Entertainment – Page 813

“Are they kidding?” William Shatner still can’t believe they used his face for Michael Myers in ‘Halloween’

October 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NOTE LANGUAGE) While most movie fans would instantly recognize the murderous Michael Myers from the Halloween movies, they might not know that iconic blank face actually belongs to another icon: William Shatner.

For the record, Shatner knows about it and he’s still not pleased. In a recent interview with YouTube entertainment reporter Jake Hamilton, Shatner explained, “I thought, ‘Is that a joke? Are they kidding?'” when he was first heard his face was borrowed.

“I recognized it as the death mask they had made for me,” Shatner explained. “They made a mask of my face on Star Trek out of clay so I would not have to be available for the prosthetics they would have to put on my face…So somewhere along the line, someone got that mask and made a mask for Halloween [the holiday].”

Decades ago, that mask was grabbed off the shelf by Halloween‘s production designer and editor Tommy Lee Wallace for the 1978 horror classic when director John Carpenter needed a scary baddie. According to Netflix’s The Movies That Made Us, which takes a deep dive Halloween, the choices were a “sad sack” clown mask, or Captain Kirk.

Carpenter went with Kirk. But there’s a “but.”

Wallace explained in Movies That Made Us that he shaved the mask’s triangular Trek sideburns, cut its eyeholes wider, darkened its blonde hair, and painted it “appliance white” to result in its trademark deathly pallor.

“As soon as the second mask came out of the dressing room, we’re all, ‘Oh, f*** me!” Wallace said of his handiwork. “We knew we had a movie.”

David Gordon Green, who directed Halloween‘s 2018 reboot, tells Movies the resulting mask “is just pure evil.”

Halloween Kills, the latest franchise installment, is now in theaters and streaming on Peacock.

Jennifer Love Hewitt announces hiatus from social media to “reset”

October 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Jennifer Love Hewitt is taking some time to “reset.”

The 42-year-old actress, who welcomed her son Aidan last month, took to social media over the weekend to announce that she’ll be taking a break from the platforms.

In screenshot of her Instagram Story, obtained by People, the 9-1-1 star shared some life updates, writing, “Today is my first day back in the sauna after being pregnant and having my baby. Two days ago was my first long bath since labor. Some things you can’t do till the doc says so and others you just stop taking time for. But self care, moments to breathe and feel yourself again. Even in small ways. So important.”

Hewitt then revealed that she’s “also starting at least a week maybe two away from social media [tomorrow]. I need to reset.”

“I need to take my scrolling time and make it active time. Workouts, breathing, manifesting, time with my kids and husband. All of it,” she continued.

The mom of three, who also shares daughter Autumn, and son, Atticus, with husband Brian Hallisay, added that social media “makes me feel bad sometimes. Like I’m not doing enough.”

Hewitt’s decision has already had a ripple effect on her children, who decided to “give up YouTube shows,” something she quipped is “one small miracle already lol.”

The actress wrapped up her announcement encouraging others to take time for themselves when needed.

“I only share this for that one person or maybe more today who need time. Just for them. And need to know it’s okay to take it. And in fact the taking of that time will make everything better. I promise,” she wrote. “Sending love!”

Is Matthew McConaughey the next Batman?

October 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Will Matthew McConaughey be the next one to suit up and save Gotham City?

In an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe during the Advertising Week New York event, the actor addressed the rumors that he’s about to become the next Batman.

“I am?” he said, surprised. “First I’ve heard of it, but it happens this way sometimes!”

If McConaughey truly is the next Caped Crusader, he would follow in the footsteps of George Clooney, Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, Ben Affleck and, most recently, Robert Pattinson.

While McConaughey’s status as a superhero remains unknown, one thing you probably won’t see The Wolf of Wall Street alum doing is running for the governor of Texas.

Earlier this month on the New York Times‘ Sway podcast, when asked about his potential political bid, the 51-year-old hinted he won’t be on the ballot, responding, “Is politics an embassy for me to be of the most use to myself, to my family, to the most amount of people in my life moving forward?” The implied answer, was no.

Gal Gadot shares why she chose to report Joss Whedon for “threatening her career”

October 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Gal Gadot doesn’t like conflict, but she’s no shrinking violet, either.

