November 2009 Archives

Thandie Newton "forgot" to act in her new movie.

The '2012' actress - who plays the US president's daughter in the big-budget blockbuster - was mainly kept out of the action adventures in the disaster epic, but became overwhelmed during the frantic scenes she was involved in.

She said: "The only really big action scenes I was involved in were two water sequences - one where I'm in a corridor and this huge tidal wave comes bursting down towards us. It was amazing but I forgot to act because gallons of water were rushing down from floor to ceiling towards me.

Robert Pattinson says 'Twilight' is like a "virus".

The actor - who plays vampire Edward Cullen in the movie franchise - is amazed at the response he's had from fans around the world to the latest instalment, 'New Moon'.

He said: "We went to Japan earlier on in the year. There wasn't that much of a reaction - but last week when we went again, it suddenly exploded, the same as in England.

"I don't know how, it just explodes so quickly. It takes seven months to take hold - it's like a virus."

Sam Raimi has reportedly been auditioning female actresses to play The Black Cat in 'Spider Man 4'.

The director has met with actresses Rachel McAdams and Romala Garai, but is still casting the femme fatale role for the female character, who is expected to become a new love interest for Spider Man.

A source told website HeyUGuys.co.uk: "There are a number of actresses currently being considered for the role, but this at least confirms that Hardy is going to be in the film."

Dwight Schultz is making a cameo appearance in the new 'A-Team' movie.

The actor - who starred as 'Howlin' Mad' Murdoch in the original cult 1980s TV series - has been filming scenes for the big-screen remake and has heaped praise on his successor, Sharito Copley, for his portrayal of the character.

A statement on Dwight's official website said: "We are pleased to inform you all that Dwight has actually already been working in Vancouver, where he has played a cameo role in 'The A-Team  movie.

John Travolta and Tom Cruise are keen to remake 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'.

The 'Pulp Fiction' actor has been talking to Tom Cruise about the possibility of re-shooting the classic cowboy adventure, which contributed to establishing Paul Newman and Robert Redford as classic Hollywood actors in the titular roles.

John said: "Someone came up with a good idea - it was a remake of 'Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid' - and there was a rumor that we were gonna do that, and I said to Tom, 'It's not a terrible rumor, it's not a bad idea.'"

Adam Mast reviews this Halloween's box-office sensation.

Does the thrifty new ghost story Paranormal Activity really live up the hype? Is it one of the scariest movies ever made? In my humble opinion, the answer to both questions is no but this is still an extremely entertaining film and well worth seeing, especially if you have the opportunity to experience it with a big crowd. Paranormal Activity sort of plays like Poltergeist by way of Blair Witch.

The 'Christmas Carol' star appeared on US chat show 'Chelsea Lately' stating he wanted to cut some celebrities down to size, branding them "spoiled brats".

When host Chelsea Handler suggested he start with Tom Cruise, Jim replied: "Oh, set before me a meal - oh my God! A Christmas feast!"

He sarcastically added: "Tom Cruise - let me see - one of the hardest working people I've ever seen and, like, a total gentleman and *******. What a jerk!"

The 'Braveheart' star's 5ft 9in frame was deemed unsuitable to make a convincing portrayal of the iconic British spy - who is currently played by Daniel Craig - while producer Albert R 'Cubby' Broccoli was also concerned that he was too famous for the role.

Scriptwriter Tom Mankiewicz -  who wrote James Bond favourites 'The Man With The Golden Gun' and 'Live And Let Die' - said: "At one point Mel Gibson wanted to play Bond. And Cubby was against it. Cubby first of all had a thing about tall people.

"Bond had to be tall. And so Mel Gibson was too short. But he was a big star.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are reportedly just "friends with benefits".

The 'SexyBack' singer - who is rumoured to have split from the stunning actress in September after two-and-a-half years together - has decided he still wants Jessica involved in his life so makes sure they meet regularly.

A source said: "Justin was very clear with Jessica that he didn't want to be in a serious relationship with her anymore where he wasn't able to date other people. Jessica took the news very hard, but once she calmed down and they started talking again, he convinced her to stay friends who hook up, without all the pressure of a relationship."

Eminem is set to return to the big screen with upcoming horror 'Shady Talez'.

The rapper-turned-actor - who previously starred in biopic '8 Mile' as himself - is preparing to star in the 3D anthology film, his first major movie role since 2002.

The movie is bound to be challenging work for the star, as he will play a different role in each of the three parts of the film.

Speaking of Eminem's acting prowess, music video director Joseph Hahn, who has made clips for the star's tracks 'We Made You' and 'Without Me' said: "Having worked with him so many times, the thing people don't realise is that he's a fantastic actor.

