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☆ SpaceX Polaris Dawn spacewalk: Why it was a historic milestone
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-14 | by ( Jackie Wattles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn crew is beginning its fifth day in orbit, having marked a few record-setting milestones on a historic journey — including the world’s first commercial spacewalk. Polaris Dawn crew member and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis emerges from the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule during the first commercial spacewalk on Thursday. The Polaris Dawn mission's Crew Dragon capsule is seen Wednesday 870 miles (1,400 kilometers) above Earth — the farthest humans have traveled since the Apollo program over 50 years ago. The riskiest part of the journey may be over, but the Polaris Dawn crew still has a key milestone ahead: coming home. Polaris Dawn mission commander and Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Isaacman is seen anchored to a ladder dubbed the "skywalker" by SpaceX during his spacewalk.

Persons: CNN —, Elon, Jared Isaacman, Scott “ Kidd ” Poteet, Anna Menon, Sarah Gillis —, Gillis, —, Sarah Gillis, Isaacman, Bill Nelson, “, ” Nelson, Van Allen, mission's, Menon, NASA’s, Isaacman — Organizations: CNN, Polaris, NASA, Hubble, Telescope, Space, SpaceX, Elon Musk’s, Shift4, US Air Force, Polaris Program, International Space, Polaris Dawn Locations: United States, U.S, Florida, West, of Florida

☆ Polaris Dawn crew conducts historic spacewalk during SpaceX mission
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( Jackie Wattles | Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Editor’s note: Relive the SpaceX Polaris Dawn historic commercial spacewalk as it happened. The Polaris Dawn crew can see a sunrise and sunset about every 106 minutes. Polaris Dawn crew members are seen within the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. Instead, the Polaris Dawn crew will receive their life support from long hoses attached to their spacecraft. Polaris Dawn crew member and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis is seen during the first commercial spacewalk.

Persons: —, Polaris Dawn crew’s, Jared Isaacman, Scott “ Kidd ” Poteet, Anna Menon, Sarah Gillis —, Isaacman, “, ” Isaacman, Gillis, ” Mennon, Bill Nelson, ” Nelson, Hatch, we’ve, Garrett Reisman, Sarah Gillis, Elon Musk, ” What’s, they’re, ” Organizations: SpaceX Polaris, CNN, Polaris, SpaceX, Shift4, US Air Force, NASA, Space, ISS Locations: wiggling, U.S

☆ James Earl Jones was paid only $7K to voice Darth Vader in 'Star Wars: A New Hope'
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Zac Ntim | Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The star leaves behind an incredible cinematic legacy, with roles including Mufasa in "The Lion King," Thulsa Doom in "Conan the Barbarian," and Darth Vader in "Star Wars." "George wanted, pardon the expression, a dark voice," Jones said of director George Lucas' plans for the 1977 film. Naturally, I wanted to make Darth Vader more interesting, more subtle, more psychologically oriented," Jones said. "I've never met Darth Vader," McGregor said. I turned around, and fucking Darth Vader was coming at me.

Persons: —, James Earl Jones, King, Conan, Darth Vader, George, Jones, George Lucas, Lucas, let's, Obi, Wan, Ewan McGregor, Leia, Vivien Lyra Blair, Anakin Skywalker, Hayden Christensen, McGregor, I've, Vader Organizations: Service, American Film Institute, Business, AFI, Lucasfilm, Disney Locations: Dutchess County , New York, Mississippi, Michigan, Ukrainian

Read previewIconic actor James Earl Jones died on Monday at the age of 93. Related storiesGrowing up in silenceA photo of young James Earl Jones, after the success of Broadway show, "The Great White Hope." Muhammad Ali jumped in the ring with James Earl Jones to help him promote the movie adaptation of "The Great White Hope." Advertisement"Star Wars" director George Lucas and James Earl Jones attended the AFI Life Achievement Award tribute to Sir Sean Connery. Charles Sykes/Invision/APCecilia Hart and James Earl Jones pose with their son, Flynn Earl Jones, at the 65th Tony Awards.

