International Show, Film & Celebrities News
CLINT EASTWOOD is in talks to direct ANGELINA JOLIE for the first time in creepy new movie THE CHANGELING.
Both are currently in negotiations to lead the new film, which will be produced by director RON HOWARD and longtime partner BRIAN GRAZER.
In the film, which is based on real-life events, a woman claims the son returned to her after an abduction is an imposter.
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LATEST: MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL is in final talks to replace KATIE HOLMES in the BATMAN BEGINS sequel.
The new mum became an instant favourite to take on the RACHEL DAWES character in THE DARK KNIGHT after Holmes quit the role shortly after becoming MRS TOM CRUISE.
Director CHRISTOPHER NOLAN tells The Hollywood Reporter, "I’m extremely excited to work with an actress of Maggie’s calibre, and she’s a great addition to the cast." Cameras will role on the film, which stars CHRISTIAN BALE as the comic book hero, this spring (07). The film will be released in 2008.
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MICHAEL DOUGLAS has taken his movie legend father KIRK to task over his poor parenting skills in a new US TV special.
The two Douglases sat down for a candid chat as part of upcoming show A FATHER… A SON… ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, and when SPARTACUS star Kirk quizzed his son about his own paternal efforts, his son was brutally honest.
In the TV special, which airs tomorrow (10MAR07), Kirk asks, "Was I a good father?" and, after a lengthy sharp intake of breath, Michael responds, "You have ultimately been a great father… but fatherhood would not have been one of the highest parts of your resume early on."
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DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES star ANDREA BOWEN is set to play a student who contracts HIV in a gritty new TV movie.
The actress, who plays the daughter of TERI HATCHER’s character on the hit TV show, will star in the drama CONSEQUENCES, which will air in America this summer (07).
Former BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 star JENNIE GARTH will also appear in the film as a teacher who befriends Bowen’s character after she discovers she has had unprotected sex with a HIV carrier, played by ERIC VON DETTEN.
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COLIN FIRTH, EMILY WATSON, RUPERT EVERETT and funnyman RUSSELL BRAND are reviving the ST TRINIAN’S movie franchise, a former staple of Britain’s revered Ealing studios.
The stars will feature in a new comedy about the antics of students at an all-girl’s boarding school.
The original St Trinian’s films, which were all hits in Britain in the late 1950s and early 1960s, were adapted from RONALD SEARLE’s books.
Watson will take on JOYCE GRENFELL’s teacher character, while Everett will double up as the school’s headmistress and herbrother. Both characters were played by ALISTAIR SIM in the original films.
CASINO ROYAL stunner CATERINA MURINO, RICHARD E GRANT and STEPHEN FRY are also expected to appear in the new film.
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Movie star MARK WAHLBERG has been praying for his SHOOTER co-star LANE GARRISON after learning the embattled actor was responsible for a December (06) car crash that left a teenager dead.
PRISON BREAK star Garrison was charged with vehicular manslaughter, and turned himself into the authorities in Los Angeles yesterday (08MAR07).
He was driving three teenagers home from a Hollywood party when he lost control of his Land Rover. One 17-year-old passenger was killed and two 15-year-old girls were left with injuries.
And while many were quick to blame the 26-year-old actor and criticise his judgment, Wahlberg admits he just wanted to offer his co-star spiritual help.
The Oscar nominee says, "I certainly pray for him every single day of my life… I’ll speak to Lane and wish him the best.
"It was a horrible accident. It’s a tragedy for everybody involved and we’re just praying for everybody." Garrison was freed on $100,000 (£51,200) bail and his arraignment was postponed until 11 April. He faces six years and eight months in prison if convicted.
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The cemetery where ANNA NICOLE SMITH was buried last week (02MAR07) has been closed to the public.
Officials at Lakeview Cemetery on Nassau in the Bahamas have grown increasingly tired of the tourists making pilgrimages to Smith’s grave in the past week, and they’ve decided to close all entrances and hire security to keep the curious out.
Only those who have family members buried at the cemetery or people who can prove they’re Bahamian citizens will be granted access.
Anna Nicole’s gravesite became an immediate tourist destination, following her funeral, and has attracted buses of tourists to the cemetery, prompting complaints from locals who have family members buried there.
