Monday, August 22, 2016

The Worldwide Box Office is "Lights Out" with More Than $100 Million

“Lights Out” Lights Up Worldwide Box Office at More Than $100 Million

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“Lights Out,” the acclaimed horror hit teaming first-time feature director David F. Sandberg and producer James Wan, has surpassed the $100 million mark, it was announced today by Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President, Worldwide Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

The modestly budgeted film clicked with audiences in its July 22nd, 2016 North American debut, posting a strong opening weekend and holding its momentum for a current domestic gross of $63.1 million. This, combined with an estimated cumulative international return of $41.7 million, brings its global box office total to more than $100 million to date, with openings still ahead in Europe and Asia.

Sandberg takes his first bow as a feature director on “Lights Out,” following a catalog of horror shorts that has generated an enthusiastic internet fan base, including the one that inspired the film. The success of “Lights Out” also marks another crowd-pleasing and critical nod for Wan, whose credits include the global box office hits “The Conjuring,” “The Conjuring 2,” and “Annabelle.”

The filmmakers’ next collaboration is “Annabelle 2,” set for release on May 19, 2017, with Sandberg again at the helm and Wan producing.

In making the announcement, Kwan Vandenberg said, “Congratulations to our colleagues at New Line, director David F. Sandberg and to the cast and producers who made ‘Lights Out’ such a thrilling experience at the movies. It’s a concept everyone can relate to, and audiences around the world have been responding in kind. With so many markets yet to open, there is still much more to come.”

A tale of an unknown terror that lurks in the dark, “Lights Out” stars Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman, Alexander DiPersia, with Billy Burke and Maria Bello.

When Rebecca (Palmer) left home, she thought she left her childhood fears behind. Growing up, she was never really sure of what was and wasn’t real when the lights went out…and now her little brother, Martin (Bateman), is experiencing the same unexplained and terrifying events that had once tested her sanity and threatened her safety. A frightening entity with a mysterious attachment to their mother, Sophie (Bello), has reemerged. But this time, as Rebecca gets closer to unlocking the truth, there is no denying that all their lives are in danger…once the lights go out.

“Lights Out” is directed by David F. Sandberg, from a screenplay by Eric Heisserer, based on Sandberg’s own short film. James Wan, Lawrence Grey and Heisserer served as producers, with Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter and Richard Brener as executive producers.

Sandberg’s behind-the-scenes team included director of photography Marc Spicer, production designer Jennifer Spence, editors Kirk Morri and Michel Aller, and costume designer Kristin M. Burke. The music was composed by Benjamin Wallfisch.

A New Line Cinema presentation of a Grey Matter/Atomic Monster production, “Lights Out” is being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

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Sunday, August 21, 2016

Nominations Announced for BET "Hip Hop Awards" 2016

Drake Leads the BET “Hip Hop Awards” 2016 Nominations for a Third Year in a Row with 14 Nominations Including ‘Album of the Year’, ‘Track of the Year’ and ‘MVP of the Year’

Future Scores 10 Nominations Including ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Best Mixtape,’ and ‘Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip-Hop Style);’ Followed Closely by DJ Khaled with 9 Nominations and Kanye West with 8 Nods

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The BET “Hip Hop Awards” 2016 Will Be Taping on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA and Premiering October 4, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT

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*Big Host Announcement Coming Soon*

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#HIPHOPAWARDS

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For a third year in a row, Drake dominates the BET “Hip Hop Awards” 2016 with 14 impressive nominations for ‘Best Live Performer,’ ‘Lyricist of the Year,’ ‘MVP of the Year,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Hustler of the Year,’ ‘Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip-Hop Style)’ and as a featured artist in the ‘Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse’, ‘Best Hip-Hop Video,’ ‘Track of the Year,’ ‘People’s Champ Award,’ and 3 nods for ‘Best Collabo, Duo or Group.’ The BET “Hip Hop Awards” 2016 will be taped on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at its new venue, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA, and will premiere on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Future scores the second-most nominations with 10 nods, including ‘Best Live Performer,’ ‘MVP of the Year,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Hustler of the Year,’ ‘Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip-Hop Style),’ ‘Best Mixtape,’ and ‘Best Collabo, Duo, or Group.’ DJ Khaled follows closely with 9 nominations, including ‘DJ of the Year,’ ‘Best Hip-Hop Video,’ ‘MVP of the Year,’ ‘Track of the Year,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Hustler of the Year,’ ‘People’s Champ Award,’ and two nods for ‘Best Collabo, Duo or Group;’ and Kanye West grabs 8 nods for ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Best Hip-Hop Video,’ ‘Best Live Performer,’ ‘Lyricist of the Year,’ ‘Video Director of the Year,’ ‘MVP of the Year,’ ‘Hustler of the Year,’ and ‘Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip-Hop Style)’ at the BET “Hip Hop Awards” 2016. Additionally, ‘Best New Hip-Hop Artist’ Award includes newcomers Chance the Rapper, Desiigner, Bryson Tiller, Tory Lanez and Anderson .Paak.

Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment will serve as Executive Producer of the BET Hip Hop Awards along with Stephen G. Hill, BET’s President of Programming, Connie Orlando, BET’s Senior Vice President of Music and Specials and Lynne Harris Taylor, BET’s Vice President of Specials.

The complete list of BET “HIP HOP AWARDS” ’16 Official Nominees:

Best Hip-Hop Video
2 Chainz - Watch Out
Desiigner - Panda
DJ Khaled F/ Jay Z & Future - I Got the Keys
Drake - Hotline Bling
Fat Joe & Remy Ma F/ French Montana & Infared - All the Way Up
Kanye West F/ Rihanna - Famous

Best Collabo, Duo or Group
DJ Khaled F/ Drake - For Free
DJ Khaled F/ Jay Z & Future - I Got the Keys
Drake & Future - Jumpman
Drake F/ Wizkid & Kyla - One Dance
Fat Joe & Remy Ma F/ French Montana & Infared - All the Way Up

Best Live Performer
Drake
Future
J. Cole
Kanye West
Kendrick Lamar

Lyricist of the Year
Chance the Rapper
Drake
J. Cole
Kanye West
Kendrick Lamar

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Colin Tilley
Director X
Hype Williams
Kanye West

DJ of the Year
DJ Drama
DJ Envy
DJ Esco
DJ Khaled
DJ Mustard

Producer of the Year
DJ Mustard
Dr. Dre
Metro Boomin
Mike WiLL Made-It
Pharrell Williams

MVP of the Year
DJ Khaled
Drake
Future
Kanye West
Kendrick Lamar

Track of the Year
All the Way Up - Produced By Cool & Dre and Edsclusive (Fat Joe & Remy Ma F/ French Montana & Infared)
Controlla - Produced By BOI-1DA (Drake)
Hotline Bling - Produced By Nineteen85 (Drake)
I Got the Keys - Produced By Southside (DJ Khaled F/ Jay Z & Future)
Panda - Produced By Menace (Desiigner)

Album of the Year
DJ Khaled - I Changed A Lot
Dr. Dre - Compton
Drake - Views
Fetty Wap - Fetty Wap
Future -DS2
Kanye West - The Life of Pablo

Best New Hip-Hop Artist
Anderson .Paak
Bryson Tiller
Chance the Rapper
Desiigner
Tory Lanez

Hustler of the Year
DJ Khaled
Drake
Future
Jay Z
Kanye West

Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip-Hop Style)
A$AP Rocky
Drake
Future
Kanye West
Nicki Minaj

Best Hip Hop Online Site/App
Allhiphop.Com
Complex.Com
Hotnewhiphop.Com
Worldstarhiphop.Com
XXLMag.Com

Best Mixtape
Chance the Rapper - Coloring Book
French Montana - Wave Gods (Hosted By Max B)
Future - Purple Reign
Lil Uzi Vert - Lil Uzi Vert VS. The World
Young Thug - Slime Season 3

Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse
2 Chainz - No Problem (Chance the Rapper F/ Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz)
Drake - Work (Rihanna F/ Drake)
Kendrick Lamar - Freedom (Beyoncé F/ Kendrick Lamar)
Kodak Black - Lockjaw (French Montana F/ Kodak Black)
Nicki Minaj - Down In the DM - Remix (Yo Gotti F/ Nicki Minaj)

Impact Track
J. Cole - Love Yourz
Jay Z - Spiritual
Jidenna - Long Live The Chief
Raury F/ Key - Trap Tears
Sir The Baptist F/ ChuchPeople - Raise Hell

People’s Champ Award
Desiigner - Panda
DJ Khaled F/ Drake - For Free
Fat Joe & Remy Ma F/ French Montana & Infared - All the Way Up
O.T. Genasis F/ Young Dolph - Cut It
Travis Scott - Antidote
Young Thug - Best Friend

Join the conversation on social media by logging on to BET’s multiple social media platforms:

    On BET.com: http://www.bet.com/shows/hip-hop-awards.html
    On Twitter by using hashtag: #HipHopAwards; follow us @HipHopAwards and @BET
    On Facebook by liking the fan page at facebook.com/HipHopAwards

*Note: BET “Hip Hop Awards” is a private event and tickets are not available for purchase to the public. Talent tickets are reserved for BET “Hip Hop Awards” show talent and nominees.


