By Claire Cromie

– 24 October 2013

Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan has landed the lead role in the movie version of Fifty Shades of Grey, according to Variety magazine.

The 31-year-old Calvin Klein model-turned-actor, from Holywood, reportedly takes the place of Charlie Hunnam, who dropped out just a month after being announced in the role of Christian Grey, citing a busy schedule.

Dornan, who now lives in London with his singer wife Amelia Warner, would be catapulted to international stardom by the high-profile Fifty Shades gig.

US actress Dakota Johnson (23) has already been cast to play innocent college graduate Anastasia Steele in the big-screen adaptation of the popular EL James erotic novels.

Dornan was last on our screens in the Belfast-set BBC crime drama The Fall, as grief counsellor Paul Spector by day and a sexually motivated serial killer by night.

The Co Down boy plays Sheriff Graham Humbert in ABC series “Once Upon a Time” and was regularly pictured in gossip magazines when he dated Keira Knightly for two years.

This year he became a patron of Carryduff-based TinyLife – Northern Ireland’s charity for premature and vulnerable babies. Dornan has long been associated with the charity through his father, Professor James Dornan, a founding member who still sits on the board of directors.

According to Variety, when Charlie Hunnam exited Fifty Shades of Grey, U and Focus executives “decided to go for more of a discovery” and brought in Dornan and Billy Magnussen to test opposite Dakota Johnson last Friday.

Pressure was on the find a replacement for Hunnam, as the project was due to begin filming on November 1st.

Artist turned filmmaker, Sam Taylor-Johnson, is directing the movie and the studio hopes to have the movie in cinemas in August of 2014.

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29 October 2013

Will.i.am is set to create a new work for the Barbican in an exhibition that also includes a work based on Inception.

The Black Eyed Peas star is designing an installation which will explore “the interface between analogue and digital music” for the show Digital Revolution and director Christopher Nolan will display work, too.

The Voice coach Will said: “Digital Revolution brings together my passions of arts, music and technology. It is an honour to be invited by the Barbican to create a work for the exhibition.”

The show, which includes video games, film, art, design and music, will feature work by The Dark Knight Rises director Christopher Nolan .

Curators are planning to create an installation around Christopher’s Inception, the 2010 movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, so that visitors can “walk into and feel that you’re inside the film”, which won an Oscar for its visual effects.

The exhibition at the London venue will show new interviews with the British director and current movie Gravity, starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, is set to feature.

Barbican project commissioner Neil McConnon said that the show was “aimed at anyone who carries a mobile phone in their pocket”.

The Barbican is also planning Blow The Bloody Doors Off, a season of music named after the famous line from The Italian Job, from the films of Michael Caine, while f ashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier will curate a film season to complement an exhibition on the designer’s creations.

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25 October 2013

Will Smith looks set to star in upcoming supernatural thriller Selling Time.

The After Earth star has not yet signed a deal but is in the process of joining the film, reported The Wrap.

Will, 45, was apparently first attached to the part several years ago, but the movie didn’t get off the ground.

The film follows a man who’s given the chance to relive the worst day of his life and make it right. In return, he has to shave seven years off his life expectancy.

The script was penned by Dan McDermott.

Selling Time is currently without a director but several top filmmakers are said to be “showing interest” in the movie.

More in News (1 of 20 articles)

26 October 2013

Girl group Miss Dynamix will be singing for survival in Sunday night’s X Factor.

Following a mixed reaction from the judges after their performance of Gabrielle’s Dreams, the trio came last in tonight’s viewers’ Flash Vote.

But the group vowed to battle to stay in the singing competition.

Jeanette Akua told host Dermot O’Leary: “We’re not going to go to sleep. We’re just going to practice.”

Three-piece boyband Rough Copy kicked off the movie-themed show with Bryan Adams‘s hit ( Everything I Do) I Do It for You.

Louis Walsh called the performance “absolutely brilliant” as Gary Barlow hailed a “beautiful performance”.

Sam Callahan faced criticism from the judges for his performance of U2‘s All I Want Is You.

Sharon Osbourne called it a “very weird song choice”, while Gary told him: “That was a weak vocal performance from you.”

Teenager Hannah Barrett’s rendition of Adele‘s Skyfall was praised by all four judges.

