Avatar sequels get confirmed

The first sequel to blockbuster hit Avatar will be released in December 2014 with a second to follow 12 months later, 20th Century Fox has announced.

James Cameron will start writing the scripts early next year and said the films will be"self-contained stories that also fulfil a greater story arc".

"We will not back off the throttle of Avatar's visual and emotional horse-power,"the director continued.

Avatar has earned $2.77 billion (£1.76 billion) at the global box office.

It holds for the record for the highest-grossing film ever, having exceeded Titanic's international takings of $1.84bn (£1.16bn) in January.

Like the first film, the Avatar sequels will be set on the distant moon of Pandora and will be shot in 3D.

Cameron, 56, has yet to decide whether he will make the films separately or back to back.

In a news release, the Oscar-winning director said the Avatar sequels would"continue to explore its themes and characters, which touched the hearts of audiences in all cultures around the world".

He said he was"looking forward to returning to Pandora, a world where our imaginations can run wild."

Source

Batman 3 Has A Title

Chris Nolan has announced that the next Batman movie will be titled‘The Dark Knight Rises’. It won’t be shot in 3D and The Riddler will NOT be the villain.

During an interview just published on Hero Complex, Chris Nolan has revealed the title of Batman 3: it will be called“The Dark Knight Rises and it WON’T be shot in 3D (they’ll shoot in IMAX format instead).

In the same interview, Nolan announced something that Batman movie fans have been debating and speculating about, ever since the end credits rolled on The Dark Knight: Nolan has stated that The Riddler will NOT be the villain featured in The Dark Knight Rises.

Nolan didn’t reveal much else to Hero Complex, opting instead to play things close to the vest as usual, but did give the following vague and cryptic piece of information:

"We’ll use many of the same characters as we have all along, and we’ll be introducing some new ones,"

As for the more recent rumors of female leads being auditioned for Batman 3, Tom Hardy joining the cast and Killer Croc being the possible villain?

Source

Hobbit films to stay in New Zealand

The Hobbit movies will be made in New Zealand after the government reached a deal with studio giant Warner Bros.

New Zealand prime minister John Key announced Wednesday that production of"The Hobbit"will stay in-country, local broadcast outlet TVNZ reports.

Agreement to keep the Peter Jackson-directed film in Kiwi country follows face-to-face negotiations between high-level local government officials and co-producer/distributor Warner Bros.

The deal includes introducing legislation to clarify the difference between independent contractors and employees in the film production industry in New Zealand.

The government has also offered Warner Bros bigger subsidies to make The Hobbit films in New Zealand. They will be directed byPeter Jackson.

Key said at a press conference that the government would move quickly to introduce legislation clarifying the distinction between independent contractors and employees as it related to the film production industry.

"It is this clarification that will guarantee the movies are made in New Zealand,"he said.

He said industrial issues which had arisen in the past several weeks had highlighted concerns over the way in which the international film industry operated here.

Key said the Government had also moved to widen the qualifying criteria for the large budget screen production fund to improve New Zealand's competitiveness for big budget films.

That meant the two Hobbit movies, to be directed by Sir Peter Jackson, would get additional rebates of up to 7.5 million U.S. Dollars per picture, subject to their success.

Key also said New Zealand would host one of the world premieres of The Hobbit.

Source

Lindsay: Back To Rehab

Lindsay Lohanwill spend the next few months in rehab, not jail.

This follows a court hearing on Friday in Los Angeles where Judge Elden Fox ordered the star to stay at the Betty Ford Clinic until January 2011.

However, questions have arisen as to whether or not Lindsay can afford her rehab stint.

According to People, her probation report states:"She indicates she can not afford to continue to pay for the treatment program and she needs to work."

"(Lohan says) her clothing line is falling apart because she is not available to monitor the product."

She did request to be an outpatient, but this was denied by the judge. The star failed a mandatory drug test in September and was initially sent back to jail without bail.

However, only hours later she was released after posting the $300,000 bail.

Shortly before that court appearance she admitted she was struggling via her Twitter page. She wrote:"Regrettably, I did in fact fail my most recent drug test and if I am asked, I am prepared to appear before Judge Fox ... As a result."

"Substance abuse is a disease, which unfortunately doesn't go away over night. I am working hard to overcome it and am taking positive steps forward every day."

Source

Quaid and wife request asylum in Canada

Randy Quaidand his wife Evi are seeking asylum in Canada, claiming they are being persecuted in the US.

