Page 1407 - Entertainment Culture
Kristen Wiig to play antagonist Cheetah in 'Wonder Woman 2'
Director Patty Jenkins has announced that Kristen Wiig is on board to essay the role of antagonist Cheetah in "Wonder Woman 2". The 46-year-old filmmaker took to Twitter to confirm the news. "So excited to confirm the most thrilling news. Yes! It's true! So incredibly lucky to welcome the sensationally talented Kristen Wiig to our Wonder Woman family. Can't wait to finally work with one of my favorites. And SO excited by what we have planned. #Cheetah!!! @GalGadot (sic)," Jenkins wrote, alongside Wiig's picture. "Wonder Woman" lead Gal Gadot also expressed her excitement to have the "Bridesmaids" star aboard. "I'm SO excited welcome on board Kristen! This is going to be WONDERful! (sic)" Gadot wrote. In DC Comics, the character of Cheetah is feline-esque with strength and speed to make her Wonder Woman's worthy adversary, EW reported. The sequel reportedly begins filming in May and is scheduled for release November 1 next year.
Ryan Coogler pens tribute to 'one of his heroes' Ava DuVernay
"Black Panther" director Ryan Coogler has penned a tribute to his "big sister" Ava DuVernay, whose "A Wrinkle in Time" opens in the US today. "Ava DuVernay is someone who makes the impossible look easy. It's why I feel privileged to call her my big sister. I met her in 2013, but she's one of those people who you feel like you've always known, the director wrote in a letter for ESPN. The director recalled how DuVernay, a publicist-turned-director, was "already one of (his) heroes" before he met her. Calling the "Selma" helmer a "pioneer", Coogler also talked about DuVernay's efforts to improve diversity on her sets, including her decision to hire all-female directors and women in important creative roles for season one of her OWN Network show "Queen Sugar", something she plans to continue in season two. "Ava is a pioneer. She makes the most distant dreams and ideas a reality," he wrote. He concluded the letter by praising the "beautiful" "A Wrinkle in Time". "I watched closely from ...
Liz Hurley reveals Hugh Grant is a father of five now
Actor Hugh Grant has welcomed his fifth child with girlfriend, Anna Eberstein, his longtime friend Elizabeth Hurley has revealed. Hurley let it slip that the 57-year-old actor had become a father again while promoting her show "The Royals", E! News reported. "I'm very lucky that 31 years into our friendship, he's still my best friend in the world. He's a really great guy. I see him a lot; I speak to him a lot. You know, he's now a father of five; he has five kids and he's a great dad. Yeah, he will remain my best friend for life," she said. Grant's representatives have not commented on the news yet. The gender of the child is unknown. Hurley, who dated the "Paddington 2" actor for 13 years, also dished more details about his newborn when she appeared on Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen". "He had another one last week. He has five. He was over 50 when he spawned them all! He's an enchanting dad - really, really sweet. Having these kids has transformed him from a very ...
Young TV actress found hanging from ceiling
The body of one young television actress was today found hanging from the ceiling of her room in her flat in southern part of the city's Reagent Park area, police said. Acting on a call from neighbours, police broke open the door of the flat of Moumita Saha (23) and found her hanging from the ceiling of a room of the flat, which she had rented for the last couple of months, they said. A suicide note was recovered from the flat where the actress was staying alone. "The house owner informed us today after the door of the flat was not opened since last afternoon," they said. A probe has been initiated into the death of the actress, who police said could be under "severe depression". "We have gone through her social networking site where her last post appeared to be written out of depression. We are going through her mobile call list," they said.
Elton's advice to Egerton on biopic: 'Don't copy me'
Elton John's husband producer David Furnish has said that the veteran singer advised actor Taron Egerton not to attempt a strict impersonation in his biopic. The "Kingsman" star will play the Grammy-winning singer in his biopic "Rocketman", which starts shooting in a few months. Talking to The Hollywood Reporter, Furnish said, "Elton has told Taron, 'Don't copy me. Don't think you have to sing it exactly the way that I sang it. Don't think you have to perform it the way I performed it'. I think it's the challenge for the actor to embody the spirit and not get into thinking they have to do an impersonation." Egerton recently recorded three songs at London's historic Abbey Road Studios for the film and Furnish said when John heard them he was beyond impressed. "... He was blown away, really blown away. Elton was like, 'It can't get any better for me'," he added. Interestingly, Egerton has already performed a John classic, "I'm still standing" in a 2016's animated movie "Sing". John's ...
