July 11, 2011

It is a common knowledge that James Franco was heavily criticized for his hosting duty at the Oscars earlier this year. But one thing that people don't know is the fact that the actor was not given a good material fit for such a big show.

In a new interview with Playboy, Franco said, "I felt kind of trapped in that material." He said he told the producers, " 'I don't know why you hired me, because you haven't given me anything. I just don't think this stuff's going to be good'." He personally liked the ones written by Judd Apatow but his stuff was not used eventually.

With "Harry Potter" days nearing the end, actor Tom Felton is ready to jump to his next venture. Instead of focusing on acting career, the 23-year-old revealed that he is exploring his musical skill and has chosen Hip-Hop as his genre.

Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy in the franchise films, has in fact scored a recording deal with an independent label, The Sun reported. "I was thinking of doing some N-Dubz -style stuff. I am looking to get into the grime rap UK scene. I'm going to change my image - backward caps, the lot," he was quoted as saying.

As the one who pens the script of upcoming film "The Amazing Spider-Man", Steve Kloves hinted that the reboot project will be more realistic than Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy. The man, who also wrote the script for all of the "Harry Potter" film series (except "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"), claimed that he can't write cartoony dialogue for the upcoming movie.

"I said, 'I can't do 'shazam!' dialogue, that's not what I do. If you wanna do the Peter Parker I knew as a kid reading the comic book, I can do that, because it was grounded in exactly what you said, reality,' " so the 51-year-old screenwriter said in a recent interview with Collider. He added, "So they said 'Yes that's what we want, we want you to come in and write Peter Parker as a real character.' "

A hunky guy in Katy Perry's music video for "Teenage Dream" has reportedly been busted for battery. According to TMZ, Josh Kloss was arrested by police after he allegedly got into a fight with a security guard while hanging out at the Hollywood and Highland shopping center on Tuesday night, July 5.

Recalling the incident, the actor who appeared on several episodes of "The O.C." claimed to be smoking a cigarette when one of the security guards asked him to put out the smoke. He went on to share that the next thing he knew, he had five security officers on top of him and LAPD was called in.

Dick Donato aka Evel Dick has finally spoken up after his abrupt departure from "Big Brother" became headlines last weekend. Trying to stop speculations and rumors floating on the web, the winner of season 8, who returned to cycle 13 with his estranged daughter Daniele, said that he had to leave due to personal emergency.

"I wasn't kicked out, I wasn't put in jail, I wasn't diagnosed with cancer, my mother, my son and my girlfriend weren't in any kind of accident or caused me to leave the house in any way shape or form," he began his explanation in a video posted on RTVZone.com. "My brother wasn't killed, I don't even have a f*****g brother ... all these rumors are just out of hand."

Rebecca Black gets ready to release her second single. Instead of dropping a text message-themed single "LOL", which is in similar vein to her debut single "Friday", like she previously planned, the YouTube sensation is going to release a single titled "My Moment" which narrates her story to the stardom.

The "Friday" hitmaker will unleash the song on her official website and YouTube channel starting at 8 P.M. on July 18 and make it available for download on iTunes the following day. She will follow the release of the single by dropping a five-song mini album which she will self-release in August.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are giving proof they are still very much a couple. The Hollywood pair stepped out for a lunch together at the Villeta restaurant in Brentwood, California on Sunday, July 10, just days after Star magazine claimed their marriage is on the rocks.

Ben and Jennifer were photographed all smiles when they left the restaurant with their two daughters, Violet and Seraphina. The star/director of "The Town" carried Seraphina on his right arm and has his actress wife holding onto his other arm as the family of four strolled down the street.

Elena Gilbert is one year older when "The Vampire Diaries" returns for a third season this fall. Executive producer Julie Plec has revealed that the major female character will turn 18 during the premiere of the new chapter, saying "Our first episode is Elena's 18th birthday."

"There will be a small time jump [from where last season ended] as we celebrate Elena's birthday," Plec told TV Guide. "But as is the pattern in Mystic Falls, the event never reaches its climax." Sharing how Elena's birthday will bring impact to her life, Plec added, "Elena and Jeremy technically don't need a parent living in their house [following Aunt Jenna's death]. She will be taking care of herself."

The second production video from "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" has been released by Peter Jackson. The director shares the wrapping of the movie's first block of filming. "Thank you very much everybody for a great first block!" he told his crew. "Have a great break. Everyone's having a break, and we will see you back here soon enough."

Later, Andy Serkis sits down with Andrew Lesnie to talk about his "254-day schedule." He gushed, "I think it's a much better way to divide it up into three blocks, and then have some time to edit what you've done, look at it, hand visual effects shots over to the CGI guys. You can really focus on the script revisions. It's just a much smarter way to shoot these big films."

