Gary Oldman 'thought he had lost' Batman film script
Gary Oldman has described the moment he thought he had lost the script for Batman film The Dark Knight Rises.
The film, which is out in June, concludes director Christopher Nolan's superhero trilogy - and the plot has been a closely-guarded secret.
"I was in a panic for 20 minutes," Oldman told the BBC. "I thought, 'where the hell have I put it?'"
"It had my name on it," he added. "They would have killed me". The script eventually surfaced in his hotel room.
"I'd gone out for dinner," the actor explained, "and I had put it in the room between the mattress and the bed, because I couldn't scrunch it into the safe.
"I was half-thinking about something else and shoved it there."
The 53-year-old, who plays police commissioner James Gordon in the film series, admitted the script would have been "the worst one to lose."
He described the lengths that Nolan and film studio Warner Bros went to to ensure the script remained under wraps.
"When he [Nolan] gives the script out, it doesn't have the ending. Characters sometimes change, or their names change. And you have to go to the studio to read it."
Oldman was speaking at the Empire film awards, where he received the best actor prize for his role in Cold War thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
He was not the only actor on the red carpet who described the security measures currently being employed by film studios.
Mark Strong was at the ceremony during a break in filming Zero Dark Thirty with director Katherine Bigelow, who won an Oscar last year for The Hurt Locker.
The film, which has been on location in India, is a dramatisation of the raid by US Navy Seals on al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden's home in Abbottabad.
Strong said the producers wanted the script to be "as secret as possible".
"You have to apply to read it on your computer," he told the BBC. "If it detects that you haven't read it for a couple of days, it disappears off the computer."
"When you are reading it, if it detects after five minutes that you haven't turned the page, the text goes blurry."
He said the tight security was because the script went into detail on "a lot of CIA procedure" that had been described by "the people who were involved" in the raid.
Oldman said there was also a sound commercial reason for the secrecy surrounding screenplays.
"There's a website that gets hold of scripts and reviews films before they're made, so I can understand the paranoia."
Hunger Games sets US box office record
Action film The Hunger Games has taken $155m (£97m) at the US box office in its opening weekend.
It is the biggest-ever tally for a film that is not a sequel, and the third best opening of all time.
Above it come last year's Harry Potter finale, which took $169.2m (£106.6m) in its first weekend, and 2008's The Dark Knight, which made $158.4m (£99.8m).
Based on Suzanne Collins' novel, Hunger Games follows a teenage girl fighting to survive a life-and-death game show.
It stars Jennifer Lawrence, who won an Oscar nomination for hard-hitting drama Winter's Bone in 2011.
The film has been compared to the Twilight series, which was also based on a series of novels for young adults.
However, its box office takings have eclipsed the vampire series, whose best opening weekend came in 2009, when Twilight: New Moon raked in $141m (£88.8m).
Industry analyst Paul Degerabedian said the film's success marked "the birth of a franchise".
"To launch in this fashion is mind-boggling," added David Spitz, head of distribution at Lionsgate, which released the movie.
"I was so excited to see how everyone was responding to the material and how ecstatic they were to be a part of it."
Indeed, the film's opening figures may rise again, with final box office tallies due to be released by tracking company Exhibitor Relations on Monday.
Whitney and ‘The Bodyguard’ Back in Theaters – One Night Only
In remembrance of the beloved singer and diva, Whitney Houston, “The Bodyguard” is returning to theaters for one night only.
On March 28th at 7:30 p.m., hundreds of movie theaters around the country will celebrate the life of Houston and the movie’s 20th anniversary.
Whitney’s role in the movie was a dynamic and historical moment in movie production. She stole the show and blew audiences away with her perfect vocals and fabulous brilliance that emanated right off the screen.
Co-star Kevin Costner shared a few words at the singer’s funeral, telling the world and the remembered Whitney that she was more than a phenomenal woman.
“A lot of leading men could’ve played my part. But you, Whitney, I truly believe you were the only one who could’ve played Rachel Marron at that time. You weren’t just pretty, you were as beautiful as a woman could be. And people didn’t just like you, Whitney, they loved you.”
Whitney’s final movie, “Sparkle” will premiere on August 17.
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STREET LIGHTS SWITCHED ON BY INTERIM ADMINISTRATION AND FORTIS TCI
In a joint release by Fortis TCI & TCIG, Acting Governor Patrick Boyle announced today that a new agreement between the Interim Administration and FortisTCI has been reached permitting the restoration of broken street lights throughout Providenciales.
The new Streetlight Takeover Agreement will consist of a $150,000 capital Contribution in aid of Construction (CIAC) from TCIG. FortisTCI will fund the additional costs. The contract includes the instillation, refurbishment or replacement, and ongoing maintenance of all street lights in the Utility’s service territory.
TCIG feels the repairing of street lights damaged during Hurricane Ike in 2008 along Chalk Sound, Leeward and Grace Bay is a further indication of the improving financial situation. It will also address safety concerns of the general public for areas not well lit.