The couple were arrested in Vancouver on Thursday on US warrants related to vandalism charges, issued last week after they missed a court appearance.

"We feel our lives are in danger,"Evi Quaid told an immigration adjudicator.

Their lawyer showed the media a handwritten statement, in which the Quaids said they were"requesting asylum from Hollywood 'star whackers'."

Last month the Quaids were charged by US police with illegal occupation of their former home in Santa Barbara, California.

When they failed to show up in court to answer those charges last Monday, a warrant was issued for their arrest.

The Quaids have been released from custody in Canada and are expected to attend a hearing later in the next week.

Quaid, 60, is best known for his roles in The Last Picture Show, Independence Day and National Lampoon's Vacation, and for being the older brother of actor Dennis.

Source

The Hobbit Gets Its Bilbo

The studios behind The Hobbit officially confirmed Thursday that British actor Martin Freeman will be playing the titular Shire hero, Bilbo Baggins, in Jackson's two-part Lord of the Rings prequel.

But Bilbo isn't going it alone in today's casting news. MGM, New Line and Warner Bros. Also rolled out a roster of actors who will be playing the hobbit's comrades in treasure hunting and Smaug slaying...

Spooks star Armitage has landed the role of Thorin Oakenshield, the Company of Dwarves' leader who attempts to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon.

"Despite the various rumours and speculation surrounding this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us,"Jackson said in a statement.

"There are a few times in your career when you come across an actor who you know was born to play a role, but that was the case as soon as I met Martin. He is intelligent, funny, surprising and brave - exactly like Bilbo - and I feel incredibly proud to be able to announce that he is our Hobbit."

On Armitage, Jackson added:"Richard is one of the most exciting and dynamic actors working on screen today and we know he is going to make an amazing Thorin Oakensheild. We cannot wait to start this adventure with him and feel very lucky that one of the most beloved characters in Middle-earth is in such good hands."

Being Human's Aidan Turner and Rob Kazinsky, who played Sean Slater in EastEnders, complete the Company of Dwarves as Kili and Fili respectively.

"Adian is a wonderfully gifted young actor who hails from Ireland,"Jackson added."I'm sure he will bring enormous heart and humour to the role of Kili.

"Rob is an extremely talented young actor with a huge career in front of him. I'm thrilled that he has agreed to take on the role of Fili. Besides his talent as an actor, Rob is also a champion sword fighter - I'm looking forward to seeing the damage he can do to a horde of marauding goblins!"

The films, to be produced by Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham, are scheduled for release in December 2012 and December 2013.

Source

Brody sues film-makers for $2m

Oscar-winning actorAdrien Brodyhas sued the makers of a thriller for more than $2m (£1.3m), claiming he has not been fully paid for the project.

Brody, 37, says he is owed $640,000 (£407,000) for Turin-set film Giallo and that it was released on DVD in the US on Tuesday without his permission.

A judge in Los Angeles said Brody could seek an injunction against the sale.

Brody says Hannibal Pictures, the makers of the film, lied to him about the financing and that his contract gives him the right to block the film's release in U.S. until he is paid his salary plus additional damages.

Coincidentally, the film's director, Dario Argento, has distanced himself from the movie, saying the producers' cut is a far cry from his original vision.

Brody, who won the best actor Oscar in 2003 for The Pianist, sued the film's makers in federal court on Thursday but a last-minute petition to stop the DVD release was denied.

He can still seek an injunction but must first inform the film-makers of his intentions, the judge said.

The actor says Giallo's producers lied to him about financing, grossly over-exaggerating the value of the movie's Italian distribution rights.

Brody contend that the terms of his contract allow him to withhold his likeness from the film until he is paid, but that producers have ignored his demands.

Source

Paltrow to sing at country awards

Gwyneth Paltrowwill sing at next month's Country Music Association Awards.

The star will sing the title track of her new movieCountry Strong (2010)and will be joined by Vince Gill.

Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban are also set to perform at the ceremony, which takes place at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on 10 November.

Paltrow, 39, has also landed a guest role in the TV musical comedy Glee.

The actress, who is married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, will play a supply teacher who falls for high school choir leader Will Schuester.

It is thought she will perform three or four solo songs in the episode, which is scheduled to go out next month.

In her new movie, Oscar-winner Paltrow plays a fallen country singer, who tries to resurrect her career by going on tour.

