Page 695 - Entertainment Culture

Jonah Hill was almost cast in 'The Social Network'

Jonah Hill has revealed he was almost cast as Sean Parker in iconic film "The Social Network". During an appearance on "The Bill Simmons Podcast", the actor revealed while the producers wanted him to play the role, director David Fincher was not eager to cast him. "Low-key, David Fincher, or high-key, David Fincher didn't want me in 'Social Network'. It was between me and Justin Timberlake for that part Obviously (Fincher's) the man, but he was not having me. The studio wanted me, I think, and then Justin Timberlake was amazing in it," Hill said. "The Social Network", written by Aaron Sorkin, revolved around the founding of Facebook. The film, featuring Jesse Eisenberg as founder Mark Zuckerberg, won three Academy Awards- Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Film Editing.

TV has always been women's medium: Renuka Shahane

The phrase "women oriented" maybe a popular word in cinema now but actor Renuka Shahane says television, for one, has always been a medium dominated by female actors - whether the content is progressive or regressive. The 52-year-old actor, who led shows such as "Mrs Madhuri Dixit" and "Kora Kagaz" in the 1990s, says with the arrival of daily soaps, she decided to lay low. "Whether it is progressive or regressive, TV has always been a women's medium. Most of the heroes and heroines of the small screen have been women. In that sense, I have done much more TV than films. In the '80s and '90s films, women were not given meaty roles except a Sridevi once in a while. "I have been privileged to get really good stuff when television was in its Golden Age. Then, I kind of took a backseat at the right time when the daily soaps took over and it changed the profile of television totally. It's still women oriented. But I look out for roles that are progressive, which is a rarity on TV," Shahane ..

There will be collateral damage, but it's necessary: Kalki on #MeToo India movement

Actor Kalki Koechlin says #MeToo movement could lead to "collateral damage" but it is an absolute necessity to sanitise working spaces. The #MeToo movement has rocked the film industry with several names such as Nana Patekar, Alok Nath, Sajid Khan, Vikas Bahl and Mukesh Chabbra, among others being called out for their behaviour and alleged sexual harassment of their female colleagues. "A lot of people are collateral damage. One of my films is not in MAMI while another project is on hold. These are the things we have to accept... But it's a necessary thing right now. Things need to be fine tuned and changed and if it makes us more sensitive then it's good," Kalki told PTI. The actor's close friends and associate -- Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap -- have been accused of inaction; an allegation which they strictly deny, when an employee of their now dissolved production house Phantom Films spoke about sexual harassment by Bahl. Kalki, however, refrained from commenting on ...

Ranvir Shorey to play cop in his 1st digital show (Lead, correcting intro)

Actor Ranvir Shorey will play a straight-arrow police officer in his maiden digital show called "Rangbaaz", which also stars actor Saqib Saleem.

Priyadarshan-Mohanlal film's shoot to begin on Dec 1

After two years, the biggest names in the Malayalam industry -- director Priyadarshan and versatile superstar Mohanlal -- will join hands yet again when the shooting for "Marakkar: the Lion of Arabian Sea" begins at the Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad on December 1.

Skarsgard did 'The Little Drummer Girl' due to Kidman

Actor Alexander Skarsgard says his "Big Little Lies" co-star Nicole Kidman persuaded him to do "The Little Drummer Girl".

Retirement an old-fashioned English concept: Actress Surekha Sikri

She has been a part of the industry for the past 40 years, entertaining people through different avatars that she has brought alive on screen. Actress Surekha Sikri, who is being loved for her portrayal as a nagging grandma in "Badhaai Ho", has no plan to slow down, and says she has no desire to retire either.

'Friday the 13th' reboot in works with LeBron James producing

LeBron James' SpringHill Entertainment and Vertigo Entertainment are set to produce "Friday the 13th" reboot. Victor Miller, who penned the original film, regained the rights, though it took both production banners to bring back the classic horror series. The project is still in early development and no writer or director is attached. It's expected to feature the goalie-mask wearing mass murderer Jason Voorhees, who has been the centre of the hit franchise since the 1980 original. The most recent "Friday the 13th" installment was released by Warner Bros in 2009.

Djimon Hounsou to play Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege in 'Panzi'

Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou is set to portray the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege in biopic "Panzi". The film will be helmed by actor-turned-director Marie-Helene Roux, reported Variety. Mukwege is a prominent Congolese gynecologist who founded the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, where for decades he has been treating thousands of women who have been raped by armed rebels. He was jointly awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize with Iraqi Yazidi human rights activist Nadia Murad for "their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict". 1divided acquired the rights to the life story of Mukwege and his colleague and friend Guy-Bernard Cadiere. The two doctors, who have been working hand-in-hand to end sexual violence against women in Congo, co-wrote the book "Panzi". Published in 2014, the book chronicles what they have witnessed and experienced at the hospital, with heartfelt testimonies from victims. The film is currently in casting and ..

Actor Ajaz Khan nabbed for possessing drugs

Bollywood actor Ajaz Khan has been arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Cell of Navi Mumbai Police for alleged possession of banned drugs here.

Ranvir Shorey to play cop in his 1st digital show

Actor Ranvir Shorey will play a straight-arrow police officer in his "Rangbaaz" maiden digital show which also stars actor Saqib Saleem.

Indo-British singer Juggy D might do a devotional song - for his mom

Juggy D is one of the artistes credited with popularising the "Urban desi" music genre in 2003. While dance numbers remain his forte, the Indo-British singer says he might record a devotional song as his mother wants him to.

