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    in Movies

    Michelle Williams Tapped to Star as Peggy Lee in Biopic 'Fever'

    WENN/Instar

    Additionally, multi-Grammy-winning artist Billie Eilish and her mother Maggie Baird are reportedly to be in talks to come on board as executive producers of the biopic.

    Feb 5, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Michelle Williams has been reportedly tapped to portray Peggy Lee in a forthcoming biopic titled “Fever”. The actress will be reunited with director Todd Haynes, who previously worked with her together in Bob Dylan biopic “I’m Not Here”. Meanwhile, Doug Wright (“Quills”) is penning the screenplay.
    “Fever” is set to be based on a Nora Ephron screenplay, but that the project was shelved after her death in 2012. Marc Platt, Reese Witherspoon and Pamela Koffler & Christine Vachon will produce the movie via their Killer Films production company. MGM is also in negotiations to come onboard the project about the legendary singer.
    Additionally, multi-Grammy-winning artist Billie Eilish and her mother Maggie Baird alongside Record Label partner Justin Lubliner are reportedly to be in talks to come on board as executive producers. While the “Bad Guy” hitmaker has directed and produced a handful of her own music videos, it will be her first time serving as an executive producer credit.

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    As for Justin, he is an executive producer on Billie’s upcoming “Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry” documentary out later this month. The leader of the year’s 40 Under 40 executive previously revealed to Billboard that his team’s top priorities was to help establish artists in film.
    “Fever” had been in development at Fox 2000. It was about to go into production with Reese playing Peggy when Nora passed away in 2012, which eventually put the movie on hold. With Reese departing from the project and Fox 2000 being shuttered following the Fox-Disney merger, the film was shelved.
    The production of the movie was allegedly picked up again after Michelle was drawn to the idea of playing the singer. MGM being interested in the rights further put together the package.
    Peggy was best known for her cover of the Little Willie John song “Fever” to which she added her own additional lyrics. In addition to being a singer, songwriter and composer, she also had an amazing career as an actor. Peggy earned an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress for her excellent portrayal of a despairing, alcoholic blues singer in “Blues” back in 1995. Peggy died in 2002 at the age of 81.

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    Paul Feig's Universal Monster Movie 'Dark Army' in Limbo Due to Financial Issues

    WENN

    The ‘Ghostbusters’ filmmaker reveals in a new interview that his Universal monster movie has been put on hold because it’s ‘a little bit too expensive’ for the studio.

    Feb 5, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Paul Feig has hinted development on his monster movie “Dark Army” has been delayed as it a “little too expensive.”
    The 58-year-old director has been tapped to direct the Universal monster movie but suggested the studio are hesitant about the project due to its costly nature – although he confirmed he’s desperate to get the movie on the big screen.
    Paul said, “Oh, Dark Army. I love that project so much. I think the studio thinks it’s a little bit too expensive, perhaps.”
    “God as my witness, I’m gonna make that movie. I’m so obsessed with making that movie.”
    Paul is also set to direct the Netflix film “The School for Good and Evil” and believes the project will help him prepare for “Dark Army”.
    He told the website Collider, “One of the many reasons why I was drawn to doing this current Netflix (movie) is that there’s a lot of stuff I can work out in it, as far as effects and all that, that I can bring to Dark Army.”

      See also…

    The “Last Christmas” filmmaker added that “Dark Army” is one of his “favourite” projects.
    Paul said, “I love it. It’s one of my favourite things I’ve ever written. It’s one of my favourite lead characters I’ve ever come up with. So, fingers crossed that we will make it someday.”
    Feig previously suggested that he hoped to recreate elements of classic Frankenstein and Dracula films with the flick.
    He said, “It’s going to be fun and scary but just like the old Frankenstein and Dracula movies.”
    Paul has directed a variety of films, from “Bridesmaids” to “Ghostbusters”, and admitted that he is proud that he is “racking up” the genres.
    He said, “I’m stacking up the genres. What’s next, musicals?”

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    'The Masked Dancer' Exotic Bird Revealed as 'American Idol' Winner

    FOX

    The contestant, who’s sent packing during the February 3 episode of the talent show, knew she would easily be busted when she found out Paula Abdul signed up as a judge.

    Feb 5, 2021
    AceShowbiz – [SPOILER ALERT!] Jordin Sparks was left “floored” when she found out she was going to be reunited with her “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul on “The Masked Dancer”.
    The “No Air” singer was revealed as Exotic Bird on the latest episode of the U.S. TV talent show on Wednesday night (03Feb21), after dancing to Paula’s song “Opposites Attract”.
    Following the episode airing, Jordin told Variety that she thought Paula was going to correctly guess it was her, after she acted as a judge on her series of “American Idol” back in 2007 – which Jordin won.

