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Andy Samberg Returns To Host 'SNL' In Season Finale Promos

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Saturday Night Live Andy Samberg Kenan Thompson

Andy Samberg returns to "Saturday Night Live" this weekend to host the show's season finale with musical guest, St.Vincent.

After Samberg won a Golden Globe this year for his role on new Fox show "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," tensions are sarcastically high between former co-stars as the comedian returns to his old stomping grounds.

This week's promos, featuring Samberg and Kenan Thompson, are filled with new egos, yoga breaks, and lots of bromance.

 The clip may even win...

Saturday Night Live Andy Samberg Kenan Thompson

SEE ALSO: Hillary Clinton And Michelle Obama Jab Each Other In Mother's Day Message On 'SNL'

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TMZ Reportedly Paid $250,000 For Jay Z And Solange Security Video

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Jay Z Solange Fight Video

The Standard Hotel in New York City's Meatpacking District wasn't pleased when elevator footage of Solange Knowles physically attacking her brother-in-law, Jay Z, made its grand entrance on the internet Monday  all thanks to TMZ.

So how did the celebrity news website get the now infamous, grainy fight footage?

A staffer at the Standard Hotel tells Us Weekly that “the video was recorded on a cell phone from the monitors in the back room.” 

A source told The New York Post that the video was then "being shopped for five days to the highest bidder.”

“There are only a handful of people who’d have access to that tape,” added the source, who told the Post the tape was sold to TMZ for $250,000. “The Standard owns that tape.” But, “Once it was out, Jay Z’s people felt they couldn’t control it. They were reluctant to try and publicly fight this.”

Jay Z and Beyoncé maintained a united front at the Barclays Center on Monday, sitting courtside for the Nets game against the Miami Heat. Beyoncé has also tried to remain Team Solange by posting these pictures of the sisters in happier times on her Instagram account.

But The Standard Hotel is still peeved over the privacy breach.

“We are shocked and disappointed that there was a clear breach of our security system and the confidentiality that we count on providing our guests,” The Standard Hotel announced late Monday.

“We are investigating with the utmost urgency the circumstances surrounding the situation and, as is our customary practice, will discipline and prosecute the individuals involved to our fullest capacity.”

The Standard has since hired Hollywood lawyer Marty Singer, who is investigating who shopped the tape.

Watch the tape in question below:

SEE ALSO: Standard Hotel Investigating Leaked Jay Z And Solange Fight Footage After 'Security Breach'

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Neil Patrick Harris Says He Was Offered CBS 'Late Show'

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Neil Patrick Harris David Letterman

Neil Patrick Harris is a free agent now that his CBS sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" ended last month.

While the actor is currently starring in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" on Broadway, he revealed to Howard Stern Wednesday that his next role could have been David Letterman's replacement on CBS' "Late Show."

NPH tells Stern that before Stephen Colbert got the gig, CBS Chairman Les Moonves approached him about taking over a late-night slot.

He explains below (via Vulture)"

"[Moonves and CBS entertainment chairman Nina Tassler] called me in and sat me down and asked if ['Late Show'] was something I'd be interested in doing ... In that instance, I felt like I knew what my skillsets were and I kind of knew what it is that I wanted to do after ['How I Met Your Mother'] … so I was surprised he pitched me that idea ... I think I would get bored of the repetition fast, and the structure of it is so set. I don't have any interest in doing monologue, commercial, sketch, guest, guest, guest, musical act, good night."

Instead of a late-night show in the 11:30 p.m. or 12:30 a.m.  slot, NPH says he wants a variety show.

"I liked this weekly variety thing," he told Stern. "I think if it's weekly, and people really want to see it, and you trust that there's a lot of really great shit on there, then you're gonna get the guests to want to come on there — a weekly thing you'd have more time to prep for stuff, you could pre-tape stuff that would be really exciting, you could flesh it out more."

Considering Maya Rudolph just landed her own variety show on NBC, the idea doesn't sound that far-fetched.

