Entertainment
Carl Weathers, Linebacker-Turned-Actor Who Played In The ‘Rocky’ Films And ‘The Mandalorian,’ Died.
NEW YORK — Carl Weathers, a former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action and comedy icon, portraying nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” films, competing against Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator,” and teaching golf in “Happy Gilmore,” died. He was 76.
His manager, Matt Luber, confirmed that Weathers died on Thursday. His family released a statement claiming he died “peacefully in his sleep.”
“Carl Weathers will always be a legend,” Schwarzenegger posted on Instagram. “A phenomenal athlete, an amazing actor, and a wonderful guy. We couldn’t have created ‘Predator’ without him. And we wouldn’t have had such a great time doing it.”
Weathers was equally at ease flexing his muscles on the big screen in “Action Jackson” as he was joking around on the small screen in shows like “Arrested Development,” but he was most closely associated with Creed, who made his first appearance as the cocky, undisputed heavyweight world champion in 1976’s “Rocky,” starring Sylvester Stallone.
Carl Weathers, Linebacker-Turned-Actor Who Played In The ‘Rocky’ Films And ‘The Mandalorian,’ Died.
“It puts you on the map and launches your career, so to speak. However, since that is a one-time event, you must follow it up with something else. Fortunately, those films continued arriving, and Apollo Creed grew more and more prominent in people’s minds and welcomed into their lives, and it was simply the perfect guy at the right moment,” he told The Daily Beast in 2017.
Weathers most recently appeared in the Disney+ smash “The Mandalorian” in all three seasons.
“We lost a legend yesterday,” Stallone wrote in an Instagram post featuring a video tribute. The actor stood before a portrait of himself and Weathers boxing, saying, “Carl Weathers was such an important part of my life and success… I give him tremendous credit and kudos.
“When he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness. … I never could have accomplished what we did with ‘Rocky’ without him.'”
Stallone concluded his video homage by stating, “Apollo, keep punching.”
In 1984’s “Rocky IV,” Creed, who had starred in the first four “Rocky” movies, lost his life in the ring while facing Dolph Lundgren’s enormous, steroid-using Soviet opponent Ivan Drago. Before entering the ring, James Brown performed “Living in America” with showgirls, while Creed appeared on a balcony wearing a Star-Spangled Banner shorts and waistcoat combo and an Uncle Sam hat, dancing and taunting Drago.
Rocky cradles a dying Creed as he twitches and collapses in the ring after receiving a brutal beating, setting up a fight between Drago and Rocky. But, although Creed is gone, his character’s son, Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis Creed, will lead his boxing trilogy beginning in 2015.
Weathers went on to star in 1987’s “Predator,” where he flexed his pecs alongside Ventura, Schwarzenegger, and others, and 1988’s “Action Jackson,” in which he aims his flamethrower on a bad guy and asks, “How do you like your ribs?” before broiling him.
Carl Weathers, Linebacker-Turned-Actor Who Played In The ‘Rocky’ Films And ‘The Mandalorian,’ Died.
“We lost an icon,” Jesse Ventura, a former “Predator” co-star, tweeted on X (previously Twitter). “Carl Weathers was a phenomenal talent, a true professional and a dear friend.”
He then added a fake wooden hand to portray a golf pro in the 1996 comedy classic “Happy Gilmore” starring Adam Sandler and played in Dick Wolf’s short-lived spin-off series “Chicago Justice” in 2017 and Disney’s “The Mandalorian,” getting an Emmy Award nomination in 2021. He also provided the voice for Combat Carl in the “Toy Story” franchise.
Sandler praised his pal on social media, describing him as a “wonderful dude” and “a true legend” — “So much pleasure to be around always. Smart as hell. Loyal as heck. “Funny as hell!”
Weathers grew up admiring characters like Woody Strode, whose physicality and acting ability in “Spartacus” made an early impression. Others he admired included performers Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte and sportsmen Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali, who defied stereotypes and broke down barriers.
“There are so many people who came before me who I admired and whose success I wanted to emulate, and who set the standards for success that I’ve been able to follow and achieve success as a result. And hopefully I can encourage someone else to do good things as well,” he told the Detroit News in 2023. “I guess I’m just a lucky guy.”
Weathers began acting in plays in elementary school while growing up in New Orleans. Athletics led him astray in high school, but he would eventually reunite with his true love.
Weathers played collegiate football at San Diego State University while majoring in theatre and then played one season in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders in 1970.
“When I found football, it was a completely different outlet,” Weathers told the Detroit News. “It was more about the physique, yet one influences the other. You needed some intelligence because there were playbooks and films to study in order to learn about the adversary each week.”
Following his time with the Raiders, he joined the Canadian Football League, where he played for two years while finishing his education at San Francisco State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in drama in 1974.
