Latest news with #ElstreeStudios
Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Generous Anthony Joshua pays fees for gifted student to study at Ashley Walters' drama school
The aspiring actor has also been offered representation by a top firm when he finishes his studies. TOP BOY Generous Anthony Joshua pays fees for gifted student to study at Ashley Walters' drama school Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHAMPION boxer Anthony Joshua's generous company has helped pay the tuition fees for a gifted student to attend Ashley Walters' drama school. Non-profit organisation Clean Herts Company has teamed up with creative agency IMC to make Watford lad Lebron James' dreams a reality. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Aspiring actor Lebron James, pictured at Elstree Studios, has received a generous grant to cover his studies 3 Anthony Joshua is heavily involved with his non profit organisation Credit: Supplied The student, whose namesake is an NBA legend that has also starred as the lead role in box office hit Space Jam 2, said he is 'incredibly honoured and grateful" for the contribution. He continued: 'None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of AJ and the Clean Herts Commumity team and Kat with ICM, whose belief in me has opened doors I used to only dream about." Lebron was invited to Elstree Studios for a behind the scenes glimpse at how top productions like The Crown, Star Wars, and Strictly Come Dancing are made. He said: "Experiences like this have only fuelled my passion to become a respected actor. "This opportunity is a major step forward in developing my craft, and learning from some of the very best in the industry which I don't take lightly "I've made a promise to my family, my friends, and to myself - to always give everything I've got, stay grounded, and bring my community with me on this journey "These are only the sweet beginnings - the best is yet to come!" Kingdom School of Arts was founded in 2012 by Top Boy star Walters and film producer Nagajan Modhwadia. It is open to both amateurs and professionals and seeks to help close the gap between studies and real-life acting work. A spokesman for ICM said: "We are delighted to be able to give back to our local community. Anthony Joshua given hero's welcome on boxing trip to Ghana as Brit shows off his motorbike skills "After our CEO learned of Lebron James gaining a place at Kingdom Drama School, she instinctively wanted to assist Lebron and his family with paying towards his tuition fees and approached CHC." They continued: "We are extremely happy that CHC enabled us to do this for Lebron. It is a beautiful thing when like-minded organisations come together to help our future generation succeed - this is proof, that it does take a village to raise a child. "We have also offered Lebron, Actor Representation with ICM upon his graduation from Kingdom Drama School. "Our CEO Katerina Michael, thoroughly enjoyed showing Lebron and CHC around our office headquarters here in the Elstree Film Studios. "We hope being immersed in this environment for the day further inspired him to go get his dreams and achieve them. We look forward to working with Lebron and continuing to support him." Community interest company CHC is committed to supporting people in Joshua's hometown of Watford and across Hertfordshire. Whether it be hosting paintballing events, Christmas gatherings or sessions in AJ's old boxing gym, CHC is determined to be a source of aid and inspiration for the area it serves.
The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Generous Anthony Joshua pays fees for gifted student to study at Ashley Walters' drama school
CHAMPION boxer Anthony Joshua's generous company has helped pay the tuition fees for a gifted student to attend Ashley Walters' drama school. Non-profit organisation Clean Herts Company has teamed up with creative agency IMC to make Watford lad Lebron James ' dreams a reality. Advertisement 3 Aspiring actor Lebron James, pictured at Elstree Studios, has received a generous grant to cover his studies 3 Anthony Joshua is heavily involved with his non profit organisation Credit: Supplied The student, whose namesake is an NBA legend that has also starred as the lead role in box office hit Space Jam 2, said he is 'incredibly honoured and grateful" for the contribution. He continued: 'None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of AJ and the Clean Herts Commumity team and Kat with ICM, whose belief in me has opened doors I used to only dream about." Lebron was invited to Elstree Studios for a behind the scenes glimpse at how top productions like The Crown, Star Wars, and Strictly Come Dancing are made. He said: "Experiences like this have only fuelled my passion to become a respected actor. Advertisement READ MORE ON ANTHONY JOSHUA "This opportunity is a major step forward in developing my craft, and learning from some of the very best in the industry which I don't take lightly "I've made a promise to my family, my friends, and to myself - to always give everything I've got, stay grounded, and bring my community with me on this journey "These are only the sweet beginnings - the best is yet to come!" Kingdom School of Arts was founded in 2012 by Top Boy star Walters and film producer Nagajan Modhwadia. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Breaking Breaking It is open to both amateurs and professionals and seeks to help close the gap between studies and real-life acting work. A spokesman for ICM said: "We are delighted to be able to give back to our local community. Anthony Joshua given hero's welcome on boxing trip to Ghana as Brit shows off his motorbike skills "After our CEO learned of Lebron James gaining a place at Kingdom Drama School, she instinctively wanted to assist Lebron and his family with paying towards his tuition fees and approached CHC." They continued: "We are extremely happy that CHC enabled us to do this for Lebron. It is a beautiful thing when like-minded organisations come together to help our future generation succeed - this is proof, that it does take a village to raise a child. Advertisement "We have also offered Lebron, Actor Representation with ICM upon his graduation from Kingdom Drama School. "Our CEO Katerina Michael, thoroughly enjoyed showing Lebron and CHC around our office headquarters here in the Elstree Film Studios. "We hope being immersed in this environment for the day further inspired him to go get his dreams and achieve them. We look forward to working with Lebron and continuing to support him." Community interest company CHC is committed to supporting people in Joshua's hometown of Watford and across Hertfordshire. Advertisement Whether it be hosting paintballing events, Christmas gatherings or sessions in AJ's old boxing gym, CHC is determined to be a source of aid and inspiration for the area it serves. 3 Ashley Walters is helping aspiring actors realise their dreams through his drama school Credit: Getty
