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FearlessRoar

FearlessRoar

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Welcome to Hollywood Corner

I'm thrilled to kickoff this thread dedicated to all things Hollywood. The buzz around upcoming releases, and the lives of our favorite stars. So, I thought, why not create a space where we can all gather and chat about the latest gossips and news.

Hollywood never fails to keep us hooked. Whether it's the excitement surrounding anticipated movies or the headlines about our beloved celebrities, there's always something brewing in this entertainment realm.

Let's make this space to share thoughts, predictions and what's happening in the Hollywood.
 

Hollywood actor Christian Oliver, 2 daughters killed in Caribbean plane crash: report​

American actor Christian Oliver and his two daughters have died in the Caribbean after the aircraft they were traveling in "plummeted into the ocean" moments after takeoff from an island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, officials and reports say.

The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) said the small, one-engine aircraft owned and piloted by Robert Sachs, a resident of the island of Bequia, crashed into the sea about one nautical mile west of the island of Petit Nevis around midday Thursday.

"The aircraft went airborne from the J.F. Mitchell Airport in Paget Farm about 12:11 p.m. for St. Lucia as its final destination. Moments after taking off, the aircraft experienced difficulties and plummeted into the ocean," police said in a Facebook post.

Police identified the victims as Sachs and his three passengers onboard: Christian Klepser and his daughters, Madita, 12, and Annik, 10.

Klepser, who goes by the stage name Christian Oliver according to media reports, has "worked with the likes of Steven Soderbergh in The Good German opposite Cate Blanchett and George Clooney, Brian Singer and Tom Cruise in Valkyrie and the Wachowski’s in Speed Racer and Sense8," according to his website. The actor also appeared in a 1995 film adaptation of the popular book series, "The Baby-Sitters Club."

In his most recent post on Instagram four days ago, Oliver shared an image of people gathered on a beach and wrote, "Greetings from somewhere in paradise! To community and love… 2024 here we come!"

In another post on Instagram, actress Bai Ling -- who said she was working with Oliver for the upcoming film Forever Hold Your Peace -- wrote "I just could not believe it is the truth, the last we worked filming in Hollywood was December 20th 2023, just right before Christmas."

"He was so. nice, works so hard and such a brave actor and a beautiful gentle person, we played lovers in this film, just so so so sad... And his daughters were so so young," she added.

www.foxnews.com

Hollywood actor Christian Oliver, 2 daughters killed in Caribbean plane crash: report

The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force said that Christian Klepser and his two daughters are among the four dead in a small plane crash.
www.foxnews.com www.foxnews.com
 
FearlessRoar said:
Welcome to Hollywood Corner

I'm thrilled to kickoff this thread dedicated to all things Hollywood. The buzz around upcoming releases, and the lives of our favorite stars. So, I thought, why not create a space where we can all gather and chat about the latest gossips and news.

Hollywood never fails to keep us hooked. Whether it's the excitement surrounding anticipated movies or the headlines about our beloved celebrities, there's always something brewing in this entertainment realm.

Let's make this space to share thoughts, predictions and what's happening in the Hollywood.
Click to expand...
Hollywood used to be great when Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme were around now recently it's been totally Dwayne Johnson, Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves domination
 
Oppenheimer was the big winner at the Golden Globe Awards, taking home five awards including the top prize.

Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr were both recognised for their acting performances, while Christopher Nolan won best director.

Succession scored the most wins in the TV categories following its acclaimed fourth and final season.

Meanwhile, Barbie won the first box office achievement award, after grossing $1.4bn (£1.13m) worldwide.

Oppenheimer star Murphy paid tribute to Nolan's "rigour, focus and dedication" in making the film, which grossed $954m (£750m) at the box office.

"I knew the first time I walked on Christopher Nolan's set that it was different," he said in his acceptance speech.

"I could tell by the level of rigour, focus, dedication, and the complete lack of seating options for actors, that I was in the hands of a visionary director."

BBC
 
Wife of singer James Morrison found dead

Gill Catchpole, the wife of singer James Morrison, has died.

Ms Catchpole, who had two daughters aged 15 and five with the singer, was found dead in her home in Whitminster, Gloucester, on Friday.

In a statement, Gloucestershire Constabulary said: "Police were called to Whitminster in Gloucester at around 9.10am on Friday 5 January following concerns for the welfare of a resident.

"Officers attended and the body of a woman in her 40s was found within an address.

"The death is being treated as non-suspicious at this time.

"The coroners and woman's next of kin have been informed."

The couple were together for around two decades, and met after Ms Catchpole moved into Morrison's mother's home as a lodger.



SKY News
 
Sag Awards: Oppenheimer leads nominations as Leonardo DiCaprio snubbed

Oppenheimer leads the nominations at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, days after it triumphed at the Golden Globes.

Christopher Nolan's film has four nominations, while American Fiction, Barbie and Killers of the Flower Moon each have three.

However, Leonardo DiCaprio is notably absent from the best actor category.

The winners are voted for by Sag-Aftra's membership of more than 119,000 actors.

Succession, Beef, The Crown, Ted Lasso and The Bear are among the nominees in the television categories.

While DiCaprio is a notable omission in best actor, this is a particularly crowded year for the category, and five other favourites have been nominated at the SAG Awards.

Bradley Cooper, Colman Domingo, Paul Giamatti, Cillian Murphy and Jeffrey Wright are all recognised.

In the best actress race, the four women deemed to be favourites for an Oscar nomination - Sandra Huller, Emma Stone, Lily Gladstone and Carey Mulligan - are joined at SAG by Margot Robbie for Barbie.

The SAG Awards offer a good indication of which actors could be nominated later this month for the Oscars. This year's Academy Awards take place on 10 March.

Oppenheimer and Succession were the big winners at Sunday's Golden Globes, while Anatomy of a Fall, The Holdovers, Barbie and Poor Things won two prizes each.

Source: BBC

www.bbc.com

Sag Awards: Oppenheimer leads nominations as Leonardo DiCaprio snubbed

Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt are all recognised for their roles in Oppenheimer.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 

Aquaman’ actor Jason Momoa shocks fans​


Aquaman actor, Jason Momoa, in a new docuseries – a series of program provide facts and information about a subject without any fictional elements – stated that he currently has no home to live in as he reveals his living status.

Jason Momoa dropped a surprising revelation about his living situation on the upcoming docuseries ‘On the Roam.’

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, the DC hero disclosed, ‘Bro, I don’t even have a home right now. I live on the road. So, I’m down to New Zealand to start Minecraft. I hope everyone loves it.’

Scheduled to premiere on January 18 on Max, the documentary captures Momoa meeting various artisans in New Zealand who specialize in creating artistic pieces from old items such as bikes and choppers.

In the trailer, Jason provides glimpses of his nomadic life, saying, ‘I’m always in these weird places. You’re gonna find me on the road. It happens all the time. They’re like, ‘What the hell are you doing in our hometown?”

He expressed his love for the idea of immersing himself in everyday life, sharing, ‘I love the idea of just being with everyday people and doing my craft, which is filming, and then showing them. And so, I think through doing that for so long, I got to be curious about it.'”

Source : Max original
 
John Wick 5‘ was confirmed to be in the works and fans are waiting to see how the franchise goes ahead after the stunning ending in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4‘.

The fourth movie follows “Baba Yaga” going all guns blazing (literally) to take down the High Table, who has put a bounty on him, and free him from all the debt and obligations.

Keanu Reeves, in an interview, said he and the makers were planning for John Wick to die in a blaze of glory to be free and at peace.

“We had the opportunity [to do another film] because of the audience [response to] Chapter 3, and we were like, ‘What was the Why?'” Reeves said according to US news agency Digital Spy. “And when Chad and I was talking, the Why? was death — and it was John Wick’s death.

“For him to get his peace, or freedom, in a way… that was the reason to make the movie. It can’t just be, ‘Let’s do another one’. It was really about death, or a way of dying. We were really inspired by the Hagakure (Samurai warrior code for living and dying well).”

Chad Stahelski, who had confirmed ‘John Wick 5‘ earlier, said the upcoming films would be very different to the prequels. He added that the ending of ‘John Wick: Chapter 4‘ means there will never be another film based on the character and it was a nice and elegant way of bidding farewell to it.

“If there is another John Wick movie… I do feel like it will be a completely [different] book. If these movies were four chapters… the next John Wick will be another book. It won’t be like six months from John Wick 4. We just don’t know what that is. But we all love spending time together, and we love the process. The more time that goes by, the more we miss it,” he said.

Source : The Economic Times
 
Tom Cruise set to make Top Gun 3! Another sequel is in the works at Paramount - despite movie star inking huge new deal with Warner Bros.

Tom Cruise is flying back into action for a new Top Gun sequel after the massive box office success of the previous entry.

ing back into action for a new Top Gun sequel after the massive box office success of the previous entry.

The 61-year-old superstar will be back as Captain Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, and Paramount, which will be producing again, is hoping to reunite him with his recent costars Miles Teller and Glen Powell.

The news that Cruise is back in business with Paramount — where he has released many of his recent films — comes just days after he signed up for a deal with Warner Bros. to produce and develop new films for that studio, including movies he'll star in.

According to Puck News, Maverick co-writer Ehren Kruger is writing a script for the third entry in the series.

Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that director Joseph Kosinski is also expected to return after proving himself with the critical and commercial smash success.

Cruise's last deal with Paramount ended in 2006, despite his continued work with the studio, and the new deal with Warner Bros. is nonexclusive, which will allow him to still work with other studios.

However, he's expected to be getting his own office on the Warners lot.

Cruise and his costars helped lead the long-awaited sequel Top Gun: Maverick to nearly $1.5 billion in grosses, and the action film's months-long stint in theaters help revive the theatrical business amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Although news of the high-flying sequel struck some as an attempt to blunt the positive publicity Warner Bros. was getting for scoring a Cruise connection, THR reports that it has been quietly in development since the late fall.

Paramount didn't comment on the development.

Despite the hopes of Hollywood — and theater owners — that Cruise could once again revive their bottom lines with another successful Top Gun film, they'll have to wait quite some time before it even goes into production.

The actor first has to finish the eighth installment in the Mission: Impossible series, a direct continuation to last year's Dead Reckoning — Part 1, which underperformed compared to expectations.

The film may have also been hurt by only having a brief time on premium screens before the Barbenheimer juggernaut — the dual release of Barbie and Oppenheimer in the same week — pushed it out.