“Switching back on the Providenciales street lights is a real symbol of the improving financial situation of TCIG. We understand how such straightforward things can improve the quality of life for Turks and Caicos Islanders and the tourist visitor experience,” said Patrick Boyle. “As we work towards achieving a financial surplus in financial year 2012/13, resources can be better prioritised into the things that the people of the TCI want money spent on – primary healthcare, schools, roads and causeways.”
FortisTCI’s President and CEO, Eddinton Powell commented saying “the agreement reached between Government and FortisTCI is another milestone and will allow for major improvements to public lighting in all areas of our service territory. The benefits to residents, businesses, and to the tourist industry will be significant. FortisTCI is proud to partner with TCIG on this important project.”
The negotiating teams were led by Devon Cox, Director of T&D Operations & Engineering at FortisTCI and Norman Watts for TCIG.
GOVERNOR DECLARES ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY TO MARK JUBILEE
HE Governor Todd this morning has released that their will be an additional holiday in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
As part of the Turks and Caicos Islands celebrations of Her Majesty the Queens’s Diamond Jubilee, an additional public holiday has been declared by His Excellency Governor Ric Todd, it was announced today, 26th March.
In order to allow people the maximum benefit of the holiday, the Governor is creating an extended weekend by bringing forward the Queen’s Birthday public holiday scheduled on Mon, 11 June to Mon, 4h June, to sit alongside the new additional holiday to celebrate HRH Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th anniversary of acceding to the throne on Tue, 5 June 2012.
These moves also have the additional benefit of allowing the people of the TCI to take part in Jubilee celebrations simultaneously with millions of people across the Commonwealth over the same weekend.
The annual Queen’s Birthday parade and medal ceremony will take place on 4th June at the Parade Ground on Grand Turk. The Queen’s Golden Jubilee on 5th June will be celebrated by the lighting of beacons on the beach at Grand Turk and Providenciales at sunset followed by music and dancing. More details on these events, their location and timings will be given in nearer to June.
“These celebrations prove are the perfect opportunity to remember just how much we have in common with the two billion citizens across the 54 countries of the Commonwealth, in particular our deep respect for Her Majesty The Queen, our head of state” said Governor Ric Todd. “I am always being told that Her Majesty’s Birthday celebrations are one of the highlights of the TCI year and now we have twice as many reasons to celebrate together.”
- The Queen came to the throne on 6 Feb 1952 and her coronation was on 2 June 1953.
- She celebrated her Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 1977 and her Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002.
- The first British monarch to mark 50 years on the throne in a significant way was George III.
- The only other British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee was Queen Victoria in 1897.
- The Royal Household ‘s Diamond Jubilee website is at: http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/
- At two billion, the combined population of the nations within the Commonwealth represents about 30% of the world’s population
POLICE LAUNCH INVESTIGATION AFTER BOATING DEATH
RTCI Police are investigating the death of a man following a boating incident off the beach, close to the Windsong Resort in Provo today (Saturday March 24).
The investigation involves officers from CID and the Marine Branch, along with officials from Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources (DECR).
Kiwanis launches fundraising initiative
The Kiwanis Club of Grand Turk with its Sponsored Youth Program, The Builders Club of HJ Robinson High School joins with representatives from other Civic Organisations to launch the fundraising initiative for the community Christmas Tree today at the Emancipation Square (also known as the Clock Tower) at 3pm. The brief Ceremony will last approximately half hour and the general public is invited.
A single wooden tree will be planted and will include a “thermometer” that will be periodically updated to show the monies being raised. There will be a total of 8 trees erected around the Island.
We wish now to encourage the general public to support all efforts to raise monies for the much needed community Christmas Tree. Our goal is $25,000.00. An account number will be announced shortly where contributions can be made as well as other avenues for receiving your contributions. All Civic Organisations on Island have agreed to work together to realize this and will throughout the year be hosting joint as well as separate events.
We anticipate your support to better our community and to ensure that we hold onto our traditions that foster the spirit of oneness.
Carlos Simons responds to AG
In a follow up to a release sent to RTC News by AG Huw Sheppard, PNP has responded with the following:
Today the Attorney General issued a press statement regarding proceedings issued in his name on behalf of TCIG against the Progressive National Party (PNP) for recovery of the Party’s headquarters located on Airport Road, Providenciales. The Statement sets out in some detail the nature and amount of TCIG’s claim.
I am instructed by the PNP in the matter of the claim (except at this stage for the matter of service) and make the following comments on its behalf.
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I do not consider that TCIG has as yet “served civil proceedings on the Progressive National Party” as the statement asserts. I believe that their method of service does not meet the requirements of TCI procedural law and until the mistake is corrected, the Party has no formal notice of the proceedings and does not have to respond. That issue has been brought to the attention of the Attorney General’s Chambers, but might in the end require the attention of the Court.
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I believe that the trespass claim is entirely misconceived. The Party has been in open possession of the Airport Road property since at least 2005 with the full knowledge of the leaders of every Government Department concerned with dealings in crown land and with their acquiescence, if not consent. This includes the then Governor, Richard Tauwhare who throughout remained the ultimate authority for the management and disposition of crown lands. This is the same Governor of whom and from whom the people of the TCI have heard nothing since his departure and in respect of whose role in the matters now under investigation no one in the FCO has seen fit to explain. That is disrespectful.
