PR-Inside.com Entertainment News

JON BON JOVI snubbed the chance to play at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium next year (11) in favour of a show in the U.K. capital’s Hyde Park - because the green venue is just a short walk from the star’s favourite hotel.
Bon Jovi is set to play a gig at the venue in June (11) as part of the Hard Rock Calling series of shows.
The star admits the band chose the concert in Hyde Park as it was near to their favoured central London hotel - as opposed to Wembley, which is in the far north-west of the city.
He tells Britain’s Daily Star, "We could have sold out Wembley Stadium no problem but Hyde Park is right out the back door of the hotel I stay at in London.
"The traffic of getting to Wembley from central London I’ve done enough times. I like to walk across the park, it’s that simple." And the singer hinted he may make a surprise appearance at the legendary Glastonbury festival in 2011 - as it is the same weekend as the Hard Rock Calling gig.
He adds, "I’ve always toyed with the idea of playing there. If they don’t have another old-timer like me, I’d love to go out and see it and perhaps do a set, sure."

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

TRAVIS frontman FRAN HEALY endured a mammoth journey from New York to his home in Berlin, Germany over the weekend (17-19Dec10) as extreme weather conditions battered the U.S. and Europe.
The singer began his journey last Friday (17Dec10) but his flight from America was cancelled and he had to wait on standby for almost 12 hours to catch another plane to London’s Heathrow airport to make his connection to Berlin.
However, the aircraft was diverted to Shannon in Ireland because of a snow storm in the U.K. capital and Healy used buses and trains to cross the country to Dublin in the hope of catching a flight home on Sunday morning (19Dec10).
Healy’s mammoth journey paid off and he arrived back in Berlin later on Sunday.
Detailing the trip on his website, Healy writes, "I woke up after touchdown in Berlin and was home within 40 minutes.
"It is so nice to be here. I found out, had I stayed in Shannon, I would surely still be there as I write. Nothing against Shannon but there’s no place like home. Happy Holidays everyone."

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

Promoters in Australia have denied British rockers MUSE have been banned from a venue after they came under fire for smoking on stage.
The Supermassive Black Hole hitmakers infuriated concert organisers earlier this month (Dec10) by flouting anti-smoking legislation throughout their show at Melbourne’s Ron Laver Arena, despite receiving orders to not light up.
Subsequent reports suggested the band would receive a fine and a five-year ban from the venue for breaching the rules, but the promoters behind the Muse gigs have dismissed the rumours, according to the AAP.
Jo Juler, spokeswoman for the Ron Laver Arena, adds, "Muse played two full shows at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne last week. It has been incorrectly reported that they have been banned from the venue due to a band member smoking on stage. We confirm that the band have not been banned from Rod Laver and did not receive a fine."

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

A man suspected of stealing a rare first edition of HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE from an art gallery in England has been charged with theft.
Kevin McGirr is accused of taking the J.K. Rowling tale, which is valued at almost $9,000 (£6,000), from a special display box at the Creative Art Gallery in Woodstock, Oxfordshire on 30 October (10).
The limited edition book was later found wrapped in a plastic bag in nearby Abingdon on 15 November (10).
McGirr will appear before Banbury Magistrates Court on 4 January (11), according to BBC News.

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

Newly-wed HULK HOGAN has checked into a Florida hospital to undergo back surgery, according to a U.K. report.
The 57-year-old wrestling icon exchanged vows with Jennifer McDaniel last week (14Dec10) at their home in Clearwater, Florida after a year-long engagement.
But rather than enjoy a long honeymoon, Hogan - real name Terry Bollea - entered a hospital near his home on Tuesday (21Dec10) for an operation on his back, reports Britain’s Daily Mail Online.
The procedure has reportedly been scheduled to repair an ongoing issue which has become progressively worse in recent months.

