The daily gossip: Danny Masterson faces 30 years in prison after rape conviction, Dwayne Johnson announces he and Vin Diesel put 'the past behind us,' and more

1. Danny Masterson faces 30 years in prison after rape conviction

"That '70s Show" star Danny Masterson is facing 30 years to life in prison after a Los Angeles jury found him guilty of two counts of rape. The conviction came during a second trial for the disgraced actor, as a previous jury couldn't reach a verdict. Masterson was accused of raping three women between 2001 and 2003, but the jury was deadlocked on one count. He pleaded not guilty. Masterson is a Scientologist, and one of his accusers alleged that the church "and other conspirators enabled and sought to cover up" his "monstrous behavior." The church denied the "scandalous" claims that it "harassed the accusers," and said it doesn't discourage its "members from reporting criminal conduct." But Leah Remini, a former Scientologist, said she is "relieved" Masterson is "facing some justice after over two decades of brutal sexual violence with no criminal consequences," adding that "this case is just the beginning of our plan to hold" Scientology "accountable."

The Associated Press The New York Times

2. Dwayne Johnson to star in new 'Fast' movie after he and Vin Diesel 'put all the past behind us'

Can you smell what The Rock is cooking? More reasons not to share the screen with Vin Diesel. Dwayne Johnson is set to star in a new "Fast & Furious" movie after making a surprise return in "Fast X." The Rock famously exited the franchise amid a feud with Diesel and declared there was "no chance" he would come back, so fans were shocked to see him in the "Fast X" credits scene, which suggested he'll face off against Jason Momoa. It now seems this cameo was leading to Johnson's own standalone movie, which he described as a "fresh, new chapter" that will set up "Fast X: Part II." It reportedly won't be a sequel to his previous spinoff, "Hobbs & Shaw." Johnson tweeted that he and Diesel "put all the past behind us" last summer, though The Hollywood Reporter said that while Diesel will produce Johnson's "Fast" film, he isn't expected to star in it. The family reunion will just have to wait.

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Deadline The Hollywood Reporter

3. Kim Cattrall to have a surprise cameo in 'And Just Like That'

'Tis the season for returning to an iconic franchise despite hating your co-star. Kim Cattrall is set to return as Samantha in the second season of the "Sex and the City" revival "And Just Like That," according to Variety. Cattrall wasn't in the show's first season after turning down a third "Sex and the City" film, and there have long been rumors of a feud between her and Sarah Jessica Parker. In 2018, Cattrall blasted Parker for "how cruel you really were then and now," writing, "You are not my friend." The first season of "And Just Like That" explained that Samantha has moved to London, though viewers see Parker's character, Carrie Bradshaw, texting her. Now, Variety has reported that Cattrall will briefly cameo in the second season, though she shot her scene — a phone call with Carrie — "without seeing or speaking with the stars of the series." So consider that hatchet very much unburied.

Variety

4. Armie Hammer won't face sexual assault charges after investigation

More than two years after a woman alleged Armie Hammer "violently raped" her in 2017, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office has confirmed the disgraced actor will not be facing charges. Director of the Bureau of Communications Tiffiny Blacknell told CNN that after prosecutors "conducted an extremely thorough review" into the allegations against Hammer, they "determined that at this time, there is insufficient evidence to charge" him. A woman identified as Effie accused Hammer of rape in 2021, alleging, "I thought that he was going to kill me. He then left with no concern for my well-being." The actor has maintained that their encounter was consensual. He said on Instagram that he looks "forward to beginning what will be a long, difficult process of putting my life back together now that my name is cleared." Effie, meanwhile, told CNN she's "disappointed" in the decision not to charge Hammer and that she came forward to "protect other women from experiencing similar abuse."

CNN The Week

5. Al Pacino was apparently 'shocked' to learn he’s having another child

If you were surprised to hear that 83-year-old Al Pacino is having another baby, he's right there with you. The actor "had no idea" his girlfriend Noor Alfallah, who is reportedly eight months pregnant, was expecting a child until two months ago, and he was "shocked" when he found out, TMZ reported. Further, the report says Pacino got a DNA test to confirm the baby is his, as he has medical issues he believed would prevent him from impregnating a woman. An insider also told Showbiz 411 that Pacino thought his relationship with Alfallah "was over a long time ago," though a source told Page Six "they are still together." Meanwhile, Robert De Niro, who recently welcomed a baby at age 79, congratulated Pacino on his forthcoming child on NBC's "Today." "God bless him," De Niro said. "Very happy for him." Somehow, that Twitter poll about which one of them is hotter is responsible for all this.

TMZ Showbiz 411