Actor Richard Armitage Joins Twitter but Won't Tweet Until His Birthday

HUFF POST
Posted: 08/22/2014 2:32 pm EDT
Updated: 08/22/2014 2:59 pm EDT

Twitter has a new celebrity member. Please welcome The Hobbit actor Richard Armitage to the Twitter-verse!

Most recently, Richard has been starring in The Crucible in London. He told me what finally got him onboard with Twitter was wanting to do more to support his charitable endeavors and to also interact with his fans who have been so supportive.

If you're waiting with bated breath for his first tweet, Richard told me he won't start tweeting until his birthday. Luckily his birthday is today so you won't have to wait too long!

(I think this is it: https://twitter.com/RCArmitage)

READ MORE HERE:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tim-morehouse/actor-richard-armitage-jo_b_5698000.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment&ir=Entertainment

Judi Dench, Hugh Bonneville and Keeley Hawes join Benedict Cumberbatch in BBC2's The Hollow Crown

RADIO TIMES
By Ellie Walker-Arnott
Thursday 21 August 2014 at 11:55AM



A host of famous faces will be joining Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch in the second run of Shakespeare adaptations The Hollow Crown.

We already knew that Cumberbatch was poised to play Richard III in The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses, a three-parter which will consist of Henry VI parts 1 and 2 and Richard III, but the BBC has now confirmed that he'll be acting alongside stars such as Judi Dench, Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville and Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins.

In Richard III, Judi Dench, Sophie Okonedo and Keeley Hawes will star as Cecily, Duchess of York, Queen Margaret and Queen Elizabeth respectively.
Cumberbatch is sure to be pleased that Dench has signed on, after he asked her if she'd join the drama during a live Q&A at Hay Festival.

Henry VI parts 1 and 2 will see Hugh Bonneville play Humphrey, the Duke of Gloucester and Sally Hawkins take on the role of his wife Eleanor, while Tom Sturridge will play an unknown role.

"To have the chance to work with some of Britain’s most talented actors is a dream come true. We couldn't be more delighted to have them on board," said executive producer Pippa Harris.


READ MORE HERE: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-08-21/judi-dench-hugh-bonneville-and-keeley-hawes-join-benedict-cumberbatch-in-bbc2s-the-hollow-crown

Shirtless Benedict Cumberbatch puts celebrity pals to shame by doing the ice bucket challenge an impressive SIX times

MAIL ON LINE
August 22, 2014
By KATE THOMAS



Since the ice bucket challenge went viral earlier this month, everyone from Justin Bieber to David Beckham has taken part in the stunt.

But now Benedict Cumberbatch has upped the ante by stripping off and getting doused with ice-cold water a whopping six times, all in the name of charity.

The Sherlock star has teamed up with the British version of the ALS Assocation, the Motor Neurone Disease Association, in order to encourage people to raise money for sufferers of the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

He said: 'My name's Benedict Cumberbatch and I've been nominated to take the ice bucket challenge by Tom Hiddleston, Juno Temple, and Adelaide Clemens... three times!

'So here I am, about to take it. I'm a day late as well, but I'm just going to take the one.

 'Now it's in order to raise awareness for ALS, which is a form of Motor Neurone Disease, which has a devastating effect on people's lives, so please text and donate generously. Bring on the bucket.'

Benedict initially appeared calm and collected, but The Star Trek: Into Darkness actor couldn't help letting out a low bellowing noise as the freezing cold water hit his head.

He then revealed his own nominations - movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, pop princess Kylie Minogue and Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton.

But the torture didn't end there, since Benedict was then subjected to a further FIVE ice-cold baths.

The camera followed him into the shower as he stripped completely naked, jabbering away about how cold he was.

'Oh God! So cold! Why the hell isn't this [shower] working? What's going on? What are you guys doing?', he cried.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2732140/Shirtless-Benedict-Cumberbatch-puts-celebrity-pals-shame-doing-ice-bucket-challenge-impressive-SIX-times.html

Michael Fassbender's big head in 'Frank,' a counterpoint in TMZ era

LA TIMES
By STEVEN ZEITCHIK
August 21, 2014


(not from the movie)
http://rebloggy.com/post/shame-michael-fassbender-prometheus-frank-fassy-300-jane-eyre-a-dangerous-method/84566994075

Modern movie stardom is dependent on many things, but perhaps none more so than well-known, good-looking faces appearing in new films.

So what would make a high-profile actor decide to spend most of a movie wearing a cartoon face that renders him unrecognizable? And apart from a sense of masochistic mischief, what would prompt someone to make a movie with just that
conceit?

(nope, this isn't from the movie either)

It's a question that will be running through your head with Magnolia Films' release Friday of a new indie dramedy "Frank," directed by the Irish filmmaker Lenny Abrahamson and starring Michael Fassbender.

"Head" is a key word, since Fassbender — of course famous as Magneto in the "X-Men" series and in rigorous dramas such as "12 Years a Slave" — spends most of the film in a giant one, a fully concealing apparatus that looks like a cross between a Lego mini figure and one of those inflatable replicas of Edvard Munch's "The Scream."

