Marvel Entertainment Movie And Gaming News, by Greg Tingle - 30th September 2011

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Marvel looking for Avengers game partner...

The Avengers movie-based game that was in the works at THQ may not be happening now, but Marvel Comics tells us its gaming plans are far from over, and something big and positive is just around the corner.

"The rights for a video game based on Marvel's Avengers IP have reverted back to Marvel," a Marvel spokesperson told the press. We also heard something about "The company is in early stages of exploring potential publishing and licensing opportunities."

Should the partnership turn into reality, it would mark the Avengers' first gaming project since 1996's rarely seen Data East arcade fighter Avengers: Galactic Storm. Data East also handled the supergroup's best-known gaming excursion, the 1991 arcade beat-'em-up Captain America and the Avengers, which received a number of console ports in the following years.

The Avengers characters have featured in quite a few games over the decades. Upcoming Avengers film...Captain America, Thor, Hulk, and Iron Man...have all starred in their own feature films and accompanying game adaptations over the years.

The Avengers movie will feature a star-studded cast including Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, and Samuel L. Jackson. Insiders tip it may be the superhero themed movie of the year and takings are expected to be beyond both Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger.


Activision Releases New X-Men Game...

Activision Blizzard Inc. recently announced the release of X-Men Destiny at retail stores. The title is available on Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360, Sony Corp.’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo’s Wii and DS gaming systems. X-Men Destiny’s console version has been developed by Silicon Knights while Other Ocean studio has developed the DS version.

Based on characters created by Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a division of The Walt Disney Company (DIS), the new role-playing action game (RPG) introduces three new characters in the epic battle between X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants. Gamers can choose from the three new mutants- Grant Alexander, Aimi Yoshida and Adrian Luca, to fight alongside and against some of the greatest X-Men characters, such as Magneto, Cyclops, Wolverine and Gambit.

For the first time in the history of the franchisee, X-Men Destiny features a unique story telling mode, where the three new characters have a story and can make personal choices that will decide their own destiny, adding a new dimension to the game. Popular Hollywood stars have lent their voices to the three new characters, which is an added attraction of the game.

X-Men Destiny also features a new upgrade system, which allows gamers to enhance their mutant skills by mixing and matching X-Genes and abilities from various X-Men and Brotherhood characters.

X-Men has been one of the most popular franchisees published by Activision. The company has a history of publishing successful franchises based on iconic characters such as Spiderman, The Hulk, Shrek, Tony Hawk and many others. The company recently announced the release of the James Bond game GoldenEye 007: Reloaded and GoldenEye 007: Reloaded Double 'O' Edition.

We think the new games will drive Activision’s top-line growth going forward. We also believe that X-Men Destiny will provide a competitive edge against peers like Electronic Arts Inc.

Activision currently focuses on the digital channel, which helped drive revenues in the last quarter. This is an encouraging trend, since digitized games tend to yield higher margins and are also more likely to grow at a faster rate than packaged versions.

However, Activision continues to face tough competition from Electronic Arts Inc. and Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.

Activision also does not have a presence in the social and mobile gaming platforms, where Electronic Arts has made strategic acquisitions and partnerships. This could impact its competitive position over the long term.

Further, the gloomy macro environment in North America and weak video game results over the last 12 months compel us to remain on the sidelines.

We offer a Neutral recommendation on Activision over the long term (for the next 3 to 6 months). Activision boasts of a strong product pipeline for the upcoming holiday season, which will boost its top-line going forward. This is the reason for the #2 Rank on the shares, which implies a Buy rating in the short term.


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Hilton Hotel Sydney Marble Bar Turns 118 - 29th September 2011

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Hilton Hotel Property Hotels Events Celebrities Clubs and Bars Brands Sydney Australia

You've probably heard of it, and we think about half of Sydney has likely been there at least once in its glorious history. We're talking about the famous Marble Bar of course.

It's nestled away and underground the even more famous Hilton Sydney. The Marble Bar is a groovy music and arts themed hangout right in the centre of 'Sin City' Sydney. It’s a funky, cool and sexy place to enjoy live artists in luxurious surroundings and you must check out the bar of course, offering up a world class selection of wines, cocktails and beers from across the globe.

Marble Bar could be considered an ideal venue to chill with friends and associates, as well as make new ones - business, pleasure or both.

It was originally constructed in 1893. History buffs will be interested to learn that's older than the Sydney Harbour Bridge (1932) and Sydney Opera House (1973).

The joint has been a huge hit with both young and old over the decades, and that's sure to be the case looking into the future.

It's also proved to be popular with both celebrities - the beautiful people, as well as Joe and Jane Doe. Ok, you want celebrities names so try this one for size...Liza Minnelli, George Benson, Wyclef Jean, Kelly Rowland, Mischa Barton, Ewan McGregor, Adam Lambert, Kate Ceberano and Slash have all partied amongst its breathtaking and original marble features.

Music lovers will be wrapt to hear that iconic Australian band Cold Chisel announced their comeback tour at Marble Bar just last month. Now get this, that's the scene of their 1979 record album cover 'Breakfast at Sweethearts' which was famously photographed at the bar of the moment.

The 118 year old Heritage-listed drinking spot and entertainment hub is amazing. You have to touch up the bar and fittings to truly appreciate the quality, much like a fine women (or man).

We understand that the original George Adams Bar, named after its builder, was constructed costing a whopping 32,000 pounds.

The bar was relocated from Tattersall’s in 1973 and Hilton Sydney’s original architect J.H. Bryant took on the role of Marble Bar historian, even facilitating numerous articles on the colourful history of the bar.

In the following decades the Marble Bar enjoyed the patronage of visitors from around Australia, and around the world, and eventually the gloss started to come off (but there's a happy ending, so stay with us).

As the Hilton Sydney underwent its own renovation, Marble Bar stayed hidden away, waiting for its time to one again shine.

It was a massive job to get the venue back to its former glory, but in 2005 the job was done.

