Fast & Furious 7 reworking script to use scenes shot before Paul Walker’s death

Plus: Iranian film bags best film at IFFK; Bruno Mars is Billboard’s top artist of 2013; Hrithik Roshan and wife part ways; Kardashian files for divorce from Odom; Psy and Ylvis top YouTube 2013 hit list.

Paul Walker, right, with his brother Cody. E Charbonneau/WireImage for Sony Pictures

Fast & Furious 7 reworking script

The Fast & Furious 7 writer Chris Morgan is apparently revising the film's script after the death of the franchise's lead star Paul Walker. Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Morgan is reworking the screenplay to make use of scenes that were shot before Walker's death on November 30. "Almost exactly half of his role was done," said a source. According to other reports, Walker's younger brother, Cody Walker, who has done work as a stuntman, is rumoured to be in talks with the producers to step into the deceased actor's role. "They can shoot Cody from behind and at distance, and if it's a shot they need Paul's face in close up, they can CGI it later on," a source told The Daily Mail. Scenes for the film were shot in Abu Dhabi in November. The crew and cast – including Walker – were scheduled to be back in the capital for more shooting in January. – The National staff

Hrithik Roshan and wife part ways

The Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan and his wife Sussanne Khan have separated. "Sussanne has decided to separate from me and end our 17-year relationship," the 39-year-old star said in a statement. Khan is the daughter of the actor and filmmaker Sanjay Khan, who confirmed the separation. "Like any other normal couple, they also have some issues," he told reporters. "Just because Hrithik Roshan is a superstar, doesn't mean he will not have personal issues. They both are intelligent and wonderful people. It's just that they need space. Of course this is not a closure." – IANS

Bruno Mars is Billboard’s top artist of 2013

Miley Cyrus twerked her way to the top of the charts and Justin Timberlake returned to music after a seven-year hiatus, but another artist owned music in 2013: Bruno Mars. Billboard announced on Friday that the pop crooner, who performed in Dubai in April, is the year's top overall artist. "It's flattering. It's just an honour," Mars said. The singer's year included a No 1 hit with When I Was Your Man. His second album, Unorthodox Jukebox, is the second best-seller of the year behind Timberlake's The 20/20 Experience. Taylor Swift is the year's top female artist, while Mars is the leading male. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis has been named the top group and new act. Timberlake ruled the R&B charts, while Florida Georgia Line and Imagine Dragons topped the country and rock charts, respectively. – AP

Iranian movie Parviz bags best film at Kerala festival

The Iranian movie Parviz, directed by Majid Barzegar, bagged the Golden Crow Pheasant Award for Best Film at the 18th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala on Friday. The Bangladeshi director Kamaleswar Mukherjee bagged the Best Director award for his film Meghe Dhaka Tara. The Malayalam film 101 Questions, directed by Sidhartha Siva, won the audience's choice for Best Film. Organised by the state-owned Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, this year's festival saw the biggest participation of more than 9,000 delegates, while 217 films from 64 countries were shown. – IANS

Kardashian files for divorce from Odom

After months of speculation, Khloé Kardashian is ending her four-year marriage to Lamar Odom. The reality-television star filed for divorce on Friday in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences. She also wants her last name restored to Kardashian from Kardashian Odom. The filing comes days after Odom pleaded no contest on Monday to a misdemeanour drink-driving charge. In recent episodes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Odom hasn't been featured and the show has hinted at marital issues. – AP

Psy and Ylvis top YouTube 2013 hit list

The Norwegian comedy duo Ylvis and the South Korean rap music sensation Psy topped a list of hit videos shared on YouTube this year. YouTube's annual Rewind collection of online videos that won the most attention at the website was headed by Ylvis's The Fox. The video had logged more than 280 million views as of Saturday. Topping the YouTube music-video list was Psy's Gentleman, watched nearly 600 million times. – AFP

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