‘Despicable Me 2’ soars at

    Chinese box office

    “Despicable Me 2” became the biggest box office winner on the Chinese mainland as it outperformed* all its cinematic rivals in the week ending on January 12.

    The 3-D cartoon, featuring the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig and Miranda Cosgrove, raked in 97 million yuan (US$16.05 million) in ticket sales during the week.

    Johnny Depp reportedly engaged

    Johnny Deep and Amber Heard are engaged, according to multiple reports.

    Heard was recently spotted with a rock on her left ring finger, sparking engagement speculation. People magazine confirmed that Depp, 50, and Heard, 27, were planning to tie the knot.

    A source said, “Of course they couldn’t be happier to be engaged and excited to share the rest of their lives together.”

    ‘Avatar’ stars to return in sequels

    Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana will star in three more films in the “Avatar” franchise*.

    Co-produced by “Avatar” director James Cameron, the second, third and fourth films in the “Avatar” franchise will be filmed all in one go.

    The production schedule is similar to that of Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” films, and the new “Avatar” films are being filmed in New Zealand.

    Cui not to play at New Year gala

    Chinese rocker Cui Jian will not perform at CCTV’s annual New Year gala, his manager said on Saturday, following an invitation to appear.

    “Cui Jian will not perform at the Spring Festival Gala,” You You said.

    Asked by the Beijing News Daily, You said the singer had refused to “change the words” of his songs, without specifying who had demanded the changes for the Lunar New Year show.(SD-Agencies)