Hotmail
by Kat Giantis
MSN Entertainment
July 26, 2004
Many moons (and moonwalks), several noses, one baby-dangling, and a few high-profile legal problems ago, Michael Jackson had no problem lining up a hot babe for an awards show (see Brooke Shields, circa 1983). But times, like Michael, have changed. Too bad someone seems to have forgotten to break this to the dethroned King of Pop.
According to the London Mirror, Nicole Kidman revealed in a radio interview in her native Australia last week that she was recently wooed by the embattled Jackson, who wanted her to walk the red carpet with him at the MTV Music Awards.
"There was a call from his people to mine asking if he could take me to the awards," the Oscar winner is quoted as saying. "I had never even met him. It was a little strange. I did decline but hey, the way my love life is I took it as a great compliment."
The Mirror claims Michael saw Nicole in "Eyes Wide Shut" and "thought she was wonderful."
The former Mrs. Tom Cruise was last linked to sartorially challenged rocker Lenny Kravitz, and while she's been open about her desire to settle down again, we're gonna go out on a limb and say that twice-married tabloid magnet Jackson and his three kids (and those four he denies are on the way) might be a little much for the superstar mom of two.
"I keep thinking of those ridiculous photographs of Michael in a shocking wig at Disneyland ...," Kidman said. "So call me crazy but it just didn't tempt me to want to accept."
Besides, the definitely-not-crazy-actress explained, "I don't think you can have two highly successful people and one relationship."
Damon vs. Affleck: The Battle Continues
In the six
years since Matt Damon and Ben Affleck pocketed their Oscars for penning "Good Will Hunting," rivers of ink have been spilled debating
which star is higher on the Hollywood food chain. Well, the matter was settled
this weekend -- and how -- as Damon's "The Bourne Supremacy" opened with a jaw-dropping $53 million
and change. And it's a good bet his winning streak will continue.
The actor, who spent the summer filming "Ocean's Twelve" in Europe, last week signed on to star
opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in the Martin Scorsese-directed crime thriller "The Departed,"
report the trades. The flick, based on the Hong Kong hit "Infernal Affairs," will focus on a mobster (Damon) who
infiltrates the police department and a cop (DiCaprio) who's working undercover
for the Mafia. Both men frantically try to discover the identity of the other.
The film will be shot in Damon's hometown of Boston.
As Matt's fortunes soar, childhood chum Ben is attempting to regroup. The hairier half of the beast once known as Bennifer, who's coming off a string of box office disappointments ("Gigli," "Paycheck," and "Jersey Girl") and recently bowed out of the Disney basketball drama "Glory Road," has inked a deal for a new action-adventure film. The Hollywood Reporter says Affleck is attached to "Nowhere Men," a Disney ensemble piece described as "Ocean's Eleven" meets "Men in Black." Um, just ... no. Anyway, the movie centers on a group with amazing abilities who work covert missions. Affleck plays one of those special people, who we're hoping is not required to wear body-hugging red leather. So, Scorsese prestige pic vs. "'Ocean's Eleven' meets 'Men in Black'"? We think we may have isolated Affleck's career problem ...
Despite their divergent career paths, Matt and Ben still find time for each
other. The "Project Greenlight" pals are teaming up to produce (but not appear
in) an "Apprentice"-like Spike TV reality show titled "American Start-Up." The
10-episode series will follow eight would-be Trumps as they pursue their
business dreams with $50,000 in seed money. Enthuses Affleck, "We believe in the
contribution and independent sprit of the American entrepreneur and we are
excited to work with Spike TV to bring these stories to their
audience."
Dunst's Gallic Guy?
Is the newly single Kirsten Dunst sowing a wild oat or two? Pals claim to the
New York Post that the "Spider-Man" sweetie "enjoyed a little Parisian romance" soon
after ending her relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal. The paper says Dunst spent quality time
with an unnamed French actor while promoting the blockbuster flick in Europe
earlier this month (she was in the City of Light for less than a week). But the
actress purportedly bid au revoir to her new ami and is now once again single.
