Entertainment News

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is delighted to announce that the first artist for Kew the Music 2019 will be R&B superstar, Craig David, headlining the show on Friday 12 July.

Tickets are on sale from Friday 19 October, 2018 and music-lovers can book ahead for the unmissable evenings at the iconic, atmospheric venue which returns from 9-14 July, 2019.

Craig David Friday 12 July With 15 Million albums sold worldwide and multi Grammy nominations as well as a top 10 billboard hit 7 Days, plus 4.5 million single sales and 290 million single streams in the last year alone – Craig David is the most talked about return to music in decades! A contemporary R&B singer, songwriter and rapper, Craig David's debut studio album, Born to Do It, was released in 2000, after which he has released a further five studio albums, earning himself 20 UK Top 40 singles, and seven UK Top 40 albums. David's latest album The Time is Now is an exciting stylistic mix of tropical house and R&B.

Proving to be a hit amongst all generations of music lovers, the popular concerts are the perfect evening out for all the family to enjoy. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drink, or to enjoy the open-air bars and tasty street food stalls. A sensational summer's evening awaits.

Kew the Music has recently won the prestigious “Tony Kane Cultural Experience of the Year” at the Time & Leisure Food & Culture 2018 Awards, cementing the glorious week-long summer picnic concerts as a highlight in the cultural calendar.

Ready for some hot stuff…? Simon Beaufoy’s award-winning stage play based on the Fox Searchlights Pictures Motion Picture, The Full Monty returns to Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday 5 – Saturday 10 November for the final time ever!

The stage adaptation of The Full Monty has enjoyed nightly standing ovations and sell-out audiences across multiple tours of the UK and Ireland. This current tour will mark the final ever chance for audiences to see this award-winning production.

The Full Monty tells the story of six out-of-work, impoverished steelworkers from Sheffield and is based on the smash hit film of the same name. The production is adapted for the stage by Oscar-winning writer Simon Beaufoy, who also wrote the screenplay for the original film. This hilarious and heartfelt production also features the iconic songs from the film including hits by Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones.

Once again, the all-star cast is led by Gary Lucy (Luke Morgan in Hol-lyoaks, EastEnders, The Bill, Footballers’s Wives, winner of Dancing On Ice) who has made the role of Gaz his own during his long association with the production. Gary Lucy is joined on stage by Andrew Dunn (best known as Tony in Dinnerladies and for his regular appearances playing Alastair Camp-bell in Bremner, Bird & Fortune) as Gerald, Louis Emerick (Mike Thornberry in Coronation Street, Norman the Doorman in Benidorm, Brookside, Last of the Sumer Wine) as Horse, Joe Gill (Finn Barton in Emmerdale) as Lomper, Kai Owen (Rhys in Torchwood & Pete in Hollyoaks) as Dave and James Redmond (Finn in Hollyoaks & Abs Denham in Casualty) as Guy.

The production’s female members of the cast shed light on the other side of the well-known story, portraying the challenging journey’s they face to stand by their men and how they ultimately take their hats off to them all. Liz Carney plays the role of Jean, Amy Thompson as Mandy, Bryonie Pritchard as Linda and Keeley Fitzgerald as Sharon. Other cast members include Andrew Ashford, Stephen Donald, Alex Frost, Fraser Kelly and Lee Toomes.

The Full Monty is Simon Beaufoy’s first work for the theatre. His screen credits include: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Salmon Fishing in Yemen, Battle of the Sexes & Slumdog Millionaire as well as The Full Monty.

The production is directed by Rupert Hill whose credits include directing the films Leatherbird, Mole Hills, and Rolling with Punches. Rupert is also an actor and has been a previous Full Monty cast member and known for playing the role of Jamie Baldwin in Coronation Street.

The Full Monty is designed by Robert Jones (National Theatre and RSC), Choreography by Ian West (The Blues Brothers & The Play What I Wrote), Lighting by Colin Grenfell (theatre award winner for Blackwatch) and sound by Luke Swaffield (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime).

He is a unique guy and the man that plays role in some of the baddest films such as Friday and Rush Hour. Both movies are in demand to come back and be apart of our lives once again.

