Gadot, Jenkins teaming up again
Gal Gadot will trade her lasso of truth for a golden crown, playing the legendary queen of Egypt in “Cleopatra,” a historical drama that will reunite the actress with her “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins.
Paramount Pictures won the rights to the project, reportedly beating out other suitors, such as Apple, Universal, Warner Bros. and Netflix. Gadot will get a chance to put her mark on a role previously played by the likes of Claudette Colbert and Elizabeth Taylor, portraying awoman who romanced Julius Caesar and Marc Antony and served as the last ruler of Egypt’s Ptolemaic Kingdom.
Gadot and Jenkins are also collaborating on “Wonder Woman 1984,” the superhero sequel that is expected to debut in December.
White pays tribute: Stepping in for the canceled Morgan Wallen on “Saturday Night Live,” Jack White might have proved the most popularly satisfying musical pinch hitter since Aretha Franklin stepped in for Pavarotti on the Grammys 22 years ago. His power-trio double-header set was quickly applauded on social media as one of the most electrifying rock ’n’ roll performances on the showin decades, and drew extra goodwill thanks to White using the moment to pay homage to another guitar hero, Eddie Van Halen.
The show announced White would fill in for Wallen (whowas told not to report forwork after flagrantly breaking COVID-19 protocols) just a couple of days after Van Halen’s death. White offered a salute first by performing on a customized Eddie Van Halen guitar that he’s used in the past, then by offering a brief bit of EVH-style finger tapping at the beginning of his solo in “Lazaretto,” before moving back into his own trademark wailing.
Weekend box office: The Robert DeNiro comedy “The War With Grandpa,” whichwas originally supposed to hit theaters in 2018, unseated Christopher Nolan’s “Ten et” from the box office top slot thisweekend.
In its sixth week of release, “Tenet” grossed $2.1 million domestically, bringing its haul to $48.3 million. The Warner Bros. sci-fi thriller took in an estimated $9.8 million globally this weekend in 62 markets, pushing its worldwide total to $323.3 million.
Disney’s rerelease of “Hocus Pocus” continued to be a rare COVID-era hit, earning $1.2 million. The comedy about a coven of witches stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. Itwas a box office disappointment when it debuted in 1993, but it became a cult classic on cable and other home entertainment platforms.
“The War With Grandpa” finally debuted in a theatrical landscape in crisis fromthe coronavirus. The film grossed $3.6 million from2,205 locations, while receiving a brushoff from critics.
In pandemic times when major markets like New York City and Los Angeles are closed, that may rank as a decent opening.
Oct. 12 birthdays: Singer Sam Moore is 85. “Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace is 73. Musician Jane Siberry is 65. Actor Hugh Jackman is 52. Fiddler Martie Maguire is 51. Singer Jordan Pundik is 41. Actor Tyler Blackburn is 34. Actor Josh Hutcherson is 28.