After acting in various films and TV episodes, including “Good Times,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “In the Heat of the Night,” and “Starsky & Hutch,” as well as fighting Nazis alongside Harrison Ford in “Force 10 From Navarone,” Weathers scored his breakout role in Creed. He told The Hollywood Reporter that his beginnings in the renowned franchise could have been better.
Carl Weathers, Linebacker-Turned-Actor Who Played In The ‘Rocky’ Films And ‘The Mandalorian,’ Died.
He was asked to read with the writer Stallone, who was then unknown. Weathers read the scene but felt it fell flat, so he blurted out, “I could do a lot better if you got me a real actor to work with,” he recounted. “So I just insulted the star of the movie without really knowing it and not intending to.” He also lied about having any boxing experience.
Weathers later became interested in directing, helming episodes of “Silk Stalkings” and the Lorenzo Lamas film “Renegade.” He directed a third-season episode of “The Mandalorian.”
Weathers introduced himself to a new generation by portraying himself as an opportunistic and highly thrifty actor who becomes entangled with the dysfunctional clan at the centre of “Arrested Development.”
The Weathers character enjoys saving money by preparing broth from discarded food—”There’s still plenty of meat on that bone” and “Baby, you got a stew going!” — and, for the proper price, decides to become an acting instructor for the deluded and talentless thespian Tobias Funke (David Cross).
Weathers left behind two boys.
SOURCE – (AP)
(VOR News) – The “Merc with a Mouth” will return to the big screen in Deadpool & Wolverine this weekend, and his contribution to Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe extends beyond his R rating.
“Deadpool & Wolverine,” the third standalone feature film featuring Ryan Reynolds as the regenerative reprobate, is expected to gross between $160 million and $180 million in its opening weekend at the domestic box office.
The movie has already surpassed the greatest number of ticket pre-sales in 2024, according to data provided by Fandango. It is anticipated that it will break numerous records during its opening weekend.
Most noteworthy among these accomplishments is the most successful premiere for an R-rated film in history, as well as the largest domestic opening of 2024.
Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” has achieved the highest opening of the year with a total of $154.2 million, as per the data provided by Comscore.
Additionally, the first “Deadpool” film has achieved the highest début for any R-rated feature film with a total of $132.4 million.
Mike Bowers, the president and CEO of Harkins Theatres, a theatre corporation located in Arizona, stated, “I am confident that this will be the largest R-rated film to ever be released if it is released.” Furthermore, it is already one of the most successful presale films in the annals of our company.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” was initially rated R because of its trailer.
It is also the 34th Deadpool & Wolverine film to be released under the Marvel Cinematic Universe banner. The two Deadpool films that preceded it, both of which were rated R, were produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox.
The reintroduction of the X-Men and Fantastic Four into the broader Marvel catalogue was the consequence of Disney’s acquisition of the corporation in 2019.
Similar to other Marvel Cinematic Universe films, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is benefiting from the enthusiasm of its audience.
Audiences are anxious to view the film during its opening weekend in order to prevent spoilers. Disney has maintained the confidentiality of the majority of the film’s content, and only a limited number of press screenings have been conducted prior to the film’s release.
Bowers anticipates that individuals will continue to return for additional viewings in the weeks following the film’s premiere.
He made the observation that “this is a film that there is so much happening, so many jokes and funny sequences that no one is going to be able to eat just one, you know, they’re going to be back.”
Ellis Jacob, the president and chief executive officer of Cineplex, the largest cinema theatre operator in Canada, echoed Bower’s viewpoint. Jacob asserted that “Deadpool & Wolverine” is replete with Easter eggs and that viewers will revisit the film to attempt to locate them all.
Furthermore, he stated that a substantial number of moviegoers are purchasing tickets for premium screenings, such as IMAX, Dolby, and ScreenX, which are more expensive.
Additionally, Marvel has collaborated with movie theatres to grant licenses for items such as collector popcorn tubs and drink containers, which the theatre operators anticipate will be in high demand.
Historically, concessions have been the most profitable revenue source for movie theatres, and the presence of limited-edition products can result in even greater sales of food and beverages.
” Deadpool & Wolverine” is an essential Marvel release.
Shawn Robbins, Deadpool & Wolverine the inventor and owner of Box Office Theory, announced that Disney had “slowed down the pace” and had scheduled fewer films in the series that has dominated the global box office for over a decade. Box Office Theory is also associated with Robbins.
He stated that Disney is making an effort to correct the course after a series of theatrical errors and poor box office performance, as well as a flood of streaming content that overwhelmed even the most devoted fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Robbins pointed out that “in the end, despite the fact that this is a Marvel movie, it may be viewed equally as a midsummer action comedy that stars personalities and brands that are loved by both die-hard fans and casual viewers.”
