Archive: February 2009 (191-200 of 218)

Feb 5 2009 10:25 AM ET

Orlando Bloom starring in 'The Cross'

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Categories: Movies

Orlando Bloom, Vincent Cassel (Eastern Promises), and Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace) are starring in The Cross, a near-future-set sci-fi movie being directed by Andrew Niccol (Lord of War), Variety reports. Niccol received an Oscar nod for writing The Truman Show. Bloom will play a man who wants to be the first ever to cross a mysterious border; Cassel will play the guard who tries to stop him; Kurylenko’s role is described by Variety only as the female lead. Shooting is scheduled to begin in July.

Feb 4 2009 11:58 AM ET

Michael Phelps could face criminal charges over bong incident

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In a statement issued yesterday, a S.C. sheriff said there is an investigation underway following the widely distributed photo of Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps apparently smoking marijuana from a water pipe, People.com reports, and charges could be pending. "If someone breaks the law in Richland County, we have an obligation aslaw enforcement to investigate and to bring charges," the statementsaid. "The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is making an effort todetermine if Mr. Phelps broke the law. If he did, he will be charged inthe same manner as anyone else. The Sheriff has a responsibility to befair, to enforce the law and to not turn a blind eye because someone isa celebrity." Phelps has apologized for the incident and admitted he exercised bad judgment.

Feb 4 2009 11:50 AM ET

Steve Zahn to star in 'The Wire' creator's new HBO pilot

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Categories: Television

Steve Zahn is in negotiations to star in David Simon’s next creation for HBO, the post-Katrina New Orleans-set drama Treme. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he would play Davis Rogan, a "whip-smart street dancer, localradio DJ, band member and proud New Orleans native with angerissues." The show will follow the rebuilding of the city through his and other musicians’ eyes. Deadwood‘s Kim Dickens has already been cast as a chef who has a romantic history with Rogan. Other players include Clarke Peters and Wendell Pierce, who worked with Simon on The Wire,and CSI: Miami‘s Khandi Alexander.

Zahn is the latest film star to hook up with HBO this pilot season. Ellen Barkin has an untitled half-hour project in the works; Steve Buscemi and Revolutionary Road Oscar nominee Michael Shannon are set to star in Martin Scorsese’s Boardwalk Empire.

Feb 4 2009 11:33 AM ET

Bob Costas leaves HBO for MLB Network

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Categories: Television

Bob Costas has parted ways with HBO and will make his new cable home at the fledgling MLB Network, Variety reports. He’ll host programs like his new interview series, MLB Network Studio 42 With Bob Costas, which bows Feb. 5 with guest Joe Torre, manager of the L.A. Dodgers. He’ll also offer play-by-play on some of the channel’s live games. The deal does not affect Costas’ contract with NBC, where he’ll continue to host NFL and Olympic coverage, or, presumably, his ability to guest star on series like Monk.

Feb 4 2009 11:25 AM ET

Al Pacino starring in 'King Lear'

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Categories: Movies

Al Pacino will star in the Michael Radford-directed film adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear, Variety reports. The actor will play the title role, an aging monarch who divdes his kingdom to his three daughters. Two of them scheme and flatter the king, while the one loving daughter, Cordelia, refuses to play the game and is disinherited. In the end, the daughters reveal their true colors, and Lear is left with nothing. This will be Pacino’s second Shakespearean foray with Radford, who will also script Lear, following his starring role as Shylock in Radford’s 2004 adaptation of Merchant of Venice. Shooting is scheduled to start later this year.

Feb 4 2009 11:22 AM ET

Garry Marshall directing 'Valentine's Day' for New Line

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Categories: Movies

Garry Marshall is set to direct the comedy Valentine’s Day for New Line Cinema, Variety reports. The story is about 10 people in Los Angeles whose lives intersect on Cupid’s favorite day. The original Katherine Fugate script has been rewritten by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, the duo who scripted He’s Just Not That Into You and Never Been Kissed. New Line hopes to get Valentine’s Day into theaters in time for the February 2010 holiday.

Feb 4 2009 11:11 AM ET

The Weinstein Co. options Judy Garland bio

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Categories: Movies

The Weinstein Co. has optioned movie rights to Gerald Clarke’s Get Happy: the Life of Judy Garland, Variety reports. The 2000 book details the singer-actress’ personal problems and how she was mistreated by those close to her. Clarke’s biography of Truman Capote was the source material for Dan Futterman’s Oscar-nominated Capote script.

Feb 4 2009 10:52 AM ET

'Girls Next Door' star Kendra Wilkinson gets E! spin-off

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Categories: Television

Kendra Wilkinson, who starred in E!’s Playboy-themed Girls Next Door series, has been given her own spin-off, Kendra, which will focus on her life after leaving the Playboy mansion and getting engaged to Philadelphia Eagles receiver Hank Baskett, Variety reports. E! has ordered eight episodes and plans to debut the series this summer. Girls Next Door will return in the fall.

Feb 4 2009 10:26 AM ET

'Top Chef' judge Eric Ripert gets PBS show

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Categories: Television

Eric Ripert, chef of Le Bernardin restaurant in New York and frequent guest judge on Bravo’s Top Chef, will star in his own PBS TV series, Avec Eric, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Ten episodes are scheduled to run in the fall.

Feb 4 2009 03:08 AM ET

Ticketmaster, Live Nation weigh merger

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Categories: Music

Executives at Live Nation and Ticketmaster are considering a merger, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. Live Nation is the world’s largest concert promoter, while Ticketmaster is a major ticketing service; both companies have expanded into new fields in recent years, with Ticketmaster acquiring an artist-management firm and Live Nation inking deals to release music and promote tours by stars including U2, Madonna, and Jay-Z. If the two join their operations, the proposed Live Nation Ticketmaster corporation would represent a major new force in the music industry. The Journal cites sources saying a deal could be announced as soon as next week.

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