Other Topics : Art Culture - Fashion - Tourism

Latest & Hot Hollywood Film News : * hourly updation

Back to Hollywood Current News Section

Crowe and Kidman to act together
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Jan 21 (IANS) Close friends Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman, both Oscar winners, are set to co-star in Baz Luhramann's latest movie in Australia.

The two have been keen to work together since the project "Eucalyptus" did not work out, Hollywood.com reported. 

Crowe says: "It's set in the 1930s and 40s and I can tell you it's a romance and I do a bit of horse riding and a bit of swooning with Nic. Baz has talked to Nic and me a lot about this film and we're both up for it."

Crowe is happy the new movie is set in his home country, because he will be able to stay close to wife Danielle Spencer, who is expecting their second child in July. "We start rehearsals in May and the cameras roll in June. It's perfect timing on all fronts - although some of the locations are pretty remote," he says. 

 
Catholic group urges adult rating for 'Da Vinci Code'
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 21 (IANS) Catholic group Opus Dei is urging that the as-yet-unreleased but already controversial movie "The Da Vinci Code" be given an adult rating because of fears that children will believe the film's lies about Jesus having fathered a child.

The film, directed by Ron Howard, stars Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou and is based on Dan Brown's book, contactmusic.com reported. 

The Opus Dei says that children should not be exposed to the film's "insidious lies" about Catholicism. 

Spokesperson Marc Carroggio says: "Any adult can distinguish reality from fiction. But you cannot expect a child to make proper judgements." 

But Carrogio promises that there will be no war waged at the movie since he believes it will result in indirect publicity for them. He says, "No one is going to make threats or organise boycotts."
 
Redford 'depressed' by news of remake
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 21 (IANS) The legend Robert Redford says he is "depressed" after hearing that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck might star in a remake of his classic film "Butch Cassidy and the Cassidy Kid".

There were reports that Damon and Affleck might make a remake, according to contactmusic.com. 

Redford says: "There is no shortage of good, original ideas and there's just no point to remakes. Why do they have to mess with things that were perfect the first time around."

But both the representatives for Damon and Affleck have denied that the actors will be acting in any such role. 

Affleck's rep says: "(There's) no truth at all," while Damon's rep Jennifer Allen adds, "I checked with their agent when this appeared in OK! last week. It is not true."

 
Bono to get German media prize
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 21 (IANS) Irish rock star Bono is to be awarded with the German Media Prize for his efforts to write off debt in the developing world.

The singer will be given the award at a ceremony in the city of Baden Baden soon, contactmusic.com reported. The prize will be given by the market research institute Media Control. 

The Media Control boss says: "Bono is a crusader in service for Africa who uses his fame and success to help the people on the continent. His efforts have become a life-task for him, he affects politicians and industry greats. He deserves the German Media Prize."
 
Redford praises DiCaprio, Diaz
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 21 (IANS) Activist-actor Robert Redford has praised young actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz for their charity efforts.

The legend is impressed by the efforts of the younger generation, who campaign for environmental concerns. But he fears that many young actors today simply use charities for cheap publicity stunts, according to contactmusic.com.

He says: "You've got Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz. There're a few actors out there that are working in smaller areas. But there is a tendency in Hollywood to be fickle about your commitments. Then it becomes a question: is this commitment coming from an ego, when the actor says, 'I want to be taken seriously, so I'm going to attach myself to a cause,' and it lasts for about a year?"
 
Anderson gets serious about chicken
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Jan 21 (IANS) Actress Pamela Anderson is leading a charge to get the bust of Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Col. Harland Sanders removed from the Kentucky state capitol.

Anderson called the likeness a "monument to cruelty" to chickens, pagesix.com reported. 

She wrote a letter detailing the abuses of chicken by KFC suppliers, a PETA statement said. She claims that workers in a slaughterhouse have been filmed tearing off the heads off live birds, spitting tobacco in their eyes, spray-painting their faces and slamming them on the ground.
 
Cruise gets 'South Park' episode censored
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 21 (IANS) Actor Tom Cruise has reportedly stopped a cartoon episode of "South Park" that makes fun of him from being aired in Britain.

The episode, which has Nicole Kidman and Cruise's friend and fellow Scientologist John Travolta trying to plead with a fictional Cruise to come out of the closet, caused controversy when broadcast in the US, contactmusic.com reported. 

The cartoon Kidman tells Cruise: "Don't you think this has gone on long enough? It's time for you to come out of the closet. You're not fooling anyone" - referring to allegations about Cruise's sexuality. 

