China's presence will be noticeably absent at CinemaCon 2020 in Las Vegas ... after 2 dozen Chinese movie theater owners canceled travel plans due to the coronavirus.
A spokesman for the National Association of Theater Owners tells TMZ ... the delegation pulled out of the event following travel restrictions imposed on them amid the ever-spreading coronavirus.
Organizers for the event -- slated to run from March 30 to April 2 at Caesars Palace -- say "our plan going forward should be based on logical risk assessments and advice from health officials, and not from fear."
CinemaCon, a gathering of theater owners and major studios, says it will remain in contact with the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control to stay on top of the situation. It's also in contact with local officials to coordinate all appropriate safety procedures.
There had been buzz building this week the event might be canceled but it's full steam ahead ... with the trade show reporting it's a 99% sellout. The program's fully scheduled too ... with Disney, Paramount, Universal and Warner Bros., among others, still confirmed to attend.
Male attendees might wanna do a facial hair check before hitting the Vegas strip.
The famed author Clive Cussler -- whose 1992 adventure novel "Sahara" was adapted into a film and starred Matthew McConaughey -- has died ... TMZ has learned.
Cussler died Monday, according to his son. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Cussler wrote more than 2 dozen novels, including "Raise the Titanic," in his series of Dirk Pitt novels. It became a movie in 1980. By the way ... Dirk is also his son's name, and Cussler's last 3 books were co-authored by Dirk.
"Sahara" was the highest-grossing movie that was adapted from his novels. It grossed $122 million.
In all, Cussler sold more than 100 million books, and he's been published in more than 40 languages.
Cussler was internationally recognized as an expert in shipwrecks. He founded the National Underwater and Marine Agency ... an homage to naval history. One of his books, "The Sea Hunters," was so deep in knowledge, the Board of Governors of the Maritime College, State of New York, gave Cussler a doctorate and did not require a thesis -- the book was enough.
Clive Cussler was married nearly 50 years. His wife died in 2003. Cussler leaves behind 3 children. He later got remarried to Janet Horvath.
Jamie Foxx says "Just Mercy" -- the movie he stars in with Michael B. Jordan -- is more than just a movie ... because it's inspiring some real-world change for the better.
We got the actor -- who plays wrongly condemned death row inmate Walter McMillian in the film -- outside Mr Chow Monday night in Bev Hills. He tells us since the movie -- which is based on a true story -- came out, 100 lawyers have gone to Alabama to work pro bono to save people from death row.
Jamie says it's no coincidence, they're following in the footsteps of the film's hero, Bryan Stevenson -- a lawyer and social justice activist, played by MBJ in "Just Mercy." Foxx says the role speaks volumes about Jordan's commitment to elevating black culture.
As Jamie puts it ... Michael B. Jordan can do any movie he wants, but he chooses ones that speak to his people and shine a light on important issues.
Foxx says there's still a lot of work to be done and, despite criticism, it's still important to do "the slave movie." Watch and let him explain.
Nothing can stop Ethan Hunt ... except the coronavirus.
That's right ... Tom Cruise and co. are gonna be sent packing from Italy after Paramount announced Monday they were putting a pause on production for their latest installment in the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise -- and it's all because of the worldwide outbreak.
The studio says, "Out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our cast and crew, and efforts of the local Venetian government to halt public gatherings in response to the threat of coronavirus, we are altering the production plan for our three week shoot in Venice, the scheduled first leg of an extensive production for ‘Mission: Impossible 7."
As you might've noticed in the many 'MI' sequels -- including this last one -- they shoot all over the world ... especially Europe. Coronavirus has already reportedly affected a couple hundred or so people in Italy alone, so Paramount clearly isn't taking any chances.
They continued, "During this hiatus we want to be mindful of the concerns of the crew and are allowing them to return home until production starts. We will continue to monitor this situation, and work alongside health and government officials as it evolves."
In other words ... Paramount's gonna be shipping everyone out there back home, including possibly to the States -- which probably won't make our President all that happy.
The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA. We are in contact with everyone and all relevant countries. CDC & World Health have been working hard and very smart. Stock Market starting to look very good to me!
