On Saturday, Kevin Bacon posted photos to his WhoSay page of wife Kyra Sedgwick in a hospital emergency room.

The couple, who have been married for 25 years, seemed remain calm — despite Sedgwick chopping off her fingertip.

"@kyrasedgwick in the ER. Kale isn't ALLWAYS HEALTHY... if you chop the end of your finger off."

"My Baby is fine. All good. Still can't find the tip of that finger @kyrasedgwick."

SEE ALSO: Hulk Hogan Tweets Utterly Disgusting Photos After A Radiator Exploded On His Hand

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It's safe to say that the 23 million people who have watched Jay-Z's three-minute long Samsung ad for "Magna Carta Holy Grail" assumed that famous long-haired and white bearded producer Rick Rubin, who was heavily featured in the commercial, worked on the new album.

They'd be wrong.

“The point of me being in the commercials was that he was filming a documentary and he asked me—I imagine he’s just comfortable talking to me—to come listen to the songs with him and just talk about the songs,” Rubin told XXL.“Just listen to it and talk about it, and that’s what we did. It was fun.” 

So the famous producer had no creative input on the creation of the album. In fact, he was busy working on Kanye West's new album "Yeezus" when Jay-Z was cutting his tracks.

“I liked what I heard, but it was a little difficult—after just coming from the Kanye sessions—to listen to Jay’s album, because they’re so different. I was in a very alternative and progressive headspace, and Jay’s record is a more traditional hip-hop record.”

That means Rubin served as a very intentionally placed marketing tool used to promote Jay-Z's new album, in spite of his lack of involvement.

Rubin has partnered up with Jay-Z in the past, ever since 2004's "99 Problems," so it would be an easy mistake to assume he worked on the new songs as well. 

Samsung dropped $5 million on this campaign — which gives the album to the first million people who download a Galaxy-specific app for free.

Watch the ad here:

SEE ALSO:  Firefox Got A New Logo — But Can You Tell The Difference?

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The highest-grossing movie of all time is again the subject of a copyright legal battle. Artist William Roger Dean filed a complaint against James Cameron and 20th Century Fox on Thursday seeking more than $50 million in damages over Avatar. 

Unlike past Avatar plaintiffs, Dean has an established pedigree. He is a well known artist who has created album covers for such big-selling bands as Yes and Asia and exhibited his fantasy landscapes and other work around the world.

In fact, it is the ubiquity of his work, as well as a movie proposal based on it that he took at the 2005 Cannes Film Fest, that has Dean convinced the look of the 2009 3D sci-fi film were derived from his images.

“The similarities of each such work are substantial, continuing, and direct so as to rule out any accidental copying or similarity in scenes common to the genre. The infringing portions of Avatar are so similar to Plaintiffs Works that Defendants and others employed in the preparation of the film must have had access to the Plaintiffs Works,” says his 17-page complaint (read it here) filed June 27 in U.S District Court in New York.

The filing cites numerous specific examples from the world of Pandora to the foliage and creatures that populate it where Dean sees his own work. Along with copyright infringement, Dean also is claiming contributory infringement, breach of implied contact, unfair competition and unjust enrichment.

Related: James Cameron & Fox Denied Dismissal Of Latest ‘Avatar’ Suit

 This is the fourth Avatar suit Cameron and Fox have had to deal with in the past year or so alone.

In March, a federal judge gave the green light to a trial on part of screenwriter Bryant Moore’s multibillion-dollar copyright lawsuit over the movie. Moore claims that scripts of his that were submitted to Cameron’s company were used as the basis for Avatar. 

The case is likely to end up in front of a jury in the next couple of months. The other two suits have ended in the director and the studio’s favor. 

In September of last year, Cameron and Fox prevailed over a copyright infringement suit from writer Elijah Schkeiban, who claimed Avatar was ripped off from his novel and subsequent film script Bats And Butterflies. In January, the director won a summary judgment in a suit from Gerald Morawski, who also accused Cameron of ripping off his ideas to come up with the movie.

In this wide ranging compliant, Dean is not just after the $50 million or more to be proved at trial. The artist also wants an injunction, a full accounting and a court order to be posted online and elsewhere that the defendants ripped off his work. And he wants those rights enforced for future Avatar projects.

“Further, upon information and belief, Defendants intend to film two (2) sequels and possibly a ‘prequel’ to Avatar, and a Walt Disney World Avatar-themed attraction, which sequels, prequel and attraction are very likely to utilize many of the original images of Plaintiff which would further continue Defendants breach of contractual obligations owed to Plaintiff,” the complaint says.

