Movies

Kamaru Usman is going from passionate Black Panther fan to acting in one of the blockbuster franchise's films -- 'cause the UFC welterweight champ has landed a role in "Wakanda Forever!!!"

35-year-old Usman is a huge fan of the comic book superhero ... and dating back to 2018, has shown interest in being a part of upcoming flicks.

TMZ Sports has confirmed that dream is becoming a reality ... with "The Nigerian Nightmare" securing a role in the flick coming out this November.

Of course, the movie will be an emotional one ... after T'Challa himself, Chadwick Boseman, tragically passed away in 2020 due to colon cancer.

The teaser for the "Black Panther" sequel was released this past weekend ... with fans of the franchise praising the short clip.

No word on how significant Usman's role will be ... but regardless, it's an amazing experience for the 20-1-0 superstar.

Before the flick hits theaters, Usman will be facing off against Leon Edwards in August ... so it's an action-packed end to 2022 for him to say the least.

Jennifer Lopez is in no rush to return from Europe after vacationing with Ben Affleck ... she's still overseas for work and some play while Ben's on daddy duty in Los Angeles.

J Lo spent her Friday living the island life in Capri, Italy -- grabbing lunch with her team and riding around the city in a cart with her security detail -- all while showing love to her international fans.

J Lo dressed in all white and drew a crowd as her hired muscle whisked her away in the back of a cart, she waved at fans like a beauty queen in a parade.

As for why she's in Capri, Jennifer is the headliner at a show to benefit the people of Ukraine Saturday, with a star-studded guest list ... including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Jared Leto, Vanessa Hudgens and Naomi Campbell.

Ben was spotted in L.A. Thursday picking up his son, Samuel, from Jennifer Garner's place.

As we reported, J Lo and Ben jetted off to Paris after getting married in Las Vegas, and their time in France included PDA in front of their kids, romantic dinners, a good cry and an infamous nap.

Celebrities have been taking to the skies in their private jets for years, but a recent study is pointing the finger at some celebs most guilty of poisoning the planet.

According to research gathered by Yard, a marketing agency that focuses on "metrics that matter," celebs like Kim Kardashian, Floyd Mayweather, and Blake Shelton have been polluting the air with tons of CO2e this year alone ... but no one has done it more than Taylor Swift.

According to Yard, T. Swift has flown private 170 times since January, with a time in the air of about 16 days. Her total flight emissions for the year come in at 8,293.54 tonnes -- that's 1,184.8 times more than the average person's total annual emissions!!!

To put it into perspective, they say the average person emits 7 tonnes -- annually.

Mayweather comes in 2nd place in the pollution race ... emitting 7,076 tonnes so far -- still over 1K shy of Taylor's mark.

Jay-Z, A-Rod, Steven Spielberg, and Oprah Winfrey also made the list ... and Floyd's plane took the shortest flight of the year, at 10 minutes.

It's interesting ... the Internet started to buzz about celebs and their carbon footprints after Kylie Jenner posted about her and TS' private jets last week, but she didn't make the top ten list. Travis Scott took the #10 spot ... flying a total of 5.8 days so far.

Will Smith has spoken out on camera for the first time over slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars, and he clearly feels a lot of shame and remorse.

Smith posted his mea culpa on Facebook, answering questions from fans about the moment that shocked millions of people.

Smith says he didn't go ballistic because Jada Pinkett Smith rolled her eyes at Rock's joke ... he says he did it on his own because he felt the joke was insulting and disrespectful. He also made it clear ... he and Chris Rock had 'history," and clearly not in a good way.

Smith said he has suffered trauma, primarily for disappointing his fans and others, saying "I didn't live up to people's image and impression of me."

As for why he didn't apologize to Chris, he says he reached out but Chris wasn't ready to talk to him, but he apologized in the new video.  The 2 haven't spoken since the Oscars.

He went on to say ... "I am human and I made a mistake and I'm trying not to think of myself as a piece of s**t."

As for his former good friend Tony Rock, Chris' brother, Will apologized to him and conceded the damage done is probably "irreparable."