On Saturday, theNYT reported Trump was "furious" over 14 Americans who tested positive for coronavirus recently being sent back here from an infected cruise ship without his sign-off. Of course, he downplayed the story on Twitter, saying coronavirus was under control.
Not to say anyone on the production is contaminated, but considering DT's a huge reported germophobe ... those staffers might wanna consider coming home with masks on.
The Weekend and Kendrick Lamar might want people to say some prayers for them ... they're being sued for allegedly jacking music for their hit song, "Pray for Me."
A Brooklyn-based rock band called Yeasayer claims the duo lifted material from its 2007 song, "Sunrise," slightly altered it ... and inserted it into their 'Pray' single, which was featured on the "Black Panther" soundtrack.
According to the legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- the part allegedly stolen from "Sunrise" is a "distinctive choral performance" the band recorded using their own voices. Yeasayer describes it as "comprised of male voices singing in their highest registers, with animated, pulsing vibrato."
The band claims Weeknd and Kendrick slightly modified a recording of its song with "intent to conceal the infringement" ... and used it in "Pray for Me" up to 8 different times throughout the track.
Yeasayer claims the allegedly stolen material is "immediately recognizable" as theirs. The band is asking for all the "Pray for Me" profits and damages. It also wants an injunction blocking further sales and airplay of 'Pray.'
We reached out to both The Weekend and Kendrick Lamar ... no word back, so far.
5:22 PM PT -- Harvey Weinstein was taken to a hospital shortly after being taken into custody because of chest pains. He's expected to be transferred to Rikers Island once he's treated.
UPDATE
11:16 AM PT -- Rotunno and Weinstein's attorney Damon Cheronis tell us, "While he was not convicted on the most serious charges, we are disappointed in the verdict and will be filing an appeal. There are issues in this trial that were extremely troubling, and they prejudiced Mr. Weinstein's ability to have his case fairly judged. These will be addressed to a higher court."
UPDATE
They continue, "In the meantime, we are working on assuring that Mr. Weinstein is brought to Rikers' Island's North infirmary unit at the Anna M Kross center complex or in protective custody so that he can get the best medical supervision and care possible.
UPDATE
9:58 AM PT -- Weinstein's attorney, Donna Rotunno, tells TMZ, "We knew going in it was an uphill battle from the beginning. The verdict is bitter sweet. An appeal will be filed, this fight is not over."
UPDATE
Rotunno also says they requested that Weinstein be placed in a medical facility inside the jail while he awaits sentencing. However, it is ultimately up to the Dept. of Corrections where he ends up.
UPDATE
9:39 AM PT -- Manhattan D.A. Cyrus Vance just spoke to the media and made it very clear ... Weinstein's convictions -- even on just 2 out of 5 counts -- are absolutely a success in his eyes, and not a failure by any stretch of the imagination.
Vance praised all of the women who testified in the case, saying they changed the course of history with their participation and stories ... and helped bring the criminal justice system into the 21st century in the fight against sexual violence.
UPDATE
He went on to say what was made clear is that rape is rape, and sexual assault is sexual assault -- whether someone reports it in an hour, a year or never ... and despite the relationship a victim may have with his or her attacker.
UPDATE
Bottom line for Vance ... he says there's a new landscape on how to look at these cases, and it's all because the women in this case were heroic enough to take the stand and speak. He says Weinstein will be behind bars for a minimum of 5 years, and his office will take that as a victory ... even though life in prison was potentially on the line on the more serious counts.
UPDATE
UPDATE
Vance's hope with this case is that victims of sexual abuse will come forward and report, and know they will be believed ... and that justice will be pursued on their behalf. It doesn't appear Weinstein's legal team took the opportunity to address the press Monday.
UPDATE
9:14 AM PT -- Weinstein was remanded into custody following the announcement of the verdicts. He will remain behind bars until his March 11 sentencing hearing.
Harvey Weinstein is guilty of 2 of the 5 charges he faced in his NYC criminal trial -- but he was found not guilty on the charges that could have put him in prison for life.
The jury found Weinstein guilty of 1st-degree criminal sexual act and 3rd-degree rape. He could get up to 25 years in prison just for the criminal sexual act. However, the jury found him not guilty on 2 counts of predatory sexual assault charges. Those carried a possible life sentence. He was also acquitted of 1st-degree rape.