Dune Entertainment, Lightstorm Entertainment and Ingenious Film Partners 2 are named as defendants along with Cameron and 20th Century Fox Film Corp and 20thCentury Fox Home Entertainment. Dean is represented by Steven M. Hayes of NYC firm Hanly Conroy Bierstein Sheridan Fisher & Hayes.

SEE ALSO: "The Lone Ranger" reviews are awful

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The first reviews for Wednesday's "The Lone Ranger" are just starting to trickle out and they're not good at all. 

Just how bad are they? 

The adaptation of the popular radio broadcast and TV series is sitting at 31% on Rotten Tomatoes. (That's actually better than the 22% it was at earlier.) 

Critics are ripping apart the Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer Western, making the reviews for "White House Down" seem generous. Even the "fresh" reviews are calling the "The Lone Ranger" a "hot mess." 

We shouldn't be too surprised by the negative reactions.  

The Western  has had multiple delays— it originally set for a December 2012 and later May 31, 2013 release — and a cancellation scare. 

Last year, the budget inflated from $215 to $250 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

The Wrap has a field day ripping apart the lackluster self-proclaimed "Western" referring to it as a drag and parody of the genre:  

"The results are both joyless and seemingly endless, as its two-and-a-half-hour running time stretches out like a desert horizon barren of shade or water."

What's not sitting well with reviews? Everything from the length of the film, to it's feeble attempts at humor, and even Depp as sidekick Tonto.  Nearly the entire film, save the performance of Armie Hammer as the lead, has critics on edge. 

Trying to decide whether to see the film? Here's what to keep in mind:

It's a bit violent for a Disney film. A guy gets his heart cut out and eaten by the villain (William Fichtner). 

Time Out: 

"There's cold-blooded murder and declarations of vengeance, run-ins between the local Indians and the cavalry."

Hitfix:

"At one point in the film, one of the main villains played by William Fichtner cuts a man's heart out of his chest and, in front of the immobilized Lone Ranger, eats it."

It suffers from an over-stuffed, convoluted plot.

"The Hollywood Reporter" (THR): 

"Verbinski doesn't sufficiently set the tone and rules of the game from the outset, the uncertainty over which ripples throughout the film to deleterious effect."

Hitfix:

"Overlong, with a script that reads like a notes session no one ever organized into something coherent, and totally confused about what audience it supposedly plays to, "The Lone Ranger" is grim, ugly, and deeply unpleasant."

Variety:

"This team builds things just to blow them up, and by the film’s climax … what began as an elegantly epic, potentially realistic retelling of the Lone Ranger legend has devolved into Wile E. Coyote-style cartoon shenanigans."

It's unfortunate since Hammer's efforts appear to be trampled by a stumbling film that's unsure of what it wants to be.

THR:

"The madly handsome Hammer certainly delivers the Ranger's requisite rectitude and straight-arrow determination, but the balance between full-on hero and camp figure teeters at times, a problem symptomatic of Verbinski's difficulty in finding the right pitch for the project as a whole." 

The Wrap:

"You can see how perfect a choice Hammer was in portraying this all-American hero. But that moment is over all too quickly, and then we're back to the bloated spectacle."

Hitfix:

"I think Hammer does exactly what the script asks him to do, and more than ever, I'm convinced he's a leading man worth watching, but they've imagined the character completely wrong, so he never gets a chance to shine."

Usual Johnny Depp co-star Helena Bonham Carter seems out of place in the Western complete with peg leg.

THR:

"Carter seems to be hobbling in from another movie altogether in her brief appearance as a red-headed madame with a gun in her peg leg." 

Time Out: 

"A whorehouse madam with a wooden gun leg (Helena Bonham Carter, apparently on loan from an aborted Tim Burton project)"

Overall consensus: Pass.

Unless your name is Kevin Costner, Westerns have never have never been safe bets or huge Hollywood blockbusters. A messy plot and a narrative that doesn't appear to pick up until the final act plague Armie Hammer's attempt at leading man status. It doesn't help that this seems to be more of Johnny Depp's film, too. With delays and a high budget, "The Lone Ranger" has appeared to suffer from being in the Disney vault for a few months too long. 

If you're looking for a film to take the family to this holiday weekend, check out the other new release, "Despicable Me 2" or Disney's other film "Monsters University."

Watch the trailer: 

SEE ALSO: What the "Pacific Rim" monsters look like

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Pierce Brosnan's daughter Charlotte has died after a three-year battle with ovarian cancer.

The actor, 60, released a statement to People magazine about his daughter's passing, saying, "On June 28 at 2 p.m. my darling daughter Charlotte Emily passed on to eternal life, having succumbed to ovarian cancer. She was surrounded by her husband Alex, children Isabella and Lucas and brothers Christopher and Sean."

