Category: Rumours

David Lee Roth to replace Howard Stern
NEW YORK (Billboard) – Infinity Broadcasting isn’t commenting on an online report penned by a former Howard Stern Show regular that suggests David Lee Roth will be one of the personalities that ultimately replaces the ribald DJ on the airwaves.
Chaunce Hayden, a gossip and celebrity writer for New York/New Jersey entertainment guide SteppinOutMagazine.com, writes that “an Infinity source has confirmed the signing.”
In February, the Securities and Exchange Commission reportedly questioned Hayden about possible insider trading of shares in Sirius Satellite Radio. Hayden was in Stern’s studio Oct. 6, 2004, the day Stern announced his plans to move to Sirius in January 2006. The news drove up Sirius shares by 16% at the close of that day’s trading.
What is certain is that Roth is among many entertainers that Infinity has auditioned on-air since Stern’s bombshell announcement last year. Infinity executives have repeatedly made it clear that they are not looking for a singular personality to succeed Stern.
In April, Infinity president of programing Rob Barnett told Billboard Radio Monitor he was working with Roth in Boston at classic rock station WZLX. “The station has kind of turned the town on its ear with cab drivers, waiters and waitresses and employees of Barnes & Noble talking about this amazing guy on the radio,” Barnett said. “It’s an example of just being able to surprise and entertain your listeners without necessarily giving them the exact same menu every day.” In Boston, Stern is heard on Infinity modern rock station WBCN.
The Diamond Dave-as-morning-man idea actually sprung from an Infinity station 3,000 miles away. VP of FM talk Jack Silver put Roth on the air for three hours earlier this year at KLSX Los Angeles, which Silver programs. “We were so taken by that performance that we created a stunt here in Boston to give classic rock listeners the opportunity to hear him all week long,” Barnett said in April.
Infinity chairman and CEO Joel Hollander said in February, “One thing you should expect not to happen, is one person to be dropped in to replace (Stern) at 27 radio stations.”
While Stern’s contract is set to end Dec. 31, 2005, Hayden says that Roth will hit the airwaves in early September. Asked to comment on the Roth rumor, an Infinity spokesperson said, “We are looking at a number of personalities to replace Howard Stern, however there are no imminent announcements at this time.”
Roth has two summer concerts on his schedule: July 15 in Sarnia, Ontario, and July 29 in Redding, Calif.

Marvel Chief Urges Patience for Ratner’s ‘X-Men’
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com)- Marvel CEO Avi Arad has just finished a lengthy discussion on the dangers of Internet rumor-mongering and the evils of reviewing unfinished projects, which perfectly segues into the excitable mogul’s feelings about online reaction to the selection of Brett Ratner to direct the next “X-Men” film.
“Idiots,” he says plainly, before continuing. “Idiots.”
Ratner, best known for relentless self-promotion and the blockbuster “Rush Hour” films, became a last-minute fill-in director on “X-Men 3” after original director Matthew Vaughn bailed last month to spend more time with his family. From the second Ratner’s name entered the equation, netizens from Aint-It-Cool-News to IMDB messageboards began spewing outrage, sadness and resignation, jotting off open letters to imaginary executives at Fox and launching purely hypothetical petitions to enlist a new director. Arad, who was close to hiring Ratner several times previously, is just confused by all the vitriol.
“Did you see ‘Red Dragon?’ Did you see that?” Arad asks, referring to Ratner’s reasonably well-reviewed Hannibal Lecter remake. “And you saw ‘Family Man,’ which is totally different, a very emotional story. Then, you have two giant comedies. What are they thinking? This is a great filmmaker. Do you know how much experience this guy has? Let alone his new Jessica Simpson video? This guy knows what he’s doing.”
Although Arad can’t find positive words for “Money Talks” or “After the Sunset,” he’s certainly effusive about his new employee. Fans, though, aren’t as certain.
Although few details from the sequel have come forth since Ratner’s introduction, rumors of the addition of a new hooker mutant who may or may not be little-used character Stacy X have produced reactions from confusion — several new characters including Beast and Juggernaut already need to be introduced — to general disgust. Arad won’t confirm or deny any specific changes, but he says that Ratner has, indeed, already left his fingerprints all over the script, originally written by Zak Penn and Simon Kinberg.
“Brett Ratner came onto this thing and from the get-go, you felt experience,” notes Arad. “He’s made lots of changes in the script that are very good, because he’s thinking picture, not words. He’s very cinematic.”
Arad doesn’t really sound concerned. He’s been through the same thing before.
“Tell me a director they didn’t go after,” he challenges. “Maybe the only guy who got away with it was Sam [Raimi]. When Bryan [Singer] came on board the first time? Oh boy.”
Working in Arad’s favor is the overwhelming fan community support for the first two “X-Men” and “Spider-Man” films, as well as the fact that all four films have reached blockbuster status.
“So far, so good,” he chuckles. “Give us a little break. Not much, just a little bit.”
Production on “X-Men 3” is slated to begin in August, as Fox has already claimed Memorial Day 2006 for its premiere.

