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Ewan McGregor seems to be having a little friendly competition with Mark Ruffalo about which Disney universe is better -- this after The Hulk took a shot at 'Star Wars.'

The 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' star recently responded to a pretty simple question ... would you ever join the MCU??? As Comicbook notes, EMG doesn't sound all that interested -- suggesting he's content with what he's going on under Lucasfilm and co.

McGregor says, "I don't know that I want to do that. Because I love doing all different kinds of work. It's true. I love to direct. I'd like to be in the theater again. I definitely want to do this again, you know, I'm in this 'Star Wars' world. I feel like I don't need another ... I'm not looking for that anyway." He hedged, though, adding he wouldn't rule it out completely.

He also had this to say ... "That's the beautiful thing about how passionate Disney, Lucasfilm, all of us are, who are involved with it is from the beginning is we try really hard not to let anything of the bad just to protect your experience of seeing it for the first time." So in other words, 'Star Wars' is far from drab and bland ... as Ruffalo recently indicated.

You might've heard the guy hurling stones at his fellow Disney franchise across the park, saying that with 'SW' content ... you're really getting the same stuff every time. In Marvel projects, however, he says those will give you a fresh take -- even within the MCU itself.

Yeah ... it definitely seems there's a bit of rivalry going on between the two Disney IPs, and now -- McGregor seems to be distancing himself even more amid Mark's dig.

BTW, this apparent petty feud might date back even further than MR's latest salvo. Earlier in the Spring, when Ewan and Hayden Christensen were promoting 'Obi-Wan,' they both let it be known that they consider the 'Star Wars' universe better than MCU, along with its fans.

Leon Vitali -- Stanley Kubrick's longtime assistant and collaborative partner in cinema for decades -- has died.

The late director's verified social media accounts confirmed Vitali's death Sunday ... writing, "It is with the greatest of sadness that we have to tell you that the mainstay of a vast number of Kubrick's films, Leon Vitali, passed away peacefully last night.  Our thoughts are with his family and all that new and loved him." No other details were offered.

Kubrick's account goes on to heap on the praise for Vitali ... noting his behind-the-scenes work with his film master, but also pointing to the roles he portrayed on camera as an actor -- including as one of the leads for SK's 1975 period drama "Barry Lyndon."

The post also notes this ... "Whether giving the performance of his life as Lord Bullingdon, portraying the ominous Red Cloak, providing BTS technical support on FMJ and attending the Cannes Film Festival 4K release of The Shining, Leon Vitali was the heartbeat of Kubrick’s films after the master himself." So yeah, he's very important in the Kubrick-universe.

As has been well-documented, the guy was hopelessly devoted to Stanley ... taking on the challenging role of becoming his effective right hand and enforcer on film sets, including for flicks like 'The Shining,' 'Full Metal Jacket' and Kubrick's final movie, 'Eyes Wide Shut.'

He's credited in each film as "Assistant to Director," and was even the CD in the latter 2 films. But Vitali's involvement in these films went well beyond just his titles -- he was literally running around on set alongside Kubrick and making sure his boss's vision came to life.

Kubrick, of course, was notorious for his grueling shoots ... doing dozens of takes of any given scene and demanding absolute perfection from his cast and crew -- which applied to Vitali as well. Still, he hung tight and stayed loyal throughout the years until SK's own death.

A lot of Vitali's journey with Kubrick was chronicled in the 2017 documentary 'Filmworker,' which cleaned up at a ton of festivals upon its release ... giving great BTS insight into the life and work of an expert artist, through the lens of LV.

As many of the actors who worked on Kubrick sets point out ... Vitali was involved in just about every step of the production process, oftentimes serving as an acting coach for iconic characters and scenes.

He wasn't just behind the camera, though -- Vitali has a fair amount of acting credits to his name ... including in films such as 2013's 'Romeo and Juliet,' 'Little Children,' 'Inter Rail,' 'Terror of Frankenstein' and a ton of TV series and sitcoms from the '70s.

Vitali even played Red Cloak in 'EWS' -- the leader of the sex-crazed cult that Tom Cruise infiltrates. He's survived by his wife and his children ... Vitali was 74.

Dennis Rodman says he's going to put his dictator diplomacy to good use soon in an attempt to free Brittney Griner, who's currently jailed in Russia.

The ex-NBA star told NBC News this weekend that he's planning on jetting off this week, adding that he got "permission" to head over there and "help that girl" in a would-be prisoner swap. Unclear if Rodman is serious or not ... but his track record suggests he could be.

As we all know ... DR has visited North Korea a lot over the years and built a relationship with Kim Jong Un. Rodman has always insisted his connections in N. Korea have helped U.S. diplomatic efforts -- including the release of an American prisoner, Kenneth Bae.

