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Reality Check: James Earl Jones Did Not Give the Rights to Darth Vader’s Voice to Anyone — Because He Doesn’t Own It

Roger Friedman
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Reality Check: James Earl Jones Did Not Give the Rights to Darth Vader’s Voice to Anyone — Because He Doesn’t Own It

I don’t know where people got the strange idea that James Earl Jones gave the rights to Darth Vader’s voice to anyone.

Darth Vader is owned by LucasFilms. So is Jones’s memorable performance as the character.

In a Vanity Fair article posted by the excellent Star Wars expert Anthony Breznican, the word “rights” does not appear once. Yet, this erroneous idea has replicated like Star Trek Tribbles all over the internet.

Breznican’s story is about how a Ukrainian AI company takes pieces of Jones’s old speeches from “Star Wars” movies and remixes them to make new dialogue for Star Wars spin offs set a the time.

Jones, Breznican says, “signed off” this idea, meaning he gave his blessing. He bequeathed no rights. He didn’t own any to begin with.

The story is actually about how the Ukrainian firm, Respeecher, is able to operate during wartime and still fulfill its work for Skywalker Sound and Lucas Films. It’s pretty interesting.

Jones is 91, and not really appearing in public anymore. He didn’t attend the renaming of a Broadway theater recently in his name. He remains one of the greats of all time, even if he never owned the rights to Darth Vader. He also doesn’t own the rights to his CNN announcements. If he did, he might considered retrieving them.

Also, Woody Allen did not announce his retirement last week. Are there any fact checkers left out there?

Ilarious: Alec Baldwin and Hilaria (Hilary) Thomas Welcome 7th Child with Spanish Name Despite Lack of Heritage

Roger Friedman
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Ilarious: Alec Baldwin and Hilaria (Hilary) Thomas Welcome 7th Child with Spanish Name Despite Lack of Heritage

Her name is Ilaria Catalina Irena and she is the 7th child born to Alec (formerly Alexander) and Hilary (now known as Hilaria) Baldwin.

Neither Baldwin nor Thomas is of Spanish descent. It’s unclear if they can even make a proper paella. But all seven of their children have Spanish names. The other names are Carmen, Leonardo, Romeo, Rafael, Eduardo, and Lucia.

Baldwin’s first child is daughter Ireland, from his marriage to Kim Basinger. At least Baldwin is Irish, so that one makes sense. His next child may be named Gazpacho. Or Shlomo.

Hilaria Baldwin has been criticized in the media for faking an accent and a Spanish background. Hilary was born in Boston to parents David Thomas Jr. and his wife Katherine Hayward, neither of whom have any training playing castanets. But they did travel to Spain, and like Munchhausen Syndrome mimics other illnesses, they all became infected with Los Gringolitis.

So welcome, Ilaria Catalina Ilena. Soon other kids will asking the Baldwin bunch about their names. Wait til they’re old enough to do 23 and Me. They have a big surprise coming!

“Avatar” Re-release Eyes $10 Million Weekend After 13 Years Leads Up to Sequel

Roger Friedman
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“Avatar” Re-release Eyes $10 Million Weekend After 13 Years Leads Up to Sequel

James Cameron’s “Avatar” is back in theaters.

Yes, the nearly-Oscar winning film has returned in wide release after 13 years. And this weekend should bring a nice $10 million to its already record breaking box office numbers.

This is all a lead up to the December release of the much anticipated sequel, “Avatar: The Way of Water.” More than a dozen years have passed in “Avatar” land and everyone looks like a brighter and deeper blue thanks to enhanced graphics. If you loved it then, you’ll love it more now.

Box Office Conundrum: Audiences Turn Out for “Don’t Worry Darling,” But Don’t Really Like It, Give It a B-

Roger Friedman
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Box Office Conundrum: Audiences Turn Out for “Don’t Worry Darling,” But Don’t Really Like It, Give It a B-

Here’s a problem: audiences turned out for “Don’t Worry Darling” big time last night. But they didn’t like it.

Warner Bros. says the troubled film starring Harry Styles and Florence Pugh, directed by Olivia Wilde, made a total of $9.4 million in Thursday previews and Friday shows.

But the audience also gave the film a terrible B minus Cinemascore. Yikes. This means upon exit, they indicated they would not be telling their friends to check it out.

