Emmy winning veteran character actor Keith David is teaming up with Oscar nominee Bruce Davison, and The Craft‘s Rachel True, for the supernatural thriller The Last Call. The movie gets underway this upcoming Monday for director Mike Sargent.
In the film, True plays a documentary filmmaker whose deep dive into what was thought to be a mass cult suicide uncovers that those who survived the incident are being hunted.
David, a veteran of horror classics including They Live, and The Thing — and who currently can be heard as the President of the United States on Rick & Morty — plays a former colleague of the cult leader, played by X-Men series veteran Davison.
(NOTE LANGUAGE) Following a headline-making interview with U.K. newspaper The Sunday Times, Matt Damon has issued a statement denying he ever used a gay slur.
In the article, Damon explained that he quoted a line from his film Stuck on You — itself derided at the time for poking fun of conjoined twins — which used the word “f**” — as “a joke.”
What resulted, Damon said, was a “long, beautiful treatise” from his daughter explaining how the word was hurtful.
In a statement to Variety, the Oscar winner explained, “During a recent interview, I recalled a discussion I had with my daughter where I attempted to contextualize for her the progress that has been made — though by no means completed — since I was growing up in Boston and, as a child, heard the word ‘f**’ used on the street before I knew what it even referred to.”
He continued, “I explained that that word was used constantly and casually and was even a line of dialogue in a movie of mine as recently as 2003.”
Damon said that his daughter, “in turn, expressed incredulity that there could ever have been a time where that word was used unthinkingly.” He added, “To my admiration and pride, she was extremely articulate about the extent to which that word would have been painful to someone in the LGBTQ+ community.”
To Variety, Damon clarified, “I not only agreed with her but thrilled at her passion, values and desire for social justice.” The Stillwater star then insisted, “I have never called anyone ‘f*****’ in my personal life and this conversation with my daughter was not a personal awakening. I do not use slurs of any kind.”
Disney+ has unveiled the first teaser for Doogie Kamealoha M.D., the reboot of the Neal Patrick Harris medical dramedy Doogie Howser, M.D.
For this version, the setting shifts to O’ahu, Hawaii, and Andi Mack veteran Peyton Elizabeth Lee plays the title role: a 16-year-old child prodigy who’s busy “juggling a budding medical career and life as a teenager.”
The teaser shows the series’ title sequence: Lahela “Doogie” Kamealoha even gets her own Hawaiian-themed version of the original Doogie Howser theme song, composed by Wendy Wang and performed by famed ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro.
The series, which also stars a diverse cast including Kathleen Rose Perkins, Jason Scott Lee, Matthew Sato, Wes Tian, Emma Meisel and Ronny Chieng, debuts on Disney+ on September 8.
The original Doogie Howser, M.D. ran for four seasons on ABC, from September 19, 1989, to March 24, 1993.
In Disney’s new movie Jungle Cruise, actor Jack Whitehall plays McGregor, the brother to Emily Blunt‘s Dr. Lily Houghton, who joins her on a perilous journey into the Amazon.
When Whitehall got the part, he didn’t realize the character was gay, but in a scene at a bar, he all but “comes out” to Dwayne Johnson‘s Frank Wolff.
For all involved, it was an important scene, said star and co-producer Johnson at a recent press event. “Really, I felt that the scene was really exactly what it was, which was two men talking about what they loved and who they loved, and it was as simple as that. And we were sharing a drink.”
Whitehall agreed, declaring, “I think it was a scene that we really wanted to get right.”
The actor explained further, “I think what’s so great about this movie is that all of the characters feel so fleshed out and all of them have…interesting backstories…”
He adds, “You know, in a lot of movies of this kind of genre, sometimes you’d have characters that are a little bit kind of two-dimensional. But I think it’s so great that we get to understand so much about each of these characters and it makes you invested in them, and it makes you care about them, and it makes you really on that journey with them.”
Jungle Cruise is currently the number-one movie in America.
Sandra Oh, who turned 50 last month, says she realizes that her roles are becoming more matronly as she ages, but says she’s not terribly bothered by that.
Speaking to The Cut, the Killing Eve star revealed, “I am moving into the mother stage of my career, and I know classically, a lot of actresses my age are upset and say, ‘Oh, I have to play the mother or the wife.'”
Instead, Oh said she’s looking forward to the challenge, adding, “There is tremendous richness in all of these experiences and relationships.”
The Golden Globe winner said she understands why some actresses may balk at playing the mom, adding, “When Me Too was happening, and many A-list actresses were getting together, and they realized that their experience was so isolated because many times in films, there’s only really one part for a woman.”
Oh said that hasn’t been her experience and referenced her 10-year run on Grey’s Anatomy when explaining, “Cristina Yang changed in real time, she developed in real time, and it was believable.”
The actress added that, while she’s sought roles that offered “dimensionality,” the pandemic further influenced her decision making.
“The pandemic shifted so many things for everyone, and I definitely opened and deepened and questioned my points of view and belief systems,” she said. “I feel in great creative shape and grateful to work on projects that are challenging the unbelievable pressure of being a modern woman.”
Oh will play Ming, an overprotective mom, in the upcoming Disney/Pixar animated film Seeing Red, due out March 11, 2022.
On the dramatic side, Oh’s set to star as Amanda in the supernatural horror Umma, which she says delves into “generational trauma” and will “question how mothering is challenging.” A release date is forthcoming.
The Property Brothers celebrated the 10th anniversary of their eponymous first show this year, which they reveal experienced some turbulence when they tried getting it off the ground.
Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott told ABC audio why they continue to challenge themselves to grow and evolve their brand, ten years into the journey. It stems from not taking “no” for an answer, reveals Jonathan.
“What’s interesting is, in the very beginning, [HGTV] actually turned down our show, initially,” he explained, saying the network wasn’t particularly interested in the idea of two brothers renovating homes. So, the twins took their concept to Canada, where Property Brothers became a smash hit.
“We brought it here and the same thing happened,” said Jonathan.
As for what inspired the Scotts to create Property Brothers, Jonathan said they wanted to create an accessible home renovation show that is “fun, but also educational.” The two also built their brand on positivity, saying they treat every property they touch as “if they were our own home.”
“We want to do stuff that actually makes people’s lives better,” said Jonathan. “And then we evolved it.”
The Property Brothers has sparked at least 10 spin-off programs, with both brothers promising more on the way.
Drew remarked how their brand has gone from keeping up with current trends to becoming a trendsetter.
“I think that’s something that’s really exciting for us to be able to bring forward new innovation and new ideas,” he explained, noting how he and Jonathan embraced smart home technology, which is now increasing in popularity. “You know what they’ve been watching and you know how they got that!”
Lizzo‘s love for Chris Evans has been an ongoing bit between the two. Most recently, the “Truth Hurts” singer joked that she was pregnant with his child — and now Evans has responded.
In a TikTok, Lizzo shared a screenshot of the DM Evans sent reacting to the news.
“Hi!” the message read. “Just heard about our little bundle of joy [crying laughing emoji] my mother will be so happy lol.”
The Grammy winner was clearly ecstatic about the news, captioning the post, “OMG YALL — HE SAW THE BABY BUMP! WE DID IT! NOW YALL GOTTA NAME LIL MERICA!!!!! WHAT YALL BOUTA NAME MY BABY ?!”
Lizzo, 33, first joked a week ago that she and Evans, 40, were expecting when a fan messaged her, “Lizzo baby… we know your [sic] [pregnant emoji] and we know it’s Chris Evans now spill the tea.”
Blasting the Captain America theme, the character Evans has famously portrayed in a host of Marvel films, Lizzo jokingly confessed, “I’ve been sucking in… We’re going to have a little America!”
Marvel is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.
Unfortunately, when a Hollywood legend of a certain age trends on Twitter, fans assume the worst — but thankfully that’s not the case with 91-year-old Gene Hackman.
The two-time Oscar winner’s name began trending on the social media service thanks to a tweet from film historian James L. Neibaur, who posted a picture of the iconic American actor, with a caption reading, “Gene Hackman retired from acting 17 years ago, but had this recent pic taken to show he is alive and well at 91, and living in New Mexico. He goes bike riding every day and remains active and engaged with hobbies, and friends.”
The post went viral, with fans cheering on the star — and with more than a few admitting they feared bad news when Hackman’s name began trending.
Neibaur later tweeted a clarification, because he couldn’t edit his original post, informing followers that the picture was actually two years old, but the sentiment still stands.
“I was informed that this pic is 2 years old, when he was a young, strapping 89 — Grinning face with smiling eyes,” Neibaur wrote, adding, “Still great that Mr. Hackman is alive and well, and has so many supportive fans.”
Hugh Jackman hoped to inspire more fans to wear sunscreen when revealing Monday that he had to undergo a skin biopsy after his doctor noticed something “a little irregular” on his skin.
Taking to Twitter, the Australian actor shared a video where he pulled down his mask and showed his bandaged nose. “I just want to let you know, I just went to see… my amazing dermatologists and doctors and they saw something that was a little irregular,” the Greatest Showman star explained. “So they took a biopsy and they’re getting it checked.”
Jackman, 52, assured fans they need not be concerned or “freak out” and promised to “let you know what’s going on.”
“It’s probably fine,” he continued. “But remember… wear sunscreen. Don’t be like me as a kid.”
The actor revealed in a 2015 interview with ABC News that he spent most of his childhood playing in the hot Australia sun and neglected to wear sunscreen. He was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer, in 2013.
In the years since, Jackman’s continued to remind fans of the importance sunscreen, and revealed in 2016 that he had to undergo another biopsy.
“An example of what happens when you don’t wear sunscreen. Basal Cell. The mildest form of cancer but serious, nonetheless. PLEASE USE SUNSCREEN and get regular check-ups,” he shared on Instagram.
In 2017, he shared a similar message about his ongoing battle with skin cancer and credited his “frequent checks” for catching it early.
The Mayo Clinic says basal cell carcinoma is believed to be caused by long-term exposure to UV sunlight and recommends the best way to prevent it is to wear sunscreen.
(NOTE LANGUAGE) Kathy Griffin underwent successful surgery following her lung cancer diagnosis.
On Monday morning, Griffin, 60 revealed that she was about to have half of her left lung removed because of the cancer. Later that day, a rep for the comedian told People, “She is now out of surgery and everything went well, per her doctor.”
Before surgery, Griffin elaborated on her diagnosis and treatment plan on social media, writing, “Yes, I have lung cancer even though I’ve never smoked!”
“The doctors are very optimistic as it is stage one and contained to my left lung,” she explained. “Hopefully no chemo or radiation after this and I should have normal function with my breathing. I should be up and running around as usual in a month or less.”
“It’s been a helluva 4 years, trying to get back to work, making you guys laugh and entertaining you, but I’m gonna be just fine,” Griffin declared.
The comedian recently sat down with ABC News’ Juju Chang to discuss her reaction to her diagnosis, admitting she was “in shock.”
“Once a day, I’ll just turn to nobody next to me and go, ‘Can you believe this s—? Is this a b—- or what?” she said.
