March 01, 2011

Screen Gems has picked up feature film rights to Capcom's hit videogame series "Devil May Cry". Variety reports the studio may develop it as a new big game-to-film franchise like "Resident Evil" which has grossed more than $580 million collectively through its four films.

"Devil May Cry" video game itself was initially developed as the third installment of the "Resident Evil" games. But its design later started to deviate significantly from "Resident Evil" 's style and Capcom decided to developed it into a new property entirely.

Country sweetheart Miranda Lambert has axed her upcoming tour of Australia after falling ill with a respiratory infection. The singer was due to support Alan Jackson on his tour Down Under from Friday, March 4, but she's canceled her appearances on doctors' orders.

In a post on her website, she writes, "I was very much looking forward to Australia with Alan Jackson and performing for all the music lovers down under." Her opening slot will be filled by Jasmine Rae and McAlister Kemp.

Kings of Leon star Matthew Followill is set to become a first-time father - his wife is six months pregnant, according to a U.K. report. The rocker and his songwriter partner Johanna Bennett are expecting their first baby together, which is due in late spring, reports Britain's The Sun.

A source tells the publication, "Although Jo and Matt haven't made any announcement it's well known among her friends that they're having a child. They are both absolutely thrilled and can't wait to become a proper family. They don't know what they're having but don't mind either way."

Vanessa Hudgens is reportedly dating actor Josh Hutcherson following her December split from Zac Efron. The "High School Musical" co-stars ended their three-year romance and Efron subsequently sparked rumors he's dating Aussie beauty Teresa Palmer after they attended a Los Angeles film screening together.

And Hudgens appears to be moving on from the relationship too - she was spotted looking close to her "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" co-star Hutcherson at a party last week, according to People.com. A source tells the website, "Their arms were wrapped around each other and they were really touchy together. They were very cute."

Only a few days away from its U.S. release, "Beastly" has been previewed in a new clip debuted by Apple. It follows Alex Pettyfer's Kyle Kingson who makes a speech as part of a campaign to be Green Committee president. Proud of his good look and status as a popular rich student, he urges his friends to vote for him.

After ditching a date, he is transformed into someone as unattractive on the outside as he is on the inside. He has one year to find a young woman who will love him despite his hideous form or the spell will last forever. He then finds his love in Lindy, who never got his attention before.

To support their latest album "Last Train to Paris", Diddy-Dirty Money have announced a tour which they called "Coming Home" after one of the album's singles. They would visit intimate venues across United States starting in Minneapolis on April 13.

The two-month jaunt will visit big cities like New York City and Atlanta before wrapping it up in St. Louis, MO on May 15. "You'll be able to see my eyes, you'll be able to smell my cologne, you gon' be able to look at the ladies and see their caramel complexion. You'll be able to hear their voices, see their smile. You gon' be up close and personal, baby- super HD, ya dig?" P. Diddy gushed.

Katy Perry had her own Oscars moment hours after her husband Russell Brand made his debut at the Academy Award alongside "Arthur" co-star Helen Mirren when she took to the Kodak Theatre stage as part of Oprah Winfrey's big show wrap-up special on Monday, February 28 .

The pop star took a break from her European tour and flew in to Los Angeles from Austria to join Sunday's February 27 Oscars finale performers, the student choir of PS 22, for a rendition of her hit "Firework".

Lisa Marie Presley has quit her $12 million estate in England after failing to adapt to the country lifestyle, according to a U.K. report. The singer has lived in California since her father Elvis passed away in 1977, but last year she put her five-bedroom ranch up for sale at just under $9 million.

She then purchased a home in the quiet town of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, reportedly because of its vicinity to East Grinstead, Sussex, where Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard settled in 1959 after moving from the U.S. The star is a devout Scientologist.

Justin Bieber is appealing to his fans to donate money to charity to mark his 17th birthday on Tuesday, March 1. The "Baby" hitmaker is forgoing gifts from his devoted fanbase in a bid to raise cash for Charity: Water, a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.