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

Production on an upcoming biopic of JUDY GARLAND, starring ANNE HATHAWAY, has been pushed back to allow the actress and movie executives extra time to deal with the "sensitive project".
The Devil Wears Prada star last year (09) signed on to play the Wizard of Oz legend in a big screen adaptation of biographer Gerald Clarke’s 2001 book Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland.
Work on the movie has yet to begin and Hathaway reveals production may not start until late 2012 - to make sure the film correctly portrays Garland’s life story.
Speaking on BBC Radio Four’s Front Row radio show, the actress says, "It’s a very sensitive project and there have been so many stories told about her life that we’re really trying to get it right.
"So we’re taking our time with it. I know it seems like it’s sort of an endless process but it’s very, very slow incremental steps.
"I had a meeting about it a couple of weeks ago and we’re all very motivated." Hathaway also opened up about the struggles of playing Garland on the big screen, adding, "I certainly don’t sing like Judy Garland… But I think people might cry murder if they don’t get to hear Judy’s beloved voice so the talk is for me to sing but I don’t know if that’s exactly what will happen."

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

Broadway star ADAM PASCAL has called for the director of troubled musical SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK to be prosecuted after another actor was injured on-stage during a preview performance.
The beleaguered show, which features a soundtrack by U2 stars Bono and The Edge, has been blighted by delays amid rigorous safety checks for the production’s aerial stunts.
The musical has also been dogged by injuries - actress Natalie Mendoza suffered concussion on the first night of previews when a rope broke and hit her on the head, and Spider-Man stuntman Kevin Aubin broke both wrists during rehearsals in October (10).
Another preview ended in disaster on Monday (20Dec10) when the show was cut short following a horrific accident, which saw stunt double Christopher Tierney tumble from a platform above the stage. He was hospitalised and diagnosed with several broken ribs.
Director Julie Taymor branded the accident "heartbreaking" but was "thankful" Tierney wasn’t more seriously hurt, and an investigation has subsequently blamed the incident on "human error".
But Rent star Pascal is fuming over the latest injuries, and has called for Taymor to face legal action, according to the New York Post.
In a series of posts on Facebook.com, he writes, "They should be put Julie Taymor in jail for assault! I hope (Tierney) is ok and sues the s**t out of Julie, Bono, Edge and every other a**hole who invested in that steaming pile of actor crippling s**t!" Tony Award-winning actress Alice Ripley also took to her Twitter.com page to air her views about the show’s injury problems: "Does someone have to die? Where is the line for the decision makers, I am curious. Spider-Man should be ashamed of itself. This is completely unacceptable and embarrassing to working actors everywhere." The musical’s official opening is currently scheduled for February (11).

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

DOLPH LUNDGREN’s new movie was rocked by an explosion which injured several workers on set on Tuesday (21Dec10), according to a U.S. report.
The Swedish tough guy is currently working on upcoming action picture In the Name of the King 2 in British Columbia, Canada and shooting has been taking place in the Golden Ears Provincial Park.
But the set was hit by a blast on Tuesday when a propane heater blew up, according to ETOnline.com.
The website reports many workers were caught up in the explosion and victims suffered varying degrees of burns. None of the injuries are thought to be life threatening.
It is not known if Lundgren was on set at the time of the incident and police are continuing to investigate the cause of the blast.

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

A top boxing promoter has offered to hand over $2 million (£1.3 million) to charity if MARK WAHLBERG and WILL SMITH agree to step into the ring for a celebrity boxing bout.
Both stars have played champions on the big screen and now Hollywood Boxing Federation boss Damon Feldman is keen to see what the two actors have learned from their research for films Ali and The Fighter.
Feldman tells U.S. news show Access Hollywood, "It would be a good show, a good, fast, easy way to make money."