A jury of 12 people -- 7 men and 5 women -- finally reached their verdict after 5 days and about 22 hours of deliberations. This comes after an interesting turn on Friday ... when the jurors sent a note to the judge asking if they could be hung on 2 counts of predatory sexual assault and unanimous on the others.
The judge told them to go back deliberations, and they worked it out by Monday morning.
As we reported ... Weinstein pled not guilty to 5 felony charges relating to sexual misconduct. The charges were based on the accounts of 2 women ... Miriam Haley, a TV and film production assistant who worked on "Project Runway," and former actress Jessica Mann.
The prosecution rested its case 2 weeks ago after 12 days of witness testimony. In total, 6 women testified against Weinstein, including Haley and Mann. Last Tuesday marked the start of jury deliberations.
As we reported ... Mann testified under oath that Weinstein began manipulating her as soon as he met her, allegedly forcing himself on her multiple times and raping her at a hotel in Manhattan.
Weinstein's defense argued he had a consensual relationship with Mann lasting for years after the alleged sexual assault. He maintained all sexual conduct was consensual.
During closing arguments, Weinstein's lawyer, Donna Rotunno, ripped into the prosecution, saying prosecutors, "created a universe that strips adult women of common sense, autonomy and responsibility," arguing Weinstein's accusers acquiesced to sex because they thought it would advance their careers.
However, Prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon countered in her closing argument, saying Weinstein's accusers “were merely ants that he could step on without consequences.”
The disgraced Hollywood mogul felt he couldn't get a fair trial in New York, claiming the jury pool was tainted ... but the case proceeded.
8:52 AM PT -- Taraji just posted about Katherine's death, saying, "Thank you QUEEN for sharing your intelligence, poise, grace and beauty with the world! Because of your hard work little girls EVERYWHERE can dream as big as the MOON!!!"
UPDATE
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Katherine Johnson -- the mathematician portrayed by Taraji P. Henson in the Oscar-nominated film "Hidden Figures" -- has died.
NASA announced the pioneering figure died Monday. It was her groundbreaking math work that helped calculate the trajectories for Alan Shepard's history-making journey in space. She was also the one who gave the go-ahead for John Glenn's mission into orbit.
Johnson, who was initially rejected by NASA when she first applied, was tasked by Glenn to check the computer's work by redoing all the math done by a computer that had been programmed with the orbital equations that would control the trajectory of the capsule in Glenn's Friendship 7 mission.
And, as part of the pre-flight checklist, Glenn asked engineers to "get the girl" to run the same numbers through the same equations that had been programmed into the computer ... by hand. Glenn famously said, "If she says they're good then I'm ready to go." The mission went on without a hitch.
"Hidden Figures" was released in 2016 to much acclaim. It earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. Octavia Spencer was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Johnson was honored at the 2017 Oscars.
Johnson, who retired in 1986 from NASA, authored or co-authored 26 research projects. She recalled her greatest contribution to space exploration the calculations that helped with Project Apollo's Lunar Lander -- the moon-orbiting Command Service Module.
She was born on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. She was famous before even her NASA days ... she was one of 3 black students handpicked to integrate West Virginia's graduate school. Johnson graduated from West Virginia State College in 1937 ... earning degrees in mathematics and French.
Johnson arrived at NASA before it was known by those letters. She started at NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) in 1953. It became NASA five years later.
In 2015 and at 97 years of age, President Barack Obama awarded Johnson the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
"The Batman" isn't all work and no play -- as you can see he takes a load off whenever possible, and lets Hollywood magic do the rest. Case in point ... cool-guy stuntman A.
Matt Reeves' upcoming superhero epic about the early years of The Dark Knight is in the middle of filming right now out in Scotland -- and on Saturday ... the crew got some shots of Batsy riding around on his motorcycle. Well, sorta ... they got a close-up of his arm.
Check it out ... you see the stuntman -- doesn't really look like Robert Pattinson under there -- sitting next to the Batbike which is on top of a moving platform being pulled by a truck. The dude's got the Batsuit on, but he's not rockin' the cowl, 'cause there's no need.
