A quick look at everything making news in the world of cinema today!
What’s trending
The TIME magazine named ‘the silence breakers’ – the people who came forward to report stories of sexual misconduct that they had experienced as part of the #MeToo movement – as its Person of the Year.
In a series of stories, Silverscreen spoke to women working in the Indian film industry – actresses, the production crew or singers – to highlight the everyday workplace sexism that they fight to advance their careers. Our aim was to bring out the malaise that is endemic to the industry.
Read our series on Women, Cinema & Sexism here .
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JK Rowling breaks her silence over Johnny Depp’s casting in Fantastic Beasts sequel. Several fans had earlier called out Depp’s casting since he was accused of physically and verbally assaulting his former wife, Amber Heard. Rowling, the author of the series, finally opened up and defended Depp’s casting.
The writer took to her website and wrote:
“When Johnny Depp was cast as Grindelwald, I thought he’d be wonderful in the role. However, around the time of filming his cameo in the first movie, stories had appeared in the press that deeply concerned me and everyone most closely involved in the franchise.
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Harry Potter fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role. As David Yates, long-time Potter director, has already said, we naturally considered the possibility of recasting. I understand why some have been confused and angry about why that didn’t happen.
The huge, mutually supportive community that has grown up around Harry Potter is one of the greatest joys of my life. For me personally, the inability to speak openly to fans about this issue has been difficult, frustrating and at times painful. However, the agreements that have been put in place to protect the privacy of two people, both of whom have expressed a desire to get on with their lives, must be respected. Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies.”
Offbeat
The entire Kapoor family gathered for a prayer meet in Mumbai, paying tribute to late actor Shashi Kapoor.
Timeout
Bryan Singer, the director who was supposed to helm the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody and was subsequently fired, is currently being sued for allegedly raping a 17-year-old boy.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Cesar Sanchez-Guzman claims that he met the filmmaker during a yacht party in the Seattle area in 2003. The party was populated with “young gay males in the Seattle area,” according to court documents.
The lawsuit alleges that the X-Men director offered to take the then 17-year-old Guzman on a tour of the boat. When they got into a room, the lawsuit claims Singer “forced Cesar to the floor, shoved Cesar’s face against his crotch area and demanded Cesar perform oral sex on him.”