In a post on his fundraising page, he writes, "I have had an incredible year and it is all due to the fans helping me live my dream. So this year, I really want my birthday to be all about helping others. Instead of asking for gifts, I'm asking friends, family and fans to consider donating $17 for my 17th birthday to help make a change."

Rocker Dave Pajo has quit Interpol less than a year after replacing bassist Carlos Dengler. Dengler parted ways with the band in May 2010 after the completion of its self-titled fourth record and Pajo subsequently joined the line-up.

However, he's decided to leave the group to spend more time with his family - and his bandmembers are fully supportive of his decision. The remaining members - Paul Banks, Dan Kessler and Sam Fogarino - say in a statement, "We're all friends. It's just an out-of-the-hotel, into-the-home sorta thing. He's going to be missed to be sure. Aside from being an exceptional musician, Pajo is a wonderful person to be around."

Rapper Kid Cudi has parted ways with his label after admitting he and his record company bosses have "different visions" of how his music should sound. The "Day 'N Nite" hitmaker recently revealed he is ready to launch a rock career because he no longer feels "passionate" about writing hip-hop songs.

And now he's stepped away from the Dream On record label and split from managers Patrick Reynolds and Emile Haynie in a bid to realize his creative dream. In a series of posts on his Twitter.com page, he writes, "Dream on is over, new label announcement soon."

British singer Florence Welch was nursing a tragic secret as she sang at the Academy Awards on Sunday, February 27 - her father was seriously injured in a bicycle smash just days before the glamorous event.

The star took to the stage with A.R. Rahman to perform "If I Rise", which was tipped for a Best Song Oscar but lost out to Randy Newman's "Toy Story 3" tune "We Belong Together". However, Florence's trip to Los Angeles was fleeting - she reportedly headed straight back to Britain to be at her father Nick's hospital bedside after he cracked his spine and skull in a bike accident last week.

Bret Michaels has confirmed months of speculation suggesting legendary 1980s hair metal bands Poison and Motley Crue are to tour together. Michaels announced plans for the massive U.S. trek in November 2010 but fans were left disappointed when Motley Crue's Tommy Lee insisted the Poison frontman was wrong.

Now, the two bands have agreed to team up for a string of dates - and Michaels, who reveals iconic glam rockers The New York Dolls will support them on tour, is ecstatic about the collaborative gigs to mark their joint anniversaries.

Lawyers representing Dr. Conrad Murray have urged a judge not to delay the upcoming involuntary manslaughter trial into Michael Jackson's death - because they "don't have the budget" for lengthy court proceedings.

The medic stands accused of administering the drug Propofol which killed the King of Pop in June 2009. The case is scheduled to begin on March 24 , but Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor could push back the start date of the trial after prosecutors called for a later hearing, according to the Associated Press.

Lindsay Lohan may be struggling to get new job but she is not so desperate that she agrees to get naked in a new book. The actress has been forced to deny the rumor following Daily Mirror's report that she signed a deal worth $3.4 million to appear in the book that will include "full frontal nudity" and "graphic shots".

To Gossip Cop, the troubled actress says the story is "absurd," and confirms that she is indeed doing a book, "but it's not even close to a sex book." She does not share any detail about the book but affirms, "I'm fully clothed in it."

After weeks of courting and drama, Brad Womack downsized thirty women to just two in the February 28 episode of "The Bachelor". Dental student Ashley Hebert was sent home in a mature way, leaving Chantal O'Brien and Emily Maynard as the finalists.

The final three received a personal date with Brad in Africa, both to have fun and to talk more seriously about where they were heading in the relationship. Emily confronted Brad with the fact that she is a mother to young daughter, Chantal said she would agree to an engagement and Ashley revealed to Brad how she wants to pursue her career as a dentist in Maine.

Nelly Furtado is so appalled by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's refusal to step down amid growing rebellion in the Middle East, she is planning to donate the $1 million he paid her for a 45 minute concert to charity. As the world's leaders impose strict sanctions on Gaddafi's Libya in the hope of ending the defiant dictator's reign and the country's unrest, the Canadian singer insists she wants no association with him. And that means giving away the cash she received for performing at a party.

