Scarlett Johansson Off To Broadway.

Scarlett Johansson is guaranteed a minimum of $40,000 a week (NZ $48,000) to add a dose of sex and glamour to the battered Broadway season in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, according to offering papers distributed to investors.
The base weekly pay for Broadway actors is $1754 (NZ $2102). The offering papers illustrate how celebrities are rewarded and still have an incentive to fill seats.
The Tennessee Williams revival begins previews on December 18. By then, two new plays and one musical will have made hasty exits, with Chaplin due to close on January 6.

The 28-year-old movie star, playing the seductive and neglected wife Maggie, can earn more should Cat sell. She won't match Al Pacino's $125,000 (NZ $150,000) salary for Glengarry Glen Ross unless Cat becomes a Glengarry-scale hit, according to Roof Theatricals LP papers obtained by Bloomberg News.
Johansson won a Tony Award for her 2010 Broadway debut, a revival of Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge directed by Gregory Mosher, in which she co-starred with Liev Schreiber.
"People really want to see Scarlett Johansson," said Annette Niemtzow, a producer on Leap of Faith and Frost/Nixon who isn't involved with Cat. "She's proved her chops and they want to see how she'll do in a starring role. Maggie the cat is one of the great sexual roles."
General manager and producer Stuart Thompson - a publicity-shy expat Australian whom Johansson called "the classiest man in show business" during her Tony acceptance speech - is mounting the $3.6 million (NZ $4.3 million) revival with a cast of 18 and five understudies. Weekly sales must average $750,211 (NZ $899,000), excluding credit card commissions, to repay investors over the 15-week run, according to the partnership's preliminary estimates.
The Richard Rodgers Theatre could gross $1.2 million a week (NZ $1.4 million) over eight performances, even before accounting for premium seats in the first 16 rows currently as dear as $240 (NZ $287).
(Producers often raise premium prices on hit shows during a run. Discounted tickets as low as $55 (NZ $66) are available for Cat in the rear mezzanine.)
Glengarry - the biggest hit of the flop-filled fall - grossed $1.2 million (NZ 1.4 million) over eight performances in the week ended December 9. Its top ticket price has been as high as $377 (NZ $451).
Thompson and Johansson declined to comment through a production spokesman, Susanne Tighe.

Lada Gaga buys MJ's items

Costumes worn by Michael Jackson commanded hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction, and Lady Gaga was among the collectors.
Gaga tweeted Sunday that she bought 55 pieces in the sale administered by Julien's Auctions and said she plans to keep the items ''archived and expertly cared for in the spirit and love of Michael Jackson, his bravery and fans worldwide.''
Auctioneer Darren Julien said the jacket Jackson wore during his ''Bad'' tour fetched $240,000.
Two of Jackson's crystal-encrusted gloves sold for more than $100,000 each, as did other jackets and performance costumes.
The auction featuring the collection of Jackson's longtime costume designers Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush raised more than $5 million. Some proceeds benefited Guide Dogs of America and Nathan Adelson Hospice of Las Vegas

Nelson Mandela Down With Lung Infection.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela, who is 94 and has been in hospital since Saturday for tests, has suffered a recurrence of a lung infection but is responding to treatment, the government says.
The revered anti-apartheid leader and Nobel Peace laureate is spending his fourth day in a hospital in the South African capital Pretoria. He remains a hero to many of South Africa's 52 million people and two brief stretches in hospital in the last two years made front page news.
"Doctors have concluded the tests, and these have revealed a recurrence of a previous lung infection, for which Madiba is receiving appropriate treatment and he is responding to the treatment," the government said in a statement.
Mandela, whose clan name is 'Madiba', was admitted to the Pretoria military hospital on Saturday after being flown from his home village of Qunu, which is in a remote, rural part of the Eastern Cape province.
Until now, South African authorities had given few details about the reason for his latest visit to hospital.
In an interview late on Monday (local time) with South Africa's eNCA television channel, Mandela's Mozambican-born wife Graca said the former president's "sparkle" was fading.
When he was admitted to hospital on Saturday, officials stressed there was no cause for concern although domestic media reports suggested senior members of the government and people close to him had been caught unawares.