Brosnan added: "Charlotte fought her cancer with grace and humanity, courage and dignity. Our hearts are heavy with the loss of our beautiful dear girl. We pray for her and that the cure for this wretched disease will be close at hand soon. We thank everyone for their heartfelt condolences."

Brosnan's first wife and Charlotte's mother Cassandra Harris died from the same disease in 1991 at the age of 43. The James Bond star married American journalist Keely Shaye Smith in 1994. The couple have two sons, Dylan Thomas Brosnan (b. 1997) and Paris Beckett Brosnan (b. 2001).

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Ever wonder what happens to porn stars once the bright lights go out on their careers? What do they do when they retire from "The Business?" 

They become real estate agents, nurses, Christian activists, stay-at-home moms, and private investigators.

The 2010 documentary "After Porn Ends" raised the question "Can they really live a normal life after porn?" and followed former porn stars in their new, mostly ordinary lives.

They could be your neighbor, and you probably wouldn't even know about their previous career between the sheets.

But the road to societal normalcy isn't always easy and often presents financial struggle, parent-child conflicts — like being recognized at their preteen daughter's track meet —  and relapses into the industry.

Still, few former porn stars in "After Porn Ends" say they have regrets.

We rounded up the 12 erotic actors and actresses-turned-contributing-members-of-society — and the few who came out of retirement.

Asia Carrera was the first half-Asian female to become an A-list porn star, appearing in 389 videos.

The Mensa International member walked away from a full academic scholarship to college to instead pursue a career in porn. She enjoyed learning all the crew members' jobs in between scenes.

Today, Asia is a stay-at-home mother of two living in Mormon country in St. George Utah, where porn is illegal and she's less recognized.

Action thriller "White House Down" came out over the weekend, debuting to less than favorable box-office numbers.

The film earned nearly $10 million less than the $35 million analysts predicted the Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx hostage crisis would make. 

Surely this wasn't because Channing Tatum's popularity has worn out at theaters. 

He was one of the biggest box-office draws of 2012 AND crowned People's "Sexiest Man Alive."

Rather, the film's critics were turned off by how strikingly similar the film was to previous March Film District release, "Olympus Has Fallen."

In a bloated box-office summer where there are so many options to see, it's little surprise crowds would opt out of seeing something that looks vaguely familiar from months ago.

This isn't the first time two films with eerily similar plots have been released around the same time. We've rounded up a number of "twin" films that have come out months apart in theaters over the years.

Why does this happen so frequently?

It's the same reason we'll see multiple shows aboutvampires, finding truelove, and serialkillers flood the airwaves.

It's all about the competition.

Forbes contributor Mark Hughes summed it up best in a 2011 post on Quora saying sometimes it's just coincidence. However, it could be to piggyback off a competitor's potentially successful — or already successful — project. We often see this with knockoff direct-to-DVD films that sometimes confuse buyers.

"Other times, a studio/filmmaker finds out about another studio's/filmmaker's project and wants to match them, so both are hurrying to get their film out first. This might be a case of both knowing the topic and films will be popular, or they might think it's a good idea but only one can be a success, or it could be that they are counting on the success and critical acclaim of one to help the other. So in this case, it can sometimes be a zero-sum game and other times they expect a coattail effect or that in general one positive will lead to a second positive.

Sometimes a big film will come out and be a hit, so a smaller studio will hurry up and rush through creating their own film to cash in on it -- this happens with a lot of direct-to-DVD films, for example."

Read the rest of his explanation here.

1997: "Dante's Peak" and "Volcano" both revolve around the cast outrunning erupting volcanoes.

Box Office
"Dante's Peak": $178 million 
"Volcano": $122.8 million

Fox got a little excited with its over-the-top posters for "Volcano." The Fox film did nowhere near as well as Pierce Brosnan's volcano epic in the states; however, the Los Angeles centered movie picked up overseas.

1998: The Earth was nearly destroyed in both "Armageddon" and "Deep Impact."

Box Office
"Armageddon": $553.7 million
"Deep Impact": $349.5 million

Bruce Willis saves the world from an asteroid in the first film, while Robert Duvall tries to stop a massive comet from colliding with the planet.

(Buena Vista / Paramount) 

1998: "Antz" and "A Bugs Life" both follow life from an ant's point of view.

Box Office
"Antz": $171.8 million
"A Bug's Life": $363.4 million

Even animated distributors can't avoid releasing similar films. Disney and Pixar's bug film went up against Sylvester Stallone's ant crew and took him down.

(DreamWorks Animation / Disney, Pixar)

Legendary rock musician Lou Reed wrote a review of the new Kanye West record.

His review is perfect. It's exactly what you want from a record review.

Instead of flowery language filled with obscure analogies and opaque references, it's just Reed laying out his plain thoughts on the record.

