Page 84 - Entertainment Culture

Script issues made Chris Hemsworth say no to 'Star Trek 4'

Actor Chris Hemsworth has revealed that he turned down "Star Trek 4" over the scripting issues. It was reported in 2017 that the actor, who made a cameo as George Kirk in JJ Abrams' 2009 sci-fi action film "Star Trek", was in talks with Paramount Pictures to reprise his role in the fourth film. Chris Pine, who headlines the franchise, was also expected to return as Captain James T Kirk, the son of Hemsworth character. However, the future of the film is uncertain after the talks between Hemsworth and the studio fell through last year. In an interview with Variety, Hemsworth, 35, said the script did not excite him enough, adding there was not a strong enough motivation to warrant his character's comeback. "I didn't feel like we landed on a reason to revisit that yet. I didn't want to be underwhelmed by what I was going to bring to the table," he said. Hemsworth next stars in "MIB: International", which releases in India on June 14.

With millions listening in, stand-up comics sharpen India's humour mills

Holding up an unforgiving mirror to contemporary times and giving voice to all kinds of angst, stand-up comics are the new superstars of the day with a ready audience running into millions -- in theatres, pubs and varied online sites. It's an ever growing tribe with the likes of Kunal Kamra, Rajeev Nigam, Varun Grover, Azeem Banatwalla and a host of others who use humour, gentle and sharp, to tickle India's funny bone while sharply satirising society and politics. The just concluded elections gave them fresh fodder to sharpen the humour mills. Many of them were following various careers and have now moved into 'full-time comedy', much like their counterparts in the US where several stand-up comics have near cult status. Nigam, whose videos have received over a million likes, is aware his primary job is to make people laugh, but he makes it a point to consciously talk about other issues. "I just try to show the audience these issues from my perspective through satire," the 47-year-old .

GOT star Kit in wellness retreat for personal issues

Actor Kit Harington has checked into a "wellness retreat" after shooting the finale of the popular series "Game of Thrones".

Huma Qureshi joins Zack Snyder's 'Army of the Dead'

Actor Huma Qureshi has boarded the cast of filmmaker Zack Snyder's next directorial "Army of the Dead". The 32-year-old actor joins Dave Bautista in the Netflix project, which will mark Snyder's return to directing after a gap of two years, the streaming giant announced in a statement. Incidentally, the filmmaker, known for his work on DC films "Man of Steel", "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and "Justice League", made his directorial debut 15 years ago with zombie horror, "Dawn of the Dead". Other newcomers in the cast include Ella Purnell, Ana De La Reguera and Theo Rossi. "Army of the Dead" is set following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, when a group of mercenaries take the ultimate gamble, venturing into the quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted. Joby Harold, Shay Hatten and Snyder are writing the screenplay from a story developed by the filmmaker. Principal photography is set to begin in July. Snyder is also producing the project along with his wife ..

Marwan Kenzari joins Charlize Theron's 'The Old Guard'

"Aladdin" breakout Marwan Kenzari has boarded the cast of Netflix's action film "The Old Guard". The 36-year-old actor, who currently plays the villainous Jafar in the Disney film "Aladdin", joins Charlize Theron and Kiki Layne in the project. The film is based on the comic book series by Greg Rucka and illustrator Leandro Fernandez, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "The Old Guard" focuses on a small group of immortal soldiers who have been working as mercenaries for centuries. But the group, led by a woman named Andy (Theron), get a shock when they find a new immortal woman, not long after they discover an evil group has video evidence of their immortality. Kenzari will play a man who was once a Moor warrior. Gina Prince-Bythewood is writing and directing the project with Theron also attached as a producer through her company Denver and Delilah, alongside Skydance's David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger.

