Ronald Harwood, Oscar-winning ‘The Pianist’ screenwriter, dies at 85

Lizzo was ready to make Ursula “fine as hell” is she got the role in Disney’s live-action film ‘The Little Mermaid,’ and while the 33-year-old singer ultimately didn’t get the part, she tried to get the attention of casting directors, posting videos on social media, singing the iconic song ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’ in full costume, as the sea witch from the 1989 animated version.The rapper also went on to audition for the part when director Rob Marshall started casting the roles for the highly anticipated project, and after getting the support of her fans and followers online, the role was given to 51-year-old actress Melissa McCarthy.Now Lizzo is revealing how she had planned to make her interpretation of Ursula if she had been chosen for the movie. I’M URSULA.

Khloé Kardashian is ready for some peace and happiness. Tuesday was a very special palindrome date, 2/22/22 that had people all over the world manifesting their inner desires. The day was also the late Kardashian patriarch Robert Kardashian’s birthday. Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian and Khloé all shared photos for their dad’s birthday but Khloé also gave insight into what she is manifesting.

Preview in new tabHaley Bennett didn’t have any work/home separation while filming “Cyrano” — and she didn’t mind at all.The film, a musical adaption of the classic Edmond Rostand play, was directed by her partner, Joe Wright.“To be able to be directed by Joe, who I think is one of the most incredible directors … ” she exclusively told The Post at a special screening of the film in Manhattan on Wednesday night. “He has such a visionary mind with so much heart, and I think that’s such a beautiful quality.”Wright, 49, is the acclaimed, BAFTA-nominated director behind such films as “Pride & Prejudice,” “Atonement” and “Darkest Hour.”And they weren’t the only couple mixing things up.

th century — roughly 100 years after the events of “Vikings” (which ran from 2013-2020) — “Valhalla” is a historical drama following three main characters. There’s legendary explorer Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett, “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”) before he became famous; his fierce sister, Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsso); and Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter, “Sanditon”), an ambitious rising leader and future king of Norway.The series opens with the St.

heal the world?Roc-A-Fella Records giant Damon Dash has nothing but good words for the “Famous” rapper.In Netflix’s new three-part documentary “Jeen-Yuhs,” filmmakers Clarence “Coodie” Simmons and Chike Ozahchronicle chronicle West’s meteoric rise to fame in the music industry. The 50-year-old executive signed West, 44, to a record deal with Roc-A-Fella Records in the early 2000s and spoke about his effect on Yeezus throughout his career.The entrepreneur compared Ye to the late great Michael Jackson, saying he was a new incarnation of the “Thriller” singer.“I was the guy who always ran around with a camera ’cause I knew that these moments were priceless, it was just a matter of when it was time,” Dash said during an interview with the Jasmine Brand.

Ethan Shanfeld When Dave Grohl first heard a film studio was interested in making a horror movie with the Foo Fighters, he dismissed the notion. But when a former landlord emailed him about a vacant Encino property, the Foo frontman decided to make the most out of the “big creepy old house.” There, he wrote and recorded the band’s 10th album, “Medicine at Midnight,” in addition to filming “Studio 666” — a once “stupid idea” transformed into a feature film starring the Foo Fighters.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentFurther expanding its global reach, MGM International Television Productions has signed a multi-year deal with MBC Group, a leading media company in West Asia and Northern Africa, to develop and co-produce premium original series.MBC Group will air these series exclusively on MBC’s Shahid VIP streaming service, with MGM handling co-production and distribution for the rest of the world. The two companies already have a well-established relationship and recently partnered on MGM’s anticipated shows “Last Light” and “Billy the Kid,” which will air on MBC.“MBC Group is uniquely positioned to tell stories that will combine regional focus with global interest,” said Sheikh Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, chairman of MBC Group.

Television Critics Association press tour finally concluded on Wednesday after a dizzying number of sessions. Once again virtual due to the pandemic, the press tour was so long that a new show hyped by ABC one week into the tour had already been pulled from its lineup by the time TCA ended.The virtual tour was also marked by greater-than-usual access to executives, and had its share of technical glitches along with bittersweet goodbyes.

