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Rhys Ifans has spoken out on the slaughter of seals for their fur, calling it "inhumane."
The 'Amazing Spider Man' actor branded the killing of the marine mammals for their skins as "an off-season cash grab" for the Canadian fishing industry in a letter urging the Appellate Body of World Trade Organisation (WTO) to maintain the organisation's decision to uphold the European Union's ban against the practice ahead of their meeting in Geneva on March 17.
An extract from a signed letter written by Rhys on behalf of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) reads: "EU nations have made it clear that they want no part in the seal slaughter, which is merely an off-season cash grab for the Canadian fishing industry and accounts for less than 1 per cent of Newfoundland's economy. Since Canada is challenging the EU ban merely for political reasons back home, I hope the Appellate Body will uphold it."
The letter comes just two weeks before Canada's annual seal hunt, a practice dating back centuries which sees seals slaughtered, officially in a bid to prevent fisheries damages, however young seals are coveted for their fur.
The EU, Mexico, Taiwan and the US have now banned seal fur imports, as have Russia , who were responsible for importing 95 percent of Canada's seal fur.
The Canadian government have been arguing against the EU ban to revive the trade but officials are being forced to examine whether the practices should be put to rest.
Rhys Ifans brands seal hunting as ‘inhumane’
Rhys Ifans has spoken out on the slaughter of seals for their fur, calling it "inhumane."
The 'Amazing Spider Man' actor branded the killing of the marine mammals for their skins as "an off-season cash grab" for the Canadian fishing industry in a letter urging the Appellate Body of World Trade Organisation (WTO) to maintain the organisation's decision to uphold the European Union's ban against the practice ahead of their meeting in Geneva on March 17.
An extract from a signed letter written by Rhys on behalf of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) reads: "EU nations have made it clear that they want no part in the seal slaughter, which is merely an off-season cash grab for the Canadian fishing industry and accounts for less than 1 per cent of Newfoundland's economy. Since Canada is challenging the EU ban merely for political reasons back home, I hope the Appellate Body will uphold it."
The letter comes just two weeks before Canada's annual seal hunt, a practice dating back centuries which sees seals slaughtered, officially in a bid to prevent fisheries damages, however young seals are coveted for their fur.
The EU, Mexico, Taiwan and the US have now banned seal fur imports, as have Russia , who were responsible for importing 95 percent of Canada's seal fur.
The Canadian government have been arguing against the EU ban to revive the trade but officials are being forced to examine whether the practices should be put to rest.
TV
Jessica Wright isn't "fussed" about 'The Only Way is Essex' newcomer Grace Andrews.
The 'TOWIE' veteran has slammed newcomers Grace and Fran Parman for not making an effort to get to know her and doesn't think they have ingratiated themselves well with the existing cast.
Speaking backstage at the TRIC Awards in London yesterday (11.03.14), she exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "None of the new girls, apart from Georgia [Kousoulou], have made an absolute effort.
"I spoke to Grace once, she kind of said hey, and she excused herself and walked off inside because she was cold. Even though I was cold I was still trying to make an effort because she's new. I don't really have an opinion on her ... she's not really spiced things up majorly, so I'm not really fussed.
"Fran's not made an effort at all. I made a really big effort with Fran, she's not even looked at me since.
"If you are new on the scene, you kind of feel like it's your place to say hello and stuff, and I was the one making an effort with her."
Jess, 28, thinks 25-year-old Grace - who was romantically linked to Mario Falcone - may be intimidated to approach her.
She added: "I've only been on set with her four or five times. She's never made a massive effort, whereas I did make an effort. But at the same time, she may be a bit intimidated."
Meanwhile, Jess' boyfriend Ricky Rayment, 22, had choice words about Grace's appearance.
He quipped: "I watch it and I feel like her bottom lip's lost control!"
Jessica Wright ‘not fussed’ about Grace Andrews
Jessica Wright isn't "fussed" about 'The Only Way is Essex' newcomer Grace Andrews.
The 'TOWIE' veteran has slammed newcomers Grace and Fran Parman for not making an effort to get to know her and doesn't think they have ingratiated themselves well with the existing cast.
