HOLLYWOOD — Did you know that Riley Keough started modeling at 14 on a runway in Italy for Dolce and Gabbana, and that same year made the cover of Vogue Magazine with her mother and grandmother? You may have seen her in “The Runaways” (2009) with Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning. She starred opposite Orlando Bloom in “The Good Doctor,” out last April, as well as the horror film “Jack and Diane.”
Oh yes, did you know she’s the granddaughter of Elvis Presley? That explains her being on the cover of Vogue with her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, and grandmother, Priscilla Presley. However, she’s about to film “Magic Mike” for Steven Soderbergh, who directed “Contagion” and “Haywire.” “Magic Mike” is loosely based on actor Channing Tatum’s early experiences as a male stripper. In addition to Tatum, it boasts Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer, “True Blood’s” Joe Manganiello and “White Collar” hunk Matt Bomer — talk about a chick flick with some of the hottest men in various stages of undress! Soderbergh cast Riley with the super hunks because she has the same exciting appeal as her legendary grandfather, Elvis!
And speaking of Soderbergh, he was set to direct George Clooney as “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” based on the 1960s MGM series that starred Robert Vaughn and “NCIS” medical examiner David McCallum. Clooney has been attached to the project for some time, but has decided not to do the film.
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A few months ago we heard that James Cameron wanted to direct Angelina Jolie as Cleopatra. However, the recent passing of Elizabeth Taylor only brought to mind what a disaster the last Cleopatra film was and how it nearly shut down 20th Century Fox Studios. In their favor is a great story based on Stacy Schiff’s bestselling novel, but could the very down-to-earth Jolie successful portray the very goddess-like Cleopatra? We may never know — no one is talking about the film right now.
If you happen to have several million dollars you’ve been wondering what to do with, you might want to go to Christie’s auction house on Dec. 13 or 14 and bid on some of Elizabeth Taylor’s famous jewels. I remember when I first saw the Burton Diamond back in the 1960s, it was like looking into the sun — no matter how many times I closed my eyes I still saw it! About 269 diamonds, pearls, rubies, rings, necklaces and a tiara are expected to bring in $35 million or more, which will more than top what Debbie Reynolds took in for her auction of memorabilia. Proof once again that “Diamonds Are Forever” and that “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”!
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© 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.