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'Sleepless In Seattle' becomes stage musical



Sleepless In Seattle is being adapted into a Broadway musical, reports Variety.

Jeff Arch, who penned the 1993 rom-com starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, has reportedly begun work on a draft script.

The production is expected to retain the storyline from the original movie, which focuses on a young boy trying to find a date for his widowed father.

Composer Leslie Bricusse, who has written songs for films including Doctor Dolittle and Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, has completed around 18 songs for the show to date.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding director Joel Zwick will helm the project, which is being developed by David Shor's Sleepless In Seattle Management.

The musical is expected to be ready for 2010, when it could face competition from fellow movie adaptations The Addams Family, which opens in April, and Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, which is slated for a February premiere.

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Keaton joins Ford in 'Morning Glory'



Diane Keaton has joined Harrison Ford and Rachel McAdams in the cast of J.J. Abrams's Morning Glory, says Production Weekly.

The newsroom comedy focuses on a producer (McAdams) who clashes with a veteran TV anchor (Ford) as they attempt to revive their struggling breakfast show. Details of Keaton's role have not been revealed.

Abrams, who wrote Ford's Regarding Henry early in his career, is producing for Paramount through his Bad Robot production company. Notting Hill's Roger Michell will direct from Aline Brosh McKenna's script.

Morning Glory is scheduled to begin shooting in New York in May.

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Stewart: 'It would be easy to quit Twilight'



Kristen Stewart has claimed that it would be easy for her to step away from the Twilight movie franchise.

The actress played Bella Swan alongside Robert Pattinson's Edward Cullen in the adaptation of the first of Stephenie Meyer's bestselling novels.

Stewart said: "I've totally had the thought; it would be so easy for me to send so many hundreds of girls into such a frenzy by saying I want no part of any future movies.

"Yeah, I have thought, many times. 'What could I do?' It'd be so easy."

She added that it took a long time for her to admit that she was "bogged down" by the first book and had read it from a different perspective to most of the fans.

Stewart recently said that she was "excited" about starring in sequel New Moon. Meanwhile, third film Eclipse has been greenlit for a summer 2010 release.

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Hardy: 'Addiction destroyed my marriage'



Bronson star Tom Hardy has admitted that his substance abuse cost him his marriage.

The actor, who has appeared in RocknRolla and Stuart: A Life Backwards, told The Times that drug addiction caused his divorce from wife Sarah.

"I ended up in hospital and ultimately lost my wife because of my behaviour," said Hardy, referring to a drugs bender that saw him collapse in Soho in 2003.

Hardy added that he shares similarities with notorious criminal Charles Bronson, who he portrays in next week's biopic. "I looked at 14 years for firearms offences when I was 17 and s**t myself I was high on crack and all kinds of s**t, a real rich middle-class t**t," he said.

The 31-year-old is now experiencing a career resurgence thanks to his performance in Bronson, attracting praise from Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott

"It's like you finally get to meet the Wizard of Oz," he said of his success. "But remember, the Wizard of Oz is just a small man in a f**king lift, with a microphone. So it's a lot of smoke and mirrors."

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De Niro, Pacino sue over film watch ads



Robert De Niro and Al Pacino have filed a joint lawsuit in relation to a series of watch commercials linked to their 2008 film Righteous Kill.

The actors have sued German watchmaker Tutima and Overture Films for violating their rights of publicity by suggesting that they personally endorsed the watch in question.

"[The] defendants' actions have damaged De Niro's and Pacino's valuable reputations and diminished the commercial value of their name and images," said the lawsuit.

The papers, filed at a federal court in Manhattan, claimed that both actors had previously signed talent agreements that prohibited the use of their image without prior consent. It added that Pacino had never commercially endorsed a product and De Niro would only do so "under very specific and compelling circumstances".

Both stars are seeking monetary damages for breach of contract, violating their rights of publicity and a breach of privacy.

