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'Songbird' trailer imagines a bleak world with COVID-23

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STX Films(LOS ANGELES) — Can’t imagine a year worse than 2020? Well, the new pandemic thriller Songbird does it for us.

The film, starring KJ Apa and Sofia Carson, dropped its first trailer Thursday, which shows the world in its fourth year of quarantine after COVID-19 mutates into an even more deadly strain, COVID-23.

Apa plays Nico, a delivery man with a rare immunity to the virus who’s able to continue his job as an essential worker. He falls in love with Sara, played by Carson, even though the two have never met in person due to the strict lockdown. When he finds out Sara might be infected, he goes on a mission to save her.

The film went into production in July, becoming the first movie to shoot in Los Angeles following the COVID-19 shutdown.

Songbird, produced by Michael Bay, also stars Demi Moore, Bradley Whitford, Paul Walter Hauser, Craig Robinson, Peter Stormare and Alexandra Daddario.

A release date has yet to be announced.

By Andrea Tuccillo
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost have tied the knot

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Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic(NEW YORK) — Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost are officially married!

The actress, 35, and Saturday Night Live cast member, 38, announced the news of their nuptials in a post on the Meals on Wheels America Instagram account on Thursday.

“We’re thrilled to break the news that Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost were married over the weekend in an intimate ceremony with their immediate family and loved ones, following COVID-19 safety precautions as directed by the CDC,” a statement on the account read.

The statement added that the couple’s wedding wish “is to help make a difference for vulnerable older adults during this difficult time by supporting @mealsonwheelsamerica” and asked for donations to the nonprofit.

Johansson and Jost confirmed their engagement in May 2019.

This is Jost’s first marriage and Johansson’s third. She was married to actor Ryan Reynolds from 2008-2011, then to French journalist Romain Dauriac from 2014-2017.

The actress shares a six-year-old daughter, Rose, with Dauriac.

By Hayley FitzPatrick
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Sam Heughan talks filming 'Outlander' love scenes with COVID precautions

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Starz(NEW YORK) — During an appearance on Live with Kelly & Ryan Thursday, Sam Heughan answered the burning question on every Outlander fans’ minds: How will they film the show’s steamy love scenes with COVID-19 safety protocols?

“Yeah, I guess I’ve gotta now stay two meters apart from my costar, so that could provide some really interesting love scenes,” he said. “We’ll see.”

He assured that as far as he knows, there will still be love scenes between his character Jamie and Claire, played by Caitriona Balfe, in the upcoming sixth season of the Starz drama.

So far, shooting on season six hasn’t begun yet, but production will be starting again soon.

“I’ve been in a few times for costume fittings and yeah, it’s just we’re gonna have to adapt,” Heughan said. “You know, we’re gonna have to look at a new way of working around it. But we’re getting there, you know? So I’m excited. I’m excited to go back to work.”

In the meantime, Heughan and his Outlander co-star Graham McTavish have written a book that comes out November 3. It’s called Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other.

The book is a companion to Heughan and McTavish’s upcoming Scottish travel show, Men in Kilts.

By Andrea Tuccillo
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Brothers Peter and Benjamin Bratt explain the inclusive conversation they want to have with the rerelease of 'Follow Me Home'

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Courtesy of Follow Me Home(NEW YORK) — Actor Benjamin Bratt and his filmmaker brother Peter Bratt have enlisted their Follow Me Home cast members and their industry friends to have a candid conversation about their film nearly two decades after its release.
As part of a three-night event, which includes the rerelease of the film, the brothers are sparking dialogue about racial inequity, voting, and the current political climate. Peter tells ABC Audio that he never imagined his film would still be as impactful today.

“It was seen as kind of a radical, uncomfortable idea… 25 years ago and we didn’t really foresee this coming about,” he says. “But it really was after the murder of George Floyd that we started hearing from people across the country who had seen the film saying, ‘You have to bring this back. This is more relevant now than it was then.'”

Benjamin agrees, adding the film had the ability to broach difficult conversations then, as it does now.

“We yearn for a sense of belonging within a community, within a family, a connection with another individual,” he says. “That’s what it’s all about. And I think it’s important to underline that the conversation around racial equity has been largely a black and white issue. But the conversation we want to invoke involves everybody.” 

While the film delves into deep and meaningful topics, it also offers plenty of levity through its dynamic and quirky characters. Benjamin jokes his brother initially thought he was “too pretty” for the role of Abel.

“The character I play, he’s a straight up hardcore ex-con homeboy. And when [Peter] wrote the role of [Abel], the last person he considered for it was me,” he says. “Even as his brother and co-producer on the film, I had to beg him for the part.”

To join the conversation go to FollowMeHomeTheMovie.com.

By Candice Williams
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Former Miss America winner Leanza Cornett dies at 49

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Donald Kravitz/Getty Images for Dick Clark Productions(LOS ANGELES) — Leanza Cornett, who was crowned Miss America in 1993, died unexpectedly on Wednesday.  She was 49.

The Miss America Organization confirmed the beauty queen’s passing, writing, “Leanza had a bright and beautiful spirit and her laugh was infectious.  We know she meant so much to so many, including all of you.”

The industry has been “devastated by this sudden loss” and “are deeply sorry for her family and close friends for their loss.”

The organization declined to reveal her cause of death, writing, “At the moment, we do not have any further information regarding a service for Leanza and we ask that you please respect her family during this difficult time.”

Family and friends of Cornett revealed she suffered a head injury and creating a special Facebook group called Leanza Cornett’s Circle of Love to update fans on her recovery. 

The group revealed on October 18 that she “sustained an enormous blow to the back of her head” that resulted in “bleeding in her brain.”  No further details were provided.

“The updates here are provided by, and or approved by Leanza’s Mom, Patti, who is with Leanza,” the group attested.

The last update to fans was posted Wednesday regarding Cornett’s tragic passing.

Cornett’s ex-husband Mark Steines, who shared sons Kai, 18, and Avery, 16, with her, took to Instagram to honor his late wife, vowing, “We will always remember the wonderful times shared during her short time here on earth. I find comfort knowing Kai and Avery will forever have the best guardian angel watching over them as they navigate life’s path.”

Cornett went on to play the first live-action Ariel in The Little Mermaid stage production at Walt Disney World and had cameos in shows like Weeds and Saved by the Bell: The New Class.

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