Guy Ritchie and Will Smith‘s live action adaptation of Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ has hit a snag.

What it is?

They can’t find Aladdin.

Smith signed on to portray Genie as Ritchie, who was married to Madonna and is a distant relative of Kate Upton, searches tirelessly for a man of Middle Eastern or Indian descent to take on its leading role.

His search has been a difficult one as they’re yet to find an actor in his 20s matches the character’s description who can act just as well as he can sing.

Problematic, as this he has been forced to hold off on pressing play on the movie’s production (set to kick off in July) because he’s still yet to find his leading man.

‘The Hollywood Reporter’ adds:

Sources say there have been several rounds of tests in London, with the actors coming in for up to two weeks at a time. “The test process was a mess,” says one agent with a client who tested.

While the studio had interest in Dev Patel, 27, and Riz Ahmed, 34, the male lead will likely be a newcomer. Sources say the studio is eyeing Power Rangers actress Naomi Scott, 24, or Indian actress Tara Sutaria, 21, to play Jasmine, but can’t lock the deal until the male lead has been selected since chemistry is so important to the story.

Disney not being able to find someone who can play Aladdin just goes to show how much the industry lacks in diversity

— Jose Torres (@LordTowers_) July 12, 2017

Your thoughts?

Michael Jackson‘s posthumous career is proving quite the ‘Thriller.’

As reported, the King Of Pop’s Estate have engineered an array of lucrative deals that have seen MJ become a billion dollar business. Literally.

And the creation of new monetization models continues.

The latest is an animated cartoon named ‘Michael Jackson’s Halloween.’

Additional details are under wraps, however – per the Estate’s announcement – the project will be premiering this Fall on CBS. The following image was released in conjunction with the news:

On the one hand, we’re kinda tired of waiting through these endless “other” ventures when all we want is to hear is new music. And by “new” we don’t mean ‘Off The Wall’ cast-offs. But actual material from the latter years of his life.

That said, as lovers of his legacy, moves like this ensure “Michael Jackson” will continue to mean something to generations to come.

Your thoughts?

Cop a gander of Idris Elba!

The Hollywood heartthrob lives up to his billing in the latest issue of ESSENCE magazine.

Ever busy, 44-year-old is gearing up for the release of his new movie ‘The Dark Tower’ as well as the next season of ‘Luther’ together with his role of father to a toddler and a teen.

Speaking to the publication about his multitude of commitments, Elba said:

“Because I’m 44 years old with a two-and-a-half-year-old boy, I’m rolling around playing and then I’m at a Drake concert with my teenage daughter. Having a young child now keeps me young, without a doubt…”

Peep another shot from the feature, which was snapped in Thailand where the actor is training for a kickboxing competition, below…

Check out a behind the scenes from the shoot

Also, peep the trailer for for ‘The Dark Tower’

Your thoughts?

Blac Chyna is tired of men exposing the nude images she sends to them.

How she plans to prevent her part-time lover Rarri True from uploading snaps of her nook, cranny and fanny online?

The law!

Rarri posted a semi-naked image of he and the celebrity following her blow-up with Rob Kardashian prompting Chyna to strike him with a letter she hopes will scare him off.

Click here to read it.

Her efforts are backed by California’s revenge porn laws put in protect people like Chyna whose naked images who have been posted online without their permission.

Your thoughts?

For spectators of the ‘Black Lives Matter‘ spokesman DeRay McKesson the blue vest he often sports has now become just as recognisable as the intense debates he engages in to combat systemic racism.

What any of this has to do with the new ‘Planet of the Apes’ movie?

Following the release of its trailer and poster, eagle-eyed viewers from around the world claim to have spotted something unsettling.

racist symbolism in movies is nothing new but jesus christ…. DERAY gotta sue! pic.twitter.com/ynz3hKlo2W

— Mr. Boiling (@PhillyCustoms) July 10, 2017

Citing Hollywood’s worrying habit of comparing black men to monkeys (click here) as their grounds for concern, said eagle-eyed fans have now taken to social media to demand an explanation from the movie’s producers.