Speaking backstage at the TRIC Awards in London yesterday (11.03.14), she exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "None of the new girls, apart from Georgia [Kousoulou], have made an absolute effort.
"I spoke to Grace once, she kind of said hey, and she excused herself and walked off inside because she was cold. Even though I was cold I was still trying to make an effort because she's new. I don't really have an opinion on her ... she's not really spiced things up majorly, so I'm not really fussed.
"Fran's not made an effort at all. I made a really big effort with Fran, she's not even looked at me since.
"If you are new on the scene, you kind of feel like it's your place to say hello and stuff, and I was the one making an effort with her."
Jess, 28, thinks 25-year-old Grace - who was romantically linked to Mario Falcone - may be intimidated to approach her.
She added: "I've only been on set with her four or five times. She's never made a massive effort, whereas I did make an effort. But at the same time, she may be a bit intimidated."
Meanwhile, Jess' boyfriend Ricky Rayment, 22, had choice words about Grace's appearance.
He quipped: "I watch it and I feel like her bottom lip's lost control!"
TV
MyAnna Buring and Russell Tovey have been cast in 'Banished'.
The 'Ripper Street' actress and the 'Being Human' star will be joined by the likes of Julian Rhind-Tutt ('The Hour') and David Wenham ('Top Of The Lake') in Jimmy McGovern's new BBC series, set for broadcast in 2015.
The seven-part fictional drama is inspired by 18th century events when Britain established a penal colony in Australia, and will centre around the settlement's convicts, the soldiers who guarded them and the men who governed them.
Jimmy explained: "How the first convicts survived is the best story I've come across in over 30 years as a dramatist. When you've got something like that, you don't worry about the narrative; you just concentrate on the characters. That is what we did. Consequently, I don't think I've ever written anything so character-driven."
Australian actor David Wenham plays idealist Governor Arthur Phillip, who clashes with the uber strict Major Ross (Joseph Millson). At the centre of it all is a story of love and friendship between convicts Elizabeth Quinn (Myanna Buring), Tommy Barrett (Julian Rhind-Tutt) and James Freeman (Russell Tovey).
'Banished', which has been co-commissioned by BBC Two and BBC Worldwide Australia and New Zealand, was written by Jimmy McGovern, with Shaun Duggan ('Accused') penning episode five.
Sita Williams acts as producer and executive produces alongside Roxy Spencer and Jimmy McGovern.
Filming for begins in Sydney this April.
MyAnna Buring and Russell Tovey to star in Banished
MyAnna Buring and Russell Tovey have been cast in 'Banished'.
The 'Ripper Street' actress and the 'Being Human' star will be joined by the likes of Julian Rhind-Tutt ('The Hour') and David Wenham ('Top Of The Lake') in Jimmy McGovern's new BBC series, set for broadcast in 2015.
The seven-part fictional drama is inspired by 18th century events when Britain established a penal colony in Australia, and will centre around the settlement's convicts, the soldiers who guarded them and the men who governed them.
Jimmy explained: "How the first convicts survived is the best story I've come across in over 30 years as a dramatist. When you've got something like that, you don't worry about the narrative; you just concentrate on the characters. That is what we did. Consequently, I don't think I've ever written anything so character-driven."
Australian actor David Wenham plays idealist Governor Arthur Phillip, who clashes with the uber strict Major Ross (Joseph Millson). At the centre of it all is a story of love and friendship between convicts Elizabeth Quinn (Myanna Buring), Tommy Barrett (Julian Rhind-Tutt) and James Freeman (Russell Tovey).
'Banished', which has been co-commissioned by BBC Two and BBC Worldwide Australia and New Zealand, was written by Jimmy McGovern, with Shaun Duggan ('Accused') penning episode five.
Sita Williams acts as producer and executive produces alongside Roxy Spencer and Jimmy McGovern.
Filming for begins in Sydney this April.
TV
Paloma Faith has been "asked a number of times" to judge on a TV show.
