March 04, 2008

Noticing the overnight success garnered by Paul Potts after winning ITV's "Britain's Got Talent" in 2007 with his amazing tenor voice, Paramount Pictures are said to be developing a movie based on his unlikely success story "Untitled Paul Potts Project". According to Variety, the film will be produced by "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell, who is the show creator as well as a judge.

The studio acquired the filming rights after the executives watch the YouTube clips taped by Potts' daughter. On the film's concept that managed to get its grips on Paramount, Cowell said, "Most of these calls result in absolutely nothing, but this company got that it's another 'Billy Elliot,' a story anyone in the world can understand. This was his last chance, and he literally decided to enter based on the toss of a coin. And despite his success off the back of the show, the only difference I see in him is that he got his teeth fixed."

Following reports that the Weinstein Company have gotten the screen rights of Bob Marley's biopic "Untitled Bob Marley Biopic", it is now said that the Grammy-winning hip-hop singer Lauryn Hill is considered to star in the drama film. According to Hollywood Reporter, the "Doo Wop (That Thing)" hitmaker is thought to be suitable to portray Marley's wife, Rita.

The 32-year-old singer who is married to Marley's son Rohan has been considered for the special role by Rita herself. On the matter, Rita who will act as the film's executive producer revealed, "Lauryn would be ideal [to play me]. She sees my life as her life." On other casting news, it was said that Marley's grandson Stefan is one of the perfect candidates to depict the reggae legend as he was described as a "spitting image of Bob" by Rita.

Marilyn Manson and Evan Rachel Wood are rumored to have been engaged. Not without reason, but the engagement rumors arose soon after the actress was spotted sporting a ring on her engagement finger.

Manson and Wood have been friends since the rocker asked her to appear in his upcoming horror film, "Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll." She, moreover, has also posed for a watercolor he painted. After months of chatter and speculation, they finally came clean with their romance, with Monson telling France's Le Parisien newspaper in April 2007 that they started having an affair while he was still married to then wife Dita Von Teese.

When it comes to the term "cash in while you're hot", Lindsay Lohan is the expert. She's said to have been planning to bare even more by showing off photos of her tattoos now that her version of Marilyn Monroe's "The Last Sitting" proved so popular that the New York Magazine's Website crashed under the massive volume of hits.

LiLo is cashing in on the popularity of her recent nude photo shoot by hosting a photo exhibition inspired by her tattoos. The starlet will exhibit a series of "hand-selected" photos of her body art in New York on Thursday, March 6, the New York Post reports.

Miley Cyrus has been tapped to be one of the performers at the 21st Annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards which is held the end of this month on March 29. The singer who appeals to tweens, will perform live from UCLA's Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles along with Nick's very own artist The Naked Brothers Band.

"Nickelodeon and the Kids' Choice Awards are about showcasing all things that are hot and now with kids, and Miley Cyrus and The Naked Brothers Band rule with our audience," said Paula Kaplan, Executive Vice President, Talent and General Manager, West Coast, Nickelodeon. "We are very excited that they'll perform live for the biggest kids' audience of the year, and that talent like Cameron Diaz, Steve Carell, Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Chris Brown, Hayden Panettiere and many others yet to be announced, will join in the revelry and chaos on the night where Hollywood will meet the slime."

The star of "Aquamarine" Emma Roberts and the acclaimed actor Alec Baldwin have come aboard a new dramedy project entitled "Lymelife". According to Variety, the two theps will be joined by Cynthia Nixon, Rory Culkin, Kieran Culkin, Jill Hennessy and Timothy Hutton in the Derick and Steven Martini's feature film project.

Though their characters in the film have yet to be known, Roberts and Baldwin will explore their acting skills in the coming-of-age film about the falling apart of two families due to problematic relationships, real estate problems and Lyme disease. On the choosing of Baldwin, Derrick revealed, "I didn't know him at the time, but when I wrote it, I had his voice in mind." Further, the director/screenwriter also explained that Baldwin has long been attached to the film as a producer stating, "He's hung in there through the ups and downs of funding."

As Ellen Page dropped out from "Drag Me to Hell", it was reported that "White Oleander" topliner Alison Lohman is set to step into the part left by the "Juno" star. Variety reported that the 28-year-old actress will take over the lead character in the Universal Pictures' horror project.

In the film, Lohman will be acting under the direction of "Spider-Man 3" helmer Sam Raimi. Additionally, she is scheduled to join the production which has been pushed back to March 31. Originally, the shooting of the film penned by Raimi and his brother Ivan should begin on March 17.

A new joint from Daddy Yankee has been released. The Reggaeton dropped the music video of "Somos De Calle" that is used as the soundtrack to his 2007 film, "Talento de Barrio".

The video was directed by Giorgie Rivera and takes set in the 1990. The title of the movie is often referenced in the clip. "Somos De Calle" along with other tracks used in the movie like "Impacto (Remix)", "La Fuga" and "Solido", will appear on album "Talento De Barrio Soundtrack" which will be released later this month.

