PR-Inside.com Entertainment News

ISLA FISHER was the first choice to play CARRIE BRADSHAW’s assistant in the SEX & THE CITY film.
Writer/director Michael Patrick King has revealed he had to fight for Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, who eventually landed the role of Louise.
He says, "It was originally supposed to be Isla Fisher, but I didn’t agree with that at all.
"It can’t be called Sex and the City without a little colour. Women are very nice when they figure out who I am. And the only negative comment I ever got about the series was every now and then, some woman of colour, whether it’d be Latina or an African-American, they’d stop and say, ‘Where are the sisters?’ - and I was like, ‘Yeah, where are they?’"

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

KID ROCK has joined the sporting elite of Michigan - a banner raised in his honour during a basketball game on Friday night (30Jan09) is to have a permanent place at the home of the Detroit Pistons.
The banner was raised at the Palace of Auburn Hills near Detroit - during the Pistons’ big game against the Boston Celtics - to mark the 18 shows the rocker has sold out at the Palace and sister venue, the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Kid Rock, real name Robert Ritchie, joins the likes of Bon Jovi, Neil Diamond and Alan Jackson among the entertainers honoured high above the Pistons home court.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Adult filmmaker JOE FRANCIS is wanted by Los Angeles authorities after failing to show up for a court hearing in his ongoing tax evasion case.
The Girls Gone Wild creator was due to appear before a judge on Monday (02Feb09) after his legal team from Bernhoft Law Firm submitted a motion to withdraw as Francis’ counsel against allegations he filed a fraudulent tax return worth $20 million (£14 million).
But he was a no-show at the courthouse and U.S. District Judge S. James Otero was forced to issue a warrant for Francis’ arrest, according to Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Francis is scheduled to stand trial in March (09) and faces up to 10 years behind bars if convicted.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Actor VAL KILMER will reign over New Orleans, Louisiana’s Krewe of Bacchus parade as he is crowned king for the day when the annual Mardi Gras comes to town later this month (Feb09).
The Batman Forever star will don full royal attire for his role as celebrity king on 22 February (09), when he visits the city’s Children’s Hospital and rides upon a float during the festival.
And Kilmer, who follows last year’s (08) king Hulk Hogan, can’t wait for his big day.
Bacchus captain Owen Brennan says, "He’s very excited. He loves coming to New Orleans. He said this has always been a favourite destination of his."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Singer/actress VANESSA HUDGENS is fighting to play a werewolf in the third TWILIGHT film.
Reports have suggested the High School Musical star auditioned for a role in sequel New Moon - but screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, who is adapting Stephenie Meyers’ vampire romance novels into films, has confirmed Hudgens has her sights set on a meaty character in the third film.
She explains, "I had heard Vanessa Hudgens was going up for the part of Leah. At the moment, the part of Leah doesn’t happen until the third movie." Leah Clearwater is a lead werewolf in Meyers’ third Twilight novel.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Actor MARK RUFFALO’s brother SCOTT was not under the influence of drugs when he was fatally shot in the head in December (08), Los Angeles officials have confirmed.
The hairdresser, 39, died in hospital a week after he was found in critical condition outside his Beverly Hills home.
Two persons of interest have been released from police custody without charge in relation to the incident, and now the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office has confirmed authorities are investigating the case as a homicide.
Coroner spokesman Ed Winter tells People.com, "Ruffalo’s toxicology results showed a very slight trace of cocaine and alcohol. He also had slight traces of morphine which could’ve been due to prescription medication.
"All we can conclude from this is that he was not under the influence of drugs when he was shot."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

PUBLIC ENEMY rapper CHUCK D fears the hip-hop scene is dying because there’s a lack of good female rappers.
The performer-turned-label boss insists the industry needs new talent, and promises to spend 2009 pushing the careers of young wannabe women MCs.
He will start with up-and-comers Creww Grrl Order, who are signed to his label SLAMjamz.
Chuck D says, "In 09, my fighting the power is for women in hip-hop, especially groups, producers, songwriters, and label heads.
"There are very, very few all women rap groups. Less than we had 25 years ago."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Rapper LIL WAYNE has confessed to a secret hobby - he’s a passionate bowler.
The Lollipop hitmaker, real name Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr., admits he spends much of his free time playing Nintendo’s Wii games console with his daughter Reginae, 10, and has perfected the art of virtual tennis, bowling and golf.
But his sporting interests go deeper than computer games - the hip-hop superstar has invested in his own bowling accessories and owns four custom-made bowling balls.
The eight-time Grammy nominee says, "If you talk to a professional bowler, he would explain or she’ll explain how your own ball and your own shoes and perfect lanes are important."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