The 32-year-old singer - who shot to fame in 2009 - claims she's been approached by bosses on numerous occasions to become a panellist on a talent show, but she's refused the offer because she doesn't like the "format" of programmes.
She explained: "I've been asked a number of times to be involved in judging panels for TV shows and other talent initiatives, and turned them down because of the format. I think art is subjective and that those kinds of shows are looking for a certain type of artist.
"I don't think I would ever have got through had I ever auditioned on one of them."
Meanwhile, the 'Picking Up the Pieces' hitmaker has teamed up with Samsung and Launching People - a new mentorship programme which aims to find undiscovered British talent - in a bid to help wannabes break into the industry.
She explained: "I really want to help someone to further their career, but to do it in a realistic way rather than from the platform of a television show. The reality is that most people in this industry aren't an overnight success - their success comes from years of networking and working out what kind of artist they want to be."
The Samsung Launching People project will be documented in a television series on Sky 1 HD.
Other mentors on the show include actor Idris Elba, food expert Gizzi Erskine and fashion photographer Rankin.
Paloma Faith not a fan of reality show ‘formats’
Paloma Faith has been "asked a number of times" to judge on a TV show.
The 32-year-old singer - who shot to fame in 2009 - claims she's been approached by bosses on numerous occasions to become a panellist on a talent show, but she's refused the offer because she doesn't like the "format" of programmes.
She explained: "I've been asked a number of times to be involved in judging panels for TV shows and other talent initiatives, and turned them down because of the format. I think art is subjective and that those kinds of shows are looking for a certain type of artist.
"I don't think I would ever have got through had I ever auditioned on one of them."
Meanwhile, the 'Picking Up the Pieces' hitmaker has teamed up with Samsung and Launching People - a new mentorship programme which aims to find undiscovered British talent - in a bid to help wannabes break into the industry.
She explained: "I really want to help someone to further their career, but to do it in a realistic way rather than from the platform of a television show. The reality is that most people in this industry aren't an overnight success - their success comes from years of networking and working out what kind of artist they want to be."
The Samsung Launching People project will be documented in a television series on Sky 1 HD.
Other mentors on the show include actor Idris Elba, food expert Gizzi Erskine and fashion photographer Rankin.
Music News
Pete Wentz is worried British fans won't show up to upcoming Fall Out Boy gigs.
The 34-year-old bassist and band mates Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley, who formed the rock group in 2001, went on hiatus from music in 2009 before reforming last year and Pete is nervous about heading to Britain.
He told Kerrang! magazine: "I'm more worried that this will be the day people don't show up."
The band have been on their Save Rock and Roll tour since last year and are preparing to bring the show to the UK later this month.
He continued: "[The UK fans] have always been such a big supporter of our band. Probably the biggest of any place in the world."
But Pete admits it hasn't all been smooth sailing when it comes to the tour's set.
He explained: "We have a sheet that covers the set, and there have been nights when it hasn't fallen down right.
"We also have a small stage [at the back of the venue] that we run to, and we often get stuck at locked doors or go the wrong way, because the venue is a maze."
The band head to the UK on Saturday (15.03.14) and will perform in London, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Dublin, Newcastle and Glasgow.
Pete Wentz worried fans won’t show up
Pete Wentz is worried British fans won't show up to upcoming Fall Out Boy gigs.
The 34-year-old bassist and band mates Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley, who formed the rock group in 2001, went on hiatus from music in 2009 before reforming last year and Pete is nervous about heading to Britain.
He told Kerrang! magazine: "I'm more worried that this will be the day people don't show up."
The band have been on their Save Rock and Roll tour since last year and are preparing to bring the show to the UK later this month.
He continued: "[The UK fans] have always been such a big supporter of our band. Probably the biggest of any place in the world."
But Pete admits it hasn't all been smooth sailing when it comes to the tour's set.
He explained: "We have a sheet that covers the set, and there have been nights when it hasn't fallen down right.
"We also have a small stage [at the back of the venue] that we run to, and we often get stuck at locked doors or go the wrong way, because the venue is a maze."
The band head to the UK on Saturday (15.03.14) and will perform in London, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Dublin, Newcastle and Glasgow.
