Jojo Rabbit director Waititi has been approached by Lucasfilm to join the franchise, according to the Hollywood Reporter

Taika Waititi, director of Jojo Rabbit and Thor: Ragnarok, has been invited to develop a Star Wars film feature project, according to reports.

Citing unnamed film industry sources, the Hollywood Reporter said that New Zealander Waititi has been approached by Lucasfilm to join the franchise that recently wrapped up its third film trilogy with the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson was 75

Rocky “Soul Man” Johnson, a WWE Hall of Fame wrestler who became better known as the father of the actor Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson, has died. He was 75.

World Wrestling Entertainment issued a statement about his death on Wednesday night. Johnson and Tony Atlas became the first black world tag-team champions in WWE history when they defeated the Wild Samoans on 10 December 1983. WWE did not give details on the cause or location of Johnson’s death.

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Tactic likely to fail but indicative of aggressive approach Weinstein’s defense team taking in sexual crimes trial

Harvey Weinstein, the fallen movie mogul facing possible life imprisonment for an alleged history of sexual crimes, is making a renewed attempt to have his trial moved out of New York City on the grounds that the opening phase of the proceedings have been sullied by a “deluge” of negative press reporting.

Related:Harvey Weinstein trial: model Gigi Hadid among potential jurors

Actor and family given honour for ‘exceptional services’ after helping wildfire victims

Of all the roles Tom Hanks has ever played, being himself and being Greek may be the easiest yet. Or at least that is how it would seem from the Hollywood star’s jubilant reaction to his becoming an honorary citizen of the country.

“Starting 2020 as an honorary citizen of all of Greece!” the actor, a convert to Greek Orthodoxy, said on social media. “Kronia pola! (more or less, ‘happy year!’). Hanx”

Actor says she shares honour with ‘beloved film-making playmates, living and departed’

Tilda Swinton, an actor whose eclectic career has included both Derek Jarman arthouse movies and Marvel universe blockbusters, is to receive one of British film’s highest honours.

The British Film Institute on Wednesday announced that Swinton would be given a BFI fellowship at an event on 2 March. It will be accompanied by a Swinton season, which will include her first film role in Jarman’s film Caravaggio.

The actor and activist has backed up Harry’s desire to ‘protect his family’, while Stormzy has said there is no ‘credible’ reason to dislike Meghan

Hugh Grant has defended Prince Harry’s decision to “step back” from formal royal duties and seek a self-financed life based partly in Canada.

Speaking on Andy Cohen’s Radio Andyshow on Sirius XM, Grant said: “I’m rather on Harry’s side. The tabloid press effectively murdered his mother, now they’re tearing his wife to pieces.”

Related:Hugh Grant hits back after being called 'incredibly rude' by Sajid Javid

Ladj Ly’s Les Misérables about police violence is nominated for best foreign language feature

The nomination of the Paris banlieue movie Les Misérables for best foreign language feature at the Oscars has been hailed as a historic moment – the first time a black film director has represented France at the Academy Awards, and for a low-budget drama about the topical issue of police violence.

The film – which won universal critical acclaim and box-office success in France – is the first full-length feature by Ladj Ly, who grew up and still lives in Montfermeil in Seine-Saint-Denis at the heart of the high-rise estates that saw the worst of the urban rioting in 2005 after the death of two young boys hiding from police.

Ava DuVernay and Roxane Gay criticized author after he said he ‘would never consider diversity in matters of art’

In yet another year of Oscar nominations that saw a paucity of recognition for women and artists of colour, the response has been almost exhausted – after all, hasn’t it all already been said?

“Congratulations to those men,” quipped Issa Rae, reading out the all-male list of nominees for best director this year – reminiscent of Natalie Portman’s introduction of the “all-male nominees” last year. People wrote opinion pieces about the stereotypical roles for which people of color are awarded and reminded us that yes, there were female directors who were good enough for the best director slot this year, too.

Related:How long can this nonsense of the Oscars failing to nominate female directors go on? | Ellen E Jones

When you wake up, meditate, stretch, reach for your phone to check on the world and see a tweet from someone you admire that is so backward and ignorant you want to go back to bed. https://t.co/nPXOeAebkb

This happens in multiple industries: the things coming from and pertaining to spaces of color and cultures outside of Europe are seen as cute, but primitive.

“Ghetto until proven fashionable,” right?

The 18-year-old star becomes the youngest musician ever to write and sing the soundtrack to a Bond film

Billie Eilish will write and sing the theme song to No Time to Die, the 25th film in the James Bond franchise. At 18 years old, she is the youngest musician ever to provide the soundtrack to a Bond film.

Eilish said in a statement: “It feels crazy to be a part of this in every way. To be able to score the theme song to a film that is part of such a legendary series is a huge honour. James Bond is the coolest film franchise ever to exist. I’m still in shock.”

Related:No Time To Die trailer review: Bond baddie channels your granny in 1987 | Stuart Heritage

New Zealand director says he never set out to make a movie everyone loved

Taika Waititi, the New Zealand film-maker behind the “anti-hate” Nazi satire Jojo Rabbit, says the movie’s six Oscar nominations have vindicated the risks he took in making the controversial film.

“I never wanted to make something that was very easy, because for me, if it’s too easy, then what’s the point?” Waititi told Deadline. “Sometimes people say, ‘Oh, it’s divisive,’ but where I come from, ‘divisive’ is not a swearword. It’s a means to create discussion.”

Related:Taika Waititi: 'You don't want to be directing kids with a swastika on your arm'