Katie Price is buying her own private jet for 4.5 million pounds or $9 million. The British model reportedly is in the final stages of purchasing a Hawker 900 plane after growing annoyed at the cost of flights to transport her family around the world.

Katie and her singer hubby Peter Andre decided to splash out on the jet after looking at the sky-high figures for their family travel plans this year. The bill for the couple, their three children plus the kids' nannies reportedly came to a staggering 150,000 pounds for the 12-months period.

Horror remake specialist Platinum Dunes has been reported to do a remake of the 1968's horror classic film by Roman Polanski "Rosemary's Baby". According to ShockTillYouDrop, the studio has been in negotiation with Paramount Pictures to bring the Academy Award-nominated film back to the big screen, while its producers Brad Fuller and Andrew Form have started to look for writers.

"Rosemary's" is an adaptation film from Ira Levin's 1967 horror novel. It was originally starred by Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Sidney Blackmer and Ruth Gordon. The horror film follows the story of a young couple, Guy and Rosemary, who moved to new apartment in Manhattan and experienced strange things, one of which cause Rosemary to be mysteriously pregnant.

Is best known as the bassist, back-up vocalist, and primary lyricist of Chicago-based band Fall Out Boy, Pete Wentz is branching out his career beyond the music industry. Has had his own line of fashion in addition to the "Angels & Kings" Bar which he opened in New York late April last year, the rocker is now opening a beauty parlor.

Wentz is opening a punk-themed unisex beauty parlor, The Clandestine Industries Salon, in his native Chicago. Stylist Ben Mollin has already been recruited to create a punk theme at the Clandestine Industries Salon, it has been claimed.

The action thriller comedy "Postal" has been set to be bowing in theaters on May 23, the same day as the release of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". According to Slash Film, the release date's announcement has been made by Uwe Boll, the mastermind behind the film, himself.

Quoting the director/producer of "House of the Dead", Slash noted, "On the Indiana Jones weekend - May 23 - we will go out and destroy Indiana Jones in the Box Office! We all know that Harrison Ford is older as my grandpa and his time is up - would Michael Moore say!" It was further claimed that the "BloodRayne" helmer commented, "Spielberg gets sloppy. We saw that with War of the Worlds (why the fuck the older brother survived?) and also in parts of Jaws, E.T., Munich etc.! My performance in Postal as 'Nazi Theme Park Owner' outperforms easily Ben Kingsley in Schindler's List!" Due to Boll's statement, it was reported that the fourth installment of "Indiana Jones" may be moved to another date to avoid competition from "Postal".

Though "Away From Her" was overshadowed by the Russian mobsters' film "Eastern Promises" at the 28 Annual Genie Awards' nominations, it proved to many that it was worth to be praised as the romantic drama film swept away all of the nods given to it. On Monday, March 3, the Lions Gate Films' movie brought home 7 awards from the Canadian film award, including best film prize.

In nailing the top film kudo, the Alzheimer's drama beat out tough contenders, "Promises", "Shake Hands With the Devil", "L'age Des Tenebres" (Days of Darkness) and "Continental, Un Film Sans Fusil" (Continental, A Film Without Guns). Further, "Away" brought recognition to first-time director Sarah Polley who nabbed the achievement in direction prize, the best adapted screenplay as well as the Claude Jutra Award that honors first-time filmmakers for their outstanding achievement.

Rumor has it that Jermaine Dupri is having problems with his vision after laser eye surgery. The platinum-selling producer is said to be suffering from serious complications following laser eye surgery two weeks ago.

Dupri was due to teach wannabes the path to success in a lecture titled "How to Get a Record Deal" back on February 28. He, however, was forced to cancel the lecture to have an undisclosed surgical procedure. The lecture is expected to be rescheduled in the coming weeks.

Jonas Brothers' self-titled album will soon be available for European countries for Universal Music Group have struck a deal with the boys' U.S. label Disney Music Group's Hollywood Records to release it in Europe via Polydor Records. The album which is the second effort from the three-piece will be available there in June.

"This band is one of our key priorities for Europe," said Max Hole, executive VP, Universal Music Group (UMG) International in a statement, "and we are keen on creating the same phenomenon in the region that has taken hold in the U.S." UMG also own the right to "Jonas Brothers" distribution in Canada and Latin America.

The rumor mill is buzzing again. Rihanna and Chris Brown are caught in the act, spotted heating things up in Paris, France over the weekend.

The supposed lovers, who are hard at work in keeping their romance secret, have been spotted getting up close and personal at a birthday bash for renowned fashion photographer Peter Beard in Paris, France on Saturday night, March 1. Photos of the pair's PDA could be seen at Celebrity-gossip.net.

Scoring a successful season with their Idol Gives Back program last year, American Idol is giving back to the community for the second time in this seventh season. Like the first one, the second cycle will see a number of stars lending hands to encourage people to donate for the charity event.

