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Legendary Star Wars and James Bond actor passes away

<p>The galaxy far, far away has dimmed a little with the passing of Michael Culver, a distinguished British actor whose name became etched in the annals of cinematic history, particularly for his role in the iconic 1980 film <em>Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back</em>.</p> <p>Culver, who portrayed Captain Needa, the unfortunate Imperial officer, met his demise in one of the franchise's most memorable scenes at the hands of Darth Vader. However, his legacy extends far beyond the realms of science fiction, encompassing a career spanning over five decades of stage, screen and political activism.</p> <p>Born in 1938 in Hempstead, North London, to esteemed parents within the theatre industry, Culver was destined for a life under the spotlight. His father, Roland Culver, was a notable West End stage actor, while his mother, Daphne Rye, served as a casting director in London-based theatre. Following in their footsteps, Culver honed his craft at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, laying the foundation for a prolific acting career.</p> <p>Culver's journey in the performing arts began in the late 1950s, with appearances on Broadway in Shakespearean classics such as <em>King Henry V</em>, <em>Hamlet</em>, and <em>Twelfth Night</em>. His talent soon graced the West End stage in 1962, marking the start of a distinguished theatrical career. Transitioning to the small screen, Culver made his onscreen debut in 1961, captivating audiences with his versatile performances in British television series and movies.</p> <p>However, it was Culver's portrayal of Captain Needa in <em>The Empire Strikes Back</em> that solidified his status as a cultural icon. Despite his character's brief appearance, Culver left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide, immortalised in one of cinema's most unforgettable moments. His confrontation with Vader, culminating in a chilling demise, remains etched in the memories of countless fans, a testament to Culver's ability to captivate audiences with his presence.</p> <p>Beyond his intergalactic exploits, Culver's talents graced a multitude of productions, including notable roles in <em>Sherlock Holmes, A Passage to India</em>, <em>Secret Army, </em>and even appearing in two James Bond movies – <em>From Russia With Love </em>and <em>Thunderball</em> – in uncredited roles. His versatility and dedication to his craft earned him admiration and respect from peers and audiences alike. Yet, Culver's contributions extended beyond the realms of entertainment; in the early 2000s, he shifted his focus to political activism, leveraging his platform to advocate for causes close to his heart.</p> <p>Despite bidding farewell to the limelight, Culver's legacy endures through the countless lives he touched and the memories he forged on stage and screen.</p> <p>An extended message on the Alliance Agents Facebook page, who represented Culver, read as follows:</p> <p>"We are very sad to confirm the passing of our friend and client Michael Culver. A career spanning over 50 years with notable roles in Sherlock Holmes, A Passage to India, Secret Army and of course one of the most memorable death scenes in the Star Wars franchise. Michael largely gave up acting in the early 2000's to concentrate his efforts into his political activism. It's been an honor to have represented Michael for for the last decade and to have taken him to some of the best Star Wars events in the UK and Europe.  A real highlight was taking Michael to Celebration in Chicago in 2019.  He was lost for words when he saw his queue line with nearly 200 people waiting to see him. We worked with Michael just 3 weeks ago at his last home signing with our friends at Elite Signatures. Michel died on Tuesday 27th February at the age of 85."  </p> <p>"We miss him."</p> <p>His passing leaves a void in the hearts of fans and colleagues, a reminder of the fleeting nature of life's curtain call. As we reflect on his remarkable journey, let us celebrate the life and legacy of Michael Culver, an actor whose talents transcended galaxies and whose spirit will continue to inspire generations to come.</p> <p>In his memory, let us heed the timeless words of Captain Needa himself: "We shall double our efforts."</p> <p>Rest in peace, Michael Culver. The force will always be with you.</p> <p><em>Images: IMDB / Wookiepedia</em></p>

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Matildas captain Sam Kerr to face criminal trial

<p>Matildas superstar Sam Kerr has found herself at the centre of legal proceedings in London, as she pled not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged incident involving a police officer earlier this year.</p> <p>Kerr, aged 30, appeared before Kingston Crown Court via videolink to contest accusations of using insulting, threatening or abusive language towards a police officer in Twickenham on January 30.</p> <p>During the hearing, Kerr confirmed her identity and entered a "not guilty" plea to the charge, which was later confirmed by the Metropolitan Police. The specifics of the charge were outlined in a police charge sheet, citing Kerr for a racially aggravated offence under Section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986. The incident allegedly occurred during police intervention related to a complaint involving a taxi fare.</p> <p>The trial, slated to commence in February 2025, is expected to span four days, during which two police officers will provide evidence. Meanwhile, Football Australia (FA) has issued a statement acknowledging the legal proceedings involving Kerr, asserting their commitment to support all players both on and off the field. However, due to the ongoing legal nature of the situation, further comments were withheld.</p> <p>“Football Australia is aware of the legal proceedings involving Sam Kerr in the United Kingdom,” the statement read. “As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are unable to provide further comment at this time. Our focus remains on supporting all our players, both on and off the field. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide support as appropriate.”</p> <p>The announcement comes after Kerr's unfortunate sidelining from both club and international duties. Suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Chelsea's warm-weather training camp in Morocco, Kerr faces a prolonged period of rehabilitation, ruling her out of action for the foreseeable future. Her absence from the Matildas' lineup is particularly sorely felt, with preparations for the Paris Olympics underway.</p> <p>Despite the setback, Football Australia has not officially ruled Kerr out of contention for the Olympics. However, the typical recovery timeline for ACL injuries suggests a lengthy rehabilitation process, casting doubts on Kerr's participation in the upcoming tournament scheduled to begin on July 26.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty Images</em></p>

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Beloved Star Trek and Marvel star passes away at age 49