Express Tribune
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Wicked 2 trailer released: Find out when the sequel to Ariana Grande's hit comes out
The first full-length trailer for Wicked: For Good, the highly awaited sequel to Wicked, has been released, offering fans a glimpse into the story's darker direction. Returning to their iconic roles, Cynthia Erivo portrays Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, while Ariana Grande stars as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. The trailer opens with Glinda standing on a balcony, gazing out at a mob of angry citizens carrying flaming torches in search of Elphaba. The dramatic conclusion shows Elphaba saying, "I'm off to see the Wizard" before flying off into the distance on her broom. The story picks up where the first film left off, delving into the aftermath of Elphaba and Glinda's decision to part ways. Elphaba is now branded an enemy of the state of Oz, while Glinda finds herself as a public figure controlled by the Wizard. Director Jon M. Chu, who helms the sequel, shared insights into the story's emotional trajectory: 'Our heart was broken when Glinda can't make the choice that we want her to so badly at the end of movie one, and it feels empowering for Elphaba to fly away from society. In movie two, we get to see the consequences of those choices. The temperature is up.' As with the first film, Wicked: For Good will feature new music, with two brand-new songs integrated into the sequel's plot. Chu revealed that the songs are essential to the story, helping to drive the narrative forward. The film will also see the return of Erivo and Grande's on-screen chemistry, which captivated fans during the first movie's promotional tour. The pair even opened the 2025 Academy Awards with a Wicked medley. They will be joined by co-stars Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, and Jeff Goldblum, who reprises his role as the Wizard. The sequel, which was shot alongside the first movie in Elstree Studios, is set to be released on 21 November. Fans can expect a darker, more intense chapter in the Wicked saga, with the stakes raised and the bond between Elphaba and Glinda put to the ultimate test.
RTÉ News
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
New Wicked: For Good trailers teases final showdown
The first full trailer for W icked: For Good has been released, offering fans a glimpse into how the Wizard of Oz-inspired story will conclude. Cynthia Erivo returns as Elphaba, with Ariana Grande once again playing Glinda. The trailer shows Glinda watching an angry mob armed with torches as they search for Elphaba. The trailer ends with Elphaba declaring she's "off to see the Wizard" before soaring away on her broomstick. The sequel picks up where the first film ended, following the fallout from Elphaba and Glinda's parting. Elphaba is now an outlaw in Oz, while Glinda has become a carefully managed public figure under the Wizard's control. Director Jon M. Chu said: "Our heart was broken when Glinda couldn't make the choice we wanted her to at the end of movie one. But it felt empowering for Elphaba to leave society behind. In movie two, we see the consequences. The temperature is up." The two-part adaptation is based on the hit musical, itself inspired by Gregory Maguire's 2005 novel. Wicked: For Good is due in Irish cinemas on 21 November. Both films were shot at Elstree Studios in the UK between December 2022 and January 2024, with production halted midway due to the Hollywood actors' strike. Wicked was one of the highest-grossing films at the Irish box office in 2024 and earned 10 Oscar nominations, winning two - for costume and production design. The first film ran for 2 hours and 40 minutes, nearly matching the stage show's entire runtime. Erivo and Grande's chemistry made headlines, and the pair opened the 2025 Oscars with a Wicked medley. The sequel features two brand new songs, which Chu says were "necessary to help tell the story." Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey and Jeff Goldblum also return, with Goldblum reprising his role as the Wizard.
Express Tribune
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo star in new trailer for "Wicked: For Good"
The first full-length trailer for Wicked: For Good, the sequel to the hit Wicked film, has been released with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo reprising their roles as Glinda and Elphaba in this eagerly awaited continuation of the Wizard of Oz spin-off. The film, based on the popular Broadway musical, will be released on November 21 2025. The production of both films took place at Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, between December 2022 and January 2024, though filming was briefly interrupted by the Hollywood actors' strike. Following the success of the first film, which grossed over $750 million and earned 10 Oscar nominations, the sequel will see Elphaba branded an enemy of Oz, while Glinda becomes a puppet of the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). The trailer teases an emotional journey with new songs, two of which, 'For Good' and 'No Good Deed' are exclusive to the film. Speaking to Vanity Fair, director Jon M. Chu offered a first glimpse from specific scenes of the second film and revealed that it features new songs by Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz, the introduction of Dorothy Gale, Glinda's wedding, and more. Additionally, Madam Morrible, Fiyero, Boq, Nessarose played by, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, and Marissa Bode respectively also return in the sequel. Fans can look forward to Wicked: For Good as it builds on the success of its predecessor with an even more complex storyline and unforgettable performances.
