‘Star Wars’: Taika Waititi Wants To “Expand The World” & Create New Characters For His Upcoming Film

Love Island's Dami Hope and Andrew Le Page locked lips with two stunning bombshells amid the Casa Amor twist.

Manchester United are reportedly looking to pip Arsenal to the signing of Paulo Dybala as they line the former Juventus star up as Cristiano Ronaldo's potential replacement.The Red Devils have been rocked by the Portuguese superstar's request to depart the club this summer, less than one year after iconic No.7 sealed a sensational return. The 37-year-old is thought to be eager to escape United in order to appease his insatiable appetite to challenge for major honours and compete in the Champions League next season - something Erik ten Hag's team cannot offer.Having already edged in front of Arsenal in the race for Ajax star Lisandro Martinez, United now appear set to inflict a second transfer blow on Mikel Arteta's men.

Love Island's Gemma Owen has finally been outspoken about her relationship with dad Michael Owen.The 19-year-old beauty is no longer the only star in the villa with a famous parent as she was joined by Ronan Keating's son Jack Keating who spoke to her about having a famous parent.READ NEXT: Ronan Keating was 's***ing' himself ahead of son going into Love Island's Casa AmorAs Jack started questioning the starlet on her famous parents and asking her how well they get on, Gemma confessed that she and her dad have a "love hate relationship".Gemma said to Jack: "So your dad was in Boyzone?", prompting Jack to explain that his dad is currently on tour and he gushed about being a child of a star.Do you have a story about one of this year's Love Island stars? Contact us at staronlineshowbiz@reachplc.com He said: "It's great as you probably know, I've got to do lots of fun things, meet interesting people, I'm blessed you know. Are you close with your mum and dad?"Gemma added: "Yeah I'm super close to my dad as well.

READ MORE: 10 footballers you never knew dated celebs - including David de Gea and Mikel ArtetaIf Harry Kane ever needs a rest from banging in the goals for Tottenham and England, then all he needs to do to is pick up the phone and call actor Ryan Gosling - because nobody would ever notice if they switched jobs for a week or two. The swished-back blonde hair, the elongated nose and even the prominent ears - are we sure these guys aren't the same person?! Whether Kane could top La La Land is up for debate, though.Give us your suggestion for a footballer who looks like a celebrity in the comments section belowSomebody seriously needs to get Real Madrid defender David Alaba and American rapper Tyler, the Creator, real name Tyler Gregory Okonma, in the same room together, because it could well be one man living a double life.There's even some evidence to back up this conspiracy theory, because Alaba's dad is a rapper himself! And he even released his own track, 'Name my name'.

STRANGER Things star Millie Bobby Brown — super-powered Eleven — is set to earn £12million as a Star Wars teen sensation. The 18-year-old Brit is reported to have had discussions with Disney executives who reckon her appeal to younger viewers is worth every penny.

Fast and Furious star Paul Walker is set to receive a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023. According to the Walk of Fame's official announcement video only one posthumous Star is awarded per year but Walker is one of two in the Movie category and one of three overall this year.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefProduction is underway in the lush and remote northern tip of New Zealand on “Far North,” a premium drama series for Sundance Now. The fact-based series stars local acting legend, Temuera Morrison (“Star Wars,” “Once Were Warriors”) and award-winning actress, Robyn Malcolm (“Top of the Lake”) as an everyday couple who foil an international crime ring’s largest ever deal in the Pacific.The series was researched and created and is being directed by David White (“This Town,” “Meat”).

“Obi-Wan Kenobi.”In the Disney+ series, McGregor, and co-star Hayden Christensen reprise their former “Star Wars” roles as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Now, some fans have sensed a romantic relationship between the characters due to their closeness — and some even illustrate the fantasy.

2. Star WARS is literally in our nameThe franchise’s defense of LGBTQ characters comes as the brand was celebrating Pride month by releasing special covers of its comics during “a time dedicated to uplifting, honoring, and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community’s impact in the world.”The variant covers were “created by LGBTQIA+ artists and showcases LGBTQIA+ characters of the galaxy, featuring trade dress with a rainbow burst and a classic logo with a rainbow trail.” Celebrate #PrideMonth with Jan Bazaldua’s incredible cover for Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #24, out today! More info here: https://t.co/TgLG4au6Bhpic.twitter.com/G82ZFiOYndThe pushback on anti-LGBTQ rhetoric also follows Chris Evans’ defense of ’s inclusion of a gay kiss between two married female characters, which has resulted in the animated film being banned in certain countries. “Every time there’s been social advancement as we wake up, the American story, the human story is one of constant social awakening and growth and that’s what makes us good,” Evans told .

Don’t expect director Taika Waititi’s planned Star Wars film to be about Chewbacca’s grandmother.