(ok, now I'm just being silly)

If you see the movie, you may find yourself furtively checking your phone halfway through wondering if you misread Fassbender's billing — or, perhaps, calming a zealous spouse who wants to rush back to the ticket window asking for a refund. But it's indeed Fassbender under there, speaking in an American accent, as a character inspired by Frank Sidebottom, a real-life musician who, in the tradition of the Residents and Daft Punk, was almost never seen performing without the disguise.

"Frank" actually takes this character one step further, since the Daft Punk duo presumably takes its masks off in private. Fassbender's Frank keeps it on all the time--even, as another of his bandmates matter of factly notes, when showering and brushing his teeth.



Oh, and technically he's not Frank Sidebottom but a character named Frank who's inspired by him. In fact, Frank Sidebottom wasn't even Frank Sidebottom — he was a character played on-stage by the musician Chris Sievey in late-1980s England.(Sievey died in 2010.) The journalist Jon Ronson, at the time an aspiring rock keyboardist, was recruited rather spontaneously into Sievey's band, and he co-wrote this script in part based on that experience.

There are, then, layers of irony. Figuratively. But also literally.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-backstage-michael-fassbender-frank-20140821-story.html

Sean Bean: (spoilers) LEGENDS: "CHEMISTRY" REVIEW

IGN
AUGUST 20, 2014 Warning: Full spoilers for the episode follow...



While still maintaining a fair amount of rough, rudimentary elements ("No more of that cowboy s***!" Larter's Agent McGuire scolds), "Chemistry" improved upon the pilot episode by not only keeping Sean Bean's Martin Odum mostly out of the undercover game, but also by focusing more intently on the larger conspiracy arc started last week with the murders of Bobby and the homeless man.

In fact, a whole new character - in Morris Chestnut's Agent Rice - was introduced to the series specifically to deal with the conspiracy side of the story. He's not even a part of Odum's usual team and exists, now, just to follow up on Odum's initial side investigation. Which, at this point, only serves to make Odum suspicious in Rice's eyes.

Also, by having the "case of the week" get drawn out over (who looks like) two episodes, it helps blend the show together into a much more serialized affair. And it also helped make Odum's undercover work seem more vital and important. Because hearing that he's the best undercover agent over and over gets tiring very quickly. And so "Chemistry" worked to show us just how important the decision is for Odum to go back into the field, calling upon one of his established identities, so quickly after the "Founding Father" events of the premiere. The show is making sure that the psychological dangers are evident and ever-pressing.

Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/Showrenity.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/08/21/legends-chemistry-review

Benedict Cumberbatch and the ice bucket challenge: We’re still waiting…

METRO
Amanda Keats
Wednesday 20 Aug 2014 1:16 pm



Tom Hiddleston made Benedict Cumberbatch fans go crazy with excitement yesterday when he took up the ALS ice bucket challenge and nominated the Sherlock star to do it next.

As yet, there appears to be no sign of Cumberbatch having taken up this challenge so, while all our fingers are crossed, here are some possible ways for you to pass the time until said video (hopefully) appears.

1. Look up funny things online that will make you smile

Cats, dogs, babies being funny, all the other celebs who’ve already taken up the ice bucket challenge.

2. Prepare your reaction for the moment that video appears You’re going to be excited. But just how excited?

3. Work on looking clever Contain your inner geek. For now at least…

7. Share a joke with a buddy That’s what friends are for.



8. Basically just do everything you can to stop thinking about Benedict Cumberbatch all covered in ice water…

THERE ARE OTHERS, READ HERE: http://metro.co.uk/2014/08/20/waiting-for-benedict-cumberbatch-to-do-the-ice-bucket-challenge-heres-how-to-keep-occupied-4839784/

Henry Cavill Hides Superman Costume Under Robe on 'Batman V Superman' Set

JUST JARED
August 19, 2014
by Neil A. Cole



Henry Cavill sports a black robe over his Superman costume while walking on the set of his upcoming movie Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice on Monday (August 18) in Detroit, Mich.

It was recently announced that the release date for the 31-year-old English actor’s film has been moved up from May 2016 to March 25, 2016.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.justjared.com/2014/08/19/henry-cavill-hides-superman-costume-under-robe-on-batman-v-superman-set/

Benedict Cumberbatch Joins 'Jungle Book' for Warner Bros. (Exclusive)

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
8:00 AM PDT 8/19/2014 by Borys Kit



Warner Bros.’ adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book has landed its first voice lead, and it’s elementary.

Benedict Cumberbatch will voice Shere Khan, the man-eating tiger who is the villain of the classic tale of a boy named Mowgli who is raised by jungle animals.

Andy Serkis, the motion capture king after pioneering motion capture with such roles as Gollum and Caesar, is making his directorial debut with the movie,
Jungle Book is based on the more-dark-than-you-think short stories written by Kipling and centers on Mowgli, an orphaned boy raised by wolves who befriends Baloo the bear and Bagheera the black panther. The tiger Shere Khan is a lifelong enemy of Mowgli’s, with each vowing to slay the other.