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Provident Management Services Ltd did not sub-lease six offices in the Headquarters building to PNP MPs. Provident leased the offices to TCIG. Those leases were signed off on behalf of TCIG by the Head of Department having control of the relevant vote. Furthermore those leases were identical to leases entered into by TCIG in Grand Turk, South Caicos and North and Middle Caicos for the constituency offices of Members of Parliament, including constituency offices for PDM Members of Parliament. That assertion is therefore false.
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The PNP has never disputed TCIG’s right to a reasonable annual rent, nor payment of the market value of the land. That is therefore a non-issue, the litigation of which can only be justified in the context of the gravy train that the SIPT and Civil Recovery teams now ride on the backs of the TCI people.
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As for damages for trespass, I believe any reasonable person would agree that the land has been developed and improved rather than injured. I would also be surprised if anyone, regardless of their political allegiance would agree (even if TCIG were to win its case) that pulling down and destroying a perfectly good building makes any kind of sense.
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The settlement discussions to which the AG refers were not successful because they were not undertaken in good faith by him and his clients, the Governor and the FCO. They are hell-bent on issuing this final embarrassment to the PNP as an institution. The Party is hell-bent on ensuring its survival as a pillar of the parliamentary democracy that our constitutions since 1976 have provided for, and to ensure that the Party is a force for good in the affairs of our country.
I am specifically instructed to call upon the AG, the Governor and the FCO to withdraw these unnecessary proceedings, the consequence of which will only enrich the Civil Recovery team lawyers at the expense of the TCI taxpayer. In keeping with my instructions I invite the AG and the Governor to return to the negotiation table and make a good faith attempt to reach a reasonable settlement of these issues and thereby save some of the $33 million they have committed the TCI people to paying their lawyers over the next several years.
In any case, the PNP is committed to rigorously defending and defeating these spurious claims brought by the Interim Government, purportedly on behalf of the people.
Carlos W. Simons QC
Attorney
Progressive National Party.
CRIME REPORT FROM THE TCI
In the recent crime report provided to RTC News by the Royal Turks & Caicos Police Force.
IN NORTH CAICOS:
A MAN was arrested in North Caicos on suspicion of burglary and rape, yesterday.
IN GRAND TURK:
THIEVES made off with two computer modems from the back room of a store in Hospital Road.
The Lynks modems were taken sometime between 8.20pm on Saturday night and 7am on Monday.
A POWER pack and coils were taken from a boat moored at North Creek.
STAVON Harris of South Caicos was jailed for four weeks after pleading guilty to a charge of wounding when he appeared in the Magistrate Court.
Anyone with information any crimes is asked to call the police on 911 or Crimestoppers on 1-800-8477. Tips can also be left in English, French or Spanish at www.crimestoppers.tc or by becoming a friend of Crimestoppers TCI on Facebook.
DIGICEL KICK START ACADEMY VIDEO WINS PRESTIGIOUS GOLD ADDY AWARD
Digicel proudly received the prestigious Caribbean Advertising Federation (CAF) Gold ADDY award for its 14 minute mini-documentary about the Digicel Kick Start Academy.
The annual Digicel Kick Start training programme sees over 800 aspiring young footballers from across the Caribbean and Central America put through their paces by England and Liverpool football legend, John Barnes. From the initial 800, 40 of the best footballers are chosen to train at the Digicel Academy under football coaches from the esteemed Sunderland Academy from the English Premier League.
Spearheaded by Digicel – and produced in conjunction with OGM Communications and Advance Dynamics Ltd. – the mini-documentary follows the journey through the week-long Academy and is set to an inspirational music score. The mini-documentary topped the “TV Self-Promotion” category of the respected annual advertising awards.
Digicel Group Head of Sponsorship, Karl Donnelly, said; “We are thrilled to have won this prestigious award for our Kick Start Academy documentary. The Digicel Academy is a once in a lifetime experience for these aspiring young footballers – and this video tells the story of the passion and determination required – and displayed – by them to get there.
“For us at Digicel, it underlines our commitment to the development of football at a grass roots level – but also demonstrates the importance and influence of the sport in bringing young people together and teaching them invaluable life skills,’ concluded Donnelly.
Director of Photography at Advance Dynamics Ltd., Kerry Gibbons, said; “It is always fulfilling to work on a project we strongly believe in and enjoy. But to be recognised and rewarded for it by the industry is truly an added blessing. The production team was excited from the onset to work on the Digicel Kick Start Football Academy and poured ourselves into the project. We were determined to deliver a product that all parties involved could be proud of – as well as one that is appreciated by the Caribbean people as a whole.
“On behalf of the production team, we express our heartfelt gratitude to OGM Communications T&T and Digicel Group for trusting us with this fantastic opportunity,” concluded Gibbons.
CAF President Christopher Guinness praised the high quality of entries his adjudication panel received for 2011 saying he fully expected several of the regional winners to gain entry into the 4th District American Advertising Federation Competition scheduled for Saturday 14th April 2012.
The full video can be viewed at http://www.digicelfootball.com/en/clinics