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    Whitney Houston Biopic Casts Naomi Ackie in Lead Role After 'Exhaustive Search'

    WENN/FayesVision/Avalon

    In announcing the ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ star’s casting as the late singing legend, director Stella Meghie praises ‘her ability to capture the stage presence of a global icon.’

    Dec 16, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Whitney Houston biopic has found its lead star. BAFTA winner and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” actress Naomi Ackie has landed the role of the late R&B diva in the project titled “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”.
    Stella Meghie, who is on board to serve as director, issued a statement on Tuesday, December 15 to announce Ackie’s casting. “We spent the better part of the last year in an exhaustive search for an actress who could embody Whitney Houston,” she said.
    The filmmaker cited the actress’ impressive skills when explaining why she was eventually chosen for the part. “Naomi Ackie impressed us at every stage of the process,” she gushed. “I was moved by her ability to capture the stage presence of a global icon while bringing humanity to her interior life.”
    Meghie, who is known for her works behind the lens on feature films such as “Jean of the Joneses” (2016), “Everything, Everything” (2017), “The Weekend” (2018) and “The Photograph” (2020), will direct the biopic based on a script written by “Bohemian Rhapsody” scribe Anthony McCarten.

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    Pat Houston will produce the movie on behalf of the Whitney Houston estate, along with music producer Clive Davis, McCarten via his Muse of Fire Productions and Larry Mestel for Primary Wave Music, which is a partner of the Whitney Houston estate. Denis O’Sullivan and Jeff Kalligheri will produce and finance for Compelling Pictures, while Nicole Brown, Shary Shirazi and Brittany Morrissey will oversee the project for TriStar Pictures.
    Davis, who was Houston’s longtime mentor, has also spoken up on Ackie’s casting for the biopic. Echoing Meghie’s sentiment, he said in a statement released via The Hollywood Reporter, “Naomi Ackie’s screen test was so powerful, it sent shivers up my spine. Although Whitney’s incomparable vocals are used for all the songs, Naomi’s extraordinary acting range enables her to masterfully capture Whitney’s unique charm, star power, and, of course, her personal struggles. Naomi is the real deal and I can’t imagine a better choice for this iconic role.”
    The Houston estate added, “All Whitney fans have an appetite for perfection when it comes to Whitney and her legacy. To transform someone into a matchless icon is virtually impossible. But with careful consideration, Naomi Ackie was selected based on her quality performances and her deep commitment to emerging into the woman that we all loved. We look forward to taking this journey with her.”
    With the consent of the Houston estate, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” will be able to use Houston’s catalog, including her vocals. A 2014 Lifetime TV movie about the late superstar, “Whitney”, directed by Angela Bassett, wasn’t approved by the Houston estate and thus was not able to reproduce all the hit singles in the singer’s canon.
    The upcoming feature film has been billed as a “joyous, emotional and heart-breaking celebration of the life and music of the greatest female R&B pop vocalist of all time, tracking her journey from obscurity to musical superstardom.”

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    Gizelle Bryant's BF Reacts to Monique Samuels' Cheating Accusations on 'RHOP' Reunion

    Instagram

    In an explosive season 5 reunion of the show, Monique claims that when Gizelle and Jamal Bryant announced they got back together, ‘he told his girlfriend at the time that it was just reality TV and it wasn’t true.’

    Dec 16, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Monique Samuels dropped huge bombshells on season 5 reunion of “The Real Housewives of Potomac”, claiming that Gizelle Bryant’s Pastor boyfriend Jamal Bryant cheated on her. Jamal appeared to clap back at Monique over the accusation in his new Instagram post.
    The man of God took to his Instagram page to share a meme of “Me Minding My OWN business” on Monday, December 14. It featured a video of someone enjoying his meal under a running faucet. “Give no energy to anything that doesn’t add to your joy, align with your purpose or pay any of your bills! Be at peace!” so Gizelle’s ex-husband, who reunited with the reality TV star earlier this year, wrote in the caption.

    Fans were loving his response as one applauded him, “Man the level of unbothered is amazing.” Another person quipped, “He ain’t worried bout nothing or no one!” Someone added, “THE MASTER OF COME BACKS!!! Sir, we honor you!”

