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Netflix has released thee first trailer for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s upcoming feature film Tick, Tick…Boom! featuring Andrew Garfield as ‘Rent’ creator Jonathan Larson. The film also stars Vanessa Hudgens, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesús, Joshua Henry, Judith Light and Bradley Whitford.

Tick, Tick… Boom! is based on Larson’s autobiographical musical of the same name. The original Tick, Tick… Boom! musical featured music, lyrics and a book by Larson, who died at age 35 in 1996. An official description reads: “the film follows Jon (Garfield), a young theater composer, as he navigates love, friendship and the pressures of life as an artist in New York City in 1990. With the clock ticking, Jon is at a crossroads and faces the question everyone must reckon with: What are we meant to do with the time we have?” 

Tick, Tick… Boom! is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s feature-length directorial debut; it will debut in select theaters on Nov. 12, and begin streaming on Netflix on Nov. 19. You can view the trailer – here.

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Netflix and Howard University are honoring Chadwick Boseman’s memory; Boseman passed away in August 2020 after a private four-year battle with colon cancer.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the streaming service and Boseman’s alma mater is establishing a $5.4 million scholarship in his name. The Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship will provide four years of tuition at Howard’s College of Fine Arts, which was renamed after the actor back in May. Netflix is the first donor for the scholarship, which will begin this year with one award for each class year. In subsequent years it will be awarded to one incoming freshman per year. The scholarship will consider student’s who embody that late actor’s values described as his drive for excellence, leadership, respect, empathy and passion.

Howard president Wayne A.I. Frederick said in a statement: “This scholarship embodies Chadwick’s love for Howard, his passion for storytelling and his willingness to support future generations of Howard students. I am thankful for the continuous support and partnership of Chadwick’s wife, Mrs. Simone Ledward-Boseman, and to Netflix for this important gift.”

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Jeff Bezos’ space travel company, Blue Origin, announced that “Star Trek” actor William Shatner will blast off from West Texas on Oct. 12. The 90-year-old Shatner tweeted: “Yes, it’s true; I’m going to be a ‘rocket man! It’s never too late to experience new things.” He added: “I’ve heard about space for a long time now. I’m taking the opportunity to see it for myself. What a miracle.”

Bezos, the founder of Amazon, invited Shatner to fly as its guest. At 90-years-old, Shatner will become the oldest person to go to space. He’ll join three others — two of them paying customers — aboard a Blue Origin capsule. The flight will last just 10 minutes and reach no higher than about 66 miles (106 kilometers). The capsule will parachute back to the desert floor, not far from where it took off.

This will be Blue Origin’s second launch of a crew. Bezos was on the debut flight July 20, taking along his brother, an 18-year-old from the Netherlands and 82-year-old aviation pioneer Wally Funk — the youngest and oldest at the time to fly in space.

Shatner played the role of the USS Enterprise’s commander Captain Kirk for three seasons on Star Trek, from 1966 to 1969. He also portrayed Kirk in seven movies. He’s currently the host and executive producer of a History Channel show, “The UnXplained.”

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Natalie Morales is officially joining CBS’ daytime show “The Talk,” after announcing last week she was leaving NBC News after 22 years with the network. Morales will join the “The Talk” alongside hosts Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Jerry O’Connell and Sheryl Underwood. The addition of Morales follows several recent departures, including Sharon Osbourne and Elaine Welteroth.

The 49-year-old Morales, the West coast anchor of “Today” and “Dateline NBC” correspondent, said in a note to colleagues last week that she would be leaving the network in order to “pursue a new adventure.” She joined “Today” in 2006 and became the morning show’s news anchor five years later, replacing Ann Curry, who had been named to replace Meredith Vieira as a main anchor. Morales went on to anchor “Access Hollywood” and became West coast anchor for “Today.”

Morales said in a statement: “It’s an extraordinary opportunity to be joining this team at ‘The Talk.’ I love the new energy and direction and couldn’t be more excited to join Sheryl, Amanda, Jerry and Akbar. I’m looking forward to many good times while talking about the days’ topics, and I can’t wait to get going.”

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Damian Lewis will exit Showtime’s drama Billions after five seasons. Lewis tweeted  Monday: “Thank you @SHO_Billions thank you @briankoppelman @DavidLevien. A pleasure and a privilege to play Axe for 5 seasons with some of the smartest, funniest most talented cast and crew I’ve worked with. I’ll miss the Billions family. Yep, some jobs are more than just a job…. Love,” 

Showtime said Season 6 of Billions is scheduled to debut in January. The cable television network tweeted:  “Chuck Rhoades and Mike Prince can’t wait to sink their teeth into each other, and we won’t keep you waiting long either.”  The post included a minute-long trailer showing U.S. Attorney General Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) vowing to continue his war against the “criminally rich.”

Lewis’ wife, Peaky Blinders and Harry Potter actress Helen McCory, died of cancer in April at the age of 52. The couple share two children.

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The producers of the Broadway musical Aladdin have announced performances of the show will be canceled through Oct. 10 because of breakthrough cases of COVID-19 among the show’s vaccinated cast and crew. The next planned performance is Oct. 12.

A post on the Aladdin Twitter feed said: “We will continue to provide support to the affected Aladdin company members as they recover. We apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience this causes ticket holders, but we trust that audiences will agree that safety must be at the forefront of our return to Broadway.”

Aladdin resumed performances just last Tuesday, after Broadway recently reopened after being shut down for more than a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The cast, crew and adult members of the audience have to be fully vaccinated to take part of the show, and audience members also must wear masks in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. Children too young to be vaccinated must show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test.

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