Tom Brady and the Buccaneers certainly don't appear to need any more magic on the field -- but just in case they do, Mike Evans clearly has them covered!!

The star wideout unveiled at Tampa Bay training camp practice on Thursday that he got yet another Harry Potter tattoo recently on his body ... showing off new wizard ink on his calf.

The piece features Daniel Radcliffe -- lightning scar and all -- staring with a fierce expression on his face.

The Bucs posted a pic of it -- and Evans laughed about it, captioning it with a funny quote from Harry and Hermione.

"Hermione -- 'she's only interested in you because she thinks you're the chosen one,'" Evans wrote. "HP -- 'but I am the chosen one.'"

Evans has made it clear over the years he's a MASSIVE HP fan ... this is at least his second Potter tat -- he previously got the Deathly Hallows symbol inked on his elbow.

The 28-year-old also had a Harry-themed cake at his wedding back in 2016 -- and has called the films ... the greatest of all time.

Well this sucks ... the world's funniest vacation is over, but good pals Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Jimmy Kimmel, and Sean Hayes are all looking like they had a blast on their island getaway.

The A-list group returned to L.A. Wednesday from the Bahamas ... everyone got in their goodbye hugs after getting off their private jet, but Jason's wide brim straw hat screams someone who's still in vacay mode.

The close-knit crew -- they've taken trips together before -- mostly went radio silent during their trip, outside of a beach-themed post or 2, and simply enjoyed some time to relax and chill.

Johnny Depp's back in the City of Love, and still feeling lots of it from fans waiting for him wherever he goes in the French capital.

JD was leaving a restaurant in Paris early Thursday morning when he ran into a wall of supporters -- fans hoping to get some pics and autographs from the actor/rock star.

It was an offer he couldn't resist, as the guy said Bonsoir, and signed what he could before making his way out of there.

Johnny's in Paris to shoot his first film since the trial against Amber Heard -- he's playing King Louis XV in Maïwenn's "Jeanne du Barry."

Johnny recently made headlines after being seen out with a mystery woman ... while many believed the redhead in question was a new flame, we learned she's his French teacher for the upcoming film.

As we reported, Amber recently filed to appeal the $10.3M verdict in her defamation case ... a spokesperson for the actress told us, "We believe the court made errors that prevented a just and fair verdict consistent with the First Amendment."

Gwyneth Paltrow told a crappy joke to Hailey Bieber about sleeping with her father, Stephen Baldwin ... in a bathroom of all places, creating an awkward on-camera moment between the two.

The Oscar-winning actress appeared Wednesday on Hailey's vlog, "Who's in my Bathroom," and everything seemed normal going in.

Hailey gave a rousing introduction to Gwyneth, who walked out with a smile and warmly embraced the model.

The two sat down and began their chit-chat, and that's when things got really weird.

Gwyneth, who starred with Stephen in the 1994 film, 'Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle' with Hailey's dad ... referred to him as "great" and "so nice."

Hailey took the bait ... "I like hearing that. Imagine if you had some horror story. "He was terrible! It was a nightmare working with him!"'

Gwyneth then dropped the hammer ... "That would be bad. Or if I, like, f***ed your dad in the bathroom?"

Hailey tried to laugh it off, but she was visibly uncomfortable and delivered a word salad ... "I've had that happen to me actually. I don't know if he even knows that I know that. But, I've had that happen."

Gwyneth started laughing ... telegraphing it was only a joke ... "I didn't! I didn't!."

Jamie Foxx really knows how to bring down the house, even when he's on a break from show biz ... because he got an Italian restaurant to join him in a rowdy singalong.

The Oscar and Grammy (that's key here) winner was enjoying a night out with friends in Capri when it quickly turned into a full-blown show ... and, he definitely had the crowd going!

Jamie was in great spirits, and he was sipping some too when he got on a microphone to remind the joint who he is ... in song, of course.

In his best R&B/operatic voice he sang, "I'm Jamie Motherf***ing Foxx!!!" -- and the band quickly joined in and pretty soon the whole place was belting out the simple, and hilarious, tune.

