Ronnie Barker’s spirit present during Porridge filming

OHMYGOSSIP — Ronnie Barker’s presence was felt on the set of the new ‘Porridge’ series.
Kevin Bishop – who portrays the late comedian’s character Norman Stanley Fletcher’s son Nigel ‘Fletch’ Fletcher in the remake of the BBC1 show – imagined the British TV legend, who passed away from heart failure in 2005, was there judging his acting, in order to make him proud.
The 37-year-old actor admits he was skeptical about taking on the role at first, because of how iconic Barker was.
He told the Daily Star newspaper: “My feeling doing this way always: ‘If Ronnie were watching this, would he be thinking it’s done well?’
“It’s big shoes to fill. I thought a revival might not be a good idea.
“But since it’s written by the original writers, if you like ‘Porridge’ you should like this.”
Fletch starred in a successful pilot episode of the comedy spin-off.
The show will see Fletch behind bars in Wakeley Prison after committing a number of cyber crimes.
Mark Bonnar is expected to make a return as Officer Meekie, along with Ralph Ineson and Dave Hill as inmates Richie Weeks and Joe Lotterby respectively.
Original ‘Porridge’ writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais have penned the script for the new series.
They said in a statement previously: “We’re in a state of disbelief that Porridge is coming back after all these years but Kevin Bishop is a worthy successor to Ronnie Barker. So even though we feel like recidivists, we’re more than happy to go back inside.”
Kevin is incredibly proud that the one-off episode has been extended for a full six-part series.
He said: “It was an honour to be asked to play Fletch although I never thought it would go further than just the one off homage. To be welcomed back by Porridge fans and the BBC to make a full series, is one of the proudest moments in my career. Dick and Ian are true sitcom masters and I know they’re going to write a brilliant series.”

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Jennie McAlpine pays tribute to humble Liz Dawn

OHMYGOSSIP — Jennie McAlpine has paid tribute to the incredibly humble Liz Dawn.
The ‘Coronation Street’ star – who plays Fiz on the ITV soap – has paid tribute to the late actress, who played the iconic Vera Duckworth, and spoke of how humble she always was on set.
Speaking of Liz – who sadly passed away on Monday (25.09.17) evening at the age of 77 – Jennie said: “She was very funny; she was incredibly funny to work with. I was a ‘Coronation Street’ fan as a little girl, but I was a fan of ‘Coronation Street’ because I was a fan of Vera Duckworth and Jack. I really was. So to get onto that set and be greeted by that woman was incredible. The pair of them together were dynamite.
“I very quickly realised, and anyone will tell you about Liz, she had no idea about her own talents. She was so humble and actually when you got onto the set, she’d ask you how you were, how you’d been, what you’ve been up to and then you’d do the scene second. She was really interested in who you were and then we’d do the scene. This idea of her being a legend, everybody in the country totally agrees with. She did not think that.”
Liz had suffered from ill health over the years and the 33-year-old actress admits she could never “prepare” for Liz’s passing.
Speaking on ITV’s Loose Women, she added: “You can’t prepare for something like this. My heart and ‘Coronation Street’s [heart] is with Liz’s family. She was incredibly close to her big family … Our thoughts are just with them.”
Liz passed away surrounded by her family, including husband Don Ibbotson and their children.
Soap bosses said in a statement: “It is with the greatest sadness that we have learned our beloved Liz Dawn has passed away last night. Her family at Coronation Street are heartbroken. We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy at this very sad time to Liz’s devoted husband Don, her loving children Graham, Dawn, Ann and Julie, their families and her six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. We have been blessed to have Liz in our lives, as she was such a kind, considerate and caring friend and colleague.”

