Brody sues film-makers for $2m

Oscar-winning actorAdrien Brodyhas sued the makers of a thriller for more than $2m (£1.3m), claiming he has not been fully paid for the project.

Brody, 37, says he is owed $640,000 (£407,000) for Turin-set film Giallo and that it was released on DVD in the US on Tuesday without his permission.

A judge in Los Angeles said Brody could seek an injunction against the sale.

Brody says Hannibal Pictures, the makers of the film, lied to him about the financing and that his contract gives him the right to block the film's release in U.S. until he is paid his salary plus additional damages.

Coincidentally, the film's director, Dario Argento, has distanced himself from the movie, saying the producers' cut is a far cry from his original vision.

Brody, who won the best actor Oscar in 2003 for The Pianist, sued the film's makers in federal court on Thursday but a last-minute petition to stop the DVD release was denied.

He can still seek an injunction but must first inform the film-makers of his intentions, the judge said.

The actor says Giallo's producers lied to him about financing, grossly over-exaggerating the value of the movie's Italian distribution rights.

Brody contend that the terms of his contract allow him to withhold his likeness from the film until he is paid, but that producers have ignored his demands.

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Quaid and wife issued with arrest warrant

An arrest warrant has been issued for actor Randy Quaid and his wife Evi after they failed to show up at a court for squatting at a California home.

Police arrested the couple last month, who claimed the Santa Barbara property still belonged to them.

It is also alleged The Quaids caused more than $5,000 (£3,158) in damage.

A Santa Barbara official said the couple may turn themselves in sooner, but their case will be called again on 26 October.

Randy and Evi Quaid each face tresspass and vandalism charges.

After the couple's arrest, the property's owners produced documents showing they had purchased the house in 2007 from a man who had bought it from the Quaids several years before.

The pair frequently missed court appearances in an earlier case involving charges they defrauded an innkeeper.

That case was resolved in April after Mrs Quaid pleaded no contest and was put on probation for three years. The charges against her husband were dropped.

Randy Quaid, 60, best-known for supporting roles in films such as Independence Day and National Lampoon's Vacation, is the older brother of fellow actor Dennis Quaid.

Their lawyer was not immediately available for comment.

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Hobbit to begin filming next year

Filming on The Hobbit is set to begin in February after it was finally given the go-ahead by film studio bosses.

Warner Bros also announced thatPeter Jackson, who directed the Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy, would helm the two-part prequel.

The films, based on JRR Tolkien's book, had been delayed for months due to MGM Studios' - which owns half the project - ongoing financial woes.

No release dates for the movies have been given.

According to industry paper Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros and MGM reached a deal allowing MGM to cover its half of the production, estimated to cost a total of $500m (£313m).

Jackson, who co-wrote the screenplays and is also producing the films, originally hired Mexican-born Guillermo Del Toro to direct, but he pulled out in June citing almost two years of delays.

Last month, the project was threatened further after Jackson warned production could cease or be moved from its location in New Zealand over a pay wrangle with acting unions.

The two movies will be shot back to back using digital 3D cameras.

In a statement, Jackson said:"Exploring Tolkien's Middle-earth goes way beyond a normal film-making experience."

"It's an all-immersive journey into a very special place of imagination, beauty and drama. We're looking forward to re-entering this wondrous world with Gandalf and Bilbo."

The Lord of the Rings trilogy grossed nearly $3bn (£1.88bn) at box offices worldwide and in 2003 the final chapter, Return of the King, dominated the Oscars, winning in all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including best film.

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Robert Downey Jr's 'lifetime' drugs struggle

'Sherlock Holmes' actor Robert Downey Jr admits the six years he has spent drug-free feel like a ''lifetime'', but that he can't pretend it didn't happen

The Hollywood legend - who has previously claimed to have not touched drugs since July 2003 - admits his battle with illegal substances and alcohol have been a struggle, but he is unable to pretend it didn't happen.

He told America's Playboy magazine:"Not having done drugs for literally five or six years is a lifetime. I think of myself as someone who has no desire, use for or conscious memory of that life. And yet I don't shut the door on it, and I don't pretend it didn't happen."

Robert has spoken candidly about his past addictions, claiming he was a"messed-up kid ... lost, lost in narcotics", who has been fortunate to get through it unscathed.

He explained:"Looking back, I think, 'Oh my God, I could have been done. I could have been so fried and so bad off and, oh my God, such a cautionary tale.' And I still could be."

However, the 45-year-old star - who married movie producer Susan Downey in 2005 - believes that learning to be respectful has helped him combat his demons.

He said:"It's about respect. It's not even about self-respect; it's about respect for life and all it offers."

Robert now believes his years of sobriety - which have seen him appear in movies including 'Iron Man', 'Tropic Thunder' and 'Sherlock Holmes' - have been the best of his life.

He added:"My age and my recent set of experiences ... Have left me feeling I'm in the zone. This is just the sweet spot of my career and my life so far, and strangely, they've come at the same time."