A source says: "Tom is famously very litigious and will go to great lengths to protect his reputation. Tom was said not to like the episode and Paramount just didn't dare risk showing it again. It's a shame that UK audiences will never see it because it's very funny."
 
Parker missed out on Hatcher's role in 'Desperate Housewives'
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 21 (IANS) Actress Mary-Louise Parker says she has no regrets turning down the role played by Teri Hatcher in "Desperate Housewives" insisting that both actresses are perfect in their respective roles.

The show's creator Marc Cherry admits that he wrote the role with Parker in mind but she turned the role down which paved the way for Hatcher to play her and win a Golden Globe last year, according to contactmusic.com.

But this year Parker beat out Hatcher and her fellow "Housewives" nominees Marcia Cross, Felicity Huffman and Eva Longoria to win in the same category.

Parker says: "I am so flattered to hear him (Cherry) say that. At the time, I felt I could not serve the show as well as someone else could. And I was right. Teri is so great in that role and I could not imagine anyone else playing that part. We all ended up where we belong."
 
Tom Hanks named America's favourite movie star
DPA

Los Angeles, Jan 21 (DPA) Tom Hanks is America's favourite movie star for the second year in a row, according to a poll.

The survey of 1,001 adults cited Johnny Depp as second on the list while John Wayne, who died more than 25 years ago, and Harrison Ford were tied in third spot. Rounding out the top five was Julia Roberts, the poll released Friday by Garris Interactive says.

Clint Eastwood was in sixth place, while Mel Gibson was in seventh spot. George Clooney was eighth, followed by Sean Connery, with Sandra Bullock rounding out the top 10.
 
Indo-Asian News Service

 
Franco learnt acting at McDonalds
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 22 (IANS) The star of "Spider-Man", James Franco, says he learned acting when he was working at McDonalds.

Franco had dropped out of acting classes at the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), but soon realised that he could practice while handing out burgers, contactmusic.com reported.

He says: "My parents were paying for my expenses while I was going to UCLA but once I decided to leave, they wouldn't pay for me any more. I couldn't find a restaurant that would hire me as a waiter, (so) I worked (at McDonald's) for a couple of months, and I was kind of bored. 

"I worked at the drive-through and I tried out different accents - Italian, Russian, Irish - and just kind of worked on my acting. I guess that was obnoxious."

 
Redford nearly declined Kennedy honour
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 22 (IANS) Movie legend Robert Redford nearly declined an award by the Kennedy Center last month because he feared it would have him associated with US President George W. Bush.

Redford had to sit next to Bush during the New York ceremony but was careful to not be seen as a Bush supporter, according to contactmusic.com.

He says: "It's obviously a big honour, that cannot be denied. My initial confusion was whether it was in any way tied to government. Once I realised it was an honour above politics, I breathed easier."

The Kennedy Center Honor is given to artists for lifetime contribution to arts and American culture.
 
Damon to play 'The Untouchables' character
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 22 (IANS) Actor Matt Damon is set to recreate Kevin Costner's "The Untouchables" character, Elliot Ness, in toy-maker Todd McFarlane's new comic book adaptation. 

Producer McFarlane wants Damon to play Ness in the new movie "Torso", contactmusic.com reported. 

He says: "Matt's sort of young enough and he has that boyish charm that would work. I mean if you are sort of talking big, sort of well-known guys, (a guy like Leonardo DiCaprio)- young enough and flamboyant enough. It is a young man's role. We need to bring that to people's attention how young this guy was."

 
Cabbie to sue Hilton
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Jan 22 (IANS) Actress Paris Hilton has been accused by a taxi driver of losing control of her bladder in his cab.

The taxi driver, Harden Jamison, said the socialite was too drunk to notice what happened when he picked her and her boyfriend Stavros Niarchos after a party in Maui, Hawaii, according to pagesix.com. 

The driver says he had to mop up the mess with a towel and plans to use Hilton's DNA as evidence against her in court.
 
Haitians told not to kidnap Jolie, Pitt
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 22 (IANS) Rapper Wyclef Jean sent out a secret message to his fellow Haitians before his friends Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt visited the country, urging them not to kidnap the movie stars.

According to contactmusic.com, Jean was convinced that thugs would try to kidnap the couple since abductions are common in the Caribbean nation. 

Jean contacted gang leaders on Haiti and pleaded with them not to try anything rash. Jolie and Pitt visited the island last week with Jean on behalf of his charity, Yele Haiti foundation. 
 
Hilton snubs Playboy offer
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 22 (IANS) Actress Paris Hilton has refused to pose naked for Playboy magazine.

