Celeb News Aggregate
•
Oscar-winning director Sydney Pollack has died of cancer. He was 73.
•
Veteran actor/director Robert Redford is set to wed his long-time girlfriend Sibylle Szaggars.
•
Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson is using her Oscar win in a bid to help her land another dream role--in a new movie about sports hero Jackie Robinson.
•
Emmy Award-winning actor Peter Boyle died at the New York Presbyterian Hospital last night. He was 71.
•
Movie icon Robert Redford is considering a return to the Broadway stage after being offered the lead in a revival of Arthur Miller's All My Sons.
•
Playwright/screenwriter Neil Simon collected the Mark Twain Prize at the annual Kennedy Center awards ceremony in New York last night.
•
Rapper Ja Rule, who was arrested early Thursday morning in New York on charges of fifth-degree marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license, has had the drug charge dropped. Also in the news: Michael Jackson, Katrina Campins, DMX, Bill Cosby, Katie Couric, Donald Trump and Gloria Estefan.
•
Most moviegoers' mission Memorial Day weekend will be to see Paramount's "Mission: Impossible 2."
The PG-13-rated action adventure sequel -- known for short as "M:I-2" -- got off to a flying start with its Wednesday opening to $12.5 million at a record-setting 3,653 theaters ($3,422 per theater).
"It's a 37% first choice in the tracking," an insider points out, predicting blockbuster business for the long holiday weekend. Looking back, he adds, the original "Mission" was a 27% first choice when it opened, and last year's "Star Wars: Episode One -- The Phantom Menace" was a 43% first choice.
"M:I-2's" Wednesday gross compares very favorably to the original "Mission: Impossible's" opening day total of $11.8 million for Wed., May 22, 1996, at 3,012 theaters ($3,918 per theater). That gross actually included pre-opening Tuesday night preview showings as well
•
The Sundance Film Festival, which is backed by actor Robert Redford and his Sundance Institute for movies, comes to an end today in Park City, Utah. Saturday night's awards ceremony saw the sci-fi drama Primer, win the top grand jury prize, while the jurors awarded DIG! the top prize in the documentary category. Debra Grankik took the dramatic directing award for Down to the Bone, about a lower-middle-class wife and mother's struggles with cocaine addiction.
•
Studio Execs in Frenzy at Sundance
•
News, Jan. 16: Ashton Kutcher Isn't Kidding About "Punk'd," CBS Rejects PETA Super Bowl Ads, Carmen Electra Gets Control of Net Name,
•
The Sundance Film Festival, which is backed by actor Robert Redford and his Sundance Institute for movies, kicks off Thursday in Park City, Utah. Also: 2004 Sundance Film Festival Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Brittany Murphy Ted Nugent Nielsen Media Research primetime viewership numbers (Jan. 5-Jan. 11) OutKast Justin Timberlake Christina Aguilera White Stripes Rosie O'Donnell Boy George Taboo Heath Ledger Jake Gyllenhaal Ang Lee Brokeback Mountain Kevin Brockmeier's The Brief History of the Dead Chris Columbus
•
In an interview airing today at 10 p.m. EST on ABC's 20/20, Michael Jackson's parents said he is innocent and have offered to adopt his children if they're taken away from him. Also: George Clinton Mick Jagger Zooey Deschanel Jake Gyllenhaal David Kohan Jason "Max" Mutchnick Pharrell Williams Luciano Pavarotti Sting Agnes Bruckner Bobby Cannavale
•
"The Passion" Trailer Stirs the Internet, Steve Martin To Be Next "Pink Panther," Mel Gibson Val Kilmer Arnold Schwarzenegger Ben Affleck Jennifer Lopez Mark Ruffalo Tom Cruise Michael Mann
•
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez Set Date; Arnold Schwarzenegger "Egged" On; Juanes Sweeps Latin Grammy Awards Rachel Welch Everybody Loves Raymond Jada Pinkett Smith Tom Cruise
•
New Line Cinema announced it re-release extended versions of the first two Lord of the Rings movies worldwide, just two weeks before the Dec. 17 release of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Also: Robert Redford Flavio Peniche Juana The Scorpion Irv Gotti Ruben Studdard Clay Aiken Jamie Lee Curtis Billy Crystal
•
Prosecutors say Paul Reubens had collection of child pornography. Suge Knight Michael Jackson Phil Spector Steven Seagal Mike Myers Robert Redford Jennifer Lopez Minority Report Tom Cruise
•
Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne renewed their wedding vows during a New Year's Eve party at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Hundreds of guests were on hand to watch the couple tie the again, including Justin Timberlake and Chris Rock. Also: Diana Ross Robert Redford, The Sin Eater The Order Heath Ledger Melissa Gilbert Screen Actors Guild Jack Ass MTV Jackass Viacom Inc CNN Headline News MSNBC CNBC Fox News Phish Tom Hanks
•
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences have voted to restrict the number of honorary awards handed out.