Guillermo del Toro directing stop-motion 'Pinocchio' musical for Netflix

Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is set to direct stop-motion "Pinocchio" musical for Netflix. According to the Hollywood Reporter, del Toro will also write and produce the classic children's tale about a puppet who wants to be a real live boy. The film will be set in Italy during the 1930s, a particularly fraught historical moment and a time when fascism was on the rise and Benito Mussolini was consolidating control of the country. "No art form has influenced my life and my work more than animation and no single character in history has had as deep of a personal connection to me as Pinocchio. "In our story, Pinocchio is an innocent soul with an uncaring father who gets lost in a world he cannot comprehend. He embarks on an extraordinary journey that leaves him with a deep understanding of his father and the real world. I've wanted to make this movie for as long as I can remember," said del Toro in a statement. Production on "Pinocchio" will begin soon. Del Toro previously ..

LeBron James to produce 'Friday the 13th' reboot

Producers Roy Lees Vertigo Entertainment and LeBron James SpringHill Entertainment are in talks to acquire the rights for a reboot of the "Friday the 13th" movie.

Some names have shocked me: AR Rahman on #MeToo

Music maestro AR Rahman has joined the long list of celebrities to lend his support to the ongoing #MeToo movement in India.Commending the victims who have shared their alleged sexual harassment ordeals, the 51-year-old said he would love to see "our industry become cleaner and respectful of women."He took to Twitter to share his views. "Been observing the #metoo movement. Some of the names have shocked me... both the victims and their perpetrators. I would love to see our industry become cleaner and respectful of women. More power to all the victims coming forward!!" read the statement.However, the Oscar-winning composer also underscored that "we should be careful in creating a new internet justice system, in case it's misused."The #MeToo movement, which began in Hollywood a year ago, took flight in India after Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of allegedly harassing her on the sets of 'Horn Ok Pleassss'. The campaign is now gaining momentum with allegations being levelled against

Martin Garrix named top DJ for third year in a row

Dutch DJ Martin Garrix has grabbed the top spot in DJ Magazines "Top 100 DJs" for the time in a row.

'Wonder Woman 1984' release pushed to 2020

Warner Bros has postponed the release date of Gal Gadot's "Wonder Woman 1984" to June 5, 2020. The film was earlier scheduled to hit the theatres on November 1, 2019, reported Variety. "We had tremendous success releasing the first 'Wonder Woman' film during the summer so when we saw an opportunity to take advantage of the changing competitive landscape, we did. This move lands the film exactly where it belongs," Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.' president of domestic distribution, said in a statement. The sequel reunites Gadot with "Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins and co-star Chris Pine, with Pedro Pascal and Kristen Wiig joining the franchise. "Wonder Woman 1984" is currently the only film dated for June 5, 2020.

Donna Gigliotti, Glenn Weiss to produce 91st Academy Awards

Donna Gigliotti will produce the 91st Oscars telecast, with Glenn Weiss co-producing and directing the show, Academy president John Bailey announced Tuesday. Gigliotti won the Best Picture Academy Award for 1998's "Shakespeare in Love" and has been nominated three times since, for "The Reader", "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Hidden Figures". Weiss, who famously proposed to his girlfriend during his acceptance speech at the Emmy Awards last month, has helmed the past three Oscar telecasts. He won the recent Emmy for directing the 90th Oscars. "Donna and Glenn will infuse new energy and vision into this 91st awards presentation, and we are excited about a broad-based creative relationship with these two artists," Bailey said in a statement. "We're thrilled to work with someone as passionate about the Academy as Donna Gigliotti an Oscar winner and multiple nominee. She and the now-famous Glenn Weiss are committed to making the most of the innovations we've embraced for our 91st Oscars,"

Would love to see our industry become cleaner, respectful of women: Rahman on #MeToo

Music maestro AR Rahman believes India's #MeToo movement has the power to make the entertainment industry cleaner and respectful of women. The 51-year-old Oscar-winning composer, who shared his views on the movement Monday night via social media, said his aim has always been to create a safe working environment for everyone. "Been observing the #MeToo movement... Some of the names have shocked me... both the victims and their perpetrators... I would love to see our industry become cleaner and respectful of women... More power to all the victims coming forward!! "In all my endeavours, my team and I are committed to creating an environment where everyone finds a safe creative space to bring their best, evolve and succeed," he wrote. Rahman, however, said people should be careful before creating a "internet justice system". "Social media offers great freedom for victims to speak up, however we should be careful in creating a new internet justice system, in case it's misused." Rahman's ...

'Wonder Woman 1984' release pushed to 2020

'Wonder Woman' fans will have to wait a little longer for the much anticipated sequel of the film.Release of Gal Gadot-starrer 'Wonder Woman 1984' has been postponed by seven months. The flick - which was earlier slated to release on November 1, 2019 - will now come out on June 5, 2020.The 'Furious 7' star took to social media to reveal the news, writing, "Super excited to announce that, thanks to the changing landscape, we are able to put Wonder Woman back to its rightful home. June 5, 2020. Be there or be square!!"According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.' president of domestic distribution, said, "We had tremendous success releasing the first 'Wonder Woman' film during the summer so when we saw an opportunity to take advantage of the changing competitive landscape, we did. This move lands the film exactly where it belongs."'Wonder Woman' was one of 2017's biggest success stories that received rave reviews from audiences and critics and became the ...