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TV legend Tony Booth dies

OHMYGOSSIP — Tony Booth has died.
The ‘Til Death Us Do Part’ actor has passed away at the age of 85, his family – which included Cherie Blair, the wife of former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair – has announced in a statement.
The ‘Confessions of a Window Cleaner’ actor – who developed his passion for acting in the Army, and spent five years in repertory theatre in Paris after being posted there on military duty – had been battling Alzheimer’s since 2004 and suffered a stroke in 2010. He also suffered chronic heart problems.
The political activist was married four times – including to late ‘Coronation Street’ star Pat Phoenix – and had eight daughters.
With his first wife, Gale Howard, he had Cherie and Lyndsey, and Joanna with third wife Nancy Jaeger.
He also had Jenia and Bronwen with Julie Allen, Lucy with Ann Gannon, and Lauren and Emma with model Pamela ‘Susie’ Smith.
Tony’s fourth wife, Steph, previously spoke of how tough it was caring for the Alzheimer’s-stricken ‘Contender’ star.
She said last year: “He was always a very ebullient character, he was out there and forthright and opinionated.
“Now we’re at the stage where he’s completely passive, and that in itself is heartbreaking. The husband I had, I no longer have, because he’s just very passive.
“Sometimes I really wish he’d argue with me, just so that there was some spark of my Tony left there.
“It’s just the everyday things that you take for granted in a relationship that disappear; when you’re going to bed and you’re making sure the cat’s in and the dogs are settled, and you’ve got a glass of water…
“He is much quieter on the whole, and he can’t do conversations any more because I can say something to him and within seconds of me saying it, he’s completely forgotten what I’ve said. It’s a very lonely place to be.”

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Kevin Kennedy pays tribute to late Liz Dawn

OHMYGOSSIP — Kevin Kennedy “can only smile” when he thinks of the late Liz Dawn.
The former ‘Coronation Street’ actor – who played Curly Watts in the long-running soap from 1983 until 2003 – has paid tribute to the legendary actress following her tragic death on Monday (25.09.17) evening after a lengthy period of ill health.
Speaking via video call on ‘This Morning’ on Tuesday (26.09.17), he said: “I can only smile when I think of Liz, it’s very sad but what she’s left behind her is very valuable.”
The 56-year-old star believes Liz – who was known for portraying Vera Duckworth in the programme – made a lot of people “happy” while she was on ‘Coronation Street’ because she was able to bring comedy and seriousness together in one scene.
He explained: “She made so many people happy. She was in everyone’s living room for years and years and years. And the party she gave was immense. That’s what we have to think about today – her wonderfulness as a very funny actress.”
And, although she received so much praise over her acting ability, Kevin doesn’t think Liz really knew how good she was on screen and always doubted her talent.
He added: “She was a lot cleverer than people thought she was. And, in regards, to acting, she didn’t think she was very good. She was very humble in that respect.
“She took me under her wing and looked after me. I used to live very close to her and she was always inviting the younger cast round to her house and we used to go there and have a laugh. She was brilliant and made sure we were all OK. She was the one you could go to if you were having problems.”
Following the sad news of Liz’s death, the bosses at ‘Coronation Street’ rushed to pay tribute to her and said that the whole cast and crew were “heartbroken”.
The statement said: “It is with the greatest sadness that we have learned our beloved Liz Dawn has passed away last night.
“Her family at ‘Coronation Street’ are heartbroken. We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy at this very sad time to Liz’s devoted husband Don, her loving children Graham, Dawn, Ann and Julie, their families and her six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
“We have been blessed to have Liz in our lives, as she was such a kind, considerate and caring friend and colleague. As Coronation Street’s Vera Duckworth for 34 years, Liz brought so much joy and happiness to so many. She was a wonderful actress who will forever be a true ‘Coronation Street’ legend.”
Liz passed away at the age of 77 surrounded by her family, including husband Don Ibbotson and their three children.
Th actress had been housebound for several weeks prior to her passing, and been using a wheelchair. In June, she missed the wedding of her grandson, Thomas Borso, to Alice Coughlin in Italy after having surgery related to a heart condition.
In 2013 she had a pacemaker fitted after suffering a heart attack while on holiday in Spain.
Liz first appeared on ‘Corrie’ in 1974 and her partnership with Bill Tarmey, who played Jack Duckworth was a huge hit with fans for years.
Although her character was killed off in 2000, dying peacefully in her sleep, she made a brief reappearance as a vision to Jack as he passed away in a moving scene which saw them share one last dance. Bill died in 2012.

