Tag: Charlize Theron

  • Charlize Theron under fire over Afrikaans ‘a dying language’ comments

    By AFP

    JOHANNESBURG: Oscar-winning actor Charlize Theron has sparked a firestorm in her native South Africa for suggesting that Afrikaans, a language descended from Dutch settlers, was heading for oblivion.

    “There’s about 44 people still speaking it — it’s definitely a dying language, it’s not a very helpful language,” the 47-year-old actor said Monday on a US podcast, “Smartless.”

    By Thursday South Africans took to Twitter to voice outrage or support.

    “Wow what a disrespectful comment to the millions of South Africans of all ages, races…that speak Afrikaans as their first language,” said @Juleanor.

    “Thank you Charlize Theron – that…racist language is dying and shouldn’t even be recognized,” said @SaboSizwe, in contrast.

    One of 11 official languages in South Africa, Afrikaans is commonly used by around 12 percent of the population of nearly 60 million.

    Laws imposing Afrikaans played a role in the oppression of black citizens during the apartheid era, and the language remains controversial in some sectors of society today.

    A lawmaker from the opposition radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party tweeted in support of Theron’s remarks, but the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), a small rightwing and predominantly white Afrikaner party, said she was misguided.

    “She is not up to date with what is going on in her country of birth,” it said in a statement.

    The Hollywood star was born in Benoni, a suburb 40 kilometres (25 miles) east of Johannesburg, and moved to the United States almost 30 years ago.

    She said she didn’t speak English until she was 19 because “nobody” in her predominantly Afrikaans neighbourhood spoke it.

    Afrikaans is descended from Dutch spoken by settlers who began to arrive in South Africa in the mid-17th century.

    Its centuries-long history in South Africa has sparked debate as to whether it should be considered an indigenous or imported language.

    It is the country’s the third most spoken language after Zulu, which is used by around 25 percent of the population, and Xhosa, spoken by nearly 15 percent, according to official statistics.

    In 2020, a court overturned a decision by one of South Africa’s largest universities, the University of South Africa (UNISA), to abolish classes taught in Afrikaans.

    JOHANNESBURG: Oscar-winning actor Charlize Theron has sparked a firestorm in her native South Africa for suggesting that Afrikaans, a language descended from Dutch settlers, was heading for oblivion.

    “There’s about 44 people still speaking it — it’s definitely a dying language, it’s not a very helpful language,” the 47-year-old actor said Monday on a US podcast, “Smartless.”

    By Thursday South Africans took to Twitter to voice outrage or support.

    “Wow what a disrespectful comment to the millions of South Africans of all ages, races…that speak Afrikaans as their first language,” said @Juleanor.

    “Thank you Charlize Theron – that…racist language is dying and shouldn’t even be recognized,” said @SaboSizwe, in contrast.

    One of 11 official languages in South Africa, Afrikaans is commonly used by around 12 percent of the population of nearly 60 million.

    Laws imposing Afrikaans played a role in the oppression of black citizens during the apartheid era, and the language remains controversial in some sectors of society today.

    A lawmaker from the opposition radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party tweeted in support of Theron’s remarks, but the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), a small rightwing and predominantly white Afrikaner party, said she was misguided.

    “She is not up to date with what is going on in her country of birth,” it said in a statement.

    The Hollywood star was born in Benoni, a suburb 40 kilometres (25 miles) east of Johannesburg, and moved to the United States almost 30 years ago.

    She said she didn’t speak English until she was 19 because “nobody” in her predominantly Afrikaans neighbourhood spoke it.

    Afrikaans is descended from Dutch spoken by settlers who began to arrive in South Africa in the mid-17th century.

    Its centuries-long history in South Africa has sparked debate as to whether it should be considered an indigenous or imported language.

    It is the country’s the third most spoken language after Zulu, which is used by around 25 percent of the population, and Xhosa, spoken by nearly 15 percent, according to official statistics.

    In 2020, a court overturned a decision by one of South Africa’s largest universities, the University of South Africa (UNISA), to abolish classes taught in Afrikaans.

  • Jason Momoa joining Vin Diesel in ‘Fast and Furious 10’

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: Universal Pictures never fail to impress their fans! This time they are adding ‘Aquaman’ star Jason Momoa to play a key role in the upcoming part of Vin Diesel lead ‘Fast and Furious’ film series.

    As per The Hollywood Reporter, Momoa is in final negotiations to join the cast of what is being called ‘Fast and Furious 10’ as a working title.

    Reports suggest the plot details are being muffled and the ‘Aquaman’ actor could be one of the film’s villains.

    Justin Lin, who returned to the franchise with 2021’s ‘F9: The Fast Saga,’ is back to don the director’s hat. Longtime stars Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges and Sung Kang are also returning for the 10th installment.

    Charlize Theron, who first appeared in the eighth film, ‘The Fate of the Furious,’ and returned for F9, is also expected to be back.

    Diesel and Lin are producing the 10th installment.

    The search for a new star began after Dwayne Johnson refused to return to the franchise, despite Diesel’s plea for him to come back after skipping F9.

