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    Ridley Scott Confirmed to Work on Script for Really Challenging Sequel of 'Gladiator'

    DreamWorks Pictures

    The follow-up to the 2000 critically-lauded epic movie is confirmed to be in development with the original director working on the script for the really challenging project.
    Jun 13, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Ridley Scott is working on a script for the sequel to his Oscar-winning historical epic “Gladiator”, according to one of its producers.
    Doug Wick, who produced the 2000 film about Roman general turned gladiator Maximus Decimus Meridius, played by Russell Crowe, alongside David Franzoni, and Branko Lustig, believes a long-mooted sequel may be a challenge, but the director is already working on a screenplay.
    He told ComicBook.com, “Ridley would love to do it. It’s really all about getting something on paper. Everyone loves the movie too much to ever consider cheaply exploiting it and making something that’s a shadow of it.”
    “It’s just really a clear creative problem, working on a script, and if we can ever get it to a place… Ridley’s working on it, it’s really just a question of whether we can get it to a place where it feels worthy to make it. It’s a real challenge.”
    The film won five awards at the 2001 Oscars, including Best Picture, with Crowe taking home the Best Actor award – however, he may be unlikely to return for a follow-up given his character’s fate at the end of the first film.
    Last year 2019, producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, who have been trying to make a sequel happen, said it would likely be set 25 to 30 years after the original, which depicted the reigns of Roman Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, adding they “wouldn’t touch” a sequel unless it was worthy of the original.

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    Spike Lee Keen to Make American Indian War Movie From Native Americans' Perspective

    WENN

    The ‘Da 5 Blood’ filmmaker bans the remake of his classic movie ‘Do the Right Thing’ and reveals his desire to make a movie about the Battle of Little Bighorn.
    Jun 13, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Spike Lee will never allow anyone to remake his classic 1989 film “Do the Right Thing” – even after he’s dead.
    The “Da 5 Bloods” filmmaker’s movie about life in his beloved Brooklyn confirmed his status as one of Hollywood’s top auteurs and is often listed among the greatest films of all time.
    When answering questions from stars and readers of U.K. newspaper The Guardian, Spike was asked if he would make a new version, given the timeliness of its themes of racism and police brutality following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
    In response, the star gave an unequivocal no, saying, “No. As long as I’m alive, there will be no remake and, if they try, I’m coming back from the dead to stop it.”
    The 63-year-old even went on to joke that he, its stars who have passed away, and even Frank Sinatra would return from beyond the grave to stop anyone remaking it.
    “I promise you, I will come back from the pearly gates, from the upper room, to stop a remake,” he added. “So help me God. I will bring him with me, and Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Bill Nunn, Frank Sinatra. Anybody that’s passed; we’ll all come back to stop a remake.”
    Spike does, however, have one project in mind for the future, making a film about controversial United States Army cavalry commander George Custer – who was killed after his troops were overwhelmed by Native American warriors at the Battle of Little Bighorn – from a new perspective.
    “I would do that film, but Custer would not be the hero,” he explains. “He would be the villain and I would tell it from the viewpoint of the Native Americans. One day!”

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    'The Bachelor' Announces Matt James as First Black Male Lead

    ABC

    Matt James becomes the first ever black male lead in the dating show’s 18-year history as he is set to front the upcoming 25th run of the reality television series.
    Jun 13, 2020
    AceShowbiz – The bosses of popular U.S. dating show “The Bachelor” have picked their first black hunk to lead the new season.
    New York realtor Matt James, 28, will make history when he fronts the 25th run of the show, which has been on air for almost 20 years.
    He was picked as a contestant on the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette”, which was forced to halt production due to the coronavirus pandemic, but when fans called for more diversity on the show he was upgraded to “The Bachelor”.
    “Matt has been on our radar since February…,” a statement from ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke reads. “When filming (on The Bachelorette) couldn’t move forward as planned, we were given the benefit of time to get to know Matt and all agreed he would make a perfect Bachelor.”
    “We know we have a responsibility to make sure the love stories we’re seeing onscreen are representative of the world we live in and we are proudly in service to our audience.”
    She continued, “This is just the beginning and we will continue to take action with regard to diversity issues on this franchise.”
    “We feel so privileged to have Matt as our first black Bachelor and we cannot wait to embark on this journey with him.”

