Madonna casts James D”arcy as King Edward VIII for upcoming flick

London, June 4 (ANI): Queen of Pop Madonna has cast actor James D”arcy as King Edward VIII in her upcoming royal biopic W.E.

The singer is set to direct the film, based on the story of the former monarch, who abdicated the throne after falling in love with American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Actress Andrea Riseborough, best known for her TV portrayal of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, will play the woman who rocked the royal family, while Aussie beauty Abbie Cornish will star as a modern wife who compares herself to Wallis.

And now, Madonna has picked D”Arcy to take on the role of King Edward.

“We”ve found the right cast for this picture. The addition of James is wonderful as he”s got such charisma and possesses a regal quality that he can capture. There was a real chemistry between him and Andrea,” the Daily Express quoted producer Colin Vaines as saying. (ANI)

Liam Gallagher promises not to get into films

London, May 15 (ANI): Former Oasis singer Liam Gallagher, who is working on new film ‘The Longest Cocktail Party’, claims he will never get completely absorbed into films.

However, the rock star, whose new production company, In 1,is backing the movie, admitted that he could not let go an opportunity to be part of the biopic based on Richard DiLello”s memoir.

He was present at the Cannes Film Festival with Andrew Eaton of Revolution Films, who will collaborate on the project, which charts the “wild rise and fall” of the record company at the end of the 1960s.

“I”m not going into films, this is the last thing for me. I mean I”m not going to get sucked into that. I”m going to do this one thing because I like it, and I”ve got the opportunity to do it, and Andrew”s going to make it happen, and that”s it,” the Mirror quoted Gallagher, as saying.

DiLello worked as the resident “House Hippie” at Apple, which signed artists such as James Taylor, Mary Hopkin and Badfinger, from 1968 to 1970.

Gallagher added that the memoir had held “biblical” meaning for his former Oasis bandmates. (ANI)

Cannes’ LiLo ‘snub’

New York, May 13 (ANI): Lindsay Lohan has been trying to swing a free trip to the Cannes film festival to wrangle money for her new Linda Lovelace biopic, ‘Inferno,’ but no one”s willing to pay for her, it has emerged.

“She”s been asking around, but hasn”t had any takers,” the New York Post quoted a source as saying.

The ‘Mean Girls’ star was well-behaved when she showed up at the Valentino-sponsored fete for the Lincoln Center Institute at the Hudson Hotel this week.

Director Matthew Wilder of the Lovelace flick says: “It”s not something I can imagine that anybody would ever be turned on by, unless they”re really sick.” (ANI)

Coming soon: Bruce Lee biopic

New Delhi, May 12 (ANI): A biopic about late action hero Bruce Lee is to be made to mark his birth on November 27 of this year.

Shooting of ‘Bruce Lee’ is expected to begin at the end of June and the film is scheduled for release before November 27, reports M1905.com.

The biopic will revolve around Bruce Lee’ pre-stardom story.

A young Hong Kong born singer-turned-actor is expected to play young Bruce.

Manfred Wong, producer of ‘Bruce Lee’, says Aarif”s appearance in ‘Echoes of the Rainbow’ reminded him of Bruce, and he believes Aarif is the ideal choice to portray the role, reports english.news.cn.

“Bodyguards and Assassins” assistant director Wai-Man Yip will helm the film and actors Karen Mok and Tony Leung Ka-Fai will play Bruce’s parents. (ANI)

Madonna “cried and cried” watching ex Penn in ‘Milk’

Washington, May 4 (ANI): Madonna wept as she watched Milk – the movie in which her ex-husband Sean Penn played the role of homosexual politician Harvey Milk.

The singer said the biopic reminded her of the gay friends she has lost to AIDS, reports Contactmusic.

In an interview with the film”s director Gus Van Sant in the new issue of Interview magazine, Madonna says, “Milk was such a brilliant film. I cried and cried. I loved it. He (Penn) is amazing… He”s got a fire under his a**, that”s for sure, a bee in his bonnet… I could see why he would be attracted to the role and be able to say yes in two seconds. Watching Milk was such a trip down memory lane for me.

“What the movie triggered for me was all my early days in New York and the scene that I came up in… with Andy Warhol and Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat and Kenny Scharf. It was just so alive with art and politics and this wonderful spirit. So many of those people are dead now. I think that”s one of the reasons I cried.

“I don”t know why I”m bringing all this up, but I guess it”s just coming from that world in Michigan and the trajectory of my life: after going to New York and being a dancer when the whole AIDS epidemic started and nobody knew what it was. And then suddenly, all these beautiful men around me, people who I loved so dearly, were dying – just one after the next.

