Charlize Causes a ‘Burning’ Sensation

Oscar winner Charlize Theron caused some problems the other night at the premiere of her new film, “The Burning Plain.”

Theron, who’s one of the movie’s producers, didn’t win any friends when she left as the movie started to screen and never returned, not even to the party that was held for her at the Box downtown.

According to insiders, Theron did work the press line before the film. She brought her mother along, and insisted that she be included in the pictures. There was no sign of Stuart Townsend, her longtime steady beau, however.

When director Guillermo Arriaga (”Babel”) introduced the film, Theron didn’t bother to leave her seat. She just waved to the crowd instead of coming forward. When the lights went down, Theron split and eas not seen again all night. An explanation was offered that she wasn’t feeling well.

“Burning Plain,” which opens today, also features Kim Basinger, who rarely works anymore but has gotten high marks from advance audiences. But she’s done just about nothing to promote the film. Maybe both actresses knew the fairly negative review that would come from Tony Scott in today’s New York Times. But in a year when there are few possible best actress nominees, they might have been a little more cooperative.

At least they didn’t ask for money to promote the film. That’s the only positive I can think of.