SEE ALSO: Stephen Colbert Reads Top 10 List He Wrote For David Letterman 17 Years Ago

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IT'S OFFICIAL: Hollywood Is Making An Edward Snowden Movie

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snowden

Sony Pictures Entertainment has acquired the rights to the new book by journalist Glenn Greenwald about fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, the studio said Wednesday.

James Bond franchise producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli will make the movie version of "No Place to Hide," described as "a political film that will resonate with today's moviegoers."

Snowden's "explosive revelations have raised important questions about the role of government in protecting its citizens and the balance between national security and personal freedom," said Doug Belgrad, head of Columbia Pictures, a Sony division.

"We are extremely proud that Michael, Barbara and Glenn chose Sony to bring this riveting story to the big screen, and believe that Glenn's account of this incredible international event will make for a gripping and unforgettable film."

Greenwald, the journalist who broke the Snowden story for Britain's Guardian newspaper, said the producers "have a successful track record of making thoughtful and nuanced true-life stories that audiences want to see.

"Growing up, I was heavily influenced by political films, and am excited about the opportunity to be part of a political film that will resonate with today's moviegoers," he added.

Greenwald, recounting last year's discussions in Hong Kong with Snowden when he decided to reveal his identity, said the ex-National Security Agency contractor appeared to be "profoundly at peace" with his decision to leak documents.

"Snowden had seemed unbothered" by the prospect of facing US prosecution for releasing the classified materials, Greenwald wrote in excerpts from his book published by the Guardian earlier this week.

The book, subtitled "Edward Snowden, the NSA and the US Surveillance State," is being released in Britain by Hamish Hamilton and in the United States by Metropolitan Books.

SEE ALSO: A Former Obama Cabinet Official Made The Strongest Snowden Allegation Yet

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Here Are All Of The TV Shows That Got Saved For Another Season

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As the networks are announcing its new shows and cancellations for the new TV season, you may have missed which series are sticking around for another season.

If you're not sure what's returning, here's a quick guide to let you know which of your favorite shows will be back in the next year.

ABC

"Castle"

The crime drama will return for a seventh season.castle

"Dancing with the Stars" 

We will see stars duke it out on the dance floor for a 19th season.  andy dick dancing with the stars abc

"The Bachelor"

The dating series was also renewed for season number 19.sean lowe bachelor

"Grey's Anatomy"

The residents of Seattle Grace will be back for season 11. greys anatomy

"Last Man Standing" 

Tim Allen's comedy will return for season 4.last man standing

"The Middle"

The Patricia Heaton comedy will live to see season 6.the middle

"Modern Family"

ABC's comedy will be back for a 6th season.modern family

"Nashville" 

The country soap is returning for a third season.nashville connie britton hayden panettiere

"Once Upon A Time"

Storybrooke's residents will be visited from a "Frozen" princess in season 4.once upon a time

 

"Revenge"

Someone still has to pay for murdering Emily Thorne's father when the show continues in season 4.revenge

"Scandal"

Shonda Rhimes' sizzling Thursday night drama will be back for season 4. scandal


"Shark Tank"

Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, and the rest will be back for season 6.shark tank

Here are the ABC shows that will be returning after pilot season.

"The Goldbergs"the goldbergs

"Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."agents of shield

"Resurrection"resurrection abc

CBS

"2 Broke Girls"

The comedy will return for season 4.2 broke girls renewed

"The Amazing Race"

The reality show will be back for a 25th season.the amazing race


"The Big Bang Theory"

The network's biggest hit comedy received a three-year renewal through season 10.big bang theory jim parsons equations

"Blue Bloods"

The police drama will be back for season 5.tom selleck blue bloods

"Criminal Minds"

The series was renewed for a 10th season.criminal minds renewed


"CSI"

The hit show will be back for season 15.CSI renewed

"Elementary"

The Sherlock series will return for its third season.elementary renewed

"The Good Wife"

CBS' big Sunday show was renewed for season 6.the good wife


"Hawaii Five-0"

The Friday night show will be back for a 5th season.hawaii five 0 CBS

"The Mentalist"