There is no denying the presence of this movie star, its almost surreal being able to watch such a massive entertainer live on stage we took the risk of sitting at the front of a packed arena but luckily he didn’t have anything embarrassing to say about us.

Yes Chris is sharp charismatic and makes an effort with attire, just his squeaky voice alone would have you laughing more than the jokes he told, so whats his content like? Its pretty much the lifestyle of Chris Tucker which is quite funny, naturally he talks about his movie experience with Jackie Chan and Michael Jackson.

Not many comedians can say they have these experiences so the content is quite original and fresh to hear. The great thing is he doesn’t fake stories his lifestlyle and what he has been through is genuinely funny. Like your Richard Pryors and Eddie Murphys Chris doesn’t swear at all in his sketches and is clean but still raw. The whole experience with Chris tucker feels exclusive and he is definatley in a league of his own. We wont give away too much but its so hilarious his sketch about his experience with Michael Jackson in Neverland you actually feel like you was there with him.

Chris Tucker for sure is ground breaking stand up and worth the cash, he keeps you glued and laughing from start to finish.

A night out I would enjoy to actually see him perform the exact same way again.

British owned airline flybmi has teamed up with Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to create a unique competition opportunity for students to compose a piece of music for the airline’s on-board entertainment systems.

All current music students are eligible to enter and will be required to compose a three-minute piece. The piece can be instrumental, contain vocals or a combination of the two.

flybmi is looking for a piece of music that is both relaxing and uplifting, and will appeal to their customer base of business and leisure travellers. The winning piece will become the ‘official music of flybmi’ and will be played on board all flights across the airline’s entire network as customers embark and disembark.

The lucky winner will not only have their music featured on all flights but they will also receive a pair of tickets to use on any route on flybmi’s network. From the UK this could be flights to Paris, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf, Gothenburg, Brussels, Aberdeen, Oslo, Esbjerg and Stavanger.

The competition has been arranged by Birmingham City University alumnus and flybmi’s Marketing and Customer Director, Antony Price, and Michael Wolters, Deputy Head of Composition, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Michael Wolters said:

“As well as developing the talents of the next generation of great musicians, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire pays care and attention to musicians as entrepreneurs. It prepares students for the opportunities and challenges presented by the future of the profession, with the intention that they leave us as employable music professionals. This involves the ability to create work outside the traditional concert hall.

“This exciting competition with flybmi is one such example and working to a brief allows our students to think about the type of corporate commissions they will be faced with once they graduate. Of course, it will be really inspiring for the winner to hear their music playing as they board the aircraft, knowing that their song will be enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of passengers across Europe.”

With a rich history dating back to 1859, the new £57 million Royal Birmingham Conservatoire opened in 2017 on the City Centre Campus of its parent institution, Birmingham City University. Headed by Principal Professor Julian Lloyd Webber, the college boasts such illustrious alumni as soul singer-songwriter Laura Mvula, baritone Rhydian Roberts and conductor Michael Seal.

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire students have until Monday 31 December to enter the flybmi contest.

The world’s most beloved tenor, Andrea Bocelli, has announced he will be returning to the UK for a 4-date arena tour in the autumn of 2019, including a date at Birmingham’s Genting Arena (soon to be renamed Resorts World Arena).

Andrea Bocelli will release his highly anticipated new 16-track album ‘Si’ on 26^th October – his first brand new material in 14 years – billed as “a celebration of love, family, faith and hope”.  ‘Si’ will feature tracks co-written with Ed Sheeran and Tiziano Ferro as well as duets with Dua Lipa, fellow contemporary classical star Josh Groban and soprano Aida Garifullina. The album also sees Bocelli’s 20-year old son Matteo collaborate with him on the track ‘Fall On Me’ which appears on the soundtrack to the upcoming Disney movie The Nutcracker and The Four Realms.

Reportedly the biggest selling solo classical artist of all time with over 80 million worldwide album sales, Bocelli has performed for four US Presidents, two Popes and many Royal families across the world, as well as at high-profile ceremonies for the Olympic Games and the World Cup. The Maestro has countless music awards to his name over past 25 years in music and even boasts a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which he received in 2010 for his contribution to live theatre.

