Fresh from the success of its first season, which debuted this year, the Emirati cartoon TV series Mansour is returning for a second season – which for the first time will be screened across the wider Middle East and North Africa region by Cartoon Network Arabic, in association with twofour54. The unique show, supported by Mubadala Development Company, blends comedy, multinational characters and meaningful storylines revolving around the heritage and values of the UAE. The character also aims to teach young Emiratis about the importance of healthy lifestyles, pursuing a career and reinforcing cultural identity. Broadcast dates have yet to be revealed. – The National staff
See the first Furious 7 trailer on The National website
The first trailer for Furious 7, the film formerly known as The Fast and the Furious 7, will be launched this weekend – and The National is the only UAE website that will be able to see it on. You won't want to miss it and now you won't have to trawl US and European sites for a chance to get your first glimpse of the movie – you can get it on www.thenational.ae. The trailer for the film – which was partly filmed in Abu Dhabi and stars Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jason Statham, and directed by action-movie maestro James Wan – goes live on Saturday. Keep an eye on the website for the exact timing of the launch, just as soon as we get the all-clear from the producers – who promise us that the trailer will be quite something. It's been a busy year for twofour54 as it handled not one, but two, simultaneous Hollywood Blockbusters, with Star Wars: Episode 7 also filming in the Abu Dhabi desert. – The National staff
New show for Neil Patrick Harris
It's been a busy couple of weeks for Neil Patrick Harris. The former How I Met Your Mother star recently announced that he would be hosting next year's Oscars, and now he has been lined up to present a new variety show. US TV network NBC has ordered 10 episodes of the show, which will be adapted from the British ITV hit Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, and they say it "will feature comedy sketches, musical numbers, mini game shows, hidden camera pranks on celebrities and appearances by A-list stars. Harris said: "As I watched the show, I couldn't stop smiling. Now that I've seen many seasons, my face hurts. It's a game changer. Nothing like this has been done before, and its unique structure fits right into my random skill set. I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and have some fun!" – The National staff
Marvel unveils nine new superhero movies
Two more Avengers movies, sequels for Thor, Captain America and the Guardians of the Galaxy plus the first solo movies for black and female heroes – and that's only part of the schedule of nine new movies Marvel has announced to expand its wildly successful comic-book universe over the next five years.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was a two-part Avengers sequel to be released in 2018 and 2019 – on top of Age of Ultron, which will be released next year.
The sequel to the this summer's quirky smash hit Guardians of the Galaxy will be released in 2017.
The studio also named its first African-American solo lead actor, Chadwick Boseman, who will play the title role in Black Panther.
The 37-year-old is best known for playing groundbreaking baseball star Jackie Robinson in 42 and soul singer James Brown in this year's biopic Get On Up.
The character will be introduced in Captain America: Civil War in 2016 before his solo outing the following year, Marvel said. That film is also rumoured to feature Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man in a prominent role.
The star of Captain Marvel, the studio's first solo female superhero movie has yet to be revealed.
Here is the full line-up:
Captain America: Civil War – May 6, 2016
Doctor Strange - November 4, 2016
Guardians of the Galaxy 2 - May 5, 2017
Thor: Ragnarok - July 28, 2017
Black Panther - November 3, 2017
Avengers: Infinity War, Part 1 - May 4, 2018
Captain Marvel - July 6, 2018
Inhumans - Nov 2, 2018
Avengers: Infinity War, Part 2 - May 3, 2019. – AFP
Phil Collins donates Alamo memorabilia collection to Texas
British pop star Phil Collins on Tuesday handed over his vast collection of artefacts related to the Battle of the Alamo and the Texas Revolution to the state of Texas.
Collins was in San Antonio to donate what’s considered the world’s largest private collection of Alamo artefacts. It includes a fringed leather pouch and a gun used by Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie’s knife and letters from the garrison commander, William B. Travis.
The solo pop star and Genesis singer-drummer has joked that he spent all the money he made from music on artefacts related to the 1836 battle, in which 1,500 Mexican troops laid siege to 200 Texans.
The collection was given to Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, the state steward of the Alamo who is pushing for a new historical centre to house Collins’ collection.
“Texans are deeply indebted to Phil Collins,” Patterson said. “He is giving us back our heritage. Now these Texas treasures need a home where all can see them and study from them and learn about how Texans won our liberty.”
Collins, Grammy and Academy Award winner, donated a collection of more than 200 items.
“This completes the journey for me. I’m 64. When I was 5 or 6 years old, this thing began,” Collins said of his fascination with the Alamo. “This collection is coming home and it’s going to be very interesting for people to come and see and learn. And this is what it’s all about.” – AP
Third cancer treatment for Hugh Jackman
Oscar-nominated Australian actor Hugh Jackman has been treated for skin cancer for a third time in a year.
The 46-year-old Wolverine star had a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) removed in November, when he posted a picture on Twitter of himself with a plaster on his nose. The procedure was repeated in May. His spokesman, Alan Nierob, said that Jackman had been treated for a third time. He declined to give any more details. BCC is the most common form of skin cancer, with more than 2 million cases diagnosed in the United States every year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. It usually develops on exposed skin such as the head, neck and back of hands, but is especially common on the face and nose. People who use tanning beds have a much higher risk of getting it. – AFP