The fact that Reynolds and Jackman have both made a name for themselves in Deadpool & Wolverine popular culture and have maintained a cordial relationship through interviews and social media makes them an ideal pairing.
Likewise, there is genuine curiosity regarding the first R-rated film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and whether it will retain the qualities that made the first two Deadpool films and [Jackman’s 2017 Wolverine film] Logan so successful.
SOURCE: CNBC
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Turner Sports hopes to continue its long-standing relationship with the NBA.
On Monday, Warner Bros. Discovery informed the league that it will match Amazon Prime Video’s $1.8 billion annual bid. Turner has had an NBA package since 1984, and games have been broadcast on TNT since the network started in 1988.
“We studied the offers and accepted one of them. This will allow fans to continue to experience our unequaled coverage, including the greatest live game productions in the business and our legendary studio shows and talent, as we build on our proven 40-year commitment for many more years,” WBD stated. “We submitted our matching paperwork to the league today.” We are looking forward to the NBA completing our new contract.”
Warner Bros. Discovery Informs NBA It Will Match Amazon Prime Video’s Offer To Carry Games
The NBA Board of Governors approved the league’s 11-year media rights deals with Disney, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video on Tuesday at its meeting in Las Vegas. WBD received all three contracts on Wednesday, beginning the five-day clock for deciding whether to match.
The new deals, for $76 billion, will begin with the 2025-26 season and entail a game being shown or streamed nationally every night during the second half of the season.
The Prime Video package would have offered games on Thursday night after it finished carrying NFL games. The other nights were Friday and Saturday.
TNT would air games on Thursday, with the other nights being streamed on Max.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav warned at an RBC Investor Conference in November 2022 that Turner and WBD “don’t have to have the NBA.”
Warner Bros. Discovery and the league could not negotiate an agreement during their exclusive bargaining period, which ended in April. Zaslav and TNT Sports Chairman/CEO Luis Silberwasser have recently announced that they intend to match one of the agreements.
“During our four-decade collaboration with the NBA, we have consistently provided exceptional coverage for basketball fans. WBD stated that they behaved in good faith to offer strong proposals that were fair to both parties throughout exclusive and non-exclusive negotiations to maintain their long-standing collaboration. “Regrettably, the league notified us of its intention to accept other offers for the games in our current rights package, leaving us to proceed under the matching rights provision, which is an integral part of our current agreement and the rights we have paid for under it.”
NBC and WBD would alternate broadcasting one of the conference finals series. ESPN and ABC will continue to broadcast the league’s top package and will host conference finals and the NBA Finals each year.
According to people familiar with the negotiations, Amazon’s offer contained a mechanism for paying many years in advance into an escrow account, which many thought would be difficult to match. However, WBD has informed the league that it has the financial resources to do so.
“The Ringer’s” Bill Simmons originally mentioned the Amazon provision on “The Town” podcast.
People talked to the AP anonymously because they were not at liberty to discuss such serious topics.
Warner Bros. Discovery Informs NBA It Will Match Amazon Prime Video’s Offer To Carry Games
WBD pays $1.4 billion per season under the existing nine-year contract, which expires after next season.
WBD is making a large financial investment, but it is necessary. Without the NBA, it would have struggled to charge its present subscriber fees to cable and satellite companies.
Retaining the NBA would also ensure that the popular “Inside the NBA” show will continue. Charles Barkley was dismissive of WBD’s negotiation position and did not believe it would match. Barkley revealed at the end of this season that he planned to retire following the next season.
SOURCE – (AP)
Celebrity
American Who Made Social Media Threats Against Taylor Swift Detained Ahead Of German Concert
BERLIN — An American man who made threats against Taylor Swift on social media was seized before her first concert in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and will be held in custody until her gigs there end, authorities said Thursday.
swift | AP news Image
American Who Made Social Media Threats Against Taylor Swift Detained Ahead Of German Concert
According to police, the accused stalker, a 34-year-old whose name has not been disclosed, had a ticket to Taylor’s concert at Gelsenkirchen’s Veltins-Arena on Wednesday. They stated that he was detained at event admission checks because an early assessment could not completely rule out a risk.
According to police, the man threatened Taylor and her partner on social media. They say he was detained after receiving tips from the event’s organizers.
The American superstar will perform in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday as part of her Eras tour. According to authorities, a local court has ordered that the suspected stalker be detained until Saturday.
They went on to say that Swift and the audience were always safe. The event drew approximately 60,000 people on Wednesday evening and went off without incident.
American Who Made Social Media Threats Against Taylor Swift Detained Ahead Of German Concert
Before the concerts, Gelsenkirchen temporarily renamed the town “Swiftkirchen” and honored the singer on a “Walk of Fame” dedicated to local luminaries.
Taylor has plans to perform in two more German cities after Gelsenkirchen: Hamburg and Munich.
SOURCE | AP
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