Music News
Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys and Kendrick Lamar have collaborated on a new song.
The 'Happy' hitmaker has produced a new track, 'It's On Again', which features Alicia and Kendrick and will appear on the soundtrack for upcoming superhero action movie, 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2'.
Acclaimed Hollywood score composer Hans Zimmer is overseeing the project and has worked with the talented trio on the song.
Alicia said: "I'm very excited to be a part of such a powerful collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams and Hans Zimmer.
"This is the next chapter in the 'Spider-Man' legacy and we really feel 'It's On Again' captures the experience, the story - and most importantly - the meaning behind the film, which is that we all have the potential to be extraordinary. There's a little bit of a super hero in all of us."
'No One' singer Alicia provides the main vocals on the track, but Grammy-nominated rapper Kendrick is heard in one of the verses.
Pharrell gushed about his collaborators, saying: "Hans has created an iconic score theme and it was exciting to collaborate with him again on this song. When I was making the song, I knew Alicia and Kendrick had to be on it. They take the song to a whole new level."
The singer-and-producer was recently nominated for an Oscar for his last soundtrack song, 'Happy', which appeared in 'Despicable Me 2'.
In addition to 'It's On Again', Pharrell, 40, also enlisted Alicia for 'Know Who You Are', taken from his just-released second studio album, 'G I R L'.
Pharrell, Alicia Keys and Kendrick collaborate
Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys and Kendrick Lamar have collaborated on a new song.
The 'Happy' hitmaker has produced a new track, 'It's On Again', which features Alicia and Kendrick and will appear on the soundtrack for upcoming superhero action movie, 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2'.
Acclaimed Hollywood score composer Hans Zimmer is overseeing the project and has worked with the talented trio on the song.
Alicia said: "I'm very excited to be a part of such a powerful collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams and Hans Zimmer.
"This is the next chapter in the 'Spider-Man' legacy and we really feel 'It's On Again' captures the experience, the story - and most importantly - the meaning behind the film, which is that we all have the potential to be extraordinary. There's a little bit of a super hero in all of us."
'No One' singer Alicia provides the main vocals on the track, but Grammy-nominated rapper Kendrick is heard in one of the verses.
Pharrell gushed about his collaborators, saying: "Hans has created an iconic score theme and it was exciting to collaborate with him again on this song. When I was making the song, I knew Alicia and Kendrick had to be on it. They take the song to a whole new level."
The singer-and-producer was recently nominated for an Oscar for his last soundtrack song, 'Happy', which appeared in 'Despicable Me 2'.
In addition to 'It's On Again', Pharrell, 40, also enlisted Alicia for 'Know Who You Are', taken from his just-released second studio album, 'G I R L'.
Movies
Joe and Anthony Russo will direct 'Captain America 3'.
The Russo brothers helmed the forthcoming sequel to 2011's hit film - titled 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' - and are "getting an idea" of how they want to approach the next installment.
Talking to collider.com, they said: "Well now that Kevin [Feige, President of Production at Marvel Studios] said it that means we can talk about it, I guess. That's great. We're just in the formative stages of it right now. We just started breaking story with [screenwriters Christopher] Markus and [Stephen] McFeely and we're just getting an idea of what we wanna do with it."
They admitted it's "crazy" working on the third film, since 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' is yet to hit the big screen.
The superhero adventure, which stars Chris Evans as the titular character who is also known as Steve Rogers, will be released in Los Angeles later this month and in North America this April.
They added: "It's crazy working on it before the movie even comes out because you want to see what people respond to in the movie. You want to get some inspiration from what people like about the film so you go, 'Okay, this is what we gotta lean into in the next movie' or 'this is what we should move away from, this didn't work so well.' So we're just in that phase of breaking story but waiting to see how people respond to the movie."
Joe and Anthony Russo to direct Captain America 3
Joe and Anthony Russo will direct 'Captain America 3'.
The Russo brothers helmed the forthcoming sequel to 2011's hit film - titled 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' - and are "getting an idea" of how they want to approach the next installment.
