Bureau Headlines: Mon 06/29

The Latest Michael Jackson News: Janet Jackson, Jamie Foxx lead BET Awards tribute Video... Cardiologist questioned by police; lawyer says doctor did not administer Demerol shot... Papa Joe Jackson says kids a priority... Paul Theroux describes his trip to Neverland... Elizabeth Taylor releases statment... Magazine seeks six-word obits ("Michael, you beat it too soon.")... Public and private funeral services expected later this week. Latest Rumors: Autopsy revealed needle marks, nearly bald head, claims London tabloid... Former nanny says she pumped Michael Jackson's stomach many times... Mother and sister search Jackson's home for cash... Debbie Rowe says Jackson not father of her children... Jackson's final rehearsal to be released as DVD... Neverland may be converted to shrine for fans.

Other Headlines: Infomercial pitchman Billy Mays found dead in Florida home... Farrah Fawcettt funeral to take place Tuesday... "Ugly Betty's" Ana Ortiz gives birth to baby girl... Kendra Wilkinson marries NFL player Hank Baskett... Eddie Van Halen remarries... Heather Mills opens vegan restaurant. Bradley Cooper says Jennifer Aniston is "just a friend"... Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf dating?... Leonardo DiCaprio's sneakers stolen outside Kyoto temple.

Photos: Madonna and new daughter Mercy... New engagement ring for Britney Spears? Lindsay Lohan's birthday pool party.

Weekend Box Office

Weekend Box Office:

1) Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen $112 million
2) The Proposal $18.4 million
3) The Hangover $17.2 million
4) Up $13 million
5) My Sister’s Keeper $12 million
6) Year One $5.8 million
7) The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 $5.4 million
8) Star Trek $3.6 million
9) Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian $3.5 million
10) Away We Go $1.6 million

As most suspected, Michael Bay’s giant robot sequel Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen owned the weekend, earning a little over $112 million. Though it broke many new records, it failed to live up to studio expectations, becoming only the seventh highest grossing opener in cinematic history. Clearly, it was no match for the The Dark Knight, which took in $158 million when it opened in July of last year. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen had the second highest opening day earnings of all time with $60.6 million. The Dark Knight still holds the record with $67 million. As for firsts, Bay’s latest action extravaganza, which stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, became the highest grossing Wednesday earner of all time, as well as 2009’s highest grossing weekend opener. It holds the highest grossing June opening, as well as the top five day grosses for a movie opening on a Wednesday. Domestically, the film has earned a total of $201.2 million. Worldwide, it has pulled in $281.4 million, yet hasn’t broken any records on that front. Despite all of these new record setting grosses, the film failed to score with critics. That shouldn’t hurt its future potential, as audiences seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. Especially the teens, and that’s where most of the repeat ticket sales come from. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen could linger around the top five for the rest of the summer.

Walt Disney’s The Proposal stayed on its knees this weekend, earning Anne Fletcher’s deportation rom-com another $18.4 million for that coveted second place spot. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds were able to fend for themselves, and give non-robot loving audiences a hilarious alternative. The film has thus far pulled in an impressive $69 million dollars. Todd Phillip’s surprise hit of the summer The Hangover also continues to chug along. It fell to third place during its fourth week in release, earning another $17.2 million. With total earnings of $183.2 million, it is guaranteed to reach the $200 million mark before the end of the summer.

Disney/Pixar’s Up, which has remained at the top of the charts for five weeks, dropped to number four with another $13 million to its name. Thus far, the film, which follows a 78-year-old balloon salesman named Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner) as he fulfils his lifelong dream of visiting the wilds of South America, has earned a total of $250 million. Pretty impressive, as it is now the highest grossing film of the year, besting Star Trek, which has now earned $246 million after eight weeks in release. Up is now the number four most successful Pixar film of all time, just surpassing 1999’sToy Story 2.