Looks like this shot is just of the hero's arm gripping the handlebars, so the stunt double's chilling with a beanie on and a pair of shades as they run through it a couple times.
This mild shoot day isn't nearly as involved or complete as the one from a few days ago when what appeared to be another stuntman was doing a complete motorcycle ride through a graveyard, complete with a mask and some falls off the bike. Bat-mode, initiated!
Of course, this all comes about a week or so after Matt showed off what Pattinson's gonna look like in a sneak peek test shot (more or less), which already had fans squawking.
As for this latest look ... we're getting Caped Ski Bum vibes.
Quentin Tarantino just became a dad for the first time at age 56 -- because his wife, Daniella Pick, has finally given birth ... TMZ has confirmed.
A rep for the acclaimed director tells us ... "Daniella and Quentin Tarantino are happy to announce the birth of their first child. A baby boy born February 22, 2020."
According to reports, the child was actually born in Tel-Aviv, and thus ... he's half Israeli by birthright. Daniella -- a singer and model -- is from Israel, so it looks like they went back to the homeland for the delivery.
This would be Quentin's first kid -- same for Daniella actually, who's 20 years his junior. They got hitched in 2018 after first reportedly meeting in 2009 during production of 'Inglourious Basterds.' They first announced they were expecting back in August of 2019.
Clint Eastwood is doing a flip-flip of sorts ... endorsing former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg instead of President Trump -- whom he supported in the run-up to the 2016 election.
Dirty Harry gave his thoughts on this year's candidates to the WSJ, saying on this year's competition ... "The best thing we can do is just get Mike Bloomberg in there." Clint doesn't appear to elaborate beyond that, but did have something to say about DT.
CE says he wants Trump to act "in a more genteel way, without tweeting and calling people names." He adds, "I would personally like for him to not bring himself to that level."
What's interesting, of course, is that Clint -- a well-known Libertarian -- said he'd have to choose Trump over Hillary if it came down to it, back in August 2016 ... and while it wasn't an official endorsement, it was clear where his allegiance was during that cycle.
Now, he's backing a Dem -- who used to be a Republican for a while, BTW -- although it's unclear why. Funny enough, Bloomberg has tried positioning himself as a solid establishment Democrat, who'd further Barack Obama's policies and follow in 44's footsteps.
Of course, Clint skewered Obama at the 2012 Republican National Convention when Mitt Romney was selected as the party's nominee, talking to an empty chair on stage during his speech that he likened to BO's presidency at the time ... empty (in his eyes, anyway).
Seems he's down to head in that direction these days.
President Trump's disdain for Hollywood and the Oscars didn't end with "Parasite" ... he also lashed out at Academy Award winner, Brad Pitt.
Right after Trump got done ripping the South Korean film that won Best Picture -- which he seemingly didn't see -- because to him it doesn't live up to classics like "Gone With the Wind" ... he went after the "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" star.
Trump said ... "And then you have Brad Pitt, I was never a big fan of his, he got upset little wise guy statement. Little wise guy! He's a little wise guy."
The statement the Prez is likely referring to is Pitt's Best Supporting Actor speech, in which he blasted the Republican Senate for not allowing John Bolton to testify during Trump's impeachment trial.
Brad added ... "I'm thinking maybe Quentin [Tarantino] does a movie about it. In the end, the adults do the right thing."
The irony here ... Trump mocked and was dismissive of Hollywood's most prestigious awards show at his campaign rally in Colorado Thursday night, but it seems he watched the whole show.
Brad's victory speech was first up at the Oscars, and "Parasite" racked up wins the whole show ... including the final one.
This kid grew up to be a successful dancer, songwriter and rapper. He's also got an MTV Award but it's got nothing to do with any of what was just mentioned. A clue to his first movie would be a dead giveaway ... so here are some other clues to make this tougher:
This kid was born in Malibu to famous parents. He's 21 years old now and has a budding music career. He hasn't acted as of late, but it's his acting chops that burst him onto the scene. You probably remember him from "The Pursuit of Happyness" and the remake of "The Karate Kid."
Donald Trump is mocking the historic Oscars wins for "Parasite" ... and the movie studio is clapping back in epic fashion, calling the President illiterate!!!