Of course, Jamie mixed in one of his radio hits too -- singing a little bit of his "Gold Digger" chorus -- but trust us, everyone left that restaurant singing one name. You will too after watching this.

This outing, combined with his South of France yachting with a mystery lady, makes it clear ... NO ONE is enjoying summer more than Jamie!!!

Aaron Rodgers made quite the entrance at Packers camp on Tuesday ... strollin' into the building looking exactly like Nicolas Cage's character in "Con Air!!"

Check out video of A-Rodge heading into the Green Bay facility to begin his 18th season in the NFL -- dude was a clone of Cameron Poe.

The 38-year-old rocked long hair, a white tank top and blue jeans ... just like Cage in the 1997 action thriller.

And, yes, this all did appear to be planned ... 'cause Rodgers used famous quotes from the flick when throwing up pics of his Day 1 'fit on his Instagram.

"#greatestactorofalltime," Rodgers said. "What do you think I'm gonna do? I'm gonna save the f***in' day! #cameronpoe #day1 #year18"

Of course, Rodgers has been known to cause stirs with his training camp attire -- just last year, he headed into practice wearing a "The Office" t-shirt and some sick shades.

That look eventually led to one of Rodgers' best career seasons -- can the "Con Air" copy come through similarly?

Comedian and actress Hana Mae Lee was 23 years old when she was cast as Lilly Onakuramara -- the beatboxing Bella who barely speaks in her college acapella group -- in the 2012 rom-com 'Pitch Perfect.'

Hana shared the Pitch Perfect trilogy stage with fellow Barden Bellas Anna Kendrick as the rebellious and talented Bella, Beca, Rebel Wilson as the confident and encouraging Bella, Fat Amy, Brittany Snow as the caring and affectionate Bella, Chloe, Anna Camp as the uptight and conservative Bella, Aubrey and Elizabeth Banks as one of the sarcastic commentators, Gail.

Paul Sorvino, famous for his work in "Goodfellas," has died at the age of 83 ... TMZ has learned.

Sorvino's rep, Roger Neal, tells us he died this morning with his wife Dee Dee by his side. Dee Dee says, "Our hearts are broken, there will never be another Paul Sorvino, he was the love of my life, and one of the greatest performers to ever grace the screen and stage.”

Paul appeared in nearly 50 movies during a long career in Hollywood, and he's best known for playing mobster Paul Cicero in the 1990 Martin Scorsese masterpiece, "Goodfellas."

He also played Henry Kissinger in the 1995 movie "Nixon" and Fulgencio Capulet in 1996's "Romeo + Juliet." Paul made his film debut in 1970 with "Where's Poppa?" and also acted in TV shows like "Law & Order" and on Broadway.

One of Paul's last roles was the TV show "Godfather of Harlem," where he played Frank Costello.

Sorvino was born and raised in Brooklyn ... his father was an immigrant from Italy. Paul wanted to be an Opera singer before getting into acting while studying at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.

Paul lived with severe asthma, mastering different breathing techniques to manage his condition, writing a best-selling book, "How to Become a Former Asthmatic," and starting the Sorvino Asthma Foundation.

He has 3 children, including Oscar winning actress Mira Sorvino and actor/producer Michael Sorvino.

Mira is one of Harvey Weinstein's accusers and the last time we saw Paul, he was pretty pissed with HW.

He was 83.

Ben Affleck seems to be getting super emotional during his honeymoon with Jennifer Lopez -- but it's still all love between them.

The couple enjoyed a romantic sit-down Sunday in Paris ... they'd stopped off for dinner at a place called La Girafe in front of the Eiffel --  on Jen's 53rd birthday, no less. Perfect setting.

Based on these pics, it looks like BA might’ve had a tender moment that led to tears during the private meal — which went down without any of their kids around, a couple of whom have joined them in Europe.

Unclear why Ben might’ve been crying, but he had a shoulder to lean on ... J Lo embraced him in a hug -- which you can kinda see in the photos here. She's got a hand on his face.

