Will Smith to portray real-life Hurricane hero in new film

By ANI - May 21, 2009a

‘Hancock’ star Will Smith will portray a real-life Hurricane Katrina hero in a new film written. 

The film will be written and directed by The Rookie screenwriter John Lee Hancock, reports ‘Contactmusic’. 

It will be about ex-Marine John Keller, who helped rescue more than 200 of his neighbours in Louisiana, New Orleans, when they were left stranded by the devastation of Katrina in 2005. 
Meanwhile, Smith has joined the likes of stars vying to become the first black James Bond, and has claimed that he’s the best choice for the iconic spy-role. 

Rap mogul Diddy and Jamie Foxx have already forwarded their names as a possible replacement for the current 007, Daniel Craig. And recently, ‘Obsessed’ star Idris Elba had claimed that he would be a better choice because he was British. 

However, the ‘I am Legend’ star, considered to be the most bankable star in showbiz, has said that he can be the best choice for producers. 

He said: "Puff probably lives the most like James Bond and Jamie Foxx got the swagger for James Bond. He can sing too, so he can add a new element to Bond, wooing the ladies.” 

He added: "But I think I can guarantee the box office!"

Source: http://www.google.com

I could not leave shooting in London to vote: Salman

Agencies - May 21, 2009

Actor Salman Khan said that he was shooting in London for Anil Sharma's 'Veer' on April 30, the polling day in Mumbai, and hence could not cast his vote. 

"It was not possible for me to take a flight from London just to show that I voted," Salman said when asked why he failed to cast his vote when he had extensively campaigned for some candidates.  When pointed out that his contemporaries Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan had specially flown down to Mumbai from their foreign destinations to perform their duty as a citizen, Salman said, "They have the time and money to do so which I do not have." 

To a question on whether he felt voting was not important, Salman in his inimitable style said, "The Government should make voting mandatory by punishing people who don't do so and giving incentives to citizens to vote. I would come for that extra money."

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Slumdog children becoming homeless, nation's shame: Pookutty

Agencies - May 21, 2009

They may have walked the red carpet at this year's Osars but Azhar and Rubina, the two child protagonists of 'Slumdog Millionaire' find themselves homeless today and it is a matter of national shame says Oscar winner Resul Pookutty. 

"It's such a pity that kids like Azhar and Rubina are nearly homeless today and we cannot do anything to arrange for a simple dwelling for them. There are thousands of kids like them in our country who meet with a similar fate and I wish I could do something for all of them," he said. 

Pookutty is associated with an NGO called 'Spandan', established by a group of college students in Pune.  The ace technician who won the Oscar for Best Sound Editing for 'Slumdog', the first ever by an Indian, was in Delhi to interact with a group of homeless children supported by an NGO.

The Academy Award winner declined to comment on recent accusations that 'Slumdog' over fantasiced reality and didn't deserve the Oscars. "I have nothing to say, people have their individual takes but the truth is in front of everyone to see.  The film has received success everywhere," he said. 

The sound designer from Kerala feels Indian music as a whole has gained greater global recognition post 'Slumdog Millionaire'.  "You cannot compare the acceptance from Western audiences with that of India, but Indian Music is not alien to the world now after the super success of the film," he said. 

An excited Pookutty seemed upbeat about his upcoming projects including three international ones.  "I have around six projects in the coming months which include 'Blue', 'Prince' and Kamal Hassan starrer '19 steps' along with international projects that I cannot reveal at this moment. But one of them is a French movie and I am also considering an offer from Croatia." 

Talking about personal preferences in his work, the technician said 'Black and 'Gandhi my Father' are extremely close to his heart. "After Black I had featured in the American Cinematography Magazine being the first Indian to do so and 'Gandhi My Father' is emotionally very close to me and working on it has been the most challenging till date," Pookutty said. 

"To be very frank, technicans here always remain the unsung heroes and are never the face of any cinema, this is really sad," he said expressing his disappointment on the plight of technicians in Bollywood. 

On being asked about his dream after the Oscar's, Pookutty was prompt with his reply, "I want to make a film in my own language, and I guess it is a dream for every individual associated with film-making."

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Jackson postpones opening gigs of London comeback tour

By ANI - May 21, 2009

Michael Jackson has postponed the first four concerts of his comeback tour This Is It UK in London. 

