Here's the Scoop...
It's official! Star Wars: Episode VIII has been titled The Last Jedi, Disney and Lucasfilm.
"We have the greatest fans in this or any other galaxy. In appreciation of the fans, we wanted them to be the first to know the title of the next chapter in the Skywalker saga: Star Wars: The Last Jedi," the studios noted in a statement on StarWars.com.
The film is written and directed by by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman with Jason McGatlin, Tom Karnowski and The Force Awakens helmer J.J Abrams serving as executive producers.
An official logo featuring the new title was also released on Twitter.
The Jedi in the title seemingly refers to series hero Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and/or new protagonist Rey (Daisy Ridley).
Most of the cast from The Force Awakens will be returning including John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Lupita Nyong'o (Maz Kanata), Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Andry Serkis (Supreme Leader Snoke) and Benicio del Toro in an undisclosed role.
Carrie Fisher will also be returning as General Leia Organa as the actress finished filming the project before her death in December.
In March, Driver noted, "The script they've come up with is really great."
Be Well,
Steve
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Madonna clarifies rally remark about 'blowing up the White House'
Pop star Madonna is walking back a statement she made Saturday at the Women's March in Washington about how she has thought about blowing up the White House since Donald Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States.
"Yes, I'm angry. Yes, I am outraged. Yes, I thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House," the New York Post quoted the recording artist as telling the hundreds of thousands of demonstrators gathered to express their various concerns from questioning Trump's competency to demanding equal pay and the protection of reproductive rights.
"Yesterday's Rally. was an amazing and beautiful experience," she wrote on Instagram Sunday.
"I came and performed Express Yourself and thats exactly what i did," Madonna added. "However I want to clarify some very important things. I am not a violent person, I do not promote violence and it's important people hear and understand my speech in it's entirety rather than one phrase taken wildly out of context. My speech began with 'I want to start a revolution of love.' I then go on to take this opportunity to encourage women and all marginalized people to not fall into despair but rather to come together and use it as a starting point for unity and to create positive change in the world.
I spoke in metaphor and I shared two ways of looking at things -- one was to be hopeful, and one was to feel anger and outrage, which I have personally felt. However, I know that acting out of anger doesn't solve anything. And the only way to change things for the better is to do it with love.
It was truly an honor to be part of an audience chanting 'we choose love.'"
LOOSE LIPS:
"I am so annoyed at the way we force boys to be fake strong - don't cry, don't be soft...So a boy wants to paint his nails. Who cares!"
--Alicia Keys, on societal expectations, to Allure
??? Guess Who ???
Which country music superstar is going to sing 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at the Super Bowl?
David Ayer reflects on 'controversial' blockbuster 'Suicide Squad'
David Ayer took to Twitter to reflect on his critically panned, super-villain blockbuster Suicide Squad.
The filmmaker's comments were in response to a supportive fan who hailed the 2016 movie, which starred Will Smith, Jared Leto and Margot Robbie, as a "masterpiece."
"Thank you so much. I know it's a controversial film, I really tried to make something different, with a look and a voice of its own. I took inspiration from the insanity of the original comics. Making a movie is a journey, not a straight line. I learned so much," Ayer wrote in a statement he linked to on Twitter.
He also acknowledged that while the movie was "wildly successful commercially," it does have flaws. He admitted as well that he was hurt by the scathing reviews it received from critics.
"Wish I had a time machine. I'd make the Joker the main villain and engineer a more grounded story. I have to take the good and bad and learn from it," Ayer explained. "I love making movies and I love DC. I'm a High School dropout and used to paint houses for a living. I'm lucky to have the job I have. I have to give the characters the stories and plots they deserve next time. Real talk. [And no, there isn't a secret edit of the film with a bunch of Joker scenes hidden in a salt mine somewhere.]"
??? Guess Who ???
Which country music superstar is going to sing 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at the Super Bowl?
Luke Bryan has confirmed he will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at next month's Super Bowl game.
"Excited to perform the National Anthem on @NFL's biggest stage #SB51. See y'all in Houston," Bryan tweeted Sunday, along with a brief announcement video.
The game will air live on Fox from NRG Stadium in Houston on Feb. 5. Lady Gaga has been booked to headline the Super Bowl halftime show.