MUMBAI: Here we bring exciting updates from Hollywood industry to keep you amused. Read on
Weinstein issues 'strange' denial to Gwyneth Paltrow's story
Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood mogul arrested on rape charges last May, has responded to a story on actress Gwyneth Paltrow's Shakespeare in Love casting story.
The profile centres on Paltrow in the 20 years since winning the Academy Award for best actress for Shakespeare in Love, produced by Weinstein.
In the story, Paltrow talked about Weinstein's bullying ways and how she had to stand up to him. And in 2017, in an interview with the New York Times, Paltrow joined dozens of women who accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct.
Weinstein has not commented on the allegation, and is kept out of spotlight on a $1 million bail. But he decided to weigh in on an anecdote from Paltrow about the casting of Joseph Fiennes as the lead of Shakespeare in Love, reports leading publication.
"At the last minute, Harvey wanted Ben Affleck to take over and play Shakespeare. I said, ‘No, you can't do that. You have to have an English person'," Paltrow had then told leading publication.
Weinstein eventually conceded, and Affleck joined the cast as Ned Alleyn. The film's director, John Madden, and producer, Donna Gigliotti, both confirmed that Weinstein suggested Affleck to portray Shakespeare.
Weinstein decided to issue a statement, denying that he ever thought of Affleck for the role.
Weinstein wrote in a statement, "Gwyneth Paltrow is an excellent actor and a fantastic person, who does so well when on the right project. The only other contenders for the role of Will Shakespeare were Russell Crowe and Ethan Hawke, no one else. Ben Affleck did a terrific job as Ned Alleyn, which is the role he was considered for."
Juda Engelmayer, Weinstein's current representative, prefaced the quote with a lengthy rant, reported leading publication.
Engelmayer wrote, "Just to ask - why wouldn't you ask us anything here. When will the media go around about shit about Harvey fade out and when will actual reporting and investigating become something revered again? When Paltrow says, ‘A movie is not going to be successful if it's not a good movie, not like that,' you take it as gospel, but when someone accuses Harvey of shenanigans the same sentiment is ignored in place of something more sinister, why is that? Just as a good movie is a good movie, if someone is a good actor, you can't keep her or him down.
"If someone is a box office draw, a good agency and good actor will get chosen for a role - blacklisting someone is just a bullshit idea convenient to beat the drum against Weinstein with."
In total, dozens of women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, and two of those allegations have led to criminal charges. Weinstein pled not guilty.
Kelsey Grammer wants civility after backlash over Trump support
Actor Kelsey Grammer has urged critics to be reasonable when talking about his political beliefs after his vocal support for US President Donald Trump turned him into a target for ridicule on social media.
The former Frasier star known for his conservative beliefs, fears liberals jump to attack him before taking stock of what he says, reports leading publication.
He said, "(The reaction) surprises me but I'm a reasoned, thoughtful guy, so I'm not going to say stuff that doesn't make some sense.
"It's not like I'm going to embarrass myself in the midst of it but I think it's nice for us to exchange ideas about things and I will continue to do it in a polite way and that is really where we are falling down lately - civility, simple civility."
At the launch event for Man of La Mancha - his new West End production in London, Grammer said there were too many "brats" on Instagram and Twitter, who have never been taught manners.
"Lives have been saved by good table manners.
"I think if we could just get our kids to reinstate proper politeness we would go a long way to resolving a lot of the bitterness in the stuff that goes on, but it's fallen out of fashion. I think it can be reinvented though. I think it can be reintroduced and be successful because it's great, civility is fantastic."
Meanwhile, Grammer said that the backlash he has received for his support of President Trump has not stopped him supporting the leader, insisting he agrees with many of his policies.
"I don't have a lot of problems with what he (Trump) is doing," he said.
"He's a bit of a brat, I guess you could say, and that is astounding for people, especially (those) who come from the more liberal side of politics, (because) they are used to being the brats and so they have never had anybody come back at them the same way."
End of an era: Fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld dead at 85
Globally popular German haute couture icon Karl Lagerfeld, associated with luxury fashion brands Chanel and Fendi, died here on Tuesday at 85. The global fashion and showbiz community has mourned the demise of the designer, known for impeccable personal style, an evolving design sensibility as well as knack for making controversial statements.
A statement issued on Lagerfeld's official Instagram account confirmed the news of his demise.
"The House of Karl Lagerfeld shares, with deep emotion and sadness, the passing of its creative director Karl Lagerfeld on 19 February 2019 in Paris, France. He was one of the most influential and celebrated designers of the 21st century and an iconic, universal symbol of style.
"Driven by a phenomenal sense of creativity, Karl was passionate, powerful and intensely curious. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as one of the greatest designers of our time, and there are no words to express how much he will be missed," the official statement read.
Lagerfeld was battling pancreatic cancer, reported leading publication.
Pete Davidson cancels gig at the last minute
Stand-up comedian Pete Davidson pulled out of a show just a day before it was supposed to go on.
The Saturday Night Live star was due to perform at a New Jersey theatre at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, and at 6 p.m. on Monday, the theatre contacted ticket holders to say the show had been cancelled due to an "unforeseen conflict", reports leading publication.
Adding to the intrigue, the sold-out show was only announced on Friday.
"WTF! The gig was just announced," said a comedy fan. "Maybe there was a conflict. Maybe not. But to postpone the gig 25 hours before showtime because of a conflict?"
Davidson suffered a break-up with fiancee Ariana Grande and had to take time off from "SNL" after tweeting, "I really don't want to be on this earth anymore" in December last year.
Henry Golding silent on replacing Craig as James Bond
Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding has maintained silence amidst speculations that he is replacing actor Daniel Craig as James Bond in Bond 26.
When leading publication spoke to Golding about the buzz, he said, "I couldn't possibly say anything about that."
Earlier, it was reported that current Bond star Craig will not be a part of Bond 26, due to which rumours started that actors like Idris Elba or Golding may step into Craig's shoes.
Craig is a part of Bond 25, scheduled to release on 8 April 2020.
Queen to perform at Oscars 2019
Rock band Queen will perform at the upcoming 91st Academy Awards ceremony, with Adam Lambert on vocals.
The Motion Picture Academy made the announcement on social media on Monday, reports leading publication.
The move comes in the wake of the blockbuster success of Bohemian Rhapsody, the biopic about the band and its late singer, Freddie Mercury. The film is nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture.
The band now performs under the name Queen + Adam Lambert, with two of the four original members - guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor - fronted by former American Idol star Lambert, who has won critical applause in his role as the group's frontman over the past few years. Bassist John Deacon has not performed with Queen for many years.
The telecast's producers were known to have reached out to representatives for the film and the band early in the planning process to try to procure Queen for the opening slot of the show.
The 91st Academy Awards will be held on 24 February here and will air in India on Star Movies.
(Source: IANS)
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