Source: Daily Mail
 
Arnold Schwarzenegger was detained at a German airport for allegedly failing to declare a luxury watch he was planning to auction for charity.

The Hollywood actor was held for three hours at Munich airport on Wednesday.

An investigation for alleged tax evasion was launched as the watch was intended to be sold within the European Union (EU).

According to EU rules, anyone arriving with "cash or certain valuable items" over €10,000 (£8,580) must declare it.

However, a source told CBS News, the BBC's US partner, that Schwarzenegger was not asked to fill out a declaration form.

The actor, politician and climate change campaigner was eventually able to pay the tax, but only after overcoming a number of problems.

After an initial card machine did not work, it was discovered that the nearest bank was closed and ATM withdrawal limits were too low, meaning the 76-year-old had to wait for a new card machine to be brought by customs officials, the source said.

The actor's spokesman told German tabloid Bild that the airport incident was "a total comedy full of errors, but which would make a very funny police film".

Bild said he "took the incident calmly" and an image it published showed a smiling Schwarzenegger posing for a photo and holding a box for the watch with a note saying "For Austria".

According to local media, the watch was custom-made for the Terminator star by luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet, which makes timepieces that can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The watch was said to be up for auction at a fundraising dinner for The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative in Kitzbuhel, Austria, about 89 km (55 miles) from Munich, later on Thursday.

A press release for the event, due to take place at the five-star Stanglwirt hotel, said "artworks, signed exhibits, and experiences from the worlds of sports and film" will be up for sale.

An auction listing for the watch, obtained by Bild, said it was one of only 20 in existence, and would include "an image of Arnold in his iconic pose with the words 'Arnold Classic'". The stated starting price for bids was €50,000.

Source: BBC

www.google.com

Arnold Schwarzenegger detained over EU tax for luxury watch

The probe for alleged tax evasion came as the actor arrived in Munich on his way to an auction.
www.google.com
 

Trevor Noah on why hosting the Grammys is "particularly nerve-wracking"​

As a comedian, Trevor Noah is no stranger to crowd work. But even he admits he has some nerves about the audience he'll face at his upcoming gig: The Grammys.

Noah is hosting the Grammy Awards for the fourth consecutive year on Sunday. The former "The Daily Show" host said he loves the unpredictability of the show.

"I don't know what's going to happen. So that's what I love about the Grammys is it's live; it's happening; it's on the fly," Noah told "CBS Mornings" co-anchor Gayle King in an interview for the show's "Road to the Grammys" series.

Preparing to host the Grammys

Unlike comedian Jo Koy who was tapped to helm the Golden Globes for the first time earlier this month on short notice, Noah has had some experience leading a star-studded ceremony. However, Noah still has concerns just like any other host.

"Here's the thing about award shows is everybody loves the joke when it's not about them, and your goal and your hope is to tell a joke about the person that they also think is funny. So it's difficult. And I think every comedian understands this," Noah explained. "I think what makes the Grammys particularly nerve-wracking for me is like, these are superstars. Yeah. These are like, I don't wanna get on the wrong side of Taylor Swift fans. So you're trying to walk this fine line of being, you know, the comedian, but then also, still being nice about the night."

Source : Yahoo News
 
Grammys 2024: Celine Dion gives Taylor Swift top award and Jay Z speaks up for Beyonce
Close

Celine Dion surprised fans at this year's Grammy Awards by making a special appearance to present the album of the year trophy.

The singer got a rapturous reception when she emerged on stage and announced Taylor Swift as the winner of the top award.

Swift became the first performer to win the prize four times but seemingly snubbed Dion on stage by hugging everyone else except the big ballad singer.

Jay Z was honoured with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award for his contribution to the music industry and used his speech to speak out about his wife Beyonce having never been awarded album of the year at the Grammys.

Miley Cyrus and Billie Eilish took the other top awards at Sunday's ceremony.

Source: BBC
 
Taylor Swift's father Scott Swift accused of assaulting photographer

Australian police are investigating an allegation by a paparazzo that he was assaulted by Taylor Swift's father.

Ben McDonald, 51, accused Scott Swift, 71, of striking his face on a Sydney wharf. He did not need medical help.

The confrontation happened on Tuesday after Mr Swift and the pop megastar disembarked from a yacht.

A spokesperson for the singer did not address the assault claim but said two people had behaved aggressively towards them, local media reported.

A video published by Australian media shows the singer, who is concealed beneath an umbrella, walking with her father and security guards along Neutral Bay Wharf about 02:30 local time (15:30 GMT Monday).

Cameras flash before two voices - reported to be a photographer and a guard - accuse each other of touching umbrellas. It is unclear whether the footage captures the alleged incident.

Mr McDonald told the BBC the singer had already entered a car when Mr Swift "charged in" and attacked him.

"I've been doing this for 23 years and I haven't been in a situation where someone's hit me in the chops," he said, adding he had not provoked the incident.

The singer's representative said: "Two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water."

Swift had just performed the final Australian concert in her immensely popular Eras tour.

"The younger man reported the incident and inquiries are now under way by officers attached to North Shore Police Area Command," New South Wales Police said in a statement.

BBC
 
The whole Epstein thing has made me stop watching these awards and what not, institutions are definitely crumbling, I rather watch a funny reel or dog memes nowadays than the propaganda movies(Hollywood or bollywood).
Could also be my attention span.
 
JaDed said:
The whole Epstein thing has made me stop watching these awards and what not, institutions are definitely crumbling, I rather watch a funny reel or dog memes nowadays than the propaganda movies(Hollywood or bollywood).
Could also be my attention span.
Click to expand...

Attention span and age. I don't have the patience either these last few years. Also, watching a movie requires suspending our disbelief. This is harder to achieve when you grow older and more mature and realise the world is not all fantasy. Escapism becomes hard.
 
RexRex said:
Attention span and age. I don't have the patience either these last few years. Also, watching a movie requires suspending our disbelief. This is harder to achieve when you grow older and more mature and realise the world is not all fantasy.
Click to expand...
I rewatch old shows, Corner gas is what I’m rewatching again.

Everything else is just boring , I’m ok with comedy and I can give up belief for right entertainment but it has to be funny.

If anything I have realised I’m done with serious cinema, I prefer watching something funny.
 

Kevin Hart takes home his Mark Twain Prize for American humor​


Comedians love to rib each other. It's almost a requirement for the job and there was plenty of it for Kevin Hart Sunday night as he received the 25th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Tiffany Haddish called him a "leprechaun." Jerry Seinfeld joked that, "If you look at Kevin Hart's career, it doesn't look like it was that hard to do." Chris Rock, Regina Hall, Keith Robinson, Chelsea Handler, Dave Chappelle and others kept the roast going.

Younger comedians were more charitable. Kevin Hart is known for championing undiscovered talent, like Dave Burd, a rapper who goes by the name Lil Dicky. Hart has invested in his music and helped him create a new sitcom. Like Hart, Burd grew up in Philadelphia.

"To like grow up looking at a screen seeing a guy that you think is the funniest guy in the world and then to have that guy pull you and be like 'Let me help and let me tell you everything I know about this industry.' It is the stuff of dreams if I'm being honest with you," Burd gushed before the show.

The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is considered the highest honor in comedy. Past winners include Richard Pryor, Bob Newhart, Whoopi Goldberg and Eddie Murphy.

Like any big honor, some comedy lovers believe there have been oversights. Neither Seinfeld nor Chris Rock has received the award. Mel Brooks turned it down. The Kennedy Center says he didn't say why.

Sean McCarthy, who writes about comedy for The Daily Beast and Decider, says it's striking that people such as Don Rickles, Phyllis Diller and Joan Rivers have not received the award. A number of recent winners, including Hart, have been in their 40s when they won the prize. McCarthy would like to see the Twain Prize honor older comedians who've inspired younger generations.

"I used to think that The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor was a lifetime achievement award, kind of like The Kennedy Center Honors," McCarthy says. "And it certainly felt that way until about 2010, when they began awarding the prize to people who were in their 40s, like Tina Fey and Will Ferrell. And now I don't really know what the prize means."

During the ceremony, comedian after comedian praised Kevin Hart for his talents as a performer and an entrepreneur. In addition to his standup and movies, he's involved in several businesses including his own production company, a tequila brand and restaurants.

Growing up, Hart's dad was in and out of jail. He says he got his work ethic from his mom. She died in 2007. Had she been here, Hart believes she'd be proud to see him receive comedy's most prestigious award.

"My mom is a firm believer that what you put into something you get out of it," Hart reflected, "So, because of my effort, knowing my effort, she'd go, 'It's supposed to happen.'"

The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor premieres on Netflix on May 11.

www.michiganpublic.org

Kevin Hart takes home his Mark Twain Prize for American humor

Kevin Hart received the 25th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at The Kennedy Center Sunday night. Fellow comedians Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld and Chelsea Handler were there to roast him.
www.michiganpublic.org www.michiganpublic.org
 
Welldeserved. Kevin Hart's boundless energy, and ability to connect with audiences have made him a standout in the world of comedy.
 
Johnny Depp, Sydney Sweeney To Pair Up For Supernatural Thriller Day Drinker

It seems like Sydney Sweeney is hitting the jackpot with her recent projects. After landing a lead role in the long awaited movie Immaculate, the talented actress is now set to star alongside Hollywood icon Johnny Depp in another major project. According to reports from The InSneider, their upcoming collaboration is touted to be a supernatural thriller titled Day Drinker. The man behind 500 Days of Summer and The Amazing Spider-Man, Marc Webb, is set to direct the project. Set in various picturesque locations including France, Portugal and Spain, the film will be based on an original story by Zach Dean. The movie explores the themes of love, friendship and revenge. It revolves around the relationship between a mysterious stranger and a grieving bartender coping with the loss of her lover.

As of now, further details about cast and plots are kept under wraps. Meanwhile, it seems like the Euphoria star’s passion for supernatural horror and thrillers is coming true. Her last film, Immaculate, is still going strong and it’s a proof that Sweeney is committed to the genre. Now, with her upcoming project alongside the Pirates of the Caribbean star, fans can expect even interesting performances from the Euphoria star.