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Liz Dawn dies

OHMYGOSSIP — Liz Dawn has died.
The ‘Coronation Street’ legend – who played battleaxe Vera Duckworth – passed away on Monday (25.09.17) evening at the age of 77 following a lengthy period of ill health, surrounded by her family, including husband Don Ibbotson and their children.
A statement from her loved ones confirming the sad news read: “We are devastated and heartbroken at the passing of our much-loved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother, the incredible Liz Dawn.
“Liz died peacefully last night at home with her loving family around her.
“She has been the love, light and inspiration in our lives and we are bereft at her passing.”
And the news has left the entire ‘Coronation Street’ cast “heartbroken”.
Soap bosses released a statement which said: “It is with the greatest sadness that we have learned our beloved Liz Dawn has passed away last night. Her family at Coronation Street are heartbroken.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy at this very sad time to Liz’s devoted husband Don, her loving children Graham, Dawn, Ann and Julie, their families and her six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
“We have been blessed to have Liz in our lives, as she was such a kind, considerate and caring friend and colleague. As Coronation Street’s Vera Duckworth for 34 years, Liz brought so much joy and happiness to so many. She was a wonderful actress who will forever be a true Coronation Street legend.
And the soap’s executive producer, Kieran Roberts, described the actress – who suffered from lung condition emphysema and recently spent two weeks in hospital with complications – as a “legend and a wonderful person”.
He said: “Liz Dawn was a true Coronation Street legend, a brilliant actor and a wonderful person. Everyone lucky enough to have worked with Liz during her thirty-four years playing Corrie icon Vera Duckworth will remember her with huge affection.”
Liz had been housebound for several weeks prior to her passing, and been using a wheelchair. In June, she missed the wedding of her grandson, Thomas Borso, to Alice Coughlin in Italy after having surgery related to a heart condition.
In 2013 she had a pacemaker fitted after suffering a heart attack while on holiday in Spain.
Liz first appeared on ‘Corrie’ in 1974 and her partnership with Bill Tarmey, who played Jack Duckworth was a huge hit with fans for years.
Although her character was killed off in 2000, dying peacefully in her sleep, she made a brief reappearance as a vision to Jack as he passed away in a moving scene which saw them share one last dance.
Bill died in 2012.

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Cat Deeley: Viewers are getting bored of The X Factor

OHMYGOSSIP — Cat Deeley thinks viewers are getting bored of ‘The X Factor’.
The 40-year-old television presenter – who is set to host her own talent show, ‘Sing: Ultimate A Cappella’, on Sky 1 – thinks shows like ‘The X Factor’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ are “cyclical” and reach a natural end point before taking a break and coming back.
She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “I think every big show like that is cyclical, like ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ or ‘America’s Got Talent’. It was ‘Opportunity Knocks’ about 25 years ago – they are hugely successful and then people get bored, and then they put them away for a bit, then they miss them, then they bring them back.
“I think they are bringing it [‘American Idol’] back a little too soon, I don’t think they have given time for people to miss it. It is going to cost so much to produce that the ratings they’ll require are going to be so huge – and no one is getting those ratings any more.”
The new series of ‘X Factor’ is in full swing but judge Nicole Scherzinger recently revealed she doesn’t believe she’s mentoring the winning contestant on this year’s show.
She said: “I’m always very competitive. I put a million per cent into everything I do, but two years in a row? I don’t know about that.
“Plus I don’t even know who I am taking to the live shows [yet].”
The 39-year-old singer has taken charge of the Over 25s this year, but is “upset” that she insisted on the category as she’s already backing someone from one of the other groups to win.
She added: “It’s interesting because I have a feeling about somebody who is going to win – but they’re not in my category. I’m upset because [the producers] were going to give me a category and I said, ‘No, I want this one instead’. I got what I wanted but I really should have had what they were going to give me. But that’s OK. It will work out. Everything happens for a reason.”