“It was just such a crazy time. And watching the world freak out – the gay community was so ostracised. But it was also when I was beginning my career.”

She tells Van Sant, “Your movie really struck a chord for me and made me remember all that. It”s a time I don”t think many people have captured on film. It”s a time that people don”t talk about much. And even though there was so much death, for me, New York was so alive.” (ANI)

Scarlet Johansson interested in playing Courtney Love on-screen

London, May 03 (ANI): Actress Scarlet Johansson has confirmed her interest in playing Courtney Love in biopic of the rocker’s late husband Kurt Cobain.

Moviemakers are currently thinking of an idea to bring Nirvana frontman’s life story to the big screen with the help of his widow, Love, who will act as a project adviser, reports The Daily Star.

Love said in recent weeks that she would like either Ryan Gosling or James McAvoy to play her late husband, and named Johansson as her favourite to play her part.

Johansson hasn”t been approached for the project yet – but is ‘intrigued’ about the chances of playing the Hole frontwoman.

“I know that there is a script. That”s as much as I know about it. I”m a big fan of Courtney”s, and I think she”s very, very talented. But I don”t know anything about the project. I think the idea is interesting and intriguing, but I would have to really wrap my head around it,” she told MTV News. (ANI)

Hefner wants Downey, Jr. for his biopic

London, Apr 28 (ANI): Playboy boss Hugh Hefner is convinced that Robert Downey, Jr. is the only actor who can play him on the big screen.

And the tycoon told the Hollywood star just that when they met on the red carpet at the Iron Man 2 premiere in Los Angeles, reports The Daily Express.

Hefner says, “I told him, ”I couldn”t do better”.”

Meanwhile, Hefner admitted he”s still waiting for the right screenplay. (ANI)

Courtney Love wants Ryan Gosling or James McAvoy for Kurt Cobain role

London, April 21 (ANI): Courtney Love has two men in mind to possibly play her late husband, Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, on the big screen.

Last week, the Hole rocker dismissed reports she wanted Twilight hunk Robert Pattinson to play Cobain, reports the Daily Express.

And now Love has suggested either Ryan Gosling or Scottish star James McAvoy could take on the role in a new biopic.

Love has acquired the rights to Charles Cross” Heavier Than Heaven and has been working for almost five years to find the right team to bring the project to the big screen.

The rock star also confirmed she”d like Scarlett Johansson to play herself. (ANI)

Leonardo DiCaprio to play FBI chief in new film?

London, Apr 1 (ANI): Leonardo DiCaprio is all set to play the director of America”s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in a new film, according to reports.

Following in the footsteps of stars like Billy Crudup and Bob Hoskins, the ‘Titanic’ star is in talks to play the powerful role in a new biopic about J. Edgar Hoover, reports the Daily Express.

Earlier, Crudup played the FBI boss onscreen in last year”s ‘Public Enemies’, while Hoskins played the same role in Oliver Stone”s ‘Nixon’ in 1995.

And now, DiCaprio is considering tackling the role in ‘Hoover’.

The film will be directed by Clint Eastwood, according to reports by website Deadline New York. (ANI)

Sophia Loren plays her own mother in biopic

London, March 16 (ANI): Legendary actress Sophia Loren is playing the role of her mother in her TV biopic.

“La Mia Casa E Piena di Specchi” (My House Is Full of Mirrors), based on a book by the actress”s sister Maria Scicolone, has been divided into a two part series.

Giuseppe Tornatore”s Sicilian village blockbuster ‘Baaria’ star Margareth Made plays the young Loren.

However, the main character is the mother, Romilda Villani, who fulfilled her thwarted desire of being an actress through Loren.

“Things stay inside you, you never forget and you can”t help it,” the Telegraph quoted Loren, 75, as saying.

She added: “My life was a wonderful fairytale (but also) a story of war, hunger and begging, because that”s what my mother did for us: she fought to give her daughters a name and a future that would not be poor.”

The biopic depicts Loren”s career, starting with her role as an extra in ‘Quo Vadis’ in 1950. (ANI)

Steven Spielberg, Robert Redford to go head to head with Lincoln biopics

Washington, Sept 16 (ANI): Steven Spielberg will continue work on his new movie based on the life of Abraham Lincoln, even as Robert Redford is making another biopic on the former American President.

Spielberg insists his film will be quite different from Redford’s version.

It is reported that Spielberg’s film tilled Lincoln will have the American Civil War as its plot, while Redford’s The Conspirator will deal with the events leading up to the former President’s assassination in 1865.

Contactmusic quoted Spielberg as telling Daily Variety: “We are very happy that Redford will be doing this Lincoln movie.