Bocelli is acclaimed worldwide as one of the most accomplished representatives of Italy’s finest vocal tradition, his rich and unique voice being one of the most distinctive of all time. The tenor actively supports numerous philanthropic causes furthering medical and scientific research, tackling poverty, as well as promoting compulsory primary education worldwide.

These new 2019 show dates will showcase songs from Bocelli’s latest album as well as a wide repertoire from across his 15 studio albums.

While appearing on American talk show, The Talk, Tim Allen – the voice of Buzz Lightyear – revealed that some of the final scenes in the highly-anticipated Toy Story 4 were “hard to get through.”

Toy Story has always been a franchise overflowing with heart and emotion and has never shied away from tugging at our heartstrings. Remember when Buzz Lightyear first figures out he’s a plastic toy in the original Toy Story? Remember when Jessie, the always-upbeat cowgirl breaks down and reveals her heart-breaking backstory in which her owner completely forgets about her and then just discards of her like she never meant anything in Toy Story 2? Remember when Toy Story 3 came along and blew every other emotional scene that came before it completely out of the water? Well, according to Tim Allen, we can expect more of the same in Toy Story 4.

At one point, Allen even compares Toy Story 4 to the recent Avengers: Infinity War;

“If you’re at all a superhero fan, because I am, Infinity War didn’t seem like it was going to work but it was a lot of vignettes that all made sense” he said, seemingly alluding to the possibility that Toy Story 4 will follow a similar structure, which suggests that our favourite collection of toys all get separated at some point and must embark on their own adventures to get back to one another.

“I have to resist getting emotional” Allen says. “I don't want to give it away, but this is an incredibly great story. It is so emotional, it’s so funny, it’s so big – the idea they've come up with, I’m startled by it. I couldn't even get through the last scene.”

While many fans were left disappointed at the announcement of Toy Story 4, feeling that Toy Story 3 perfectly brought the story to a close, perhaps this revelation from Allen may temper their worries and give them a little confidence in the upcoming sequel.

One thing is for certain, the Toy Story franchise has never failed to deliver the goods when it comes to funny, heart-warming and emotional storytelling and it is difficult to imagine Toy Story 4 will be any different.

Get your hankies ready – Toy Story 4 is set to hit UK cinemas on June 21^st, 2019.

Welsh actor Taron Egerton has transformed into Elton John for his role in the upcoming biopic about the iconic singer that tells the story of Elton John's life, from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin.

The thinning hair, the ridiculous spectacles, the gold bomber jacket, the short-shorts and the winged platform boots…they are unmistakably Elton.

The film is now in production and also stars Bodyguard and Game of Thrones actor, Richard Madden, who is playing John Reid – Elton’s former lover and manager. Billy Elliot’s Jamie Bell stars as Bernie Taupin, who wrote a catalogue of hits with Elton and Bryce Dallas Howard and Steven Mackintosh are starring as Elton’s parents, Sheila Eileen Dwight and Stanley Dwight.

Rocketman is being directed by Dexter Fletcher, who worked with Egerton on 2015’s Eddie the Eagle – a biography of Eddie Edwards, the notoriously tenacious British underdog ski jumper. Rocketman also features a screenplay that has been written by Lee Hall, the Oscar nominated writer of Billy Elliot and War Horse.

X-Men: First Class and Kingsman director, Matthew Vaughn, is on board as Producer and has predicted that the film “is going to make people’s jaws hit the ground”.

Vaughn also went on to say that Elton John himself gave them his blessing and told them to “Tell it all. Go as R-rated as you need to” and Vaughn says “We do just that. The flaws and the genius are all there.”

Elton John is also on serving as a Producer on the movie, showing that he isn’t afraid of the fact that this movie is going to highlight all aspects of his life, from the good to the bad to the ugly. Elton is notorious for how honest and outspoken he is, so it stands to reason that his biopic should be the same way.

Rocketman will hit UK cinemas on May 31^st, 2019.

