<strong>Star Wars: Episode IX gets 2019 release date</strong> The final film in the new Star Wars trilogy, <em>Star Wars: Episode IX</em>, will be released in May 2019, according to movie studio Walt Disney Co. The May 24 release date marked a shift in strategy for Disney, whose two previous new entries in the sci-fi adventure have all been set for release in mid-December, during the winter holidays. Disney gave no details on <em>Star Wars: Episode IX</em>, about which little is known except that it will be directed by Colin Trevorrow. The film completes the trilogy that began after Disney bought George Lucas’s Lucasfilm in a $4 billion (Dh14.6 billion) deal in 2012. Disney on Tuesday also announced that another of its blockbuster franchise revivals, a new <em>Indiana Jones</em> movie starring Harrison Ford, had been pushed back by a year to July 2020. — Reuters <strong>Manisha Koirala to celebrate cancer-free milestone</strong> Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala, who made her debut with Subhash Ghai's <em>Saudagar</em>, has said that she will imminently be marking a health-milestone. “I will soon complete five years of cancer-free life, which I will be celebrating,” she said at an event spreading awareness about how yoga can potentially help fight diseases. Manisha was reportedly diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012 and was operated immediately before undergoing chemotherapy. “I had great doctors, teachers and family support, so a combination of everything worked well,” she added. The actress, who was last seen in <em>Chehere: A Modern Day Classic</em> added that she's excited about her role in an upcoming biopic by Sanjay Dutt. “The whole film is between a father and son, I have a small role and I hope I do justice to that,” said Manisha. — IANS <strong>Sanjay Dutt enthuses about comeback film Bhoomi</strong> Having wrapped filming of his comeback film <em>Bhoomi</em>, actor Sanjay Dutt has been gushing about his time working on Omung Kumar's directorial project. “The experience has been wonderful right from the first day.” says Dutt, “It’s an emotional day for me as we culminate this lovely journey. I’m now looking forward to see the film release soon.” <em>Bhoomi</em>, a revenge drama that explores the relationship between a father and daughter, was shot on-location in Agra and Chambal. Producers Bhushan Kumar and Sandeep Singh have expressed their satisfaction at the way the film has turned out. “Sanjay is a powerhouse,” says Singh. “He has worked tirelessly right from the first day of shoot and given everything for this role.” - IANS <strong>Orlando Bloom discusses spy thriller Unlocked</strong> Actor Orlando Bloom said his latest film about a fictional biological attack threatening London “could absolutely happen” in the real world and that the increasingly topical subject of terrorism is handled sensitively. The film, called <em>Unlocked</em>, which will hit UK theatres on May 5, sees Bloom play a secret MI5 agent who double crosses a CIA interrogator as she races to stop a biological attack on London after accidentally providing terrorists with information. “I think our director Michael Apted did a fantastic job, you know, of really handling that with a great deal of care and sensitivity,” says Bloom. Apted, who directed 1999's James Bond film <em>The World is Not Enough</em> said the story of <em>Unlocked</em> is "getting more and more powerful." - Reuters <strong>War of words between Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin</strong> The Queen of Soul is Aretha Franklin is coming out swinging against fellow legend Dionne Warwick, accusing her of making up a story that ranklin was Whitney Houston’s godmother, even though the alleged offence happened five years ago at Houston’s funeral. “She blatantly lied on me,” says Franklin. “Fully well knowing what she was doing.” At the time, Warwick told funeral-goers that Franklin was there and introduced her, but then realised she wasn’t in attendance. “’Ree’s not here, but she is here,” Warwick said, referring to Franklin by a nickname. “She loves Whitney as if she were born to her. She is her godmother.” Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston’s mother, said in the days that followed that Franklin wasn’t in fact Houston’s godmother, it was Darlene Love. — AP <strong>Dave Bautista keen to see Daniel Craig return as Bond</strong> Wrestler-turned-actor Dave Bautista is eager to see actor Daniel Craig reprise the role of James Bond. The 48-year-old starred opposite Craig in the most-recent 007 movie <em>Spectre</em>, in which he played the villainous henchman Mr Hinx. Bautista says he would love to see the British actor once again take up the mantle of the suave spy. When asked if he would like to step back into the shoes of Mr Hinx, the star said: “Yeah! Believe me we’re talking about it a lot. We’re waiting at home with our fingers crossed. We’re waiting for the news to see if Daniel will sign up for Bond 25, because then there’s a chance that Hinx will come back.” - IANS
