Award

Filmmaker Rian Johnson has teased that his new "Star Wars" trilogy will explore the stories of new characters in the galaxy far, far away.
The 45-year-old director, who directed the franchise's 2017 blockbuster "The Last Jedi", will be making a whole new trilogy for the Lucasfilm after the current series wraps post this year's "The Rise of Skywalker".
His trilogy will be separate from the one being developed by "Game of Thrones" creators David Benioff and D B Weiss.
In an interview with Observer, Johnson said he plans to go beyond the "legacy characters", an apparent reference to the Skywalker saga which has dominated the franchise since the first film.
"I think that the fun and challenging part of it is to dive in, figure out what's exciting and then figure out what it's going to be. We're doing something that steps beyond the legacy characters. What does that look like? To me, the blue sky element of it is what was most striking about it.
"I know the way that I'm coming at it, and ..

Rian Johnson wants to move beyond 'legacy characters' with new 'Star Wars' trilogy

Chinese-Canadian actor Ludi Lin is currently in negotiations to play Liu Kang in New Line Cinema's upcoming "Mortal Kombat" movie.
The film is a live-action version of the popular video game of the same name.
According to Variety, Liu Kang is one of the seven original characters introduced in the first "Mortal Kombat" game, which came out in 1992.
Plot details of the upcoming reboot are still unknown, but the game focused on Liu Kang, a Shaolin monk with a resemblance to Bruce Lee known for his flying kicks, who tries to save the Earth by fighting for supremacy in a tournament.
Produced by James Wan and directed by Simon McQuoid, the live-action version is scheduled to be released in March, 2021.
New Line Cinema released the first "Mortal Kombat" movie in 1995. The film was panned by critics but minted USD 120 million globally. The sequel "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation" came out in 1997.

Ludi Lin in talks to star in 'Mortal Kombat'

Streaming platform Netflix has ordered an Elvis Presley animated action comedy series "Agent King".
Netflix announced the project on August 16, which marked the 42nd anniversary of the music icon's death.
According to Variety, the adult animated series will imagine Elvis trading his white jumpsuit for a jet pack as he is inducted into a secret government spy program to help battle dark forces that threaten the country he loves -- "all while holding down his day job as the most famous rock 'n' roll star on the planet".
The series is backed by Sony Pictures Animation, Sony Pictures TV and Authentic Brands Group.
Priscilla Presley and John Eddie are attached as co-creators and executive producers, while Mike Arnold will write and serve as showrunner.
"From the time Elvis was a young boy he always dreamed of being the superhero fighting crime and saving the world.
"'Agent King' lets him do just that. My co-creator John Eddie and I are so excited to be working with Netflix and Sony ...

Elvis Presley animated spy series in works at Netflix

Actor Akshay Kumar says his latest "Mission Mangal" was not an easy project to make as the space genre till now was an uncharted territory in Bollywood.
The Jagan Shakti-directed movie, touted as India's first space film, follows the scientists at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) who contributed to the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM).
The film, featuring Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Sonakshi Sinha, Kirti Kulhari and Nithya Menen, released on Independence Day.
"When we are making it, writing it, lots of people had even told us how much business it'll do: 'It'll go till Rs 60-70 crore.' Because this genre is not explored, nobody knows.
"It was a big risk. I had no idea where this film would go and how would people react to science. But it was a risk worth taking," Akshay said in a group interview.
The actor says he was not expecting this kind of response as the film was a first of its kind in the Indian film industry.
"I'm glad this has worked and a new genre has opened up for the ...

Making 'Mission Mangal' was a big risk: Akshay Kumar

Gangster drama "Mumbai Saga", written and directed by Sanjay Gupta, will hit the theatres on June 19, 2020.
The release date of the film was announced by TSeries on Friday on Twitter.
Set in the 1980s-'90s, the film revolves around all that went into transforming Bombay into Mumbai.
The movies features John Abraham, Emraan Hashmi, Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Amol Gupte, Prateik Babbar, Gulshan Grover and Rohit Roy.
The project is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Anuradha Gupta and Sangeeta Ahir.

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