Bruce Dern is set to play George Spahn in Quentin Tarantino’s hotly-anticipated ninth film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The role originally went to Dern’s long-time friend and collaborator Burt Reynolds, who was unable to shoot after being hospitalised due to illness before sadly passing away on September 6^th.

Dern and Reynolds appeared together several times over the years and their relationship goes way back to 1965, when they both appeared in an episode of World War II series 12 O’clock High. They also appeared together in the 1999 TV-movie Hard Time: The Premonition and the 2003 Western, Hard Ground. It seems fitting that Reynolds would be replaced by his good friend, who also happens to be another icon of 1970’s cinema.

Bruce Dern first worked with Tarantino on Django Unchained in a brief role as Old Man Carrucan, before reteaming with the controversial director on 2015’s The Hateful Eight in a much larger role as Sanford Smithers – a despicable, former Confederate general who finds himself stuck in a haberdashery with the man who has a deep, personal grudge against him. It was an intense, mean-spirited performance with Dern commanding the screen with a furious presence.

Now, Dern is also set to star in Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – a film that tells the story of a struggling actor and his long-time stunt double who embark on an odyssey to make a name for themselves in the 1969 Los Angeles, around the time of the infamous Charles Manson murders.

Dern will play George Spahn, the real-life American rancher who would rent out his property to the film industry as a location for Westerns. However, Spahn is chiefly remembered for his association with the Manson Family, after housing Charles Manson and his followers throughout the late 60s. It is believed that the 1969 murders of Sharon Tate, Abigail Ann Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Steven Earl Parent, Jay Sebring and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were planned by Manson and his devotees at the Spahn Ranch.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood has what is arguably the single greatest ensemble cast ever assembled and is set to star Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, Kurt Russell, Damian Lewis, Tim Roth, Timothy Olyphant, Dakota Fanning, Emile Hirsch, James Marsden, Clifton Collins Jr, Michael Madsen, Lorenza Izzo, James Remar, Zoe Bell, Dreama Walker and, of course, Bruce Dern.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is currently in production and set for release on July 26^th, 2019.

Kids Music Day is also being supported this year by CASIO EMI, Alfred Music, Remo, Conn-Selmer and Kala Brand Music, all leaders in the music industry.  Casio has been manufacturing quality keyboards for consumers and professionals alike for nearly forty years, while Alfred Music has been in the music publishing business since the early days of Tin Pan Alley.   The REMO name has been synonymous with quality drums and percussion equipment for over 60 years.  Conn-Selmer is the leading manufacturer & distributor of musical instruments for student, amateur and professional use.  Kala Brand Music has quickly made a name for itself with quality ukulele instruments played by both professionals and amateurs.  Keep Music Alive is honored to welcome these partners helping to share the Kids Music Day message, inspiring more kids to begin their musical journey.  

Kids Music Day is one of two international music holidays founded by the organization Keep Music Alive.  In March 2018, the organization partnered with over 600 music school and music retail locations in all 50 U.S. states, Canada and 10 additional countries to offer free lessons to new students (kids and adults) as part of the 3rd Annual Teach Music Week.  Some of the largest music chains in the world have participated in Kids Music Day and Teach Music Week with many of their locations including Music & Arts, Guitar Center, Kindermusik, Music Together, Gymboree, Long & McQuade, Bach to Rock and the legendary School of Rock.

The spectacular Arenacross Tour returns for 2019 with the fast-paced show set descend on Birmingham next year – coming to the Genting Arena 1-2 February 2019.

The UK’s fastest indoor action-sports show promises seat grabbing entertainment from the worlds craziest indoor Motocross racers and Freestyle MX stars from across the globe. It’s one of the most incredible family shows you’ll witness under a roof and it’s back, bigger, louder, faster than ever before! For 2019 the Tour takes on two nights in each city so fans can experience two nights of unpredictable racing action.

Matt Bates, CEO of ASL Active, who produce Arenacross, says “Arenacross never fails to entertain huge audiences year after year – and as we enter our seventh year of staging the tour, we’re more excited than ever to continue growing our audience of AX fans. Arenacross isn’t just indoor Motocross, it’s an entire night of choreographed entertainment that includes a great sound track, pyro, lasers and live screen back-stage action. We’re also a sports entertainment show that delivers so much more than a seated show – you can win bikes, bet on riders, get to meet the stars, walk the course and go back stage too. What other live show can offer this level if access?”

