Tag Archives: Will Smith

Chan: ‘Jaden Smith Could Be The New Jackie Chan’

by admin on 20. Jun, 2010 in Celebrity Gossip

Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith

Jackie Chan is convinced his The Karate Kid co-star Jaden Smith has what it takes to be the next great martial artist superstar – because the youngster is so dedicated to his new fighting skills.

Chan sent an expert from his own personal stunt team to train Will Smith’s son for three months before the movie started shooting last year (09) – and the Rush Hour star was so impressed when he eventually started working with the 11 year old himself.

The martial arts star says, “After the movie, I told Will, ‘Don’t waste his talent; he’s just so good.’

“He’s (Jaden) still training every day.”

And Chan has his suspicions that his young star’s father, who is a producer of the hit new film, always wanted to turn his son into a martial arts star.

He explains, “In the movie, there’s no special effects… He did all his own stunts. I do have a stunt double, but Will, his father, (said), ‘No, let him do it. Send his mom away.’

“We were doing the splits and he was crying; his mom turned round, go away.

“He’s gonna be a big action star for the future – five years later (sic).”



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Law Tops Hot Film Fathers Poll

by admin on 19. Jun, 2010 in Celebrity Gossip

Jude Law

Jude Law has been voted the hottest dad in Hollywood – seeing off competition from Will Smith and even Darth Vader.

The British actor, who has four children and a step-son in real life, came atop a survey by LoveFilm to find the “hottest film father” for his role as dad-of-two Graham Simpkins in The Holiday.

Will Smith came in second for his role as a dad in heart-warming drama The Pursuit of Happyness, in which he starred alongside his real-life son Jaden Smith.

Bizarrely, Star Wars villain Darth Vader came in at number three as Luke Skywalker’s estranged dad, while childless George Clooney earned a place in the poll for his part in One Fine Day at number four.

LoveFilm editor Helen Cowley says, “While he may have a reputation for being a ladies’ man, Jude Law has proven he is a good father both on and off the screen and he sets pulses racing as the hottest film father we’ve ever seen.

“We were slightly surprised to see Lovefilm members vote Darth so highly on this list but clearly the dark side works for him.”

Other stars to make the top 10 include Liam Neeson, Sir Sean Connery, Bruce Willis and Patrick Dempsey.



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Fela! Wanted In Nigeria

by admin on 14. Jun, 2010 in Celebrity Gossip

Will Smith

The cast of Will Smith and Jay-Z’s hit Broadway musical Fela! has been invited to perform in Nigeria this winter (10) to help the country celebrate 50 years of independence.

Choreographer Bill T. Jones reveals he has been contacted by officials at the Nigerian Ministry of Culture to take the play, based on the music of celebrated Afrobeat icon Fela Kuti, to Africa in October (10).

But Jones, who won a Tony Award for his work on Fela! on Sunday (13Jun10), admits it is proving difficult to schedule the trip – because the 1 October (10) Independence Day falls just three weeks before Fela! is due to open in London’s West End.

He says, “The (London) production happens in October. The 50th anniversary of the independence of Nigeria happens at the same time.

“We have been invited to do a performance there (in Nigeria) by Fela’s daughter and the Ministry of Culture there. It’s a little bit of a problem because it happens before we open at the National Theater in London. The National Theater is very supportive of it, but it’s just three weeks before the London (launch). But we do want to be there.”

Nigeria won independence from British rule in 1960.



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Karate Kid Beats The A-Team To Top The U.S. Box Office

by admin on 14. Jun, 2010 in Celebrity Gossip

Jada, Will, Willow, Jaden and Trey Smith and Jackie Chan

The Karate Kid remake has kicked its way to the top of the U.S. box office with a staggering $56 million opening weekend.

The film, starring Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s son Jaden and Jackie Chan, more than doubled the take of second-placed film The A-Team.

Shrek Forever After slipped to number three after three weeks at number one, but the animated hit has now become the fourth movie of 2010 to top $200 million at the U.S. box office.



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Red And Memphis The Toast Of The Tonys, La Cage And Fela! Triple Winners

by admin on 14. Jun, 2010 in Celebrity Gossip

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis

The ‘Great White Way’ went Red on Sunday night (13Jun10) when John Logan’s Broadway hit landed the lion’s share of honors at the 64th annual Tony Awards, including Best Play and Best Director.

