Hometown Hollywood

Forbes 'Most Banakable Stars In Hollywood' 2009

Posted on 11. Feb, 2009 by CSS.

0

Will Smith has been named the “Most Bankable Star in Hollywood” in Forbes Magazine’s 2009 ranking of Star Currency.

The stars were ranked on ability to attract financing for a project, box office success, and appeal to different audience demographics–among other similar factors.

The financial magazine surveyed more than 150 entertainment industry professionals, including producers and directors.

“[Will] can move from doing the pop film to an Ali to a Seven Pounds to The Pursuit of Happyness, so he’s able to play in all worlds,” said John Burman, special projects director for Forbes Media. “I think people just like watching him on screen.”

“Will Smith stands alone as the only actor to score a perfect 10 among industry voters in the Star Currency survey. He has shown, time and again, that, in today’s world, regardless of the material, people want to watch Will Smith,” said Ashok Amritraj, chairman and CEO of Hyde Park Entertainment. “He is cross-genre and proved it multiple times,” Amritraj added.

The Top 10 “Bankable Hollywood Stars” are:

1. Will Smith
2. Johnny Depp
3. Leonardo DiCaprio
4. Angelina Jolie
5. Brad Pitt
6. Tom Hanks
7. George Clooney
8. Denzel Washington
9. Matt Damon
10. Jack Nicholson

Continue Reading

George Clooney Will Play JAG Lawyer Charles Swift In New Political Drama

Posted on 03. Feb, 2009 by CSS.

0

George Clooney has just signed on to star and produce another political drama. It’s tentative title is The Challenge, and the script will be penned by Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the first three seasons of “The West Wing”, and most recently, the excellent Charlie Wilson’s War.

The Challenge will tell the true story of the Supreme Court case Hamdan vs. Rumsfeld, a case which fundamentally changed the Bush Administration’s policies on habeas corpus, torture and Guantanamo. Clooney is looking to play Charles Swift, the JAG lawyer who headed up the team of lawyers defending Osama bin Laden’s driver, Salim Hamdan, who was one of the first people imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay. Hamdan was released to his family in December, 2008, after years of legal battles but is still technically considered an “enemy combatant” by the US.

George Clooney will be producing a new courtroom drama through his Smoke House company, and has tapped scribe Aaron Sorkin to write the screenplay.

“The Challenge” may be a possible acting vehicle for Clooney as Navy lawyer Charles Swift in the drama that will look at the trial of Osama Bin Laden’s driver Salim Ahmed Hamdan.

The film will be based on Jonathan Mahler’s tome “The Challenge: Hamdan cs. Rumsfeld and the Fight Over Presidential Power.” Clooney will be produced with his Smoke House partner Grant Heslov.

Sorkin has already proven he can lead a marine court-martial drama. He was behind the 1989 play “A Few Good Men” and its 1992 film.

-From AHN

I realize this a celebrity gossip site, but the inside story of this court case is really fascinating, and it’s something I’ve been following for a while. Vanity Fair has had some of the most interesting, in-depth coverage of the Hamdan case, the verdict and the consequences. Swift is a really incredible person, a Naval officer and a patriot who defends every single person’s civil liberties with his life. Throughout the five-year legal battle, Swift gathered resources from the ACLU and the cream of the crop at Georgetown Law, many of whom worked pro bono with JAG. Vanity Fair even interviewed Charles Swift throughout the court case, in a piece that was published in 2007. It was a startling piece that’s a must read. I’m thrilled that Clooney will be making the film, and I hope it gets done soon.

Continue Reading

Robert Downey Jr. Is 'Men's Vogue' Cover Boy

Posted on 10. Jan, 2009 by CSS.

0

Robert Downey Jr. is the cover boy for Men’s Vogue, Spring 2009. The issue will somehow be included or integrated into the April Vogue issue. Apparently, Conde Nast is trying something new because the launch of Men’s Vogue hasn’t been the success they were hoping for.

It’s a really great picture of Downey – he looks awesome for his age and his history. People have started comparing him to George Clooney, but I’m not so sure. Clooney and Downey are very different men with very different appeals – but both can wear the hell out of a suit, so there’s that. Downey is nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his role in Tropic Thunder, and his turn in the massively successful Iron Man has put him back on the A-list. I love Robert Downey Jr. and am thrilled with his recent choices in movie roles- welcome back to the party Mr. Downey.

Continue Reading

Paris Hilton and George Clooney Spied Out Together Twice.

Posted on 02. Jan, 2009 by CSS.

0

In a report you hope is completely fabricated but contains too many details to dismiss, In Touch makes the case for a burgeoning romance between the world’s most famous confirmed bachelor and the pretty pink heiress. Paris Hilton and George Clooney were spotted out twice together on consecutive nights. While the first night may have been a coincidence or chance meeting In Touch adds some weight to an otherwise questionable story with a second night out involving heavy flirting. George really will give anyone a tumble, long-lasting side effects be damned:

Sitting next to each other at Dan Tana’s in West Hollywood on December 20, [Paris Hilton and George Clooney] appeared to only have eyes for each other. “You could tell there was definitely chemistry,” a source says.

Although they were joined by a group of fellow diners, including director Ridley Scott, funnyman Tyler Perry and Paris’ new BFF, Brittany Flickinger, onlookers say George, 47, and Paris, 27, virtually ignored everyone else at their table. “It looked like a first date that they brought pals on to make it not look like a first date,” an eyewitness tells In Touch.

And it wasn’t their first romantic rendezvous. One night earlier, the two shared drinks at the Whisky Bar at the Sunset Marquis hotel. “You could tell they were really into each other,” says a pal of Paris’. “They were gazing into each other’s eyes and smiling and laughing.”

-From InTouch

Continue Reading

George Clooney To Return To ER??

Posted on 08. Nov, 2008 by CSS.

0

(Nov. 5) – George Clooney will likely reprise his role as hunky doctor Doug Ross by the end of ‘ER’s’ final season, one of his former castmates has revealed.
In an interview soon to run in TV Guide, Noah Wyle spills a few casting beans, namely the scoop on Clooney and the return of Eriq La Salle as Dr. Peter Benton. “From what I heard, George said, ‘absolutely,’ schedule permitting,” Wyle, who plays Dr. John Carter, tells the magazine.