Kingsman sequel confirms Colin Firth's return after many teases

EW
JOEY NOLFI@JOEYNOLFI
POSTED ON MARCH 30, 2017 AT 9:58AM EDT

It seems reports of secret agent Harry Hart’s death were indeed greatly exaggerated after all.

After months of teasing and speculation, the new poster for Kingsman: The Golden Circle officially confirms Colin Firth will return to the film series he launched three years ago as the presumably ill-fated operative, who was shot near the tail end of the first installment, The Secret Service, in 2014.

Tweeted Thursday by the film’s official Twitter account, The Golden Circle‘s minimalist poster prominently features the names of several new cast members who’ve boarded the sequel, including Halle Berry, Julianne Moore, Elton John, Jeff Bridges, and Channing Tatum. In addition to Firth, the new Kingsman class will appear alongside returning performers Taron Egerton and Mark Strong.

READ MORE HERE: http://ew.com/movies/2017/03/30/kingsman-golden-circle-poster-colin-firth/

Tom Hardy to play Elton John in biopic titled 'Rocketman'

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
BY ETHAN SACKS

Tom Hardy is going from battling Batman to grappling with the Rocketman.

The British actor is set to star as Elton John in the biopic, “Rocketman,” producers announced Wednesday.

Directed by Michael Gracey, the film will focus on John's progression from a talented youth to a music legend. The acclaimed pianist himself is cooperating with the project, re-recording some of his iconic songs for the movie, the Wrap reported.

“Tom is a stellar talent who will add extraordinary depth and nuance in bringing Elton’s story to life,” producer Steve Hamilton Shaw said in a release. “We are excited to have such a gifted actor on board.”


READ MORE HERE: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/tom-hardy-play-elton-john-biopic-rocket-man-article-1.1494398

Colin Firth shows off his dapper style as he's spotted for first time on set of new film The Secret Service

MAIL ON LINE
By STEPHANIE TAKYI
PUBLISHED: 15:17 EST, 6 October 2013 | UPDATED: 15:18 EST, 6 October 2013



In the new thriller Colin stars as a veteran MI6 agent who attempts to save his street smart nephew played by Taron Egerton, from falling into bad crowd by taking him under his wing.

Taron who joined Collin on set on Sunday, did not look as dapper as he wore a pair of jeans and a quilted jacket with a cap to finish his urban look.

Adapted from Kick Ass creator Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons' comic, other big names set to star in the film include Sir Michael Caine who will be playing the head of the British spy agency.

Adding some baddie action to the espionage thriller is Samuel L Jackson who will be playing the main villain.
According to The Sun Sir Elton John has reportedly signed up for a guest cameo in the Matthew Vaughn movie.

The pop music icon will be leaving his piano to the side and is set to be involved in huge fight scene for the project.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2447133/Colin-Firth-shows-dapper-style-hes-spotted-time-set-new-film-The-Secret-Service.html#ixzz2gyk0iemd 
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David Beckham Offered Movie Role by Colin Firth

Colin Firth asks David Beckham to take a cameo role in new movie 'The Secret Service' as a villain.

FEMALE FIRST

3 AUGUST, 2013

David Beckham has been approached to play a bad guy in a new movie.

The retired soccer star - who announced he was quitting the sport earlier this year - has been asked by Colin Firth to star in 'The Secret Service' and director Matthew Vaughn is so confident he will agree to appear, he has already had a villainous part written for him.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Becks was asked by Colin Firth if he'd like to be in the movie but he is yet to fully commit. He loves movies and fancies appearing on the big screen -- but just as a one-off, not a full-time career.

The film - which is based on a spy graphic novel by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons - stars Colin and Sir Michael Caine as superagents fighting a team of villains headed by Samuel L. Jackson and will also feature cameo appearances from stars including Sir Elton John.

Read more: http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/celebrity/david-beckham-colin-firth-315987.html#ixzz2aw0dmHzr

Elton John to film fight scene in Colin Firth movie 'Secret Service'?