ABOUT BET NETWORKS:
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

ABOUT BET “HIP HOP AWARDS”:
BET “Hip Hop Awards” is an annual celebration that pays homage to a culture that changed the world while highlighting the best in hip hop music. Year after year, BET Networks delivers the best in hip-hop for an unforgettable night of performances, cyphers and tributes honoring hip-hop legends that have and continue to make hip-hop culture a global force.

ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT:
Jesse Collins Entertainment is a full service television and film production company founded by entertainment industry veteran Jesse Collins. For more than a decade, Collins, the company’s CEO, has played an integral role in producing some of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. Formerly Executive Producer/EVP of Cossette Productions, Collins has produced ground-breaking and award winning television programming including the BET Awards, the GRAMMY Awards, BET Honors, The UNCF Evening of Stars and the BET Hip Hop Awards. Collins currently Exec. Produces “The Real Husbands of Hollywood,” (now going into its 4th hit season) alongside industry Icons Stan Lathan and Ralph Farquhar; and has worked with superstar talent such as Will Smith, Chris Rock, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Prince, Mariah Carey and many more.

Follow @BET_PR

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Saturday, August 20, 2016

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 14th to 20th, 2016 - Update #42

Support Leroy on Patreon.

MOVIES - From USWeekly:  Natalie Portman says the late Lauren Bacall did not like her.

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MOVIES - From TheGuardian:  Joseph Goebbels 105-year-old former secretary still playing dumb in the documentary, "A German Life."

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CRIME - From TheGuardian:  Police Will Be Required to Report Officer-Involved Deaths Under New US System.

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ECO - From RSN:  Politicians in Louisiana finally try to hold oil companies accountable for what they have done to the coast and marshes of the state.

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TELEVISION - From YahooCelebrity:  Steven Bochco, the creator of the seminal televisions series, "NYPD Blue," has a new memoir, "Truth is a Total Defense."  He details the antics of David Caruso, who was ostensibly the lead actor and star of the series, who left the series four episodes into the second season.

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COMICS-FILM - From YahooMovies:  Zendaya is playing a character named "Michlle" or "M.J." in "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

From EW:  "Guardians of the Galaxy" director James Gunn addresses the fake controversy over Zendaya's casting as "M.J."

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OBIT - From Variety:  The actor Jack Riley has died at the age of 80, Friday, August 19, 2016.  He was known for his work on "The Bob Newhart Show" and for providing the voice of "Stu Pickles" on the "Rugrats" animated series.

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COMICS-FILM - From Variety:  Vin Diesel confirms that the Guardians of the Galaxy will be in "Avengers: Infinity War."

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FILM - From Variety:  Ben Affleck is in talks with fox to star in and to direct a remake of "Witness for the Prosecution."

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COMICS-FILM - From WeGotThisCovered:  In "Spider-Man: Homeing," Bokeem Woodbine is apparently playing the villain, "The Shocker."

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MOVIES - From YahooMovies:  "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" (a "Harry Potter" spinoff) adds Zoe Kravitz.  She has a small role in the first film, but may have a bigger role in the sequel (due in 2018)/

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MOVIES - From YahooMovies:  Jared Leto joins "Blade Runner" sequel.

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OBAMA - From YahooNews:  Louisiana newspaper, The Advocate, is demanding that President Obama end his vacation at Martha's Vineyard and visit Louisiana because of the devastating flooding.  The Advocate never endorsed President Obama, and he never got more than 40 percent of the vote in La.  So call McCain and Romney.  By the way, I escaped the devastation and only have minor home issues, but in my area, some people did get it bad.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Will Ferrell and John C.. Reilly, the star duo of the film, "Step Brothers," reunited from a comic take on Sherlock Holmes in "Holmes & Watson."