Of course, he also tagged along with then-President Donald Trump for a 2018 trip to the communist country. That said, his actual influence has always gotten a raised eyebrow.

There isn't much more to the NBC interview -- which sounds like it was fast and on the move, as there's no video or anything beyond text quotes -- other than Rodman suggesting that he's also familiar with Vladimir Putin, adding that he knows the leader "well."

As NBC and other outlets have noted ... Rodman doesn't actually need permission to head to Russia right now -- and there's no word yet on whether this is a U.S.-sanctioned effort.

The feds have advised Americans not to travel to Russia at the moment -- and they're already actively working on securing BG's release -- but we suppose we'll see if DR actually touches down in the near future to do something that isn't already happening. BTW, he was in town in D.C. this weekend for an event ... so maybe geopolitics were top of mind for him.

If you were at the Encore in Vegas Saturday, it looked like the TMZ Celebrity Tour, because The Weeknd, Travis Scott, Swedish House Mafia and Tyga all showed up in the same lobby!!!

Travis was the first to show at around 4 PM ... the father of Kylie Jenner's 2 kids was hangin' alone. He kept his head down to avoid the crowds and then disappeared.

A short time later, Tyga showed up in the same lobby with bodyguards and beelined it for the valet. He caused a little commotion as several women lasered in for his attention. Kylie's ex then drove off.

And then just a few minutes later ... The Weeknd got out of the elevator and walked over to the guys from SHM, hugging them and shaking their hands and then chit-chatting for a few minutes. He left with model Simi Khadra.

The Weeknd had a job to do that night ... he headlined at the Allegiant Stadium for his After Hours Til Dawn Tour.

Travis showed up for The Weeknd's show in Vegas, he was also there the night before in Denver. Tyga was also at the concert and watched from the Wynn field club in Allegiant stadium.

Swedish House Mafia also had a big night, kicking off their residency at XS nightclub at The Wynn -- one of the best selling shows in venue history. The Weeknd was in attendance after his concert.

The Weeknd's Saturday night concert was not without incident ... a fire erupted outside the venue at around 11 PM as fans were leaving.

Jennifer Garner did NOT attend her ex-husband's wedding ... she had other plans -- shopping at Sam's Club!

The previous Mrs. Affleck was checking out the aisles at S.C. in S.C. -- Sam's Club in South Charleston -- over in West Virginia just before 4 PM. That's about the time all the festivities got underway in Savannah, Georgia, where Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez tied the knot for a second time.

An eyewitness tells TMZ, she was shopping with 2 guys, who looked like her dad and her boyfriend, businessman John Miller.

She was super friendly .,.. taking photos with fans and in a good mood.

To cure hazy memories, Garner and Affleck were married from 2005 to 2018 and have 3 kids together. Unclear how they're all reacting to the J Lo marriage, but at least on the surface, all seems fine.

There were reports Garner was invited to the wedding but passed ... we can't confirm that.

IG model Gena Tew has hope in her fight against AIDS, regaining some of the vision she lost after her diagnosis as she pushes to stay alive.

Gena tells TMZ ... she underwent a successful procedure on her eyes Thursday in Memphis. Tew says before the surgery she was totally blind in her left eye, but she's already able to see some shapes ... with hopes her vision will continue to improve.

Tew tells us at her sickest, she dropped to a shocking 65 pounds, but is slowly putting weight back on thanks to her medication and doctors.

Gena tells us when she first got diagnosed, she didn't feel she had the fight in her to live, convinced she'd soon be dead. However, with her recent progress, she tells us she's not giving up. Gena says she's hopeful she can live a good life as long as she can stay on top of her meds and doctor visits.

You'll remember, when we first talked to Gena months ago, she told us she was hesitant in sharing her story ... but now, she wants to act as a beacon of hope for other young people fighting AIDS.

"Love Is Blind" star Danielle Ruhl has filed for divorce from Nick Thompson ... putting an end to their year-long marriage just a few weeks after openly talking about their plans for a family.

The docs, obtained by TMZ, show Danielle filed Monday in Cook County Circuit Court in Illinois. Fans of the show remember Danielle and Nick saying "I Do" at the end of season 2, tying the knot in June of last year.

They were one of the two couples that actually got hitched by the end of the season ... the other being Iyanna McNeely and Jarrette Jones.

Last month, Danielle revealed her and Nick's plans to redo their big day in an interview with Us Weekly ... saying she missed out on a bachelorette party and was hoping to do it big when the time was right.

She also hinted at growing their fam, saying she can't wait to have kids with Nick, adding they've thought about trying down the line.

Marquise "Hollywood" Brown apparently has a need for speed ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned the Cardinals star was ticketed for going 71 MPH in a 50 zone just weeks before he was arrested for allegedly going 126 MPH in a 65.