While he has confessed to being a father to a baby girl, Bow Wow will need a judge to make it legal. TMZ recently uncovered that the "Shortie Like Mine" hitmaker was missing from the birth certificate of his daughter Shai because he pissed off his former girlfriend and the baby's mother, Joie Chavis.

Joie admitted to the gossip site that she refused to acknowledge Bow Wow because he was not there when she underwent an emergency C-section on April 27. The 24-year-old MC was reportedly absent for days before he finally showed up to take her and their baby home on the 6th day.

Ed Sullivan Theater needs some reparation after being vandalized by a man on Sunday, July 10. A Brooklyn glass repair company, Dependable Glass, sent their employee to the place where "Late Show with David Letterman" is taped to fix the six doors whose glass was broken into pieces by James Whittemore that day.

The 22-year-old man was arrested for breaking into and trashing the entrance of the building after police responded to a 911 call of a burglary at around 7 A.M. He reportedly kicked the doors with his feet and upended trash cans, but he did not harm the set of the late night show.

The first two official posters of upcoming film "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" have been dropped on the web. One poster gives a close up look at Robert Downey Jr. as title character Sherlock Holmes with Jared Harris as villain Professor Moriarty on the background. The other one-sheet, meanwhile, captures a close range shot of Jude Law as Dr. John Watson with a less clear look at Noomi Rapace as gypsy woman Sim.

Beside the promotional posters, some new stills have also been unleashed on the internet, including the one that features a quite massive explosion scene. Another picture provides a better look at Dr. Watson's wedding ceremony which actually has been previewed in a picture released via magazine before.

New details on what Kim Kardashian will wear when she walks down the aisle have surfaced. In the new issue of OK! magazine, a friend of the "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star spilled the beans on what kind of wedding dress the TV personality is looking for.

According to the so-called friend, the 30-year-old fiancee of New Jersey Nets player Kris Humphries "wants it to be a little bit of high fashion, but also timeless, classic and classy." The pal added that her dress "will be ivory, and most of the detailing will just be stitch-work or beading."

Cali Swag District created a great deal of internet buzz with their trend-setting single "Teach Me How to Dougie". Together, these boys from the West Coast captured the mood of the street with the infectious beat and became talk of the town for their success, but much too soon the celebration turned into a grief when their member M-Bone was shot to death in May this year.

The murder of M-Bone shocked the band's members, Hip-Hop community and their fans. In honor of the late artist, the three remaining members dropped a tribute song called "How to Do That". Instead of creating something mellow, they paid tribute to him in an upbeat track that highlighted his personality as a fun, and energetic person.

Following the arrival of Kelly Clarkson's "Let Me Down" last week, more never-before-heard tracks from the winner of "American Idol" season 1 hit the web. The first is called "What Doesn't Kill You", the second is "I Forgive You", and the third is "Dumb + Dumb = U".

While she's singing her angst out in the previously-leaked "Let Me Down", Kelly sounds off her optimism in the "What Doesn't Kill You". She's belting out empowerment lyrics, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger/ Stand a little taller/ Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone."

Did Joe Jonas get a private phone call from Selena Gomez? The middle member of the Jonas Brothers recently sparked the speculation when he got a FaceTime request from a "Selena" in the middle of a television interview promoting his solo album, "Fastlife".

In a video capturing the moment, the 21-year-old singer is explaining why he used the word exciting rather than scary to describe his debut solo album when his iPhone started ringing. The former boyfriend of Ashley Greene is quick to decline the request, but it isn't quick enough for it to mention the name "Selena".

Jennifer Lopez is likely not going away from "American Idol". After mulling over her return to the singing competition, the 41-year-old singer/actress has agreed to once again sit at the judge panel when the show debuts its upcoming season next year.

Coming out with the report is E! Online which heard from a source that the announcement of J.Lo's return could be coming "any day now". Previously, FOX has confirmed that two other judges in season 10, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler, have signed up for season 11.

Roughly a month after recovering from a life-threatening jet-ski accident, Sean Kingston is back to work. During Memorial Day weekend, he filmed a music video with Iyaz, Soulja Boy and Travis McCoy for Iyaz's single "Pretty Girls" in Miami.

The "Beautiful Girl" hitmaker is seen wearing a green t-shirt, cap, black shorts and matching green-and-black sneakers. Sporting a brace on his left arm, the reggae fusion artist looks slender, but healthy during the video shoot. There was no other signs of injury aside from the brace.

Sookie agreed to hide Eric in the July 10 episode of "True Blood" as long as he promised not to feed on her, but he may break the deal next week. In a preview to the upcoming episode called "I'm Alive and on Fire", the vampire who loses his mind puts his head close to Sookie's neck as if he wants to bite her.

