A "Star Wars" Link-o-Rama 2024 by Negromancer - UPDATE #25

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

NEWS AND RUMORS:

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  To celebrate "Black History Month," Marvel Comics will celebrate Black "Star Wars" characters with variant covers featuring them on four "Star Wars" titles published in February 2025.

NEW TRILOGY - From Deadline:  Lucasfilm has hired writer-producer-director Simon Kinberg to develop a new "Star Wars" trilogy - Episodes 10, 11, and 12.

From THR:  Related to the Simon Kinberg news, the new trilogy will supposedly focus on the the sequel trilogy star, "Rey Skywalker."

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marvel will publish a "Star Wars" one-shot comic book, "Star Wars: A New Legacy," in 2025.  It will set up the relaunch of Marvel's ongoing "Star Wars" flagship comic book and also celebrate the tenth anniversary of Marvel regaining the license to publish "Star Wars" titles from Dark Horse Comics. Since then, however, Dark Horse gained a new license to publish "Star Wars" comics for juvenile readers.

AHSOKA - From THR:  In an article, "Is Disney Bad at Star Wars? An Analysis," we learn that a second season of "Star Wars: Ahsoka" is in development.

OBITUARY - From StarWars:  The "Star Wars" website remembers the voice of "Darth Vader," Emmy and Tony-winning actor, James Earl Jones, who passed away yesterday (Mon., Sept. 9th). The release also includes a statement from "Star Wars" creator, George Lucas.

THE ACOLYTE - From Deadline:  There will not be a second season of "The Acolyte," per information obtained by "Deadline."

PUBLISHING - From ComicsBeat:  Multiple publishers gather at the San Diego Comic-Con panel, "Star Wars: Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away," to discuss publishing plans for 2024-25.

THE ACOLYTE - From Deadline: As the debut of the Lucasfilm Disney+ series, "Star Wars: The Acolyte" arrives, Lucasfilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy says that "storytelling needs to be representative of all people." That means she ain't here for your whining about "woke."

GEORGE LUCAS - From Deadline:  Star Wars creator George Lucas was fêted with an Honorary Palme d’Or at this evening’s closing ceremony of the 2024 / 77th Cannes Film Festival closing ceremony.  Lucas' longtime friend, collaborator, and mentor, Francis Ford Coppola, joined him on stage. This article includes video footage of the rapturous applause Lucas received.

From CBR:  At the 77th Cannes Film Festival, George Lucas explained in an interview why he sold Lucasfilm and Star Wars to the Walt Disney Company.

THE MANDALORIAN - From THR:  Oscar-nominated actress Sigourney Weaver is in talks to join the "Star Wars" film, "The Mandalorian & Grogu." It will be the first Star Wars movie to go into production since "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker."

EPISODE I - From Space:  "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" has returned to movie theaters in celebration of the 25th anniversary of its original theatrical release.  During the first weekend of its return to theaters, the film took in 8.1 million dollars in 2,700 domestic theaters, including 150 premium screens and 130 specialty motion D-Box/4D auditoriums.  The movie includes an exclusive look at the upcoming Disney+ Star Wars series, "The Acolyte."

DAWN OF THE JEDI - From THR:  Oscar and Emmy-nominated writer Beau Willimon ("House of Cards") will write the screenplay for the "Star Wars" film, "Dawn of the Jedi," which is scheduled to be directed by James Mangold. 

OBIT - From Deadline:  Dianne Crittenden, the casting director for the original "Star Wars," has died at the age of 82, Tuesday, March 19th, 2024.  Over her 40 year career, Crittenden was the casting director on three of Terrence Malick's films, including his first, "Badlands."  Her works includes such films as "On Golden Pond," "Witness," and "Spider-Man 2."

THE ACOLYTE - From Deadline:  The new Lucasfilm "Star Wars" series, "Star Wars: The Acolyte," is set to debut on Disney+ June 4th.  The series, which is led by Amandla Stenberg, is set in the final days of the "High Republic" era.

LANDO - From Deadline:  What would it take for Billy Dee Williams to return to "Star Wars?"  "Pay me a lot of money," he says.

OBIT - From Variety:  Voice actor Mark Dodson has died at the age of 64, Saturday, March 2, 2024.  Dodson performed a voice role in three "Star Wars" productions.  Dodson voiced "Salacious Crumb" in "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" (1983).  He performed "voice characterizations" in the ABC television film, "Ewoks: The Battle for Endor" (1985).  He voiced "Niima Scavenger" in "Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens" (2015).  Dodson also provided vocal effects for some of the "Mogwai" in "Gremlins" (1984) and "Gremlins 2: The Next Batch" (1990).

THE ACOLYTE - From Collider:  "The Acolyte" is a Disney+ series set 100 years before "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" during the "High Republic" era.  "Collider" is reporting that the series will hit Disney+ Summer 2024.

THE MANDALORIAN - From THR:  Gina Carano used her social media posts to be fired from her role as "Cara Dune" from the Lucasfilm/Disney+ series, "The Mandalorian."  Now, she is suing Disney for discrimination and wrongful termination and Elon Musk and Twitter/X is helping to fund the lawsuit.  One of the remedies of her lawsuit is that Disney be forced to recast her in "The Mandalorian."

OBIT - From StarWars:  There has been a death in the Lucasfilm family.  Emmy Award-nominee, Carl Weathers, died at the age of 76, Thursday, February 1, 2024.  With the launch of The Mandalorian on Disney+, Weathers joined the "Star Wars" family as Greef Karga — an expeditor for the Bounty Hunter Guild who rises to become Magistrate of Nevarro, and ally to the Mandalorian and Grogu.  Weathers would receive an Emmy Award nomination for his performance. In addition, Weathers directed the critically-acclaimed episodes, “Chapter 12: The Siege” and "Chapter 20: The Foundling."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Darth Maul will be the star of a four-issue comic book miniseries from Marvel Comics, entitled "Star Wars: Darth Maul - Black, White & Red." The fun starts April 25th, 2024.

From BleedingCool:  Comic book writer Charles Soule says he has big plans for Marvel's current "Star Wars" comic book, culminating in a big reveal in "Star Wars #50."

AHSOKA - From Variety:  Lucasfilm has confirmed that series creator, Dave Filoni, is working on a second season of the Disney+ series, "Ahsoka," starring Rosario Dawson.

THE MANDALORIAN - From Deadline:  Lucasfilm announced the news of a new Star Wars film, "The Mandalorian & Grogu," which will be directed and produced by "The Mandalorian" creator, Jon Favreau.  Details as to the film's plot are being kept secret, but production will begin sometime this year. In addition to Favreau, producers of the project include Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni.

NEW JEDI ORDER - From ScreenRant:  Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy teases "Star Wars: New Jedi Order." Production could begin soon with Daisy Ridley confirmed to return as "Rey Skywalker" in a story set 15 years after the events of Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker.  Obaid-Chinoy says, “I’m very thrilled about the project because I feel what we’re about to create is something very special. And we’re in 2024 now, and it’s about time that we had a woman come forward to shape a story in a galaxy far, far away.”

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STAR WARS Movie Reviews:

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars"
From Negromancer:  "The Empire Strikes Back"
From Negromancer:  "Return of the Jedi"

From Negromancer:   "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Force Awakens
From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"
From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008 animated film)
From Negromancer:  "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"
From Negromancer:  "Solo: A Star Wars Story" 

I Reads You "Star Wars Central" comics and graphic novel review page is here.