Robert was arrested and attended rehab several times between 1996 and 2001 over his drug problems.

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Rhys Ifans to play Spider-Man villain

ActorRhys Ifanshas been cast to play the villain in the new Spider-Man film, it has been announced.

Columbia Pictures' Matt Tolmach refused to reveal exactly which character he would play but added"he's the perfect choice to take on this role".

The film, to be shot in 3D, will focus on the formative years of Peter Parker and is set to be released in 2012.

Ifans' breakthrough role came in the 1999 film Notting Hill, where he played Hugh Grant's lazy lodger.

Ifans, currently starring as drug smuggler Howard Marks in Mr Nice, joins a cast that also includes Zombieland'sEmma Stone. Stone will play Gwen Stacy, the love interest for Spider-Man's alter ego, Peter Parker. The new film takes Spidey back to his high school days, and does not focus on his usual girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson. It may be that producers plump for an equally leftfield villain. Studio Sony has not revealed which character Ifans will play. The webslinger's most famous enemies include the Green Goblin, the Lizard, Venom, the Vulture and Doc Oc. Of the above, all but the Lizard and the Vulture featured in the previous trilogy of films directed by Sam Raimi.

Sony's Matt Tolmach said:"We have been very fortunate to attract some of the best actors working today to play the villains in the Spider-Man movies, and it is exciting to see that trend continue with Rhys Ifans. After seeing his performance in our upcoming film Anonymous, we're in awe of his talent and think he's the perfect choice to take on this role."

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Courteney Cox and David Arquette Separate

Courteney CoxandDavid Arquetteannounced Monday they have been separated for some time but said they remain committed parents and"best friends."

The actors released a joint statement announcing what they are calling a trial separation.

Now the Hollywood pair, who are parents to 6-year-old daughter Coco, have"agreed to a trial separation that dates back for some time,"they say in a statement.

"The reason for this separation is to better understand ourselves and the qualities we need in a partner and for our marriage,"they say."We remain best friends and responsible parents to our daughter and we still love each other deeply. As we go though this process we are determined to use kindness and understanding to get through this together."

They add:"We are comfortable with the boundaries that we have established for each other during this separation and we hope that our friends, family, fans and the media also show us respect, dignity, understanding and love at this time as well."

Cox, 46, and Arquette, 39, met in 1996 while filming Scream and were married three years later in San Francisco. Their daughter was born in 2004.

Just last summer In Style magazine reported that Cox showed up for an interview without her wedding ring and candidly said,"We've done couples therapy in the past."

"We're not lazy about our marriage,"Cox said in the August issue."We have the same arguments we've had for years."

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Brand 'To Avoid Charges Over Airport Scuffle'

British funnyman Russell Brand is set to avoid charges over his recent arrest in Los Angeles.

The comic was detained by police at Los Angeles International Airport last month following an alleged clash with a photographer. He was charged with battery and released on£13,330 bail.

Brand insisted he was defending fiancee Katy Perry from an over-zealous snapper but American immigration officials revealed they were investigating the situation and could revoke his visa over the incident.

But the Get Him To The Greek star looks likely to avoid charges if he attends a court hearing along with the paparazzo on 19 November, to receive a reprimand from a judge.

L.A. City Attorney's Office spokesman Frank Mateljan tells E! News,"This is the only action as of now. Based on the info (information), it has been determined that this is the most appropriate action at this time."

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Official 'Transformers 3' title leaks?

The official title of the next Transformers movie is Transformers 3: The Dark of the Moon, according to fansite Sibertron.

Collider reports that sources close to the production on the Michael Bay-directed action sequel have confirmed the name.

It was revealed today because Amazon put up a listing so people could pre-order the movie tie-in books. The information was first posted in a Transformers forum, and then got picked up by a few news sites before Frosty over at Collider verified the title with a source on the film.

I'm sure the title plays directly into the storyline of this third film in the series, which Michael Bay has stated repeatedly is the end of a trilogy. If that's true, then that would indicate he's got plans that wrap up the admittedly loose continuity of the first two films. It also suggests a stronger narrative focus this time out, because there's basically nothing in the second film that indicates that they're building on the first film or expanding any ideas or story themes. Or, to be honest, that they even understand what story themes are. What is obviously their goal with these films is building giant set pieces and showcasing as many robots as possible while Shia LaBeouf and an interchangeable hottie run around. Which is fine... it's worked out well enough for them so far.

I liked the first film and didn't like the second one, so I'm happy to wait and see if this is going to end Bay's run with the property well or not. I do know that when Devin Faraci published a spoiler about the film's cold opening, I thought it was a cool idea, and it seems like a perfect fit considering today's reveal:

"There's a disturbance on the Moon. A robot shaped disturbance. Scientists on Earth see this and the information gets passed up the chain of command. In the White House, men in black suits are breathlessly running through the halls and burst into the Oval Office. The President is behind the desk, back turned to the door, looking out the window. One of the men tells the President, 'Sir, something's happened on the Moon!' The President turns around...