K.J. Yossman Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest have said they will not prevent Russia from participating this year.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterJax Media executives Sarah Madigan and John Skidmore have joined Imagine Entertainment, the parent company of Jax, as head of business affairs and strategic partnerships and head of production, respectively, Variety has learned exclusively.Both will continue in their current roles at Jax Media, with Madigan remaining head of business affairs and Skidmore, a founding partner of Jax Media, still chief operating officer of the Imagine Entertainment-owned production company.Skidmore, who will be overseeing all projects across all divisions for Imagine, has produced some of Jax’s most popular titles, including “Broad City,” “Search Party,” “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “Russian Doll” and the Netflix stand-up specials “Chris Rock: Tamborine,” “John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous” and “Mike Birbiglia: The New One.” Madigan currently runs business affairs at Jax Media and previously held roles at MGM and Netflix.“Skidmore is a founding member of Jax and Madigan has been integral to the company’s growth over the past few years, and we couldn’t imagine doing this new job without them,” Imagine Entertainment presidents Tony Hernandez and Lilly Burns said in a joint statement to Variety.Jax Media co-founders Hernandez and Burns were promoted to co-presidents of Imagine Entertainment in January and continue to lead Jax Media as CEO and CCO, respectively.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterNeon has signed on to produce “Seeking Mavis Beacon,” a documentary that investigates the disappearance of one of the most influential black woman in technology.Jazmin Jones, a Brooklyn-based filmmaker, is directing the film. Beacon’s computer software program helped define the digital age by teaching a generation to type.“Neon has been a perfect home for this project,” Jones said in a statement.

Ukranian-born star Maks Chmerkovskiy, a choreographer known for showcasing his talents on "Dancing with the Stars," revealed on Thursday that he's currently in his native country of Ukraine and terrified as he plans to head to a bomb shelter. Chmerkovskiy shared a glimpse of the scene unfolding in the heart of Kyiv, where parents could be seen walking with their children with bags and suitcases, desperate to get out. Russia launched an attack on Ukraine, including Kyiv, overnight Wednesday that Russia called a "special military operation," killing dozens.

Kim Kardashian put on a brave face after she begged a judge to declare her single and revealed she had been suffering from 'emotional distress' as a result of Kanye West's social media antics.The reality star, 41, put on a head-turning display in a leather crop top, trench coat, and matching trousers as she stepped out in Milan, Italy on Thursday.The outing comes after Kim filed new legal documents informing a judge of her strong 'desire to be divorced'. Stepping out: Kim Kardashian put on a brave face after she begged a judge to declare her single and revealed she had been suffering from 'emotional distress' as a result of Kanye West's social media anticsKim did not let the recent legal drama bring her down as she enjoyed a spot of shopping in the fashion capital during a break from attending runway shows.She wore her hair slicked back and a pair of edgy shades over her brown eyes.

A quartet of community groups in Shotts have criticised North Lanarkshire Council over the accuracy of a report into the future plans for the town.

Fun while it lasted. Pete Davidson deleted his Instagram just days after rejoining the social media platform—and it seems the move may have been prompted by the not-so-warm welcome from Kanye West’s fans.

Julia Fox’s post-breakup beauty look is, well, exactly the same. While some decide to chop their hair or get an entire makeover after a split, the 32-year-old actress has decided to continue rocking the wild eyeliner look ex Kanye West originally created. 

who has died aged 85, at Harold Pinter’s funeral almost 12 years ago. I led a convoy of cars towards what I thought was the appropriate site in Kensal Green cemetery only to find that I had missed the turning.

Sir Ronald Harwood, the Oscar-winning British screenwriter of The Pianist and films such as The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,The Dresser and Quartet, has died. He was 85.

WWE news and rumours: RETRIBUTION members, Tyson Fury return and Renee Young's AEW plansHundreds of armed police swarm traveller site in biggest ever 'gun crime' raidJamie Carragher explains why Manchester United will finish above Chelsea this season‘It was my first big success, of course, and I do love it and am very proud of it, but I am puzzled by its popularity.‘I am still proud of the relationships and feeling within the play, it is a play about emotion; it’s not a play about the brain, it’s about the heart and that’s what I like.’Got a story? If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Jordan Moreau Sir Ronald Harwood, an Oscar-winning screenwriter and playwright, died on Tuesday of natural causes, his agent told BBC on Wednesday. He was 85.The British writer won the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay for Roman Polanski’s “The Pianist” in 2003.

Alexandra Del Rosario Associate Editor/Nights & WeekendsRonald Harwood, a South African screenwriter most known for The Pianist has died. The Oscar-winning writer was 85.Harwood, who also wrote The Dresser and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, died Tuesday of natural causes in his Sussex home.The writer was born in South Africa in 1934.