Van Tango

Keanu Reeves has signed on to star in remake of 'The Day the Earth Stood Still'. He will play Klaatu, an alien who arrives on Earth accompanied by a large humanoid robot named Gort, with a warning to world leaders that their continued aggression will lead to annihilation by species watching from afar. Klaatu is famous in part due to the phrase "Klaatu barada nikto!" used in the film. The remake will be directed by Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Hellraiser: Inferno) from a script by David Scarpa. The movie will be released late this year or early 2008. [Keanu-Earth]









Lisa Snowdon has confirmed rumours she has split from CSI heart-throb Gary Dourdan. The couple were spotted holidaying together in Barbados over the New Year (06-07) and the former model confirmed in March they "liked each other's company". They originally dated in 2003, a year before she reconciled with her ex George Clooney. Snowdon confirms the second break-up; "My little fling with Gary ended just after I went to Brazil. I guess too much time went past and it just kind of fizzled out. I've decided that it's not a good idea to have a long-distance relationship any more. I want someone local". Will be a long queue for sure..







Katharine McPhee on the set of "House Bunny" in Burbank (27/08/2007)





Links:
>> Elisha Cuthbert and Sean Avery have called it quits after almost two years together. [Cuthbert-Single]

>> Hilary Duff and new boyfriend, hockey player Mike Comrie out in NYC. [Duff-New_BF]

>> Charlize Theron engagement rumors alert! [Theron-Engaged]

>> Hayden Panettiere & cast members promotes "Heroes" in Paris [HP-France1 / HP-France2]





Matt LeBlanc is being sued for $1 million by his ex-manager. Camille Cerio claims that the star agreed to pay her commission from the pilot of 'Friends' and subsequent jobs. Cerio and LeBlanc's professional relationship ended in 1995 but she claims he continued to ask her for career advice up to 1998, and claims the payments ended in 2000. Cerio is now demanding the actor open his accounting records to show how much he earned from Friends and Joey. The lawsuit claims breach of contract and Cerio insists the money she is claiming is owed to her as a percentage of his earnings from both shows. LeBlanc vehemently denies owing her anything. His attorney said: "No agreement exists with respect to management, the payment of commissions, or otherwise."




Ashlee Simpson is getting ready to release a new album come this fall. The track is rumored to be either "Get away with it" or "Get away with murder". [Ashlee-NewAlbum]


The Raconteurs joke about 'drug fuelled' album sessions [Racont-Sessions]


The Killers have recorded a song with music icon Lou Reed. The Las Vegas boys worked on the track 'Tranquillize' with the former Velvet Underground star - and is expected to be released on the band's forthcoming untitled rarities album. Brandon Flowers said: "We were thrilled with being able to work with Lou Reed. The song was calling for a duet and his voice was just right. The sentiment of the song is very him. It's one of our more depressing songs." Better do it some justice.



New Quality Tunes:
>> Hard-Fi - Watch Me Fall Apart [mp3]

>> M.I.A - Jimmy [mp3]

>> The Hives - Tick Tick Boom [mp3]




Keira Knightley - arrives in Venice In Italy (28/08/2007)







Jessica Biel found herself watching her favourite movie with its star when she filmed scenes for 'Powder Blue' with Patrick Swayze. Working with her one-time crush turned Biel into a giggly teenager all over again when Swayze joined her for a Dirty Dancing screening. Biel says, "Dirty Dancing was one of my favourite films. I watched it every day after school in eighth grade. We were actually watching it in the trailer one day and he sat down and watched the last half hour with me. It was a really cool moment." Dream came true, aye.










Count Doherty? He seems ideal to play the part of a zombie in a new Buffy spin-off. The show, entitled 'Ripped' will be based on Giles after he decides to use his retirement to come to England to solve a series of mysteries. Show creator Josh Whedon decided the junkie will be perfect for the role. A source said: "Pete seemed the obvious choice, with his love of the macabre. It's thought he'll play an approximation of his real-life persona; the zombie remnants of a rock star and poet unable to rest and therefore haunting London. With grisly results, of course." He might just do the job without any Duckula results.

A low budget movie has suffered a major setback after Scully walked out weeks before filming commenced to star in the new X-Files film. The actress was scheduled to play the lead in 'Helen', but pulled out of the project because of shooting conflicts. Her spokesperson says, "She had to make a difficult decision but the project remains close to her heart. She wishes it well." Anderson once claimed she was finished with the sci-fi franchise, but admits, "It was not something I longed for on a regular basis but as soon as we start talking about doing it again I get very excited. I think it will be loads of fun". Hooray.






Michelle Ryan - Bionic Woman MONDO Shoot






George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer are fighting over a bet they made more than ten years ago - with the actor insisting he is still waiting to be paid. In 1996 Pfeiffer bet the Ocean's actor he would be married within ten years. "And while Pfeiffer has conceded singleton Clooney, 46, has won the bet - the pair are arguing over the value of the prize. He insists it was for $1000, while she claims it was $100. Pfeiffer, 49, explains, "I'm right. I think age is finally catching up with George. They do say the first thing to go is memory". Some veteran-banter going on there.







