Joseph Gordon-Levitt to star in and direct The Sandman?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt may direct and star in 'The Sandman'.The actor-and-director, who made his debut behind the cameras with 'Don Jon' earlier this year, is in talks with Warner Bros. to produce the film adaptation of Neil Gaiman's dark comic book series with David S. Goyer, and the deal could include a starring role and a directorial credit, also.The studio has yet to hire a screenwriter to adapt the comic books, but the project has long been in the works and bosses feel they may have finally figured out how to translate the story to the big screen.'The Sandman' centres on Morpheus, who is the personification of dreams. The horror/fantasy series sees the central character escape after being held captive for 70 years and gain revenge on those who wronged him. He must also rebuild his life and adjust to the times following his decades-long captivity.Warner Bros. is reportedly very high on Gordon-Levitt who has starred in two big blockbusters for the studio, 'Inception' and 'The Dark Knight Rises'.The project would mark the star's second directorial effort following comedy 'Don Jon', in which he also starred alongside Scarlett Johansson.Gordon-Levitt will next be seen in another dark graphic novel adaptation, 'Sin City: A Dame to Kill For'.

Ben Affleck still wearing wedding ring

Ben Affleck is still wearing his wedding ring.The 42-year-old actor - who split from his wife of 10 years Jennifer Garner last month - made a surprise appearance at the ESPYs in Los Angeles last night (15.07.15) and was still wearing his wedding ring.Presenting the Icon Award to retired New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter, Ben said: ''If you're from Boston you always wanted to hate our next honouree.''There was something about him that made the boos ring a little hollow. Maybe it was his inimitable class, maybe it was he won with dignity and loss with grace, maybe it was simply that we knew, no matter what, he was a winner regardless.''Along with his ring - which the 'Gone Girl' star is reportedly wearing to symbolise his and Jennifer's dedication to their three children, Violet, Seraphina and Samuel - Ben was wearing a dark suit, as he confessed Derek had left him heartbroken ''a hundred times''.Ben said: ''He broke my heart a hundred times, if not more. He broke it again when he retired because he was absolutely one of the very best to ever play the game of baseball. So to you, Derek Jeter, I tip my hat and thank you for every last moment of your incredible career.''

Ekdum Jhakaas! How Mumbaiya Hindi became part of Bollywood

Tapori language or Mumbaiya Hindi that is mouthed by Bollywood actors has found universal acceptance over the years

Ekdum jhakaas! No public appearance of Anil Kapoor goes without him mouthing these words, 30 years after he uttered it in Yudh (1985). The famous words, which mean ‘Absolutely superb’ in Mumbaiya Hindi, are synonymous with the actor.

For Jackie Shroff, it is “Kya bidu? (How are you pal?)” that came to be oft used by people in Mumbai and outside post his 1983 film Hero. Years later, Sanjay Dutt also mouthed “Kya bidu?” in Munnabhai MBBS (2003) and Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006).

As Bollywood is based in Mumbai, it is natural for the local fare to seep into movies. Mumbaiya language, what is commonly referred to as tapori language, has always been an intrinsic part of Hindi film dialogues and songs. Aamir Khan crooned Ae, kya bolti tu in Ghulam (1998) which was laced with tapori lingo. Another famous line from the Salman Khan-Aamir Khan starrer Andaz Apna Apna (1994) that immediately comes to mind is, “Aaila, Oi ma, crime master Gogo!”— Aai in Marathi means mother. And how about this one? “Abey dhakkan, kyun time khoti kar rela hai?” — Khoti is borrowed from Marathi meaning waste.

Sanjay Dutt (left) and Arshad Warsi mouthed tapori language in Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006)

Universal appeal
Explains writer duo Sajid-Farhad who have penned films like Bol Bachchan (2012) and Singham Returns (2014), “Mumbai’s tapori language has now become the universal language of Bollywood. There is a huge audience who may not comprehend it, but enjoy it. In fact, now they understand it too.”

Till date Anil Kapoor (above) and Jackie Shroff are known for mouthing ‘Jhakaas’ and ‘Kya Bidu’ respectively

Writer Bunty Rathore, who has penned for films like Khiladi 786 (2012) adds, “It is widely accepted. I am from Meerut and even the people there now understand the Mumbaiya language thanks to Bollywood.”

For most writers, a touch of Mumbaiya Hindi adds to the pithiness of the film, making it more expressive while giving colour to the character. Instead of penning lines in pure Hindi in films, which may make people run to a dictionary to find its meaning, use of colloquial Hindi mostly helps connect with the audience.