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    “When they told me that (Paula) was judging, the first thing that popped into my head was I can’t believe that all this time later I’m now going to be on another competition show stage with her sitting at the judging panel,” she smiled. “That blew my mind. And I was like, she’s gonna know. When she guessed me, I was floored but I was actually very happy that it was her guessing. It was a really cool moment.”
    And her suspicions were correct, as both Paula and fellow judge Ashley Tisdale guessed it was her, while Ken Jeong plumped for Jennifer Hudson.
    Jordin added that her inspiration for taking part in the programme was her three-year-old son DJ, explaining, “I wanted to show him that I can do things even if they scare me. He was very instrumental in inspiring me to go, and my husband as well.”

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    Sia Deletes Her Twitter Amid Backlash Over Restraint Scenes in Autism Movie 'Music'

    TVLand

    The ‘Cheap Thrills’ hitmaker has deactivated her social media account as she comes under fire over the controversial restraint scenes in her autism movie.

    Feb 5, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Sia has deleted her Twitter account after posting a second apology for a controversial restraint scene in her new movie “Music”.
    On Wednesday (03Feb21), the singer-turned-filmmaker apologised for scenes depicting the use of restraints on autistic people in her upcoming movie “Music”, revealing she planned to edit the offending footage out of the project.
    She returned to Twitter on Thursday to discuss feedback to the film and her decision before deleting her account altogether as the controversy raged.

      See also…

    She said, “I promise, have been listening. The motion picture MUSIC will, moving forward, have this warning at the head of the movie: MUSIC in no way condones or recommends the use of restraint on autistic people.”
    Her statement read, “There are autistic occupational therapists that specialize in sensory processing who can be consulted to explain safe ways to provide proprioceptive, deep-pressure feedback to help w (with) meltdown safety… I listened to the wrong people and that is my responsibility, my research was clearly not thorough enough, not wide enough.”
    Sia also retweeted a response from a fan dubbed The Autistic Educator, which read, “You’re forgiven by me at least. I still LOVE your music, but I can’t watch your movie as the restraint scenes will trigger me. I KNOW you’re a good person, you have realized you need to be more aware and that’s a REALLY good start. You can really help us now. You listened!”
    The “Chandelier” singer has also been criticised for casting young dancer Maddie Ziegler, who appears in all of Sia’s videos, as a non-verbal autistic girl in the film.

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    Sia to Put Disclaimer on Her Movie Following Backlash

    IMAX

    The ‘Chandelier’ hitmaker reveals the new movie ‘Music’ will be accompanied by a warning regarding the way the titular character, who’s autistic, is treated in certain scenes.

    Feb 5, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Sia’s movie “Music” will air with a disclaimer, following the controversy surrounding Maddie Ziegler’s casting in the film.
    The “Chandelier” hitmaker faced backlash after casting frequent collaborator Ziegler as an autistic teenager – but she has promised the movie will be accompanied by a disclaimer regarding the way the titular character is treated in certain scenes.
    She tweeted, “I promise, have been listening. The motion picture MUSIC will, moving forward, have this warning at the head of the movie: MUSIC in no way condones or recommends the use of restraint on autistic people. There are autistic occupational therapists that specialise in sensory processing who can be consulted to explain safe ways to provide proprioceptive, deep-pressure feedback to help w meltdown safety.”

      See also…

    The singer-and-director has defended her decision to cast Maddie, rather than an autistic teenager, in the film on multiple occasions and previously insisted it was more “compassionate” to use a neurotypical actress.
    She tweeted, “I did try. It felt more compassionate to use Maddie. That was my call… I cast thirteen neuroatypical people, three trans folk, and not as f**king prostitutes or drug addicts but as doctors, nurses and singers. F**king sad nobody’s even seen the dang movie. My heart has always been in the right place.”
    Sia also insisted she simply couldn’t work without Maddie, who has starred in many of her music videos, including the promos for “Elastic Heart” and “Chandelier”.

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    Salma Hayek: 'The Eternals' Has 'Completely Different DNA' From Other Marvel Movies

    WENN

    The ‘Frida’ actress talks about her upcoming superhero movie and reveals she signed her contract with Marvel for the new blockbuster without reading the script.

    Feb 5, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Salma Hayek had no idea what she was signing up for when she agreed to star in “The Eternals”.
    The “Frida” star portrays Ajak, the spiritual leader of the Eternals, in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe flick, and has revealed she confessed to the team that hired her that she knew nothing about comic books and the immortal alien race who secretly live on Earth.
    The actress admitted she found it “very unsettling” signing her contract without knowing what she was in for.
    Salma, who also had to keep tight-lipped about the movie, told Variety’s Just for Variety podcast, “My agents were like, ‘A Marvel franchise!’ I’m like, ‘Oh, my God. I’m working with Chloe (Zhao)!’ and so I was starstruck when she was talking to me on Zoom. That was very exciting.’ ”