According to court documents, cops say Brown went roughly 21 MPH over the speed limit in a black Mercedes on June 9 in Maricopa County, Ariz. He was issued a ticket for the offense on July 11.

Per the docs, Brown is facing a fine of $350. Records show he's due in court for a hearing on the matter in October.

Of course, Brown was arrested back on Aug. 3 -- less than a month after his initial speeding ticket arrived in the mail -- following accusations that he went 61 MPH over the speed limit in a white Mercedes in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Records show he's due in court for a hearing in that case next month.

Brown apologized for the recent arrest earlier this week, vowing to be better going forward -- but he made no note of the earlier ticket in his chat with reporters.

As for his head coach, Kliff Kingsbury, he said following Brown's arrest that he was disappointed in his receiver ... adding, "he knows he's got to be better than that."

This week's Summer Hot Shots comes from the sun-kissed sands of Venice Beach where artist Saint Nikole flossed on the crowded west side shoreline in a rhinestone-encrusted bikini while tanning along the Los Angeles coast.

When this music maker isn't making the boardwalk sweat with her stringy suit, Saint Nikole likes to expand her creativity as a licensed makeup artist and also enjoys tumbling through life as a gymnast!

She's flippin' awesome!

We are continuing to whip up our Summer Hot Shots for 2022 from a distance and have collaborated with some mind-melting hotties from around the world for your viewing pleasure!

The ex-girlfriend of Daren Kagasoff, star of "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," has obtained a temporary restraining order against the actor ... this after she claimed he threatened to leak nude pictures of her online and allegedly sent some to her parents.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Breanna Trupiano claims they split last July after Daren allegedly "threw a lit cigarette in my hair and told me he was going to kill me."

Breanna claims their issues didn't stop after the breakup ... she says he "stalked [her] work and apartment for 7 months" until she filed a police report.

She says he left her alone for a few months but claims he started to harass her again when she posted a pic of her new boyfriend on Instagram.

She claims the actor made fake IG accounts and threatened to post her nudes online ... she also says he used burner numbers to send pics to her parents.

Breanna says she's now afraid to go outside her home or post about her love life on social media ... worrying, "I'm scared of what he may do next."

The actor's required to stay 100 yards away from her and isn't allowed to make any contact.

Justin Long's looks are nothing to dodge!

Here is a 23-year-old version of the actor and comedian sporting a smooth shave at a benefit in New York City back in 2001 (left). This was the same year he was cast in two break-out film roles, "Happy Campers" and "Jeepers Creepers."

And, 21 years later ... the handsome "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" star -- and father of two -- recently rocked a pretty sweet 'stache while hanging around San Diego, California (right).

He certainly isn't looking long in the tooth!

The question is ...

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck made a pretty spectacular entrance to their second wedding ceremony Saturday night ... he looked great but she ... well, wow.

J Lo wore a pretty magnificent white gown with a long, long train -- approx 20 feet -- as she and Ben got ready for the march down the aisle.

It looks like Ben and Jen may have arrived by boat ... they greeted friends and family in the wedding party on the dock.

It was a white-themed affair ... with the exception of Ben's black tuxedo pants.

Their kids were on hand for the ceremony and the bash that followed at Ben's $8 million home in Savannah, Georgia.

Ben and Jen couldn't keep their hands off each other as they took photos with the wedding party.

Among the guests ... Matt Damon and wife Luciana, Kevin Smith and his wife Jennifer, Jason Mewes and his wife Jordan, titan talent agent (and Lauren Sanchez's ex-husband) Patrick Whitesell and wife Pia.

The officiant was podcaster Jay Shetty ... a life coach who is kinda new age.

There was a big tent for the shindig, which as of this post is still going strong. There's a fireworks show in store for the guests later in the evening.

One of the men accused of robbing Kim Kardashian in Paris -- who seems to have fessed up to it, at least partially -- says he doesn't feel bad about what happened.

Yunis Abbas is one of several men who has been charged in connection to the 2016 heist -- and he did an interview with Vice News ... dishing on what he says went into the planning and execution of the stick-up job where they walked away with millions in stolen jewelry.

He explains that they were tracking Kim on social media and through her show, and kept tabs on her when she came to Paris that year ... detailing her movements, much of which were being covered by the press and by social media -- her own and others.

Abbas explains they noticed Kim was showing off a lot of jewelry online and in person -- and they figured she had a lot of money ... especially from what they could see on 'KUWTK.'

It sounds like Abbas and co. were doing weeks of planning, and when the day came ... he says they hatched their plan to a T -- although he says he stayed downstairs while his associates went up and did the deed. He makes it seem like it was relatively easy to pull off.

Abbas goes on to say that he wasn't really aware of Kim at first -- more so Kanye -- and when asked if he regrets his part in the crime ... the dude says, absolutely not.