Persons: —, James Earl Jones, Jones, Oscar, Darth Vader, Tony, Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker, " Jones, Dick Cavett, Tony Awards, King, Conan, Muhammad Ali, Jones wasn't, Daisy, Darth Vader James Earl Jones, Jim Spellman, David Prowse, Linda Blair, Mercedes McCambridge, Mercedes, George Lucas, Sir Sean Connery, Mark Mainz, AFI Jones, Annie, Geoffrey Holder, Vader, Rachael Ray, Cecilia Hart, Charles Sykes, Flynn Earl Jones, Julienne Marie, Hart Organizations: Service, Bell Atlantic, Verizon, Business, Hollywood, CNN, Newspapers, Academy, End, Broadway, Newsweek, AFI, Getty, American Film Institute, Star Wars Rebels, Disney, NY Daily Locations: Hollywood, Michigan, America, London, There's, Britain

☆ James Earl Jones, iconic voice of Darth Vader in ‘Star Wars’ and Mufasa in ‘The Lion King,’ dead at 93
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Brandon Griggs | Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“I lucked out.”Back then nobody imagined “Star Wars” would become a blockbuster, let alone an enduring franchise and cultural phenomenon. James Earl Jones and Darth Vader during "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" premiere event. Jesse Dittmar for The Washington Post/Getty Images Jones, seen here in 1960, was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, in 1931. Steve Ringman/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images Jones appears with Alec Baldwin in a scene from "The Hunt for Red October" (1990). The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images Jones appears next to Darth Vader, who he famously voiced in the "Star Wars" movies.

Persons: James Earl Jones, Jones, Darth Vader, King ”, ”, Bob Iger, “, ” Jones, George Lucas, David Prowse, “ George, Lucas, Vader, Jim Spellman, WireImage, ‘, you’ve, Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill, ” Hamill, He’ll, ’, ’ ”, Robert Earl Jones, James, Langston Hughes, Bettmann, Stanley Kubrick’s “, Strangelove, Jack Johnson, Tony, Sidney Poitier, Alex Haley, TV’s, Thulsa, Conan, ” Kevin Costner’s, Admiral Greer, Costner, Jones ’, King Jaffe Joffer, Wan Kenobi, Mufasa, “ L.A, Law ”, King James, Rachael Ray, ” James Earl Jones, Jesse Dittmar, William Shakespeare's, Stanley Kubrick's, Julienne Marie, Alan Aaronson, Harry Benson, Richard Nixon, Julie Harris, Angela Lansbury, Jerry Orbach, Muhammad Ali, King Lear, Jack Mitchell, Paul Robeson, Robeson, Hulton, Marlon Brando, Ronald Reagan's, AP Jones, Thulsa Doom, Everett, Steve Ringman, Alec Baldwin, Nick Ut, George H.W, George H.W . Bush, Bush, Doug Mills, Cecilia Hart, Flynn, Paul Simon, Chita Rivera, Laura Bush, George W, Alex Wong, Grace, Chris Haston, Rosa Parks, Faith Ringgold, Richard Drew, Kevin Wolf, Matt Rourke, Debbie Allen, Evan Agostini, Forest Whitaker, Kevin Winter, Vanessa Redgrave, Daisy, Sara Krulwich, Astrid Stawiarz, Marian Anderson, Matt Slocum, Grant Lamos IV, Steven Senne, John Atashian, Jones “, …, Arthur Miller Organizations: CNN, “, Walt Disney Company, American Film Institute, ‘, University of Michigan, Army, Disney, The Washington Post, US Army, Newspapers, Broadway, CBS, Getty, New York Daily, Daily, ABC, Walt Disney Television, Everett, Hulton Deutsch, AP, San Francisco Chronicle, Mondadori, Arts, Kennedy, NBC, Elementary, NBA, National Constitution Center, Screen, New York Times, Harvard University, Globe, Academy of Locations: “, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Hollywood, America, “ The, African, Iowa, Arkabutla , Mississippi, New, Vietnam, Washington , DC, George H.W ., Montgomery, Independence, Philadelphia

