37 TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014 LIFESTYLE

Gossip

Webb recalls offer to first helm Spider-Man

arc Webb thought it was “crazy” when he was first offered the chance to direct ‘The Amazing Spider- MMan’. The 39-year-old filmmaker - who was recently confirmed to helm Andrew Garfield in the third installment of the superhero franchise - was initially surprised when he was approached by Sony boss, Amy Pascal, to make a remake of Sam Raimi’s 2002 film ‘Spider-Man’. Talking at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, in Austin, Texas, he told the audience: “I thought it was crazy.” Pascal responded to his hesita- tions by saying: “Honey, you can’t turn down Spider-Man.” Webb wants the film franchise to be “fantastic” and “big”, in keeping with how children feel when they read about the Marvel superhero, who was first created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He added: “I’m going to embrace the spectacle. There was a moment deep in the [first film’s] post-production process where a giant lizard smashed through a wall chas- ing a boy-man in a unitard and I said, ‘This is not grounded. I’m not going to be beholden to smallness. I want it to be fantastic, to be big, to command and express that feeling when you’re a kid and reading the comics.’ I didn’t want to hide or shy away from that.”

Lily Allen to release Sheezus in May

Smith to produce Harlem Hellfighters ill Smith has signed on to produce a film Wadaptation of the graphic novel ‘Harlem Hellfighters’. The 45-year-old actor will team up with Sony Pictures to bring Max Brooks’ upcom- ing novel - which is inspired by the true story of the all African-American 369th Infantry Regiment which fought in the US Army During World War I and II - to the big screen. The ‘After Earth’ star has signed a deal with Sony - who own the rights to the graphic novel - to produce a live-action film, according to Shadow and Act, although there has so far been no indica- tion as to whether he will also appear in the movie. ‘Harlem Hellfighters’ writer Max is best known for writing the book ‘World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War’ which was later adapted into successful zombie horror ‘World War Z’, which starred Brad Pitt. His new work - which will show how the men in the famed infantry regiment returned to the United States as heroes but faced racism from their fellow soldiers, citizens and the government - is expected ily Allen is to release her new ‘Sheezus’ - which is inspired by the Christopher Sweeney and documents to be released next month and meanwhile Smith is Lalbum ‘Sheezus’ on May 5. The title of Kanye West’s last album a fictional drunken night out for Lily. already attached to a number of other projects 28-year-old singer’s hotly antici- ‘Yeezus’ - includes a title track of the The track-listing for Sheezus is; including ‘Brilliance’, ‘Focus’. ‘Hancock 2’ and ‘Bad Boys pated third studio LP will contain the same name, second single ‘Air Balloon’ ‘Sheezus’ 3’. hit ‘Hard Out Here’ and is available to and ‘L8CMMR’, which is about her hus- ‘L8CMMR’ pre-order from today with a down- band Sam Cooper’s bedroom ‘Air Balloon’ load of her next single ‘Our Time’ from prowess. All the tracks on Lily’s new ‘Our Time’ iTunes. Lily is clearly excited that fans album were produced by Greg ‘Insincerely Yours’ are going to be able to get their hands Kurstin, except for the title track ‘Take My Place’ on her album as she posted this mes- which was produced by DJ Dahi and ‘As Long As I Got You’ sage her Twitter account this morning, ‘Air Balloon’ which was produced by ‘URL Badman’ “ZOMG !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lily Allen - Sheezus Shellback. ‘Our Time’ will receive a full ‘Silver Spoon’ (sic),” along with a pre-order link to release on April 27 and the video for ‘The Life For Me’ Pharrell Williams: I’ll never the LP on iTunes. The tracklisting for the track has been directed by ‘Hard Out Here’ be as big as Jay Z harrell Williams thinks he’ll never be as successful as Jay Z. The Alba doesn’t care P‘Happy’ hitmaker thought he could compete with the ‘Holy Grail’ rapper when he started releasing solo material but admits he was wrong and was trying to be someone he wasn’t when he recorded his debut ‘In My Mind’ in 2006. He told the about Fantastic Guardian Weekend magazine: “It was in my mind, but not in my heart. It was this caricature that I’d built in my mind, that fitted in with what Snoop and Jay were doing. “Some of the things I said on that record, all the brag- Four role ging, it’s not necessary. It doesn’t say anything about you, apart from how shallow you are.” He went on : “[I essica Alba claims she doesn’t mind who plays her character Sue thought I was] this competitive guy in the music JStorm in the next ‘Fantastic Four’ movie. The 32-year-old actress por- industry, who admired my peers and felt he needed to trayed the invisible woman in the last two film adaptations of the compete with the races that they designed. But in life comic book tales, but she will not be involved in the upcoming reboot as you’re meant to race against yourself.” Pharrell, whose Kate Mara has been cast in the role. When asked how she feels about second solo record ‘G I R L’ has hit the number one Mara playing Sue, Alba replied: “I don’t have any sort of real attachment spot on the UK Album Chart, admits “Jay was never to anything like that. I’m like, the more the better, I don’t really have any going to race with any of us.” He explained: “That was idea. It’s not like I created the comic book. I think Stan Lee [the co-creator just my delusion. Because his career runs laps around of ‘Fantastic Four’] should have a say in who plays Sue.” The blonde beau- people. And he runs laps around people, lyrically. He’s a ty also claimed she wasn’t even aware of who had been cast as her philosopher and a poet.” The 40-year-old star feels more replacement because she doesn’t follow news. She is quoted by the comfortable with who he is these days and insists he isn’t Belfast Telegraph newspaper as saying: “I don’t read entertainment news interested in living a party lifestyle. When asked if he has so I’m not aware of it, but I love that comic book and it’s such a great sto- ever taken drugs, he replied: “Very rarely - I’ve had my share ry about family and staying together. “Morally, it’s nice to have that series of pot brownies - but it’s not my thing. I spend most of my time out in the world for young people to n watch that. It’s so positive. There’s working. Yes [I am a workaholic], lucidity is important to me.” a lot of negativity out there and I really love the core of what that comic book is about. The more that’s out there the better, I think it’s great.” ‘Fantastic Four’ is scheduled for release on June 19, 2015. Hudson inspired by Styles a ‘virtual stranger’ personal tragedies