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

A woman who alleges she was assaulted by LINDSAY LOHAN at California’s Betty Ford clinic has been fired for breaking the centre’s strict confidentiality rules by speaking out about the incident.
The Mean Girls star was moved from the rehab centre to another unit last week (begs13Dec10) to complete her court ordered treatment for violating her probation stemming from a DUI arrest.
It was revealed on Tuesday (21Dec10) that officers in Palm Desert, California are investigating after a female member of the Betty Ford staff was assaulted during an altercation with Lohan and some pals.
Cops reportedly received a call at 1.03am on 12 December (10) for "hand-to-hand battery", but sources close to the actress insisted she simply brushed the staffmember off when she was "unfairly" lectured about arriving at the home after her curfew and ordered to take a drug or alcohol test.
The woman behind the allegations, Dawn Holland, revealed to TMZ.com that Lohan was aggressive and in a "very angry" state when she was caught sneaking back in to the clinic, and goes on to claim the star had been drinking.
In a video interview with TMZ.com, Holland - who is wearing a cast on her wrist to help aid an alleged sprain - says, "She was very angry and out of control… She had alcohol on her breath. I did not touch the woman. I am not willing to risk my job over any patient." However, following her revelations, bosses at the clinic have decided to fire Holland with immediate effect.
A statement from the clinic says, "Regrettably, on December 21, 2010, one of our employees violated strict confidentiality guidelines and laws by publicly identifying patients in a media interview and by disclosing a privileged document.
"The employee has been terminated by the Betty Ford Center."

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

NICOLA ROBERTS’ favourite time with her glamorous GIRLS ALOUD bandmates is when they all relax at home with "rubbish hair and no make-up".
The group, which is currently on hiatus, is the biggest girlband in the U.K. and the singers are renowned for their coiffured locks and stylish fashion sense.
But Roberts admits that when they get together at each other’s homes the beauties prefer nothing more than to pig out on junk food in their most casual attire.
She tells Britain’s Company magazine, "Cheryl (Cole) and Kimberley (Walsh) are like my sisters. But we don’t get to see Sarah (Harding) as much as we’d like because she lives in Buckinghamshire.
"As soon as we’re together, it’s like we’ve never been apart. We’ll have a night in dressed in trackies (sportswear) or PJs (pyjamas), with rubbish hair and no make-up. We stock up on oven chips, chicken nuggets, olives and sweets, and put on (British soap) EastEnders, which we then just talk over all night!"

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

The future of London’s iconic 100 Club is looking bright after a potential sponsor offered to help save the venue from closure, according to the owner.
The tiny underground concert hall is at risk of going out of business because of the U.K.’s rising rent prices.
Superstar rockers including Rolling Stones Ronnie Wood and Mick Taylor have lent their support to a campaign to save the concert venue and performed as part of a benefit show earlier this month (Dec10) to raise cash for a campaign to keep its doors open.
Sir Paul McCartney chose the 100 Club over stadiums to perform a small lunchtime gig last Friday (17Dec10), throwing more support behind the cause.
And now club boss Jeff Horton has revealed he’s in talks with an unidentified donor who is willing to offer cash injections to ensure the venue remains open.
He tells London’s Evening Standard, "We are actually in talks now with somebody who’s stepped forward who wants to sponsor the club. I can’t tell you any more than that because I’ve signed terms so I’m tied to a confidentiality agreement.
"I’m hopeful that something positive can be announced in the next week or so. It would involve the club keeping going - it would remain with me.
"It’s someone who knows we need a bit of support financially because it is more and more difficult to be independent in this day and age. If we’re going to keep going and the club’s legacy is going to continue, we need some support."

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

SIMON COWELL’s fiancee MEZHGAN HUSSAINY has dispelled ongoing rumours the pair’s relationship is in trouble after jetting out to Barbados to join the music mogul for a luxury festive break.
The music mogul proposed to the make-up artist earlier this year (10) and rumours were rife they would wed within months.
However, split rumours quickly surfaced after they spent most of 2010 apart due to Cowell’s filming commitments in the U.K. and her job in Los Angeles.
Hussainy was quick to dismiss the reports and told reporters the pair was still "engaged - as far as I know".
Reports the pair had ended its romance refused to go away - and gossip reached fever pitch when Cowell jetted off to his beloved Caribbean resort to start his Christmas holiday without his lover last week (ends19Dec10).
But Hussainy happily refuted the reports after she was snapped stepping off a private jet in Barbados on Monday (21Dec10) and was chauffeured to Cowell’s side at the island’s luxury Sandy Lane resort.