DIGITAL SPY

Published Monday, Jul 29 2013, 4:32am EDT

By Tom Eames

Colin Firth and Sir Michael Caine are among the cast of the movie, while several other big name stars are being sought for cameo appearances.

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill and director Ridley Scott are also reportedly being lined up for cameos.

Leonardo DiCaprio has been rumored for the project, while Jack O'Connell, John Boyega and Christian Cooke are said to be up for the starring role of a troubled young man who is recruited into a school for secret agents.

READ MORE: http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a501924/elton-john-to-film-fight-scene-in-colin-firth-movie-secret-service.html

Tom Hardy - Tom Hardy Linked To Elton John Role (CONTACT MUSIC)

British actor Tom Hardy is the favourite to land the role of Sir Elton John in an upcoming movie biopic, according to reports.

The Dark Knight Rises star is said to be in talks to tackle the lead role in Rocketman, a movie-musical telling of the story of the singer's rise to fame, according to Hitfix.com.

READ MORE: http://www.contactmusic.com/news/tom-hardy-linked-to-elton-john-role_3693587

Elton John confirmed for British Summer Time gig in Hyde Park (LONDON EVENING STANDARD)

London’s newest music festival has announced that Elton John will play the event in July.

With The Rolling Stones already set to play two sold-out dates, the Candle in the Wind singer joins Bon Jovi, The Vaccines and Jake Bugg for three weeks of live music in London’s Hyde Park at the Barclaycard presents British Summer Time show.

Supported by former Kinks frontman Ray Davies, and Elvis Costello, Sir Elton will play the venue on July 12, with tickets going on sale at 9am on Thursday May 23

READ MORE: http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/music/elton-john-confirmed-for-british-summer-time-gig-in-hyde-park-8625310.html

Richest Frontman In The World? It’s Paul McCartney By Wendy Geller | Stop The Presses!

"Lead singer of a famous rock band" shapes up to be a pretty lucrative gig no matter how one slices it--but ever wondered which lead singer is the richest of them all? Not surprisingly, the title goes to legendary Beatle Paul McCartney, who tops a list over such other megabucks-frontmen as U2's Bono, Elton John, Jimmy Buffett, and Rolling Stone Mick Jagger.

READ MORE: http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/richest-frontman-world-paul-mccartney-170855706.html

Young royals to host Buckingham Palace 'after party' for Diamond Jubilee stars The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will host a star-studded party at Buckingham Palace tomorrow night for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.By Roya Nikkhah, Royal Correspondent8:00AM BST 03 Jun 2012 (TELEGRAPH)

Following a very public party outside the Palace, where artists including Sir Paul McCartney and Kylie Minogue will perform at the Diamond Jubilee concert, the young royals will entertain pop and rock stars at an intimate “after party” to personally thank them for their contribution to the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The concert, featuring artists who have recorded in every decade of the Queen’s reign, who will perform on a stage encircling the Queen Victoria Memorial, will be attended by the Queen and many members of the Royal Family.

A crowd of 10,000 people have won tickets to attend through a free public ballot and thousands more are expected to watch via screens along the Mall and in the adjoining Royal Parks.

To close the concert, the Queen will light the National Beacon from the stage at 10.30pm following the lighting of more than 4,000 beacons across the country and throughout the Commonwealth.

The Duke and Duchess and Prince Harry will then welcome many of the performers to a party at Buckingham Palace, with the guest list expected to include Sir Tom Jones, Robbie Williams, Cheryl Cole, Dame Shirley Bassey, Annie Lennox and Sir Elton John.

READ MORE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/the_queens_diamond_jubilee/9307922/Young-royals-to-host-Buckingham-Palace-after-party-for-Diamond-Jubilee-stars.html

PAUL MCCARTNEY: DIAMOND JUBILEE CONCERT: STARS WHO HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO VISIT THE QUEEN'S 'KEEN PAD' Sunday June 3,2012 By Jane Clinton (EXPRESS CO.)