Study Says Bond Movies Are Twice As Violent

An Otago University study shows recent James Bond movies are more than twice as violent as earlier films in the series.
The researchers believe the rise in violence in the Bond movies is indicative of increasing levels of violence in films more generally, and they are worried about the impact on viewers, particularly younger members of the audience.
They analysed 22 official Bond franchise films from Dr No in 1962 to Quantum of Solace in 2008, counting 109 violent acts in the first film compared to 250 in the latter.
Portrayals of severe violence, which would be likely to cause death or injury if they happened in real life, rose even more sharply, with nearly three times as many acts of severe violence in Quantum of Solace as in Dr No.
The latest film in the Bond series, Skyfall, is not included as it was not released at the time the study was carried out.
Study co-author associate professor Bob Hancox of the university's department of preventive and social medicine said the increasingly violent nature of the movies was concerning.

Another Harry Potter Movie In The Making.

A ninth instalment in the Harry Potter series is being made... but it will be a 'mini-movie', to be shown at the franchise's theme parks.

Stars of the original films have been shooting scenes at the Harry Potter studios in Hertfordshire, according to reports.




Brit actress Helena Bonham Carter has been spotted on set, reprising her role of Bellatrix Lestrange for the project.

A source told The Sun that 'the cast have really enjoyed getting back together - they are so tight-knit'.

“The shooting schedule is nowhere near as long as the films, so though filming has been intense, the stars have enjoyed being able to pop in and out,” the source added.

The finished film will be shown at 'The Wizarding World of Harry Potter' in Florida, and at the two new Hogwarts theme parks which are currently under construction in California and Japan.

They're set to open in 2014 and 2016.

The final film in the Potter series, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two', was released in July 2011.

Silly Pictures Of Chioma Chukwuka

She may have been off the screen for a while but Nollywood actress, Chioma Chukwuka Apotha still has her game on.

The 32-year-old mother recently posted on Twitter, pictures of herself having a nice time behind the camera and distorting her face.

Chukwuka-Apotha started acting in year 2000 in the movie, The Handkerchief. She has since featured in over 50 movies.

She is presently on set of a yet-to-be titled movie with Mike Ezuoronye and Ngozi Ezeonu as co-actors.

 

Eminem Headlining Leeds Music Festivals

LONDON - Eminem is the first headliner announced for next summer's twin music festivals in Reading and Leeds, England.

Organizers for the two big U.K. music events in August announced the 40-year-old hip hop star's return after more than a decade, with further names to be added later.
Black Sabbath, Blur, Arctic Monkeys and Green Day have been among the big-name acts rumored to be in the running for the two additional headline spots.

Reading Festival 2013 and Leeds Festival will take place over the weekend of Aug. 23-25.
Eminem last played Reading and Leeds in 2001 following the release of his first hit album "The Marshall Mathers LP." That year, Marilyn Manson joined him on stage to sing their hit "The Way I Am."
The rap star joins previously announced Leeds and Reading 2013 acts Deftones, Alt-J, Sub Focus and rap/hip hop collective Boy Better Know.

The festivals will next year introduce more stages, including a hip hop stage, and add further genres of music. It is also planning an expanded dance music lineup.
A first batch of Reading and Leeds festival tickets are already on sale through year's end at reduced early prices.
The Cure, Kasabian and Foo Fighters headlined the twin festivals this year.

Lone Ranger Trailer

 

While Disney's first trailer for The Lone Ranger set the scene, a second preview released Tuesday puts stars Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp front and center.

Following a dramatic 140- to 150-day shoot, which faced budget cuts and delays, audiences caught a first glimpse of the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced, Gore Verbinski-directed film back in October when the first one-sheet and trailer debuted.
A second preview was unveiled by iTunes at the stroke of midnight, with Bruckheimer tweeting: "The new trailer is here! I hope everyone is as excited about it as I am. Tell me what you think."

In the new clip, the Lone Ranger (Hammer) awakens from a nightmare atop a treacherous cliff, later to find Tonto (Depp), who is speaking with a horse. "Why am I alive?" Hammer questions.
"Eight men rode into Canyon. I dug seven graves," says Depp. "The horse says you are a spirit walker. A man who has been to the other side and returned. A man who cannot be killed in battle. Something very wrong with that horse."
Click here to watch as Hammer puts on the iconic mask for the first time.
"People think you are dead," says Depp. "Better to stay that way."
The Lone Ranger opens nationwide July 3, 2013.

Rihanna gets Breezy tattoo!

Rihanna has reportedly inked the word "Breezy" onto her body to show her commitment to Chris Brown. According to The Sun newspaper, Riri got the tattoo earlier this week.

