October 17, 2006

Reese Witherspoon sure can draw a breath of relief by now as her venture into producing film heads to better direction. Yes, her first film production "Penelope", which she produced via her Type A Films, has been picked up by both IFC Films and The Weinstein Company.

As part of the deal, IFC will handle the North American theatrical distribution of the movie, which is slated to hit theaters next year, while Weinstein Co. takes full charge on home video and television distribution.

Maintaining its commitment to make horror flicks, Rogue Pictures is set to develop a vampire-themed feature "Blood on the Tracks" following its successful attempt to obtain the film rights to Radical Comics' upcoming graphic novel of the same title.

Centering on a series of killings in the New York subway system done by a vampire who has been living in the city's tunnels for a very long time, the project has been entrusted into the hands of Neill Dela Llana and Ian Gamazon to direct as well as write the script. Meanwhile, Michael Zoumas and Barry Levine will serve as producers.

After success in big screen production, Salma Hayek has intended to have another small screen project since her last on "The Sinbad Show" in 1993. What comes next for the actress is a guest-starring role on ABC's new hit comedy "Ugly Betty".

Report on Hayek to be involved in the series has been confirmed by the network Monday Oct 16th. The beauty, who executive produces the series, will make her first guest starring appearance in the November 2 episode called "Trust, Lust, and Must."

Acting is not something new for Leonardo DiCaprio, but developing a reality TV series definitely is a brand new task for him.

The actor has his production company, Appian Way, teams up with Madison Road Entertainment and Craig Piligian's Pilgrim Films to create "E-topia," a reality TV series focusing on the environment.

Conducting initial attempt to compile its cast, "Untraceable" satisfyingly has tapped Diane Lane to take a starring role as the leading lady, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The first major star to join the project, Lane will portray an FBI agent who has to quickly track down a technology-savvy serial killer. Production is slated to begin by February 2007 with Gregory Hoblit being attached to direct and Allison Burnett penning the script.

It is surely sad to say, but James Blunt and Petra Nemcova have ended their romance.

A source told Britain's Mail on Sunday newspaper, "Rumors got back to Petra that James had been partying with loads of gorgeous girls in Ibiza over the summer. They had a huge row during London Fashion Week last month and now it is all over."

Becoming one of the Hiltons is not always easy, at least for Nicky Hilton.

The model reportedly has dumped boyfriend Kevin Connolly after she found out that he has cheated on her with Brittany Field, the 18-year-old daughter of music mogul Ted Field.

Scarlett Johansson can never have too many. The beauty who rose to public prominence as an actress is now said to pursue a music career.

It is said further that Scarlett has signed a deal to make her first record, to be dubbed "Scarlett Sings Tom Waits". By now on there has yet official statements from the star's camp.

Well, it no doubt makes such an amazing lineup of cast. Following the inclusion of Meryl Streep, Annette Bening, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jill Clayburgh in "Dirty Tricks", notable names like Brad Pitt, Sharon Stone, and Jim Broadbent have delightfully been added to the list, the flick's director Ryan Murphy confirmed to /Film.

In the same occasion, Murphy also revealed that he expects to start filming the project next fall for a fall 2008 release with he himself writing the script as well as producing alongside Pitt and Dede Gardner.

It might be not that special about unveiling a new line of fragrances. But since it was Gene Simmons who did it and it happened to be at a North Carolina Army base it became extraordinary.

The Kiss rocker appeared Monday Oct 16th at a North Carolina Army base to promote a new line of cosmetic fragrances, "Kiss Him cologne" and "Kiss Her perfume". Those who buy the products for $39 apiece got an autograph or photo taken with Simmons.

The Music City Walk of Fame soon will place its first stars with the likes of country stars Reba McEntire and Ronnie Milsap, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers were among those chosen as the first inductees.

The walk's sponsors confirmed the news Monday Oct 16th while also mentioned posthumous recipients including Roy Orbison, songwriters Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and Nashville Symphony conductor Kenneth Schermerhorn. All the honorees will have commemorative markers placed for them in a November 5 ceremony.