She tweets, "In 2007, I received 1million$ from the Qaddafi clan to perform a 45 min. Show for guests at a hotel in Italy. I am going to donate the $." Furtado isn't the only big name to have cashed in on Gaddafi gigs - Mariah Carey, Beyonce Knowles, Usher and 50 Cent have also performed at family functions. As WENN went to press, there was no word as to whether the quartet would be following Furtado's example and giving up the millions they earned.

Reality TV star Spencer Pratt has offered to work as Charlie Sheen's new publicist - for free. Sheen's longtime PR man Stan Rosenfield quit after the actor staged a media frenzy from his Hollywood home over the weekend, blasting the creator of his hit sitcom, Chuck Lorre, and boasting about his drug use on news shows, which aired on Monday, February 28. Angry Sheen alleged Lorre is responsible for shutting down the show in the wake of the star's rehab stint.

In a third interview with TMZ.com, Sheen suggested that Rosenfield had lied to cover his client when police were called to his New York hotel room last October to investigate a disturbance. And it seems the three interviews together were too much for the PR, who quit.

Filmmaking siblings Peter Farrelly and Bob Farrelly are in secret talks to revive the "Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd" comedy franchise-with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels returning as dimwitted best pals Harry and Lloyd.

The brothers admit they're continually approached by fans of the 1994 movie, who quote lines to them, and now they're seriously considering bringing their madcap creations back for a sequel. Bob Farrelly tells MovieHole.net, "Dumb and Dumber has run a bunch of times on TV in the States, and kids will come up and they'll be able to quote lines from that - lines that I've long forgotten. If we could get those two guys back together, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, that might be a worthwhile sequel - and that ball is in motion. We're starting to think about what those two dimwits would be doing 20 years later in life."

After making "Alice in Wonderland", Tim Burton will take on another tale. The Hollywood Reporter says the filmmaker is teaming up with Josh Brolin to bring back "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" to the big screen again.

The project is developed at Warner Bros. Pictures with Kieran and Michele Mulroney, who write "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows", on board to script the new movie version of the classic novel. Brolin will produce and star in the film, but Burton's further commitment will reportedly depend on the outcome of the script.

Jennifer Lopez celebrated her twins' third birthday on Saturday, February 26 by throwing a cartoon-themed bash, with guests including the kids of her celebrity pals Gwen Stefani and Leah Remini. The singer/actress and her husband Marc Anthony toasted little Max and Emme's big day by decorating their backyard with their favorite animated characters, complete with candy machines and a big cake.

Stefani and her rocker husband Gavin Rossdale attended with their boys Kingston, four, and two-year-old Zuma, while actress Remini joined the party with her six-year-old daughter Sofia. Max and Emme actually turned a year older on 22 February and Lopez marked their birthday by tweeting, "It's my coconuts bday 2day!!! HAPPY BDAY my beautiful babies... you're 3 2day and Mama's SO proud! There are no words 4 how much I love u!!"

The Band Perry, the newcomer which took home the top new vocal duo or group award at this year's Academy of Country Music Award, release a music video for "You Lie". It is the third single from the siblings' eponymous debut album which was released last year.

Like the song, the video narrates the story of a girl being cheated on by her fiance. Singer Kimberly Perry plays the deceived girl whose fiance doesn't turn up on their engagement party. "That ain't my perfume / I bet she had a curfew / You told me you were out with the boys and baby I believed you / So why you lookin' so nervous / You know you're gonna deserve this," Kimberly croons.

Country legend Kenny Rogers has ruled out ever going under the knife again, insisting plastic surgery is too risky at the age of 72. The "Lucille" star has previously admitted to a little cosmetic help to rid his face of wrinkles around his eyes, but he has no interest in having any other work done now he's got his six-year-old twins Justin and Jordan to think about.

He tells People magazine, "At my age now, I would never do that again because I have two young kids and there's a danger with any surgery." Rogers has been married five times. His fourth wife was actress Marianne Gordon Rogers and his current wife is the former Wanda Miller. He has a daughter and four sons.