    In the 18 years of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” franchise, there has only been one black lead – Rachel Lindsay starred as “The Bachelorette” in 2017. She was among the former stars who signed a fan-based petition urging series bosses to cast a black Bachelor.
    During an appearance on “Good Morning America” on Friday, June 12, 2020, James said, “When Rachel speaks, we listen. She has a very important voice in all of this, being the first black woman, person of colour to have a lead. I think we’re all following suit in that conversation, and this is hopefully… the first of many black men to be in the position that I’m in now (sic).”
    The new season of “The Bachelor” will air next year 2021.

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    Magic Johnson Movie Is in the Works

    WENN

    A documentary film about the life and legacy of the basketball legendary player is in development following the success of the Michael Jordan docu-series.
    Jun 13, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Basketball icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson is set to have his life story adapted for the screen following the huge success of the recent Michael Jordan docu-series.
    The Los Angeles Lakers legend has granted “unprecedented access” to production officials at XTR, H.wood Media, NSV, and Delirio Films to put together the feature, which has yet to be appointed a director, reports Variety.
    Johnson won five National Basketball Association Championship titles with the Lakers in the 1980s, claimed the gold medal at the 1992 Olympics as a member of the U.S. national team and has twice been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
    He is also well known as an advocate for HIV/AIDS research and prevention after revealing he was HIV positive in 1991 and for his success as a businessman following his retirement from the sport.
    “In these unprecedented times we need films that celebrate heroes more than ever,” XTR CEO Bryn Mooser expressed in a statement.
    “As one of the most legendary, hardworking and resilient public figures of our time, Magic Johnson’s accomplishments both on and off the court are something worth spotlighting to the world and we’re excited to tell that story and work closely with him and NSV to take viewers inside his remarkable journey.”
    The news of the feature-length project emerges weeks after Jordan’s career was examined for “The Last Dance”, which became the most-popular ESPN documentary in the network’s history.

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    American Black Film Festival 2020 Takes Virtual Format Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

    Initially set to take place in Miami Beach, Florida from October 21 to 25, the 24th annual event, which offers screenings of indie black cinema among others, has been moved forward to August 21 to 30.
    Jun 12, 2020
    AceShowbiz – The upcoming American Black Film Festival will be held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.
    The 24th annual gathering was set to take place in Miami Beach, Florida from October 21 to 25 but bosses have now moved it forward, and to an online format, from August 21 to 30.
    Mary J. Blige will serve as an ambassador for the venture, which will offer screenings of indie black cinema, studio premieres, conversations, panels, seminars and online networking events.
    “While we will surely miss being with our ABFF community in Miami Beach this year and connecting in person, what truly binds us together is our shared commitment to ensure inclusion in Hollywood and sustaining a place of inspiration for diverse storytellers. We will persevere through this year and end up a stronger community on the other side of this crisis,” said ABFF Ventures CEO Jeff Friday in a statement.

    Friday added that the festival, which can be accessed at abff.com, will use this year’s edition as a “platform for social change in response to the scourge of racial injustice in our country, as well as educate and support its community in an effort to help in its recovery from the coronavirus.”

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    Keke Palmer Seeks to Empower Others Through New Slavery Thriller 'Alice'

    Instagram

    Inspired by the real life story of a female slave in 19th century Georgia, the project will mark the directorial debut of Krystin Ver Linden, and sees the ‘Hustlers’ actress serving as executive producer.
    Jun 12, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Keke Palmer is set to “tackle the realities of slavery” in a new historical thriller, “Alice”.
    The singer and actress has signed on to the production, inspired by the real life story of a female slave in 19th century Georgia, with an added time-travel twist – when she manages to escape, she finds herself in 1973.
    The production will mark the directorial debut of Krystin Ver Linden and Palmer will also serve as executive producer.
    The “Hustlers” star reveals the project is an opportunity to show a new kind of narrative when it comes to black women on screen.
    “So many films that depict this time (slavery era) in our history are rooted in victimization of the black female lead,” Palmer tells Variety. “This story is the opposite and that’s what attracted me to Krystin’s perspective. It tackles the harsh realities of slavery and white supremacy while also offering inspiration and vindication through the story of Alice’s journey. I don’t want anyone to leave the theater feeling debilitated, I want them to feel empowered.”
    Ver Linden, will also pen the script, while Peter Lawson, whose previous credits include “John Wick” and “Spotlight”, will produce.