Jack Whitehall to star in 'Clifford, the Big Red Dog' adaptation

Actor-comedian Jack Whitehall is set to star in the film adaptation of classic children's book "Clifford, the Big Red Dog". The film, which hails from Paramount Pictures, will be led by child actor Darby Camp, best known for starring in "Big Little Lies", according to The Hollywood Reporter. The book series, penned by Norman Bridwell, follows the misadventures of a giant red dog and his owner, a girl named Emily Elizabeth. The film, to be directed by Walt Becker, will see Emily (Camp), who is struggling to fit in at home and at school, discover a small red puppy who is destined to become her best friend. When Clifford magically undergoes one heck of a growth spurt, becomes a gigantic dog and attracts the attention of a genetics company, Emily and her Uncle Casey (Whitehall) have to fight the forces of greed as they go on the run across New York City. Jay Scherick, David Ronn, Annie Mumolo and Stan Chervin have worked on the film's script. The project will start shooting next month in .

Shashank Khaitan puts Varun's action film on backburner

Shashank Khaitan was gearing up to make an action adventure film with Varun Dhawan but the director has now put a hold on the project as he was not finding "anything new to say" with it. Last year, Shashank revealed he was working on the film which would have terrorism as its backdrop. Dhawan, who worked with the filmmaker on "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania" and "Badrinath Ki Dulhania", was set for the lead part. The director said he wrote a lot on it and felt he had cracked a great first half but then "somewhere along the second half I became very rehearsed." "As a writer director, you can't live in isolation. Everyday there's so much material coming out on shows, films and TV on this (subject), that if I don't have anything new to say, I shouldn't say it. "That's what happened with that film, at least as of now, that I'm not finding anything new to say. So I've kind of kept it on the backburner," Shashank told PTI. The director, who last directed Dharma Productions' "Dhadak", said he did

Cardi B to drop new single 'Press' on Friday

Cardi B is all set to drop a new single titled 'Press', on Friday.The song will presumably be the first of her upcoming album, which is expected to be a follow-up to her debut full-length album 'Invasion of Privacy'."PRESS SINGLE AND OFFICIAL ART WORK DROPS THIS WEEK ON 5/31!!!" she posted on Instagram Monday night, with a photo of herself in a courtroom wearing handcuffs and a tight faux leopard-skin outfit.The American rapper had teased the song back in December. "Press, press, press, press, press/ Cardi don't need more press," she repeated in the video.In January, Cardi revealed that she is looking forward to releasing an album in the spring."Of course it's gonna be an album in 2019. Hopefully, I could get my album done around the same time that 'Invasion of Privacy' came out, but I don't know how possible that's gonna be because I feel like I'm going to be extremely, extremely busy," Variety quoted Cardi as saying.However, the Album was expected to release on April 6, a date that .

Ellen DeGeneres recounts sexual assault by her stepfather

In an upcoming episode of David Letterman's Netflix show, "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction," Ellen DeGeneres opened up about being sexually assaulted by her stepfather.In the Interview, which is scheduled to air on Friday, the American comedian and talk show host, spoke about being sexually assaulted by her mother's then-husband when she was a teen, CNN reports.The assault started after her mother, Betty, was diagnosed with breast cancer."He told me when [my mom] was out of town that he'd felt a lump in her breast and needed to feel my breasts. Anyway, he convinced me that he needs to feel my breasts and then he tries to do it again another time, and then another time," Ellen recalled.This was not the first time Ellen exposed this part of her life publically. She first opened up about it during an interview in 2005."I'm angry at myself because, you know, I didn't, I was too weak to stand up to, I was 15 or 16. It's a really horrible, horrible story and the only reason I'm actually

YA drama 'The Wilds' receives series order from Amazon

Amazon Studios has given a series order to young adult drama "The Wilds". The show, which hails from Sarah Streicher, follows a group of teenage girls from radically different backgrounds after an airplane crash strands them on a deserted island, reported Variety. Streicher, who has Marvel-Netflix series "Daredevil" to her writing credits, will serve as the writer and executive producer on the new show. Amy B Harris will be the showrunner and she will also executive produce alongside Jamie Tarses' Fanfare and Dylan Clark and Brian Williams of Dylan Clark Productions. "We are thrilled to share this exciting original vision with our global audience," said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios. "We are proud to be the home for this authentically voiced, high stakes show brought to life by the talented Sarah Streicher, Amy Harris and our ABC Signature Studios partners," she added.