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

A representative for KELIS has hit back at a lawsuit alleging the singer failed to pay a talent agency more than $11,000 (£7,300) - insisting bosses at the company spent the money without the star’s "approval".
The Milkshake singer and her management hired staff at Drive Talent Inc. to provide "goods and services" for a variety of performances on U.S. TV shows, including Today, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Bosses at the company filed suit against the star earlier this month (Dec10) claiming she failed to pay $11,817.91 (£7,878.61) for services between March and July (10).
However, Kelis’ publicists insist the star is not worried about the claim, because Drive Talent executives spent the money without asking her or her managers for permission.
A statement from the rep to AllHipHop.cop says, "Drive Talent has been paid in full for services rendered for the assistance in production for various TV performances. Any claims stating otherwise is clearly an effort to gain press attention.
"The amount claimed to be owed is not for services rendered, which Drive Talent would like the public to believe, but over a dispute stemming from a European promotional run in which Drive Talent authorised the spend of close to $11,800 of the artist’s money to a vendor they hired without approval from either the artist or management. We look forward to presenting our case in court and are confident once a review has been made of all evidence we have to support our argument that it will be clear Drive Talent has absolutely no ground whatsoever to stand on."

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

LADY GAGA was left distressed after a fan used fake backstage passes to sneak through strict security in a bid to meet the superstar at London’s 02 Arena last week (ends19Dec10), according to U.K. reports.
The Poker Face hitmaker put on two sold-out shows at the huge venue in the U.K. capital, but was left shocked before Thursday’s (16Dec10) concert when she was informed a devotee had made her way backstage.
The woman had forged passes which helped her evade the star’s security team - and she was only caught out by Gaga’s management as she made her way to the singer’s dressing room, according to Britain’s Daily Mirror.
Police were called and the woman was reportedly released after questioning.
A source tells the newspaper, "This was a serious breach of security and the woman was heading in the direction of the stage and, more worryingly, Gaga’s dressing room.
"This woman had gone to great lengths to produce all the fake ­documentation so she could move at ease in the holding area backstage.
"Gaga was understandably shaken by the incident but was a consummate professional and continued as per normal, putting on a dazzling show."

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

Model-turned-actress JENNY MCCARTHY is helping to put new mums at ease - by launching her own range of eco-friendly crib bedding.
The star’s Too Good line features all-cotton sheets, blankets, rugs and hampers and all materials used are non-toxic.
McCarthy admits she was inspired to create the collection because she was well aware of the fears she faced as she brought up her son Evan, eight.
She tells Us Weekly, "I was psychotic about keeping my house clean, so I wanted items without harsh chemicals."

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

The grieving girlfriend of late author STIEG LARSSON has written her own account of the months following the writer’s death in 2004 - in an effort to stop journalists hounding her for secrets about her life with the Swedish author.
Eva Gabrielsson dated The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo author for 32 years and has been at war with the writer’s father and brother over his post-death fortune since Larsson’s mysterious death.
Tired of talking about her dispute with Joakim and Erland Larsson, she has decided to put her thoughts into words - and her book about the saga will hit stores next year (11).
She tells Rolling Stone magazine, "I am done with refuting things about Stieg, about me and what happened after he died. Therefore, I have written a book about it, and I hope that will be the end of all (the) lies and speculation." Larsson died virtually penniless months before his Millennium trilogy of books turned him into one of the world’s bestselling author.
The Larsson’s offered Gabrielsson $2.6 million (£1.73 million) from her late boyfriend’s estate but she refused the cash. The writer’s brother, Joakim, tells the publication he has no idea what Gabrielsson wants.

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

NATALIE PORTMAN’s bottom has been covered up in the trailer for her new movie YOUR HIGHNESS - so the teaser can screen for under-18s.
The actress appears in a thong in the R-rated trailer but studio bosses feared the butt-baring scene would be too much for censors, so they’ve toned it down - and painted on panties.
Editors at EW.com have exposed the truth by airing both scenes online.
A source close to the production tells the website, "The scene was altered so the MPAA would approve the trailer for screening for appropriate audiences in theatres." The thong scene will be replaced for the actual film.

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