Not yet commenced on his journey in Thailand, Rambo has already found an obstacle barring his way as The Weinstein Company has filed a lawsuit against Nu Image on Friday, October 13 concerning the distribution rights on "Rambo IV: In the Serpent's Eye."

Weinstein Co., which transferred the rights of the sequel to Nu Image in 2004, claimed that Nu Image, without its consent, has offered distribution rights to Lionsgate despite mutual understanding that Weinstein has first right of refusal on who gets to distribute it.

Monday Oct 16th was Kelly Brook's big day as that day saw the Model and MTV presenter launched her own range of lingerie.

The 26-year-old star herself helped to design the range for high street store New Look and whishes the garments will fly off the shelves by the time it goes on sale later this month.

Tom Cruise can never have too many. The actor of many accomplishments adds more to his resume as the Japan Memorial Day Association has declared that he will be given his own day of celebration because of his love of the country and the amount of time he spends with fans there.

Cruise has reportedly made more visits to the country than any other major Hollywood stars and spent hours on end with fans in the country. He recently spent time there to promote his film "Mission: Impossible 3", having his picture taken with over 100 fans. What's more, the actor also worked in Japan for his 2003 drama, "The Last Samurai" which grossed $117m (€93.6m) more in Japan than it did in the US.

Whispers of wedding talk have been swirling. This time it hit the hot couple Eddie Murphy and Melanie Brown, better known as the Scary Spice.

The twosome reportedly are planning to wed next year after dating for around four months. It is believed that they will celebrate their big day in a lavish ceremony at the Hotel Roosevelt, in Los Angeles.

Marking its success in raising $240 million from half a dozen investment firms to make fifteen film features during the next six years, Joel Silver's Dark Castle Productions will produce the first three pictures under its banner with Warner Bros. to distribute.

The first project of the deal is expected to be "Whiteout", an action thriller flick based on Greg Rucka's graphic novel of the same title. Principal photography on it is scheduled to start this winter for a 2008 release.

Though tabloid reports suggest otherwise, Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston remain an item somehow. The Hollywood funnyman is making it clear to public worldwide that he and Aniston are still together by taking legal action against the Sun, Daily Mirror and New York Post over report he kissed a "mystery woman" at a London charity event shortly after he was reported break up with the actress earlier this month.

In a statement released by the London law firm Schillings, it is said that Vaughn would be filing a "legal complaint" against those publications for suggesting that he had either broken up with or been unfaithful to Aniston. "Ms. Aniston and Mr. Vaughn had not ended their relationship either at the material time or since," the statement said. "The suggestions that he was having a passionate embrace and kiss, or has ever been unfaithful to Ms. Aniston, are false."

Keeps heaping up new comedic projects after recently snatching "Little Lover Boy" and "Baby Mama", Universal Pictures is set to develop one more titled "Shy Guy" based on spec script written by Dan Greaney and Jeff Poliquin, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed.

Using a basic premise of two characters with extremely different lifestyles, the picture follows a shy, retiring bookbinder as he tries to resist the efforts conducted by his impulsive, hard-partying brother to pull him out of his shell. No names have been cast yet, but it is confirmed that Jay Roach will produce via his Everyman Pictures alongside Jennifer Perini.

David Banda, the one-year-old Malawian boy Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie want to adopt, left for England on Monday Oct 16th on a small, chartered flight heading toward South Africa. The boy has a group of people with him, which includes the singer's bodyguards and a nanny.

A woman carried the child through Johannesburg international airport to board the plane for London. Three male bodyguards tried to prevent reporters from photographing the boy, whose face was shielded by the woman's hand.

Emmy Award-winning actor Bruce Willis was honored Monday Oct 16th with star No. 2,321 along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Thus, the actor has his star unveiled on Hollywood Boulevard in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

"I used to come down here and look at these stars and I could never quite figure out what you were supposed to do to get one," Willis said. "Time has passed and now here I am doing this, and I'm still excited. I'm still excited to be an actor."