Rupert Sanders
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Kon-Tiki directors to set sail with Johnny Depp for Pirates of the Caribbean 5
May 29, 2013 8:50pm ESTThe movie masterminds who brought the film chronicling Thor Heyerdal's 1947 Pacific-crossing adventure to the big screen are set to hit the high seas again for the fifth Pirates Of The Caribbean blockbuster. Kon-Tiki directors Joachim Roenning and Espen Sandberg have boarded the Disney franchise for a new movie that is slated to hit cinemas in July, 2015. The Norweigan duo reportedly beat out Snow White & The Huntsman's Rupert Sanders for the job of directing Johnny Depp. Action adventure movie Kon-Tiki, about legendary explorer Heyerdal's bid to cross the Pacific Ocean on a wooden raft, landed Ronning and Sandberg Oscar nominations for Best Foreign Film.
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Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart Reportedly Break Up
May 20, 2013 8:25am ESTBad news for Twilight fans: the franchise's stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have reportedly broken up. People reports the news that after over three years of dating, the duo has called things off entirely after spending the last several days apart. Just a few weeks ago, the couple appeared to be operating smoothly. They were spotted out together in New York City following the Met Gala earlier this month, and then reportedly flew back to Los Angeles together. But, it's in LA that things reportedly started to go sour. Stewart reportedly didn't take part in Pattinson's 27th birthday celebrations on May 13. "He had friends over at his house, but Kristen was not part of the celebration," a source tells People. "For the past few days, they have not spent any time together." This rumored breakup comes nearly a year after pictures revealed Stewart carrying on a hot and steamy affair with her Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders. She openly apologized to Pattinson for cheating on him, and the two seemed to be reunited for several months. "I'm deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I've caused to those close to me and everyone this has affected," Stewart said in a statement. "This momentary indiscretion has jeopardized the most important thing in my life, the person I love and respect the most, Rob. I love him, I love him, I'm so sorry." Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like Pattison and Stewart were able to get back on track after that scandal rocked their relationship. Follow Lindsey on Twitter @LDiMat. Follow Hollywood.com on Twitter @Hollywood_com. More: Robert Pattinson in 'Maps To The Stars' Kristen Stewart Apologizes to Robert Pattinson Kristen Stewart Cheated on Robert Pattinson From Our Partners:What Happened to 33 Child Stars (Celebuzz)40 Most Revealing See-Through Red Carpet Looks (Vh1)
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Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson split - report
May 19, 2013 8:21am ESTTwilight couple Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson have called off their romance, according to a U.S. report. The Hollywood stars have decided to go their separate ways after three years of dating, reports People magazine. The split news comes after Pattinson allegedly pulled out of celebrating his 27th birthday on 13 May (13) with Stewart, who is said to have planned a party for him. Just days before the British hunk's birthday, the pair appeared to be going strong as they partied together after the Costume Institute Gala in New York on 8 May (13) and they also flew back to Los Angeles at each other's side on 8 May (13). Their on/off relationship has been dogged by scandal - the actress stunned fans after admitting to an "indiscretion" with director Rupert Sanders last July (12). The ordeal ended Sanders' relationship with wife Liberty Ross and led Stewart to issue a public apology to Pattinson.
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Fascinating Fact:
April 14, 2013 8:18am ESTRobert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart proved their relationship is firmly back on track following last summer's (12) cheating scandal by attending California's Coachella Festival together on Saturday (13Apr13). The actress admitted to an "indiscretion" with director Rupert Sanders and the Twilight couple briefly split. The scandal ended Sanders' relationship with wife Liberty Ross, who has filed for divorce.