The upcoming film Day Drinker will mark Johnny Depp’s one of the first major projects since his legal battle against his ex-wife Amber Heard in 2021. The actor last appeared as King Louis XV in the 2023 historical drama Jeanne du Barry. Additionally, he’s been busy directing a film centered around Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, which is currently in the post-production stage. Meanwhile, Sydney Sweeney’s career continues to rise, as she previously worked on hit projects like Anyone But You, Immaculate and Dakota Johnson led by Madame Webb. She even hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live.

Earlier, Sweeney raised eyebrows when she spoke about her routine. In a conversation with Wall Street Journal, the actress said, “I usually wake up around 7:30. First I hug my dog, Tank, and we cuddle. Then I’ll go and wash my face, brush my teeth and get ready to jump-start the day. I sleep however many hours I get in a night, but I’m known for being able to function off of very, very little for a very long amount of time. I’ve never tried coffee before. I just drink water. I’m pretty simple if I’m not working. I’m either a blush-and-mascara kind of girl or nothing at all.”

Rumours are circulating about the reboot of Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, sparking hopes among fans for Johnny Depp’s return as Captain Jack Sparrow. However, reports indicate that the reboot may not include the actor.

SOURCE: https://www.news18.com/movies/johnn...upernatural-thriller-day-drinker-8833312.html
 
Paramount wins legal battle over ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ copyright claims

Paramount Pictures (PARA.O) has emerged victorious in a legal battle over its 2022 blockbuster film Top Gun: Maverick, as a U.S. District Judge in Los Angeles dismissed a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement, Reuters reported.

In a ruling on Friday, Judge Percy Anderson deemed the sequel to not be "substantially similar" to Ehud Yonay's 1983 magazine article, Top Guns, which inspired the original Top Gun film depicting the U.S. Navy's Top Gun fighter pilot training school in San Diego.

The heirs of Ehud Yonay, Shosh Yonay and son Yuval Yonay, contended that Paramount owed them a share of the sequel's profits, arguing that the franchise was built upon Yonay's article, which "breathed life into the technical humdrum of a navy base."

Their attorney, Marc Toberoff, announced plans to appeal the decision, stating, "Once Yonay's widow and son exercised their rights [to] reclaim his exhilarating story, Paramount hand-waved them away exclaiming 'What copyright?' It's not a good look."

Responding to the dismissal, Paramount released a statement expressing satisfaction with the court's decision, stating, "We are pleased that the court recognised that plaintiffs' claims were completely without merit."

Top Gun: Maverick, featuring Tom Cruise reprising his iconic role as U.S. Navy test pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, grossed a staggering $1.5 billion worldwide, solidifying its place as Cruise's highest-grossing film and the 12th highest-grossing film according to Box Office Mojo.

The plaintiffs, both hailing from Israel, argued that the character of "Maverick" in the sequel was "derivative" of the nonfictional Top Guns due to similarities in plot, characters, dialogue, settings, and themes.

However, Judge Anderson highlighted that copyright law does not protect factual elements such as real people's identities or familiar plot elements such as pilots embarking on missions. Furthermore, he noted that copyright law does not extend to themes like "the sheer love of flying," or specific dialogue, such as "Fight's on," identified in both works.

In a significant decision, Anderson also ruled that Paramount was not obligated to credit Ehud in the sequel, as it had done in the original Top Gun with a "suggested by" credit. This decision came after the Yonays terminated Paramount's exclusive movie rights to the article in 2020.

Ehud's article, originally published in the May 1983 issue of California magazine, served as the foundation for the iconic film franchise. The case, titled Yonay et al v. Paramount Pictures Corp, was heard in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, under case number 22-03846.

SOURCE: EXPRESS TRIBUNE
 
Paramount wins legal battle over ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ copyright claims

Paramount Pictures (PARA.O) has emerged victorious in a legal battle over its 2022 blockbuster film Top Gun: Maverick, as a U.S. District Judge in Los Angeles dismissed a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement, Reuters reported.

In a ruling on Friday, Judge Percy Anderson deemed the sequel to not be "substantially similar" to Ehud Yonay's 1983 magazine article, Top Guns, which inspired the original Top Gun film depicting the U.S. Navy's Top Gun fighter pilot training school in San Diego.

The heirs of Ehud Yonay, Shosh Yonay and son Yuval Yonay, contended that Paramount owed them a share of the sequel's profits, arguing that the franchise was built upon Yonay's article, which "breathed life into the technical humdrum of a navy base."

Their attorney, Marc Toberoff, announced plans to appeal the decision, stating, "Once Yonay's widow and son exercised their rights [to] reclaim his exhilarating story, Paramount hand-waved them away exclaiming 'What copyright?' It's not a good look."

Responding to the dismissal, Paramount released a statement expressing satisfaction with the court's decision, stating, "We are pleased that the court recognised that plaintiffs' claims were completely without merit."

Top Gun: Maverick, featuring Tom Cruise reprising his iconic role as U.S. Navy test pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, grossed a staggering $1.5 billion worldwide, solidifying its place as Cruise's highest-grossing film and the 12th highest-grossing film according to Box Office Mojo.

The plaintiffs, both hailing from Israel, argued that the character of "Maverick" in the sequel was "derivative" of the nonfictional Top Guns due to similarities in plot, characters, dialogue, settings, and themes.

However, Judge Anderson highlighted that copyright law does not protect factual elements such as real people's identities or familiar plot elements such as pilots embarking on missions. Furthermore, he noted that copyright law does not extend to themes like "the sheer love of flying," or specific dialogue, such as "Fight's on," identified in both works.

In a significant decision, Anderson also ruled that Paramount was not obligated to credit Ehud in the sequel, as it had done in the original Top Gun with a "suggested by" credit. This decision came after the Yonays terminated Paramount's exclusive movie rights to the article in 2020.

Ehud's article, originally published in the May 1983 issue of California magazine, served as the foundation for the iconic film franchise. The case, titled Yonay et al v. Paramount Pictures Corp, was heard in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, under case number 22-03846.

SOURCE: EXPRESS TRIBUNE
 
BouncerGuy said:
Paramount wins legal battle over ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ copyright claims

Paramount Pictures (PARA.O) has emerged victorious in a legal battle over its 2022 blockbuster film Top Gun: Maverick, as a U.S. District Judge in Los Angeles dismissed a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement, Reuters reported.

In a ruling on Friday, Judge Percy Anderson deemed the sequel to not be "substantially similar" to Ehud Yonay's 1983 magazine article, Top Guns, which inspired the original Top Gun film depicting the U.S. Navy's Top Gun fighter pilot training school in San Diego.

The heirs of Ehud Yonay, Shosh Yonay and son Yuval Yonay, contended that Paramount owed them a share of the sequel's profits, arguing that the franchise was built upon Yonay's article, which "breathed life into the technical humdrum of a navy base."

Their attorney, Marc Toberoff, announced plans to appeal the decision, stating, "Once Yonay's widow and son exercised their rights [to] reclaim his exhilarating story, Paramount hand-waved them away exclaiming 'What copyright?' It's not a good look."

Responding to the dismissal, Paramount released a statement expressing satisfaction with the court's decision, stating, "We are pleased that the court recognised that plaintiffs' claims were completely without merit."

Top Gun: Maverick, featuring Tom Cruise reprising his iconic role as U.S. Navy test pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, grossed a staggering $1.5 billion worldwide, solidifying its place as Cruise's highest-grossing film and the 12th highest-grossing film according to Box Office Mojo.

The plaintiffs, both hailing from Israel, argued that the character of "Maverick" in the sequel was "derivative" of the nonfictional Top Guns due to similarities in plot, characters, dialogue, settings, and themes.

However, Judge Anderson highlighted that copyright law does not protect factual elements such as real people's identities or familiar plot elements such as pilots embarking on missions. Furthermore, he noted that copyright law does not extend to themes like "the sheer love of flying," or specific dialogue, such as "Fight's on," identified in both works.

In a significant decision, Anderson also ruled that Paramount was not obligated to credit Ehud in the sequel, as it had done in the original Top Gun with a "suggested by" credit. This decision came after the Yonays terminated Paramount's exclusive movie rights to the article in 2020.

Ehud's article, originally published in the May 1983 issue of California magazine, served as the foundation for the iconic film franchise. The case, titled Yonay et al v. Paramount Pictures Corp, was heard in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, under case number 22-03846.

SOURCE: EXPRESS TRIBUNE
Click to expand...

Hope we get to see the third soon
 
Saw Ford v Ferrari on Netflix 2 days ago. Loved it. Christian Bale brilliant & Matt Damon solid.
 

Commissioner orders release of information on PCP-laced chowder fed during Titanic filming​


The Nova Scotia Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) has ruled in favor of disclosing information regarding a peculiar incident from 1996 involving numerous crew members falling ill on the set of the film “Titanic” after allegedly consuming food spiked with phencyclidine (PCP), commonly known as “angel dust”.

OIPC Commissioner Tricia Ralph found that the Halifax Regional Police (HRP) had improperly withheld certain details under freedom of information laws.

The OIPC directed the HRP to release factual observations from third-party witnesses, with personal identifiers removed, and any previously redacted information under specific sections of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) that does not infringe upon personal privacy.

However, personal details of third-party witnesses and certain HRP officers will remain confidential.

The decision was made considering the potential privacy invasion and the fact that the information was collected for an investigation that did not lead to charges.

The HRP has 45 days from the report’s issuance on March 28, 2024, to disclose the required information.

This incident, initially thought to be food poisoning affecting around 80 crew members, including director James Cameron, was later determined by HRP investigators to be caused by PCP-laced lobster chowder.

While the OIPC recommendations are not binding, the HRP is expected to comply, potentially shedding light on the circumstances surrounding this unusual occurrence.

minutemirror.com.pk

Commissioner orders release of information on PCP-laced chowder fed during Titanic filming

The Nova Scotia Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) has ruled in favor of disclosing information regarding a peculiar incident from 1996 involving numerous crew members falling ill on the set of the film “Titanic” after allegedly consuming food spiked with phencyclidine...
minutemirror.com.pk minutemirror.com.pk
 

Taylor Swift: The Tortured Poets Department broke Spotify record​

Taylor Swift's new album, The Tortured Poets Department, has broken the record for Spotify's most-streamed in a single day, the platform said.

The pop sensation also became the most-streamed artist in a single day.

Her hotly anticipated album was released on Friday, sending Swifties around the world into a frenzy.