When speaking on Israeli TV in May, Gadot responded to a report from The Hollywood Reporter that alleged Justice League director Joss Whedon had verbally abused her after she voiced concerns about her character and the film’s dialogue. She confirmed Whedon “kind of threatened my career and said if I did something, he would make my career miserable.”

Looking back on those comments, the 36-year-old Wonder Woman actress recently told ELLE magazine, “Oh, I was shaking trees as soon as it happened. And I must say that the heads of Warner Brothers, they took care of it.”

Adds Gadot, “You’re dizzy because you can’t believe this was just said to you. And if he says it to me, then obviously he says it to many other people. I just did what I felt like I had to do. And it was to tell people that it’s not okay.”

“I would’ve done the same thing, I think, if I was a man. Would he tell me what he told me had I been a man? I don’t know. We’ll never know,” she continues. “But my sense of justice is very strong. I was shocked by the way that he spoke to me. But whatever, it’s done. Water under the bridge.”

Gadot will next be seen starring alongside Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds in the action comedy Red Notice, coming to Netflix on November 12.

See Nicole Kidman “kill” as Lucille Ball in the teaser to Amazon’s ‘Being the Ricardos’

October 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Nicole Kidman‘s casting as iconic comedienne Lucille Ball might have been controversial, but she takes no prisoners in the teaser to Amazon Studios’ Being the Ricardos.

“I am the biggest asset in the portfolio of the Columbia Broadcasting System,” Kidman-as-Lucy says in voiceover. “The biggest asset in the portfolios of Phillip Morris tobacco, Westinghouse. I get paid a fortune to do exactly what I love doing.”

She continues, “I work side-by-side with my husband, who is genuinely impressed with me. And all I have to do to keep it is kill for 36 weeks in a row. And then, do it again the next year.”

Oscar-winner Javier Bardem plays Lucy’s husband and I Love Lucy co-star Desi Arnaz in the period piece, from Academy Award-winning writer Aaron Sorkin.

The snippet ends with Kidman, in full Lucy wardrobe, on the set of the show’s famous “grape stomping” scene.

Amazon says of the project, “Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz are threatened by shocking personal accusations, a political smear and cultural taboos” in the film, which is “a revealing glimpse of the couple’s complex romantic and professional relationship.”

The film is set during one critical week of production of I Love Lucy.

Being the Ricardos, which also stars Oscar-winner JK Simmons, with Nina Arianda and former Arrested Development co-stars Tony Hale and Alia Shawkat, hits Amazon Prime on December 21.

Is Harry Styles joining the MCU?

October 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT) Some fans would already call Harry Styles a superhuman, but now he might be playing one in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The potential casting news came out of last night’s L.A. premiere of The Eternals. Variety writer Matt Donnelly tweeted, “Big reveal from #TheEternals premiere — Harry Styles has joined the MCU as Eros, brother of Thanos.

Eros — also known as Starfox in the comics — is said to be the complete opposite of the evil Thanos, who was played by Josh Brolin in The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy films. He’s carefree and has the power to change people’s emotions. To quote Marvel’s own database, “Eros grew up to be a fun-loving, carefree womanizer in contrast to his brother…”

Do with that what you will, tabloids.

Apparently, Harry makes a cameo as the character at the end of The Eternals. Variety editor Marc Malkin also tweeted, “When Harry Styles shows up in the MCU. Audience squealed.”

The Eternals hits theaters November 5.

Billy Porter shares the purpose behind his debut memoir ‘Unprotected: A Memoir’

October 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Billy Porter is sharing his life with the world with his deeply personal memoir, Unprotected.

In the book, Porter candidly speaks about being bullied, surviving sexual abuse at the hands of his stepfather, and making arts his safe haven. He says the purpose of the memoir wasn’t to bring anyone down, but rather to serve as an outlet for healing.

“It was about how do I write about it from my perspective without exposing other people in sort of a possible negative light,” Porter tells ABC Audio. “Like that was not something that I ever wanted this to be about. This was not for me. This was not a book about shaming anybody or calling anybody out or revenge or, you know, some sort of tell-all. It’s not that.”

Instead, the Tony, Emmy and Grammy winner says the book was written so others could learn from his experiences and know that there was hope. Porter believes that his biggest challenge wasn’t just sharing his journey and perspective on race, sexuality, art and healing — it was finding the best way to tell it without judgment.