Dunst is currently in Kentucky filming the Cameron Crowe-directed drama "Elizabethtown" with Orlando Bloom.
"CSI" Victims Spared
"CSI" second bananas George Eads and Jorja Fox can breathe a sigh of relief: They still have
their jobs. CBS has decided to hire back both actors, one week after it canned
them in a salary dispute. And in what will surely serve as a cautionary tale for
any non-household name thespians looking for a pay hike, the dyspeptic duo will
slink back onto the set this week earning their previous salaries of an
estimated $90,000 per episode, about $30,000 less than the offer they nixed in
early July, reports USA Today. Say it with us, people: D'oh! Eads and Fox, who
both maintain the whole kerfuffle was a big misunderstanding and not an attempt
to play hardball, are reportedly banned from bargaining for salary bumps until
their contracts expire in 2007.
One person who might not make it back onto the "CSI" set this week is star William Petersen, who's been feeling under the weather. The Los Angeles Times reports the actor, 51, is suffering from an irregular heartbeat, a problem discovered by a doctor hired by the network. Petersen's rep confirms to the paper that "some health-related matters" have kept him at home, but says he hasn't been hospitalized. CBS had no comment. While Petersen has reportedly been looking to up his $350,000-per-episode salary, the Times says this is not a planned sickout.
Quickies
Kim Cattrall, who has oodles of free time on her hands now
that she's torpedoed the "Sex and the City" movie, has decided to head overseas
to give her acting chops a much different workout than they got in her role as
the sexually adventurous Samantha Jones. Variety says the actress will trod the
boards in London as a quadriplegic sculptor in "Whose Life Is It Anyway?" The
play debuts January 25 at Duke of York's Theater and runs through April 30.
Laura Dern and musician Ben Harper are adding to their brood. People reports the actress and her musician partner are expecting their second child at the end of the year. Son Ellery Walker Harper turns three next month. In other stork news, "Harry Potter" mastermind J.K. Rowling is pregnant with her third child, due sometime next year. On her website, the author assures worried fans that the impending pitter-patter of little feet won't affect the wizard's sixth adventure, which she's still in the process of writing. Dixie Chick Natalie Maines and her actor-husband Adrian Pasdar welcomed their second son on July 14. Beckett Finn Pasdar reportedly weighed in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces. And Erykah Badu has one-upped baby Apple by sticking her new daughter with the name Puma. The little girl, who we're guessing will never want for footwear, joins brother Seven, 6. The singer is keeping Puma's dad's name under wraps.
Cher is suffering from a slight case of separation anxiety. Billboard reports the ageless icon has added 33 more shows to her Farewell tour, which has been bidding goodbye for an awe-inspiring three years. Originally set to end last Halloween, the sequin-filled tour is the biggest grosser ever for a female artist, so far earning $145 million.
In an announcement that elicited yawns from everyone except those who spend their free time dressing up as their favorite "Star Wars" character (and you know who you are), the third prequel to the once vibrant George Lucas franchise has been dubbed "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith," it was revealed at the San Diego Comic-Con. We've got a bad feeling about this ...
Jennifer Aniston sure isn't leaving a lot of time on her schedule for baby-making. Mrs. Brad Pitt has booked yet another big screen role, agreeing to star opposite Clive Owen in the Miramax thriller "Derailed," report the trades. Filming is expected to begin in London and Chicago this September, right after Aniston completes work on the untitled Ted Griffin comedy loosely based on "The Graduate."
And finally, let us all take a moment to mourn the demise of the Paris Hilton-Nick Carter romance. No, it wasn't always pretty, but it sure was entertaining. In dueling statements, the couple relayed their reasons for ending it all. According to Paris, she wants to focus on her work (snerk), while Nick says he wants to date other people. The PR winner? Carter, whose statement added that he went out and partied hearty "immediately after the breakup took place." Sniff, we sure will miss those crazy kids.
