The daily gossip: Channing Tatum is too 'traumatized' to watch Marvel movies, Simon Cowell crashed his e-bike again, and more

1. Channing Tatum is too 'traumatized' to watch Marvel movies

Channing Tatum had to quit watching Marvel movies after being "traumatized," and not because he just really hated Eternals. The actor was set to star in a Marvel movie of his own, Gambit, in which he'd play the titular X-Men mutant. The film was even ready to start shooting, but ended up falling apart after Disney's purchase of Fox, which owned the project. Tatum is still so bummed about this, he can't bring himself to watch Marvel films anymore. "Once Gambit went away, I was so traumatized," he told Variety. "I shut off my Marvel machine. I haven't been able to see any of the movies." Tatum and his producing partner Reid Carolin explained Gambit would have been a Deadpool-esque "romantic comedy superhero movie," starring a character whose outfits aren't "utilitarian" like his colleagues. "He's just wearing the stuff that's so dope because he loves fashion," Tatum said. If Disney has second thoughts, Tatum is waiting by the phone. "I wish they would reconsider, because it's a pretty great project," Carolin said. "Maybe someday."

Variety

2. Simon Cowell admits he's a 'bit of a nutter' after crashing his e-bike again

No, this isn't an old edition of The Daily Gossip: Simon Cowell was hospitalized after crashing his e-bike for a second time. The America's Got Talent judge recently ended up in the hospital with broken bones after crashing his bike in London, TMZ reports. He was apparently trying to turn a corner, and "the road was wet and the tires went out from under him," the outlet said. "He went flying over the handlebars into the middle of the road and is lucky to be alive as he wasn't wearing a helmet," a source told The Mirror. Cowell reportedly suffered a broken arm and also potentially a concussion, but a source told Variety he's "recovering well." If this all sounds a bit familiar, that's because Cowell previously broke his back in 2020 when he crashed his e-bike almost immediately after purchasing it. He told the Mail Online on Wednesday, "I'm a bit of a nutter. I'll definitely wear a helmet next time." Seems like a good idea!

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TMZ Variety

3. Dolly Parton and Eminem among Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees

We're begging of you, please induct Dolly Parton into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! The 2022 nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, revealed Wednesday, included Parton. This was the legendary country singer's first time on the ballot, which also consisted of Beck, Pat Benatar, Kate Bush, Devo, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Judas Priest, Fela Kuti, MC5, New York Dolls, Rage Against the Machine, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, A Tribe Called Quest, and Dionne Warwick. "This year's ballot recognizes a diverse group of incredible artists, each who has had a profound impact on the sound of youth culture," Roll Hall of Fame Foundation chair John Sykes said. Artists can be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after their first commercial recording was released, making this Eminem's first year eligible. Now, he's got one shot, one opportunity to make it in. Well, until next year, at least.

The Week

4. Four people arrested in connection with Michael K. Williams' death

Five months after the tragic death of actor Michael K. Williams, four people have been arrested and charged. Williams, best known for playing Omar on HBO's The Wire, was found dead in his New York apartment in September after overdosing on fentanyl-laced heroin. On Wednesday, prosecutors announced they had arrested "members of a drug crew" including Irvin Cartagena, who allegedly sold Williams the drugs. Three others, Hector Robles, Luis Cruz, and Carlos Macci, were also arrested as alleged co-conspirators. "This is a public health crisis," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said. "And it has to stop. Deadly opioids like fentanyl and heroin don't care about who you are or what you've accomplished. They just feed addiction and lead to tragedy." NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell also said police, who "lived this case" for months, hoped to bring a "measure of justice to Michael K. Williams and his family."

The Week

5. Brian Cox is 'straight' but found Brad Pitt 'stunningly beautiful'

The stars, they're thirsty for Brad Pitt just like us! In a new career retrospective with Vanity Fair, Succession star Brian Cox reflected on working with Brad Pitt on 2004's Troy — and finding him insanely hot. "I remember at one point just kind of being agog at Brad," Cox said. "He'd never been in costumes like that … Brad walked on [set] and my jaw was down because he was so stunningly beautiful. I mean, I'm straight, but I just thought, 'Wow, my God! This guy is stunning! What chance does one have on the screen with this beautiful, beautiful man?'" Cox also recalled that Troy happened to be the only film role he's ever "pursued," which he insisted was because he "knew I was dead right for the role." Hmm, and a certain stunningly beautiful co-star definitely had nothing to do with it, huh?

Variety