…………….. deray gotta sue. pic.twitter.com/8vR5cFHkjm

— Mr. Boiling (@PhillyCustoms) July 10, 2017

Apparently War for Planet of the Apes creators decided to disparage @deray. White supremacy so deeply complicit in the movies America sees.

— Samuel Sinyangwe (@samswey) July 10, 2017

How you get a role in Planet of the Apes @deray ? pic.twitter.com/0GGdZoa0Eg

— Uncle Hotep (@handymayhem) July 11, 2017

These white supremacist at 20th Century Fox really put for-profit, corporate sponsored “activist” deray in their planet of the apes poster. https://t.co/txRL2DnZGX

— Jon Davis (@antipaleskin) July 10, 2017

Given the history of rendering black people as apes, I'm offended & appalled by the lack of consciousness in Hollywood. #PlanetOfTheApes pic.twitter.com/TaYlxbtOLj

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 11, 2017

Your thoughts?

Blac Chyna has landed the upper hand in her game of one-upmanship with former boo Rob Kardashian.

As widely reported, the exes became embroiled in a shocking social media exchange last week which saw Rob expose intimate images of the socialite.

Allegedly fearing for her safety, Chyna lawyered up and went to court today to secure a restraining order against Rob as well as an injunction to prevent him releasing what team calls “revenge porn.”

Said requests were granted moments ago and the reality star took to the steps of the courthouse with her attorney to express her gratitude to the judge. Check it out:

The spectacle surrounding all of this defines disgusting. But it’s hardly surprising given the parties involved.

Our thoughts are with their daughter Dream, who is ultimately the only innocent party in the narrative.

Your thoughts?

Blac Chyna‘s war with the Kardashians is to make its way to ABC today.

There, joined by her lawyer Lisa Bloom, the supposed scammer will bare all on her relationship with Rob Kardashian, her alleged infidelities, how she feels about his decision to expose her nude images and claims that she is a terribly unfit mother.

Tomorrow on @GMA we sit down exclusively w/ @BLACCHYNA and @LisaBloom and talk revenge porn and #RobKardashian pic.twitter.com/Fsjn0bhTtB

— Linsey Davis (@LinseyDavis) July 9, 2017

Her interview will air on ‘Good Morning America‘ as she battles claims that she and the man she is said to have cheated on Rob with are high-priced escorts distributing their cakes and cookies in Hollywood.

Why Blac Chyna worried about her nudes being exposed? She's a stripper/escort

— Justin Searchofabae (@Blase_J) July 7, 2017

So now @BLACCHYNA BIG mad because her Side-dude got caught on a gay dating app as an escort. @robkardashian the Gays got your back #RoBKwins

— Corrie Scott (@IamCorrieScott) July 7, 2017

Blac Chyna you haven't lost it all girl! Go call Melania Trump she can teach you how to go from high end escort to First Lady ???

— Lucinda Bowie (@lucibowie) July 5, 2017

Blac Chyna was out here havin threesomes with celebrities and getting paid for it? Rob tried to wife a prostitute

— Jon Ramsey (@JonnyGips) July 5, 2017

Your thoughts?

Keith Powers‘ star is on the rise.

Lauded for his performance in BET’s delivery of the New Edition story, the actor now finds himself standing as one of Hollywood’s more sought-after fresh faces thanks to numbers pulled in by his swelling fan base.

This month, before he rocks theatres by way of ‘Maximum Impact’, the African-American star has been cheered by execs at Awesomeness Films for the part he played in placing $14 million in their pockets.

Here’s a picture of Keith Powers and Elena Kampouris on set! #BIFMovie pic.twitter.com/0s2oUK7DbX

— Before I Fall Movie (@BIFMovie) July 20, 2016

Powers portrays Patrick in the big screen adaptation of Lauren Oliver’s ‘Before I Fall’ and signed on to do so even after learning it was to be armed with a modest budget of $5 million.

This month, thanks to positive word-of-mouth reviews, a leading performance by Zoey Deutch and Power’s bourgeoning box office pull, the movie has generated $14,100,000 worldwide.

