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Steve

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Police investigating whether Anton Yelchin's SUV had defective transmission
Police are investigating whether the Jeep Grand Cherokee that struck and killed actor Anton Yelchin had transmissions issues.

Yelchin was killed Sunday after he was pinned by his own SUV at his Studio City, Calif., home after apparently leaving the vehicle parked in neutral on a fairly steep incline.

The 2015 model Jeep Grand Cherokee, a rep for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles explained to People magazine, is the same model that the company recalled in April for a possible transmission issue.

The automaker said 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees manufactured between July 16, 2012 and Dec. 22, 2015 were recalled after the National Highway Safety Administration investigated the possible defect. Now police are doing the same.

"We are looking into that," a spokesperson for the LAPD noted. "The investigation is still ongoing and the traffic detectives will look at all of those factors as they would in any traffic collision investigation. So, at this time we're not sure what caused it, but that's something investigators are looking at."

According to the National Highway Safety Administration's report, the vehicle's gear shift design makes it difficult to tell what gear the vehicle is in, noting that "drivers erroneously concluding that their vehicle's transmission is in the 'park' position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged."

In a statement to People, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said "FCA US extends its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Yelchin. The company is in contact with the authorities and is conducting a thorough investigation."


LOOSE LIPS:
"A best friend just makes you happier. You can go from being silly to opening up and being vulnerable. You're surrounded by comfort in sad, painful times. And that's what matters."
--Blake Lively, on why she considers husband Ryan Reynolds to be her best friend, in the July issue of Marie Claire


??? Guess Who ???
Which comedian has joined the cast of 'Spider-Man: Homecoming'?



Noomi Rapace returns for 'Prometheus' sequel 'Alien: Convenant'
Noomi Rapace is set to reprise her role as Elizabeth Shaw in director Ridley Scott's upcoming Prometheus sequel, Alien Covenant.

According to Deadline, despite earlier reports that the actress would not be returning, Rapace has been spotted on the set of Covenant in Australia shooting a week's worth of scenes.

Rapace will be rejoining her Prometheus castmate Michael Fassbender in the film which will also connect directly with Scott's original Alien from 1979. Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride and Demian Bichir also star.

"Bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, the crew of the colony ship Covenant discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world - whose sole inhabitant is the "synthetic" David (Michael Fassbender), survivor of the doomed Prometheus expedition," reads the film's official synopsis.

Recently, a set photo featuring Scott and Fassbender was posted on the film's official Facebook page with the caption, "Creator. Creation."

The image is the second behind-the-scenes photo released for the film following an earlier pic featuring an unknown character's spacesuit with a patch from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, an evil company first referenced in Alien.

Alien: Covenant is set to arrive in theaters Aug. 4, 2017 and will be a "hard R" according to Scott.


??? Guess Who ???
Which comedian has joined the cast of 'Spider-Man: Homecoming'?

Hannibal Buress has signed on to star in Sony and Marvel's upcoming superhero epic, Spider-Man: Homecoming.

The casting first reported by Variety, comes after recent news that Martin Starr, Logan Marshall-Green and Donald Glover have joined the film as well, with production expected to ramp up soon.

Buress known for his stand-up comedy and roles on Broad City and The Eric Andre Show, has been cast in an unspecified role. Homecoming is the latest film project for Buress who will next be seen in The Secret Life of Pets, The Masterpiece and Baywatch.

The cast also includes Tom Holland who will appear as a younger version of the wall-crawling hero, Marisa Tomei as Aunt May, Zendaya as the female lead and Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man.

Directed by Jon Watts, Spider-Man: Homecoming is expected to swing into theaters July 7, 2017.