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'Ender's Game': How Author Orson Scott Card's Anti-Gay Views Could Affect Its Success
March 04, 2013 11:20am ESTAt first glance, Ender’s Game seems an obvious choice for a big-budget movie adaptation. The 1985 sci-fi yarn has sold millions of copies, been translated into 29 languages, and is on the “Suggested Reading” list for the U.S. Marine Corps. It spawned a series 11 follow-up novels, meaning major franchise potential for the studio, Summit Entertainment, that snapped up the rights. And with a plot about a boy genius in a futuristic military academy being trained to defend Earth from extraterrestrial hordes it could credibly boast the tagline that it’s “Harry Potter meets The Hunger Games.” Guaranteed box office gold, right? Not so fast. Several experts say Ender’s Game author Orson Scott Card, also credited as a producer on the film, could pose a major problem for Summit as it begins its publicity campaign. Or, rather, his controversial politics do. Card has been at the forefront of the anti-gay marriage movement, acting as a board member of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), which campaigned in favor of Proposition 8 in California. He’s said that if the U.S. government in any way allows states to legalize gay marriage, then the government will become his “mortal enemy,” and he will “act to destroy that government and bring it down.” He’s also advocated for sodomy laws to remain in place “to send a clear message that those who flagrantly violate society’s regulation of sexual behavior cannot be permitted to remain as acceptable, equal citizens within that society.” In the past, the largely male, largely young, largely geeky audience for the Ender’s Game movie, directed by Gavin Hood (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), starring Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, and Asa Butterfield, and due to be released Nov. 1, might not have been thought of as being easily offended by such rhetoric. Today, however, with acceptance of gay rights reaching an all-time high among American youth, and geek culture at the most progressive it’s ever been, that is not the case. Summit faces a major challenge in their marketing of the Ender’s Game movie that centers on two questions sci-fi fans will be asking themselves in the months leading up to its release: Is it possible to separate a book or movie from its author’s personal views? And is that compartmentalization morally defensible? RELATED: ‘Ender’s Game’ Finally Out of Development Hell “The fact of the matter is that we’re already talking about the controversy surrounding the film now, and, for better or worse, the personal views of the story’s creator are going to continue to be a discussion point in the many months leading up to its release,” says Mark Umbach, a public relations and crisis management expert for Macias Media Group, a firm that helps connect entertainment industry clients, including movie studios, to the LGBT consumer base. Umbach hasn't been brought in to consult on Summit's promotion of the Ender's Game movie but notes that the studio faces a major challenge in courting a gay audience for the film. “There is a huge LGBT audience for science fiction, and it’s going to be hard for those fans to separate Card’s comments from his work.” Ari Karpel, an L.A.-based journalist who writes about movies and gay culture for The New York Times and Fast Company’s Co.Create site agrees. “The gay community has become adept at using social media to spread its opposition to perceived incidents of homophobia and really does have the power to taint the movie,” Karpel says. “While the gay audience itself is not necessarily the core audience for an Ender's Game series of movies, the younger demographic is increasingly sensitive to gay civil rights issues. Moviegoers are savvy. It's going to be hard to avoid making this an issue.” NEXT: A Recent Backlash Against One of Card’s Other Projects Spells Trouble for the Ender’s Game Movie. As expected, the studio has not responded to Hollywood.com’s repeated requests for comment. Rich Ferraro, Vice President of Communications for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), has released the following statement: "Anti-gay activists like Card can't expect to spread the same hateful and dangerous rhetoric they once did without it negatively impacting how the public views them. As a board-member of NOM, one of the most visible anti-gay organizations, Card is not merely a holder of anti-gay views but someone who has used his own fame and resources to actively make life more difficult for hard-working LGBT people and our families. He might still want the buying public to financially support his creative endeavors, but the public is responding with an affirmative "no." (Important to note: as of this report, the organization is not planning a boycott of the Ender’s Game film.) RELATED: GLAAD Celebrates 25 Years of LGBT Images in the Media If you just look at the book sales for Ender’s Game, that “no” doesn’t seem as affirmative. As of March 1, it’s ranked as Amazon.com’s #16 bestselling science fiction novel, above George R.R. Martin’s A Clash of Kings and A Feast for Crows and Stephen King’s 11/22/63. However, it’s another controversy that shows what an uphill battle Summit has on its hands. DC Comics announced Feb. 6 that they'd hired Card to author a new Superman anthology. AllOut.org, a website devoted to LGBT activism, protested the hiring and has already gathered over 