In a recent interview with news agency the Associated Press, Paltrow said she researched the history of country music when she accepted the role.

"I sort of started at the beginning with Hank Williams Sr. And Johnny Cash and really studied Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn."

"I had never really known very much about country music, and I now am very into it. I know a lot more about it than I did."

The film is released in the US on 22 December and in the UK on 7 January.

Source

Hobbit to begin filming next year

Filming on The Hobbit is set to begin in February after it was finally given the go-ahead by film studio bosses.

Warner Bros also announced thatPeter Jackson, who directed the Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy, would helm the two-part prequel.

The films, based on JRR Tolkien's book, had been delayed for months due to MGM Studios' - which owns half the project - ongoing financial woes.

No release dates for the movies have been given.

According to industry paper Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros and MGM reached a deal allowing MGM to cover its half of the production, estimated to cost a total of $500m (£313m).

Jackson, who co-wrote the screenplays and is also producing the films, originally hired Mexican-born Guillermo Del Toro to direct, but he pulled out in June citing almost two years of delays.

Last month, the project was threatened further after Jackson warned production could cease or be moved from its location in New Zealand over a pay wrangle with acting unions.

The two movies will be shot back to back using digital 3D cameras.

In a statement, Jackson said:"Exploring Tolkien's Middle-earth goes way beyond a normal film-making experience."

"It's an all-immersive journey into a very special place of imagination, beauty and drama. We're looking forward to re-entering this wondrous world with Gandalf and Bilbo."

The Lord of the Rings trilogy grossed nearly $3bn (£1.88bn) at box offices worldwide and in 2003 the final chapter, Return of the King, dominated the Oscars, winning in all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including best film.

Source

Quaid and wife issued with arrest warrant

An arrest warrant has been issued for actor Randy Quaid and his wife Evi after they failed to show up at a court for squatting at a California home.

Police arrested the couple last month, who claimed the Santa Barbara property still belonged to them.

It is also alleged The Quaids caused more than $5,000 (£3,158) in damage.

A Santa Barbara official said the couple may turn themselves in sooner, but their case will be called again on 26 October.

Randy and Evi Quaid each face tresspass and vandalism charges.

After the couple's arrest, the property's owners produced documents showing they had purchased the house in 2007 from a man who had bought it from the Quaids several years before.

The pair frequently missed court appearances in an earlier case involving charges they defrauded an innkeeper.

That case was resolved in April after Mrs Quaid pleaded no contest and was put on probation for three years. The charges against her husband were dropped.

Randy Quaid, 60, best-known for supporting roles in films such as Independence Day and National Lampoon's Vacation, is the older brother of fellow actor Dennis Quaid.

Their lawyer was not immediately available for comment.

Source

Robert Downey Jr's 'lifetime' drugs struggle

'Sherlock Holmes' actor Robert Downey Jr admits the six years he has spent drug-free feel like a ''lifetime'', but that he can't pretend it didn't happen

The Hollywood legend - who has previously claimed to have not touched drugs since July 2003 - admits his battle with illegal substances and alcohol have been a struggle, but he is unable to pretend it didn't happen.

He told America's Playboy magazine:"Not having done drugs for literally five or six years is a lifetime. I think of myself as someone who has no desire, use for or conscious memory of that life. And yet I don't shut the door on it, and I don't pretend it didn't happen."

Robert has spoken candidly about his past addictions, claiming he was a"messed-up kid ... lost, lost in narcotics", who has been fortunate to get through it unscathed.

He explained:"Looking back, I think, 'Oh my God, I could have been done. I could have been so fried and so bad off and, oh my God, such a cautionary tale.' And I still could be."

However, the 45-year-old star - who married movie producer Susan Downey in 2005 - believes that learning to be respectful has helped him combat his demons.

He said:"It's about respect. It's not even about self-respect; it's about respect for life and all it offers."

Robert now believes his years of sobriety - which have seen him appear in movies including 'Iron Man', 'Tropic Thunder' and 'Sherlock Holmes' - have been the best of his life.

He added:"My age and my recent set of experiences ... Have left me feeling I'm in the zone. This is just the sweet spot of my career and my life so far, and strangely, they've come at the same time."

Robert was arrested and attended rehab several times between 1996 and 2001 over his drug problems.

Source

Courteney Cox and David Arquette Separate

After 11 years of marriage,Courteney CoxandDavid Arquetteacknowledge they've hit more than a few rough patches.