... and it's John F. Kennedy."

Evidently, the Transformers were a big part of the space race in the history of these films, and the new film has something to do with whatever it was that happened on the Moon in the early '60s. The cast includes new and old faces like LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, Alan Tudyk, Ken Jeong, Patrick Dempsey, and John Malkovich.

Also, I have no idea who or what a Shockwave is, but if you're a Transformers fan and that name means something to you, he's the bad guy this time. I assume this is good news.

Franchise veteransShia LaBeouf,Josh DuhamelandTyrese Gibsonare starring in the movie along with newcomersRosie Huntington-Whiteley,Alan TudykandJohn Malkovich.

The film is expected to hit US cinemas on July 1, 2011.

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Emma Stone to play Gwen Stacy in 'Spider-Man'

Sony Pictures announced thatEmma Stonewill star alongside Andrew Garfield in Marc Webb's reboot of"Spider-Man."Stone, who is currently appearing in the comedy hit"Easy A,"will play play Gwen Stacy, one of Peter Parker's main love interests in the classic Marvel comic book.

Stone had been rumoured for the part of Mary Jane Watson, but Sony Pictures have revealed that the 21-year-old will instead play Peter Parker's college girlfriend Gwen Stacy.

In a statement, director Marc Webb said that Stone's"stunning"chemistry with Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield made her the clear choice.

"At the heart of the story of Peter Parker is not only the amazing Spider-Man, but also an ordinary teenager who is wondering what he has to do to get the girl,"Webb said."Andrew and Emma will bring everything audiences expect to these roles, but also make them their own."

Most fans first think of redheaded Mary Jane Watson as Peter Parker's love interest. Kirsten Dunst, in fact, died her hair red to play the role in Sam Raimi's first three"Spider-Man"films. However, in"Spider-Man"comic book lore, Stacy was known as Parker's"first love"and was killed early on in the series by the Green Goblin. It's unclear whether this means the Goblin will be the main villain in the new feature. Stacy, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, was previously featured in a secondary storyline in"Spider-Man 3."

Stone is best known for her roles in"Superbad"and"The House Bunny."The 21-year-old has a busy 2011 ahead of her as she's appearing"Crazy, Stupid, Love"alongside Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling and in"The Help."She also has a small role in the comedy"Friends with Benefits"and will voice a role in DreamWorks Animation’s comedy"The Croods."

Production on the new"Spider-Man,"also known as"Spider-Man 4,"is expected to begin early next year for a July 3, 2012 release.

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George Clooney recovering from malaria

George Clooneycontracted malaria during a trip to Sudan earlier this month, but is now fully cured, a spokesman has revealed.

The 49-year-old is a frequent visitor to the African country to help raise awareness about the Darfur conflict

The Oscar winner has become a leading advocate for refugees desperate to see an end to decades of civil war in the African nation and he has become a regular visitor, shooting awareness films in the hope of prompting US politicians to support his efforts to bring warlords to justice.

In a new TV interview with CNN host Piers Morgan, Clooney reveals his most recent trip to Africa was his toughest yet. He was working on an initiative with Google and the United Nations, which involved the installation of satellite cameras to capture any uprising following Sudan's independence vote, when he fell seriously ill with the mosquito-borne disease.

He says,"I guess the mosquito in Juba looked at me and thought I was the bar."

Clooney told Morgan it was the second time he had contracted malaria, and joked he thinks Sudan's President Bashir was behind both cases.

He said his own experience shows how the right medication can turn"the most lethal condition"into"a bad 10 days instead of a death sentence".

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Anne Hathaway lands Catwoman role

ActressAnne Hathawaywill play Selina Kyle and her alter-ego Catwoman in Christopher Nolan's third Batman film

It was reported last week that the forthcoming movie was screen testing a number of actresses for two lead parts.Keira KnightleyandJessica Bielwere also apparently in the running.

DirectorChristopher Nolansaid:"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Anne Hathaway, who will be a fantastic addition to our ensemble as we complete our story."

Studio Warner Bros further confirmed that Inception actor Tom Hardy will play Bane in Nolan's next Batman movie.

The helmer added of Hardy:"I am delighted to be working with Tom again and excited to watch him bring to life our new interpretation of one of Batman’s most formidable enemies."

The Dark Knight Rises is scheduled to arrive in US cinemas on July 20, 2012.

Michelle Pfeifferplayed Catwoman in 1992's Batman Returns.Halle Berryportrayed the role in the 2004 film Catwoman.

Hathaway, Oscar-nominated in 2009 for Rachel Getting Married, will return to the Academy Awards on 27 February to co-host with James Franco.

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Natalie Portman 'consumed by Black Swan'

Natalie Portmanhas revealed that she was unable to switch off from her character inBlack Swan (2010)because she constantly had training to do.

The actress admitted that her role of ballerina Nina was"challenging"because of her heavy conditioning schedule.