Meanwhile, terrorized by a belief that other vampires will attack members of the coven, Jesus urges Marnie to reverse the spell she cast on Eric. Pam confronts Bill for what he's done to Eric, as the King of Louisiana searches for Eric in Sookie's house.

A Coheed and Cambria member has got himself in serious trouble with the law. Bassist Michael Todd, a.k.a. Mic Todd, was arrested for armed robbery on Sunday, July 10. The rock band have taken to their official site to confirm news of the arrest.

"Michael Todd was arrested today on what we consider very serious charges and therefore he will not be finishing up the current tour," the band fronted by lead singer Claudio Sanchez said. In the statement, they also assured fans that they will continue on touring without their bassist.

Following last year's pattern, the last day of San Diego Comic Con 2011 is all about kids. With the 8th annual San Diego International Children's Film Festival being kicked off on Sunday, July 24, about 60 short films from around the world are brought to the convention in a presentation that runs from 10:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M.

"Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz", which will be available on Blu-Ray Combo Pack and DVD on August 23, will be premiered in a screening taking place at Room 6A. Eleven-year-old animator and child film critic Perry Chen will participate in "The Holocaust Through the Eyes of a Child, Animated by a Child" panel which will bring forward his work "Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest" as a topic of discussion.

Kate Middleton and husband Prince William wrapped up their first trip to the United States on Sunday, July 10. Before taking a flight back to London on the evening, the newlyweds spent their morning attending a private reception, where they got to chat with Reese Witherspoon, and visiting Inner City Arts Academy in Skid Row.

Kate and William kicked off their last day in L.A. with a private brunch for the launch of Tusk Trust's U.S. Patrons Circle. At the reception held at the mansion of businessman/film producer Steve Tisch, the pair mingled with supporters of the African wildlife charity, which include Reese, actress Catherine Keener and supermodel Linda Evangelista.

The first look at Adam Levine's "Moves Like Jagger" music video which features Christina Aguilera has been shared in a series of on-set pictures. The Maroon 5 frontman goes shirtless flaunting his tat-covered body, while the former Disney star wears a sexy kimono-style top, black leggings and a wide-brim hat. They rock out in front of an American-flag backdrop.

The two vocal coaches and judges of "The Voice" filmed the video over the weekend in Los Angeles. "Video shoot is AWESOME so far. Androgyny all over the place!" Adam tweeted. "Its outrageous and amazing!" In line with his excitement, Christina wrote on her own page, "Always great to see Jonas Akerlund. He created the perfect feel for the song. Expect a fun video."

Sunday at San Diego Comic Con 2011 will be the day for gleek. FOX will hold a panel for its musical series "Glee" on July 24, during which a sneak peek to "Glee The 3D Concert Movie" will be shared. The network will additionally present a panel for its new animated comedy "Allen Gregory".

"Supernatural" panel will also take place on the last day of the convention. It will mark the first-time ever the CW series holds a presentation in Hall H. Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles are set to attend the event along with other cast members to present a sneak peek to the seventh season.

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" stays strong at the box office. The action movie has ruled the movie chart in the United States and Canada for second week in a row. After topping the list with $97.5 million on Independence Day weekend, it has now reclaimed the hot spot with an additional $47.0 million.

Internationally, the third installment of the "Transformers" movie franchise added $93 million in ticket sales. This made the Michael Bay-directed movie which pairs up Shia LaBeouf and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley generated a total of $645 million from its worldwide sale since its debut last week.

David Beckham and his wife Victoria Adams have become proud parents to a baby girl. The British couple welcomed their first daughter on Sunday morning, July 10 in Los Angeles, and David has taken to his Facebook page to share the happy news and spill on what name they have chosen for her.

"I am so proud and excited to announce the birth of our daughter Harper Seven Beckham," wrote the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder. He continued to offer details of the baby's birth, "She weighed a healthy 7lbs 10oz and arrived at 7.55 this morning, here in LA. Victoria is doing really well and her brothers are delighted to have a baby sister xx."

Monica and her Los Angeles Laker husband Shannon Brown walked down the aisle the second time on Saturday, July 9. The couple tied the knot the first time in November last year inside a 19th century cathedral Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles.

Unlike the first one, the weekend ceremony was attended by hundreds of friends and family including Lala Vazquez, Carmelo Anthony and Brown's teammates Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher. Guests were told to come in the shade of blue for the purple-and-blue themed reception organized by Mindy Weiss. The bride herself wore a Stephan Roland gown.

Kate Hudson and fiance Matthew Bellamy are now parents to a "healthy baby boy". The actress gave birth to their first child together on Saturday, July 9 night in Los Angeles, her rep has confirmed to People.

Hudson previously said that she had a hunch that the baby is a girl, perhaps because she has had a son with former husband Chris Robinson. "It feels like a girl, but I don't know. Ryder thinks it's a girl," she said back in January, referring to her 7-year-old son.