 READ MORE HERE: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/benedict-cumberbatch-joins-jungle-book-726146

Benedict Cumberbatch visits hospice patients while filming The Imitation Game

HENLEY STANDARD
Published 18/08/14




ACTOR Benedict Cumberbatch visited patients at the Sue Ryder hospice in Nettlebed while making a new film.

The Sherlock star plays the lead role in The Imitation Game, which tells the story of how British mathematician Alan Turing helped crack the Enigma code during the Second World War.

The film, which also stars Keira Knightley and Charles Dance, will be released in November.

The hospice served as the iconic Bletchley Park, the secret code-breaking centre where Turing and his colleagues deciphered German messages.

Healthcare assistant Linda Miller introduced Cumberbatch to patients in between shoots.

She said: “It was lovely seeing Benedict chat to the patients. He said he felt humbled being in such a caring place.

“Afterwards patients chatted about the experience for ages and relatives said they were looking forward to seeing the film as it would remind them of the time their loved one was at Nettlebed, even if they were no longer with us.”

Staff nurse Sue Hollands, who was on duty when Cumberbatch and Allen Leech, who plays suspected Soviet spy John Cairncross, visited, said: “There was a real buzz about the place as patients and staff felt quite excited about the filming. The actors took their time to talk to patients and were not starry at all — they were genuinely interested in the patients and took a lot of time to chat to them and the staff on the ward.

“Benedict Cumberbatch was an absolute sweetheart.”

Dance, who plays codebreaker Alastair Denniston, chatted to patients in day therapy and met day therapy manager Lynn Brookes and healthcare assistant Caroline Dixon.

Pam Chatfield, palliative care servies manager. said: “The staff and patients enjoyed having the filming going on and although there was some disruption to our routine it was, for the most part, welcome.

“The income generated from the hospice being used as a film set helps us to care for patients and their families and loved ones.”

Filming at Joyce Grove, a Jacobean-style manor built for merchant banker Robert Fleming in the 1900s, took place over two weeks in September. The great hall, Fleming Room and former library as well as the grounds were all used in scenes.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/entertainment/story.php?id=1507799 

Colin Firth sets heart racing in Drumquinna Mannor, Kenmare

INDEPENDENT
Barry Egan
August 17, 2014

 

They don't just do weddings in Kerry - they live them. And so it proved at Drumquinna Manor in Kenmare last Saturday at the nuptials for stunning Tonya Meli and her dreamboat beau Gerald Casey.

Not only are they an incredibly trendy duo (the bride is from county Down and is a London-based super-agent to the stars, while the groom is a top businessman who hails from Tipperary), but they are obviously two of the most popular and well-connected Mr and Mrs on the planet.

This I say without fear of contradiction because the guests at the wedding included at least three international superstars - Colin Firth, Hugh Grant and Michelle Rodriguez to say nothing of Naomie Harris, gun-toting MI6 agent in the recent James Bond film Skyfall.

The 200 or so guests' mouths were perhaps falling open when the star of Lost, Michelle Rodriguez, got up at some point and sang Fly Me To The Moon with Shane McGrath's legendary wedding band Harlequin. The wedding band are no strangers to superstar wedding hoolies, of course, having played at David and Victoria Beckham's do in 1999 at Luttrellstown Castle.

It was clearly one of those weddings to remember. But there were two jarring notes. There was no Oliver Callan to send up all the celebrity guests and there was a team from OK! magazine. 
Apart from those minor glitches, it all sounded like a right Kerry on.


READ MORE HERE: http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/movie-news/the-edge-colin-firth-sets-heart-racing-in-kingdom-30511333.html

'Downton Abbey' cast responds to water bottle photo goof with goofy photo

HITFIX
By Dave Lewis  @HitFixDave | Saturday, Aug 16, 2014 2:45 PM



Earlier this week, PBS released an image from the upcoming season of "Downton Abbey" that mistakenly featured a 21st century water bottle in background of a scene set in 1924.

Now they're at it again, releasing another photo with even more historical inaccuracies. This one includes modern hairstyles and trendy 2014 fashions, and each and every cast member is holding a water bottle this time around. Is anyone paying attention to these promos?

Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/news/downton-abbey-cast-respond-to-water-bottle-photo-goof-with-goofy-photo#lfvzcgTFQl3hUfev.99

Martin Freeman barred from social media by partner Amanda

MAIL ON LINE
By CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS, DIARY EDITOR
PUBLISHED: 17:48 EST, 16 August 2014 | UPDATED: 07:29 EST, 17 August 2014



Sherlock star Martin Freeman  has been banned from Twitter – by partner Amanda Abbington.

Speaking to me at last week’s Hector And The Search For Happiness premiere, Amanda, 40, revealed she has barred the star from using social media because she fears he would be unable to resist sharing one too many contentious opinions.

‘He will never tweet,’ said Amanda, pictured left with Martin. ‘He would destroy his reputation.

'He’d say something he regrets. He says things he regrets every day at home and I say, “That, right there, is why you can’t do Twitter!”

'He is very vocal about stuff so we have to be careful.’

READ MORE HERE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2726885/GIRL-ABOUT-TOWN-Why-Sherlock-star-never-make-tweet-Martin-Freeman-barred-social-media-partner-Amanda.html