Movies
The next movie in the 'Star Wars Story' franchise will feature Obi-Wan Kenobi -- but it ain't an origin story ... far from it actually. According to a newly released production bulletin -- obtained by TMZ -- Disney's next foray into their spin-off series appears to be called "Obi-Wan: A Star Wars Story," with a working title of "Joshua Tree." "Return of the Jedi" also used a code name ... "Blue Harvest." The synopsis reads as follows ... Obi-Wan is on Tatooine being an elusive hermit and stuff, but secretly watches over an infant Luke Skywalker, whom he delivered to his uncle, Owen. Tensions between the local farmers and a tribe of Sand People -- headed by a ruthless war chief -- eventually brings Obi outta hiding ... and into Jedi kickass mode. Scene. The bulletin lists Stephen Daldry as the director -- he'd been rumored to be in talks for the film, and now it looks like he's attached. The movie's shooting in London at a well-known 'Star Wars' studio, recently used for 'The Last Jedi.' Production is set to begin next spring. Here's the kicker (maybe) ... fans have been clamoring online for Ewan McGregor to reprise the role of (then-young, now-older) Obi, and he recently said he'd be open to it, but hadn't heard a peep from Lucasfilm ... yet. *These aren't the theories you're looking for.* (TMZ)
Ben Whishaw Says He's "Not Sure" if 'Paddington 3' Will Happen. The actor -- who voices the titular bear -- is set to appear in upcoming miniseries 'A Very English Scandal' for Amazon/BBC. Ben Whishaw, who has voiced Paddington Bear in two critically acclaimed and hugely successful Paddington films, has said he's unsure if a third installment of the family franchise will come about. "I would be up for one, but I think Paul King, who is the writer and the director and instrumental in making those films what they were, I think he quite rightly needs a break," he said, speaking before a London screening of the Amazon and BBC miniseries A Very English Scandal. "It's a tremendous amount of work that goes into those films, so I'm not sure if it will happen. Or, if it does, I'm not sure when it will happen." Both Paddington films combined have brought in nearly $500 million in box office worldwide, with King now tapped to direct an adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for Warner Bros. "I can't imagine doing it without Paul. For me, he's the films," Whishaw said. "He's a bit like Paddington Bear himself, I dunno if I could do it without him." One film franchise looking more certain is James Bond, in which Whishaw has played the character Q since 2012's Skyfall. Danny Boyle looks set to direct the next, the 25th, 007 offering, although Whishaw admitted he hadn't spoken to him about the as-yet-untitled project "Nothing yet. But I think it's not happening until the end of the year, so I have no idea. I know as much as you do!," he said. "I believe I'm contracted to be in it. That's as much as I know." But he said he was enthused that Boyle was the choice as the next director. "I was thrilled when I read that he was going to be doing it," he said. "I can't think of a better, more exciting director for Daniel [Craig], for the way that he's taken the character. I think it'll be really exciting to work with him. I've been such a big fan." The 25th Bond is expected to start shooting after Boyle completes a musical comedy written by Richard Curtis for Working Title films. In the three-part A Very English Scandal, directed by Academy Award nominee Stephen Frears (The Queen, Philomena), Whishaw stars alongside fellow Paddington alum Hugh Grant. The story details the real-life affair between British politician Jeremy Thorpe (Grant) and young stablehand Norman Scott (Whishaw) in the 1960s and how its aftermath rocked the U.K. political scene. A Very English Scandal airs on the BBC on Sunday and Amazon later this month. (Hollywood Reporter)
In Whitney Houston Doc, Friends Claim Late Singer Was Molested by Dee Dee Warwick. The allegations surfaced in Kevin Macdonald's new film, 'Whitney,' which premiered at the Cannes film festival. Friends of Whitney Houston allege the singer was molested as a child by her cousin Dee Dee Warwick in a documentary that premiered Thursday at the Cannes Film Festival. Houston's longtime assistant Mary Jones tells filmmaker Kevin Macdonald that the late singer told her that Warwick, the sister of Dionne Warwick, molested her at a young age. Houston's brother Gary Garland-Houston also says he was molested between the ages of seven and nine by a female family member, and says his sister was abused too. Dee Dee Warwick, who was 18 years older than Houston, died in 2008. The allegations were made in the documentary Whitney, which was made with the cooperation of Houston's family. The revelations, which come about three quarters of the way into Whitney, immediately cast a new light on the troubled life of Houston. Jones claims that the experience made Houston question her own sexuality and contributed to her late-life drug problems. The singer died at the age of 48 in 2012 from what was ruled an accidental drowning in a bathtub. A coroner's report into her death cited heart disease and drug use as contributing factors. She never spoke publicly about her own alleged abuse. "We always wanted our film to be a corrective to that tabloid story," said producer Simon Chinn. "These are specific revelations that I think will get people to a deeper understanding of who Whitney was and in many ways redeem her as a person." Dee Dee Warwick was the niece of Houston's mother, Cissy Houston. The Warwick sisters sometimes sang in Cissy Houston's gospel group, the Drinkard Singers. Dee Dee Warwick, who was twice nominated for a Grammy Award, sang backup for Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin and others. Whitney, which is to be released in theaters July 6, suggests that the alleged incidents of abuse took place while Cissy Houston was touring. Houston, who had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, with Bobby Brown, is said to have insisted on taking Bobbi on tour with her. Bobbi Kristina died 2015. She was found unresponsive in a bathtub and died after being in a coma for six months. Representatives for Dionne Warwick didn't immediately return messages Thursday. (Hollywood Reporter)
