January 24, 2006

Jet Li, the movie star best known for his portrayal in many action movies, is set to face off Jason Statham in the highly anticipated "Rogue (2006)."

The storyline centers on Jack Crawford, whose partner Tom Lone and Lone's family are killed by an assassin for the Chang crime family. Crawford becomes obsessed with finding the elusive and brutal killer, Rogue.

The family of the late rapper Notorious B.I.G. are celebrating after a Los Angeles federal judge ordered the city to pay $1.1 million to them as sanctions for intentionally withholding evidence during the family's civil lawsuit trial.

United States District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper declared a mistrial in the civil case last summer, after ruling that Los Angeles Police Department detective Steven Katz had withheld statements linking former LAPD officers David Mack and Rafael Perez to the rapper's still unsolved 1997 slaying.

In companion with Madonna, Robbie Williams and Shakira, all of whom won a single award each at this year NRJ Music Awards held Saturday night Jan 21st, 2006, there are also Black Eyed Peas who surprisingly won two awards, to be the big winner at the prestigious music event.

While the music group won Best International Group and Best International Album for "Monkey Business," great musician James Blunt was named Best International Newcomer. Meanwhile, Coldplay's Chris Martin attended the fest to hand Sir Bob Geldof with the Humanitarian award.

Agnes Mentre, head of acquisitions for The Weinstein Company, has on Monday Jan 23rd at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah announced that the company has acquired the rights to "Factory Girl" from L.I.F.T. Productions. Hence, all rights in North America, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are in the hand of Weinstein.

"Factory Girl" is the Edie Sedgwick biopic which is directed by George Hickenlooper. It among other stars Sienna Miller, Hayden Christensen, Guy Pearce, Mena Suvari and Jimmy Fallon. The movie, which is categorized as drama genre, reportedly is in production in Shreveport, Louisiana. Will serve as producers are Holly Wiersma and Aaron Richard, while J. Malcolm Petal, Kimberly C. Anderson, Morris Bart, and Simon Monjack will serve as executive producers.

In a brief news producer Gil Cates announced Monday January 23rd that actor Owen Wilson has been tapped as the presenter of the 78th annual Academy Awards.

Wilson will join the many other presenters for the event, which outstanding film achievements of 2005 will be presented on Sunday, March 5, 2006, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PST.

More stars joining the already exist cast of "The Air I Breathe." Among the new comers there are Andy Garcia, Forest Whitaker, and Mexican actress Carmen Salines.

The threesome will join Brendan Fraser, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Kevin Bacon. With all the cast on board, the crime-drama flick is slated to start shooting Thursday Jan 26th, in Mexico City.

"Year of the Dog" will become the first feature ever Mike White about to direct. The screenwriter is expected to work on the project alongside his partner Jack Black.

Besides directing, White also is tapped to write the script. Describes as comedy drama genre, "Year of the Dog" tells the story of a happy-go-lucky secretary whose life changes in unexpected ways after her dog dies.

Per a New York Times report, Nas has inked a deal to join former rival Jay-Z's Def Jam label and thus exits Sony's Columbia. Being asked about that matter, representatives for both companies refused to comment.

While reports rounding Nas' move remain undisclosed, the rapper reportedly is working on a new studio album which will be the follow-up to his 2004's "Street's Disciple II."

The wedding's off. Aussie actress Nicole Kidman reportedly ends her engagement to Australian country star boyfriend Keith Urban. Fearing he hasn't turned his back on his years of "womanizing" and addiction, Kidman prefers to call of their engagement.

A friend of the actress told Britain's The Mail as quoted "Everything seemed to be going fine, but then she heard stories that Keith had not totally turned his back on his wild ways. Nicole told Keith she needed space to think and had to break off their engagement."

Gay-cowboy romance "Brokeback Mountain" picked more award Sunday Jan 22nd, taking away the top prize at the 15th annual Producers Guild of America Awards.

Named Best Picture of the Year by the PGA, the movie successfully beat the other contenders, which include "Capote," "Walk the Line," "Good Night, and Good Luck," and "Crash."

Hollywood most kept secret is no longer an unconfirmed speculation as Mandy Moore and Zach Braff finally went public with their romance at the Golden Globes on Monday Jan 16th, 2006. Zach even praised his lover saying "Mandy is an amazing comedian and I don't think a lot of people have gotten the chance to see her do broad, physical comedy. It really gave her a chance to show off that side of her."

Getting straight to the point, the couple actually started dating last January and their relationship became a special romance. Maybe afraid that the press would tear them apart as happens to many celebrity couples, the pair preferred to remain silent about their being together. Though, everything has now become obvious as Moore and Zach happily posed for photos at the Hollywood prestigious awards.

Director Luc Jacquet has just revealed all about his upcoming project. It's entitled "The Fox & the Child."

The story of the film, which actually is based on Jacquet first-time encounter with a fox as a 10-year-old, centers on a young girl and her friendship with the eponymous animal. An adult female narrator will relate the tale as a memoir of her childhood.