Movies

When the "Black Panther" sequels start filming, a black director MUST call the shots ... according to Will Packer, who cranks out some of the most successful African-American movies.

We asked Will -- producer of "Straight Outta Compton," "Think Like a Man," "Girls Trip" and many more hits -- if someone like J.J. Abrams could take the helm for the 'BP' franchise -- which just broke the $1 billion global box office mark.

As accomplished as Abrams is, Will says he wouldn't cut it in Wakanda. He says if Ryan Coogler taps out for any of the inevitable sequels, Disney should only consider another black director.

A rep for Page says, "Authorities intervened in a private matter against the wishes of both parties, resulting in the arrest." He adds it was an isolated incident, and Page and the woman will address it privately "as a couple moving forward."

The rep denies there was any abuse.

"S.W.A.T." star Page Kennedy has been arrested for felony domestic violence ... TMZ has learned.

The 41-year-old actor, whose credits include "Bones" and "Cold Case," was allegedly in a fight at his home Saturday night with a woman. Law enforcement tells TMZ the verbal argument turned physical and someone called 911.

When cops arrived they discovered the alleged victim had minor injuries, and that was enough for cops to cuff Kennedy and take him to the station.

File this under awesome pics you don't see everyday, and we can say that because all the stuntmen are fine after a planned explosion for Gerard Butler and Morgan Freeman's flick, "Angel Has Fallen."

It looks like the blast hurled stuntmen at least 30 or so feet into the air. If you look closely, you can see some of them holding safety wires to rip them away from the fire. It's an amazing frame-by-frame look at the insane stuff stuntmen and women go through.

The stunt went down over the weekend during filming outside London, and despite the intensity of this scene ... everyone walked away clean ... or, at least, in one piece.

Salma Hayek is just the latest person blasting Mattel for making a Barbie out of Mexican artist and women's rights icon Frida Kahlo -- asking what many already have ... how???

Salma called out the toy company Sunday over their newest Barbie release ... a dolled up Frida, who's missing her signature unibrow and other famous characteristics in plastic form.

The actress -- who was nominated for an Oscar playing Frida in 2002 -- seemed in shock over the decision to glamorize Frida, saying ... "#fridakahlo never tried to be or look like anyone else. She celebrated her uniqueness. How could they turn her into a Barbie."

Lots of folks are pissed Mattel created a Barbie in Frida's image -- some of her descendants have reportedly claimed Mattel never even obtained permission to use her name and likeness, but Mattel disputes that ... saying they got the go-ahead from the owner.

Sally Field is deliciously diabolical ... and her plan for her son to meet Adam Rippon worked!!!

Sally was trying to set her kid, Sam Greisman, up with the Olympian and after some back and forth on social media, the 2 mugged for the camera at the 2018 Human Rights Campaign Gala Dinner in L.A., where Adam received the Visibility Award.

Sam was not bashful about his mom's noble efforts, saying on social media Rippon was "insanely pretty." He added, "Honestly, if this past week has taught me anything it's that all my crushes better look out 'cuz my mommy is gonna put them on blast."

Since every NFL team is afraid to put him on a roster, Colin Kaepernick used his spare time to take in a movie -- as a VIP guest at a NYC screening of "A Wrinkle in Time."

Kaep -- rockin' his trademark fro and black leather jacket -- and his girlfriend, Nessa, showed up to the Walter Reade Theater for the special Oprah Magazine screening of the flick, which stars Oprah.

The QB chopped it up with Gayle King on the red carpet -- and seemed to be all smiles.

Turns out, Kaep was invited by 'Wrinkle' director Ava DuVernay -- and thanked her with a special Twitter message after the flick.

Harrison Ford is honoring his pal, Mark Hamill, but he also has their beloved co-star Carrie Fisher on the mind.

Han Solo came out to support Luke Skywalker -- sans the Millennium Falcon this time -- as Hamill finally got his well-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "Star Wars" creator George Lucas was there too, so definitely a strong presence for the Force.

The most bittersweet moment of the ceremony came when Harrison took a moment to shout out Carrie.

Oprah believes the #MeToo movement launched with vigor once Harvey Weinstein went down, because it proved sexual misconduct happens to famous women, too.

O was the special guest on Gwyneth Paltrow's debut episode of her "Goop" podcast Thursday, and discussed how the allegations against Weinstein resonated with so many women ... and why it gave them the confidence to speak up.

She also explains how the moment had been coming and coming in the wake of scandals with Bill Cosby, Bill O'Reilly and President Trump's infamous "Access Hollywood" tape ... and finally boiled over with Weinstein.

As we reported ... Paltrow was among some of the first celebrity women to accuse Weinstein of past misconduct, along with Angelina Jolie, Ashley Judd, Rosanna Arquette, Rose McGowan and many more.

Usher and his wife were lovey-dovey just days ago and seemingly unbreakable ... which is why their split came as an utter shock to friends.