KATY PERRY’s break-up with GYM CLASS HEROES star TRAVIS MCCOY continues to get messier - the pop star has warned others about dating her ex.
The couple split at Christmas (08) after romancing for much of last year, and it wasn’t all amicable - as McCoy proved with a post on his website, in which he revealed the pair had been arguing for weeks.
He wrote, "We fight every night, now that’s not kosher. I reminisce with bliss of when we was closer. And wake up to be greeted by an argument again, You act like you’re 10." Perry has refused to hit back until now - during a show at Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theatre on Saturday (31Jan09), the I Kissed A Girl rook a shot at her former lover’s commitment issues. She said, "Girls, if you have ever dated a boy - specifically the lead singer from Gym Class Heroes - don’t do it! Boys should have a heart. You know what I mean girls? Boys just want the milk, but they don’t want to buy the cow." Earlier last month (Jan09), at another Los Angeles show, Perry confessed the split had left her hurt, adding, "When you break up with someone you move on. You don’t really want to move on… but you have to because they don’t give you any choice."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Bassist JET HARRIS has spoken out about the snub which will prevent him from performing with CLIFF RICHARD and THE SHADOWS when his old bandmates come together for 50th anniversary dates this autumn (09).
Harris has been left out of the shows, which will be the last for The Shadows, because of ongoing tensions between him and his bandmates.
He’ll be replaced by The Shadows’ long-serving bass player Mark Griffiths.
Harris tells Britain’s Mojo magazine, "I automatically thought they’d have me - maybe for the first six or so numbers, the ones I played on. But the powers that be have decided.
"It doesn’t seem right that I won’t be playing (Shadows hit) Apache, but there’s absolutely no malice - I’m not losing sleep over it." Harris quit the British instrumental group in the early 1960s after falling out with bandmate Bruce Welch.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Country star KENNY CHESNEY is selling a Florida home he never moved into - because fans already know exactly where the retreat is.
The singer/songwriter reportedly paid $5.7 million (£4 million) for the Key West property last year (08) - but he has decided the place isn’t for him, after one website printed his new address.
In a statement, Chesney says, "It’s funny how you can be moving out before you even move in.
"I may have been naive to think I could just go down to the Keys and disappear, because that was the idea. I wanted to find a place where I could just be and thought I’d found it. But, with all the buzz since we signed the papers, the last thing I want to do to some place I love as much as Key West is change the dynamics, especially for the locals who have been so good to me, so I’m stopping the insanity before it begins.
"The ‘for sale’ sign is back up, and I’m just not going to be able to take possession of the house."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Actor KEVIN CONNOLLY’s new film co-starring SCARLETT JOHANSSON has made him desperate to take on a new role - as a husband and father.
The Entourage star plays one of Johansson’s love interests in the pair’s romantic comedy He’s Just Not That Into You.
And Connolly admits at age 34 he’s finally starting to feel the urge to settle down.
He tells New York magazine, "I really related to my character, because I’m also at that stage in my life. I want to meet a girl, have a wife, have kids. My mom is always asking me about it. I just bought a house. It’s definitely an adult house - a girl could potentially move in there." But the old-fashioned actor insists he won’t be turning to technology to help him land a date any time soon.
He adds, "Everyone said, ‘Wait till you get on (networking website) Facebook,’ but I haven’t met anyone on it. It’s more just my buddy’s status updates."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

JULIA ROBERTS’ actress niece EMMA aims to follow the career path of ANNE HATHAWAY - because she is one of the few to make a successful transition from teen star to Hollywood A-list.
Roberts shot to fame in 2004 with a role in Nickelodeon television series Unfabulous, and has gone on to star in a variety of kids’ movies including Aquamarine, Nancy Drew and last year’s (08) Wild Child.
But the 17-year-old is determined to eventually break out of teen films and carve a successful career in Hollywood - like her idol Anne Hathaway.
The Devil Wears Prada star’s first big role came in 2001 Disney picture The Princess Diaries and she is now nominated for an Oscar for Rachel Getting Married.
And Roberts cites Lindsay Lohan as an example of a former child star who has failed to replicate her success as an adult, insisting she won’t be following in the Mean Girls star’s footsteps.
She tells Moviehole.net, "I just think it’s very thin ice you’re walking on, to make the transition from child actor to adolescence. Because so many people just mess it up, and they do things that are so outrageous.
"Anne Hathaway - the fact she was in The Princess Diaries, you’d never think about that. Whereas, like, Lindsay Lohan, you still know that she was in Freaky Friday and The Parent Trap, and it’s hard to take her seriously.
"So that’s why I really like Anne Hathaway, she is a great example. I think she’s been nominated for so many awards this year. And the fact that she starred in a Disney movie when she was in her teens - a lot of people don’t even know that, I don’t think."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Irish actor JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS is a dud when it comes to love - insisting he doesn’t believe in romance.
The hunky star, who portrays Henry VIII in romp-filled TV hit The Tudors, is adored by legions of female fans across the world and has been romantically linked to a string of beauties including Toni Collette, Rachael Leigh Cook and Estella Warren.
But the 31-year-old admits he struggles to woo potential lovers with traditional romantic tactics.
He tells People.com, "I’m not a romantic guy at all.
"It’s not that I don’t believe in romance. It’s that I don’t believe in dinner for two by the ocean, walking down the beach holding hands - that version of romance.
"I think I’m probably romantic, but I’m not outwardly romantic. I’m not a player."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

