MUMBAI: For all the Hollywood film-buffs, here we bring some interesting updates. Take a look...

Read on to know more about the news and fresh happenings from the world of Hollywood

William Sadler joins 'Alice Fades Away'

Actor William Sadler will star in Ryan Bliss directorial Alice Fades Away.

Being jointly produced by Bliss, Anthony Ambrosino, Andrew James, and Janine Moore, the film centres on a troubled woman in the 1950s New England stumbling upon an isolated farmhouse and being taken in by its idealistic residents - until a murderous figure from her past arrives, reports of leading publication.

The film is Bliss' feature directorial debut. The production recently shot scenes at the Great House on Castle Hill in Massachusetts.

Apart from Sadler, the film also features actors like Ashley Shelton, Blanche Baker, Paxton Singleton and Joanna Pickering.

We wanted to explore good, bad of Internet: Ralph Breaks the Internet co-director

Along with a heart-warming tale of friendship, Ralph Breaks the Internet puts the spotlight on the dark side of the Internet, and co-director Phil Johnston says they wanted to explore the good and bad of the virtual world with the animated film.

With Ralph Breaks the Internet, Johnston along with Rich Moore is bringing the second chapter from the story of the adventures of Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz, on the big screen once again.

The sequel of Wreck-It Ralph balances between the good and bad. Though the core theme revolves around the emotions of friendship, it doesn't shy away from tackling important social issues like bullying and online trolling.

"The Internet sort of invites a lot of issues to be dealt with. Because there are so many things that are right with it and so many things which are wrong with it," Johnston told by the media in an exclusive interview here.

"We wanted to explore both sides of it. Both the things that are remarkable and amazing, the friendships that can be formed in the online community but also the more toxic elements like bullying and trolling and things like viruses -- the darker side of the Internet."

Johnston thinks "a movie which is about friendship particularly with one of the friends being insecure with self-doubt facing Internet does allow you to explore some of the more complicated sides of human emotions from joy to sorrow".

"I think the Internet does allow you to tackle things that might be difficult to do in a movie that takes place in real world," he added.

This time, Ralph and Vanellope go on a journey to explore the world of Internet, where they hope to find a replacement steering wheel for Vanellope's own racing game, the arcade classic Sugar Rush. The Walt Disney Animation Studios' project will release in India on 23 November.

Talking about the second instalment, the director said, "We didn't start thinking seriously about making a sequel unless we had a good story. But we had a concept on one of the great thing -- Internet. What will the movie be about came to us when we were re-watching the first movie."

He continued, "The first part had a sweet ending. But the more we thought about it, it seemed a little emotionally unhealthy that Ralph feels this way. What if the other person doesn't think of him as a best friend? What would happen if Vanellope didn't love him? How would Ralph feel without her? What will that do to him?

"And that is when we realised that Ralph has a lot of growing and maturing to do. And we felt that there is another story to be told."

What about the third part?

"It is interesting that when we finished the first movie we thought that was it. We are done and story has been told. And then with a little bit distance from it, we found this story. I think right now it feels to me that these two movies serve as a very nice and complete story of a friendship that goes from childhood into adulthood -- even though our characters' ages are sort of irrelevant -- but that is how I think about it right now.

"I personally can't think of another story that I am eager to tell. But I am also tried and maybe after some time off, I can think about it," said Johnston, who has also worked on Zootopia , Cedar Rapids and A Merry Friggin' Christmas.

Ariana Grande blasts Piers Morgan over 'nudity' comments

Singer Ariana Grande has slammed journalist Piers Morgan for passing offensive remarks against her and the Little Mix musical band.

The feud started a few days ago when Morgan criticised the band members and said that they use nudity to sell their albums, reports by the leading publication.

Morgan's comments offended a large number of people including Ariana's mother, Joan Grande.

Joan came to Little Mix's defence before criticising Morgan for his previous remarks about talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. She said, "Honestly what is wrong with you Piers Morgan? Didn't your mother ever teach you, if you have nothing nice to say, don't say it!

You came for The Ellen Show yesterday which was disgraceful, she is an angel. Little Mix today, did you ever hear of paying homage? And...well never mind."

Morgan quickly responded to Joan, calling DeGeneres a hypocrite, and denouncing both Little Mix and Ariana for using their nudity to sell albums.