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Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

Review: "LOGAN" is Mournful, Violent, and Hopeful

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 32 of 2024 (No. 1976) by Leroy Douresseaux

Logan (2017)

Running time:  137 minutes (2 hours, 17 minutes)

MPAA – PG-13 for strong brutal violence and language throughout, and for brief nudity

DIRECTOR:  James Mangold

WRITERS:  James Mangold & Scott Frank and Michael Green; from a story by James Mangold (based on the characters and stories appearing in Marvel Comics)

PRODUCERS:  Simon Kinberg, Hutch Parker, and Lauren Shuler Donner

CINEMATOGRAHER: John Mathieson (D.o.P.)

EDITORS:  Michael McCusker and Dirk Westervelt

COMPOSER:  Marco Beltrami

Academy Award nominee

SUPERHERO/ACTION/DRAMA

Starring:  Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Richard E. Grant, Eriq La Salle, Elise Neal, Quincy Fouse, Jason Genao, and Bryant Tardy

Logan is a 2017 American drama, action film and superhero movie from director James Mangold.  Starring Hugh Jackman in the title role, it is the tenth film in 20th Century Fox's X-Men movie franchise and is also the third entry in the Wolverine film series.  Logan is based on the Marvel Comics character, Logan/Wolverine, that was created by writer Len Wein and artists John Romita and Herb Trimpe and first fully appeared in the comic book, The Incredible Hulk #181 (cover dated: November 1974).  Logan the movie focuses on a legendary mutant trying to save a mutant child from the evil people determined to capture her.

Logan opens in the year 2029.  Mutants are nearly extinct, and no new mutants have been born in 24 years.  The aging and ailing Logan (Hugh Jackman) works as a limousine driver in El Paso, Texas.  Once upon a time, he was known as “Wolverine,” and he was a member of the legendary band of mutants, the “X-Men.”  Now, he and the elderly founder of the X-Men, Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), live in hiding. Xavier suffers from a degenerative brain condition, and he sometimes has telepathic seizures that render anyone in the vicinity virtually helpless.  A mutant known as “Caliban” (Stephen Merchant) helps Logan care for Charles.

Logan has plans for escape, but a complication arrives in the form of a small girl named Laura (Dafne Keen), also known as test subject “X23.”  She is a mutant and her abilities are remarkably similar to those of Wolverine's.  However, she is being hunted by Donald Pierce (Boyd Holbrook) and his band of killers, the “Reavers.”  They are in service of the research institute, Alkali Transigen, and the scientists there want her back no matter what it costs in terms of lives.  Will Logan become the hero Wolverine, again, and help Laura get to a place called “Eden?”  Or will he run away from his fate, again?

Having seen the first two Wolverine films, X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and The Wolverine (2013), I did not go to the theater to see Logan when it was originally released in 2017.  [In my defense, I was knee deep in catastrophic family drama at the time.]  With the impending release of the upcoming Marvel Studios film, Deadpool & Wolverine, I decided it was time.

My was I missing an excellent film.  Logan is by far the best of the Wolverine films, and at the time of its release, it was the best X-Men since 2011's X-Men: First Class.  Truthfully, Logan would end up being the last really good X-Men film produced by 20th Century Fox.

Logan, which was rated “R” by the MPAA, is one of the most violent superhero films that I've ever seen.  Logan, Laura, and a surprise character called “X24” disembowel, dismember, behead, eviscerate, stab, and chop up what seems like a small town's worth of deserving men of various stripes.  Although I can sometimes be a prude about what I see as gratuitous violence in cinema, I love the brutal violence of Logan.  In fact, all the action scenes in Logan are brilliant, from the standoffs to the fights and car chases.

However, director James Mangold, a filmmaker with a hugely diverse filmography, makes Logan turn on dramatic storytelling and performances.  It is obvious that Hugh Jackman as Logan and Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier would give fine performances.  Still, actor and comedian, Stephen Merchant, is simply wonderful in the important supporting role of Caliban, bringing pathos and depth to a role that could have ended up being an extraneous freak character.

Boyd Holbrook also brings range and a variety of moods to Donald Pierce, another character that could have been a generic mercenary type.  Dafne Keen matches the rage and range of Jackman as Logan.  Laura could have been lost in the hurricane that is Logan/Wolverine's story in this film, but Keen makes Laura a force of her own.  Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Eriq La Salle makes the most of his short time on screen as Will Munson.

Logan is a mournful film.  It really is not a sequel to the earlier Wolverine films so much as it is the completion of Logan/Wolverine's tragic, but heroic story arc that buttressed the earlier films.  Logan is both an ending and a beginning, and I wish that the care and effort put into this film had been put into some of the other X-Men films.

8 of 10

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Sunday, July 21, 2024

NOTES:

2018 Academy Awards, USA:  1 nomination: “Best Adapted Screenplay” (Scott Frank, James Mangold, and Michael Green)

The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site or blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: "INDIANA JONES and the Dial of Destiny" is a Wonderful Final Adventure

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 29 of 2023 (No. 1918) by Leroy Douresseaux

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (1989)

Running time:  154 minutes (2 hours, 34 minutes)

MPA – PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, language and smoking

DIRECTOR:  James Mangold

WRITERS:  Jez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth and David Koepp & James Mangold (based on characters created by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman)

PRODUCERS:  Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Simon Emanuel

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Phedon Papamichael (D.o.P.)

EDITORS:  Andrew Buckland, Michael McCusker, and Dick Westervelt

COMPOSER:  John Williams

ADVENTURE/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Antonino Banderas, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Olivier Richters, Ethann Isidore, Nasser Memarzia, Karen Allen, and John Rhys-Davies, 

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is a 2023 action-adventure film directed by James Mangold.  It is the fifth entry in the “Indiana Jones” film franchise that began with the 1981 film, Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Dial of Destiny finds Indiana Jones racing to retrieve a legendary artifact from a Nazi who wants change the course of history.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny opens in 1944, deep inside Europe during the Allied liberation of World War II.  Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones, Jr. (Harrison Ford) and his colleague and fellow archaeologist, Basil Shaw (Toby Jones), are both captured by Nazis while attempting to retrieve “the Lance of Longinus.”  This relic is also known as the “Spear of Destiny,” the lance that is alleged to have pierced the side of Jesus Christ.  Adolf Hitler believes it can save him and his dying Third Reich.

However, Nazi scientist Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen) believes that he has found part of the relic that can save the Nazis, the “Antikythera”or “Archimedes's Dial,” a device created by the ancient Greek mathematician, Archimedes,  Voller believes that if he can make the device whole it is capable of locating fissures in time.  As usual, Indiana Jones foils the Nazis.

A quarter-century later, in August 1969, Jones is retiring from his position as a professor and instructor at Hunter College.  He is approached by Helena “Wombat” Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), Jones' goddaughter and Basil Shaw's daughter.  She has come looking for the Dial, but she isn't the only one.  A Nazi ghost from Indiana Jones' past also wants to retrieve the Dial and to find its missing half.  Can Indiana Jones, now an old man, find the will for one more adventure to save the world from Nazi machinations?  Can he really trust his own goddaughter's motivations?

In preparation for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, I recently watched Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in its entirety for the first time in over two decades.  I have seen the first film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, countless times, and I re-watched its follow-up, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), in November of last year (2022).  I have watched the fourth film in the series, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), many times since its release.

I am happy to report that Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is the best Indiana Jones since Temple of Doom.  It is a bit long and drags in the middle, but when it is time to deliver the old-fashioned Indiana Jones thrills, this film brings it with renewed freshness.  The two street chases, one in New York and one in Tangier, Morocco, kept me on the edge of my seat.  Indiana Jones on a horse tearing through the streets and subways of NYC is every bit as good as it could be.

Dial of Destiny is also blessed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Helena Shaw.  The script presents a very well conceived and executed character, and Bridge turns her into a character that can match Indiana Jones step for step.  Hers is not the only high-quality supporting character, but this film could not work without Waller-Bridge playing Shaw the way she does.