THE Diamond Jubilee Concert will be a star-studded event with the biggest names in music performing including Sir Paul McCartney, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Elton John and Sir Tom Jones.

For some of these more seasoned artists this is by no means the first time they have met, or indeed performed for, the monarch.

Take, for instance, Sir Paul McCartney who was awarded an MBE along with his Beatles bandmates in 1965. At the press conference following the ceremony, he recalled his impression of the Queen and Buckingham Palace.

“She’s lovely, very friendly,” he said. “She’s got a keen pad and I liked the staff. I thought they’d be like dukes and things but they were just fellas.”


Over the years, Sir Paul has met the Queen independent of the Beatles. In 1996 she opened the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, which he founded, and the pair were photographed laughing and joking.

The next year his huge musical output saw him receive a knighthood. “I’m proud to be British, it’s a wonderful day and it’s a long way from a little terrace in Liverpool,” he said at the time.

In July 2002, he and his then-wife Heather Mills chatted with the Queen when she came to see his paintings at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool.

Sir Paul performed at the Golden Jubilee in 2002 and last month he met the monarch at A Celebration of the Arts in London’s Royal Academy Of Arts.


READ MORE:  http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/324224/Diamond-Jubilee-concert-Stars-who-have-been-lucky-enough-to-visit-the-Queen-s-keen-pad-

Elton John "Doing Incredibly Well" After Health Scare, Says David Furnish Today 7:00 AM PDT by REBECCA MACATEE (E ON LINE)

Elton John is back in business!

Last week, the 65-year-old singer was hospitalized due to a serious respiratory infection and forced to cancel a week's worth of shows. Fortunately, though, his partner, David Furnish, has told the BBC John is "doing incredibly well and recovering."

And there's even more good news for fans of the Rocket Man.



Read more:  http://www.eonline.com/news/elton_john_doing_incredibly_well_after/319882

Charlie Watts Upset At Missing Diamond Jubilee Gig (CONTACT MUSIC)

Rocker Charlie Watts is disappointed the Rolling Stones weren't invited to perform at Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee concert, insisting he would have been honoured to join the line-up.

The drummer admits he would have loved for the Brown Sugar hitmakers to be included in the special gig being held in the summer (12) to mark the monarch's 60-year reign. Beatles legend Sir Paul MCCartney, Sir Elton John and Sir Cliff Richard are among the headlining acts, but Watts reveals he and his bandmates are too busy to play the show.


READ MORE CONTACT MUSIC:  http://www.contactmusic.com/news/charlie-watts-upset-at-missing-diamond-jubilee-gig_1303295

Benedict Cumberbatch: Oscars Are 'Overwhelming' (INTERVIEW NEWS)

With a role as the most iconic detective of all time in the successful British series Sherlock, parts in two Oscar-nominated films from last year (War Horse and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), and pivotal roles in two of the most anticipated movies of the next two years — The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and the as-yet-untitled Star Trek sequel, Benedict Cumberbatch, 35, is the man of the hour.

So he better get used to the glitz of awards season real soon. Cumberbatch watched the Oscars with his "very close" friend Lydia Hearst, the 27-year-old model daughter of famous 1960s abductee Patty Hearst and great-granddaughter of legendary newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, at the annually held Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, before stopping in at the highly exclusive Vanity Fair after-party.

 "It's extraordinary," he said of the whole infectious Oscar celebration. "Just wonderful to be invited to the party and feel like you belong to something as glamorous on any kind of level, he told ITV1's Daybreak on the red carpet leading up to the Vanity Fair event, reports Digital Spy


Read more: http://www.uinterview.com/news/benedict-cumberbatch-oscars-are-overwhelming-4094

George Harrison: Happy Birthday to a great artist

You were taken much too soon, George. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ITrQXES8kU&feature=player_embedded

Paul McCartney sings "Hey Jude" at Royal Albert Hall - with some friends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eCwQiIqWpRY

Round-up: Anticipating Oscar voters' passion play (HitFix)

Also: Defending 'The Artist' and delaying 'Wettest County'

Friday, Jan 6, 2012 10:59 AM

Guy Lodge

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Will Michael Fassbender's work in "Shame" attract enough passion votes for an Oscar nod?

Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures

 

The words "passion vote" get repeated with numbing frequency in the Oscar prediction racket, as pundits try to separate the niche contenders who inspire fierce devotion from the broadly agreeable ones who appear to be nobody's favorite. Year after year, we convince ourselves the former are in a more advantageous position; year after year, films like "Frost/Nixon" somehow get nominated. Mark Harris addresses this dichotomy in his column this week, acknowledging the films and actors that seem primed for passion votes (Fassbender, Swinton, "Margaret"), while wondering if they have enough support to overcome the Academy's dutiful tendency to reward dull familiarity and hard work ("an A-for-effort nomination for Leonardo DiCaprio" about sums it up). [Grantland]

Anne Thompson talks to WGA nominee John Logan, whose diverse 2011 accomplishments include "Hugo," "Rango" and "Coriolanus." [Thompson on Hollywood]

The venerable David Thomson closes his long-running Biographical Dictionary series at The Guardian with an entry on Michael Fassbender. [The Guardian]

Stephanie Zacharek tells the detractors why she loves "The Artist," despite it being "allegedly the Philistine's choice for movie of the year." [Slate]

Richard Brody bemoans the flawed foreign-language Oscar selection process, suggests the same sensible alternative many of us have called for. [New Yorker]

The release of "The Wettest County in the World," one of our most anticipated of 2012, has been pushed back to August. No worse than April, surely. [LA Times] 

Steven Soderbergh on "Haywire," and why he likes killing movie stars. [The Independent]

R. Kurt Osenlund weighs up the Oscar potential of "The Tree of Life." [Slant]

Marc Lee on the sort-of-campaign that just won't die: an Oscar for Uggie! I'm still entirely on board. [The Telegraph]

Elton John, the man who stands to make "Gnomeo and Juliet" an Academy Award nominee, talks to Steve Pond about his film work. [The Odds]

http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/in-contention/posts/round-up-anticipating-oscar-voters-passion-play

 

 

London 2012 Olympics: Elgar and Sir Paul McCartney to feature in opening ceremony (The Telegraph)

 Elgar is expected to feature in the London 2012 opening ceremony after forming part of the soundtrack to video presentations used to persuade David Cameron to stump up another £40 million to the staging costs.

 

Centre stage: Beijing's opening ceremony gives London much to live up to

By Paul Kelso

10:00PM GMT 03 Jan 2012

 

Cameron was shown two six-minute films by opening ceremony director Danny Boyle on a visit to Downing Street, one based on a £40 million ceremonies budget, the other on an £80 million spend.

The presentation was pivotal in Cameron giving the go-ahead for additional public spending, arguing
 that the ceremonies represent an unparalleled opportunity to showcase Britain to the world. In his New Year’s message the Prime Minister said: “We have to go for it.”

Elgar’s Nimrod, from the Enigma Variations, is thought to have featured in the films, though the man considered by some the greatest of English composers will be joined by far more contemporary music as Boyle seeks to marry tradition with the best of modern creative Britain.

Dance act Underworld, who collaborated with Boyle on Trainspotting, are musical directors for the show and will add a keener edge to the ceremony soundtrack. Sir Paul McCartney has also been tipped to perform at the opening or closing ceremonies in London, with organisers aware of the huge popularity of classic British acts with audiences round the world, especially in the US.

Boyle is also understood to be trialling state-of-the-art technology for the ceremony, including advanced CGI film techniques borrowed from film that will allow London to match-up to Beijing’s spectacular £65 million opening ceremony without being able to call on the massive number of performers present in China.

What's in a stadium name?