Country sweetheart Taylor Swift reunited with her ex-boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal on Sunday, February 27 after the former couple turned up to the same post-Oscars celebration. The stars were both guests at the Vanity Fair Academy Awards afterparty in Hollywood, and cut through any tension by chatting to each other upon their arrival.

An eyewitness tells People.com, "They were outside near the restroom having a discussion. It seemed a bit more serious - it certainly wasn't a, 'Hi, how are you?' talk." Swift and Gyllenhaal enjoyed a brief romance last year before splitting in December 2010. The blonde singer has since been linked to "Glee" star Chord Overstreet.

The new issue of Empire magazine features Sentinel Prime on the cover page, giving another look at the new character as it will be seen in "Transformers: Dark of the Moon". The Autobot has been featured in a teaser trailer for the movie as well as in form of a toy picture. According to the magazine (via TFW2005), Sentinel Prime is "a big brother and mentor to Optimus Prime," which is also exposed in the new image.

In the article, the publication reports that a Ferrari 458 Italia used during the filming is a Decepticon by the name of Dreadbox, instead of a new Autobot as Michael Bay previously said. Also, there will be new companions for Starscream and Shockwave.

On March 7, "Pretty Little Liars" will be back with Jenna sans her sunglasses. Hanna finds out that her pretty boy Caleb is offered money by the blind girl to snoop into her life. Hanna decides to confront Jenna and slaps her in the face.

Tyler Blackburn who plays Caleb recently defends his character's traits to Hollywood Life, saying "Caleb has a hard exterior, but he's a good guy. Hanna has qualities that Caleb has. They're witty and can keep up with each other, and that keeps it exciting. Plus, there's this mystery between them. Even though he's now living in her basement, they still don't know each other that well. It's an unspoken thing."

Chris Brown missed a final chance to meet with his hero Michael Jackson-they had planned a get together on the morning he died.

"Kiss Kiss" singer Brown reveals he and Jamie Foxx were planning to spend a few hours checking out Jackson rehearsing for his ill-fated "This Is It" tour dates at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. But the two stars were told to stall their travel plans when Jackson failed to show up for rehearsals.

Eminem and the Arctic Monkeys have signed up to headline the V Festival in England in August. The two acts will alternate top-of-the-bill slots at parkgrounds in Chelmsford and Stafford on the weekend of August 20 - 21 August.

They will join Duran Duran, Plan B, Pendulum, Manic Street Preachers, The Saturdays, Jessie J, The Script, N-Dubz, Ellie Goulding and rapper Tinie Tempah, among others. Eminem in particular would be assisted by Rihanna in their collaborative track "Love the Way You Lie".

Four-time Oscars host Whoopi Goldberg was not impressed with James Franco and Anne Hathaway's presentation of this year's Academy Awards - because they seemed to be out of place.

The movie stars became the first male and female co-hosts to hit the stage together at the Oscars on Sunday, February 27, but their efforts failed to win over Goldberg.

Rosario Dawson made people stunned when she jumped on stage and groped Paul Rudd's package at Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 26. After the stunning act, Access Hollywood caught up with the actress at the backstage to ask why she ended up doing that. "I'm a women's rights activist and I was getting a little tired that he was grabbing her [Eva Mendes'] boob onstage for half an hour," she claimed. "Nothing bad, but it was funny."

Rosario's frisky behavior was triggered by a scripted routine in which Paul grabbed his co-presenter Eva's breast. The "Unstoppable" actress felt that she could not take this any longer and she suddenly jumped on stage and took hold of the "How Do You Know" actor's genitals.

Elton John has confirmed reports he'll be hosting and performing on U.S. comedy show "Saturday Night Live" on April 2. He'll perform with his The Union collaborator Leon Russell. It will be Elton's first time on the show since 1982.

To celebrate the big announcement, "SNL" boss Lorne Michaels offered two tickets to the show's afterparty as an auction prize which was given away at Elton's annual Oscars viewing party in Hollywood on Sunday, February 27 night. The tickets went under the hammer for $75,000. The cash will benefit the Elton John Aids Foundation.

