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    Kristen Stewart Points Out Loophole in Notion That Only Gay Actors Should Play Gay Characters

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    The ‘Happiest Season’ star is undecided about her stance in the matter as she realizes that by such rule, she will no longer be able to play a straight character.

    Nov 25, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Kristen Stewart has weighed in on the long debate of whether straight performers should steer clear of gay roles. The actress revealed her stance in the issue during an interview with Variety to discuss her upcoming film “Happiest Season”, in which she portrays a young lesbian who celebrates the holidays at her girlfriend’s parents’ home.
    When asked if she agrees that gay characters should only be portrayed by gay actors, the 30-year-old prefaced her answer by saying, “I think about this all the time.” Stewart, who has taken roles in indies as well as mainstream movies, admitted, “Being somebody who has had so much access to work, I’ve just lived with such a creative abundance.”
    Stewart rose to fame for portraying Bella Swan in the “Twilight Saga” film series before she began publicly dating women and confirmed she’s bisexual in 2017. “You know, a young white girl who was straight and only really was gay later and is, like, skinny – do you know what I’m saying? I so acknowledge that I’ve just gotten to work,” she continued.
    While she agrees that “I would never want to tell a story that really should be told by somebody who’s lived that experience,” the “Panic Room” star pointed out there’s “a gray area” in the notion. She explained, “It’s a slippery slope conversation because that means I could never play another straight character if I’m going to hold everyone to the letter of this particular law.”

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    “There are ways for men to tell women’s stories, or ways for women to tell men’s stories,” she argued, before adding the condition, “But we need to have our finger on the pulse and actually have to care. You kind of know where you’re allowed.”
    Stressing the importance of approval from the community represented by a certain character, the BAFTA Award-winning actress added, “I mean, if you’re telling a story about a community and they’re not welcoming to you, then f**k off. But if they are, and you’re becoming an ally and a part of it and there’s something that drove you there in the first place that makes you uniquely endowed with a perspective that might be worthwhile.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with learning about each other. And therefore helping each other tell stories,” she stressed, before concluding her opinion on the matter, “So I don’t have a sure-shot answer for that.”
    Citing her “Happiest Season” co-star Mackenzie Davis as an example, Stewart said how having a straight actor in a gay role can be justified. “I will say, Mackenzie is not somebody who identifies as a lesbian. She was the only person in my mind that could have played this with me,” she explained.
    Noting that her opinion could be biased, she added, “Sometimes, artfully speaking, you’re just drawn to a certain group of people. I could defend that, but I’m sure that somebody with a different perspective could make me feel bad about that – and then make me renege on everything I’ve just said. I acknowledge the world that we live in. And I absolutely would never want to traipse on someone else’s opportunity to do that – I would feel terrible about that.”

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    Neil Patrick Harris to Poke Fun at Nicolas Cage's Career in 'Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent'

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    The upcoming action satire, which is set to be released in March 2021, has also cast Pedro Pascal, Tiffany Haddish and Sharon Horgan with Tom Gormican in the director’s seat.

    Nov 24, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Actor Neil Patrick Harris will be helping to poke fun at Nicolas Cage’s career after signing on to play his talent agent in upcoming action comedy “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent”.
    The “Ghost Rider” star is set to portray a fictionalised version of himself as a debt-ridden Cage, desperate to land a part in Quentin Tarantino’s next movie, only to find himself taking on a vastly different role as a real-life informant for the C.I.A. after agreeing to attend the birthday party of a Mexican super fan – a billionaire who is believed to be a drug cartel kingpin.
    “The Mandalorian”‘s Pedro Pascal has been cast as the super fan, while Tiffany Haddish will play a rogue government agent, and “Catastrophe” actress Sharon Horgan has boarded the project as Cage’s ex-wife.

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    Now Harris has also joined the fun as the actor’s agent.
    Production on the film is already underway, with Tom Gormican directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with Kevin Etten. Producing “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” are Kevin Turen, Kristin Burr and Mike Nilon. Meanwhile, Lionsgate’s by James Myers and Brady Fujikawa oversee the project with the studio’s Robert Melnik negotiated the deal on behalf of the studio. The movie is currently scheduled for release in March (21).
    In addition to “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent”, Neil’s upcoming works include the fourth “Matrix” film, in which he will star opposite Keanu Reeves. and the limited series “It’s a Sin” for Channel 4 and HBO Max.