Giving the performance “ten out of ten”, Louis said: “You were born to sing and when you sing you come alive.”

Gary told her it was “sensational” and Sharon said: “That was magnificent. you are a real contender.”

Nicholas McDonald, 16, sang Angel by Sarah McLachlan.

Sharon said he “sang it to perfection”, but Gary said after three serious performances, he should sing something more light-hearted.

“Celebrate being 16,” the Take That star told him. “Don’t be so serious.”

Reducing Abi Alton to tears after her Moon River rendition, Gary told her ,”Y ou’re losing me”, while Sharon said she lacked “charisma”, saying people would want to “put the kettle on” when she started singing.

However, Louis said: “That was fantastic. I think you’ve put yourself back in the race.”

Nicole Scherzinger was unsure about Miss Dynamix’s performance of Dreams, but praised Gary for his song choice.

Louis told them: “I feel like you’re not really working as a girl group. I expect more.”

Sam Bailey – the only over-25 left in the competition – sang Celine Dion‘s hit My Heart Will Go On from Titanic to a huge applause from the audience.

Nicole called her “Great Britain‘s Celine Dion,” as Gary said: “You sang that song better than her.”

Five-piece boyband Kingsland Road’s rendition of Roy Orbison‘s Pretty Woman was praised by the panel.

Nicole said that although the performance was cheesy, she liked it, and Louis said he believed in the group.

“You tick all the boxes,” Sharon told them.

Luke Friend sang Seal ‘s Kiss from a Rose to a positive reaction from all four judges.

Telling him he had an “edge” Sharon praised his “distinctive vocal sound”, while Gary said he “loved it”.

The final performance of the night – Tamera Foster’s rendition of Beyonce‘s Listen – split the judges.

Louis said she “stole the show” as Sharon told her: “You have everything going for you. However, I would like to hear more soul.”

Gary warned her not to “impersonate” Beyonce, but Nicole praised her for having the “balls to take it on”.

One act is due to be eliminated on Sunday’s show.

More in News (1 of 20 articles)

26 October 2013

Girl group Miss Dynamix will be singing for survival in Sunday night’s X Factor.

Following a mixed reaction from the judges after their performance of Gabrielle’s Dreams, the trio came last in tonight’s viewers’ Flash Vote.

But the group vowed to battle to stay in the singing competition.

Jeanette Akua told host Dermot O’Leary: “We’re not going to go to sleep. We’re just going to practice.”

Three-piece boyband Rough Copy kicked off the movie-themed show with Bryan Adams‘s hit ( Everything I Do) I Do It for You.

Louis Walsh called the performance “absolutely brilliant” as Gary Barlow hailed a “beautiful performance”.

Sam Callahan faced criticism from the judges for his performance of U2‘s All I Want Is You.

Sharon Osbourne called it a “very weird song choice”, while Gary told him: “That was a weak vocal performance from you.”

Teenager Hannah Barrett’s rendition of Adele‘s Skyfall was praised by all four judges.

Giving the performance “ten out of ten”, Louis said: “You were born to sing and when you sing you come alive.”

Gary told her it was “sensational” and Sharon said: “That was magnificent. you are a real contender.”

Nicholas McDonald, 16, sang Angel by Sarah McLachlan.

Sharon said he “sang it to perfection”, but Gary said after three serious performances, he should sing something more light-hearted.

“Celebrate being 16,” the Take That star told him. “Don’t be so serious.”

Reducing Abi Alton to tears after her Moon River rendition, Gary told her ,”Y ou’re losing me”, while Sharon said she lacked “charisma”, saying people would want to “put the kettle on” when she started singing.

However, Louis said: “That was fantastic. I think you’ve put yourself back in the race.”

Nicole Scherzinger was unsure about Miss Dynamix’s performance of Dreams, but praised Gary for his song choice.

Louis told them: “I feel like you’re not really working as a girl group. I expect more.”

Sam Bailey – the only over-25 left in the competition – sang Celine Dion‘s hit My Heart Will Go On from Titanic to a huge applause from the audience.

Nicole called her “Great Britain‘s Celine Dion,” as Gary said: “You sang that song better than her.”

