June 08, 2007

On the verge of releasing his most artists-packed album "Exclusive", Chris Brown may soon be singing side by side with Michael Jackson for one of the tracks. The R&B crooner got the phone call from the "Thriller" singer who didn't hesitate to do collaboration with him.

"He called me for my birthday, and I told him we should do a song," Brown said. "He was up for it. Man, it was crazy. He actually spoke to me like a regular person, and he was like, 'I like your music.' He said his favorite song was 'Shorty Like Mine' that me and Bow Wow did. I appreciated talking to him."

A sultry musician of his own, Jack Johnson returns to the studio this year to gear an album perfect for chill out moments. The album that is planned to release early next year, is all about the people working behind it.

As a start the 32-years-old singer is backed up with bassist Merlo Podlewski and drummer Adam Topol who played significant roles in Johnson's previous chart-topping records. He also brings his "In Between Dreams Tour" opening act Zach Gill to contribute on the piano tune while gaining the partnership from producer JP Plunier again. Johnson said, "We've been good friends ever since, JP and I have just been hanging out a lot this year, and I've been talking to JP a lot about these songs in particular."

Moving forward on his way to break into major film industry, Julian Farino has been attached to helm "The Year of Living Biblically" which Paramount Pictures is setting up alongside Plan B Entertainment.

Already got Jay Reiss to pen the script, pic is an adaptation of A.J. Jacobs' upcoming nonfiction "The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Obey the Bible as Literally as Possible." For the book, Jacobs reportedly immersed himself in the rules of the Old and New Testament.

The fictional city of Springfield has been widely known to be the hometown of the world's family of comedy, none other than The Simpsons, but soon there will be the real-life version of it, thanks to USA Today.

Yes, in celebrating the coming of "The Simpsons Movie" this summer, the 20th Century Fox has selected fourteen cities to compete to be the best "real-life" Springfield which will be determined based on the votes drawn from USATODAY.com readers.

This no doubt is such a rare treatment moviegoers will ever receive, especially for "Harry Potter" fans out there.

In the anticipation of the arrival of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", ABC Family wonderfully will screen never-before-seen clips from the highly-anticipated fantasy saga during the special airings of the first three films in the mega-hit franchise.

Is handsome, rich, and has a high rising acting career, Brad Pitt does have everything that every man would envy. Good at acting, the actor and father of four has the "it" factor that makes him tops Life & Style's list of Hollywood's Top 10 Dads. Praised for "doing it all" for his kids, the hunk also is credited for "loving what he's doing for them". That's the reason why he's the No. 1 Dad after all.

Comes in 2nd place is the "Spider-Man" Tobey Maguire who's cited to not letting her daughter Ruby out of his sight. Senior actor Johnny Depp is on the 3rd spot for "tying the knot with his kids." Violet's daddy Ben Affleck is ranked 4th for making her laugh and becoming her "big Teddy Bear". Finishing the Top 5 is Will Smith who once shared the spotlight with his "The Pursuit of Happyness" co-star, son Jaden.

Not releasing any album since 2004's "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb", U2 only increases the anticipation for new album through reunion with long time producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois.

The band has been working on the new material in Fez, Morrocco but still has no solid direction yet. Written on the band's official website, Bono revealed, "We have no plans for the music yet. We're just going to make it until we can't not put it out!"

The cast list of "Fourth Installment of the Indiana Jones Adventures" is getting longer by now as the project's filmmakers have delightfully added Oscar nominee John Hurt to join the already starry lineup consisting of Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, and Shia LaBeouf, an official press release stated.

The next installment of the hit adventure franchise after 1989's "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", the picture marks the return of prominent filmmaker Steven Spielberg to the director's chair with George Lucas once more executive producing alongside Kathleen Kennedy. Shooting is due to begin June 18 this year using several locations globally, including New Haven, Connecticut and Los Angeles.

Canadian video awards event MuchMusic is not only inviting its native celebrities but also some from international league. British import Joss Stone will join the excitement along with actress Tara Reid and NHL star Sean Avery.