Hilton Hotel - Marble Bar marketing blurb (and a few insiders) tell us its a 15th Century Italian Renaissance influence of the Marble Bar including 35 different varieties of Italian, Belgian and African marble, plus stained glass doors and ceilings, ornate carved bars of mahogany and a gallery of 14 Julian Ashton paintings valued at an estimated $1.6 million AUD.

We're pleased to report that it was a delightful 118th Birthday Party for the Marble Bar. The vibe was assuredly cool, sexy and funky with live music from G3 featuring Glenn Cunningham.

Happy Birthday Marble Bar, and may you enjoy at least another 118 years of the best.

Where Is It?: Marble Bar, Hilton Hotel Sydney, Basement level, 488 George Street, Sydney

*photography by Eva Rinaldi Photography

Websites

Hilton Hotel Sydney

Marble Bar

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

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Crown Casino Intellectual Property News Update, by Greg Tingle - 29th September 2011

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Crown Stops U.K. Trademark Application After Crown Bingo Objects...

Crown Limited's Crown Casino unit has apparently abandoned its recent attempt to register its trademark in the U.K. following objections from the U.K.’s Crown Bingo, popular gaming title EGaming Review reported.

The Australian company, the largest gaming and casino operator in the southern hemisphere, sought to register the mark for "the provision of gaming and casino services over a global computer network".

Crown Bingo, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, advised it would continue to oppose any attempt by the Australian company to use its brand in the United Kingdom.

"We’ve spent many millions on building the Crown brand in the U.K. and we don’t see why Crown Casino should benefit from that," Ian Erskine, Crown Bingo’s operations director told media.

Speculation remains as to whether James Packer's Crown Casino will have another crack at the IP in the UK, but rest assured we will be following up in a manner you have grown a custom to.

What's left to say but "May the best Crown win"!

*the writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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Real Steel Premiere With Hugh Jackman In Sydney - 28th September 2011

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Hugh Jackman Movies Hollywood Boxing Sydney Australia

Jackman's new flick 'Real Steel' enjoyed its red carpet premiere in Sydney, Australia tonight, in front of a crowd of about 500 screaming fans.

Jackman says he's finally made a film that gets the stamp of approval from his two children.

The actor might be best known for playing “X-Men’s” Wolverine but Hugh’s kids are right into giant boxing robots and the underdog spirit.

“This is the first time they’ve really connected with one of my films. I don’t let them watch ‘X-Men,’” Hugh told Access Hollywood before flying down under to Australia.

Jackman has also revealed how he believes adopting his children was his "destiny".

Jackman and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness were unsettled when they were advised they couldn't have kids naturally but now they know it was fate to welcome Oscar, 11, and six-year-old Ava into their lives.

He told Rupert Murdoch's Herald Sun newspaper: "It was painful. It's not easy. You put a lot of time and effort into it, so it's emotional. I think any parent can relate - trying to have children is wonderful and when you feel as though that's not going to happen, there's a certain anxiety that goes with it.

"We thought we'd have a kid or two biologically and then adopt. But when we decided we'd had enough of IVF, we went ahead with adoption.

"From the moment we started the adoption process, all the anxiety went away. I don't think of them as adopted - they're our children. Deb and I are believers in I suppose you could call it destiny. We feel things happened the way they are meant to. Obviously, biologically wasn't the way we were meant to have children."

Jackman was extremely generous with his time tonight with the fans and media, and I'm most grateful for the time he spent with my family who were in the fans section. Jackman is one of the world's most successful and popular actors, and he's still a big kid at heart, and you can see it in his eyes how much the 'Wolverine' appreciates his fans, both young and old.

The popular Aussie acting icon elaborated about his latest film: "It was great fun. It was like playing the best video game ever."

Starring in the science fiction film Real Steel which opened this week the acting legend plays former boxer Charlie Kenton, brought out of retirement when remote-controlled fighters reinvent fighting. "Think Rocky meets Transformers," Jackman joked.

When interviewed about the film by Event News Jackman shared that he also enjoys pro wrestling and was delighted to have finally stepped foot in a WWE ring, and event got to punch out Dolph Ziggler (as part of him getting behind underdog wrestling Zack Ryder). Woo Woo Woo lverine.

Industry buffs will be interested to learn that Real Steal is a DreamWorks film being released by Disney's Touchstone Pictures.

It seems that at the moment 'Our Hugh' is unstoppable and a real knockout, be it in boxing robot flicks, Marvel comic book movies, wrestling rings or anywhere else.

He's a champ and the movie is a champion effort that is bound to appeal to kids all all ages.

Cast

Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton
Dakota Goyo as Max Kenton
Evangeline Lilly as Bailey Tallet
Kevin Durand as Ricky
Anthony Mackie as Finn
Olga Fonda as Farra Lemcova
Hope Davis
Phil LaMarr as ESPN Boxing Commentator
James Rebhorn
Karl Yune as Tak Mashido

Directed by Shawn Levy
Produced by Shawn Levy, Susan Montford and Don Murphy

Websites

The Real Steel
http://www.steelgetsreal.com

The Walt Disney Company
http://corporate.disney.go.com

DreamWorks SKG Studios
http://www.dreamworksstudios.com

Event Cinemas
http://www.eventcinemas.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
http://www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
http://www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Splash News!
http://www.splashnews.com

Splash News Online
http://www.splashnewsonline.com

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AFL boss rejects talk of pokie reform campaign - 26th September 2011

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Politics AFL NRL Australian Sports Gaming

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has rejected claims the league is part of a coordinated campaign against the Government's push for mandatory pre-commitment on poker machines.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire yesterday called the move a "footy tax" which would "hit football clubs right between the eyes".

Other high-profile club bosses including Jeff Kennett (Hawthorn) and David Smorgon (Bulldogs) also raised concerns about the effect pre-commitment would have on their club's finances.

Pre-commitment is opposed by Clubs Australia and the NRL, and reports emerged that both codes were set to run television advertisements against it during grand final week.

