Carrie Underwood to star in Sound of Music

Plus: Barlow to make Take That movie; Fellowes plans US spin on Downton Abbey; Ricky Martin finds new home on TV; Mario Lopez weds Broadway star.

Carrie Underwood has been cast as Maria von Trapp in NBC's revival of The Sound of Music. Mark Humphrey / AP Photo
Powered by automated translation

Barlow to make Take That movie

Gary Barlow is eager to bring Take That to the big screen. Barlow was previously approached to showcase the band's story in a stage musical but he prefers to see the project in cinemas. "Our story feels like 20 years of madness, but it is a good story," he told The Sun. "I'd definitely have James Cordon to play me." He said he dreams of casting Brad Pitt and Matt Damon to play his band mates Jason Orange and Robbie Williams. - IANS

Underwood to star in Sound of Music

NBC has cast the chart-topping country singer Carrie Underwood as the star of its revival of The Sound of Music next year. Underwood will play Maria von Trapp in a three-hour TV movie version of the musical. "Having Carrie as the star brings it to a new generation who will fall in love with it for the first time," said the producers. Underwood's latest album Blown Away peaked at No 1 on the Billboard 200 pop album chart. - AFP

Fellowes plans US spin on Downton Abbey

Another NBC announcement: the network has said that it has hired the Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes to create a drama set in late 19th-century New York City. Titled The Gilded Age, the show will be "an epic tale of the princes of the American Renaissance and the vast fortunes they made - and spent," according to NBC. In a statement, Fellowes said the show will be about "record-breaking ostentation and savage rivalry". No word yet on when the series will be televised. - IANS

Ricky Martin finds new home on TV

The Latin star Ricky Martin has a slew of new projects, including two TV series and a children's book. "It's a moment in my life where I just need to grow as an entertainer," Martin told reporters. Next month he'll join as a coach in the Australian edition of The Voice. He is also developing a new comedy-drama, which he's writing and will star in. Martin, 40, is also writing his second book, inspired by raising his 4-year-old twins. - AP

Mario Lopez weds Broadway star

Mario Lopez married the Broadway actress Courtney Mazza on Saturday in Mexico, reported E! News. About 200 guests were in attendance, including the actress Eva Longoria, one of Lopez's closest friends. This is the 39-year-old X Factor host's second marriage. The couple met in 2008 when they worked together on the Broadway show A Chorus Line. They have a 2-year-old daughter. - IANS