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    Nicole Kidman on Criticism of Her Lucille Ball Role in Aaron Sorkin's Movie: Give It a Go

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    Amid doubts if she is the right woman for the role in ‘Being the Ricardos’, the Oscar winner expresses her excitement for people to see what the filmmaker has in store for the biopic.

    Jan 28, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Nicole Kidman has defended her casting as Lucille Ball in Aaron Sorkin’s new movie, insisting she’s done her research to play the U.S. TV icon.
    As fans clamour for film bosses to recast and hire Debra Messing to play the “I Love Lucy” star, Kidman insists she’s the right woman for the role in biopic “Being the Ricardos”.
    In a new interview with Variety, the Australian actress says, “I love Lucille, having looked now and delved into her. She’s an amazing woman.”
    “I’m very excited for people to see what Aaron (Sorkin) found out about her… I didn’t know any of this.”
    Javier Bardem will star opposite Nicole as Lucille’s husband Desi Arnaz in the Amazon movie.
    “With Aaron’s words and his direction and Javier… that’s kind of a wonderful prospect… Give it a go. Try my best. See if I can do it.”

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    Nicole has one very important fan in her corner – Lucille and Desi’s daughter Lucie Arnaz, who has expressed her support for the actress in a Facebook video.
    “There seems to be a lot of discussion about: ‘Nicole Kidman, it should be Debra Messing, it should be Carole Cook,’ I don’t know,” Lucie said.
    “Here’s the deal, what you should understand: We are not doing a remake of ‘I Love Lucy’. No one has to impersonate Lucy Ricardo… It’s the story of Lucille Ball – my actual mother – not Lucy Ricardo and her husband Desi Arnaz, my dad – not Ricky Ricardo…”

    “I hope I can set the record straight here and say stop arguing about ‘Who should play it? She doesn’t look like her? The nose isn’t the same, she isn’t as funny’… Just trust us. It’s gonna be a nice film.”

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    Tyler Perry Preparing for Covid-19 Vaccine Documentary to Allay Black People's Fears

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    The ‘Madea’ filmmaker is gearing up for a documentary about Covid-19 vaccine in hopes to assure Black community that the injection is safe and put their fears to rest.

    Jan 28, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Tyler Perry has received the Covid-19 vaccine as he preps a BET documentary about the vaccine to allay the fears of the black community.
    The movie mogul has received both doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine, and told Gayle King on “CBS This Morning” that he wanted to be involved in “COVID-19 Vaccine and the Black Community: A Tyler Perry Special” to try and put people’s fears to rest.
    “If you look at our history in this country, the Tuskegee experiment, Henrietta Lacks, it raises flags for us as African American people. So I understand why there’s a healthy scepticism about the vaccine,” he said, admitting that at first, he “didn’t really feel like I could trust it.”

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    “But once I got all of the information, found out the researchers, I was very, very happy,” he added.
    As well as documenting Perry’s own experience with the vaccine, the half-hour BET special features him interviewing both Carlos del Rio, MD Executive Associate Dean for Emory School of Medicine at Grady Health System, and Kimberly Dyan Manning, MD Professor of Medicine at Grady Health System.
    “I have a crew that works for me, and they’re largely African-American people who were all sceptical about the vaccine. When they sat in the room, as they worked on the cameras, and doing hair and makeup and all that stuff, they listened to all the information, and by the time we got to the end of it, they all wanted to take it,” he explained. “So I think, again, it all goes back to getting the correct information and getting it from people that you trust and you understand.”
    Perry received the second dose of his vaccine on Monday (25Jan21).

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    Kristen Stewart Looks Exactly Like Princess Diana in First Look at New Movie 'Spencer'

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    The former ‘Twilight’ actress stuns in the first sneak peek of her role as the late Lady Di in the upcoming drama movie about the tragic British royal member.

    Jan 28, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Fans of Kristen Stewart and Princess Diana were left stunned on Wednesday (27Jan21) when the first image of the actress as the tragic royal in Spencer hit the Internet.
    The “Twilight” star was cast as Lady Di in 2019, but filming on revered screenwriter Steven Knight’s “Spencer”, which focuses on a Christmas weekend in the early 1990s when Diana decided her marriage to Prince Charles was over, has only just started, due to COVID-related delays – and no one expected the actress to look exactly like the princess.
    Opening up about the daunting task of playing one of the world’s most beloved women, Kristen says, “Spencer is a dive inside an emotional imagining of who Diana was at a pivotal turning point in her life. It is a physical assertion of the sum of her parts, which starts with her given name – Spencer. It is a harrowing effort for her to return to herself, as Diana strives to hold on to what the name Spencer means to her.”

