April 01, 2008

After her appearance in television series "How I Met Your Mother" boosted up the ratings of the series, it has been rumored that troubled pop singer Britney Spears will be tapped to join the Wildcats cast in the third installment of the successful Disney's film series "High School Musical 3: Senior Year". Entertainment Wise reported that the "...Baby One More Time" hitmaker is going to appear in the franchise due to director Kenny Ortega's wish.

The site claimed that the film series' helmer desperately wants the former pop princess to make a cameo appearance in the film. "Britney is a modern day icon and having her in HSM would be incredible," Ortega allegedly explained. "If Ms. Darbus had a star pupil like her in the drama class, Sharpay would have some stiff competition."

Apparently can never have too many on his career resume, Kanye West ventures into new business, launching a new online travel company through his official Website. The rap artist and hip hop producer named his travel company, "Kanye Travel Ventures" (KTV).

The company, owned by the rapper's West Brands, LLC, reportedly is formed to serve business and leisure travel demands for Kanye's fans. It offers fans the chance to purchase concert tickets for his performances along with "other performance-related merchandise and events".

Following the letting out of the fall theatrical schedule for many upcoming films, it was announced that the upcoming 18th century drama "The Duchess" will be arriving in theaters this fall. Variety reported that the Paramount Vantage's film starring Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes has been set to make its debut on September 12, 2008.

It was further reported that the film that picks up the scandalous story of Georgiana, the duchess of Devonshire, will be having a limited previewing. Penned by Jeffrey Hatcher and Susanne Bier, the film is based on Amanda Foreman's biography and was said to be originally set to be helmed by Bier. It was shot at Twickenham Film Studios. It also had on-location filming that include shooting at Chatsworth, Bath, Holkham Hall, Norfolk and Kedleston Hall.

The actress of "DOA: Dead or Alive" Jaime Pressly has reportedly nailed a major role in the DreamWorks Pictures' comedy project entitled "I Love You, Man" According to Hollywood Reporter, the 30-year-old actress will star opposite Paul Rudd, Rashida Jones and Jason Segel in the film.

It is said that Pressly will be portraying the best friend of Jones' character, whereas Rudd is set to play the lead character, Jones will be starring as the fiancee of Rudd's character, and Segel has been tapped to star as the new-found friend of Rudd's character. In the film, the actress who gives voice to Mrs. Quilligan of "Horton Hears a Who!" will be acting under the direction of John Hamburg.

The rumor mills are still grinding on Green Day's alleged side project known as the Foxboro Hot Tubs (FHT). NME.com reported that the possible alias of the punk rock band has released a new single called "The Pedestrian".

The single is available for download on the mysterious band's official site and is also available for audio streaming on their MySpace page. It is allegedly one of the tracks that will be included in FHT's debut album which is tentatively titled "Stop, Drop and Roll" after a track. No release date for the Jingle Town Records album has been unveiled.

Helen Mirren, the English actress who earned herself an Academy Award prize for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in "The Queen", has been signed in for the upcoming biopic "The Last Station" to take over another acclaimed actress' role. According to Variety, the 62-year-old actress will be playing Leo Tolstoy's wife Sophia, a role once belonged to Meryl Streep.

By replacing Streep, the "Elizabeth I" star will be joining the other cast that include James McAvoy, Anne-Marie Duff and Paul Giamatti. In the project, she would star opposite Christopher Plummer, who replaced Anthony Hopkins in portraying Tolstoy. The notable actress is expected to join the filming which will begin on April 7.

Caught in the act, Paris Hilton takes a tumble in Prague. The hotel heiress was attempting a quick exit from a music store in Prague, the Czech Republic with boyfriend Benji Madden, when she accidentally took a spill tripped over a step, fell face down and banged her chin on the ground.

The unfortunate, took place Sunday, March 30, left Paris with a swollen and grazed chin. The Daily Mail got some pictures of the incident which was captured by throngs of photo-snapping paparazzi.

Avon Products Inc. announced Monday, March 31 its partnership with Patrick Dempsey to create a signature men's fragrance. Concerning the multiyear contract, the actor best known as McDreamy on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" will thus be the face of the company's men's fragrance, which is set to debut in November of 2008 in the U.S., with a global launch following in 2009.

"We are thrilled to partner with Patrick Dempsey-an incredibly accomplished actor who has achieved such broad appeal because of his genuine authenticity, charisma and style," Avon Products Chairman and CEO Andrea Jung said in a statement. "We're extremely impressed with both his on and off screen accomplishments, and have a shared commitment to giving back to communities in ways both big and small," Jung added.