Just saw Keith Powers in Before I fall and I almost died????????

— A3️⃣ (@Ashlon3Jackson) March 12, 2017

Keith Powers & Kian Lawley in before I fall ?

— aida ? (@Aidak_) February 18, 2017

Why do you think Powers is so popular?

Social media is becoming like the WWE Royal Rumble these days. Case in point the ‘Love & Hip-Hop: Instagram’ exchange between Joseline Hernandez and K. Michelle.

As reported, the reality stars and former friends have been trading insults over an issue that ironically wasn’t with one another. [Hernandez has beef with TV exec Mona Scott Young.]

However, that hasn’t stopped the pair from going “there” and beyond. From children to drug use, the draggings have left no stone unturned. And it’s still going on.

Picking up where K left off, Hernandez hit back with…

You do the math hoe!!!! Tour now!! Cause your future ain’t promise ????????????? #boribori #joselinehernandez #griseldablanco #spanishrocksta #puertoricanprincess IM GOING TO MAKE YOU HOES EAT AND CHOKE IN YOUR OWN WORDS

A post shared by Management:JoselineHernandez (@joseline) on Jul 8, 2017 at 3:39pm PDT

As well as…

????

A post shared by Management:JoselineHernandez (@joseline) on Jul 8, 2017 at 8:30am PDT

K responded with…

A post shared by ??MyRealTalkRadio (@myrealtalkradio) on Jul 9, 2017 at 1:05am PDT

A post shared by ??MyRealTalkRadio (@myrealtalkradio) on Jul 9, 2017 at 1:10am PDT

Sigh.

Your thoughts?

FOX is reportedly mulling a major merger for its flagship music dramas this Fall.

According to TV Line, the network plans a unique crossover between ‘Empire’ and ‘Star’ – two productions spearheaded by Lee Daniels.

The pairing would be a one-off premiere event on September 27th – which is when both titles return for their fourth and second seasons respectively.

Beyond being plausible from a storyline perspective, it’ll also be a smart synchronization for the shows which will be airing alongside each other on Wednesday nights.

FOX are remaining mum on the matter, but word on the curb is that folk can definitely expect to see mixing, meshing, and messing between Cookie, Carlotta, and co.

*********

This sounds like a cool concept.

For us, ‘Empire’ has yet to recapture the magic of its first season and in many ways has become a victim of its own enormity. At least from a quality standpoint.  While ‘Star’ is still finding its footing.

As such, this has the potential to shake things up in a mutually beneficial way.

Would you watch?

Your thoughts?

In sad news, it’s been announced that actor Nelsan Ellis has died aged just 39.

Famed for playing Lafayette Reynolds on HBO’s ‘True Blood,’ the star’s his cause of death was complications related to heart failure.

In a statement, his manager Emily Saines wrote:

“Nelsan has passed away after complications with heart failure. He was a great talent, and his words and presence will be forever missed.”

Popular with fans and producers, his take on the character was actually adapted for a permanent run as he was originally killed-off early in the book series.

Speaking on Ellis’ passing, HBO said:

“We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis. [He] was a long-time member of the HBO family whose groundbreaking portrayal of Lafayette will be remembered fondly within the overall legacy of True Blood. Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO.”

‘True Blood’ creator Alan Ball added:

“Nelsan was a singular talent whose creativity never ceased to amaze me. Working with him was a privilege.”

Ellis, who attended Oxford University and graduated from Juilliard, also appeared in ‘Elementary’ and James Brown biopic ‘Get On Up.’

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. May he rest in peace.

Your thoughts?

Welcome to another edition of Retro Rewind, the TGJ original feature carved out to take you on a journey into entertainment’s past.

Today, seventeen years after it went down live, we revisit the moment in which a then 19-year-old Beyonce clashes with the then radio host Wendy Williams during an unforgettable interview.

Facing daggers, knives and drama following LeToya and LaTavia and Farrah’s involuntary departure from Destiny‘s Child, Beyonce and her group members made their way to radio with hopes of pushing their latest material and putting their fans’ minds at ease.

What happened next will shock you.

Listen below…

Your thoughts?