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    Stewart’s portrayal comes after Emma Corrin appeared as Diana in “The Crown”.
    Spencer, which will also feature Timothy Spall and Sally Hawkins, is scheduled to open in theatres later this year (21), ahead of the 25th anniversary of Diana’s death in 2022.
    The movie is among the first U.K. film productions to shoot on mainland Europe post-Brexit. The project is currently shooting in Germany.
    Kristen Stewart previously admitted she felt “intimidated” as she was doing everything she could to master Princess Diana’s accent for the upcoming movie. “It’s so, so distinct and particular,” she explained. “I’m working on it now and already have my dialect coach.”
    She also made sure she did a thorough research for the role. “I’ve gotten through two and a half biographies, and I’m finishing all the material before I actually go make the movie,” she revealed. “It’s one of the saddest stories to exist ever, and I don’t want to just play Diana – I want to know her implicitly.”

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    Chris Hemsworth and Taika Waititi Kick Off 'Thor: Love and Thunder' Filming With Traditional Ritual

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    The God of Thunder depicter shares on his Instagram page pictures of him and the movie director joining native Australians for a Welcome to Country ceremony.

    Jan 27, 2021
    AceShowbiz – The production on “Thor: Love and Thunder” has officially begun. Marking the beginning of the principal photography, lead actor Chris Hemsworth and director Taika Waititi took part in a traditional ceremony on Monday, January 25.
    The Australian hunk made use of his Instagram page to give a look at indigenous land acknowledgment ceremony called Welcome to Country ceremony. He posted pictures of him and the filmmaker posing with native Australian dancers. The God of Thunder depicter dressed casually in a white sleevles top and black shorts, while Waititi opted for a formal look in a navy suit.
    “A beautiful start to our shoot today with a Welcome to Country ceremony from the Gamay dancers of the Gadigal and Bidiagal Nation and performance and karakia by Maori dancers from Te Aranganui,” Hemsworth described the ceremony in the caption. “Indigenous Australians may be just as proud of this country…”
    He continued, “…but many see January 26th as a date signifying the beginning of dispossession, disease epidemics, frontier violence, destruction of culture, exploitation, abuse, separation of families and subjection to policies of extreme social control. Let’s begin the healing and stand together in unity and support with our First Nations people with solidarity and compassion. Let’s find a date where all Australians can celebrate this beautiful country together.”

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    Prior to the filming, several cast members including Tessa Thompson, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan and Sean Gunn already arrived in the country and isolated themselves. The movie will also bring back Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, who will be taking up the mantle as Thor, and feature Christian Bale as the villaino, Gorr the God Butcher.
    Meanwhile, Matt Damon recently confirmed that he and his family will be staying in Australia for the next few months, sparking a speculation that he’s joining the movie in an undisclosed role. “I’m so excited that my family and I will be able to call Australia home for the next few months,” he said in a statement to local press earlier this month, as quoted by CNET.
    “Thor: Love and Thunder” is slated for a May 6, 2022 release in the United States.

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    'Raya and the Last Dragon' First Official Trailer Gives the Spotlight to Awkwafina's Inferior Dragon

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    Being Raya’s last hope in her quest to save the world, the elusive Sisu admits that she’s, unlike what’s expected of her, is not as good as her dragon peers.

    Jan 27, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Disney has dropped the first official full trailer of “Raya and the Last Dragon” ahead of its spring release. A new original title from the studio, which previously made hit animated films like “Frozen (2013)” and “Moana”, the upcoming movie is heavily influenced by South Asian culture.
    The movie and trailer follows Raya, who encounters a con baby, Little Noi, while going undercover. Discovering the tiny con artist’s formidable acrobatic and martial arts skills, she recruits the tot for her quest to find the last dragon, along with Tong and Boun, in hopes to save the world.
    But when Raya finally finds Sisu, the elusive dragon quickly breaks the title character’s expectation as she admits that she’s an unfit one among her kind. “I’m gonna be real with you. I’m not, like, the best dragon,” Sisu, voiced by Awkwafina, says. “Have you ever done like a group project but there’s like that one kid who didn’t pitch in as much but still ends up with the same grade?”
    That’s the least of Raya’s problem though, as her nemesis Namaari is also after the dragon. “You and the dragon are coming with me,” Namaari declares. Raya refuses to give up the dragon without a fight, saying, “My sword here says we’re not.”