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    Gizelle, meanwhile, had her own reaction to the rumors. “Jamal and I have been through a lot,” she said. “There’s a lot that people say. We understand it.” Of Monique’s alleged receipts, she claimed, “I don’t believe anything that comes out of Monique’s mouth or anything that she has in her binder. I’m glad she’s done some bindering. I knew she was coming to make up whatever.”
    In an interview for Bravo’s Chat Room on Sunday, Gizelle shaded Monique by calling her binder “a kindergarten scrapbook of lies.” She went on saying, “It’s very pressed. It’s very ‘in the pandemic you learned how to scrapbook’ to me. I was thinking, ‘She’s got a whole lot of time on her hands.’ ”
    In the explosive reunion, which aired on Sunday, Monique dropped the bombshell about Gizelle and Jamal, shocking everyone. “When ya’ll were announcing that ya’ll got back together, he told his girlfriend at the time that it was just reality TV and it wasn’t true,” she claimed, before adding that Jamal’s alleged girlfriend reached out to her and sent her screenshots and “pictures of her in his bed and everything else.”
    “He’s definitely been talking to another woman and if you’d like to see them I got them in my little receipt book,” Monique said, showing her binder of receipts. She then read out Jamal’s phone number to prove that the messages were real.

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    'The Voice' Finale Pt. 2 Recap: And the Winner of Season 19 Is…

    NBC

    Kicking off the night, the Top 20, including Ryan Gallagher who abruptly exited the competition after violating COVID-19 rules, reunite for a special pre-recorded rendition of ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’.

    Dec 16, 2020
    AceShowbiz – “The Voice” crowned its season 19 winner in the December 15 episode. The title would be given to either Carter Rubin from Team Gwen Stefani, Desz from Team Kelly Clarkson, John Holiday from Team John Legend, Ian Flanigan or Jim Ranger who were both from Team Blake Shelton.
    Kicking off the night, the Top 20 of season 19 reunited for a special pre-recorded rendition of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”. Ryan Gallagher, who abruptly exited the competition after violating COVID-19 rules, was among the performers. The finale also featured performances from Florida Georgia Line & Nelly’s “Cruise” and Lewis Capaldi’s “Before You Go”. 24kGoldn and iann dior also performed “Mood”.
    Later, Kelly and Desz took the stage to sing “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan. Other performers was Grammy winner Lauren Daigle, who sang “You Say” before Jason Derulo took the stage to offer fun performances of “Take You Dancing” and “Savage Love”. Team John’s John Holiday and his mentor also teamed up to belt out “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel.

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    Dan + Shay then performed their holiday single “Take Me Home for Christmas”. Following it up was Blake and Ian, singing “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” by Willie Nelson. Blake also joined forces with the other singer in his team, Jim, for the song “Streets of Bakersfield” by Dwight Yoakam & Buck Owens. “The Voice” advisor Julia Michaels and JP Saxe were also among those who brought an epic performance for the viewers that night with their duet “If the World was Ending” while Gwen and Carter sang “You Make it Feel Like Christmas”.
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    It was then time to find out the results. John Holiday from Team John was named as the singer in the fifth place. Meanwhile, Desz from Team Kelly was in the fourth place with Team Blake’s Ian being the third place finisher.
    That meant the winner was either Team Gwen’s Carter or Team Blake’s Jim. The winner is Carter Rubin! He marks the youngest male winner ever and the victory also serves as Gwen’s first win after five seasons joining the show as a coach.

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    'The Bachelorette' Recap: Tayshia Adams Enjoys Hometown Dates With Final Four Suitors

    ABC

    However, there is a slight change for the Hometown Dates this season as instead of going to the men’s hometowns, they head to La Quinta with the men’s families being brought there due to COVID-19 pandemic.

    Dec 16, 2020
    AceShowbiz – In a new episode of “The Bachelorette”, Tayshia Adams was scheduled to visit her final four suitors’ families for Hometown Dates. However, there was a slight change due to COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of going to the men’s hometowns, they headed to La Quinta.
    “I want you to put together a date that will take Tayshia to your hometown… a little window at what life would be like with you,” host Chris Harrison explained. Additionally, it was revealed that the men’s family members were brought their after being quarantined.
    Later, Tayshia spent time with Brendan, who got his brother Daniel, sister-in-law and niece Aliyah there with him. Tayshia bonded easily with Aliyah as they played carnival games, much to Brendan’s liking. Tayshia shared that she was nervous about the whole thing, though she didn’t really have to. Daniel seemed to be supportive of their relationship.
    Following it up was a meeting with Zac’s family. Zac’s brother asked Tayshia to talk in private. He told her that Zac hadn’t smiled in a long time and that he’s happy to see him smiling now. Zac’s mother echoed the sentiment, adding that Tayshia broke the barrier. She wished that things would work out between Tayshia and Zac.