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The controversial pop wannabe at the middle of a new AMERICAN IDOL scandal was voted off the TV talent contest last night (08MAR07).
ANTONELLA BARBA’s singing skills cost her a place in the top 12 of the current season, which has been dogged by news the teenager posed for a series of saucy photographs.
The sexy shots appeared on the Internet once Barba landed a role on the show after sailing through the audition process.
The scandal has certainly raised the New Jersey singer’s profile - yesterday (08MAR07), bosses at Internet porn company SugarDVD.com offered Barba $500,000 (£256,400) to work as their new spokeswoman. (KL/WN/IG) WENN - SIXTH - HOLLYWOOD, SHOWBIZ & PEOPLE NEWS - 9 MARCH 2007
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QUEEN LATIFAH is nervous about adopting an American child because the biological parents have three years to change their minds.
The rapper-turned-actress, real name DANA OWENS, is committed to starting a family by adopting an American kid who needs a home, but she understands why fellow celebrity mums like MADONNA and ANGELINA JOLIE go abroad to adopt - it’s potentially less complicated.
The CHICAGO star says, "You can adopt someone here, and the birth parents have three years to come back and get that child. That’s terrifying." Latifah is currently working with her sister, who is a New Jersey social worker, in an effort to become a foster parent. If that works out for the unmarried 36 year old, she’ll adopt.
She adds, "I’m optimistic. I’m not in it for the glamour. It’s quite a gift."
Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)
Country greats CHARLIE LOUVIN and STONEWALL JACKSON are among the old-timers who have launched an age-discrimination lawsuit against Nashville, Tennessee music mecca the Grand Ole Opry.
The stars claim they’re being kept off the stage at the weekly variety shows, which highlight the diversity of country music and are broadcast across America, because they’re considered too old.
Louvin claims he appeared on the show when he was at the height of his career for much less than he could earn at a proper gig because the Opry was revered for paying tribute to country music’s legends.
But now he’s leading the charge to force Opry organisers to invite more old-timers to perform, and Jackson has filed his own age discrimination lawsuit against the Opry owners, Gaylord Entertainment Co.
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The producers and stars of US TV phenomenon AMERICAN IDOL will be giving back next month (APR07) as part of a massive charity push featuring BONO, BORAT, ANNIE LENNOX, PINK and GWEN STEFANI.
In a first for the hit talent show, which has become America’s most-watched programme, poverty-stricken kids in Africa and the US will benefit from a two-night charity drive.
Show sponsors Coca-Cola and communications company AT&T will donate cash to charities committed to ending poverty Africa for each vote cast for wannabe stars of the current season of the programme on 24 and 25 April (07).
Viewers will also be able to donate cash during the charity drive, dubbed IDOL GIVES BACK.
Meanwhile, show host RYAN SEACREST and British judge SIMON COWELL have visited Africa to film an awareness video to promote the new charity initiative and show stars PAULA ABDUL and RANDY JACKSON will visit Louisiana to highlight ongoing post-Hurricane Katrina problems there.
High profile anti-poverty activist Bono has yet to confirm he’ll appear on the show, but he plans to play a part somehow.
He says, "This is a big deal. I wouldn’t underestimate the reach of this show or the impact its audience can have." Funnyman SACHA BARON COHEN will reprise his Borat character for a skit on the shows, while Stefani, Pink, Lennox and opera singer JOSH GROBAN are all expected to perform.
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SHERYL CROW is urging cancer sufferers to stop reading tabloids and gossip magazines - because the negativity contained inside hampers recovery.
The singer/songwriter, who battled breast cancer a year ago (06), found her own circumstances changed when she stopped picking up the supermarket magazines, in which she regularly features.
She tells the upcoming issue of Ladies Home Journal, "Don’t waste time reading those trashy celebrity magazines. Every third person has one of those magazines open on planes.
"Feed your body good things, but also feed your mind. It sets a strange precedent for us to laugh at people so we can supposedly feel better about ourselves. It’s strangely exhilarating, like taking a hit of a crack pipe.
"I read one of those mags during radiation and it was so offensive, I haven’t picked one up since. It’s the same with reality TV.