Five-piece boyband Kingsland Road’s rendition of Roy Orbison‘s Pretty Woman was praised by the panel.

Nicole said that although the performance was cheesy, she liked it, and Louis said he believed in the group.

“You tick all the boxes,” Sharon told them.

Luke Friend sang Seal ‘s Kiss from a Rose to a positive reaction from all four judges.

Telling him he had an “edge” Sharon praised his “distinctive vocal sound”, while Gary said he “loved it”.

The final performance of the night – Tamera Foster’s rendition of Beyonce‘s Listen – split the judges.

Louis said she “stole the show” as Sharon told her: “You have everything going for you. However, I would like to hear more soul.”

Gary warned her not to “impersonate” Beyonce, but Nicole praised her for having the “balls to take it on”.

One act is due to be eliminated on Sunday’s show.

More in News (1 of 20 articles)

24 October 2013

David Tennant and Olivia Colman led ITV’s Broadchurch to four gongs at the star-studded Specsavers Crime Thriller Awards 2013.

They won the top prize best actor and best actress awards – dubbed the crime thriller Daggers – for their parts in the top-rated television murder mystery.

Andrew Buchan went home with the best supporting actor award for his role in Broadchurch while the show also won for best TV production. Best supporting actress went to Amelia Bullmore for Scott And Bailey.

James Bond movie Skyfall won the film award.

B estselling authors Martina Cole and Wilbur Smith were inducted into the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Hall of Fame. The awards included the new prize called The Crime Thriller Book Club Best Read which went to Malcolm MacKay for The Necessary Death Of Lewis Winter.

Mick Herron, who won the CWA Goldsboro Gold Dagger for Best Crime Novel of the Year prize for Dead Lions, said : “My shelves are crammed with Gold Dagger-winning novels of the past – The Mermaids Singing, Black and Blue, Bones and Silence. I can’t quite believe I get to put my own book next to them.”

Actors Idris Elba, Kara Tointon, Ruth Wilson and Anna Maxwell were among the guests at the event which was organised by Cactus TV, ITV3 and the CWA.

The awards, now in their sixth year, were held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

More in News (1 of 20 articles)

By Claire Cromie

– 24 October 2013

Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan has landed the lead role in the movie version of Fifty Shades of Grey, according to Variety magazine.

The 31-year-old Calvin Klein model-turned-actor, from Holywood, reportedly takes the place of Charlie Hunnam, who dropped out just a month after being announced in the role of Christian Grey, citing a busy schedule.

Dornan, who now lives in London with his singer wife Amelia Warner, would be catapulted to international stardom by the high-profile Fifty Shades gig.

US actress Dakota Johnson (23) has already been cast to play innocent college graduate Anastasia Steele in the big-screen adaptation of the popular EL James erotic novels.

Dornan was last on our screens in the Belfast-set BBC crime drama The Fall, as grief counsellor Paul Spector by day and a sexually motivated serial killer by night.

The Co Down boy plays Sheriff Graham Humbert in ABC series “Once Upon a Time” and was regularly pictured in gossip magazines when he dated Keira Knightly for two years.

This year he became a patron of Carryduff-based TinyLife – Northern Ireland’s charity for premature and vulnerable babies. Dornan has long been associated with the charity through his father, Professor James Dornan, a founding member who still sits on the board of directors.

According to Variety, when Charlie Hunnam exited Fifty Shades of Grey, U and Focus executives “decided to go for more of a discovery” and brought in Dornan and Billy Magnussen to test opposite Dakota Johnson last Friday.

Pressure was on the find a replacement for Hunnam, as the project was due to begin filming on November 1st.

Artist turned filmmaker, Sam Taylor-Johnson, is directing the movie and the studio hopes to have the movie in cinemas in August of 2014.

More in News (1 of 20 articles)

26 October 2013

Girl group Miss Dynamix will be singing for survival in Sunday night’s X Factor.

Following a mixed reaction from the judges after their performance of Gabrielle’s Dreams, the trio came last in tonight’s viewers’ Flash Vote.

But the group vowed to battle to stay in the singing competition.

Jeanette Akua told host Dermot O’Leary: “We’re not going to go to sleep. We’re just going to practice.”

Three-piece boyband Rough Copy kicked off the movie-themed show with Bryan Adams‘s hit ( Everything I Do) I Do It for You.