☆ 'Deadpool & Wolverine' tops $1 billion at the global box office
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Over the weekend, Disney and Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine" became only the second R-rated film to top $1 billion at the global box office. "Deadpool & Wolverine" is the first R-rated Marvel Cinematic Universe flick, as the previous two Deadpool films were produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It is also the second Disney film to top $1 billion at the global box office this year. Box office analysts expect "Deadpool & Wolverine" won't be the last for the company this year, either. The Toy Story franchise has generated $3.2 billion at the global box office, the two Frozen films surpassed $2.7 billion worldwide, the two Incredibles films tallied $1.8 billion globally, and "Zootopia" reached $1 billion worldwide during its run in 2016.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Dergarabedian, Kang, It's, Disney, Shawn Robbins Organizations: Disney, Warner Bros, Century Fox, Marvel, Star, & $ Locations: Comscore

☆ Disney is hoping for a box office rebound built on sequels, prequels and pixie dust
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Yet, the company's post-pandemic box office was also beset by executive decisions to increase content production to pad its fledgling streaming service Disney+. As the company seeks to rebuild its reputation and recapture magic at the box office, it is relying heavily on existing, and beloved, franchises. Revisiting old favoritesHeading into D23, Disney had two major box office successes under its belt from two major franchises. Its latest Pixar film, "Inside Out 2," is now the highest-grossing animated film of all time, topping $1.5 billion at the global box office. Robert Downey Jr. speaks onstage during the Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 27, 2024.

Persons: Bob Iger, Araya Doheny, Iger, —, Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Disney, Elio, Adrian Molina, Zoe Saldana, Jon Hamm, Bobby Moynihan, Mando, Grogu, Cassian Andor, Jude Law, jettison, Thanos, Kevin Feige, San Diego Comic Con, Robert Downey Jr, Doom, Jesse Grant Organizations: Walt Disney Company, Disney Entertainment, Getty, Honda Center, Disney, Disney's, Pixar, Walt Disney Studios, Lucasfilm, stormtroopers, ATs, Galactic, Star, Marvel, Marvel Studios, San Diego Comic Locations: Anaheim , California, Hollywood, SDCC, San Diego , California

☆ 'Inside Out 2' saved the summer box office — and proved Pixar was right to lean on sequels
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewDisney proved it still has some box-office firepower this weekend with Pixar's "Inside Out 2." The film had the biggest three-day opening weekend of the year, grossing $155 million domestically and $295 million worldwide. That's also the second-biggest domestic opening ever for an animated movie, behind another Pixar title, 2018's "Incredibles 2" ($182.6 million). AdvertisementClearly, now that Pixar movies are back in theaters, they're going to be playing everywhere — and that strategy is working.

Persons: —, That's, Will Smith, Luca, Oscar, Riley, Bing Bong, it's, It's, Alisha, Bob Iger, Raya, John Krasinski's, you'll, Indiana Jones Organizations: Service, Pixar, Business, Disney, Hollywood Locations: Oklahoma

☆ Father’s Day: 4 pop culture dads worse than you
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Kristen Rogers | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Whether you’re a new or seasoned father, the anxieties of raising children can pop up anywhere, anytime. “Also, just every dad I spoke to was like, ‘I’m worried that I’m gonna roughhouse too hard (and) they’ll get hurt,’” Boozan said. And “as a comedy writer, I’m biased, but I’m a big proponent of laughter as medicine. “That’s a great example of a workaholic dad who thinks that amassing a trove of riches in order to pass that along to your child is the way of being a good dad,” Boozan said. “The best thing my dad ever did … is he was a chill dad,” Boozan said.