<p>The entertainment world is mourning the loss of a talented actor and beloved individual, Kenneth Mitchell, who passed away at the age of 49 after bravely battling ALS for five years.</p> <p>Mitchell, recognised for his roles in notable productions such as <em>Star Trek: Discovery</em> and <em>Captain Marvel</em>, leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond the screen.</p> <p>In a heartfelt statement shared through X and Instagram, Mitchell's family announced his passing, remembering him as a cherished father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend.</p> <p>“With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend,” his family wrote. “Ken was widely known as an actor in many films and television shows. He’s portrayed an Olympic hopeful, an apocalypse survivor, an astronaut, a superhero’s dad, and four unique Star Trekkers.</p> <p>“For five and a half years Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS. And in truest Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment.</p> <p>“He lived by the principles that each day is a gift and that we never walk alone. His life is a shining example of how full one can be when you live with love, compassion, humour, inclusion, and community.” </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3wkUg9tOmj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3wkUg9tOmj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Kenneth Mitchell (@mr_kenneth_mitchell)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Mitchell's journey with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, began in 2018 when he received the diagnosis. Despite the challenges it presented, he faced his condition with courage and resilience. By 2019, Mitchell had transitioned to using a wheelchair, and in 2020, he chose to share his health struggles publicly, shedding light on the realities of living with ALS.</p> <p>In an interview he gave during that time, Mitchell expressed the profound impact of his diagnosis on both himself and his wife, emphasising the strength they found in facing adversity together. He spoke of the initial shock and uncertainty surrounding his condition, highlighting the process of grieving and adjusting to a new reality marked by unknown challenges.</p> <p>For fans of <em>Star Trek</em>, Mitchell's portrayal of Klingon characters Kol, Kol-Sha, Tenavik, and Aurellio in <em>Star Trek: Discovery</em> resonated deeply, showcasing his talent and versatility as an actor. Additionally, his voice acting contributions to <em>Star Trek: Lower Decks</em> further solidified his place within the cherished franchise.</p> <p>The outpouring of tributes from the Star Trek community, as well as from his colleagues and fans worldwide, speaks volumes about Mitchell's impact both on and off the screen. A statement from StarTrek.com conveys condolences to Mitchell's family, friends, and loved ones, underscoring the profound loss felt by all who were touched by his work.</p> <p>Mitchell is survived by his wife Susan May Pratt and their two children, and has requested any gifts be directed towards ALS research or in support of his children.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Council accused of "endorsing criminals" after statue vandalised

<p>The Yarra City Council has been accused of pandering to those who <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/captain-cook-memorial-vandalised-ahead-of-january-26th" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vandalised</a> a statue of Captain Cook in the days before Australia Day. </p> <p>In the early hours of the morning on January 25th, a statue of the British colonist was sawn off at the ankles, while "The colony will fall" was spray-painted on the stone column. </p> <p>Now, the Victorian city council will vote on whether to remove the statue for good, with one councillor claiming that replacing it would be a "waste of money".</p> <p>However, a spokesperson for local residents said "giving in" to vandals would only encourage such destructive behaviour.</p> <p>"If you're going to let vandals and criminals win, then you might as well give up altogether," Adam Promnitz, founder of the Yarra Residents Collective, told Melbourne radio station <em>3AW</em>.</p> <p>While Mr Promnitz admitted there were changing conversations around Australia Day in the inner Melbourne are,a he said this was the wrong way to have a discussion about removing the 110-year-old statue.</p> <p>"This isn't the right way to do things," he said.</p> <p>"You don't just get your own way by being destructive and anti-social and causing criminal damage."</p> <p>"How can it be a good outcome for any body when it is basically a green light for vandals and criminals everywhere that we'll let you get away with what you want and you'll get what you want if you behave like this?"</p> <p>Councillor Stephen Jolly said the majority of the council didn't share this view, telling the <em>Herald Sun</em> that replacing the statue would come at a cost that would better spent elsewhere in the community. </p> <p>"Even people who love Captain Cook, who love Australia Day, will see that repairing a statue that costs thousands to fix isn't the most important thing to spend money on," Cr Jolly said.</p> <p>"Residents want better bin services, more childcare services, cheaper swimming pools."</p> <p>"All of these things are a better way of spending the money [than] on a statue that we know is absolutely certain is going to get ripped down again."</p> <p><em>Image credits: 9News</em></p>

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Captain Cook memorial vandalised ahead of January 26th

<p>A memorial honouring Captain Cook in Catani Gardens, St  Kilda has been vandalised ahead of Australia Day. </p> <p>The statue of the British colonialist was cleanly sawn off from its stone base, which was also defaced with red graffiti and the chilling message: “The colony will fall”.</p> <p>The memorial is believed to have been cut down around 3:30 am on Thursday, after members of the public alerted police. </p> <p>“Several people were seen loitering in the area around the time of the incident,” police said.</p> <p>Liberal MP Angus Taylor called the incident an “egregious act of vandalism" and said that it is one of the acts that "everyone should condemn.”</p> <p>“Captain Cook was a man of the enlightenment. Why would they do this to I think a great human being,” he said on <em>Today</em>.</p> <p>Port Phillip councillor Marcus Pearl described the incident as “disheartening” and called for the vandal to be held accountable for their actions. </p> <p>“This is not a solitary act of mischief,” he said.</p> <p>“It’s a repeated pattern of disrespect, especially evident around Australia Day for the past six years. Such acts blatantly disregard our community’s hard-fought principles of debate and democratic expression.”</p> <p>The Captain Cook statue has been a target of multiple vandalism attempts, with vandals covering it in bright coloured paint, both in 2018 and 2022. </p> <p>The Port Phillip councillor has urged people not to let this incident “fuel division” but instead drive “constructive, inclusive conversations." </p> <p>“Our community’s strength lies in its ability to engage in respectful and open discussions,” he said.</p> <p><em>Images: Today</em></p> <p> </p>

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Marvel stuntman and his three kids killed in car crash

<p>The world of cinema was struck by a tragic incident on Halloween night when Taraja Ramsess, a talented stuntman known for his work in <em>Black Panther</em> and <em>The Avengers</em>, lost his life in a horrifying car crash.</p> <p>What makes this loss even more heart-wrenching is that Taraja was not alone in the vehicle; three of his beloved children, including his newborn daughter, also lost their lives as a result of the tragic accident.</p> <p>Ramsess, at the age of 41, had already left an indelible mark in the film industry. Known for his stunt work in blockbuster hits like <em>Avengers: Endgame</em> and <em>Avengers: Infinity War</em>, Taraja was a dedicated athlete and an exceptional stunt performer. His filmography included not only stunt roles but also numerous art department credits in films such as <em>The Hunger Games: Catching Fire</em> and <em>Fast &amp; Furious 7</em>.</p> <p>But beyond his professional achievements, Taraja was cherished as a dedicated family man and a loving father. His mother, Akili, described him as having a deep capacity for love and an unwavering commitment to his children. The pictures she shared on social media show Taraja beaming with pride while surrounded by his children, a testament to the love he had for them.</p> <p>Ava DuVernay, a renowned filmmaker, paid tribute to Taraja Ramsess as a "regal" figure who walked like a king. She spoke of his selflessness, always willing to say "yes" to the demands of his work, and how his enthusiasm inspired others. Taraja's cousin, Pharaoh Hardee, recalled his journey into the world of film, starting with a passion for music videos and eventually realising his artistic talents in the realm of cinema.</p> <p>Taraja was also known for his infectious enthusiasm and his deep pride in being cast in <em>Black Panther</em>. He was a person who cherished the moments of life and had an unquenchable passion for his work. In the wake of his untimely death, Taraja's cousin Pharaoh Hardee encouraged everyone to honour his memory by not taking life or loved ones for granted. These words serve as a poignant reminder to treasure the moments we have with our family and loved ones.</p> <p>In the face of this immense tragedy, the community has rallied to support Taraja Ramsess' family. A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/ramsess" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> campaign was launched to provide financial assistance, and it has already raised over $US80,000.</p> <p>"Taraja was a dedicated father, son and husband and a true philanthropist who was well known and loved by many," reads the tribute on the fundraising page. "He lived for his children. He paved the way and provided opportunities for so many people along the way."</p> <p>That outpouring of support from friends, colleagues and well-wishers is a testament to the impact that Taraja had on those around him.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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"Now he's free": Aussie Marvel actor's son tragically dies