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    Tayshia then enjoyed a date with Ivan as they were cooking together before meeting his parents. When the time came, Ivan’s mom talked privately with Tayshia. His mom admitted that she was skeptical about their relationship because it was just too fast, but she knew what really mattered was Ivan’s happiness.
    As for Ivan’s dad, he asked Tayshia what she learned about her first marriage. She blamed her divorce on getting married at a young age, adding that her ex was the wrong person for her. She was convinced that Ivan could be the one for her, and Ivan’s dad agreed. Ivan’s brother Gabriel surprisingly appeared and he told the pair that he’s happy for them.
    The last hometown date was between Tayshia and Ben, who took her to take a walk down the boardwalk. They then met Antonia, a close family friend of Ben, and his sister Madeline because her parents couldn’t make it due to COVID-19. “Ben has been someone I have had my eye on, but him being so closed off has made me hesitant,” Tayshia told Madeline, who responded, “I will say — he’s not hiding anything. It’s just, the wall hasn’t broken down yet. He really is very sensitive.”
    Meanwhile, Ben finally realized that he’s in love with Tayshia. He told everyone about this but Tayshia, and that seemed to be a mistake. During the rose ceremony, Tayshia handed out the roses to Ivan, Zac and Brendan, meaning that Ben was eliminated. “The last two weeks showed me a lot about the things I was feeling for you. I’ve been wrong before,” he said. “I’m heartbroken, but I’ll be alright.”

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    Tom Cruise Caught Going on Tirade at 'Mission: Impossible 7' Crew for Breaking COVID Rules

    WENN

    The Ethan Hunt depicter is furious after reportedly seeing two of the crew standing too close to one another on the production set in London, threatening to fire any of them if he ever sees it again.

    Dec 16, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Tom Cruise went off on “Mission: Impossible VII” crew for violating COVID-19 guidelines on the London set. The 58-year-old actor was caught throwing an expletive-laden rant after allegedly seeing two crew members standing too close to one another in front of a computer screen.
    In an audio obtained by The Sun, the Ethan Hunt depicter, who also produces the movie, expressed his frustration at the crew. “We are the gold standard,” he yelled at them. “They’re back there in Hollywood making movies right now because of us! Because they believe in us and what we’re doing! I’m on the phone with every f**king studio at night, insurance companies, producers and they’re looking at us and using us to make their movies. We are creating thousands of jobs, you motherf**kers.”
    He warned them, “I don’t ever want to see it again. Ever! And if you don’t do it, you’re fired, and I see you do it again you’re f**king gone. And if anyone in this crew does it… And you, don’t you ever f**king do it again. That’s it. No apologies.”
    “You can tell it to the people who are losing their f**king homes because our industry is shut down. It’s not going to put food on their table or pay for their college education,” he explained why he’s so strict with the rules. “That’s what I sleep with every night – the future of this f**king industry!”
    Cruise continued, “So I’m sorry, I am beyond your apologies. I have told you, and now I want it, and if you don’t do it, you’re out. We are not shutting this f**king movie down! Is it understood? If I see it again, you’re f**king gone.”

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    Asking for their cooperation, Cruise asked the crew, “Am I clear? Do you understand what I want? Do you understand the responsibility that you have? Because I will deal with your reason. And if you can’t be reasonable and I can’t deal with your logic, you’re fired. … I trust you guys to be here.”
    Cruise has been strict about enforcing COVID-19 guidelines on the set of the film in Britain after 12 people on set in Italy were said to have tested positive. He even took a great length to ensure the safety of the crew by paying £500,000 to rent an old cruise ship for the cast and crew to isolate on.
    “Tom has taken it upon himself, along with the health and safety department, to try to force the safety precautions, with a view to keeping the film running,” a source tells the site. “He does daily rounds to make sure that everything is set up appropriately, that people are behaving and working as safely as they can. He is very proactive when it comes to safety.”
    Of what setting him off that day, the source says, “Everyone was wearing masks. It was purely that these people were standing under a metre away from each other. It isn’t known whether he saw those guys breaking the rules before or whether this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. People make mistakes and they slip up, but Tom is just on it.”
    “Mission: Impossible VII” is directed by Christopher McQuarrie and set for release on November 19, 2021.

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    Jon Hamm Set to Begin Filming 'Fletch' Remake in Spring 2021

    WENN

    The ‘Mad Men’ actor is expected to start the production on the new adaptation of the 1985 comedy thriller originally starring Chevy Chase in spring next year.

    Dec 16, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Jon Hamm has revealed the “Fletch” reboot will begin filming in Spring 2021.
    The 49-year-old actor will play the investigative reporter M. ‘Fletch’ Fletcher in a new adaptation of the 1985 comedy thriller that starred Chevy Chase in the lead role. And in an interview with Collider, he explained he hopes to begin filming in New York by early 2021.
    Jon told Collider, “We’re hoping to start shooting in the springtime, in New York City – you know, fingers crossed. We’ve got an excellent script, and an excellent director attached, and we’re going to start casting soon.”
    “It’s big shoes to fill, obviously. But as I’ve mentioned in previous conversations, it’s a reboot, it’s not a remake, so we’re going back to the novels and really breaking it down but hopefully bringing what people want to see. So, fingers crossed!”