Naming rights will be crucial to the success of the London Olympic Stadium post-Games, but despite a lack of clarity about what is on offer there is understood to be some initial interest already. At least one major US brand is understood to have shown interest, but they will require a great deal more detail about what will be in the stadium — West Ham remain the favoured outcome for Olympic organisers but are yet to show their hand — before anyone starts to commit to substantial negotiations


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/8990819/London-2012-Olympics-Elgar-and-Sir-Paul-McCartney-to-feature-in-opening-ceremony.html

Justin Timberlake to Star in Elton John Biopic? (Worst Previews)

 

Posted: January 3rd, 2012 by WorstPreviews.com Staff

About a year ago, we learned that Elton John was developing a film about his life, called "Rocketman." At the time, James McAvoy (X-Men: First Class) was the favorite to play John, but things have changed.

In an interview with LA Times, the singer revealed: "I've got a wish list of people. No. 1 on my wish list is Justin Timberlake, because he played me before in a David LaChapelle video of 'Rocket Man' (watch below) and was superb."

John says the film will feature songs from his career and possibly a few new ones. Written by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot), the singer describes the film as a "surreal" look at his life rather than a strictly factual account -- much in the vein of "Moulin Rouge." He added that a director has already been signed, but did not reveal who.


Justin Timberlake as Elton John:



Source: LA Times, THR



Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=23708&count=0#ixzz1iPFukxl0

Jennifer Saunders: Ab Fab ribbing won't bother Elton John or Liz Hurley (Metro)

Comedian Jennifer Saunders, 53, discusses the two new Christmas episodes of Absolutely Fabulous, taking the mick out of Elton John, and Madonna's sex life.

F

abulous: Saunders (Picture: Rex)

You’ve got some great guest stars in the new Ab Fab episodes. How do you choose, because everyone must say yes?
Not everyone says yes. You get all this big US money and someone will say: ‘Ooh, can we have a big US star?’ and you think: ‘Someone we can’t be rude about? Yeah, let’s have that person!’ And so there’s that awful feeling of: ‘Are they all right sitting in the corner over there? How long do we have them for today?’ It’s just not worth it.

Who is the special guest for the Olympic episode that comes out next year?
Stella McCartney’s in it, as well as Kelly Holmes and Tanni Grey-Thompson.

Do you ever get into trouble for being too rude about celebrities, like talking about Elton John breastfeeding?
Oh, he won’t mind that [laughs]. Good Lord, absolutely not. I think he would find the thought of him breastfeeding a baby hilarious. And I hope Liz Hurley finds it [being spoken about as if she is a horse] hilarious as well.

Imagine if her son is sitting there and Mummy’s being portrayed as a horse…
No, no, she’ll be fine. It could be much worse. And they do bring her out for charity things like they do with a horse. I’m going to blame Ruby [Wax, Ab Fab’s script editor]. That was actually her joke.

It’s funny that everyone’s so excited over a show about two women in their fifties. Do you think TV today is too youth-oriented?
I think there’s this idea that everything has to be a bit rough with a few guns. And yet there’s a whole generation that still isn’t comfortable with sex on TV. They just want something quite fun.

What about your own kids? Did they want things a bit rough?
With music, they were into Slipknot and that rough kind of thrash metal. Ade [husband Adrian Edmondson] listens to everything but the only thing we couldn’t listen to was that violent Marilyn Manson screaming stuff. So, of course, that’s why the kids loved listening to it.

What about the sexy stuff, like Rihanna? How do you feel about that?
I think when Madonna did sexy stuff she looked more in control. And I think it looked more like she was breaking boundaries. Today, it feels like it’s pandering to everything that’s wrong and I don’t think it’s nice, especially for young girls. What they see nowadays in terms of sex.

Would you say you were an easy person to get on with?
I’m very easy [laughs]. I don’t fall out with people generally. And if I wanted to fall out with them I’d probably just drop them rather than have it out.

