October 26, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Bravo Media(LOS ANGELES) — Crystal Kung Minkoff is joining The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, marking the first time an Asian-American has starred in the franchise. 

Variety confirms Kung Minkoff’s addition to the cast that also features Kyle Richards, Erika Girardi, Lisa Rinna, Garcelle Beauvais and Dorit Kemsley in its upcoming 11th season. 

Kung Minkoff is the founder of Real Coco, a brand that specializes in organic coconut products. She’s married to Rob Minkoff, who directed Disney’s The Lion King, The Haunted Mansion, Stuart Little and more. 

The entrepreneur’s participation in the show follows in the footsteps of Beauvais, who became the first Black cast member in the Beverly Hills franchise last season.  

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 11 is expected to premiere on Bravo next year.

By Cillea Houghton 
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

October 26, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Jeff Spicer/FilmMagic(LOS ANGELES) — Fans can now bid on a rare Black Panther comic signed by Chadwick Boseman. 

Nate D. Sanders Auctions is presenting a Black Panther comic #1 signed by the blockbuster film’s late star. Alongside his signature, Boseman also writes 42, in reference to the2013 film of the same name in which he starred as Jackie Robinson, whose famous jersey number was 42. 

Black Panther director Ryan Coogler and the late Stan Lee, co-creator of the Black Panther character, also signed the comic. The bidding for the coveted item starts at $8,000. 

Marvel’s Black Panther, released in 2018, grossed $1.3 billion dollars worldwide and over $700 million North American, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of all time domestically.

Boseman passed away from colon cancer in August. He was diagnosed in 2016 and kept his battle with the disease largely out of the public eye. He was laid to rest near his hometown of Anderson, South Carolina in September.

By Cillea Houghton 
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

October 26, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Emma McIntyre/Getty ImagesNetflix has picked up the rights to the Idris Elba-led film, Concrete Cowboy, which is set to be released in 2021.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the father-son drama, which also stars Stranger Things actor Caleb McLaughlin, generated a lot of buzz after debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

Adapted from the novel Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri and directed by Ricky Straub, Concrete Cowboycenters on McLaughlin’s character: a troubled teen who spends the summer in North Philadelphia learning about the urban cowboy subculture from his estranged father, played by Elba.

THR described the film as a “moving, well-acted drama about a fractured family coming together in unexpected ways.” 

Concrete Cowboy’s production team includes Elba, Philly native Lee Daniels, the film’s writer Dan Walser, Den of Thieves producer Tucker Tooley, and John Wick 3 producers Jeff G Waxman andJennifer Madeloff.

Idris Elba is also set to star another Netflix cowboy film, The Harder They Fall, alongside Lakeith Stanfield, Regina King, Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo and Lovecraft Country‘s Jonathan Majors.

By Rachel George
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

October 26, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Genius Brands(LOS ANGELES) — Shaquille O’Neal is switching into cartoon mode. 

The famed basketball player has partnered with Genius Brands to co-create, co-produce and star in an upcoming animated children’s show called Shaq’s Garage.  It chronicles the adventures of a group of cartoon automobiles, all with their own unique capabilities. In addition to his sports career, O’Neal is also an avid collector of luxurious autos. 

Shaq will voice the show’s main character, Big Diesel, as the vehicles go on various adventures while communicating through a secret language known as “Shaqanese.”

Shaq’s Garage will also share messages of inclusivity, exemplified by one of the cars which is missing a wheel, yet is as fast and intelligent as its counterparts. 

“We plan to showcase the most amazing, tricked-out assortment of vehicles that can only be found in my garage,” O’Neal says in a statement. “They will all have larger-than-life personalities, larger-than-life missions and of course, larger-than-life sound systems! This will be a kid’s show which will highlight inclusivity for all.”

Shaq’s Garage is set to premiere early next year on Genius Brand’s free, positivity-focused Kartoon Channel. 

By Cillea Houghton 
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.