Not easy but almost sure of victory: Sutapa Sikdar on Irrfan Khan's health
Actor Irrfan Khan's wife producer Sutapa Sikdar today said her "warrior" husband is fighting every obstacle in the path to recovery and hopes he would emerge a winner after their struggles are over. Ever since the 51-year-old actor announced that he was suffering from a "rare disease", rumours started circulating that he has brain cancer and has been admitted to Kokilaben Hospital here. The speculation was quashed by both Irrfan's team and hospital authorities. The actor had said he would share details when there was a conclusive diagnosis. Thanking well-wishers in a Facebook post, Sutapa said her prime focus as of now was to support her husband in devising "strategies of the battlefield which I have to conquer". "My best friend and my partner is a 'warrior' he is fighting every obstacle with tremendous grace and beauty. I apologise for not answering calls messages, but I want all of you to know I am truly humbled indebted for ever for the wishes prayers and concern from all over the .
Robert Downey Jr says The Avengers are 'like a family'
Robert Downey Jr has said after working together for over a decade "The Avengers" team feels more like a family. The 52-year-old actor, who plays Iron Man/ Tony Stark in the hit Marvel movies, said the cast and crew are looking forward to the forthcoming "Avengers: Infinity War" as they have gone all out together. "We're going to pull out the stops, and stop exploring conventions, and look to do stuff where we go, 'Oh, but if we do that, that's very, very definitive'. Well, great, let's get definitive for a change! "We're like a family now. Ten years later, we're hanging out and having lunch, and kind of wondering when the draft is going to come in. Which one of us bites it and when?" Downey Jr told EW. Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo also are a part of "The Avengers" films. "Avengers: Infinity War" releases this year, with its as-yet-untitled sequel arriving next year.
Christina Aguilera, Kumail Nanjiani to guest judge 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
Christina Aguilera and Kumail Nanjiani are among the list of celebrities who will appear as guest judges on the upcoming 10th season of "RuPaul's Drag Race". Shania Twain, Emily V Gordon and Courtney Love will also serve as guest judges next season, which premiers on March 22, Variety reported. Stephen Colbert, Cheyenne Jackson and Andy Cohen will make special guest appearances. Host RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews are set to return to the judging panel.
Little Mix confirm working on fifth studio album
Little Mix have announced that the group is currently working on their fifth LP. The music group made the official announcement on Twitter with a GIF of Leigh-Anne Pinnock on a red carpet saying that the album will be out this year. "It's official...#LM5 is actually in the works... We're going to be patiently waiting for this one, it's going to be an absolute dream!" the caption of the GIF read. The band, which also consists of Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson and Jade Thirlwall, announced a 2018 greatest hits tour, with The X Factor's Rak-Su as a support act.
Michael Shannon watched the Oscars at a Chicago bar
When his film "The Shape of Water" was receiving resounding praise and accolades at the recently-concluded Oscars, actor Micheal Shannon was in a bar watching the awards ceremony on mute. Shannon, who played Colonel Richard Strickland in the Guillermo del Toro-directed movie, was caught on camera watching the 90th Academy Awards as his film picked up four trophies last week. Current owner of the Old Town Ale House, Bruce Elliott took a picture of the actor and posted it on Twitter, where it soon went viral. Elliott captioned the photo as, "No sound on the TV, just subtitles. Of course the jukebox was rocking, and the beer flowing. Where else would you want to spend Oscar night?" Shannon was in Chicago for the final performance of the play 'Brett Neveu's Traitor', directed by him on awards night. "The Shape of Water" won the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director for del Toro, Best Score and Best Production Design.