16,000 signatures for a petition to DC Comics to fire Card. DC Comics released a statement noting that Card’s “personal views” are not representative of the company’s, but that they “steadfastly support freedom of expression.” However, for those who could be directly affected by Card’s anti-gay marriage agenda, it’s harder to separate the Superman comic — and Ender’s Game —from its maker. “It’s extremely difficult for the LGBT community to compartmentalize a body of work or product from its creator, because the views of the creator, who generally has a pulpit from which to speak, so intimately affect their lives and their families,” Umbach says “It’s a direct attack on the basic liberties being afforded to other Americans.” A number of comic book writers and artists are protesting Card’s hiring themselves. Phil Jimenez, who co-authored the DC Comics Encyclopedia and has penciled Wonder Woman comics for DC and New X-Men comics for Marvel says, “The messaging readers receive through Superman is really important -- he's a symbol of honesty, fairness, goodness, and justice — and I just feel like attaching someone so virulently bigoted to the character seems to taint him for me a little, and certainly ensures I don't buy the works authored by such an individual.” Card’s association with Superman is surprising given how much more sensitive the comics world has become regarding gay issues and the inclusion of gay characters. DC itself recently had the original Green Lantern, Alan Scott, come out of the closet, and Batwoman has been pursuing lesbian relationships in the pages of her comics. “As a writer, I’d like to say that it’s been the creators driving this [inclusivity], but really, I think it’s been the readership that has demanded more diversity over time,” says Batwoman author W. Haden Blackman. “Readers want to see more characters that reflect who they are, or the people they know and love… I’ve encountered virtually no homophobic response to my work on Batwoman. It’s been exactly the opposite, in fact.” NEXT: Can You Separate a Work of Art from Its Author in Today’s Geek Culture? There certainly isn’t a 100% overlap between comics readers and the sci-fi audience that would buy a ticket to see the Ender’s Game movie, but the increasing openness in representing gay characters in comics, and the audience’s demand, including the straight audience’s demand, for that openness, is indicative of a larger shift in geek culture. “What has always impressed me about science fiction since I was a kid is that it is a progressive genre, one that explores ideas,” says Brannon Braga, wrtier/producer of the Star Trek series The Next Generation, Voyager, and Enterprise and co-creator of CBS’ Threshold and Fox’s Terra Nova. “In exploring ideas you can’t be closed minded. By definition, science fiction is also humanitarian.” RELATED: Obama Was Right About that ‘Jedi Mind Meld’ One thing that might work in Summit’s favor is the fact that the general audience just doesn’t know much about Card’s homophobia — if they know much about him at all. Aside from his placement on the board of the National Organization for Marriage, he’s expressed most of his anti-gay views to Mormon publications. “I didn’t know Orson Scott Card had some hateful aspects to his personality,” says Braga. “I would assume that if people do find out about the author’s point of view, it would have an impact. It’d be almost like dealing with a Scientology book. It’s a little hard to separate Battlefield Earth from its origin. L. Ron Hubbard may not have written it as a Scientology book per se, but it’s difficult when you’re reading it not to think, ‘Oh yeah, this is by the guy who founded Scientology.’” Though groups like AllOut.org and GLAAD are trying to raise awareness, Card's past isn't a talking point for the run-0f-the-mill moviegoer. But the web-savvy sci-fi fans who will be the core audience for an Ender’s Game movie are much more in tune. That could be a problem, since those sci-fi fans are going to be responsible for building buzz and creating a consensus about the movie on social media leading up and after Ender’s Game’s release. Not to mention that within geek culture authors and their creations, whether books, movies, or TV shows, have never been more closely linked. Don’t like the Star Wars prequels? Blame George Lucas! Hate Twilight? Bash Stephenie Meyer! Still fuming over that LOST finale? Accost Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse on Twitter! Love Harry Potter? Build shrine to J.K. Rowling! It’s harder than ever to separate an author’s personality and priorities from the worldview he or she projects through a work of art. “I loved Apocalypto,” Braga says. “I think it’s a masterwork of filmmaking. But it’s hard to separate it from Mel Gibson’s anti-Semitic remarks that he made so near to the release of the film. And when I think of Apocalypto, I definitely do think of that.” The box office track record of movies with these kinds of controversies isn’t exactly stellar. Gibson’s rant certainly didn’t help Apocalypto, and it grossed only $50 million in 2006, though, anti-Semitic comments or not, the ancient Mayan epic was never going to be a hit. More tellingly, Brett Ratner compounded the already bad buzz surrounding his 2011 film Tower Heist when he infamous said “rehearsals are for f**s,” the comment that forced him to resign from producing the Oscars, the weekend of his film’s release. Making only $78 million, it became his lowest grossing comedy in 11 years. And Ron Howard’s The Dilemma