Huge pop star’s movie halts filming just days before it was set to finish due to Hollywood actors’ strike
SUPERSTARS across the UK have halted work on a string of blockbusters due to Hollywood’s acting strike.
Ariana Grande is among those who has downed tools on the two-movie adaptation of Wicked, despite it being just days from finishing.
It’s a major headache for film studios, as it could be months before the 160,000 striking actors return to work.
The stars’ union, the Screen Actors Guild, announced the strike on Thursday night after failing to reach a deal over fair pay from streaming services and an agreement that artificial intelligence wouldn’t replace actors.
Not only does the action stop actors from working on set, it also prevents them promoting their films.
Margot Robbie attended a photocall in London for her Barbie movie on Thursday — dressed in a pink two-piece.
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But now she will not be able to carry out any more promo for the film ahead of its release next Friday.
It is also a huge problem for those behind big-budget drama Oppenheimer, which is out on the same day.
The cast including Florence Pugh and Cillian Murphy had to walk out of the premiere in the capital on Thursday night.
The Wicked films were being shot in Buckinghamshire, as was Beetlejuice 2 starring Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton, which has also been paused.
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Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 film, Apex, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s Deadpool 3, and the live-action version of Snow White starring Rachel Zegler have also been affected.
Venom 3, Idris Elba’s Heads Of State and the second series of Star Wars spin-off Andor have also had to shut down.
Filming for Gladiator 2, which started last month with Paul Mescal, is expected to be stopped, too.
The action spells disaster for the industry, which had already been crippled by several months of writers’ strikes in the US.
And I have no doubt it will cause knock-on effects for movies that have already been completed.
Big-budget productions including Gran Turismo, Dune: Part Two, The Marvels, The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes, Wonka and Ridley Scott’s Napoleon are due out this year.
But if the casts refuse to promote them, in line with the strike, it could mean the releases are postponed.
So far, the only major TV show that has managed to dodge the industrial action is Game Of Thrones spin-off House Of Dragon, which is currently shooting its second series.
Most of its cast are under a different union, so it can carry on.
Industry experts believe the strikes could easily stretch on until the autumn.
I just hope an agreement can be reached sooner than that.
Many cinemas are on the brink of closure due to the impact of lockdown.
But if films simply stop being made for months on end, it could cause them to close for good.
Olly: It's all for Amelia
GOOD luck to Olly Murs who will tie the knot with his fiancee Amelia Tank today.
The Marry Me singer has spent thousands of pounds on an elaborate wedding, 13 months after proposing to Plymouth-born bodybuilder Amelia.
The two met in the gym in 2019 and moved in together shortly before the first lockdown in 2020.
He popped the question in a romantic spot overlooking the sea in Cornwall.
Speaking last week about his wedding, Olly said: “I won’t be getting up on stage.
“Amelia has to listen to me singing enough. And the wedding day is not about me, it’s about her.
“I want her to have the most magical day and I want all eyes to be on her.”
The Voice coach is bound to have loads of showbiz pals there, so I am certain there will be some sore heads tomorrow morning.
Madge on mend thanks to fans
MADONNA had been due to kick off her Celebration Tour in Vancouver tonight.
But after being hospitalised last month with a bacterial infection and postponing the tour, the Queen of Pop is planning to thank fans for their support publicly for the first time since her shock collapse.
I’m told the Like A Prayer singer has been reading fans’ comments online and is set to release a heartfelt video message in the coming days.
A source said: “Madonna is determined to let fans know that she doesn’t take them for granted.
“She is gutted at having to postpone the tour but she is laser-set on making a full recovery in time to kick off the tour in Europe in October.”
The superstar has also been feeling the love from fellow singers.
Sam Smith, Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj have all reached out on the phone to speak to her as she recovers at home.
In a surprise thawing of relations, Madonna’s former chart rival Janet Jackson has even sent her support.
The Together Again singer, below with Sam and Nicki, sent a giant bouquet along with a hand-written note.
My source added: “Janet heard Madonna was unwell so reached out.
“They haven’t always seen eye to eye but they respect each other as they are two of the last megastars from their generation of music. Janet can relate to the pressures of touring.”
Demi Lovato has teamed up with Slash for an unlikely collaboration, revealing she is releasing a rock album.
The ex Disney star has re-recorded her 2017 song Sorry Not Sorry with the Guns N’ Roses guitarist and dropped the song yesterday as she announced her new collection.
Revamped will feature ten rock versions of her biggest hits and will be out on September 15.
She said: “Slash is an iconic artist who I’ve been a fan of for years. It’s an absolute honour to have such a legend like him on the rock version of Sorry Not Sorry.
“With Revamped, I wanted to pay homage to the songs that resonated the most with fans and played a big role in my career by breathing an exciting new life into them.”
Tom Cruise's hard work has paid off as Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is already proving a hit at the box office.
Since its UK release on Monday, it has banked £4.1million here and received glowing reviews.
The action movie is the seventh in the series and a second part will follow next summer.
Taylor's 10th No1 Speaks volumes
Taylor Swift has scored her tenth No1 album – matching Michael Jackson, Queen and ABBA.
The US superstar’s record Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) has gone straight to the top of the charts, 13 years after the original version peaked at No6.
She is re-recording her back catalogue after she claimed the rights to her music were sold off without her permission. She has two others in the Top Ten, as her 2022 release Midnights is at No9 and her fifth collection, 1989, is at No10.
Her achievement beat the nine No1s by Coldplay and Bob Dylan.
Madonna is the only female artist to have had more chart-topping albums, with 12, while The Beatles had the most ever, at 15.
At the rate she’s going, Taylor might well overtake them within the next decade.
Joe the poop star
Joe Jonas has revealed he had an accident in his trousers during a Jonas Brothers gig in 2019 – and dashed off to change before it was noticed.
The Waffle House singer, snapped in New York on Thursday, told an Aussie radio station: “Let’s just say it was a bad day to wear white clothing.
“You think it might be a little toot, it might’ve been a little something extra.
“It was a light one, it wasn’t a full, so I was able to tell the tale.”
Miraculously, he got away with it unnoticed, much to his surprise.
He added: “It’s happened to many artists. I feel like I’m part of some secret club.”
Dua Lipa has already teamed up for a collection with Versace this year and now she’s flogging gear for Puma too.
She posed with a bunch of tulips as a brand ambassador, as she opened up about what goes into making her gigs special.
The Levitating singer told her At Your Service podcast: “The experience of travelling, performing and figuring yourself out while you’re in the public eye can be a little bit scary.
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“I realised how much I needed to be in rehearsal and keep my body strong with yoga, pilates, eat really healthy and keep my mindset really healthy, so I’m able to perform.
“That’s all the other work that goes on behind the scenes to be able to put on the best show.”