Simon Baker's drama will see a 7th season.the mentalist renewed

"Mike & Molly" 

Melissa McCarthy's comedy was renewed for season 5.mike and molly renewed

"NCIS"

CBS' top drama was renewed for season 12.NCIS renewed

"NCIS: Los Angeles"

The popular spin-off will return for its 6th season.NCIS los angeles

"Person of Interest"

The crime series will be back for season 4.person of interest renewed

"Survivor"

The long-standing reality show was renewed for seasons 29 and 30.survivor

"Two and A Half Men"

The network confirmed Wednesday morning the series will return for a final 12th season.two and a half men

"Undercover Boss"

The reality show will get a 6th season.undercover boss renewed

CBS will keep two shows from last year's pilot season.

"The Millers"the millers renewed

"Mom"mom renewed

FOX

"American Idol"

The singing competition will be back for season 14 but with fewer episodes.american idol renew

"Bob's Burgers"

The animated toon will return for season 5.bob's burgers renewed

"Bones"

The drama will be back for season 10 on Monday nights.bones renew

"Family Guy"

Seth MacFarlane's animated series will return for season 13.brian family guy opening

"The Following"

Kevin Bacon's FBI series will be back for season 3.kevin bacon the following

"Glee"

The show's sixth season will be its last.glee renewed

"MasterChef Junior"

Gordon Ramsay's reality series has been renewed for a third season before the second one has even aired.masterchef junior gordon ramsay

"The Mindy Project"

Mindy Kaling's show will get a third season.the mindy project renew

"New Girl"

Zooey Deschanel's quirky character Jess will be back for a fourth season.new girl renewed zooey deschanel

"The Simpsons"

The longest-running animated TV show will sail on for a 26th season.the simpsons

"So You Think You Can Dance"

The reality competition will be in its 11th season.sytycd so you think you can dance renew

Fox renewed two shows from 2013-2014 pilot season.

"Brooklyn Nine-Nine"brooklyn nine-nine andy samberg

 

"Sleepy Hollow"sleepy hollow

NBC

"The Biggest Loser"

The reality series will be back for season 15.the biggest loser

"Celebrity Apprentice"

Donald Trump's reality show will return for a 14th season.celebrity apprentice

"Chicago Fire"

The break-out hit will return for a third season.chicago fire

"Hannibal"

The cult favorite show from Bryan Fuller will be back for season 3.hannibal renewed


"Hollywood Game Night"

The Jane Lynch game show has been renewed for season 3.hollywood game night

"Grimm"

The show's younger following will see the show return for a 4th season.  grimm renewed


"Law & Order: SVU"

The veteran crime drama will see a 16th season.law and order svu

"Parenthood"

The critically acclaimed series will be back for a shortened sixth and final season.parenthood renewed

"Parks and Recreation"

The Amy Poehler comedy will be back for its seventh and final season.parks and recreation

"The Voice"

The reality competition is returning for a seventh season with Pharrell and Gwen Stefani.the voice

NBC renewed three shows from pilot season.

"About A Boy"about a boy

"The Blacklist"the blacklist

"Chicago PD"chicago pd renewed

The CW

"America's Next Top Model" 
"Arrow" 
"Beauty and the Beast" 
"Hart of Dixie"
"Supernatural" 
"The Vampire Diaries" 

The CW will be keeping three shows from pilot season.

"The 100"
"The Originals"
"Reign"

NOW: See which shows are getting cancelled

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'Two And A Half Men' Ratings Plummeted After Charlie Sheen Was Fired [CHARTS]

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two and a half men ashton kutcherWe recently shared some charts from "Graph TV,” a site that indexes the IMDB ratings of TV shows.

It’s pretty useful if you want to see fan’s favorite — and least favorite — episodes of shows quickly or if you want to see when viewership of a popular show started to wane.

After CBS announced "Two and A Half Men" would come to a close after season 12 Wednesday, we decided to take a look at the long running show.

Charlie Sheen was ousted from the show following negative comments about the show’s creator, Chuck Lorre, initially on radio and TMZ followed by a series of network interviews where he exhibited strange behavior and continued to bad mouth Lorre and the network.