If I were the filmmakers, I’d say Worry darling, A lot. It’s one thing that Harry Styles’ fans are coming to see their pop idol. It’s another that they don’t get it or are unsatisfied. They’re agreeing with critics who’ve kept it well below 40% on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Don’t Worry Darling” could pick up another $13 million tonight and tomorrow, bringing it around $20 million for an opening weekend. That’s huge for this movie which cost $35-$40 million. But it may have repercussions for Wilde, and even Harry Styles if it’s left a sour feeling.

Stay tuned…

Watch Elton John Get A Medal from Joe Biden and His Entire White House Performance Here

Roger Friedman
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Watch Elton John Get A Medal from Joe Biden and His Entire White House Performance Here

Congrats! Last night Elton John performed at the White House and was given a medal of honor by President Joe Biden. You can watch the whole thing here, and it’s worth it. Bravo to Elton and David Furnish for all their work with Elton John AIDS Foundation.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=7u9_xTaMQzU

Alec Baldwin Lists Hamptons Estate to Protect Assets from Lawsuits Over Halya Hutchins Tragic Movie Set Death

Roger Friedman
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Alec Baldwin Lists Hamptons Estate to Protect Assets from Lawsuits Over Halya Hutchins Tragic Movie Set Death

Alec Baldwin is leaving the Hamptons.

On Friday morning, the NY Post reported that Baldwin has listed his Amagansett estate for $29 million. He bought it in 1995 when he was married to Kim Basinger.

Baldwin is protecting his assets from potential judgments in the “Rust” shooting scandal. Baldwin’s participation in the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins means he could be liable for millions.

The actor knows what he’s doing. He’s purchased a 55 acre spread in Vermont, as I wrote earlier this year, for a very good reason. Vermont is a homestead state. (A homestead state protects residents from civil judgments.) If he’s hit with big judgements, the Vermont farm is safe from being taken away. The 10 acre Hamptons layout would be the first thing lawyers would go for.

What a terrible turn of events. Of course, Hutchins’ death is awful. But Baldwin never intended to kill anyone. Being forced out of the Hamptons is sad on many levels. For one thing, before Baldwin met and married “Hilaria” and had six kids, he’d become a local philanthropist. He’s donated a lot of money to various East Hamptons art institutions including the Hamptons Film Festival. I’ve no doubt that coming from a working class family in Massapequa, Long Island, and making it on his own, Amagansett was the ultimate sign of success.

Earlier this year, Baldwin unloaded another home in upstate New York. All he has left is his massive apartment in Greenwich Village, said to be worth $16 million. That will undoubtedly go next. The Baldwins will seek safe financial harbor in Vermont, where they can make pickles and jam without interference.

Ringo Starr: He’s 82 and Can Still Boog-a-loo on Tour With His All-Starr Band

Roger Friedman
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Ringo Starr: He’s 82 and Can Still Boog-a-loo on Tour With His All-Starr Band

Ringo Starr is 82 and to paraphrase his song, “I’m the Greatest,” he can still boog-a-loo.

I caught up with Ringo and his All Starr Band on tour tonight in Bridgeport, Connecticut, of all places, at the Hartford Healthcare Theater. The always former Beatle and best drummer in rock and roll looks ever youthful thanks to a good diet, meditation, and his love of preaching peace. It’s all good. His only complaint tonight was the unexpected whipping cold wind at the outdoor venue, thanks to Hurricane Fiona. “We’re going to play Alaska next!” he declared in between asking the audience, “Are you cold?”

I’ve seen the All Starr Band in many incarnations over the years but this an especially tight version. If Richard Nader’s oldies shows of the past had been anything like this, we might have thought twice about snickering. Ringo’s got real stars who are also top notch musicians, and no fat: Edgar Winter, Steve Lukather of Toto, Hamish Stuart of Average White Band, Colin Hay of Men at Work, plus two superior studio musicians in drummer Greg Bissonette and horn player/singer Warren Ham.