The best Indiana Jones villains are the Nazis, and Mads Mikkelsen as Voller and Boyd Holbrook as Klaber, Voller's crazy and homicidal lackey, gives us Nazis worthy of not only being punched, but also of being killed.  It's good to see that the Indiana Jones franchise makes Nazis plainly and clearly evil.  There isn't any “good people on both sides here” double talk in this movie.

No, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas do not return for Dial of Destiny, being listed in the credits as “executive producers.”  James Mangold has replaced Spielberg as director, and he does a much better job with this film than I expected.  Lucas has co-written the story for the previous films doesn't for this one, but the spirit of adventure and mystery he first imagined decades ago is strong in Dial of Destiny.

I understand that some viewers may be put off by the age of Dial of Destiny's star and title character.  I like that Dial of Destiny does not hesitate to grapple with Indiana Jones' age and about the grief and regret that have become a big part of his life.  It is nice to see returning supporting characters, Sallah (John Rhys-Davies) and Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), although it is a bit off-putting not seeing them so much older.  Still, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, with its themes of time and tide, of change, of new eras, of aging, of a hero in the sunset of his life, offers a perfect good-bye to a beloved hero.  It says that there is still a story to tell, but the story we followed for so long … well, that's over.

7 of 10

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Friday, June 30, 2023

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site or blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from April 9th to 15th, 2023 - Update #11

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Nicholas Hoult and Toni Collette have joined Clint Eastwood's next film, "Juror #2."

STREAMING - From Variety:  HBO Max has officially announced it has officially ordered a "Harry Potter" television series.  The cast will be entirely new.

From Deadline:  There is more information on HBO Max's recently announced "Harry Potter" TV series, including that its debut is set for 2025-26.

From Variety:  Chuck Lorre is developing a second spinoff of his former CBS hit TV series, "The Big Bang Theory" for HBO Max (soon to be known simply as "Max").  The first spinoff, "Young Sheldon," is currenly airing on CBS.

CELEBRITY - From Variety:  Jamie Foxx has been hospitalized in Atlanta following a “medical complication” his family revealed late Wednesday evening.

From CNN:  Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx remains hospitalized in Atlanta (possibly due to a stroke), while his current film, "Back in Action," is expected to wrap production within the week.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Emmy Award-winning actress. Julie Bowen, ("Modern Family") will star in Peacock’s "satanic panic," coming-of-age thriller, "Hysteria!"

NETFLIX/ANIMATION - From Deadline:  Netflix has approved an animated series set in the world of its hit series, "Stranger Things."  The series currently does not have a title.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 4/7 to 4/9/2023 Easter weekend box office is Universal/Illumination Entertainment's "Super Mario Bros. Movie" with an estimated take of 146.3 million dollars.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Director James Mangold says that Timothée Chalamet, the star of his upcoming biopic of the legendary singer-songwriter, Bob Dylan, will be doing his own singing.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  The actress Elizabeth Hubbard has died at the age of 89, Saturday, April 8, 2023.  She was best known for her roles in two daytime soap opera television series.  She was "Dr. Althea Davis" in former NBC series, "The Doctors," and also "Lucinda Walsh" in the former CBS series, "As the World Turns."  She won a Daytime Emmy Award for "The Doctors." From 1986-1999, she was nominated for lead actress Daytime Emmy eight times for "As the World Turns."  She won an additional Daytime Emmy in 1976 for her role in the daytime TV movie, "First Ladies Diaries: Edith Wilson."  Her final Daytime Emmy nomination was for her role in the YouTube daytime soap opera, "Anacostia."

From Variety:  The film and television actor, Michael Lerner, has died at the age of 81, Saturday, April 8, 2023.  Lerner appeared in numerous films, including "Eight Men Out" (1988), "Elf" (2003), and "X-Men: Days of Future Past" (2014).  He received a "Best Supporting Actor" Oscar nomination for his role in the Coen Bros.'s 1991 film, "Barton Fink." Lerner was also a recurring character on the former NBC drama, "Hill Street Blues" and the former ABC/UPN sitcom, "Clueless," to name a few.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from November 20th to 30th, 2022 - Update #22

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

TELEVISION/STREAMING - From Deadline:  Layoffs are underway at CBS Studios and at Paramount TV Studios.

AWARDS - From Deadline:  "Everything Everywhere All at Once" wins the "Best Feature" award at the 2022 / 32nd Annual Gotham Awards, one of two wins for the film.

From IndieWire:  The nominations for the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced.   "Everything Everywhere All at Once" leads with eight nominations.  The winners will be announced March 4th, 2023.

From Variety:  The nominations for the 2022 / 32nd Annual Gotham Awards were announced a month ago.  Todd Field's "Tar" leads with five nominations.  The winners will be announced Monday, November 28th.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 11/25 to 11/27/2022 Thanksgiving weekend box office is Disney/Marvel Studios' "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" with an estimated take of 45.9 million dollars.

From Here:  Leroy Douresseaux's review of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Antonio Banderas, who has played the character, "Zorro," in two films, says that if there is a reboot he would like to see "Spider-Man" actor, Tom Holland, take the role.

SPORTS - From Deadline: Thursday's (11/24/2022) Thanksgiving Day game between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, who won 28-20, is the most watched regular season NFL game ever.  42 million viewers apparently tuned into the game broadcast on FOX.

HISTORY - From Deadline:  Friday, November 25, 2022 marked the 75th anniversary of the birth of the "Hollywood Blacklist," which began with the "Waldorf Declaration" on November 25, 1947.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Ice Cube lost a $9 million dollar payday because he didn't want to get the required COVID vaccination for the film, "Oh Hell No."

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Director James Mangold says that actor Harrison Ford was "de-aged" for "Indiana Jones 5" so that he could look like he did in the first three films from the 1980s.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From Variety:  Quentin Tarantino says that actors in Marvel Studios are not movie stars and that, for instance, Captain America is the star.

DISNEY - From Variety:  Bob Chapek is out as CEO of The Walt Disney Company.  After three years of retirement, Bob Iger, has been reinstated as CEO of Disney.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 11/18 to 11/20/2022 weekend box office is Disney/Marvel Studios' "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" with an estimated take of 67.3 million dollars.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Actor John Leguizamo said that he based his character, "George Diaz," from the new film, "The Menu," on action movie star Steven Seagal, says "He's kind of a horrible human."

WALKING DEAD - From Deadline:  The lawsuit over profits from "The Walking Dead" television series that pit the series' network, AMC, against the series' original showrunner, Frank Darabont, and his talent agency, CAA, has come to an end. According to Deadline: “The Settlement Agreement provides for a cash payment of $200 million (the “Settlement Payment”) to the plaintiffs and future revenue sharing related to certain future streaming exhibition of The Walking Dead and Fear The Walking Dead...”

RUST - From Deadline:  The police report produced by the Sante Fe County Sheriff's Office on its investigation into the shooting on the New Mexico set of the Western, "Rust," has been made public.  Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed after being shot by an accidental discharge from a pistol held by actor Alec Baldwin.

OBITS:

From Variety:  English musician and singer-songwriter, Christine McVie, has died at the age of 79, Wednesday, November 30, 2022.  She was best known for her association with the British-American rock band, Fleetwood Mac, and was a member during the band's greatest success and greatest sales.  As a member of the band, she shared the 1978 Grammy Award for "Album of the Year" for the album, "Rumors" (1977).  McVie also released four solo albums.

From Deadline:  Film and television actor and theater professor, Clarence Gilyard, Jr., has died at the age of 66, Monday, November 28, 2022.  Gilyard was best known for playing the role of "Conrad McMasters" on NBC's former mystery legal drama, "Matlock" (1989-93) and for the role of "Ranger James Trivette" on CBS' former action-crime drama, "Walker, Texas Ranger" (1993-2001).  His best known film roles were playing Tom Cruise's co-pilot in "Top Gun" (1986) and playing "Theo" a terrorist computer expert in "Die Hard" (1988).

