Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson has become the best-paid actress in the world, according to Forbes magazine.
Johansson, 33, made USD 40.5 million in pre-tax earnings from June 1, 2017, to June 1, 2018, quadrupling her income from the previous year.
She played Black Widow in this year's hit Marvel movie "Avengers: Infinity War" and will return to the role in the 2019 installment from Walt Disney Co's Marvel Studios.
Johansson beat out Angelina Jolie, who ranked second with USD 28 million thanks mainly to her upfront pay for "Maleficent 2".
Jennifer Aniston came in third with USD 19.5 million, making the bulk of her profits from Emirates airlines, Smartwater, and Aveeno promotions, Forbes reports.
Jennifer Lawrence, 28, was fourth on the list with continued earnings from her role in the "X-Men" series and an endorsement contract with fashion brand Christian Dior. Her USD 18 million income was USD 6 million less than the prior year.
Reese Witherspoon, 42, is at number five with USD ...

Scarlett Johansson is the highest paid actress with USD 40.5 million: Forbes

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"The Royals" has been cancelled by E! after four seasons.
"E! will not be moving forward with another season of 'The Royals', which launched in 2015 as the network's first original scripted series," a network spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline.
"Over four seasons, 'The Royals' took viewers behind the palace gates on a scandalous journey filled with twists and turns. We are grateful to the cast and our producing partners at Lionsgate and Universal Cable Productions."
Starring Elizabeth Hurley, "The Royals" followed a fictional modern day royal family as they find love, conspire against one another, and are forced to face long-hidden secrets, all in the name of the crown.
In addition to Hurley, it also starred Max Brown, William Moseley, Jake Maskall, Tom Austen, Alexandra Park, and Genevieve Gaunt. Brian Robbins, Joe Davola, and Shauna Phelan served as executive producers.
The season four finale aired earlier this year. In December of last year, creator/showrunner Mark ...

'The Royals' cancelled after four seasons

The pre-Broadway "Beetlejuice" has found its ghost in Tony nominee Alex Brightman.The the title role was played on-screen by Michael Keaton.
In addition, the show's backers, Warner Bros Theatre Ventures and Langley Park Productions, announced that Sophia Anne Caruso will co-star as Lydia, a goth teenager who forms a bond with ghosts. Winona Ryder played the part in the Tim Burton film.
Alex Timbers is directing the pre-Broadway staging at the National Theatre in Washington DC with Connor Gallagher attached as choreographer, reported Variety.
Performances in DC begin October 14, with an official opening on Sunday, November 4.
The musical adaptation features an original score by Eddie Perfect and a book by Scott Brown & Anthony King.

'Beetlejuice' musical ropes in Alex Brightman to play lead

Aretha Franklin, the legendary Queen of Soul, died today at the age of 76.
The representative for the veteran singer, Gwendolyn Quinn, confirmed the news that she passed away at her home in Detroit, Sky News reported.
Franklin, who was suffering from pancreatic cancer, was recently reported to be "gravely ill".
In her last days, she was visited by singer-musician Stevie Wonder with Beyonce and Jay Z paying tributes to her during their On The Run II tour.
The singer, who performed in a gospel choir in childhood and later graduated to master other genres such as pop and soul music, rose to worldwide prominence in the 1960s.
Franklin's first Hot 100 song, "Won't Be Long", debuted when she was barely 18 years old in 1961. She was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and has 18 Grammy awards to her credit.
The music icon had to cancel two performances in March when the doctors ordered her to rest. She last performed in November 2017 at the Elton John ..

Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin dies at 76

'The gentleman statesman', 'a titan' and 'a great orator' is how film personalities Lata Mangeshkar, Rajinikanth and Priyanka Chopra remembered former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away today after prolonged illness at the age of 93.
His death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital where he was admitted on June 11 with a variety of ailments.
"It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Former Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at 05:05 PM," the AIIMS said in a statement.
Mangeshkar said she was devastated to hear about Vajpayee's demise.
"The news about the death of sage-like former prime minister, Bharat Ratna, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji has left me devastated. He was like a father-figure to me... I feel as saddened by his death as I was when my father passed away," she wrote on Twitter in Hindi.
Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth called Vajpayee "a great statesman".
"I am saddened to hear ...