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Karen Hardy leaves Strictly spin-off show

OHMYGOSSIP — Karen Hardy has left the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ spin-off show ‘It Takes Two’ after losing the head judge spot on the dancing show.
The 47-year-old professional ballroom dancer was rumoured to be taking over as head judge when Len Goodman left the show last year, however, Karen lost out to Shirley Ballas.
Last Saturday (23.09.17), the programme returned but viewers were shocked when during the popular section Choreography Corner – which was hosted by Karen – it was revealed the 2006 winner of the competition show was not returning to the series.
Zoe Ball, who hosts ‘It Takes Two’, said: “Now Dame Karen of Hardy can’t be with us this series – now Karen don’t be a stranger, come and see us.”
Camilla Dallerup – who is based in Los Angeles – will now host the segment which analyses the celebrity’s dances instead of the ballroom dancer.
Last year, Karen was hoping to nag the head judge spot and admitted she kept trying to walk away from the show but keeps be pulled back.
She said: “I’ve been a judge for 15 years so it’s not something I’d be in fear of. I’m told everyone loves me and I didn’t realise it until recently. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed. See what the Gods have in store for me. I keep trying to walk away but somehow they keep bringing me back.”
Now it appears Karen has finally walked away from the popular dancing competition and is apparently “miffed” she missed out on the head judge spot.
A source told The Sun newspaper: “TV bosses wanted her to come back, but she was a bit miffed at missing out on the big judging role and didn’t want to devote any more time to the show.
“She’ll be focusing on personal projects and her dance school now instead.”

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The Grand Tour gets permanent studio

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘The Grand Tour’ is getting a permanent studio in the UK.
The second series of the Amazon Video motoring series sees presenting trio Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May spend over 100 Days travelling across five continents, including Africa, Europe, North America, South America and Asia,
testing out cars.
Countries on ‘The Grand Tour’ list include Croatia, Mozambique, Dubai, Spain, Switzerland, Colorado and New York City and many more exotic locations.
For Series One the guys took a tent with them to shoot in but this time they will be filming their studio scenes at a new permanent base in the Cotswolds, Southern England.
And for week only Amazon is inviting customers around the world to apply to be on the studio guestlist and join Clarkson, Hammond and May in the studio.
Applications for tickets to the studio recordings of Series Two open on Tuesday (26.09.17) at Amazon.co.uk/GTTickets, closing at midnight on Tuesday, October 3.
Speaking about the changes, Jay Marine, VP of Amazon Video Europe: “‘The Grand Tour’ is our most popular show around the world having been watched in over 240 countries and territories.
“Customers continually tell us that their favourite segments of ‘The Grand Tour’ are the travelling adventures of Jeremy, Richard and James, so despite the various calamities and injuries along the way, the guys have spent this year exploring more incredible and stunning locations than ever before … and getting into more trouble of course. We can’t wait for our Prime members to see Series Two later this year.”
Andy Wilman, Executive Producer of ‘The Grand Tour’, added: “It’s clear that the most popular ‘Grand Tour’ element of the show is when the chaps are roaming the globe on their big adventures and road trips, so that’s what we’re doing a lot more of for this series. We’ll keep the studio in one place, and given how accident prone they are at the minute, that can only be a good thing!”
Going forward, the three hosts – who have a combined age of 158 – will be hoping for less medical dramas than they have suffered in the past year.
Hammond, 47, shattered his knee in a car accident which occurred as he drove a Rimac Concept One electric super-car, which can reach speeds of nearly 200mph, in Switzerland in June for the show but he lost control of the vehicle when doing the Hemburg Hill Climb resulting him smashing the vehicle.
Luckily, Hammond managed to free himself from the wreckage before the car burst into flames but his knee did require surgery involving a metal plate and pins to repair the joint.
In the summer, Clarkson, 57, had to be rushed to hospital with severe pneumonia while holidaying in Majorca, Spain, with his family but he’s now on the mend.

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Doctor Foster unlikely to get third series

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Doctor Foster’ might not get a third series.
The hit BBC One show follows the turbulent life of Doctor Gemma Foster (Suranne Jones) who, in the first run, discovered her husband Simon Foster (Bertie Carvel) was having an affair with a 22 year old.
Now the second series of the award-winning show – which receives more than six million viewers each week – is in full swing and is set for a shocking finale with screenwriter Mike Bartlett teasing that there might not be a third series.
He told Radio Times magazine: “Depending on what happens at the end of series two, a third might not be possible. That’s all I can say really. I get upset when people describe Gemma as mad. I don’t think she is, she’s just very angry. If it was a man behaving like that, you say he was fighting back.”
Last week, the former spouses ended up in bed together after having “hate sex” and the penultimate episode – which airs on Tuesday (26.09.17) – will see the aftermath of their secret sex session.
While the actions of both characters are not overly liked by fans of the show, Bertie, 40, admitted he is relieved he isn’t recognised when he goes shopping.
He said: “I’m aware there are people on the internet saying how much they hate Simon Foster.
“With the millions who watch it, there are likely to be one or two who can’t distinguish between me and the character. So I suppose that puts me at risk. And at the level of the really famous actors – which I’m not – you might be sensible to think about your security. But I’m not paid enough to live in a gated community with private security, and I wouldn’t want to live like that. You have to just hope that most people enjoy the fictional reality of Simon without thinking he’s real.”