Miley Cyrus clarifies she is not picking sides between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj

Miley Cyrus has been making headlines for few verses in her new song 'Cattitude', as she dragged in the two conflicting singers Cardi B and Nicki Minaj into it.The 'Wrecking Ball' singer performed a preview of the tracks reportedly titled "Mother's Daughter," "Cattitude" and "Dream" at the U.K. festival, in which one lyric in particular raised a few eyebrows: "I love you Nicki, but I listen to Cardi."The lyric led many to believe she was picking sides, but Cyrus insisted that is not the case, according to People.Cyrus during a recent radio interview with Roman Kemp clarified the issue and said, "I think what they do is so different from each other. That's why they both get a crown. They don't have to share. They don't have to break it in half. There's no reason to fight over it. They're both queens. And anytime you want to feel powerful and strong, that's my go-to: Cardi and Nicki."Both singers caught all the attention at the last year's New York Fashion Week when they got involved in

Kit Harington checks into wellness centre

It seems like the end of "Game of Thrones" has hit Kit Harington really hard as the actor has checked into a rehabilitation centre to receive treatment for stress, exhaustion and alcohol use. According to PageSix, the 32-year-old checked into a luxury health retreat in Connecticut weeks before the finale aired on May 19. He played Jon Snow across eight seasons on the HBO's epic fantasy show. Harington has been doing cognitive behavioral therapy, meditating, and practising other psychological exercises to better cope with stress related to the "Game of Thrones" ending. Rose Leslie, the actor's wife and former co-star, is "extremely supportive" of Harington. "The end of 'GoT' really hit Kit hard... He realized, 'This is it, this is the end'. It was something they had all worked so hard on for so many years. He had a moment of, what next? "He's in the clinic predominantly for stress and exhaustion and also alcohol. His wife Rose is being extremely supportive. Everyone close to him really

Don't hate anyone: Arjun to woman who accused him of disliking Sridevi

Arjun Kapoor, who recently made his relationship with Malaika Arora official, gave a befitting reply to a woman who accused him of showing hatred towards the late actor Sridevi, his father Boney Kapoor's second wife. Arjun, 33, and Malaika, 45, initially kept their relationship under wraps, but are more open now. Malaika was married to actor-director-producer Arbaaz Khan but got divorced in 2017. The woman, who claimed to be a fan of actor Varun Dhawan, on Tuesday accused Arjun of "double standards", saying that he used to hate Sridevi but has no problem dating Malaika. "You hate your father's second wife because your father left your mother, and now you are dating a woman who is 11 years elder to you and has a teenage son. Why double standards @arjunk26 ???" the woman wrote on Twitter. Sridevi, who died in February 2018, was Boney's second wife. The producer was previously married to Arjun's mother Mona Shourie Kapoor. Replying to the woman, Arjun said he used to maintain distance ...

Jonas Brothers to release new memoir titled 'Blood'

Jonas Brothers are all set to surprise fans with the release of a memoir together titled 'Blood'.'Blood' is all about the brothers' journey, starting from their formation, rise to glory, their split in 2013 and then their comeback as a music group in 2019.Jonas Brothers shared the memoir's blurry cover on Twitter and said," For those of you who have been with us since the beginning... #BLOOD is our family's story and we can't wait to share it with you."According to People, while talking about the memoir which will hit stores on Nov 12, Joe Jonas said in a statement that, "We're three brothers from New Jersey, and we were not supposed to be successful. From record labels dropping us to our dad losing his job over us, this shouldn't have happened or lasted as long as it did. Yet here we are, more excited than ever, and we're so grateful and ready to tell the full story of the journey we've had as individuals, as artists, and as family."Jonas Brothers released a new track 'Sucker' which .