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    Jessica Chastain's 'The 355' Gets a Release Date Pushback to 2022

    Universal Pictures

    The all-star female spy thriller sees the ‘Dark Phoenix’ actress being joined in the cast ensemble by the likes of Lupita Nyong’o, Diane Kruger, Penelope Cruz and Fan Bingbing.

    Nov 24, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Jessica Chastain will have to wait another year to launch her all-star female spy thriller “The 355” in theatres after its release was bumped to 2022.
    The actress is joined by Lupita Nyong’o, Diane Kruger, Penelope Cruz, and Fan Bingbing in the international heist movie, which also features Sebastian Stan and Edgar Ramirez, and it had been due to launch in January, 2021.
    However, Universal Pictures chiefs have since decided to wait until the worst of the coronavirus crisis is over before its release, pushing the project back to January, 2022.

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    The 355 is directed by Chastain’s “Dark Phoenix” filmmaker Simon Kinberg, who co-wrote the script with Theresa Rebeck. The premise of the moview read, “When a top-secret weapon falls into mercenary hands, wild card CIA agent Mason ‘Mace’ Brown Jessica Chastain) will need to join forces with rival badass German agent Marie (Diane Kruger), former MI6 ally and cutting-edge computer specialist Khadijah (Lupita Nyong’o), and skilled Colombian psychologist Graciela (Penelope Cruz) on a lethal, breakneck mission to retrieve it, while also staying one-step ahead of a mysterious woman, Lin Mi Sheng (Bingbing Fan), who is tracking their every move.”
    They first announced the project with a splashy photocall at the Cannes Film Festival in France in 2018. It was reported that Universal paid more than $20 million for domestic distribution rights for the movie.
    It’s the latest blockbuster to be postponed due to the pandemic, with the news coming weeks after Universal studio bosses decided to push back the premiere of “Jurassic World: Dominion” from June, 2021 to the summer of 2022 following a series of COVID-19-related production delays. Universal Pictures also recently moved “Fast & Furious” sequel “F9”.

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    Sophia Loren Calls 'The Life Ahead' Success 'A Testament to the Beauty' of Italian Cinema

    WENN

    In her much-anticipated film return since 2009’s ‘Nine’, the movie veteran stars as Holocaust survivor Madame Rosa who takes in a 12-year-old street criminal after he robs her.

    Nov 24, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Movie veteran Sophia Loren is celebrating her “great pride for Italian cinema” following the global success of her much-anticipated film return in “The Life Ahead”.
    The actress last appeared on screen in 2009’s “Nine” and is thrilled that the Netflix production, directed by her son Edoardo Ponti, has been embraced by audiences all over the world.
    The film has been in the top 10 since it debuted last week (ends November 20) in countries like the U.S., Italy, Spain, Romania, Portugal, Mexico, Colombia, Poland, Greece, France, and Brazil.
    The Italian language film has debuted with critical acclaim for both the movie and its star. It earns pleasant 94% fresh at the reviews aggregator on Rotten Tomatoes. Additionally, Loren’s performance in the flick has generated Oscar buzz for her. Should the actress, who took home the Best Actress title in 1961 for “Two Women”, earn a nod through it, it would be her first nomination since 1964’s Marriage Italian Style.

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    “We made La Vita Davanti a Se with all our heart and soul and the fact that it has touched the hearts and souls of so many people around the world fills me with immense gratitude and great pride for Italian cinema,” Loren said in a statement.
    Ponti added, “I am overwhelmed and overjoyed by the outpouring of love this film has received worldwide. For our film to be ranked in the top 10 in so many countries, including America, is a testament to the beauty and the global spirit of Italian cinema.”
    “The Life Ahead” is Loren’s biggest opening ever and has landed her at the top of the Oscars Best Actress buzz list.
    In the film, Loren stars as Madame Rosa, a Holocaust survivor who takes in a 12-year-old street criminal after he robs her.