Persons: I’m, Glenn Boozan, ”, Priscilla Witte, Thanos, Jack Torrance, Stephen King’s “, Boozan, “ I’m, “, ‘ I’m, they’ll, ’ ” Boozan, ’, ” Boozan, Walter ‘ Heisenberg, White Walter White, Bryan Cranston, Walter White Jr, ” Ursula Coyote, Walter White’s, White, Wayne Szalinski Wayne Szalinski, Rick Moranis, Diane, Marcia Strassman, Nick, Wayne Szalinski, Darth Vader Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill, Darth Vader, David Prowse, James Earl Jones, ” Albert Clarke, ’ ”, Midas, Walter Crane, King Midas ’, Rich, “ Midas, “ That’s Organizations: CNN, Marvel, RJ, Lucasfilm, Century Fox, Star Locations: RJ Mitte, Wayne’s

☆ The ‘Star Wars’ timeline is confusing. Here’s when ‘The Acolyte,’ ‘Ahsoka’ and more take place
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Worry not, padawans: CNN has laid out a comprehensive timeline of the “Star Wars” canon so you can follow all of the franchise’s time-jumps without getting lost in space. These details are pulled from the official “Star Wars” resources “Ultimate Star Wars” and “Star Wars Character Encyclopedia,” as well as a chart of the eras explored throughout the franchise. ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ (animated series)Ahsoka is Anakin's padawan in "The Clone Wars," and he lovingly calls her "Snips." ‘Star Wars Rebels’Kanan Jarrus, Zeb Orrelios and Sabine Wren take on the Empire in "Star Wars Rebels." ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’Heroes attempt to find the plans to blow up the Death Star in "Rogue One."

Persons: we’ve, Rey Skywalker, Jin, Anakin Skywalker, Wan, Anakin, who’s, Anakin’s, Darth Maul, Palpatine, Darth Sidious, Obi, “, Padmé, ”, Count Dooku, Warner, Ahsoka Tano, Sidious, Darth Vader, Luke, Leia, Vader, ‘, Han, Chewie, Jonathan Olley, scoundrel Han, Thrillist, frenemy, Lando Calrissian, ‘ Obi, Kanan Jarrus, Zeb Orrelios, Sabine Wren, ‘ Andor, Cassian Andor, Jyn Erso, Jyn, ’ Luke, —, Yoda, batty, Lando, Yikes, Jabba, redeems, VI, VII, Grogu, Mando, Boba Fett, Jango Fett, flitted, Boba, Din, ” It’s, Ahsoka, Jabba the, Suzanne Tenner, Ezra Bridger, Hera Syndulla, Thrawn, Rey, Kylo Ren, ” Rey, stormtrooper Finn, Kylo, ’ Finn, Phasma, Ren, Snoke, MacGuffin, Poe, Emperor Palpatine, she’s, Jude, Kerry Condon, Lee Jung, jae, Amandla, Leslye Headland, James Mangold, Indiana Jones, Dave Filoni, Daisy Ridley Organizations: CNN, “, “ Star, Lucasfilm, Everett, Lucasfilm Ltd, USA, ‘, Warner Bros, Fox, Empire, Tech, Disney, Walt Disney Studios, ‘ Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Rebels, AV, Pictures, Rebel, Rebels, Galaxy, imperials, Rotten, “ Star Wars Rebels, Force, Rey, C3PO, Jude Law, Variety Locations: Yavin, “, Republic, Hunter, Luke’s, ”, USA, carbonite, New Republic, Endor

☆ Star Wars was the first Lego license — 25 years later, it's stronger than ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Star Wars Lego models are seen at the Bricks & Figs museum in Krakow, Poland, on April 15, 2023. A design director at the Denmark-based Lego company, he has spent the past 25 years creating Lego Star Wars sets. Now, Lego Star Wars has become a blueprint for the company's other brand deals — think Harry Potter, Batman and Marvel's Avengers. The Lego Star Wars collaboration came at a time of financial turmoil for Lego. Lego Icons, Lego Technic, Lego City and Lego Harry Potter also performed well.