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    The new movie is being directed by “Superbad” filmmaker Greg Mottola, with the plot based on the second novel in Gregory McDonald’s book series, “Confess, Fletch”.
    The story sees Fletch caught in the middle of multiple murders – one of which pins him as the main suspect. As he seeks to prove his innocence, Fletch has to find his fiancee’s stolen art collection, acquired after her father goes missing and is presumed dead.
    The script has been penned by Zev Borrow, who has worked on the “Lethal Weapon” television series. Hamm will serve as a producer on the flick – with manager Connie Tavel – which will be distributed by Miramax.
    Connie said, “Producing this film with Jon has been a longtime dream and with Zev and Greg on board to write and direct, I really believe that this will be an exciting and modern re-imagining of this beloved character.”
    The original flick was a box office hit which led to Chase reprising the role in a less successful sequel, “Fletch Lives”, in 1989.

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    Richard Madden and Brian Cox Tapped for Scripted Sci-Fi Podcast Series

    WENN

    The ‘Game of Thrones’ actor and the ‘Succession’ star are heading to outer space for a new audio series co-created by ‘True Detective’ star Rhys Wakefield.

    Dec 16, 2020
    AceShowbiz – “Game of Thrones” star Richard Madden and “Succession” ‘s Brian Cox are jetting off to space for a new sci-fi-themed audio series.
    The Brits are wrapping up the year by signing on for one of 2020’s biggest new entertainment trends amid the coronavirus pandemic – scripted podcasts.
    The two will lend their dulcet tones to “From Now”, created by Australian “True Detective” star Rhys Wakefield and “Berserk” producer William Day Frank.
    Deadline sources report the project is about a fabled spaceship, which has been lost in space for 35 years. When it finally returns to Earth, the craft is carrying only one survivor – played by Madden – who appears not to have aged a day. But when his character reunites with his twin brother, played by Brian, the no-longer-identical pair struggles with a series of big reveals which not only put the siblings’ relationship in jeopardy but the future of the human race, too.

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    Other cast members include David Dastmalchian, Betty Gabriel, Jessica McNamee, Erin Moriarty, Lance Reddick, Elisabeth Shue, and Karla Souza.
    The six-part series, to be released by bosses at QCode, debuts on 21 December (20) with new episodes available each week.
    Richard Madden was last seen on the big screen in the Elton John biopic “Rocketman” and Sam Mendes’ war movie “1917” last year. He will next star in the upcoming Marvel movie “The Eternals”, sharing screen with the likes of Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, and Kit Harington.
    Meanwhile, Brian Cox’s new movies “Last Moment of Clarity” and “The Bay of Silence” came out earlier this year. He will next be seen in a horror film called “Separation”.

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    Robert Downey Jr. Admits His 'Iron Man' Role 'Creatively Satisfying'

    Marvel Studios

    While being ‘eternally grateful’ for his 10-year stint as the superhero, the ‘Avengers: Endgame’ actor claims he still has ‘tons more ambition to do things’ he has not done before.

    Dec 15, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Robert Downey Jr. found it “hard” portraying Iron Man, but he is “eternally grateful” for his 10-year stint as the superhero.
    The actor admitted in September (20) that he was “done” with the Marvel Cinematic Universe after his character Tony Stark/Iron Man was killed off in “Avengers: Endgame”, and the star has now told how he did “all (he) could” with his alter-ego, and found the part “creatively satisfying.”
    “Each project is different. Playing Tony/Iron Man was hard and I dug deep. I had an incredible 10-year run that was creatively satisfying,” he told the Hindustan Times newspaper. “I’ve done all I could with that character and can do other things now.”

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    “Now, being middle-aged, you start looking at the back nine and realize this is all part of the journey and things end. I am fortunate and eternally grateful to have wound up where I have.”
    Downey Jr. still has big ambitions, but admitted he thinks about how much time he would have to spend away from his family whenever he gets a script nowadays.
    “I now have tons more ambition to do things I haven’t done before,” he continued. “Evolving is key – the worst thing you can do is get in your own way. Just in the matter of me wanting to be a fit father, husband and citizen, it’d be irresponsible of me to not keep my eye ahead so I can prepare my mind for what’s to come and the transition.”
    “As an actor, every time I get a script now, I think about the commitment and time I’d be away from my missus and kiddos.”

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