After speculation mounted last that Ben Affleck would possibly hang up his filmmaking and acting hats for a U.S. Senate run from Massachusetts, the Argo director and star said he won’t be running for office at least for the time being.
Last week, Boston’s CBS affiliate reported that Massachusetts Democrats were wooing Affleck to run for the seat that will be vacated by John Kerry after his likely confirmation as Secretary of State, replacing Hillary Rodham Clinton. The low probability that he’d run did get a bit of a boost when his publicist didn’t directly deny he was considering a run and he didn’t completely say ‘no’ when asked about running during an appearance on CBS’ Face the Nation Sunday.
But, Affleck took to Facebook to give final confirmation of his Senate bow out. He will continue to work for the Eastern Congo Initiative, a non-profit group that gives humanitarian aid in the war-torn African region and other causes. Affleck has gone to Congress to testify on behalf of his work for the group. In his Facebook message, he also gives a shout-out to the presumed new Secretary of State.
Affleck’s Facebook statement follows:
I love Massachusetts and our political process, but I am not running for office. Right now it’s a privilege to spend my time working with Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI), supporting our veterans, drawing attention to the great many who go hungry in the U.S. everyday and using filmmaking to entertain and foster discussion about issues like our relationship to Iran.
We are about to get a great Secretary of State and there are some phenomenal candidates in Massachusetts for his Senate seat. I look forward to an amazing campaign.
Happy Holidays to All.
[Source: A.P.]
Also in Friday morning’s round-up of news briefs, Jesse Eisenberg has tapped Vanessa Redgrave for an Off-Broadway play. A judge has ruled on a request to close Innocence of Muslims video. And a look at the Specialty offerings coming out this weekend.
Clint Eastwood Owns The Chair Thing at Premiere
The 82 year-old Oscar winner has taken some heat for his empty chair speech at the Republican National Convention, but at his premier for Trouble With the Curve he chatted with a press contingent that – somehow – noticed there were 16 empty chairs nearby – “Oh my god yes,” he said with a laugh. He added that he worked with people on the film that fall across the political spectrum, but his latest is not a political film. And he will continue to stomp for Romney, A.P. reports.
John Travolta Eyes Vince Lombardi Biopic
At the Zurich Film Festival, Travolta said he’s considering a remake of the John Woo film, The Killer as well as starring in a biopic of legendary football star Vince Lombardi. The Killer remake will shoot in 3-D, Screen Daily reports.
Jesse Eisenberg, Vanessa Redgrave Set for Off-Broadway in The Revisionist
Redgrave will star along with Eisenberg in The Social Network’s Off-Broadway play that will be directed by Kip Fagan. The plot centers around Eisenberg’s character is a blocked sci-fi writer attempting to escape his problems in Poland. “A 75-year-old cousin played by Redgrave latches onto him as a means of connecting with her distant American family, gradually revealing details of their complex post-war past.” THR reports.
Riots Continue as Judge Denies Actress’ Move to Shut Down Innocence of Muslims
Western embassies closed in anticipation of Friday prayers as protesters fought…
Also in Friday morning’s round-up of news briefs, Jesse Eisenberg has tapped Vanessa Redgrave for an Off-Broadway play. A judge has ruled on a request to close Innocence of Muslims video. And a look at the Specialty offerings coming out this weekend.
Clint Eastwood Owns The Chair Thing at Premiere
The 82 year-old Oscar winner has taken some heat for his empty chair speech at the Republican National Convention, but at his premier for Trouble With the Curve he chatted with a press contingent that – somehow – noticed there were 16 empty chairs nearby – “Oh my god yes,” he said with a laugh. He added that he worked with people on the film that fall across the political spectrum, but his latest is not a political film. And he will continue to stomp for Romney, A.P. reports.
John Travolta Eyes Vince Lombardi Biopic
At the Zurich Film Festival, Travolta said he’s considering a remake of the John Woo film, The Killer as well as starring in a biopic of legendary football star Vince Lombardi. The Killer remake will shoot in 3-D, Screen Daily reports.
Jesse Eisenberg, Vanessa Redgrave Set for Off-Broadway in The Revisionist
Redgrave will star along with Eisenberg in The Social Network’s Off-Broadway play that will be directed by Kip Fagan. The plot centers around Eisenberg’s character is a blocked sci-fi writer attempting to escape his problems in Poland. “A 75-year-old cousin played by Redgrave latches onto him as a means of connecting with her distant American family, gradually revealing details of their complex post-war past.” THR reports.
Riots Continue as Judge Denies Actress’ Move to Shut Down Innocence of Muslims
Western embassies closed in anticipation of Friday prayers as protesters fought…
Also in Thursday morning’s round-up of news briefs, the U.K. readies for a tour of James Bond. A museum says it has found the earliest-made color film. And, Summit sets date for Divergent.
Update on Anti-Muslim Filmmakers that Sparked Middle East Riots
The supposed California-based writer, director and producer, Sam Bacile, has no credit with an industry database. Bacile said he raised $5 million from 100 Jewish donors to make the film. Steve Klein, a self-described militant Christian activist in Riverside, CA told CNN he worked with Bacile on the movie, but told The Atlantic Bacile is a pseudonym, Deadline gives more details.
Dustin Hoffman and Led Zeppelin to Lead Kennedy Honors
Dustin Hoffman, David Letterman and rock band Led Zeppelin will be feted by the Kennedy Center. The honorees will receive their Kennedy Center Honors medallions at a dinner hosted by Hillary Rodham Clinton and then they’ll join President Obama and the First Lady for the annual gala December 2, CNN reports.
James Bond Anniversary Event 007 Days of Bond Tours U.K.
Former Bond girls, including Eunice Gayson, Britt Ekland and Shirley Eaton, and villain Richard Kiel are also among the cast for the 007 Days of Bond tour. Roger Moore, 84, who starred in seven Bond films between 1973 and 1985, has officially launched 007 Days of Bond, BBC reports.
Earliest Color Film Found
The National Media Museum in Bradford, England said it had found what it contends are truly historic films from 1901/02, pre-dating what had been thought to be the first successful colour process – Kinemacolor – by eight years, The Guardian reports.
Summit Sets Release Date for Divergent
Summit has set March 21, 2014 for the release of their young adult novel,…
Did you all have a good April Fool’s Day? Either way, chances are it wasn’t nearly as satisfying as that of the Criterion Collection, which turned its customary April 1 brio on the perfect target: Kindergarten Cop.
This July, we’ll be releasing Ivan Reitman’s landmark KINDERGARTEN COP on Blu-ray and DVD: ow.ly/a0AO5
— Criterion Collection (@Criterion) April 1, 2012
Better still: The Kindergarten Cop page at the Criterion site, replete with such special features as “New audio commentary featuring Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, author of It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Can Teach Us,” Excerpts from the French television program Cinéastes de notre temps: ‘Ivan Reitman’” and this extraordinary cover art:
Nicely, nicely done, team.
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