Persons: Jens Kronvold Frederiksen, Frederiksen, Darth Vader, Harry Potter, Jill Wilfert, Wilfert, It's, Paul Southern, Shirlaine Forrest, " Frederiksen, we're, Southern, We've Organizations: Anadolu, Getty, Star, CNBC, Disney, Epic Games, Lego Star, Lego, Force, Manchester Central, Imperial, Star Wars, Lucasfilm, Walt Disney Company, Lego Star Wars, Warner Bros, Games Locations: Krakow, Poland, Denmark, Lego, Manchester, England

☆ As ‘The Phantom Menace’ turns 25, six (non-Jar Jar) things the ‘Star Wars’ prequel got right
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The teeth-gnashing aspects of “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” have been chewed upon for a quarter century, from Watto to Anakin Skywalker’s Midi-chlorian count (and miracle birth) to almost everyone’s favorite punching bag, Jar Jar Binks. Think of them as creative building blocks, which overcame clunkier parts of the script and awkward performances to influence the rest of the “Star Wars” timeline. Ray Park as the villainous Darth Maul in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace." It’s also likely a key reason why “Star Wars” has continued to flourish as parents pass it on to their kids. “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” will play in select theaters beginning May 3.

Persons: Anakin Skywalker’s, George Lucas ’, Dave Filoni, “ Obi, Wan, They’re, Darth Sidious, Ian McDiarmid, Lucas, credibly, Mace Windu, Samuel L, Jackson didn’t, Ray Park, Darth Maul, Filoni, “, Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, Obi, Wan Kenobi, McGregor, Neeson, Wan –, John Williams, It’s, ” Organizations: CNN, “, “ Star, Lucasfilm, Force Locations: Watto, Republic

☆ AMC exec has regrets about that 'Dune: Part Two' popcorn bucket
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

You know the "Dune: Part Two" popcorn bucket? An AMC exec told Variety they never would have made them if AMC knew how people would react. AdvertisementThe viral "Dune: Part 2" popcorn bucket has left one AMC Theatres exec with a bit of regret. Frank said the company is continuing to "learn and evolve" its collectible popcorn bucket business. "It's a material part of our food and beverage business, but it's not the majority of it," Frank told Variety.

Persons: —, Elizabeth Frank, Frank, it's, Variety, Barbie, Wonka Organizations: AMC, Service, Variety, Business, eBay, Hollywood Reporter, Hollywood, Disney

☆ 'Star Wars' actor Billy Dee Williams says blackface should be allowed, and that he 'loved' one of its most notorious uses
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Billy Dee Williams said that actors should be allowed to use blackface. The "Star Wars" actor said he loved Laurence Olivier as Othello, a blackface performance many regard with horror. Advertisement"Star Wars" actor Billy Dee Williams said that actors should be allowed to use blackface, reopening a topic widely considered taboo. Williams, who is Black, broached the topic in an interview with Bill Maher, speaking in support of being able to use blackface. He was also the first Black actor to play a leading role in the "Star Wars" movies.

Persons: Billy Dee Williams, Laurence Olivier, Williams, —, Bill Maher, Shakespeare's, Lando Calrissian, Olivier, Dominic Cavendish, Maher, should've, I'm Organizations: Service, Daily Telegraph

☆ Opinion: The heroism of Ukraine and the nihilism of Mike Johnson
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Opinion Amelia Glaser | Marci Shore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Yevhenii Zavhorodnii/Global Images Ukraine/Getty ImagesIn Ukraine the air raid alerts are incessant. Kyiv has the best air defense in Ukraine; the country lacks the resources to defend other cities this way. He noted that Ukrainian air defense had done a spectacular job that morning intercepting every single missile launched at Kyiv. The United States has essentially cut off Ukraine, and Ukrainian air defense is quickly running out of ammunition. After we landed back in JFK, we turned off the air raid sound on our phones.