Will There Be A Charlieís Angels III?
Drew Barrymore has announced her interest in proceeding with Charlie√≠s Angels III. Teenhollywood reports Barrymore says, “I know Cameron, Lucy and I would all sign up if there was, but there are no plans in the works. All three of us still hang out all the time anyway, so we might as well be filming it.” While the previous two films√≠ box-office profits earned Sony $260 million worldwide each, the runaway budget for the second film has the studio weary about green-lighting chapter 3.

De Palma To Retouch The Untouchables
Movie mogul Brian De Palma is revisiting his epic gangster film The Untouchables almost 20 years after it became a huge hit. The filmmaker is keen to make prequel The Untouchables: Capone Rising in time for the 20th anniversary of the 1987 original. The story will focus upon the young Al Capone as he rises to become a Chicago, Illinois criminal kingpin. The original film centered upon lawmaker Elliot Ness’ efforts to arrest the infamous gangster, played by Robert De Niro.

TIME FOR A ’24’ MOVIE
Harried anti-terrorism agent Jack Bauer could be headed to the silver screen in a “24” movie.
“It could still be two years from now, so it’s far too early to say,” “24” director/producer Jon Cassar told the Calgary Sun.
As it stands now, Cassar said the film would only partially unfold in the unique “real-time” format that’s helped turn “24” into a white-knuckled success.
“The last I heard, the first hour will not be in real time,” Cassar said. “But then something big will happen and real time will kick in. It still has to be worked out √≥ it’s at a stage where they really need to write it.”
The script, he said, is likely to depend on what’s happening on the show before the movie comes out.
On “24,” Kiefer Sutherland plays Bauer, a federal agent who constantly finds himself as the only one who can save the world from various nefarious terrorist plots. Each one-hour episode of the series represents a high-octane hour in Bauer’s ongoing struggle to beat the bad guys.
After three seasons, “24” has become one of the most popular dramas on television.
“The reason I think it worked is because of how it is shot and the scripts,” Cassar said. “The writers are amazing √≥ they have been able to come up with yet another bad day for Jack two years in a row.”
He also attributes part of the show’s success to his style of filming it. Unlike most TV and film makers who frequently yell “cut!” Cassar shoots each scene uninterrupted.
Cassar said he was shocked at first when “24” turned into a hit, almost overnight. His first impression of the series’ real-time format was that it was going to be a dud.
Cassar remembers thinking, “God, that would be so boring, who’s going to want to watch that?”

You probably think this story’s about…
For more than 30 years, one of America’s best-kept secrets has remained a pop culture mystery. No, not Deep Throat. We’re talking about Carly Simon and her hit song You’re So Vain. Who was she singing about?
“It’s about Mark Felt!” Simon, 59, joked by phone Wednesday from her home in Martha’s Vineyard, referring to the former FBI official who has said he was Deep Throat.
Vain was a No. 1 hit in January 1973, six months after the Watergate break-in that led to President Nixon’s downfall.
But unlike the Watergate principals, Simon says she’ll never reveal the answer, not even when she or the song’s subject dies. “I don’t see why I ever would. What would it advance?
“I wrote that song in the days when people kept confidences to themselves, whereas now, people expose them so easily and readily for the benefit of their next movie sale.”
Officially, only three people know: Simon, the ex-lover and NBC Sports president Dick Ebersol, who paid $50,000 for the answer at a charity auction. (He was sworn to secrecy.)
Over the years, Simon has dropped a few hints: The man’s name contains the letters A, E, and R, suggesting Warren Beatty and Mick Jagger, who sings background vocals on the track. But she won’t confirm that the song is about one partner or a compilation of men.
“It’s almost beside the point whether or not we find out who she was writing about because it’s a really good song,” says Thom Geier, Entertainment Weekly senior editor.
Some things are best left unanswered, says Paul Aron, author of Unsolved Mysteries of American History. “What would we all write about if these things could be answered?
Simon has long since moved on. She’s been married since 1987 to writer James Hart. She conquered breast cancer. Her new standards album, Moonlight Serenade, is out July 19.
She finds it “bizarre” that fans are still speculating about her lyrics three decades later. “If people knew who it was to begin with, it might not have become a hit.”
Here Are Some Other Pop Culture Mysteries
1. Why did Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman divorce after 10 years of marriage?
2. Who is the father of Jodie Foster’s two sons, or for that matter √≥ who is the mother of Michael Jackson’s youngest son?
3. Where are Jimmy Hoffa and Amelia Earhart?
4. Who broke Alanis Morissette’s heart to inspire You Oughta Know?
5. What led Paris Hilton to ditch best friend Nicole Richie?

Lucas, Spielberg OK ‘Indy 4’ script
The script approval for a fourth “Indiana Jones” film has cleared two major hurdles — but still has one more to go.
Variety.com reports George Lucas and Steven Spielberg have given the green light to writer Jeff Nathanson’s draft of “Indy 4,” but star Harrison Ford, who has to give the thumbs up in order for the film to move forward, has yet to read the script.
Nathanson (“The Terminal,” “Catch Me If You Can”) took over the writing duties from Frank Darabont, (“The Shawshank Redemption,” “Collateral”) who had originally been brought in to script a concept the trio liked, but sources said Lucas was unhappy with the draft.
Scheduling the filming for “Indiana Jones 4” may hit a snag due to Spielberg’s busy schedule — he is heading to Europe to begin production on an untitled drama about the aftermath of the terrorist incidents at the 1972 Munich Olympics, and will follow it with a movie about Abraham Lincoln and the U.S. Cival War, starring Liam Neeson.