<p>Marvel actor Eka Darville has announced the heartbreaking news that his 10-year-old son has died. </p> <p>Earlier this year, Darville shared that his son, Mara, had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. </p> <p>Despite undergoing numerous surgeries and aggressive treatments, Mara passed away.</p> <p>The Australian actor's mother, Malaika, shared the devastating news about her grandson on the GoFundMe page she set up to help the family cope with the financial stress of having a sick child. </p> <p>She wrote, “I still wanted to come together in this prayer because he’s still always gonna be with us and he’s still with us.”</p> <p>“You can imagine the amount of sadness and grief of Eka, Lila and Lila’s parents, his grandparents, myself, his little brothers."</p> <p>“But at the same time, there’s a lot of joy. There’s a lot of peace. There’s a lot of stillness in the house after such a long struggle for 463 days since the whole ordeal began. And now he’s free. Now he’s dancing in the light."</p> <p>“We all see it, we feel it and I know that many of you, like myself, loved Mana eternally,” added the grandmother.</p> <p>The family's life turned upside down when Mara collapsed on a beach in July 2022, as he suffered seizures for six months before receiving his brain cancer diagnosis. </p> <p>The Australian actor is best known for his role in the smash hit Marvel series <em>Jessica Jones</em> alongside David Tennant.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p> <p> </p>

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Marvel star ties the knot in super secret ceremony

<p>Marvel movie star Chris Evans has tied the knot with his girlfriend Alba Baptista in an intimate ceremony at their home in the state of Massachusetts. </p> <p>According to <a href="https://pagesix.com/2023/09/10/chris-evans-marries-alba-baptista/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Page Six</em></a>, the Hollywood A-lister and Baptista, a Portuguese actress, got married on Saturday, with only a handful of their closest friends and family attending the nuptials. </p> <p>An insider told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/hook-ups-break-ups/chris-evans-marries-alba-baptista-in-intimate-athome-wedding/news-story/872c843aa221bc8173f0a82feb7c6477" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>news.com.au</em></a> that the nuptials were “locked down tight,” as guests signed NDAs and phones were forfeited for the "beautiful" ceremony. </p> <p>The guest list also included some of the actor’s Marvel co-stars, including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Renner.</p> <p>The <em>Captain America</em> actor and Baptista first sparked rumours of a romance in November 2022, when a source told <em><a href="https://people.com/movies/chris-evans-dating-alba-baptista-source-exclusive/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">People</a></em> that the duo had been dating for “over a year.”</p> <p>“They are in love, and Chris has never been happier,” the insider said, already calling their relationship “serious” at the time.</p> <p>“His family and friends all adore her.”<iframe id="google_ads_iframe_/5129/ndm.nent/entertainment/celebritylife/hookupsbreakups_5" tabindex="0" title="3rd party ad content" role="region" name="google_ads_iframe_/5129/ndm.nent/entertainment/celebritylife/hookupsbreakups_5" width="4" height="4" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Advertisement" data-load-complete="true" data-google-container-id="6" data-integralas-id-69c76c0a-f5d2-9885-70ea-25cce3e0243a=""></iframe><iframe width="1" height="1" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <p>Just hours after the news broke, the couple was spotted holding hands during a stroll in Central Park.</p> <p>While little is known about the low-key couple’s relationship, Evans has proudly been flaunting his affection for Baptista online.</p> <p>The <em>Knives Out</em> star was spotted leaving a flirty comment on Baptista’s Instagram post around the same time that news broke of their relationship.</p> <p>Then, in February, the couple went Instagram-official as Evans began posting a series of PDA-filled pics to his Instagram Story in honour of Valentine’s Day.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

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Thor and Star Wars actor dies suddenly just days before birthday

<p>Actor Ray Stevenson, best known for his work in the Marvel and Star Wars universes, has passed away at 58, just four days shy of his 59th birthday.</p> <p>No cause of death has been made public, but the news was confirmed to <em>Variety</em> through one of the late actor’s representatives, and Italian publication<em> La Repubblica </em>reported that he had been hospitalised shortly before he passed away. </p> <p>Stevenson was in Italy working on his upcoming action movie, <em>Cassino in Ischia</em>, at the time of his death.</p> <p>The Irish-born actor will be remembered by loved ones - those who knew him in real life and those who knew him through his wide range of film, TV, and theatre projects - and by the entertainment industry at large. </p> <p>Born in Northern Ireland in 1864, Steven moved to England with his family at the age of eight, and discovered his calling as an actor after witnessing John Malkovich in a West End theatre production. </p> <p>Stevenson went on to study acting, landing one of his first roles in television in <em>The Dwelling Place</em>, before establishing his place on the screen in a number of other British series, from the likes of <em>Waking the Dead</em> to <em>Dalziel and Pascoe</em>, and <em>At Home with the Braithwaites</em>.</p> <p>His career in Hollywood found its feet with his role in the 2004 King Arthur movie, where he took on the role of one of the Knights of the Round Table. </p> <p>And just four years later, Stevenson made a name for himself in the fan-favourite Marvel universe, playing the titular character Frank Castle in <em>Punisher: War Zone</em>. He was the third actor to ever portray Punisher on screen. </p> <p>Stevenson went on to appear in the likes of <em>The Book of Eli</em>, <em>The Three Musketeers</em>, and the<em> Divergent </em>series, before making his return to Marvel with <em>Thor</em>, where he played one of the god’s Warriors Three up until <em>Thor: Ragnarok</em>.</p> <p>He wasn’t to stop at Marvel, however, with the actor taking on the challenge - and opportunity - of voicing a character in the hit animated Star Wars TV series <em>Clone Wars </em>and<em> Rebels</em> as Mandalorian Gar Saxon. </p> <p>He was set to make his return to that same expanded universe, but this time with his own face at the forefront as a Jedi known as Baylan Skoll, in the upcoming  live action <em>Ahsoka </em>series.</p> <p>His co-stars in that series were devastated to hear of his loss, with the show’s lead and Ahsoka’s actress - Rosario Dawson - posting a touching tribute to social media, alongside a series of pics with the late star. </p> <p>“A giant of a man… stunned and reeling from this tragic, devastating news. Gone too soon from this world,” she wrote. “At a loss for words… just wanted to mark this moment and share your ever ready and present smile. Love you forever. Holding your family in my heart.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Csjo9svpyue/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Csjo9svpyue/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by rosariodawson (@rosariodawson)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Cherishing this time we got to spend together this past year,” fellow <em>Ahsoka </em>actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo wrote, sharing Dawson’s post, “your giant heart, belly laughs and spirited zest for life will be sorely missed.”</p> <p>“RIP Ray Stevenson, whose turn as Titus Pullo on <em>ROME</em> is one of the greatest effortlessly charming performances of TV's golden age,” one fan shared. “A warm guy, by all accounts, and a serious craftsman. He'll be sorely missed.”</p> <p>“I’m shocked and saddened by the tragic news that a great actor and my good friend Ray Stevenson has passed away. I will miss you Big Ray!” wrote Scott Atkins, who starred in Accident Man with Stevenson. “Life is short so make the most of it people.”</p> <p>As Stevenson’s former <em>Rome</em> co-star James Purefoy said, “so sad to hear the news that Ray Stevenson, our Pullo in <em>Rome</em>, has passed away. A brilliant, gutsy, larger-than-life actor who filled every part he played right up to the brim. </p> <p>“My thoughts are with his family, his lovely wife Betta and their beautiful kids. What a loss.”</p> <p>“Ray… My heart is shattered and I can’t fathom you not being here. My dear friend. My Master. A giant with an even bigger heart,” a heartbroken Ivanna Sakhno, another <em>Ahsoka </em>star, said in her tribute. “You understood the infinite. Your love for life, your partner Elisabetta and your 3 boys was unyielding. Knowing you in this lifetime had been one of the greatest gifts.</p> <p>“I carry your light within me. Fly freely, Blackbird.”</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