Now the Hollywood pair, who are parents to 6-year-old daughter Coco, have"agreed to a trial separation that dates back for some time,"they say in a statement.

"The reason for this separation is to better understand ourselves and the qualities we need in a partner and for our marriage,"they say."We remain best friends and responsible parents to our daughter and we still love each other deeply. As we go though this process we are determined to use kindness and understanding to get through this together."

They add:"We are comfortable with the boundaries that we have established for each other during this separation and we hope that our friends, family, fans and the media also show us respect, dignity, understanding and love at this time as well."

Cox, 46, and Arquette, 39, met in 1996 while filming Scream and were married three years later in San Francisco. Their daughter was born in 2004.

Just last summer In Style magazine reported that Cox showed up for an interview without her wedding ring and candidly said,"We've done couples therapy in the past."

"We're not lazy about our marriage,"Cox said in the August issue."We have the same arguments we've had for years."

Source

Rhys Ifans to play Spider-Man villain

ActorRhys Ifanshas been cast to play the villain in the new Spider-Man film, it has been announced.

Columbia Pictures' Matt Tolmach refused to reveal exactly which character he would play but added"he's the perfect choice to take on this role".

The film, to be shot in 3D, will focus on the formative years of Peter Parker and is set to be released in 2012.

Ifans' breakthrough role came in the 1999 film Notting Hill, where he played Hugh Grant's lazy lodger.

Ifans, currently starring as drug smuggler Howard Marks in Mr Nice, joins a cast that also includes Zombieland'sEmma Stone. Stone will play Gwen Stacy, the love interest for Spider-Man's alter ego, Peter Parker. The new film takes Spidey back to his high school days, and does not focus on his usual girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson. It may be that producers plump for an equally leftfield villain. Studio Sony has not revealed which character Ifans will play. The webslinger's most famous enemies include the Green Goblin, the Lizard, Venom, the Vulture and Doc Oc. Of the above, all but the Lizard and the Vulture featured in the previous trilogy of films directed by Sam Raimi.

Sony's Matt Tolmach said:"We have been very fortunate to attract some of the best actors working today to play the villains in the Spider-Man movies, and it is exciting to see that trend continue with Rhys Ifans. After seeing his performance in our upcoming film Anonymous, we're in awe of his talent and think he's the perfect choice to take on this role."

Source

Harry Potter 3D release cancelled

The 3D version of the next Harry Potter film has been ditched so as not to delay its release in standard 2D, Warner Bros Studios has said.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I (2010)will hit theaters only in two dimensions on November 19, both in regular theaters and IMAX facilities.

“We will not have a completed 3D version of the film within our release date window,” Warner Bros. Announced on Friday.

“Despite everyone’s best efforts, we were unable to convert the film in its entirety and meet the highest standards of quality,” it continues. “We do not want to disappoint fans who have long-anticipated the conclusion of this extraordinary journey.”

“This decision, which we completely support, underscores the fact that Warner Bros. Has always put quality first,” says director David Yates.

This second instalment will now be the first film in the Harry Potter series to be 3D.

In a statement on Friday, the studio said:"Despite everyone's best efforts, we were unable to convert the film in its entirety and meet the highest standards of quality.

"We do not want to disappoint fans who have long anticipated the conclusion of this extraordinary journey.

"We, in alignment with our filmmakers, believe this is the best course to take in order to ensure that our audiences enjoy the consummate Harry Potter experience."

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was expected to be the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series, but in the past week author JK Rowling has revealed she might write more books about the boy wizard.

Rowling told US chat show host Oprah Winfrey that the characters were still in her head and she"could definitely"write several new books about them.

"I'm not going to say I won't,"she said.

Harry Potter's planned conversion to 3D comes amid a growing trend towards making blockbuster films available in both 2D and 3D.

In September the Film Distributors' Association said that 3D films had helped boost UK box office takings by 8% so far this year compared with the similar period of 2009.

It said that£786m had been generated between January and August, and that three of the year's top five films had been in 3D, which had helped to boost revenue as tickets are more expensive.

Source

Brand 'To Avoid Charges Over Airport Scuffle'

British funnyman Russell Brand is set to avoid charges over his recent arrest in Los Angeles.

The comic was detained by police at Los Angeles International Airport last month following an alleged clash with a photographer. He was charged with battery and released on£13,330 bail.

Brand insisted he was defending fiancee Katy Perry from an over-zealous snapper but American immigration officials revealed they were investigating the situation and could revoke his visa over the incident.