As a result, the show awkwardly killed off Sheen’s character at the start of the ninth season. 

The episode may have been a rating’s high for the network (more than 28 million viewers tuned in to watch); however, Sheen’s absence wasn’t received well by long-time viewers.

Now in season 11 an average of million watch weekly.

According to Graph TV, here’s how IMDB ratings and reviews look for episodes with Sheen replaced by Ashton Kutcher.two and a half men without charlie sheen

Now in its 11th season, the show receives between 8-10 million viewers (much less than the average of 15 million when Sheen was around). 

In comparison, here's an overview of the show's ratings by season average. See how the ratings fared with and without Sheen.

two and a half men ratings

SEE ALSO: These charts show when your favorite TV show peaked

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New 'Transformers: Age Of Extinction' Trailer Shows End Of Mankind As We Know It

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grimlock dinobot transformers 4

Unleash the dinobots!

Paramount released a new trailer for “Transformers: Age of Extinction” and it shows off much more of Michael Bay’s robots — including the introduction of dinobots (see above) — than we’ve seen before. 

Taking place years after the first “Transformers” trilogy, the fourth installment brings in Mark Wahlberg as Texan father Cade in a world where Transformers have been ruled as dangerous. After stumbling upon Optimus Prime, the main ‘bot from the first three films, we quickly learn there’s a bigger danger threatening to exterminate the Earth of the human race.  

To take them on, we’ll see characters from the Dinobots toy line like T-Rex Grimlock (above),  triceratops Slug, and pterodactyl Strafe translated onto the big screen. 

“Transformers: Age of Extinction” is in theaters June 27. 

NOW: Take a closer look at the dinobots

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Standard Hotel Fires Employee Who Leaked Solange And Jay Z Fight Footage

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Jay Z Solange Fight Video

The Standard Hotel employee who leaked elevator security footage of Solange physically attacking her brother-in-law Jay Z at a Met Ball after-party has been identified and fired.

Officials from The Standard confirmed Thursday in a statement:

“The Standard has identified the individual responsible for breaching the security policies of the hotel and recording the confidential CCTV video released by TMZ. The Standard has already terminated the individual and will now be pursuing all available civil and criminal remedies. The Standard will next be turning over all available information to the criminal authorities.”

The Standard had hired Hollywood lawyer Marty Singer after the press leak, who was investigating who shopped the tape.

A staffer at the Standard Hotel previously told Us Weekly that “the video was recorded on a cell phone from the monitors in the back room.” 

A source told The New York Post that the video was then "being shopped for five days to the highest bidder" and eventually landed at TMZ for a whopping $250,000.

The Standard Hotel said at the time“We are shocked and disappointed that there was a clear breach of our security system and the confidentiality that we count on providing our guests. We are investigating with the utmost urgency the circumstances surrounding the situation and, as is our customary practice, will discipline and prosecute the individuals involved to our fullest capacity.”

SEE ALSO: How TMZ Got The Jay Z And Solange Security Video For $250,000

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This Cannes Photo Shows Why Nicole Kidman Is Such A Star

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Getty Images has partnered with Business Insider during the star-studded Cannes Film Festival to present a “Photo of the Day” series throughout the 10-day festival.

Getty photographer Pascal le Segretain — one of the company’s longest serving entertainment photographers who is shooting the festival for the 14th time this year — chose Nicole Kidman on the "Grace of Monaco" premiere red carpet as his favorite photo of the day Wednesday, despite the film getting slammed by critics.

Pascal explains how he snapped the below image and why it's his favorite:

“Nicole Kidman was the embodiment of grace today in Cannes. Simple eye contact twinned with a natural elegance during the photocall made the picture authentic, giving an insight to what made Nicole Kidman the star she is. This moment of connection between Actress and Photographer creates a feeling of intimacy within the image.”