Ben turned off the waterworks soon enough -- later, they had themselves a nice little stroll around town, just the 2 of them, and he was back to smiling.

Ben and Jen have been enjoying the city for the past several days now -- this after getting hitched last weekend on a whim in Vegas.

Chucky might be real after all — that is, if you take a passing glance at these photos … which certainly make it seem like he’s alive and on the move.

A 5-year-old boy named Jackson has been freaking people out in Pinson, Alabama this month … roaming the streets for a “neighborhood watch” that he apparently likes to do in costume — this according to his mom, who spoke to a local TV station.

That getup, as it turns out, is his Halloween costume from last year — Chucky the Killer Doll, from the “Child’s Play” franchise … and it might be a little too lifelike, ‘cause it’s been scaring the crap out of some residents!

These photos of Jackson walking around as Chucky were posted on Facebook — with someone asking the parent(s) of this kid to come and wrangle him in … because he’s startling the neighbors.

It’s all in good fun, of course — and now that everyone knows who it is, the family is supposedly a little famous … with some party appearance requests even coming in for Chucky/Jackson.

Jason Momoa was involved in a scary car wreck with a motorcycle this weekend -- but luckily, everyone's okay and no one's being blamed ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the 'Aquaman' star was traveling on Old Topanga Canyon Road Sunday out near the Calabasas area -- when at one point during his drive, a biker traveling in the opposite direction made contact with him coming around a curve.

We're told the motorcycle rider crossed over into Jason's lane during this bend, and then hit the left front end of his Oldsmobile muscle car ... and kinda went flying, albeit only briefly.

The rider, fortunately, was able to land on his feet -- this according to our sources -- but not before bouncing off of JM's windshield and clearing the hood of his car to end up on the other side. Like we said, the rider was apparently left standing up after the collision.

The motorcycle rider was transported to the hospital with minor injuries -- including bruising to their leg and an injury to their thumb -- but beyond that ... they seemed alright. Jason's fine too ... cops were on the scene and took reports, but nothing else came of the accident.

Keke Palmer is getting the side-by-side treatment with Zendaya on Twitter after her starring role in Jordan Peele's new movie -- sparking a conversation about colorism in Hollywood.

Here's the deal ... Keke made a splash this weekend in "Nope" opposite Daniel Kaluuya, with some arguing this is her breakout moment in the mainstream. Yes, she's worked in TONS of movies/shows for years -- but prior to this, she wasn't really a known household name, generally ... JP's flick has put on her on the map like she's never been before.

That's where Zendaya enters the chat (metaphorically) ... someone on the bird app said Keke deserves the same hype and adulation Zendaya typically enjoys these days. And from there ... folks started talking about why one might perhaps have ascended earlier than the other.

Before we write this off as pitting two women of color against each other, let's just entertain the subject matter and substance of the argument ... because, frankly, it's an interesting one.

Someone floated the theory that colorism was why Zendaya has experienced more mainstream success than Keke has at this point in their careers -- even though they're around the same age, both have a Disney background ... and despite one having way more acting credits than the other (Keke>Zen), Zendaya's the name/face we know more in 2022.

Of course, there's backlash to the fact this is being discussed at all ... with Zendaya fans coming to her defense in what they say feels like a personal attack against their idol, but others say they're missing the point entirely -- and that this isn't about Zendaya, per se.

You can hop into the "Keke" or "Zendaya" trends and see for yourself how this discussion is taking shape -- but long story short, there seems to be a good majority who feel like Zendaya, through no fault of her own, has greatly benefited from her mixed-race heritage.

We should note ... Zendaya herself has acknowledged this on multiple occasions, saying she wants to help her community, the Black community, get on the same level in showbiz.

There's no easy answers here -- and we're sure this debate will continue. As for Keke, we'll say this ... she has indeed been killing it since forever, but "Nope" truly is something else. Star-making roles come about every so often, and this is certainly one of them. 🛸

We're sure we'll see a lot more of Keke very soon.