newsmakers

newsmakers

Stephen Hawking on hand for UK premiere of biopic

LONDON

He’s famous for his brainy but accessible exploration of the cosmos in “A Brief History of Time.” Now, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking has his own brief history, a biopic that traces a life marked by disability and stubbornness.

Stephen Hawking was on hand Thursday for the British premiere of “Hawking,” which follows the 71-year-old from his early days as an eccentric young student to one of the world’s most recognizable scientists.

Hawking was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis when he was 21 and told he had only a few years to live, but has gone on to become one of the world’s leading authorities on the study of the universe.

In a trailer for the film, Hawking is heard saying that humor “has been vital to my survival.”

Tupac Shakur biopic to be filmed in 2014

LOS ANGELES

A new biopic on slain rapper Tupac Shakur is coming.

Morgan Creek Productions and Emmett/Furla Filams announced in a Thursday news release they are in final negotiations to partner on the production of “Tupac.” The picture will begin filming next year in Atlanta.

Gunned down in 1996 in Las Vegas, Shakur’s murder has not been solved. He remains a towering figure in rap music, the subject of Elvis-like conspiracy theories and one of two slain symbols with Biggie Smalls of the East Coast-West Coast beef that ruled rap for a time in the 1990s.

The film will be executive-produced by Shakur’s mother, Afeni Shakur.

The news release says the film will center on Shakur’s life but makes no mention of who will star as the rapper or who will direct.

Insane Clown Posse festival checks are bouncing, vendors say

CAVE-IN-ROCK, Ill.

Vendors at the latest outdoor festival featuring rap-metal group Insane Clown Posse are complaining they’re owed thousands of dollars by promoters of the southern Illinois event, who now pledge they’ll find a way to pay the tab.

Several vendors at the Gathering of the Juggalos say they’ve received bad checks from those publicizing the festival last month near Cave-In-Rock, the (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reported.

Hardin County Sheriff Jerry Fricker said his department got a check from promoters Psychopathic Records Inc. as a donation for protective vests, stun guns and other equipment. But that check bounced, Fricker said, declining to specify the amount other than calling it “decent.”

“I’m kind of old-fashioned. I waited until the check cleared before I ordered anything,” the sheriff told the newspaper.

Event-Tex, a vendor that has supplied power generation and distribution for the event the past three years, has issued a “provisional warning to other industry professionals” about Farmington Hills, Mich.-based Psychopathic Records and its affiliates, saying a $54,000 check for its services this year has not cleared the bank.

Event-Tex owner Patrick Gail said the company has had no issues with receiving payment for the festival before this year, but he said this year has been different and that other vendors also haven’t been paid for services.

“The total amount owed from our discussions with the vendors exceeds $300,000,” Gail said in a statement.

Associated Press