The fastest motocross racers flock to the six-round series to take part in the UK’s richest off-road series. With bragging rights and a huge jackpot up for grabs the riders leave nothing on the line resulting in knuckle to knuckle non-stop racing on the arena sized dirt battle field! Cheer on home bred riders as they battle the international superstars from the age of 7 up to the professionals.

Away from the racing, Arenacross hosts only the best motorsport mavericks who hail from all corners of the earth and specialise in whipping & flipping their bikes 40 ft above the arena floor. We’ve scoured the globe and to find some of the best Freestyle Motocross riders in the WORLD to take to the ramps for your viewing pleasure.

This wouldn’t be Arenacross without the lights, lasers and pyro that results in full throttle family entertainment. At every event expect giveaways, autograph sessions and a chance at each round to walk away with a bike of your own! Looking for more? Arenacross has a range of VIP packages to ensure you get the best seats in the house, meet & greet riders, enjoy an exclusive Freestyle motocross show and a tour around the pits.

So what lies ahead for 2019? We know there are championships to be claimed, money to be won and fans to entertain…will you be there?

Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands, will be holding its first ever Ukelele Festival from the 16th to 21st March 2019.

The Golden Ukalele Festival is an initiative by enthusiasts in the Cook Islands wanting to enhance the culture of the instrument playing into a festival of celebration, for both Cook Islanders and visitors to this little paradise in the heart of the pacific.

The ukalele is recognised globally, with region-to-region and country-to-country adaptations of design and tones, making it highly personalised to each region or country. Not only do the Cook Islands spell Ukalele differently, but their ukulele also have a modified shape. Rather than a miniaturised version of the guitar, theirs is a distinctive pacific island instrument, shaped around the coconut shell. These ukalele have a higher tone which epitomises the capella style of traditional Cook Islands music and chants. The Golden Ukalele Festival will feature unique Pacific as well as International Ukalele Rhythms.

The overall aim of the festival is enjoyment by participation, giving every opportunity to participants attending the festival, to join in as ukalele players, or ukalele lovers throughout the festival week's events and activities.

The week's activities will include concerts, workshops, dance shows, church services that have special sermons focusing on ukalele music and a special concert on the beach, letting participants perform or just enjoy each others company in a tropical paradise setting.

The festival will also have expo days, allowing participants to learn to play local songs, visit local ukalele makers and browse and purchase their creations. The week will then culminate with the Golden Ukalele Award night, which is the festivals finale and will be the highlight of the festival.

The 15 islands of the Cooks are located in the heart of the Pacific, halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. An oasis of freedom with crystal blue waters, white sandy beaches, warm weather all year round and authentic, friendly locals.

Author Adam Weymouth, producer Charlie Fripp and director Chris Lucas will be headlining the South West Outdoor Festival this October, sharing tales from their adventures in the wild Yukon territory, Canada.

The three-day National Trust festival, held in Devon from 5-7 October 2018, offers adventure enthusiasts a comprehensive programme of talks, presentations and film screenings. Festival goers will also be able to participate in trail-running races, cycling challenges and a variety of water sports including coasteering, kayaking, swim/runs and paddleboarding.

During the weekend, screenings of The Yukon Assignment (a film about a dad-and-son team from Cornwall canoeing along the territory's mighty rivers) and readings by author Adam Weymouth from his book Kings of the Yukon will showcase this extraordinary, magical and untamed land.

Adam will host reading sessions from his book, published on 15 May 2018 by Penguin, which details his four-month journey canoeing the length of the great Yukon River. Paddling against the King salmon, Adam discovered how their decline is affecting the indigenous communities that have relied on them for survival for so long.

The Yukon Assignment follows British adventurer Chris Lucas (34) and his actor father Niall (64) as they canoe down one of the most remote rivers in Canada. The film is a breathtaking exploration of one of the earth's last wildernesses and the story of how adventure can bring people of all ages together.

