Stuart Scott, ESPN Anchor, Dies at 49

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Stuart Scott, one of ESPN’s best-known “SportsCenter” anchors, died Sunday at a hospital in the Hartford, Conn., area after a seven-year battle with cancer. He was 49.

Scott, who joined the sports giant in 1993 for the launch of ESPN2, was diagnosed with cancer in November 2007 and dealt with recurring bouts of the disease.

In addition to hosting “SportsCenter,” Scott covered numerous events and specials over his 21-year career with ESPN and ABC Sports. His most famous catchphrases — “Booyah!” and “As cool as the other side of the pillow” — have become part of pop culture; Scott was even parodied on “Saturday Night Live.”

“ESPN and everyone in the sports world have lost a true friend and a uniquely inspirational figure in Stuart Scott,” ESPN president John Skipper said in a statement. “Who engages in mixed martial arts training in the midst of chemotherapy treatments? Who leaves a hospital procedure to return to the set? His energetic and unwavering devotion to his family and to his work while fighting the battle of his life left us in awe, and he leaves a void that can never be replaced.”

At this year’s ESPY Awards in July, Scott was presented with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award, named after college basketball coach and ESPN sportscaster Jim Valvano (who died of cancer in 1993). In Scott’s acceptance speech, he said about his two daughters: “Taelor and Sydni, I love you guys more than I will ever be able to express. You two are my heartbeat. I am standing on this stage here tonight because of you.”

During his ESPYs speech, Scott explained how he approached his fight against cancer. “I said, I’m not losing. I’m still here. I’m fighting. I’m not losing,” he said. “But I’ve got to amend that. When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live. So live. Live. Fight like hell.”

On ESPN, Scott anchored the 11 p.m. telecast of “SportsCenter,” and most recently was paired with his longtime partner Steve Levy on the show’s new set. He also played major hosting roles for the sports programmer’s NFL and NBA coverage, including the NBA Finals and Super Bowl, as well as the Major League Baseball playoffs and World Series, and the NCAA Final Four.

From 2007-11, Scott hosted ABC Sports’ weekly “NBA Sunday” studio show as well as ESPN’s NBA show, and served as a host during the NBA Finals Trophy presentation each year. Scott also hosted numerous ESPN and ABC series and specials, including “Dream Job,” “Stump the Schwab,” ESPN’s 25th Anniversary Special and “The ESPY Red Carpet Show.” In addition, he was a regular contributor to ESPN: The Magazine, ESPN Radio and ESPN.com, and was featured in multiple “This Is ‘SportsCenter’” commercials.

Prior to joining ESPN, Scott worked at local TV stations in Orlando, Fla., Raleigh, N.C., and Florence, S.C. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1987, earning a bachelor of arts degree in speech communications and radio, television and motion pictures. While at UNC, he played wide receiver and defensive back for a club football team. He was born in Chicago, but his family moved to North Carolina when he was young.

Scott’s cancer was identified after he became ill while covering the Steelers-Dolphins “Monday Night Football” game on Nov. 26, 2007, and he underwent an emergency appendectomy that revealed a malignancy. Four years later, Scott was diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer, which entered remission in early 2012 before returning in January 2013.

In remembrance of Scott, the White House issued the following statement from President Obama: “I will miss Stuart Scott. Twenty years ago, Stu helped usher in a new way to talk about our favorite teams and the day’s best plays. For much of those 20 years, public service and campaigns have kept me from my family — but wherever I went, I could flip on the TV and Stu and his colleagues on ‘SportsCenter’ were there.”

“Over the years, he entertained us, and in the end, he inspired us — with courage and love,” the statement continued. “Michelle and I offer our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and colleagues.”

ESPN also posted a touching tribute video remembering Scott and honoring his legacy.

Scott is survived by his daughters, Taelor, 19, and Sydni, 15; his parents; and his three siblings, Stephen Scott, Synthia Kearney and Susan Scott. His girlfriend, Kristin Spodobalski, was with Stuart and “cared for him every step of the way,” ESPN said.

Scott’s family has requested that donations be made to The V Foundation.