"I say, ‘Eat salmon and not a Big Mac, read something that will expand your mind and not tabloids. You’ll feel better and be a lot happier."
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British pop supergroup SQUEEZE have joined the 2007 reunion merry-go-round after announcing plans to reform for a British tour this winter (07).
It will be the first time the group, featuring singer/songwriters CHRIS DIFFORD and GLENN TILBROOK, have performed under the Squeeze banner since 1999.
The reunion tour will coincide with an upcoming re-release campaign for the COOL FOR CATS group’s back catalogue.
Difford recently revealed the group have been getting offers to reform for years, and recently were asked to reunite and support CROWDED HOUSE on their comeback tour in America.
Squeeze’s 2007 dates will kick off with a concert in Southampton, England on 27 November (07).
As well as Squeeze and Crowded House, bands reforming for shows and tours in 2007 include THE POLICE, GENESIS, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and the JESUS & MARY CHAIN.
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British singer AMY WINEHOUSE has cancelled a second London performance in two days, prompting fears for her health.
The 23-year-old pulled out of a performance at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire last night (8MAR07) because of illness, and a gig at the same venue tonight (9MAR07) has been axed for the same reason.
A quote on the singer’s website reads, "Following last night’s postponement, and once again owing to unforeseen circumstances, tonight’s show at Shepherds Bush Empire has been postponed." Both dates have been rescheduled for May.
Yesterday’s postponement came just hours after Winehouse was spotted buying wine in a supermarket in north London, prompting speculation she wasn’t genuinely ill.
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VAN HALEN star DAVID LEE ROTH has announced he won’t be attending the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - because he can’t perform.
The reformed JUMP rockers will be added to the Cleveland, Ohio music museum on Monday (12MAR07) but guitarist EDDIE VAN HALEN’s upcoming rehab stint, announced yesterday (08MAR07), has forced them to pull out of a planned performance.
Instead VELVET REVOLVER will perform Van Halen hits as part of a tribute at a star-studded banquet in New York.
And bitter Lee Roth reveals he won’t even be there to claim the induction honour - because he can’t perform with his bandmates.
He says, "It rips my heart out (not to be there)..
. but I don’t make speeches for a living.
"It’s just not an option for me to go and watch some other band, who are only performing because they have some new record coming out, do our music..
. That was my three minutes and 22 seconds up there." But Lee Roth is still optimistic about plans for a Van Halen reunion tour once Eddie Van Halen completes rehab treatment for a reported alcohol problem: "If Ed ever dries up, this is going to be a stadium act."
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Hollywood star SALMA HAYEK is engaged to businessman FRANCOIS-HENRI PINAULT, and pregnant with the couple’s first child.
The 40-year-old actress made the double announcement today, through her representative.
CARI ROSS said, "Businessman, François-Henri Pinault, and his fiancée, Salma Hayek, are happy to announce they are expecting the arrival of their first child." Hayek has enjoyed a relatively low-profile relationship with Pinault, who is the CEO of PPR, which owns fashion houses Gucci and Yves St Laurent.
(IG/WNWCGU) WENN - SPECIAL - HOLLYWOOD, SHOWBIZ & PEOPLE NEWS - 9 MARCH 2007 ————————————————————————–
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ELIZABETH HURLEY and ARUN NAYAR will marry for the final time today (09MAR07), after a week of celebrations in Britain and India.
In a traditional ceremony at the Umaid Bhawan Palace hotel in Jodhpur, the couple will exchange garlands of red roses and orange marigolds, before parading around a ritual fire seven times.
The epic nuptials have spanned two continents and five days of non-stop partying. They have been so lavish, even by Indian standards, the local press have dubbed the event "The Big Fat Indian Wedding".
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Actress ANNE HATHAWAY discovered she’s a terrible dancer while shooting new period movie BECOMING JANE, because 18th century party-goers did more than just "shake their butts".
The 24-year-old, who stars as celebrated author JANE AUSTEN in the film, had to use her brain to master the complicated choreography involved.
She says, "Nowadays all you have to do is shake your butt and you’re a good dancer but back then there was actual choreography.
"I’m a terrible dancer but I do think like one, so all the actors looked at me as a traitor."
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