JILL JACKSON’S HOLLYWOOD
By Jill Jackson
HOLLYWOOD … The town is still talking about Oscar. The Academy Awards have turned into more of a fashion show and partying event than a serious celebration of the best works in the business. It has come to be a Red Carpet event, with “What are you wearing?” instead of “Whom and what do you think will win?” And, where were Julia and Leonardo and a few other biggies? However, it is now in the past for another year, and the town is getting back to the business of making more movies with the thought of an Oscar win for next year.
And aside to Naomi K. of Pensacola, Fla.: No, that was NOT a date with Chris Pine. That was his mother. And yes, he is already at work on another film. I’ll tell you more about it when I get it.
Vanessa Redgrave, still mourning the death of her daughter, was honored with an Academy Fellowship by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Nothing new on her work schedule at the moment. It would be interesting to see her do a film with son-in-law Liam Neeson. … And Michael Douglas, from another award-winning showbiz family, gets feted by the Film Society’s annual Chaplin Award. Watching Michael recently, it’s amazing how much he looks like his father. More and more each day.
Woody Allen is negotiating a film to shoot this summer, and Rachel McAdams is in negotiations to co-star along with Owen Wilson. And, as with all of Allen’s films, the plot is kept under wraps. As to his private life, Woody’s seems to be serene with his former stepdaughter Soon-Yi. As for Mia Farrow, one of his “formers,” I’ve no word on her at the moment.
Hollywood still twittering over Elton John’s latest caper. At his “After Oscar Party” at one of the town’s top restaurants, he was so tired of hearing about the RED Carpet that he put down a WHITE one for his guests to tread on. And from what I’m told, the party was a whopping success.
Aside to June D. of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: Yes, seats are assigned at the Oscars. Nominees are near the front and on the aisles, so they can hop up and quickly get to the stage. AND as a small aside, sometimes it happens that someone lands a seat next to someone they don’t particularly care for, and the icy air gets icier.
Production has been halted on “Spartacus Blood and Sand” because, unfortunately, star Andy Whitfield has been diagnosed with lymphoma. However, he is being treated and says he will return to filming. Good luck, Andy!
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BITS ‘N’ PIECES: Clint Eastwood’s next will be a biopic of former FBI head J. Edgar Hoover. Eastwood will direct the yet-untitled opus. The part of Hoover is still to be cast. … Brad and Angelina and Julia Roberts. Where were they at the Oscars? I dunno! … Word is that Spencer Tracy had a bit of a “go round” with Loretta Young before he took up with Hepburn. I can’t answer that one.
© 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.