April 15, 2008

The sport programming broadcaster ESPN are going to tackle a feature film project. According to Hollywood Reporter, the cable TV network have announced on Monday, April 14, that they have been aboard Robert Redford's biopic project about the Brooklyn Dodgers star Jackie Robinson.

In the announcement, it is revealed that ESPN is going to co-produce the film "Untitled Jackie Robinson Project" through their ESPN Films' banner. It means that they will also team up with producers Tracy Falco, Howard and Karen Baldwin and Andrew Cohen as well as other production companies that consist of Redford's Wildwood Enterprises and Baldwin/Cohen Prods.

Could it be true that Usher's wife Tameka Foster is pregnant again? MediaTakeOut claimed to have heard whispers that she "may have another bundle of joy on the way."

Cited a source close to the couple, MediaTakeOut wrote on its Website Usher and Tameka have been actively trying to have another child and she may already have carried a bun in the oven. "Usher wants at least two more children with Tameka, so they're not wasting any time," so said the source. Tameka, still according to the source, regularly monitors her ovulation schedule. No comments from her or Usher just yet about the pregnancy speculation.

Though the leaked "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" has been quickly pulled from YouTube, the fast action taken by the Star Wars' bosses apparently didn't stop the details of the footage from being let out. Noting that he has seen the bootleg trailer, Travis Fickett of IGN let out what the trailer promises for the animation film through bits of description.

Stating that the 3-D version of the George Lucas' famous "Star Wars" films picks up a war story, Finkett explained that the trailer previews many combats which is accompanied with energetic music that include "Duel of the Fates" scores from "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace". Some of the battles feature Jedi in action, some others show the war without the Jedi. Further, it is stated that the war scenes also let out the droids, clone troopers as well as dozens of various vehicles and ships.

On Monday, April 14 it was announced that The Smashing Pumpkins will be inducted to Hollywood's RockWalk for their credibility in music field. Their induction ceremony will take place at the Hollywood Guitar Center on April 23 at noon. They are also scheduled to make a performance outside the store.

The band's remaining members vocalist Billy Corgan and guitarist Jimmy Chamberlin reportedly will be present during the ceremony to press their hands on the prepared cement. The molded handprints would later be put alongside those by other rock icons like Johnny Cash, Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, Elvis Presley, Bonnie Raitt, and Eric Clapton.

The restricted trailer of the drama comedy "The Babysitters" featuring one of the stars from "Sex and the City", Cynthia Nixon, has circulated on the interwebs. The video footage takes as long as 1:43 minutes to be viewed.

The footage begins with bits of clips previewing the ordinary and boring life of Shirley, the lead character played by Katherine Waterston. The trailer then revealed that Shirley has a part-time job as a babysitter and that she has a crush on a man whose children she takes care of. As the story footage continues on, it can be seen that Shirley and the man bring their flirtation to a serious level which eventually led Shirley to be a "call girl".

It appears that Keira Knightley and her actor boyfriend Rupert Friend are taking their romance into a higher level with a plan to buy a new 2 million pound sterling London home to help keep them close to one another. The pair reportedly are looking for a property in Notting Hill.

Keira and Friend were co-stars in the 2005 drama romance "Pride and Prejudice." They've been dating since then. There have been rumors that they are engaged to be married, but both of them denied the claims.

As an article in Newsweek noted that Pixar is more likely to rent the famous ruins of Pompeii to be a film set came out, many speculated that the film intended to be shot there may have been Warner Bros. Pictures' latest movie project "1906". However, further reports suggested that the earlier rumors maybe a false one after all.

On the speculation, Slash Film noted that The Pixar Blog has pointed out that the Brad Bird-directed film probably won't need the filming of the famous site near Naples, Italy as the film, though is set in the early 20th century, tells the story of the eminent earthquake occurred in San Fransisco, California. Further, Slash also explained that the James Dalessandroonce's book from which the film is adapted never mentions the location.

Although the single "Birthday Girl" has been dropped from The Roots' new set, a video is still made for the Patrick Stump-featuring song. The Hip-Hop band,however, refused to appear in the video and instead hired porn star Sasha Grey to be the titular character. Rik Cordero directed the clip.

"Birthday Girl" was eliminated from their April 29 album "Rising Down" due to its idea that differs from the rest of the album's tracks. The band wanted to keep the political essence of the CD. Member ?uestlove explained, "It was just sticking out like a sore thumb. Initially it was going to kick-start the record ... but then that didn't work. Then we were going to have a 'halftime' thing where it was gonna come in the middle of the record as a break from the political thing, but that didn't work, either." The single is available on iTunes.