And, because he's Lou Reed, he's got some expertise. And, because he's Lou Reed, he doesn't really care that much about what you or West think. 

So, what does he think? 

"There are moments of supreme beauty and greatness on this record, and then some of it is the same old sh**," says Reed, "But the guy really, really, really is talented.  He's really trying to raise the bar.  No one's near doing what he's doing, it's not even on the same planet."

Reed thinks the lyrics are the weakest part of the album, "Maybe because he made up so much of it at the last minute."

However, there are some lyrics he likes. He loves the way West plays with contradictions throughout the record. One minute he's saying something homophobic, then, a second later he has a prominent gay crooner singing on a song. 

Or, West says, "Y'all throwin' contracts at me/ You know that n**gas can't read." To that lyric, Reed says, "Yeah, right — your mom was a college English professor."

While some of the lyrics are great, it's the sound of the record that really resonates with Reed. He says, "Very often, he'll have this very monotonous section going and then, suddenly —'BAP! BAP! BAP! BAP!'— he disrupts the whole thing and we're on to something new that's absolutely incredible.  That's architecture, that's structure — this guy is seriously smart."

He concludes by saying the record is "majestic and inspiring." 

Go read the whole thing; it actually makes you appreciate "Yeezus" in a whole new way »

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If you couldn't tune into the season 8 premiere of "Dexter" Sunday, Showtime has you covered.

The network just released the full episode online free. 

The final season follows serial killer Dexter Morgan as he tries to evade the police closing in on his second life.

Check it out below:

SEE ALSO: 13 killer photos from the final season of "Dexter"

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Turns out not just anyone can use the phrase "I am," according to former Black eyed Peas singer, Will.i.am.

Will.i.am has owned the "I AM" trademark since 2001 and uses it for his clothing, jewelry, luggage and other businesses, as well as his charity foundation I AM ANGEL.

So when singer-songwriter Pharrell  Williams recently launched his YouTube channel "I Am Other," Will.i.am was not happy, calling it "confusingly similar."

Will.i.am subsequently issued a cease and desist informing Pharrell that he owned the rights to the 'I Am' element and to stop using the name.

Pharrell responded by filing a lawsuit seeking to block Will.i.am's efforts, according to TMZ, and argues in his lawsuit that each artist was using "I Am" in different ways.

Pharrell is claiming that Will.i.am has been using the words in a Dr. Seuss-inspired way, like "Sam I am; I am Sam; I am Sam; Sam I am."

"In contrast, the 'I Am Other' mark means 'I am something else,'" argues Pharrell in his suit, "leaving what that 'else' is to the imagination of the consumer. It certainly does not mean 'I am Will.'"

Pharrell is asking a judge for written permission to continue using the "I Am Other" mark.

"I am disappointed that Will, a fellow artist, would file a case against me," Pharrell said in a statement to Rolling Stone. "I am someone who likes to talk things out and, in fact, I attempted to do just that on many occasions. I am surprised in how this is being handled and I am confident that Will's trademark claims will ultimately be found to be as meritless and ridiculous as I do."

Wonder what Will.i.am thinks of Beyoncé's tumblr, "I AM"?

SEE ALSO: Here's How To Properly Dance To Pharrell's 'Get Lucky'

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Beyoncé had the beyhive buzzing last night in Los Angeles at her latest concert stop at the Staples Center.

Tons of celebs, from Nicole Richie to the Kardashian clan, made it out for the Queen B's big show.

Originally scheduled to wrap up her tour in Brooklyn in August, Beyoncé has now extended it all the way until December.

So you now have plenty of time to go check out the concert for yourself — or you can just live vicariously through the below celeb photos.

Nicole Richie posed with pals outside of the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles before the show. "HONEY BEE #Beyonce," she wrote. 

It wasn't long before Richie met up with her friend Jessica Alba, who posted this photo from inside the concert venue.

"#whoruntheworld-girls! #Beyonce#queenbee #mrscarter."

Kourtney Kardashian attended the concert with her sister and makeu-up artist.

"Beyonce with my @joycebonelli and my@kendalljenner!"

They had incredible seats, likely thanks to sister Kim's baby daddy Kanye West's tight-knit relationship with Jay-Z and Beyoncé.

"Young B! #bestseats #bestnight," Kourtney posted along with this picture.

Sis Kendall Jenner confirmed, the trio really had the "best seats in the house."

Jenner also tweeted:

EXCUSE ME but Beyoncé is PERFECTION

— Kendall Jenner (@KendallJenner) July 2, 2013

Even all-star performer Kylie Minogue was impressed: #Beyonce .... The Queen had her#beyhive buzzing... Flawless show.#Flawless!!!!"

Victoria's Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley posted on her way to the show.

