May 14, 2007

Marking a significant step in its development on "The Alchemyst: Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel", New Line Cinema has hired "Kyle XY" creator Eric Bress to work on the script of the project, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed.

An adaptation of Michael Scott's first book in "The Immortal Nicholas Flamel" series, the fantasy feature follows a pair of teenage fraternal twins as they find themselves caught up in an age-old battle between good and evil when Flamel loses a magical book containing spells that could destroy the world.

Finally finds a way back into the big screen after 2005's "Revolver", Guy Ritchie has struck deals to direct a caper movie titled "RocknRolla" of which script he also wrote.

Said to be made in the same vein as the filmmaker's "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch", the flick is being eyed to enter production this summer under Dark Castle Entertainment Banner with Warner Bros. Pictures to distribute.

Constructing an early lineup for the project, Gary Cole, Jennifer Coolidge, and Agnes Bruckner have all come onboard to highlight a road-trip comedy entitled "Say Hello to Stan Talmadge", The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Presenting a flashback storyline, the picture is set in 1979 and focuses on the titular character, played by Cole, who tries to reunite his family with a cross-country motor-home trip to a "Family Feud"-style game show called "Beat Your Neighbor." Coolidge will appear as his boozing, acid-tongued ex-wife while Bruckner his daughter, who is traumatized by the disastrous trip.

The third cycle of Ibiza Rocks will feature Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian and even Mika this summer. They will be joined by the likes such as The View, CSS, The Fratellis, LCD Soundsystem and The Enemy.

The event will start June 19 in the usual spot of Bar M, at Manumission club, Ibiza. The View will be the first to appear before Cansei de Ser Sexy aka CSS takes the baton on July 10. Kasabian will then headline two nights in a row on July 16-17. LCD and The Enemy will come after that on July 18 and 31 respectively.

Striving to spark another comedy flick after his huge success in "Borat", screenwriter Dan Mazer is collaborating with producer Damian Jones to set up "Eurovision: The Movie", a comedic feature about Eurovision Song Contest.

The duo has already landed deal with Working Title Films to develop the project under its banner with the studio's execs Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner also coming onboard to produce. Idea for the flick reportedly was originated by Mazer and Jones themselves.

Damon Albarn made a statement regarding his disappointment towards Blur's two works. The vocalist who is also behind virtual band Gorillaz thinks that Blur's first and fourth albums are total flops.

"I've made hundreds of mistakes. I've made two bad records. The first record, which is awful, and The Great Escape, which was messy," said Albarn referring to 1991's "Leisure" and 1995's "The Great Escape".

Do express your joy, "Mummy" fans, Evelyn Carnahan O'Connell will still be in the gang indeed as the filmmakers of "The Mummy 3" has cast Maria Bello in for the role.

Bello, last seen in Michael Mayer-directed family drama "Flicka", is replacing Rachel Weisz who recently decided not to reprise the part, which she played in the two previous installments of the franchise.

Rumors are swirling that Mickey Rourke has engaged to model girlfriend Christine Myers.

If only the New York Daily News is to be believed the in love couple was spotted gushing about their plans to wed at New York City eatery Nello's recently.

Australian singer Delta Goodrem whose career came to halt following cancer battle in 2003 promises a lighter mood in third studio album. Boyfriend Brian McFadden plays a huge role in the shaping of the theme.

"It's a lot lighter, I'm not so angry," Goodrem said. "I've been enjoying life and doing normal things and relaxing. Brian and I love watching Grey's Anatomy. I am more than excited about releasing music again."

Turns out the guy is Cory Edwards instead of Barry Sonnenfeld in the end. Despite talks saying the latter being in talks to direct "Andrew Henry's Meadow", "Scrubs" star Zach Braff has surprisingly revealed to VH1.com that the duty has already been given to the former one instead.

Braff, whose latest starring vehicle "The Ex" has just opened in theaters Friday, May 11, previously was reported to have signed deal to write for the project together with his brother, Adam J. Braff. Pic is based on a children book of the same name authored by Doris Burn.

