Pixar's Finding Dory has smashed its already ocean-sized expectations to take in US$136.2 million (Dh500.2m) in North American cinemas, making it the highest-grossing animation-film opening of all time, not adjusting for inflation, according to comScore estimates on Sunday. The 2007 film Shrek the Third was the previous record-holder, with a $121.6m debut. Finding Dory is also the second-largest June opening, with Jurassic World at number one. Going into the weekend, analysts expected Finding Dory to draw big, $100m-plus numbers, but never this big. The well-reviewed film features the voices of Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks. "The thought was: 'Could this be the movie to eclipse Toy Story 3's opening?' not, 'Could it become the biggest animated opening of all time?'" said Paul Dergarabedian, comScore's senior media analyst. Until now, Toy Story 3 was Pixar's biggest opening ever, with $110.3m. – AP
Redmayne celebrates Father’s Day with first child
Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne and his wife, Hannah, celebrated Father's Day on Sunday with the arrival of their first child, Iris Mary, it was announced in The Times. The Redmaynes got married in December 2014. The 34-year-old actor won an Oscar in 2015 for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. He was nominated again this year for his role as transgender artist Lili Elbe in The Danish Girl. His next film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, will be released in November. – AP
Iggy Azalea splits with fiancé
Controversial rapper Iggy Azalea and fiancé Nick Young have parted ways, only a year after they got engaged. Three months ago, Young was the focus of an alleged cheating scandal after video footage surfaced showing him apparently making references to cheating on the rapper. Azalea announced the news via her Instagram account: "Unfortunately, although I love Nick and I have tried and tried to rebuild my trust in him – it's become apparent in the last few weeks I am unable to," she said in a statement. "I genuinely wish Nick the best." She continued: "It's never easy to part ways with the person you planned your entire future with, but future can be rewritten. And as of today mine is a blank page." Young later tweeted: "Single". – The National staff
Charlie Sheen goes on the wagon
Hollywood bad boy Charlie Sheen says his days of drink and drug benders are over. In an interview with Sunday People, Sheen revealed he has quit alcohol and drugs for good. The former Two and a Half Men star, who revealed he was HIV positive in November, said that the diagnosis helped turn his life around. He said: "Now it's exercise, diet. I don't go on benders, don't drink as much. It was a combination of a lot of self-loathing, a lot of shame that was behind it. I just wanted to keep myself divorced from reality. I just woke up one day and said, 'I deserve better'." Sheen also revealed that a new medication to help keep his HIV in check has stopped him from experiencing crippling side effects: "I was invited to take part in a trial study for a new drug called Pro 140," he said. "I am one of the guinea pigs. As opposed to a daily cocktail of pills, this is one shot every week. I just finished week eight, and the results have been amazing. I don't have the migraines, the stomach problems and borderline dementia. I seriously believe this is the future of treatment for HIV." – The National staff
William Shatner to celebrate Star Trek’s 50th birthday at Boston Comic Con
William Shatner will appear at Boston Comic Con 2016 to mark the 50th anniversary of the hit television series Star Trek. The three-day convention is from August 12 to 14 at the Seaport World Trade Center. Shatner played Captain James T Kirk on the iconic show. He will appear at the convention on August 12. The same evening, Shatner will throw the opening ball in the baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Arizona Diamondbacks to mark the anniversary. – AP
Crime-thriller Metro based on real-life incident
Forthcoming Tamil crime-thriller Metro, which explores the psyche of modern-day criminals, is inspired by a real-life incident that director Ananda Krishnan witnessed not long ago. "A few years ago, I had witnessed a chain snatching. Thankfully, it was a failed attempt but the lady fell down and bruised herself in the process. The mental trauma she underwent during that split second and the ensuing hours inspired me to make Metro," Anand told IANS. "I wanted to understand what really motivates people to commit these crimes. From my understanding, even small things like the inability of parents to buy their college-going son a bike of his choice can push him to extreme limits. I've also explored this angle in the film," he continued. Metro mostly stars newcomers Shirish Saravanan, Sathya, Nishanth and Rajkumar, although the film also features National award-winning actor Bobby Simhaa in a pivotal role. – IANS