Is Dawn [French, comedy partner] the sort of friend you’d tell your deepest secrets and feelings to? Are you that kind of person anyway?
Erm… I’m probably not that sort of person anyway. But we understand each other really well and we both know when the other person needs to leave off the subject. We are very close, and we tend to know most things about each other, but she has a best friend and I have a best friend. We’re not each other’s best friends, because that would just be… off. It would be too much. It is a balance between having a working relationship and a personal relationship.

You’ve joked about always asking Madonna to be in your stuff. Are you secretly relieved the star said no?
I think I’d actually be a bit scared of Madonna, even if she is about my height. We’d be eyeball to eyeball but I’d be pretty scared because if she doesn’t like you, I bet she’s got a bit of a tongue.

Could you see yourself hanging out with 23-year-old men like Madonna does?
Oh, God, no! How dull would that be? I know what she sees in them. She sees a lovely body that’s not going to question her. She’s not going to have to talk to it in the morning. They don’t look like really bright boys either. It’s a dancer, you know? What’s the conversation going to be? ‘Are you going to the gym today?’ ‘Yes, I’m going to the gym today.’ ‘What are you going to do at the gym today? How many press-ups?’ I mean, what’s the point? Well [laughing], the point is, I presume, that’s she’s having great sex. Let’s hope she’s having great sex, otherwise, well...

They could be sitting there, discussing French new wave cinema all the time...
I don’t think so, do you? It is a shame though, because there are interesting young people out there. But the interesting ones probably wouldn’t want to sleep with Madonna [laughs]. Saying that, I bet she looks bloody marvellous.

Absolutely Fabulous is on BBC1 on Christmas Day at 10pm

Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/tv/885553-jennifer-saunders-ab-fab-ribbing-wont-bother-elton-john-or-liz-hurley#ixzz1hHBMXgnb

James McAvoy set to play Elton John in new film biopic

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, hello Hollywood! James McAvoy set to play Elton John in new film biopic

By Kirsty Mccormack

Last updated at 7:05 PM on 22nd September 2011


Rocketman will no longer just be a song remembered by Elton John fans, as the singer has revealed he will be turning his life into a Hollywood film with the same title.

Actor James McAvoy is tipped to land the part of the singer who was named recently as the top earning British entertainer in the world.

Sir Elton, 64 and his partner David Furnish, 48, have teamed up with "Billy Elliot" writer Lee Hall to create the film.

Working couple: Sir Elton John and David Furnish, pictured here at Tony Bennett's 85th birthday gala on September 18, will work on the film project together

John will act as an executive producer on the film which charts his rise to fame and fortune.

It is rumoured that several actors could in fact play the lead role in a similar move to his music video for the single This Train Don't Stop There Anymore in 2002.

Producer Steve Hamilton Shaw said the biopic will help define Elton as 'an artist, musician and man.'

Lead role: James McAvoy is rumoured to be playing the singer in a film about is life entitled: Rocketman

Producer Steve Hamilton Shaw said the biopic will help define Elton as 'an artist, musician and man.'

Shaw has promised that the film will be 'as unique as Elton's life,' and will 'transport people through the many intense experiences that helped define Elton.'

He said they will use Elton's songs to convey parts of his life, such as his marriage and his admitted drug abuse.

Successful duo: Elton John will work with writer, Lee Hall with whom he collaborated with on Billy Elliot: The Musical, to make the biopic about his life

Many of the star's hit such as Candle In The Wind and Rocket Man will feature in the film.

The project marks the second collaboration for John and playwright, Hall.

When Hall adapted the 2000 film Billy Elliot for the West End theatre John wrote the score for a production that later moved to Broadway where he won numerous awards.

Past and present: Rocketman will 'transport people through the many intense experiences that helped define Elton John' according to Steve Hamilton Shaw

Rocketman becomes the second big-screen biopic of an iconic rock singer penned by an A-list writer.

GK Films are currently working on the Peter Morgan-scripted film about Queen front man Freddie Mercury, with Sacha Baron Cohen set to play the late singer.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2040649/Elton-John-set-turn-life-Hollywood-blockbuster-film-called-Rocketman.html#ixzz1YigyCFFr