"@beyonce we can't wait! #girlsnight#girlpower #queenB #mrscarter." 

And also once inside the concert venue, with her friends all wearing "B" hats. "My @beyonce posse!"

Former Disney Channel star Bella Thorne posted "Beyonce concert #HYDElounge #BIWIRlet the perfection begin."

"Glee" star Lea Michele tweeted:

What an inspiring night!!! #Beyonce is literally a superhero!!!! Best night ever!!! #mrscarterloangeles

— Lea Michele (@msleamichele) July 2, 2013

And posted this Vine video from the concert:

Preach. Beyonce. https://t.co/sVbWIRwQrS

— Lea Michele (@msleamichele) July 2, 2013

Also at the concert but slightly more discreetly? Selena Gomez, Robert Pattinson, Seth Rogen, Jamie Foxx and new couple Minka Kelly and Chris Evans.

SEE ALSO: The most ridiculous outfits at this weekend's BET awards

SEE ALSO: Beyoncé Posts Intimate Photos Showing Why It's Good To Be Blue Ivy

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Johnny Depp was supposed to be promoting his latest film "The Lone Ranger" on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Monday night, but instead the actor and talk show host engaged in a mutual love fest.

"You know, you have this very handsome, this...let's be honest and say beautiful face," Kimmel started off the interview by telling Depp.

And then straight out of the gates, the actor leaned in — twice — and put his lips on Kimmel's for a big smooch.

"That's more kissing than I did in all of high school!" Kimmel quipped, later adding "I never realized this Supreme Court decision would have such an immediate impact on both of us."

"I do have a thing for talk show hosts," Depp admitted in response.

Watch the entire encounter below:

SEE ALSO: 'The Lone Ranger' Reviews: It's As Awful As Everyone Thought It Would Be

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At a ceremony honoring young black males who recently graduated from Chicago's public high schools, keynote speaker and rapper Lupe Fiasco blasted the education system.

“Congratulations, you have graduated from one of the most terrible, substandard school systems in the entire world," Fiasco said, according to The Chicago Sun-Times.

"You have just spent the last 12 years receiving one of the worst educations on Earth. You are at least four, five steps behind people in other countries that are younger than you,” Fiasco said.

A politically outspoken artist, Fiasco grew up in Chicago, where school closings and astronomical dropout rates traditionally affect black students disproportionately.

In May, Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett and Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that the five-year graduation rate — for the entire student body — reached a 14-year high of 63%.

But according to a 2012 report by the Schott Foundation for Public Education, the graduation rate for black males in Chicago hovers around 39%.

During Saturday's Mass Black Male Graduation and Transition to Manhood ceremony, an event co-sponsored by Chicago State University and The Black Star Project, Fiasco kicked the fluffy speech routine and delivered a swift reality check to the recent grads.

"The caps and the gowns and your tassels and your honorary blah-blah-blahs don’t mean nothing. That’s just dress," said Fiasco. "They just represent to someone else that you’ve achieved something. But then when you look back at it, what have you achieved?"

Michael Crenshaw, manager of membership and volunteer development at The Black Star Project, tells Business Insider students responded "excellently" to the fiery speech.

"[Lupe Fiasco] had a couple of choice words, but they related to it well," Crenshaw said.

The singer also pledged $100 to each of the 150 students.

Crenshaw tells us Fiasco's donations were a spontaneous decision. The Black Star Project held a raffle to award $100 to 10 students, but Fiasco offered to extend the gift to everyone "on the spot," said Crenshaw.

Fiasco also runs an inner-city youth mentorship program, Lupe Fiasco Foundation.

SEE ALSO: Rapper Lupe Fiasco Got Kicked Off Stage At An Inauguration Party After Making Anti-Obama Comments

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Bat-fans received the worst news last night.

Christian Bale confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that he will never ever play Batman again. Ever. 

“We were incredibly fortunate to get to make three [Batman films]. That’s enough. Let’s not get greedy,” said Bale. 

He added he rather see someone else take on the role in the future.

"It’s a torch that should be handed from one actor to another. So I enjoy looking forward to what somebody else will come up with.”

Since the release of "Man of Steel," there's been talk of a future "Justice League" film, something Bale told EW he doesn't have any knowledge of either. We're not surprised by that since that film would be in the earliest of development stages.

This isn't particularly new. 

We've heard rumors before the actor isn't interested in donning the cape and cowl again. However, we're just not buying that Bale would never have anything to do again with the Bat.

Yes, we know Batman screenwriter David S. Goyer has basically confirmed the next go at the Dark Knight would be a reboot, but we're not shelving Bale just yet. 

There's just way too much money at stake.