But Demetriou has scoffed at those claims, denying the AFL is part of any campaign.

He says the AFL has told the Government the reforms will do nothing to stop problem gambling and will only hurt clubs already struggling to make ends meet.

"I've never spoken to anybody from Clubs Australia. I've never spoken to the NRL about this issue," he said.

"The AFL is not involved in any campaign. We haven't got the ads ready to go.

"It's just been appalling the way this has been covered in every grab, that we've got some campaign ... we're about to launch with Clubs Australia.

"Please stop talking on our behalf. Just shut up. That will be a good help."

Mr Demetriou says the AFL "abhors" problem gambling and would support measures that effectively address the issue.

"We thinking we've got a very good track record of shifting attitudes and addressing some of these very serious issues," he said, citing racial vilification, the responsible use of alcohol and respect for women.

"We just don't think that this proposed legislation is the way to go."

Mr Demetriou says the AFL wants to work with independent MP Andrew Wilkie, independent senator Nick Xenophon and the Government to address the issue.

"We'd rather do it in a collaborative fashion. Not through campaigns. Not through ads. And not being drawn into something from some guy at Clubs Australia who I don't even know his name," he said.

The AFL boss says he has put a call in to Mr Wilkie - who has spearheaded the reform campaign - to discuss the issue.

Families Minister Jenny Macklin welcomed the news the AFL was not part of a campaign against the reforms.

"I think the AFL have demonstrated today that they agree with the Government that we have a duty of care to make sure we do everything possible to support people as they deal with poker machine addiction," she said.

McGuire backflip

Meanwhile, independent Senator Nick Xenophon has accused McGuire of backflipping on comments he made on mandatory pre-commitment for problem gamblers.

At the weekend McGuire said the reforms will slash the profits clubs rely on.

But Senator Xenophon says McGuire is contradicting comments he made in May last year.

"This is what Eddie McGuire said just over a year ago... about the need to help problem gamblers, where he said: 'Maybe the time has come, with a growing need for betting integrity, to introduce a compulsory card registering every bet, including cash bets'," Senator Xenophon said.

"He goes on to say he'd also allow problem gamblers to fix betting limits.

"Now that was in relation to sports betting. When you have a situation with poker machines as your Productivity Commission says are much more dangerous, much more problematic, then you need to ask what Eddie McGuire is actually saying now.

"This is an extraordinary campaign by the AFL when you consider that their own players, their own club members have been hit hard by problem gambling."

Senator Xenophon says the campaign against the poker machine reforms are "based on fear, not facts".

"I think Eddie McGuire needs to phone a friend. Better still, maybe he should phone a problem gambler and get the true facts on poker machine reform," the senator said.

"This campaign by the AFL clubs is completely misleading. Eddie McGuire really should be focusing perhaps on the football match this coming Saturday rather than on a very misleading campaign."

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War Of The Worlds Comes To Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment; War of the Worlds game - Coming This Fall!

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The Hunter Sydney Australia Movie Premiere - 26th September 2011

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Our hunt is just about over for the Australian premiere of 'The Hunter'.

Sydney might not be home to the Tasmanian Devil, but it's hard to argue with the choice of Dendy Opera Quays being the venue for tonight's Aussie premiere.

Willem Dafoe was most generous in his time with Australian press.

Defoe portrays a mercenary on the trail of the now extinct Tasmanian Tiger.

"It's true," Dafoe concedes in his instantly recognisable, gravelly voice over the phone from his home in Rome. "And that's not a bad thing."

The actor was wrapt to play the lead part of Martin in The Hunter, based on Julia Leigh's acclaimed novel of the same title.

The rising star actor told our friends at News Limited "First of all I didn't know it was freezing. But the fact that we were going to shoot in Tasmania was very important. Clearly you had this very good story set against this epic backdrop and that appealed to me not only for the adventure personally but it's also nice to find a movie that can do the things movies do best, something that television can't do for example.

"I liked the fact that it was the central character with a slow transformation and that you got to spend a lot of time with him in the bush."

"The landscape is very tough and the weather is very tough but it really rooted what we were doing. One day it would be beautiful and sunny and the next day it would be snowing and freezing cold. And button grass - unless you have walked through a field of button grass you have no idea how difficult it is."

Dafoe advised he loves to travel the world to make motion pictures, thinking that exposure to different locations and new things helps makes actors "reconsider your condition and the condition of the world". He loved that Tasmania was so faraway from the movies business and was as "a magical place to film".

"You can really concentrate on what you are doing and the further you get away from the world, then that becomes the only world," he says. "Because it is so far away from everything it has a special charm."

The Hunter also stars Frances O'Connor and Sam Neill, with whom Dafoe has worked before.

Be sure to watch out for the ongoing struggle between loggers and tree huggers.

Dafoe has worked with some huge names in the modern era of movie making. Try on for size David Lynch (Wild At Heart), Martin Scorsese (The Last Temptation of Christ), Oliver Stone (Platoon) and Sam Raimi (Spider-Man). The Hunter was directed by Daniel Nettheim, in his first feature, but Dafoe says he enjoyed the opportunity to lend his considerable expertise.

"Let's face it," he says, "Martin Scorsese and David Lynch had to start somewhere. Also you are afforded a sense of collaboration. It's always difficult to adapt a very strong piece of literature and since you spend so much time with this character it was important to really suit him to me.

"So there was lots of back and forth and working to make it a good fit. After I met Daniel I knew he was very bright and knew he was very open to working with me in that way."

Tasmania may be home for his current flick, but next stop is Mars for the rising star, thanks to Disney. Dafoe will play Tars Tarkas, a six-limbed, green Martian warrior.

For now, its apparent that Dafoe has found his place in the motion picture universe, and insiders tip he is an actor expected to go a long way, with his name up for some Hollywood awards later this year.

The Hunter opens Australia on Thursday.