The '2012' star said he thinks people bond over films where the world nearly ends because them realise that everybody is  fundamentally the same.

He said: "Stories about the apocalypse imagine a time when there's a kind of an event that makes everything equal and all people equal and wipes out all of the divisions between people - and the illusions of all those divisions.

The 19-year-old actress - who plays Bella Swann in the vampire saga - said she found it hard to deal with the disappearance of Robert's character Edward Cullen for a large chunk of the filming.

She said: "For Bella in this film, Edward leaving her is like physical withdrawal. She is an addict when it comes to this boy.

The trade reprts that the supernatural thriller drew heat for a subplot involving incest.

Richard Kelly's new thriller is set in the 70s because people had more anonymity then.

The director's latest film 'The Box' stars Cameron Diaz and James Marsden as a struggling couple who are delivered a box by a mysterious man called Arlington Steward (Frank Langella).

He offers them a deal - if they open the box and push the button inside, they will get $1 million in cash. However, pushing the button will kill one person in the world - somebody they don't know.

Jason Schwartzman couldn't take his eyes off George Clooney while filming 'Fantastic Mr Fox'.

The 'Rushmore' actor said working with George Clooney on animated film 'Fantastic Mr Fox' was a bizarre and amazing experience.

Jason explained: "Typically when you're working with someone it's not kosher to just kind of gaze at them because you're usually on camera as well. But when we were sitting around a table with just a recorder, it was really nice for me to be able to look at George.

After his right forearm got pinned for nearly five days under a boulder during a climb in Utah in May, 2003, Ralston used a dull knife to amputate the limb. He then scaled a 65-foot sheer wall and hiked out before running into a family that gave him water and food. He was finally rescued by helicopter.

Natalie Portman has branded her lesbian sex scene "extreme".

The 28-year-old actress - who has previously admitted she would consider embarking on a same-sex romance - insists there is nothing sexually compelling about the romp with Mila Kunis in new movie 'Black Swan'.

She said: "It's not raunchy - it's extreme".

The former child star - whose first big-screen role was in 'Leon' aged 13 - previously refused to strip-off the camera because she hadn't worked out her own sexual preferences.

Sean Penn's son will not face charges after being arrested.

Hopper - the Oscar-winning actor's 16-year-old son with estranged wife Robin Wright Penn - was taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department last week after officers visited his high school in Malibu and found drugs on him.

But it has now been reported the drugs were prescription medication in his name and no charges have been warranted.

Meanwhile, Robin - who filed for divorce from Sean in August - has revealed she moved her family away from Hollywood because she wanted her children to have a relatively normal upbringing.

Sandra Bullock thinks baring her bottom made her last film a hit.

'The Proposal' star said she is glad she stripped off for the romantic comedy - in which she starred opposite Ryan Reynolds - because the nude scenes were what helped make it a success.

Speaking about why the movie did well at the box office, Sandra, 45, said: "We had all the right people, the right elements in the right place. But to be honest I think nudity had a great deal to do with it. People liked it."

Hugh Grant said most of his films leave him feeling "suicidal".

The 'Love Actually' actor told how when he has saw the first cuts of a number of his films - which include the hugely successful 'Bridget Jones's Diary' and 'Notting Hill'- he felt so bad about his performances he wanted to die.

He said: "Normally, when I see the first cut I'm suicidal. I want to go to that euthanasia clinic in Switzerland, Dignitas, and have myself put down."

Jim Carrey wouldn't want to travel through time.

The Hollywood funnyman - who was in London's Leicester Square last night (04.11.09) for the world premiere of his latest film Disney's 'A Christmas Carol', based on the Charles Dickens story - has revealed he wouldn't want to revisit his past or see into the future even if he had the chance.

He said: "There are some important physicists who now are telling us that all time is happening only once. So I think now is a good time."

Michael Caine hopes he performance in 'Harry Brown' is worthy of a Best Actor Oscar.

The veteran British actor - who has twice won Oscars for Best  Supporting Actor, in 1986 and 1989 - said he gave his absolute best performance in the film, and said if it's not worth an Oscar, he'll never top it.

He said: "There was one very difficult scene when the police tell me my friend has died. I'm completely straight-faced, then the moment they leave I burst into tears.

50 Cent only signed up for 'Dead Man Running' because of Brenda Blethyn.

The 'Crimewave' rapper said he was assured of the quality of the film when he found out the 63-year-old 'Atonement' actress would be cast alongside him in the British gangster film.

He said: "I only go for films which have a certain level of artistic integrity and I knew I would be safe in Brenda's company."

Owen Wilson is set to play the voice of a dog in canine comedy 'Marmaduke'.