From THR:  Hawaiian-born, American film director, Albert Pyun, has died at the age of 69, Saturday, November 26, 2022.  He was known for directing, low-budget, high-concept films that became cult classics, such as the sword and sorcery film, "The Sword and the Sorcerer" (1982).  His best known film may be the 1989 Jean-Claude van Damme martial arts/sci-fi film, "Cyborg."  He is also known for directing the low-budget 1990 film, "Captain America," based on the Marvel Comics character.

From Variety:  Actress, singer, and songwriter, Irene Cara, has died at the age of 63, Friday, November 25, 2022.  Cara appeared in the 1980 film, "Fame," and sang the title song, "Fame," which won the "Best Song" Oscar for its songwriters.  Later, Cara would win an Oscar for co-writing the song, "Flashdance... What a Feeling" from the film, "Flashdance" (1983).  She also won two Grammys for her work on "Flashdance... What a Feeling."

From Deadline:  Former child actor, Mickey Kuhn, has died at the age of 90, Sunday, November 20, 2022.  Kuhn was the last surviving credited-cast member of  the legendary film, "Gone with the Wind."  Kuhn worked in the film industry from 1934 to 1956 before leaving for good.

From Deadline:    The actor Jason David Frank has died at the age of 49, Saturday, November 19, 2022.  Frank was best known for playing the role of Tommy Oliver" the "Green Ranger"/"White Ranger" on the the TV series, "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" (1993-96).  He also appeared in several other TV series in the "Power Rangers" franchise.

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BRITTNEY GRINER:

From NBCNews:   Brittney Griner will enter a system of isolation, grueling labor and psychological torment when she is transferred to a penal colony, the successor to the infamous Russian gulag, to fulfill a nine-year sentence handed down Tuesday in Moscow, former prisoners and advocates said.

From NBCNews:  A Russian court has rejected Brittney Griner's appeal of her nine-year prison sentence on (fake) drug charges.

From Reuters:  Russia says that it is ready to talk prisoner swamp for Brittney Griner and U.S. Marine veteran Paul Whelan, but also scolds the U.S. Embassy.

From TheDailyBeast:   Legendary NBA bad boy and champion (Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls), Dennis Rodman claims that he has been given permission to go to Russia and help free imprisoned hostage, WNBA star, Brittney Griner.

From Vox:  Vox's Jonathan Guyer talks the Brittney Griner case with Danielle Gilbert, a Dartmouth professor who is writing a book about states and rogue actors that take hostages.

From ESPN:   A Russian court sentenced WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison Thursday, Aug. 4th.  Griner was arrested Feb. 17 for bringing cannabis into the country and pleaded guilty July 7, though the case continued under Russian law.

From ESPN:  The Biden administration has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.

From RSN:  "Will Support From LeBron James, Joe Rogan, Kim Kardashian, and Other Celebrities Help Free Brittney Griner From a Russian Prison?" by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar via Substack

From ESPN:  Detained WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty on Thursday to bringing hashish oil into Russia, telling a judge that she had done so "inadvertently" while asking the court for mercy.

From CBSSports:  The Brittney Griner situation explained.

From RSN:  According to The Washington Post Editorial Board: "Brittney Griner is a hostage, plain and simple."

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from February 20th to 28th, 2022 - Update #26

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

AWARDS - From Deadline:   The winners at the 2022 / 28th annual SAG Awards. "CODA" wins the top prize, "Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:   The winner of the 2/25 to 2/27/2022 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' "Uncharted" with an estimated take of $23.25 million.

NAACP - From Variety:  Here is a complete list of winners at 2022 / 53rd NAACP Image Awards in the film, television and music categories.  Jennifer Hudson was named "Entertainer of the Year."

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Quentin Tarantino is in early talks to direct one or two episodes of "Justified: City Primeval," the FX limited series that brings Timothy Olyphant as U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens from FX's long-running series, "Justified" (2010-15).

MOVIES/NETFLIX - From BET:  Tyler Perry talks to BET about his new Madea movie, "A Madea Homecoming," which is streaming on Netflix.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Steven Spielberg is attached to direct a new original story based on "Lt. Frank Bullitt," the character the late Steve McQueen played in the 1968 film, "Bullitt."

AWARDS - From Deadline:  "Lost Illusions" and "Annette" top the 2022 Cesar Awards in France.

DISNEY - From Deadline:  Disney has set the release date for its film, "Haunted Mansion," for March 10, 2023.  Justin Simien is directing stars Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Rosario Dawson, Danny DeVito, and LaKeith Stanfield.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Universal Pictures will release its monster movie, "Renfield" on April 14, 2023.  The films focuses on Count Dracula's lackey/aide, Renfield, played by Nicholas Hoult with Nicolas Cage playing Dracula.

NEWS - From Variety:  Oscar-winning actor, Sean Penn, is in Ukraine filming a documentary about the Russia's invasion of the country.

STREAMING - From Deadline:   Sacha Baron Cohen has joined the cast of director Alfonso Cuaron's film, "Disclaimer," for Apple TV+.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Paramount Pictures has acquired "80 For Brady." NFL legend and Super Bowl champion, Tom Brady, will produce and star in the film with Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda,  Rita Moreno, and Sally Field.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   Director James Mangold and 20th Century Studios are developing a biopic of Hollywood legend and icon, the comedian and filmmaker, Buster Keaton.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  The site has a first look at actor Daniel Radcliffe as "Weird" Al Yankovic in the biopic, "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story."

OSCARS - From THR:  During this year's Oscar telecast, for the 94th Academy Awards, eight categories that are usually presented live during the ceremony will not be this year.  The categories of "documentary short," "film editing," "makeup/hairstyling," "original score," "production design," "animated short," "live action short," and "sound" will take place inside the Dolby Theatre an hour before the live telecast commences, will be recorded, and will then be edited into the subsequent live broadcast.

From Deadline:  The changes to this year's Oscar telecast for the 94th Academy Awards have created a backlash.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  "The Wendy Williams Show" is ending for now, and will be replaced by a daytime syndicated talk show headline by Sherri Shepherd, a former co-host on "The View," slated to debut Fall 2022.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Universal Pictures has released a moody first image of actor Cillian Murphy as "J. Robert Oppenheimer" in director Christopher Nolan's film, "Oppenheimer." The film has begun principal photography and is due July 2023.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 2/18 to 2/20/2022 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' "Uncharted" with an estimated take of 44.16 million dollars.

From Deadline:  "Uncharted" scores 139 million dollars in global box office.

From BuzzFeed:  Actor Tom Holland worked as a bartender while making "Uncharted."

MOVIES - From VogueUK:  Here is the first look of actor Austin Butler as Elvis Presley in director Baz Luhrmann's biopic, "Elvis."

OBITS:

From Variety:   Film and television actress, Sally Kellerman, has died at the age of 84, Thursday, Feruary 24, 2022.  Kellerman was nominated for a "Best Supporting Actress" Oscar for her role as "Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan" in director Robert Altman's 1970 film, "MASH."  From 2014 to 2015, she had a recurring guest role on the CBS soap opera, "The Young and the Restless," which earned her a 2015 Daytime Emmy Award nomination.

From Deadline:  American singer-songwriter and rock musician, Mark Lanegan, has died at the age of 57, Tuesday, February 22, 2022.  He was one of the leading figures in the development of "grunge music" as the vocalist for the band, "Screaming Tress," and recorded seven albums with them.  He also released 12 solo studio albums.  He was also a member of the rock band, "Queens of the Stone Age."

