Connect with us

Entertainment

Prince Harry and Meghan Sign Production Deal with Netflix

Published

on

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2020, file photo, Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave Canada House in London. Six months after detangling their work lives from the British royal family, the couple have signed a multiyear deal with Netflix. According to a statement Wednesday, they plan to produce nature series, documentaries and children’s programming through a new production company. The two recently relocated to Santa Barbara, California, with baby Archie. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have a new home: Netflix.

Six months after detangling their work lives from the British royal family, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have signed a multiyear deal to produce nature series, documentaries and children’s programming for the streamer, according to a statement Wednesday, September 2.

The two, who recently relocated to Santa Barbara, California, plan to focus on stories and issues that elevate diverse voices and other issues close to their hearts. Several projects are already in development, including a nature docu-series and a series focused on women who inspire.

“Our lives, both independent of each other and as a couple, have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit: of courage, resilience, and the need for connection,” the pair said in the joint statement. ”Through our work with diverse communities and their environments, to shining a light on people and causes around the world, our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope.”

The couple also pledged to promote diversity behind the camera as their production company gets off the ground. Meghan has said she will not return to acting. She has done some voice work since the couple left the U.K. with baby Archie in search of their financial independence.

The prince worked closely with the filmmakers of the documentary “Rising Phoenix,” in which he also appears. It premiered last week on Netflix.

Ted Sarandos, co-CEO and chief content officer for Netflix, said in the statement that the decamped royals have “inspired millions of people all around the world with their authenticity, optimism and leadership.”

He said the company is proud they have made Netflix their creative home and looks forward to “telling stories with them that can help build resilience and increase understanding for audiences everywhere.”

Netflix also airs its award-winning series “The Crown,” following the reign of Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. News of the Sussex production deal comes after Netflix teased the fourth season of the popular drama, scheduled for release Nov. 15.

The new season picks up in the late 1970s, with Emma Corrin playing Harry’s mother, Princess Diana.

Entertainment

The Minions Take Over Tampa Bay on Their Way to Villain-Con at Universal Orlando Resort

Published

on

Photo: Universal Orlando Resort.
Photo: Universal Orlando Resort.

TAMPA BAY, Fla. — The beloved Minions from Illumination’s blockbuster film franchise made a detour through Tampa as they journey through Florida to get to Villain-Con – the largest convention for villains around the globe and the setting of Universal Orlando’s newest attraction, Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast. Located in the new Minion Land on Illumination Avenue, guests can blast their way to supervillain stardom when the attraction officially opens at Universal Orlando Resort on August 11, 2023.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Accuser who called Kevin Spacey ‘vile sexual predator’ admits he joked about incident

Published

on

Lucy North / AP Photo

LONDON (AP) — An aspiring actor who accused Kevin Spacey of being a “vile sexual predator” who drugged and assaulted him when he sought his mentorship acknowledged Monday that he later joked with friends that he might resort to having sex with the Oscar winner if he couldn’t find work.

The man testified that he used humor to cope with the trauma he experienced after he fell asleep or passed out at the Hollywood star’s flat and woke up to find Spacey performing oral sex on him.

 

“It became a running joke and that’s me running with the joke,” he said of the mockery he made of the incident for a “sense of catharsis.”

The man is the fourth and final alleged victim to accuse the two-time Academy Award winner at trial of sexual assaults in Britain between 2001 and 2013 when Spacey worked at the Old Vic Theatre in London.

Spacey, 63, is on trial in a London court on 12 charges that include sexual assault, indecent assault and causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. He denies all the allegations, and his lawyer has suggested the accusers are looking for payouts from Spacey.

The witness said he hadn’t complained about Spacey for nearly a decade after the 2008 incident because he wanted to work in the industry. He said it was a David vs. Goliath kind of situation and he feared “getting slammed by his lawyers.”

During cross-examination, defense lawyer Patrick Gibbs confronted the witness with the jokes he later made about Spacey and apparent texts or calls he made to the star after the incident.

The man acknowledged he initially resisted requests by police for phone data and social media accounts but denied obstructing the investigation, which couldn’t find his records from the time of the incident.

He denied staying in contact with Spacey for four months after the incident despite data from the actor’s phone that appeared to show phone calls and text messages to the witness’ number.

The man vigorously rejected suggestions he made up the allegations because he was ashamed of engaging in sexual relations with Spacey.

“This line of questioning is offensive,” he said. “Nothing happened that was consensual.”

The Associated Press doesn’t typically name alleged victims of sex crimes and British law bars providing information that could reveal their identities.

The witness said that Spacey was one of his idols and that he wrote to the actor because he “craved inspiration” and hoped to meet up for a coffee and advice. He said he was stunned when Spacey called him several weeks later and invited him to meet later that night for a drink.

He said he had heard Spacey was gay and liked young straight men but was naïve when he accepted the actor’s invitation to go up to his flat in the Waterloo area of London.

Only after smoking some marijuana and drinking beer did he get the sense that Spacey had other intentions, the witness said. He said Spacey gave him a hug and nuzzled his head in the man’s crotch. He said he pushed Spacey away and tried to make conversation.

“I was made to feel like I was being circled by a shark,” he testified.

He said he felt like he was drugged and became sleepy. He said he woke up five or six hours later sprawled on the sofa with his pants open and Spacey kneeling over him with his head in his crotch.

In the man’s interview with police played for jurors, he became choked up as he provided details about the incident that he said he had never told friends. He said he pushed Spacey away and the actor told him to leave.

Gibbs questioned the man’s timeline with records from Spacey’s phone that appeared to show the actor called him during the time he claimed to be out cold on the sofa. Gibbs suggested Spacey phoned the witness while he was on his way home after having consensual contact, but the man said Spacey probably called him while he was unconscious to cover his tracks.

