So the Fast & Furious 7 shoot in Abu Dhabi is over. The set was entirely closed, although The National did manage to smuggle out a few contraband photos. But as we learnt, you don't always need to be on the set to know what went on. Let's take a look at what went on via the key players' social media, while they were enjoying the delights of the desert.
James Wan
As you’d expect, the director played the whole affair straight down the line and gave nothing away. We’ve heard nothing from him since that first Instagram photo with the promotional placard and the caption: “First day back filming. Better and stronger.” As it should be from a high-level Hollywood director.
Vin Diesel
As he flew out to Dubai from Tunisia, Diesel left a heartfelt post on his Facebook: “Tunisia ... Carthage ... yeah, I was there ... P.s. About to take a long flight to Dubai, for the first time ... Lead with love ...” We kind of hoped on the basis of that heartfelt missive that he might be the one to open up to us about, well, anything, really. How Dubai compared to Carthage would have been a start, or his latest charity efforts. But, oddly, what we mostly got was pictures of him cavorting with a variety of big cat and posing with some local men in dishdasha. No media were allowed to photograph him and he provided no caption. It’s around this time that you’re thankful you don’t work for a gossip mag.
Michelle Rodriguez
It seems the actress got to fulfil a dream. She posted on Facebook on April 18 a picture of herself doing a headstand beside a white Bugatti: “I’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to drive a Bugatti ... Too bad I’m a practical Prius driving humble biatch, maybe I’ll get to one day in a sexy ass movie.”
Ludacris
Diesel’s previously set animal theme continued with Ludacris, who shunned big cats in favour of a monkey in a pink dress (honestly) and some children he’d met in the park. He noted on his video of monkey-child interaction that “some moments in life are just too hard to put into words”.
Tyrese Gibson
Where to begin? Is Tyrese even in the film? If he is, I want his tips on preserving energy. Throughout the week Fast & Furious was shooting here, his Facebook, Twitter and Instagram never stopped. Whether he was showing us the sunrise from his hotel room, touring round The Palm on a boat and failing to switch the lights on until the captain turns up, or mischievously attempting to cause World War Three by jokingly playing the Indian and Pakistani staff in his hotel off against each other — every second was recorded, dated and Facebooked, aside from the moments on set, which is what we’d have liked if we’re honest. We’re assuming he must have been on set at some point, but this is a man who clearly loves his social media. He even picked up his own personal photographer in the form of the freelancer Melanie Cottle-Askew while he was in town. She shot him everywhere, from Zuma to hugging Dubai’s Crown Prince. Sadly, she has thus far ignored our social media approaches.
Paul Walker
The film’s co-star Walker, was, of course, absent from proceedings following his death in a car crash last November, which delayed production of the film by around four months. The rest of the cast had widely dedicated the film to his memory, with Diesel noting on Facebook shortly before hitting Abu Dhabi that he has promised Walker that he would make FF7 “the biggest film in history”. Universal Pictures revealed last week, while the shoot was going on in Abu Dhabi, that Paul’s brothers Caleb and Cody had stepped in as body doubles to help complete shooting Walker’s scenes. The brothers were seen briefly in the background of an Instagram video posted by Ludacris, which largely showed himself and Gibson petting tigers, although the rapper later removed the post without explanation.
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
SQUADS
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Nigel Llong (ENG)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