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Marvel star gives chilling first interview

<p>Jeremy Renner has given his first interview since his tragic near-death snow plough accident on New Year’s Day 2023 which left him with 30 broken bones.</p> <p>A trailer has been released for his exclusive interview with Diane Sawyer for ABC America’s 20/20.</p> <p>The hourlong special, <em>Jeremy Renner: The Diane Sawyer Interview — A Story of Terror, Survival and Triumph</em>, will feature the Marvel star’s nephew, whose life was saved by the actor before he was pulled under a 6.35-tonne snowplough.</p> <p>"Yeah, I'd do it again, cause it was going right at my nephew,” Renner told Diane.</p> <p>The one-on-one will feature the distressing emergency service calls from Renner accompanied by a voiceover saying, "this is the sound of someone that was dying”.</p> <p>His nephew, describing a pool of blood around the actor’s neck, told Sawyer, "I ran up to him and I didn't think he was alive”.</p> <p>Renner recalled the pain that the machinery caused him.</p> <p>"Oh, all of it, yeah, I was awake through every moment," he said.</p> <p>The Avengers hero appeared to be flooded with emotion as he reflected on the moment in hospital where he signed “I’m sorry” to members of his family as he desperately fought for his life.</p> <p>Renner is recovering at home after an 18-day hospital stay and the trailer for the interview saw him in a wheelchair.</p> <p>The Hawkeye star has kept fans up to date on his recovery through social media and told Sawyer he hopes to get back into the action scenes soon.</p> <p>"I've lost a lot of flesh and bone in this experience but I've been refuelled and refilled with love and titanium."</p> <p><em>Jeremy Renner: The Diane Sawyer Interview — A Story of Terror, Survival and Triumph</em>, is set to air on April 7.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Marvel star arrested for assault

<p>Jonathan Majors has been arrested for assault in New York after allegedly choking his girlfriend.</p> <p>The <em>Ant-Man</em> star is “completely innocent” and is the victim of the domestic dispute his lawyer claimed.</p> <p>“We are quickly gathering and presenting evidence to the district attorney with the expectation that all charges will be dropped imminently,” Priya Chaudhry, Majors’ criminal defence lawyer, said in a statement, <em>The New York Post</em> reported.</p> <p>“This evidence includes video footage from the vehicle where this episode took place, witness testimony from the driver and others who both saw and heard the episode, and most importantly, two written statements from the woman recanting these allegations,” his lawyer’s statement continued, adding that Majors’ girlfriend had been recently hospitalised for an “emotional crisis”.</p> <p>Majors, 33, had featured in a series of recruitment ads for the US Army which have since been scrapped after the news of his arrest.</p> <p>“The US Army is aware of the arrest of Jonathan Majors and we are deeply concerned by the allegations surrounding his arrest. We recently released two ads in which Mr. Majors appears. While Mr. Majors is innocent until proven guilty, prudence dictates that we pull our ads until the investigation into these allegations is complete.”</p> <p>Police arrested Majors on Saturday, 25 March in a Manhattan apartment after officers responded to an emergency call.</p> <p>The police determined the 33-year-old had been in a domestic dispute with an unnamed 30-year-old woman who sources claimed was his girlfriend.</p> <p>The woman, who told authorities she had been assaulted suffered minor injuries to her head and neck.</p> <p>Police took the girlfriend to hospital and arrested Majors.</p> <p>The Marvel star was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court later that day on six counts of third-degree assault, three counts of third-degree attempted assault and two counts of harassment.</p> <p>Majors was released by a judge and was told he must return to court on May 8.</p> <p>Sources told <em>TMZ</em> that the actor got into an argument with his girlfriend in a taxi on the way home from a bar in Brooklyn when she confronted him about another woman texting him.</p> <p>He became upset, then allegedly grabbed her hand and slapped her, according to <em>TMZ</em>.</p> <p>The woman claims Majors also put his hands around her neck, and they had spent the night apart before she notified police in the morning, <em>TMZ</em> said.</p> <p>Majors was set to appear in various Marvel projects over the next few years as the main villain, Kang the Conqueror, with a notable release already under his belt, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, where he co-starred with actor, Paul Rudd.</p> <p>He had also wrapped up filming for the second season of Marvel’s <em>Loki</em>.</p> <p>Majors is not new to the screen, previously appearing in <em>Creed III</em> and HBO series <em>Lovecraft Country</em>, Spike Lee movie <em>Da 5 Bloods</em>, and the acclaimed film, <em>The Last Black Man in San Francisco</em>.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

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“From future Captain Seb”: Little boy blows away Jetstar crew with kind gesture