It contains 31 tracks in which the megastar lays bare her heartbreak and appears to direct anger at former partners.

The first 16 tracks dropped as scheduled at 5am UK time, but just a few hours later, an additional 15 tracks were released, giving her fans plenty to dive into - as well as sending music journalists into a tailspin.

Swift said the album was an anthology of new works reflecting "events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time - one that was both sensational and sorrowful in equal measure".

She went on to declare that period in her life "now over".

"The chapter closed and boarded up. There is nothing to avenge, no scores to settle once wounds have healed," she said. "Once we have spoken our saddest story, we can be free of it."

Swift announced the arrival of her 11th studio album live on stage at the Grammy Awards in February.

It contains tracks including So Long, London, which is widely thought to be about her ex-partner, British actor Joe Alwyn. Swift, who was with Alwyn for six years, had previously moved to London where he was living.

Another track, But Daddy I Love Him, is also thought to address the discourse that surrounded Swift's reported-but-never-confirmed romance with The 1975's lead singer Matty Healy, last year.

Source: BBC
 
Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by New York's top court.

BBC
 
Actor Bernard Hill, best known for roles in Titanic and Lord of the Rings, has died aged 79.

He played Captain Edward Smith in the 1997 Oscar-winning film and King Théoden in the Lord of the Rings.

He died early on Sunday morning, his agent Lou Coulson confirmed.


BBC
 
So pumped for this movie. It's Francis Ford Coppola's passion project and a movie he has wanted to make since the 1980s. It is inspired heavily by Fritz Lang's Metropolis and Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead. However, despite being Francis Ford Coppola: the director of some of the greatest films ever made, he could not convince movie studios to fund his film, because they perceived it as too risky and ambitious. But to his credit Coppola never gave up. He finally put $120 million+ of his own money, that he made from his vine business and decided to make the movie on his own.

Coppola's reputation as one of the greatest filmmakers that ever lived is never going to be in question. But it has been somewhat disappointing to see his filmmaking career somewhat fade after the 90s. Especially when Scorsese is still doing some of the best work of his career. Which is why I really hope that this film lives up to its very high expectations.

 
The swimmer who was the first victim in the 1975 blockbuster Jaws has died.

Susan Backlinie died in her home in California at the age of 77, according to her agent. Her death was first reported by The Daily Jaws website.

The opening scene of Steven Spielberg's classic features Ms Backlinie running along the beach and before diving into the water and skinny dipping.

SKY
 
Veteran British actor Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf in the “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy, was rushed to hospital late on Monday after falling from the stage during a London performance

The 85-year-old actor was starring as John Falstaff in a production of “Player Kings” at the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s West End when he lost his footing during a fight scene.

“Following a scan, the brilliant NHS (National Health Service) team have assured us that he will make a speedy and full recovery and Ian is in good spirits,” a theatre spokesperson said on Tuesday.

“The production has made the decision to cancel the performance on Tuesday June 18 so Ian can rest.”

He is expected to return to the stage on Wednesday.

McKellen, who also played “Magneto” in the X-Men films, is one of Britain’s most recognised actors, having won many awards during a 60-year career on stage and screen.

“Player Kings” is a return to Shakespeare for McKellen, combining two of the Bard’s history plays about King Henry IV.

Source: The Washington Post
 
The Canadian actor Donald Sutherland, star of films including The Hunger Games and Don't Look Now, has died at 88 after a long illness.
 

Pirates of the Caribbean star killed in shark attack​

Pirates of the Caribbean actor Tamayo Perry has died after being attacked by a shark while surfing in Hawaii.

The 49-year-old died on Sunday afternoon, Honolulu's emergency services confirmed in a press conference.

Emergency services were called to Malaekahana Beach at around 13:00 local time.

But Perry, who was also a lifeguard, was pronounced dead by paramedics after being brought to shore by jet ski.

Perry portrayed one of the buccaneers in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth film in the franchise.

The 2011 film, which follows Johnny Depp as eccentric pirate Captain Jack Sparrow, also stars Penelope Cruz and Geoffrey Rush.

Perry also had roles in Lost, Hawaii Five-0, Blue Crush and Charlie's Angels sequel Full Throttle, and appeared in a Coca-Cola advert.

Source: BBC
 
Paul Mescal shares his exhausting training for 'Gladiator 2'

Paul Mescal recently shed some light into how much he 'loved' the training for Gladiator 2 despite how exhausting it was physically.

Due for release later this year, the 28-year-old Irish actor is set to play the role of Roman Empire Lucius Verus, the grown-up son of Lucilla, portrayed as a child in the Oscar-winning original from 2000 starring Russell Crowe.

Now speaking in an interview on Capital Radio with Jordan North on Tuesday, Mescal said that the brutal schedule and physical nature of filming was merely a 'first world problem'.

Jordan asked him of preparing for the huge blockbuster, "Was it a hard, brutal schedule or was it okay when you could just eat everything you wanted?"

Paul replied to this by saying, "It's a first world problem. Like I had every amenity available to me. I had a great trainer. People telling me what and when to eat."

"And I think it's just a by-product. You have to train hard to be in a film like this and I kind of loved it. Of course, it gets tiresome at certain moments."

It comes after Paul was seen shirtless with a burlap skirt on and gold cuffs on his wrists in his trailer while on the set of Gladiator 2. The image was shared by his costar Pedro Pascal on social media

Paul plays Lucius and Pedro is Marcus Acacius. The long-awaited Gladiator sequel, directed by Ridley Scott, will debut 24 years after the original historical film aired in 2000.

Gladiator 2 centers on the 28-year-old's character, Lucius Verus, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen).

Viewers will now see Lucius all grown up, with the story taking place years after the first film ended.

The star-studded cast also includes Denzel Washington, Derek Jacobi, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and Lior Raz. The movie is slated to release on November 15, 2024.


GEO TV
 
The Shining actress Shelley Duvall dies at 75

US actress Shelley Duvall, known for films like The Shining, Annie Hall and Nashville, has died at the age of 75.

Her partner Dan Gilroy confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.

"My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley," he said, according to the outlet.

She died in her sleep of complications from diabetes at her home in Texas, Gilroy said.

Duvall's other credits included 1977 drama 3 Women, directed by Robert Altman, for which she won the Cannes Film Festival's best actress award and was nominated for a Bafta.


BBC
 
American actor Shannen Doherty, best known for her role as high school student Brenda Walsh on hit 1990s television drama "Beverly Hills, 90210," has died at age 53 following a years-long battle with cancer.

Doherty, who had been public about her treatment for breast cancer, died on Saturday, publicist Leslie Sloane said in a statement issued to People magazine on Sunday.


Reuters
 
American comedian Bob Newhart dead at 94, publicist says

American stand-up comedy legend Bob Newhart, whose deadpan delivery style earned him numerous awards, has died at the age of 94.

The star of TV series The Bob Newhart Show, Newhart passed away at home after a series of short illnesses, his publicist said in a statement provided to the BBC on Thursday.

Newhart became a stand-up comic after starting his career as an accountant in Chicago. He went on to guest-host Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show 87 times.

More recently, he starred in classic Christmas film Elf and The Big Bang Theory.


BBC
 
Can Deadpool and Wolverine spark Marvel's revival?

"I'm the messiah… I'm Marvel Jesus!" proclaims Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool in his third lead outing as the acerbic, X-rated, genre-satirising anti-hero, who returns to cinemas on Thursday for the first time since 2018.

It's a typically subversive line. But the sharpest jokes hold a grain of truth.

Disney's Marvel franchise is not short of superheroes, but it is in need of saving right now.

Traditionally, heavyweights like Spider-Man, Thor, Hulk or the Avengers ensemble could be relied on to save the day. But these aren't ordinary times for Marvel, following the studio’s much-discussed slump.

It’s a good thing, then, that Reynolds’ Deadpool has fully joined the fold, alongside Australian Hugh Jackman - who, thanks to the creative joys of the Marvel multiverse (parallel worlds of different realities), is able to reprise his iconic role as the late metal-clawed Wolverine.

A few years ago, even in the craziest timeline, a downturn in Marvel's fortunes seemed unthinkable. In 2019, Avengers: Endgame alone took £2.1bn - a high point for the studio’s cinematic universe, which has earned Hollywood almost £23bn since 2008 in an eye-watering gold rush over 33 films.

But last year its iron grip loosened. The confusingly named The Marvels opened to a franchise record low of £38m.

Audience fatigue appeared heavy against an avalanche of interconnected multiverse content - from traditional blockbusters to TV series released on streaming over the pandemic.

This created "a muddled narrative that baffled viewers", wrote Tatiana Siegel in a Variety feature headlined "Crisis at Marvel". She described Marvel mastermind Kevin Feige as spread too thin across projects, struggling to maintain standards and ready to wield the axe.

Disney CEO Bob Iger publicly acknowledged quantity had "diluted" the brand, promising to rein in the sequel-heavy culture and put stories first.

Enter Reynolds, who, at a press conference earlier this month, emphasised the film’s unique identity - bringing edge and self-deprecation to an increasingly stale universe. As a co-writer and producer, he said he feels "immensely proud" to make "a different type of movie for the MCU".

Speaking to the BBC, he says the messiah line reflected Deadpool’s enduring fortune to be "in the right place at the right time".

"Those lines were written before any larger analysis of storytelling trends in the media," he adds.

The film sees Deadpool trying to escape his superhero past. But his peaceful existence unravels when the MCU's Time Variance Authority - the group entrusted to balance the dizzying multiverse timelines - finds itself out of control.

Its corporate stooge Mr Paradox, played by Succession's Matthew Macfadyen, tries to covertly recruit Deadpool to help safeguard the central "sacred" timeline of reality by sacrificing his world. Refusing, he drags a begrudging, living, Wolverine into his timeline in a bid to save the day.

When asked about potential future spin-offs for the pair, Reynolds insists he wants to steer clear of Marvel’s recent pitfalls. "I love being able to do a movie that is in and of itself just a movie," he tells the BBC. "Deadpool and Wolverine isn't a commercial for another movie. It's just not part of the DNA."

'Friends for decades'

Reynolds and Jackman have known each other for almost two decades, first working together on 2008’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which gave Reynolds his superhero start. Their friendship is clear.

"You're so lucky because a lot of people don't know how jealous Wolverine can be," jokes Jackman. “If you mention anyone else, I will kill them. Particularly if it's another Australian superhero."