Celebrities remember 'great statesman', 'titan' Atal Bihari Vajpayee

The trend of biopics continues to be on the rise and next real-life personality to be immortalised on screen is former Tamil Nadu chief minister, J Jayalalithaa.
Fondly called Amma, Jayalalithaa started her career as a popular South Indian actor and went on to become one of the most iconic political leaders in the country.
She passed away on December 5, 2016 due to cardiac arrest.
The film will be produced by Vibri Media, that is also backing '83' and NTR biopic, a release said.
The makers plan to launch the movie's production on Jayalalithaa's birth anniversary, February 24. The first look of the film will be released on the same day.
AL Vijay, best known for the award-winning "Madrasapattinam", will direct the film.
The makers plan to release the film in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
The cast is yet to be locked but the film is expected to feature prominent  faces from both the South and Bollywood.

Now a biopic on Jayalalithaa

Twitter accounts of Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse were hacked into within one day of each other.
A nude photograph, what the hacker claimed to be of Reinhart's, was posted on the "Riverdale" star's microblogging account.
The hack comes days after she called out hackers who posted offensive messages on Sprouse's handle.
Sprouse, who is dating his "Riverdale" co-star, was the first victim.
Reinhart took to the microblogging site to tweet about the incident on August 14.
"Cole's Twitter has been hacked BTW. F**k people who do that, seriously," she wrote.
According to Hollywood Life, the hacker next targeted her and posted a tweet on her account along with the nude photo.
"Shouldn't have talked sh*t about us, here's to Lili fans found this masterpiece in iCloud," the message read.
Shortly after the tweet was posted, it was found that the woman in question was not Reinhart but a random shot from 2012 photo from a pornographic website.
Several other tweets were also shared on the account, .

Lili Reinhart, Cole Sprouse Twitter accounts hacked

Veteran actor Michael Caine has offered his take on the ending of Christopher Nolan's mind-bending feature "Inception".
The 2010 film, considered a pioneer in the sci-fi genre, featured Leonardo DiCaprio as Dominic Cobb, a professional thief who steals information by infiltrating the subconscious or dreams of a person.
The film's end scene where Cobb is eventually reunited with his children is often debated by the fans who wonder whether he was still in a dream or ultimately returned to reality.
In an interview with Esquire magazine, Caine, 85, who played DiCaprio's mentor and father-in-law, Professor Stephen Miles, said Nolan had explained the film to him.
"When I got the script of Inception, I was a bit puzzled by it, and I said to (Chris), 'I don't understand where the dream is'. I said, 'When is it the dream and when is it reality?'" he said.
"He said, 'Well, when you're in the scene it's reality.' So, get that  if I'm in it, it's reality. If I'm not in it, it's a dream," he ...

Michael Caine explains the ending of 'Inception'

Filmmaker Kunal Kohli is all set to bring Ramayana to the celluloid as "Ramyug" but the director says he will be cautious while adapting the Hindu epic for the big screen.
The filmmaker "hopes and prays", the film, titled "Ramyug", will not run into a controversy, which has often been the case with mythological and historical projects.
The epic was first adapted for television by Ramanand Sagar in 1988, the story also saw renditions in 2008 and 2012.
"I have always been cautious while making any film. I got into a problem while we were making 'Fanaa.' These are unfortunate things that happen. One has to be cautious, which is why we have people like Narendra Kohli, our consultant.
"If you see his body of work, you'll realise how accurate he is. Hopefully there'll be no problem. We have had Ramayan on TV till recently. So I hope and pray that we don't have these problems," Kunal told reporters.
For the film, which goes on floors this year, the director has locked a fresh-faced star ...

Will be cautious while adapting Ramayana for big screen: Kunal Kohli

Popular TV actor Anup Soni says he has taken a "selfish call" to do movies as the big screen space is more exciting today.
Soni, who has been the face of crime drama series "Crime Patrol" for about nine years, has bid adieu to the show to focus on his film career.
He admits the show helped him earn credibility and respect as an actor.
"The (hosting) stint went on for long. The show became popular and I did not think it will run this long. I am focusing on films now.
"The actor inside me was restless and I wanted to focus more on acting. I had to take this call, it was a selfish call as an actor," the actor told PTI.
It was during the last quarter of 2017 that Soni decided to leave the small screen.
Fortunately, at the same time, he says, he got Ekta Kapoor's webseries "The Test Case".
"I was somewhere missing acting in films. I requested makers that I would like to focus on films and they were ok with it. They wanted me to complete my contract that ended this March-April."
In the ...