"Letters to Juliet" and "Bride Wars" director Gary Winick has died after losing his battle with cancer. He was 49. Winick was also the filmmaker behind "13 Going on 30", "Charlotte's Web" and acclaimed indie movie "Tadpole".

A spokesman for the director reveals many friends and colleagues felt he had beaten his cancer, stating, "It was a battle that we thought he had won and ultimately they just didn't get it all." Winick died on Sunday, February 27, the day 2011 Academy Awards was held in Los Angeles.

Bob Dylan's former girlfriend Suze Rotolo, who inspired several of his iconic tracks, has died aged 67. The artist passed away in her New York apartment on Thursday, February 24 following a long battle with ill health.

Rotolo met Dylan when she was just 17 in 1961 and they dated for three years, in which time the folk legend penned "Don't Think Twice", "It's All Right", "Boots of Spanish Leather", and "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" with her in mind. She also famously appeared arm-in-arm with the musician on the iconic cover of his 1963 album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan".

Blues singer Eddie Kirkland has died after his car overturned in Florida. He was 88.

The musician, known as the Gypsy of the Blues, was travelling north of Tampa on Sunday, February 27 when he tried to make a U-turn in front of a bus and flipped his vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He later died in nearby Tampa General Hospital. No one on the bus was injured.

James Franco finds it ironic his mother has followed him into performing - because she withdrew funding when he dropped out of college to take acting classes. The "127 Hours" star, who was up for a Best Actor Oscar at Sunday's Academy Awards, which he co-hosted, was studying English at UCLA when he decided to turn his back on academia to become an actor.

His parents vowed not to fund his new passion and refused to help him pay for classes. And Franco, who subsequently returned to university after finding fame, insists it is funny his mother was so disapproving of her son's career choice - because she has trained as an actress for the last three years.

Embattled actor Charlie Sheen has received the full support of celebrity pals like Sean Penn and Mel Gibson as he battles TV executives over the abrupt cancellation of his hit show "Two and a Half Men".

The star is at war with CBS bosses and sitcom writer Chuck Lorre after launching a series of scathing attacks on the show creator, prompting producers to pull the programme from the air for the remainder of its current eighth season.

Irish singer Brian McFadden has spoken out to defend the "dumb lyrics" of his new single, blasting reports the track is about date rape.

In the former Westlife star's latest song, "Just The Way You Are (Drunk at the Bar)" ", he sings he "can't wait" to befriend an intoxicated girl to "take advantage" and "do some damage". The controversial words stunned some critics, who have branded the song "disgusting and wrong" and accused the star of singing about date rape. But McFadden, who is engaged to Australian singer Delta Goodrem, has jumped to defend the track and explain the meaning of the lyrics.

The 11 stars who would test their skill in hip shaking and hair whipping on "Dancing With the Stars" have been unveiled. Kendra Wilkinson and Kirstie Alley's name popped up among the rest of the line-up which included model, WWE wrestler, singer and talk show host.

"This is definitely my way of turning and finding my inner woman, being a lady. My life is so played out in the tabs and on TV, this is my way of showing a whole other side of me," Wilkinson says. "This is my way of not going to the club and booty-shaking and drinking alcohol. It's my way of showing class and elegance and that I'm having a good time on top of that."

"Glee" star Dianna Agron is already getting over her recent split from Alex Pettyfer-she's hooked up with actor Chris Evans, according to a U.S. Report.

The actress and her "I Am Number Four" co-star ended their romance earlier last month after less than a year of dating. But Agron isn't pining over the hunky Brit - she was spotted flirting with "Fantastic Four" star Evans at a pre-Oscars party, where the pair spent all night chatting and eventually exchanged cell phone numbers.

Appearing on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" shortly after 2011 Academy Awards, Tom Hanks brought a clip from his upcoming movie "Larry Crowne". The first footage shared from the drama comedy, it sees Hanks' titular character greeting Julia Roberts' character when they meet on the street.

Explaining why he picked this particular scene for preview, Hanks said, "I picked it out solely because - she plays my teacher, I play her student - I have never looked cooler in a motion picture before than in this scene." The story will see Crowne reinventing himself by going back to college after losing his job.