This week’s only other major new release didn’t create much racket. The Cameron Diaz weeper My Sister’s Keeper dropped in at number five with just $12 million to its name. I guess nobody was in the mood for a heavy family drama. Kathryn Bigalow’s wartime action film The Hurt Locker bested Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on the per screen average front. The film took in an estimated $36,000 per screen for a total of $144,000 playing in just four theaters. If given the 4,234 screens held by Optimus Prime, the film could have potentially earned $1.5 billion to become the highest grossing film in history.

Next week, the Autobots will have to go head to head with John Dillinger in Michael Mann’s Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, as well as the rascally prehistoric team from Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. It’s quite possible that Manny, Diego, and Sid could cause a major upset at the box office. Hey, anything’s possible.

Photo Tribute: Michael Jackson 1958-2009

Girl Next Door Kendra Wilkinson Weds at Playboy Mansion

Playboy bunny Kendra Wilkinson marries football star Hank Baskett at the Playboy mansion in Beverly Hills, CA. About 500 guests were in attendance for the Sunset ceremony including Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and his girlfriends, and famous 'Girls Next Door' Bridget Marquardt and Holly Madison.

Anderson Cooper's Date with Michael Jackson and his New Mystery Man

On Thursday night’s episode of Anderson Cooper 360, CNN host Anderson Cooper shared about the first time he met Michael Jackson. The 42-year-old anchor shared, “When I was 10, for some odd reason, I went to [Disco Mecca] Studio 54 with Michael Jackson and a bunch of people. I had no idea who he was. I saw him dance, and I was like, ‘Oh, he’s a good dancer.’” Cooper continued, “Why I was at Studio 54 is a whole other story. Child welfare will want to talk to my mom [Gloria Vanderbilt] about that.” Of course, Anderson did not dance with Michael – apparently he doesn’t like to dance. He refused to dance with Ellen on her hit show.

Just this afternoon Anderson was photographed leaving his apartment with the mystery male he has been spotted with recently. The couple was both wearing Fred Perry Polos and took their matching mountain bikes for a ride around Manhattan. Two hours ago, he tweeted two nonsensical messages on his Twitter account @AndersonCooper: “IOiu” and “Y."

Michael Jackson Dies Unexpectedly

LONDON- JULY 15 : Michael Jackson performs on stage during his "BAD" concert tour held at Wembley Stadium ,London on the 15th of July 1988.While performing in London, England Michael breaks a world record (as shown in the Guinness Book Of World Records) with 504,000 people attending 7 sold out shows at Wembley Stadium, more than any other artist.

The King of POP -- Michael Jackson, the child singing prodigy who became the single most famous entertainer in the world, died today at the age of 50 after suffering cardiac arrest at his Bel Air home. Jackson had been in Los Angeles rehearsing for a 50-date comeback tour set to start within weeks at London’s O2 arena. He went into cardiac arrest at about 12:30 p.m. PST at the home he was renting in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles. He was not breathing when paramedics arrived, according to reports. The singer was transported to UCLA Medical Center with paramedics administering CPR throughout the approximately 7-minute ride. “Entertainment Tonight” has what perhaps the last photo is taken of Jackson, as he was being placed in an ambulance.

A source inside the hospital told TMZ.com there was “absolute chaos” after Jackson arrived, as people who were with the singer were screaming, “You’ve got to save him! You’ve got to save him!” He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 2:26 p.m. PST, announced Lt. Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office. He leaves behind his mother Katherine, father Joe, brothers Jackie, Marlon, Tito, Jermaine and Randy; and sisters Rebbie, LaToya and Janet. Jackson is also survived by three children - Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II. In a statement to reporters at UCLA Medical Center, here’s what Jermaine Jackson had to say about the death of his brother:
“His personal physician, who was with him at the time, attempted to resuscitate my brother, as did paramedics who transported him to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Upon arriving at the hospital at approximately 1:14 p.m., a team of highly skilled doctors, including emergency physicians and cardiologists, attempted to resuscitate him for a period of more than one hour but were unsuccessful. Our family requests that the media respect our privacy during this tragic period of time.”
Crowds of hundreds had already been gathering at the hospital and were playing his music and keeping vigil while cable news channels and media outlets were reporting conflicting accounts of his medical status. TMZ.com was the first to report of his death based on sources. Their posting went up at 5:20 p.m. EST, several minutes earlier than his reported time of death. By the time news of Jackson’s passing was being confirmed by the Los Angeles Times and CBS News, radio stations had ditched their normal playlists to play Jackson’s songs, celebrities had taken to Twitter to express their thoughts, BET’s “106 & Park” audience was in tears and MTV was airing the entire 13 min 41 sec “Thriller” video in his memory.