Actor inside me was restless: Anup Soni on moving to films

Robin Wright and Clement Giraudet reportedly got married over the weekend in a small town in France.
The "House of Cards" star and Giraudet, a Saint Laurent fashion executive, exchanged vows at a small gathering in southeast France's La Roche-sur-le-Buis, Vogue Paris reported.
A "Weddin vibes" video clip on Instagram by Wright's daughter, Dylan Penn, showed guests enjoying the locales.
"It was very intimate and low-key. Robin wanted it to be about them, not a big production," a source told People.
The 52-year-old actor was previously married to actors Dane Witherspoon and Sean Penn.
Wright and Giraudet, 34, are said to have been dating from September 2017.

Robin Wright ties the knot with Clement Giraudet

"Inglourious Basterds" star Melanie Laurent has joined the cast of Ryan Reynolds-starrer, "6 Underground".
Directed by Michael Bay, the action film is based on an original idea from writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, who are best known for their work on the "Deadpool" franchise.
The plot for the film revolves around six billionaires who fake their own deaths and form an elite team to take down bad guys.
Apart from Laurent, actor Payman Maadi, best known for films, such as "A Separation" and "13 Hours", has also joined the cast.
Dave Franco, Corey Hawkins, Adria Arjona, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Ben Hardy and Lior Raz are also on board.
The film, produced by Skydance and Netflix, will start filming later this month and will be released worldwide on streaming giant's platform in 2019.

Melanie Laurent boards '6 Underground' cast

Popular rock band Aerosmith has announced a Las Vegas residency.
The "Deuces Are Wild Vegas Residency" will open on April 6, 2019 at Park Theatre at Park MGM.
The show, named after 1994 single, will mark the 50th anniversary of the band which consists of lead vocalist Steven Tyler, bassist Tom Hamilton, drummer Joey Kramer and guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford.
Tyler, the band's frontman, also shared the news on The Today Show.
"We decided to do Vegas. Viva La Aerosmith," he said.
Perry said, "We want to bring a show in there we really can't do when on the road, on a regular tour. So we want to bring a show that still has Aerosmith and all the guts of Aerosmith, but has a whole other element to it that we haven't been able to do before.

Aerosmith announces Las Vegas residency

A group of parents have alleged that Netflix's new feature "Desire" depicts child pornography and petitioned the streaming giant to remove the film from its platform.
The group, Parents Television Council, has penned a letter to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, saying that the Argentinean film shows nine-year-old girls indulging in sexual activity.
"I respectfully, but pointedly, ask you: Does the Netflix brand stand for the distribution of nine year old girls masturbating? The answer is yes or no; there is no other choice here," Timothy F. Winter, president of the Parents Television Council, wrote in the letter to Hastings.
The group accused Netflix of "showing a reckless disregard for the millions of families that keep your streaming platform alive and viable, and callously placing profits ahead of any sense of corporate responsibility, to potentially engaging in criminal activity."
"At such a momentous time in Hollywood as this, where #MeToo is exposing grotesque behaviour and holding ...

Parent group slams Netflix for film depicting child pornography

Netflix's "Outlaw King", starring Chris Pine in the lead, will open the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2018.
The project from the streaming giant will have its world premiere at the 43rd edition of the prestigious film festival, the organisers said in a statement.
Pine, who reunites with his "Hell or High Water" director David Mackenzie, plays Scottish warrior king, Robert the Bruce in the historical drama. The story follows Bruce, and his battle to regain control of Scotland after he is declared an outlaw by the King of England.
Justin Kelly-directed Savannah Knoop biopic "Jeremiah Terminator Leroy" will close TIFF.
The movie features actor Kristen Stewart as Knoop, who posed as the title literary persona of her sister-in-law, Laura Albert (Laura Dern), throughout the 1990s.
The organisers also announced 100 features and short films that will screen as part of its line-up.
It includes Joel Edgerton's "Boy Erased"; Sam Taylor-Johnson's "A Million Little Pieces", Paul ...

David Mackenzie's 'Outlaw King' to open Toronto Film Festival

Music mogul Simon Cowell will be honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
According to Variety, the 58-year-old reality TV personality will receive the recognition on August 22, dedicated in the television category.
Ana Martinez, producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies, said Cowell's "honest, critical evaluation of talent has won him first place to fans' hearts and a star" on the Hollywood Boulevard.
"Simon Cowell has brought a new meaning to talent shows and has made it a mega platform for people to show their talent and tell their tales," Martinez added.
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Leron Gubler will be accompanied by surprise guest speakers to unveil the "America's Got Talent" judge's star.
The event will be live-streamed on www.walkoffame.com.