to One Direction ennifer Hudson’s new album is inspired by her personal tragedies. arry Styles has become a “virtual stranger” to his One Direction JThe 32-year-old singer, whose mother Darnell, brother Jason, and bandmates. The 20-year-old heartthrob has reportedly been nephew Julian were gunned down by her former brother-in-law, H William Balfour, in October 2008, insists she has forgiven their killer to try spending a lot of time in the United States with ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ star Kendall Jenner and in turn has been and find peace and has used her late mother’s phrases in her new mate- neglecting his fellow ‘Story of My Life’ singers - who he will soon rial. Talking about the upcoming record, the ‘I Can’t Describe’ singer said: reunite with for rehearsals for their upcoming tour. An insider “It’s my story - it’s me, it’s my voice, it’s my perspective. There’s a song claimed Harry had become a “virtual stranger” to the rest of the called ‘Moan’ that I wrote, which came from something my mother group, saying: “It’s as if Harry isn’t part of the group. “It’s going to always used to say, ‘If you moan, it makes you better if something hurts. come to a head now because for the first time in months they are “It will definitely be difficult to perform. Oh my God, it was difficult to going to be spending every day together as they rehearse for this record. Because it’s so personal, it was really emotional.” Balfour, who was summer’s tour.” Harry’s bandmates - Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Louis married to Jennifer’s sister Julia, was handed three life sentences for the Tomlinson and Liam Payne - are said to be worried that he isn’t tak- murders in 2012 without the possibility of parole, along with 120 years ing One Direction seriously and is instead more interested in pursu- for other convictions. Jennifer, who is headlining today’s global empower- ing his own career. The insider told the Daily Star newspaper: “The ment ‘We Day’ event at London’s Wembley Arena, has been working with boys want reassurances from Harry that he’s in the group for the long the likes of ‘Happy’ hitmaker Pharrell Williams and producer Timbaland and haul. They won’t let him just use them for his own career ambitions. will soon release more details about her third studio album, the follow-up to They want to know what’s really going on. “It’s like he has two separate 2011’s ‘I Remember Me’. She added to The Daily Mirror newspaper: “I want lives now. One in America and his work with the band. Now he’s going to everybody to be Jenniferised! I want to reflect my energy, how I am when you come back in and act like they are all best mates again? It’s unlikely!” meet me, in my music.”