Warhol’s new muse
Seems like Tom Cruise isn’t the only one using Katie Holmes as his muse. The Top Gun‘s new girlfriend is in talks to replace Sienna Miller as Andy Warhol’s muse Edie Sedgwick in forthcoming biopic Factory Girl. According to World Entertainment News Network, British newspapers reported Jude Law‘s main squeeze Miller has been dumped from the production in favor of a “bigger name”, although the English beauty claims the film clashed with her role in a London theatre production of As You Like It. Factory Girl director George Hickenlooper admits he had lunch with Holmes in Los Angeles to discuss the possibility of her playing the druggie Sedgwick, who died of an overdose of barbiturates in 1971. Hickenlooper enthuses, “Katie is not too different from Edie, who arrived in
New York as young, innocent, looking for excitement.” And hooked up with mega-star Cruise. Not too shabby. Aussie actor Guy Pearce is set to play the legendary artist, with rock couple Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale playing Factory girl Richie Berlin and Gerard Malanga, respectively. I’m really groovin’ on this one, baby.
Foxx and Usher dream on
This sounds like it’ll be fun shoot. Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx and R&B crooner Usher will join the sexy Beyonce Knowles in the movie adaptation of hit stage musical Dreamgirls, to be directed by Bill Condon (Kinsey). Based on the Broadway musical, which in turn, is loosely based on Motown singing sensations The Supremes and their rise to stardom, the big-screen adaptation chronicles the rise to fame of a black female singing trio in the 1960s who try to cross over to the white music charts. Foxx will play talent manager Curtis Taylor Jr., while Usher will take on the role of choreographer CC White. Alicia Keys is also in talks for a role, as is Eddie Murphy, who is being eyed to play a womanizing R&B star who gives singers the Dreamettes their first big break when he offers them the chance to sing back-up for him. It’s a character described as a mix between James Brown and Marvin Gaye. Oh, Murphy‘s got both those guys down.
Delpy sucks blood
OK, maybe not literally, but close to it. Julie Delpy, along with her Before Sunset co-star Ethan Hawke, are in final talks to reunite in the period piece Bathory, which will mark the French actress’ directing debut. It follows the story of the legendary Countess Elizabeth Bathory, a serial killer who inspired many a vampire myth with sadistic rituals that included bathing in the blood of virgins. Well, now, that sounds mighty ambitious for a fledgling director. Should be intriguing to see if the fragile and sweet-looking Delpy can pull something like that off.
Bates goes to the Funny Farm
Oscar-winning actress Kathy Bates has signed on to star in Funny Farm, a British satire set in a celebrity drug and alcohol rehab clinic. Bates joins a cast that includes Malcolm McDowell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rupert Graves, Lucy Davis and Ian Hart. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film is a follow-up to director Mary McGuckian‘s media satire Rag Tale, being screened at the Cannes, and will employ the same experimental technique of the cast choosing their own roles and working without a script. You mean improv the whole thing? In a celebrity drug and alcohol rehab clinic? That’s going to be loads of fun. McGuckian also aims to shoot a third film to complete what she has dubbed an “amoral comedic satire trilogy.” She told the Reporter she hopes to take the cast from Rag Tale and Farm to the world of Hollywood to play industry movers and shakers. Careful, we already have Robert Altman‘s The Player. Billed as an edgy black comedy, Rag Tale, starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, examines the “amorality” of the tabloid newspaper industry. “I’m really pleased that the (popular) press has got the joke (in Cannes) and reacted to the movie’s message as a good-natured portrayal,” McGuckian said. I bet.
Tekken players suit up
Steven Paul’s Crystal Sky has teamed with Sony’s Screen Gems on big-screen version of the videogame Tekken, with plans to put the film into production in late fall with a budget of $50 million. Bringing out the big bucks. Tekken is based on the videogame licensed from manufacturer Namco. The storyline centers on two childhood friends who enter a worldwide martial arts tournament. As they progress, the pals move toward uncovering a secret that lies within the mysterious Tekken Corp. Sounds about right.