From Deadline:  British music entrepreneur and YouTube star, Jamal Edwards, has died at the age of 31, Sunday, February 20, 2022.  He was known for founding "SBTV," a YouTube music channel dedicated to breaking emerging music acts in the United Kingdom.  Edwards helped launch the careers of artists such as Ed Sheeran and Jessie J, to name a few.  Edwards and SBTV are also credited with helping to popularize "grime music" in the UK and beyond.

From Deadline:   American film editor, David Brenner, has died at the age of 59, February 17, 2022.  Brenner was known for editing blockbuster films of noted directors like Roland Emmerich, Oliver Stone, and Zach Snyder, to name a few.  He won an Oscar with Joe Hutshing for editing Stone's 1989 film, "Born on the Forth of July."  Brenner was the editor on the "Avatar" sequels.

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94TH ACADEMY AWARDS:

OSCARS - From Variety:  The nominations for the 2022 / 94th Academy Awards have been announced.  "The Power of the Dog" leads with 12 nominations.  The winners will be revealed March 27th.

From Deadline:    With his "Best Actor" nomination for "The Tragedy of Macbeth," Denzel Washington is the most nominated Black actor is Oscar history.  He has been nominated in two acting categories a total of 10 times with two wins total.

From Variety:   With her "Best Director" Oscar nomination for "The Power of the Dog," Jane Campion becomes the first woman nominated twice in that category. She was previously nominated in that category for "The Piano" (1993).

From Variety:  With his three nominations today, Kenneth Branagh of "Belfast" becomes the first person to have been nominated in seven individual categories over his career.

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MOVIE AWARDS:

From Deadline:   The 2022 / 9th annual Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards were announced.  The Amazon film, "Coming 2 America" (the sequel to the 1988 film, "Coming to America"), led with three wins.

From Deadline:  The 2022 BAFTA Film Awards nominations have been announced.  "Dune" leads with 11 nominations.  The winners will be announced March 13th.

From Deadline:   The 2022 / 33rd annual Producers Guild of America Awards nominations have been announced.  The winners will be announced Saturday, March 19th.

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2022 / 74th annual Directors Guild Awards have been announced.  The winners will be announced March 12th.

From COFCA:  The Columbus Film Critics Association name "The Power of the Dog" the "Best Film" of 2021.

From Deadline:  Netflix's Black Western, "The Harder They Fall," was named the "Best Picture" of 2021 at the 13th annual African American Film Critics Association Awards.  The Western tied with "King Richard" for most wins with four.  Will Smith was named "Best Actor" for "King Richard."

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2022 / 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards have been announced.

From Variety:  The snubs and surprises in the nominations for the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

From Variety:   At the 2022 / 79th Golden Globes, "The Power of the Dog" wins "Best Motion Picture-Drama" and "West Side Story" wins "Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy."

From Variety:  The National Society of Film Critics names the Japanese film, "Drive My Car," the best film of 2021.

From AwardsWatch:  The nominations for the 22nd Annual Black Reel Awards were announced a few weeks ago. Netflix's Black Western, "The Harder They Fall," has a record 20 nominations.  The winners will be announced February 27, 2022.

From AwardsWatch:  The Columbus Film Critics Association announced the nominations for their annual film awards.  Director Jane Campion's "The Power of the Dog" leads with 12 noms.  The winners will be announced Thurs., Jan. 6th, 2022.

From Deadline:  The Los Angeles Film Critics Association has named the Japanese film, "Drive My Car," the "Best Picture" of 2021.

From Deadline:  The 2022 / 37th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards have announced their nominations. "Zola" leads with six nominations. The winners will be announced Sun., March 6, 2022.

From THR:  The 2022 / 79th Golden Globes Awards nominations have been announced.  "Belfast" and "The Power of the Dog" lead with seven nominations each.  Winners will be announced Jan. 9th, 2022.

From GoldDerby:   The 2022 Critics Choice Awards nominations have been announced. "Belfast" and "West Side Story" leads with 11 nominations each. Winners will be announced Jan. 9th, 2022.

From Deadline:   The American Film Institute announced the "2021 AFI Awards" Top 10 list, and the list includes "Dune," "The Tragedy of Macbeth," and "West Side Story."

From THR:  Director Aleem Khan's "After Love" tops the 2021 British Independent Film Awards, winning six awards, including "Best Film of 2021."

From Variety:   The New York Film Critics Circle has named the Japanese drama, "Drive My Car," as the "Best Film of 2021."

From Deadline:  The National Board of Review hands director Paul Thomas Anderson's "Licorice Pizza" it "Best Film" and "Best Director" awards.  Will Smith picks up the "Best Actor" award for "King Richard."

From THR:  Netflix’s "The Lost Daughter," directed by actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, dominated the 2021 Gotham Awards in New York on Monday night (Nov. 29th).  The film won in four of the five categories in which it was nominated, including "Best Feature."

---------------------------------

"RUST" ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING DEATH:

From Deadline:  This link will take you to Deadline's Halyna Hutchins page, which articles related to everything about her shooting death on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

From Deadline:  Matt Hutchins, the husband of Halyna Hutchins, blames Alec Baldwin for Halyna's accidental shooting death on the set of the doomed Western film, "Rust."

From Deadline:  The family and estate of Halyna Hutchins has filed suit against Alec Baldwin (who accidentally shot Hutchins), a slew of production companies and entities, producers, and key crew members involved in the Western film, "Rust," for her death.

From THR:   A Republican New Mexico legislator, State Sen. Cliff Pirtle of Roswell, on Monday introduced a bill that would require all film set personnel who handle firearms to complete a safety course offered by the New Mexico Game and Fish Department.  This is in the wake a cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, being fatally shot on the set of the Western, "Rust," last year by Alec Baldwin with a weapon he says he thought was not loaded with live ammunition.

From Deadline:  Alec Baldwin and the other producers of the doomed Western film, "Rust," want a California judge to dismiss the lawsuit filed against them by the script supervisor, Mamie Mitchell.

From Deadline:   Alec Baldwin has finally turned over his cell phone to police for their probe into the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Baldwin's Western film, "Rust," last October in New Mexico.

From Variety:  One of the producers of tragic Western film, Rust, Emily Salveson, pushes tax shelters and hid income.

From THR:  "I let go of the hammer and 'Bang,' the gun goes off" says Alec Baldwin says in his first interview of the moment when a gun he was holding accidentally killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

From Deadline:  Alec Baldwin will sit down with ABC's news-reading clown George Stephanopoulos for a one hour special tomorrow night to talk about what happened on the set of the movie "Rust."  It will be Baldwin’s first extensive interview about the shooting.

From Deadline:  Industry veteran, Thall Reed, the father of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the Western, "Rust," may have handed the police a tip on why the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, was shot to death on the set.

From THR:  A search warrant affidavit filed Tuesday for a prop shop sheds light on how alleged live ammunition ended up on the set of the Western film, "Rust," where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed in October.

From Deadline:  A month after cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, was shot and killed on the New Mexico set the movie Western, "Rust," by a prop gun “discharged” by Alec Baldwin, those closest to the cinematographer held a private ceremony and interred her ashes at an unknown location.

From Deadline:  Actor Daniel Baldwin defends his brother, Alec Baldwin, in the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film, "Rust."  "Someone loaded that gun improperly," Daniel says.

From Deadline:  The newest lawsuit involving the tragic shooting on the set of the Western film, "Rust," has been filed by the film's script supervisor, Mamie Mitchell, against Alec Baldwin, the producers, the production company, armorer Hanna Gutierrez Reed, and others.

From Deadline:  Serge Svetnoy, the gaffer on "Rust," has filed a lawsuit against several parties related to the film, including the production, the financiers, star Alec Baldwin, armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, and first Assistant Director David Halls.

From THR:   In the wake of the tragic accidental shooting on the set of his film, "Rust," Alec Baldwin on Monday took to social media to urge Hollywood to employ a police officer on every film and TV set that uses guns.