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Leslie Odom, Jr. in talks to join Kenneth Branagh's "Murder on the Orient Express."  Odom won a Tony Award for "Best Actor" in his role as Aaron Burr in the smash musical, "Hamilton."

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OBIT - From TheWrap:  The film director, Arthur Hiller, has dies at the age of 92, Wednesday, August 17, 2016.  Hiller's best known film was "Love Story," and he was the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1993 to 1997.

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COMICS-TV - From EOnline:  Josh Schwartz, the man behind the hit TV shows, "Gossip Girl" and "The O.C.," will develop the Marvel Comic book, Runaways, as a TV series for Hulu.  Stephanie Savage, also of "Gossip Girl," will join him in the development.

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OBIT-POLITICS - From People:  The political pundit and TV host, John McLaughlin, has died at the age of 89, Tuesday, August 16, 2016.  He was the host of the "The McLaughlin Group," a political round table show on PBS, for 34 years.

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POLITICS - From RSN: Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Michael Moore says:  "Trump Is Self-Sabotaging His Campaign Because He Never Really Wanted the Job in the First Place"

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SPORTS - From YahooSports:  Another victory by Sweden's women soccer team at the Olympics basically says "F'you!" to U.S. soccer whiner, Hope Solo.

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MOVIES - From CinemaBlend:  Kevin Bacon would not mind being Freddy Krueger.

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COMICS-FILM - From SFGate:  First look at "Spider-Man: Homecoming" poster.

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CULTURE - From Breitbart:  When he says "Dangerous Faggot Tour," he means "Clownish Cocksucker Tour."

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MOVIES - From THR:  The Nate Parker "rape case" from 17 years ago is now a new controversy.  The alleged victim's family says "...we are dubious of the underlying motivations that bring this to present light after 17 years, and we will not take part in stoking its coals..."  This smells like a hit on a strong Oscar contender from a Black filmmaker or about a Black historical figure, similar to hate campaigns against films like "Selma" and "The Hurricane."

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MOVIES - From EntertainmentWeekly:  Behold Pennywise the Clown's costume from next year's film, "It," based on the Stephen King novel.  I'm still not buying this dude as scary, and I was indeed scared of Pennywise when I read the original novel about 30 years ago.

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HEALTH - From IBT:  Is the Cure for Alzheimer's Already on the Market?

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  Amazon has greenlit a 10-episode "Jack Ryan" series, starring John Krasinski as Jack Ryan.  This is a "reinvention" of the character created by late author, Tom Clancy.  Krasinski would be the fifth actor to play the character on the big and small screen.

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MOVIES - From CinemaBlend:  A new image from the film version of Stephen King's "It," featuring the character "Richie Tozier."  The film is due in theaters September 2017.

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MOVIES - From BleedingCool:  Production has begin in Canada on Guillermo del Toro's next film, "The Shape of Water," his follow-up to "Crimson Peak."

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  "The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore" has been cancelled, and its last episode will air, Thursday, August 18, 2016.  I'm so bitter right now.

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OBIT - From Variety:  The actor Fyvush Finkel has died at the age of 93, Sunday, August 14, 2016.  He was best known for his roles on the TV series, "Picket Fences" (for which he won an Emmy) and "Boston Public."

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CULTURE - From WashPost:  White Christian America is dying.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The #1 film at the 8/12 to 8/14/2016 weekend box office is "Suicide Squad" with an estimated take of $43.7 million.

From Variety:  The R-rated, animated comedy, "Sausage Party," has a strong debut, while "Suicide Squad" wins the weekend box office, although its gross plunged 67 percent from its debut last week.

From Variety:  "Suicide Squad" leads the international box office.

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SPORTS - From YahooSports:  Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt, makes history by becoming the first man to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 100 meter race.

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HISTORY - From PopularMechanics:  Bones found on a mountaintop in Greece may confirm that ancient Greeks practiced ritualistic cannibalism.

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CELEBRITY - From YahooCelebrity:  Kevin Hart got married this weekend.

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OBIT - From Deadline:  The actor Kenny Baker has died at the age of 81 (although some reports are listing him at 82 or 83).  The 3-foot, 8-inch actor is best known for playing R2-D2 in six Star Wars movies.  Baker also appeared in "The Elephant Man," "Time Bandits," and "The Goonies."

From Variety:  Hollywood remembers Kenny Baker.

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COMICS-FILM - From IndieWire:  Tilda Swinton says that "Doctor Strange" movie comes from " a very diverse place."