The hit show, starring Brits Alfred Molina and Eddie Redmayne, picked up five awards at New York’s Radio City Music Hall.

Bon Jovi star David Bryan’s Memphis was also the toast of Broadway, picking up four awards – including the night’s Best Musical honor. Fela! and La Cage aux Folles claimed only three of their 11 nominations each.

Onstage husband and wife Denzel Washington and Viola Davis were big winners, claiming the night’s Best Actor and Actress prizes for a Play for Fences, which was also named Best Revival. Scarlett Johansson was a first-time Tony Awards winner for her Broadway debut in A View From The Bridge and Catherine Zeta-Jones was named Best Actress in a Musical.

Green Day’s American Idiot was a double winner.

There were also special awards for British playwright Alan Ayckbourn and actors Marian Seldes and David Hyde Pierce.

The show was a true celebration of all things musical and theatrical with highlights including a show-stopping performance by Glee stars Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele, a dramatic rendition of Send in the Clowns by Zeta-Jones and stunning segments from hit musicals Fela! and La Cage aux Folles.

Green Day helped give the big show a rocking start as they performed two songs from their American Idiot musical.

It was couple’s night in the audience with Johansson joined by husband Ryan Reynolds, Michael Douglas supporting his wife Zeta-Jones and Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith and Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith turning out.

Even Jay-Z, who had performed at the Bonnaroo festival in Tennessee on Saturday (12Jun10), and his wife Beyonce dressed it up for a night at the theater awards.

Host Sean Hayes was perfect, cracking jokes at the expense of some of his movie star audience members and dressing up as both Annie and Spider-Man for added laughs.

The 2010 Tony Award winners are:

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play – Scarlett Johansson (A View From The Bridge)

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play – Eddie Redmayne (Red)

Best Direction of a Play – Michael Grandage (Red)

Best Direction of a Musical – Terry Johnson (La Cage aux Folles)

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical – Katie Finneran (Promises, Promises)

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical – Levi Kreis (Million Dollar Quartet)

Best Costume Design of a Play – Catherine Zuber (The Royal Family)

Best Costume Design of a Musical – Marina Draghici (Fela!)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical – Kevin Adams (American Idiot)

Best Scenic Design of a Play – Christopher Oram (Red)

Best Scenic Design of a Musical – Christine Jones (American Idiot)

Best Lighting Design of a Play – Adam Cork (Red)

Best Sound Design of a Musical – Robert Kaplowitz (Fela!)

Best Performance by a Leading Lady in a Play – Viola Davis (Fences)

Best Performance by a Leading Man in a Play – Denzel Washington (Fences)

Lifetime Achievement Award – Alan Ayckbourn

Lifetime Achievement Award – Marian Seldes

Isabelle Stephenson Award – David Hyde Pierce

Best Orchestrations – David Bryan & Daryl Waters (Memphis)

Best Original Score – David Bryan & Joe DiPietro (Memphis)

Best Book of a Musical – Joe DiPietro (Memphis)

Best Choreography – Bill T. Jones (Fela!)

Best Revival of a Play – Fences

Best Play – Red

Best Revival of a Musical – La Cage aux Folles

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical – Catherine Zeta-Jones (A Little Night Music)

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical – Douglas Hodge (La Cage aux Folles)

Best Musical – Memphis.



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Avery Upset By Death Rumors

by admin on 09. Jun, 2010 in Celebrity Gossip

James Avery

Former The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air star James Avery is infuriated by recent rumors of his untimely death – insisting the hoax "scared" his mother and harmed his career.

The actor, best known for playing Will Smith’s onscreen Uncle Phil in the 1990s TV show, became the latest star targeted by online pranksters when fake stories about his passing appeared on the web on Sunday (06Jun10).

Avery, 61, has since confirmed he is alive and well, but admits the prank made him angry.

He tells CNN.com, “Did you see that on Twitter? I don’t even know where it came from. P**sed me off, I know that. I mean, really, they’re going to take away what little career I have left. My mother was scared. See, I don’t understand this whole Twitter, Facebook stuff. I don’t get it. Make a phone call. Talk to somebody.”

Other stars who have been targeted by online death hoaxers recently include Tom Cruise, Jeff Goldblum and Bobby Brown.



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