A change in plans. Duchess Camilla pulled out of an interview with Today‘s Jenna Bush Hager hours before Queen Elizabeth II died at age 96.
24.08.2022 - 01:47 / deadline.com
John Boyega has expressed “frustration” with Disney’s kid-gloves handling of fan protests when he was cast as a “Black Stormtrooper” in 2015’s The Force Awakens. But the British actor says he’s made peace with it after seeing how differently the company recently handled similar fan criticism of Moses Ingram in Obi-Wan Kenobi.
“That’s the peace that I felt,” he said on on SiriusXM’s Tell Me Everything With John Fugelsang. “Moses Ingram being protected makes me feel protected. Do you understand what I’m saying? It makes me feel like, ‘Okay, cool. I am not the elephant in the room.’ Because when I started, it wasn’t really a conversation you could bring up. You know how they went through it. It was kind of like, ‘Let’s just be silent.’ It wasn’t a conversation you could bring up. But now to see how blatant it is, to see Ewan McGregor come and support…It, for me, fulfills my time where I didn’t get the support.”
Asked if he was bitter that he didn’t get the same kind of protection that Ingram did from Disney, Boyega took the long view.
“It doesn’t make me feel bitter at all. It makes me feel like sometimes you are that guy. And my dad taught me that. Sometimes you’re not the guy to get the blessing and sometimes you are Moses, you know, you lead the people to the mountain, but you see the destination. You don’t get to go in, you get others to go in. And that’s where you get your happiness from,” he said.
“And for me to see other people accepted, and then at the same time to see that the studios now are like, ‘Okay, cool. This is not an elephant in the room conversation. We need to support our Black client.’ It’s fantastic.”
As to whether he would ever essay the role of Finn again in a Star Wars film, “At this point I’m cool off
A change in plans. Duchess Camilla pulled out of an interview with Today‘s Jenna Bush Hager hours before Queen Elizabeth II died at age 96.
Hoda Kotb is incredibly close to her Today co-stars and is always one of the first to be their cheerleader both on the show and outside of it.MORE: Hoda Kotb's stand-in host revealed as star takes time off TodayThe mother-of-two - who has been taking some much-deserved time off over a lot of the summer to be with her family - always likes to remark on her famous friends' success on social media.The star earlier in the year was particularly proud of her co-star Jenna Bush Hager - and didn't hold back on her pride either! The NBC host shared a snapshot back in April when Jenna embarked on her book tour with her sister Barbara Bush - as they went around the country promoting their children's book, The Superpower Sisterhood. VIDEO: Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb host New Year's Eve SpecialJenna and Barbara left in April for a nine-date book tour to promote their book, and Hoda couldn't have been more proud.MORE: Hoda Kotb delights fans with heartfelt tribute to rarely seen family member in new photoMORE: Today's Hoda Kotb's difficult career goodbye revealed"So proud of you @jennabhager and barbara! This book is top of our reading list!!!!" she wrote alongside a picture posted on her Instagram account, inspiring many fans to send heart emojis and messages of support as well."Incredible women doing incredible things," one wrote, with another saying: "Y'all are amazing!!!" A third even added: "Love how Hoda and Jenna support each other."A post shared by Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb)Hoda showed her support for Jenna as she continued on her book tourHoda and Jenna have been hosting the Fourth Hour together since 2019, after Jenna took over from Kathie Lee Gifford following her retirement.MORE: Hoda Kotb leaves Today co-star lost for
John Boyega would be '"very surprised" to see a black James Bond. The 30-year-old actor was asked if he would ever consider taking on the role of the 007 spy in the legendary movie franchise - which has so far only been played by white men such as the late Sir Sean Connery and Sir Roger Moore as well as Daniel Craig throughout its 60-year history - but "doesn't believe" that producers will ever cast a black man in the part. Speaking on the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast, he told host Josh Horowitz: "I’m sorry but I’m black – I don’t know how.
Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor The inaugural Soho House Awards, hosted by Stanley Tucci, were presented Thursday night in London. Honorees included actors John Boyega, Ellie Bamber (“Les Misérables”), Yasmin Finney (“Heartstopper”), Evan Mock (“Gossip Girl) and Paapa Essideu (“I May Destory You”) and makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury. Musicians Michael Kiwanuka and Self Esteem were honored and also performed during the event. The gala was held at 180 House and broadcast across Soho House’s digital platforms, including Instagram and TikTok. Olympic diver Tom Daley presented the statuettes, known as the Golden Picante awards, to the honorees.