The King of Pop, who was due to kick off a much-awaited 50-show run at the 20,000-capacity O2 Arena on July 8, said he needed more time for rehearsals to ensure the shows were perfect. 
While the opening night has been put back to July 13, three other gigs, previously slated for July 10, 12 and 14, will not be staged until March next year. 

Randy Phillips, President of concert promoters AEG Live, said Jackson and his creative director, Kenny Ortega, had prompted the delay. "Kenny and Michael are, at the same time, both creative pioneers and perfectionists," the ‘BBC’ quoted Phillips as saying in a statement. 

"This show has grown in size and scope, thereby necessitating more lead time for manufacture of the set, programming the content for the massive video elements, and, most importantly, more time for full production and dress rehearsals,” he added. 

Phillips continued: "As much as we agonised over this change in the original schedule, we are sure the fans will understand when they experience the level of entertainment Michael Jackson intends to deliver." Ortega apologised to the fans for the rescheduled dates, saying: "We apologise to all disappointed Michael Jackson fans and remain extremely dedicated and focused on creating an exceptional live music experience." 

Although full refunds are being offered to those who cannot make it for the re-arranged gigs, some fans are livid. Pam A wrote on a Michael Jackson messageboard: "What difference is a week going to make in the grand scheme of things?” 

Another fan calling themselves janmic, added: “I had plane tickets booked from Canada. I'm supposed to be returning home on July 9th. I am really not impressed."

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Penelope flees Cannes party to avoid Orlando

Agencies - May 21, 2009

Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz was forced to flee a Cannes party when she came to know that ex-boyfriend Orlando Bloom will be arriving with his super model girlfriend for the same event. 

The 35-year-old 'Vicky Christina Barcelona' star told the organisers that she was feeling sick and made a quick exit as soon as she was informed that Bloom is also expected to arrive, reported ‘Mirror.co.uk’. 

Cruz had briefly dated the 'Pirates of the Carribean' actor in 2006 after her split from Matthew Mc Conaughey and wanted to avoid any awkward scenes. 

The Academy winning actress who is currently dating fellow Spaniard, actor Javier Bardem left fellow party goers Paris Hilton and Lily Cole stunned with her decision to leave abruptly. 

The 32-year-old Bloom has been dating Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr for more than a year now, with reports suggesting that the couple are soon to tie the knot.

Source: http://www.news.google.com

Woman Who Choked Cowell’s Ex Was Getting Revenge For Abdul

By RollingStone - May 21, 2009

As Rock Daily reported yesterday, American Idol judge Simon Cowell’s ex-girlfriend Terri Seymour was assaulted following Tuesday night’s performance show. Now the 33-year-old woman who choked Seymour is speaking to Radar Online from jail — and reveals the motive behind her attack was revenge for Paula Abdul.

Janice Thibodeaux tells Radar Online, “I wasn’t cool with Simon Cowell choking Paula Abdul on the show last week and with her crying-out ‘help’ as he did so,” referring to Cowell mock-attacking Abdul during judging. ”Nobody said anything about that so I wanted to confront him about it because that is not appropriate behavior, is it?” Thibodeaux also claimed she was a former security guard at AI and bought a ticket to attend the Tuesday showdown between Adam Lambert and Kris Allen. When she saw Seymour in the crowd, Thibodeaux decided to confront her instead of Cowell.

“She was taking some photographs with her camera and I knew she was his girlfriend so I went up to her to tell her how I felt. We started arguing and then I put my hands around her neck and started choking her just like Simon had done with Paula,” Thibodeaux explained. “Then I walked away and I was tackled by the police but I don’t regret what I did because of what Simon did to Paula, nobody seemed to care about that.” Thibodeaux is being held on $52,000 and has not yet consulted an attorney.

This isn’t the first time Idol has run into trouble with a viewer. In November 2008, an obsessed fan of Abdul’s named Paula Goodspeed died of a drug overdose in front of Abdul’s Los Angeles home. Goodspeed previously auditioned, and was rejected, from American Idol in 2006. Prior to the audition, Goodspeed had stalked and written to Abdul for 18 years, a fact overlooked by producers when they allowed Goodspeed to audition in front of her on idol.

Source: www.rollingstone.com