Latest news with #StarWars'
India Today
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Why Gen Z is freaking out over The Love Hypothesis movie casting
What do you get when you mix 'Star Wars' Rey and Kylo fan fiction, a best-selling romance novel, a former 'Riverdale' star, and 'Star Wars' Daisy Ridley's real-life husband? Nope, not the start of a really niche pub quiz. This is the actual casting news behind 'The Love Hypothesis' you don't know what I am talking about, then don't worry, it'll all make sense in the next few minutes. I here's the thing. Ali Hazelwood, a renowned novelist, wrote a romantic-comedy novel called, and you guessed it, 'The Love Hypothesis'. It is about a third-year PhD candidate (Olive Smith) and a young professor (Adam Carlsen) who agree to fake date each other. Until Olive's best friend is convinced she is not single and definitely not in love with her best friend's crush. If you're a rom-com fan like me, I am sure this plot is calling for you. The book instantly became a fan favourite, and now they are converting it into a film. Now let's talk about why everybody (mostly me) is freaking out over the Hazelwood's 'The Love Hypothesis' didn't start as a story dedicated to the genre (rom-com). It was originally fan fiction. Yes, Hazelwood, just like most of us, was fangirling (more like geeking) over 'Star Wars'. I mean, who wouldn't? And she was absolutely obsessed with Rey and Kylo Ren's relationship in the movie. And she wanted to write a cute romantic story filled with some comic scenes here and there.I am sure now you have some idea where this is leading to. If not? Here's more. Recently, the announcement for the book's adaptation came through. And 'Riverdale' star Lili Reinhart was announced to play Olive. But the real twist that no one saw coming (except maybe Tumblr circa 2016) was the casting of Tom Bateman as Adam Carlsen. Tom Bateman is the real-life husband of Daisy Ridley. Why is this a big deal? Because Daisy Ridley played Rey in 'Star Wars'. Yes, the same Rey who was the inspiration behind Olive's character. Honestly, you couldn't write this. Except someone literally 'Star Wars' fan fiction was posted online under the title 'Head Over Feet', with the OG couple. It got picked up by a publisher. The lightsabers were swapped for lab coats, but the core dynamic? Still there. Olive's socially awkward brilliance? Peak Rey. Adam's emotionally repressed academia? Classic Kylo. So, yes, 'The Love Hypothesis' has deep nerd roots, and I mean that in the most affectionate way possible. Now to Tom might know him from 'Death on the Nile', 'Behind Her Eyes', or 'Vanity Fair'. He's got serious screen presence, brooding, charming, and effortlessly intense. Basically, he was built to play Professor Adam Carlsen. And when you factor in the fact that he's married to Daisy Ridley? That casting choice hits on so many online are losing it, naturally. One person wrote, 'He's married to Daisy Ridley. OMG full circle moment.' Another declared it 'the best uno reverse card in casting history.' Someone else chimed in with, 'Not Adam but Rey's husband playing Adam perfection.' Honestly? Fair let's not forget Lili Reinhart, who's not only starring as Olive but producing the film too. She's been vocal about wanting to do justice to this story, and between her casting and this cosmic Bateman-Ridley twist, it's safe to say the fans are being if you haven't read the book, or don't know your Adam Carlsen from your Adam Driver, there is still something for you in store. If you're into rom-coms, emotionally complex science nerds, or geek out over fan theories that somehow become real, 'The Love Hypothesis' deserves a spot on your Because this casting is chaotic in the best way. A character inspired by Daisy Ridley's Rey now played opposite her real-life husband? That's fan fiction logic turned cinematic reality. It's unhinged in the most deliciously meta way, and it's got the internet in a yeah, grab your popcorn, fire up the group chat, and get ready to spiral. This one's for book lovers, fandom kids, and anyone who lives for a full-circle moment. You couldn't script even if you tried.- Ends
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Elvis Presley's watch and John Lennon's suit fetch big bucks at Goldin auction
Elvis Presley's worn Omega wristwatch, gifted to him by Johnny Cash, sold for $103,700 this week. Goldin, a leading sports and pop culture memorabilia auction house, sold the engraved timepiece as part of its inaugural music memorabilia auction, which closed Wednesday night. Other high-selling items included a D.A. Millings & Son custom suit worn by John Lennon in 1963 ($102,480), a signed copy of Led Zeppelin's album 'Presence' ($19,520) and George Harrison's sunglasses ($47,590). Goldin also set a new sale record for a type 1 photo — or photo developed from an original negative within two years of when the picture was taken— of rapper Tupac Shakur, which sold for $10,370, according to the auction house. Though sports and trading card auctions are Goldin's 'bread and butter,' the company is venturing more into pop culture, said head of revenue Dave Amerman. This transition is documented in Goldin's Netflix show, 'King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch,' which premiered in 2023 and was just renewed for a third season. 