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SPORTS - From USAToday:  At the Rio Olympics, Michael Phelps ends his career with 23rd gold medal.


TRAILERS:

From FoxMovies:  The new (first?) trailer for the historical drama, "Hidden Figures," about the African-American women mathematicians and engineers at NASA during the Space Race.  The film is due in January 2017 and stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae.

From YouTube:  New one-minute "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back" spot, entitled "Followed."



Salt Lake Comic Con 2016 to Host Record-Size Mark Hamill Event


That’s No Moon: Salt Lake Comic Con 2016 to Host Largest Mark Hamill Live Appearance Ever at Vivint Smart Home Arena

Vivint Smart Home Arena will allow more fans to attend Hamill’s only U.S. comic con appearance in 2016

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Force will be strong at the Vivint Smart Home Arena as Salt Lake Comic Con 2016 (http://saltlakecomiccon.com/) announced that the Mark Hamill panel will be held at the arena on Thursday, September 1, 2016.

    “Mark Hamill is one of the most iconic stars of now three generations”

Tickets to Salt Lake Comic Con 2016, which provide free entry to the panel, are immediately available on the Salt Lake Comic Con website.

Vivint Smart Home Arena is home of the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Utah Jazz. It seats 19,911 basketball fans and more than 20,000 for concerts. Since opening in October of 1991, the venue has hosted Olympic events during the Olympic Winter Games of 2002, concerts, arena league football, professional wrestling, hockey, motocross events, rodeos and a host of other events and activities.

Earlier this month, Salt Lake Comic Con announced that Mark Hamill is making his only U.S. comic con appearance in 2016 at Salt Lake Comic Con 2016. Hamill is best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars episodes IV-VI and most recently Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens. He has a leading role in Star Wars VIII, the upcoming epic space opera. He’s also a voice actor and the most popular voice of the Joker, beginning with Batman: The Animated Series and most recently as Batman: The Killing Joke.

Since announcing Hamill, fan response has been beyond stellar. The first round of photo ops and autograph packages sold out in record time and fans have been wanting more access to Mark Hamill, best known as Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and the Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime. He joins over 200 celebrity guests, voice actors, authors, comic creators, panelists, cosplayers, features and other entertainers across multiple fandoms and Xperiences for the 4th Annual Salt Lake Comic Con 2016.

“We’re excited that Mark is coming to Salt Lake Comic Con and know our fans are ecstatic too. But the response has been so strong that we had to do something to enable more fans to participate and experience Mark Hamill, one of the most important figures in the Star Wars Universe,” said Dan Farr, Salt Lake Comic Con Founder and Show Producer. “Our goal is to make all our fans dreams come true, and given fan response and input, we knew we needed to do something big. We had to make sure more fans had the experience they desired with Mark, and we’re happy that we could partner with Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment and Vivint Smart Home Arena to more than quadruple the amount of seating for fans at Mark’s panel.”

The panel will begin at 11:00 a.m. (time subject to change) on Thursday, September 1. For a complete schedule and to secure tickets to Salt Lake Comic Con 2016, which provide free entry to this panel, visit the Salt Lake Comic Con website. Anybody with a Salt Lake Comic Con ticket or press badge can get into the arena; details of final schedule and queuing will be available on the website next week on Mark Hamill’s guest page. A limited number of Mark Hamill Super Fan Packages are available here that include a photo op, pre-signed autograph, collectible badge and lanyard, and first entries into the panel.

“Mark Hamill is one of the most iconic stars of now three generations,” said Bryan Brandenburg, Salt Lake Comic Con Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer. “To have him at our convention is an honor. More and more celebrities of his caliber want to come to Salt Lake Comic Con to meet and engage with our amazing fans. It’s a tribute to this community that we’ve made Salt Lake City one of the premier comic con destinations in the world. We’re expecting Mark’s panel not only to be his largest live audience, but also the most attended celebrity panel in comic con history.”

Salt Lake Comic Con 2016 is September 1-3, 2016, at the Salt Palace Convention Center. For more information about Salt Lake Comic Con 2016 or to buy your ticket(s) now visit http://www.saltlakecomiccon.com/.


