Jennifer Lawrence tops list of best paid actresses

LOS ANGELES, United States — Oscar-winning Jennifer Lawrence was named the world’s highest-paid actress for the second year running on Tuesday, with estimated pre-tax earnings of $46 million.

The 26-year-old American raked in the lion’s share from a profit share in the final “Hunger Games” movie, which grossed $650 million, Forbes magazine said.

An upfront fee for the forthcoming space thriller “Passengers” also helped the 26-year-old push her pay day above second-ranked Melissa McCarthy, who pocketed $33 million.

The world’s 10 highest-paid actresses made a combined $205 million in the 12 months from June 1, 2015 before fees and taxes, said Forbes.

But the actors’ list due to be published on Thursday is expected to show once again men banking far more than their female counterparts.

The issue of pay disparity grabbed headlines in 2014 after a leak of stolen emails from Sony Pictures Entertainment showed that Lawrence was paid less than her male co-stars in the hit movie “American Hustle.”

Patricia Arquette also railed against the industry’s gender-based wage gap during her acceptance speech after winning a statuette at last year’s Academy Awards.

Lawrence, who took the best actress Oscar for 2012 comedy-drama “Silver Linings Playbook,” is down from $52 million in last year’s list, although she is still considered Hollywood’s hottest property by some distance.

McCarthy, 45, earned $10 million more than the 2015 estimate thanks to a reported eight-figure payday for “Ghostbusters.”

Perennial A-list darling Scarlett Johansson came in third with $25 million, while Jennifer Aniston, who makes most of her cash through endorsements, bagged $21 million.

Fan Bingbing of China, a relative unknown in Hollywood, rounded out the top five, making the list for the second consecutive year with $17 million.

India’s Deepika Padukone — who made $10 million — was the only other actress from outside Hollywood to feature in the rankings.

The 30-year-old, who came 10th, earns far less than her Tinseltown counterparts for her Bollywood roles, but compensates with more than a dozen lucrative endorsements, Forbes said.

Four women, up from three in 2015, banked more than $20 million compared with 18 of the world’s leading men, Forbes said.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

‘Hunger Games’ to become mobile game

SAN FRANCISCO - "The Hunger Games" is becoming a mobile game.

Interactive entertainment company Kabam announced Friday that it agreed with film studio Lionsgate to make a title for play on smartphones or tablet computers based on the dystopian books and films.

San Francisco-based Kabam specializes in mobile games that are free-to-play, instead bringing in revenue through tactics such as digital ads or hawking virtual goods or abilities.

"Lionsgate has an unparalleled track record of developing and producing blockbuster movie franchises like 'The Hunger Games,'" Kabam chief operating officer Kent Wakeford said in a release.

"Partnering with Lionsgate, Kabam will build a mobile game that's as much fun to play as the movie is to watch."

Kabam's vision for the game included casting players in roles as District members out to build alliances and liberate themselves in the spirit of the story told in the books on which the film is based.

The story centers around a futuristic society which stages televised death matches among youth.

The first two "Hunger Games" films starring Jennifer Lawrence have taken in more than $1.5 billion at box offices worldwide, according to Kabam.

The next installment in the series is set for release in November.

"We are so pleased to be working with Kabam to give the fans an experience like they have never had before," said Lionsgate executive vice president of digital media Danielle DePalma.

"Being able to role-play with the mentors straight from the world of 'The Hunger Games' will let fans feel as if they are in the middle of the action."

The game will be developed in the Kabam studio in China that made a mobile game based on "The Hobbit." — Agence France-Presse

source: gmanetwork.com

Robert Pattinson Denies Involvement in 'Hunger Games' Sequel

Robert Pattinson has put a stop in the rumor that he has been cast in the sequel of "The Hunger Games". During his appearance to promote "Cosmopolis" at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday, May 26, the actor confirmed that he was not even offered a part.

The rumor, sparked by Think McFly Think, said producers want Pattinson to play Finnick Odair in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire". When asked about it, Lionsgate said, "As with the first film, we won't be confirming, denying on any casting rumors for this title."



Pattinson came out with the truth, telling USA Today, "I woke up this morning and saw all these things about me being cast in The Hunger Games. I was kind of curious for a second. So I called my agent. My agent was like, 'No'." He added with a laugh that his agent told him, "No one's going to offer you that part. I was like, 'Thanks for the reassurance'."

Finnick Odair is described as being very handsome and tall with tan skin, bronze hair, and stunning sea-green eyes, making him very popular with people in the Capitol. He represents District 4 at the 75th annual Hunger Games.

article source: http://www.aceshowbiz.com