The legendary guitarist and composer Gordon Giltrap recently released a new album, called Heartsongs, to raise money for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity. Gordon underwent two bouts of major surgery in 2016 and has since turned his attention to raising money for the hospital that treated him.

Heartsongs has proved to be a huge hit amongst music fans and charity supporters alike, with the initial run of the CD selling out, raising £2,500 for QEHB Charity. The CD is now back in stock online, and Gordon hopes to raise even more money for the hospital charity.

Gordon said: “Creating this album for QEHB Charity has been one of the most joyous and profound moments of my life. I have had many albums released since those far-off days of 1968 when my first recorded efforts were released onto the market.

“Over the years, I have had a degree of success commercially, but artistically that really belongs to another realm, outside the remit of record sales and big bucks. To that end I regard Heartsongs as one of the most significant albums I have ever produced.

“This is truly my way of saying a heartfelt thank you, and the opportunity to give something back for the life I am living right now.”

The album includes tracks featuring major artists from the rock worlds such as Brian May of Queen, Midge Ure, Steve Howe from Yes, Neil Murray from Black Sabbath, Simon Phillips from Toto and the national treasure Rick Wakeman.

Whilst music royalty may feature on the album, the reverse of the album booklet features medical royalty in the form of Mr Samuel Ford, who was Gordon’s surgeon at QEHB. Gordon said: “Mr Ford is truly a beautiful and gifted man. On the day that the photograph was taken I told him that ‘I owed my life to him’. His reply was something along the lines of ‘No Gordon, I just did my job and you got better.’”

Heartsongs has raised money for QEHB Charity, which works to provide equipment, facilities and research that go ‘over and above’ that which the NHS is able to provide, helping to improve the hospital experience for patients and their families at Birmingham’s busiest hospital.

Justine Davy, Head of Fundraising at QEHB Charity, said: “The Charity is hugely grateful for Gordon’s generosity in releasing Heartsongs to raise money for patients here at the hospital. It is so special that he has used his musical talents to raise money for a cause that is close to his heart. Heartsongs is a wonderful album and it has been flying off the shelves, which is credit to Gordon’s talent and popularity.”

Heartsongs is available to purchase online at hospitalcharity.org/shop for £10, including postage and packing. If you’re at the hospital, you can also pop into the Hub in the atrium to pick up your copy.

The Royal Shakespeare Company will be taking part in EGX BIRMINGHAM, the UK’s biggest gaming event at the NEC between 20-23 September

The Company will be showcasing a brand-new trailer for its upcoming production of Troilus and Cressida created in Epic Games Unreal Engine, and set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The RSC will also be spotlighting some of its latest AR technology as it continues to push boundaries with digital technology, interactivity and live theatrical performance. Troilus and Cressida, one of Shakespeare’s more rarely performed plays, will run in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre between 12 October – 17 November 2018, with a live cinema broadcast on 14 November.

Troilus and Cressida swear they will always be true to one another. But in the seventh year of the siege of Troy their innocence is tested, and exposed to the savage corrupting influence of war, with tragic consequences.  Mad Max meets Shakespeare in an epic tale of war-crossed lovers.

RSC Artistic Director, Gregory Doran, will collaborate with virtuoso percussionist Evelyn Glennie and designer Niki Turner in a production that will feature a 50/50 gender split company with Gavin Fowler as Troilus and Amber James as Cressida.

Kerry Radden, Head of Marketing at the RSC, said: “We are always striving to make our work as accessible and appealing to as many people as possible.  We regularly make video trailers to give audiences a flavour of what to expect.  The creative team behind Troilus and Cressida is aiming to create a sardonic futuristic vision of a world resounding to the rhythm of battle, so using the video game genre seemed perfect for this particular trailer. We’re really excited to be working with our in house video team to continue to push the boundaries in the content we create for audiences.”

British actor Henry Cavill, who played Superman in Man of Steel, Batman v Superman and Justice League is said to be hanging up the red cape.

The Hollywood Reporter has reported that negotiations between Warner Bros and Henry Cavill recently broke down, meaning Henry Cavill will no longer be playing the Man of Steel going forward.