1. You don't just walk away from one of the all-time highest-grossing superhero films.

Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy has earned $2.5 billion worldwide. $2 billion of those earnings came from the last two films alone.

"The Dark Knight Rises" had one of the all-time highest grossing opening weekends earning $160.9 million. While "The Avengers" holds the top spot with $207.4 million for the largest debut, "TDKR" earned that much money despite no 3D screenings and the tragic Colorado shooting at a midnight showing for the film.

Had the tragic events that unfolded that weekend not occurred, that film would have most likely beat out "The Avengers" for the largest box-office weekend. It earned more in midnight sales than the Marvel team and was on pace with the filmFriday before taken a huge dive in theaters Saturday.

After the "Harry Potter" franchise ended, Batbale and Nolan have been much of Warner Bros.' backbone at theaters. Sure, they have Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" series for two more years, but after 2014, if WB wants to compete with Disney and Marvel it needs to figure out what it's doing with the DC universe.

2. Warner Bros. could have Disney right where it wants them.

Disney clearly had to be shaking in its boots when "Man of Steel" grossed an unexpected $116.6 millionopening weekend.  

That's massive for a franchise start.   

"Man of Steel" blew away every other superhero origin story including "Spider-Man" which previously had the number one spot on the chart grossing an unheard of $114.8 million opening weekend back in 2002. How did the first Iron Man film fare? It earned $98.6 upon its debut.  

Immediately following Superman's killer box-office weekend, Disney and Marvel announced Robert Downey Jr. was secured for two more "Avengers" sequels.   

Disney could have continued "The Avengers" without Downey Jr., but after "Iron Man 3" made a massive $174 million at the box office opening weekend, it was clear he's the main draw to an "Avengers" flick. 

In the same way, if Warner Bros. is serious about making a "Justice League" film — and how could they not when Disney is announcing their line up for future Marvel films left and right— Batman's needs to be in it. Other than Superman, he's the glue that holds the crew together. 

Could Warner Bros. do a "Justice League" with a different Batman?

Sure. 

Sony decided to do another "Spider-Man" franchise with  Andrew Garfield as a younger Spidey, but it's not doing as well as its original "Spider-Man" threequel.

In terms of star power, Henry Cavill has been well received as the icon for Superman. Parallels to the comics aside, Batman is Warner Bros.' Iron Man. Christian Bale/Bruce Wayne is Warner Bros.' Robert Downey Jr/Tony Stark.

3. Why Bale could still be Batman.

It's no secret Nolan and actors in big blockbusters seem to have no problems lying to press concerning big roles.

Exhibit A: Liam Neeson / Ra's al Ghul
Exhibit B: Marion Cotillard/Christopher Nolan/Talia al Ghul
Exhibit C: Benedict Cumberbatch and crew / Khan in "Star Trek Into Darkness"

4. Okay. He doesn't NEED to be Batman. But he should still play a role somewhere.

Bale's absolutely right. Technically, he doesn't need to be the Caped Crusader. In "The Dark Knight Rises" his character repeats numerous times a hero can be anyone. Batman can be anybody.

However, only one person can be Bruce Wayne.

For those familiar with the DC universe, Wayne wasn't the only guy to fill in the Bat's shoes.

One easy-to-comprehend route WB could take that makes sense with the franchise is to call back Joseph Gordon-Levitt who inherited the bat mantle at the end of "The Dark Knight Rises."

Make him into some sort of Nightwing or "Batman Beyond."

Lucky for us, Wayne wasn't the only Batman wrangled into the league. This way Christian Bale could have the freedom to pop in every nowand then as a mentor type.

Plus, IF those many rumors of a future Batman reboot are true (please no), it wouldn't be a far stretch for WB to explore a "Batman Beyond" film. They've tried in the past. 

According to "Tales From Development Hell," Warner Bros. seriously considered adapting the animated cartoon about an older Bruce Wayne passing over the bat mantle to Terry McGinnis to film. The studio even registered domain names related to a potential movie.

In 2000, it even appeared to be real.

"As co-creator Paul Dini told website Comics Continuum, 'Boaz is co-writing the script with Alan Burnett and myself, as well as directing.' Although such a script was almost certainly completed, soon after Dini's announcement the studio let it be known that it was no longer pursuing the Batman Beyond approach."

Thanks to "Man of Steel" we know Wayne exists in this universe. So it wouldn't feel out of place to have Batman be played by one individual while Bale reprised his now-iconic role.

Bottom line: If Warner Bros. doesn't want Disney running laps around them with the Marvel, it needs to put its best foot forward. 

Fine. Don't have Bale play Batman, but don't discard him completely. 

Christian Bale is the hero Warner Bros. deserves (even if he claims he's not the one it needs).

More Batman: Did you spot Bruce Wayne's cameo in "Man of Steel"?