Websites

The Hunter
http://www.thehuntermovie.com

Dendy Opera Quays
http://www.dendy.com.au/Page/Dendy-Opera-Quays-Location

NIX Co
http://www.nixco.com.au

Cast

Willem Dafoe - Martin David
Sam Neill - Jack Mindy
Frances O’Connor - Lucy Armstrong
Sullivan Stapleton
Dan Wyllie
Callan Mulvey
Jacek Koman
Morgana Davies - Sass Armstrong
John Brumpton - Publican
Maia Thomas - Shakti
Jamie Timony - Free
Dan Spielman - Simon
Finn Woodlock - Bike Armstrong

Director: Daniel Nettheim
Writers: Julia Leigh (novel), Wain Fimeri (original adaptation)

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Hugh Jackman: Didn't break WWE wrestler's jaw?, by Greg Tingle

Hugh Jackman aka "Wolverine" admits that he punched a professional wrestler full on, but is sticking to his guns that he didn't break his jaw.

So, did he, or didn't he? That's the million dollar question.

The Australian acting legend attended a WWE pro wrestling event on U.S soil September 19 to help promote his upcoming boxing film Real Steel. A special guest of honour, Jackman was able to hang out in hip wrestler Zack Ryder's corner. Zack is known for his trademark Woo Woo Woo!, not to be confused with Ric Flair's Woooooo!

At one point during the match, Jackman ran over to Dolph Ziggler's corner, Ryder's opponent. Jackman and Ziggler sledged each other and Ziggler received a pretty clean punch to the jaw by the actor quickly thereafter.

Jackman was also pissed that Ziggler had earlier called him the wrong superhero name "Batman".

"I hit him," Jackman told Entertainment Weekly.

"[Dolph] said, 'Hit me as hard as you can.' So I hit him pretty hard. And you can see it in my eyes. I watched [the clip] again, and you can see me going 'Uh oh' a little. I'm acting like, 'Yeah!' but I'm really like, 'S***, I kinda really clocked him in the jaw'."

Jackman insists that he didn't mean to whack Ziggler with so much force. Ziggler tweeted soon after the incident with claims that Jackman put a hairline fracture in his jaw.

"It was scripted that I would go for that punch," Jackman explained.

"But just before we went on, Dolph was yelling at me, 'You hit me man! Just f***ing hit me!' During rehearsal I said, 'I'd like to do it, but I've spent 20 years pulling punches, trying not to hit. Trying to make it look real, but not really hit.'

"He said, 'There's no way. There's cameras everywhere, there's crowd everywhere, there's no way we can 'whiff it', as they call it'."

Jackman is pretty convinced that Ziggler may be embellishing the extent of his injury at least a little.

"The next day I read he really broke his jaw and I wasn't surprised - but I don't think he did," Jackman said.

"He's prone to exaggeration - which is why I hit him! Nah, just kidding!"

No word yet if Vince McMahon's WWE will have Jackman back in the squared circle, but we suspect it would be a high "Hell Yeah" to use language from wrestling legend "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, set to hit the ring again at showcase event WrestleMania.

A Media Man insider was overheard "Jackman, Ziggler, Ryder, McMahon and the WWE machine. Looks like a win - win - win".

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Hugh Jackman denies breaking wrestler's jaw - 26th September 2011

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Hugh Jackman admits that he punched a professional wrestler with all of his might - but disputes claims that he broke his jaw.

The Australian actor attended a WWE wrestling match on September 19 to promote his upcoming boxing film Real Steel. A guest of honour, Jackman was able to hang out in wrestler Zack Ryder's corner while the tournament took place.

At one point during the fight, Jackman travelled over to Dolph Ziggler's corner, Ryder's opponent. Jackman and Ziggler exchanged words and Ziggler received a clean punch to the jaw by the actor quickly thereafter.

"I hit him," Jackman told Entertainment Weekly.

"[Dolph] said, 'Hit me as hard as you can.' So I hit him pretty hard. And you can see it in my eyes. I watched [the clip] again, and you can see me going 'Uh oh' a little. I'm acting like, 'Yeah!' but I'm really like, 'S***, I kinda really clocked him in the jaw'."

Jackman insists that he didn't mean to clock Ziggler with so much force. Ziggler tweeted soon after the incident with claims that Jackman put a hairline fracture in his jaw.

"It was scripted that I would go for that punch," Jackman explained.

"But just before we went on, Dolph was yelling at me, 'You hit me man! Just f***ing hit me!' During rehearsal I said, 'I'd like to do it, but I've spent 20 years pulling punches, trying not to hit. Trying to make it look real, but not really hit.'

"He said, 'There's no way. There's cameras everywhere, there's crowd everywhere, there's no way we can 'whiff it', as they call it'."

Jackman is convinced that Ziggler may be embellishing the extent of his injury a little bit.

"The next day I read he really broke his jaw and I wasn't surprised - but I don't think he did," Jackman said.

"He's prone to exaggeration - which is why I hit him! Nah, just kidding!"

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Kate Winslet's "Sexy" Fling With Richard Branson's Nephew

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Rocknroll new romance for Kate Winslet!

The Oscar winning actress, 35, is dating Richard Branson's nephew Ned Abel Smith -- a.k.a. Ned Rocknroll -- a source confirms to Us Weekly.

The duo arrived together at last Tuesday's memorial service for Ted Branson (Richard Branson's father) at the Royal Geographical Society in London. The Daily Mail reports that Ned, 33, legally changed his name to "Ned Rocknroll" several years back, and recently separated from his wife Eliza, the daughter of a British viscount.

"Ned is really happy with Kate," the source tells Us, adding that the couple are currently spending a romantic weekend in the English countryside. Mildred Pierce star Winslet is "mature and has it all together," the source explains. "[Ned] feels he can learn so much from her. It's sexy -- a boy toy situation!"

An old friend of the Branson family, Winslet was famously a guest on Richard Branson's private Necker Island in late August when the house she was staying in caught fire; Winslet ended up carrying Eve, Branson's elderly mother, out of the burning building.