Ben Whishaw Says He's "Not Sure" if 'Paddington 3' Will Happen. The actor -- who voices the titular bear -- is set to appear in upcoming miniseries 'A Very English Scandal' for Amazon/BBC. Ben Whishaw, who has voiced Paddington Bear in two critically acclaimed and hugely successful Paddington films, has said he's unsure if a third installment of the family franchise will come about. "I would be up for one, but I think Paul King, who is the writer and the director and instrumental in making those films what they were, I think he quite rightly needs a break," he said, speaking before a London screening of the Amazon and BBC miniseries A Very English Scandal. "It's a tremendous amount of work that goes into those films, so I'm not sure if it will happen. Or, if it does, I'm not sure when it will happen." Both Paddington films combined have brought in nearly $500 million in box office worldwide, with King now tapped to direct an adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for Warner Bros. "I can't imagine doing it without Paul. For me, he's the films," Whishaw said. "He's a bit like Paddington Bear himself, I dunno if I could do it without him." One film franchise looking more certain is James Bond, in which Whishaw has played the character Q since 2012's Skyfall. Danny Boyle looks set to direct the next, the 25th, 007 offering, although Whishaw admitted he hadn't spoken to him about the as-yet-untitled project "Nothing yet. But I think it's not happening until the end of the year, so I have no idea. I know as much as you do!," he said. "I believe I'm contracted to be in it. That's as much as I know." But he said he was enthused that Boyle was the choice as the next director. "I was thrilled when I read that he was going to be doing it," he said. "I can't think of a better, more exciting director for Daniel [Craig], for the way that he's taken the character. I think it'll be really exciting to work with him. I've been such a big fan." The 25th Bond is expected to start shooting after Boyle completes a musical comedy written by Richard Curtis for Working Title films. In the three-part A Very English Scandal, directed by Academy Award nominee Stephen Frears (The Queen, Philomena), Whishaw stars alongside fellow Paddington alum Hugh Grant. The story details the real-life affair between British politician Jeremy Thorpe (Grant) and young stablehand Norman Scott (Whishaw) in the 1960s and how its aftermath rocked the U.K. political scene. A Very English Scandal airs on the BBC on Sunday and Amazon later this month. (Hollywood Reporter)
In Whitney Houston Doc, Friends Claim Late Singer Was Molested by Dee Dee Warwick. The allegations surfaced in Kevin Macdonald's new film, 'Whitney,' which premiered at the Cannes film festival. Friends of Whitney Houston allege the singer was molested as a child by her cousin Dee Dee Warwick in a documentary that premiered Thursday at the Cannes Film Festival. Houston's longtime assistant Mary Jones tells filmmaker Kevin Macdonald that the late singer told her that Warwick, the sister of Dionne Warwick, molested her at a young age. Houston's brother Gary Garland-Houston also says he was molested between the ages of seven and nine by a female family member, and says his sister was abused too. Dee Dee Warwick, who was 18 years older than Houston, died in 2008. The allegations were made in the documentary Whitney, which was made with the cooperation of Houston's family. The revelations, which come about three quarters of the way into Whitney, immediately cast a new light on the troubled life of Houston. Jones claims that the experience made Houston question her own sexuality and contributed to her late-life drug problems. The singer died at the age of 48 in 2012 from what was ruled an accidental drowning in a bathtub. A coroner's report into her death cited heart disease and drug use as contributing factors. She never spoke publicly about her own alleged abuse. "We always wanted our film to be a corrective to that tabloid story," said producer Simon Chinn. "These are specific revelations that I think will get people to a deeper understanding of who Whitney was and in many ways redeem her as a person." Dee Dee Warwick was the niece of Houston's mother, Cissy Houston. The Warwick sisters sometimes sang in Cissy Houston's gospel group, the Drinkard Singers. Dee Dee Warwick, who was twice nominated for a Grammy Award, sang backup for Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin and others. Whitney, which is to be released in theaters July 6, suggests that the alleged incidents of abuse took place while Cissy Houston was touring. Houston, who had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, with Bobby Brown, is said to have insisted on taking Bobbi on tour with her. Bobbi Kristina died 2015. She was found unresponsive in a bathtub and died after being in a coma for six months. Representatives for Dionne Warwick didn't immediately return messages Thursday. (Hollywood Reporter)
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