In a statement, Overture Films said: "We are surprised by this action as [we have] not received any communication on this matter for months from Pacino, De Niro or their representatives. We take lawsuits very seriously and our legal team is addressing the issue."

Tutima has yet to comment.

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Streep: 'Young actors nervous around me'



Meryl Streep has revealed that young actors "get nervous" working with her.

Speaking to Psychologies, the actress admitted that her youthful co-stars are often intimidated by her reputation within the industry.

"Young actors get nervous about working with me but then I'll forget my lines, which I do all the time, and they'll go 'Oh!'" she said.

She added: "I've been nominated for an Oscar 14 times and won twice, but it still feels like it's happening to someone else. I wish I could feel it more.

"It's lovely when people say nice things about me - but these things enter the room like a big gorilla before I arrive on set, and I have to escort him out and introduce myself."

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'Ice' star Carty 'to direct new comedy'



Todd Carty has been unveiled as the director and star of a new comedy film called The Perfect Burger.

The former EastEnders actor was offered the job of directing the Co-operative British Youth Film Academy movie because of his appearances on Dancing On Ice, The Mirror reports.

A friend said: "He was offered the gig because the movie people reckoned he was so funny on the ice.

"He is really excited - directing a film is a dream come true for Todd as it's something he really wants to get into. He is also really looking forward to acting again."

Carty is rumoured to be returning to Dancing On Ice for the final and has also signed up for the show's live tour.

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'Mad Max' to return without Gibson



George Miller will revive the Mad Max series without its star Mel Gibson.

Speaking to MTV News, the Australian director revealed that he is planning to make a fourth Mad Max as a 3-D anime.

"I see myself as someone who is very curious about storytelling and all its various media," said Miller. "I've always loved anime, in particular the Japanese sensibility. It's something I've always wanted to do."

He continued: "The anime is an opportunity for me to shift a little bit about what anime is doing because anime is ripe for an adjustment or sea change. There's going to be a hybrid anime where it shifts more towards Western sensibilities."

Miller, whose first three Mad Max movies shot Gibson to stardom, confirmed that he will "probably go a different route" in voice casting the lead role.

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Ledger's Oscar given to Williams



Heath Ledger's Oscar will be given to his former fiancée Michelle Williams to keep in trust for their young daughter.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences made the announcement to clear up speculation that the prize would be returned to Ledger's family in Australia.

Despite Matilda, 3, being confirmed as the rightful owner, Ledger's father had told reporters that he planned to keep the statue for the foreseeable future, adding that he would pass it on to his granddaughter "down the line".

However, Academy spokesperson Leslie Unger has told the Los Angeles Times that the trophy will be presented to Williams within the next few weeks.

"We expect a representative of the Ledger estate to bring the statuette in tomorrow [or soon thereafter] so that the engraved plate can be affixed," she said. "Soon after that, we expect the statuette [with engraved plate] to be delivered to Michelle Williams."

Under Academy rules, Williams will have ownership of the Oscar until Matilda turns 18.

Ledger was awarded a posthumous best supporting actor award for his role in The Dark Knight at last month's ceremony.

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Willis countersues over directorial walk out



Bruce Willis has reportedly countersued a production company that has accused him of abandoning his directorial duties on a forthcoming movie.

Last week, Foresight Unlimited filed a £2.75 million lawsuit against the Die Hard star, claiming that he had walked off the set of Three Stories About Joan.

According to E! News, the actor has responded by filing a £6.75 million countersuit against the company at LA's Superior Court. He has alleged that producers Mark Damon, Moshe Diamant and their company lied about having the promised financing in place.

Willis is seeking punitive damages for fraud and breach of contract, as well as compensatory damages. Foresight has yet to comment.

Previously, a representative for Willis described Foresight's claim as "frivolous" and "without merit".

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The Rock signs up for 'Holy Cow!'



The Rock has signed up for White Buffalo Media's CG-animated feature Holy Cow!.