Portman, who won the Golden Globe for 'Best Actress', told Bang Showbiz:"I like to shut off the character as soon as I'd finished, whether that's finishing a take or going home for the day. It was really difficult because I had so much training outside of work to do. When work was done then I had to go to the gym, and then I had to get up at 5am and work out before. There wasn't really any time to just relax and be myself."

The 29-year-old also said that it was difficult acting while physically pushing herself in the part.

She laughed:"Balancing the physical with the emotional because sometimes just to do a certain move you need so much concentration, my mouth would be hanging open and I'd have a concentration face, it'd be all furrowed."

"Half the time they were just trying to get me to not have my tongue sticking out. And then to add on to that I have to be acting!"

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Kidman, Urban welcome surrogate child

Nicole Kidmanand Keith Urban have become parents for the second time.

TMZ reports that the couple, who are already parents to 2-year-old Sunday Rose, welcomed a daughter via a surrogate last week.

"Our family is truly blessed, and just so thankful, to have been given the gift of baby Faith Margaret,"the family said in a statement.

"No words can adequately convey the incredible gratitude that we feel for everyone who was so supportive throughout this process, in particular our gestational carrier."

The baby is thought to have been born at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, where the pair secretly visited the baby and birth mother.

According to reports, Faith is now at home with Kidman and Urban.

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Golden Globes 2011 - Movie Winners

The Social Network has triumphed in the movie categories at this year's Golden Globe Awards.

In the drama fields, the Jesse Eisenberg-starring picture walked away with the evening's top prize 'Best Film', while its director David Fincher and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin were honoured in their respective areas.

Colin Firth won 'Best Actor' for his portrayal of the stammering King George VI in The King's Speech, and Natalie Portman was awarded 'Best Actress' for her role as the ambitious ballerina Nina Sayers in Black Swan.

The Fighter duo Christian Bale and Melissa Leo went home with 'Best Supporting Actor' and 'Actress' respectively, while Toy Story 3 claimed 'Best Animated Feature Film'.

In the 'Musical or Comedy' categories, The Kids Are All Right won 'Best Film' and its star Annette Bening picked up 'Best Actress' for her role as Nic, one half of a same-sex couple who frets over the arrival of her children's biological father.

Best Film (Drama)

Black Swan

The Fighter

Inception

The King's Speech

The Social Network -WINNER!

Best Actor (Drama)

Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)

Colin Firth (The King's Speech) -WINNER!

James Franco (127 Hours)

Ryan Gosling (Blue Valentine)

Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter)

Best Actress (Drama)

Halle Berry (Frankie&Alice)

Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)

Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone)

Natalie Portman (Black Swan) -WINNER!

Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)

Best Film (Musical or Comedy)

Alice In Wonderland

Burlesque

RED

The Kids Are All Right -WINNER!

The Tourist

Best Actor (Musical or Comedy)

Johnny Depp (Alice In Wonderland)

Johnny Depp (The Tourist)

Paul Giamatti (Barney's Version) -WINNER!

Jake Gyllenhaal (Love&Other Drugs)

Kevin Spacey (Casino Jack)

Best Actress (Musical or Comedy)

Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right) -WINNER!

Anne Hathaway (Love&Other Drugs)

Angelina Jolie (The Tourist)

Julianne Moore (The Kids Are All Right)

Emma Stone (Easy A)

Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale (The Fighter) -WINNER!

Michael Douglas (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps)

Andrew Garfield (The Social Network)

Jeremy Renner (The Town)

Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech)

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams (The Fighter)

Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech)

Mila Kunis (Black Swan)

Melissa Leo (The Fighter) -WINNER!

Jackie Weaver (Animal Kingdom)

Best Director

Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan)

David Fincher (The Social Network) -WINNER!

Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)

Christopher Nolan (Inception)

David O. Russell (The Fighter)

Best Screenplay

Danny Boyle&Simon Beaufoy (127 Hours)

Lisa Cholodenko&Stuart Blumberg (The Kids Are All Right)

Christopher Nolan (Inception)

David Seidler (The King's Speech)

Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network) -WINNER!

Best Animated Feature Film

Despicable Me

How To Train Your Dragon

The Illusionist

Tangled

Toy Story 3 -WINNER!

Best Foreign Language Film

Biutiful

The Concert

The Edge

I Am Love

In A Better World -WINNER!

Best Original Score

Alexandre Desplat (The King's Speech)

Danny Elfman (Alice In Wonderland)

A.R. Rahman (127 Hours)

Trent Reznor&Atticus Ross (The Social Network) -WINNER!

Hans Zimmer (Inception)

Best Original Song

'Bound To You' (Burlesque)

'You Haven't Seen The Last Of Me' (Burlesque) -WINNER!

'Coming Home' (Country Strong)

'I See The Light' (Tangled)

'There's a Place for Us' (The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader)

Cecil B. DeMille Award

Robert De Niro

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Hobbit Workshop Set Destroyed by Fire

The Hobbit prequel has been plagued by financial set-backs, the threat of a union strike, and now a fire has engulfed one of the workshop sets that would have been utilized in making the movie, damaging the facility beyond repair.