Nicole Kidman Cannes photo of the day

SEE ALSO: 25 Photos That Show What It Would Be Like If 'Godzilla' Tore Through The US Today

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Lex Luthor Actor Jesse Eisenberg Says Superman Villain Will Be Different In 'Batman/Superman' Movie

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jesse eisenberg lex luthor batman superman movie

When the "Batman/Superman" movie comes to theaters, expect to see a very different Lex Luthor.

While none of the actors have been speaking about their roles in the film, IGN was able to get Jesse Eisenberg to comment on playing one of DC's most iconic villains in a recent interview for his new movie "The Double."

Eisenberg, who was recently cast as Luthor, says Superman's archenemy won't be a reflection of previous performances.

"It'll definitely be played by a different person ... I don't know the history as well as the people making the movie, so I guess it's up to them to figure out how much they want to separate it from previous incarnations," Eisenberg told IGN. "But I will treat it like it's its own role." 

"There's no way to play the history of the character played by other people, unless you do some kind of wink, but that doesn't seem like a responsible way to act," he added.

The last time we saw Luthor on screen was in the 2006 adaptation, "Superman Returns," where Kevin Spacey played the role.

Here's how he looked:kevin spacey superman returns

Eisenberg wouldn't say whether or not he will show off a bald head like the character.

The "Batman/Superman" movie is on track for a May 6, 2016 release.

SEE ALSO: The first photo of Ben Affleck as Batman

AND: Warner Bros. finally announces "Justice League" movie

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Jon Stewart And Jimmy Kimmel Mock Media Coverage Of Jay Z And Solange Video

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The late night hosts are having a field day with the leaked security video footage of Solange attacking her brother-in-law Jay Z in an elevator after the Met Ball last week.

But almost as entertaining as the video itself is how TV news has covered the mysterious motive of the incident.

"Nobody knows what prompted the fight," joked Jimmy Kimmel on his show last night, "but it's the moment the guy who sits there watching security video has waited for his whole life."

"But just because we don't know what prompted the fight, doesn't mean we can't try to guess," Kimmel continued. "CNN Headline News put a panel of talking heads together to try and figure it out and I think they had an interesting take on this."

Cue the yapping dogs. As Kimmel says, "That dog's opinion is just as valid as the other experts":

Jimmy Kimmel media talking heads

Watch the full clip below:

Jon Stewart also took shots at how the media has handled the leaked security footage.

"It's been a terrible time for the news media, it all seemed so hopeless," he said on last night's "Daily Show," "and then, a miracle!"

“You have to watch!” Stewart joked of orders from news anchors to viewers. “We'll make you watch.”Jon Stewart

Stewart then addressed speculation as to what could have caused the fight.

"Some musicians sue their record labels, others try to kick them in the face. So maybe this is a business deal gone wrong," he explained of one theory.

Another idea, "Infidelity plus insobriety combined with the powerful forces of vertical descent" in the elevator equals "a dangerous cocktail."

Stewart mocked newscasters who discussed their own relationships with their sisters...Jon Stewart solange video

"Apparently a lof of the news media is in a sisterly club..."Jon Stewart solange video

But he praised the Wall Street Journal's Christopher John Farley for standing up to CNN's Chris Cuomo by saying "I don't care" about the story.Jon Stewart

“I wish I didn't have to cover it,” Cuomo responded on "New Day."

“Who's making you?” Stewart asked mockingly. “Who's making you do this?”Jon Stewart Chris Cuomo

Stewart then pulled out a Jeff Zucker doll and asked Cuomo how the CNN honcho forced him to cover the story.jon stewart jeff zucker daily show

“This is why you don't mix print journalists with TV people," Stewart concluded. "It just makes everyone sad and shamed.” 

Watch the full segment below (1:10):

SEE ALSO: Standard Hotel Fires Employee Who Leaked Solange And Jay Z Fight Footage

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The Old-Fashioned Ways 8 Famous Authors Wrote Your Favorite Books [INFOGRAPHIC]

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If you've ever wondered how famous authors wrote your favorite books — whether with a typewriter, computer, or pen and paper  NinjaEssays has put together a graphic revealing the writing tools of top talent.