The former WWE wrestler, real name Dwayne Johnson, will provide the voice of a "macho" Texas steer, according to Variety.

Holy Cow! is based on a Peter Kalmback and Teddy Grennan story, which follows a Texan bull who decides to move to India to avoid being killed for meat.

No writers or directors are currently attached to the project.

Johnson's other upcoming project include The Tooth Fairy and Disney's Race To Witch Mountain.

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Mark Wahlberg joins 'Prisoners'



Mark Wahlberg has signed up for Madhouse Entertainment's Prisoners, according to Variety.

The Aaron Guzikowski-penned script follows the story of a Boston man who turns vigilante after his daughter and best friend are kidnapped.

Endeavor, which represents Guzikowski and Wahlberg, is currently looking for a director before taking the project to studios.

Last month, Wahlberg signed up to co-star with Will Ferrell in Sony's action-comedy The B Team.

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Megatron confirmed for 'Transformers' return





Transformers director Michael Bay has confirmed that villain Megatron is returning for the robot sequel.

Bay had earlier denied the presence of the Decepticon leader in this summer's Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen.

However, Hugo Weaving, who voiced the character in the 2007 blockbuster, told Australian newspaper The Advertiser that he has already recorded his dialogue for the movie.

"[Michael is] over in LA and we were working on the video split sort of thing and I had this strange conversation where he seemed to imply it was all a big secret," Weaving explained. "So there you go - I've given you the secret scoop."

Bay has since acknowledged the appearance of Megatron, telling his Shoot For The Edit website: "Okay cat is out of the bag. Megatron is back - but you will only get to see him from the long lost past.

"We go way back in time as this movie explains the mythology of the Primes. He is not a tank like everyone suggests, but an alien vehicle. But sadly he does not have has much screen time."

Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen is released in cinemas on June 26.

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'Slumdog' breaks $200m box office barrier





Slumdog Millionaire has taken more than $200 million (£140 million) at the worldwide box office.

Variety reports that the Oscar-winning movie has now reached the $217 million (£153 million) mark for cinema takings.

The rags to riches tale cost $15 million (£10.6 million) to make and distributors Fox Searchlight predict that the box office total will end up topping $250 million (£177 million).

Fox's Steve Gilula said: "It's extraordinary. Very, very few films get past $200 million worldwide."

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Paltrow: 'I did too much in my 20s'


Gwyneth Paltrow has said that she acted in too many films when she was in her 20s.

The Shakespeare In Love star told The Independent that she may have taken on too many roles in the early part of her career.

Paltrow said: "I do feel in my 20s I did way too much. I didn't realise I could say 'no'. It was like someone shot a gun and I just kept running and running... until I completely lost the desire to work.

"I felt like I had nothing to say. Then a lot of things happened in my life. My father died. I met my husband. I had a baby.

"I thought: 'There's actually a real life to be had here that has nothing to do with Hollywood and all of these people and all of this negativity.'"

She added that she was happy being a mother for three years and was not sure if "the fire" to act would ever return.

Paltrow stars alongside Joaquin Phoenix in Two Lovers, which opens in the UK on March 27.

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Depp, Jolie 'most desirable lead actors'



Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie have been voted the celebrities most people would like to cast in their own movie.

The Pirates Of The Caribbean star and the Tomb Raider siren topped a survey by the National Lottery to find the country's most desirable leading actors.

According to Contact Music, nine out of ten British film fans would like to make their own movie if they had the funding. A quarter of those polled would opt for a thriller, while one in five would attempt a romantic comedy.

The average person would want to invest £10 million, hire Steven Spielberg as the director and shoot on location in London.

Will Smith was the most coveted supporting actor, while Depp's Pirates co-star Keira Knightley was the favourite supporting actress.

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Roberts shares key to rapport with Owen



Julia Roberts has revealed that being able to laugh with Duplicity co-star Clive Owen was behind their on-screen rapport.