The three celebrities above will each present an award for the winners that will come out of previously announced nomination. Deciding to do this event "all or nothing", the organizers arranged Alxisonfire, Hilary Duff, Belly with Genuwine, Maroon 5 and Finger Eleven to take the stage as performers. They also have the nominated artists such as Stacy Ferguson, The Used and Avril Lavigne on the performers bill.

She's been kept very busy with her hectic filming schedules, not to mention doing her motherly duties. She does able to make it though, getting through it all and spends time to fulfill her social works. Already a UN Goodwill Ambassador, Angelina Jolie was honored for her philanthropic work by joining the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), an influential and independent, nonpartisan foreign policy membership organization.

"Angelina Jolie is accomplished in her field and has demonstrated serious interest in issues such as Darfur, international education and refugees," says Lisa Shields, vice president of communications at CFR. "As such, her profile fits very well with other young professionals we've selected as the next generation of foreign policy leaders."

A surprising tidbit has come up from Collider.com's pit concerning the possibility of a follow-up to 20th Century Fox's 2004 sci-fi actioner "I, Robot."

During an interview with "Star Trek" series writer Ronald D. Moore, the site has successfully dug bit info from the man that he is on work to pen the sequel to the movie. However, little is known about the project since Moore refused to give any plot details though he did remark that he was under the impression that the pic would be a bigger budget film and not just a direct-to-DVD production.

Richie Sambora is hitting the low key of his life as he's checked into rehab facility to treat a currently unknown substance abuse problem.

Sambora, guitarist for the renowned music act Bon Jovi, entered an undisclosed treatment facility on Wednesday June 6th, his representative confirmed, saying "Richie Sambora has entered an undisclosed treatment facility in Los Angeles. He asks that you respect he and his family's privacy at this time."

Just enjoying their initial success of "Knocked Up", director and the studio behind the new hit comedy are now facing a lawsuit placed by a Canadian journalist who alleged them for stealing her story in making the movie.

In her legal action against writer-director Judd Apatow and Universal Pictures, Rebecca Eckler strongly claims many similarities were found between the flick and her book "Knocked Up: Confessions of a Hip Mother-to-Be", published in the U.S. two years ago, that it is impossible to consider it a coincidence.

British pop rock act Duran Duran is confirmed to collaborate with "SexyBack" singer Justin Timberlake. The band that is still recognized as "The Eighties Band" will do a song titled "Night Runner" with JT.

The collaboration is not only between the two of them but also involves the hottest producer in town, Timbaland plus his protégé Danja. Unlike JT who is doing only one song, Tim and Danja produce two other tracks "Skin Divers" and "Zooming In".

Michelle Trachtenberg is single no more. The movie beauty reportedly has found a new love in Brandon Hirsch, a 26-years-old manager at New York City hot spot Butter.

Trachtenberg and Hirsch first stepped out as a couple on Friday night June 1st at The Killers concert at the Hard Rock Hotel, during which they were spotted kissing before then headed to Caesars' Palace's Pure Nightclub, dancing to tunes spun by DJ AM.

Billboard has expanded its franchise with the launch of Billboard Canadian Hot 100 on June 7. The single to take the honor being the first #1 hit on the chart is none other than Rihanna's "Umbrella".

The single featuring Jay-Z is placed on top and side by side with Canadian natives' singles such as Nelly Furtado's "Say It Right", Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend" and Michael Buble's "Everything" in the top 20 list.

The time has come for Isaiah Washington to pay the cost of his gay slur. The TV star won't be returning to the hit series "Grey's Anatomy" which catapulted him into stardom.

It is surely a bad news for Isaiah that his contract won't be renewed following the end of the series' third season. A spokesperson for ABC Studios confirmed the star won't be returning for a fourth season next September, with a source close to the situation said the studio declined to renew his contract citing the bad press they received because of his behavior both on and off the set as the reason.

Whether Brett Ratner's name is still being considered for the director of X-Men spin-off "Wolverine" is unclear, but buzz is now circling on two other directing figures for the part.

