Jay Z named in a new lawsuit alleging he raped a 13-year old girl in 2000.
Rappers and business moguls, Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs have been named in a civil lawsuit accusing them of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2000. Initially filed in October with Diddy as the sole defendant, the case was refiled Sunday to include Jay-Z, identified in court documents as “Celebrity A.” The alleged victim, referred to as “Jane Doe,” claims she was assaulted at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in Manhattan, after being invited by a limousine driver. The lawsuit also accuses Jay-Z of being present during other similar incidents and orchestrating harassment and intimidation to silence her legal team. Jay-Z denied the allegations in a statement, accusing the plaintiff’s lawyer of attempted blackmail. He expressed heartbreak for his family, noting the impact on his children, but vowed to fight the claims publicly. Diddy has not yet responded. The case has garnered widespread attention, with calls for justice intensifying.
https://twitter.com/popbase/status/1865906002161549685
Universal’s Wicked surpasses $450 million in the worldwide box office.
In a new update, Universal’s Wicked has soared past $450M globally, cementing its position as the highest-grossing non-sequel of the year. The worldwide total stands at $455.6M, with $135M from international markets. Over the weekend, the film expanded to 18 new territories, earning $26.9M despite a 38% drop in holdover markets. Key openings included France ($2M, No. 2 debut), the Netherlands ($1.9M, No. 1), and Poland ($900K, top start for a stage musical adaptation). Excluding China, where it grossed $1.2M, the film’s international earnings are on par with The Little Mermaid and ahead of Mamma Mia 2 and Les Miserables. The UK leads with $47.4M, surpassing Aladdin and Jurassic World Dominion. Other strong markets include Australia ($17.2M), Korea ($10.6M), Mexico ($8.1M), and Spain ($4.5M). Germany releases December 12, while the global IMAX total has reached $18M.
https://twitter.com/discussingfilm/status/1865813656308457726
Rugar and BNXN’s joint EP, RNB, surpasses 100 million Spotify streams.
Afrobeats stars, Ruger and BNXN’s collaborative EP, RNB has reached a significant milestone on Spotify, amassing over 100 million streams. This achievement makes it the first and only EP of 2024 to hit this remarkable figure, solidifying its place as a standout project of the year. For Ruger, this marks his third project to surpass the 100-million-stream benchmark, while it is BNXN’s second, underscoring their consistent success in the Afrobeat scene. The EP’s accomplishment is particularly striking given its surprise release, which followed a period of tension between the two artists. Despite initial doubts, the project’s exceptional quality and the artists’ undeniable synergy have struck a chord with fans worldwide. The milestone not only highlights their artistry but also cements their status as two of Afrobeats’ leading figures in 2024.
https://twitter.com/albumtalkshq/status/1865842484661596325
A new 3-minute Ballerina teaser has just been released by Lionsgate.
Lionsgate has unveiled behind-the-scenes photos and a new teaser for Ballerina, the latest addition to the John Wick franchise. Ana de Armas stars as Eva Macarro, a vengeful assassin seeking justice after her family’s murder. Previously portrayed by Unity Phelan in the John Wick films, Eva now takes center stage in this action-packed spin-off. Joining de Armas are Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno, the late Lance Reddick, and Keanu Reeves, whose John Wick plays a significant role rather than a cameo. Directed by Len Wiseman, the film reportedly underwent extensive reshoots overseen by Chad Stahelski after initial dissatisfaction with Wiseman’s work, though Lionsgate denies these claims. Set for release on June 6, 2025, Ballerina marks the franchise’s fifth film and Lance Reddick’s final posthumous appearance.
https://twitter.com/discussingfilm/status/1865891292858692094
A cryptic teaser for Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later released by Sony Pictures.
Sony Pictures has unveiled the first teaser for Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later. The cryptic clip features Morse code audio, flashes of an island, crucified zombie-like figures, and red contamination symbols, shared via YouTube and the film’s official X account. Set for release on June 20, 2025, the cast features Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Erin Kellyman, Edvin Ryding, and the return of Cillian Murphy as Jim from the 2002 original. The teaser flashes abstract imagery, a Morse code message spelling “Tuesday,” and a glimpse of an isolated island, hinting at a shift from the previous films’ London settings. The cryptic preview builds suspense while keeping the plot under wraps. Reportedly shot alongside another sequel, 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta, the film promises fresh twists, a new setting, and a mix of returning and new characters.
https://twitter.com/discussingfilm/status/1865424820248121516
