Dwayne Johnson has publicly declined #FastAndFurious series star Vin Diesel’s request to rejoin the action franchise for its upcoming 10th mainline entry bit.ly/3znKZP3
In November, Diesel extended an invitation to Johnson on Instagram, imploring him to reprise his role as secret agent Lucas Hobbs for the upcoming, and ostensibly penultimate, entry in the series bit.ly/3znKZP3
“The world awaits the finale,” Diesel wrote. “My children refer to you as Uncle Dwayne... Legacy awaits. I told you years ago that I was going to fulfill my promise to Pablo. I swore that we would reach and manifest the best Fast in the finale that is 10!” bit.ly/3znKZP3
In a new interview with CNN, Johnson responded to the request, criticizing Diesel for voicing an invite on social media after the two had already reached an agreement in private bit.ly/3znKZP3
“I'll always root for the franchise... but there [is] no chance I would return,” Johnson said. “Vin’s post was an example of his manipulation. I didn’t like that he brought up his children and Paul Walker’s death... We had [come] to a clear understanding” bit.ly/3znKZP3
Johnson joined the “Fast & Furious” franchise with 2011's "Fast Five." He bowed out of the mainline series following his appearance in “The Fate of the Furious,” teaming up with Jason Statham to headline a spin-off, “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw"
“Fast & Furious 10” is set to hit theaters on April 7, 2023. Diesel will return to star, while regular series cast members Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jordana Brewster and Michelle Rodriguez are expected to return bit.ly/3znKZP3
Singer-songwriter-guitarist David Crosby, a founding member of two popular and enormously influential ’60s rock units, the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash (later Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young), has died. He was 81 years old. bit.ly/3IZEj02
His wife released a statement to Variety, saying, "Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music." bit.ly/3IZEj02
With bandmates Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke, Crosby set down the template for ’60s L.A. folk-rock in the Byrds during his stormy 1964-67 tenure in the group. bit.ly/3IZEj02
After two years of going virtual, Sundance Film Festival is back in person. Here are 13 films that could have buyers writing big checks: bit.ly/3CXksLo
DRIFT
Cynthia Erivo plays Jacqueline, a refugee who flees war-torn Liberia for the safety of a Greek island. Through her friendship with a tour-guide (Alia Shawkat), she begins to find a way to move past the violence and trauma she has endured. bit.ly/3CXksLo
CAT PERSON
Emilia Jones ("CODA") and Nicholas Braun ("Succession") team up for the film adaptation of the viral New Yorker short story that instigated fiery discussions about gender, sex and "first date" social pressures. bit.ly/3CXksLo
Austin Butler + Janelle Monáe
Cate Blanchett + Michelle Yeoh
Viola Davis + Jennifer Lawrence
Jamie Lee Curtis + Colin Farrell
Eddie Redmayne + Ana de Armas
From #TheDropout to #Euphoria to #Andor, our chief TV critics sifted through an avalanche of shows to pick their favorites from this year. See which ones they chose here: bit.ly/3Bh9ob4
"Abbott Elementary"
"Quinta Brunson’s ABC comedy about a hardworking, charismatic group of Philadelphia teachers was so immediately realized...that it feels like it’s been on for years rather than months." – Caroline Framke bit.ly/3Bh9ob4
"Barry"
"The drama and the jokes were operating at their highest level yet in this year’s third season. Barry’s journey into unrepentant inner darkness was played beautifully by Bill Hader, but the season belonged to Sarah Goldberg." – Daniel D'Addario bit.ly/3Bh9ob4
Kirstie Alley, a two-time Emmy-winning actor who rose to fame with her role as Rebecca Howe in the NBC comedy series “Cheers,” has died after a battle with cancer. She was 71. bit.ly/3UELFbr
Alley’s death was confirmed through her official social media presence, which shared a statement from her children. bit.ly/3UELFbr
“To all our friends, far and wide around the world… We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” reads the statement. bit.ly/3UELFbr