Mendes to direct next Bond film
After months of in-and-out reports on the new James Bond film, “Skyfall” director Sam Mendes is heading back to MI6.
Sony Pictures and longtime Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson made the official announcement Thursday morning, confirming news that had been widely reported as a strong possibility, then widely reported as not happening after Mendes himself said he wouldn’t do it, over the previous few months.
The movie, unofficially known as “Bond 24,” is to hit U.S. theaters on Nov. 6, 2015, and British screens two weeks before. That’s just a three-year lag between films, after legal troubles created a five-year gap between “Skyfall” and its predecessor, 2008’s “Quantum of Solace.” As previously reported, Daniel Craig will return as the iconic Bond.
Since directing the 23rd Bond picture, Mendes has been engaged in theater work with shows such as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “King Lear.”
Fans, peers keep vigil on Travis
Country music stars and fans joined together to urge prayers for Randy Travis overnight as he recovered from brain surgery following a stroke at a Texas hospital.
Travis remained in critical condition after surgery Thursday morning to relieve pressure on his brain, publicist Kirt Webster said. The 54-year-old Grammy Award-winning singer had been improving while being treated for heart failure caused by a viral infection when he had the stroke.
Stars including Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum and Martina McBride and the Grand Ole Opry used Twitter to express their concerns and join Webster’s call for prayers for Travis, a popular and pivotal figure in country music. Hundreds posted messages with the tag #PrayforRandy.
Beebs says sorry to Clinton
Justin Bieber has apologized by phone to Bill Clinton for cursing the former president and spraying his photo with cleaning fluid in a New York City restaurant kitchen earlier this year.
Clinton’s office said Thursday the pop star called and “he apologized and offered to help the Clinton Foundation.” Clinton’s office declined to provide any other details.
A video released Wednesday by TMZ. com shows the 19-year-old Bieber urinating in a mop bucket as he and others race through the restaurant kitchen. Before exiting, Bieber sprays the Clinton photo and drops the F-bomb in reference to the former president.