Johnny Depp splits from partner Vanessa Paradis

Plus: Helen Mirren and Susan Sarandon honoured by Czechs, photographer accuses Alec Baldwin of hitting him, Stan Lee has big plans for China, and Naomi Watts moves to London.

Johnny Depp and his longtime partner Vanessa Paradis have split. A publicist for Depp said in a statement the two "have amicably separated". The couple have two children, 9-year-old son Jack, and 13-year-old daughter Lily-Rose. Depp and Paradis met in 1998 but never married during their 14-year relationship. * AP

Mirren and Sarandon get Czech fest prize

The Oscar-winning actresses Helen Mirren and Susan Sarandon are to receive prizes at the Czech Republic's 47th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, which starts on June 29, for their contribution to cinema. "They are not only famous and popular actresses, but they are also highly valued by critics," said the festival president Jiri Bartoska. Featuring 217 films, including four world and eight international premieres, the festival in the western Czech city will run until July 7. * AP

Photographer accuses Alec Baldwin of hitting him

The New York Daily News photographer Marcus Santos filed a police complaint on Tuesday, accusing Alec Baldwin of punching him. He said Baldwin became enraged as he and other photographers were photographing the actor and his fiancée, Hilaria Thomas, outside a marriage licence bureau in Manhattan. Baldwin strongly denied the allegations. Santos told the newspaper: "I knew he was going to attack me. I stepped back, and he kept coming." He claimed the actor shoved him before punching him "one time, right in the chin". Baldwin posted on Twitter: "A 'photographer' almost hit me in the face with his camera this morning. It's sad with the tabloid press. They attempt to provoke an incident and when it doesn't pan out, they say you did it anyway … #no1punchedany1" * AP

Stan Lee plans Chinese superhero

Stan Lee, the 89-year-old creator of Spider-Man and The Hulk, is creating a Chinese superhero called The Annihilator with Chinese filmmakers, he announced at this week's Shanghai International Film Festival. The Bourne Legacy's Dan Gilroy is writing the script for the film, planned for a 2014 release, to be shot in China in English. Lee said: "I believe this Chinese superhero will be the best and the most popular superhero loved by people all over the world. I love China and Chinese culture. I have been looking for this chance to cooperate with Chinese moviemakers." * IANS

Naomi Watts moves to London for Princess Diana role

Naomi Watts has moved to London to prepare for her role as Princess Diana in Oliver Hirschbiegel's Caught in Flight, which will tell the story of the last two years of the princess's life before she died in a car crash in 1997. "It's very scary and I kind of wanted to say no," Watts told the Daily Mail. "It's going to be a tough one - it's a big beast to take on." The actress said she wants to get into character before production begins and will frequent Diana's favourite hangouts, including The Harbour Club and Beauchamp Place. * IANS

Updated: June 21, 2012, 12:00 AM