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Kristen Wiig pegged for Wonder Woman 2 character Cheetah. Heres more about the villain
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Kristen Wiig, a cast member in "Downsizing," poses at a special screening of the film at the Regency Village Theatre on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) - photo by Herb Scribner
Theres nothing funny about this rumor. Comic actress Kristen Wiig is reportedly in talks to be the new villain in the upcoming Wonder Woman 2, according to Deadline Hollywood.

Both Warner Bros. and DC are in negotiation stages with Wiig, who would play the villain Cheetah in the new movie, Deadline reported.

The sequel film will reunite Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman and director Patty Jenkins. Its set to take place during the 1980s Cold War era.

Sounds like this will happen quickly, and a symbol of female empowerment gets a sequel where both main characters are women, according to Deadline.

Fans have already run with the idea, crafting fan art of what Wiig would look like as the villain, who, in the comics, transforms into a cheetah-like monster during the full moon.

Deadline called the new movie a top priority for Warner Bros.

Wonder Woman has raked in more than $412 million domestically since it hit theaters in June 2017, according to Box Office Mojo. It has amassed more than $821 million worldwide.

The film earned a 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes with an 88 percent audience score.

In November, multiple outlets reported that Gadot wouldnt return to the sequel if the first films producer, Brett Ratner, stayed attached, according to the Deseret News.

Ratner, who has been accused of sexual harassment and misconduct by six women, funded the original Wonder Woman film and received millions of dollars for his efforts. Ratners RacPac-Dune Entertainment production company owns part of the film.

"Shes tough and stands by her principles. She also knows the best way to hit people like Brett Ratner is in the wallet," an unnamed source told Page Six. "She also knows that Warner Bros. has to side with her on this issue as it develops. They cant have a movie rooted in womens empowerment being part-financed by a man accused of sexual misconduct against women."

Warner Bros. called the rumors false, saying that they already cut ties with RatPac Entertainment.

Gadot now plans to return to the sequel.

At the end of the day, a lot has been written about my views and the way that I feel, and everyone knows the way that I feel because Im not hiding anything, Gadot said on "The Today Show" in November of last year. But the truth is, theres so many people involved in making this movie, and they all echo the same sentiments. Everyone knew what was the right thing to do. But there was nothing for me to actually come and say because it was already done before this article came out.
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New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
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