Here's the Scoop...
'Ant-Man and the Wasp' winning the weekend box office was no small feat...
The Marvel superhero movie Ant-Man and the Wasp is the No. 1 movie in North America, earning $76 million during its first weekend in theaters, BoxOfficeMojo.com announced Sunday.
Coming in at No. 2 is Incredibles 2 with $29 million, followed by Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom at No. 3 with $28.6 million, The First Purge at No. 4 with $17.2 million and Sicario: Day of the Soldado at No. 5 with $7.3 million.
Rounding out the top tier are Uncle Drew at No. 6 with $6.6 million, Ocean's 8 at No. 7 with $5.3 million, Tag at No. 8 with $3.1 million, Won't You Be My Neighbor? at No. 9 with $2.6 million and Deadpool 2 at No. 10 with $1.7 million.
And, sadly, legendary Marvel comic-book artist Steve Ditko has passed away. He co-created Spider-Man, Doctor Strange and so much more. Learn more about the genius of Ditko and his legacy in our first story.
Be Well,
Steve
Comments? Questions? Nooz? Email Steve
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Marvel, filmmakers mourn death of Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko
Steve Ditko, the comic-book artist who helped Stan Lee create the Marvel superheroes Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, has died at his home in New York. He was 90.
TMZ reported Friday Ditko was found unresponsive in his apartment June 29 by a social worker who was checking on him.
The Hollywood Reporter said he died two days earlier.
Arteriosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease were listed as the causes of death, the medical examiner's office said.
"Today, the Marvel family mourns the loss of Steve Ditko. Steve transformed the industry and the Marvel Universe, and his legacy will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and fans during this sad time," Marvel Entertainment President Dan Buckley said in a statement Saturday.
Marvel Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada added: "Only a small group of individuals can claim that they have effected and redefined not just an industry, but popular culture worldwide. Steve Ditko was one of those few who dared to break molds every time his pencil and pen hit a blank sheet of paper. In his lifetime he blessed us with gorgeous art, fantastical stories, heroic characters and a mystical persona worthy of some of his greatest creations. And much like his greatest co-creation, Steve Ditko's legend and influence will outlive us all."
"Spider-Man. Dr. Strange. The Question. The Creeper. Shade the Changing Man. Hawk & Dove. He worked with @Marvel AND @DCComics. Such an astounding imagination and the awesome ability to back it up. Thank you #SteveDitko, for sharing your genius and enriching American Pop Culture," tweeted Kevin Smith, filmmaker and former host of AMC's docu-series Comic Book Men.
"RIP to comic book legend Steve Ditko, beyond influential on countless planes of existence. He never truly profited from his comic creations that have lasted for decades, but his work will never be forgotten," Hot Fuzz and Baby Driver director Edgar Wright wrote on Twitter.
"Goodbye Steve Ditko," said Scott Derrickson, who helmed the 2016 film version of Doctor Strange.
Ditko left Marvel in the late 1960s due to tension with Lee, then worked at the publishers Charlton and DC Comics, returning to Marvel in 1979 to work on Machine Man and the Micronauts. He freelanced for Marvel until the 1990s and one of his final creations was the cult favorite heroine Squirrel Girl.
Report: Keri Russell in talks for 'Star Wars' role
The Americans actress Keri Russell is reportedly in talks to play a role in Star Wars Episode IX.
Variety reported it is unclear whether she would play a heroine or villain, but either way the job will require her to do stunts.
Deadline.com noted the project would reunite Russell with her Felicity and Mission: Impossible III collaborator J.J. Abrams, who is directing the Star Wars sequel. The film is due in U.S. theaters Dec. 20, 2019.
Russell's other credits include Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Austenland, August Rush and Waitress.
LOOSE LIPS:
"I should have done it before. I'm just lucky. I'm lucky. I've got a great wife. I love her."
--Hugh Grant, on marrying longtime love Anna Eberstein at age 57, on Today
??? Guess Who ???
Which 'Modern Family' star is taking a break from Twitter?
Reports: Justin Bieber is engaged to Hailey Baldwin
Pop star Justin Bieber is engaged to model Hailey Baldwin, multiple entertainment news outlets said Sunday.
TMZ reported the singer proposed to his girlfriend Saturday night at a restaurant in a resort in the Bahamas.
Bieber, 24, and Baldwin, 21, have been a couple for about a month after previously dating and breaking up over the past couple of years.
"It's kind of a surprise, but kind of not. Justin has been extremely happy these past few weeks," a source told People.com. "He has known Hailey for a long time. This might seem sudden, but they know each other very well."
The celebrities have not publicly announced their engagement, but UsMagazine.com said it also confirmed Bieber proposed marriage to Baldwin and she accepted.
Bieber's parents posted social-media messages that are being interpreted as confirmation, as well.
"@justinbieber Proud is an understatement! Excited for the next chapter!," Jeremy Bieber captioned a photo of his son looking out at the ocean at sunset.
"Love Love Love Love Love Love Love," his mom Patti Mallette tweeted.
Roseanne Barr announces first TV interview since cancellation
Roseanne Barr has announced on Twitter that she is ready to have her first television interview since ABC's cancellation of Roseanne in May.
"To my wonderful fans who I treasure and love-who have carried me these past weeks when I was 2 weak 2 carry myself: I will be doing a TV interview this week. I'll tell u about it tomorrow!" she tweeted Sunday.
Barr did not release any further details concerning the interview.
ABC canceled its successful revival of Roseanne after Barr compared Valerie Jarrett, an African-American former adviser to then-President Barack Obama, to the film Planet of the Apes in a tweet.
Barr also posted on Sunday a selfie of herself debuting her new blonde hair. "New hair!" she said.
ABC recently announced a Roseanne spinoff without Barr titled The Conners that will debut in the fall and star original cast members John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson and Michael Fishman.
"I regret the circumstances that have caused me to be removed from Roseanne. I agreed to the settlement in order that 200 jobs of beloved cast and crew could be saved, and I wish the best for everyone involved," Barr previously said in a statement about the spinoff.
??? Guess Who ???
Which 'Modern Family' star is taking a break from Twitter?
Modern Family co-star Ariel Winter will not be posting on her Twitter account any time in the near future.
"Ariel has taken a break from Twitter and engaging with commenters on her other platforms because of the constant negativity she experiences," the 20-year-old actress' publicist told Us Weekly Friday. "She needs a moment to breathe and enjoy herself without judgement."
Yahoo Entertainment said Winter threatened this week -- in a now deleted, expletive-filled tweet -- to take legal action against paparazzi waiting to take pictures of her outside her home.
"Sad when you literally enjoy your job but hate every part of the fame aspect. Also sad when you desperately want to move somewhere remote so you can just live a normal life in peace. I can't speak for anyone else, but I hate being followed and I hate my [expletive] out in the news."
Sarah Hyland, who plays Winter's sister on the sitcom, last month went on Instagram to demand online "pervs" stop making lewd remarks about Winter's appearance and clothing choices.