Holly to Bolly: Beyonce pulls out of Coachella music festival, Patrick Stewart announces retirement from X-Men franchise, and more

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Beyonce pulls out of Coachella music festival

Pregnant singer Beyonce pulled out of performing at California’s Coachella music festival in April, citing doctor’s orders.

The Formation singer, 35, who is expecting twins, will however headline the event in 2018, organisers said in a statement.

“Following the advice of her doctors to keep a less rigorous schedule in the coming months, Beyonce has made the decision to forgo performing at the 2017 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival,” the statement from festival organiser Golden Voice and Beyonce’s Parkwood Entertainment said.

Beyonce was due to headline the annual festival in the Southern California desert on April 15 and April 22. It was not clear who would replace her.

The R&B singer performed at the Grammy ceremony on February 12, where she proudly displayed a large baby bump and took home two awards.

Beyonce and her rapper husband Jay Z, who have a five year-old daughter Blue Ivy, have not said when the twins are due. - Reuters

Patrick Stewart announces retirement from X-Men franchise

British actor Patrick Stewart said he will no longer be part of the X-Men franchise. The actor says the new superhero film Logan (out March 1) will be the last time he plays the mutant leader, Professor Charles Xavier. Stewart made the announcement at a SiriusXM Town Hall where he appeared alongside Logan director and co-writer James Mangold and Stewart's costar Hugh Jackman, who also reconfirmed that the film will be his last appearance as Wolverine, reports Entertainment Weekly.

Stewart first played Xavier (aka Professor X) in 2000's X-Men and reprised the role in 2003's X-Men 2, 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand, 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine, 2013's Mangold-directed The Wolverine, and 2014's X-Men: Days of Future Past. - The National Staff

Calvin Harris drops new song

The Grammy-winning DJ Calvin Harris has dropped his newest track, Slide, featuring Frank Ocean and Migos.

Harris took to Snapchat to tease the single while driving with the melody pumping, reports E! Online.

As soon as he uploaded the teaser on social media, the producer received thousands of retweets and comments from fans

“Thank u @CalvinHarris @Migos and Frank for the best song I’ve ever heard in my entire life,” one follower tweeted.

Harris had earlier tweeted that he aimed to put out music that made “your soul happy” in 2017. He said all his songs this year will be sonically designed to make his fans feel “incredible.” - The National Staff

Designer Karl Lagerfeld accuses Meryl Streep of selling out on Oscars red carpet

Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld told Women's Wear Daily that representatives for 20-time Oscar nominee Meryl Streep had requested the design house produce a gown for the star before changing their minds abruptly, reports the LA Times

She told the magazine that she had already started to make the dress when they got a second call from Streep’s team cancelling the request. Lagerfeld claims Streep’s team said they had found somebody who would pay them for the actress to wear their dress.

Team Streep fundamentally disagrees with Lagerfeld's tale, with a representative for the actress telling the Hollywood Reporter that the original claim was false and was against Streep's personal ethics to be paid to wear a gown on the red carpet. - The National Staff

Tom Cruise wants to reconnect with daughter Suri

Actor Tom Cruise is reportedly ready to reunite with daughter Suri after more than three years.

According to a source, Cruise “has some reprioritising in his life” after mourning the loss of his mother Mary Lee South, who died at age 80 earlier this month, reports aceshowbiz.com.

The source said that the actor wants to re-establish his relationship with his daughter and begin seeing her on a regular basis, reported Touch magazine.

The source said Cruise knew Suri will need some time to warm up to the situation.

Cruise is reportedly going to tell his former wife and actress Katie Holmes “through their handlers and attorneys that he wants to see Suri within the next few weeks”.

Cruise married Holmes in 2006. The two parted ways in 2012. - IANS

Matt Reeves to direct The Batman

Filmmaker Matt Reeves will direct The Batman, it has been officially announced.

Reeves took over the reins as director after actor-filmmaker Ben Affleck stepped aside to focus on starring as the superhero, reports Variety.com.

Reeves will also produce the movie.

It was earlier reported that Reeves was in negotiations.

“I have loved the Batman story since I was a child. He is such an iconic and compelling character, and one that resonates with me deeply,” Reeves said.

“I am incredibly honoured and excited to be working with Warner Bros to bring an epic and emotional new take on the Caped Crusader to the big screen,” he added. - IANS

Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen in Flarsky

Actors Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen have been roped in to star in the upcoming comedy film Flarsky, which will be directed by Jonathan Levine.

Rogen will play an unemployed journalist, battered by his own misfortune and self-destructive ways, who endeavours to pursue Theron’s character, who was his childhood crush and babysitter and now happens to be one of the most powerful and unattainable women on earth, reports Variety.com.

The script of the film is written by veteran comedy scribe Dan Sterling.

Meanwhile, Theron was also recently announced to produce and star in the spy thriller Need to Know. - IANS

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone denies doing remake of Mr & Mrs. Smith

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone on Thursday denied reports that she was doing the official remake of Hollywood movie Mr & Mrs Smith.

The actress said she was not offered the role and she would talk about it if she was a part of such a film , she said at an event in India recently. She said that the only film in the works was Padmavati.

After making the Hollywood debut with xXx: The Return of Xander Cage, there were reports that Deepika may walk the red carpet at the Academy Awards. The actress said she would not be at the Oscars.

Padmavati is helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and also features Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles. - IANS​