flat-out bombed in January 2011 following a backlash over Vince Vaughn’s pejorative use of “gay” in a trailer. It’s impossible to know whether the controversies surrounding these filmmakers negatively affected their movies, especially given that those films were of questionable quality to begin with. But let’s put it this way: the controversies certainly didn’t help. What happens, though, if unlike The Dilemma, Tower Heist, and Apocalypto, the Ender’s Game movie turns out to be really good? “If the movie is great all else will fall away,” Karpel says. Braga agrees. “If Card’s vision is powerful enough and unique enough, the work can stand for itself.” NEXT: Summit’s Strategy for Dealing With the Anti-Card Backlash May Be Very, Very Simple. That’s why Summit’s approach in addressing Card’s inflammatory views will likely be to just ignore them outright. “That might be possible,” Karpel says. “Summit is the studio that managed to maintain Twilight's cultural dominance amidst a scandal that could have toppled it: the revelation that Kristen Stewart had cheated on Robert Pattinson with Rupert Sanders, her Snow White and the Huntsman director. Summit expertly maneuvered through that one, but the controversy does seem to have had lingering effects for Stewart, who is not as beloved as she once was.” Hollywood studios have mastered the ability at circling the wagons and preventing controversial discussions from even starting, and that cone of silence doesn’t only extend to employees on their payroll. Several crisis management experts were approached to comment on this piece, and, other than Mark Umbach, all declined to contribute. Braga himself candidly admits, “It’s better in Hollywood to just lay low on issues like this. The only reason I’m giving [this interview], honestly, is because I really think there is something terrible and ultimately corruptible about hate and judging people as a group rather than considering them as individuals. It’s disgusting when people express the kinds of views this author has expressed and I felt a moral obligation to at least chime in.” RELATED: ‘Star Wars’ Authors on How to Make the Best Episode VII Likewise, the studio isn’t commenting at all on its strategy for promoting the film and, eight months before its release, it’s possible that they themselves haven’t hammered out their strategy. However, if they follow the template they used to market the final Twilight film in the wake of Kristen Stewart cheating scandal, that means one thing in particular could happen: Card could be left out of the film’s publicity. It seems almost unthinkable. It’d be like marketing the Harry Potter movies without J.K. Rowling. But leaving him out of the discussion may be preferable to putting him on a panel before a crowd of thousands in Hall H at Comic Con, where he might face questions that will distract from the film. “We have a whole younger generation who may not understand why marriage equality is even a debate topic,” Umbach says. “And those are people that are going to be in the audience at Comic Con. Putting Card in front of a huge audience may draw attention away from the film and put the focus on his personal ideologies, which could distract from the purpose of taking the principles to the convention…to support the film.” Even if we can say that it is indeed possible to separate an author from his work, it seems undeniable that purchasing a ticket to the Ender’s Game movie is in fact funding Card’s politics. “I’d say that’s case,” Braga says. “If an author’s political views are so pronounced and have been articulated vocally enough that you are aware of them, I think there is a social responsibility behind your choice to buy a ticket.” Which is also to say that you can support Card’s right to “freedom of expression” without having to endorse those views with your dollars. Adds Blackman, “I shouldn’t somehow feel compelled to buy something created by someone who will use that money to persecute or restrict the rights of my loved ones.” But in Hollywood, money is king, and the fact that some people feel that way can’t be good news to Summit. They’ll need a strategist like Ender himself to play this game. Follow Christian Blauvelt on Twitter @Ctblauvelt [Photo Credits: Richard Foreman Jr./Summit Entertainment, DC Comics] From Our Partners:40 Most Revealing See-Through Red Carpet Looks (Vh1)33 Child Stars: Where Are They Now? (Celebuzz)
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Liberty Ross poses nude after filing for divorce
February 01, 2013 4:00am ESTThe 34-year-old mother-of-two is seen wearing nothing but long necklaces in an editorial shoot for Love magazine, while another black-and-white shot shows just her toned stomach and hip bones. In an accompanying interview, Ross admits she is still adjusting to the increased attention following Sanders' "indiscretion" with actress Kristen Stewart last year (12). She says, "It is very intense. I feel like recently I am finding out who I am." The Brit also maintains she has no regrets about moving from her native England to Los Angeles so Sanders could pursue his filmmaking dreams. She adds, "I felt it was time for him to have his turn. We both like it there and we were both established in what we did, but it felt like things could only excel for him in film in America. I wanted to have children and change my life in that way too. I'm glad I did it; I don't have any regrets." After attempting to reconcile with the director, Ross began legal proceedings to end their marriage last month (Jan13).