•
Martin Grove's analysis of the Memorial Day weekend box office, May 2002.
•
Fearing audiences would deem their content offensive, many Hollywood studios postponed the release of films after the Sept. 11 attacks on America. But as Disney's Big Trouble proved last week, the move seems to have hurt studios more than anything
Big Trouble Gangs of New York Windtalkers Collateral Damage Sidewalks of New York The Last Castle Training Day Spy Game Black Hawk Down Disney Miramax Universal MGM Warner Bros. Paramount Classics DreamWorks
•
Sundays Academy Awards show honored Sept 11 victims Whoopi Goldberg Kevin Spacey Woody Allen Tom Cruise Robert Redford
•
Robert Redfords company Wildwood Prods is set to produce Skinwalkers
•
Shrek stars Mike Myers Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy have agreed to voice the sequel to last years animation mega blockbuster Treasure Planet Robert Redford William Shatner Harry Hamlin Marisa Tomei Ted Danson Mariah Carey Paul McCartney Mick Jagger Phil Collins Aretha Franklin Stevie Wonder Isley Brothers Percy Sledge Eddie Holman Aretha Franklin Marvin Gaye the Supremes Dionne Warwick Michael Jackson Internet Fan Club The Dave Matthews Band Bananarama Hugh Hefner
•
Women clean up at Sundance Festival
Sundance Film Festival Personal Velocity Real Women Have Curves Daughter From Danang IAmandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony Black Hawk Down Donatella Versace PETA Madonna Gwyneth Paltrow Niki Taylor Did Jennifer Lopez Michael Jackson Kylie Minogue Geri Halliwell Mariah Carey Midem music industry festival Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Shari Belafonte Gabrielle Carteris Stephen Collins Bernie Kopell Cheryl Ladd William Shatner Robert Urich Harry Potter Rupert Griny Thunderpants Resident Evil Milla Jovovich Michelle Rodriguez C-Murder
•
News Roundup for Jan. 17: Sundance brings out the stars Jennifer Aniston Brad Pitt Christina Ricci Matt Damon Ben Affleck Robin Williams X-Files Chris Carter Star Trek Scott Bakula Patrick Stewart Kate Mulgrew Robert Altman Gosford Park Joaquin Phoenix Philip Seymour Hoffman Liv Tyler William H. Macy Steve Buscemi Tony Shalhoub Bob Balaban James Earl Jones Barbra Streisand
•
News roundup for Jan. 14. Top Story: George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" re-released for charity. Other stories include news on Tom Cruise talking again to Nicole Kidman, Robert Redford (Spy Game), Jennifer Aniston (Friends), Noah Wyle (ER), Ally McBeal (Jon Bon Jovi, Christina Ricci), Monsoon Wedding, Jason Mewes (Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back), Adam Ant, John Miller & Barbara Walters (20/20), Keith Olbermann (CNN, ESPN), The Fantasticks and Sylvie Tellier & Aurelie Brun (Miss France).
•
Robert Redford told TV Guide he will keep his wrinkles
•
Martin Grove's in-depth box office analysis for Sunday, Dec. 16.
