December 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC.(LOS ANGELES) — While some Star Wars fans could have anticipated at least some of the upcoming projects that were announced as part of the Disney Investor Day presentation Thursday, a major surprise was a movie called Rogue Squadron. 

Wonder Woman‘s Patty Jenkins has been tapped to direct, making her the first woman to helm a Star Wars feature film. 

While it’s too early to share any footage about the film, which centers on the titular group of legendary Rebel pilots, Jenkins introduced her contribution with a Twitter video about how close the movie it is to her heart. 

“I love…speed of any kind,” says the filmmaker, who is rollerblading across a tarmac in the video. “I think that’s because I grew up the daughter of a great fighter pilot…And every day I’d wake up and look outside and…see my father and his squadron taking off and their F-4s roaring across the sky,” calling it, “the most thrilling thing I have experienced in my entire life.”

As she says this, she’s reached her car’s open trunk and begins changing off camera.

She continues, “…when he lost his life in service to this country, it ignited a desire in me to turn all that tragedy and thrill into one day making the greatest fighter pilot movie of all time.”

Jenkins mentions she could never find the right project…”Until now.” 

Jenkins says she, “finally found a movie that combines the two things I love,” Jenkins says. “So I’m gonna see you very soon,” she smiles, as she puts on a Rebel pilot helmet.

And with that the camera pulls out to reveal see she’d zipped herself into an orange flight suit — and walks to a waiting X-Wing fighter.

Jenkins’ next film, Wonder Woman 1984, opens in theaters and debuts on HBO Max on December 25.

Star Wars is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

December 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Rick Rowell(LOS ANGELES) — Wonder Woman 1984 star Kristen Wiig opened up about motherhood in a candid new interview.

The 47-year-old actress, who welcomed her twins via surrogate in January alongside fiancé Avi Rothman, sat down with Entertainment Tonight Thursday to speak about how much her life has changed since becoming a mom.

“It’s the best,” said Wiig. “I know everyone always says that, and everyone says, like, it changes how you look at the world and how you… and all of that stuff is so true.”

Wiig assured that she isn’t over her head juggling a successful acting career and twins, adding, “Just having these two other little beings that I get to take care of is so amazing and, even though it’s hard, I feel more relaxed in a way.”

“I don’t know why, but I had this sense of, like, calm after they were born,” she shrugged, adding that the mentality carried her through the entire year.

“Now that I have these two little ones, my mind is just not on work,” said Wiig. “Even if this global pandemic weren’t going on, I would want to be with my kids.”

While the Oscar-nominee confesses that “some days I get more sleep than others,” she wouldn’t trade her little ones for the world.  “It is what it is. And it’s frickin’ awesome.”

Wiig added that since having children, she’s completely rethinking how she does her job, which she says was like “an isolated existence” because “you’re on your own a lot.”

“Now that I have kids, it’s like, ‘Oh, I don’t want this to be about me, I don’t wanna think about me anymore,” she smiled.

Wiig stars as the villain Cheetah in the upcoming Wonder Woman 1984, which is available for streaming on HBO Max on Christmas Day.

By Megan Stone
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

December 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Marvel Studios(LOS ANGELES) — In the wake of Chadwick Boseman’s death in August, Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, announced that the studio will not recast his Black Panther character.

This was one of a slew of Marvel-related headlines announced by Feige as part of Disney’s Investor Day presentation Thursday.

Boseman, who died of cancer at 43, played King T’Challa/Black Panther, in the 2018 blockbuster film, which was co-written and directed by Ryan Coogler and co-starred Michael B. Jordan.

Black Panther 2, which will “explore the world of Wakanda & the rich characters introduced in the first film,” according to a tweet from the studio, will also be written and directed by Coogler. It is slated to open July 8, 2022.

Feige provided updates on the new Doctor Strange film with Benedict Cumberbatch, coming in 2022; Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, led by Canadian actor Simu Liu; Captain Marvel 2, coming during the 2022 holiday season; the addition of Christian Bale to the Thor universe; a new Blade film with two-time Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali taking over for Wesley Snipes; and even a Guardians of the Galaxy holiday special.

Joining the previously announced Hawkeye, Winter Soldier and Loki series at Disney+ will be a show featuring Iron Man’s best friend, War Machine, played by Don Cheadle. Marvel also showed off a sizzle real for the series Ms. Marvel, whose title character has become a fan favorite. Capitalizing on the popularity of everyone’s favorite flora from Guardians of the Galaxy, Baby Groot will get a series of shorts on the streaming service.

By Good Morning America
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

December 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Eric McCandless(LOS ANGELES) — Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba said Thursday via social media that she has tested positive for COVID-19.

“Hey Everyone, I have tested positive for COVID 19,” Inaba captioned her Instagram post.  “I’m home with some symptoms and will be sequestering as per the CDC guidelines, resting and taking care of myself.”

In a video, the 52-year-old listed her symptoms, which she said include a fever, bad cough and “lots of aches and pains.”

Inaba said she has been following all the guidelines and safety protocols and still caught the coronavirus, urging her followers to take it seriously.

“So, this is a friendly reminder to be extra careful this holiday season,” she continued in the caption.  “Wear your masks, socially and physically keep your distance, and wash your hands.  Take care everyone. And I’ll keep you updated on my journey.”

“You don’t want this,” she noted at the end of the video message.

This news comes nearly three weeks after DWTS wrapped season 29 on ABC, which saw former Bachelorette star Kaitlyn Bristowe and pro partner Artem Chigvintsev win the Mirror Ball trophy.

December 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic(LOS ANGELES) — Friday and The Fifth Element actor Tommy “Tiny” Lister has died.  He was 62.

Variety confirms that police conducting a wellness check Thursday at the request of his friends found Lister unresponsive in his home.   His cause of death remains unknown and is currently listed as “natural causes” — pending an autopsy.

Friends of the former professional wrestler, who was blind in his right eye, say he was reportedly exhibiting symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19 before his untimely passing.  Lister was working on a film project when he cancelled due to feeling under the weather.

His manager Cindy Cowan told Variety, “He was a wonderful guy with a heart of gold. Everyone loved him. A real gentle giant.  We’re all devastated.”

Lister, when on the wrestling circuit, was known for taking on Hulk Hogan by masquerading as Zeus in 1989’s No Holds Barred.

He later changed his name to Z-Gangsta for World Championship Wrestling.

Lister later gained critical acclaim playing the bully in the 1995 film Friday opposite of Ice Cube and appeared in over 80 films including Adam Sandler’s Little Nicky, The Dark Knight and Austin Powers in Goldmember.

He also made cameos in music videos for Michael Jackson, 50 Cent, French Montana, Sublime, Akon, Iggy Azalea and many others.

Lister is survived by his wife, Felicia Forbes and daughter Faith Grace, who is 12.

By Megan Stone
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.