Kate Aurthur editorSterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi — the co-creators of “Reservation Dogs” — met in the mid-aughts, and though Harjo is from Oklahoma and Waititi grew up in New Zealand, they immediately bonded over their shared experiences as Indigenous filmmakers. As Waititi’s star rose, the two remained friends, but “I never talked to him about work,” Harjo said.

Zack Sharf Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy wasn’t joking when she told Total Film magazine last month that “Star Wars” will need “to create a whole new saga” in order to return to the big screen and not just rely on threads from the past. That’s exactly what Taika Waititi wants to do with his upcoming “Star Wars” movie, which will be the franchise’s first movie since the Skywalker saga came to a controversial end with “The Rise of Skywalker.”Waititi recently told Total Film that he’s not interested in making a movie with pre-existing characters and story threads (think “Rogue One” which connects directly to “A New Hope” through the Death Star ) or telling origin stories (think Ron Howard’s polarizing Han Solo prequel “Solo”).

Patricia Heaton isn’t impressed with Pixar’s “Lightyear” casting decision.

Tessa Thompson stepped out with a new hair color and style on Tuesday in New York City.The 38-year-old actress had her short red hair styled in tight curls in a departure from her usual long, dark tresses.The Los Angeles native looked effortlessly chic in a black blazer and matching top along with beige capri pants. New look:Tessa Thompson stepped out with a new hair color and style on Tuesday in New York CityTessa completed her ensemble with chunky black slip-on shoes.She accessorized with black sunglasses and earrings.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterJune is ’90s month on Vice TV. But based on its recent programming decisions, it could be argued that the cable network is currently in a perpetual state of ’90s month.With the debut of “Dark Side of the 90’s” Season 2 on Tuesday and the July 12 premiere of Nacelle Company’s docuseries “Icons Unearthed: Star Wars,” Morgan Hertzan, Vice TV executive vice president and general manager, tells Variety his team’s goal with this content is to reach the Gen X audience through its seemingly endless love for the era.“Obviously, a lot of media has focused on millennials, a lot of media is focused on the ‘Greatest Generation,'” Hertzan said.

Scott Huver “Native humor can be dark and raunchy — and it’s weird,” says Tazbah Chavez, a writer, producer and director on “Reservation Dogs,” the off-kilter show that follows Native teenagers navigating their community in rural Oklahoma. The quirky, often bittersweet series is both goofy and sublime, and the comedy-drama’s first season has already garnered two Independent Spirit Awards, a Peabody Award, a Gotham Award, an American Film Institute Award and Television Academy Honors. Created by writer-director Sterlin Harjo, a Seminole and Muscogee Creek filmmaker from Oklahoma, and New Zealand-born filmmaker Taika Waititi, the pair of friends share an interest in mining their respective Indigenous cultures for funny, moving stories.  Executive producer Garrett Basch understood their friendship dynamic and nuanced cultural backgrounds well, playing an instrumental role in the development of the series and encouraging the co-creators to take “Reservation Dogs” where they believed it needed to go.  “The reason the show is successful is that we were trusted and allowed to go as far and hard as we needed to,” says Harjo.

THIS Morning's Phillip Schofield found himself locked in a very awkward interview today when he tried to quiz Rita Ora's fiance Taika Waititi. The pair wound up in a series of bizarre moments with the Hollywood actor asking if Phil was "kicked out" of New Zealand as a young man.

Taika Waititi came up with the perfect way to avoid being asked about Rita Ora wedding rumours. The 46-year-old actor – whose relationship with the 31-year-old pop star is surrounded by speculation they could be tying the knot – appeared on This Morning alongside Lightyear co-star Chris Evans to chat about the Toy Story spin-off.

While fans are, of course, excited to see Ewan McGregor return to his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the, aptly titled, “Obi-Wan Kenobi” Disney+ series, there has been equal (if not more) anticipation at the idea of Hayden Christensen returning as Anakin Skywalker, aka Darth Vader. Thankfully, for most people, the hype was well-deserved when we saw the duo face off in a recent episode.

TaikaWaititi appeared to be in a good spirits when he was spotted in John F. Kennedy airport in New York City.The 46-year-old Thor: Love And Thunder director flashed a smile when he was seen checking in for his flight to London on Saturday.The New Zealand native's latest sighting follows reports that he and his girlfriend Rita Oraare reportedly set to wed one another after almost simultaneously popping the question.

In the “Star Wars” universe, like any franchise, there are close-call casting decisions that don’t make the grade or simply go another way. Actress Jessica Henwick (“The Matrix Resurrections”), for example, lost out to Daisy Ridley for the Rey role in “The Force Awakens” but did play a small pilot in the film instead.