DAVID BOWIE, JANET JACKSON and SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS are among a list of musicians whose rock star demands designed to attract press coverage have been detailed in a new tell-all book.
Writer Cooper Lawrence spoke with veteran publicists for his new book, The Cult of Celebrity, revealing the antics of their fame-hungry clients, reports the New York Post.
Remembering when hip-hop mogul Combs wanted a seat at a Versace fashion show, media maven Susan Blond remembers, "He said if we didn’t get him in, we would be fired. We called, but it was the middle of this East Coast-West Coast rap war when everyone was being shot. They didn’t want (any rappers there) and we were fired the next day." She adds of Janet Jackson’s earlier career demands, "When I met with Janet, she’d say, ‘I just want to be in the columns,’ and she wanted 60 (mentions) in the columns. She just wanted to keep hot, and that’s what she wanted - to just keep that name on Page Six." Singer-songwriter Edwin McCain also admits 70s legend David Bowie exaggerated his rock star lifestyle to attract extra attention.
McCain tells Lawrence, "When Bowie and his manager came to New York, they were riding around in a limo wearing furs, staying at the Waldorf, creating the image that he was a star, even though they were flat broke. It was a ‘fake-it-till-you-make-it’ mentality." (JMA/PYN/ZN) WENN - FIFTH - HOLLYWOOD, SHOWBIZ & PEOPLE NEWS - 02 FEB 2009

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

R&B star USHER has fallen victim to the recession - his Atlanta, Georgia wine bar has been forced to close.
The singer opened The Grape in his hometown in 2006 and talked of plans to expand the brand worldwide.
But the wine bar/bistro failed to re-open after the New Year (01Jan09), and its liquor licence has yet to be renewed.
According to reports the parent company, Grape Enterprise Group, has also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Usher isn’t the first celebrity to have tried and failed in the hospitality industry - Britney Spear closed down NYLA in 2002 after it struggled to inspire hungry New Yorkers, and Jennifer Lopez’s California eaterie Madre went out of business in 2008.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Oscar-winner CATE BLANCHETT credits her director husband ANDREW UPTON’s humble ego with keeping their marriage on track - because he doesn’t get jealous when he’s overshadowed by her fame.
The couple, who share three children, have made their marriage work for 11 years in the spotlight.
And Blanchett insists it’s Upton’s ability to separate their lives at home and on the red carpet that has kept them together, because he’s not intimidated by her massive fame.
She tells America’s Vanity Fair magazine, "He’s got a very strong sense of self. He’s married to a woman who, at the moment, is in a noisy phase in her career. But he’s also been with me when it’s not that noisy, and he knows there’s not a lot of difference in me, or in us. I’m incredibly lucky to be with someone like that.
"Because my face is more recognised than his, there’s a reverse sexism; somehow his career path is seen as more dispensable, less important. That’s just garbage. I have deep respect for what he does, and likewise. If I was a theater actor, it wouldn’t be an issue."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

R&B singer MASHONDA ditched her producer husband SWIZZ BEATZ because she couldn’t trust him - amid rumours he cheated on her with ALICIA KEYS.
The couple ended its four-and-a-half year relationship in 2008.
It was rumoured at the time that the split was prompted by credit card receipts Mashonda found in Beatz’s pocket, that matched cities and dates of Keys’ tour.
In a recent interview on Sirius radio’s Shade 45 show, Mashonda confirmed the rumours are true.
She doesn’t reveal if the affair with Keys took place, but admits she suspected her husband was cheating and found suspicious receipts.
Mashonda says, "That’s a true statement, but that wasn’t the first. It’s not like I wake up and I have to snoop. It’s if you recognise a dramatic change, and you’re asking, ‘What’s the problem?’ and you’re not getting an answer, you’re just gonna have to (find out for yourself)."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)