newsmakers

newsmakers

Rockers object to use of song

The Silversun Pickups want Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign to immediately stop the use of the rock group’s song “Panic Switch.” And the Romney campaign has no problem with that.

The Los Angeles-based band’s attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Republican presidential candidate’s campaign Wednesday. A news release says neither the band nor its representatives were contacted for permission to use the 2009 alternative-rock hit, and the group “has no intention of endorsing the Romney campaign.”

Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said in an email that the song was inadvertently played during the setup for one event before Romney arrived. “As anyone who attends Gov. Romney’s events knows, this is not a song we would have played intentionally,” she wrote. “That said, it was covered under the campaign’s regular blanket license, but we will not play it again.”

Downey gets hurt on ‘Iron Man 3’ set

LOS ANGELES

Production on “Iron Man 3” is on hold after star Robert Downey Jr. hurt his foot during filming.

Marvel Studios said Thursday that Downey was injured while performing a stunt, and “there will be a short delay in production while he recuperates.”

The 47-year-old actor is shooting the third installment in the superhero franchise in North Carolina.

“Iron Man 3” is set for release next summer. Downey plays billionaire playboy Tony Stark, and Gwyneth Paltrow is his love, Pepper Potts. Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley also star.

Downey also appeared as his Stark/Iron Man character earlier this summer in “The Avengers.”

The actor also unveiled a clip of the forthcoming “Iron Man” flick at Comic-Con last month.

‘Avengers’ sequel planned for 2015

LOS ANGELES

“The Avengers” are returning for a superhero sequel three years from now.

Disney and its Marvel Studios unit announced Thursday that the follow-up to this year’s biggest hit will arrive in theaters May 1, 2015.

The studio announced last week that Joss Whedon will be back to write and direct the as-yet-untitled sequel.

Released in May, “The Avengers” gathered such Marvel comic-book heroes as Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth). The film has taken in nearly $1.5 billion worldwide.

There will be plenty of Marvel action building up to “The Avengers” follow-up. Downey’s “Iron Man 3” is due out next May, followed by Hemsworth’s “Thor” sequel in November 2013 and Evans’ “Captain America” sequel in April 2014.

Court: ‘Desperate’ star was not fired

LOS ANGELES

A California appeals court says actress Nicollette Sheridan is not entitled to a new trial on her claim that she was wrongfully fired from “Desperate Housewives.”

But a three-member panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled Thursday that the actress should be allowed to file an amended lawsuit claiming she was retaliated against because she complained about her boss.

The court agreed with ABC attorneys that Sheridan’s contract simply was not renewed.

Her attorneys had contended the evidence supports their theory that she was fired because she claimed she was hit in the head by series creator Marc Cherry.

In March jurors deadlocked after a two-week trial, with the panel siding eight votes to four for the actress.

“Desperate Housewives” concluded its eight-season run this year.

Vindicator wire services