“What I was met with oftentimes was how do I tell this story with compassion and grace,” he adds.

Unprotected: A Memoir is now available for purchase.

Sylvester Stallone bids “bittersweet” goodbye to ‘The Expendables’ franchise; passes baton to Jason Statham

October 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

On his Instagram, Sylvester Stallone bade farewell to his hit Expendables franchise.

The actor, writer, and producer posted a video shot on the European set after he’d wrapped his last scene as mercenary Barney Ross in the fourth film in the series.

“It’s been about 12 years,” the 75-year-old star noted, adding, “it’s time to be moving on.”

“It’s always bittersweet,” Stallone said, explaining he’s “ready to pass the baton to Jason [co-star Jason Statham] in his capable hands.”

Statham played Ross’ buddy Lee Christmas in the successful series that debuted in 2010, and which has highlighted action stars of a certain age, including now-74-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger; Stallone’s Rocky IV nemesis Dolph Lundgren, who is 65; Mickey Rourke, now 69; former MMA fighter Randy Couture and martial artist Jet Li, who are 58; 66-year-old Bruce Willis; 65-year-old Mel Gibson; and Terry Crews, who is a relatively young 53.

To date, the modestly-budgeted Expendables movies have made $800 million worldwide.

The fourth installment, coming out in 2022, adds martial arts legend Tony Jaa, Andy Garcia and Megan Fox to the mix.

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Rebel Wilson acknowledges people are “obsessed” with her recent weight loss

October 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Rebel Wilson shared her honest thoughts about how the world reacted to her dramatic weight loss and expressed discomfort that her physique overshadowed her other accomplishments.

Speaking recently to Australia’s Daily Telegraph, the 41-year-old actress explained that she starred in four movies in 2019, adding she produced two of them while another, Jojo Rabbit, was nominated the the Best Picture Academy Award.

“Yet I get more press the following year when I do nothing except lose weight,” the Pitch Perfect star lamented, adding, “When I was at my heaviest, I also had the most international attention on me.”

Wilson acknowledged, “People are so obsessed with [weight],” but insisted she wasn’t pressured by the headlines to get in shape. Instead, she embarked on a fitness journey in order to address her emotional eating struggles that manifested along with her rising star status.

“Because I’m not a natural performer, my natural personality is very introverted; the way I dealt with that pressure was to eat,” she recalled. “I would reward myself with a block of chocolate.”

“For the first time in my life I’ve lost weight and maintained it,” she added, noting that her weight loss was a result of a total lifestyle change.

Saying she was “proud” of her hard work, Wilson admitted, “I’m not totally cured. I don’t think you can be. But I’ve learnt to manage it — and it’s not by reaching for a bowl of ice cream.”

Wilson also reflected on how her fitness journey improved her relationship with her body, adding, “It’s just about loving yourself and loving the journey that you’re on. And to me, the women I think are most beautiful are those who step into their own power.”

Channing Tatum weighs in on Dave Chappelle controversy

October 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NOTE LANGUAGE) Channing Tatum has waded into the Dave Chappelle Netflix/trans comments controversy, saying that while he does “understand” and “hate” that the comedian hurt so many people with his problematic comments about the trans and LGBTQ+ communities, he can’t turn his back on the man whose words comforted him in the past.

“Any human can hurt someone (usually cause they’re hurt) but any human can heal and heal others just the same,” Channing wrote on his Instagram Stories, according to Buzzfeed, saying Chappelle’s 2019 speech while accepting the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center “healed” him.

“I can’t forget that,” he insisted.

Dave noted in the speech how his personality differs from the one he presents to the public, and how comedy saved his life. “I was a soft kid. I was sensitive, I’d cry easy and I would be scared to fistfigh,” said Chappelle at the time. “My mother used to tell me this thing… ‘Son, sometimes you have to be a lion so you can be the lamb you really are.’ I talk this s*** like a lion. I’m not afraid of any of you. When it comes word to word, I will gab with the best of them, just so I can chill and be me.”

“And that’s why I love my art form, because I understand every practitioner of it,” Chappelle continued. “Whether I agree with them or not, I know where they’re coming from. They want to be heard. They’ve got something to say. There’s something they noticed. They just want to be understood. I loved this genre. It saved my life.”

While the speech was meaningful to Channing, he noted that it “does not excuse anything hurtful tho to be clear.”

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