    However, because the script is still a work in progress, it is unclear whether Momoa’s part is protagonist or antagonistic in nature, or perhaps even both.

    It is unclear who else would return for Fast 10 which shoots this spring. Universal currently has the movie set for a May 19, 2023, release.

  • Charlize Theron, Andy, and Barbara Muschietti developing ‘Final Girl Support Group’ series

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: A small-screen adaptation of New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix’s horror novel “The Final Girl Support Group” is in the works with Oscar winner Charlize Theron, Andy and Barbara Muschietti attached to produce.

    The TV series is set up at the streaming platform HBO Max and Andy Muschietti, known for helming the “It” horror films which were the adaptation of the Stephen King’s classic novel, will direct the pilot of the show.

    According to Deadline, the novel’s title refers to a Los Angeles-based therapeutic support group for six “final girls” — survivors of mass-murderer rampages whose experiences inspired the slasher franchises that saturated horror cinema in the 1980s and ’90s, earning them minor celebrity status.

    Theron, AJ Dix, Beth Kono and Andrew Haas will executive produce for Denver & Delilah Films, along with the Muschiettis and Irene Yeung for Double Dream, and Adam Goldworm for Aperture Entertainment.

    Author Hendrix also will serve as an executive producer.

    The book was released on July 13 by Random House/Berkley.

  • ‘The Old Guard’ sequel’s script complete, will start filming in 2022: Charlize Theron

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Hollywood star Charlize Theron has revealed that the much-awaited follow-up film to her Netflix blockbuster “The Old Guard” will start production in 2022. Talking to Variety, the 45-year-old actor said that the film’s script has been finalised and it will be shot in the “first quarter of 2022”.

    An adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name, “The Old Guard” was written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. The film was about a small group of immortal soldiers, led by a woman named Andy (Theron), who have been working as mercenaries for centuries.

    But the group gets a shock when they find a new immortal woman, not long after they discover that an evil group has video evidence of their immortality.

    The movie, which released in July 2020 to universal praise from the critics and the audiences, also featured Kiki Layne, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Harry Melling, Van Veronica Ngo, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

    During the brief interview, Theron was also asked whether the film’s queer couple Joe and Nicky, played by Kenzari and Marinelli, will also be back for the sequel. The actor replied, “Oh, yeah!. They’re definitely there.”

    Theron most recently reprised her role of Cipher in “Fast and Furious 9”. She will next feature in Netflix’s young adult fantasy film “The School for Good and Evil”, directed by Paul Feig.

  • Charlize Theron, Niki Caro to collaborate for Netflix’s big wave surfing drama 

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Hollywood star Charlize Theron is teaming up with Netflix and filmmaker Niki Caro for a feature film about top female surfers fighting for the right to compete in big-wave contests.

    Theron, who recently starred in Netflix blockbuster “The Old Guard”, will produce the movie through her banner Denver & Delilah, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

    It is not yet known whether the 45-year-old actor will also star in the movie.

    Caro, best known for directing “Mulan” for Disney, will helm the feature film, based on a New York Times magazine article.

    Titled “The Fight For Gender Equality In One of the Most Dangerous Sports on Earth”, the article, penned by Daniel Duane, was about female surfers Bianca Valenti, Andrea Moller, Paige Alms and Keala Kennelly fighting for the right to compete in big-wave contests.

    Becky Johnston is writing the screenplay that will follow four women who form a powerful bond as they surf the world’s most dangerous spots and fight for equality in big wave surfing.

    Caro will also produce the film adaptation alongside Theron, AJ Dix and Beth Kono for Denver and Delilah.

  • Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington come aboard Paul Feig’s ‘The School For Good and Evil’ movie

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Filmmaker Paul Feig’s upcoming Netflix movie “The School for Good and Evil” has added Hollywood stars Charlize Theron and Kerry Washington to its cast.

    The movie is an adaptation of the fairytale novel “The School for Good and Evil” by Indian-American writer Soman Chainani.

    Feig, best known for his comedies “Bridesmaids”, “The Heat” and “Spy”, will direct the film from a script by David Magee of ‘Life of Pi’ fame and Laura Solon.

    He shared the news of Theron and Washington being cast in the movie in a post on Twitter.

    “I know what school I’m applying to. So thrilled to welcome Charlize Theron and Kerry Washington to the ‘School for Good and Evil’! Everyone, prepare to get schooled!” Feig wrote.

    “The School For Good and Evil” was published in 2013 as Chainani’s first novel and the first of a six-book series.

    The book follows the adventures of best friends Sophie and Agatha at the School for Good and Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to be fairy tale heroes and villains.

    Sophie has princess aspirations and expects to be picked for the School for Good and Agatha seems a natural fit for the villains in the School for Evil.

    Yet soon the girls find their fortunes reversed, putting their friendship to a test.

    Actors Sofia Wylie and Sophia Anne Caruso will play the lead roles.

    Theron is set to play Lady Lesso, while Washington will portray Professor Dovey in the movie.

    The project has Joe Roth, Jeffrey Kirschenbaum, Jane Startz, and Feigco’s Feig and Laura Fischer on board as producers.

    Zack Roth, Patricia Riggen, and Chainani are attached as executive producers.