•
Box Office Analysis: Dec. 9 Ocean's Eleven Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Behind Enemy Lines Spy Game Monster's Inc Black Knight Shallow Hal Amelie Domestic Disturbance
•
Box Office Analysis: Dec. 2
•
Robert
Redford Brad Pitt Bruce Willis Nicole Kidman Catherine Zeta Jones Julia Roberts Americas Sweethearts Moulin Rouge
•
The possibility that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone might
tie Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace as the only other
film to earn $200 million in 10 days evaporated Monday as final weekend
results indicated that Warner Bros.' estimates were off by more than $1
million.
•
Box Office Analysis: Nov. 18 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Monsters, Inc. Spy Game Black Knight Shallow Hal Domestic Disturbance Heist Sidewalks of New York The One K-PAX
•
The reunion of Brad Pitt and Robert Redford in Spy Game is being
welcomed by most critics, but none are giving it a top rating.
•
Robert Redford, who co-stars with Brad Pitt in upcoming film Spy Game, to the BBC on returning to acting:
•
The Jack the Ripper thriller From Hell won the weekend box office
race, but not by much, according to final ticket-sales figures released
by Exhibitor Relations Monday.
•
Martin Grove's Box Office Analysis: Oct. 21
•
Putting James Gandolfini in a starring role in a movie for the first time
has both its advantages and its drawbacks, it would seem.
•
Studios are continuing to rearrange their schedules in the wake of Tuesday's disaster. Big Trouble Collateral Damage Men in Black 2 Will Smith Tommy Lee Jones The Sum of All Fears Ben Affleck The Last Castle Robert Redford James Gandolfini Training Day Denzel Washington Ethan Hawke
•
The onslaught of "10 Best" list-bound films rounding out the year can only mean one thing: Awards season is on its way.
And the Golden Globes, widely regarded as Oscar's fun-loving cousin and a critical barometer in the Academy Awards race, set its wheels in motion today by giving Al Pacino an offer he can't refuse: The Cecil B. DeMille Award, which honors outstanding contribution to the entertainment field.
At the press conference in Beverly Hills, executive producer Dick Clark also announced actress/model Katie Flynn as this year's Miss Golden Globe.
Pacino, who starred last year in both "The Insider" and "Any Given Sunday," is a 13-time Golden Globe nominee, winning for his leading dramatic roles in "Scent of a Woman" and "Serpico." He has also been up for the Academy Award eight
•
Eddie Murphy Populates the Earth By Joal Ryan, Hollywood.com
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 27, 1999 -- Actor Eddie Murphy ("The Nutty Professor") is a new dad -- again.
The 38-year-old comic and wife Nicole Murphy welcomed their fourth child, a baby girl, on Christmas Eve at a Los Angeles hospital. The newly dubbed Zola Ivy weighed in at 7 pounds, 13 ounces. Mother and Murphy spawn are said to be doing fine.
"We are ecstatic and very happy about the fourth addition to our family, baby Zola Ivy,'' the couple said in the statement.
Murphy's other children are Bria, 10, Myles, 7, and Shayne, 5.
20TH CENTURY FOX: Audrey Hepburn may be a fashion icon, a beloved humanitarian and the enduring star of "Breakfast at Tiffany's," but she's no Elizabeth Hurley. Go figure.
The 34-year-old spokesmodel/actress was named "Babe of the Century" over the late Hepburn,
•
LEOFEST TO LAUNCH: It's not just Santa who will be arriving any day soon. Leonardo DiCaprio will be delivering the official version of his LeoFest International Online Short Film Festival to the Web right after the New Year/new millennium celebration (a work-in-progress site is up now).
LeoFest is calling for anyone, anywhere (Tonga! Iceland! Wichita! You name it!) to submit for consideration a film of up to 15 minutes in any of the following categories: narrative, documentary, animation and alternative. Filmmakers will have to make transfers before they submit since LeoFest says that no film stock of any gauge will be accepted (Take that, Eastman Kodak!).