Simon Cowell to receive  star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Bollywood diva Kareena Kapoor Khan will be the showstopper for designer Monisha Jaising at the grand finale of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Winter/Festive 2018.
Jaising will close the fashion week with her 'Shades of a Diva' collection. The clothing line is inspired by the designer's passion for art, music and modern architecture. It promises to appeal to the diverse personalities, moods and attitudes of Indian women
Kareena said it is always a pleasure for her to comeback to LFW runway and she is excited to walk for Monisha.
"Being a part of the Lakme Absolute Grand Finale is always very special for me. To come on the runway and represent the brand I love. But this season is even more special as we have something big coming up and I cannot wait to reveal this to everyone.
"I am also excited to walk for Monisha this season in her collection which will interpret Lakme's beauty theme of 'Shades of a Diva'," Kareena said in a statement.
Ashwath Swaminathan, Head of Innovations, Lakme, added, 

Kareena Kapoor Khan to turn showstopper for Monisha Jaising at LFW Winter/Festive 2018 finale

"The Americans" star Keri Russell is all set to star in the Broadway revival of Lanford Wilson's "Burn This".
The revival, to be directed by Tony winner Michael Mayer, will begin performances in March 2019 at a theatre to be announced, reported Variety.
The show, set in New York in the 1980s, "tells the story of four New Yorkers whose lives are uprooted by a young dancer's accidental death".
Driver, 34, plays Pale, a dangerous and sexy young man, who finds his life torn apart by the accidental death of a young dancer.
Russell, 42, will play Anna, a dancer and choreographer who finds herself drawn to Pale.
The original "Burn This" premiered off-Broadway in 1987 before transferring to Broadway. John Malkovich and Joan Allen starred as Pale and Anna, respectively.

Keri Russell to star in 'Burn This' revival on Broadway

James Gunn, who was fired as the director of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3", will not be coming back as Disney has reconfirmed its decision to let go of the filmmaker.
The 52-year-old director was terminated from directing the third film in the series after a series of old offensive tweets made by the filmmaker resurfaced on social media.
According to Variety, Disney and Marvel are "standing by their decision to not reinstate him as helmer for the next installment."
The decision was taken after a "courtesy" meeting between the director and Disney chairman Alan Horn where Gunn and his team tried hard to convince the studio.
Marvel studios president Kevin Feige, who was rumoured to be lobbying for the director's reinstatement, stands by the studio's decision to not rehire Gunn.
After Gunn's firing, an online petition was launched by fans of the franchise asking the studio to take back its decision.
Gunn also received support from the cast of the franchise, who had signed an open letter 

Disney confirms James Gunn won't be hired back for 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'

Oscar-winning director Ang Lee will be one of the recipients of the annual Directors Guild of America (DGA) honours at its ceremony.
The event will be held at the DGA Theatre in New York City on October 18, the organisers said in a statement.
Apart from the 63-year-old director, Fox Searchlight chairman Nancy Utley, US Senator Amy Klobuchar, SAG-AFTRA senior adviser John McGuire and costume designer Ann Roth will also be honoured at the ceremony.
The DGA Honours recognises individuals and institutions that have made distinguished contributions to American culture through the world of film and television, and recognises the diversity of achievement -- in business, government, and labour -- required to produce the best entertainment in the world.
"There is nowhere more fitting to celebrate the confluence of entertainment, labour and politics than New York, our cultural epicenter," said DGA president Thomas Schlamme.
"It's where a legendary director like Ang Lee, as a budding Taiwanese ..

Ang Lee to be honoured by Directors Guild of America

Actor Tyler Hoechlin has joined the cast of the new film "Can You Keep A Secret?".
The 30-year-old actor joins "San Andreas" star Alexandra Daddario in the project, reported Deadline.
The film, to be helmed by Elise Duran, is a feature adaptation of Sophie Kinsella's bestseller of the same name.
The story follows Emma Corrigan (Daddario), a girl with a few secrets who spills them all to a handsome stranger sitting next to her on a turbulent plane ride. Shortly after she meets Jack Harper (Hoechlin), her company's young and elusive CEO who turns out to be same man who knows every single humiliating detail about Emma.
The script is being adapted by Peter Hutchings.
Daddario, 32, will also executive produce the project with Claude Dal Farra, Brice Dal Farra and Brian Keady as producers.

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