The star whose recent dog-themed movie 'Marley and Me', in which he starred in alongside Jennifer Aniston, grossed $240 million dollars at the box office - is going one step further with his next film, and playing the dog.

The movie, based on a popular comic strip, will follow Marmaduke's owners as they relocate to Florida with their Great Dane.

Hilary Swank says learning to fly is like reading a book.

The actress took piloting lessons to prepare for her role as famous aviator Amelia Earhart in upcoming movie 'Amelia', and says the experience of trying a new skill transported her back to childhood.

Hilary said: "Putting my hands on the wheel for the first time was a rush. After a certain age, there's not many firsts you experience in your life, so learning to fly reminded me of the childlike feeling of exhilaration when you first ride a bike or read a book."

Given that a follow-up release wouldn't have the same element of surprise as "Paranormal," it will be key to craft a smart approach to a sequel, he said. "Our team will come up with the right creative and marketing approach to make sure that we benefit from a sequel," Dauman said.

Mel Gibson has named his new child.

The 'What Women Want' star - whose girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva gave birth on Friday (30.10.09) - has announced the couple plan to call the infant Lucia.

A representative for Mel confirmed: "Oksana Grigorieva and Mel Gibson welcomed the arrival of a baby girl named Lucia on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at an undisclosed hospital in Los Angeles."

Mel, 53, took a break from filming 'The Beaver' while Oksana was in hospital and was given a rapturous welcome when he returned to the set on Monday (02.11.09).

The rights to the 'Terminator' film franchise are being auctioned off.

Producers Derek Anderson and Victor Kubicek are selling off the rights to make further films in the science fiction series, which has so far spawned four movies, including this year's 'Terminator Salvation'.

The pair are reportedly auctioning the rights after companies they own have become bankrupt.

The pair's Halcyon Holding Group bough the 'Terminator' rights for $25 million in 2007.

Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' film has had its cinema run extended.

The footage from the 'Thriller' star's rehearsals for his doomed comeback shows has proved a box office hit, making more than $101 million worldwide since it opened in cinemas on October 28.

This has prompted Sony pictures to extend its cinema run from an initial two weeks by another three weeks in the US and between one and three weeks in other countries.

Of the decision, Sony Pictures spokesperson Rory Bruer said: "He's just loved everywhere on the planet."

Kate Hudson found it hard to give up alcohol.

The blonde actress had to lose 20lbs to play a terminally ill woman in new movie 'Earthbound' and says the only way to do it was by cutting out drinking, even though it's something she enjoys.

She said: "I love my glass of wine. I love tequila. To be in New York for two weeks and not have one beverage, I'm not sure I've ever done that!"

Lindsay Lohan was threatened by a gunman on holiday at the weekend.

The 'Mean Girls' actress was left shaken following the terrifying encounter during a break to Morocco - only to discover the weapon being brandished was fake.

She revealed on her Twitter page: "Umm-OMFG! I was walking ahead with the security guard and some guy was following me, then pulled up in his car and pointed a GUN at me!

"I was on the phone w/my mum and i screamed and ducked and the guy started laughing and pushed the trigger and it was a fake gun..I was crying..he scared me. (sic)"

Drew Barrymore learnt everything she knows from Steven Spielberg.

The actress was just five years old when she starred in the iconic director's 1982 hit 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial', and the pair have been firm friends ever since.

The 34-year-old star said: "I've spent my whole life working with more than 60 directors, so I've picked up all kinds of tips. Steven Spielberg has been a big help.

"He gave me great notes. He's a wonderful mentor."

Ang Lee's children encouraged him to take drugs.

The 'Sense and Sensibility' director - who says he has tried cannabis - said his two sons told him he "must try" hallucinogenic mushrooms while researching his sixties music film 'Taking Woodstock'.

Lee said: "I was tempted to do it, but I couldn't take it. One smoke of pot and I fall asleep. I don't get much out of it. But that's beside the point. My kids were saying, 'Daddy, you have to try!'"

Stephen Soderbergh has compared Matt Damon to screen legend Jack Lemmon.

The movie director - who has worked with the Hollywood actor on 'The Informant!' and  the 'Oceans' 11' film franchise - has praised Matt for his acting ability and admits he is delighted to see him portray such a variety of characters.

He said: " 'The Informant!' seemed like a Billy Wilder Movie in a way, with Matt as Jack Lemmon.

Michael Caine "nearly got a hernia" from smoking Marijuana.

The 'Harry Brown' actor said he was never a fan of drugs, and the only  time he ever smoked cannabis it had a devastating effect on him.

He said: "Marijuana seemed like the most innocent of drugs, but I read it affects your memory.

"I thought, 'I can't do it because I'll forget my lines.' Then one day  I did smoke a marijuana cigarette and I started to laugh and I laughed for five hours.