According to Deadline, flames engulfed Peter Jackson's Portsmouth Miniatures Studio in New Zealand, which would have been used for the The Hobbit as a specialist miniature shooting facility, one of the few that exist in the world. All that is left of the property is a burned out warehouse. It took more than fifty firefighters to put out the blaze, which lasted for more than three hours.

Officials say the cause of the fire is being investigated,"They have to sift through the rubble and work their way to an area where they believe the fire started,"TVNZ reports.

The shop would have been used in production of The Hobbit films, but no word on how extensive the damage might have been. Setbacks won't stop production, though!

Jackson is determined to get fans back to Middle-earth and is finalizing deals with the studios and unions, and settling problems with author J.R.R. Tolkien's underlying rights.

The (possibly) last obstacle?

Finding a way to finance the two-parter, which will cost half a billion dollars! (Small change, when you consider The Lord of the Rings trilogy raked in $3 billion worldwide.)

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinemas are ready to fork over half of the money, but it's taking a little longer for MGM to commit after struggling with bankruptcy for more than a year. MGM is expected to give the OK within a few days, the Times reports, and a deal with the Screen Actors Guild may also be close.

The prequels have been in preproduction for years, with $45 million already being spent. But if things get moving in January, we may be seeing Gandalf, Bilbo and Gollum back on the screen in time for the 2012 holiday season, and then again in 2013.

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Tributes paid to Tony Curtis

Tributes are being paid to Hollywood starTony Curtiswho has died at his US home in Nevada aged 85.

The actor, who starred oppositeMarilyn Monroein Some Like It Hot and was Oscar-nominated for his role in 1958's The Defiant Ones, passed away at home in Henderson, NV on September 29.

Curtis's daughterJamie Lee Curtispraised her father saying he"leaves behind a legacy of great performances in movies and in his paintings".

"He leaves behind children and their families who loved him and respected him and a wife and in-laws who were devoted to him. He also leaves behind fans all over the world,"she added.

His widow Jill said:"All Tony ever wanted to be was a movie star. He didn't want to be the most dramatic actor."

"He wanted to be a movie star, ever since he was a little kid."

The Oscar-nominated actor, who starred in Some Like it Hot opposite Marilyn Monroe, passed away peacefully in bed, a family spokesman said.

The star received an Oscar nod in 1959 for The Defiant Ones, in which he starred with Sidney Poitier.

His career spanned six decades and he made more than 120 films including Trapeze, Spartacus and The Vikings.

Veteran chatshow host Michael Parkinson, who interviewed Curtis several times, added that the actor was"a great chatshow host", saying:"Curtis was wonderfully indiscreet but he was very bright and did not take himself too seriously."

Curtis, who was hospitalised after an asthma attack in June, is believed to have died from a heart attack. He is survived by his sixth wife Jill Vandenberg and six children.

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Colin Firth unveils Hollywood star

British actor Colin Firth has been moved to tears after receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Firth, who found fame playing Mr Darcy in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice, dedicated the honour to his Italian wife.

The British actor, nominated for a Golden Globe for his latest film, The King's Speech, unveiled his pavement tribute in front of the Pig 'N Whistle pub on Hollywood Boulevard.

"I want to thank everybody that has accompanied me on this extraordinary journey,"he said.

"But probably more than anybody I could ever imagine Livia, who has walked every step of this with me joyfully and truthfully."

Before dabbing his eyes, he added:"When I look down there at that star, it's her name I see."

Later, the 50-year-old joked about shedding a tear."You can make of it what you will, it was the wind,"he laughed.

It is the 2,429th star dedicated on the avenue of dreams.

Colin has also received a Screen Actors Guild award nomination for his role as King George VI in The King's Speech, and is a favourite for an Oscar nod. The Academy Award nominations will be announced on January 25.

The 50-year-old was a best actor nominee at the Oscars, Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards last year for his performance in A Single Man.

Colin's movie credits include Bridget Jones's Diary, Shakespeare In Love, The English Patient and Mamma Mia!

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Wood: 'Hobbit role will be very fitting'

Elijah Woodhas commented about his role in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit.

It was recently reported that the actor will reprise the part of Frodo Baggins in the forthcoming Lord of the Rings prequel project.

Speaking at a Television Critics Association panel, Wood said of Frodo's return:"We thought we were finished and the character doesn't even exist in J.R.R. Tolkien's novel The Hobbit, so it was not even a pipe dream to imagine the possibility would be there for me to reprise the role of Frodo."

He added:"But they've come up with something that I think is kind of interesting and I think very fitting that doesn't necessarily infringe upon the integrity of the original novel."

The 29-year-old also said that his time on screen in The Hobbit would be"relatively minimal".

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New James Bond film to shoot this year

The new James Bond movie is due to start filming later this year, it has been officially announced.