<p>An aviation-obsessed boy’s act of kindness has resulted in him experiencing the “best day of his life.”</p> <p>Little Seb, 11, was travelling from Brisbane to Melbourne with his family for a holiday when he gave the Jetstar crew a homemade thank you card.</p> <p>The card wrote, “From future Captain Seb,” including a drawing of a plane.</p> <p>The message was relayed to the pilot, Captain Hadrian Zerbe, who found it so sweet that he invited Seb into the cockpit for a chat as other passengers left the aircraft.</p> <p>Captain Zerbe was so touched by Seb’s love for aviation that he then invited the 11-year-old to come back and visit the Jetstar hangar.</p> <p>“He said it’s the best day of his life so far,” Seb’s mum, Emma, told <a href="http://news.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>.</p> <p>“Definitely,” Seb confirmed.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NLFu8d1rTQI" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>Seb is a big fan of plane spotting and playing flight simulator games but said he had never been so close to a real plane.</p> <p>When asked about the coolest part of the experience, Seb replied, “When I walked around the plane close up, it was just so big. Bigger than I expected. All the engines were massive,”</p> <p>Seb was not the only one left in awe.</p> <p>Captain Zerbe was blown away by how much knowledge the young boy had of the Airbus A320.</p> <p>“I’ve certainly never met an 11-year-old who knows so much about aviation and hopefully he’ll be sitting in the flight deck as a pilot some day soon,” the captain said.</p> <p>Emma said planes consume most of her son’s thoughts; even before he could talk, he was overjoyed whenever he heard a plane fly above.</p> <p>“If I find something I tend to research it for the rest of the night before I go to bed,” Seb said regarding his aviation research, which he takes very seriously.</p> <p>“He stops mid-play if he hears something,” Emma said.</p> <p>“Every story or picture has always been a plane. At school, it’s always planes that come home. He doesn’t deviate much from that.”</p> <p>Seb has plans to get his recreational pilot licence when he turns 16.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Jetstar, Youtube</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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About 200 dead whales have been towed out to sea off Tasmania – and what happens next is a true marvel of nature

<p>Australians watched in horror as 230 pilot whales became stranded at a beach near Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast. Some whales were saved, but the vast majority died. This left a big problem: what to do with all the rotting whale carcasses?</p> <p>Authorities decided to tow the dead animals out to sea, hoping they’ll eventually sink to the seafloor.</p> <p>Such mass whale strandings are sad to witness. But in this case, the aftermath presents a fascinating opportunity for scientific discovery.</p> <p>As the dead whales decompose, an astonishing and rare chain of events is likely to flow through the marine ecosystem – ultimately leading to an explosion of activity and new life.</p> <h2>A 600-tonne problem</h2> <p>Mass whale strandings happen fairly regularly – especially in Tasmania – yet no one really knows why.</p> <p>Days before this latest incident, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-20/sperm-whales-stranded-off-king-island-tasmania/101457406" target="_blank" rel="noopener">14 sperm whales</a> became stranded off King Island, northwest of Tasmania.</p> <p>And in 2020, about 470 pilot whales <a href="https://theconversation.com/like-trying-to-find-the-door-in-a-dark-room-while-hearing-your-relatives-scream-for-help-tasmanias-whale-stranding-tragedy-explained-146674" target="_blank" rel="noopener">became stranded</a> at Macquarie Harbour. While many were pulled out to sea, some of those carcasses washed up and were left to rot on the beach – an entirely natural process.</p> <p>However, pilot whales are big animals. Males weigh up to 2,300kg, which means they take a long time to decompose. The smell of two tonnes of rotting whale blubber soon becomes unbearable, so carcasses are frequently buried.</p> <p>This time around, authorities <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-25/whale-carcasses-towed-out-to-sea-after-mass-stranding/101471166" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decided to tow</a> the dead animals out to sea. The ABC reported local salmon farm workers took almost 11 hours to dispose of 204 dead whales with a combined weight of between 500 and 600 tonnes.</p> <p>They were tied to a 400 metre-long rope and towed by boats for 40 kilometres, before being dropped into deep water in the Indian Ocean.</p> <p>Some carcasses may wash back to shore, but most are likely to disperse with the tides and currents.</p> <h2>Shark bait? Probably not</h2> <p>The big question is: what happens to all that whale mass dumped at sea?</p> <p>Initially, a dead whale tends to float to the surface as it begins to decompose and its innards expand with gas. As this happens, ocean scavengers such as sharks and seabirds are likely to feast on the remains.</p> <p>Some people <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-14/do-buried-whale-carcasses-really-attract-sharks/10996512" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can be concerned</a> that whale carcasses attract sharks that might pose a risk to humans.</p> <p>Granted, encounters between sharks and humans, are <a href="https://theconversation.com/fatal-shark-attacks-are-at-a-record-high-deterrent-devices-can-help-but-some-may-be-nothing-but-snake-oil-150845" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on the rise</a> in Australia and elsewhere. But they’re still very rare.</p> <p>A <a href="https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/167613/swim-humpback-whales-risks-sharks.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> to the Western Australian government in 2012 found whale carcasses were a risk factors associated with shark attacks, and said caution should be exercised near a dead whale in the water.</p> <p>But the same report noted that of 26 shark attacks investigated, the highest number occurred more than a kilometre offshore. While there is no doubt <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00655" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sharks are attracted to dead whales</a>, the data is <a href="https://hakaimagazine.com/news/beached-whales-are-a-lure-for-hungry-sharks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not clear</a> on whether a whale carcass leads directly to an increase in shark attacks on people.</p> <p>Research <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989419301854?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has shown</a> the likelihood of whale carcasses washing towards shore, where shark scavenging can be observed, is low. So as long as the carcass is taken far from shore and people keep their distance from it, the threat to humans from shark encounters appears to be exceedingly low.</p> <h2>From death comes new life</h2> <p>Inevitably, the whale carcass will start to sink. Most life in the ocean is found fairly close to the sea surface, so if the water is relatively shallow much of what’s left of the carcass will be quickly eaten by scavengers once it reaches the sea floor.</p> <p>But these carcasses have been disposed of in deep water. The deep ocean can be a barren place, where rich food sources are rare. So the appearance of a single whale carcass can supercharge an entire ecosystem.</p> <p>New life and activity can erupt around the dead animal in very little time. This process is known as “whale fall” and has been studied by scientists, sometimes using remotely operated vehicles. On the seafloor of the North Pacific, whale fall has been found to <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.885572/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">support the survival</a> of at least 12,490 organisms of 43 species.</p> <p>Deep sea sharks will make the most of the carcass. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZzQhiNQXxU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A host of other animals</a> including hagfish, octopus, crabs, lobsters, worms and sea cucumbers will join in too. All the while bacteria work away quietly in the background.</p> <p><a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-happens-when-whales-die.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to</a> Britain’s Natural History Museum, a single whale can provide animals with food for up to two years during the scavenging stage.</p> <p>Other animals and bacteria survive off the chemicals produced from the rotting carcass.</p> <p>These organisms, known as “chemotrophs” were thought to be unique to underwater volcanic vents, where they use hydrogen sulphide as the principal energy source. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.2337" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research</a> has shown a similar suite of animals recruit around dead and decaying whales – generating a completely independent ecosystem based on a gas that <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-happens-when-whales-die.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smells like rotten eggs</a>.</p> <p>Only a few organisms can break down the bones that remain, in a process that might take up to ten years.</p> <p>So take a moment to consider the effect of 204 whale falls in a small part of the ocean off Tasmania. Right now, they are probably generating interconnected marine metropolises, the likes of which are rarely seen.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/about-200-dead-whales-have-been-towed-out-to-sea-off-tasmania-and-what-happens-next-is-a-true-marvel-of-nature-191340" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