“It is completely different from what our DreamWorks Lincoln movie will be, and we believe that it will add to the commercial potential of our film. Lincoln as a subject is inexhaustible.”

The Jaw’s director had announced Lincoln earlier this year but the project has been delayed due to funding problems and changes in script. (ANI)

Presley’s ex-bodyguard co-producing tell-all biopic

Washington, September 15 (ANI): Rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley’s former bodyguard is all set to reveal how his life used to be during his time with the tragic entertainer in a new biopic.

Sonny West will talk about Presley’s sensational rise to fame, his tragic demise, and struggle with drug addiction in feature-length film ‘Fame and Fortune’.

He will be a co-writer and co-producer of the film, reports Contactmusic.

According to Daily Variety, he has signed a deal with Toronto-based film company RLF Victor Productions in this regard.

West was employed by Presley from 1960 until 1976, one year prior to the star’s tragic death after suffering a heart attack. (ANI)

Robin Williams ‘dismisses playing Susan Boyle in biopic’

Washington, Aug 26 (ANI): Actor Robin Williams has reportedly dismissed reports that he will play Britain’s Got Talent participant Susan Boyle in a movie about her life.

A British newspaper had claimed that the ‘Good Will Hunting’ star was a fan of the 48-year-old singer, reports Contactmusic.

He was quoted as saying: “I’ve been asked if I want to play Susan in the movie. I think she’s incredible. That clip of her singing on Britain’s Got Talent was extraordinary. So inspiring. It was quite a shock when she began to sing.”

But Williams has apparently slammed any such report. (ANI)

Joan Jett sues ex-band mate for blocking ‘The Runaways’ biopic

New York, Aug 24 (ANI): American rock guitarist Joan Jett has sued her former band mate Jacqueline Fuchs, a.k.a. Jackie Fox, from ‘The Runaways’ for blocking a film about the all-girl group.

Fuchs, 49, who played for the band from December 1975 to June 1977, claims to own a piece of its trademark, and has gone out of her way to disrupt the biopic, titled “The Runaways”.

“Fuchs tried to have the film halted and has demanded to see the script, even though there is no character based on her,” the New York Post quoted a lawsuit filed by Jett in Manhattan Supreme Court as stating.

The film, starring Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart, is set to hit theatres next year.

“It’s been an ongoing fight,” Jett’s lawyer, Oren Warshavsky said.

“With the movie coming out soon, we need to resolve this once and for all,” he stated.

Fuchs has refused to comment on the allegation, and called Jett a “beautiful, talented” person.

“I’m saddened that she has chosen to handle things this way instead of accepting my invitation to pick up the phone and talk to me about any differences that we may have,” she added. (ANI)

Robin Williams lined up to play Susan Boyle in biopic

London, Aug 24 (ANI): Funnyman Robin Williams may play Susan Boyle in a blockbuster movie based on her life.

The actor, who cross-dressed to play Mrs Doubtfire in 1993, revealed that he was approached by movie chiefs for the film, reports The Daily Star.

According to the bosses, Williams would be a smash donning a frock, a wig and some lippy to play Britain’s Got Talent sensation Susan, 48, charting her remarkable rise to stardom.

Williams, 57, said: “I’ve been asked if I want to play Susan in the movie.

“I think she’s incredible. That clip of her singing on Britain’s Got Talent was extraordinary. So inspiring. It was quite a shock when she began to sing.

“I saw some other clip of her singing Cry Me A River a few years ago. It was incredible. She’s got a really great voice.” (ANI)

Tatum O’Neal to play Dakota Fanning’s mom in ‘The Runaways’

Washington, June 30 (ANI): Actress Tatum O’Neal has been roped in to play the role of teen starlet Dakota Fanning’s mother in new film The Runaways.

The Oscar winning actress is the daughter of Ryan O’Neal and stepdaughter of Farrah Fawcett.

The Runaways also stars ‘Twilight’ actress Kristen Stewart, reports Life and Style magazine.

Fanning is will be portraying singer Cheri Currie in a biopic of the 70s all girl band called ‘The Runways’.

She has also bagged a role in the sequel of the romantic-fantasy film ‘Twilight’. (ANI)

‘Johnny Depp won’t play Jacko in biopic’

London, June 30 (ANI): Johnny Depp won’t be playing Michael Jackson if a movie about the King of Pop’s life goes into production.

Depp had been rumoured to have previously expressed interest in playing the tragic star on the big-screen, reports Sky News.

However, the Hollywood star dismissed those reports when he spoke at the premiere of his latest gangster movie ‘Public Enemies’ in London.

