Madonna biopic scrapped as she focusses on world tour

DEALSPeermusic has signed The Reytons – who are currently at number one in the UK album chart – to a worldwide publishing deal, via its joint venture with Max Music Publishing. “I am delighted to see a great independent band, on an indie label and published by an independent publisher, reach the top of the UK album charts”, says MD of Peermusic UK Nigel Elderton. “Congratulations to the entire team who have worked so hard to make this possible, including our partners at Max Music”.Warner Chappell has signed German rapper Shirin David to a worldwide publishing deal.

Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson is set to play the King of Pop in an upcoming biopic called Michael, according to Deadline.Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson, brother of Michael and a member of The Jackson 5.The 26-year-old has been singing and dancing since the age of 12, following the footsteps of his famous family.Michael died in 2009 at age 50, due to a cocktail of sedatives leading to a cardiac arrest. The biopic, which will be directed by Antoine Fuqua for Lionsgate, will be produced by GK Films and also John Branca and John McClain, who are co-executors of Michael Jackson's estate. Jaafar shared his gratitude at getting the role via his Twitter account, along with a black and white photo of himself dressed like his famous late uncle.  Keeping it in the family: Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson is set to play the King of Pop in an upcoming biopic, according to Deadline  Iconic: Jaafar shared his gratitude at getting the role via his Twitter account, along with a black and white photo of himself dressed like his famous late uncleJaafar wrote: 'I'm humbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael's story to life. To all the fans all over the world, I'll see you soon.'In the image, Jaafar was wearing an iconic Michael look- striped pants with a white T-shirt and jacket, hat, and shoes in his signature pose.  Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza.Earlier this month, Antoine was announced as director to Lionsgate's upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, which has been approved by the deceased pop star's estate.

After films like “Khadak,” “La Cinquième Saison,” and most recently, “The Barefoot Emperor” (all co-directed with Peter Brosens), Belgian-American filmmaker Jessica Woodworth goes solo with the black and white festival gem “Luka,” which premiered as part of Rotterdam’s Big Screen Competition. In a co-production between Armenia, Belgium, Italy, and Bulgaria, the film is delightfully angsty and bursting with desire: for power, togetherness, and a world at its breaking point.

It appears the question of who would land the lead role in Antoine Fuqua’s recently announced Michael Jackson biopic, simply titled “Michael,” isn’t a mystery anymore. Not only that, the filmmaker didn’t have to look too far to find his star, as Michael Jackson’s nephew landed the job.

A popular Lanarkshire butcher has tasted success at the Scotch pie world championship, picking up three bronze awards at the prestigious industry event.

EXCLUSIVE: Academy Award and 3x Emmy winner Bill Conti (The Right Stuff) has been tapped to pen the score for Roselli’s Way, a new biopic on Italian American pop singer Jimmy Roselli.

EXCLUSIVE: Michael Jackson will be played by the late icon’s 26-year old nephew Jaafar Jackson in the Antoine Fuqua-directed film biopic for Lionsgate. Fuqua just posted a confirmation on Instagram. The singer and songwriter is the son of Jermaine Jackson, who is the brother of Michael and member of The Jackson 5. Jaafar has been singing and dancing since age 12, and has showcased himself singing tunes from Sam Cooke to Marvin Gaye, along with originals.

Barrett Strong, artist and songwriter credited with having given Motown its first hit with “Money (That’s What I Want),” has died. He was 81.

Colin Jost and Michael Che were back roasting the week in politics and pop culture on Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” and this time Donald Trump, Kanye West and Walt Disney World took some hits.

Chantel Jeffries was among the stars to attend this year's Pegasus World Cup, which was held at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida on Saturday.The 30-year-old DJ/influencer - who shows off her trendy style on Instagram - posed up in a fitted patterned button-up top. She styled her upper half with matching flared trousers that hugged her slender legs.Numerous other figures from the entertainment industry, like TV personality Amanda Kloots and musician Maluma, made appearances at the star-studded horse race, which began in 2017.

A much-anticipated Madonna biopic, that the singer wanted to co-write and direct starring Ozark star Julia Garner, was unexpectedly scrapped earlier this week. Universal Pictures announced the decision after the Queen Of Pop revealed she would be embarking on a 40th anniversary world tour.Now, The U.S. Sun is reporting that the biopic, which was green-lit in 2020, was shelved due in part to her insistence on having 'near-total' control of the process on top of her bizarre 'circus antics' on social media.

IT'S safe to say that Gemma Collins knows how to throw a party after she pulled out all the stops for her 42nd birthday. The TV favourite let her hair down as she partied the night away with her closest friends and family.

MADONNA’S biopic was canned after studio execs were left baffled by her “circus antics” on social media, a Hollywood insider has told The U.S. Sun.  The project was scrapped this week by Universal Pictures after the Queen of Pop, 64, announced a major world tour, although the decision is believed to have been made before that.  First green-lit in 2020, it was set to be directed and co-written by the Like a Virgin star herself.

She has become renowned for showing off her impressive dance moves during various live appearances over the years.And on Friday, Madonna showed off her dancing prowess to nearly 4 million of her followers with a video that was shared to her TikTok account.The 64-year-old hitmaker's clip was posted not long after she announced that she had added several new dates to her upcoming and much-anticipated run of shows, The Celebration Tour. Flashy moves: Madonna showed off her dancing prowess to nearly 4 million of her followers with a video that was shared to her TikTok account on FridayIn the clip, Madonna wore a black-and-white robe that covered up much of her frame while she danced for her fans.The hitmaker accessorized with numerous necklaces that gave her look a bit of extra shine.

Coming clean! Hilary Duff isn’t just on good terms with ex Joel Madden — she and husband Matthew Koma are besties with the rocker and his wife, Nicole Richie. 

The Irvine Valley pulled of its second giant-killing of the week.

Dancing on Ice is set to introduce a major format change this weekend following a slew of Ofcom complaints after last weekend's show.

DEALSConcord Music Publishing has acquired the majority of the songs catalogue of country songwriter Corey Crowder. “Corey is a proven, consistent, country hit-maker,” says Brad Kennard, SVP A&R at Concord Nashville. He adds that this here deal represents “a big leap forward for Concord’s footing within the active country market.

Madonna delighted fans on Thursday by announcing that five more dates have been added to her highly-anticipated 40th anniversary tour.The bonafide 'Queen Of Pop,' 64, will make return stops in London, Los Angeles and New York despite the three major cities already boasting four shows each.According to Madonna's Instagram Story, she will hit the stage in London on December 5 then venture to NYC for two concerts on December 13 and 14.Los Angeles will get another glimpse at the Material Girl hitmaker when she dominates the Crypto.com Arena in 2024 on January 7 and January 8. New additions: Madonna delighted fans on Thursday by announcing that five more dates have been added to her highly-anticipated 40th anniversary tour After sharing the news, Madonna posed in diamond chains and a black lace bustier for a seductive selfie.'See you soon,' she teased in the caption.  The new dates come amid 'overwhelming' demand after tickets for the Celebration tour went on sale last Friday. And Madonna has been frantically adding to her already extensive tour schedule as a result.