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    She continued, “I was sworn to secrecy because I was one of the first people that they hired but I had to keep it in a secret for a long, long time. So, when I had the call, I said to them, ‘I confess. Eventually I will know everything that there is to know, but what are the Eternals? Do they exist in comics? I don’t know who’s Ajax.’ And then they explained everything to me. They explained me the script. They didn’t give me the script. I had to sign the contract without reading the script. They wouldn’t let me see the script until I signed. That was very unsettling.”
    The “Grown Ups” star also had concerns about her superhero costume because she is “claustrophobic” while she spilled that “The Eternals” is shot in a “completely different way” to other Marvel films.
    “Then I was afraid of the outfit. I’m claustrophobic. I was very afraid that I was going to feel like I couldn’t move,” she sighed. “It has a completely different DNA from the (other Marvel movies). It’s shot different than all the other ones. It’s in real locations and they found some crazy extraterrestrial-looking locations. I don’t know if I’m allowed to talk about what they do with the camera, but… it’s not mostly done in post. The cinematography is incredible.”
    However, Salma actually found putting on her costume for the first time “empowering” and “moving” because she was once told she’d never succeed in a career in acting, let alone play a superhero in a blockbuster franchise, whilst she’s been bullied for her height.
    “It really moved me … They told me (early in her career), ‘It’s never going to happen for you here.’ I am representing,” she smiled. “It’s not because I’m putting on an outfit but we get the right to be superheroes today. I’m also 54. So there was something really moving, not just for me, but for everything, all the different stereotypes. She’s not sexy. You know what I’m saying? She’s not sexy at all. I’m very short. I’ve been bullied for being short my entire life. And suddenly, it doesn’t matter. You’re a superhero in the Marvel universe. It moved me.”

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    'Emily in Paris' Writer Angry at Golden Globe Snub of 'Brilliant' Show 'I May Destroy You'

    Netflix/BBC

    Deborah Copaken, the writer of Lily Collins’ new show, says the excitement of her Golden Globe nomination is ‘tampered’ by her rage over Michaela Coel’s ‘brilliant work of art.’

    Feb 5, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Deborah Copaken, a writer on Netflix’s hit series “Emily in Paris”, has said the success of her show in the Golden Globe nominations was tarnished by the fact that Michaela Coel’s show, “I May Destroy You”, was overlooked.
    “Emily in Paris” gained two nominations at Wednesday’s (4Feb21) Globes after the show was nominated for best TV series, musical or comedy, with its leading lady, Lily Collins, also up for best actress in a television musical or comedy.
    However, Copaken and many of Coel’s fans, vented at the shock omission of her original BBC/HBO limited-series, “I May Destroy You”, despite it winning widespread critical acclaim for its dramatised re-telling of a sexual assault she suffered.
    In an op-ed for The Guardian, Copaken, who had tweeted the omission was “just wrong” said it speaks to something rotten in the industry.

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    “Am I excited that Emily in Paris was nominated? Yes. Of course. I’ve never been remotely close to seeing a Golden Globe statue up close, let alone being nominated for one,” Copaken wrote. “But that excitement is now unfortunately tempered by my rage over Coel’s snub. That I May Destroy You did not get one Golden Globe nod is not only wrong, it’s what is wrong with everything.”
    She added, “We need art that reflects all of our colors, not just some. But we also need to give awards to shows (and music and films and plays and musicals) that deserve them, no matter the color of the skin of their creators.”
    “Is Hamilton great because Lin-Manuel Miranda is Puerto Rican? No. It’s great because it bangs. By that same token, how anyone can watch I May Destroy You and not call it a brilliant work of art or Michaela Coel a genius is beyond my capacity to understand how these decisions are made.”
    Copaken added that “I May Destroy You” is her favourite show ever.
    “It takes the complicated issue of a rape – I’m a sexual assault survivor myself – and infuses it with heart, humor, pathos and a story constructed so well, I had to watch it twice, just to understand how Coel did it.”

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    ‘Da 5 Bloods’ and ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ Lead Nominations at 2021 SAG Awards

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    'Da 5 Bloods' and 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' Lead Nominations at 2021 SAG Awards

    Netflix

    The two feature films starring the late Chadwick Boseman are nominated for the top prizes in movie categories at the upcoming Screen Actors Guild Awards.

    Feb 5, 2021
    AceShowbiz – “Da 5 Bloods”, “One Night in Miami”, and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” are in the running for top prizes at the 2021 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
    They will compete with “Minari” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7” for the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture accolade, while Chadwick Boseman is up for a pair of posthumous acting nods for his work in “Ma Rainey” and “Da 5 Bloods”.
    In the TV categories, “The Crown” and “Ozark” will face off with “Better Call Saul”, “Lovecraft Country”, and “Bridgerton” for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, with “Dead to Me”, “The Flight Attendant”, “The Great”, “Schitt’s Creek”, and “Ted Lasso” making the cut for the Comedy contenders.
    The SAG Awards, which recognise outstanding performances in film and primetime television, will take place on 4 April.
    The full list of nominees is:
    Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:

    Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role:

    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role:

    Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role:

    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role:

    Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture:

      See also…

    Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series:

    Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series:

    Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series:

    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series:

    Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series:

    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series:

    Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series:

    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series:

    Outstanding Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series:

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