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    Exploring Cultures of the World, No Boarding Pass Required

    Times Insider explains who we are and what we do, and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together.I began 2020 eagerly anticipating my first trip to Japan, one I had spent a year planning. I hoped to explore the culture in my typical fashion, through long wandering walks.Yet, as the coronavirus pandemic spread, it became clear that my trip would have to be canceled. My college pals began to commune on Zoom and swap ideas for how to break up the monotony of life at home. Two of my friends — Wendy and Jeff — had begun to organize themed evenings for themselves such as a Balinese night with beef rendang and gamelan music. Inspired by their creativity, I began to ponder such agendas for myself.I knew I wasn’t alone in craving a bit of novelty to distinguish my days. In my role as the audience director for The Times’s Editorial Special Projects team, I use data and research to understand what readers care about and how to reach them with our journalism. I saw many readers turn to us, hungry for recommendations on what to do at home. And even though all of our trips were canceled, readers still longed to be transported to unique places through stories and photography from our Travel section.To help our readers (and myself) inject a bit of whimsy into dull days, I pitched a series of articles that would prompt us to explore distinctive cultures without having to leave home. That idea became the series Around the World at Home, which taps The Times’s archival material and the expertise of our well-traveled journalists to provide readers with ways to channel the spirit of a place through food, music, art and other activities.To start, I began to consider which places we would want to “visit” with Amy Virshup, the head of the Travel desk, and Lynda Richardson, another Travel editor, who came onboard to edit the stories. Over the course of the series, we wanted to help readers delve into locales across many continents. We anticipated readers might be curious to both revisit beloved cities, and also uncover the sounds and flavors of places they might never see in person.Selecting writers was easier than whittling down the list of cities. I was curious to hear from Sebastian Modak, who visited nearly all of the places on our 52 Places to Go list last year. And from Stephanie Rosenbloom, a frequent contributor to the Travel section who embraced the concept. “Before I ever went anywhere, I traveled through books, art and films — and that’s what I’m doing again now,” Stephanie said in an email. “Page by page, I visit faraway places.”Lynda worked with Stephanie and Sebastian to source tips from Times journalists around the globe, including book recommendations from Motoko Rich, The Times’s bureau chief in Tokyo, and recipe suggestions from Dionne Searcey, The Times’s former bureau chief in West Africa.Christy Harmon, the series’ photo editor, selected images that would provide readers with a view of the destination, from iconic landmarks to telling snippets of everyday street life.We kicked off the series last week in Paris. For my own Parisian night, I donned a striped mariniere and a casually draped scarf per guidance from Vanessa Friedman, The Times’s fashion director, filled my apartment with the jazz music of Django Reinhardt and fired up all four burners in my small kitchen in Manhattan to prepare a butter-laden feast featuring Sole Meunière from Melissa Clark’s recipe.On Tuesday, we’ll take readers to Hawaii where they can craft a lei, make shave ice and meditate in a Maui palm forest. In the coming weeks, readers can join us as we virtually venture to Cartagena, Colombia; Tokyo; and Dakar, Senegal, a destination recommended by Sebastian. “I fell hard for that city during the 52 Places trip — it just has an energy that sticks with you long after you leave,” he said by email.As the stories are published, I am eager to see how our readers interpret the prompt and find their own novel ways to immerse themselves in these cultures. I also hope locals jump in to the comments to share more inspiration with us, perhaps even a few tips we can use when we’re able to venture abroad safely again.“Just because I can’t physically get on a plane (or 88 of them, like I did last year) doesn’t mean I can’t keep learning about the world around me — I am in better touch with friends around the world than I ever have been,” Sebastian said. “I spend hours and hours on Spotify diving deep into music scenes in Johannesburg, Rio, Tunis … I am reading more than I ever have. It feels like I’m still traveling sometimes — but it also feels like I’m getting myself ready for when I can travel again.” More

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    Rihanna Rumored Joining 'Black Panther 2' Cast

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    Fans are excited over the ‘We Found Love’ singer’s supposed involvement in the upcoming Marvel film after Google lists her among the cast members for the sequel.

    Nov 24, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Rihanna has been added to the cast lineup for “Black Panther 2”, according to Google. Report has been spreading on the Internet that the Barbadian-born singer will be starring in the follow-up to the 2018 movie after Google lists her among cast members for the upcoming sequel.
    Those who are browsing for everything about “Black Panther 2” will stumble upon the cast list, which includes the 32-year-old star along with actors like Michael B. Jordan, Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke and Martin Freeman. While it’s unclear where Google has got its source from, this has got Navy excited.
    “Currently shook because @rihanna is listed as a cast member for Black Panther II,” one person tweeted along with a screenshot of the search results. Another exclaimed, “Rihanna in BLACK PANTHER 2 AHHHHH!!!!!”
    “Rihanna is in Black Panther 2? Overexcitement no go kill me,” a third user reacted to the speculation, while another fan added, “Rihanna’s gonna be in Black Panther 2??? I’m deffo looking forward to this.”