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For the love of Thor! Why it’s so hard for Marvel to get its female superheroes right

<p>When it was first revealed that Natalie Portman was to become the “female Thor” in Marvel’s latest superhero instalment, Thor: Love and Thunder, fans were quick to <a href="https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/if-she-be-worthy/259582" target="_blank" rel="noopener">condemn the decision</a> on social media.</p> <p>Portman was lambasted as not “<a href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Swole" target="_blank" rel="noopener">swole</a>” enough, too petite, and generally not what people imagined the character to be. Ten months of <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/new-movies/natalie-portmans-trainer-reveals-how-the-star-got-so-ripped-for-thor/news-story/f068c4080ebb18716dcd25855905611b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">intensive workouts and a high-protein diet</a> later, and Portman is being <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/women/natalie-portman-thor-arms-madonna-b2117769.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">applauded</a> for arms that “could actually throw giant hammers at baddies’ heads”.</p> <p>Yet that early reaction to Portman’s casting attests to how the representation of female superheroes can be difficult for movie-makers when the established audience is often perceived to be young, white, cisgender and male.</p> <p>It seemingly doesn’t matter that the number of women consuming superhero content has <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09540253.2019.1633460?journalCode=cgee20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increased</a>. Offering feminist depictions of characters that could challenge the defining masculinity of the genre remains a problem.</p> <div data-id="17"> </div> <p>What does this mean for Portman and the female superheroes who have come before (and will follow) her? The answer seems to be that the makers of superhero movies inevitably <a href="https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781793624598/The-Superhero-Multiverse-Readapting-Comic-Book-Icons-in-Twenty-First-Century-Film-and-Popular-Media" target="_blank" rel="noopener">subvert some gender stereotypes</a> while maintaining others.</p> <p>In short, they offer token female representation so as not to ostracise audiences. So while she might now be more muscular, Portman is still subordinated to Chris Hemsworth’s Thor by highlighting that she is first and foremost his love interest.</p> <h2>Too few female superheroes</h2> <p>Granted, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) franchise has at least attempted to cast female leads and to advocate for women’s issues. For example, Black Widow’s standalone film was in part <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/scarlett-johansson-black-widow-feminist-me-too-times-up-empire-a9704806.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">intended to contribute</a> to the dialogue around the #Timesup and #MeToo movements.</p> <p>And the latest Thor offering explores the value of female friendships, with co-star <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/06/22/thor-love-and-thunder-natalie-portman-building-mighty-physique/7687523001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tessa Thompson attesting</a> to her character Valkyrie being “happy to have found a new sister”.</p> <p>There’s no doubt female viewers can identify with these powerful women and their stories and as a result form positive attitudes to the superhero genre in general. But that means more superhero films need to be made with the female viewer in mind.</p> <p>Such offerings are few and far between, however. Let’s not forget it took Marvel ten years to give Black Widow her own film after her original introduction to the franchise (in 2010’s Iron Man 2).</p> <p>In many ways, Marvel’s films continue to depict women as auxiliaries – damsels in distress, love interests, or subordinate in some way to their male counterparts. In fact, actress <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-57524423" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scarlett Johansson criticised</a> the earlier “hyper-sexualisation” of her Black Widow character.</p> <p>Similarly, Scarlet Witch, one of the most powerful of the Avengers characters, is often defined by the male relationships in her life. In the recent Dr Strange: The Multiverse of Madness, she typifies many <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-witch-treatment-what-dr-stranges-wanda-tells-us-about-representations-of-female-anger-184509" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unfavourable female tropes</a>, including the “hysterical woman” and “monstrous mother”.</p> <h2>The hyper-sexualised stereotype</h2> <p>Treating even powerful female characters as <a href="https://www.panicdiscourse.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/5-19-Holding-Out-for-a-Heroine.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">subordinate or dependent</a> might reassure male fans that superheroines aren’t a threat to the masculine undertones of the genre, but it does a disservice to the female audience.</p> <p>Asked to assess superhero graphic novels and films, most women in <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1045159514546214" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one study</a> said they disliked and avoided the DC Comics character of Catwoman because she was presented as manipulative and emotional.</p> <p>Other <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/car.1094" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research has found</a> that exposure to messages of powerlessness can lead girls to feel demoralised and dissatisfied with their own identities, and the overly sexualised depiction of female superheroes can result in <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11199-015-0455-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lower body esteem</a> in women.</p> <p>On the other hand, some also rebel against the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21504857.2014.916327" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stereotypes</a>. <a href="https://thehawkeyeinitiative.tumblr.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Hawkeye Initiative</a>, for example, parodies the male gaze within the comic book genre by depicting men in the same absurd costumes and poses normally reserved for female characters.</p> <h2>Male backlash and box office risk</h2> <p>The real issue, though, is whether women should even have to challenge such depictions. If more films and comics were made by women for women, perhaps there would be fewer tokenistic portrayals to begin with.</p> <p>Marvel has rejected criticism of its female characters, with its <a href="https://www.thewrap.com/marvels-kevin-feige-calls-black-widow-backlash-a-little-strange-boasts-his-movies-are-full-of-smart-intelligent-powerful-women/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">president saying</a> the studio has always “gone for the powerful woman versus the damsel in distress” and pointing to the recent release of female-led superhero films and TV programs such as She-Hulk and Ms Marvel.</p> <p>Trouble is, it’s hard to keep everyone happy. Marvel has felt the backlash from die-hard male fans to a supposed feminist agenda underpinning the studio’s direction. 2019’s Captain Marvel, for example, was touted as <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-ca-mn-captain-marvel-directors-20190228-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bringing feminism</a> to the Marvel universe, but <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/13/movies/captain-marvel-brie-larson-rotten-tomatoes.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poor reviews and audience ratings</a> were attributed in part to perceived political correctness and a narrative based on female agency.</p> <p>Researchers such as <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21504857.2016.1219958?casa_token=DXr8QHcO8nUAAAAA%3AHBBbBqJoe6-VxG-a1kak5O-52rNPUXySYFwJRKjh9ALcXyO9KpYTQLcRL0j-7Q6AVIdGp6Kq7pVibA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stephanie Orme</a> have contended that the dominance of men in the superhero genre leaves many female fans feeling alienated and unable to change the gender stereotypes, precisely because they’re not seen as the target audience.</p> <p>It seems that without more and better film and comic female superheroes telling women’s stories, these male-centric genres will continue to alienate female audiences – and to fall short of their creative and commercial potential.</p> <p><em><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/for-the-love-of-thor-why-its-so-hard-for-marvel-to-get-its-female-superheroes-right-186639" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></em></p> <p><em>Image: YouTube</em></p>