Persons: Amelia Glaser, Marci Shore, Read, Mike Johnson, Vladimir Putin’s, Covid, ” –, Andrii, you’re, Oleksandr Roytburd, Roytburd, Alla Horska, Tymofiy Mylovanov, Amelia, Iya Kiva, Marci, Tetyana Ogarkova, Volodymyr Yermolenko, Putin, Tucker Carlson, Bohdan Khmelnytsky, Carlson, Khmelnytsky, Oleksandr Halenko, Gleb Garanich, texted, ”, Sergii, “, Alina Smutko, Sergii’s, Mark Hamill –, Luke Skywalker, Agiya Zagrebelska, Arad, “ Pessimists, Rob Bauer, ” Bauer, “ I’m, Iaroslava Strikha, beholden, Donald Trump, Johnson, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, ” Putin Organizations: UC San Diego, Yale University, CNN, of Decorative, Applied Arts, Design, Warsaw —, Kyiv School of Economics, KGB, Ukrainian, Fulbright, NATO, National Agency on Corruption, Kyiv Security, United, Kyiv, National, Security Forum Locations: Russia’s, Crimea, Kyiv, New York, JFK, Warsaw, Polish, Chelm, Bucha, Russian, Yevhenii, Ukraine, Sens, Ukrainian, Crimean Tatar, KSE, Muscovy, Russia, Poland, Syria, Murmansk, Kyiv oblast, Austrian, texted, United States

☆ Why is a South American beer brand going viral? The answer's simple: Star Wars
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In 2003, the brand edited ads into a broadcast of the Star Wars trilogy. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementThe latest brand getting attention on social media isn't Stanley — it's a South American beer creatively edited into a Star Wars broadcast 20 years ago. On X, formerly known as Twitter, users started sharing clips from the original Star Wars trilogy last week. The clips look normal — until a bottle or can of Cerveza Cristal beer suddenly appears in the shot.

Persons: —, isn't Stanley — it's, Cristal, Obi, Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, Wan, 🛸, ," the Organizations: Wars, Service, Star Wars Locations: American, Chile, pic.twitter.com

☆ Billy Dee Williams told Donald Glover to 'just be charming' as Lando Calrissian in 'Star Wars': 'In my mind there was and ever will be only one Lando, and that's me.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Portraits of a Life," Billy Dee Williams recalled the advice he gave to Donald Glover before he played the young Lando Calrissian in "Solo: A Star Wars Story." Glover is, however, developing a future "Lando" movie to star in himself. Advertisement"In the spirit of full disclosure, I wished that I had been able to jump back in time to play young Lando, because in my mind there was and ever will be only one Lando, and that's me," he said. The pair discussed why Lando was so iconic in the first place, as Williams wrote: "I didn't play Lando as a Black man," I explained. In 2017, Glover told The Hollywood Reporter that he dissected a number of ideas about Lando to Williams.

Persons: —, Billy Dee Williams, Donald Glover, Lando Calrissian, Williams, didn't, Lando, Glover, scoundrels, Mrs Smith, I've Organizations: Service, Business, Lucasfilm, Disney, Hollywood

☆ Apple’s Vision Pro headset to hit stores in the US. Here’s what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The Vision Pro, Apple’s first new product in seven years, will officially launch in stores on Friday in the US. The Apple Vision Pro headset is displayed in a showroom on the Apple campus in Cupertino, Calif., after it's introduction at the company's annual developers conference, Monday, June 5, 2023. The Vision Pro is a high-priced headset that blends virtual reality with augmented reality that projects digital images on top of real-world settings. Vision Pro includes surround sound, with audio pods that sit outside the ears to deliver rich immersive audio. Morgan Stanley analysts project the company will ship up to 400,000 Vision Pro units this year.