From THR:   The budget for "Rust" - Alec Baldwin was set to earn $150,000 as lead actor and $100,000 as producer, while $7,913 was earmarked for armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and $17,500 was set aside for the rental of weapons and $5,000 for rounds.

From Deadline:  Attorneys for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of the film, "Rust," said that they’re looking into whether a live bullet was placed in a box of dummy rounds with the intent of  “sabotaging the set.”

From THR:   Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the film, "Rust," released a statement through her lawyers.  She says she had “no idea where the live rounds came from” that were recovered by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's during the investigation of the accidental on-set shooting death of Halyna Hutchins.

From Jacobin:  An opinion piece says that cinematographer Halyna Hutchins' death on the set of the film, "Rust," was not a freak accident, but was about Alec Baldwin and his fellow producers' cost-cutting decisions.  Baldwin accidentally fired the gun that killed Hutchins.

From Deadline:   Two of executive producers on "Rust," Allen Cheney and Emily Salveson, disavow responsibility for the film's troubled production.

From THR:   Iconic "Ghostbusters" actor Ernie Hudson is reeling from the news of the death of Halyna Hutchins, like the rest of Hollywood. Hudson also appeared in the film, "The Crow," the film in which its star, Brandon Lee, was killed because of an on-set accidental shooting.  He also agrees with the call to ban real guns from movie sets.

From THR:  The Sheriff of Sante Fe County says that his office has recovered three guns and 500 rounds of ammunition from the set of the movie "Rust" where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed.

From Deadline:  Regarding criminal charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust," District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis, "all options are on the table - no one has been ruled out."

From THR:  Does Hollywood Need Guns? Will new regulations lead to an overreactions to a tragedy.

From Deadline:   "Rust" producers have opened an internal investigation into the fatal shooting on the set of the Western film.  They have hired outside lawyers to conduct interviews with the film's production crew.

From Deadline:  "Rust's" AD (assistant director), Dave Halls, has come under scrutiny in the wake of the on-set shooting death of the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline:  The affidavit of Sante Fe Sheriff's Department Detective Joel Cano has been made public. It can be read at "Deadline."  The affidavit was for a search warrant from the property were the Western, "Rust," was being filmed.

From THR:  The production company behind "Rust" has shut the film down until the police investigation into the fatal, on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is through.  The Sante Fe County Sheriff's Office has also revealed a timeline of the shooting.

From Deadline:  The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department confirmed Thursday night that Alec Baldwin “discharged” a prop gun on the New Mexico set of the movie, "Rust."  As a result, one crew member, director of photography Halyna Hutchins, was killed and director Joel Souza was injured and remains in a local hospital - his condition unknown.

From THR:  "Rust" director, Joel Souza, who was wounded in the accidental on-set shooting, says that he is "gutted" by the death of his cinematographer on the film, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline:  The fatal shooting on the set of "Rust" may have been "recorded" according to detective for Santa Fe Sheriff's Department.

From Deadline:  The production company behind the film, "Rust," will launch an internal safety review after the fatal accident that killed Halyna Hutchins; possible prior gun incidents; and a camera crew walkout.

From CNN:   Crew member yelled "cold gun" as he handed Alec Baldwin prop weapon, court document shows.

From Variety:  Actor Alec Baldwin releases statement on the death of Halyna Hutchins: "There are no words to convey my shock and sadness."

From Variety:  The prop gun that killed “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza on during an on-set accident on Thursday contained a “live single round,” according to an email sent by IATSE Local 44 to its membership.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from February 23rd to 29th, 2020 - Update #27

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

Support Leroy on Patreon:

DISNEY - From YahooEntertainment:  Walt Disney's classic animated feature film, Pinocchio, is 80 years old.  This article tells you five things you may not know about the film, including that Disney had to make us like an unlikable character.

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AWARDS - From Deadline:  At the 2020 Cesar Awards (France's Academy Awards), Roman Polanski wins "Best Director" for his film, "An Officer and a Spy."  That caused some comotion...

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MOVIES - From Variety:  The coronavirus outbreak is wreaking havoc with the launch efforts of major Hollywood films.

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TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Television super-producer, Dick Wolf ("Law & Order" and "Chicago" franchises), signs a five-year, nine-figure mega-deal with Universal TV.  That follows his nine-figure deal with Universal's "Peacock" streaming network.  Both deals are thought to be worth close to a one billion dollars.

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TRAILER - From THR:  Jordan Peele debuts the first trailer for his new film, "Candyman," which he produced and Nia DaCosta.

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JAMES BOND - From CNET:  The upcoming James Bond film, "No Time to Die," looks to be the longest Bond film ever at over two and a half hours.

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CELEBRITY - From YahooFinance:  Former action movie box office star, Steven Seagal, has been fined by the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) for promoting a "cryptocurrency."

From TheGuardian:  On a trip to Europe, Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow takes precautions in lights of the "coronavirus" outbreak, and that reminds her of a movie in which she starred - Steven Soderbergh's excellent "Contagion" (2011).

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Steven Spielberg has directed all the "Indiana Jones" films thus far, beginning with "Raiders of the Lost Art" (1981) to the most recent "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls" (2008).  For "Indiana Jones 5," Spielberg wants to hand the directorial reigns to Oscar-nominee James Mangold ("Ford v. Ferrari").

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MOVIES  - From Variety:  Kevin Hart's next film is an untitled action-comedy being developed by Universal Pictures and is based on an original idea from “Broad City’s” Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs.

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TELEVISION - From THR:  The main cast for "American Horror Story" Season 10 has been announced.  Among the cast is child star icon, Macaulay Culkin of "Home Alone" fame.

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DISNEY - From Deadline:  Bob Iger has stepped down effective immediately as CEO of the Walt Disney Company.  Disney's Board of Directors has named Bob Chapek the new CEO effective immediately.  Iger will remain "Executive Chairman" through the end of his contract on Dec. 31, 2021.

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MOVIES - From Newsarama:  The title of the third "Jurassic World" film is "Jurassic World: Dominion."  The film is due June 11, 2021.

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MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment:  The writers of the 1995 film, "Outbreak," talk about the sudden relevance of their film as the coronavirus "COVID-19" scares the world.

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MOVIES - From Collider:  Ahead of the release of the first trailer for Jordan Peele's update of "Candyman," we get some teasing.

From BloodyDisgusting:  This article provides a look at writer Clive Barker's iconic horror character, "Candyman," before he was a movie character played by actor Tony Todd.

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CELEBRITY - From Variety:   Leonardo Di Caprio honors Jamie Foxx at the American Black Film Festival Honors on Sunday night (Feb. 23rd.)

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HARVEY WEINSTEIN - From THR:  This morning (Mon, Feb. 24th), a jury found former movie mogul, Harvey Weinstein, guilty on two of five criminal charges.  Weinstein was convicted of "criminal sexual assault in the first degree," based on the testimony of former "Project Runway" production assistant Miriam Haley, which carries a sentence of 5 to 25 years.  He was also found guilty of "rape in the third degree," based on the testimony of former aspiring actress Jessica Mann, which carries a sentence of 18 months to 4 years.

From WBAL:  Harvey Weinstein was immediately handcuffed and taken to jail after being convicted of rape and sexual assault charges Monday morning.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner fo the 2/21 -2/23/2020 weekend box office is "Sonic the Hedgehog" with an estimated take of $26.3 million.

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STREAMING - From Deadline:  David Weil, creator of the Amazon series, "Hunters," responds to criticism from the "Auschwitz Memorial" Twitter account that his series is "historical inaccurate.