Madonna Is Still the Worst, Compares Herself to MLK, Nelson Mandela

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https://i2.wp.com/3.bp.blogspot.com/-AH2NP1q1BFs/Txh19h1KBVI/AAAAAAAALGE/PJyuZ0r5IhY/s1600/Madonna.jpg?resize=584%2C469Madonna started off 2014 by calling her son Rocco the N-word, but this year she’s outdone herself.

In order to promote her new album Rebel Heart and show off just how edgy and relevant she is, Madonna shared a series of posts featuring influential black men with poorly PhotoShopped bondage cords wrapped around their faces. “This #rebelheart had a dream!” Madonna captioned the edited picture of Martin Luther King Jr. “This #rebelheart fought for freedom,” she noted of Nelson Mandela. “This #rebelheart sang about ONE LOVE!” she said about Bob Marley.

Returning winter shows: Where we left off and what’s next

If you need to take a minute and repress your rage, it’s okay. Take all the time you need because co-opting the images of black revolutionaries and binding their faces to promote an album that no one asked for while systemic racism is tearing the country apart takes offensive to a whole new level.

Jeff Wadlow’s MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Script Delivered To Sony

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Most of the news these days coming out of Sony Pictures has been about the recent hack, or related to plans for the Spider-Man franchise (or, more realistically, the non-plans for Spidey) but now we have our first news about a property we haven’t heard about in a while: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. DeVon Franklin, Sony’s Senior VP of Production, confirmed, via Twitter, that an all new Masters of the Universe screenplay draft has been finished and turned in by writer/director Jeff Wadlow (Kick-Ass 2). Considering they decided to show off the script to the public, there’s a good chance they at least liked it enough to probably go into pre-production; I can’t imagine the powers that be at Sony would have tweeted it out if they thought it was awful.

View image on TwitterSo what do we know about Sony’s potential He-Man movie? Actually, if Jeff Wadlow’s version is the one we see, we actually know quite a bit. Not too long ago, Wadlow appeared on a podcast on Masters of the Universe fan site He-Man.org, and went into great detail about his love for the property that he grew up with. He described his pitch to the studio in which he brought in the original 1982 Wave-1 set of action figures and explained how he realized he wanted to be a film director by playing with the old Masters toys as a kid, and that “his whole life had been building to that moment.” Whether or not Wadlow delivers a good movie or not is in the stars, but there is no doubt that he has an intense love for this property going all the way back to his childhood. Probably more than Michael Bay loved Transformers in any case.

Masters of the Universe was one of the biggest toy properties of the 1980s, along with Transformers and GI Joe. While the latter two have found success on the big screen, He-Man and company have remained in perpetual development hell. But with Spider-Man in limbo right now, Sony could use another big sci-fantasy franchise to take its place, and maybe He-Man and Skeletor or the ones to do it.

Ridiculous IRON MAN 4 Casting Rumor

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An interesting but silly rumor has surfaced about who could be taking over for Robert Downey Jr. in a possible Iron Man 4. We know that Robert Downey Jr. won’t play the character forever, and that Marvel will have to find a way to replace him or remove the character from the MCU completely. Fans love Iron Man, and I imagine the studio will want to keep him around for as long as they can.

A website called Bam Smack Pow (via Cinema Blend) has reported a silly rumor that 14-year-old Ty Simpkins could be up for the role of Iron Man in a film that will be released in 2019. Simpkins is the same kid who played Harley Keener in Iron Man 3 and who will also appear in the upcoming Jurassic World. So by the time they make the movie the actor will be 17 or 18, but would Stark actually want this kid to take his place?

It’s really hard to believe that there is any truth behind this rumor. If fact I think it’s absolutely absurd. Hell, at this point we don’t even know if Marvel is even planning a fourth Iron Man film! For all we know, Marvel has a story arc in place that will lead to the farewell of Tony Stark through Avengers: Age Of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War.

I just can’t see Marvel handing the torch off to a teenager. The fans would go crazy! That’s just too much of a risk. Then there’s the fact that Iron Man isn’t Iron Man without Tony Stark.