But the Get Him To The Greek star looks likely to avoid charges if he attends a court hearing along with the paparazzo on 19 November, to receive a reprimand from a judge.

L.A. City Attorney's Office spokesman Frank Mateljan tells E! News,"This is the only action as of now. Based on the info (information), it has been determined that this is the most appropriate action at this time."

Source

Emma Stone to play Gwen Stacy in 'Spider-Man'

Sony Pictures announced thatEmma Stonewill star alongside Andrew Garfield in Marc Webb's reboot of"Spider-Man."Stone, who is currently appearing in the comedy hit"Easy A,"will play play Gwen Stacy, one of Peter Parker's main love interests in the classic Marvel comic book.

Stone had been rumoured for the part of Mary Jane Watson, but Sony Pictures have revealed that the 21-year-old will instead play Peter Parker's college girlfriend Gwen Stacy.

In a statement, director Marc Webb said that Stone's"stunning"chemistry with Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield made her the clear choice.

"At the heart of the story of Peter Parker is not only the amazing Spider-Man, but also an ordinary teenager who is wondering what he has to do to get the girl,"Webb said."Andrew and Emma will bring everything audiences expect to these roles, but also make them their own."

Most fans first think of redheaded Mary Jane Watson as Peter Parker's love interest. Kirsten Dunst, in fact, died her hair red to play the role in Sam Raimi's first three"Spider-Man"films. However, in"Spider-Man"comic book lore, Stacy was known as Parker's"first love"and was killed early on in the series by the Green Goblin. It's unclear whether this means the Goblin will be the main villain in the new feature. Stacy, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, was previously featured in a secondary storyline in"Spider-Man 3."

Stone is best known for her roles in"Superbad"and"The House Bunny."The 21-year-old has a busy 2011 ahead of her as she's appearing"Crazy, Stupid, Love"alongside Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling and in"The Help."She also has a small role in the comedy"Friends with Benefits"and will voice a role in DreamWorks Animation’s comedy"The Croods."

Production on the new"Spider-Man,"also known as"Spider-Man 4,"is expected to begin early next year for a July 3, 2012 release.

Source

Official 'Transformers 3' title leaks?

The official title of the next Transformers movie is Transformers 3: The Dark of the Moon, according to fansite Sibertron.

Collider reports that sources close to the production on the Michael Bay-directed action sequel have confirmed the name.

It was revealed today because Amazon put up a listing so people could pre-order the movie tie-in books. The information was first posted in a Transformers forum, and then got picked up by a few news sites before Frosty over at Collider verified the title with a source on the film.

I'm sure the title plays directly into the storyline of this third film in the series, which Michael Bay has stated repeatedly is the end of a trilogy. If that's true, then that would indicate he's got plans that wrap up the admittedly loose continuity of the first two films. It also suggests a stronger narrative focus this time out, because there's basically nothing in the second film that indicates that they're building on the first film or expanding any ideas or story themes. Or, to be honest, that they even understand what story themes are. What is obviously their goal with these films is building giant set pieces and showcasing as many robots as possible while Shia LaBeouf and an interchangeable hottie run around. Which is fine... it's worked out well enough for them so far.

I liked the first film and didn't like the second one, so I'm happy to wait and see if this is going to end Bay's run with the property well or not. I do know that when Devin Faraci published a spoiler about the film's cold opening, I thought it was a cool idea, and it seems like a perfect fit considering today's reveal:

"There's a disturbance on the Moon. A robot shaped disturbance. Scientists on Earth see this and the information gets passed up the chain of command. In the White House, men in black suits are breathlessly running through the halls and burst into the Oval Office. The President is behind the desk, back turned to the door, looking out the window. One of the men tells the President, 'Sir, something's happened on the Moon!' The President turns around...

... and it's John F. Kennedy."

Evidently, the Transformers were a big part of the space race in the history of these films, and the new film has something to do with whatever it was that happened on the Moon in the early '60s. The cast includes new and old faces like LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, Alan Tudyk, Ken Jeong, Patrick Dempsey, and John Malkovich.

Also, I have no idea who or what a Shockwave is, but if you're a Transformers fan and that name means something to you, he's the bad guy this time. I assume this is good news.

Franchise veteransShia LaBeouf,Josh DuhamelandTyrese Gibsonare starring in the movie along with newcomersRosie Huntington-Whiteley,Alan TudykandJohn Malkovich.

