Marisa Abela talks taking on the role of Amy Winehouse: “I’ve learned anything from Amy it’s to be fearless”

Owen Gleiberman Chief Film Critic Music movies are having a moment — if, indeed, they ever stopped having one. Take the pop-music biopic.

Amy Winehouse biopic, Back To Black, with it including an original new song by Nick Cave.The film is directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and is set to be released in cinemas on April 12. It will follow the life and career of the iconic London singer, with the title role being taken on by Marisa Abela.Now, details of the official soundtrack to the movie have been shared – featuring songs by the singer herself, as well as tracks by other iconic artists.Titled ‘Back To Black: Songs from the Original Motion Picture’, the compilation album is set for release on May 17 via UMR/Island Records, and features three original recordings from Winehouse’s highly influential debut, ‘Frank’ and three songs from her multi-award-winning LP ‘Back To Black.It also includes a new original track called ‘Song for Amy’, which is sung by Nick Cave.Cave, along with longtime collaborator Warren Ellis, composed and recorded the film’s score.A further 5 songs are included on the album, recorded by artists whom Amy Winehouse saw as an inspiration.

Yungblud has spoken to NME to give the exclusive lowdown on his “positive” new Britpop-inspired album – which he compared to the likes of Oasis, The Verve, Primal Scream, My Chemical Romance, David Bowie and Madonna. Watch our video interview with the artist below.The pop-punk provocateur was speaking to NME to launch his new festival, BludFest – set to take place in Milton Keynes this August.

Naomie Harris is the latest to join the Steven Soderbergh thriller Black Bag at Focus Features. The film stars Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Rege-Jean Page and Marisa Abela. Soderbergh will direct from a script by David Koepp. Casey Silver and Greg Jacobs producing are producing.

Ariana Grande‘s grandmother – Marjorie “Nonna” Grande – has made history by becoming the oldest person to hit the Billboard Hot 100.The 98-year-old is featured on Grande’s track ‘Ordinary things’ from her latest studio album ‘Eternal Sunshine‘. The song earned the 55th spot on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart, setting a new record for the oldest person to appear on the chart.At the end of ‘Ordinary Things’, “Nonna” – who is credited as a co-writer of the song – closes out the track by reflecting on her late husband, Frank, saying: “And when he’d come home and I’d see him, when he first gets off that train / It was like God almighty arrived / It was like seein’ daylight”. “Nonna” then proceeds to offer advice saying: “And as I told her, never go to bed without kissin’ goodnight / That’s the worst thing to do, don’t ever, ever do that”.The late Fred Stobaugh previously held the record, earning the title at 96-years-old after appearing on the Green Shoe Studio track ‘Oh Sweet Lorraine’.

James Bond has reportedly been offered to Aaron Taylor-Johnson.Following years of speculation surrounding who would portray the iconic secret agent, after Daniel Craig’s exit from the franchise in 2021, it has now been confirmed who is set to take on the prestigious role in the next instalment.Kick-Ass and Tenet star Taylor-Johnson has been selected to play the next Bond, with EON Productions having reportedly offered him the job.According to The Sun, a source has said: “Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it. The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back.”The source continued: “As far as EON is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days and they can start preparing for the big announcement.”Taylor-Johnson was just one of the actors being rumoured as possible 007s, with many hoping for Idris Elba to take the role, and Henry Cavill being a strong contender.Back in August, the Angus, Thongs And Perfect Snogging star spoke with Esquire about the possibility of the role, but his response remained vague: “I just focus on the things I can have in my hands right now.

In partnership with STUDIOCANALNME Screens is back with another exciting opportunity to see one of the year’s biggest new films before anyone else. This time we’ll be showing Sam Taylor-Johnson’s moving exploration of Amy Winehouse, Back to Black.

James Bond has reportedly been offered to a well-known British actor.Following years of speculation surrounding who would portray the iconic secret agent, after Daniel Craig’s exit from the franchise in 2021, it has now been confirmed that the role has been offered.Kick Ass and Tenet star Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been officially selected to play the next Bond, with EON Productions having reportedly offered him the job.According to The Sun, a source has said: “Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it. The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back.”The source continued: “As far as EON is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days and they can start preparing for the big announcement.”Taylor-Johnson was just one of the actors being rumoured as possible 007s, with many hoping for Idris Elba to take the role, and Henry Cavill being a strong contender.Back in August, the Angus, Thongs And Perfect Snogging star spoke with Esquire about the possibility of the role, but his response remained vague: “I just focus on the things I can have in my hands right now.

Eric McCormack is the latest star to weigh in on the debate on whether or not straight actors should play gay characters.