While prizes haven't yet been announced, we've heard that Leo himself will be awarding grand prizes of $20,000 to all finalists, and it's money right out of his own pocket. And we bet that the talent scouts at Leo's all
•
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 26, 2000 -- Actor Jason Robards, a two-time Oscar winner, died today at age 78 after a long battle with cancer.
Robards appeared on stage and in motion pictures in a career that spanned 50 years in entertainment.
Sally Dalton, a spokeswoman for Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, Conn., confirmed to The Associated Press that the actor died at about 2:45 p.m. EDT.
Robards, whose last silver screen appearance was as the ill father of a character played by Tom Cruise in the 1999 Paul Thomas Anderson film ''Magnolia,'' received his first Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor in the Watergate drama ``All the President's Men'' in 1976. He played Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee in that film starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman.
He won his second Best Supporting Actor Oscar the next year for his role as Dashiell Hammett in the film ``Jul
•
"Charlie's Angels" won this weekend's box office election by a mile despite projections that "Little Nicky" might give it a devil of a time.
"Angels," Columbia's PG-13 action adventure comedy, continued kicking box office butt in its second weekend with a still sexy estimated $25.0 million (-38%) at 3,037 theaters (theater count unchanged; $8,232 per theater). Its cume is approximately $75.4 million, heading for $150 million or more.
"Angels" had the highest per-theater average for any film playing in 500 or more theaters last weekend.
"Great news for us," Sony Pictures Entertainment worldwide marketing & distribution president Jeff Blake said Sunday morning. "It's just a terrific hold considering the record opening we had the week before."
Asked where "Angels" is going, Blake replied, "We should be able to hit $100 million by Thanksgiving and still have t
•
With heavenly grosses clearly on the horizon, "Charlie's Angels" is poised to kick off in first place this weekend.
The PG-13 action adventure comedy opening via Columbia at 3,037 theaters is flying high on Hollywood's advance radar screen.
"I feel this movie is (going to open) closer to $30 million than $20 million," predicts one insider. "I think it's going to get every teenager out there -- male and female."
"Number one by far," agrees another studio executive. "About $25 million-plus. It's (big) across the board. It looks solid in the male category, but extra solid in the young female category."
Directed by McG, "Angels" stars Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu and Bill Murray.
"Angels" is expected to do what no other film has managed to do the past four weeks -- beat the 'Parents!' After a month atop the chart, Universal's PG-13 comedy blo
•
Ailing
Leonardo DiCaprio is on crutches after he sprained his knee July 1 playing basketball with his celebrity friends, People magazine reports.
•
PARK CITY, Utah, Jan. 22, 2000 -- Larry (not his real name) wanted $30 for a $10 ticket to "American Psycho." If you waited 15 minutes, you waited too long, because then Larry wanted $40 -- and got it, too. (Or so he thought.)
According to one overheard comment Friday night at the "Psycho"'s sold-out Sundance premiere at the Eccles Theatre, the 15-year-old and his underage posse were possibly the first scalpers in the history of Robert Redford's mountain paradise.
Such is life in this now (really) big little city.
The snow arrived about the same time the stars did this weekend -- as did the buzz, the crowds, Tammy Faye and the kids trying to price gouge morally offended indie film types. A rundown of the action:
KA-CHING! "Groove," a no-name indie about the rave-party scene, is living the Sundance dream -- snapped up today by Sony Pictures Classics. No word
•
Festivals wrap; "Clerks" director makes points with wife; Joey Lawrence shines (really)
PARK CITY, Utah, Jan. 30, 2000 - Done.
"Girlfight" and "You Can Count on Me" - the two films everybody talked about non-stop up here - ended up as the two films everybody talked about non-stop during Saturday's awards ceremony at the Raquet Center. The movies took two awards each - tying as the Grand Jury Prize winner for best dramatic film.