Dame Shirley Bassey has fired a blistering attack against TV talent shows - insisting talent ranks second to fame for today's celebrities. The Welsh singing superstar has no time for reality shows such as American Idol and The X Factor, and is stunned at the lack of 'real' talent in modern pop stars. She fumes, "Today people just want to get on reality TV shows and make money. Talent doesn't matter anymore. Anyone can get on these shows. Tall people, skinny people, fat people - and then someone makes millions out of them and their lives are ruined. I hate it, I really hate it". Money talks.








Links:
>> Dita Von Teese in Harper's Bazaar Japan September 2007 [Von-Teese-Harper]

>> Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan has made a solo album. [Gahan-Solo]

>> Cheryl Tweedy spoke about the "old and wrinkly" Spice Girls ahead of their reunion tour. [Tweedy-vs-Spice]




Renee Zellweger has played down reports she is romantically involved with Paul McCartney. The Beatle was spotted partying with the Bridget Jones's Diary star at a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers gig in New York on Saturday. But friends of the actress insist the pair are "just good friends". A source tells the New York Daily News: "I don't believe there's anything between them. He was sitting with (US comedienne) Amy Poehler and her husband, and she (Renee) was with two friends and left 15 minutes after he did." Pepé Le Phew.





Maggie Q - "Balls Of Fury" premiere in Los Angeles (25/08/2007)




Kate Hudson and Dax Shepard get romantic in the grocery store [KH-Dax] (25/08/2007)






Was the break-up with Kate the reason for this incident?? Owen Wilson tried to commit suicide on Sunday and was transported to St. John's hospital in Santa Monica. A spokesperson said, "On Sunday Aug. 26. 2007 at 12.10pm officers from the Santa Monica Police Department responded to a medical assistance call from the Santa Monica Fire Department at the 900 block of 23rd Street. The person was transported to a local hospital where they are being treated." This guy needs to get his head sorted out.





Prince Harry's girlfriend Chelsy Davy is the summer's sexiest celebrity, according to a new survey. The 21-year-old blonde was way ahead of royal rival Kate Middleton. Chelsy topped a poll of 1,200 people asked to rate this summer's most delicious-looking stars. Scarlett Johansson was third and Cheryl Tweedy got sixth place. Kate Middleton was in seventh place. Paris Hilton and Big Brother's Chanelle completed the top 10. And so the little royal brother won this battle.

Unbelievable. Nicole Richie has been released from a California jail after serving just 82 minutes of a four-day sentence for driving under the influence of drugs. The mum-to-be checked into jail in the L.A suburb of Lynwood at 3.15pm local time on Thursday, was released at 4.37pm "based on her sentence and federal guidelines", Sheriff's Deputy Maribel Rizo said, without elaborating further. [NR-82mins]











Another incredible ruling. Lindsay Lohan reached a plea deal on misdemeanor DUI and drug charges that will find her spending one day in jail, serving 10 days of community service and completing a drug-treatment program. She was placed on 36 months probation and will be required to complete an 18-month alcohol-education program. She must also finish a three-day county coroner program that will require her to talk to victims of drunken drivers. [LL-24hr]









Melissa Joan Hart out in Los Angeles (23/08/2007)




Alyssa Milano leaving a beauty salon in Beverly Hills (24/08/2007)






Links:
>> The Killers will release new records this year. [New-Killers]

>> Dannii Minogue has spoken out about the saucy snaps of her and a naked female lapdancer in a club. [Dannii-LapD]

>> Wolfmother frontman Andrew Stockdale had to be restrained during an altercation in an Australian bar. [Wolfie-attack]





Bjork has revealed that she left the UK because fame was stunting her creativity. The unique star recorded her breakthrough album 'Debut' while she was living in London, but moved back to her native Iceland in 1996. She said: "I was living in England and I was offered the chance to be an A-lister. Normally I spend a lot of my time solitaire. It just felt a bit weird, because I have to be able to write music, and when I walk down the street I have this music going on in my head. That's my life, and it felt like a thousand people had moved in there and they were leaving their dirty socks around, so I couldn't write music." Too many earthling intruders, eh?





Song of the moment: Foals - Mathletics [mp3]



Drew Barrymore and her ex beau Fabrizio Moretti are back together...sort of. They are going to be a pair again but purely for professional reasons. Drew and Fab split earlier this year but have joined forces to work as producers on a new TV show for VH1 called "Clash of the Music Videos." Can they get back together with an ex just for professional reasons? Or perhaps the end has no end..



Matt Damon is getting ready for another sequel - his second child with wife Luciana Barroso. U.S. reports suggest the Argentine beauty is pregnant with her third child. The couple already has a 14-month-old daughter, called Isabella, and Barroso has a nine-year-old, Alexia, from a previous relationship. This guy once got his neck done in while taking care of his little princess so he'd better prepare for the next supremacy bundle of joy.