Madonna has made up a plan to perform live for the first time in support of her upcoming release "Hard Candy". The "Take a Bow" singer has booked a performing slot at New York's Roseland Ballroom on April 30 and she has a specific plan for this concert which is dubbed by Warner Bros as "historic event".

True to her nature in breaking the traditional ways, Madonna prefers to have her fans queuing up in front of the venue to get the tickets rather than purchasing it on-line. She, however, will also broadcast the concert on the web live and simultaneously in several sites for U.S. users only. The footage will then be available outside the States on May 15.

Travis Barker has settled a lawsuit he brought in January against Rockstar energy drink company for illegally using his name and image. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed in court papers filed Friday, April 11 in Superior Court since the deal was still tentative.

The agreement is expected to take about 45 days before a Los Angeles Superior Court finally signs it off. Another hearing for the case has been scheduled for Thursday, April 17.

Demi Moore, the depicter of former angel turned assassin, Madison Lee, in "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" is going to be involved in two new independent film projects. Variety reported that the 45-year-old actress has been tapped to star in family drama movie "Happy Tears" and martial art feature film "Bunraku".

In "Tears", the star of "G.I. Jane" will be playing the lead character's sister who became bitter as she has enough dealing with her hateful father. She will star alongside actress Parker Posey who toplines the film. Meanwhile in "Buranku", Moore is set to portray a warlord's captivated concubine who is forced to marry her captor.

Is the celebrity model of giant clothing retailer Bebe, Eva Longoria takes her role a notch higher, stripping down to some skimpy beach and sportswear for the fashion brand's new summer range. Shows off her enviable gym-honed figure, which is no stranger to fans of hit TV series "Desperate Housewives", the actress poses in a skimpy white bikini, and blue mini beach dress among others.

Eva took the crown as the face of Bebe last year, replacing its former celebrity endorser Mischa Barton. Speaking about Bebe's collection she's modeled, Eva commented "I used to be an aerobics instructor so I really know what works well for that type of activity. I love how stylish and comfortable the collection is."

Jermaine Dupri has on Thursday, April 10 posted a video blogging that reveals his recording session with Usher, Jay-Z and Anthony Hamilton. The footage was taken while they are in the studio to work on Usher's upcoming album "Here I Stand".

In an interview earlier this month, Usher said that Jay-Z and his rumored wife Beyonce Knowles will appear together in his new album. Dupri meanwhile, has been long confirmed to be one of the producers in the album.

Willa Ford has become the latest addition to the cast of horror film remake "Friday the 13th". On Bloody-Disgusting's latest report, the site has confirmed that the 27-year-old dance-pop singer has been signed to star in the Marcus Nispel-directed film.

Allegedly, the wife of NHL player Mike Modano has let out the casting herself. Bloody-Disgusting explained that the presenter opened up to NHL Live, a radio show/tv show on the NHL Network, that she will be joining the horror cast that include Jared Padalecki, Derek Mears and Amanda Righetti.

Lil Wayne will be one of the guest stars at this year's BMI Unsigned Urban Showcase which will be held this Thursday, April 24. The event will see a competition among four unsigned artists who will showcase their talents in front of a panel of judges comprised of music industry icons.

More than 300 music acts have entered the contest earlier this year but only four made it through to the final. Contending for the prize this year are MC Jarren Benton from Atlanta, R 'n' B singer Brandon Hines from New York, genre transformers Holly Weerd from Atlanta, and rapper Trimm also from Atlanta.

Max and Emme, the baby twins of Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, have been baptized, In Touch Weekly reports. The celebrity parents have the twins baptized on Saturday, April 12 at a church in Long Island, N.Y.

The intimate ceremony was attended by only their closest friends and family members. The baptism, according to In Touch, was then followed by a reception at Lopez and Anthony's estate nearby.

Japanese manga's fans are going to be treated with a 3-D film version of "Ghost in the Shell". According to Variety, DreamWorks Pictures have acquired screening rights to the Masamune Shirow's Japanese cyberpunk manga and the studio allegedly plan on developing the manga adaptation as a 3-D live-action movie.

Allegedly, the success of DreamWorks in nailing the rights cannot be separated from acclaimed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg as his effort in negotiating for the project as well as his personal interest in it overshadowed Universal and Sony's offers. Revealing his enthusiasm on getting the project, the "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" helmer stated, "'Ghost in the Shell' is one of my favorite stories. It's a genre that has arrived, and we enthusiastically welcome it to DreamWorks."

Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney is attempting a make-over. The movie hunk has publicly revealed his willingness to dye his trademark grey hair in a bid to look younger.

"My hair's too gray, much too gray!" he said. "I will have to consider dyeing it. I've been thinking a lot about it lately. First I'm going to start dyeing my eyebrows, just to see how it works. And then I'll go to the hair. Start slowly."