"Two Family House" - a film that as far as we were concerned nobody talked about up here - ended up as the upset winner in the Audience Award category, supposedly a popular vote. We're not sure what audience voted for it, but we're sure it wasn't the people at the Raquet Center. The films that drew the biggest applause during a rundown of the competition dramas were, of course, "Girlfight" and "You Can Count on Me," as well as "Songcatcher,"
•
HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 18, 2001 -- Most of who'll converge at Park City, Utah, beginning today could care less about the powdery conditions on the local slopes. There’s no time for skiing when the Sundance Film Festival is in town.
The annual event, backed by actor/director Robert Redford, kicks off today with a who’s who of Hollywood celebrities and studio brass with fat wallets expected to take over the small mountain town for the next 10 days.
Aside from being one long party, the event is also a platform for young, independent filmmakers to dangle their projects before Hollywood big wigs in hopes that one will bite with an offer to buy. Last year, film fans from around the world saw big-screen offerings such as "Chuck & Buck" and "You Can Count on Me".
The year before that, Sundance darling “The Blair Witch Project” made big headlines when it was purchased by Artisan
•
PARK CITY, Utah, Jan. 19, 2000 -- And so this is Sundance. Sort of.
There's no snow. No crowds. No film crews. The locals promise that a storm will hit Friday, and while it'd be clever to argue they're a day off -- that the real storm arrives Thursday in the form of Robert Redford's film festival cum schmoozefest (running through Jan. 30) -- they're not.
There's nobody stinkin' here.
There aren't even any films -- stinkin' or otherwise -- until 7:30 p.m. Thursday when the Thanksgiving-themed ensemble drama "What's Cooking?" (with outward-bound "ER" star Julianna Margulies) unspools at Sundance's opening-night gala premiere event in nearby Salt Lake City.
So how best to kill the hours (days?) waiting for something Sundance-ian to happen? (Or for the NC-17 branded "American Psycho" to premiere on Friday night -- whichever comes first?)
Here's what yo
•
This weekend's box office election is too close to call, according to insiders who see a close race between "Charlie's Angels" and "Little Nicky" for the popular vote.
Columbia's PG-13-rated action adventure comedy kicked off to a record setting $40.1 million last weekend. New Line's PG-13-rated youth appeal comedy "Little Nicky," opening at about 2,910 theaters, is flying high on the Hollywood radar screen.
"It probably will fall less than 50%," an insider predicts about "Angels." "Figure 40%. So you're looking at $24 million. It could be a tight race with 'Little Nicky.' I'd have to say $22-24 million for both of them."
"I think you've got to figure it's 'Charlie's Angels' again unless 'Little Nicky' just really surges here at the last minute, which it could with young males," another studio executive cautions.
Directed by McG, "Angels" s
•
"Charlie's Angels" kicked off to a divine, butt-kicking $40.5 million, sending weekend ticket sales soaring about 37% over last year.
Columbia's PG-13 action adventure comedy had been a high flyer on Hollywood's advance radar screen with insiders anticipating a $25-30 million opening. Instead, "Angels" arrived to a spectacular, record-setting ESTIMATED $40.5 million at 3,037 theaters ($13,335 per theater).
"Angels" had the highest per-theater average for any film playing in wide or limited release last weekend.
"It's the biggest non-summer opening ever -- period," Sony Pictures Entertainment worldwide marketing & distribution president Jeff Blake said Sunday morning. Noting that "Angels" helped push weekend ticket sales by all key films in the marketplace to nearly $101 million, he added, "It's the first $100 million weekend since Labor Day."
•
HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 15, 2001 -- Reprising a role in "The Santa Clause" is apparently not as attractive as playing a guy named Joe.
Daily Variety says that the actor-director team of Tim Allen and Tim Pasquin has opted to tackle the comedy "Joe Somebody," after the two temporarily put "The Santa Clause" sequel project in the back burner due to the possible Hollywood strike next summer.
Plans are to get "Joe" in production before the strike. The Fox comedy is said to concern a divorced corporate guy at the end of his rope.
EASY RIDERS: Robert Redford is gearing up to tame the road. The Sundance top dog has thrown his weight behind "The Motorcycle Diaries" and will executive produce the flick, Variety tells us.