The 66th BFI London Film Festival is set to host the world premiere of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, the Oscar-winning director’s dark take on the classic fairy tale about a wooden marionette brought to life to mend the heart of a grieving woodcarver named Geppetto.
Jenna Bush Hager and her co-star Hoda Kotb love to have fun on their usual segment of Fourth Hour of Today, also called Today with Hoda and Jenna.MORE: Jenna Bush Hager shares glimpses of family vacationThe two of them often dive into some conversations that could be divisive to fans and sometimes, they dive into ones they can't help but relate with.VIDEO: Jenna Bush Hager 'hustled' to get to Hoda Kotb after emotional Today episodeOn occasion, however, the odd surprising claim will be made that takes fans aback at first and then eventually makes the most sense.Such a conversation happened in a recent episode of the show, where Jenna made an odd comparison for Hoda, but eventually proved her point excellently.MORE: Jenna Bush Hager shocks fans as she reveals different side to husband Henry with hilarious storyShe started off by saying: "Hoda is the most disciplined," then going on to compare the mother-of-two to a dad, which Hoda couldn't help but chuckle to.Specifically, she mentioned that her co-star reminded her of her own dad, former President George W. Bush.
Star Wars after starring in Trainspotting.The Obi-Wan Kenobi actor recently reflected on his career in the 1990s on the Smartless podcast, discussing his uncertainty about joining the Star Wars franchise in 1999 after working on Trainspotting in 1996.“I really had to think about it,” McGregor said. “Because it came right after that Trainspotting period, and by that time I was so full of myself.“I was like, ‘I am Danny Boyle’s actor. I am fucking urban grunge.
Ewan McGregor is revealing how almost missed out on starring in “Star Wars” because he thought he was too “urban grunge”.
Jenna Bush Hager has been enjoying her time off Today as she gets to spend a precious few moments with her family before summer ends.MORE: Jenna Bush Hager shocks fans as she reveals different side to husband Henry with hilarious storyThe TV star shared a glimpse into her vacation with them, also including her sister Barbara Bush and her family.VIDEO: Jenna Bush Hager reunites with daughter MilaThe group jetted off to Maine to frolic around in the water and spend a few days among nature, with her kids Poppy, Mila, and Hal making the best of their time while also doting over baby cousin Cora."Magical Maine," Jenna titled her photo compilation, and her fans loved the peek at her family life and began immediately gushing over her kids in particular.MORE: Jenna Bush Hager stuns in swimwear in beach photos with twin sister Barbara"SO MUCH TO LOVE ABOUT THIS," one wrote, with another commenting: "Beautiful, I just love the photo of the girls walking in the flowers."A third added: "Maine is so beautiful!! Pretty pics!!" with a fourth also saying: "You and Barbara have beautiful children! Your parents are very blessed."A post shared by Jenna Bush Hager (@jennabhager)Jenna provided a peek at her family vacationDuring her break, Jenna had a lot to celebrate and be thankful for, and one of them was the adorable milestone she reached with son Hal, who turned three.She commemorated the toddler's special day with a slew of never-before-seen pictures of him alongside his family, and they seriously were as sweet and cute as it could get.MORE: Jenna Bush Hager congratulated as she delivers details of exciting new TV projectMORE: Today's Justin Sylvester opens up about working with Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda KotbThe adorable photos
Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter If three new movies debut in theaters, but nobody goes to see them… That is how Sony’s creepy thriller “The Invitation” managed to top box office charts with a paltry $7 million. Its win comes with some pretty weak bragging rights; it’s the lowest first-place finish since May 2021, when COVID was keeping people at home. Now, it’s not the pandemic that’s preventing audiences from going to theaters, it’s the lack of appealing options. Overall, the domestic box office generated just $54 million over the weekend, the worst collective result in months. And the bad times are expected to continue until at least late September or early October, when “Don’t Worry Darling” (Sept. 23), “Halloween Ends” (Oct. 14) and the comic book adaptation “Black Adam” (Oct. 21) open in theaters. It’s a disappointing finale to an otherwise strong summer at the movies, which fielded plenty of box office hits including “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “Thor: Love and Thunder” and “Elvis.”