The acclaimed "Babel" actor Brad Pitt has been reported to be working together with Paramount Pictures in bringing "Lost City of Z" to the big screen. According to Variety, the 44-year-old actor has been set to produce the feature film adaptation, which has preemptively been bought by the studio, through his Plan B production company.

It was said that Paramount, at which Plan B is based, bought the screen right of David Grann's nonfiction book after learning that Pitt is interested to portray the leading character and produce the film. Variety noted that the long-time partner of actress Angelina Jolie has set his eyes to play the missing British explorer Colonel Percy Harrison Fawcett.

Is a long-time supporter of Save the Children, an organization that helps children around the world through education, health care, and emergency aid, Reese Witherspoon puts her teaching skills at test by turning a volunteer teacher. The Academy Award-winning actress took time out of her hectic filming schedule, turning a volunteer teacher for a day for children at a school in New Orleans, Louisiana recently.

Spent time with the at-risk youth of New Orleans at the Children's Defense Fund Freedom School, Reese helped the kids with their assignments, read a story to the class, and posed for photographs with the kids. The mother of two is having her trip being filmed for an upcoming American Idol charity special Idol Gives Back.

Kevin Spacey, the depicter of Superman's archenemy Lex Luthor, confessed that he would love to reprise his villainous role in the Superman sequel "Superman: The Man of Steel". According to Monsters and Critics, the 48-year-old actor has been looking forward to the chance of him playing the bald villain in the upcoming superhero flick.

Talking to the site, the "American Beauty" star revealed that he has actually been tapped to play the character, but the decision depends on the filmmakers. "I believe they are in talks at the moment. I have actually already signed up to do it," explained the actor. "So if they decide to go ahead with it and they still want me, then I will definitely be in it."

Following the rumors of a breakup, Velvet revolver's guitarist Slash has said that the band will continue recording a new album. Problem is, he also mentioned that only four of out of five will be involved in the project.

"There will be a third album," Slash told the Daily Star. "We don't know how or when but the core four guys will continue." The non-inclusive member that Slash is referring to is vocalist Scott Weiland who will soon rejoin his other band Stone Temple Pilot for a reunion tour.

Another day, another denial for the much-reported lovers Rihanna and Chris Brown. Still living down persistent rumors that she's dating the R&B singer, the songbird insisted they aren't couple.

Denying the long persistent rumors of a romance, Rihanna spoke to MTV News at the Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday, March 29, "I won't say that we're just friends - me and Chris are really best, best friends." She then quickly added, "We both started our careers around the same time. He is one of the only people in the industry ... I trust and hang out with all the time. We are best friends, honestly, like brother and sister. If he was a boyfriend, I would say that."

Winning two Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards; Favorite Female Singer and Favorite Television Actress, at its 21st annual awards show Saturday, March 29, Miley Cyrus adds one more nod into her award resume. The teen sensation wins the Leading Young Actress in TV Series category for the 29th Annual Young Artist Awards, besting the likes of Emma Roberts and Jamie Lynn Spears among others.

Her Emmy Award-nominated TV series "Hannah Montana", meanwhile, nabs the Best Family Television Series Award from its heavy contenders; "Life Is Wild", "The Naked Brothers Band", "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide", "Out of Jimmy's Head", "The Winner", and "Zoey 101." Though so, "Hannah Montana" lost the Best Young Ensemble Performance In A TV Series Award to Cartoon Network's "Out of Jimmy Head."

Mariah Carey has extended her deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) that will continue to publish Carey's catalog and future works for the world. David Renzer, Chairman and CEO of UMPG announced today (April 1) that the company will hold the exclusive and worldwide publishing of the Grammy Award-winning singer's works.

"Mariah Carey is well known for her incredible voice, but we also celebrate her incredible strength as a songwriter and the fact that she has co-written most of her best known songs," Rezner said. "We're honored that she has agreed to renew her working relationship with UMPG and we look forward to continuing to promote her amazing and wonderful body of work globally."

Despite having no plan for new materials, Rage Against the Machine has been saying yes to festivals. The reunited political band is confirmed to headline the first day of Reading and Leeds Festivals, that is due to take place in England starting from August 22. RATM will be accompanied by fellow U.S. bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Tenacious D, Slipknot, Queens of the Stone Age and The Raconteurs.

The Killers will headline the second day while Metallica takes over the duty on the third which is also last day. All the headlining act will play on the main stage and others will play in five other stages. The tickets have been sold, pricing at 155 pounds for the three-day weekend tickets, camping and parking, and 65 pounds for day to day ticket without camping.