Do you think  this sounds like a  good idea?  I was curious why they used this kid so much in the film!  So  it kinda makes sense  for this to  happen if they decided to replace him!  what do you think?

Sylvester Stallone Announces ‘Rambo 5? Title

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Rambo 5 Sylvester Stallone

After months of speculation, Sylvester Stallone has finally announced the title for the fifth (and seemingly final) “Rambo” movie, “Rambo: Last Blood.”

The actor simply tweeted earlier this week that he’ll be filming a gangster biopic about Gregory “the Grim Reaper” Scarpa after shooting “Rambo: Last Blood.”

Sylvester Stallone        ? @TheSlyStallone

Doing Scarpa based on Gangster Greg Scarpa after LAST BLOOD RAMBO..

Seven years have passed since Stallone last reprised the role of Vietnam vet John Rambo. The last film, “Rambo,” earned $113 million worldwide.

Since 2008, he’s talked about both retiring the character (who first appeared in David Morrell’s 1972 novel “First Blood”) for good and bringing him back for a last hurrah. Stallone apparently decided on the latter as he’ll be writing and directing and “Rambo: Last Blood,” in addition to starring in the film.

Stallone will be returning to another familiar franchise this month. He also tweeted that he’s headed to Philadelphia to play Rocky Balboa for the seventh time in director Ryan Coogler’s “Creed.” He’ll play the trainer of Apollo Creed’s grandson, portrayed by Michael B. Jordan. Coogler last directed Jordan in 2013’s critically acclaimed “Fruitvale Station.”

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Ryan Gosling’s ‘Lost River’ Will Get Day-and-Date VOD Release

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Ryan Gosling Directing Lost RiverUPDATE, Dec. 30, 1:20 p.m. PST — Warner Bros. will give a limited U.S. theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles  for “Lost River,” Ryan Gosling’s much-derided directorial debut, in the early second quarter along with a day and date release on digital platforms.

Variety had reported initially on Monday that there would be no theatrical release.

“Lost River” premiered to mostly negative notices in May at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section.

Variety’s Justin Chang gave it a pan: “‘Lost’ is indeed the operative word for this violent fairy tale about a fractured family trying to survive among the ruins of a city overrun by thugs, sexual predators and other demons….”

The film stars Christina Hendricks, Eva Mendes, Matt Smith, Saoirse Ronan and Iain De Caestecker. The script, written by Gosling, centers on a single mother swept into a dark fantasy underworld while her teenage son discovers a secret road leading to an underwater town.

Warner Bros. acquired U.S. rights in 2013 during Cannes, where Sierra/Affinity sold international rights to 20 markets. The film, which was shot in Detroit, was called “How to Catch a Monster” at that point.

Production companies are Marc Platt, Phantasma Films and Bold Films production. Producers are Platt, Gosling, Adam Siegel, Michel Litvak and David Lancaster.

News about “Lost River” being released in the second quarter was first reported by Collider.com.

Christine Cavanaugh, Voice of Chuckie from ‘Rugrats,’ ‘Babe,’ Dies at 51

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Christine Cavanaugh Obit Dead

Christine Cavanaugh, best known for her prolific vocal work — including memorable roles as the titular character in “Babe” and lovable scaredy-cat Chuckie Finster on Nickelodeon’s “Rugrats” — died on Dec. 22 of unknown causes at her home in Cedar City, Utah. She was 51.

In addition to 1995’s “Babe” and her enduring role on “Rugrats” from 1991-2002, she also voiced Marty Sherman (“The Critic,” 1994-95), Oblina (“Aaahh!!! Real Monsters,” 1994-97) and maniacal child genius Dexter on Cartoon Network’s “Dexter’s Laboratory” from 1996-2003. In addition she made live-action guest appearances on shows including “ER,” “The X-Files” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

Cavanaugh broke into the business as an actress in 1988 after attending Utah State University and University of Hawaii. Her first prominent casting came in 1991 as Gosalyn Mallard on Disney’s animated series “Darkwing Duck.”

Cavanaugh retired from her voice career in 2001 in order to be closer to her family.