An Associated Press reporter who happened to be in New York’s Times Square’s said there was a noticeable “loud moan” reaction when the Jumbotron announced that Jackson was confirmed dead. TMZ reported that Elton John was in the midst of his annual “White Tie and Tiara Ball” when he was informed of Jackson’s death. He reportedly dedicated his song “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” to Michael, as guests Liz Hurley, Hugh Grant, Lily Allen, and Kelly Osbourne looked on.

Rev. Al Sharpton stepped outside of the Apollo Theater in Harlem to talk about Jackson’s legacy. Above him, the venue’s world iconic marquee was changed to mark Jackson’s death. Behind him, a crowd of several hundred had gathered. “Incredible Hulk” star Lou Ferrigno, recently Michael’s trainer for his upcoming tour, and his wife, Carla, were both distraught upon hearing the sad news. Carla, crying, told TMZ: “He was so great and we all loved him. Lou can’t even form words right now—he’s in total shock ... he thought he was going to be training Michael tomorrow. He was planning on flying back to Los Angeles to do it. He’s very shocked right now. Michael was so cute and sweet—he didn’t deserve this.”

Jackson’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame had been covered up most of the day Thursday by red carpet in preparation for the premiere of Sasha Baron Cohen’s new movie “Bruno,” so fans began leaving flowers at the star belonging to British talk show host Michael Jackson. Debbie Rowe, the mother of two of Jackson’s three kids, was said to be “inconsolable” according to TMZ. The Web site noted that she gave up all parental rights to the two children—Paris and Michael Jr. Therefore she is not legally in line to take custody.

Farrah Fawcett Looses Her Battle to Cancer

Farrah Fawcett, the star of Charlie's Angels who's blinding-white smile and sun-blond hair set the standard for female beauty in the '70s, passed away this morning after a long battle with cancer at the age of 62.

The actress had recently made a documentary, Farrah's Story, an unflinching look as Fawcett sought cures in both the United States and Germany.

It was reported on Monday that Ryan O'Neal, Fawcett's long-time companion and father of her 24-year-old son Redmond O'Neal, had asked Fawcett to marry him. Speaking to Barbara Walters, O'Neal said, "We will [marry], as soon as she can say yes... Maybe we can just nod her head." Last night, it was reported that Fawcett had taken last rites as her condition rapidly worsened. She passed away shortly before 9:30 a.m. Pacific time in a Santa Monica hospital.

Bureau Exclusive Report: James Cameron's AVATAR

We were thrilled to attend the Cinema Expo in Amsterdam yesterday. The highlight for us was the Avatar screening and after party. James Cameron unveiled 24 minutes of his 3-D, sci-fi film Avatar. The film stars Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana and Stephen Lang. On hand at the RAI convention center (in addition to Cameron) to talk about this $300 million production were the film's producer Jon Landau, and Fox's Jim Gianopulos. This film is cinematic hybrid of CGI, motion-capture animation and live action and it is Cameron's first dramatic feature since 1997's Titanic. Media in attendance was very restricted – they were not allowed to discuss Avatar images and interviewing members of the viewing audience was prohibited. However, we are going to give you a sneak peek at the images anyway.

"Three years ago, I stood up here and said the 3-D renaissance is coming," Cameron started. "And from what we've seen in the business, we can now say it has arrived." In Avatar, Jake, a paraplegic war veteran is brought to another planet, Pandora, which is inhabited by the Na'vi, a humanoid race with their own language and culture. Those from Earth find themselves at odds with each other and the local culture.Cameron said that the assemblage of footage he was showing came from the first third of the film.