Sources close to the couple tell TMZ ... Usher and Grace Miguel were in L.A. for a night at the movies just last week watching "Black Panther." We're told Usher brought his kids ... looking every bit like a close-knit family.

As we reported ... they were still together as of December and had been keeping a low profile ... with Usher's lawsuits and all. But, sources tell us Usher and Grace had been on the regular at restaurants and stayed at the same house together ... showing zero signs a split was looming.

Another sign Usher and Grace didn't appear to be having marital problems -- just a few weeks ago, friends say they had been planning a vacay out of the country together.

But then, Tuesday came ... Usher and Grace announced their split. The question ... what happened?

The man accused of stealing Frances McDormand's Oscar is looking way rougher around the edges than he did on Oscar night -- he made his first court appearance Wednesday, pleading not guilty.

Terry Bryant went from tux to jumpsuit for his arraignment on a charge of felony grand theft. As we reported, Bryant was arrested for swiping McDormand's award at the Governors Ball.

Bryant and his attorney, Daniel Brookman, might have an uphill battle in this case. He not only posted his own video kissing Oscar Sunday night, but was also caught leaving the ballroom with the statuette in hand as he posed for cameras.

Frances said she didn't want to press charges, but she has no say in the matter. The Academy is technically the victim, and they've asked for the case to move forward.

The man accused of stealing Frances McDormand's Oscar has quite the support system -- including his rabbi, who says the arrest is more about society than a guy allegedly making off with someone's trophy.

Terry Bryant's arraignment was postponed Wednesday morning, but his attorney, Daniel Brookman, held a news conference outside court, where -- no offense, counselor -- rabbi Naomi Levy stole the show.

Levy told reporters Bryant's "story" served as a commentary on our society and its "obsession with its 15 minutes of fame." Hard to figure what the hell she meant ... especially considering the new video showing Bryant brandishing Frances' Oscar Sunday night, as he exited the Governors Ball!

Bryant's attorney said his client will enter a not guilty plea once he gets in front of the judge -- which we're now hearing should happen late Wednesday or Thursday.

He's got one helluva story ... and if Adam Rippon ever gets the "I, Tonya" movie treatment, he wants Meryl Streep to play him on screen!

"She's the most accomplished and ready for the role," Rippon told us on the way out of 'Watch What Happens Live' in New York.

The only problem ... can Meryl hit a triple axel?!

The Olympic figure skater (who's openly gay) says he's been living it up ever since he came back from South Korea -- where he won bronze in the team figure skating event.

Kobe Bryant's Oscar win has gotten mixed reviews amid the #MeToo movement, but Matt Barnes is 100% behind his ex-NBA rival -- giving Bryant mad props for paving the way for sports stars.

"I think it's dope. He's breaking down barriers, still being great," Barnes told TMZ Sports out at Poppy in Hollywood.

Want proof? Matt says things are really coming together for a Huey Newton/Black Panthers biopic he's producing ... and he can't wait to tell "the whole truth" behind the real BP (sorry, Marvel).

The man who pilfered Frances McDormand's Oscar has now been officially charged with the crime of felony grand theft ... and the stakes are years in prison.

The L.A. County D.A. has just filed the case. TMZ broke the story, although Frances has no interest in having Terry Bryant prosecuted, her Oscar is technically owned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and they want the book thrown at him.

Bryant took Frances' Oscar off her dinner table at the Governors Ball following the ceremony and then videotaped himself with the hardware. It's unclear if he intended to take the Oscar out of the Beverly Hilton.

If convicted, Bryant faces a maximum of 3 years in state prison.

Diane Warren was bummed about losing her 9th Oscar but was NOT gonna let that drag her down.

We got the songwriting legend at Madeo Monday night in Bev Hills and our guy told her he saw her at the Oscars and wanted to know if she thought there were any surprises. She shot back, "You saw me? You didn't see me win. Ninth time. Someday."

It's true ... she earned her 9th nomination for Best Original Song for "Stand Up for Something" from "Marshall." We ask her how many more nominations before she finally brings home a statue.

Watch ... Diane manages to put a good spin on the ordeal and even congratulates someone who was nominated 13 times before finally scoring a win. BTW ... sound mixer Kevin O'Connell was nominated 21 times before he finally won for "Hacksaw Ridge" in 2017.

It's coming, Diane.

Nick Cannon stiffed his crew on his upcoming movie, "She Ball" ... this according to a new lawsuit filed by some of the people who worked on the flick.

Nick -- who wrote, produced, directed and starred in the film -- is accused in the class action lawsuit of failing to pay OT. The lawsuit also claims he failed to give his crew meal and rest breaks.

The lawsuit also says Nick was late in paying wages to drivers, grips, camera operators, lighting crews, location managers and set dressers. In all, the suit says 100 people were shortchanged.

We got Nick out in January -- when accusations first surfaced from angry employees -- and he wasn't too bothered, saying he's just the big name, but the problem has nothing to do with him.

The movie, which also stars Chris Brown, is expected to be released sometime this year.

We reached out to Nick's rep ... so far no word back.