"You know, his claws come out..." jibes Reynolds.

"So Thor is out!" adds director Shawn Levy, in reference to Australian Chris Hemsworth.

The exchange mirrors how Reynolds sees their real-world relationship reflected on screen. The Canadian star says it was "such a treat to write dialogue" for the film because it felt like "straddling this line - myself and Hugh speaking to each other as friends who've... been through a lot together.

"Hugh and I are very outwardly jokey, but in real life our conversations are intense and emotional and about life and all kinds of stuff."

Shared comic book history

Both given similar powers as victims of experimentation by the US government’s Weapon X project, Deadpool and Wolverine share a love-hate relationship.

First appearing as adversaries in the 1980s, by 1999 they were firm "frenemies" in the comics. In one issue, they bonded over their mutual tortures at the hands of the Weapon X programme and even shared a beer. "This was the start of an awkward friendship," wrote Nerdist’s Eric Diaz.

In 2019, Disney acquired 20th Century Fox - making Deadpool and Wolverine official members of the MCU.

The film realises an ambition years in the making. Jackman insists he "really did mean it" when he declared himself "done" with Wolverine after 2017’s critically-acclaimed Logan, which saw the superhero meet his end.

But weeks after filming wrapped in 2016, he saw the first Deadpool - offering a different twist on the genre in its anarchistic comedy - and regretted his decision.

"For four or five years, all I could see were those characters together," he explains, imagining classic buddy comedy/drama pairings like 48 Hours or The Odd Couple.

Eventually, it became an itch he had to scratch. "I can tell you the date. August 14 2022. I was driving and it came to me like that - I wanted to do [Wolverine] again... with Ryan playing Deadpool."

Pulling over, he rang Reynolds to plead his case. The timing was perfect, because the actor was hours away from pitching a third Deadpool film to Marvel with Levy.

Levy says Jackman's arrival was key to giving the third film its "why" and its "heart".

Wolverine’s ‘fresh’ return

For Reynolds' Deadpool, this means plenty of X-rated jokes at Disney's expense. For Jackman, it is a golden opportunity to explore new depths of his much-loved Wolverine.

"There's parts of the character that I'd always pitched in different versions and tried to get across. It was something that I've been scratching at. And these guys hit it."

Jackman, 55, says his renewed enthusiasm may come from the perspective age brings, after years on stage and a starring role in screen musical The Greatest Showman.

"When you come back because you desperately want to, and particularly in this form, it felt incredibly fresh.

"There's one monologue I get which has more countable words than I’ve [previously] used in an entire movie," he explains.

The final trailer sent fans into meltdown, with the shock appearance of Dafne Keen returning as an older version of Wolverine's daughter, Laura, from his famous Logan farewell.

It is the epitome of fan service. But willpower alone does not make a blockbuster capable of potentially reviving Marvel’s fortunes. That instead relies on authentic, cohesive storytelling.

Deadpool and Wolverine is the only Disney-backed MCU release this year (thanks to delays from the writers’ strikes), but this may not be a bad thing.

Reviews from critics have been mixed, but many have described the film as the shot in the arm that Marvel needs.

The Guardian's three-star review said the film "mocks the MCU back to life", with Deadpool "basically right" in his saviour complex quip.

Variety praised Deadpool and Wolverine's "misty-eyed" fan-service as a "welcome corrective" to 15 years of MCU convolution, even if the special effects and action sequences don't always match 2018's sequel. "The entire genre could use a shake-up, and this jester-like character is just the guy to do it," added Peter Debruge.

However, the Independent's two-star review could not look past the "tedious and annoying corporate merger of a film".

The Hollywood Reporter said the film is on course for a massive $165m (£127m) opening weekend in the US, which would mark the biggest R-rated opening of all time.

Can it save the MCU? Not on its own - multiverse content problems run deep. But it's certainly energised it and is, whisper it, fun - whichever timeline you're in.

BBC
 
Robert Downey Jr to return to Marvel as Dr Doom

Robert Downey Jr is returning to the Marvel superhero world after five years - but not to the Iron Man role which launched the blockbuster franchise.

The actor will make his comeback as Dr Victor Von Doom, a prominent villain in the comic books which spawned the popular film series.

Downey Jr will appear in Avengers: Doomsday, which is due to be released in May 2026, and a further instalment titled Secret Wars a year later.

Stars joining the Marvel franchise were unveiled at the Comic Con event in San Diego.

Downey Jr appeared on stage concealed behind Dr Doom's iconic mask and green cloak before unveiling himself to fans.

Speaking to reporters, he said: "I like playing complicated characters."

The 59-year-old was instrumental in launching the Marvel movie universe, starring in its first film Iron Man in 2008.

He last appeared in a Marvel film in 2019's Avengers: End Game.

The American actor won an Oscar for his role in Oppenheimer earlier this year.

Marvel is set to release a further three films in 2025 before Avengers returns to big screens.

Captain America: Brave New World will see Harrison Ford replace the late William Hurt as General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross.

Florence Pugh will take on a leading role in Thunderbolts, while Pedro Pascal will make his Marvel debut in The Fantastic 4: First Steps.

Disney's Marvel movie series have generated $30bn (£23.3bn) in box office takings - the first franchise to do so - but profits have slowed in recent years.

However, the recent release of Deadpool & Wolverine, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, has offered the chance of a potential revival - making $96m on its opening day on Friday.

Last year, Marvel dropped actor Jonathan Majors - who played villain Kang the Conqueror - following his conviction for assaulting his girlfriend.

BBC
 
Indiana Jones's Temple of Doom hat sells for £490k

The hat worn by actor Harrison Ford in the second instalment of the Indiana Jones film franchise has sold for nearly half a million pounds at auction.

The brown felt fedora - specifically made for the Temple of Doom film - fetched $630,000 (£487,000) in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Other items of movie memorabilia were sold at the same time including props from Star Wars, Harry Potter and James Bond productions.

Jones, an adventuring archaeologist, is seen with the hat early on in the movie where he and his companions jump from a crashing plane in an inflatable raft.

During the scene, he is on board a plane with nightclub singer Wilhelmina "Willie" Scott, played by Kate Capshaw, and his 12-year-old friend Short Round, played by Ke Huy Quan, while escaping the clutches of a Chinese crime gang.

After the flight is sabotaged by the pilot, the trio use the raft to fall from the plane, before sliding down a mountainside.

The auction house said the hat was also used during additional photography at producer George Lucas's visual effects facilities.

The fedora was also worn by Ford's stunt-double in the 1984 film, Dean Ferrandini, and was sold with previously unpublished photos of the stuntman wearing the now-iconic costume on location.

Ferrandini died last year. The hat came from his personal collection.

The sable-coloured fedora was an update to the original featured in the first Indiana Jones film - Raiders Of The Lost Ark - with a "more tapered" crown then the first, Propstore, the auction house, said.

Created by the Herbert Johnson Hat Company in London, the inside lining features gold monogrammed initials "IJ".

Also sold at the auction was an imperial scout trooper helmet used in the 1983 Star Wars film Return Of The Jedi - which was bought for $315,000 (£243,000) - as well as a light-up wand used by Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban, which attracted a winning bid of $53,550 (£41,400).

Meanwhile, a suit worn by Daniel Craig in the 2012 James Bond film Skyfall sold for $35,000 (£27,000).

Brandon Alinger, Propstore chief operating officer, said the auction house was "proud to have connected such a wide expanse of fans with the historic pieces they cherish".

The Indiana Jones hat fetched more than double that of another Temple of Doom fedora auctioned in 2021, which sold for $300,000 (£232,000), according to Hollywood Reporter.

BBC
 

CIA says Swift concert plotters planned to kill 'a huge number'​


The CIA says the suspects in the foiled plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna wanted to kill "a huge number" of people at the event.

The intelligence provided by the agency to Austrian authorities allowed them to disrupt the plot and save "hundreds of lives" , CIA's deputy director David Cohen said on Wednesday.

Mr Cohen highlighted that there were "tens of thousands of people at this concert, I am sure many Americans". He added that the suspects' plans were "advanced".

Three male teenage suspects were arrested in connection with the foiled attacks, allegedly inspired by the Islamic State group.

Speaking at an annual intelligence summit outside Washington, DC, Mr Cohen said the day of the arrests was a "good day for Langley", referring to the CIA headquarters. "And not just for Swifties in the office."

“The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do," Mr Cohen said.

He did not disclose how his agency had learned about the plot.

Some 200,000 people had been expected to attend one of Swift's three Vienna concerts, part of the European swing of her multi-continent Eras tour.

On 7 August, the day before the first show, concert organisers announced the shows would be scrapped after a warning about a "planned terrorist attack" from government officials.

Earlier that day, Austrian authorities arrested two of the suspects. The third was arrested two days later.

Authorities said the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen, had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and had focused on the Eras tour as a target.

He hoped to “kill as many people as possible", authorities said.

Last week, for the first time, Swift commented publicly on the planned attack, writing on Instagram that having to cancel the Vienna shows was "devastating".

"The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows," she wrote. "But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives."

Swift performed eight concerts at Wembley this summer, overtaking a record for any solo singer, which was previously set by Michael Jackson in 1988.

Her next show as part of The Eras Tour is scheduled for 18 October in Miami, Florida.

www.bbc.com

CIA says Swift concert plotters planned to kill 'a huge number' of people

The agency says its intelligence helped Austrian authorities thwart the attack and led to arrests.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 
James Earl Jones, voice of Star Wars villain Darth Vader and Mufasa in The Lion King, dies aged 93

Acting great James Earl Jones, who voiced Star Wars villain Darth Vader and Mufasa in The Lion King, has died at the age of 93.

Jones, a longtime sufferer of diabetes, died at his home surrounded by family members, his agent Barry McPherson said.

No cause of death was provided.

He appeared in Conan the Barbarian, played Eddie Murphy's dad in Coming to America and starred in The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games.

But it was his iconic voice as the villainous Darth Vader for which he was best known.

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, Vader's son in Star Wars, tweeted: "RIP dad."