The young stars of the Walt Disney Pictures' drama "Bridge to Terabithia" have proved their dominance at the 29th Annual Young Artist Awards. As the winners of the awards for the young performers were announced on Sunday, March 30, it was revealed that all of its young theps have nailed all the four nods given to them earlier.

At the event, the film's two leading performers, Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb, have been hailed the leading young actor and actress respectively in the category of Best Performance in a Feature Film. The two teenage actors have overshadowed in total 16 other strong contenders, including Alex Etel of "The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep", Freddie Highmore of "August Rush", Abigail Breslin of "No Reservations" and Saoirse Ronan of "Atonement".

Kanye West has premiered the music video of his latest single "Homecoming". The clip is particularly highly-anticipated due to the fact that Chris Martin of rock band Coldplay is featured in both the song and the black-and-white video.

West had previously posted three frames from the video on his official site. "Homecoming" will be the fifth single lifted from the rapper's Grammy Award-winning album "Graduation" that was released last year.

It appears that Britney Spears is working her way up the industry ladder once again after a stomach-turning life. Following her guest starring role on "How I Met Your Mother" which was considered a success, the pop singer receives a new job offer from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

The animal rights group, which has often criticized Britney for wearing fur and buying pets from pet stores, has penned an open letter to the star, offering her a gig as a receptionist. In the letter, written on its blog, the president of PETA, Ingrid E. Newkirk, invites Britney to enter into a new relationship with the organization and come on-board as a "virtual receptionist," stating she was impressed with her performance last week on "How I Met Your Mother."

Despite the release of denials and little information about their reunion, it has been confirmed that New Kids On The Block will give an appearance on U.S. TV show "Today" this Friday, April 4. All the five original members - Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood, Jordan and Jonathan Knight- are expected to give announcement on their reunion.

No further details have been released regarding the stint but the appearance will coincide with the 20th anniversary of their mega-selling album "Hangin' Tough". The boy band who made it big in the late '80s have also updated their official site giving an "Are You Ready?".

Bjork's music video for her single "Wanderlust", the fourth single from "Volta", has been premiered on Yahoo! Music on Monday, March 31. True to Bjork's eccentric nature, the video is once again putting visual effects and implicit ideas that have been her signature in her works.

The video reportedly is shot by Bay Area team Encyclopedia Pictura, who have done works for Grizzly Bear, in New York City, using stereoscopic 3D system that enables rich textures to be seen. Choreographer Chris Elam works with artistic director Misnomer Dance for the clip that shows Bjork and her 'beasts' companion traveling down the river.

A statement has been issued by the representative for Adam Sandler, confirming that the actor-comedian breaks his ankle. The star, best known for his comedic roles, "broke his ankle over the weekend while playing basketball - but still won the game," read the statement issued by Sandler's representative to The Associated Press.

No further details on where the unfortunate actually took place or Sandler's exact condition. It is, as well, not being mentioned on what basketball game it is.

A new joint from Michelle Williams (II), the ex-member of Destiny's Child, has been debuted on People.com yesterday, March 31. The brand new single called "We Break the Dawn" will be the first single off her upcoming album "Unexpected".

"We Break the Dawn" is a synth-infused song that tells about a woman enjoying a time in a club. It was initially set for the second single after "Stop the Car" but the sequence has been turned around since. A music video for "Dawn" has been planned but Williams said that she will premiere it after she completes her role in Broadway's "The Color Purple".

Andy Roddick is now an engaged man. The American professional tennis player confirmed his engagement to his swimsuit model girlfriend Brooklyn Decker in his official Website Monday, March 31.

"We are thrilled to announce that Andy and Brooklyn Decker are engaged to be married," read a statement on Roddick's official Website. "Andy proposed in early March."

Even after the arguably pretty bitter "Back to Black", Amy Winehouse is still striving for a dark mood for her album. A friend of the "Rehab" singer who has heard her new materials said that the third studio album from Winehouse will be "darker than ever" because she has been writing songs about death.

A friend revealed to The Sun, "Her next album is darker than ever. Amy's got low self-esteem anyway but her skin has made her want to hide away from the rest of the world. And we have started noticing more and more cuts on her arms." Winehouse has been kept inside her place due to contagious skin disease called impetigo and has since recorded from her home studio.

Jessica Simpson is feeling "much better" after being hospitalized with a kidney infection. The actress-singer was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Friday, March 28 for a "minor kidney infection" and was released Monday, March 31.

In Touch Magazine reported Simpson's hospitalization Monday. "She was hospitalized for a kidney infection, but she has been released and is doing fine," In Touch quoted her representative as saying.