If there’s a scene stealer in the group it’s 75 year old Edgar Winter who straps a keyboard around his neck and plays it like Little Richard, wails away on the saxophone, straddles an electric guitar. He is literally Most Valuable Player. Winter gets to showcase his talents in his 70s hits “Frankenstein” (the centerpiece of this show) and “Free Ride.” On the former, Bissonnette gets his own spotlight on drums and he’s phenomenal. (He threw into his “Frankenstein” a bit of Ringo’s “Abbey Road” finale, a nice clever nod to our host.)

Everyone else is terrific, as well. Lukather’s guitar solos on his own “Rosanna” and other numbers are magic. Ham is a gifted all around musician with a lovely tenor that comes in handy on some high notes that escape the older guys. Stuart’s Scottish funk still remains authentic and full of groove. Colin Hay delights the crowd with “Down Under” and “Who Can It Be Now.”

And then there’s Ringo. Who doesn’t love him? He shows off his tremendous drum skills on Beatles songs like “I Wanna Be Your Man” and “Boys.” He can lead the crowd in sweetly nostalgic versions of “Yellow Submarine” and “With a Little Help of My Friends,” and rock them with “It Don’t Come Easy” and “Photograph” as if they were new. He’s also as charming and as invested in rock and roll as ever. That comes across. Ringo is rich as he could be. He could just stay home and spend the day wrapped in cashmere. But he’s a musician at heart, he loves the audience, and he’s going to keep doing this until someone says, Honey don’t.

And that will likely never happen.

Super Bowl Halftime Show Touchdown as Apple Music Takes Over, Taylor Swift Eyed as Performer

Roger Friedman
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Super Bowl Halftime Show Touchdown as Apple Music Takes Over, Taylor Swift Eyed as Performer

Big changes for the Super Bowl halftime show.

First of all, Pepsi is out as sponsor after many years. In comes Apple Music, with very deep pockets and lots of influence.

The word is Taylor Swift will be the lead musical performer, which makes sense. Apple would be pushing her and Swift will be well into the release of her “Midnights” album coming October 21st.

The Swift-Apple combo is formidable, certainly, since Swift — who used to be opposed to streaming — is also busy replacing her older albums with re-recorded versions.

Previously the NFL had been in a deal with Jay Z and Roc Nation to supply artists for the half time show. Because of the Colin Kaepernick situation, the NFL was trying to appease Black fans by having artists like Jennifer Lopez and Shakira (2020), the Weeknd (2021) and this past year’s hip-hop spectacular guided by Dr. Dre and featuring Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent, with Anderson.Paak.

My guess is Swift will not be alone. She will definitely have guest stars and at least one of them will have to be from the R&B world, maybe one from country since that was where she had her start. But this will definitely be a more white bread Super Bowl show than we’ve seen in many years.

Sony’s Local “Bullet Train” Struggling to Find $100 Million Station, Might Arrive Next Week

Roger Friedman
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Sony’s Local “Bullet Train” Struggling to Find $100 Million Station, Might Arrive Next Week

It;s a good thing Brad Pitt is so rich that he’s starting a cosmetics line.

His latest film, “Bullet Train.” is late arriving at the $100 million station. Last night “Bullet Train.” already in theaters for 49 days, earned just $225,000.

Total now is $97,432,900. Unless a lot of people book passage on that train this weekend. the $100 million mark remains elusive, sort of the way backed up trains are lodged in the tunnel approaching Grand Central at rush hour.

Any more puns? “Bullet Train” will have its ticket punched early next week, we hope. But it’s been a local, not an express.

PS Sony’s re-release of “Spider Man, Enough Already” made just $20 per theater yesterday in 860 locations. “From web to ebb.”

Box Office Bonanza: Harry Styles Fans Turn Out En Masse for “Don’t Worry” Previews Despite Negative Reviews

Roger Friedman
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Box Office Bonanza: Harry Styles Fans Turn Out En Masse for “Don’t Worry” Previews Despite Negative Reviews

There are still some worries, but last night Harry Styles fans turned out for his big movie.

Preview showings produced $3.1 million at the box office, a lot more than anyone could have predicted considering the reviews. (That’s a 36% on Rotten Tomatoes.)

But Styles fans bought a lot of tickets. The movie is looking at a possible $20 million weekend if the Style-istics keep coming back to see their pop star idol bury his head under Florence Pugh’s dress a couple of times.

Meantime, “The Woman King” fell by another 10%.

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