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    Tinsley Mortimer Thanks ‘RHONY’ for Her Fairy Tale Ending in Goodbye Post, Sonja Morgan Wants Credit More

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    Beyonce Is Not Involved in 'Black Panther 2' Despite Reports

    Instagram

    It was recently reported that the ‘Formation’ singer was close to signing a $100 million deal with Disney to work on the soundtrack of the ‘Black Panther’ sequel.
    Jun 12, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Beyonce Knowles isn’t going to re-team with Disney in the near future. According to recent reports, the R&B diva had been offered $100 million deal to work various projects on the Mouse House, but that’s apparently not true.
    Variety’s Matt Donnelly has debunked the rumors which started swirling earlier this week. He posted on Twitter, “Despite overwhelming excitement at the prospect, sources tell me there is no big Disney film deal for Beyonce, and she will not contrib to the soundtrack for #BlackPanther2.”
    Giving hope of Beyonce’s possible collaboration with Disney in the future, the senior film writer for the entertainment website added, “As a self-professed proud member of the Disney family, it’s likely she’ll work w them again at some point.”

    Beyonce’s ‘Black Panther 2’ rumors are debunked.
    The Sun previously claimed that Beyonce was in talks to sign a $100 million deal with Disney that could see her being involved in three of the studio’s major projects. One of the projects was said to be “Black Panther 2”, for which the former Destiny’s Child member would reportedly be part of the soundtrack.
    According to the U.K.’s publication, Disney was “keen to secure her for more projects” after she recently lent her voice to the character of Nala in Disney’s live-action “The Lion King (2019)”. The deal reportedly would see Beyonce narrating some of the studio’s upcoming documentaries.
    For the “Lion King” remake, Bey wasn’t only part of the voice cast. She also contributed to several songs featured in the movie, including a cover of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” with Donald Glover, Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as well as original songs “Spirit” and “Brown Skin Girl”. The latter song also featured Guyanese singer SAINt JHN and Nigerian singer Wizkid, with a special cameo by her and Jay-Z’s daughter Blue Ivy Carter.

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    Tinsley Mortimer Thanks 'RHONY' for Her Fairy Tale Ending in Goodbye Post, Sonja Morgan Wants Credit

    Instagram

    ‘The Real Housewives of New York City’ star confirms her departure from the Bravo reality series more than six months after getting engaged to CouponCabin CEO Scott Kluth.
    Jun 12, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Tinsley Mortimer is closing a chapter in her life. More than six months after getting engaged to CouponCabin CEO Scott Kluth, the TV personality is leaving the Big Apple to join her fiance in Chicago, and confirmed her departure from “The Real Housewives of New York City” through a farewell post.
    “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all my fans and friends who supported me and are happy for my fairy tale ending,” the 44-year-old socialite informed fans on Thursday, June 11. “Without #RHONY, I would never have met my prince charming, Scott. Being a Housewife was such a fun experience, and I thank @bravoandy and all the wonderful people at Shed Media and @bravotv.”
    In the Instagram post, Mortimer offered “a trip down memory lane” by sharing a video of her surprise proposal and a series of photos from her stint on the Bravo series. She concluded the post by declaring, “I love you all so much!!!”, and added a slew of hashtags that include “#chicago”, “#couponking”, “#fairytale” and “#happyending”.

    In response to her goodbye post, Mortimer’s co-star Sonja Morgan jokingly sought credit for her part in her happy ending. “And without me you wouldn’t have met,” she commented. “So happy for you girl. You got the fairytale. Moved to NYC to live with a true girlfriend who was there for you with open arms.”
    “I got you on #rhony and my co star Introduced you to Scott the man,” Morgan continued as referring to former castmate Carole Radziwill who introduced Mortimer and Kluth in 2017. “May all your dreams come true. I’m always here.” In a separate comment, she added, “Omg the wedding dress. I hope you wear that ONE.”

    Sonja Morgan reacted to Tinsley Mortimer’s farewell post.
    A number of other “RHONY” stars have also expressed their support in the comment section of Mortimer’s post. Leah McSweeney gushed, “You give me jaded a** hope! Love you Tinz,” while Ramona Singer declared, “So happy for you.” Executive producer Andy Cohen chimed in, “Thank you for your eggs and Dale and all the fun!”

    Andy Cohen and fellow ‘RHONY’ stars sent love to Mortimer following her exit.
    The Thursday episode of “RHONY” followed Mortimer as she made a decision to move to Chicago. Having told McSweeney about her plan, she revealed to Singer and Luann de Lesseps during dinner that she will be moving to the windy city the next day.
    “With Scott, so much has happened so fast,” she admitted. “I know that if I don’t take this moment right now, I will regret it for the rest of my life. I have to listen to myself and what I want and nobody else.” She added, “It’s been a great ride and I’m just so happy for where I am right now and for my future.”

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