Live Aid Organizer Confirms Another ‘Big’ Concert Is Coming
Rumors have been swirling for weeks that former Boomtown Rats leader Bob Geldof is secretly planning a massive sequel to the 1985 Live Aid concerts that raised millions to combat famine in Africa.
Geldof had repeatedly denied the rumors until Thursday. While attending the Ivor Novello Awards for songwriters in London, Geldof finally tipped his hand and said “there’s something brewing … it’s big,” according to The Associated Press. He cautioned that the event to fight poverty in Africa was unique, and “there’s never going to be a Live Aid II.”
The U.S. spokesperson for the concert, Elizabeth Freund, said Geldof will preside at a press conference announcing all the details on Tuesday in London, with a possible second conference in New York. Rumors have had everyone from Madonna and U2 to Paul McCartney, Oasis, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Eminem, Sting and a reunited Pink Floyd performing in both London and Washington, D.C., though Freund would not confirm or deny the speculation.
So far, only Sting has confirmed his participation. Also speaking at the Novello ceremony, the singer said, “Bob called me up and said I was doing it. He doesn’t ask you, he tells you.”
Freund would not reveal the date of the show, but a spokesperson for England’s Prince’s Trust said last week that the charity had canceled it’s annual Party in the Park concert in London’s Hyde Park on July 3 so that the Geldof concert could take place.
The concert, referred to as “Live 8” in the English press, is believed to have been timed to coincide with the gathering of the world’s richest countries in Scotland for the G8 summit (July 6-8), at which they are to discuss alleviating Third World debt.
Geldof said planning the event has been exhausting, adding, “it’s as petrifying as the buildup to Live Aid, if not more so. We’ll have all the biggest names we can find. But it’s not just about big names, it’s about making a point. … What started 20 years ago is coming to a political point in a few weeks.”
The original Live Aid took place in Wembley Stadium in London and in Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium on July 13, 1985, and raised $245 million for famine relief in Africa. It was watched by more than 1.5 billion people worldwide and featured sets from Elvis Costello; B.B. King; Black Sabbath; Run-DMC; Sting; Crosby, Stills and Nash; Judas Priest; U2; Queen; David Bowie; the Who; Santana; Elton John; Madonna; Paul McCartney; Bob Dylan; Neil Young; and a reunited Led Zeppelin with Phil Collins on drums.

‘M:I 3’ cast gets an overhaul
Former “Boston Public” star Michelle Monaghan has been added to the cast of “Mission: Impossible 3,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Monaghan will play the love interest of Tom Cruise’s character, secret agent Ethan Hunt.
Irish actor Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (“Bend It Like Beckham,” “Elvis”) is in negotiations for a role in the film.
Numerous delays in the J.J. Abrams-directed movie forced Scarlett Johanssen, Carrie-Ann Moss and Kenneth Branagh to drop out of the project.
Ving Rhames, who appeared in all three installments of the action franchise, will be back as Hunt’s sidekick Luther Stickel.
Recent reports linked teen star Lindsay Lohan and current Cruise girlfriend Katie Holmes to the film, but their involvement has not been confirmed.
“Mission: Impossible 3” will begin shooting in Caserta, Italy on July 18.
Michelle Monaghan appears in the upcoming Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie film, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” which opens June 10.

Lindsay Lohan Says ‘Mission’ Role Possible
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) – Lindsay Lohan speeds into theaters this summer with “Herbie: Fully Loaded,” but hopes to see some real action with a part in “Mission: Impossible 3.”
The 18-year-old starlet says that she has a chance of landing a role in the action film franchise starring Tom Cruise.
“I actually met with J.J. Abrams, who is directing [the film],” reveals Lohan in an interview with “Access Hollywood” airing Tuesday, May 17. “I’m a huge fan of … ‘Lost’ and ‘Alias,’ so hopefully, we will see what happens.”
Lohan is psyched about co-starring with Cruise as well as the role’s physical challenges.
“It’s kind of an incredible feeling, I’m scared. If I do ‘Mission: Impossible 3’ that is going to be so exhilarating,” she says. “I just can’t wait to do stunts and get all into it. I’ll be in training for a few weeks, putting on some muscles.”
Some may doubt her ability to train for the role with her recent dramatic weight loss, which has sparked speculation about her excessive partying or bowing to the Hollywood mindset to be thin.
“I think there’s a lot of pressure,” Lohan admits. “Especially when you lose a lot of weight and then people are telling you, ‘You look great!’ You are like, ‘So … did I look fat before?'”
If she gets the part, she may replace Scarlett Johansson who, along with Carrie-Anne Moss, left the film due to scheduling and script delays.
Lohan recently wrapped the romantic comedy “Just My Luck” and races into theaters with “Herbie” on Wednesday, June 22.