EON Productions confirmed that the next instalment of the long-running spy franchise will go ahead, after doubt was previously cast over the future of the series.

A statement read:"Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions, together with Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, co-chairmen and chief executive officers of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc, today announced that the 23rd James Bond film will commence production in late 2011 for a worldwide release on November 9, 2012."

A rescue deal and restructuring plan put US firm Spyglass Entertainment at the helm of MGM, which had struggled due to several box office flops and a DVD sales slump.

Work on the 23rd film was suspended in April 2010 because of uncertainty over the company's future.

James Bond is one of the longest running franchises in film history.

Its return marks a four-year gap since Bond's last outing in 2008's Quantum of Solace.

Daniel Craig - who made his Bond debut in Casino Royale in 2006 - is the sixth actor to play the British secret agent on the big screen, after Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.

Craig's debut, in Casino Royale, was the most successful instalment in the franchise's 48-year history, taking $594m (£385m) at the global box office.

The latest Bond screenplay has been written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan.

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Michael Douglas: 'I've beat cancer'

Michael Douglashas revealed that he is currently cancer-free.

Michael Douglas, the Oscar winning actor, has said he is confident of having beaten cancer after doctors told him a tumour in his throat had disappeared.

People reports that during an appearance on NBC's Today Show, the actor - who was diagnosed with a cancerous throat tumour in August 2010 - insisted that he has been given a clean bill of health by his doctors.

"I feel good, relieved. The tumour is gone,"he said.

"But, you know, I have to check out on a monthly basis now to maintain. I think the odds are with the tumour gone and what I know about this particular type of cancer is that I've got it beat."

Douglas, 66, added that he has learned from the experience and plans to"take a couple of months of getting checked out. But it's been a wild six-month ride."

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Joaquin Phoenix: 'I wanted out'

Joaquin Phoenix has admitted that the strain of performing in I'm Still Here made him want to leave the project.

The film follows actor as he supposedly retires from Hollywood to pursue a hip-hop career. He had to stay in role at all times, even for his controversial appearance on the David Letterman show.

Both Phoenix and Casey Affleck, who made his directorial debut with the movie, continued to claim that the actor's behaviour was not a performance until shortly after the movie's US release.

Phoenix told Extra:"At some point, it became such a public spectacle. To be frank, we were kind of hostage to the process. There were times, honestly, where I wanted out. Even on a conventional film, I'm done after four months. But this went on and on."

However, despite the pressure of maintaining his public performance, Phoenix insisted:"I wanted to make a movie with my friends and make one in a different way. I wanted to have a different experience, and I'm really happy to have done that."

Speaking of the moment when filming began, Phoenix said:"'Is this, like, the moment? Shall I announce my retirement right now?' And Casey said, 'Yes'. It wasn't planned."

The 35-year-old actor added that his infamous appearance on Late Night with David Letterman was never intended to embarrass the TV host."I wasn't on the show to make a fool of him,"Phoenix explained.

"In this film, I think the only person who comes off as a real jerk is me."

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Lohan Sent back to Jail

Lindsay Lohanis headed back to jail a third time– and this may be the longest stay – after failing a mandatory drug test.

Judge Fox decided to deny bail for the actress given her past arrests and actions. This will be her third time spending time in jail; the original charges were filed in 2007 for driving drunk as well as multiple drug charges.

Both times she has been given jail time Lohan has been released due to“overcrowding.” The longest she has spent in jail was 14 days, which is not even one quarter of the 90 days she was sentenced to. Earlier this year a judge stated in a hearing that Lohan would receive 1 month in jail for each drug test she skipped or failed. This is her first failed test since then, so it is unknown whether she will actually receive a full month. It is also likely that she will once again be released early due to overcrowding.

Lohan, 24, said nothing and looked stunned as she stood, was handcuffed and led away by sheriff's deputies out a side door. She was crying as she was placed in an unmarked police car and driven toward the women's jail in Lynwood, Calif.

Lohan tested dirty about three weeks after being released early from inpatient rehab at UCLA Medical Center on Aug. 24.

"This was certainly a setback for me but I am taking responsibility for my actions and I'm prepared to face the consequences,"she Tweeted last week.

She previously completed 13 full days of a 30-day sentence in a Lynwood, Calif., jail on Aug. 2 after she violated probation in her DUI case.

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Peter Jackson Threatens to Shut Down Hobbit

Peter Jacksonhas warned that production on The Hobbit movies could cease over a pay wrangle with acting unions.

The Lord of the Rings director, who is the films' executive producer, said it faced being shut down or moved from its location in his native New Zealand.

In an open letter, Jackson said shifting the entire project to eastern Europe"could so easily happen".

Unions have urged actors not to work on the films due to the dispute.

A number of organisations based in the UK, Canada, Australia and the US have said the The Hobbit's producers have refused to negotiate a deal with them.

The International Federation of Actors said it was time for performers on The Hobbit to seek union contracts, adding that actors in New Zealand have"struggled on non-union contracts for some time".