Winslet wasn't a solo visitor during her momentous Necker Island stay. In addition to her kids Mia, 10, and Joe, 7, the star's fellow guest was Louis Dowler, her on-and-off model beau.

No word yet on exactly when Winslet and Dowler parted ways.

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WWE Internet Championship In Works; Zack Ryder Pushed By Top Brass And Hugh Jackman - 23rd September 2011

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WWE's Zack Ryder is maintaining his rage to see an official WWE Internet Championship come to pass. Woo Woo Woo.

Contracted pro wrestler Dolph Ziggler tweeted that his mandible was fractured after the actor hit him this past Monday Night Raw, but some insiders say it was all an elaborate stunt. Wouldn't be the first time would it.

Aussie actor Hugh Jackman made a special appearance on Monday night's WWE Raw to promote his upcoming boxing film Real Steel, and got a little more than he bargained for, such is life in and around the WWE.

The actor, who has played beefed-up character Wolverine in Marvel's X-Men films since 2000, got into a been with notorious heel wrestler Dolph Ziggler, who insulted Jackman by calling him the wrong superhero name: Batman.

While this back-and-forth was surely staged, as WWE match-ups are, when Jackman delivered the planned punch, it may have achieved extra impact.

"MRI scheduled for 1 pm.....possible fractured jaw #thanksBatman," Ziggler wrote from his HEELZiggler Twitter account Tuesday. He later seemed to confirm the injury, following up with, "hairline mandibular fracture" tweet.

But, some are claiming that the entire injury is a hoax. TMZ reports that sources close to the wrestler say the entire thing was made up, but that the WWE wasn't in on Ziggler's joke.

Whatever the case, we here at Media Man love it. Keep it up.

Rumours remain that the likes of Mick Foley, Hulk Hogan and another former NWO member will soon return to WWE rings.

We can also confirm the return of the late, great, Andre The Giant this year (but in an online slot game - not in a wrestling ring). Ric Flair may also be following suit, and Kevin Nash is also understood to be keen to further explore online gaming opportunities. Don't change your dial.

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Clubs back NRL-AFL pokies campaign - 25th September 2011

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The clubs industry is backing rugby league and the AFL's alliance to campaign against the federal government's poker machine reforms.

The NRL and the AFL are planning to run television advertisements against mandatory pre-commitment during Grand Final week.

Clubs Australia executive director Anthony Ball said he welcomed the decision of the two rival codes to speak out against the technology being demanded by independent MP Andrew Wilkie.

"Millions of Australians are AFL and rugby league fans," he said in a statement.

"By backing Andrew Wilkie's demand for mandatory pre-commitment, the federal government is directly attacking the ability of clubs across the country to support AFL and rugby league teams."

Mr Ball said no sporting club would escape the "massive financial hit" of the mandatory pre-commitment regime, which Mr Wilkie wants implemented by 2014.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou and individual club presidents are meeting on Monday to map out campaign strategies.

New Ltd reports Mr Demetriou has held talks with Families Minister Jenny Macklin, who would have carriage of the pokies legislation, along with Sports Minister Mark Arbib and Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten.

It added that 25 Labor MPs had threatened to vote against the plan in Caucus.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has described mandatory pre-commitment as a "footy tax".

Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) president Ged Kearney said the government should be allowed to implement its pokies reforms.

She said although Clubs Australia was arguing there could be job losses, the harmful effects of problem gambling on peoples' lives should not be downplayed.

"I think let the reforms be implemented, monitor them closely and see what happens," she said.

"I'm sure we can help workers and businesses from an adverse impact as we go along."

Ms Kearney said the policy allowing people to set their own gambling limits was sensible.

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PartyCasino Casino War Via The War Of The Worlds Online Slot Game

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An adventure of a lifetime is waiting for players at PartyCasino with the launch of a brand new “War of the Worlds” themed game, based on Spielberg’s 2005 Hollywood blockbuster. This five reel 100-line slot will put you right in the centre of the action for as little as 1p per line and will give you a chance to win a massive jackpot of up to £250,000!

The most attractive feature of this slot is the great bonus round that players have access to by getting three bonus symbols anywhere on the reel. Winning the round will give players a chance to win up to 500 times their total stake and, for some, could be a good reason to make “War of the Worlds” a regular stop.

From outstanding graphics to a larger-than-life bonus round, it is clear that this game was designed with absolute precision, giving the player a superb game play experience that will keep you wanting more.

New players get up to $3000 sign up bonus via Media Man.

Enter the casino wars with 'War Of The Worlds', Media Man and Casino News Media.

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Hilton Hotel Zeta Bar 'Extreme Cabaret' Tantalises, by Eva Rinaldi

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Sydney’s Zeta Bar at the famous Hilton Hotel continued to delight with the extreme cabaret, now a mainstay in Sydney.

If a drink and a modest dash of tease are your thing you have most assuredly come to the right place.

My Human Statue Bodyart was tickled to death to once again deliver a smoking hot cabaret presentation, this time with a strong 'She-Devil' look and feel.

Tonight it model Anastasiya Bakss, back by mega demand, made up in a 'She-Devil' - ish burlesque like number, with a red bodypaint on some of her extremities, and boy did it epitomise tease and all of that good stuff.

You wouldn't have picked it, but tonight my 'She-Devil' was part bodypainted and made up by creative arts students, Antonio X and his friend, my 14 year old son, Joseph. Just imagine their teacher's faces when they explain that they painted and decorated a 'She-Devil' at Sydney Hilton for work experience. Human 'She-Devil' turned the Zeta red hot, as you might expect.

Antonio said "My teacher won't believe it. I had an absolute ball tonight. I think I might be dreaming about Extreme Cabaret, I had such a good time".

Joseph said "I grew up with creative arts and bodyart work, thanks to mum, and tonight even the model complimented me on the application of my bodypaint strokes. I had a great time and it will be good for my CV also. It was a top team effort. I really like She-Devil's now".