From "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin to J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter," see how classic books came together.

Surprisingly, most writers don’t appreciate high-tech devices as much as we do. 

Authors infographic

SEE ALSO: The Favorite Books Of Actors, Politicians, And Icons [INFOGRAPHIC]

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Here Is The Real Baseball Stadium Magneto Destroys In 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past'

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Magneto, X Men, Baseball

20th Century Fox released a new clip from "X-Men: Days of Future Past" Thursday.

In the clip, Michael Fassbender's Magneto drops into a baseball stadium before he uses his mutant magnetic powers to rip it from the ground.

Watch the short clip below:  

"X-Men: Days of Future Past" takes place in the real world and in the real time of the 1970s, so the stadium Magneto is destroying is actually a real place.

From watching the clip, you can see that the stadium has distinct red and yellow seats and doesn't look like one that is still being used by a professional Major League Baseball team.

RFK destroyed

So what is the real-life baseball stadium that Magneto is destroying?

Magneto, X Men, RFK

According to The Washington Post, the answer is Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium.

RFK Stadium

RFK is the former home of Washington, D.C.'s baseball teams the Senators (from the park's opening in 1961 to 1971) and the Nationals (from 2005 to 2007) along with the Washington Redskins football team (from 1961 to 1996).

The field is no longer used for baseball or football but is the current home to Washington's Major League Soccer team, DC United.

Why Magneto chooses to uproot RFK won't be known for sure until the film hits theaters next Friday.

But by the looks of the film's trailers, Magneto's hatred of the government and the stadium's proximity to the White House (which is only 4 miles away) probably isn't good news for the president.

Magneto levitating RFK, X-Men

"X-Men: Days of Future Past" hits theaters May 23.

SEE ALSO: Here’s Why An ‘X-Men’ Teaser Is Playing At The End Of ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’

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Why ‘Godzilla’ Cut A Cameo Of The Star From The Original 1954 Movie

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godzilla monster

When you head out to see "Godzilla" this weekend, there are a few scenes you won't see in the final film. 

While attending the press junket for the Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures’ picture, director Gareth Edwards said a lot of ideas didn't make it into the final film during a roundtable interview. However, the one that hit him the hardest was a brief scene with "Godzilla" actor Akira Takarada who appeared in six versions of the film including the 1954 original. 

"From an emotional point of view in terms of my love of Godzilla, the hardest thing was Akira Takarada, who was in the original films, did a cameo for us on day one," said Edwards. "He played an immigration's officer that welcomes Aaron's character to Japan, and so I was like, 'This is perfect: Day One. First Shot.'"

Edwards explained the choice later on in production to cut the scene.

"There was a lot of pressure to get on with the adventure and get to the monsters you know, as soon as you can. So, lots of things came out of that part of the movie ... and I hung onto that [scene with Takarada] til the last second, and it was still deemed, by the screenings when we tested it, that we had to get it shorter. And so that ended up having to go which is probably my biggest regret." 

Last year, Legendary Pictures tweeted a photo of Takarada and Edwards on set.akira takarada godzilla gareth edwards

After Takarada announced in April the scene would no longer be in the film, fanboys launched a petition to put Takarada back into the film.

"When you make a film there are many, many scenes and a lot of my favorite little ideas or shots are not in the movie because you've got to think of it as a whole," said Edwards.

Edwards added he reached out to Takarada about the decision to cut his cameo.

"I've written to him," Edwards said. "He did a chat show I believe and he's a real gentleman so I think he was understanding but, you know, it's just one of those horrible things about the process."

More Godzilla: The movie is bogged down by a bunch of boring characters

SEE ALSO: Here's how the military would deal with a real-life Godzilla

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Military Advisor On 'Godzilla' Explains Why Red Flares Are Used To Combat The Monster

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Godzilla roaring"Godzilla" opened in theaters late Thursday evening.

If you've seen the trailers, you know one of the coolest parts is a skydiving sequence, showing members of the military paratrooping from a plane in order to engage the monster.

Check it out:

You may have also noticed something that struck you as odd.