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A new piece in New York Times Magazine profiles Jason Everman, who played for legendary rock bands Nirvana and Soundgarden before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1994.

Everman was twice burnt. Nirvana kicked him out just short of their huge success, and Soundgarden did the same. Not to be deterred, Everman enlisted in the Army, became an Army Ranger, then went into the Special Forces.

From The Times:

He had three drill sergeants, two of whom were sadists. Thank God it was the easygoing one who saw it. He was reading a magazine, when he slowly looked up and stared at Everman. Then the sergeant walked over, pointing to a page in the magazine. “Is this you?” It was a photo of the biggest band in the world, Nirvana. Kurt Cobain had just killed himself, and this was a story about his suicide. Next to Cobain was the band’s onetime second guitarist. A guy with long, strawberry blond curls. “Is this you?”

Everman exhaled. “Yes, Drill Sergeant.”

Everman went on to deploy multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan as a Ranger, and later a Green Beret. After separating from active duty in 2006, he enrolled in Columbia University’s School of General Studies, majoring in philosophy.

The full write up in the New York Times is well worth the read.

Check it out here >

SEE ALSO: Why Green Berets Are The Smartest, Most Lethal Fighters In The World

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Kate Middleton's due date isn't until July 11, but paparazzi aren't taking any chances of losing out on the year's most-anticipated photo-op.

Dozens of photogs are setting up their equipment and jockeying for prime positions in case Middleton gives birth early.

Some are even already standing outside in anticipation with cameras in-hand.

Middleton will give birth to the future heir to the British throne in the same St. Mary's hospital where the late Princess Diana gave birth to Princes William and Harry.

Until then, parking has been suspended outside the Lindo Wing of the hospital.

Inside the hospital, birthing suites offer a satellite TV, radio, safe, bedside phone, Internet access and a refrigerator.

Royal doctor Marcus Setchell is expected to deliver the royal baby after postponing his retirement, reports the Mirror.

A source close to Marcus, who served as the Queen’s gynecologist for 18 years until 2008, told the Sunday People: “Marcus says he will retire after the baby is born but because he knows they are planning more children, he will probably have to take time out of his retirement to deliver those too."

The royal baby's birth will then be announced via a bulletin on an easel behind the gates of Buckingham Palace announcing, "Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a child," according to UsWeekly's royal source.

"There will be gun salutes, flag flying and bell pealing," adds the palace aide. "It's very exciting."

The couple still do not reportedly know the sex of their unborn baby.

When the first-time parents leave the hospital, the aide promises that the 31-year-old royals "will pose with the baby for pictures."

In the meantime, Middleton has been dividing her time between her home in Anglesey, Wales, and Nottingham Cottage in London.

Should the Duchess go into labor early, a helicopter will fly her 70 minutes away to London's St. Mary's Hospital, where she hopes to give birth naturally, according to an UsWeekly source. 

After the baby is born, Prince William will take a two-week paternity leave from his Royal Air Force duties in Wales and spend time with his family, who will be shuttling between London and Middleton's parents' place in Berkshire.

Come September, the trio will move to Kensington Palace's Apartment 1, where a nursery awaits.

SEE ALSO: 20 Iconic Photos Of Kate Middleton & Prince William's Royal Life

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Monsters University has dominated the box office since its release two weeks ago and part of its success may be due to the extraordinary effort the Pixar animation team put in to make the movie as realistic as possible, even down the titular college campus setting.

In preparation for the film, the California-based Pixar team took trips to local schools UC Berkeley and Stanford, and went across the country to check out Harvard, Princeton, and MIT. 

These campus visits helped the animators create a collegiate environment that while not based on any one school, had a mix of California and East Coast university traditions, Robert Kondo, Monster University's Art Director for Set Design & Shading, told us.

Kondo told Business Insider that because a lot of the animators went to art school, they traveled to these campuses to get an understanding of a more all around university experience. More than looking at specific buildings, though, Kondo said — as only an art school grad could — that the team went to "absorb the feeling" of their element.

The movie has sparked some online debate over the buildings at Monsters University, as various students across the country try and claim specific landmarks as their own. This fits in pretty nicely with Pixar's goal of creating a unique yet relatable campus laden with "ritual" and "tradition."

Based on this online discussion and the campuses Pixar chose, we went through and picked out some buildings that might have been inspiration points for the Monsters University creators. 

One of the most visible structures on any campus is the clock tower, such as this one found at Monsters University.

Although a different color, Berkeley's Sather Tower seems to be a close cousin.

The scenic campus of Monsters University also features the Troll Bridge, which is much more pleasant than its name would suggest.