Christopher Abbott joins Clooney's 'Catch-22' series
Actor Christopher Abbott has been roped in to to play the lead role in the "Catch-22" series adaptation. The six-part limited series is based on Joseph Heller's classic novel of the same name, reported Variety. All six episodes were co-written by Luke Davies and David Michod. Set in Italy during World War II, the story focuses on Captain John Yossarian (Abbott), a US Air Force bombardier who is furious because the bureaucratic rule known as Catch-22, which specifies that a concern for one's own safety in the face of dangers which are real and immediate is the process of a rational mind; a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but a request to be removed from duty is evidence of sanity and therefore makes him ineligible to be relieved from duty. Abbott will star alongside George Clooney, who is set to play Colonel Cathcart in addition to serving as executive producer. Clooney is also co-directing the series. Grant Heslov will also direct a
Lex Scott Davis to play lead in 'For Love'
Actor Lex Scott Davis has been roped in to play the lead role in the ABC drama pilot "For Love". "For Love" is described as an epic love triangle set against a grounded, secret world of magic in present day New Orleans. In the show, protagonist Hope Castille (Davis) is shocked when she gets a call from her fiance, five years after he was killed. Davis joins previously announced cast members Ethan Peck and Jon Ecker, who will play her new love interest and former fiance respectively, reported Variety. The show also features Luke Arnold, Isabella Russo, Rachel Skarsten, and Chloe Wepper. John Dahl will direct the pilot written by Michael Cooney. Both Dahl and Cooney will also serve as executive producer on the show.
Leven Rambin joins Motley Crue biopic
Actor Leven Rambin has joined the cast of Netflix's upcoming Motley Crue biopic "The Dirt." Machine Gun Kelly is currently on board to play Tommy Lee, Douglas Booth will play Nikki Sixx and Daniel Webber will play Vince Neil, reported Variety. Jeff Tremaine is directing the project from a script by Rich Wilkes and Tom Kapinos. Based on the 2001 autobiography "The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band," the film follows the band's rise during the '80s "hair band" rock scene on the Sunset Strip and pulls no punches as it dives into the group's highs and lows along the way. Motley Crue played its final concert on New Year's Eve in 2015 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The band was formed in LA and released its first album, 'Too Fast for Love,' in 1981. Julie Yorn, Erik Olsen, and Allen Kovac are producing the project, along with members of Motley Crue.
Obama in negotiations to create Netflix series: report
- Former US President Barack Obama is in negotiations with Netflix about producing a series of shows for the online streaming giant, according to US media reports. Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama would provide Netflix with exclusive content, with the format and number of shows yet to be determined, The New York Times reported citing people familiar with the matter. Netflix declined to comment. As the world's leading on-demand internet television service, Netflix would offer Obama a global platform to delve into topics that marked his presidency, such as health care, immigration, foreign policy, and fighting climate change. His wife, Michelle, would also have a stage to explore subjects she was passionate about while first lady, such as nutrition. The format could include talk-show-style or documentary productions. Obama does not plan to use shows to respond directly to President Donald Trump or other critics, but instead to showcase inspirational stories, according to the ..
Intellectuals write to Prez for action against Tripura Guv
A group of Bengali intellectuals today urged President Ram Nath Kovind to take constitutional steps against Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy, for some of his recent comments on Twitter after Assembly election results were declared. In a letter addressed to Kovind, they claimed the tweets by Roy on March 6 triggered tension in Tripura and elsewhere in the country. The signatories include Bengali authors Sirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Nabanita Dev Sen, theatre personality Manoj Mitra, painter Shuvaprasanna, singer Kabir Suman, poet Joy Goswami and filmmaker Goutam Ghosh, among others, writer Prasun Bhaumik told PTI. "I gave my consent to the letter as I believe that anyone holding constitutional post should not make comments on the razing down of a statue, and such comments were inappropriate," Mitra said. Mukhopadhyay said, "We are passing through a phase when passion is running high. So any tweet should take into account the present circumstances." A statue of Communist icon ...