This is yet another crushing blow in a string of crushing blows for Warner Bros and DC, which began with the disappointing box office performance of Justice League – a film that should have been their biggest movie to date, but actually ended up being their lowest grossing movie, failing to out-gross Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad and Wonder Woman. Couple that with reshoots that saw the budget balloon out of control and the poor reception from critics and audiences alike, Justice League is considered by many to be a full-blown flop.

Just five movies in to the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), things are already looking rocky and the future of the franchise isn’t looking good, but with Aquaman due for release on December 14^th 2018, Shazam due for release on April 5^th 2019 and Wonder Woman 1984 already deep in to production with a scheduled release date of November 15^th 2019, it is likely that the future of the entire DCEU rests on those three movies.

A representative for Warner Bros released a statement on the Cavill situation, saying “While no decisions have been made regarding any upcoming Superman films, we’ve always had great respect for and a great relationship with Henry Cavill and that remains unchanged.”

Henry Cavill’s manager Dany Garcia addressed the situation on Twitter and gave fans hope that the report isn’t true. “Be peaceful, the cape is still in his closet. Warner has been and continues to be our partners as they evolve the DC Universe” she said.

Cavill himself addressed the situation in a cryptic video posted to his Instagram, which features him staring blankly into camera while wearing a t-shirt that reads “Krypton Lifting Team” and slowly bringing a Superman action figure into frame, then slowly dropping it back out of frame, never breaking his gaze. The bizarre video was also accompanied by the caption “Today was exciting. #Superman”

Exactly what this video means is anybody’s guess – some fans are taking it as confirmation that the rumours are false and that Cavill is indeed staying on-board as Superman, while others assume it is just Henry Cavill having a little fun and stirring up the rumours, much in the same way Idris Elba did last month with the James Bond casting rumours.

While nothing has been confirmed by either party and all those involved seem unwilling to provide fans with a simple, straight-forward answer, it is still pretty evident that things seem to be in need of a shake-up at Warner Bros/DC, especially with the rumours that Ben Affleck has also dropped out as Bruce Wayne/Batman. If both of these reports are true, Warner Bros have lost their Superman and Batman, the two biggest superheroes on their roster, leaving the future of the DCEU hazier than ever.

American superstar comic and award-winning actor Chris Tucker is delighted to announce he is returning to the UK to perform a limited five shows later this year. In his first shows since his UK debut in 2012, this tour will see the stand up bring his brand new live comedy show to Birmingham (Arena Birmingham), Manchester (O2 Apollo), Glasgow (SEC Armadillo) and two London shows at the Eventim Apollo this autumn.

Chris Tucker is an international award-winning actor and comedian best known for playing the role of Detective James Carter in Brett Ratner’s Rush Hour film series. He became a favourite on Russell Simmons’ HBO Def Comedy Jam in the 1990s and came to prominence in his first starring role, the 1995 film cult classic Friday along-side Ice Cube, which celebrated its’ 20th Anniversary in 2015. In 1997, Tucker embarked on his first production as executive producer and co-starred in the hit movie, Money Talks with Charlie Sheen and shortly after appeared in the highly successful Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element. In 2006, Tucker negotiated an unprecedented $25 million salary to appear in Rush Hour 3, which at the time made him the highest paid actor in Hollywood.

Chris co-starred in the 2013 Oscar-nominated film Silver Linings Playbook with Robert DeNiro, Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. In 2015, his first standup film, Chris Tucker Live, was released exclusively on Netflix, and marked the first project that Tucker has starred in and produced through his own company, Chris Tucker Entertainment. Tucker’s latest project was Ang Lee’s powerful Iraq war-centric film, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk co-starring with Vin Diesel and Steve Martin, which was released in theatres in November 2016. To date, Tucker has starred in films that have collectively grossed over one billion dollars in box office sales world- wide.

In 2017, Chris embarked on a successful U.S. and international comedy tour, receiving rave reviews from all over the world. Outside of comedy, Tucker is a dedicated humanitarian, spending much of his spare time traveling around the world, doing philanthropic work to make a difference through his Chris Tucker Foundation.