The extreme cabaret performances have pumped Hilton's Zeta Bar big time, and for this reason Hilton's around Australia, indeed around the world, are preparing to add 'Extreme Cabaret' to their weekly line ups. Online yesterday Hilton Surfers' Paradise got infultrated by 'Extreme Cabaret'.

Zeta Bar biz brainchild Grant Collins says of the nights "a late-1800s circus freak show crossed with 1920s-'30s sophistication".

Some of the most popular drinks at the moment include Absinthe (look for the sexy green bottle) and all things liquid nitrogen.

Want to be tantalised in an appropriate cool and sexy fashion? Grab the chance to do 'Sin City' Sydney like it should be done. Come again to Sydney Hilton next Friday night and check out 'extreme cabaret'. 'She-Devil' has done her dash, but we heard something about a neon yellow cabaret performer about to light up a spark in the joint. Join us and see what all the excitment is about boys and girls. As Alice Cooper famously sang, 'School's Out'.

*photography by Eva Rinaldi Photography

*artistic creations by Human Statue Bodyart

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Motley Crue Rocks Sin City Sydney Australia - 23rd September 2011

Glam rocker icons Motley Crue officially opened their down under Australian tour last night in Brisbane.

Crew, tonight it was 'Sin City' Sydney, and the boys didn't disappoint and looked right at home in the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

The crowd was right into it from the get-go and leaped in joy (or scare) when the boys hit the stage, thanks to a whack of pyrotechnics taking things up a notch.

The band was eager to please and gave us a Best-Of set of numbers.

For my liking the highlights included: "Shout At The Devil", "Same Ol’ Situation", "Girls, Girls, Girls", "Saints Of Los Angeles", "Smokin’ in the Boys Room", and the massive finishing number, "Kickstart My Heart". There was also a touch of nudity from a bevvy of 35+ women.

Tommy Lee rocked with his drumming and witty banter definite high-points of the night. And Mick Mars is living proof that you can most definitely rock out until, as the boys all stated, "the wheels fall off". The 60-year-old rocker can still rip it up.

The combo of fireworks, flame-throwers, steam explosions, fake blood, nudity, and craziness from these 4 middle-aged rockstars, it resulted in quite an entertaining evening of rock’n’roll.

*Bret Michaels (frontman of Poison also performed). It seems Michaels had his own legion of fans in attendance and got a huge pop from the crowd on more than one occasion.

Michael's song list included...

Rock N Roll All Night

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

Nothing But A Good Time

Talk Dirty To Me

What The Cat Dragged In

Manna Don't Dance

Unskinny Bop

*Doc Neeson (Voice Of The Angels) was the main support. Brett Michael's was the other support, and it was touch and go as to who of these supports were more popular. Some fans got into the supports more than the main event.

Doc's song list included...

Take A Long Ride

She Keeps No Secrets From You

Shadow Boxer

Dr John (new)

South Of France

Am I Ever Gonna See You're Face Again


All up, a rocking good night.

Websites

Motley Crue
http://www.motley.com

McManus Entertainment
http://www.mcmanusentertainment.com

Bret Michaels official website
http://www.bretmichaels.com

Poison official website
http://www.poisonweb.com

The Angels
http://www.theangels.com.au

Sydney Entertainment Centre
http://www.sydentcent.com.au

Flourish PR
http://www.flourishpr.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
http://www.evarinaldi.com

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Schwarzenegger's 'unbelievably true' memoir - 23rd September 2011

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Arnold Schwarzenegger is writing a memoir about his rise to fame and unlikely transition from Austrian-born champion bodybuilder to Hollywood action star to California governor, his publisher said on Thursday.

Schwarzenegger, 64, who in May announced his separation from wife Maria Shriver after admitting to fathering a child out of wedlock, is "chronicling his embodiment of the American Dream" in his second autobiography, publisher Simon & Schuster said.

The memoir, titled Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story, was acquired by Simon & Schuster after Schwarzenegger began working on the book last year. It will be released in October, 2012.

Named after his 1990 film Total Recall near the pinnacle of his movie career, the book will return to Schwarzenegger's roots where he started lifting weights as a teenager in a small Austrian village before winning Mr. Universe titles and moving to the United States at the age of 21.

Schwarzenegger will discuss his time spent in Venice Beach, California training in Gold's gym and winning the Mr. Olympia title seven times before overcoming a thick accent to establish himself as a star in films like 1982's Conan The Barbarian.

The book will chronicle his transition from movie tough guy, the Terminator, to an entrepreneur with businesses such as Planet Hollywood to politics where as California governor he was affectionately dubbed the Governator and attempted to champion environmental policies.

But four months after he left office, Schwarzenegger said in May that he was halting discussions for a new Terminator movie and all other Hollywood projects in order to focus on personal matters after admitting he fathered a secret child 13 years ago with his family's housekeeper.
He was then ridiculed in the media, some outlets called him the Sperminator, and Shriver, a member of the Kennedy dynasty, filed for a divorce in July to end their 25-year marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.

The couple has four children together, including teenage son Christopher who suffered a serious surfing accident later in July.

Schwarzenegger has since planned to shoot action roles in movies Last Stand and The Expendables 2.

A spokeswoman for Simon & Schuster would not comment on whether the book would discuss his divorce and sex scandal. The book will be published in the United States, Australia, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom. German rights have been sold to Hoffmann und Campe and Dutch rights to A.W. Bruna.

"Nobody has a life story even close to his. To go from poor immigrant to world class athlete to the biggest movie star in the world to governor of California is an incredible journey," Jonathan Karp, publisher of Simon & Schuster, said in a statement.

Schwarzenegger's first book, The Education of a Bodybuilder, has never been out of print since its release in 1977, Simon & Schuster said.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone

Another new recruit for The Expendables 2...

Shooting on The Expendables 2 starts in a couple of weeks time.