The pair have already worked together on Closer, and Roberts told The Daily Telegraph that they were "excited" to come back together for the Tony Gilroy-helmed film.

"Either you have chemistry with someone or you don't. I love Clive, and I think we have chemistry because we have a similar spirit and energy.

"That's something we share, and having done Closer, we have a great understanding of each other. So we were excited to come back together in this movie. We had to be all serious and sexy, but after the director said "Cut", we would just be laughing at ourselves because it's just so silly and funny."

Duplicity, which is due for release on March 20, tells the story of a couple of competing spies who team up to pull off the ultimate con.

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Stallone Injured Rehearsing Fight Scenes

Movie tough-guy Sylvester Stallone is nursing an injured hand - he damaged his thumb practising fight scenes for his new action film The Expendables.

Stallone has recruited an all-star cast of Hollywood hardmen - including Jet Li, Mickey Rourke and Jason Statham - to star in the upcoming project, about a group of mercenaries who set out to overthrow a dictator.

But the 62-year-old, who will also direct the movie, is already suffering after rehearsing his dangerous stunts - but insists the injury will not delay filming.

A spokesperson for the star tells WENN, "Mr. Stallone injured his hand practising realistic fighting for his upcoming film The Expendables. The injury was to his thumb (but) the production will be on location in Brazil later this month and then New Orleans.

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Terminator Producers In $160 Million Lawsuit

Christian Bale's eagerly anticipated Terminator Salvation movie has been thrown into turmoil after its three main producers became embroiled in a $160 million (£114 million) lawsuit.

Moritz Borman filed suit against his fellow producers Derek Anderson and Victor Kubicek at Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday, accusing the pair of fraud and breach of contract.

Borman claims he help arrange for Anderson and Kubicek to acquire the rights to the Terminator franchise for their company Halcyon Co. in 2007.

It gave the pair full rights over the production of Terminator Salvation and any future sequels, plus merchandise and licensing.

Borman alleges financial backing for the movie was secured through investment fund Pacificor LLC in exchange for approval rights over the movie, involvement in all creative decisions, and a $5 million (£3.4 million) producing fee.

However, in the lawsuit, he claims the pair failed to honour their initial agreement, "hijacking" the production in July 2008 and refusing to pay him the $2.5 million (£1.7 million) fee he was due.

The legal document reads, "Notwithstanding the fact that defendants obtained the substantial franchise rights and assets through Borman, Anderson and Kubicek failed to honor their assurances, representations and contractual obligations to Borman. Defendants' egregious fraud, bad faith conduct and refusal to abide by their contracts has led to the filing of this lawsuit.

"It also came to light that Anderson and Kubicek did not have the means to finance the picture, had defaulted on numerous loans and owed over $1 million to creditors on the picture."

Now, Borman is seeking $160 million (£114 million) in damages through the L.A. courts.

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'Slumdog' star: 'Success hasn't sunk in'



Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto has admitted that she is stunned by the film's success.

The 24-year-old actress, who played the role of Latika, revealed that the movie's cast and crew feel overwhelmed after receiving recognition at the Oscars, BAFTAs and Golden Globes.

"It's been six months and nothing has sunk in yet," Pinto told the News Of The World.

"I'm still the same sensitive and simple girl who always dreamed about becoming an actress. The only thing that's changed is that the girl walking around in jeans and tees has now taken to wearing designer dresses.

"Even after the Golden Globes, I remember calling up my co-star Dev Patel the next morning and saying: 'Did we actually win four Golden Globes or am I dreaming?'"

Pinto also confessed that she shares a close bond with Patel (Jamal Malik), but stopped short of confirming rumours that they are an item.

"Working with Dev was, I think, the best thing that could happen to me," she explained.

"He and I shared this unselfish territory where we would give and take and both of us would help each other. We were in the same situation, our first film with director Danny Boyle, and we could really relate to each other."

The star was recently recruited for a new Woody Allen project, which will also feature Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins.

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