Both Willow Smith and Matthew Morrison gave Ryan Seacrest the exclusive first listen to their new singles. Willow is moving on from her "Whip My Hair" days with "21st Century Girl" which is again an empowering female anthem. Meanwhile, the "Glee" star gave away "Summer Rain", the first single from his debut solo album.

Willow sings in her first lines, "Give me an inch, I promise I'll take a mile/ Danger is beauty, I'll face it with a smile/ I'm on a mission with no restrictions/ Don't second guess myself, I'm born to be wild." She would perform the song live for the first time on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Tuesday, March 1, the same day the tune will be sold exclusively on iTunes.

Paris Hilton is taking legal action against an Italian lingerie company over allegations bosses at the firm failed to promote her fashion line in Europe. The heiress signed a deal with Le Bonitas last year to launch her own range of lingerie, beachwear and pajamas for the company, but alleges the five-year deal fell through because of a lack of promotion.

In a lawsuit filed in Manhattan in January, Hilton's lawyers claim the star is owed $1.5 million in guaranteed royalties as the company breached its contract.

The first two character posters from "X-Men: First Class" have landed online, featuring the protagonists Charles Xavier and Erik Lensher separately. The one-sheets want to highlight them before they take the names Professor X and Magneto respectively while still giving a glimpse at how they will look like in the future.

The two can be seen standing with their reflections on the water showing Professor X on a wheelchair and Magneto wearing his suit and helmet. While James McAvoy's Charles is featured with a background of a beautiful castle, Michael Fassbender's Erik is seen standing in front of a dull building.

It is now a confirmed story that Adam Levine and Cee-Lo Green would front a new singing competition show that will give "American Idol" a heavy competition. NBC together with producer Mark Burnett have signed up the singers to judge "The Voice" which is due to premiere April 26 at 9/8c.

"I am so happy that Adam Levine and Cee Lo Green have joined the coach panel for 'The Voice'," Burnett tells EW. "Aside from being incredible voices, they bring years of experience in the music industry and a really cool vibe that has never been seen before on a music competition series."

Charlie Sheen is reportedly planning to sue TV bosses for a massive $320 million over the axing of "Two and a Half Men".

The party-loving star's hit sitcom has been scrapped for the remainder of the current season following a series of scandals in his private life and his public rants against show creator Chuck Lorre. But Sheen is now preparing to hit back at CBS bosses by issuing a $320 million lawsuit suit claiming mental anguish, according to the New York Post. The publication reports the legal action will also be aimed at Lorre and Warner Bros. chiefs, and could be lodged with a California court on Monday, February 28.

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez have sort of gone public with their romantic relationship. After spotted coming hand-in-hand to the Vanity Fair Oscar after-party on Sunday, the couple further showed off their affection to each other outside Sunset Tower in West Hollywood, California.

PopCandies TV managed to capture the sweet moment on camera when the lovebirds left the star-studded bash and presumably waited for their ride. With a lot of people surrounding them, the Canadian pop star is seen planting a quick kiss on Selena.

As promised, Lady GaGa has released one of the two music videos she made for her charting single "Born This Way". Directed by fashion photographer Nick Knight, the clip is loaded with pop culture references which are spread throughout the 7 minutes plus video in blinks.

"This is the manifesto of Mother Monster," GaGa says of the effects-heavy video. "Thus began the beginning of the new race. A race within the race of humanity, a race which bears no prejudice, no judgment, but boundless freedom." The singer is styled by Nicola Formichetti and choreographed by Laurieann Gibson.

Movie icon Jane Russell has died at the age of 89. The actress passed away from respiratory problems in her Santa Maria, California home on Monday, February 28.

The silver screen sex symbol became an overnight sensation in 1943 when she starred in "The Outlaw", and went on to play Calamity Jane opposite Bob Hope in "The Paleface". Her most famous role was perhaps opposite Marilyn Monroe in 1953's "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". Russell was also the number one pin-up girl of U.S. troops stationed overseas during World War Two, and her curvy figure earned her the role of an early spokesmodel for Playtex bras.