Cerebral funnyman Fred Armisen confirmed this week that he is leaving "Saturday Night Live" after 11 years, leaving a hole in the sketchy comedy cast that will be difficult to fill.

In an interview with Splitsider, Armisen explained that the timing felt right, and he felt too distracted by the show he co-created, writes, and stars in: IFC's critical darling, "Portlandia."

"I didn't do any kind of official announcement, but I really felt like it was obvious," Armisen told Splitsider about his departure.

Armisen says of his final moments at Studio 8H: "[It was] an ending that was a love letter to all the music I grew up with, and also to my friends and to 'SNL' and to Lorne and to the cast. There was a lot of emotion attached to it, but it was a very positive emotion."

Watch the goodbye clip below.

To celebrate his illustrious run on "SNL," here are the 10 Fred Armisen recurring characters we'll miss the most:

1. Garth is one-half of the chronically unprepared singing duo, Garth and Kat, who improvise their holiday tunes on "Weekend Update."

2. The childhood best friend of Muammar al-Gaddafi and his wife swing by the "Weekend Update" desk to trash-talk the Libyan dictator.

3. Lawrence Welk, host of the classic musical variety show "The Lawrence Welk Show," gets thoroughly weirded out by an oddball member of a Finger Lakes-based sister act, played by Kristin Wiig.

4. Producer Roger Brush fills in for the sweet female host of a Dr. Phil-like talk show, but he's rather insensitive to the mostly women audience's needs.

5. A firey Joy Behar holds her own as co-host of "The View," often screeching, "So what? Who cares?"

6. Former New York Governor David Paterson owns up to being hated by his constituents, jokes about his partial blindness, and relishes dumping on the state of New Jersey.

7. Larry King isn't afraid to poke fun at his physical appearance on his nightly interview program, saying that he is "90% shoulders."

8. The Gay Couple from New Jersey, donning track suits and gold crosses, employ mafia stereotypes in their quest for marriage equality.

9. President Obama takes a rest from the Oval Office to film this jazzy ad spot, promising to "keep it cool" during his second term.

10. A timid and maniacle-looking Prince rocks a purple velvet suit, uses Beyonce as his human mouthpiece, and sings like he's about to sneeze.

SEE ALSO: There's A Lot Of Big Talent To Replace On 'Saturday Night Live'

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Kate Stoltzfus has traded her bonnet for a bikini after the "Breaking Amish" reality TV star left her Amish upbringing in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to pursue a modeling career in New York City.

Here's Kate upon arrival, still in her conservative Amish garb. On the show, she admitted she felt like "a small fish in a really big pond" and called the transition "overwhelming."

Kate even kept up with her usual dress while discussing "Breaking Amish" during a TLC panel in 2012.

But a lot has changed in a year. Here's Kate's controversial spread in the pages of this month's Maxim magazine. 

 "There are definitely a lot of Amish women who have great bodies, because they work hard," she told Maxim. "They also eat really healthy, since they grow their own food. That's one big thing I miss about home, being able to garden and take care of plants."

But life in the big city hasn't scared Kate off just yet.

"Before I had even signed a contract with a modeling agency, I did a test shoot to see if I could photograph well, and the first outfit they put me in was a bathing suit," the TLC reality star revealed. "I have to admit it was a little intimidating, but now I enjoy doing it."

Watch a video of Kate's transformation:

SEE ALSO: Alyssa Milano Looks Amazing At Age 40 On The Cover Of Maxim

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Lisa Jackson, the former restaurant manager who filed a lawsuit against Paula Deen and her brother, has spoken out, telling CNN in a statement that she "could no longer tolerate her abuse of power as a business owner."

The southern cooking star has been caught in a racism scandal since her court deposition came out. She admitted to using the N-word in the past and made other comments that people perceived as racist.

But Jackson said in a statement that the lawsuit "has never been about the N-word" and that "it is to address Ms. Deen's patterns of disrespect and degradation of people that she deems to be inferior."

Jackson is the former general manager of the Deen-owned restaurant Uncle Bubba’s Seafood and Oyster House in Savannah, Ga. She has accused Deen of racial discrimination and her brother Earl W. “Bubba” Hiers of sexual harassment.

Here's the rest of Jackson's statement:

I may be a white woman, but I could no longer tolerate her abuse of power as a business owner, nor her condonation of Mr. Hiers' despicable behavior on a day-to-day basis. I am what I am, and I am a human being that cares about all races, and that is why I feel it is important to be the voice for those who are too afraid to use theirs.

Deen has denied allegations of racism, and in a tearful Today show interview, she defended her character.

Since the scandal broke a couple of weeks ago, Deen's cooking empire has crumbled, with the Food Network and many others ending their partnerships with her.

SEE ALSO: The most scandalous moments in Paula Deen's career

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