J. Kim Murphy In a summer that’s often seen only one new wide release in a weekend, a whopping three new films hit theaters on Friday: Sony’s horror-thriller “The Invitation,” George Miller’s “Three Thousand Years of Longing” and bank heist movie “Breaking,” starring John Boyega. However, none of them seem to be making much of an impact, as the total box office projects a sum in the $50 million to $60 million range. That wouldn’t just be the worst weekend of the summer, but also the worst since February. “The Invitation” is tracking ahead of the other two, as it looks to claim the weekend’s top spot with a meagre $6 million to $7 million gross from 3,114 locations in its opening. Critics didn’t really care for the movie — it landed a 40% approval rating from review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes — and audiences were perhaps more unenthused. The film holds a “C” grade from research firm Cinema Score, indicating a rather snoozy reception from general consumers.
Jenna Bush Hager is proving nothing is off limits, even if it means exposing her husband!MORE: Jenna Bush Hager stuns in swimwear in beach photos with twin sister BarbaraThe star wasn't afraid of throwing her husband Henry Hager under the bus, when playing the classic sleepover game with her co-star Hoda Kotb on 4th Hour with Hoda and Jenna.As the two co-hosts were discussing sneaky behavior, home etiquette, and messy accidents in other people's homes, the mom-of-three outed her husband as the culprit of some serious damage.WATCH: Jenna opens up about body imageMORE: Jenna Bush Hager congratulated as she delivers details of exciting new TV projectThe initial prompt was: "Never have I ever spilled something on someone's carpet and pretended nothing happened."Hoda didn't hold back and immediately said she unfortunately had, to which Jenna joked: "Well, I have never, because it's been real obvious."However, she didn't stop there, doubling down on the confessions to reveal an accident that Henry had which was much worse than any wine or cocktail spillage on a carpet.A post shared by TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (@hodaandjenna)The hilarious storyShe admitted: "One time Henry was dancing on Barbara's coffee table…" recalling an event at her twin sister's home.MORE: Today's Justin Sylvester opens up about working with Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda KotbMORE: Jenna Bush Hager's life-changing move could be delayed for surprising reasonHer co-star interrupted her, foreshadowing the outcome, and joked: "Oh, no.
The actor who played "Finn" in Disney's "Star Wars" sequel trilogy, John Boyega, says he's ready to move on from the franchise. Currently, Boyega is set to star in the upcoming films "The Woman King" and "Breaking." "At this point I’m cool off it. I’m good off it," Boyega said on the SiriusXM show "Tell Me Everything With John Fugelsang." "I think Finn is at a good confirmation point where you can just enjoy him in other things, the games, the animation. But I feel like ‘[Episode] VII’ to ‘[Episode] IX’ was good for me," he added.
Ewan McGregor (Obi Wan Kenobi) has been cast as the lead in Paramount+’s upcoming UK drama series A Gentleman in Moscow, replacing Kenneth Branagh, news that came as Paramount Premium Group CEO David Nevins laid out his vision for Paramount+’s international expansion and talked creativity at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor John Boyega has never shied away from speaking out about the racist bullying he received for his work as Finn in the “Star Wars” franchise. Things got so bad, he convened a meeting with Disney and Lucasfilm execs to express his disappointment in their lack of support during the targeted attacks. While Boyega has now said he has no plans to return to “Star Wars,” he’s proud of “Obi-Wan” star Ewan McGregor coming to his co-star Moses Ingram’s defense after she became the target of online hate when their series premiered on Disney+ in May. “I don’t know how Disney have done, and I don’t know how they’ve moved with everything,” Boyega tells me on this week’s episode of the “Just for Variety” podcast. “All I know is about specifically Lucasfilm, about the Obi-Wan Kenobi stuff. And I saw that Ewan McGregor video. And that kind of got me, that was nice. That got me a little emotional on that. That’s cool that he showed up for her like that. That’s cool.”
John Boyega may not be returning to the world of but he still appreciates seeing the franchise take a step toward changing for the better. During an appearance on SiriusXM’s , Boyega praised studios Disney and Lucasfilm for their timely response to the fan harassment of star Moses Ingram.Speaking with Fugelsang, the Breaking actor said he didn't feel any bitterness comparing the difference in how the studios' responded to the racism he faced while staring in the sequel series.«That's how it goes, man,» he said, acknowledging how his experience made Disney and Lucasfilm reevaluate how they handle fan harassment. «I felt Moses Ingram being protected makes me feel protected.
EXCLUSIVE: Juno Films has acquired rights to the experimental drama The Same Storm, from writer-director Peter Hedges (Ben Is Back), for distribution in the U.S., Canada and the UK. The film will open at the Quad Cinema in NYC and the Laemmle Santa Monica on October 14.