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Hollywood heavyweight barely recognisable in new Marvel movie

<p dir="ltr">A Hollywood superstar has shocked fans with how completely unrecognisable he is in the new <em>Thor</em> movie.</p> <p dir="ltr">The trailer for <em>Thor: Love and Thunder</em> was released a couple of days ago and follows Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on his journey of self-discovery.</p> <p dir="ltr">His journey is however interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher who wants to get rid of the gods. </p> <p dir="ltr">But which A-lister plays the unrecognisable role of Gorr?</p> <p dir="ltr">None other than Christian Bale. </p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Go8nTmfrQd8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr">Gorr…or Bale for that matter, appears completely different thanks to the full face of makeup which has gotten rid of his hair and completely changed his facial structure. </p> <p dir="ltr">His terrifying new look shows him all bloody and scarred as he prepares to take down the gods.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Thor: Love and Thunder</em> will be released in cinemas on July 7.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: YouTube </em></p>

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"No words": A-League captain's wife dies suddenly

<p dir="ltr">The Australian football community has come together to grieve after the shock death of Brisbane player Ulises Dávila's wife, Lily Pacheco, on Sunday.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-83d67cb0-7fff-e941-d560-f2839baf2561"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Macarthur football club shared the heartbreaking news on Monday morning and extended condolences to Dávila and his extended family.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are saddened to hear Ulises Dávila's wife, Lily has tragically passed away overnight. </p> <p>The club would like to express its heartfelt condolences to Uli, Uli Jnr and the extended family during this difficult time. ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/I9uwYvaiOp">pic.twitter.com/I9uwYvaiOp</a></p> <p>— Macarthur FC (@mfcbulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/mfcbulls/status/1531066621493657602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Dávila and Pacheo share one child, two-year-old Uli Jr.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other football clubs and players were quick to share their condolences, including former Socceroos player Robert Cornthwaite.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Devastating. Condolences to Ulises and his family," Cornthwaite tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr">"All of us at Brisbane Roar (football club) send our deepest condolences. We are sorry to hear this terrible news," Brisbane Roar wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e26a16da-7fff-0d9b-8d12-fc25d1815a14"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Melbourne FC tweeted: "Heartbreaking news. Everyone shares their condolences."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Wellington Phoenix are saddened to hear the news that Ulises Dávila’s wife Lily has passed away.</p> <p>Uli &amp; his whānau will always be a part of ours. </p> <p>We would like to send our deepest condolences to Uli &amp; his family during this tough time. </p> <p>Kia kaha. <a href="https://t.co/rkaYAOLmg5">pic.twitter.com/rkaYAOLmg5</a></p> <p>— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/WgtnPhoenixFC/status/1531085366656380928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“This is the most tragic news. The entire football community mourns for Ulises and their family. There are no words for this unimaginable grief,” sports journalist Sebastian Hassett wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">The news comes after Dávila was named Bulls player of the year earlier this month, after he signed on with the Macarthur team on a three-year contract last year.</p> <p dir="ltr">He also shared the Johnny Warren medal, awarded to the best player in the A-League, with Sydney FC’s Milos Ninkovic in 2020/21.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-eb3d6c7d-7fff-21f7-88f4-72b95c3c48d0"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @ulidavila (Instagram)</em></p>

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Natalie Portman's buff transformation stuns fans

<p>Newly-released photos of Natalie Portman in the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder film have left fans stunned at the superstar’s body transformation.</p> <p>The 40-year-old mum is shown sporting ripped arms that could give co-star Chris Hemsworth a run for his money in the latest publicity stills released for Marvel’s next big screen outing.</p> <p>Co-star Tessa Thompson is shown alongside the actress, looking equally buff, but it’s Portman’s transformation that’s caught every bodies attention.</p> <p>She looks a world away from the actress best known for her roles in Jackie Kennedy or the doomed ballerina Nina in Black Swan.</p> <p>Not everyone’s a fan, though: in an op-ed writer Fran Hoepfner lamented the fact that Portman was one of many acclaimed actors swept up in the Marvel universe.</p> <p>“It’s impossible to believe that what people want from Portman … is for her to get jacked,” she wrote.</p> <p>“Enough time has passed under the tedious reign of Disney’s superhero movies that we know legitimately great and versatile actors are wasted, smoothed out and plumped up, for less than ten minutes of screen time.”</p> <p>Portman is one of many big screen stars to unveil their Marvel-facilitated superhero body transformations in recent years, among them Kumail Nanjiani and Chris Pratt.</p> <p>Portman has previously opened up about the extreme measures needed to get superhero-buff for Thor, telling Jimmy Fallon it had been quite a shock after the inactivity of lockdowns.</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter & Getty</em></p>

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Marvel actress and husband sentenced to 8 and 14 years jail