He was one of the few entertainers to have won the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards).


news.sky.com

James Earl Jones, voice of Star Wars villain Darth Vader and Mufasa in The Lion King, dies aged 93

Acting great James Earl Jones, who voiced Star Wars villain Darth Vader and Mufasa in The Lion King, has died at the age of 93.
news.sky.com news.sky.com
 
Sean 'Diddy' Combs reportedly selling assets to cover escalating legal fees after arrest

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has set a “desperate” cut sale of his assets in motion following his arrest and the scandal. An insider revealed to Radar Online that Diddy is selling off his assets even below their intrinsic value to pay the mounting legal fees. He was arrested on Monday night and has been since locked up with his bail being denied twice. He was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution

Civil judgment adds to Diddy’s legal woes

His legal stress keeps increasing with the latest addition where a Michigan judge slammed him with a $100 million civil default judgment. The amount was paid to settle accusations of Diddy drugging and sexually assaulting a man, 27 years ago in an argy in Detroit. The 51-year-old man who is currently serving up his sentence of 75 years of imprisonment alleged that Diddy spiked his drink and abused him while he was unconscious in a soiree in 1997. The inmate, Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith is in jail for first-degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping.

In June, he mentioned in his complaint that he passed out after, “Sean Combs said to me, 'I added a little something to (the drink) for you. I will get (sex) from you anyway, one way or another.'" Diddy denied the allegations but failed to file a lawsuit against him and ended up paying Derrick $10 million per month. The complaint against Diddy is one of the several lawsuits filed against him accusing him of sexual assault and physical abuse.

Diddy sale out his LA home

The many lawsuits against Diddy followed after his girlfriend, Cassie Ventura filed the first one accusing him of sexually assaulting her and physically abusing her during their relationship which lasted for a decade. The case closed the very next day and the hip-hop mogul denied the allegations calling them “sickening”. He later tried to sell his LA home which stretches over 17,000 square ft. and was raided by the FBI during an investigation of $6.1 million. A source told the media outlet, “The walls certainly seem to be closing in on him."

SOURCE: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ente...-legal-fees-after-arrest-101727144018679.html
 
Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces more than 100 new assault allegations

More than 100 people are to sue rap musician Sean 'Diddy' Combs for sexual assault, rape and sexual exploitation, a US lawyer has said.

Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee said that some of the alleged victims include minors who were abused when they were as young as nine years old.

"This is an important matter that we intend to aggressively pursue," Mr Buzbee told reporters.

Erica Wolff, a lawyer representing Mr Combs, said the rapper "emphatically and categorically" denies the allegations, saying they are "false and defamatory".

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Mr Buzbee said he and his team “will leave no stone unturned to find potentially liable parties” in the alleged abuse, or “any individual or entity who participated in or benefited from this egregious behaviour”.

Ms Wolff said in a statement to the BBC that Mr Combs "looks forward to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in court, where the truth will be established based on evidence, not speculation".

The legal action is the latest against Mr Combs.

Mr Combs was arrested last week and is facing criminal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. He is currently in federal custody after he was denied bail, which he is appealing.

He has denied all allegations of criminal wrongdoing.

According to Mr Buzbee, who is licensed to practice law in Texas and New York, the total number of alleged victims he is representing is 120, with half of them being men and the other half women who hail from more than 25 states across the US.

He added that 25 of the alleged victims he is representing were minors. This marks the first time that Mr Combs has been accused of sexually abusing children.

The allegations span between 1991 to as recently as this year with the incidents taking place in Los Angeles, New York and Miami, Mr Buzbee said. He added most of the incidents occurred after 2015.

Most of the plaintiffs, he said, allege they were date raped after parties hosted by Mr Combs that were held at well-known venues, as well as private residences and hotels.

Mr Buzbee said the parties were either to mark an album release, or were New Year’s Eve parties and US Independence Day parties. Others occurred at what he said were auditions.

“Many times, especially young people wanting to break into the industry, were coerced into this type of conduct in the promise of being made a star or the promise of having Sean Combs listen to their tape,” Mr Buzbee said.

One man, who was aged nine at the time, alleges he was sexually abused by Mr Combs and his associates at a recording studio in New York while trying to land a record deal, according to his lawyer.

“Had he not been in power, I feel I could’ve been something great. I quit the industry because of what Sean Combs did to me,” he said in a statement via his lawyer.

Another man, who was also a minor at the time, alleged he was told by Mr Combs he would be made a “star”, but he first needed to visit the rapper alone without his parents.

Once in a private area, his lawyer claimed Mr Combs then requested the boy perform oral sex on him.

Mr Buzbee also raised the case of a then-15-year-old girl who alleges she was flown to New York for a party hosted by Mr Combs and was subsequently raped by him and others.

The lawyer claimed there was a clear modus operandi with alleged victims typically being offered “laced” drinks before being sexually assaulted.

“The biggest secret in the entertainment industry has finally been revealed to the world,” Mr Buzbee said. “The wall of silence has now been broken.”

He added that this is not a class action lawsuit and that there will be individual cases filed for each alleged victim.

Andrew Van Arsdale, an attorney at the AVA law group which is working with Mr Buzbee, said his firm had received more than 3,000 phone calls from people alleging abuse by the music mogul.

In addition to the 120 alleged victims, he said his firm were working to vet another 100 cases.

BBC
 
Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of sexually assaulting teenager in new lawsuits

Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing new allegations of rape, sexual abuse and sexual assault after a series of fresh lawsuits were filed on Monday.

At least six lawsuits were filed in New York federal court by two women and four men. They include allegations that span from 1995 to 2021.

The unnamed accusers allege some of the assaults happened at Mr Combs' parties, which were attended by major celebrities and music artists.

Lawyers for Mr Combs denied the allegations, saying in a statement to the BBC that he "has never sexually assaulted anyone - adult or minor, man or woman".

One of the accusers said he was 16 when he attended one of the parties in the Hamptons in 1998. In the lawsuit, he describes being thrilled to get an invitation to Mr Combs' party, which became a premier A-list annual event for celebrities.

The accuser said he saw countless celebrities and music artists as he walked around, and ran into Mr Combs while he was on the way to the bathroom. He said he started talking to Mr Combs about breaking into the music industry when they went to somewhere more private.

The accuser alleges that during their conversation, Mr Combs abruptly ordered him to undress.

The lawsuit includes a photo of the pair together at the party with the teen's face blurred out.

According to the lawsuit, Mr Combs said it was “a rite of passage” and “the route to becoming a star". The rapper told the teen he could make anyone a star and the teen had the right "look", the lawsuit states.

Another lawsuit filed on Monday includes allegations by a woman who claims Mr Combs raped her in a hotel room in 2004 when she was a 19-year-old college student.

According to the lawsuit, she met the music mogul at a photoshoot, where he then invited her and a friend to attend a private party at his hotel. Once they arrived, the lawsuit alleges that Mr Combs "fondled, molested, and ultimately raped her” despite her repeatedly asking him to stop.

Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee, who is representing the accusers, said he is representing more than 100 people who plan to sue the rapper on allegations of sexual assault, rape and sexual exploitation.

Mr Buzbee said that some of the alleged victims include children. He said the lawsuits are being brought under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which allows victims to file older claims.

"We will let the allegations in the filed complaints speak for themselves, and will work to see that justice is done," Mr Buzbee said in a statement after filing the lawsuits Monday.

"We expect to be filing many more cases over the next several weeks naming Mr Combs and others as defendants as we continue to gather evidence and prepare the filings."

The lawsuits are the latest of more than a dozen that have been filed against Mr Combs recently, accusing the music mogul of assaults, rape and sexual extortion.

He has denied all civil and criminal claims against him.

Mr Combs is facing federal criminal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. A judge last week tentatively scheduled his trial to begin on 5 May 2025.

Mr Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York since his 16 September arrest. His lawyers have argued for his release until the trial, citing the jail’s “horrific” conditions.

A New York federal judge denied their request for bail, arguing that Mr Combs was a “serious flight risk”.

BBC
 
Former One Direction star Liam Payne found dead

Former One Direction star Liam Payne has been found dead, according to reports.

The 31-year-old singer died outside a hotel in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires, local media said, citing emergency services.

He had reportedly fallen from the third floor of the building.

Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentinian television that Payne fell into a courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires.

The official declined to answer further questions about the incident, including over how Payne came to fall from the balcony.

Mr Crescenti said authorities were investigating the circumstances of his death and conducting a post-mortem examination.

According to TV network Telemundo, police had been called to the hotel to reports of an aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.


news.sky.com

Former One Direction star Liam Payne found dead

The 31-year-old singer died outside a hotel in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires after reportedly falling from the third floor.
news.sky.com news.sky.com
 
Liam Payne's dad greets fans as Cheryl pays tribute

Liam Payne's father has viewed tributes outside the hotel where his son died, as the star's former partner Cheryl says her son Bear has to “face the reality of never seeing his father again”.

Payne, 31, died on Wednesday when he fell from the balcony of the third-floor hotel room where he had been staying in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Girls Aloud singer, who was in a relationship with Payne from 2016 to 2018, also criticised "abhorrent" media coverage following his death.

In Argentina, Geoff Payne was followed by a scrum of photographers as he visited the hotel, prompting fans to shout at the press and attempt to block the building's entrance to stop them entering.

Mr Payne's travelled to Buenos Aires after his son's death and the journey from his hotel to the Casa Sur hotel was broadcast on Argentine television, despite family requests for privacy.

Posting on Instagram, Cheryl said: "As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being."

Along with her statement Cheryl shared a black and white image of Payne with their son Bear and a broken heart emoji.

Cheryl also said she was troubled her seven-year-old son could access "abhorrent reports and media exploitation" and she cannot protect him from it in the future.

“What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days," she added.

"It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.

“I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces.

"Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them."

Ending her statement, the 41-year-old urged people to give Payne “the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last”.

The tribute comes as Geoff Payne paused to read tributes to his son outside the Casa Sur hotel and say thank you to the gathered fans.

When he arrived, fans at the site created a barrier between him and the cameras, with some telling the BBC afterwards that they wanted to make sure he had space.

Mr Payne had earlier visited the morgue in Buenos Aires to officially identify his son, so that arrangements can be made for his body to be flown back to the UK.

A federal prosecutor told the BBC that Payne's body has been "released", meaning no further tests were being carried out and that identification could take place. An investigation into his death continues.

It is not yet known when Payne's body will be repatriated to the UK.

Fans also gathered in the singer's home city of Wolverhampton for a vigil on Friday evening.

Simon Cowell, who put the group together on The X Factor in 2010, earlier paid his own tribute to Payne, saying he is "heartbroken" and feels "empty" following the singer's death.