The cast and crew are set to fly off to Eastern Europe.

Earlier this week, the cast list grew again, with the addition of Liam Hemsworth to the film. We understand that Taylor Lautner had turned it down.

Definitely joining the movie, though, is Scott Adkins.

Adkins is ranks in his martial arts, and amongst his film credits are Undisputed II, Undisputed III, The Bourne Ultimatum, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Pink Panther. Amongst his television credits count Holby City and EastEnders.

Adkins joins a cast that includes Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Jason Statham, Jean Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris and Terry Crews. And The Expendables 2 arrives next August.

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Media Man Website Network Consolidates Online - 23rd September 2011

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The well known Media Man brand has consolidated online for the foreseeable future.

While Media Man still owns and operates over 20 website domain names, they have for the meantime consolidated the amount of online website portals that they operate.

Media Man will publish their most up to date news via their web blogs, as well as having some of them syndicated via a range of news media and entertainment website portals.

Their flagship websites are Media Man Int, Casino News Media, Global Gaming Directory, Wrestling News Media, Greg Tingle.com and Australian Sports Entertainment.

Greg Tingle remains the founder and director of Media Man.

Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company.

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Crown Casino Online Set For UK - European Launch, by Greg Tingle - 22nd September 2011

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G'day punters, casino whales, journos and everyone else. It's time for a super hot rumour, and most of this one has been verified by the powers that be. Media Man and Casino News Media reports...

Australia's Crown Casino brand prepares to launch online and land based casino in the United Kingdom.

Firstly, take note... there is an Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001 – this pertains to online casinos and poker rooms that are unregulated in Australia and are therefore also illegal. This does not however prevent Australian gamblers from playing online!

As Crown Casino prepares for their UK launch, they are also set to have their brand Trademarked for use in the UK. The trademark was published in the UK Trade Marks Journal on 12th August 2011, and as there is already a Crown Bingo and Crown Games operating online in the UK, they have a 2-month period to raise any potential objections. Apparently the software firm tied in up the deal was notified of this application on or around the 10th August.

Crown Casino is one of the largest and most successful land based casino operators in the Southern Hemisphere; owned by parent company – Crown Limited.

The firm is owned by James Packer’s (son of the late, great, Kerry Packer).

The UK Intellectual Property Office has rubber-stamped their brand for use in three areas, these are:

Gambling and casino services – both online and off
Sponsorship of entertainment services – for example poker tournaments
Hotels

In May 2011 Crown Limited acquired Aspinall’s private gambling club in London. They also have a 50% share in Aspers land casino group.

There's currently three Aspers-branded casinos in the UK, with a fourth on its way in late 2011.

This company is also a 50% shareholder in Betfair Australasia. Also interesting to note is that Betfair Australasia CEO Andrew Twaits resigned earlier this week. Crown has significant shareholdings in USA casinos also and has helped to develop Macau’s Cotai Strip.

Something tells us that James Packer's Crown Casino is going to make worldwide headlines and enjoy massive success in the UK market as Crown Limited's Crown Casino prepares to take things to the next level.

Australia, Macau, the UK, and next the world? James Bondi, if not the late Kerry Packer, would be proud.

We can't wait to see Kerry Packer, Underbelly and Crown Casino themed online slot games. Comon JP, we think that the powers that be can make it happen, and our spies tell us that it would be a jackpot all round. Go Aussie Go, Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi.

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Gaming, Casino, Poker And Entertainment News: Bwin.Party, Full Tilt, Marvel Entertainment, Crown Casino, The Star, by Greg Tingle

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Bwin.party stocks skyrockets after Schleswig-Holstein online gambling approval...

Bwin.party Digital Entertainment stocks rose over 12% after German state Schleswig-Holstein passed its new online gambling legislation. As reported earlier, the new bill which narrowly passed the Schleswig-Holstein Parliament poses more competition inducing rules and friendlier tax rates.

Bwin.party shares jumped 12.2% Wednesday while Betfair, an online betting exchange company, posted a 3.2% increase. Both Bwin.party and Betfair plan to apply for licenses to operate in Schleswig-Holstein as soon as the bill is implemented in January 2012.

Schleswig-Holstein is the first to implement such online gambling legislation among 16 German states and the remaining 15 continue to pose high tax rates that prohibit healthy online gambling market in the country in general.


PartyCasino Bwin.Party Online Casino Powerhouse Gets New Games...

Party's upped the ante again by adding yet more online casino games to their portfolio. They welcome in 'The War Of The Worlds' , 'Aztec Gold' and 'Loot'En Khanum'. PartyCasino has been awarded numerous industry awards and commendations over the years including Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' and EGR 'Socially Responsible Operator Of The Year'. The casino offers a range of slots, table games and also offers poker via its sister website PartyPoker.com


Online gambling site busted in 'Ponzi scheme'...

International online gambling site Full Tilt Poker stole $440 million from players around the world in a Ponzi scheme used to pay lavish fees to board members, US prosecutors said Tuesday.

Full Tilt "defrauded players by misrepresenting that their funds on deposit in online gambling accounts were safe, secure, and available for withdrawal at any time," the US Attorney's office for Southern Manhattan said.

"In reality, Full Tilt Poker did not maintain funds sufficient to repay all players, and in addition, the company used player funds to pay board members and other owners more than $440 million since April 2007."

The senior prosecutor, US Attorney Preet Bharara, said the site's top figures, including famed poker champions Howard Lederer and Christopher Ferguson, "lined their own pockets with funds picked from the pockets of their most loyal customers while blithely lying to both players and the public alike about the safety and security of the money deposited with the company."

In a classic pyramid scheme, gamblers were given the impression that they still had money deposited and were allowed to keep gambling, even when all that remained were "phantom" funds, prosecutors said. The company ended up owing $390 million worldwide, including $150 million to US customers.

"Full Tilt was not a legitimate poker company, but a global Ponzi scheme," Bharara said.