Jackson said the wrangle was a"grab for power"and"an attempt by the"Australian bully-boy" to exert influence over New Zealand's film industry."

"It feels as if we have a large Aussie cousin kicking sand in our eyes... Or to put it another way, opportunists exploiting our film for their own political gain."

"Seriously, if the Hobbit goes east (Eastern Europe in fact) - look forward to a long, dry big-budget movie drought in this country,"added the film-maker.

Jackson said that he is not anti-union and"has always attempted to treat my actors and crew with fairness and respect".

He pointed out that Hobbit actors with no union representation are part of a profit-sharing pool.

The director made all three of the Lord of the Rings films and his screen adaptation of The Lovely Bones using New Zealand locations.

Jackson is expected to become the films' director after the departure of Guillermo del Toro due to concerns over delays - although a formal announcement has yet to be made.

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Beckinsale Back to 'Underworld 4'

After some talks about her possibility to return to"Underworld"movie franchise, Kate Beckinsale has finally signed up for"Underworld 4". Screen Gems and Lakeshore Entertainment announce, via The Hollywood Reporter, that the actress has sealed a deal to reprise her role as Selene after starring in the first two films.

The movie has also got a start date, being planned to kick off principal photography in March 2011 in Vancouver, Canada. They are currently looking for a director and an actress to portray Selene's daughter. The script was written by John Hlavin before undergoing revisions by J. Michael Straczynski.

"Underworld 4"has been set to come out in the U.S. on January 20, 2012. It was previously reported that Beckinsale's appearance in the movie would be a short one because she will"pass the torch"to one of her daughters. However, the latest official announcement does not mention further detail about her role.

The first"Underworld,"released in 2003, launched a profitable franchise that has grossed more than $300 million worldwide, with the movies each costing less than $35 million to make.

The British actress returned for the sequel, 2006's"Underworld: Evolution,"but did not take part in 2009's"Underworld: Rise of the Lycans,"which starred Rhona Mitra.

Kate Beckinsale has appeared in a number of movies such as"Pearl Harbor","Van Helsing"and"The Aviator". Her latest feature films are"Whiteout"and"Everybody's Fine"which both were released in 2009.

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Phoenix to Letterman:"I apologise"

Joaquin Phoenixpublicly apologised to US talkshow host David Letterman on Wednesday when he returned to America's Late Show and revealed all about his odd antics on the programme last year.

The Walk The Line star appeared dishevelled and uncomfortable as he attempted to promote what he claimed would be his final film, Two Lovers, on the show in 2009.

He evoked the presenter's wrath by refusing to remove his sunglasses for the studio interview and chewing gum as he spoke.

Phoenix's brother-in-law, director Casey Affleck, has since admitted the appearance was part of an elaborate"social experiment"stunt he had been filming for his new documentary I'm Still Here, about the actor's spoof efforts to become a rapper.

Appearing on the show for the first time since the incident, Phoenix told Letterman that he was sorry for his behaviour, which was since confirmed to be an act for his mock documentaryI'm Still Here (2010).

Phoenix told the host on Wednesday's Late Show:"I think that you've interviewed many, many people, and I assumed that you would know the difference between a character and a real person - but I apologise. I hope I didn't offend you in any way."

"Oh no. Oh no, no, no,"Letterman replied."I'm telling you, it was so much fun. It was batting practice, you know what I mean? Every one of them was a dinger."

The comedian also denied suggestions that he was in on the hoax.

"Was there a script that you and I were working with?"he asked Phoenix, to which the actor responded:"No. We'd hoped to come on a talkshow, and I was looking for a beat down, and I got one... I want to thank you for that."

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Emma Stone's Spider-Man classes

Emma Stonehas revealed she andAndrew Garfieldhave had to go back to school in preparation for the new Spider-Man movie.

Emma, who plays Peter Parker's love interest Gwen Stacy in the new film, told MTV she was home schooled so she had never had a proper science class like the ones she has been experiencing in rehearsals for the film.

Emma said:"Andrew and I went and learned about science yesterday. Gwen really likes science, so we learned about science. I was home-schooled, so I never went to chemistry class in a traditional setting like Gwen is into. That was really beneficial."

The 22-year-old actress is excited about going back to her roots for the role.

She revealed:"I went and did hair tests, because I have blonde hair now since Gwen has blonde hair. My natural hair is blonde, so it's kind of nice. I looked in the mirror and said, 'Oh my god, it's me again, it's been so long!'"

Emma admitted there was pressure on the Spider-Man reboot because of the huge fan base the comic character and film trilogy has - but she is trying not to think about it.

She said:"The way I have to approach it, and I think Andrew would agree, is just like any other movie."

It just happens to be an exponentially bigger budget. And there are harnesses I'm going to have to use in this one. That's the only difference. Just the harnesses.

"I'm sure it's a different story for Andrew, because Spider-Man is so iconic, which is not to take anything away from Gwen, but for the most part, the approach I'm trying to take so I won't psych myself out is to approach it like anything else."

