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Ron Howard takes over as director of untitled Han Solo movie
Oscar-winning filmmaker Ron Howard is taking over the helm of the untitled Han Solo movie, Lucasfilm announced Thursday.

The news came just two days after the company said co-directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller had left the Star Wars spinoff, months into production, due to creative differences.

Despite the switch in directors, the movie is still scheduled for release May 25.

"At Lucasfilm, we believe the highest goal of each film is to delight, carrying forward the spirit of the saga that George Lucas began 40 years ago," Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, said in a statement. "With that in mind, we're thrilled to announce that Ron Howard will step in to direct the untitled Han Solo film. We have a wonderful script, an incredible cast and crew, and the absolute commitment to make a great movie. Filming will resume the 10th of July."

The movie is an origin story for the iconic smuggler Harrison Ford played in four Star Wars blockbusters. Alden Ehrenreich will play the younger version of the character. The new picture will co-star Donald Glover, Joonas Suotamo, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Howard, 63, is a former child star who went on to direct beloved movies such as Willow, Splash, Parenthood, Apollo 13, The Paper, A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man, The Da Vinci Code, Frost/Nixon and Rush. He also narrated and produced the comedy series Arrested Development.


'Jurassic World' sequel receives official title 'Fallen Kingdom'
Universal's upcoming dinosaur sequel to Jurassic World has been officially titled Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

The new title was unveiled Thursday on Twitter alongside a new poster for the film featuring the series' signature logo and the tagline, "Life finds a way."

Stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are set to reprise their roles from the first film alongside original franchise star Jeff Goldblum who starred in 1993's Jurassic Park and 1997's The Lost World: Jurassic Park.

The film from director J.A. Bayona, who is taking over from Jurassic World helmer Colin Trevorrow, will also star B.D. Wong, Toby Jones, Rafe Spall, Justice Smith, Daniella Pineda, Ted Levine, Geraldine Chaplin, and James Cromwell.

Trevorrow remains attached to the project having worked on the script alongside Derek Connolly.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom roars into theaters in one year on June 22, 2018.


LOOSE LIPS:
"Who am I if not the American Idol guy?"
--Ryan Seacrest, on his love for the singing competition, to The Hollywood Reporter



??? Guess Who ???
Which 'Grey's Anatomy' alum will return in Season 14?


Robert Downey Jr. shares 'Avengers' set photo while on lunch break
Robert Downey Jr. posted on Twitter an on-set photo from Avengers: Infinity War that feature his costars Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo and Benedict Wong playing with his food.

"Forks, tongs, cans + bottles + a Wong... Help us #healthenet #afeastoffriends #AvengersInfinityWar #beardbros #sciencebros #benedictsquared," Downey captioned the image Wednesday while Cumberbatch is seen displaying a bottle of hot sauce with Ruffalo holding Downey's meal up with tongs while Wong holds a fork smiling.

Cumberbatch appears in the snap in costume as his Marvel character Dr. Strange alongside his character's partner played by Wong who is also seemingly in costume. Downey, meanwhile, appears to be wearing Tony Stark's Iron man under armor which is torn.

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, Avengers: Infinity War, which hopes to bring together the entire Marvel cinematic universe, blasts into theaters May 4, 2018.

Recently, Avengers star Scarlett Johansson, who portrays Black Widow, teased on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that Infinity War could feature up to over 60 Marvel characters with more than 30 of them appearing together in one action scene.

"There's so many of us. I don't even know who's a Marvel character and who's a crew member, honestly," Johansson said.


Kate Beckinsale spotted kissing 21-year-old actor Matt Rife
Kate Beckinsale was spotted kissing 21-year-old actor Matt Rife in Los Angeles this week.

The 43-year-old actress started dating the actor and comedian following her split from husband Len Wiseman, according to Entertainment Tonight.

Beckinsale and Rife were seen locking lips Wednesday outside Villa Lounge in West Hollywood. Sources said the pair met through a mutual friend and are now "officially boyfriend and girlfriend."

"They quickly started flirting, went on their first date and it's continued since," an insider said.

"Everyone in Kate's circle loves Matt and are so supportive of this relationship," the source added. "He really is the sweetest guy and makes her so happy! Her entire family thinks he is the nicest and most lovely person."

People reported Beckinsale isn't fazed by her 22-year age difference with Rife, who is known for the MTV series Wild 'N On Tour.

"Kate is enjoying her life. She is dating and having fun," an insider said.

"She has been seeing Matt for the past few weeks. She really seems to like him," the source added. "She refers to him as an old soul. There is obviously a physical attraction too. The age difference doesn't matter to her. Matt is amazing to her."

Wiseman, who directed Beckinsale in Underworld, filed for divorce from the actress in October after 12 years of marriage. Beckinsale was previously wed to Michael Sheen, and shares 18-year-old daughter Lily Mo with the actor.


??? Guess Who ???
Which 'Grey's Anatomy' alum will return in Season 14?

Kim Raver will return to the popular medical drama in Season 14.

The 48-year-old actress will reprise Teddy Altman after five seasons away from the ABC series, the show confirmed on its official Twitter page this week.

Deadline reported Raver will have "a guest arc" as Teddy in the new season. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) fired the character in the Season 8 finale so she would take her dream job elsewhere.

"Kim's series option was up and she was ready to give Teddy Altman a much-needed vacation," series creator Shonda Rhimes explained on Twitter after the episode aired in 2012.

"It's been a pleasure to work with someone as talented and funny and kind as Kim; everyone is going to miss her terribly," she added. "I like to imagine Teddy is still out there in the Grey's Anatomy universe, running Army Medical Command and building a new life."

Raver originally played Teddy in Seasons 6 through 8. She is also known for portraying Audrey Raines on 24 and Nico Reilly on Lipstick Jungle, and will have a recurring role in Season 5 of the Showtime drama Ray Donovan.

Grey's Anatomy will premiere a 14th season in the fall.