He also showcased some images from not yet finished portions of battle scenes later in the film. These involved the earthlings and the aliens fighting over control of the fantasy world Pandora.According to Cameron, later in the film the action comes non-stop at viewers. Worthington will be "a remote-controlled character created by melding his crippled human form into a super-human being -- whose fate lies ultimately in doing battle with his own former race."The footage that was screened received an overwhelmingly positive reaction from all in attendance.

Cameron is championing the campaign for theater owners throughout the US to outfit their theaters with the latest 3-D capability. "I just want to say that I think Avatar is going to play great in 3-D, 2-D, any 'D.' " said Cameron.

A lot of the technology that was used to record the actor’s performances was created especially for Avatar, and the crews behind the effects were the geniuses from Industrial Light + Magic in Northern California and WETA Digital in New Zealand. Avatar will be released by 20th Century Fox, hitting theaters on December 18th.

Guy Ritchie's SHERLOCK HOLMES

Bureau Headlines: Tues 06/23

Bureau Headlines: Jon and Kate Gosselin separating after 10 years of marriage and eight kids (Video)... Farrah Fawcett back in hospital; Ryan O'Neal says he and Fawcett will marry... Christian Bale says there may not be another "Batman" movie... Stephen Baldwin leaves "I'm a Celebrity" after bugs lay eggs under his skin... Jessica Simpson lands new reality show... Mel Gibson's girlfriend releases video for first single... Kevin Federline owes $14K in back taxes... Kelly Osbourne penning advice book. Chris Brown pleads guilty to assault of Rihanna; won't serve any jail time... Black Eyed Peas manager charged with assaulting Perez Hilton (though GLAAD wants Hilton to apologize for hurling gay slurs at Will.i.am NSFW footage of altercation... Lindsay Lohan ticketed for loud late night music. Drew Barrymore and Justin Long apparently big Marlins fans... Paris Hilton's huge sunglasses... TomKat on hand to watch Cameron Diaz get Walk of Fame star... Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal sport matching gym gear. Paris Hilton discovers secret video recording equipment in Dubai hotel room... Amy Winehouse calls St. Lucia pub proprietor "mummy."

Jon & Kate File For Divorce

Jon and Kate Gosselin have filed for divorce.

The initial documents were filed at the Bucks County Courthouse this afternoon, coinciding with tonight's special episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8. Trailers for the show have indicated the husband and wife of ten years have an important announcement to make about the future of their marriage.The Gosselins' marriage has long been fraught with tension - at least according to the reality presented by the show that documents the raising of their eight children. Rumors of an impending divorce began circulating in May, when a 23-year-old woman named Deanna Hummel was photographed driving Jon's car. Hummel's brother claimed Deanna and Jon were engaged in a full-blown affair, while both Jon and Deanna denied his report.

On the premiere of the fifth season last month, Kate confessed, "Parents of multiples have triple the divorce rate. I was thinking we were going to beat that. I don't know if I can say that anymore."

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

Here is our first look at Alice in Wonderland movie by Tim Burton, out March 5, 2010.

Anne Hathaway as the icy White Queen, Helena Bonham Carter with an oversized head as the Red Queen and Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.

Mia Wasikowska, 19, from Australia, will be playing Alice, who is much older in the film. The White Rabbit will be played by Michael Sheen. The look of the film is typical Burton style with Victorian styling and extreme colour contrasts. As well as being transformed by their costumes, the cast's features have been digitally altered, making them look far removed from their normal selves. As the tea-drinking, unbirthday-celebrating Mad Hatter, Johnny's eyes are yellow and enlarged.

Producer Richard Zanuck said: 'This character is off his rocker. He is so much fun and so nutty, I can't imagine anyone else doing it.'The film also stars Burton's muse and real-life partner Bonham Carter, whose head has been digitally swelled to play the Red Queen. Dressed in full royal regalia, Bonham Carter's body is dwarfed by her bulbous head, a physical reflection of the Queen's enormous ego. Alice in Wonderland will be released in both traditional and 3D format.