The fresh batch include Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Bono, Stacy Ferguson aka Fergie, Brad Pitt, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Snoop Dogg, John Legend, Reese Witherspoon, Annie Lennox, and NFL stars Payton and Eli Manning. They will each give their contribution on the event which will air on Fox on April 9 at 8:00 P.M. ET/PT.

Jeri Ryan is a mother for one more time. The actress, who came to fame as the ex-Borg Seven of Nine on TV series "Star Trek: Voyager," gave birth to her first child with restaurateur hubby Christophe Eme, on Sunday, March 2 in Los Angeles.

The newborn baby was named Gisele Eme. She weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces upon arrival.

Having Justin Timberlake to induct her to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Madonna is treated with other forms of tribute. Iggy Pop and the reunited The Stooges will perform during her induction ceremony which will be held next week on March 10 at Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

Pop who is the lead vocal of The Stooges, has been known to be Madonna's opening act at the Dublin date during her Reinvention Tour in 2004. He reportedly has agreed to perform the punked up versions of her hits as a tribute. Meanwhile, both The Stooges and Madonna are Detroit natives.

When it comes to "big give", Drew Barrymore knows best how to make one. The movie star has on "Oprah Winfrey Show" Monday, March 3 announced that she is donating $1 million to the World Food Programme to help feed children in Africa.

Being tapped as a WFP ambassador against hunger last year, Drew has worked with the charity since 2005 and already taken two trips to Kenya in the past two years to see the organization's work first hand. On the $1 million donation she made, Drew claimed it as the largest donation she's ever made.

Reports may have been published regarding Van Halen scrapping their reunion tour, but a new report on Billboard.com said that the news is actually not accurate. Frontman Eddie Van Halen may undergo medical tests but shows are merely postponed, not canceled.

The rock band announced a U.S. reunion tour back in January 2007 and have extended it to 2008 with dates stretched up to April 24. However, a statement was issued by the band's camp on Monday, March 3 that Eddie who has battled cancer and substance abuse "is undergoing a battery of comprehensive medical tests to determine a defined diagnosis and recommended medical procedures." No other details have been released regarding Eddie's state of condition.

Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson are not engaged despite rumors to the contrary. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback has squashed recent rumors that he and girlfriend Jessica are engaged.

Set the record straight on that matter, Romo told People during the Cosmopolitan Fun Fearless Male of the Year Awards in New York on Monday, March 3, "It's just rumors. That's what people say." Though so Romo is open to marriage, saying "I'm sure I'll get married one day. I don't know when."

It appears that the Amy Winehouse's drama would never come to an end. The troubled singer has just been diagnosed with impetigo, her spokesman confirms to People.

Amy sparked concern that she might have been involved in a fight after she was photographed with a painful-looking swelling on the side of her face Friday, February 29. But her representative has confirmed her swollen face is down to a bout of impetigo and the singer will have to spend time in isolation to stop the infection from spreading.

A duet between Britney Spears and Heidi Montag on a song called "Dramatic" that has been played at Ryan Seacrest's radio show and circulated all over the net apparently is recorded without both artists' knowledge. Reps from Spears and Montag insisted that their clients know nothing about the song and that the stars had never had a recording session together.

Montag's publicist explained, "Heidi has no knowledge of this recording. She did do a demo of this song for possible use on her record, but that recording had a male vocal on it, not Britney Spears." Meanwhile on the other side, a source told Perez Hilton, "Heidi and Spencer got their hands on an old demo recording of Britney's that never made it onto any of her albums."

Word on the block is that Jamie Lynn Spears, the pregnant sister of troubled pop star Britney Spears, is expecting a baby boy. The expectant young lady sparks baby boy rumors after a shopping trip with big sister Britney last week.

It was reported that the sisters hit Petit Tresor in West Hollywood on February 25 and spent 20 minutes picking out organic baby blankets, towels and pyjamas - all in light blue. "Britney originally said the items were for herself," said a source close to the store-Petit Tresor, adding "[but] that was just a line to distract from Jamie Lynn."

Akon is still spawning singles from his 2006 Grammy-nominated album, "Konvicted" and the latest one pulled from his effort is the T-Pain featuring song "I Can't Wait". The single which will be released later this month is the seventh from the album, and reportedly will be the last.

The music video for "I Can't Wait" has been shot with Bryan Barber who previously directed for The Game's "Wouldn't Get Far" and Christina Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man". The video opens with T-Pain on the piano and Akon singing beside his sports car. Akon is also pictured getting smitten to a woman he meets outside a club and then he follows her.

The 24-years-old stepbrother of "The Hills" star Heidi Montag died in an accident at a Colorado hotel where he was working, it has been reported. Eric O'Hara died Thursday, February 28 after he fell off the icy roof of the Steamboat Grand Resort Hotel.

Eric had been home for a month after serving as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq and Afghanistan over three years. He was working on the roof of the hotel attempting to remove snow when a piece of ice broke loose and caused his fall from the building.