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Susanna Reid tells Piers Morgan to ‘seek help’

OHMYGOSSIP — Susanna Reid told Piers Morgan to attend therapy after he claimed to be a relationship expert.
The ‘Good Morning Britain’ presenter was left bemused by Piers, after he claimed that when a couple puts on a public display of affection, it means that their relationship is on the rocks.
Speaking after watching a clip of Prince Harry’s first public appearance with girlfriend Meghan Markle in Canada, Piers said: “When a couple get really tactile, that’s when they’re going to split up.
“When you go out to dinner with a couple and they’re all over each other, really overdoing it, that’s when you know [it’s over].”
But Susanna, 46, refused to accept Piers’ claims, and instead insisted he should seek some professional help.
The popular TV host snapped back: “You need therapy.”
And Susanna subsequently turned the spotlight on Piers – who is married to fellow journalist Celia Walden – telling him he is “misinterpreting” how people interact with him.
She said: “I think you are misinterpreting people’s reactions to you.”
On Monday (25.09.17), Piers annoyed his co-star by discussing Prince Harry’s sex life on air.
Piers described Meghan as the woman Harry “is having sex with”, which Susanna felt was a rude and inappropriate remark.
Reflecting on the debate – which stemmed from the Prince and Meghan not sitting together at the Invictus Games in Toronto – Piers said: “When have you ever been to a sporting event when you’re 50 metres from the person you’re having sex with?…
“Can we say that at this time in the morning?”
A visibly surprised Susanna replied: “How come we’ve got to 12 minutes past 7.00 and you’re saying that on the television?
“Can you not saying ‘sharing a room’?”

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Amber Davies: Kem is ‘punching’

OHMYGOSSIP — Amber Davies thinks her boyfriend Kem Cetinay is “punching above his weight.”
The ‘Love Island’ couple – who won the show over the summer – have only been together a matter of months but their relationship is going from strength-to-strength, but the brunette beauty has admitted his beau does have somewhat of a “jealous streak.”
Speaking to new! magazine, she said: “I trust him and he trusts me.
“He has more of a jealous streak than me. I’m more laid-back. He says it’s because he’s punching, which he is, so I don’t blame him.”
And, although they’re very loved up, the pair have made the decision not to live with one another – unlike their fellow housemates – as they’re still really young.
Amber, 20, said: “We’ve spoken about it but I live with my four best friends and I think he needs to live with his best friends first, or by himself, to grow up a little bit.
“We want to last a long time – ideally forever – so we don’t want to rush anything. Give it a year or so, then we can discuss.”
But the dancer would have jumped at the chance to move in with her beau if she was still living in North Wales but, because they’re only 30 minutes apart, it’s not an issue.
She added: “If I still lived in North Wales I would 100 per cent have moved in with Kem – it’s only because we live 30 minutes away that we see each other enough.”
Dom Lever and Jess Shears – who competed on the show the same time as Amber and Kem – have just got engaged but the couple don’t want to follow in their footsteps.
Amber said: “They are a lot older than us, so if they want to do that, congratulations to them! We’ve been invited to the wedding, so that’s lovely! If anything, we’re trying to do the opposite, to prove to people we’re a real couple.”