The film is based on Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara's memoirs and chronicles the motorcycle trip he took through the deserts of South America.
"C
•
HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 8, 2001 -- Will the mob run amok at the castle?
"The Sopranos" tough guy James Gandolfini has signed on to star opposite Robert Redford and "You Can Count On Me's" Mark Ruffalo in "The Castle," Daily Variety reports.
The Emmy Award-winning actor will get $5 million for the part of a prison warden in a story about an imprisoned general who rallies his fellow inmates into mutiny.
MUCH OBLIGED: The Hollywood Reporter tells us that Damon Wayans is in talks to star opposite Lisa Kudrow in the comedy "Marci X."
The story is about a Jewish heiress who takes over her father's hip-hop recording label.
Peace out.
•
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 4, 2000 -- Catherine Zeta-Jones knows how important trust is.
The new Mrs. Michael Douglas will star in the thriller "Trust," a project that is said by Daily Variety to be in the vein of 1987's "Fatal Attraction."
Originally a British miniseries, "Trust" will follow a lawyer living in New York who discovers that her psychiatrist hubby is having an affair with one of his patients.
KING OF THE 'CASTLE': "The Legend of Bagger Vance" helmer and actor Robert Redford might return to the front of the camera in "The Castle," a drama directed by "The Contender's" Rod Lurie, Variety says.
The project, which centers on an imprisoned five-star general as he rallies other prisoners into a mutiny, is also in discussions with Mark Wahlberg for a co-starring role.
'SHOW' TIME: Variety also says that Ethan Hawke, Carla Gugino and Frank Whaley have a
•
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 13, 2000 -- Samuel L. Jackson is going to be flaming hot in his next project.
The character actor, whose latest flick "Unbreakable" with Bruce Willis is coming out later this month, might star in "Truck 44," The Hollywood Reporter says.
In the film, Jackson will play the leader of a group of New York firefighters with grand theft in mind.
KING OF THE 'CASTLE': "The Contender" director Rod Lurie is in talks to helm the psychological drama "The Castle," the Reporter says. Robert Redford and Mark Wahlberg are also in talks to star in the picture about an imprisoned general who rallies the inmates in a mutiny.
SMELLS LIKE BACON: Daily Variety reports that Antony Hoffman, whose directorial debut "Red Planet" bowed just last week, is eyeing a story on the LAPD Rampart corruption scandal as detailed in a New York Times Magazine article as his foll
•
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 12, 2000 -- Girls ruled again as "Charlie’s Angels" held on to the top spot at the weekend box office for a second consecutive week, defeating the likes of Adam Sandler, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Val Kilmer.
"Charlie’s Angels," starring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu and directed by Joseph McGinty Nichol (aka McG), took in an estimated $25 million, according to estimates by Exhibitor Relations.
Adam Sandler’s devil of a new comedy "Little Nicky" bowed at No. 2 with $18.6 million, and the U.S. Navy drama "Men of Honor" starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro grabbed the No. 3 spot with an estimated $14 million.
Showing little sign of weakening, "Meet the Parents" took in another $10.59 million over the weekend, bringing its grand total to $130.3 million.
Another debut, "Red Planet" starring Val Kilmer, Carrie-Anne Moss and Tom Siz
•
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 12, 2000 -- Social activist and director Spike Lee's latest target of wrath has centered on superstar Will Smith and his new film's depiction of racial stereotypes.
At a Harvard University discussion panel on race held last week, Lee voiced his displeasure over Smith's decision to play a mystical and spiritual golf caddy in Robert Redford’s "The Legend of Bagger Vance."
In an interview with the New York Post, Lee criticized Smith's role as Matt Damon's subordinate in the film he described as "Driving Mr. Damon" for painting such a pretty picture of racial relations in the Depression-era South.
In an interview with the Boston Globe, Lee was quoted as saying: "With all that going on, why are you [expletive] trying to teach Matt Damon a golf swing?"