Later the journalist's tweet prompted a series of posts from Ariana herself, during which the pop star praised DeGeneres before defending the use of her own sexuality and signing off with the title of her latest single, "Thank you, next".

"Ellen is an incredible and kind human being... I use my talent and my sexuality all the time because I choose to. Women can be sexual, naked and dignified. it's our choice and we will keep fighting til people understand, Ariana tweeted.

Ariana ended the conversation by calling out Morgan's double standards by sharing his tweet of a semi-nude photograph of himself in front of a fireplace.

"When you do it, it's ok?," she added.

Dan Fogler's surreal reason to be in ‘Fantastic Beasts'

Actor Dan Fogler says it is surreal to be part of the Fantastic Beasts franchise.

"It is surreal for different reasons. For the first one, meeting J.K. Rowling was like ‘oh my God' moment. She is superstar and a genius," Fogler told by the media here.

"Now, when I see her I am taken aback because she sees me and goes ‘Hi, Dan' and gives me a hug. And I am thinking I am on her mind and she is thinking about my character and knows me. It is just like a certain gift which keep popping up as life goes along," he added.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is the second in the planned five movies spin-off franchise from the Harry Potter films. The first part Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them came out in 2016.

With the franchise, Rowling went back in time to introduce a thriving world of magic, magical creatures and wizards in New York. It brought forward new characters like Tina, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp), Queenie (Alison Sudol) and Jacob Kowalski (Fogler).

In the series, Jacob is a 'no-maj' -- a term used for the person without any magical abilities. He stumbles upon the magical world with Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), and decides to continue on the mysterious path despite the twists and turns. The Warner Bros project released in India on 16 November.

LFO singer Devin Lima dead

Pop band LFO singer Devin Lima is dead. He was 41.

He died early Wednesday morning after a year-long battle with stage 4 cancer, the band's publicist confirmed to leading publication.

"It is with a truly broken heart that that I confirm that Harold ‘Devin' Lima passed away early this morning after a valiant battle with caner," LFO's Brad Fischetti said in a statement.

Fischetti added, "Devin, as the world knows him, was an extraordinary talent, a doting father to his six children, and a loving partner to their mother. He was a beloved son and brother and a friend to so many. On behalf of the LFO family, thank you for the tremendous outpouring of love from friends, family, fans, media, and those in the music industry.

"A few days before he passed away, he said to me, ‘Bro, when it is over, just tell them I disappeared.' My friends - Harold ‘Devin' Lima has disappeared."

LFO, which gained popularity in the 1990s, consisted of Lima and Fischetti.

The pop group was initially a trio, with lead singer Rich Cronin, but disbanded in 2010 after his death to leukemia at the age of 35.

Lima (born Harold Lima) and Fischetti reunited and resumed touring in 2017. They recently released their first new song in 15 years, Perfect 10.

The duo was set to commence touring earlier this year, but put their plans on hold when Lima was hospitalized in late 2017 after doctors discovered a tumour "the size of a football" on his adrenal gland. The cancer spread to Lima's kidney, which had to be removed.

My responsibility is to tell stories: ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald' star

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald star Callum Turner says he wants to use cinema to narrate stories which help people escape the reality.

"We, as actors, come under the bracket of entertainer and storyteller. We tell stories everyday whether it is through jokes, stories or just one line. So my responsibility is to tell stories that people can relate to, understand," Turner told by media in an exclusive interview here.

"Stories which enlighten people, make them laugh, cry or scare them or help them escape. I love watching films to escape," he added.

Hailing from London's affluent Chelsea, Turner wanted to pursue a career in soccer, but instead entered the glitzy world.

How did the transition happen?

"When I was younger, I was an athlete. I think there are similarities in acting and that were luring to me. It is also a performance based thing."

He walked into the industry as a model, and gradually found his way in front of the camera. He got noticed for his performance in Queen & Country, Green Room, Tramps, Human Beings, Victor Frankenstein, Assassin's Creed and The Only Living Boy in New York.

"For me, I love films. I have grown up watching films so I just wanted to be in films. I started working at 21. I got my first proper job when I was 22. I kept following my nose and got one thing and then another. I started working with people who are really inspiring, and started learning from them and maturing as an actor."

Turner has now joined the fantastical world of Harry Potter with prequel series Fantastic Beasts.

