The Force Awakens big winner at MTV Movie Awards

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Pawan Singh / The National

Evan Agostini / Invision / AP

AFP

Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens was the big winner at the 25th annual MTV Movie Awards. It won the night's biggest prize, Movie of the Year, while Daisy Ridley, who plays Rey, won Best Breakthrough award, and Adam Driver won Best Villain for his turn as Kylo Ren. Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart hosted the show, opening it Mad Max style by riding through the studios strapped to the front of a tricked-out truck. Will Smith and Melissa McCarthy received special honours – the Generation Award for Smith and the Comedic Genius award for McCarthy – and their heartfelt speeches were respites of sincerity in an otherwise lighthearted show. Other winners included Chris Pratt (action performance for Jurassic World), Amy Poehler (virtual performance in Inside Out), and Straight Outta Compton, which won for true story. Ryan Reynolds won two prizes for Deadpool: comedic performance and best fight, which he shared with Ed Skein.

– AP

Broken foot can’t stop Guns n’ Roses reunion

The long-awaited reunion of rock band Guns N' Roses hit a snag before it even properly began when singer Axl Rose broke his foot. Gigs in Las Vegas on Friday and Saturday marked the start of a tour that reunites Rose with guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagen for the first time in 23 years. But Rose had to perform with his leg in a cast, sitting on the same chair Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl used after breaking his leg last year. It seems Rose had a mishap at a secret warm-up gig, at Hollywood's Troubadour club, on April 1, requiring emergency surgery. "This is what can happen when you do something you haven't done in nearly over 23 years," Rose wrote on Twitter. Guns N' Roses go will headline California's Coachella festival this weekend, before embarking on a 25-date North American tour. – The National staff

Patralekha to star in Anees Bazmee’s film

Actress Patralekha, whose latest release is Love Games, has signed up for Anees Bazmee's next, as-yet untitled project. "I'm thrilled to be working with Anees on my next project," she said. "It's a powerful script and a brand-new challenge for me. I can't talk much about my role by it will be something I haven't done so far and I'm looking forward to it." The film, said to be female-orientated, is expected to open at the end of this year. Meanwhile, Patralekha is enjoying the positive response to Love Games, in which she stars as Ramona, who is dangerous, materialistic and leads an immoral lifestyle. The Vikram Bhatt feature was released in India on Friday. – IANS

Taylor Swift was year’s big earner

Singer Taylor Swift was the highest paid celebrity last year, leaving Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio and rapper Jay Z trailing in her wake. Swift, 26, topped Parade magazine's annual What People Earn list. She made an estimated US$80 million [Dh294m] last year from her sold-out world tour and numerous business deals. The pop-star also has a mobile game in the works, which will be launched this year. Lady Gaga earned an estimated $59m, while Jay Z raked in $56m from business ventures, including his streaming service Tidal. DiCaprio, 41, made an estimated $29m. – IANS

Singer Ivan goes too far to succeed

Belarusian singer Ivan plans to take next month’s Eurovision Song Contest by storm – performing completely naked with a wolf at his side. But his plan may prove too much even for a show known as an annual celebration of weirdness, to be held this year in Stockholm next month. The act by the lanky 21-year-old was dreamt up by Viktor Drobysh, a well-known Russian producer with a strong Eurovision track record. “It’s undoubtedly an experience, a great experience,” Ivan, whose real name is Alexander Ivanov, told AFP. “Especially as I have never performed on stage before in my birthday suit and with wild animals.” The problem? It is not clear whether the act will be allowed to go ahead. Eurovision bans animals on stage. And while there is no rule on nudity, spokesman Paul Jordan told AFP this is “not appropriate” for a family show. Drobysh insists the performance is an artistic statement. – AFP