Cowell remembered Payne as "kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful [and] talented".

In a post on Instagram, Cowell added: "And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you."

Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy has also paid tribute to the star who she called "my angel", adding she was "at a complete loss".

"You are everything," she said in a statement.

"I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life."

In Cowell's statement, he also recalled Payne’s first X Factor audition in 2008, at the age of 14, when Cowell told the budding singer he was not ready and to come back in two years.

"A lot of people would have given up. You didn't. You came back and within months the whole world would know Liam.

"And you never forgot the fans. I watched you spending so much time with people who had wanted to meet you. You really cared."

Cowell eventually signed One Direction to his label and masterminded their global success before they split in 2016.

The music mogul also revealed that Payne had visited him last year "just to sit and talk", adding that they "reminisced about all of the fun times we had together".

Cowell's tribute came after Payne's former bandmates posted their own heartfelt memories.

Also on Friday, Payne's bandmate Niall Horan posted a tribute, saying he was "absolutely devastated" by the "passing of his amazing friend".

Harry Styles earlier said his "heart breaks" for Payne's family. He added: "His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it."

Louis Tomlinson echoed Styles' sentiments, describing Liam as "the most vital part of One Direction" who had a "gift for writing".

Zayn Malik spoke to Payne directly in his statement, praising him for his "positive outlook and reassuring smile".

Others posting their reactions included another former X Factor judge, Sharon Osbourne, whose message to Payne said the music business "let you down".

"Where was this industry when you needed them?" she wrote.

Singer Katie Waissel, a contestant alongside One Direction in 2010's X Factor series, called the music industry "very manipulative, coercive and deconstructive", saying "it sucks the soul out of people".

Speaking to Stephen Nolan on BBC Radio 5 Live, Waissal, who has long campaigned for better support for those who appear on TV, criticised the amount given to those who appear on shows such as X Factor.

Similarly, US singer Bruce Springsteen told the Daily Telegraph that the industry "puts enormous pressures on young people", adding that they do not have "the inner self yet to be able to protect themselves from a lot of the things that come with success and fame".

Springsteen said he understands this "very well" from his own experience, having done his "own wrestling with different things".

BBC
 
Liam Payne: Singer had cocaine in his body at time of death, official says

An initial toxicology report has found former One Direction star Liam Payne had cocaine in his body at the time of his death, according to an Argentine official.

The 31-year-old pop star died after he fell from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last Wednesday.


news.sky.com

Liam Payne: Singer had cocaine in his body at time of death, official says

Minutes before his death, the hotel's desk manager told a 911 operator there was "a guest drunk with drugs and alcohol" who was "breaking everything in the room".
news.sky.com news.sky.com
 
Candyman actor Tony Todd dies aged 69

Actor Tony Todd, best known for starring in the Candyman horror films, has died aged 69.

The American actor died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, according to reports.

He starred as the title character in the horror series, depicting the ghostly Candyman character with a hook for a hand, summoned by saying his name five times in front of a mirror.

Todd continued as Candyman from the first film in 1992 through follow-ups in 1995 and 1999, and reprised the role in 2021 for a fourth film serving as a direct sequel to the original.

Throughout his 40-year career, Todd also featured in hundreds of films, stage productions and television dramas, including roles in the Transformers and Final Destination films.

In Candyman, Todd's titular character is the ghost of artist Daniel Robitaille, a black man who was lynched in the 19th Century.

The 1992 film sees Todd's character accidentally summoned to the real world by a graduate student in Chicago intrigued by the urban legend of the Candyman, setting off a chain of murderous events.

Speaking to the Guardian in 2019, Todd recalled the film's famous scene that sees Candyman swarmed with bees, during which he was stung 23 times and apparently paid a $1,000 bonus each time.

"Everything that’s worth making has to involve some sort of pain," he remarked.

Read next: How horror reflected black trauma, for better or worse.

On his Candyman character, he told the same interview: "I’ve done 200 movies, this is the one that stays in people’s minds. It affects people of all races. I’ve used it as an introductory tool in gang-intervention work: what frightens you? What horrible things have you experienced?"

Paying tribute, actor Virginia Madsen, who starred as student Helen Lyle in Candyman, said Todd "now is an angel. As he was in life".

She called him a "truly poetic man" with "a deep knowledge of the arts".

"I will miss him so much and hope he haunts me once in a while," she added. "But I will not summon him in the mirror!"

The original film's sequel - Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh - set three years later sees Todd's iconic lead appear again in New Orleans, encountering a descendant of his daughter.

The third film - Candyman: Day of the Dead - was released in 1999, but set in 2020 Los Angeles.

Todd, and others from the 1992 film, reprised their roles in the 2021 film.

In 2020, Todd called that version "brilliant", crediting the film's director Nia DaCosta as "a fan of body horror".

As part of her tribute, Madsen praised the "gift" that the film's co-writer Jordan Peele had given herself and Todd to "let us live again as lovers".

Before Candyman, one of Todd's earliest roles in film was in 1986 as Sgt Warren in war drama Platoon.

BBC
 
Liam Payne's funeral to be held on Wednesday

The funeral of One Direction star Liam Payne will take place on Wednesday, just over a month after he died at the age of 31.

His former bandmates are among those expected to attend the private service in the Home Counties in south-east England, alongside his family and closest friends.

The musician died after falling from a third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

An autopsy confirmed the 31-year-old had suffered internal and external bleeding and multiple traumatic injuries sustained as a result of the fall.

In a short statement following his death, Liam's family said: "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul."

Payne was one of the most recognisable names in pop, after rising to fame on the X Factor in the 2010s.

Despite only coming third on the show, One Direction went on to become the biggest British group since The Beatles.

During their five-year career, they sold 70 million records, including four UK number one singles and four number one albums.

A co-writer on many of their hits, Payne also achieved solo success with tracks like Strip That Down and Bedroom Floor.

He is survived by his parents, two sisters, and his son Bear, whom he had with Girls Aloud singer Cheryl.

Payne's girlfriend at the time of his death, Kate Cassidy, is also expected to attend the funeral on Wednesday.

BBC
 
Lawyer cites 300 potential cases against Diddy

A lawyer representing several alleged victims of Sean "Diddy" Combs says the potential number of civil legal cases against the musician "is probably in the 300 range".

Tony Buzbee told the BBC his team had received about 3,000 calls since he held a news conference calling for clients in October.

He has already issued 20 lawsuits from men and women seeking damages from the musician; and says that "realistically" the final total will be "about 100 to 150". Others will not make it to court because the time limit for filing claims has expired in certain states.

Mr Combs has denied all the charges against him, calling the accusations "sickening" and the result of people looking for a "quick payday".

His lawyers have characterised the multiple civil lawsuits, including the claims of 300 potential victims, as a part of a "reckless media circus".

They said Mr Buzbee's press conference, and the creation of a toll-free phone number for tip-offs, were "clear attempts to garner publicity".

In a statement to the BBC, his attorney Erica Wolff said: "Mr Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process.

"In court, the truth will prevail: That Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone - man or woman, adult or minor."

The musician is currently being held in Manhattan's Metropolitan Detention Center, awaiting trial on separate criminal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, which he also denies.

'We get calls every day'

Mr Buzbee, whose practice is based in Houston, is an outsized character in US legal circles, once described by the New York Times as "a big, mean, ambitious, tenacious, fire-breathing Texas trial lawyer".

A former Marine and a TV show host, he made his name suing the energy giant BP after an explosion at an oil refinery in Texas City killed 15 people; and successfully defended former Texas governor Rick Perry against abuse-of-power allegations.

More recently, he helped a sizeable group of women reach out-of-court settlements with American Football player Deshaun Watson over allegations he had sexually assaulted them during private massage sessions.

His involvement with Mr Combs began last year - after his co-counsel Andrew Van Arsdale, who previously represented hundreds of victims in a sexual abuse lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America, began receiving calls about the star.

“I think he got a little bit overwhelmed, and he realised that this might be more than he could handle [on his own]”, Buzbee says.

After agreeing to help, Buzbee asked potential victims to come forward via an Instagram post. In the next 10 days, he estimates his team received 3,000 calls.

Those claims were screened by a team of lawyers and former law enforcement officials, who arrived at a list of clients with cases “that are viable, that have been thoroughly vetted, that will ultimately be filed”, he says.

"We still get [calls] every single day," he added. "I think that the potential [number of] cases is probably in the 300 range, but I think realistically, it'll ultimately be about 100 to 150."

The alleged victims include a roughly equal number of men and women; whose accusations span a 20-year period.

Anonymity will be waived

Among them are a woman who claims Mr Combs raped her in a hotel room in 2004 when she was a 19-year-old college student; and an aspiring young musician who alleges the musician drugged him and forced him to perform oral sex when he was 10 years old.

Lawyers for Mr Combs have denied the allegations, saying in a statement to the BBC that he "has never sexually assaulted anyone - adult or minor, man or woman".

The lawsuits have so far been filed anonymously, with the alleged victims referred to in court documents as John Doe or Jane Doe.

However, Mr Combs' laywers have asked the courts to release their identities so he can adequately prepare for any potential trial.

In three cases so far, including that of the 19-year-old woman, a judge has ruled that they will have to reveal their names for their claims to move forward.

"It happens a lot," Mr Buzbee told the BBC. "If the plaintiff is forced to reveal her or his or her identity, Mr Combs hopes that they will quietly go away and never bring the claim again.

"The good news is, that's not going to happen. That's something I screened for... so if they're forced to reveal their identity, they'll reveal their identity, and we'll keep pressing forward.”

Mr Buzbee added that he had taken similar measures in the DeShaun Watson case, where several women publicly attached their names to the lawsuits following a challenge from the sportsman's lawyers.

Celebrities 'likely' to be named

One lawsuit has received particular attention because it claims other celebrities were involved in Mr Combs' alleged crimes.

The case, filed in New York in October, regards a 13-year-old who claims she became disorientated and dizzy after accepting a drink at one of Mr Combs' parties.

Soon after, she claims that a man, originally identified as "Celebrity A" removed her clothes and raped her, while Mr Combs and a woman named as "Celebrity B" watched.

On Sunday, the plaintiff updated the lawsuit to identity the first celebrity as the rap legend Jay-Z.