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AWARDS - From Deadline:  The winners at the 51st NAACP Image Awards were announed last night (Sat., Feb. 22nd).  Grammy-winning recording artist, Lizzo, was named "Entertainer of the Year."  This link also leads to a complete list of the winners.

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POLITICS - From Variety:  Oscar-winning filmmaker and legendary actor, Clint Eastwood, has gone from supporting President Donald Trump to endorsing former Mayor Mike Bloomberg in the 2020 presidential race.

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MOVIES - From SlashFilm:  New Republic Pictures has won the rights to "Family Jewels," a multi-generational family comedy that reunited the "First Wives Club" trio of Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  Talk show host and television soap opera creator, Lee Phillip Bell, has died at the age of 91, Tuesday, February 25, 2020.  With her late husband, William J. Bell, Lee created the TV soap opera dramas, "The Young and the Restless" (1973) and "The Bold and the Beautiful" (1987).  Lee also hosted her own local TV talk show in Chicago, "The Lee Phillip Show," that ran from 1953 to 1986.

From Variety:   Pioneering NASA mathematician, Katherine Johnson, has died at the age of 101, Monday, February 24, 2020.  Her works was fundamental to landing U.S. astronauts on the moon.  Johnson was featured in the 2016 book, "Hidden Figures."  In the 2016, Oscar-nominated film adaptation, also entitled "Hidden Figures," Johnson was portrayed by actress Taraji P. Henson.  Johnson received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2019.

From Variety:  Film and television music composer, Bob Cobert, died at the age of 95, Wednesday, February 19, 2020.  Cobert composed themes for the ABC horror soap opera, "Dark Shadows" (1966-71), which are probably his best known work.  Cobert received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for composing music for the ABC miniseries, "War and Remembrance" (1988), the follow-up to "The Winds of War" (1983), for which Cobert also composed music.

From NBCNews:  Celebrated lifestyle guru, model, and restaurateur, B. Smith, has died at the age of 70, Saturday, February 22, 2020.  Smith had been suffering from early onset Alzheirmer's disease.  Born Barbara Elaine Smith, B. Smith was a groundbreaking African-American model, she would go on to be a TV host and also author books on cooking and entertaining.  She was the first African-American woman to have a home goods line sold at a national retailer (Bed, Bath & Beyond.)

A "Star Wars" Link-o-Rama 2018 by Negromancer - Update #81

Posted by Leroy Doureseaux - on Patreon.

EPISODE IX - From FlickeringMyth:  Todd Fisher, the brother of the late Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), says that there is enough unused footage from "The Force Awakens" and "The Last Jedi" to make a fitting end for Fisher in Episode 9.

EPISODE IX - From BleedingCool:  According to John Boyega, "Episode 9" takes place one year after the events depicted in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" (Episode 8).

COMICS - From Newsarama:  A "Star Wars" T-shirt, with art by "Star Wars Adventures'" Derek Charm, will be available for Free Comic Book Day 2019.

THE MANDALORIAN - From Variety:  Giancarlo Esposito, Carl Weathers, and Werner Herzog are among the new cast members for the Disney+ streaming series, "The Mandalorian."

ROGUE ONE PREQUEL - From THR:  Stephen Schiff, a producer on FX's "The Americans" named showrunner for Disney+'s "Rogue One" prequel TV series.

OBITUARY/A NEW HOPE - From EW:  Gloria Katz, the screenwriter who was a script doctor on the original Star Wars film, died Sunday, November 25, 2018.  Katz worked with her husband, Willard Huyck.

THE MANDALORIAN - From Variety:  Academy Award nominated actor, Nick Nolte, joins Disney+'s "Star Wars" streaming series, "The Mandalorian."

GALAXY OF ADVENTURES - From Deadline:  Starting Friday, Nov. 30th at StarWarsKids.com, the first six animated shorts in the new series, "Star Wars: Galaxy of Adventures," will debut.

EPISODE 9 - From YahooEsquire:  Luke Skywalker may return in Star Wars Episode IX, but not as a force ghost...

THE MANDALORIAN - From SlashFilm:  Unofficial word is that actor Pedro Pascal (Netflix's "Narcos") will be the lead actor in "The Mandalorian," the new Star Wars TV series for the upcoming streaming service, Disney+.

ROGUE ONE - From Variety:  Diego Luna will reprise his "Rogue One" role of "Cassian Andor" in a new "Star Wars" series for Disney's upcoming streaming service, called "Disney+".  The unnamed series will be a prequel to "Rogue One."

BOBA FETT - From The Playlist:  Lucasfilm boss, Kathleen Kennedy says that "Boba Fett" spinoff film no longer in development.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Star Wars: Age of Republic Special #1" is a Jar Jar Binks story.

RESISTANCE - From BleedingCool:  Elijah Wood will be a voice actor on "Star Wars Resistance" (Disney Channel), specifically the episode, "Fuel for the Fire," which is scheduled for Sun., Oct. 21st, 2018.

THE MANDALORIAN - From TheWrap:  Lucasfilm releases the first image from the upcoming streaming series, "The Mandalorian," and the names of people who will be directing episodes of the series.  Those names include Taika Waititi ("Thor: Ragnarok"), Bryce Dallas Howard, and Dave Filoni ("Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Star Wars Rebels).

THE MANDALORIAN - From Deadline:  That is the title of the upcoming Star Wars streaming TV series from Jon Favreau, "The Mandalorian."  It will focus on the Star Wars race that gave us bounty hunter Jango Fett and his son Boba Fett.

STAR WARS TV - From WeGotThisCovered:  Jon Favreau's "Star Wars" TV series for Disney's streaming service is looking at "Game of Thrones" actor Pedro Pascal for lead role.

STAR WARS RESISTANCE - From IndieWire:  Japanese-American actor, Christopher Sean, talks about his voice acting role in the upcoming (Sun., Oct. 7th) Disney Channel animated series, "Star Wars Resistance."

LEGACY - From NewJerseyHerald:  A story about Greg Hildebrandt, his iconic poster for the first "Star Wars" film, and working with his twin brother, Tim, who also worked on that poster.

LUCASFILM - From Variety:  Lucasfilm extends Kathleen Kennedy's deal as president to 2021.

OBITUARY - From Variety:  "Star Wars" producer Gary Kurtz has died at the age of 78, Sunday, September 23, 2018.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - From YahooCelebrity:  Billy Dee Williams pranked young Mark Hamill during the 1980 royal premiere of "The Empire Strikes Back."  Read the story.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "This is the Age of Star Wars! STAR WARS: AGE OF REPUBLIC, AGE OF REBELLION and AGE OF RESISTANCE chronologically tell a series of spectacular adventures featuring your favorite characters from ALL THREE STAR WARS TRILOGIES."

FRANCHISE - From Variety:  Michael K. Williams, who lost his part in "Solo" because of scheduling, still wants to be part of the "Star Wars" universe.

EPISODE IX - From BleedingCool:  Oscar Isaac ("Poe Dameron") says that the late Carrie Fisher is with the cast as they film Star Wars 9.

EPISODE IX - From Variety:  Matt Smith, who played the 11th incarnation of "the Doctor" in "Doctor Who," has joined the cast of Star Wars 9

EPISODE IX - From Deadline:  Dominic Monaghan was one of the stars of J.J. Abrams' TV series, "Lost."  Now, he reunites with Abrams as Monaghan has joined the cast of "Star Wars 9."  Monaghan also appeared in "The Lord of the Rings" films.

STAR WARS RESISTANCE - From StarWars:  See the first trailer for the new Disney Channel / Disney XD, animated Star Wars TV series, "Star Wars Resistance."

EPISODE IX - From CNET:  Latest rumor, Episode 9 may be titled "Star Wars: A New Order."

From CinemaBlend:  New photo from the set of "Episode 9."

From WeGotThisCovered:  Could there be a Hutt connection from "Return of the Jedi" in Star Wars Episode 9.

