Will Smith's upcoming movie 'Emancipation' faced a setback as a federal judge dismissed a case involving an extra who sued the studio after being injured on set in Louisiana. James Walker Jr., a background actor in the film, filed the lawsuit against Smith's studio. 'Emancipation' is set in Louisiana and tells the story of a runaway slave during the Civil War. The judge's decision to dismiss the case is a blow to Walker Jr., who claimed he suffered a serious shoulder injury while filming a scene. The dismissal of the case raises questions about the safety protocols on the set of 'Emancipation' and the responsibility of the production team to ensure the well-being of all cast and crew members [bab15357].
In a separate legal development, actor Jonathan Majors has been sentenced to a 52-week in-person domestic violence intervention program after being convicted of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment in December. The charges carried a sentence of up to one year in prison. The sentencing will take place in person in Los Angeles, and Majors must continue with mental health counseling and therapy. If he is not compliant, he could face up to 364 days in jail. Majors' attorneys have asked for the possibility of conducting some sessions virtually. The charges stem from an incident on March 25, 2023, when Majors was riding in a car with his then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. Majors' girlfriend saw a text on his phone, grabbed the phone, and a physical altercation ensued. Majors was convicted on two charges and found not guilty on two other charges after a two-week trial. Majors' attorneys plan to appeal the conviction. Majors has already faced consequences outside of the courtroom, including being dropped from his role as Kang the Conqueror in Marvel Cinematic Universe films. He also faces a civil suit filed by Jabbari. The sentencing was delayed from February to April after Majors' defense team filed a motion to set aside the verdict [3b67a708], [a85ec578].
Jonathan Majors, the 34-year-old star of Creed III, was convicted of misdemeanor assault by a Manhattan jury in December last year for assaulting his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari. He was sentenced to probation and ordered to complete a one-year counseling program. Majors had faced up to a year behind bars. Following the guilty verdict, he was dropped by Marvel Studios, which had cast him as Kang the Conqueror. Majors claimed that Jabbari was the aggressor and that he was only trying to regain his phone and get away from her safely. He still faces a civil suit filed by Jabbari, accusing him of assault, battery, defamation, and inflicting emotional distress. Majors' lawyers have declined to respond to the claims and are preparing to file counterclaims against Jabbari. The question remains whether Marvel will recast the role of Kang or pivot in a new direction [24f861f0].
Jonathan Majors has been dropped from the Dennis Rodman movie '48 Hours in Vegas'. Lionsgate, the studio developing the film, has decided not to move forward with the project and will now shop it to other potential buyers. The film, which focuses on Rodman's trip to Las Vegas during the 1998 NBA Finals, was being produced by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Aditya Sood. This news comes after Majors was dropped by Disney from his role as Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Majors is also facing a sentencing on February 6 for assault and harassment convictions. His movie 'Magazine Dreams' is unlikely to get a release from Searchlight. Majors had expressed excitement about his role in '48 Hours in Vegas' and had been studying for the part. However, he was found guilty in December and said he was shocked at the verdict. The film was set to be a pivotal role for Majors in future Marvel movies [47a5c17e].
Dave Chapelle is facing a lawsuit after an incident at the Hollywood Bowl during his performance at the 'Netflix is a Joke' festival on May 3, 2022. Isaiah Lee, a man who stormed the stage and attacked Chapelle, is suing the Hollywood Bowl and its security team. Lee alleges that he was beaten, had his shoulder dislocated, and was spit on by security officers and members of Chapelle's entourage. Lee, who identifies as bisexual, was offended by Chapelle's jokes. He was arrested and charged with criminal battery and possession of a weapon with intent to assault. The lawsuit claims that the Hollywood Bowl and the security company had a duty to handle the situation with reasonable care. Lee admits to assaulting Chapelle but states his reasoning in the lawsuit. He also claims that the knife found in his possession was a replica and denies using it to threaten Chapelle. Lee is seeking an unspecified amount in damages. The lawsuit describes Lee's injuries as 'life-altering' and states that he experienced physical and emotional pain as a result of the incident. Chapelle's representative described the attack as 'unfortunate' and 'disturbing' but emphasized that it would not overshadow the success of the comedy festival. The incident occurred a year after Chapelle's Netflix comedy special 'The Closer' drew criticism for jokes offensive to the LGBTQ community. Lee, in a prison interview, stated that he tackled Chapelle to make him aware of the triggering nature of his jokes and suggested that Chapelle should have his material reviewed by people who can influence it before performing [db6168ca].
Charlyne Yi, a Hollywood star, has alleged physical and psychological abuse on the set of the remake of the 80s classic Time Bandits. The star claimed to have been physically assaulted multiple times by an actor and psychologically abused. They also stated that they sustained a back injury due to the abuse and were denied workers' compensation. The star is seeking accountability and reparations. Paramount Television Studios conducted an investigation into the allegations and took additional steps to address concerns. The studio refuted claims that workers' compensation was not paid, stating that the payment was from an outside party. Charlyne Yi expressed that the production prioritized people's careers and a fictional world over protecting those most marginalized and targeted [0c93f733].
Jonathan Majors is set to receive the Perseverance Award from the Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards. In March, Majors faced allegations of assault and harassment from his ex-girlfriend, resulting in a guilty verdict but no jail time. As a result, Majors lost his role as Kang in the Marvel movie universe and a biopic about Dennis Rodman. Despite the controversy, the Impact Awards decided to honor Majors for his perseverance. However, the decision has divided fans, with some supporting Majors and others criticizing the awards for rewarding bad behavior. The backlash has sparked discussions about how Hollywood handles such situations. The awards night will determine whether Majors can win back his fans and restore his reputation. The controversy surrounding Majors and his award highlights Hollywood's journey towards more responsibility and accountability [6a6906f5].
Meagan Good, star of 'Divorce in the Black,' discusses her new movie, desire for children, and her relationship with Jonathan Majors. Good expresses her desire to have a platform rather than fame or money and wants to empower women. She talks about her divorce and how it made her realize her desire for children. Good also discusses her spiritual beliefs and her relationship with God. She addresses the public scrutiny of her relationship with Majors and defends their relationship, stating that she is solid and happy. Good is grateful for the timing of their relationship and believes that it has produced something special [ad3f2f83].
Meagan Good addresses backlash from hugging Michael Ealy; the interaction was widely viewed as a rude gesture towards her boyfriend, Jonathan Majors. Good clarifies that there is no problem between Ealy and Majors and believes the video was taken out of context. In the full video, Ealy can be seen talking and greeting Majors before hugging Good. Good maintains that things between her and Majors are better than ever.