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Katie Price signs up for My Crazy Life series 2

OHMYGOSSIP — Katie Price has signed up for a second series of ‘My Crazy Life’.
The 39-year-old star “couldn’t turn down” the chance to shoot another season of the reality TV show because it gives her the perfect opportunity to set the record straight about her life following a series of devastating events.
A TV insider said: “Katie knows that her life has once again played out in the public eye and there’s nothing she dislikes more than rumours.
“She couldn’t turn down the opportunity of filming a second series so fans can have direct access to her personal life and she can set the record straight.”
Katie has endured a turbulent time of late after suffering a miscarriage, splitting from her cheating husband Kieran Hayler and discovering her mother has a terminal illness.
The source added: “Filming starts next month and she is over the moon that the first series was such a success.
“Her fans have given her a lot of strength to get through some very dark times recently.”
The first ‘My Crazy Life’ series saw Katie and Kieran – who have kids Jett, four, and Bunny, three – arguing over speculation she was getting close to DJ Tom Zanetti when they worked on a song in Miami, and fans are keen to hear more intimate details about her life in the second season.
An official spokeswoman told The Sun newspaper: “‘Katie Price: My Crazy Life’ was a great success for Quest Red and our viewers are unsurprisingly very keen for more Katie.”
Katie – who also has children Junior, 12, and Princess, 10, with ex Peter Andre and 15-year-old Harvey with former boyfriend Dwight Yorke – recently admitted she fears having “some kind of breakdown” following the recent devastating events in her life.
She said: “I feel like I am in shock and I don’t know what I am doing, what I am feeling. This isn’t a normal situation. To go through so much in such a short time is stressful. It is difficult to cope. I don’t know how I am doing it. But I don’t want to be a victim. I am a survivor. But I do worry what tomorrow brings. I worry I will wake up and have some kind of breakdown, that it will all become too much.
“I am hurting. I am only human. My friends think I should talk to somebody but I’m just working and being a good mum, doing things that keep me sane, keep me happy. I don’t want to sit in a corner and be depressed, to wallow. I am trying to be upbeat and happy. Bad luck comes in threes, doesn’t it? Surely that’s me done.”

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Tom Hiddleston surprised he is still playing Loki in MCU

OHMYGOSSIP — Tom Hiddleston is surprised he is still playing Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The 36-year-old actor has starred as the Norse God of mischief and villainous adoptive brother to hero Thor (Chris Hemsworth) in four films so far but he admits he never expected his run as the character to last as long as it has.
He said: “It is a source of constant surprise to me that I’m still here.
“I never expected that when I started playing him. I feel a huge responsibility to deliver the character people know, even though it’s been four years since I last played him, and also to try to take him in new directions. I’ve spent six or seven years of my life trying to get to the bottom of what exactly it is that he wants. When he seems to get close to what he wants – power, acceptance, belonging – he changes direction. I think that is the thing that keeps him interesting in a way. He’s cunning and transformative and changeable, and will do everything he can to survive. He’s the trickster. He’s the God of mischief.”
Hiddleston reprises his role as Loki in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ and admits when he put the costume on again he felt like he was looking at “an old friend” in the mirror.
He said: “When I put the costume, the make-up and wig for the first time for this film and looked in the mirror, I thought to myself, ‘Wow, there he is.’ It was like seeing an old friend. It was good to see him, in a way. I feel like I know him.”
‘Thor: Ragnarok’ marks the first time the MCU will feature a lead female villain, Hela – played by Cate Blanchett and the film also features another strong-female Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson).

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Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 won’t have a director’s cut

OHMYGOSSIP — Denis Villeneuve insists ‘Blade Runner 2049’ won’t have a “director’s cut”.
The 49-year-old filmmaker has helmed the long-awaited sequel to Sir Ridley Scott’s 1982 cult classic – which had eight different versions – and Villeneuve has said his take on the movie is the finished product and there will be no more.
Speaking to Russia’s Europa Plus, Villeneuve said: “The thing is, the movie you’re going to see is the director’s cut. There will be no further … maybe there’ll be a ‘studio version’, maybe a producer version, but not a director’s version. That’s my director’s cut. So I don’t think there will be further versions. If there are alternate versions, they’re not from me.”
Whilst details of the plot have largely remained under wraps, it is due to take place decades after the original which is why Harrison Ford, 75, will be seen as a much older version of his police operative character, android hunter Rick Deckard.
The impressive cast includes Ryan Gosling – who plays main protagonist, LAPD Officer K – Jared Leto, Lennie James, Robin Wright, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Carla Juri, Mackenzie Davis, Barkhad Abdi, David Dastmalchian, Hiam Abbass and Dave Bautista.
Villeneuve also said he tried to make the film as a “standalone” movie and for people who haven’t seen the original will still enjoy his.
He said: “We did our best to make a movie that will be a standalone, meaning that if you haven’t seen the first movie you will still enjoy my movie. People will still understand the movie even if they haven’t seen the first one. I will recommend to see the first movie because it is a fantastic movie. I have a pure love for the first movie and it’s still a movie that holds today. It didn’t age.”
The Ford led movie – based on Philip K. Dick’s 1968 novel ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’ – is considered to be one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made and deals with heavyweight topics such as what it means to be a living being.
‘Blade Runner 2049’ will be released in October 2017.

