Print

Mail

wiki links

Planet Pop

Heiress Paris Hilton is not the first star to have made a name in porn before attempting to make it as a ``serious actress.'' PHOTO: AP

Hollywood legend Marlon Brando bequeathed Michael Jackson the right to lifelong sanctuary on one of the Pacific Islands he owned, the New York Post reported this week.

The report said that Brando made the gift on June 5, 2003 just as the controversial pop singer was facing investigation of allegations that he molested a then 13-year-old cancer victim. Jackson is currently on trial as a result of that investigation.

The paper speculated that Brandon intended Onetahi as a possible refuge for the embattled singer. Brando previously used the atoll as a refuge for an American Indian leader facing assault and riot charges. He also spirited his daughter, Cheyenne, to Tahiti after she witnessed his son, Christian, shoot her lover, Dag Drollet, in 1990.

The paper said that Brando transferred use of a half-acre on the islet of Onetahi, in the French Polynesian atoll of Tetiaroa, "in consideration of gratitude and affection."

In a letter, Brando thanked the pop star for hosting a birthday party for Brando's daughter, Nina, now 15. Brando signed the letter "Love, Dad", the report said.

Marlon Brando still has influence, beyond the grave, thankfully for Michael Jackson. PHOTO: AP

Disney is making a movie about the strictly regimented world of women gymnasts, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The movie will feature Missy Peregrym (Life as We Know It) as a rebellious gymnast who clashes repeatedly with her coach, played by Jeff Bridges, before eventually defeating her rival.

Hotel heiress Paris Hilton is advancing her movie career with an indie comedy called Bottoms Up, according to Hollywood Reporter.

The comedy-drama tells the story of a Midwestern bartender whose life is transformed when he hooks up with a Los Angeles glamour queen, fittingly played by Hilton. He finds love with Hilton's character as well as money and success in Hollywood.

Hilton's previous credits include Raising Helen, Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat and House of Wax. She was also the unwilling star of a home sex video that was an Internet bestseller. She recently completed shooting the independent comedy Pledge This!

King Kong director Peter Jackson fooled fans and critics alike when he announced that he will be making two back-to-back sequels to King Kong for Universal Pictures.

Jackson made the April Fools' Day announcement for Son of Kong and King Kong: Into the Wolf's Lair as part of the movie's video diary series on the Web site www.kongisking.net.

Jackson wasn't the only one who appeared onscreen in the April 1 entry, which marked shooting day on King Kong. Colin Hanks as well as Weta staff, art directors and even a Universal exec were involved.

The video April Fools' entry featured cast members Naomi Watts and Jack Black, shots of a Son of Kong script, monster designs, models and computer previsualized sequences.

One of the movies would see the giant ape help the allies defeat the Nazis, and showed the son of Kong with Browning machine guns strapped on his shoulders.

Broadcaster UPN said on Tuesday it will air a six-part series about Britney Spears' courtship and wedding, largely based on home videos shot by the pop singer herself. Spears and husband Kevin Federline's home videos, starting not long after the singer met the dancer in Los Angeles, will be augmented by footage shot by UPN.

Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore was told on Tuesday to stay away from his girlfriend after being charged with assaulting her on the weekend. Pastore, 58, who played Big Pussy in the hit HBO series about the Mob, was said by prosecutors to have punched his actress girlfriend Lisa Regina in the head, grabbed her hair, and yanked her out of his car with such force that she fell onto the pavement.

Lifestyle trendsetter Martha Stewart is asking a federal judge to relax the terms of her house arrest, contending that her confinement is hurting efforts to revive her namesake company.

Stewart should no longer be required to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, according to a letter from her lawyers to US District Judge Miriam Cedarbaum late on Monday. She also wants permission to be away from her suburban New York estate for up to 80 hours a week -- up from the 48 hours a week currently allowed -- and to be able to go on overnight business trips for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc.

This story has been viewed 4431 times.