Smith film departs Georgia over law
Film star Will Smith and director Antoine Fuqua have pulled production of their runaway slave drama “Emancipation” from Georgia over the state’s recently enacted law restricting voting access.
The film is the largest and most high profile Hollywood production to depart the state since its Legislature passed the law.
“We cannot in good conscience provide economic support to a government that enacts regressive voting laws that are designed to restrict voter access,” Smith and Fuqua, who are also both producers, said in a joint statement. “The new Georgia voting laws are reminiscent of voting impediments that were passed at the end of Reconstruction to prevent many Americans from voting.”
“Emancipation” had been scheduled to begin shooting in June.
Howard brothers have memoir coming:
Filmmaker-actor Ron Howard and actor Clint Howard — brothers, former child stars and fellow Hollywood veterans — will now share their unusual story in book-length form.
The Howards have a deal with William Morrow for “The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family,” scheduled to come out Oct. 12. According to William Morrow, a HarperCollins Publishers imprint, the book will help answer a perennial question: What was it like to grow up on television?
“For Ron, playing Opie on ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ and Richie Cunningham on ‘Happy Days’ offered fame, joy, and opportunity — but also invited stress and bullying,” the publisher’s statement reads. “For Clint, a fast start on such programs as ‘Gentle Ben’ and ‘Star Trek’ petered out in adolescence, with some tough consequences and lessons.”
According to the Howards, “The Boys” was first inspired by the death of their father, actor Rance Howard.
“When our dad passed in 2017, Clint and I began reflecting upon our lives and realized that while our childhoods seemed normal, they were anything but,” Ron Howard said in a statement.
Clint Howard said in a statement, “Mom and dad’s teachings are treasures to this day, but I’ve realized that I took their presence for granted. Writing ‘The Boys’ with my brother has been the topper of a wonderful lifetime.”
‘Nomadland’ wins 4 BAFTAs:
Gig-economy Western “Nomadland” won four prizes including best picture on Sunday at the British Academy Film Awards. “Nomadland” filmmaker Chloe Zhao became only the second woman, and the first woman of color, to win the BAFTA for best director, and Frances McDormand was named best actress. “Nomadland” also took the cinematography prize.
Emerald Fennell’s “Promising Young Woman” was named best British film, while the best actor trophy went to Anthony Hopkins for “The Father.”
An event that was criticized in the past with the label #BAFTAsSoWhite also rewarded a diverse group of talents, including Black British star Daniel Kaluuya, newcomer Bukky Bakray and veteran Korean actor Yuh-Jung Youn.
April 13 birthdays:
Actor Paul Sorvino is 82. Singer Lester Chambers is 81. Actor Tony Dow is 76. Musician Al Green is 75. Actor Ron Perlman is 71. Actor Saundra Santiago is 64. Actor Caroline Rhea is 57. Actor Bokeem Woodbine is 48. Actor Kelli Giddish is 41. Rapper Ty Dolla $ign is 39. Actor Allison Williams is 33.