Trevor Nelson has spoken to NME about his career, the state of UK R&B, and shared some advice for young people on getting into the media industry.The DJ and radio pioneer was speaking to NME after hosting a panel talk at the Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies’ London campus.As part of Confetti’s 2024 Industry Week inviting leaders from the worlds of music and media, Nelson spoke to Crowd DNA content and media agency professional Andy Crysell, actor and movie producer Hester Ruoff, former head of content at Spotify Vino Vethavanam, and Dale Davis – the former musical director for Amy Winehouse.Having started out working in a record store before becoming a DJ and presenter on the then-pirate radio station KISS FM, the MBE recipient told the crowd that the biggest low point of his career came after the channel was legalised in 1990.“I had a daytime show and, two years into that show, I got fired,” Nelson told the panel and audience. “When my boss told me in he was in tears because he couldn’t believe I had just been fired, and I didn’t care.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music East Village Radio, the influential streetfront online radio station that broadcast from 2003-2016 and Mark Ronson hosted an influential show for several years, has announced it is planning to relaunch next month. The station, formerly located in a tiny studio behind a glass window at the front of a restaurant on First Avenue in New York’s East Village, opened directly onto the sidewalk, offering an almost surreal intimacy between passersby and the DJs.

Mark Ronson has said that the song he co-wrote for the Barbie Movie, ‘I’m Just Ken’, has helped young boys in an emotional way.The renowned producer – famed for his work with Amy Winehouse and the hit track ‘Uptown Funk’ – co-wrote the song for the soundtrack to the hit 2023 blockbuster, with leading man Ryan Gosling taking on the vocals as the character of Ken.Now, Ronson has explained how he thinks the song’s lyrics about Ken’s unrequited love for Barbie may have impacted people dealing with rejection in the real world.“I know I’ll sound like David Brent, but the song helped young boys,” he told The Times (via Music News) during a new interview, referring to the fictitious character played by Ricky Gervais.“My friend’s eight-year-old got broken up with and he said, ‘It’s OK, because Ken got broken up with by Barbie.’ The song tells boys that it’s OK to be runner-up,” he added.“The internet’s caused a level of isolation in boys and this idea of male camaraderie and sharing your feelings is a nice and unexpected thing to come out of it.”Last night, Ronson and Gosling took to the stage at the 2024 Oscars to perform the track live, following weeks of uncertainty about whether the two would perform it at the ceremony.Gosling took to the stage clad in an all-pink Barbie-inspired outfit while Ronson played the guitar. During the performance, Gosling’s cast mates Simu Liu, Ncuti Gatwa, Kingsley Ben-Adir and Scott Evans joined him to dance onstage.Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash also took part in the rendition, ripping through a guitar solo with Wolfgang Van Halen.

Based on the cast alone, Steven Soderbergh‘s upcoming spy flick “Black Bag” could be his buzziest feature in a long time. Deadline reports that two more join Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett on the thriller’s cast list: Regé-Jean Page and Marisa Abela.

Shona McGarty, who's played Whitney Dean in EastEnders for over 15 years, has been involved in some major storylines, including several failed relationships. From being groomed by Bianca's partner Tony King to marrying Lee Carter, Whitney, Bianca Butcher's step-daughter, has endured her fair share of drama in Albert Square.

Charli XCX, Green Day and St. Vincent have been confirmed as among the presenters for tonight’s BRIT Awards. The ceremony is taking place at The O2 in London tonight (March 2), and the show will be presented by a trio of hosts – Maya Jama, Clara Amfo and Roman Kemp.

REM, Amy Winehouse, Florence & The Machine, Adele, The Killers and Nick Cave. It was also the venue for Kings Of Leon’s first UK show in 2006.The former Edwardian dance hall has been used as a music venue since 2001, when it was restored by its current owners, Charlie Raworth and Emma Hutchinson.Now, Bush Hall has confirmed its future as a music establishment is under threat and they are four months away from “making a hideous decision” about whether to cease hosting live music events.

Sienna Miller and Kiernan Shipka sit together in the front row while attending the Chloé fashion show during Paris Fashion Week!

Mark Ronson has shared an NSFW video of Sir Paul McCartney calling for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to induct Foreigner.The producer – famed for his work with Amy Winehouse and on the Barbie soundtrack – has a close connection to the band, with the guitarist Mick Jones being his stepfather. While appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Ronson opened up about his ongoing campaign to get Foreigner inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024.As a way to sway voters, Ronson revealed that he has been putting together a compilation of videos which include the likes of members of Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns N’ Roses and Queens Of The Stone Age sharing their support for the induction of Foreigner.“We decided to go all out this year and really try and get Foreigner on the ballot for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” he told Fallon.

Trace Lysette is sharing her thoughts on whether cisgender actors should play trans roles.

Aaron Taylor Johnson and his wife Sam stepped out for the Giorgio Armani fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 on Sunday (February 25) in Milan, Italy.