Vivek Oberoi used a lot of Mumbaiya Hindi in his films like Company (2002) and Shootout At Lokhandwala (2007)

Says writer Milap Zaveri who has written for films like Grand Masti (2013), “I feel language is never a barrier. I wrote Shootout At Wadala (2013) which had Bambaiya language and the audience loved it. Similarly, Rangeela (1995) also had a lot of such words and was a super hit. When people come to see a film, they come prepared that a particular character will speak in a style specific to the culture he is shown to be a part of.” Sajid-Farhad add, “When you write dialogues, what a character says has to go with his/her setting. You cannot show roadside characters spewing chaste language.”

The Bhai lingo
Bollywood baddies, especially those belonging to the underworld, speak the typical bhai dialect as it is called. As they say, “Maine usko tapka diya” (I have killed him”). Interestingly, the baddies lingo is concocted specifically to typify underworld characters. Vivek Oberoi used it in Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) as well as in his films like Company (2002) and Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story (2013).

Jon Snow has a chance to return on ‘Game of Thrones’, says Emilia Clarke

Los Angeles: Mother of dragons feels Jon Snow, who was shockingly killed at the end of season five of ‘Game of Thrones’, has 50/50 chance of returning in the next season.

Actress Emilia Clarke has given some hope to the fans who were furious with the surprise plot development that saw Snow, played by Kit Harington, get assassinated by his own men in the Night’s Watch.

Emilia Clarke

While showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss have said Snow is really dead, fans have flooded the internet with theories about his possible resurrection at the hands of red priestess Melisandre.

And now Clarke, who plays Daenerys Targaryen on the popular TV series, has added some fuel to the many theories with her comments.

Clarke said she has ‘no idea’ if Snow is really dead. “I read the scripts and I cried and I called David and Dan and took Kit out for numerous drinks,” said Clarke in an interview with MTV.

“Looking forward, they know that I can’t lie very well. I can with all honesty say I have no idea what’s happening.”When prodded further, Clarke said, “If I had to bet, I would say it’s a 50/50 chance. There are some helpful people there, who could bring Jon back to life.”

Fans have speculated that Melisandre (Carice Van Houten), who boasts some impressive magical abilities, could potentially bring Jon back to life, as she returned to The Wall shortly before his death.

Jon’s brother Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright), who has strange abilities of his own, may also be helpful in bringing his brother to life.

Freida Pinto launches world’s first global cinema ad campaign

Mumbai: Indian-origin Hollywood actress Freida Pinto alongwith actor Chiwetel Ejiofor and filmmaker Richard Curtis yesterday launched the world’s first global cinema ad campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the United Nations’ goals for sustainable development.

Freida Pinto. Pic/Santa Banta 

It is a part of the Global Goals campaign, “Project Everyone”, founded by Curtis. The ad #WEHAVEAPLAN will be screened in more than 30 countries across the world including India.

Pinto, 30, and Ejiofor, 37, joined Curtis and creator of the ad Sir John Hegarty on stage at a seminar, Cannes Lions, to share their views on how cinema can be a powerful medium in driving social change.

Curtis called on the media community in Cannes to join the founding team to promote the new global goals for sustainable development.

“I would love everyone to get behind the mission to make the goals famous. We are targeting every website and billboard, every TV and radio station, every cinema, every community, every school and every mobile phone network with the task of carrying a simple message about the goals for the 7 days after they are launched,” Curtis said. The campaign is backed by Sawa, the global cinema advertising association.

Fox planning ‘Fantastic Four’ and ‘X-Men’ crossover

Los Angeles: Fox is reportedly planning a crossover between two successful franchises, ‘Fantastic Four’ and ‘X-Men’.

Fantastic Four. Pic/Santa Banta 

The film is said get a 2018 release, reported Aceshowbiz.

There are several issues to be put into consideration before the project could move forward.

There is no plot detail as of now, so it is unclear if the teams are battling each other or teaming up.

No one has an idea about which characters will appear in the film. Since it is said that the upcoming reboot of ‘Fantastic Four’ is not set in the same world as the ‘X-Men’ movies, many speculated that the Fantastic Four would explore parallel dimensions.

To put various superheroes in one universe seems to be a trend right now.

It is like what Marvel does for ‘Captain America: Civil War’, which will add ‘Spider-Man’ into its world.

Lady Gaga suffers wardrobe malfunction

Los Angeles: Pop sensation Lady Gaga suffered a major wardrobe malfunction while carrying a box of pizza on the street of New York City.

Lady Gaga. Pic/Santa Banta

The incident happened when Gaga, 29, just got out from Amadeus Pizza restaurant, reported Ace Showbiz.

The “Bad Romance” hitmaker was strolling down the street in an unbuttoned khaki jacket. Her appearance on the street inevitably attracted paparazzi.

The singer completed her look with jean shorts and a black cap which has her name “Gaga” written on it.

Gaga often wears daring outfits either during her performance or mere outing. It wasn’t the first time Gaga suffered a wardrobe malfunction.

Last year, the award-winning singer flashed her modesty in a selfie she posted on Instagram.