The man said he decided to come forward in 2017 after Spacey was accused of sexual misconduct in the U.S. when the #MeToo movement erupted.

 

The man said he sued Spacey after an American lawyer told him he could win him $10 million, but denied he made up the allegations to cash in after years of financial struggles and a gambling problem that forced him to life off loans from friends and relatives.

He said he went to police after a friend told him he would be more credible if he reported a crime before filing suit.

The trial continues Tuesday before a jury of nine men and three women in Southwark Crown Court.

Spacey, who is free on unconditional bail, could face a prison sentence if he’s convicted.

One of Hollywood’s biggest names until sexual misconduct allegations derailed his career, Spacey won a best supporting actor Academy Award for the 1995 film “The Usual Suspects” and a lead actor Oscar for the 1999 movie “American Beauty.” He ran London’s Old Vic between 2004 and 2015.

Continue Reading

Cannes Film Festival

PHOTOS: The Big Winners from the 2023 Cannes Film Festival

Published

on

French film director Justine Triet raises the Palme D'Or after her film, "Anatomie d’une chute" (Anatomy of a Fall), is announced the Palme D'Or winner during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival Sunday, May 28, 2023. Photo: Patience Eding for Florida National News.
French film director Justine Triet raises the Palme D'Or after her film, "Anatomie d’une chute" (Anatomy of a Fall), is announced the Palme D'Or winner during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival Sunday, May 28, 2023. Photo: Patience Eding for Florida National News.

CANNES, France (FNN) – The world’s most glamorous red carpet and festival finally wrapped up Sunday. Here’s the list of the big winners from this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

 

Palme d’Or: Anatomie d’Une Chute (Anatomy of a Fall) by Justine Triet

 

French film director Justine Triet (2nd from right) and cast at a photocall for the "Anatomy of a Fall" film at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Patience Eding/Florida National News.

Justine Triet (2nd from right) and cast at a photocall for the “Anatomy of a Fall” film at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Patience Eding/Florida National News.

 

 

Grand Prix: The Zone of Interest by Jonathan Glazer

 

Jonathan Glazer receives the Grand Prix (Grand Prize) for the "The zone of interest" during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival Sunday, May 28, 2023. Photo: Patience Eding/Florida National News.

Jonathan Glazer receives the Grand Prix (Grand Prize) for “The zone of interest” during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival Sunday, May 28, 2023. Photo: Patience Eding/Florida National News.

 

 

Best Director: Hûng Tran Anh for La Passion de Godin Bouffant

 

Director Tran Anh Hung receives the Best Director award for the film 'La passion de Dodin Bouffant' (The Pot au Feu), as he stands next to Pete Docter, Chief Creative Officer at Pixar Animation Studios. Photo: Reuters.

Director Tran Anh Hung receives the Best Director award for the film ‘La passion de Dodin Bouffant’ (The Pot au Feu), as he stands next to Pete Docter, Chief Creative Officer at Pixar Animation Studios. Photo: Reuters.

 

 

Prix du Jury (Jury Prize): Les Feuilles Mortes, directed by Aki Kaurismaki

 

Jury (Jury Prize) for "Les Feuilles Mortes" during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Patience Eding/Florida National News.

Aki Kaurismaki (left) receives the Prix du Jury (Jury Prize) for “Les Feuilles Mortes” during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Patience Eding/Florida National News.

 

 

Best Screenplay: Yuji Sakamoto for Monster, directed by Hirokazu Kore Eda

 

Yuji Sakamoto receives the Best Screenplay Award for "Monster" during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Patience Eding/Florida National News.

Yuji Sakamoto receives the Best Screenplay Award for “Monster” during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Patience Eding/Florida National News.

 

 

Best Performance by an Actress: Merve Dizdar in Les Herbes Eches, directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan

 

Merve Dizdar receives the Best Performance by an Actress award for "Les Herbes Eches" during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Patience Eding/Florida National News.

Merve Dizdar receives the Best Performance by an Actress award for “Les Herbes Eches” during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Patience Eding/Florida National News.

 

 

Best Performance by an Actor: Yakusho Koji in Perfect Days, directed by Wim WENDERS

 

Yakusho Koji receives the Best Performance by an Actor award for "Perfect Days" during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Patience Eding/Florida National News.

Yakusho Koji receives the Best Performance by an Actor award for “Perfect Days” during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Patience Eding/Florida National News.

 

 

Palme d’Honneur: Michael Douglas and Harrison Ford

 

Cannes Film Festival President Iris Knobloch presents Harrison Ford with the Palme d'Honneur (Honorary Palme d'Or) during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Cannes Film Festival.Cannes Film Festival President Iris Knobloch presents Harrison Ford with the Palme d'Honneur (Honorary Palme d'Or) during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Cannes Film Festival.

Cannes Film Festival President Iris Knobloch presents Harrison Ford with the Palme d’Honneur (Honorary Palme d’Or) during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Cannes Film Festival.

 

Michael Douglas also receives the Palme d'Honneur (Honorary Palme d'Or) during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Valerie Hache/AFP.

Michael Douglas also receives the Palme d’Honneur (Honorary Palme d’Or) during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Valerie Hache/AFP.

 

______________________________________________

Mellissa Thomas and international correspondent Patience Eding contributed to this report. | info@floridanationalnews.com

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement Daisy for Florida campaign web ad
Advertisement Ticket Time Machine ad
Advertisement Orlando Regional REALTOR Association logo
Advertisement Parts Pass App
Advertisement Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando
Advertisement
Advertisement African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
Advertisement FNN News en Español
Advertisement Indian American Chamber of Commerce logo
Advertisement Florida Sports Channel

FNN Newsletter

Trending