The film is expected to hit US cinemas on July 1, 2011.

Source

Hobbit Workshop Set Destroyed by Fire

The Hobbit prequel has been plagued by financial set-backs, the threat of a union strike, and now a fire has engulfed one of the workshop sets that would have been utilized in making the movie, damaging the facility beyond repair.

According to Deadline, flames engulfed Peter Jackson's Portsmouth Miniatures Studio in New Zealand, which would have been used for the The Hobbit as a specialist miniature shooting facility, one of the few that exist in the world. All that is left of the property is a burned out warehouse. It took more than fifty firefighters to put out the blaze, which lasted for more than three hours.

Officials say the cause of the fire is being investigated,"They have to sift through the rubble and work their way to an area where they believe the fire started,"TVNZ reports.

The shop would have been used in production of The Hobbit films, but no word on how extensive the damage might have been. Setbacks won't stop production, though!

Jackson is determined to get fans back to Middle-earth and is finalizing deals with the studios and unions, and settling problems with author J.R.R. Tolkien's underlying rights.

The (possibly) last obstacle?

Finding a way to finance the two-parter, which will cost half a billion dollars! (Small change, when you consider The Lord of the Rings trilogy raked in $3 billion worldwide.)

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinemas are ready to fork over half of the money, but it's taking a little longer for MGM to commit after struggling with bankruptcy for more than a year. MGM is expected to give the OK within a few days, the Times reports, and a deal with the Screen Actors Guild may also be close.

The prequels have been in preproduction for years, with $45 million already being spent. But if things get moving in January, we may be seeing Gandalf, Bilbo and Gollum back on the screen in time for the 2012 holiday season, and then again in 2013.

Source

Tributes paid to Tony Curtis

Tributes are being paid to Hollywood starTony Curtiswho has died at his US home in Nevada aged 85.

The actor, who starred oppositeMarilyn Monroein Some Like It Hot and was Oscar-nominated for his role in 1958's The Defiant Ones, passed away at home in Henderson, NV on September 29.

Curtis's daughterJamie Lee Curtispraised her father saying he"leaves behind a legacy of great performances in movies and in his paintings".

"He leaves behind children and their families who loved him and respected him and a wife and in-laws who were devoted to him. He also leaves behind fans all over the world,"she added.

His widow Jill said:"All Tony ever wanted to be was a movie star. He didn't want to be the most dramatic actor."

"He wanted to be a movie star, ever since he was a little kid."

The Oscar-nominated actor, who starred in Some Like it Hot opposite Marilyn Monroe, passed away peacefully in bed, a family spokesman said.

The star received an Oscar nod in 1959 for The Defiant Ones, in which he starred with Sidney Poitier.

His career spanned six decades and he made more than 120 films including Trapeze, Spartacus and The Vikings.

Veteran chatshow host Michael Parkinson, who interviewed Curtis several times, added that the actor was"a great chatshow host", saying:"Curtis was wonderfully indiscreet but he was very bright and did not take himself too seriously."

Curtis, who was hospitalised after an asthma attack in June, is believed to have died from a heart attack. He is survived by his sixth wife Jill Vandenberg and six children.

Source

Joaquin Phoenix: 'I wanted out'

Joaquin Phoenix has admitted that the strain of performing in I'm Still Here made him want to leave the project.

The film follows actor as he supposedly retires from Hollywood to pursue a hip-hop career. He had to stay in role at all times, even for his controversial appearance on the David Letterman show.

Both Phoenix and Casey Affleck, who made his directorial debut with the movie, continued to claim that the actor's behaviour was not a performance until shortly after the movie's US release.

Phoenix told Extra:"At some point, it became such a public spectacle. To be frank, we were kind of hostage to the process. There were times, honestly, where I wanted out. Even on a conventional film, I'm done after four months. But this went on and on."

However, despite the pressure of maintaining his public performance, Phoenix insisted:"I wanted to make a movie with my friends and make one in a different way. I wanted to have a different experience, and I'm really happy to have done that."

Speaking of the moment when filming began, Phoenix said:"'Is this, like, the moment? Shall I announce my retirement right now?' And Casey said, 'Yes'. It wasn't planned."

The 35-year-old actor added that his infamous appearance on Late Night with David Letterman was never intended to embarrass the TV host."I wasn't on the show to make a fool of him,"Phoenix explained.

"In this film, I think the only person who comes off as a real jerk is me."

Source