From WeGotThisCovered:  There is a rumor that "Star Wars 9" could be the longest film in the series, so long that it might be split into 2 films.

From WeGotThisCovered:  John Boyega teases a new hairdo for Finn.
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STREAMING - From BleedingCool:  According to an article in "The New York Times," the "Star Wars" series that Jon Favreau is developing for "The Disney Streaming Service" will have a budget of $100 million for a 10-episode season.

RETURN OF THE JEDI - From WeGotThisCovered:  James Marquand, the son of "Return of the Jedi" director, the late Richard Marquand, defends his father's work on the final installment of the original Star Wars trilogy.

STREAMING - From IndieWire:  The "Star Wars" films (the three main trilogies and the stand alone films) won't be on Disney's upcoming streaming service until 2024.

EPISODE IX - From Deadline:  J.J. Abrams tweets first photo from the set of "Star Wars Episode IX."

EPISODE IX - From WeGotThisCovered:  George Lucas to be working with Disney on the script for "Star Wars IX."

EPISODE IX - From StarWars:  The cast for Star Wars Episode IX was officially announced today.  Returning cast members include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd. Joining the cast of Episode IX are Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, and Keri Russell, who will be joined by veteran Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian.

From BleedingCool:  Carrie Fisher will return in Star Wars IX via unused footage from Episode VII.
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THE CLONE WARS - From StarWars:  Beloved CGI animated series, "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" will return for a new season of 12 episodes... which will be available on Disney's "direct-to-consumer" streaming service.  This article also includes an interview with supervising director and "shepherd of the series," Dave Filoni.

EPISODE IX - From THR:  Sources confirm that Billy Dee Williams will return as "Lando Calrissian" for Star Wars Episode 9.

EPISODE IX - From THR:   Keri Russell is in talks to join Star Wars 9.  Russell previously appeared in Episode 9 director, J.J. Abrams' breakout TV series, "Felicity."

FRANCHISE - From Collider:  Sources say that Lucasfilm is putting the development of future "anthology films" or spinoff films (like "Rogue One," and "Solo") on hold.

EPISODE IX - From ScreenRant:  Rumors heat up that Billy Dee Williams will appear in Star Wars 9.

FRANCHISE - From WeGotThisCovered:  Lucasfilm Reportedly Has 9 Star Wars Movies In Development Right Now

GEORGE LUCAS - From DenofGeek:  Via an interview for James Cameron's TV series, "James Cameron's 's Story of Science Fiction," George Lucas reveals a few details about his unused plans for the Star Wars "sequel trilogy" (Episodes 7 to 9).

FRANCHISE - From ScreenRant:  "Star Wars" is taking a break.

LUCASFILM - From ScreenRant:  Star Wars Rumor: Kathleen Kennedy Stepping Down From Lucasfilm?

EPISODE IX - From FanthaTracks:  "Star Wars 9" changes working title from ""Black Diamond" to "trIXie"

EPISODE IX - From WeGotThisCovered:  Is Lando Calrissian returning for "Star Wars 9."

FUTURE - From SlashFilm:  Emilia Clarke is currently starring in "Solo: A Star Wars Story" and is the lead in HBO's "Game of Thrones."  She says that "Game of Thrones" TV series creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, will make their announced Star Wars TV series "Star Wars on acid."

FUTURE - From TheWrap:  There is a report that Oscar-nominated James Mangold has been hired to write and direct a "Boba Fett" movie.

EPISODE IX - From WeGotThisCovered:  Rumors are that "Legends" characters turned "Rebels" star, Grand Admiral Thrawn, will appear in Star Wars 9.

OBI-WAN - From JoBlo:  The rumored "Obi-Wan Kenobi" movie would be a prequel to "Star Wars: A New Hope" (Episode IV).

EPISODE IX - From FlickeringMyth:  Rumoured plot breakdown for Star Wars: Episode IX surfaces online

EPISODE IX - From WeGotItCovered:  Bizarre Star Wars: Episode IX Leak Points To Time Jumps And More

FRANCHISE - From EveningStandard:  The British newspaper site ranks the Star Wars films from best to worst - according to the writers.

EPISODE IX - From WeGotThisCovered:  Rumors have it that J.J. Abrams is looking for a new female lead for "Star Wars Episode 9."

ANIMATION - From Variety:  Disney Channel ordered the anime-inspired series, "Star Wars Resistance," which will debut this fall on Disney XD.

CARRIE FISHER - From SideshowToys: Todd Fisher talks about his late sister, Carrie, and late mother, Debbie, in this video interview.

EPISODE IX - From YahooMoviesUK: Lucasfilm has hired Victoria Mahoney as J.J. Abrams' second unit director on "Star Wars Episode 9."  She is the first black woman to work as a director on a Star Wars film.

FRANCHISE - From BleedingCool:  Rian Johnson says the "Star Wars" franchise needs directors who are not white guys.

EPISODE 9 - From EmpireOnline:  At "AwesomeCon 2018 (in Washington DC), John Boyega dropped some info saying that Finn and Rey would be reunited after spending "The Last Jedi" separated for almost the entire film.

FRANCHISE - From YahooDigitalSpy:  Not even Steven Spielberg could get the rights to use 'Star Wars' in 'Ready Player One'

CELEBRITY - From LATimes:  Mark Hamill gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

From Variety:  Harrison Ford remembers Carrie Fisher at the ceremony for Mark Hamill's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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STREAMING - From StarWars.com:  Jon Favreau to Executive Produce and Write Live-Action Star Wars Series

From YahooEntertainment:  Jon Favreau hired for 'Star Wars' series: Why fans have mixed feelings
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COMIC BOOKS - From StarWars:  How Dark Empire Kickstarted Star Wars Comics for a New Generation

TELEVISION - From CinemaBlend:  Could "Star Wars Resistance" be the next "Star Wars" animated or first live-action TV series?

FRANCHISE - From PopSugar:  All the Details We Have on the Upcoming Star Wars Films

EPISODE IX - From BleedingCool:  J.J. Abrams says he has a script for "Star Wars: Episode 9," and a start date for production.

THE FORCE AWAKEN - From DenofGeek:  New tidbits about "The Force Awakens," including an earlier different title for the film.

A NEW HOPE - From Oscars.org:   Myth-making: STAR WARS and the Art of Advertising

NEW FILMS - From Movieweb:  Will there be two "Star Wars" per year?

NEW FILMS - From StarWars:  "Game of Thones" creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, write and produce a new series of Star Wars films.  These films will be separate from the episodic Skywalker saga and the recently announced Rian Johnson trilogy.

CHARACTERS - From CinemaBlend:  More "Expanded Universe" characters may soon become canon, as "Grand Admiral Thrawn."

CARRIE FISHER - From USMagazine:  Carrie Fisher posthumously won the Grammy Award for "Best Spoken Word Album" at the 60th Grammy Awards for the audio version of her 2016 memoir, "The Princess Diarist."

OBI-WAN - From YahooEntertainment:  After winning a Golden Globe for his performance in the FX (mini) series, "Fargo," Ewan McGregor was backstage to speak with the press and got grilled about playing Obi-Wan Kenobi.

EPISODE 9 - From YahooEntertainment:  How 'Star Wars: Episode IX' can give Princess Leia the ending she deserves

FRANCHISE - From TheNewYorker:  A Field Guide to the Musical Leitmotifs of “Star Wars”

ORIGINAL TRILOGY - From DenofGeek:  The secrecy of the Star Wars films apparently drove a wedge between Darth Vader actor, David Prowse, and Lucasfilm.

NEW TRILOGY - From TheScotsman:  The new Star Wars trilogy, to be created by Rian Johnson, is set to begin filming Summer 2018 in Scotland... according to this website.