Three 6 Mafia have released a new video for the first single off their upcoming album "Last 2 Walk". The rap group who is now down to only two members Juicy J and DJ Paul, have premiered the video of "I'd Rather" that features UNK.

"Last 2 Walk" is their frequently-delayed ninth studio album which original schedule this year is in April. They have now set a new date which is June 24, via Hypnotize Minds/Columbia Records. With the new date, the set will have to face competitions from G-Unit's "Lock and Load", The Game's "L.A.X." and Nelly's "Brass Knuckles".

Having a string of successful films together, kung fu actor Jackie Chan and comic man Chris Tucker allegedly are going to share the screen again. According to MTV News, the two actors famous for their unlikely teaming in "Rush Hour" movies will collaborate once again to make another movie that is promised to not be a "Rush Hour" film.

To MTV on Saturday, April 12, the co-star of Jet Li in "The Forbidden Kingdom" revealed that he has talked to Tucker about the new film. "It's like two days ago when Chris Tucker called me. We sat down and decided we want to do another movie. Not a 'Rush Hour' - something new," recalled the co-star of Owen Wilson in "Shanghai Knights". "I said yes, and after I shook [Tucker's] hand, I said: 'Look, we need a middleman. I don't want to shake hands, then I go back to Hong Kong and you stay here, I get busy and you get busy. You have to have somebody in the middle to follow up, otherwise it will never happen."

Forget Paris Hilton, Pamela Anderson and any other artists who have their own sex tapes. Here it comes the long-secret sex tape of blonde sex symbol Marilyn Monroe that features her engaged in oral sex with an unidentified man. A copy of the 15-minutes, 16-millimeter film reportedly has been purchased by a New York businessman for $1.5 million.

The unidentified businessman has vowed to keep the hardcore away from public view, memorabilia collector Keya Morgan who arranged the sale has stated. Morgan admitted to have recently arranged the sale of the silent, black-and-white film from the son of a dead FBI informant who possessed it to a wealthy Manhattan businessman who wants to protect Monroe's privacy.

The top prize at the 2008 CMT Music Awards finally was announced. Video of the Year was rightfully taken by Taylor Swift's "Our Song" video that was directed by Trey Fanjoy. With the win, she has beat out strong contenders including Kenny Chesney, Sugarland and Brad Paisley. The teen singer has won Female Video of the Year earlier that night through the same work.

On accepting the prize the joyful singer said, "I want to thank everybody on MySpace - all the people who have made fan sites for me. I don't have a fan club, so you guys have done so much for me. I can't even believe this right now." The nominees of the category was narrowed down to mere four at the beginning of the show with fans being able to log on-line and vote for their favorite.

As the scheduled key dates of the 81st Annual Academy Awards have been announced on Monday, April 14 by Academy President Sid Ganis, it is unveiled that the presentation of the 2009 Oscar's nominations won't be set up like usual because of the presidential inauguration. According to reports, the nominations announcement is going to be revealed two days after its usual schedule.

Traditionally, Academy Awards' gongs will be reveled on a Tuesday about four weeks before the awards presentation ceremony. However, since the targeted Tuesday, which falls on January 20, 2009, happens to be the day a new U.S. president will be initiated, the event has been pushed back to the following Thursday on January 22, 2009. Reasoning for the delaying schedule, academy executive administrator Ric Robertson revealed to Associated Press, "It didn't make any sense for us to try to compete with (the inauguration) from a news point of view."

The 2008 CMT Music Awards has just handed the Male Music Video of the Year nod to Trace Adkins for his song "I Got My Game On". The country event which is hosted by Miley Cyrus and her dad Billy Ray Cyrus is already halfway through finishing the announcement of its winners and is expected to announce the coveted Video of the Year soon.

The event is held on Monday, April 14 at Curb Event Center in Belmont University and broadcast live on CMT at 8 P.M.. It had been announced in the beginning of the show that the final four nominees for Video of the Year are Kenny Chesney's "Don't Blink", Brad Paisley's "Online", Taylor Swift's "Our Song", and Sugarland's "Stay".

While gossip publications are already afire with rumors that Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson are expecting their first child together, the Fall Out Boy bassist is quick to call foul that he has impregnated the singer, branded those rumors as "crazy". Put the brake on the false persistent pregnancy rumors, Wentz set the record straight in an email he sent to MTV News.

"There is a witch hunt for people to be pregnant whenever they get engaged in Hollywood," so he wrote on the email. "This is all news to me. I can't wait for the story about how I'm really in a gay relationship and this is all just a cover. ... I mean really, this is crazy. ... I mean we're engaged, that's true, and happy about it."