ABOUT SALT LAKE COMIC CON:
Salt Lake Comic Con is organized by Dan Farr Productions, in partnership with ABC4/CW30 of the Nexstar Broadcasting Group and was co-founded by Dan Farr and Bryan Brandenburg. Dan Farr Productions is an event and marketing group devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium celebrities and brands in the pop culture arena. Dan Farr Productions is dedicated to producing spectacular celebrations of popular culture that lead the market in providing exceptional and rewarding experiences for our consumers, fans, celebrity guests, vendors and partners. Find out more at: www.SaltLakeComicCon.com, www.abc4.com/.

Salt Lake Comic Con:  http://www.saltlakecomiccon.com
Mark Hamill Guest page: http://www.saltlakecomiccon.com/portfolio-item/mark-hamill/
Salt Lake Comic Con Tickets: http://saltlakecomiccon.com/slcc-2016-tickets/
Salt Lake Comic Con Master Guest List: http://saltlakecomiccon.com/slcc16-master-guest-schedule/
Salt Lake Comic Con Xperiences: http://saltlakecomiccon.com/fanxperiences/
Vivint Smart Home Arena: http://www.vivintarena.com/

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VIZ Media Announces New Manga from Popular Creators

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES PUBLISHING ACQUISITIONS FOR TWO NEW MANGA SERIES FROM FAN-FAVORITE CREATORS

Leading Manga Publisher Details Plans To Launch SWEET BLUE FLOWERS And QUEEN’S QUALITY In Print And Digital In 2017

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, announced its latest new manga publishing acquisitions set for 2017 release during its official panel held this past weekend at Otakon 2016 – one of the East Coast’s biggest anime/manga conventions.

The newly acquired properties, Takako Shimura’s coming of age series, SWEET BLUE FLOWERS, and the QQ Sweeper sequel, QUEEN’S QUALITY, will be released in print and digital.

Latest VIZ Media Manga Publishing Acquisitions:

SWEET BLUE FLOWERS · Available Fall 2017
Fumi Manjome, an introverted, bookish teenage girl, is beginning her first year of high school at Matsuoka Girls' High School. She enters the school year with her heart broken by a previous relationship. At about the same time, she reconnects with her best friend from ten years ago, Akira Okudaira, who is now attending Fujigatani Girls' Academy as a first-year high school student. As they reconnect, they both deal with their own respective problems, and help each other get through them.

QUEEN’S QUALITY · Available Fall 2017
The sequel series to QQ SWEEPER! Fumi Nishioka lives with Kyutaro Horikita and his family of "Sweepers," people who specialize in cleaning the minds of those overcome with negative energy and evil spirits. Fumi had displayed mysterious abilities previously, but what will happen when her powers as a Queen begin to awaken?

Kyutaro is a quiet but formidable Sweeper, and he may be the only one who can keep Fumi's powers under control. When he tells her that he'll never leave her side, Fumi unexpectedly starts to fall for him!

VIZ Media also publishes creator Kyousuke Motomi’s original QQ SWEEPER manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens) in print and digitally.

For additional information on manga titles distributed and published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.

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Friday, August 19, 2016

"Suicide Squad" Half-way to a Billion

“Suicide Squad” Soars to More Than Half a Billion Dollars

Warner Bros. Pictures’ Band of Antiheroes Hits the $500 Million Mark at the Global Box Office After Just 13 Days in Theaters

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “Suicide Squad” flew past half a billion dollars after 13 days in theaters around the globe, with a cumulative total of $509 million and counting. Having set records in its first two weeks in release, the film will help drive the overall August box office to a record high. The announcement was made today by Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of Worldwide Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

    “We’re thrilled with the huge numbers on ‘Suicide Squad,’ and to be coming out of an already highly successful summer with such a big win for our slate. The film is in position for another terrific weekend as our overseas expansion continues.”

Kwan Vandenberg stated, “It is incredibly rewarding to see audiences around the world coming out in such a big way for ‘Suicide Squad.’ We have several major markets yet to open, and expect to continue seeing strong returns at the box office for the weeks to come.”

Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, added, “We’re thrilled with the huge numbers on ‘Suicide Squad,’ and to be coming out of an already highly successful summer with such a big win for our slate. The film is in position for another terrific weekend as our overseas expansion continues.”

The domestic box office total now stands at more than $238 million; the international figure is $271 million, with the film opening in Germany this weekend and in Japan on September 10.

From writer/director David Ayer comes “Suicide Squad,” starring Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman and Viola Davis.

It feels good to be bad… Assemble a team of the world’s most dangerous, incarcerated Super-Villains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government’s disposal, and send them off on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity. U.S. intelligence officer Amanda Waller has determined only a secretly convened group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose will do. However, once they realize they weren’t picked to succeed but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitably fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it’s every man for himself?