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    A few, however, raised doubt about the Google search results, with one noting, “Y’all really believing Rihanna is about to be in Black Panther 2 based off…a Google search…” Some others, meanwhile, speculated that Rih might be contributing to the movie’s soundtrack.
    Neither Marvel nor Rihanna has responded to the casting speculation, but E! News has shut down the rumors. According to the site, the “Umbrella” hitmaker has not been cast in the upcoming film.
    “Black Panther 2” is reportedly set to start filming in Atlanta in July and last for upwards of six months. While Michael B. Jordan is unlikely to return due to his character’s storyline at the end of the first film, Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke and Angela Bassett are all expected to reprise their roles for the sequel.
    Wright’s Shuri is said to have a more prominent role in the upcoming feature following the death of Chadwick Boseman, who took on the lead role in the first movie. Additionally, “Narcos: Mexico” actor Tenoch Huerta is reportedly in talks to play one of the antagonists.

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    Johnny Depp Accepts Award Behind Bars in Bizarre Photo After Losing Libel Suit

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    The former ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ star poses behind bars while holding onto his award as he is presented with Unique Visual Sensitivity prize from the Polish EnergaCamerimage film festival.

    Nov 24, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Johnny Depp had an unusual way of accepting an award. The 57-year-old actor was honored with Unique Visual Sensitivity prize from the Polish EnergaCamerimage film festival over the weekend, and while he didn’t have to attend the virtual event in person, he chose to accept the award behind bars.
    The film festival shared on its official social media accounts a picture of Depp flashing a smile behind the makeshift jail cell. “And greetings from Johnny Depp from the Bahamas!” read the caption accompanying the photo.
    The Jack Sparrow of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film series was seen holding onto the award in one hand while pointing at it with his other hand. He wore a bandana and dark aviator shades, while donning an unbuttoned black-and-blue shirt.

    Johnny Depp accepted an award from film festival behind bars.

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    It’s unclear what the reason behind Depp’s choice of setting in the image, but he seemed to make a statement with it after losing his libel suit against the publisher of Britain’s The Sun newspaper on November 2. As the result, the actor agreed to quit the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise, for which he was originally set to reprise his role in the third film.
    “I wish to let you know that I have been asked to resign by Warner Bros. from my role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and I have respected and agreed to that request,” he announced on Instagram earlier this month.
    He added of his legal judgement, “The surreal judgement of the court in the U.K. will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal. My resolve remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false. My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time.”
    Depp, who had filmed one day for “Fantastic Beasts 3”, reportedly received his full salary despite quitting the movie.

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    George Clooney Raves Over Young 'Midnight Sky' Co-Star: She Puts to Shame Lot of Grown Actors

    Netflix

    Aside from praising newcomer Caoilinn Springall, the Oscar winner reveals that he drew inspiration from Jackie Gleason’s ‘Gigot’ when preparing for his desperate scientist role.

    Nov 24, 2020
    AceShowbiz – George Clooney is raving about young newcomer Caoilinn Springall, revealing she taught him a thing or two about acting on the set of his upcoming Netflix film “The Midnight Sky”.
    The Oscar winner has worked with kids in the past but his latest co-star really pulled the best performance out of the actor/director as he portrays a lonely Arctic scientist in the post-apocalyptic film.
    “She’s never acted before, I mean that’s just crazy to me,” Clooney tells Deadline. “So here’s this little girl, she shows up. And actors, kid actors in particular, but most actors, they kind of plan out how they’re going to do a scene. But she would just be in the scene and when we’re looking up at Polaris, and we’re sitting in those chairs, she doesn’t just kind of react like she knows she’s supposed to.”

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    “When I say, ‘Look up at Polaris’, she looks up, and then she looks at me. She really takes it in and it gives us the ability to keep those moments really full. She puts to shame a lot of grown actors, including myself, who had to prepare for a scene.”
    Meanwhile, Clooney reveals he was really inspired by Jackie Gleason movie “Gigot” as he prepared to play the desperate scientist in “The Midnight Sky”.
    “I remember seeing it (Gigot) as a kid,” he recalls. “It may be a terrible movie, I don’t remember. It was with Jackie Gleason… and he played a hobo – a kind of guy who couldn’t speak. With a little girl, and the mother I think was a hooker or something. I remember being really moved by that character because he couldn’t communicate very well.”
    “Whether or not that movie works, I don’t remember at all. I just remember as a kid seeing it and being affected by it and thinking there’s something about this inability to communicate and having to communicate with silences. So we had beautiful moments like that, with this little girl I found.”

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