Ciara takes on the baton from Pink to pick three unsigned artists for Glamour Reel Music Contest. In the event conducted in a joint force with Glamour magazine, she will then determine and direct the video for the winner.

Paula Campbell, Tiffany Evans and Samantha Jade are the lucky ones who will compete by showing their real talent. One of them will be crowned the winner through online voting on Glamour.com. Ciara will then make her directing debut whereby the result is going to be displayed on the magazine's website in August.

Nelly Furtado and Timbaland's successful collaboration proved to be addictive that they decide to get on with the next project. Only this time, it will be a bit 'rocky'.

Furtado revealed in recent interview that she would work with Timbaland to form a rock band that is not exactly 'rock' but more into alternative and 'left field'. While the project is still dangling in the air, the two have argued over the band's name. "We keep arguing over names," Furtado said. "I want these really weird, subversive names, and (Timbaland) wants these mysterious, like, 'Lord of the Rings' kind of names. We can't decide."

Ewan McGregor is in it for the art. The actor, who usually earns millions by making movies, has agreed to return to the London stage later this year, playing Shakespeare's arch villain Iago in ''Othello."

The "Star Wars" star reportedly will earn a mere $790 a week, which is the standard minimum wages for an actor in Britain. The Scottish star will appear opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor starring as Othello and Kelly Reilly as Desdemona.

Blockbucter title appears to still dominate film audience's attention as "Spider-Man 3" triumphantly holds its position as the top holder on weekend domestic box office ended May 13, 2007 for a great tally of $58.1 million.

Though the number is a hefty 60 percent drop from the superhero saga's record debut a week earlier, it turns out to be over six times more than that collected by runner-up "28 Weeks Later..." since the zombie feat only manages to pull $9.8 million in its first spin on the chart. Poor opening also afflicts another newcomer "Georgia Rule" which merely gains $6.7 million for its third-place feedbag.

The speculation is true. Kylie Minogue is set to star in the hit British sci-fi show "Doctor Who."

The pop superstar does confirm her going to appear on the show, saying, "Yes...my gay husband (stylist, William Baker) is so excited about it! But I'm not going to play a villain."

Leonardo DiCaprio gets into trouble. The Hollywood hunk is facing a civil suit brought by his neighbors who claim he damaged their property when he built himself a basketball court.

In the legal documents, filed Thursday May 10th in Los Angeles Superior Court by Ronald and Joan Linclau, it is said that "DiCaprio's backyard renovation for the recreation area has caused damage to their uphill property since July 2004."

Paul McCartney's anticipated announcement regarding The Beatles online catalogue may receive a milder enthusiasm from Apple Inc. Though with the tremendous popularity of the legendary band, analysts think that the catalogue availability won't be a "needle mover".

While currently no digital music company has settled a deal to sell Beatles songs online, Apple Inc's iTunes is the most likely to be the biggest player in the game. Analysts however said that at 99 cents a song, the company wouldn't receive a big profit like it seems to be. Analyst Matthew Kather said, "Having the Beatles on iTunes is fabulous, but it's a non-event."

Will George Michael's life get better now that he's just signed up for a starring role in an American comedy/drama TV show? What do you think?

The troubled singer has just announced he's going to make acting debut in a US TV comedy show "Ellie Stone," alongside English actor Jonny Lee Miller.

To roll Whitney Houston's career back up the hill, Akon and others have stood behind her, ready to make a great come back. Though still early, Akon has seen what might be the come out of this project.

"The voice is there; I don't think anyone could ever take that from her," Akon said. "As long as we apply that voice to hit records, she'll be right back where she left off."

She has had a successful singing career and has just launched her own fashion line. And now Lily Allen is about to pen a book.

The songstress is said to have been offered half-a-million dollars deal to write her own non-fiction book. Rumor has it that she could earn an estimated £250,000 for the book project.

The Game was arrested Friday night May 11th, but was released soon after posting $50,000 bail.

The rapper was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats after police searched his Glendale, CA home for more than three hours over an alleged incident happened in February 2007.