Mischa Barton on the set of "Assassination of a High School President" (23/08/2007)





Goth women have the potential to embody a very special, very unusual sort of hotness. Check out five celebrity goths in the Hi-5 list. [LadyGoths]





Screen classic 'The Wizard Of Oz' is to remade by comic book writer Todd McFarlane. The 1939 classic is to get a gritty makeover in the new version, which will be released to coincide with the original's 70th anniversary. McFarlane, who created violent comic book series Spawn and has written for Spider-Man in the past, says, "My pitch was 'How do we get the people who went to The Lord Of The Rings to embrace Oz.' I want to create an interpretation that has the 2007 wow factor." Josh Olson has been handed the scripting duties.

Joss Stone is hobbling around Hollywood on crutches after twisting her ankle during a recent charity trip to Uganda. The soul star is making promotional appearances in Los Angeles, and she's refusing to let an injury slow her down. She is even planning to go ahead with her Greek Theatre show in Los Angeles next week. Trying not to disappoint the people? Judging by her album sales charts, it looks more logical now. [Joss-Crutch]











Hilary Duff finds her 10 million fortune "scary". The star commands 2 million a film and has her own clothing line and perfume. She said: "I've got so much it's scary. It's amazing to think that I can take care of myself financially. It's a really nice feeling." Duff paid 45K for a watch earlier this year and spends a fortune on clothes for her pet Chihuahua. Big Lizzie is not able to get everything she wants though. Her manager recently banned her from buying her dream car - a Porsche Cayenne Turbo - because she is such a bad driver. This gypsy woman better stay away from the wheels.


















Maria Sharapova is a vision of hot red hot style as she poses amid New York City’s famous skyline on Wednesday. [Maria2-NYC]





Jennifer Aniston wants to become a mother by Christmas? Inspired to adopt by close buddy Sheryl Crow - who adopted a baby boy in April - Jenn is determined to open her home to a disadvantaged child. A source told Grazia mag: "Jenn appears determined to complete the adoption and have a child home no later than Christmas. She has the money and the resources to go it alone and could really help change a child's life." Jenn has made no secret of her desire to have a baby, and rumors have been rife she is considering adoption since January. Do it then.


Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox on the Beach in Hawaii (22/08/2007)







Scarlett Johansson has bought a $7 million Hollywood house from her director-producer friend Harold Becker. The seven-bedroom Spanish-style home is 4,300 sq ft and Scarlett's new neighbors include Sharon Stone, Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington. The Oxfam ambassador feels privileged to use her status for good causes. She said: "It's amazing to come home when you see people living in poverty. On one hand you're thinking, my celebrity life is so surreal, but it's my work and helps me bring awareness to Oxfam." More power to her. Variety's assessment of Scarlett in new movie 'The Nanny Diaries' - "She's far too voluptuously beautiful for the job, like a Tiffany necklace in a brown paper bag." [Nanny_Scarlett]




Geri Halliwell is currently dating Russian heir Evgeny Lebedev. The couple were first spotted at a party at the Serpentine Gallery in London last month. A source revealed: "Geri is in the early stages of her relationship with Evgeny, but they are very happy together. He is only 26 [to her 35], which is perfect for her because she likes the younger man." Evgeny was deemed one of the world's most eligible bachelors by Tatler magazine. [Geri-Evgeny]



Ha ha. Chris Martin was left red-faced when he was refused entry to the premiere of Gwyneth Paltrow's new movie. He was "manhandled" by a security guard who didn't recognize him as he tried to get into the private New York screening 'The Good Night' on Saturday. One paper reports: "A security guard, who apparently isn't a Coldplay fan, manhandled Chris when he tried to sneak by the waiting mob on the red carpet." Luckily, Gwyneth came to the rescue and her husband was allowed in.





Sophia Bush cleans the beach for a community project in North Carolina (20/08/2007)





Rachel Nichols @ 'Resurrecting the Champ' LA premiere (22/08/2007)






Links:
>> Emily Blunt in Mean Magazine [EB-Mean]

>> Orlando Bloom thinks it's an honor just to be nominated [Bloom-Honor]

>> Anna Faris on set of House Bunnies [AF-Bunny]





Charlotte Church has denied reports that her fiance has cheated on her and insists her unplanned pregnancy hasn't hurt their relationship. Stories circulated last month that Gavin hooked up with another woman during a trip to Belfast. She told OK mag: "Well, of course at first hearing something like that pulled at my heartstrings, but then I thought, nah, he wouldn't do that to me. In reality, me and Gavin were at home, happy as pigs in s***." Charlotte is planning a water birth next month. Wonder if this feisty lady would mellow down after becoming a mum.









Not good. Nicole Kidman is considering quitting Hollywood, because she finds acting too emotionally exhausting. The star invests so much of herself in roles, she is left a wreck when films wrap. Nic explains, "It's like you put a boxer in a ring and you say, 'I want you to almost kill someone, and then I want you to step out of the ring and not use your fists.' And it's like you put an actor in a movie and ask them to be really raw and available and then you've got to go back into life and be really disciplined and adult. You're constantly trying to balance it". Hope she changes her mind. Maybe after 5-8 movies later.