In an extensive statement, Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, called the claims "idiotic" and accused Mr Buzbee of attempting to blackmail him by threatening to make his name public.

"My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit," he added.

The musician had previously filed an anonymous lawsuit in Los Angeles, accusing Mr Buzbee of "shamelessly" trying to extort him.

Mr Buzbee fired back that the "frivolous" lawsuit was a "last-ditch attempt" to stop Mr Carter's name being made public.

"I am a US Marine," he wrote in an Instagram statement. "I won't be silenced or intimidated. Neither will my clients."

Mr Combs' legal team also deny the claims, and said the extortion charge against Mr Buzbee "expose his barrage of lawsuits… for what they are: Shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr Combs".

The back and forth has only fuelled speculation that more high-profile music industry figures will become ensnared in the upcoming trials.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Buzbee called that eventuality "very likely".

"If you just look at the conduct that's being alleged, it's pretty ubiquitous. There was a culture that was created, a party culture, where anything goes," he says.

"There was just a general feeling that he [Mr Combs] was above the law, that he could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, with whomever he wanted."

Social media has seen a flurry of speculation, linking people to Mr Combs' alleged crimes - based on little more than photos of showbusiness parties in the 1990s and 2000s.

Needless to say, there is no evidence to back up those allegations.

There have also been widely-discredited fakes, including a tell-all biography purportedly written by Mr Combs' late partner, Kim Porter; and a viral song, in which Justin Bieber purportedly sang, "I lost myself at a Diddy party". The latter turned out to be an AI-generated fake.

Lawyers for Mr Combs have argued that the number of "false and outrageous" claims being made by "government agents, plaintiffs' attorneys, and others with questionable motives" could be "perceived as prejudicing potential jurors".

Mr Buzbee disagrees.

"Obviously, the people who come into the court as jurors, don't come in in a vacuum," he tells the BBC.

"They read the press, and they know what's going on, but I think most people are willing to say, 'Let's judge this claim on its merits. What is the proof and what is the defence?'"

In the end, Mr Buzbee's clients may face a long wait to have their cases heard in court.

Jennie VonCannon, a former federal prosecutor with experience of sex trafficking and racketeering cases, says the criminal trial against Mr Combs will have to conclude before the civil claims can proceed.

"That's because the Fifth Amendment gives you the right to remain silent," she told the BBC.

"So you need the criminal case to go first, because if you made statements in the civil cases in order to defend yourself, you could possibly incriminate yourself."

The BBC understands that Grand Jury hearings for Mr Combs' criminal trial have continued since charges were filed against him in September.

Some of the alleged victims who are suing him in civil court are believed to have given testimony in these hearings. VonCannon says the government could easily amend their case as a result.

"There's a school of thought that no investigation is ever complete," she says.

"It sounds like the government is still actively producing discovery, so it's possible they will supersede [replace or amend] the indictment, and even add more defendants."

The criminal trial is currently scheduled to begin in May 2025.

BBC
 
Child actor Hudson Meek, known for ‘Baby Driver,’ dies at 16

Hudson Meek, the young actor celebrated for his role in the 2017 film ‘Baby Driver,’ has passed away at the age of 16, according to media reports.

Authorities confirmed that he was pronounced dead on December 21 at the University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham.

According to the Jefferson County Coroner, Meek succumbed to blunt force injuries sustained two days prior when he fell from a moving vehicle. The coroner’s report indicated that the circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation by the Vestavia Hills Police Department, which is looking into the incident that took place in the Birmingham suburb where Meek resided.

On Sunday, a post on Meek’s Instagram account announced his passing but did not provide further details regarding the tragic event.


english.aaj.tv

Child actor Hudson Meek, known for ‘Baby Driver,’ dies at 16

Meek succumbed to blunt force injuries sustained two days prior when he fell from a moving vehicle
english.aaj.tv
 
American filmmaker David Lynch dies at 78

David Lynch, the American filmmaker, writer and artist who scored best director Oscar nominations for “Blue Velvet,” “The Elephant Man” and “Mulholland Drive” and co-created the groundbreaking TV series “Twin Peaks,” has died at age 78, his family said on Thursday.

“It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” a statement on Lynch’s Facebook page said. “There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’”


english.aaj.tv

American filmmaker David Lynch dies at 78

The death was announced on his Facebook page
english.aaj.tv
 

Jeremy Renner uses hyperbaric chamber amid recovery​


Jeremy Renner has used a hyperbaric chamber while recovering from his near-fatal snowplough accident.

The 54-year-old actor broke 38 bones in his body in the accident in January 2023, and he's now revealed via social media that he's turned to oxygen therapy to help with his recovery.

Alongside a photo of himself inside the hyperbaric chamber, Jeremy wrote on Instagram: "Taking care of business; this office of mine has been such a blessing and absolute champion for wellness…. Hyperbaric at 2 atmos has been a staple in my life for 20 months now. 02 is essential for our life and our longevity…. Pull up a chair and let’s discuss all things good in life today !!! #MyNextBreath (sic)"

Earlier this month, Jeremy expressed his gratitude for the "army of people" who helped him to recover from his accident.
The Hollywood star took to social media to mark the two-year anniversary of his accident in Reno, when he was struck by a snowplough and left in a critical condition.

Alongside a throwback photo of the doctors and nurses who helped him with his recovery, Jeremy wrote on Instagram: "Happy New Year blessings to you all…. Ringing in my second “ReBirthday” today

"I send out my love, respect, and gratitude for the army of people that it took to put me back together again. Thank you to each and every nurse, doctor, first responder… I literally owe you my life . All my heart goes out to my beautiful, brave nephew and the angels (my neighbors) who jumped to my aid and endured the chaos for 45 long minutes on the icy asphalt New Years morning. I’m so sorry all the haunting images I imprinted on you all (I’ll spare you all from the meat grinding images )…. (sic)"

nz.news.yahoo.com

Jeremy Renner uses hyperbaric chamber amid recovery

Jeremy Renner has used a hyperbaric chamber while recovering from his near-fatal snowplough accident. The 54-year-old actor broke 38 bones in his body in the accident in January 2023, and he's now revealed via social media that he's turned to oxygen therapy to help with his recovery. Alongside a...
nz.news.yahoo.com nz.news.yahoo.com
 

Oscar nominations 2025: The full list of stars and films up for awards​


Emilia Perez leads the nominations for this year's Oscars with 13 nods, closely followed by The Brutalist and Wicked, which each have 10, and Conclave and A Complete Unknown, which have eight.

This year's Oscar nominations have been revealed - with Emilia Perez, Wicked, The Brutalist, Conclave and A Complete Unknown among the big films in the running for awards.

This year's nominations announcement on Thursday was originally scheduled to take place on 17 January, but was pushed back twice due to the wildfires which have devastated Los Angeles since the start of the year.

Emilia Perez, a Netflix flick starring Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofia Gascon, has broken the record for the most nominated non-English language film in Oscars history, while The Brutalist and Wicked received 10 nominations each.

Winners will be announced at this year's Academy Awards ceremony, which is due to be held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday 2 March.

Here is the full list of nominees for each category:

BEST PICTURE

Anora
The Brutalist
A Complete Unknown
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Emilia Perez
I'm Still Here
Nickel Boys
The Substance
Wicked

BEST DIRECTOR

Sean Baker - Anora
Brady Corbet - The Brutalist
James Mangold - A Complete Unknown
Jacques Audiard - Emilia Pérez
Coralie Fargeat - The Substance

BEST ACTOR

Adrien Brody - The Brutalist
Timothee Chalamet - A Complete Unknown
Colman Domingo - Sing Sing
Ralph Fiennes - Conclave
Sebastian Stan - The Apprentice

BEST ACTRESS

Cynthia Erivo - Wicked
Karla Sofía Gascon - Emilia Pérez
Mikey Madison - Anora
Demi Moore - The Substance
Fernanda Torres - I'm Still Here

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Yura Borisov - Anora
Kieran Culkin - A Real Pain
Edward Norton - A Complete Unknown
Guy Pearce - The Brutalist
Jeremy Strong - The Apprentice

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Monica Barbaro - A Complete Unknown
Ariana Grande - Wicked
Felicity Jones - The Brutalist
Isabella Rossellini - Conclave
Zoe Saldana - Emilia Perez

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Anora
The Brutalist
A Real Pain
September 5
The Substance

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
A Complete Unknown
Conclave
Emilia Perez
Nickel Boys
Sing Sing

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

Flow
Inside Out 2
Memoir of a Snail
Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
The Wild Robot

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM

I'm Still Here (Brazil)
The Girl With The Needle (Denmark)
Emilia Perez (France)
The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Germany)
Flow (Latvia)

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM

Black Box Diaries
No Other Land
Porcelain War
Soundtrack To A Coup d'Etat
Sugarcane

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

The Brutalist
Conclave
Emilia Perez
Wicked
The Wild Robot

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

El Mal from Emilia Perez
The Journey from The Six Triple Eight
Like a Bird from Sing Sing
Mi Camino from Emilia Perez
Never Too Late from Elton John: Never Too Late

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Brutalist
Dune: Part Two
Emilia Perez
Maria
Nosferatu

BEST EDITING

Anora
The Brutalist
Conclave
Emilia Perez
Wicked

BEST SOUND

A Complete Unknown
Dune: Part Two
Emilia Perez
Wicked
The Wild Robot

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

The Brutalist
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Nosferatu
Wicked

BEST MAKE-UP AND HAIRSTYLING

A Different Man
Emilia Perez
Nosferatu
The Substance
Wicked

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
A Complete Unknown
Conclave
Gladiator II
Nosferatu
Wicked

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Alien: Romulus
Better Man
Dune: Part Two
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Wicked

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM

Death by Numbers
I Am Ready, Warden
Incident
Instruments of a Beating Heart
The Only Girl in the Orchestra

BEST LIVE-ACTION SHORT FILM

Alien
Anuja
I'm Not a Robot
The Last Ranger
The Man Who Would Not Remain Silent

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM

Beautiful Men
In The Shadow Of The Cypress
Magic Candies
Wander to Wonder
Yuck!

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Oscar nominations 2025: The full list of stars and films up for awards

Emilia Perez leads the nominations for this year's Oscars with 13 nods, closely followed by The Brutalist and Wicked, which each have 10, and Conclave and A Complete Unknown, which have eight.
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One of those years i have no idea about any of these movies
 
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