'We realized that we get so many music items and we build them into our pop culture sales, we just want to separate it and make its own event out of it,' Amerman told The Times. Many of the Beatles items belonged to music promoter Chris Agajanian, who's been building his collection for more than 40 years. Agajanian owns more than 2,000 pieces of Beatles memorabilia and signed letters of provenance for many of the items in the Goldin sale. The music auction also included more than 500 concert posters graded by the Certified Guaranty Company, the leader in comic book grading. Poster subjects ranged from the Grateful Dead and the Beatles to Sonic Youth and Blink-182. In 2020, Goldin sold one of the most expensive albums of all time: a copy of Lennon and Yoko Ono's 'Double Fantasy' that Lennon unwittingly signed for his assassin, Mark David Chapman, just before the Beatle was shot in 1980. It went for $900,000. Additionally, the auction house holds the record for most expensive toy sold at an auction: a 1979 prototype action figure of 'Star Wars' bounty hunter Boba Fett that went for more than $1 million in 2024. Goldin's Hollywood Props & Memorabilia auction, featuring Harrison Ford's 'Indiana Jones' whip, a 'Star Wars' Stormtrooper prototype helmet and George Reeves' 'Superman' suit, is currently live. The auction closes Aug. 6.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
George Lucas, father of 'Star Wars,' to head panel at San Diego Comic-Con
George Lucas, the mastermind behind "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" will make his first ever San Diego Comic-Con appearance this summer. Lucas will sit on a panel alongside director Guillermo del Toro and artist Doug Chiang at San Diego Comic-Con on Sunday, July 27. The trio will discuss illustrated storytelling and offer a sneak peek of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, according to the San Diego Comic-Con website. The panel will be moderated by musician and actress Queen Latifah. David Glanzer, San Diego Comic-Con chief communications and strategy officer, said the convention is thrilled to host Lucas this month. "Nearly five decades ago, 'Star Wars' made one of its earliest public appearances at our convention, along with a booth featuring Howard Chaykin's now legendary 'Star Wars' poster as a promotional item," Glanzer said in a news release. "Now, to have Mr. Lucas return – this time to debut the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art – is a true full-circle moment. His lifelong dedication to visual storytelling and world-building resonates deeply with us and our community, and the museum's mission to celebrate narrative art in all its forms perfectly reflects what Comic-Con has championed from the very beginning." "Star Wars" made its San Diego Comic-Con debut in 1976, when comic book artists Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin sports shaggy hair and bell bottoms, told a less-than-packed crowd about the new movie. The panel was the second to last event of the entire convention. When will George Lucas be at San Diego Comic-Con? The filmmaker will appear on the "Sneak Peek: Lucas Museum of Narrative Art" panel between 11 a.m. and noon PT on Sunday, July 27. Who can attend George Lucas' panel at San Diego Comic-Con? San Diego Comic-Con badge-holders may attend any panel at the convention. Badges for this year's convention are sold out. Will fans be able to meet George Lucas at San Diego Comic-Con? San Diego Comic-Con, unlike other comic conventions, does not host meet-and-greet experiences. The convention does not have any scheduled events for Lucas to meet one-on-one with attendees. Can you watch George Lucas' panel at home? San Diego Comic-Con does not livestream its panels, but audience members may share photos and videos during and after the panel. Fans hope for something bigger The San Diego Comic-Con website states that the panel will discuss illustrative storytelling and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, but "Star Wars" superfans are hoping Lucas' appearance may be part of a bigger announcement. "He's gotta be dropping some huge news! Surely," one TikTok user commented on Dino Joe Reviews' video outlining the panel. "Apparently he's there to talk about his museum that's open, which is super cool, but there's gotta be more than that, right? Maybe we're finally getting our Midi-chlorian movie," TikTok user I Am Jessica says with a laugh in a video. In "Star Wars," midi-chlorians are microscopic lifeforms that reside in the cells of all living life forms, according to "Star Wars" blog Wookieepedia. The Force speaks through midi-chlorians and those with more midi-chlorians are able to better tap into The Force. Anakin Skywalker possessed the highest known count of midi-chlorians, even surpassing Yoda. "Imagine being in the same room as this guy as he discusses about the future of 'Star Wars.' Oh my gosh, that's like a once in a lifetime thing, I think," TikTok user Fry4guy said in a video. What is the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art? Expected to open in 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art was co-founded by Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson. The 300,000-square-foot, spaceship-like museum will sit on 11 acres in Los Angeles's Exposition Park. The five-story museum, designed by Ma Yansong, will feature galleries, two movie theaters and spaces for educational programming, retail, dining and events. Ground was broken on the museum in March 2018. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Walt Disney is now an animatronic. 5 things to know about the new Disneyland attraction