The newspaper reports that a source revealed: "She got it to symbolize her commitment to him. Now the world knows they're back together, they're determined to make it work."

Despite hints suggesting that they are dating, neither of the two have officially confirmed the news.

P Square To Perform In Rwanda

P-Square is set to perform in Rwanda as part of the country's ruling political party's 25th anniversary celebrations. The concert will be held at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on December 14.

D'Banj leads World Music Awards Nominations

What a year it's been for D'Banj!!! The Koko Master is up for 4 Nominations at the upcoming World Music Awards 2012 holding in Miami, Florida., "Oliver Twist" produced by Don Jazzy took him there. D'Banj will perform "Oliver Twist" on the night! . You can vote for D'Banj here.
He's nominated for:
Best African Act - (Oliver Twist)
Best Music Video - (Oliver Twist)
Best Song of the Year- (Oliver Twist)
Best World Artist - (Oliver Twist)

For more information, visit the World Music Awards official website.

Fox, James Cameron Ordered to Share Secret 'Avatar' Financials in Idea Theft Lawsuit

About a year ago, there was a mad rush to the courthouse on the part of those who claimed a piece of James Cameron's Avatar. The 2009 film is the highest-grossing of all time with nearly $2.8 billion at the worldwide box office and has two sequels on the way. Given that Hollywood studios are sued all the time on allegations of ripping off ideas, it's hardly surprising that such an enormous hit would trigger a slew of lawsuits.

In the year since various authors staked copyright and contract claims, some plaintiffs have been frustrated in their attempts to win billions (Kelly Van, Bryan Moore, Elijah Schkeiban), but two individuals have been causing Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment to sweat a little. The first is Eric Ryder, a former Lightstorm employee who claims to have written a story entitled "K.R.Z. 2068" that he says he shared with Cameron under an alleged implied contract. The case still is pending in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The second comes from Gerald Morawski, who, like Ryder -- and probably not coincidentally -- alleges some personal contact with Cameron. More details in a moment.
Lightstorm is attempting to defeat Morawski's lawsuit on summary judgment, but the plaintiff already has scored a bit of success, getting a California federal judge to order that Lightstorm and third party 20th Century Fox produce documents relating to potential damages -- not just a summary of net profits on the film but also profit-participation documents and other underlying agreements governing Avatar.
In his lawsuit, Morawski claims that he pitched a film project entitled Guardians of Eden, about an epic struggle taking place between evil mining interests that would destroy the planet to satisfy their greed and an indigenous tribe that lives at one with its rain forest environment.

Beyonce Signs $50million Deal With Pepsi

Beyonce is reteaming with Pepsi for a multi-faceted branding deal that will coincide with her performance during the Super Bowl 2013 Halftime Show, of which Pepsi is a presenting sponsor. The news of the Pepsi pact was first reported by The New York Times.

Beyonce, who has been featured in ads for Pepsi since 2002, will appear in a new commercial to debut some time during first-quarter 2013 and appear on limited-edition cans bearing her likeness starting in March. Pepsi, in turn, will sponsor a variety of unspecified creative projects for Beyonce as well as help promote the singer's upcoming fifth studio album. The multi-year partnership is valued at around $50 million in ad spend and promotional materials over several years. New music could arrive as early as Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3, as producer The-Dream told Billboard last week that Beyonce will "definitely" have a single ready as part of her performance.
As Billboard detailed in an April 30 cover story, Pepsi and its lifelong competitor Coca-Cola are the two most powerful brands in music based on their sponsorship efforts around musicians, tours and TV programs like The X Factor and American Idol. Pepsi and Coke spent $330 million and $240 million, respectively, on programs involving entertainment and sports, which Pepsi has been fusing more in recent months with campaigns starring One Direction and The New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees as well as an NFL Anthems campaign featuring Kelly Clarkson, Lenny Kravitz, Kid Rock, Aerosmith and Ice Cube.

All About Angelina Jolie's 'Salt' Sequel

Columbia Pictures is still working to put Salt back on the table

In a move signaling continued interest in a sequel to the 2010 Angelina Jolie spy movie, the studio is in negotiations to hire Becky Johnston to work on the script.