Persons: Apple’s, Tim Cook, Cook, Jeff Chiu, it’s, Siri, Luke Skywalker’s, Ming, Chi Kuo, Morgan Stanley Organizations: CNN, Apple Stores, New York Times, Apple, Pro, Vision, Disney, Apple Watch, Shipping Locations: Cupertino , Calif

☆ Jodie Foster says she nearly played Princess Leia in 'Star Wars': 'I don't know how good I would have been'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewJodie Foster says she almost played Princess Leia in "Star Wars," but had to turn it down because of a scheduling conflict. The late Carrie Fisher made the role famous in George Lucas' classic space saga, which launched with "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope" in 1977. However, the character could have looked different if Foster had chosen to take the role. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. "The Silence of the Lambs" star recalled her brush with "Star Wars" on Wednesday's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."

Persons: —, Jodie Foster, Leia, Carrie Fisher, George Lucas, Foster, Jimmy Fallon, Casey Brown, Sigourney Weaver, Sissy Spacek, Anjelica Huston, Meryl Streep, Fisher, Streep, I've, Amy Irving, Jodie, Robert Englund, Han, Harrison Ford, " Englund, Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill Organizations: Service, Business, Lambs, Disney, Daily Locations: England

Each was a two-time pick as AP national player of the year and three-time AP first-team All-Americans, and combined to be named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player five times. 2 for every week of the 1956-57 season, then spent the next season inside the top 10. ELVIN HAYES, HoustonThe 6-9 center put up big numbers in a career that included being AP national player of the year over Alcindor in 1968. 2 all-time scorer helped the Cougars spend the 1966-67 season inside the top 10 and then stay at No. RALPH SAMPSON, VirginiaThe 7-4 center was a three-time AP national player of the year who singlehandedly made the Cavaliers a power in the early 1980s.

Persons: Kareem Abdul, Jabbar, Bill Walton, BILL RUSSELL, San Francisco Russell, WILT CHAMBERLAIN, ELVIN HAYES, DAN ISSEL, —, DAVID THOMPSON, “, LARRY, Magic Johnson, Bird's Sycamores, hasn't, RALPH SAMPSON, Virginia, PATRICK EWING, CHRISTIAN LAETTNER, Duke, Mike Krzyzewski, TYLER HANSBROUGH Organizations: Bruins, Associated Press, Dons, NCAA, Chamberlain's Jayhawks, OSCAR ROBERTSON, Cincinnati The Bearcats, Cincinnati, AP, Alcindor, Cougars, Wildcats, North Carolina State, Wolfpack, Indiana State, Michigan State, Cavaliers, Hoyas, Blue Devils Locations: WILT CHAMBERLAIN , Kansas, North Carolina, Cincinnati, Houston, DAN ISSEL , Kentucky, N.C, State, Indiana, RALPH SAMPSON , Virginia, Georgetown, TYLER HANSBROUGH , North Carolina

☆ How Disney made Star Wars the top film franchise of 2023 without a theatrical release
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-30 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Sunset Boulevard | Corbis Historical | Getty ImagesThe Force remains strong with the Star Wars franchise. Despite not releasing a theatrical film since 2019, Star Wars has been named the top film franchise of 2023 by Fandom, the world's largest platform for entertainment fans. In between each film in the sequel trilogy, Disney released a film that harkened back to an important plot point from past Star Wars films. "At the time, Disney's strategy was to essentially release one new Star Wars film theatrically each year," said Peter Csathy, founder and chair of advisory firm Creative Media. Rebuilding an empireDisney isn't set to release another Star Wars film in cinemas until 2026.