Talking to collider.com, they said: "Well now that Kevin [Feige, President of Production at Marvel Studios] said it that means we can talk about it, I guess. That's great. We're just in the formative stages of it right now. We just started breaking story with [screenwriters Christopher] Markus and [Stephen] McFeely and we're just getting an idea of what we wanna do with it."
They admitted it's "crazy" working on the third film, since 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' is yet to hit the big screen.
The superhero adventure, which stars Chris Evans as the titular character who is also known as Steve Rogers, will be released in Los Angeles later this month and in North America this April.
They added: "It's crazy working on it before the movie even comes out because you want to see what people respond to in the movie. You want to get some inspiration from what people like about the film so you go, 'Okay, this is what we gotta lean into in the next movie' or 'this is what we should move away from, this didn't work so well.' So we're just in that phase of breaking story but waiting to see how people respond to the movie."
Movies
Scarlett Johansson says 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' is a "continuation" of 2012's hit film.
The actress plays Black Widow, aka Natasha Romanoff in the films, and has revealed the characters grow whereby the are able to take the "next step" in the forthcoming Marvel picture, which is due for a May 2015 release.
She told collider.com: "I mean this movie feels like the continuation of 'The Avengers', it doesn't feel like a tag-on or the rehashed version or just 'let's throw a bunch of new characters in there and keep the thing alive.' It really feels like the next step, and all of our characters, our relationships with one another continue to progress, become more intertwined, more complicated, more meshed."
Johansson also gushed about director Joss Whedon who has come up with a "totally solid" and "ever-expanding Marvel universe".
She explained: "I was just amazed -- Joss is something else, he really is. He locks himself away for God knows how long, I think he has the dark circles to prove it. [He] just came out with something totally solid. I was really impressed by his ability to make this ever-expanding Marvel universe feel very close-knit and cerebral and progressive."
Johansson is hoping fans of the comic will "love" the film's "dramatic moments" which the viewers can relate to.
The star added: "And the film has a lot of great comic book moments that the fans are gonna love, but it's also got a lot of really great dramatic moments that audience members, I think, will really relate to."
Scarlett Johansson:Avengers: Age of Ultron is continuation
Scarlett Johansson says 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' is a "continuation" of 2012's hit film.
The actress plays Black Widow, aka Natasha Romanoff in the films, and has revealed the characters grow whereby the are able to take the "next step" in the forthcoming Marvel picture, which is due for a May 2015 release.
She told collider.com: "I mean this movie feels like the continuation of 'The Avengers', it doesn't feel like a tag-on or the rehashed version or just 'let's throw a bunch of new characters in there and keep the thing alive.' It really feels like the next step, and all of our characters, our relationships with one another continue to progress, become more intertwined, more complicated, more meshed."
Johansson also gushed about director Joss Whedon who has come up with a "totally solid" and "ever-expanding Marvel universe".
She explained: "I was just amazed -- Joss is something else, he really is. He locks himself away for God knows how long, I think he has the dark circles to prove it. [He] just came out with something totally solid. I was really impressed by his ability to make this ever-expanding Marvel universe feel very close-knit and cerebral and progressive."
Johansson is hoping fans of the comic will "love" the film's "dramatic moments" which the viewers can relate to.
The star added: "And the film has a lot of great comic book moments that the fans are gonna love, but it's also got a lot of really great dramatic moments that audience members, I think, will really relate to."
Movies
Kristen Bell hopes the 'Veronica Mars' movie "satisfies" fans.
The 33-year-old actress - who reprises her titular role in a movie spin-off of the cult classic TV series - admits she feels a responsibility to ensure fans that helped finance the film through crowd-funding website Kickstarter enjoy it.
'Veronica Mars' made headlines last year after Bell and show creator Rob Thomas raised over $5 million from avid viewers of the show, which ran from 2004 to 2007, to fund the big screen production.
Quizzed if she's nervous about the film, Bell said: "Our Kickstarters who funded the movie are my priority, so I'm a bit nervous ... [well] not nervous, but I'm hoping that everybody leaves the theatres satisfied.