Full Tilt Poker was first sued by federal authorities in April as part of a broader crackdown on online gambling, which the Justice Department says is illegal. The suit was revised and refiled Tuesday in the still developing investigation.

In the original suit, Full Tilt Poker and two other online poker companies -- PokerStars and Absolute Poker -- were charged with bank fraud, money laundering, illegal gambling and other offenses.

Bharara said the Justice Department had filed an amended complaint against Full Tilt Poker to reflect the accusation that the company was running a Ponzi scheme.

Ferguson, the poker world's equivalent of a rock star and known to aficionados as "Jesus," and Lederer were not mentioned in the original complaint against Full Tilt Poker. They are alleged to have been paid $25 million and $42 million respectively by the site.

The amended complaint seeks the forfeiture of dividends received by Ferguson, Lederer, and other directors, and money laundering penalties.

While Internet gambling has been illegal in the United States since 2006, online poker remains a multi-billion-dollar industry with companies using a variety of ways to flout the law, including locating their operations offshore.

The US ban on Internet gambling has been challenged as an unfair trade restriction at the World Trade Organization and some US lawmakers are seeking to have online gambling legalized.


Crown Casino VS The Star Land Based Casino War Continues...

Greg Fraser has an interesting and intelligent article in today's Sydney Morning Herald. James Packer's Crown Limited still has the upper hand over rival The Star in many departments. The article reads...

Crown is still the king of Australian casino businesses.

There is a high-stakes game being played out between Crown’s Melbourne and Perth casinos and Echo Entertainment Group’s newly renamed The Star Casino in Sydney.

Echo has spent $960 million on its upgrade but Crown will have spent almost $2.1 billion across its two casinos by the time everything is finished.

Crown has consistently upgraded its properties to avoid the dangerous ‘‘tired’’ tag that can easily sap patronage and earnings.

The company has always produced a nice mixture of gaming and non-gaming earnings that has become the norm for all casino resorts.

But the headlines usually focus on the glamour and mystique of the high rollers, who last year put about $40 billion on Crown’s gaming tables in Australia.

This lucrative business generated $486 million of revenue for Crown last financial year and should continue to contribute earnings growth following the latest incarnation of its private gaming suites. Read the full article here


World Casino Directory Still A Big Hit With Industry And Punters...

Media Man's World Casino Directory and Global Gaming Directory are still a big hit, according to the numbers. Check out some of the world's best online and land based casino websites here and here.


PartyCasino VS Virgin Casino "War" Continues...

Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment and Richard Branson's Virgin Enterprises Limited are still at it, with both continuing to add new slot games. Bwin.Party's PartyCasino is more established and accepts players from more countries than Virgin, while Branson's Virgin enjoys a strong brand name in hundreds of other sectors. Party consistently offers higher sign up bonuses to new players.


Billionaire Solomon Lew in ugly Crown casino carpark row...

The Herald Sun reports...Billionaire businessman Solomon Lew was allegedly involved in an ugly fight with his estranged son-in-law at Crown casino on Saturday night.

It is believed Mr Lew and Adam Priester were captured on casino security cameras clashing heatedly in Crown's VIP carpark about 9pm. But the two men have given conflicting versions of events.

Mr Priester, a businessman who is separated from Mr Lew's daughter Jacqueline, is believed to have reported the incident to police.


The Avengers hero Chris Evans praises Marvel's Stan Lee...

Chris Evans who brought Captain America to life on the big screen in this year's Joe Johnston directed Marvel Comics adaptation Captain America: The First Avenger has praised Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee, describing him as "amazing".

Lee who has brought to life so many iconic characters over the years recently filmed his cameo in next year's superhero team up The Avengers describing it as "probably the funniest line that I've had to say yet".

Speaking to MTV News Evans said "It's great. He's an amazing human being, the guy is a living legend. He's so positive and so upbeat and so energetic and just a nice man."

Lee will also appear in Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man and previously said it would be his "best cameo yet".

The Avengers sees Evens star alongside Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo and hits cinemas on May 4 while The Amazing Spider-Man swings into cinemas in 3D on July 4.


Stan Lee talks about his cameos in The Amazing Spider-Man and The Avengers...

Appearing before a capacity crowd on Sunday at the 2011 Montreal Comic Con, Lee spoke about his cameo roles in movies based on the classic characters he co-created, such as Iron Man, X-Men, Spider-Man and Hulk.

“If you blink your eye, you might miss me”, he said, in reference to his brief on-screen appearances. Though Lee, not surprisingly, said that he did enjoy doing them, since “I get to meet all the actors.” He went on, “I just show up on the set and everybody treats me well. And I get my own trailer.” Lee was quick to point out that his cameos are “always big hits”, before jokingly adding, “I wonder if Brad Pitt looks at me and goes ‘hmmm.’”

Lee then really wowed the enthusiastic crowd when he mused, “I don’t know why DC doesn’t ask me to do cameos in their movies. Then their box office revenues would shoot up”. Pausing for audience applause, Lee then added, “Imagine how people would react if they saw me in one of those movies?”

In fact, Lee has made two appearances in DC-related documentaries. He was interviewed in the Shadows Of The Bat: The Cinematic Saga Of The Dark Knight, which appears as an extra on the Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray disc of the 1989 Batman movie. Lee was also interviewed for Kevin Burns’ 2006 documentary, Look Up In The Sky: The Amazing Story Of Superman.

Lee also mentioned his appearances in the upcoming Spider-Man reboot, and the highly anticipated Avengers movie. While he wasn’t able to reveal the details of his cameo in those films, Lee did say, “I tell you this. It is one of the funniest ones I’ve done. It’s about as funny as the one that I did in the new Spider-Man movie which hasn’t opened yet. Spider-Man and The Avengers, remember when you see ‘em, I told you that they are going to get very big laughs.”

The Avengers will arrive in UK cinemas on 27th April 2012, while The Amazing Spider-Man is due out on 4th July 2012.

Stay tuned for American and Australian dates.

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