The actor doesn’t think that the late singer “would want him to” don the famous white glove and military jacket. (ANI)

Nicole Scherzinger never met Britney Spears on Circus tour

Washington, June 26 (ANI): They might be Circus tourmates, but Pussycat Dolls’ singer Nicole Scherzinger has said that she and Britney Spears never crossed paths.

The pop group has supported Spears when she toured the U.S. earlier this year (09).

However, Scherzinger insists it’s “understandable” they never crossed paths in the two months her group shared the same stage as Spears, due to their hectic schedules.

“No (we didn’t see her). We have busy schedules and she does too and we go on stage at different times in different cities at different times,” Contactmusic quoted her as telling Take40.com.

Meanwhile, Scherzinger is set to launch her movie career.

The bombshell has revealed that she’s currently in negotiations to star in an upcoming biopic of Filipino boxer Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

She had earlier made a brief appearance in 2003″s ‘Love Don’t Cost a Thing’. (ANI)

Audrey Tautou starring as CoCo Chanel in new biopic

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Melbourne, June 22 (ANI): ‘Amelie’ star Audrey Tautou is all set to enthral movie buffs with her portrayal of one of the most adored and iconic Frenchwoman- Coco Chanel-in a new biopic titled ‘Coco Avant Chanel’./pp
Chanel was a style pioneer who became an indirect crusader for feminism, leading the way for women about 80 years ago in what was then very much a man’s world./pp
Although it posed a daunting task, Tautou agreed to take on the role and trusted her imagination and lost herself in the character.hus, the result has come in the form of a fantastic French fairytale, which follows the early life of the girl who went on to become the precursor to the modern woman./pp
It was difficult because there was an obligation to run an interpretation that people might already know about Coco Chanel and we have to honour that image and personality, the Daily Telegraph quoted Tautou as saying./pp
She added: There are so many myths about her. That was the most difficult thing with this character. About this period of her life there was so little known – there are no witnesses to that time./pp
She further said: She was so secretive about who she was and I had to start depending on my own opinion creating something from the materials that I had. I had to use my imagination a lot. I had to trust that./pp
Directed by Anne Fontaine, ‘Coco Avant Chanel’ is a beautifully shot film telling the story of the illegitimate, abandoned Gabrielle Coco Chanel, who was taught to sew by nuns in an orphanage before singing for tips to drunken sailors in a run-down bar./pp
And finally she became the biggest names in the fashion industry./pp
Despite being asked by many directors and film houses to play the fashionista, Tautou agreed to Fontaine and Warner Bros only because she found something she liked. /pp
I found that Anne Fontaine had a good feeling and sensitivity for the personality of Coco Chanel, she said./pp
The actress is currently starring as the new face of the biggest-selling perfume of all time-Chanel No. 5./pp
‘Coco Avant Chanel’ opens on Thursday. (ANI)/p

Madhur Bhandarkar to make Sobhraj film?

KATHMNADU: Will Madhur Bhandarkar, the man who exposed the murky side of the media in “Page Three” and the fashion industry in the Priyanka Chopra-starrer “Fashion”, now delve into the six-year-old saga of Charles Sobhraj, who is imprisoned in a dingy jail in Nepal?

The 66-year-old, who has been fighting a series of damaging verdicts in Nepal since his arrest from a Kathmandu casino in 2003, has been approached by a well-known Bollywood production company for a biopic to be made with his consent and cooperation. The company, whose name Sobhraj is loath to divulge till they reach a deal, has told him if he was interested, they would approach Madhur Bhandarkar to direct the film.

Gearing up to fight his murder conviction in Nepal’s Supreme Court once again after an appellate court dealt him a blow, Sobhraj has been told that he would have control over the script. It would be a god-send for the half Indian, half Vietnamese who could eventually hope to tell the world his side of the story.

While Nepal police have charged him with entering the country illegally in 1975 using a murdered Dutch tourist’s passport and then befriending and killing an American tourist, Connie Jo Bronzich, Sobhraj says he was framed by police who forged his signature and documents. When he challenged the 20-year life term slapped on him by Kathmandu’s district court, he received a setback recently with an appellate court finding him guilty of coming to Nepal illegally in 1975.

Despite the glitzy offer by Bollywood, Sobhraj is in two minds about the proposal. While he is tempted to tell his story, on the other hand, his lawyer in France and his business partners, with whom he ran a production company, Gentleman Films, in Paris, are against the idea.

This is the yesteryear’s criminal hero’s third brush with Bollywood. While director Prawaal Raman is planning a film, Charles and I, apparently based on Sobhraj’s life with Sanjay Dutt playing the lead, an earlier attempt by a production company fizzled out after Sobhraj fell out with the proposed script writer Farrukh Dhondy.