After the jump, you see these red streaks of smoke follow the paratroopers on the way down.

godzilla skydive

paratroopers godzilla

paratroops godzilla

It doesn't only appear in the trailers.

The smoke was also a big part of one of the film's promotional posters.godzilla posterThen in the film's main trailer, while the U.S. military is attacking Godzilla with its standard weaponery like giant aircraft carriers, one of the scenes shows soldiers shooting tiny red flares towards the massive monster.

godzilla flares

Obviously, red flares and smoke are no match for Godzilla, so why are they so prominent? What is their purpose?

When we spoke with the film's Military Technical Advisor, retired Sgt. Maj. James Dever, he explained how something as small as red flares could be effective against something as big as Godzilla.

"The use of the red flares was never to attack the creature," said Dever. "It was used to divert the creature ... to distract him."

The flares — and red smoke — divert the monster's attention long enough for the military to use its more powerful artillery or even clear the area.

In real life, the military uses smoke and flares in similar ways.

Smoke can be used to create smoke screens for cover and the different colors of the smoke can signify enemy targets and identify landing areas for aircraft.

While flares can be defensive countermeasures, which can be seen in the clip below of a CV-22 Osprey military helicopter testing their flare defense system. 

SEE ALSO: Here's How The Military Would Actually Fight Godzilla

AND: "Godzilla" is bogged down by a bunch of boring characters

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'Star Wars: Episode VII' Starts Filming Today — Here's The First Photo From The Set

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Production of "Star Wars: Episode VII" is officially underway.

To mark the big day, director J.J. Abrams' production company Bad Robot tweeted out the first photo from the set.

It's not much, but its still enough to get fans excited. 

 

You'll notice the only title seen is "Star Wars: Episode VII."

The sand gives a hint that filming may be underway in Abu Dhabi. Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn previously said the film started shooting there this month.

Update: The official Star Wars Twitter account just shared its own photo from the first day of shooting. Check out the studio where "Episode VII" is filming.

The film will be released December 18, 2015.

SEE ALSO: The new "Star Wars" film will cost at least $175 million to make

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We Love These Vintage Ads Promoting Mad Men's Bid For A New Emmy

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It's been three whole years since "Mad Men" last won an Emmy, and now writer Matthew Weiner is taking matters into its own hands with an awesome vintage ad campaign.

Weiner, AMC, and the ad agency The Martin Agency teamed up to make eight 1960s-inspired ads, in which the show's main characters are used to promote fictional products.

The ads are written in a clever manner such that the copy can be read as extolling the virtues of characters like Don Draper and Joan Holloway as much as they are the fictional products the characters are pretending to endorse.

Take this one, in which the famously redheaded Holloway, played by Christina Hendricks, promotes a hair coloring product with the tagline "Blondes have more fun. But redheads get nods."

mad men emmy poster joan holloway

And here's Donald Draper (actor Jon Hamm), whose mysterious character hides behind a pair of shaded glasses:

 mad men emmy poster don

Here are the rest of the ads:

madmen emmy poster peggy

madmen emmy poster roger

madmen emmy poster betty

madmen emmy poster pete

madmen emmy poster sally

madmen emmy poster megan

SEE ALSO: 'MAD MEN' vs. REALITY: Compare Don Draper's Ads With Those That Actually Ran In The 1960s

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JOB OF THE WEEK: Director Of Accounting Operations

'X-Men: Days Of Future Past' Is Going To Be The Movie Of The Summer

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x men magneto

Forget Spider-Man. Forget Godzilla

This summer will belong to the mutants.

Early reviews are pegging "X-Men: Days of Future Past" as the movie of the summer.

Currently, the movie is sitting at 94% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. While we still have a week before its release, that's better than "Godzilla" (74%) and "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" (53%).

Here's why the movie sounds like a must-see.

Unlike other superhero movies, “X-Men” isn’t full of gratuitous destruction. 

Variety:

"No skyscrapers blow up, no cities are leveled, and while the White House and a football stadium suffer some serious structural damage, the wholesale destruction of human civilization is kept to a refreshing minimum."