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    Elsewhere in the trailer, Sisu shows her powers despite her claims that she’s inferior. She also proves to be wise with her words. “The world’s broken. We can’t trust anyone,” Raya confides to the dragon, who replies, “Maybe the world is broken because you don’t trust anyone. You just have to take the first step.”
    Sisu later has a scene-stealer moment when she admires her human form. “I just shape-changed. Look how close my butt to my head! It’s gonna make digestion so much faster,” she hilariously says toward the end of the video.
    According to the official synopsis, “Raya and the Last Dragon” takes us on an exciting, epic journey to the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together long ago in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world-it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well.
    The movie features an outstanding voice cast, including Kelly Marie Tran as the voice of the intrepid warrior Raya, Gemma Chan as Raya’s nemesis Namaari, Daniel Dae Kim as Raya’s visionary father Benja, Sandra Oh as Namaari’s powerful mother Virana, Benedict Wong as Tong, a formidable giant, Izaac Wang as Boun, a 10-year-old entrepreneur, Thalia Tran as the mischievous toddler Little Noi, Alan Tudyk as Tuk Tuk, Raya’s best friend and trusty steed, Lucille Soong as Dang Hu, the leader of the land of Talon, Patti Harrison as the chief of the Tail land, and Ross Butler as chief of the Spine land.
    The film won’t feature a musical performance, but there will be music influenced by Southeast Asia, which is the cultural inspiration for “Raya”. The flick will arrive simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5.

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    Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey Recall 'Magical Time' Doing 'The Wedding Planner'

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    Reuniting online with the ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ actor to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their hit romantic comedy, the ‘Hustlers’ actress toys around with the idea of working with him again.

    Jan 27, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey reunited online on Tuesday, January 26 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their hit romantic comedy “The Wedding Planner”.
    The superstars went live on Instagram to mark exactly two decades since the movie’s release, as they reminisced about working together early on in their careers.
    “Can you believe it’s been 20 years since we did The Wedding Planner…?” J.Lo remarked to Matthew. “I know we’ve both done a lot since then… – hello Mr. Oscar Winner! – but it still feels like it was just yesterday…”
    Jennifer recalled how much of a gentleman Matthew was onset, giving her a heads up before planting a kiss on her for one scene, while the “Dallas Buyers Club” star remembered being in awe of his onscreen love interest as she was determined to pull off her own movie stunts, even though they left her nursing a sore ankle.
    “I so enjoyed working with you, we have such a nice rapport and chemistry…,” gushed Jennifer. “It was like, a magical time, and I’m such a romantic too, that working on those type of movies have a real feel for me and are fun…”

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    “The Wedding Planners of the world really do something for your soul.”
    Agreeing with his co-star, Matthew added, “Yeah, and we need a little lightness… We don’t get as much of it anymore…”

    Towards the end of the chat, Jennifer revealed she had briefly toyed with the idea of recruiting Matthew for her next romantic comedy, “Shotgun Wedding”, but insisted she had plenty of other ideas for the pair to work together again.
    “It’s been too long…,” she smiled. “I miss your energy, I hope to be around you soon! Twenty years deep, baby!”

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    Carey Mulligan Finds Variety's Apology for Sexist 'Promising Young Woman' Review 'Moving'

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    When talking to Zendaya on Variety’s Actors on Actors, the actress playing Cassie Thomas in Emerald Fennell’s comedy thriller explains why she felt it was important for her to call out on the film review.