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Actress Liberty Ross divorcing director Rupert Sanders
January 26, 2013 4:00am ESTThe filmmaker was caught kissing Stewart, the lead star of his Snow White and the Huntsman film, in July (12) and subsequently issued a public statement apologising to his wife and children for "the pain I have caused my family". Ross was briefly pictured without her wedding ring, but by September (12) the band was back on her finger amid reports the couple was working through its marital problems for the sake of its two kids. However, the reconciliation has fallen through and Ross launched legal action in Los Angeles County Superior Court to end her marriage this week (ends25Jan13). She has hired celebrity favourite Laura Wasser to represent her and has asked for joint custody of their daughter Skyla, five, and son Tennyson, seven, as well as spousal support and attorney's fees. Sanders has already filed his response to the divorce - he is also requesting joint custody of the kids and is asking to split the legal costs with Ross. He is not asking for spousal support, reports TMZ.com. In contrast, Stewart's love life seems to be back on track - her Twilight co-star and boyfriend Robert Pattinson appears to have forgiven her for her momentary "indiscretion" with Sanders and they reunited in October (12).
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Kristen Stewart Cheating Scandal Update: Liberty Ross and Rupert Sanders to Divorce - REPORT
January 25, 2013 4:20pm ESTModel/actress Liberty Ross has filed for divorce from her director husband Rupert Sanders, TMZ reports. Hollywood.com had not heard back from the couple's reps at press time. The pair's marital issues came to light after Sanders was photographed having an affair with his Snow White and the Hunstman star Kristen Stewart, so it was only a matter of time until Ross officially severed ties with her husband. Though Ross and Sanders stated they were trying to work through the scandal, it clearly didn't take. Ross filed her paperwork in L.A. County Superior Court, TMZ reports. She asked for joint custody of the couple's two kids, spousal support, and attorney’s fees. Sanders reportedly filed his response to the divorce petition, also requesting joint custody. Stewart and her boyfriend Robert Pattinson seem to have gotten past her indiscretion, however, and are still together. [Photo Credit: Getty Images] Follow Sydney on Twitter @SydneyBucksbaum More: Holy Crap, Sandra Bullock's Wax Figure Looks Real! Let's Play: Real Person or Wax Figure? Which Handsome Hollywood Star Is Hiding Under This Scary Puppet Head? — PHOTO Shirley Temple Black Joins Twitter, Is Adorable You Might Also Like: 20 Hottest Celebrity Bikini Bodies Joe Biden?! Surprisingly Hot Young Photos of Politicians
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Kristen Stewart Confirms 'Snow White' Sequel
December 22, 2012 8:52am ESTKristen Stewart doing what she's told? Now where's the fun in that? The controversial actress confirmed reports that there will be a Snow White and the Huntsman sequel — despite a request to stay mum on the subject. Stewart let the proverbial apple out of the bag while talking with Indiewire, saying she couldn't say much more. "The other day I said that there was a strong possibility that we're going to make a sequel, and that's very true, but everyone was like, 'Whoa, stop talking about it.' So no, I'm totally not allowed to talk about it." One topic she probably wishes people would stop talking about is the affair she had with the film's director, Rupert Sanders. The married father of two is not scheduled to return for the film Stewart says is "gonna be f--kin' amazing. No, I'm so excited about it, it's crazy." No word from Universal Pictures, who is probably less excited about the loose-lipped actresses' comments. [Photo Credit: Universal Pictures] More: ‘Snow White’ Sequel Focuses on Huntsman...Not Kristen Stewart? Robert Pattinson Packs His Bags Robert Pattinson and Jon Stewart Bond Over Ice Cream You Might Also Like: 20 Hottest Bikini Bodies of 2012: Megan Fox and More! Honey Boo Boo vs. Kardashians: An Xmas Card Showdown
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Kristen Stewart confirms Snow White sequel
December 22, 2012 4:30am ESTThe Twilight star was photographed kissing moviemaker Rupert Sanders, who is married to model Liberty Ross, over the summer (12) and the story led to speculation over whether the actress would be axed from the planned follow-up. However, Stewart has now insisted she will be involved in the second film, but she remained tight-lipped about the details. She tells Indiewire.com, "Oh, it's gonna be f**king amazing. No, I'm so excited about it, it's crazy. The other day I said that there was a strong possibility that we're going to make a sequel, and that's very true, but everyone was like, 'Whoa, stop talking about it'. So no, I'm totally not allowed to talk about it." Stewart has since patched up her relationship with long-term boyfriend and Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson.
