Rushes special
Green Lantern, Black Widow divorced
LOS ANGELES—The Green Lantern and Black Widow, or at least the actors who play them on the big screen, are officially single again.
Court records show a judge finalized the divorce of Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson on Friday in Los Angeles.
Reynolds, who appeared in the recent film adaptation of the DC comic “The Green Lantern,” filed for divorce in December.
The filing came shortly after the couple, which kept their courtship and nuptials private, announced they had split.
The final divorce judgment filed Friday did not say how the pair would divide their assets.
Johansson portrays the Black Widow in “Iron Man 2” and the coming “Avengers” film.—AP
Gaga at first sight
TAIPEI—Pop diva Lady Gaga arrived in Taiwan on Friday to kick off her first visit to the island, sporting a long black and gold wig and blowing kisses to the delight of fans.
Several cable news channels broadcast live as Lady Gaga got off her private jet and walked toward the waiting media before posing briefly for photos.
Fans outside the hotel where she is staying in Taipei donned colorful wigs, tight dresses and platform shoes as they waited for a glimpse of their idol.
The singer was due to perform Sunday night in central Taichung City, which has declared the day “Lady Gaga Day” in honor of her highly anticipated first performance in Taiwan, officials said.
The 25-year-old singer was ranked this year’s most powerful celebrity by Forbes magazine.—AFP
Meeting the royals
LOS ANGELES—“Larry Crowne” actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw and “Game of Thrones” actor Harry Lloyd will be among new British talents meeting Prince William and his new wife, Kate Middleton, at a black-tie gala here next week.
But the royal couple will also get a chance to chat with Hollywood A-list stars at the occasion, which is seen as the highlight of their three–day visit to southern California, organizers said Friday.
About 250 people, including senior executives at Hollywood’s major movie studios, are expected at the sold-out event, which is intended to promote young British talent in film, television and video games.
One source involved in organizing the July 9 gala said guests would also include “a very nice celebrity list, from hot young things to legends.” The names are not expected to be released in advance.—Reuters
Nothing more to offer
MOSCOW—Shia LaBeouf’s days of battling the Decepticons seem to be over, with the “Transformers” star saying he has nothing more to offer after three films playing kid-next-door Sam Witwicky.
The 26-year-old American actor said he was through with the action-packed franchise. “I’m done,” he told The Associated Press at the recent opening of “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” at the Moscow International Film Festival. “I’m sure they will make more of them, though. It’s still a very hot franchise… But I don’t have anything new to contribute and I don’t think there’s anywhere to take Sam really.”—AP
Virtual duet with MJ
LONDON—Pop singer Janet Jackson has revived the spirit of her late brother Michael on stage with a virtual duet, two years after the King of Pop’s death.
The singer took her “Number Ones: Up Close & Personal” tour to London’s Royal Albert Hall on Thursday where she served up a career-spanning set of her hits.
Opening the show with the video of her 1980s electro-funk “Nasty,” she treated fans to a virtual collaboration with Michael on their 1995 hit “Scream.” While she performed her part of the single, her older brother’s vocals were played for his section of the song and a video of him was played on screen.
“The energy of the song is fierce but it makes me smile inside when I hear him, when I hear his voice,” Jackson told British radio.—Reuters