Cavanaugh is survived by her father; her sister, Deionn Masock and her children, Alec, Nash and Madison; her brother, Kirtis Johnson and his children Felicia and Amanda; and a number of half siblings.

A memorial ceremony was held in her honor on Antelope Island in Utah.

Darth Vader Sixth Scale Figure by Hot Toys

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902320_press01Darth Vader is one of the most iconic characters in the Star Wars saga and has frequently been regarded as one of the greatest villains in cinema history. Following the release of “The Circle is Now Complete’ teaser earlier last month, Star Wars fans have already been eagerly waiting for the official reveal of the Sith Lord!

And now Hot Toys is welcoming fans to the dark side and officially introduce the highly-detailed and amazingly-crafted Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope: 1/6th scale Darth Vader Collectible Figure complete with the Sith Lord’s iconic breathing sound effects and LED lighted functions!

The movie-accurate collectible figure is specially crafted based on the image of Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope! It features a sophisticatedly-crafted Darth Vader armor and helmet, specially tailored suit, built-in sound effect function with Darth Vader’s breathing sound, LED-lighted lightsaber and belt, a finely-made Interrogator Droid, and a specially designed figure stand.

Embrace the dark side and add the infamous Dark Lord of the Sith to your Star Wars collection!

 

The Darth Vader Sixth Scale Figure specially features:

  • Authentic and detailed likeness of Darth Vader in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
  • Body with over 30 points of articulation
  • Approximately 35 cm tall
  • Built-in sound effect function playing Darth Vader’s iconic breathing sound
  • Nine (9) pieces of interchangeable gloved palms including:
    – One (1) pair of fists
    – One (1) pair of open palms
    – One (1) pair of palms for holding lightsaber
    – One (1) pair of posing palms
    – One (1) Force choking right palm

Costume:

  • One (1) specially crafted Darth Vader armor and suit
  • One (1) black cape
  • One (1) system function belt with LED light-up function (white light, battery operated)
  • One (1) pair of black boots

Weapons:

  • One (1) LED-lighted red lightsaber (white light, battery operated)
  • One (1) lightsaber hilt

Accessories:

  • One (1) Interrogator Droid
  • Specially designed figure stand with Darth Vader nameplate and movie logo

 

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New Photo of the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

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New Photo of the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Fortune magazine has debuted their latest profile piece, focusing on Disney CEO Bob Iger, and along with it comes a new shot of the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Iger and the fabled ship also landed on the cover of the magazine. You can check out both photos below and learn how the image of Iger and the “hunk of junk” was created by clicking here.

Starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Lupita Nyong’o, Gwendoline Christie, Crystal Clarke, Pip Anderson, Christina Chong and Miltos Yerolemou, the J.J. Abrams-directed film will debut in theaters on December 18, 2015.

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Hulk Villain Abomination Almost Appeared in An AVENGERS Film

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In a recent interview with Tim Roth, who played Emil Blonsky, the soldier who becomes Abomination in Marvel’s The Incredible Hulk, he reveals that the villain could have appeared in an Avengers movie from Marvel.

Edward Norton‘s Hulk movie is considered a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but a lot has changed since it was made. Apparently at one point they were looking to give it more of a connection than little mentions here and there by possibly including Abomination in The Avengers 2. This is what Roth had to say about it in a interview with Crave Online:

“They were going to do it. They did do that. They were thinking, in The Avengers 2 or something. There was a movie we could do that at one point, but way back when. It just kind of got swept under the carpet I guess. That would be hilarious.”

I’m sure Marvel was coming up with all sorts of fun and strange ideas when they were trying to figure out what to do with their cinematic universe early on. I’m not sure how Abomination would fit in the current MCU, but I’m sure there were a few ways that they considered bringing him back to the big screen. They do reference Blonsky being locked up in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which was something I completely forgot about until it was pointed out to me.

The Hulk film set up some big plans for some characters in the film such as Blonsky, and then there was Tim Blake Nelson’s Dr. Samuel Sterns, who was being set up as future villain. Whatever they were looking to do seems to no longer play a huge role in the current MCU that fans are enjoying. This is a fun bit of trivia, though, that I thought might interest some of you.