IESB.net has brought in surprising tidbit stating that D.J. Caruso and Len Wiseman are both on the line to assume the coveted position in the 20th Fox Century's highly anticipated project with the former even being claimed to be in talks with the studio.

It was a bad day for Jermaine Dupri when he was involved in a car crash early Thursday June 7th when a woman ran a stop light on the corner of 49th Street and Park Avenue in New York and ploughed into his SUV.

Publicists for the rapper said Dupri's Cadillac Escalade was completely totaled, sending one of his security guards to a local hospital with a broken arm. Luckily, the music mogul was all right.

Has just provoked media frenzy with her being reported dating Brad Pitt look-alike, British model Paul Sculfor, Jennifer Aniston makes media headlines again as she's been reported to earn an estimated $10 million to shoot the so-called "mini action movies" for L'Oréal's hair products.

The hair commercials film, to be shot this summer, will see the actress works together with famous film director David Fincher who's in hand to direct. "Jen turned to David because she loves his work," an insider revealed.

On the brink to reunite with director Paul Greengrass, Matt Damon is finalizing deal to topline Universal Pictures' "Imperial Life in the Emerald City."

Adapted from the Rajiv Chandrasekaran book, pic details the author's experience when he witnessed Americans' chaotic attempts to set up a provisional government in the area around Saddam Hussein's palace. Damon, who last collaborated with Greengrass in "The Bourne Ultimatum", is plotted for a composite character based on figures in the book.

Paris Hilton is free but not really free as she's been put on house arrest. The Game, on the other way around, is free of charges. He's all-clean. The rapper was pleaded not guilty to three felony charges he's been accused of following a basketball game fight in Los Angeles.

The Game, aka Jayceon Terrell Taylor, entered the pleas in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday June 7th and was pleaded not guilty to punching and threatening to shoot a man during a pickup basketball game on February 24th at the Rita Walters Educational Learning Complex in South Los Angeles.

Heaps up film titles for his future directing credits, action filmmaker John McTiernan has smoothly added "High Stakes" into the burgeoning list, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

A production of Persistent Pictures and Velvet Octopus, the action thriller centers on two friends who find themselves in over their heads when they realize they are the living collateral of a high-stakes bet.

Sustaining his good relationship with Lionsgate Films, Tyler Perry is on the move to make his fifth film project under the studio banner that will also be his next feature directorial effort after "Why Did I Get Married?".

The New Orleans native will both helm and star in "Meet the Browns" based on his own stage play that he produced back in 2004. Story concerns a single mother who rediscovers the joys of family and the possibility of second chances when meeting the fun-loving family of her father, whom she never knew.

Earning Hollywood star label should not make one only look forward for big-budgeted, major film features, and Naomi Watts apparently has full understanding of it.

The beauty is reportedly attached to topline Bureau of Moving Pictures' drama "We Are All the Same", which is an adaptation of a novel by Jim Wooten, an award-winning senior correspondent for ABC News. Story tells about Gail Johnson, a white South African woman who adopted a black child with AIDS then traveled the world with the child to raise awareness about his plight.

Willing to deliver an original premise to moviegoers amidst the heavy flow of adapted materials, DreamWorks Pictures is collaborating with Parkes/MacDonald Productions to set up what looks like to be a thriller feature entitled "Tester" at its pit.

Story focuses on a young war veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder who joins a secret clinical trial that promises to cure his symptoms. To his horror, he soon finds out that the chip implanted in his brain is not a medicine, but an advanced neurotechnology designed to control his body as a weapon of war.

From socialite to prisoner, now Paris Hilton is a free woman again as she was on Thursday June 7th released from California's Century Regional Detention Facility, reportedly for medical reasons, after just three days serving her 23-day sentence for driving with a suspended license.

Explaining on the heiress' release, LA County Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said she was released for medical reasons which he can't elaborate due to confidentiality, yet said that medical officials "constantly examined" her while she was in jail. In fact, law enforcement sources said Paris' medical condition was purely psychological and that she was in peril of having a nervous breakdown.