Haven’t seen The Force Awakens, says George Lucas

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With just over two weeks to go until the release of Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, the creator of the franchise has yet to see it.

George Lucas said that when he sold rights to the franchise to Disney in 2012, he felt like he was losing one of the great loves of his life.

"I call it like a divorce," Lucas told The Washington Post. "Now I'm faced with this awkward reality – I gotta go to the wedding. My ex will be there, my new wife will be there, but I'm going to have to take a very deep breath and be a good person and sit through it, and just enjoy the moment, because it is what it is and it's a conscious decision that I made."

Lucas says he hasn’t seen a single frame of the new movie, directed by J J Abrams, which will have its regional premiere in Abu Dhabi on December 16 and go on general release the following day.

He was originally thought to be an adviser on the new films, but Disney said they “didn’t like his vision”, so Lucas removed himself. – The National staff

Steven Spielberg wants fifth Indiana Jones film

Film director Steven Spielberg said he would love to shoot a fifth Indiana Jones film before the hero of the series, Harrison Ford, turns 80.

Spielberg told French radio station RTL he was eager to make another episode of the adventures of the archaeologist, which began 34 years ago with Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Spielberg, who is 68, said: "I am hoping one day to make it to an Indiana Jones V. I would hope to make it before Harrison Ford is 80 and I get much older."

Ford, who reprises his role as Han Solo in Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, is 73.

There was speculation that Shia LaBeouf, who played Jones' son in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008, might take over but Spielberg's comments suggest Ford will return at least one more time. – AFP

Ranveer Singh seeks work in TV

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh says he is ready to work in television.

"I would have to agree that I'm cut out for television and I really do want to make my debut on television very soon," he said. "Unfortunately, the Bajirao Mastani shooting was going on throughout the year – almost 250 days this year – so to take out time to host shows was not possible."

Bajirao Mastani is due out on December 17 and is Singh's second film this year.

“I understand all too well the power and penetration of television,” Singh said. “Hopefully in the coming year, it’s very much on the cards and it should happen very soon.” – IANS

Two A R Rahman gigs in India next month

Double Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman will entertain his fans with live performances in Chennai and Coimbatore next month.

Noise and Grains Entertainment said he would perform in Chennai on January 16 and in Coimbatore January 22. – IANS

Bono offers unique celebrity experiences

Want to spend quality time with George Clooney? How about a walk down the red carpet with Meryl Streep, or a visit the set of Game of Thrones?

U2 frontman Bono will make dreams such as these come true for a lucky few as part of a new campaign.

The once-in-a-lifetime experiences can be won after donating at least US$10 (Dh37) to his charitable organisation (RED), which raises funds to fight Aids.

Fans will have a chance to win experiences with a long list of celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Jimmy Kimmel, American footballer Tom Brady, James Franco, The Weeknd, Snoop Dog, Matthew McConaughey and many more.

Bono said he will go on a bike ride in New York City’s Central Park with one of the winners.

Fans will remember Bono was seriously injured in a bike accident last year in the park, and required surgery.

For a chance to win a celebrity experience, visit www.omaze.com/RED. – AP

Arthur Miller play debuts after 79 years

No Villain, a play by US playwright Arthur Miller, will have its world premiere in London, 79 years after it was written.

Miller wrote it as a 20-year-old student over six days in 1936 during his spring break, in hopes of winning the University of Michigan’s $250 Avery Hopwood award.

He needed the money to afford college tuition fees for another year. He won the prize, but the play was never staged and forgotten until director Sean Turner came across a mention of it in an autobiography.

“I was determined to find the script,” Turner said. “It was the only dramatic work I couldn’t find of his.”

After a year and a half of research, the typed manuscript was found by librarians at the University of Michigan and Turner was given a copy.

The play tells the story of a student who has become a Marxist at university and returns to his family in New York, where he is torn between helping the family coat-making business or joining striking workers. Miller called it the "most autobiographical dramatic work I would ever write". No Villain will premiere on Tuesday at the Old Red Lion Theatre, and run until January 9. – AFP

Full House Star Mary-Kate Olsen marries

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s half brother Olivier has married US fashion designer Mary-Kate Olsen.

Sarkozy, 46, is managing director of The Carlyle Group’s Global Financial Services unit. Olsen, 29, cofounded luxury fashion brand The Row with her twin sister Ashley in 2006.

Its products are distributed in 37 countries.

The twins became famous through their roles in the television series Full House, starting when they were nine months old. – AFP