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Leslie Nielsen dies, aged 84

Veteran comic actor Leslie Nielsen, star of Airplane! and The Naked Gun, has died at the age of 84.

The comic actor, best known for his roles in Airplane! and The Naked Gun, passed away at a hospital near his home in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where he was being treated for pneumonia.

Nielsen's nephew Doug announced the news on Canadian radio station CJOB, saying:"Just in this last 48 hours, the infection has gotten too much and today at 5.30am, with his friends and his wife by his side, he just fell asleep and passed away."

Nielsen's agent John S. Kelly later confirmed the news.

In all, he appeared in more than 100 films and had a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

Born in the Canadian city of Regina in 1926, Leslie Nielsen enjoyed an acting career which spanned six decades.

He started as a television actor in New York in 1950, performing in about 150 live dramas.

Moving to Hollywood in the mid-1950s, he initially carved out a film career as a leading man, capitalising on his craggy good looks and 6ft 2in (187cm) height.

In 1980, however, his deadpan delivery in comedy disaster movie Airplane! marked him out as a gifted clown.

It was in this role that he became known for the line:"Don't call me Shirley."

The success of Airplane! led to another TV role in spoof crime show Police Squad, where he first played accident-prone detective Frank Drebin.

He went on to make three films as the character in the Naked Gun series, starring opposite Priscilla Presley.

Nearly two weeks ago - at the age of 84 - Nielsen was taken into hospital in Florida where he lived, suffering from pneumonia.

His condition worsened over the last two days and relatives said he passed away peacefully.

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James Franco and Anne Hathaway to host Oscars

ActorsJames FrancoandAnne Hathawaywill cohost this season’s Oscar ceremony, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced.

Telecast producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer have decided to continue the two-host trend from last year’s show, when Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin shared emceeing duties. But they clearly seem to be courting a different generation: Franco and Hathaway’s combined age (61) is less than Steve Martin’s.

According to Deadline, an offer has been made to James Franco and Anne Hathaway to co-host this years' Oscars. According to the same source, it"looks like"both actors will accept.

Both are highly talented and I'm sure would do a fine job, though this is a pretty radical departure from the Oscar host line-up going all the way back to before I was born. Since the mid-seventies, the overwhelming majority of hosts have been either comedians or comic actors, and only a few times (Hugh Jackman) has this parade been broken.

Now, Franco and Hathaway are both technically comedic actors as well, as both have appeared in a number of very funny films, but they would be a far cry from the Billy Crystal/Whoopi Goldberg/Steve Martin rotation that was going on for fifteen years. Same goes for Jon Stewart, Ellen Degeneres and Chris Rock, who are funny yes, but a different class of actors than Franco or Hathaway who are actively headlining movies.

The 83rd Academy Awards will be broadcast live on ABC on February 27, 2011.

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Johnny Depp: 'Disney hated Jack Sparrow'

Johnny Depphas revealed that Disney bosses initially“couldn’t stand” his flamboyant portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, the actor said former chief executive Michael Eisner"couldn't stand"the way he interpreted the role.

However, studio execs didn’t always recognise the genius of the actor's out-of-leftfield take on the beloved antihero.

Depp went on to earn an Oscar nomination for his performance.

A Disney spokesman said the company"could not be happier"with his work.

"The entire team at Disney could not be happier with Johnny Depp's performances in the Pirates trilogy which is why we are so excited to be bringing back a fourth installment to audiences next summer,"he added.

"I think it was Michael Eisner, the head of Disney at the time, who was quoted as saying, 'he's ruining the movie',"Depp said.

One suit, says the actor, even asked him if Captain Jack was"gay."

Depp recalls:"And so I actually told this woman who was the Disney-ite... 'But didn’t you know that all my characters are gay?' Which really made her nervous."

The actor also revealed that Mr Eisner had questioned whether he was"some kind of simpleton"or even drunk when acting in the movie.

Depp famously based the character on the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, who appeared in At World's End, the third film in the series, following Dead Man's Chest, which also starred Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom.

Depp is currently filming a fourth installment - On Stranger Tides - which is due out next year.

Depp will next be seen opposite Angelina Jolie in The Tourist, which opens December 10.

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Nolan confirms 'Batman' departure

Christopher Nolanhas confirmed that The Dark Knight Rises will be his last Batman film.

The upcoming movie will bring an end to the trilogy of Christian Bale-starring films helmed by the Inception director.

"I must say that I'm glad - I'm very, very glad - to be embarking on the last chapter of our Batman saga without any sense of obligation or duty to the studio,"Nolan told Entertainment Weekly.

"They did very well with Inception. So I'm able to go into finishing our story in a very enthusiastic way."

He added:"I feel very glad that I'm doing another Batman film. I think it would have been daunting to sit down and write an original script after Inception."

"I love working within the realm and rules of our Batman world. It's kind of nice to have someplace to go that I'm super-excited about."

The Warner Bros and DC Entertainment movie is due for release in summer 2012.

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