Gabrielle Union, NBC settle dispute
Gabrielle Union and NBC said Tuesday that they have settled their differences in their dispute over her firing as a judge on “America’s Got Talent,” which she said was retaliation for her complaints that the show tolerated racism on the set.
“We’ve reached an amicable resolution,” Union and the network said in a joint statement. “NBC Entertainment appreciates the important concerns raised by Gabrielle Union and remains committed to ensuring an inclusive and supportive working environment where people of all backgrounds are treated with respect.”
Both sides declined further comment and would not give further details.
Union, known for her roles in the films “Bring It On” and “Bad Boys II,” appeared on the talent showcase created by Simon Cowell for a season, until she and fellow firstyear judge Julianne Hough weren’t asked to return.
Variety reported soon after that Union, who is Black, believed she was fired because she had asked NBC and the show’s producers to respond to an environment that tolerated racist jokes and remarks from judges and producers.
Jenkins to direct ‘Lion King’ follow-up:
The Walt Disney Co. will make a follow-up to the 2019 live-action “The Lion King,” with Barry Jenkins, the director of the Oscarwinning “Moonlight” and the James Baldwin adaptation “If Beale Street Could Talk,” set to direct.
Disney announced plans Tuesday for a kind of prequel to last year’s poorly reviewed but highly popular photorealistic remake. The new “Lion King” grossed more than $1.6 billion worldwide, so a sequel was perhaps always likely.
Less expected was a “Lion King” with Jenkins directing. The film, Disney said, will explore the mythology of “The Lion
King,” including Mufasa’s origin story.
“Having the opportunity to work with Disney on expanding this magnificent tale of friendship, love and legacy while furthering my work chronicling the lives and souls of folk within the African diaspora is a dream come true,” Jenkins said in a statement.
Amazon to release ‘Borat’ sequel:
Sacha Baron Cohen has filmed a sequel to his 2006 film “Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” that Amazon plans to release before the election.
The streaming giant confirmed Tuesday that it has acquired worldwide rights to the film. It’s reportedly titled: “Borat: Gift of Pornographic Monkey to Vice Premiere Mikhael Pence to Make Benefit Recently Diminished Nation of Kazakhstan.”
Reports have steadily accumulated about the project throughout the summer as it was filmed in secret.
Cohen originated the character of Borat Sagdiyev, a fictional Kazakh journalist, on his series “Da Ali G Show.” The 2006 film, directed by Larry Charles, grossed $262 million worldwide and was nominated for best adapted screenplay.
Oct. 1 birthdays: Actorsinger Julie Andrews is 85. Jazz bassist Dave Holland is 74. Actor Randy Quaid is
70. Actor Esai Morales is
58. Actor Zach Galifianakis is 51. Actor Sherri Saum is
46. Actor Sarah Drew is 40. Comedian-actor Beck Bennett is 36. Actor Jurnee Smollett-Bell is 34. Actor Brie Larson is 31. Actor Priah Ferguson is 14.