His rationale boils down to this ... he saw Kim "throwing money away," and justifies his actions by saying he was simply picking up what he thought she clearly didn't care about. So, no real remorse -- although he acknowledges she must've been traumatized from it all.

Kim herself has spoken on the aftermath at length ... saying she was scared for her life, and that she'd be harmed well beyond what actually happened. It also fundamentally changed her behavior going forward, especially when it came to security and flaunting jewelry.

It's pretty fascinating to hear the tale from one of the suspects themselves. Abbas hasn't been shy about speaking on his involvement -- he's written a tell-all book about it since then, but at the same time ... has also reportedly pled not guilty to the charges against him.

Idris Elba says his own kid auditioned to play his onscreen daughter in his latest movie -- a part she didn't get ... even though her old man could've presumably pulled some strings.

The actor was recently on "The Breakfast Club" with producer Will Packer, plugging their new flick "Beast" ... which just hit theaters. During the convo, IE revealed that his 20-year-old, Isan, actually read for a part ... one of the two daughters featured in the film.

He says she didn't end up getting it because the chemistry just wasn't right ... and, as a result, Isan didn't talk to her dad for about three weeks. So, yeah ... some sour grapes.

In the end, though, Isan did make it to the premier and actually posed with Idris -- so it seems it's all water under a bridge now. Still, though ... the fact Idris didn't just make it happen simply because she was his daughter is getting some kudos in the film community.

Packer actually elaborates on this a bit more in the interview, telling the hosts that Idris insisted that Isan get put through the normal process that every other actress was going through ... and to judge her on merit. Packer says she was close to landing it -- but in the end, they went with Leah Jeffries and Iyana Halley to play Idris' children.

Apparently, Isan took the news gracefully ... and Will says Idris' anti-nepotism stance was appreciated by all who worked on the film. He's even getting props on Twitter right now.

BTW, Isan's actually got her own IMDb page ... it looks like she's only got one acting credit thus far -- a short film called "Crimson Ties" -- but something tells us she might be getting some more looks now that Idris has spoken out on her desire to get into the movies.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have a lot of friends and family flying in this weekend to celebrate their marriage -- but one person won't be in attendance ... Casey Affleck.

Ben's younger brother, who's also a big-time actor, was spotted Saturday morning in L.A. on a Starbucks run ... where he looked pretty busy with his hands full. Of course, the obvious question that a pap posed to him was ... why aren't you in Georgia right now, man???

You can tell Casey wasn't really in the mood to chat much, but he does mumble something sorta telling as for why he isn't with BA today -- it sounds like he says he "fell asleep."

The cameraman tries clarifying to see if that's what CA actually said, but he doesn't respond further. In any case, it seems he's going to miss the festivities ... because just about everyone who's showing up is touching down in the Peach State as we speak.

Casey's been telegraphing this all week -- on Thursday, he was out with his girlfriend Caylee Cowan, and didn't appear that interested in talking about his sibling's big day this weekend.

Worth noting ... the Affleck brothers have seemed close over the years. But, they haven't been photographed together of late ... so who knows if they're all that tight these days.

Holden Caulfield is a whiny little brat who's more of a punk than he is a literary hero ... this according to Jahkara Smith, who's got one helluva hot take that's got Twitter fired up.

The "NOS4A2" star posted a video this week that analyzes the lead character from J.D. Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye" -- honing in on one scene in particular, where she says HC got what he deserved ... and that the kid actually sucks if you look at him big picture.

Jahkara explains Holden has idealistic views of women, but when it comes to getting busy, he's not actually up for it -- evidenced by an encounter with a prostitute, which he ends up paying for. JS POV ... serves him right, as he was wasting that working woman's time.

She goes on to suggest that he's actually the blueprint of a modern-day school shooter ... because as soon as he gets roughed up, he has visions of killing the hooker/pimp.

There's a lot more to her book review, so watch for yourself -- but let's just say, a handful on the bird app aren't taking too kindly to her analysis of what's considered an American classic. We'll spare you all the tweets, but basically ... some argue she's being simplistic in her breakdown of the character, and dissecting him without some much-needed context.

For starters, people are in her mentions defending Holden ... saying that he's obviously a troubled youth who's dealing with major trauma (death of brother) and likely sexual abuse.

Unclear if Jahkara processed that, but in any case ... she seems to think the novel just isn't all that it's made out to be. In fact, there are a decent amount of folks who actually agree with her -- saying the premise of this teen trying to preserve innocence is ... kinda lame.

The book has fallen under a lot of scrutiny in recent years -- with a lot of people claiming 'Catcher' is problematic at its core. That might be true ... under a 21st-century lens, that is. Remember, this thing was published in the '50s ... a very different time in America.