Kit Harington checked into rehab for stress, alcohol use

'Game of Thrones' star Kit Harington checked into rehab for stress and alcohol use, ahead of the show's finale on HBO.The 32-year-old actor, who played Jon Snow in 'GoT', has been at a health retreat for about a month, Page Six reports. He checked in weeks before the show's finale episode aired on May 19."The end of 'GoT' really hit Kit hard," a source close to the actor told Page Six.According to the report, to deal with stress, negative emotions, and alcohol use, Harington is undergoing psychological coaching, cognitive behavioural therapy and is also practicing mindful meditation at the facility."He realized 'this is it -- this is the end', it was something they had all worked so hard on for so many years. He had a moment of, what next? He's in the clinic predominantly for stress and exhaustion and also alcohol. His wife Rose is being extremely supportive. Everyone close to him really wanted him to get some rest. Right now, he just needs peace and quiet," the source said.The source

2 suspected spies arrested in Jammu

Two suspected spies have been arrested in Jammu while shooting pictures and videos of the layout of the Ratnuchak military station, police said on Wednesday.

Two suspected spies arrested outside Army camp in Jammu

Two persons, suspected to be spying for Pakistan, were arrested Tuesday while they were shooting videos and taking photographs outside an Army camp here, officials said. The suspected spies were handed over to the police and are being questioned at a joint interrogation centre, the officials said. They said an army patrol noticed the two moving suspiciously at Parmandal Morh near Ratnuchak Militancy Station and kept a close watch on them. While one of them is from Kathua, the other hails from Doda, the officials said. They were seen taking pictures and videographing the military station and were immediately taken into custody for questioning, the officials said. They said their mobile phones were scanned during which it came to light that they were in regular contact with some persons in Pakistan and have also shared some videos with them a few hours before their arrest.

Here's how Kangana is prepping for 'Panga'

Kangana Ranaut is known for going the extra mile to prep for her roles, and the actor is leaving no stone unturned to essay the role of a Kabaddi player in 'Panga'.Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, the director of the film, shared a monochrome behind-the-scenes picture of the 'Queen' actor on Twitter, where the latter is seen sweating it out with her co-actors."We are gearing up," she captioned the image.The upcoming sports film will feature Kangana as a Kabaddi player along with Punjabi singer Jassie Gill, Neena Gupta, and Richa Chaddha.The Delhi schedule of the film was wrapped up earlier in April after which the team headed for their journey to Kolkata.To give power-packed performances on screen, many other actors along with Kangana, underwent intense training for over two months.The sports drama will hit the big screens next year on January 24.Kangana was last seen in 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi'. She is now awaiting the release of 'Mental Hai Kya' alongside Rajkummar Rao, which will hit

Katy Perry's new single out on May 31

Katy Perry is all set to drop her latest single 'Never Really Over' on May 31.Along with the release date of the song, the 'Roar' singer shared an image on Twitter which seems to be a still from the upcoming track. Wearing an orange dress, the singer appears to enjoy the moment as the winds through her blonde hair.Although the singer embedded a link to pre-save the track, she refrained from giving any other insights into the song.Katy's last single '365' was out on February 14 this year, which seemed to be perfectly suited to be a Valentine's Day release.Perry, who is planning to marry her fiancee Orlando Bloom soon, is hoping to host a wedding where family and friends can have a 'fun time'.The duo, who got engaged on February 15, is "starting to talk about what their wedding might look like, but they haven't made any decisions," E! News quoted a source as saying.Perry also hit the headlines with her 'lit' outfit at the 2019 Met Gala where she literally turned into a chandelier.

John Bailey launches Hindi version of Oscar Academy's publication 'Digital Dilemma'

John Bailey, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences e-launched the Hindi version of an Academy Publication, 'Digital Dilemma', in New Delhi.The event on Tuesday had guests from the film industry including celebrated film editor and Governor of the Academy, Carol Littleton.Justice Manmohan Sarin, Chairman, FCAT; Amit Khare, Secretary, Ministry of I & B; Prasoon Joshi, Chairman, CBFC; Ujwal Nirgudkar, Member of the Academy and Prakash Magdum, Director, NFAI were also present at the event.Written by Milt Shelton and Andy Maltz, 'Digital Dilemma' has been already translated into several languages.John Bailey in his speech said that "the translation is important in order to reach out to the film fraternity in India"."There are many challenges thrown by the technological changes in the film storage medium and this book will help filmmakers in understanding and planning the storage of born-digital material," he said.An MoU was signed between the Academy and National