Bureau Headlines: Thurs 06/18

Headlines: Billy Joel separates from 27-year-old wife... Brangelina donate $1 million to displaced Pakistanis... "Gossip Girl's" Chace Crawford named People's "hottest bachelor"... Ryan Reynolds tops EW's "Must List" issue... Police say Mia Farrow's brother committed suicide... Former St. Lucia official calls sometime resident Amy Winehouse a "tattooed reptile"... Jane Fonda tweets from knee-replacement surgery... Larry David says Michael Richards (who unleashed a racist rant on-stage in 2006) is a new man... Neighbor sues Rihanna for alleged invasion of privacy... Bret Michaels says he won't sue over Tony Awards mishap. Police officers investigated in plot to break into the home of Sarah Jessica Parker's surrogate... Court refuses to delay Chris Brown hearing.

Brittany Murphy in Something Wicked

Brittany Murphy is joining Shantel VanSanten and John Robinson in Something Wicked. The film is a psychological thriller from director Darin Scott.

In the movie, we follow a boy who is with a girl that is way too good looking for him. Things get interesting when the girl's parents are killed. Joe Colleran wrote the screenplay and he is also producing this project. It is currently shooting in Oregon.

Language Room One by One

Rarely do young bands release profound music with their debut album -- Language Room, is an exception to this rule. This Austin, Texas based band just self-released their first full-length album titled, One by One. Produced by Matt Noveskey, bassist for the chart topping band Blue October -- clearly a match made in heaven – One by One has quickly become one of the Hollywood Bureau’s most thrilling new music discoveries for summer listening – a bold and resplendent ode to American rock and indie pop.

The band consists of brothers Scott and Matt Graham on guitar and bass, Caleb Kelly on drums with Todd Sapio on vocals and guitar. The Austin foursome is spectacularly smart in their composition of music and lyrics. One By One kicks off with “In Lines,” an epic blast of guitars with an unbelievable rhythm section delivering bruising force. “Still Need You” the richest of the tracks is One by One’s hauntingly beautiful anthem – the poignant core that brings out the waterworks, but sharp enough to stay on edge, buttered only by the fantastically perfect harmonies. “We may be lovers, we may be friends,” moans Sapio with a pleasantly raspy croon as he delivers “I Want to Scream.”

“Don’t Cover Your Eyes” and “Pills For A Lie” are songs that wash together into one fierce tidal wave of lucid emotion making them the perfect soundtrack for life’s melodramas, tangled and impossibly gorgeous. In a “Matter of Time” and “Waiting It Out” the band mines the deep and dark crevasses between funk, rock and alternative pop-a-delic. These aren't songs, they're sonic suites, brilliant and scathingly unpredictable hard rock hydras cut up with a pop symphony. Closing with “Love Him” a rattling atmospheric concerto landscaped only by cleverness and sorrow.

The entire album from start-to-finish highlights the balance of virtuosity, heart and bluster -- an epic poem written for the musically obsessed.

Bureau Headlines: Wed 06/10

Jon Voight calls President Obama "false prophet"... Queen Latifah speaks out about childhood sexual abuse... Brad Pitt buys $1 million painting... Jessica Alba apologizes for plastering Oklahoma City with shark posters... Trainer to Gwyneth and Madonna Tracy Anderson's money troubles detailed... Two weeks after daughter's death, Mike Tyson marries... James Van Der Beek and wife separate. Did Kristen Stewart chop off hair for Joan Jett role?... Mel Gibson's on-the-market Connecticut mansion... Mickey Rourke in "Iron Man 2." Britney Spears dating her agent rumor moves up to DefCon P (People mag)... Bar Refaeli and Leonardo DiCaprio "taking a break?"... Miley Cyrus breaks up with 20-year-old man-friend... Claire Danes to marry Hugh Dancy?... Colin Hanks (Tom's son) engaged to Manhattan publicist... Robert Pattinson to blame for Megan Fox's split from Brian Austin Green?... Prince refusing hip replacement?... Heidi Pratt developing her own line of dry shampoo.

Adam Lambert Rolling Stone Cover

Adam Lambert’s highly-anticipated Rolling Stone cover hits stands tomorrow, but here's the important news: He's gay. Surprise! Dah! I think we all knew that……..