The President just launched a sneak attack against "Parasite" during his Thursday campaign rally in Colorado, wondering how the hell a movie outta South Korea took home the Academy Award for Best Picture ... among its four Oscars wins.
It didn't take long for the studio behind the flick to fire back on social media. NEON says it can understand why he couldn't follow along with the English subtitles, because Trump "can't read." Sick burn!!!
Trump's scratching his head over Hollywood in general ... wondering when Tinseltown is gonna drop some movies like "Gone With The Wind." Seriously, he went there.
But, Trump's directing most of his frustration towards South Korea, ripping the Asian nation for giving the U.S. problems with trade and wondering why "Parasite" became the first foreign-language film to win Best Picture.
In case President Trump forgot, South Korea is technically an American ally, and North Korea is technically not ... although he seems to see it differently.
Joaquin Phoenix didn't wait long to walk the walk after mentioning the plight of mother cows and their babies in his Best Actor speech at the Academy Awards ... and a mama and her calf are living happily together because of it.
The "Joker" star visited a slaughterhouse run by Manning Beef in Pico Rivera, CA the day after the Oscars to have a sit-down talk with Anthony Di Maria, president and CEO of the company ... and it led to something remarkable.
Though the 2 butted heads over the nature of the industry, Phoenix and Di Maria found some common ground ... and the actor helped LA Animal Save liberate a mother cow and her newborn calf, a daughter.
Joaquin's seen carrying the baby cow away from the holding area where she was born and onto a trailer with her mom. The bovine family will now be able to live and grow together at a Farm Sanctuary location in northern L.A. County ... and they now have names.
Phoenix named the mama cow, Liberty, and the calf, Indigo.
Joaquin says ... "I never thought I’d find friendship in a slaughterhouse, but meeting Anthony and opening my heart to his, I realize we might have more in common than we do differences. Without his act of kindness, Liberty and her baby calf, Indigo, would have met a terrible demise."
He adds that he and animal rights activists like him will continue to "fight for the liberation of all animals who suffer in these oppressive systems" ... but he's happy about this victory.
Liberty and Indigo are the fifth set of mother and child cows saved by LA Animal Save ... but they're aiming for many more.
This isn't a first for Phoenix either. As we reported ... he passed on the SAG Awards after-parties last month and instead headed to a slaughterhouse, where he comforted trucks full of pigs on their way to be killed.
Joaquin joined dozens of protesters who congregate there twice a week, calling their demonstrations "pig vigils." Of course, Phoenix also reportedly convinced the Hollywood Foreign Press to serve an all-vegan menu at the Golden Globes.
Billy Corben could have ANOTHER big baseball-themed documentary coming our way ... because the man behind "Screwball" is considering taking on the Houston Astros scandal.
"Screwball" was a massive success for Corben -- he used child actors to tell the unbelievable story about Alex Rodriguez and MLB's Biogenesis scandal.
Now, with MLB in the midst of ANOTHER embarrassing controversy, Corben says he's VERY intrigued about the possibility of a "Screwball 2."
"It's writing itself as we speak right now," Corben tells TMZ Sports ... "And central to that story, as he was to the Biogenesis scandal and the whole A-Rod mess, is Rob Manfred."
As Corben points out ... Manfred was MLB's lead investigator into the Biogenesis scandal -- and now as MLB Commissioner, he's taking a lot of heat for the way he's handling those cheating ass Astros.
What concerns Corben about the Astros cheating scandal is the message it's sending to kids ... that you need to lie, cheat and steal to become successful in baseball.
FYI, Corben is one of the TOP guys in Hollywood when it comes to docs -- he's made huge hits like "Cocaine Cowboys" and did ESPN's 30 for 30 on "The U."
American actress and model Anitra Ford is best known for playing the super-sexy love interest in lace, Melissa -- who calls the cops after getting roughed up ... which leads to Paul doing hard time -- in the 1974 cinematic sports classic, "The Longest Yard."
Anitra Ford was cast alongside some classic actors including, Eddie Albert as the team-driven Warden Hazen, Ed Lauter as the hardball Captain Knauer ... and of course, Burt Reynolds as the pro player turned con player, Paul Crewe.
Anitra Ford was also widely recognized as one of the first models on "The Price Is Right."