    Jan 27, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Carey Mulligan has accepted Variety’s apology for “Promising Young Woman” review. Having called out the publication for suggesting her not attractive enough to play the lead role in Emerald Fennell’s comedy thriller, the Cassie Thomas depicter admitted to having found the mea culpa “moving.”
    The 35-year-old addressed the matter when speaking to Zendaya Coleman on Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series. “I was really, really surprised and thrilled, and happy to have received an apology. I kind of found it moving, in a way, to have drawn a line under that in a good way, and know that that had an impact in a way. So it was positive,” she said.
    During the chat, Carey also explained why she slammed the outlet. “I feel it’s important that criticism is constructive. I think it’s important that we are looking at the right things when it comes to work, and we’re looking at the art, and we’re looking at the performance and the way that a film is made,” she elaborated.
    “And I don’t think that goes to the appearance of an actor or your personal preference for what an actor does or doesn’t look like, which it felt that that article did,” she went on. “I think in criticizing or sort of bemoaning a lack of attractiveness on my part in a character, it wasn’t a personal slight, it wasn’t something that I felt.”
    “It didn’t wound my ego, but it made me concerned that in such a big publication, an actress’ appearance could be criticized and it could be that, you know, that could be accepted as completely reasonable criticism,” she continued explaining. “I think it’s important to call out those things, because they seem small and they seem insignificant.”

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    In the review published by Variety, Carey was described as an “odd choice” to play the femme fatale character. It continued to read, “Margot Robbie is a producer here, and one can (perhaps too easily) imagine the role might once have been intended for her. Whereas with this star, Cassie wears her pickup-bait gear like bad drag; even her long blonde hair seems a put-on.”
    Carey first weighed in on the sexist review in a profile for the New York Times in December 2020. “I read the Variety review, because I’m a weak person… And I took issue with it,” she claimed. “It felt like it was basically saying that I wasn’t hot enough to pull off this kind of ruse.”
    “It wasn’t some sort of ego-wounding thing – like, I fully can see that Margot Robbie is a goddess,” she added. “It drove me so crazy. I was like, ‘Really? For this film, you’re going to write something that is so transparent? Now? In 2020?’ I just couldn’t believe it.”
    Variety later issued an apology to Carey. Adding an editor’s note at the top of the review, the outlet penned, “Variety sincerely apologizes to Carey Mulligan and regrets the insensitive language and insinuation in our review of ‘Promising Young Woman’ that minimized her daring performance.”

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    Jane Fonda Announced as Recipient of Cecil B. DeMille Award at 2021 Golden Globes

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    The ‘Grace and Frankie’ actress is among the special honorees at the upcoming 78th annual Golden Globe Awards as she will be feted with the Cecil B. DeMille Award.

    Jan 27, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Hollywood veteran Jane Fonda will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2021 Golden Globes.
    The Oscar-winning actress, career spans several decades, with credits in iconic films such as “Barbarella”, “Klute”, “Barefoot in the Park”, “9 to 5”, and in Netflix show “Grace and Frankie”, will be presented with honour at the event, taking place in Los Angeles on 28 February (21).
    “For more than five decades, Jane’s breadth of work has been anchored in her unrelenting activism, using her platform to address some of the most important social issues of our time,” Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Ali Sar in a statement obtained by People. “Her undeniable talent has gained her the highest level of recognition, and while her professional life has taken many turns, her unwavering commitment to evoking change has remained. We are honored to celebrate her achievements at the 2021 Golden Globe Awards.”
    Fonda is a double Oscar winner and has triumphed seven times at the Golden Globes.
    Previous Cecil B. DeMille award honorees include Tom Hanks, Oprah Winfrey, and Jeff Bridges.

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    Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are scheduled to serve as the hosts of the ceremony for the fourth time. Nominations will be announced February 3, 2021 and the event will take place February 28.
    The date was originally occupied by the Oscars, but The Academy moved the event to the end of April 2021 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which has frozen the globe’s film industry for months.
    Filmmaker Spike Lee’s kids, Satchel and Jackson, have been named as the 2021 Golden Globe Ambassadors. It marks the first time two siblings of colour are handed the title while Jackson is the first black male ambassador.
    Golden Globe Ambassadors, who are always the kids of Hollywood stars, assist during the awards show and raise awareness about a charity of their choice.
    Satchel has chosen Callen-Lorde, which provides health care to LGBTQ communities, while Jackson picked Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, which works to empower young people.
    The HFPA will be donating $25,000 (£18,300) to each cause.

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