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Emilia Clarke wraps up filming for Han Solo movie

OHMYGOSSIP — Emilia Clarke has finished filming the Han Solo movie.
The 30-year-old ‘Game of Thrones’ actress stars as the new female lead in the untitled ‘Star Wars’ spin-off and just weeks after co-stars Paul Bettany and Donald Glover wrap up their scenes, Clarke took to social media and said filming the movie was a “trip and a half”.
Taking to Instagram, she revealed: “Well, now that really was an adventure. The perfection that is @realronhoward posted this little nugget and I had to share again. #untitledhansolomovie was a trip and a half but this genius here made it one I’ll never forget. #happydays #lotsandlotsofhappyronhowarddays #maytheforcebeuntitledhansolomoviebaby! (sic)”
Director Ron Howard – who took over helming the production after Christopher Miller and Phil Lord left the movie over creative differences – also took to social media to announce Clarke’s involvement in the film has ended.
He wrote on Twitter: “@emiliaclarke has wrapped filming on #UntitledHanSoloMovie. She’s given us a terrifically strong & exciting character. Fun 2 work with, 2! (sic)”
The Han Solo spin-off movie will focus on a younger version of the titular character, with Alden Ehrenreich taking over the iconic role from Harrison Ford, who played Han in four movies.
Han and Chewbacca will be seen first meeting Lando Calrissian (Glover) and they will also encounter Woody Harrelson’s alter ego Beckett, who is believed to be a mentor to young Han who guides him on his journey to becoming a space smuggler.
Harrelson, 56, insists any ‘Star Wars’ fans who may have concerns about Ehrenreich as Han have nothing to worry about.
Speaking to ‘Entertainment Tonight’, Harrelson said: “He’s a great actor and a great guy, with a great sense of humor. I think a lot of humour comes through what he’s doing. I think it could be one of the funnier ‘Star Wars’ movies.”
‘Star Wars’ regular Warwick Davis has also been cast in the upcoming ‘Han Solo’ movie in an unknown role.
The ‘Star Wars Anthology’ film is slated to be released in May 2018.

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Darren Aronofsky is ‘interested’ in directing a Superman movie

OHMYGOSSIP — Darren Aronofsky is open to directing a Superman movie.
The acclaimed filmmaker has admitted he is interested in taking on a superhero movie and he is particularly interested in working on the Superman franchise, but Darren thinks it would be difficult for him to commit to the project given the character’s current direction.
Speaking to CinePOP, Darren explained: “A lot of the great superhero titles are done. People have used them up. So now it’s characters that aren’t as interesting.
“But you never know. I mean, Superman would always be interesting. But they’re already deep into reinventing him, so that’s not going to happen for a long time.”
Darren, 48, also acknowledged that directing superhero movies poses some very particular challenges, because of the intensity of the comic book fans.
He shared: “I think with those films you have to be careful because they are about communicating with as big an audience as you possibly can. Audiences who go to see those films expect a certain type of movie.”
Despite this, Darren previously insisted he has no qualms with people criticising his most recent movie, ‘Mother!’.
The drama film follows a couple whose happy life is disrupted by the arrival of another family.
Reflecting on criticism of the film, he previously said: “Film-making is such a hard journey. People are constantly saying no to you. And to wake up every morning and get out of bed and to face all those no’s, you have to be willing to really believe in something.
“And that’s what I look for in my collaborators and what I pitched the actors I said, ‘Look, this isn’t going to be a popularity contest. We’re basically holding up a mirror to what’s going on.’ All of us are doing this.”

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