Late British singer John Lennon is soon to have a comic book biography all of his own. The Beatles legend, who was murdered in New York in 1980, will feature in a new graphic novel Lennon, which will tell the story of his life from childhood to worldwide fame and his solo career and marriage to artist Yoko Ono. Lennon, which was announced at this year's New York Comic Con, is adapted from the 2010 novel by French author David Foenkinos, reports hollywoodreporter.com. Foenkinos' book told Lennon's life story through a series of imagined sessions between him and a fictional therapist and the black-and-white comic will have the same format. The book will be released in May next year.
The Beatles are also the focus of a new documentary from Ron Howard, which tells the story of the band’s touring years through behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and previously unreleased music. - The National staff
Kabir Khan collaborates with Salman Khan for next film
After delivering two blockbusters with Salman Khan, Indian director Kabir Khan has joined forces with the popular Bollywood actor again for Tubelight. The filmmaker says his journey with the superstar for movies Ek Tha Tiger and Bajrangi Bhaijaan have been great. "Tiger, Bajrangi, Tubelight, it's been a great walk together Salman Khan Tubelight," Kabir tweeted this week. The plot of the political thriller is still under wraps but Khan has also roped in Chinese actress-singer Zhu Zhu to make an appearance. - IANS
North Dakota pipepline protest sees actress Shailene Woodley arrested
Actress Shailene Woodley has been arrested in North Dakota while protesting a planned pipeline that Native Americans say will desecrate sacred land and damage the environment. The incident was streamed live on Facebook. According to spokesman for the Morton County Sheriff’s Office, Rob Keller, the 24-year-old actress was taken into custody along with 27 other people and charged with misdemeanour for criminal trespass and engaging in a riot. Footage of Woodley, who had videoing the event for Facebook Live, showed her being taken into custody. The actress narrated her own arrest, saying she had been heading peacefully back to her vehicle when “they [the police] grabbed me by my jacket and said that I wasn’t allowed to continue ... and they have giant guns and batons and zip ties and they are not letting me go”. As she was led away in handcuffs, Woodley can be heard saying she was among hundreds of protesters, but was singled out “because I’m well-known, because I have 40,000 people watching”. - Reuters
Emma Watson condemns child marriage during trip to Malawi
British actress Emma Watson openly condemned child marriage during a visit to Malawi this week, calling on authorities across Africa to end the practice that she believes puts young lives at risk and stop girls from getting an education and having a better future. Watson, 26, a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women, was visiting the southeastern African nation a day ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child. In 2015, Malawi passed a law to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18, with UN Women working with traditional chiefs to change local practices. "Meeting with young girls, who like many in their country, are struggling with poverty and were pressured into early marriage ... made me realise just how important it is for women to be able to make their own choices," Watson said in a statement. "It's so encouraging to see how such a harmful practice can be stopped when communities work together," added the actress who rose to fame as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series. - Reuters
Drake cancels rest of tour due to ankle injury
Candian rapper Drake has cancelled the remainder of his summer music tour as a result of an ongoing ankle injury. A spokeswoman for the star, who E! Online is reporting has split with his girlfriend Rihanna, says doctors advised him to cancel the three remaining dates of his Summer Sixteen Tour "to allow him time to recuperate his ankle injury". The cancelled stops include Toronto, Philadelphia and New Jersey. The Hotline Bling singer previously postponed three concerts in New York and New Jersey. Drake announced on Monday that he will be back on the road for his 26-show The Boy Meets World Tour from January through March 2017 in Europe. - AP