Disneyland turned 70 today, and to mark the occasion the resort unveiled its signature attraction for its anniversary year, 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life.' The show is notable in that it features the first audio-animatronic of Walt Disney, a creation the company's creatives have stressed is its most lifelike mechanical figure to date. While Disneyland's 70th celebrations got underway in May, 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life' is its nostalgic soul, and the aim of the production is to illustrate that the massive conglomerate that is Walt Disney Co. today was, at its heart, the vision of one man. The 17-minute-or-so experience is housed in the Main Street Opera House, where it will run for the next year. After that, it will play in tandem with 'The Disneyland Story Presenting Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln,' which has called the space home since 1965. 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life' has generated much curiosity, speculation and controversy since it was unveiled at last year's D23 fan convention. A re-creation of the company's patriarch is newsworthy, generating discussion on how best to preserve a legacy, but also notable because, unlike the vast majority of Disney's audio-animatronic figures, Disney is a widely recognizable personality for which much film and audio footage exists, thanks to a weekly television show in the '60s. Audiences will likely approach the mechanical re-creation with more scrutiny than an exaggerated character on, say, Pirates of the Caribbean, or even a 'Star Wars' figure. I was at Disneyland for its 70th anniversary and took in the show. Here are some instant reactions. I'm eager to see 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life' a second time, in part because I didn't catch much of what the robotic figurine was saying. Not because I wasn't interested but simply because I was distracted by how the audio-animatronic moved. I'm used to seeing figures, at Disney and elsewhere, with exaggerated motions. Not here. The Disney figure maneuvers with patience — and, dare I even say, grace. That's a huge compliment for a robot. When Disney goes from leaning on a desk to standing, and then back again, you'll be looking around the stage, wondering just what mechanization allowed that to happen. Especially impressive is the slowness with which the arms move, his hands accentuating the speech but in a natural way; that is, they don't move with every sentence. There are times Disney will point and moments he puts his arm to his hips. It's incredibly fluid. I was lucky to be seated about three-fourths of the way back in the theater, so I was able to take in the theatricality of it all — a small movement of an eyebrow, a slight twist of the wrist — without nitpicking imperfections in the machine, which brings us to the next point. By now, many Disney fans have had a chance to see the officially released images by the company as well as close-up pictures taken by park guests. There have been quibbles, to say the least, with many a fan showing snapshots of the animatronic side by side with pictures of a much younger Disney. It's important to note that the figure captures Disney in 1963. Disney died in 1966 at 65. The show has me thinking a bit on how the animatronic medium can be used best. Disney introduced its audio-animatronics in 1963 with the Enchanted Tiki Room, but elevated the form in 1965 with the 'Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln' production. We have no filmed footage of Abraham Lincoln, meaning he exists to us largely in our mind. 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life' contains a 15-minute documentary-like film, 'One Man's Dream,' which is narrated by Disney and Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Bob Iger, allowing us an instant comparison. From my vantage point — again, about three-fourths of the way into the theater — the animatronic was a more-than-respectable approximation of Disney. It's not perfect, perhaps — the face is a little bulky, the cheeks just a bit off — but that's because I still think the medium is best suited for more fantastical characters and creations, shows and figures that let us use our imagination rather than aim to capture life. Audio, however, is taken direct from Disney's speeches, with an emphasis on creative inspiration, and while it has been cleaned up, there's no mistaking that it's Disney's voice. Ultimately, Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative team responsible for theme park creations, deserves to be commended for this risk, as it has me eager to see how audio-animatronics will continue to evolve and elevate our immersive experiences. At its core, this is a robot, and no robot will directly capture human life, at least not yet, but this is as close as Walt Disney Co. has come. Imagineering took great pains to capture Disney accurately. That's apparent, right down to Disney's tie emblazoned with the logo for Palm Springs' Smoke Tree Ranch, a favorite retreat of his. At a media event earlier this year, Imagineers spoke of re-creating the exact suits Disney wore, as well as researching his shoe size and attempting to find the correct hair gel Disney would use. (They failed in the latter mission.) The figure's hands were sculpted with the help of actual molds of Disney's hands, courtesy of the Walt Disney Family Museum, and the Imagineers studied film footage to time how often Disney would blink. 