Will Smith opens a restaurant in Dubai, Kim Kardashian forced back to reality and Shah Rukh Khan skips the dairy aisle we have your totally true* roundup of celebrity news from Hollywood, Bollywood and beyond
Michael Bay named as director of 12 Years A Slave sequel
Just weeks after 12 Years A Slave picked up the Academy Award for Best Picture, the wheels are already in motion for the hotly anticipated sequel to Steve McQueen's powerful drama. With the British filmmaker tied up on the remake of Look Who's Talking, Michael Bay has now been named as director of 13 Years A Slave, due for release in 2016. Billed as a "reimagining of Solomon Northup's time after captivity", the story will see the free man return to Louisiana to exact revenge on his former slave masters. "It's going to be explosive. Expect fireworks," Bay said in a statement. While the cast is yet to be confirmed, Chiwetel Ejiofor is expected to reprise his role as Northup, while Megan Fox is rumoured to be lined up as his love interest.
Justin Bieber and John Kerry agree to end Twitter feud
One of the most talked about Twitter feuds in history is finally coming to a close after the pop sensation Justin Bieber and US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday agreed to a ceasefire. The war of words began early last year, when Bieber described Kerry's foreign policy in the Middle East as "just ridic" on the social messaging site, attracting more than 30 million retweets. The politician hit back, suggesting that Bieber should "stick to screaming at prepubescent girls instead of trying to lecture world leaders", sparking an escalation of online jibes between the two. Yesterday, however, two announced a truce. "We actually have a lot of respect for one another," Kerry claimed.
Will Smith to open Will Smith-themed restaurant in Dubai
Fresh from a six-month holiday with his family in the UAE, Will Smith has revealed that he will soon be returning to Dubai to open a new Will Smith-themed restaurant and bar. The Fresh Prince Pizza Palace will be located in the Downtown district of the city and will feature the "complete 360 Will Smith experience", according to developers. "After such a great time in Dubai I really wanted to offer a gift as an appreciation to my hosts," Smith said in a statement. The venue will reportedly be decorated with numerous items from the entertainment star's colourful career, including a replica hat worn in The Legend of Badger Vance, a chair used in Hitch and Thandie Newton from The Pursuit of Happyness.
Shah Rukh Khan doesn't like cheese
If you thought you'd "Brie" able to attract the attention of the Bollywood heartthrob Shah Rukh Khan with a selection of dairy delights, think again! In an exclusive interview with Filmfare, King Khan sensationally lifted the lid on his thoughts about cheese, and unfortunately it's not "Gouda" news for lovers of cheddar, Camembert or any variety of coagulated milk protein. "I don't really like cheese," the Kuch Kuch Hota Hai star told the magazine.
Kim Kardashian forced to recall Kardashian lawnmowers after complaint
Kim Kardashian yesterday announced that she was recalling her entire line of Kardashian lawnmowers from shop shelves following a complaint from a customer. According to reports, a serious electric fault was found with the Kardashian K-32 Electric Rotary Lawnmower and the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star made the decision to withdraw the entire line of automated grass cutting machines until the exact problem had been found. "However, this does not affect the many other products available from my exclusive Kardashian Garden Range," she said on Twitter.
Priyanka Chopra confirmed for Bollywood remake of Amour
The Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra yesterday revealed that she was to star in the forthcoming Hindi-language remake of the Oscar-winning drama Amour. Taking to Twitter, the star said that she "so excited to be working on Amour!" resulting in a flurry of excitement across all social media channels. Due to begin shooting next month, the film is said to be an upbeat retelling of Michael Haneke's romantic drama. "It's going to have plenty of singing and dancing," Chopra later revealed on Instagram.
Scarlett Johansson named brand ambassador of Monsanto
In a glitzy ceremony in New York, the Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson was unveiled as the official brand ambassador for the agricultural biotechnology company Monsanto. "We're absolutely delighted to be working with Scarlett and look forward to her helping spread the good word our high crop-yielding genetically modified seeds across the world," said Monsanto in a statement. Johansson is due to appear in an advert in which she jokingly rubbishes the use of natural seeds in favour of Monsanto's patented GM varieties.
Slayer to headline Abu Dhabi Plastics and Polymers Conference closing party
There were cheers among Middle East metalheads yesterday after it was revealed that Slayer would be headlining one of the region's most prestigious events. The US rockers will take to the stage at the closing night of the Abu Dhabi Plastics and Polymers Conference next month and have promised fans an "absolute treat". "We've heard so many things about the conference and can't wait to rock out in the United Arab States," said guitarist Kerry King on the Slayer website. Tickets, which are priced between Dh300 for basic entry and Dh4,000 for the luxury platinum class, go on sale next week. Slayer were due to headline this year's Dubai Jazz Festival but were forced to pull out following a bout of gastroenteritis.
Rapper MIA to take Doha's Museum of Islamic Arts to court over name
The controversial and outspoken rapper MIA has announced that following a "breakdown in communications" she is now taking legal action against the Museum of Islamic Arts in the Qatari capital of Doha over naming rights. In a statement released yesterday, representatives of the Bad Girls hitmaker announced that they would be "seeking substantial damages over the museum's continued use of the MIA acronym despite repeated requests, and its continuing affect on the singer's brand and reputation". In 2012, MIA successfully petitioned for the Meetings Industry Association to change its name after a three-year court battle. Her next album Smash the State is out in June.
* Well, maybe not entirely true - Happy April Fool's Day
artslife@thenational.ae