Louis Walsh called the performance “absolutely brilliant” as Gary Barlow hailed a “beautiful performance”.

Sam Callahan faced criticism from the judges for his performance of U2‘s All I Want Is You.

Sharon Osbourne called it a “very weird song choice”, while Gary told him: “That was a weak vocal performance from you.”

Teenager Hannah Barrett’s rendition of Adele‘s Skyfall was praised by all four judges.

Giving the performance “ten out of ten”, Louis said: “You were born to sing and when you sing you come alive.”

Gary told her it was “sensational” and Sharon said: “That was magnificent. you are a real contender.”

Nicholas McDonald, 16, sang Angel by Sarah McLachlan.

Sharon said he “sang it to perfection”, but Gary said after three serious performances, he should sing something more light-hearted.

“Celebrate being 16,” the Take That star told him. “Don’t be so serious.”

Reducing Abi Alton to tears after her Moon River rendition, Gary told her ,”Y ou’re losing me”, while Sharon said she lacked “charisma”, saying people would want to “put the kettle on” when she started singing.

However, Louis said: “That was fantastic. I think you’ve put yourself back in the race.”

Nicole Scherzinger was unsure about Miss Dynamix’s performance of Dreams, but praised Gary for his song choice.

Louis told them: “I feel like you’re not really working as a girl group. I expect more.”

Sam Bailey – the only over-25 left in the competition – sang Celine Dion‘s hit My Heart Will Go On from Titanic to a huge applause from the audience.

Nicole called her “Great Britain‘s Celine Dion,” as Gary said: “You sang that song better than her.”

Five-piece boyband Kingsland Road’s rendition of Roy Orbison‘s Pretty Woman was praised by the panel.

Nicole said that although the performance was cheesy, she liked it, and Louis said he believed in the group.

“You tick all the boxes,” Sharon told them.

Luke Friend sang Seal ‘s Kiss from a Rose to a positive reaction from all four judges.

Telling him he had an “edge” Sharon praised his “distinctive vocal sound”, while Gary said he “loved it”.

The final performance of the night – Tamera Foster’s rendition of Beyonce‘s Listen – split the judges.

Louis said she “stole the show” as Sharon told her: “You have everything going for you. However, I would like to hear more soul.”

Gary warned her not to “impersonate” Beyonce, but Nicole praised her for having the “balls to take it on”.

One act is due to be eliminated on Sunday’s show.

More in News (2 of 20 articles)

25 October 2013

Will Smith looks set to star in upcoming supernatural thriller Selling Time.

The After Earth star has not yet signed a deal but is in the process of joining the film, reported The Wrap.

Will, 45, was apparently first attached to the part several years ago, but the movie didn’t get off the ground.

The film follows a man who’s given the chance to relive the worst day of his life and make it right. In return, he has to shave seven years off his life expectancy.

The script was penned by Dan McDermott.

Selling Time is currently without a director but several top filmmakers are said to be “showing interest” in the movie.

More in News (14 of 20 articles)

26 October 2013

X Factor’s Sam Bailey has revealed that she is basking in Sharon Osbourne‘s attentions, now that she is her only remaining act.

The prison guard – the last contestant in the Over 25s category, following the exits of Shelley Smith and Lorna Simpson – admitted there is some pressure to survive this weekend’s rounds.

“Yeah, it is (added pressure) but then I get her all to myself as well. I do want her all to myself,” she said.

The 36-year-old continued: “I’m gutted for Shelley. She and I got on like a house on fire. I know she’s going to do so well out of this. I am gutted she left but at the same time, Sharon’s going to concentrate on me and I don’t feel like I’m up against someone in her own category.”

“It’s going to be a lot in my favour to be on my own, it’s going to be a bit lonely,” she added.

Sam teased she would surprise viewers with her ‘movie week’ performance this Saturday (October 26).

“It’s a massive song. It’s going to be amazing. You’re going to love it,” she hinted.

“It’s something that is going to be a bit of a surprise to everyone, and especially a surprise for me. I hope it will be good and that I stay in for the week after – I really don’t want it to be the curse of the Overs.”

The X Factor continues on ITV on Saturdays and Sundays.

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