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life' is a work of theater, ultimately, and it's a period piece. The set surrounding Disney is a re-creation of his office, and it has a homey, vintage feel. Yet the focus of the show, at least until some animated effects in its final moments, is on Disney. While the animatronic portion of the production is about two to three minutes, it's a restrained, respectable production. The short answer is we don't really know. Many members of the Disney family have spoken favorably of the animatronic. There has been one notable exception: Disney's granddaughter, Joanna Miller, who has argued that Disney wouldn't want to be preserved as a robot. Additionally, Miller is fearful that future audiences will see Disney simply as an audio-animatronic character rather than a real human. Walt Disney Co. in May attempted to address those concerns. 'In all our research, we never found any documentation of Walt saying that,' Imagineer Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz said about the belief that Disney did not want to be immortalized as an audio-animatronic. 'We know that it's anecdotal, and we can't speak to what was told to people in private, and we can't speak to Joanna's specific feelings about the project. But we have worked very diligently for many years with the Walt Disney Family Museum and members of the Disney and Miller family.' Imagineering has argued that the show is important because it can show today's audiences, who may think of the name Walt Disney as simply a designation for a corporation, as a real human. 'Why are we doing this now?' Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald said. 'For two reasons. One is Disneyland's 70th anniversary is an ideal time, we thought, to create a permanent tribute to Walt Disney in the Opera House. The other: I grew up watching Walt Disney on television. I guess I'm the old man. He came into our living room every week and chatted, and it was very casual, and you felt like you knew the man. But a lot of people today don't know Walt Disney was an individual. They think Walt Disney is a company.' As someone who reported on the audio-animatronic earlier this year, I'm hesitant to give a definitive opinion on the show. I tried to approach the perspectives of Miller and Imagineering with equal respect, as I believe both are valid. I can't, for instance, relate to what it's like to see a loved one turned into an audio-animatronic. Nor am I charged with helping to preserve a company's legacy. There is one lasting thought I had, however. 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life' is unique for a theme park experience. It is not tied to a massive intellectual property like a blockbuster film or hit television series. As an almost 17-minute theatrical show, with the vast majority of the experience being a documentary film, this isn't an E-ticket, the Disney term for its top-of-the-line attractions, a reference to the park's ticketing books of yore. Yes, Walt Disney Co. has objectives in appealing to the nostalgia of its fans, and it can further endear audiences to the company if it can put a face behind its roots. Today the firm is a mass of properties — Marvel, Lucasfilm, Pixar and more — and surely there's motivation in presenting Walt Disney Co. as human, one devoted to creativity and imagination, which is the primary theme of Disney's short speech. Yet, ultimately, this isn't going to pack in long-term crowds. It's an addition to Disney's original park that explores its history. And Disney enthusiasts will likely appreciate this bold endeavor from the company — or at least enjoy debating the merits of the figure. In that sense, it's the rare theme park attraction that feels like a passion project.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Ryan Gosling to star in action-comedy titled ‘Tough Guys'
Actors Ryan Gosling and Will Ferrell are set to team up for a new action-comedy film titled Tough Guys, according to Deadline. The movie is being developed by Amazon MGM Studios. The film, written by Daniel Gold, tells the story of two henchmen who decide they've had enough of being treated as disposable. They break away from their criminal bosses and try to start a new life on their own terms, bringing humour and action together in this fresh take on crime stories. Gold, the writer behind Tough Guys, is known for his work on all seven seasons of the popular show Workin' Moms. He was both a writer and producer on the series and helped shape its unique style and voice. Gosling and Jessie Henderson are in talks to produce the film under their banner, Open Invite Entertainment. Will Ferrell and Jessica Elbaum are also expected to produce for Gloria Sanchez Productions. Trevor Engelson and Aaron Folbe may join as executive producers for Underground. So far, there is no official word on who will direct the film. ALSO READ:Ryan Gosling circling Shawn Levy's standalone 'Star Wars' film Ryan Gosling, who was last seen in Barbie, will also appear in Amazon MGM's upcoming Project Hail Mary and a Star Wars film titled Starfighter. Star Wars: Starfighter,' directed by Shawn Levy, is set to release on May 28, 2027. Will Ferrell has several projects lined up, including Judgment Day, Street Justice, and the Netflix series Golf.
