Swank fires manager over Chechen furor
LONDON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Actress Hilary Swank fired her manager after being criticized for taking money to be at a party for Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, The Independent reported.
Swank, actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, violinist Vanessa Mae and singer Seal were blasted by human-rights groups for attending the Oct. 5 event celebrating the birthday of a politician accused of torturing dissidents, killing opponents and encouraging the abuse of women.
The British newspaper reported Sunday Swank, a two-time Oscar winner, fired Jason Weinberg, her manager of eight years, last week due to the scandal that erupted after she attended the celebration.
Swank later apologized for being a guest at the event and vowed to donate her six-figure appearance fee to charity.
Two of Swank's representatives at the Hollywood talent firm Creative Artists Agency also are expected to be dropped from her team since they are the ones who directly booked the event, the newspaper said.
"Hilary values her liberal credentials and is close to Michelle Obama. She's really upset by what happened," a source close to the actress told The Independent. "It's partly her fault. But what can she do? She can hardly fire herself."
'Shame,' 'Tinker,' 'Tyrannosaur' earn 7 BIFA nods
LONDON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- "Shame," "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and "Tyrannosaur" were each nominated for seven British Independent Film Awards in London Monday.
All three will compete for the Best British Film Award with "Senna" and "We Need to Talk About Kevin."
The nominees for Best Actor are Brendan Gleeson for "The Guard," Neil Maskell for "Kill List," Michael Fassbender for "Shame," Gary Oldman for "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and Peter Mullan for "Tyrannosaur."
Nominated for Best Actress are Rebecca Hall for "The Awakening," Mia Wasikowska for "Jane Eyre," MyAnna Buring for "Kill List," Olivia Colman for "Tyrannosaur" and Tilda Swinton for "We need to Talk About Kevin."
The short list for Best Supporting Actress includes Felicity Jones for "Albatross," Vanessa Redgrave for "Coriolanus," Carey Mulligan for "Shame," Sally Hawkins for "Submarine" and Kathy Burke for "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy."
Competing for the Best Supporting Actor prize are
Michael Smiley from "Kill List," "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" co-stars Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch,
Eddie Marsan from "Tyrannosaur" and Ezra Miller from "We Need to Talk about Kevin."
Up for Best Director are Ben Wheatley for "Kill List,"
Steve McQueen for "Shame," Tomas Alfredson for "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Paddy Considine for "Tyrannosaur" and Lynne Ramsay for "We need to Talk About Kevin."
"This year's nominees really highlight the immense wealth of British talent in this country today. We are incredibly proud that the Awards have grown to a level that garners attention worldwide, helping to bring British talent and independent filmmaking to the international stage," the ceremony's joint directors, Johanna von Fischer and Tessa Collinson, said in a joint statement Monday.
The awards are to be handed out Dec. 4 at Old Billingsgate in London.
Cuoco to host People's Choice Awards
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Television star Kaley Cuoco is to serve as host of the 2012 People's Choice Awards show in Los Angeles, CBS announced.
The fan-voted prize presentation is to take place at the Nokia Theatre Jan. 11. Awards will be given out in dozens of music, movie and television categories.
"We are thrilled to welcome Kaley as the new host of the People's Choice Awards," the show's executive producer Mark Burnett said in a statement.
"She's been making people laugh on top-rated comedy series for the last decade, first with '8 Simple Rules' and now with 'The Big Bang Theory,' Thursday's No. 1 show. I'm looking forward to working with her on a fun-filled, comedy-packed show in January."
AMC orders third season of 'Walking Dead'
NEW YORK, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. cable network AMC says it has renewed its zombie drama series "The Walking Dead" for a third season.
Season 2 of "The Walking Dead," which is based on the comic-book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics, began airing this month.
"Today we are pleased to announce that the 'dead' shall live as we proudly renew 'The Walking Dead' for a third season on AMC and, globally, with our terrific partners at Fox International Channels," Charlie Collier, AMC's president, said in a statement. "We are thankful for everyone's contribution in front of and behind the camera as we continue to make 'The Walking Dead' a unique television experience. And we are so proud as it continues to set viewership records around the world."
Set in the months and years that follow a zombie apocalypse, the show follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, who travel in search of a safe and secure home.
Andrew Lincoln plays Grimes. The cast includes Laurie Holden and Norman Reedus.
