Some lives are so interesting, they deserve to be lived twice: once for real and once on the silver screen.
Offering fans the chance to enjoy even more insight into the lives and careers of their favourite stars, the fascinating stories of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin and more will be laid bare in a handful of biopics set for release next year.
Nineties headline-grabbers Anderson and Lee are set to be portrayed by Lily James and Sebastian Stan, while the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, hand-picked Jennifer Hudson to play her in the film of her life, Respect. The search is still on for the actors talented enough to play Madonna and Boy George – and rock 'n' roll enough to play Lemmy Kilmister.
Here are 12 biopics to look forward to in 2021 …
Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee
Played by: Lily James and Sebastian Stan
British Rebecca actress Lily James and Avengers actor Sebastian Stan are set to play one of the most scandalous couples of the 1990s – Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee.
The eight-episode miniseries from Hulu called Pam & Tommy will follow the headline-making antics of the Baywatch star and her Motley Crue drummer husband, who famously married after just four days of dating. Seth Rogan is also set to star.
Whitney Houston
Played by: Naomi Ackie
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker star Naomi Ackie will be bringing the life of Whitney Houston to the big screen in biopic, I Wanna Dance with Somebody. Following the celebrated singer's life from her beginnings singing in a church choir to her tragic death in 2012, it will be written by the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of The Theory of Everything, Anthony McCarten.
“Naomi Ackie impressed us at every stage of the process,” said director Stella Meghie. “I was moved by her ability to capture the stage presence of a global icon while bringing humanity to her interior life.”
Elvis Presley
Played by: Austin Butler
In an as-yet-untitled biopic, California-born actor Austin Butler will take on the mantle of playing the King of Rock 'n' Roll himself, Elvis Presley. The biopic, which is being directed by Romeo & Juliet's Baz Luhrmann, will cover Presley's rise to fame to become the biggest star in the world – told through the lens of his complicated relationship with his manager for more than 20 years, Colonel Tom Parker. Tom Hanks is set to play Parker.
Bob Dylan
Played by: Timothee Chalamet
Cinema’s current darling, Timothee Chalamet, will portray legendary folk singer Bob Dylan in an as-yet-untitled biopic due in 2021. The film will take place during 1965, when Dylan controversially switched to using an electric guitar, leading to the famous “Traitor” accusations. The film had begun shooting this year, but production was put on hold due to Covid-19.
Aretha Franklin
Played by: Jennifer Hudson
Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson will portray Aretha Franklin after the Queen of Soul herself hand-picked the actress and singer to play her before she passed away in August 2018. Titled what else, but Respect, the biopic follows her life from being a child singing in her father's church choir to international superstardom.
Boy George
The British singer, DJ and former Culture Club frontman is getting the biopic treatment, which will be written by Anvil: The Story of Anvil writer, Sacha Gervasi. Following his early years born into a working class Irish family and raised in Woolwich, South London, the film will follow his rise to the top of the pop charts in the 1980s. Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner, who played Sansa Stark, has expressed an interest in playing the frontman.
Teddy Pendergrass
Played by: Tyrese Gibson
Grammy-nominee and Fast & Furious actor Tyrese Gibson will be bringing the life of RnB singer Teddy Pendergrass to the big screen.
“I am honoured to take this journey ... This is the role that I feel I was born to play,” said Gibson. “Teddy Pendergrass embraced me and before he passed, put the responsibility on my shoulders to tell his story … Teddy, I just hope we make you, your wife and family proud ... Here we go!”
Gucci Mane
The American rapper and pioneer of trap music is producing his own biopic based on his book, The Autobiography of Gucci Mane. The musician, whose real name is Radric Delantic Davis, has yet to choose who will play him in the story which begins with his life in prison, where he started his career by releasing mixtapes while incarcerated.
Celine Dion
Although this isn't technically a biopic, the film Aline is based on the life and music of French-Canadian singer Celine Dion. Set for release in March 2021, the film is directed by and stars French actress Valerie Lemercier who plays Aline. The character is inspired by Dion, with Aline discovered as a major singing talent, becoming a global superstar and tragically losing her husband.
Madonna
The Material Girl has enlisted Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody to write a biopic about her life, with plenty of input from Madonna as co-writer. Still as-yet-untitled, the story will follow Madonna's rise to stardom, as well as the effect she's had on shaping the cultural and musical landscape. Madonna's long-time manager Guy Oseary will executive producer.
Lemmy Kilmister
The legendary Motorhead frontman, who died in 2015, is getting the biopic treatment courtesy of Greg Olliver, who spent several years with the band for his 2010 documentary, Lemmy. Production is slated to begin in early 2021 on the film which will follow Kilmister's early life growing up in England, as well as his time as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix, and the five years he spent with rock band Hawkwind before he founded Motorhead.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Florence and the Machine – High as Hope
Three stars
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner: Arjan, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Jap Nazaa, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi.
6pm: Al Ruwais Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 1,200m
Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinal.
6.30pm: Shadwell Gold Cup Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Sanad, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
7pm: Shadwell Farm Stallions Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Canal, Harry Bentley, Satish Seemar.
Gulf Under 19s
Pools
A – Dubai College, Deira International School, Al Ain Amblers, Warriors
B – Dubai English Speaking College, Repton Royals, Jumeirah College, Gems World Academy
C – British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Yasmina Academy
D – Dubai Exiles, Jumeirah English Speaking School, English College, Bahrain Colts
Recent winners
2018 – Dubai College
2017 – British School Al Khubairat
2016 – Dubai English Speaking School
2015 – Al Ain Amblers
2014 – Dubai College
UAE cricketers abroad
Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.
Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.
Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
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UAE v Zimbabwe A, 50 over series
Fixtures
Thursday, Nov 9 - 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 11 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Monday, Nov 13 – 2pm, Dubai International Stadium
Thursday, Nov 16 – 2pm, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 18 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Ten10 Cricket League
Venue and schedule Sharjah Cricket Stadium, December 14 to 17
Teams
Maratha Arabians Leading player: Virender Sehwag; Top picks: Mohammed Amir, Imad Wasim; UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Zahoor Khan
Bengal Lions Leading player: Sarfraz Ahmed; Top picks: Sunil Narine, Mustafizur Rahman; UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Rameez Shahzad
Kerala Kings Leading player: Eoin Morgan; Top picks: Kieron Pollard, Sohail Tanvir; UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Imran Haider
Pakhtoons Leading player: Shahid Afridi; Top picks: Fakhar Zaman, Tamim Iqbal; UAE players: Amjad Javed, Saqlain Haider
Punjabi Legends Leading player: Shoaib Malik; Top picks: Hasan Ali, Chris Jordan; UAE players: Ghulam Shabber, Shareef Asadullah
Team Sri Lanka Cricket Will be made up of Colombo players who won island’s domestic limited-overs competition
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus
The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