Persons: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Georges Lucas, Paul Dergarabedian, Star Wars Disney Harry Potter, James Bond, Disney, Harry Potter, Kylo Ren, Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader, —, Princess Leia, Han, Peter Csathy, Csathy, Boba Fett, Rosario Dawson, Tano, Ahsoka, Count Dooku, Stephanie Fried, Diego Luna, Cassian Andor, Alan Tudyk Organizations: Star Wars, Star, Disney, Comscore, Star Wars Disney, Marvel, Warner Bros, DC Studios, Lucasfilm, Wars, Creative Media, Lucasfilm Disney Locations: Florida

☆ Natalie Portman says King Charles asked her if she was in the original 'Star Wars' movies at 'The Phantom Menace' premiere
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

She said the then-Prince Charles asked her if she was in the original "Star Wars" movies. The setting was the 1999 London premiere of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace." As the first "Star Wars" movie to hit theaters since 1983, it was a big deal that brought the British royals to the event. Advertisement"WWHL" host Andy Cohen asked Portman what she remembered of her interaction with the royal family. "I remember Prince Charles asked me — he was then Prince Charles — if I was in the originals," Portman said with a laugh.

Persons: Natalie Portman, Portman, King Charles, Prince Charles, —, Britain's King Charles ., Andy Cohen, Prince Charles —, Padmé, Julianne Moore, Hayden Christensen, Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader, Wan Organizations: London, Service, Padmé Amidala, Lucasfilm, Netflix Locations: Hollywood, London

☆ Elon Musk's Neuralink raises more cash ahead of human trials next year
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Neuralink has raised another $43 million, per an SEC filing, as it faces mounting scrutiny. Billionaire investor Peter Thiel's Founders Fund led the latest round, TechCrunch reported. AdvertisementElon Musk's controversial brain implant company Neuralink has raised more funding as it gears up to start human trials. The latest round was led by billionaire investor Peter Thiel's Founders Fund, TechCrunch reported. The latest funding round comes as Elon Musk faces further criticism over the deaths of monkeys that Neuralink used to test its chips.

Persons: Neuralink, Peter Thiel's, —, Elon, Elon Musk, Gary Gensler, Musk, Luke, Optimus, Neuralink didn't Organizations: SEC, Fund, TechCrunch, Service, Elon, Responsible Medicine, Business

☆ Disney's box office problems ramp up pressure on CEO Bob Iger and studio chief Alan Bergman
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

It's rare for Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger to acknowledge his company has had creative missteps. At the time, Disney's animation and live-action studio divisions had struggled with a string of failed movies, including including "The Alamo," and "Home on the Range" and "Pooh's Heffalump Movie." He also acquired Pixar, giving Disney an immediate infusion of quality movies and a brand of storytelling that rubbed off on Disney's traditional animation studio. In 2006, acquiring Pixar quickly improved Disney's film quality and box office results. Iger noted the Disney animation studio's next release, "Wish," which stars Ariana DeBose and debuts in theaters on Wednesday, could begin a run of sustainable hits for Disney.

Persons: Bob Iger, it's, I've, Iger, —, Alan Bergman, Ariana DeBose, Ralph, Coco Organizations: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star, Trian Partners Locations: Comscore

☆ Disney’s franchise fatigue taints M&A magic
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, Robert Iger, attends the premiere of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" in Los Angeles, California, U.S. December 16, 2019. REUTERS/Phil McCarten Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Nov 14 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Walt Disney’s (DIS.N) load-bearing franchises are cracking. Disney’s Pixar studio delivered its own opening weekend dud with “Elemental.” The Star Wars universe’s latest TV expansion, “Ahsoka,” was panned. Iger’s acquisitions of Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars’ Lucasfilm seemed a master stroke of M&A. A slowdown at his most prized acquisitions raises the stakes on his next M&A decisions at a time of increased scrutiny.

Persons: Robert Iger, Phil McCarten, Walt Disney’s, ”, Bob Iger’s, Iger, Nelson Peltz, Jennifer Saba, Orsted’s, Cameron, Jonathan Guilford, Streisand Neto Organizations: Walt Disney Company, REUTERS, Reuters, Marvel, Variety, Pixar, Disney, Star Wars, Lucasfilm, X, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S

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