"If new fans like it or people [who] didn't Kickstart the movie, that's just an added bonus for me."
The film picks up several years after the TV series ended and sees private investigator Veronica return to her hometown of Neptune, California, to solve one last crime when her former high school flame Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring) is charged with murdering his girlfriend.
'Veronica Mars' will feature numerous cameos from A-list stars including James Franco, Jamie Lee Curtis, Justin Long and Bell's husband Dax Shepard.
The actress gushed to Access Hollywood: "We just made a bunch of phone calls and asked people to be involved. We just lucked out that everyone wanted to be involved."
Kristen Bell hopes fans are ‘satisfied’ with Veronica Mars
Kristen Bell hopes the 'Veronica Mars' movie "satisfies" fans.
The 33-year-old actress - who reprises her titular role in a movie spin-off of the cult classic TV series - admits she feels a responsibility to ensure fans that helped finance the film through crowd-funding website Kickstarter enjoy it.
'Veronica Mars' made headlines last year after Bell and show creator Rob Thomas raised over $5 million from avid viewers of the show, which ran from 2004 to 2007, to fund the big screen production.
Quizzed if she's nervous about the film, Bell said: "Our Kickstarters who funded the movie are my priority, so I'm a bit nervous ... [well] not nervous, but I'm hoping that everybody leaves the theatres satisfied.
"If new fans like it or people [who] didn't Kickstart the movie, that's just an added bonus for me."
The film picks up several years after the TV series ended and sees private investigator Veronica return to her hometown of Neptune, California, to solve one last crime when her former high school flame Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring) is charged with murdering his girlfriend.
'Veronica Mars' will feature numerous cameos from A-list stars including James Franco, Jamie Lee Curtis, Justin Long and Bell's husband Dax Shepard.
The actress gushed to Access Hollywood: "We just made a bunch of phone calls and asked people to be involved. We just lucked out that everyone wanted to be involved."
Showbiz
Robin Thicke partied with Leonardo DiCaprio for his 37th birthday.
The 'Blurred Lines' singer - who recently split from wife Paula Patton after eight years of marriage - was joined by the 'Wolf of Wall Street' actor and a group of male friends at DBA nightclub in West Hollywood on Monday (10.03.14), and despite the problems in his personal life, he had a "great" time.
A source revealed: "[Robin was] in a great mood, enjoying time with his friends, [but] no girls were allowed in their booth."
Robin and Leo indulged in a slew of alcohol, with the group sipping on tequila pineapples and Amstel light beer before toasting the occasion with Cristal champagne.
The no-girls policy could be part of Robin's attempts to win back Paula - with who he has three-year-old son Julian - as it was recently claimed she had told him to "prove" he is serious about wanting to save their marriage.
The 'Baggage Claim' actress had initially been insistent about wanting a divorce following her increased unhappiness at her spouse's hard-partying ways, including being pictured with various women while out socialising, but is said to have had a change of heart following "constant" conversations about their future and is now open to a reunion.
Robin Thicke parties with Leonardo DiCaprio
Robin Thicke partied with Leonardo DiCaprio for his 37th birthday.
The 'Blurred Lines' singer - who recently split from wife Paula Patton after eight years of marriage - was joined by the 'Wolf of Wall Street' actor and a group of male friends at DBA nightclub in West Hollywood on Monday (10.03.14), and despite the problems in his personal life, he had a "great" time.
A source revealed: "[Robin was] in a great mood, enjoying time with his friends, [but] no girls were allowed in their booth."
Robin and Leo indulged in a slew of alcohol, with the group sipping on tequila pineapples and Amstel light beer before toasting the occasion with Cristal champagne.
The no-girls policy could be part of Robin's attempts to win back Paula - with who he has three-year-old son Julian - as it was recently claimed she had told him to "prove" he is serious about wanting to save their marriage.
The 'Baggage Claim' actress had initially been insistent about wanting a divorce following her increased unhappiness at her spouse's hard-partying ways, including being pictured with various women while out socialising, but is said to have had a change of heart following "constant" conversations about their future and is now open to a reunion.