Hilton insists that Playboy owner Hugh Hefner has been keen to feature her in the magazine but she declined, according to contactmusic.com. 

She says: "They've asked me a million times. He has been after me since I was 17, and I was offered a lot of money. I will never do it. Why? Because I am Paris Hilton."
 
Don't make me poster boy: Joel
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 22 (IANS) Singer Billy Joel is happy he won the battle to overcome alcoholism after a stay in a rehabilitation centre but he is refusing to be an anti-alcohol role model.

According to contactmusic.com, Joel is fed up of being seen as a moral adviser and is instead keen to maintain his 'rock 'n' roll persona. 

He says: "There was a time in my life when I was drinking too much, and so I have stopped. 

"Don't make me the poster boy for AA (anti-alcohol). I don't really know about total sobriety - I know a hell of a lot about drinking. I am in rock 'n' roll. Going to rehab for people like me is like getting your teeth cleaned."

 
McCartney forced to choose between weed and wife
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 23 (IANS) Heather Mills McCartney agreed to marry Sir Paul McCartney only after he gave up his marijuana habit.

According to contactmusic.com, McCartney used to smoke cannabis almost every day since he first enjoyed it with Bob Dylan in the mid-60s. But Mills McCartney was determined to create a drug-free family. 

She says: "Him and his first wife Linda smoked it every day for the whole of their lives together. But I would not get married to him if he was taking drugs. I hate it. I could not have him lying to our child about not taking drugs and then going for a sneaky puff."

 
O'Donnell calmed down by Malcolm X's daughter
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 23 (IANS) Comedienne Rosie O'Donnell had to be calmed down by Malcolm X's daughter Atallah Shabazz after her gay cruise was met by anti-gay protestors.

Contactmusic.com reports that O'Donnell and her partner Kelli Carpenter O'Donnell sponsored a Caribbean cruise for gay and lesbian families last year, which was also filmed for an HBO documentary. O'Donnell confesses she wanted to lash out when the cruise was met by two anti-gay church groups in the Bahamas. 

She says: "Malcolm X's daughter Atallah Shabazz was on the cruise, and she knows me well enough that in the face of such adversity my response is usually to punch back, so she offered to represent us and that calmed me down. 

"Kelli said, 'All they want is a sound bite of you screaming and then they get international attention. That doesn't help anyone.' It was hard to explain to my kids, (the protesters) don't want us to go on vacation they don't want us to be a family. They don't want gay people to be at all."
 
I have told Scarlett to dress her age: Allen
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Jan 23 (IANS) Director Woody Allen says his "Match Point" star Scarlett Johansson should dress her age.

According to pagesix.com, when Allen was asked what he thought of her style he said: "I have had many conversations with Scarlett on this subject. The main thing I tell her is to simplify. I think that she dresses older than she should. I would tell her to wear her hair looser, to lessen the makeup and heavy red lipstick. Be more natural. It is a starlet thing. 

"She is a beautiful girl, but I have told her to tone it down. I have told her to dress her age, instead of dressing like my Aunt Minnie."
 
Simultaneous theatre, DVD release for 'Bubble'
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 23 (IANS) Filmmaker Steven Soderbergh's new movie "Bubble" is set to break new ground when it will be released on DVD and theatres on the same day.

According to contactmusic.com, Soderbergh wants to allow fans a chance to choose how they want to watch the film. Producer Todd Wagner says: "We are releasing something across different platforms so that consumers can decide how they want to consume it. It is really that simple."
 
'Friends' returns to TV
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Jan 23 (IANS) Hit television show "Friends" is returning to TV after each of its six stars have agreed to star in four one-hour specials.

According to hollywood.com, actors Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Matthew Perry have agreed to a $5 million apiece deal with NBC. The writers have already started working on the script, which will go on air next year. Aniston was the last to agree to the deal.

An insider says: "She is the one who had been holding out. But she is now agreed to reprise Rachel (Green). Bringing them back is a dream come true. Ratings will go through the roof."
 
Redford unhappy with lifetime achievement Oscar
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Jan 23 (IANS) Movie legend Robert Redford is not happy with the Lifetime Achievement Award he received at the 2002 Academy Awards because he is not ready to give up his acting career yet.

According to contactmusic.com, Redford admits he felt the award was Hollywood's way of telling him to retire gracefully. 

He says: "Yeah, it is like you suddenly feel like you are being bronzed. I don't feel ready for that yet, myself. I have got some nice projects ahead. In no way do I feel in the mood to retire. Sometimes when you get a lot of awards, you begin to feel like, 'Why don't you wait a little bit'?"