Lambert talks candidly about his sexuality -- and his decision not to discuss the subject until now -- in the interview. As previously surmised, his restraint had much to do with Idol politics, as well as the freedom to out himself on his own terms. It makes sense, considering the many questions he was presented with after compromising pictures of him with other guys hit the Internet. And more recently, he was photographed holding hands with boyfriend Drake LaBry.

"I was worried that [coming out] would be so sensationalized that it would overshadow what I was there to do, which was sing. I'm an entertainer, and who I am and what I do in my personal life is a separate thing. It shouldn’t matter. Except it does. It's so confusing. Right after the finale, I almost started talking about it to the reporters, but I thought, 'I'm going to wait for Rolling Stone, that will be cooler.' I didn’t want the Clay Aiken thing and the celebrity-magazine bullshit. I need to be able to explain myself in context."But here's the bottom line, according to Adam: "I'm proud of my sexuality. I embrace it. It's just another part of me."

It's been a huge week for this Idol runner-up, who just signed a deal with RCA records and is set to release his debut album this fall. His songs from the competition have already hit the Billboard charts, and with all the buzz he's been generating for his killer vocals and mysterious personal life, it's bound to be a success. The whirlwind should be a huge ego booster for Lambert, who admitted to the magazine: "I mean, I still have moments where I think, 'Oh, my skin is terrible, and I'm a little fat -- I should really go to the gym more.' But for the most part, when I look in the mirror now, I finally see somebody who can do something cool."

Simon Cowell to Re-make Saturday Night Fever

American Idol tough guy Simon Cowell is hoping to remake a classic music movie: Saturday Night Fever. Cowell has reportedly been in negotiotiations with producer Robert Stigwood, the owner of the film's screenplay, for weeks. Cowell already has a leading man in mind: Zac Efron. Now that the lead role in the upcoming Footloose remake has gone to Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford, Efron should have some time on his hands.

It's also rumored that mega-producer Timbaland will take charge of the film's soundtrack. One has to wonder if it's really a Saturday Night Fever remake if they're abandoning the disco roots, no?

James Franco In Praise of Shadows

James Franco has signed on to star in the indie drama In Praise of Shadows, written and directed by Jay Anania. Anania is head of the directing program at the graduate film school at NYU, where Franco just completed his first year, while simultaneously completing his master's degree in English at Columbia University.

The drama tells the story of William Vincent (Franco), and recounts his eccentric and curious journey that brought him back to New York City after four years in exile to rescue the woman he loves from a crime syndicate. In Praise of Shadows will be produced through Franco's Rabbit Bandini Productions banner by Vince Jolivette, Miles Levy and Piers Richardson. The film has a budget of less than $10 million, and is being produced in association with the Final Cut Collective, Black Acre Entertainment and Limerick Films, all of which are financing.

Franco liked the script and was able to work it into his schedule before heading off to Ireland to star opposite his Pineapple Express cohort Danny McBride and Natalie Portman in Your Highness, the David Gordon Green-directed Universal comedy. Then it's back to fall classes for Franco. The film will start production June 15 in New York City.

Alien Prequel

It seems like plans for a remake of a sci-fi classic has hit a little snag. It seems that director Carl Rinsch might not be at the helm of the new Alien prequel.

20th Century Fox is reluctant to greenlight the film with Rinsch, primarily a TV commercial director, at the helm and wants to have director Ridley Scott at the helm. Rinsch has worked for Scott's company, RSA, for years now and sources have confirmed that Rinsch not only works for Scott's company, but is romantically involved with his daughter, Jordan.

Neither Scott nor Rinsch responded to the site's initial report.

