October 09, 2006

One more superb talent is heading toward "Reservation Road." The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino has given her nod to take a starring role in the project, which is one of the pictures being developed under Focus Features.

Joining the likes Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, and Jennifer Connelly, Sorvino is billed to play the ex-wife of Ruffalo's character. The movie itself presents a story about two families who collide when the father of one kills the son of the other in a hit-and-run.

Biopic often serves as a decent way to remind living people about a noted figure worth to honor of and that's what Warner Bros. Pictures and Jerry Weintraub Productions are aiming for.

These two studios are reportedly set to develop a biopic of John Hammond, the legendary Columbia Records A&R executive who was the man behind the success of Billie Holiday and Bob Dylan, among others. Tentatively titled "The Producer: John Hammond and the Soul of American Music", the project will be made based on Dunstan Prial's biography of the same title published last June by Farrar Straus Giroux.

The quartet has come down to give "Jolene" a big support. Yes that's right, Dermot Mulroney, Donald Sutherland, Michael Vartan, and Denise Richards have all been confirmed to share scenes together in the project, which has already included newcomer Jessica Chastain for the title role.

Along with other cast members, Rupert Friend and Theresa Russell, the foursome will come under the direction of Dan Ireland who is set to helm based on script written by Dennis Yares. Shooting will take place in Arizona with Riva Yares and Zachary Matz producing.

Already fared great in domestic market, 20th Century Fox's "The Devil Wears Prada" now is expanding its success to overseas. Satisfyingly garnered $19.4 million from 33 territories, the comedic drama has escalated to reach its peak on the weekend box office overseas, taking over the top place from Oliver Stone's "World Trade Center."

Despite its slight drop, "World" turns out to still score well enough on the chart as it managed to snatch $12.5 million drawn from 33 markets to make an overseas total of $40 million. Right behind this Paramount production is another comedy feature, "Click", which smoothly added another $8.8 million it got from 51 markets into its third-place feedbag.

It makes three to carry out the plan, apparently. Benderspink, Sandbar Pictures, plus Fine & Mellow Productions have reached a deal to work together in bringing up a new film project titled "Chinaman", which turns out to be a remake of the 2005 Danish movie.

In developing the picture, the three companies have already appointed Harry Elfont to direct with Deborah Kaplan working on the script. The duo, who have been teaming up to write film scripts since mid-90s, recently sold their pitch of "99 Problems" to Joe Roth for Columbia Pictures.

"Scream Queen", that's the new predicate Kate Beckinsale gets during Spike TV's Scream Awards 2006 ceremony held October 7th. The British actress garnered one of the ceremony's top individual awards for her part as the beautiful vampire heroine Selene in the vampire action film "Underworld: Evolution".

Elsewhere, fellow actress Jessica Alba was presented with the event's "Sexiest Superhero" award for her portrayal of the Invisible Woman in "Fantastic Four". This summer's blockbuster "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" was another big winner, grabbed four awards for Best Fantasy Movie, Best Sequel, Best F/X, and Most Heroic Performance as well for actor Johnny Depp.

Taking a flight from the off-Broadway stage, the creative minds behind hit play "Jewtopia" are ready to enter the big screen.

Yes, Bryan Fogel and Sam Wolfson, the play's co-creators and lead actors, have reportedly been assigned to both write and star in a film version of their own work following "Shadowboxer" producer Tucker Tooley's successful attempt to pick up the rights to a screenplay loosely based on the play.

Being famous has its ups and downs which for Justin Timberlake never comes easy somehow. The pop singer reportedly considers quitting music.

Not without reason, but JT has had enough from the industry. He said, "I've had bottles of pee thrown at me, and had girls try to tear my clothes off. I don't want to be jumping around on stage 10 years from now."

Talk is heating up that Evangeline Lilly and boyfriend Dominic Monaghan plan to get married next summer.

The couple, both are co-stars in ABC's "Lost", have been trying to keep their romance private to avoid too much pressure on their relationship.

Good story and good cast sure are two of the determining factors for a film feature to hit the screen hard and "The Departed" has proven it gloriously, really.

Opened in 3,017 theaters, the mob saga fantastically strived to sell $27 million worth of tickets to go straight away to the top position of weekend box office ended Sunday, October 8, 2006, muscling out fellow newcomer "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning."

Jadakiss is in trouble with the law again. The rapper was arrested early Saturday morning Oct 7th in his hometown of Yonkers, New York and charged with drug possession and criminal possession of a weapon.

Police officers said Jadakiss, whose real name is Jason Phillips, was one of four people inside the 2006 Toyota Camry parked near the intersection of Nepperhan Avenue and Elm Street in Yonkers at around 5 a.m. Saturday. Officers saw the man in the driver's seat acting strangely and so they approached the vehicle.

Double happiness for Tori Spelling. She is pregnant with her first child with husband Dean McDermott and fortunately the infant brings good luck for the couple.

Not only it brings baby joy for the soon-parent-to-be, but also it brings cash for them as the actress reportedly is selling photos of her pregnancy to OK! magazine, for $250,000.