Alice In Wonderland director Tim Burton said he almost never made the movie.
The filmmaker, who has previously worked on flicks such as Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride, is behind the new movie starring Johnny Depp and Burton’s wife Helena Bonham Carter.
The movie is more of a sequel than a remake and follows Alice’s return to Wonderland when she’s a teenager.
He said: “A few years ago, I don’t know if I would’ve been as intrigued [by the story]. There’s 20-something versions and I’ve never really connected to any of them.”
However, it was the chance to make a 3D version of the tale than finally made him agree to it.
He said: “The way the characters and images have infiltrated culture is so strong, I thought it was an interesting challenge.”
As Billy Baldwin was filming ‘Gossip Girl’ last weekend, the actor received some rather alarming news. His wife Chynna Phillips had filed for a divorce. But before he could get too upset over it, the former singer recanted and asked her lawyers to withdraw the divorce filing. According to sources, Chynna is still dealing with some emotional buildup and that the divorce filing was completely rash on her part. The source says that immediately after filing the papers, Chynna “realized she didn’t want to lose Billy and asked her lawyers to withdraw it.” I guess her stint in rehab for anxiety didn’t help at all.
Supermodels like Miranda Kerr are blowing A-list celebs such as Reece Witherspoon and Angelina Jolie out of the water when it comes to magazine stands and ad campaigns.
Australia’s Courier-Mail reports a seismic shift in the publishing world is toppling Hollywood celebs off the covers of the world’s leading fashion mags.
Vogue Australia editor Kirstie Clements said: “Those celebrity covers are so ubiquitous nowadays and they don’t really have the same sales drive that they used to. Also, they are so tied up with their own deals, endorsements and products that it’s all become a bit farcical and you can’t get them to go on that fashion journey with you like you can with a supermodel.”
Magazine sales are falling and models are on the rise, the newspaper says. In addition, Australia has a clutch of hot new young supermodels to pack a glossy punch.
“With the growth of the celebrity culture you know so much about stars’ lives and they are not regarded as a blank canvas, whereas models still have a degree of anonymity and mystery surrounding them,” says Catherine McNeil, a model who features in Paris Vogue, Vogue Australia, V magazine and Numero.
Jessica Hart, who clinched an H&M deal, said: “The pendulum has swung back to appreciating models. I just think it’s a refreshing change … the other good thing about Australians is that there is not one specific look … we are all different.”
Elyse Taylor, a favourite on Australian Vogue covers, said: “Today’s supermodels have to work really hard to get every job but, from a personality point of view, they don’t have to conform to a certain stereotype. Today supermodels are applauded for individuality. Fortunately, I think editors are now starting to realise that readers can relate to models and are deciding to put us back on the covers.”
Lily Allen recently took to her Twitter to address the bitchy exchange that happened at the NME Awards between her and Courtney Love, even calling the Hole rock star a “paranoid drug-addled lunatic”. The British train wreck of a singer said “just clearing a couple of things up. Courtney Love and I did NOT have a bust up at the NME’S. There was an exchange of words, yes. she’s upset because she has got it into her head that i put a lock on some dresses for the brit awards. she’s made no secret of this and when i saw her at the NME’S she tried to talk to me and i told her to shut up stop spreading stupid rumours about me. and thats pretty much it. i would never fight with her , as a rule i don’t pick on crazy old ladies.”
And she has started with a real doozey on her back: a poem about her love of horses which Leona Lewis herself came up with. This is what she said on the matter: “I got another one that goes halfway down my back recently. It’s a poem – about horses. The last bit is a quote but I made up the rest: Their beauty captures every eye/ A gift from God for all mankind/ They lend us wings so we may fly/ To ride a horse is to ride the sky.” Still had to borrow something, didn’t she? Well, they taught her well at The X Factor: if something works, why not sell it all over again. It’s good to see Leona Lewis actually acting upon her lessons.
