Movies

'Magic Mike XXL' is a movie centered on "kindness".
Director Greg Jacobs - who helmed the stripper movie starring Channing Tatum and Jada Pinkett Smith - has claimed that the popularity of the franchise can be attributed to its "self deprecating" and "relatable" characters.
Reflecting on the plotline of the new movie, Greg said: "For me, and for us, I feel like we wanted there to be a humanity, and to have this aspect of friendship and kindness to be something that came across. I don't know. I hope that's what makes it relatable.
"The movies didn't pitch themselves so seriously, and there's an element of being self-deprecating. Even though the guys look how they do, they're very relatable, in a way."
The director is particularly enthusiastic about the performance of Channing Tatum.
He told Collider: "Channing is such a movie star and he's so relatable, and he genuinely is a great guy. I think who he is, as a person, really comes across, on screen.
"Even in the first one, the dancing is amazing, but especially in the first one, it's really that Chan's performance is so strong and so captivating."

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'Magic Mike XXL' director Gregory Jacobs has admitted the movie cast could appear in a musical adaptation.
The film-maker revealed a musical based on the comedy-drama movie is currently in the works and he's confessed that the cast - which includes Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, and Joe Manganiello - could even appear on the stage.
Speaking at the London premiere of his new movie, Gregory exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "We've been working hard on the musical, so far so good. I can't say too much about it but we are working on it."
Gregory admitted the star-studded film cast could even reappear in the musical, although it's still to be confirmed.
Asked whether the movie's cast or another group of actors will star, he said: "I don't know yet, maybe. The music and the script is being written now, it's coming along."
Earlier this year, Channing Tatum revealed the 'Magic Mike' musical is "in the works".
The 35-year-old actor shared: "We're getting it going. Oddly enough, the second one lends itself more to the musical.
"I think our original idea was to do a prequel, like how Mike got in."

Andy Serkis' dream role is playing Spiderman.
The 51-year-old actor confessed he would love to play the fictional superhero but would be apprehensive about taking on the role because he thinks he might be too old, despite the fact the character wears a mask.
He told BANG Showbiz: "I'm too old now but I've always been a massive 'Spiderman' fan. 'Spiderman' was my childhood, he was definitely my number one. But actually with the performance cap, it doesn't matter how old you are so it might be possible."
The actor recently starred in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' and continued to say he is keen to get involved in further Marvel projects now he has one under his belt.
He continued: "I'm waiting to hear what's going to happen. I had such a great time, Joss [Whedon] was such an amazing director."
Meanwhile, Andy will play Supreme Leader Snoke in 'Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens' when it hits cinemas later this year, and has found it "incredibly difficult" keeping the plotlines under wraps.
Speaking at the launch of the new cast of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' in London's West End, he said: "It's been incredibly difficult.
"I literally just have to remember to shut down whenever anyone asks me a single question about 'Star Wars' because it's been going on for so long now that people have voracious appetites for it. But it's not long now. It's out at the end of the year.
"My brother is one of the world's biggest 'Star Wars' fans and I know that he desperately wants to know but at the same time he actually doesn't want to know the spoilers."
'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' continues at Gielgud Theatre in London. For further information on the show visit http://www.curiousonstage.com/

'Ant-Man' is James Gunn's favourite Marvel film since 2008's 'Iron Man'.
The 44-year-old director - who helmed the 2014 movie 'Guardians of the Galaxy' - has given his verdict on the latest Marvel release, saying it's the best the studio has produced in years.
Writing on Facebook, James said: "'Ant-Man' may just be my favorite Marvel film since Jon Favreau's Iron Man (well, maybe excluding one film to which I'm partial).
"Honestly, the movie is a complete blast! I was so happy after seeing it. It's never boring for a second and it's hilarious and warm throughout.
"It doesn't get caught up in the webbing of its own science-fiction concept like so many movies do these days, remaining simple and elegant. It's a part of the Marvel universe without being ruled by that fact. (sic)"
James was also effusive in his praise of 'Ant-Man' director Peyton Reed, saying he did "an incredible job".
He explained: "I think all of Peyton Reed's years directing have led him to making something as deft and nimble and joyous as this; he did an incredible job.
"And, despite Edgar Wright's parting from Marvel, his spirit is felt through the entire project, and there is no doubt everyone owes him a huge debt of gratitude."

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Peyton Reed would "love" to make an 'Ant-Man' sequel.
The 50-year-old director - who's helmed the eagerly-awaited new Marvel movie, starring Paul Rudd - has revealed he would relish the opportunity to make another film with the studio.
He said: "If we're fortunate enough to do another 'Ant-Man' movie, I would love to do it."
Elsewhere, Evangeline Lilly - who stars as Hope Van Dyne - remained tight-lipped on the future of the franchise.
The 35-year-old actress told Variety: "All I know is that I had to sign up for three films, as does anybody.
"And I hope they use me for two more."
This comes shortly after the movie's central star, Paul Rudd, admitted he "never imagined" he'd be invited into the Marvel universe.
The 46-year-old star said recently: "I rarely have those kind of discussions with my representatives about anything. I don't have an agenda where I do a comedy and say, 'I have to do a drama next' or 'I am looking for an action movie now'.
"The Marvel world wasn't anything I thought about seriously because I guess I never imagined I'd get hired."

Gregory Jacobs was very impressed with Joe Manganiello when he "powered" through a serious injury on the set of 'Magic Mike XXL'.
The 38-year-old actor was performing an elaborate '50 Shades of Grey' inspired stripping scene as his character Big Dick Richie when the woman he was working with moved the wrong way causing him to tear his bicep muscle.
Despite being in agony, Manganiello was determined to finish the sequence involving him and an audience member on a sex swing, a feat which proved to director Jacobs what a great actor he is.
Speaking at the European premiere of the film at the Vue cinema in London's Leicester Square on Tuesday night (30.06.15), Jacobs said: "Joe got injured, pretty bad. One of the women he was working with sort of moved the wrong way and he hurt his arm. But he powered through, he's a great athlete. He got back on the horse."
Speaking about the injury he suffered, Manganiello - who is engaged to Sofia Vergara - has said: "We rehearsed and rehearsed and rehearsed and rehearsed, but then my dance partner did something unrehearsed. And the result was me hearing a loud rip and pop. It was my bicep."
Revealing how he refused to leave the set for medical treatment, he added: "I was like, 'There's no way.' Tomorrow my arm's not going to move. We've got to go now."
When Manganiello got his injury the rest of the stripper-playing cast - which includes Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Kevin Nash and Adam Rodriguez - were quick to check on their co-star.
Jacobs insists the real camaraderie that existed between the guys on set is evident in the "bromance" road trip story that plays out in the movie.
The filmmaker exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "The camaraderie with the guys is real. What you see on screen is real with them, the guys are very supportive of each other and we all had a great time making the movie.
"The film is real about friendships between men and women and men and men, there's a big bromance element to it as well. It's a male stripper bromance and I think there's a likeability to the guys that means you want to be there with them.
"But I also think the movie does explore the (different) relationships between men and women as well. In this movie men and women are friends which is important."