If it wasn't for a broken sternum, the new villain that will be introduced in Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens could still be rising through the ranks of the United States Marine Corps.
Adam Driver, who stars as Kylo Ren in the highly secretive upcoming seventh instalment of the sci-fi saga, told American radio host Howard Stern on Tuesday that he had been at a loose end after trying and failing to get into New York’s famed The Julliard School for acting.
He had already tried vacuum-cleaner sales and telemarketing, not to mention setting up a real-life Fight Club with his buddies, when September 11 happened.
Inspired to defend his country, Driver enlisted and completed three months of tough basic training, during which he trained as a mortar man. His platoon was getting ready to head to Iraq and Afghanistan when he broke his sternum mountain-biking.
Driver told Stern he was “broken-hearted” after being dropped into a different unit.
“All my guys were going to go over ... I was ready to go,” he said.
Although Driver was looking to make a career out of the Marines, the change in unit sent him packing for Indiana University. He eventually tried out for Julliard a second time and was accepted.
Although Driver was a successful stage actor before signing on to Lena Dunham's critically acclaimed HBO show Girls, and even though he is now part of the legendary Star Wars franchise, he told the radio host he still regrets not being able to join his platoon.
“Even now, looking back on it, I wish I could have gone,” he said.
Driver keeps in touch with his army buddies, but says none of them really understands what is involved in acting.
“We all got together when I was going to school at Julliard and I tried to explain it to them ... they just did not get it at all.”
amcqueen@thenational.ae
• Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens has its world premiere in the US on December 14, with the Middle East premiere at Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace on December 16. The film will be released in UAE cinemas on December 17.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Results
United States beat UAE by three wickets
United States beat Scotland by 35 runs
UAE v Scotland – no result
United States beat UAE by 98 runs
Scotland beat United States by four wickets
Fixtures
Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland
Admission is free
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
No Shame
Lily Allen
(Parlophone)
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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