The Jonas Brothers were awarded the Worst Album for ‘Lines Vines Trying Times’ and Worst Band at the NME Shockwave Awards in London as voted upon by the so-called fans. Other contenders for the Worst Album were Green Day’s ‘21st Century Breakdown’, Lady Gaga’s ‘The Fame’, U2’s ‘No Line on the Horizon’ and Arctic Monkey’s ‘Humbug’. As for Worst Band nominees, they list Green Day, Oasis Paramore, JLS and the Jonas Brothers. With Lady Gaga and Paramore on the list, I don’t think anyone should take this seriously. Plus, it’s not like the Jonas Brothers are a big draw to the NME audience.
Angelina Jolie may play the part of a woman who can never have children in a movie adapted from Serena: A Novel.
Jolie at 34 is a passionate mother of six children, three of whom she adopted. She is reported in talks with The Wrestler director Darren Aronofsky to make an adaptation of a 2008 book set in 1929 by Ron Rash.
The novel, set in the rugged mountain terrain of North Carolina, is acclaimed for its blend of violence and mystery. Serena: A Novel tells the story of a newlywed couple who move to the area to start a timber empire. The wife, Serena, is driven to push her husband to commit ruthless acts that culminate with her desire to kill a child he fathered illegitimately, Reuters reports.
The top-dollar actress is currently shooting The Tourist in Europe with Johnny Depp, and was reportedly under consideration for a role as Kay Scarpetta in a yet-to-be titled movie of one of Patricia Cornwell’s tales.
Bafta-winning actress Carey Mulligan said she finds it ‘quite difficult’ getting ready for red-carpet events.
Mulligan, 24, recently picked up the Best Actress in a Leading Role gong at the British Academy Film Awards and is also nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards later this month for her role in An Education.
Asked if she likes getting dressed up for the events, she said: “I find it quite difficult. I’m not very good at having my photo taken so I get quite teary when the flashbulbs are going off.
“I feel a little bit uncomfortable. I’ll get used to it more with my next movie coming out, but I don’t really like that side of it very much.”
Twilight hunk Kellan Lutz has shown his softer side in a new advert for PETA’s animal adoption campaign.
The movie vampire can be seen cuddling up to rescue dog Kola, who he found in an animal shelter, for the animal charity’s current Adopt, Don’t Buy campaign.
He said: “There are countless numbers of animals out there. It’s our job to take them under our wing.”
Recalling his first meeting with Kola, who he calls his “best friend”, he added: “I touched her toe and said, ‘Hey, what’s your name?’
“She spoke to me. From that day on, I loved her.”
According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), about eight million unwanted dogs and cats enter shelters every year.
Sadly, half of them have to be put down because there is not enough space to house them.
Lutz, who has another rescue dog called Kevin, said: “It’s sad, knowing that they get [put down].”
He added: “For the fans of Twilight out there who have so much love, give that love to a pet if you don’t have one.”
The singer who is currently engaged in what might be the biggest media blaze of her life has finally agreed to meet with her soon to be former husband Ashley Cole. This is what a source said about Cheryl Cole’s decision: “Ashley has been texting her nonstop and Cheryl has tentatively agreed to see him. Cheryl’s in two minds but believes they should meet like adults to discuss what’s happened.” If Cheryl Cole happens to be in the right mind of those two, the only things they will discuss will be the terms of the divorce. But then again, Ashley Cole must have some sort of ace up his sleeve.
Oscar hopeful Anna Kendrick is making the glitzy awards ceremony a family affair – so she can introduce her mother to George Clooney.
Instead of having a hot date on her arm, the Up In The Air star will be walking the red carpet with her mum and brother.
“I’m flying them out. I’m so excited,” she said. “My Mom wants to meet George Clooney.”
Kendrick, 24, is nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category at this year’s Academy Awards.
But she confessed she was too nervous to watch the Oscar nominations announcement.
“I went for a run at five in the morning,” she said. “I just waited for my roommate to text me.
“And then it was actually really nice because I was sort of alone in the dark. I kind of wanted to shout, but I didn’t want to wake everyone up at 5.30 in the morning.”