Lee has in the past criticized Quentin Tarantino for his repeated reliance on racial slurs in "
•
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 3, 2000 -- Will Smith has another reason to get jiggy. His wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, 29, has given birth to a 6-pound, 10-ounce baby girl.
Willow Camille Reign Smith was born Tuesday, their publicist announced. The couple already have a son, Jaden Christopher, while Smith, 32, has another son from a previous marriage.
Smith is best known for his blockbuster hits, including "Men in Black" and "Independence Day," as well as his starring role in the now-defunct TV show "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air."
He's currently starring in "The Legend of Bagger Vance," which opens in theaters today. In the Robert Redford-helmed drama, Smith plays a magical caddy who helps a troubled golfer (Matt Damon).
Pinkett Smith's film credits include "The Nutty Professor" and "Scream 2."
•
SANTA MONICA, Calif, March 22, 2000 - Call it "The Battle of the Blonds." Brad Pitt Brad Pitt (aka, the young Robert Redford) and Robert Redford (aka, the old Brad Pitt) are eyeing a spy flick called "Spy Game" in which they'd give audiences a double jolt of their, well, blondness.
Today's Hollywood Reporter says Pitt and Redford have been looking for a flick to do together. To date their sole collaboration is 1992's "A River Runs Through It." On that one, though, Redford stayed behind the camera, directing and narrating. "Spy Game," an in-the-works espionage flick for Universal Pictures, would be the first time the two hotties shared screen time.
Robert Redford In the film, Pitt would play the young hottie (er, CIA agent) who gets kidnapped by the Chinese. Redford would play the older hottie (er, CIA agent) who sets out to rescue the kid.
TAKING FLIGHT
•
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 9, 2000 -- The People's Choice Awards are (almost) here - and so is every other blinkin' award show.
The People's Choice bash, to be broadcast tonight at 9pm (EST/PST) on CBS, kicks off Hollywood's action- and hardware-packed awards season. By the end of March, if you're not polishing a fancy paperweight, you're just not trying. (Either that, or your agent stinks.)
Savvy industry insiders monitor these awards carefully, knowing that kudos from critics' circles and trade guilds dramatically influence a film's public standing, box-office success - and Oscar status.
First up: the 26th Annual People's Choice Awards. As is the People's Choice way, winners are selected per public-opinion polls rather than academies and other muckty-muck types. "Nash Bridges" types Don Johnson and Cheech Marin host. In the film categories, "The Matrix," "The Si
•
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 21, 1999 — Finally some good news for Jason Priestley.
The ex-"Beverly Hills 90210" star's directorial feature debut, "Barenaked in America," a documentary about pop-rock's Barenaked Ladies ("One Week"), has been selected to play the Slamdance Film Festival.
"Barenaked in America" is one of six films chosen to play the Special Screenings section of Slamdance, the chief alternative venue (and Park City, Utah, neighbor) to Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival. Slamdance is scheduled to run Jan. 22-29. (Sundance will play Jan. 20-30.)
Whether Priestley is able to attend his own screening may depend on what happens in a Los Angeles courtroom. The actor turned director is facing felony drunken driving charges for a Dec. 2 crash that trashed his Porsche and left his passenger with a broken arm. Priestley is currently free on $50,000 bail.
•
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 11, 2000 -- "Hannibal" can be taken off the endangered film project list, at least for the time being.
Universal has confirmed its intentions to stick by the "Silence of the Lambs" sequel, laying to rest reports on Entertainment Weekly Online last week that the studio was considering canning the project after Jodie Foster bailed out to instead direct Claire Danes in "Flora Plum."
"As far as we know, [this project] is alive," a Universal spokeswoman says. "[Star Anthony] Hopkins and [director Ridley] Scott are both very committed. We like what we've got, and the revised script is really, really good."
What's more, the project apparently will forge ahead with or without Foster.
"We've decided that we're not going to reapproach Jodie as the media has been reporting. We are trying to come up with the right lead to replace Jodie an
•
Actor Robert Redford wants environmental activists to join him in protesting President Bush's plans to drill for oil in an Alaskan wildlife refuge.