Bureau Headlines: Mon 06/08

Family wants FBI to investigate David Carradine's death; Thai paper allegedly publishes photo of dead actor... Heidi Pratt released from Costa Rican hospital; sister-in-law calls Speidi's treatment on "I'm a Celebrity" "torture"... Bret Michaels injured on Tony Awards stage (video)... Britney Spears went topless on "Gimme More" video set... Brooke Shields settles tabloid dispute... In case you missed it: Angelina Jolie's Time magazine Darfur Op-ed. Pete Doherty busted doing drugs in airplane bathroom. Drew Barrymore, bad in plaid. Mel Gibson wants pregnant girlfriend to take paternity test... Madonna considering Nigeria adoption?... Did Paris Hilton take part in raunchy Vegas party for money?... Terrence Howard stops traffic to save baby bird.

Killer Instinct

Chockstone Pictures and DeFina Film Productions recently optioned Joseph Finder’s 2006 bestseller Killer Instinct. The novel follows a sales executive at a big electronic corporation who tries to find the moxie he needs to hang tough in the corporate world.Producing will be Chockstone’s Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz along with Barbara DeFina. “The book appealed to us on two levels: as a terrific thriller and also as a parody of the technology industry that is scary and funny at the same time,” stated Steve Schwartz. Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz most recently joined forces with Nick Wechsler to make The Road which comes to theaters Oct. 16th from Dimension Films.

Celebrity Owned Private Islands

Ever wonder what it would be like to take a vacation with Johnny Depp on his private Caribbean island? Vanity Fair contributing editor Douglas Brinkley, who, like Depp, was a close friend of the late gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, did just that. As he reports in the July cover story, “Johnny Depp’s Great Escape,” it’s pretty damn great.

In 2004, Johnny Depp reportedly plunked down $3.6 million for Little Hall’s Pond Cay, a mile-long, palm-littered getaway 60 miles south of Nassau. Blessed with majestic reefs, a lagoon, private harbor and six white-sand beaches, the enchanting atoll caught Depp’s eye while he was in the region filming Pirates of the Caribbean, and seemed like the perfect hideaway for a busy screen idol and his family. “It is so beautiful there,” Depp told the New York Post. “So peaceful, free and relaxed.”

Blackadore, Belize
(Leonardo DiCaprio and real estate developer Jeff Gram, co-owners)
During a visit to the Cayo Espanto resort, Leonardo DiCaprio was so smitten with the exotic digs that he co-purchased the place next door: Blackadore, a narrow, two-mile strip of sand and greenery sprinkled with coconut palms and tropical vegetation. A devoted environmentalist, DiCaprio struck a deal with Four Seasons Resorts to build an eco-friendly hotel on the island (plus private pools and villas), which will still preserve the island’s majestic wildlife and marine life.

Mago Island, Fiji
(Mel Gibson, owner)
In 2004, actor Mel Gibson purchased Mago Island from Japan’s Tokyu Corp. for $15 million. The 5,411-acre hideaway is said to be one of the largest privately owned islands in Fiji. Encircled by protective reefs, and blanketed with lush growths of mango, coconut, grapefruit, guava and papaya, Mago (prounounced Mungo), plays host to two turquoise lagoons, a farm, and several hundred cattle. Oh, yeah—there’s even an eight-lane bowling alley.

Musha Cay, Bahamas
(David Copperfield, owner)
Of his cache of four private islands, magician and illusionist David Copperfield rents out the immaculate, white-sanded Musha Cay, a 150-acre haven that plays host to such celebrated beachcombers as Oprah Winfrey and John Travolta. The tab for a full-island rental is up to $300,000 a week—but you get you money’s worth: You can choose from accommodations such as a five-bedroom villa on the beach or a 10,000-square-foot manor house on the crest of a hill; and the staff includes 30-plus trained pamperers and a world-class chef.Leaf Cay, the Exumas
(Nicolas Cage, owner)
Languidly drifting amid the sprawl of the Exuma archipelago, 85 miles southeast of Nassau, is actor Nicolas Cage’s Leaf Cay, a sand-fringed plot of paradise equipped with a 1,500-foot airstrip, underground wiring and its own desalination facility. Measuring more than 40 acres, the rustic isle floats in pristine, crystal clear waters (often compared to the South Pacific) and reportedly cost Cage $3 million. "It's nice to walk on the beach and not have to worry about having your picture taken,” he told the Associated Press.