Jennifer Lawrence and Hugh Jackman are both great, returning as Mystique and Wolverine.x men days of future past mystique jennifer lawrenceThe Hollywood Reporter (THR)

"Jackman brings powerful physicality, laconic humor and depths of sorrow beneath his gruffness that make him an unusually nuanced figure for a sci-fi action movie."

"Lawrence is sensational, whether slinking around in Mystique's body-hugging blue reptilian skin, displaying the shape-shifter's balletic fight skills or adopting seductive human form."

However, it's Quicksilver, a lightning-fast mutant played by Evan Peters, who will have everyone talking.evan peters quicksilverIGN:

"The movie’s biggest surprise is actually the character that’s been the greatest object of scorn online: Quicksilver. Yes, Quicksilver’s not only awesome here, but he pretty much steals the show at one point."

Variety:

"Quicksilver steals every scene he’s in, especially one brilliant, deliriously fun action sequence that reveals how everything seems to advance in slow-motion from his perspective."

It's not the only awesome sequence.

THR

"The midsection includes thrilling action set pieces too. One involves the chaos that ensues when the X-Men thwart Mystique's initial attempt to kill Trask, spilling from an official building out into the crowded square below." 

One of the only issues, The Wrap notes that you may want to brush up on your X-Men history before heading to theaters.Xmen magneto prisoner

"Do some light streaming, dig out the DVD box sets, browse the Wikipedia pages or consult the cashier at your neighborhood comic store, but make sure you come into the theater with a fairly confident grasp of what went down in “X-Men,” “X2,” “X-Men: The Last Stand” and “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” — “The Wolverine,” oddly, not so much — since the screenplay by Simon Kinberg (“Sherlock Holmes”) assumes you already know mutant chapter and verse."

A few reviews also suggest Peter Dinklage's character Bolivar Trask is a bit of a letdown.peter dinklage x men days of future past

HitFix:

"The one weak link, script-wise, is Bolivar Trask, played here by Peter Dinklage. It feels like Dinklage does as much as he can with the role, but there's really no weight to him as an antagonist." 

IGN:

"It's also surprising how mundane Dinklage’s Bolivar Trask turns out to be. He may be played by an awesome actor, but Trask never manages to be that compelling a villain despite the huge stakes hinging on his survival."

Overall, it sounds like a good time.

The Wrap:

"Still, this is the best “X-Men” movie since Singer went off to other pursuits, and it puts enough of a whammy onto the mutant narrative to allow future sequels to veer off in any number of directions." 

Total Film:

"With style, heart and thrills, Singer has nailed the most ambitious X-flick yet. Popcorn pizzazz combines with X2’s emotional sweep and something extra: a platform for the X-Men’s screen survival."

The Hollywood Reporter:

"While it's more dramatically diffuse than the reboot and lacks a definitive villain, the new film is shot through with a stirring reverence for the Marvel Comics characters and their universe. And it ups the stakes by threatening nothing less than the genocide of the mutant population, among them faces old and new. Huge worldwide box office seems guaranteed." 

"X-Men: Days of Future Past" is in theaters May 23. Check out a trailer below: 

SEE ALSO: 25 photos that show what it would be like if "Godzilla" tore through the US today

AND: Here's how the military would fight Godzilla

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The First Full Trailer For 'Interstellar' Shows Matthew McConaughey On An Epic Mission To Space

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interstellar matthew mcconaughey

The first full trailer for "Interstellar" is here!

The film is the next highly anticipated movie from Christopher Nolan (the director of "The Dark Knight" trilogy). 

The trailer for the big space epic starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway premiered earlier this week at D.C.'s Air and Space Museum and is currently showing ahead of "Godzilla" screenings out this weekend.

While no official synopsis has yet been released for the picture, it's believed the film will paint a dark picture about the future focusing on a shortage of food that will make it necessary for mankind to find another home. 

"Interstellar" is expected in theaters Nov. 7.

SEE ALSO: 25 photos that show what it would be like if "Godzilla" tore through the US today

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