Written and directed by Ayer based on the characters from DC Entertainment, the film also stars Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ike Barinholtz, Scott Eastwood, Cara Delevingne, Adam Beach, and Karen Fukuhara in her feature film debut. It was produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle, with Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Colin Wilson and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.

Ayer’s behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Roman Vasyanov, production designer Oliver Scholl, editor John Gilroy, costume designer Kate Hawley and visual effects supervisor Jerome Chen. The music is by composer Steven Price.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, an Atlas Entertainment production, a film by David Ayer, “Suicide Squad.” The film is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and released in 3D, and in 2D, and in select IMAX 3D theaters.

“Suicide Squad” is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sequences of violence and action throughout, disturbing behavior, suggestive content and language.

www.suicidesquad.com

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Bluefin Announces Remarkable Japanese "Toy Story" Robots


BLUEFIN OPENS PRE-ORDERS FOR TWO REMARKABLE NEW BANDAI TOY STORY CHOGOKIN ROBOTS FOR SHERIFF WOODY AND BUZZ LIGHTYEAR

Amazing New Releases From World’s Leading Toy Company Based On Memorable Lead Characters From The Classic Disney/Pixar Animated Film That Combine To Form Giant Super Robots

Anaheim, CA – Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan, Hong Kong and more, prepares an extraordinary release as it opens pre-orders for the forthcoming new Chogokin Toy Story Combination Woody Robo Sheriff Star and the highly anticipated Chogokin Toy Story Combination Buzz the Space Ranger Robo.

The new releases are stunning examples of Bandai’s proprietary Chokogin engineering. The Chogokin Toy Story Combination Woody Robo Sheriff Star is set for release in December 2016 and is composed of 5 memorable characters from the film, including Woody, Bullseye, Slinky Dog, Hamm and Rex that combine to form an impressive giant robot.

The Chogokin Toy Story Combination Buzz the Space Ranger Robo is scheduled to debut in January 2017 and includes individual pieces for Buzz Lightyear, two 3-eyed Aliens, and a Space Shuttle and Big One Rocket that combine to form a similarly impressive robot. In spectacular Chogokin fashion, the Buzz the Space Ranger Robo can combine with the Woody Robo Sheriff Star to form an even larger super-robot that stands over a foot tall!

A video produced by Bandai showcasing the new Chogokin releases is able to be viewed at: http://tamashii.jp/special/toystory/index_en.html.

The new Toy Story Chogokin robots will be available from authorized Bluefin retailers nationwide and also from a variety of leading online outlets. Pre-orders for both units are available now.

Chogokin Toy Story Combination Woody Robo Sheriff Star
Height: Approx. 9 inches · MSRP: $169.99 · Available December 2016

Woody and friends can combine!? A totally wild, only in Japan re-envisioning of favorite characters from the hit Disney/Pixar Toy Story films! Woody, Rex, Bullseye, Slinky Dog, and Hamm transform and combine to form the giant 9 inch tall Chogokin Woody Robo Sheriff Star! Early orders will also receive a special picture book. The set contains 5 characters: Woody, Bullseye, Slinky Dog, Hamm, and Rex.

Chogokin Toy Story Combination Buzz the Space Ranger Robo
Height: Approx. 13 inches · MSRP: $169.99 · Available January 2017

The Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear returns and transforms into a giant robot with the help of his space shuttle and alien buddies! But that's not all. The Chogokin Buzz the Space Ranger Robo also combines with the separately sold Chogokin Woody Robo Sherriff Star to become an imposing 13.7 inch tall super robot! The set includes Buzz Lightyear, Alien 1, Alien 2, a Space Shuttle, and a Big One rocket.


About Bluefin
Based in Anaheim, CA, Bluefin built its reputation as a leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. In recent years, Bluefin has grown to include a range of high quality collectible lines from the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore and established itself as the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli. Selling to thousands of specialty, chain and independent stores, Bluefin is an official North American distributor for Bandai Hobby, Kotobukiya and Capcom, is the sole provider of Bandai Tamashii Nations products, and is also the exclusive and official distributor for Hero Cross, Mr. Hobby, SEN-TI-NEL and X-Plus. Bluefin also represents TruForce Collectibles products worldwide. Additional information is available at: www.bluefincorp.com.

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