In the original, Jolie starred as a CIA officer who discovers she is a Russian sleeper cell agent with a mission to assassinate the U.S. president. Salt grossed $293.5 million worldwide, so Columbia in 2011 hired the movie’s credited writer, Kurt Wimmer, to pen a sequel.
Earlier this year, however, reports surfaced that Jolie didn’t think his script was up to snuff and had not committed to the project, which is being produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Sunil Perkash. Johnston's hiring caps off an almost year-long search for a scribe who could reconceive the script with a take that satisfied all parties.

UTA-repped Johnston is a left-of-center choice for the project as her most notable credits are the character dramas The Prince of Tides (1991), which starred Barbra Streisand, and Seven Years in Tibet (1997), which starred Jolie’s fiance Brad Pitt.
Johnston did work on Wonder Woman as well as Brad Bird’s San Francisco Earthquake project 1906 and has the Colin Firth-Emily Blunt drama Arthur Newman awaiting release next year.

American Film Institute Names Best Movies and TV Series of 2012

The American Film Institute on Monday announced its selections for the 2012 AFI Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in film and TV.

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Among its unranked selections for the 10 best movies of the year are Oscar front-runners Lincoln, Argo, Les Miserables, Zero Dark Thirty and Silver Linings Playbook. Also chosen: Moonrise Kingdom, Beasts of the Southern Wild and The Dark Knight Rises. But the institute had no love for The Weinstein Co.'s The Master, Paul Thomas Anderson's period drama loosely based on the beginnings of Scientology.
In the TV category, AMC's Mad Men was selected for a fifth time, making it the most recognized AFI Awards winner in TV. ABC's Modern Family and AMC's Breaking Bad both made the list for a fourth time. Newcomers include HBO's Girls and FX's American Horror Story, while FX's Louie, AMC's The Walking Dead and Showtime's Homeland all made second appearances.

Jack Reacher: Film Review

Jack Reacher is an old-fashioned type of guy -- he doesn’t use a cell phone or credit cards, he travels by bus -- and the first film adaptation of one of Lee Child’s Reacher novels has a correspondingly gritty, low-tech, real-muscle appeal. Tom Cruise might not be the 6-foot-5 rock described in the books, but he makes the title role fit him like a latex glove in a winning turn that could spawn a popular new franchise for the star, if public reaction to Christopher McQuarrie’s film is as strong as its fun quotient warrants.

The British television veteran Child wrote his first Reacher novel in 1997 and since then has cranked out 16 more, of which One Shot, the basis for Jack Reacher, was the ninth. The central character, an Army vet and military policeman who knows all there is to know about weapons and hand-to-hand combat, possesses the same appeal as classic Western heroes -- he’s a loner, self-sufficient, a man of few words who comes and goes without explanation -- mixed with a touch of Philip Marlowe’s tough determination to peel back layers of deception and official cant to arrive at a satisfying form of justice. He also is hard as nails physically, as he proves in fight after fight.
In short, he’s a great male fantasy figure. Happily, Cruise plays him with no fuss in a direct, pared-down way with little sense of amped-up intensity or vanity; he can even take a joke at his own expense, as when he’s

Pitch invader faces lifetime ban

Pitch invader

The Manchester City fan who ran on to the pitch to try to confront Rio Ferdinand faces a lifetime ban from the club.

Matthew Stott, 21, had to be restrained by Blues goalkeeper Joe Hart after he ran up to Ferdinand following Robin van Persie’s winning goal against City. Manchester United won 3-2 at the Etihad stadium.

Stott, from Knutsford, was arrested and charged with pitch encroachment during the high-octane game, which also saw Ferdinand struck by a coin thrown from the stands.

Stott, described by his solicitor as “not a stereotypical drunken football fan”, in a statement has apologised to Ferdinand.

But City have confirmed that the fan has had his season ticket removed for the rest of the season and faces a lifetime ban if found guilty in court of a charge of pitch encroachment, despite his apology.

“His season card has been immediately removed for the rest of the season and he has been charged to appear at court. If he is found guilty he faces a lifetime ban,” said a City spokesman.

Speaking through his solicitors, Stott apologised to Ferdinand, saying he was “extremely ashamed” of his actions.

“I would like to apologise to all those affected by my actions, particularly Mr. Ferdinand and the other players,” he said. “I am extremely ashamed of my actions. I have let myself down, my family down, my fellow fans down and Manchester City Football Club down.

“I intend to write personally to Mr. Ferdinand to express my extreme regret and apologies and also apologise to Manchester United and their fans. I would like to thank Joe Hart for his actions when I came on the pitch.”