With the franchise, J.K Rowling went back in time to introduce a thriving world of magic, magical creatures and wizards in New York. The Warner Bros project brought forward new characters like Tina, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp), Queenie (Alison Sudol) and Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler). Turner essays role of Newt's elder brother Theseus Scamander.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is the second in the planned five movies spin-off franchise from the Harry Potter films. The first part Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them came out in 2016. The second instalment released in India on 16 November.

Turner says the role in the franchise came with some responsibilities.

"There was not pressure (of joining the franchise). Because pressure is for nurses, doctors and firefighters. This comes with responsibility. I was incredibly nervous to join the ranks of so many brilliant people across the board.

"But that comes with great excitement and sense of achievement. Then you have to forget everything and focus on the job and find the truth and the essence of the person you are playing and hand it over to David Yates."

Talking about the global popularity of the franchise, he said, "The communication and relationship the people who love these movies is magic and spell binding. I have never experienced something like this. It is such a nice thing to have. The love actually revitalises you and gives you energy to go forward."

How will the story unfold in the third part?

"I don't know. I am fascinated to see where it is going to go."

'Creed II' will surprise Indians: Director

Director Steven Caple Jr. is confident that Indians will love Creed II.

"I think they (Indians) will be surprised. They will watch a film which is not just about boxing movie. There is lot of heart in the film, a lot of emotions surrounding these fights," Caple Jr. said in a statement to the media.

"There is happiness and lot of Rocky moments and classic moments that we all love," he added.

Creed II is a sports drama film, which will release in India on 30 November. It will premiere on the small screen on Movies NOW channel next year.

Creed II is a sequel to Creed and the eighth instalment in the Rocky film series. It also stars Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Dolph Lundgren, Phylicia Rashad, Andre Ward, Wood Harris, Brigitte Nielsen and Milo Ventimiglia.

Stallone and Lundgren are reprising their roles of Rocky and Drago from the film Rocky IV. Ryan Coogler, who directed the first franchise of Creed, returns as an executive producer on Creed II.

The film, being brought to India by Warner Bros Pictures, follows Adonis Creed training in order to defeat the son of Ivan Drago, the powerful athlete who killed his father in the ring more than 30 years prior.

Talking about working with Sylvester, he said, "I remember talking to him for the first time and he said that I can't wait to get to Philadelphia so that I can start getting into the Rocky mode. So, I can see him going through this whole transition. He had his ball out, so he walked around with his ball in the hotel room, just getting back to the Rocky mode. And then on the sets, I think he just knows his characters really well.

"It's just a matter of not standing in his way and giving him just some direction for his scenes. Also, the best of him comes out when he improves and when he is in the moment. So, I think for me it was just creating an atmosphere for him and whoever was in the scene with him to be comfortable and allow him to do his thing."

Octavia Spencer's contribution to 'Green Book'

Director Peter Farrelly says actress Octavia Spencer brought thoughtful sensitivity to Green Book.

Spencer was on board as executive producer for Green Book.

"Octavia brought to the project her unique insights and thoughtful sensitivity," Farrelly said in a statement.

"She is so gifted as an actress, but also a storyteller, and her insights about complex relationships between disparate personalities were invaluable. She had palpable enthusiasm for telling this story, and we feel very fortunate for her involvement," he added.

The film is based on a true story of friendship and relationship between working class Italian-American bouncer who becomes a driver of an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960's American South.

The film is not a biopic but is inspired by the story about friendship between Donald Shirley, an erudite African-American pianist and his white chauffer Tony Lip.

Anil D. Ambani-led Reliance Entertainment will release the movie in India. It will release on 23 November.

Drew Barrymore bans kids' acting for now

Actress Drew Barrymore refuses to let her children - Frankie, four, and Olive, six - go into acting just yet but would be so supportive if they wanted to do it later on in life.

Barrymore told reports suggest so.  "I'm not going to let them be kid actors. That's so not their journey. If they want to be actors later in life, I would be so supportive of it. Can you imagine me being a mom who is pushing her kids out there? That's not going to happen."

The 43-year-old actress' children are "both very good builders".

"Frankie's really into Legos right now, which I'm really excited about because I mistakenly thought it was a boy's toy and it turns out she's really good at it. Her sister's really good at Magna-Tiles. They are both very good builders," she said.

(Source : IANS)