HC notice to censor board on PIL over film dialogue
The Madras High Court has issued a notice to the censor board on a PIL seeking removal of a scene, which allegedly denigrates women, from a recently released Tamil film. A bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose issued a notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and JSB Film Studio, the producer of the film "Merlin" which released on February 23. The bench posted the PIL to March 16 for further hearing. Praveena Charumathi Sampathkumar, in her public interest litigation, contended that a dialogue in the scene insulted women and sought a direction to the CBFC for removing it. The woman said she was shocked to find such a dialogue in the 'U' certificate film, written and directed by Keera, adding that it amounted to showing disrespect to women. Her counsel submitted that the Cinematography Act has laid down elaborate guidelines under which women characters in any form should not be degraded and denigrated.
Punjab CM condoles death of noted Sufi singer Pyare Lal Wadali
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today expressed grief over the death of noted Sufi singer Pyare Lal Wadali, the younger brother of Puran Chand Wadali. The chief minister described the demise of Pyare Lal Wadali as a personal loss, as well as a loss for the world of Sufi music. In his condolence message, Singh described Pyare Lal Wadali as a trend-setter in Sufi singing, and added that with his death, a void had been created in the lives of Sufi music lovers across the world. Pyare Lal Wadali, the one half of famous Punjabi Sufi singing duo Wadali Brothers, died of heart attack today at a private hospital here, his family members said. He was 75.
Sridevi was like my sibling: Kamal Haasan
Fondly remembering late actor Sridevi, Kamal Haasan today said even though they were one of the most popular on-screen pairs in the south film industry, in real life they were like siblings. Haasan, while speaking at the India Today Conclave here, recalled the time he spent with Sridevi, who passed away on February 24. "I met Sridevi when she was 15-16 years old. Sometimes in a family, a brother and sister, during Gokul Ashtami or Krishna Ashtami, are dressed as Lord Krishna and Radha. That is what I feel about Sridevi. We were siblings but were made to do romantic things, which we laughed at," he said. "It sounds odd that she was like my sister considering that we were one of the most romantic pairs ever. That is what good acting is about," he added. The actor said Sridevi was a great performer and "had a bag of tricks that she collected from various masters who themselves did not know it came from them. That is the beauty of that girl." Haasan also sang a few lines from the song ...
Rekha has sense of self-identity that many in Bollywood lack: Sabyasachi
Fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee today said Rekha is the most stylish personality in Bollywood as she has a sense of self-identity which is "sadly lacking" in many people in the film industry. Among all the top actors that he has styled, the designer said nobody can beat the veteran actor, when it comes to making timeless fashion choices. "When I think of a stylish person in India it could be red lipstick or over the top make-up, glittery red sari. I think nobody can be more stylish than Rekha ji because she wears a similar saree for every award function as she has sense of self-identity which is sadly lacking in many people in the industry," Sabyasachi said. He believes if a person wants to make an impact with their dressing they need to bring individualism to their sense of style. Sabyasachi was in conversation with Nonita Kalra at the India Today conclave on 'Front Row: Reinventing the Classic' along with designer Naeem Khan. The designer believes fashion industry for many ...
Tough cop Roopa Moudgil releases music video to inspire women
Firebrand police officer D Roopa Moudgil, who shot into the limelight with her report on alleged preferential treatment to sidelined AIADMK leader Sasikala in jail, has shown another side to her personality by releasing a music video to inspire women. "Proud to release my music video. This should be the besttribute I could have given to women on International Women'sDay," she told PTI in an interview here after the video was released yesterday. The video features her singing 'Tora Man Darpan Kehlaye', a popular song from the 1965-Meena Kumari and Dharmendra starrer 'Kaajal.' "The video is a collage of still photos, news videos andvisuals featuring me. The audio recording was done in half anhour and video shooting in four hours. This was done for a cause and free of cost," Moudgil said. Asked why she chose this song, the officer said it continues toinspire her, which speaks about the power of mind. Moudgil first came into the limelight when as Dharwad SP she arrested the