Michael Shannon's streak of playing bad guys continues in the forthcoming Superman film Man of Steel, in which he plays the superhero's nemesis General Zod. Shannon said he nearly "had a seizure" when director Zac Snyder tapped him for the role. "I would've never seen that coming in a million years," said Shannon at the Venice film festival, where he attended the world premiere of his new movie The Iceman, in which he plays a mafia hit man. Man of Steel is in post-production and due for release mid-2013. - AP
Backstreet Boys producing new album
The Backstreet Boys are reuniting. Nick Carter, Brian Littell, AJ McLean, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough reunited on the Good Morning America show on Friday to announce a new album. "2013 is our 20th anniversary. We're in the studio right now working on an album," said Richardson, who quit the band in 2006. "My heart said, 'Now's the time.' It just felt right." The band, who also announced a music cruise next October, are recording the album in London. "The vibe is fantastic. It's revitalised. We're living in a house together out there."
Pranksters plot Taylor Swift gig
Taylor Swift could find herself singing to deaf youngsters if social media pranksters have their way. Swift, promoting her forthcoming album, is offering to do a concert at whatever school reaps the most votes in a Facebook campaign. Users of the website 4chan responded with a call for mass voting in favour of Boston's Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - an idea that swiftly went viral on Twitter and Reddit. The contest ends September 23 and many Reddit users doubted Swift would risk her good-girl image by snubbing a school for the deaf. - AFP
Seal accuses Klum of cheating with bodyguard
In an interview with TMZ on Saturday, Seal said the reason he and Heidi Klum filed for divorce in April is because she cheated on him with her bodyguard, Martin Kristen. "I would've thought Heidi would've shown a little bit more class and at least waited until we separated first. But to be quite honest, if there is going to be somebody else in their lives, I'd much rather it was a familiar face," said Seal. "I guess you now all have the answer you've been looking for the past seven months." Klum has fired back at the claims. Her representative told Access Hollywood: "It's sad Seal has to resort to false accusations."
Jones to get award at Spanish festival
Tommy Lee Jones will receive an award at the 60th San Sebastian film festival, held from September 21 to 29. The 65-year-old actor will collect one of the festival's Donostia Awards, "given to a great film personality in recognition for their work and career". His latest film Hope Springs, in which he co-stars opposite Meryl Streep, will be screened out of competition at the festival. - AFP