<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Content warning: This article includes descriptions of child sexual abuse.</strong></em></p> <p dir="ltr">Actress Zara Phythian, who appeared in Marvel’s 2016 film <em>Doctor Strange</em>, has received an eight-year prison sentence for child sexual abuse offences.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 38-year-old was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/doctor-strange-star-and-husband-found-guilty-of-child-sex-abuse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found guilty</a> by a jury last week of historical sexual abuse of a girl, aged between 13 and 15, and sentenced in the UK on Monday.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her 59-year-old husband, Victor Marke, was also found guilty of jointly abusing the same girl, as well as indecently assaulting a second, and sentenced to 14 years in prison.</p> <p dir="ltr">Both Phythian and Marke will be on the sex offender’s register for life and will be referred to the disclosure and barring service to prevent them from working with children ever again.</p> <p dir="ltr">Judge Mark Watson, who presided over the proceedings and handed down the sentences, said he believed Marke and Phythian’s abuse of the victim was pre-planned.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I regard you as the driving force behind the abuse,” Judge Watson told Marke.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Most people have held, and continue to hold you in high esteem. That’s due to the positive impact of your work [as martial arts instructors].</p> <p dir="ltr">“Whilst that may help in mitigation, that is also why you were able to groom and corrupt the victims in this case and why you got away abusing them for so long.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Marke reportedly cried during the sentencing and paced the court in a tracksuit, while Phythian reportedly smiled and waved to someone in the public gallery, though her face was said to be pale and tear-streaked, per <em><a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/breaking-doctor-strange-actress-zara-26975792" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Mirror</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Judge Watson also said Phythian’s “deviance” was influenced by the hold Marke had on her from an early age - with the couple marrying when she was in her 20s after Marke had been her martial arts instructor from when she was a young teen.</p> <p dir="ltr">During the trial, the couple denied the accusations they were jointly convicted of, and the survivor, who they abused before Phythian found acting fame, gave testimony from behind a curtain in the witness stand.</p> <p dir="ltr">She said what happened to her, which the couple repeatedly told her not to tell anyone about, was her “deepest, darkest secret”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think they saw a vulnerability in me and preyed on that,” she said in a police interview.</p> <p dir="ltr">The second survivor of Marke’s assaults, said that he touched her leg after she accidentally touched his leg, before kissing her on the lips and neck and causing her feelings of confusion, according to her police interview.</p> <p dir="ltr">At other times, Marke also kissed her, before having sex with her when she was 16.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though the age of consent in the UK is 16, under section 15.3 of the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/44/notes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000</a> a person over the age of 18 who is in a “position of trust” to someone under 18 - such as being a martial arts instructor - would be committing an offence by having sex with them.</p> <p dir="ltr">Prior to sentencing, prosecutor Ahmed Hossain QC read out victim statements, where the survivor abused by Phythian and Marke said they “corrupted my development” and “robbed me of my innocence”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You showed you liked a very advanced naughty side that satisfied your urges,” she said in the statement via Hossain.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also spoke of feeling intimidated and scared by the couple and stated that she didn’t want to keep being “[their] puppet”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I have become an adult now. All the pain, anger and disgust and shame I felt is now on you. Both of you.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-61edcadd-7fff-e407-ec99-7a1d210505bf"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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"Fly high Logan”: School vice-captain found dead

<p>A young man named Logan Losurdo has tragically been discovered dead by police, following a search that spanned over three months.</p> <p>The ex-school vice captain shared his life story in a heartbreaking speech that was widely shared online. He had been missing from the NSW Central Coast since Friday the 26th of November.</p> <p>A spokeswoman from NSW Police said the remains were discovered shortly after 11 am on March the 10th, when police were called to Soldiers Beach at Norah Head following reports human remains were located on the shoreline.</p> <p>Late on Monday night police, said the remains had been identified.</p> <p>“Officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation,” she said.</p> <p>“Police have since confirmed the remains to be those of a 20-year-old man, who was last seen in the Magenta area on the Central Coast in November 2021. A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.”</p> <p>The Help find Logan Losurdo Facebook page announced his death on Monday night. “It is with very heavy hearts we announce that Logan has been located deceased. Our hearts are breaking for all Logan’s family and friends.”</p> <p>“We ask you please respect their privacy at this difficult time. Fly high Logan,” the statement said.</p> <p>Mr Losurdo was reported missing to police at around 8 pm on the 26th of November. Officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District – with the assistance of SES volunteers, PolAir, Water Police, Marine Rescue, NSW Surf Lifesaving and the Volunteer Rescue Association conducted extensive land and sea searches in efforts to find him.</p> <p>Strike Force McConnell, which was established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance, sought to speak to the driver of a white vehicle which was seen on Magenta Drive shortly before 1:10 am on the night Mr Losurdo went missing.</p> <p>CCTV footage showed a man getting out of a car and speaking with Mr Losurdo before re-entering the vehicle and driving away. There is no evidence to suggest the vehicle or person is involved in Mr Losurdo’s disappearance.</p> <p>The then 17-year-old senior at Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College shared his life story after winning the AVID Australia Student Speaker competition, describing his troubled upbringing where “life was anything but stable”.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Caring

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Captain Australia raises over $100K for children’s cancer research

<p dir="ltr">A real-life superhero has set out on a quest to walk 2,000 kilometres in ten weeks to raise funds for children’s cancer research, and has already raised over $100,000 in the process.</p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-05e0a1fc-7fff-a021-f4e7-f552e4e20cb6"></span></p><p dir="ltr">Captain Australia, also known as Simon, began his ‘Big Walk’ from Brisbane to Melbourne in December 2021, and hopes to raise $250,000 for the Kids Cancer Project by the time he reaches the finish line.</p><p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/capt-austr-jpg-5f960e.jpg" alt="" width="1279" height="720" /></p><p dir="ltr"><em>Captain Australia began his journey in Queensland to raise funds to fight kids’ cancer. Image: Captain Australia’s Big Walk</em></p><p dir="ltr">Simon was inspired to undertake the Herculean feat after he was diagnosed with head and neck cancer four years ago.</p><p dir="ltr">“I had a 40-60 percent chance that chemoradiation would beat the disease, and six months to live if it failed. I got lucky,” he said on his fundraising website.</p><p dir="ltr">“But even when you survive cancer, you have to pay a horrible price, dealing with side effects and the threat of recurrence for the rest of your life.</p><p dir="ltr">“No child should have to endure that.”</p><p dir="ltr">This won’t be the first time Simon has undergone a journey of this magnitude, having walked from Brisbane to Sydney to escape a dangerous domestic situation when he was 15.</p><p dir="ltr">During that journey, Simon said he found himself and discovered a renewed sense of hope for the world that he wants to share with kids fighting cancer.</p><p dir="ltr">Simon reached Sydney on February 12, and still has about 700 kilometres left to go.</p><p dir="ltr">When asked where he was on his journey, Simon told <em>OverSixty</em>: "I'm headed for Federation Square in Melbourne which something like 750 kilometres straight down the freeway but I take the long and winding road (less travelled).</p><p dir="ltr">"It's 1200 kilometres plus back to Brisbane but I would easily have come 1400 or more so far so it's hard to say precisely.</p><p dir="ltr">"I've come a long way, literally and figuratively."</p><p dir="ltr">You can support his trek by donating to The Kid’s Cancer Project <a href="https://captain-australias-big-walk.raisely.com/donate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5b1115e1-7fff-beef-18f6-0f950f6c1417"></span></p><p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Captain Australia’s BIG WALK (Facebook)</em></p>

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