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Broadway: Diahann Carroll to Play Denzel’s Mother in “Raisin in the Sun”

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Exclusive: No one will confirm this, but I know it in my gut after too many whispers: the great and beautiful Diahann Carroll is plotting a Broadway return. Carroll, I am told, is going to play the mother of Denzel Washington in Kenny Leon’s revival of “A Raisin the Sun.”

Scott Rudin doesn’t like these scoops, but frankly, he’s putting together a brilliant production. He’s a great showman like David Merrick. Seeing Cicely Tyson’s big Tony sweep this year, Carroll is making the right decision and Rudin is very smart to cast her. Last week I told you that Sophie Okenedo and Anika Noni Rose have also been cast as members of the Younger family. Now just George, the suave boyfriend, and a couple of other smaller parts have to be cast.

Carroll was last seen on Broadway in “Agnes of God” some thirty years ago– 1983. Before that she starred in Richard Rodgers’ “No String” in 1962-63 and “House of Cards” in the mid 1950s. Of course, she’s never stopped working on TV and in films, from her landmark series “Julia” to “Dynasty” and lots, lots more. She can also sing like a bird, so maybe once “Raisin” gets going she’ll do a night at 54 Below.

This will all be announced officially in good time, but frankly, I can’t wait to see this play.

Royal Baby Introduced, Prince William Carries Car Seat, Drives His Own Car

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The unnamed royal baby and future King of England was introduced a little while ago. William and Kate brought the baby outside and showed him off to press and some fans, and lots of security. They were as unpretentious as possible and really disarmingly lovely. William, who will be King first, noted that his son had “a good pair of lungs on him, that’s for sure” and that he was “quite heavy” (he’s eight pounds six ounces).

William also said, “We’re still working on a name.” And: “It’s the first time we’ve seen him really. So we’re having a proper chance to catch up.” The couple also said it’s a very “emotional” time.  “He’s got her looks, thankfully.”

You’ll note that William returns with a car seat, jumps in the driver’s side of his Range Rover with a bodyguard, almost like any other first time dad. William and Kate will do a lot to humanize the cold, distant monarchy after Queen Elizabeth’s aloof rule, and Charles’ scandals with Diana and Camilla.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23425814

 

James Gandolfini’s Second to Last Film Chosen for Toronto Film Fest

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The second to last film starring the late James Gandolfini is coming to Toronto. “Enough Said,” directed by Nicole Holofcener has been chosen as a special presentation. Julia Louis Dreyfuss and the director’s favorite actress (and mine) Catherine Keener co-star. Holofcener’s last movie was the marvelous “Please Give,” a gem that you should rent, buy, download or whatever ASAP. Toni Colette also co-stars.

The irony here is that Gandolfini is cast as the romantic lead. He’s not a gangster. This could have been a game changer for the beloved “Sopranos” actor—something he really wanted. It’s almost heartbreaking if the movie succeeds.

Gandolfini has one more movie after this: “Animal Rescue,” an off beat crime drama co-starring Tom Hardy. We won’t see that until 2014.

“Mad Men” Creator Matt Weiner First Film Goes to Toronto Film Fest

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“Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner will have a busy September. A week or so before the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Weiner will be in Toronto. His debut project as a feature film writer- director will be shown in the Special Presentations section of the Toronto Film Festival.

“You Are Here” stars Zach Galifiankis as a ne’er do well son who inherits the family fortune. He returns home with best friend Owen Wilson and takes on both a formidable sister (Amy Poehler) and his dad’s knockout 25 year old widow. “You are Here” has no distributor, which means a feeding frenzy at the first screening. Matthew Weiner couldn’t be hotter right now. This is his first project during “Mad Men.”

If it works, and it should, Weiner can transition from TV to film. Wouldn’t that be something? And listen, it’s not easy. I remember when Larry David tried it during “Seinfeld” with a feature film called “Sour Grapes.” Some people are still having their memories cleansed of that one. But Weiner is smart, and “You Are Here” is much anticipated.

“Bachelorette” Star Makes Acting Debut in Woody Allen Film

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It’s hard to believe, I know. But Woody Allen may secretly watch “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette.” He’s cast Ali Fedotowsky in her acting debut in “Blue Jasmine.” I know: the movie already has one curve ball with Andrew Dice Clay turning in an excellent performance as a smarter-than-you think blue collar guy married to Sally Hawkins.

But a contestant from reality TV who’s never acted before? Ali, who was on both ABC shows, even has a speaking role– she has lines. She plays Melanie, a trainer in the New York gym where Cate Blanchett’s Jasmine and Alec Baldwin’s Hal work out. Hal asks Jasmine, after she declines, if he should invite the trainer to a Yankee game. You can surmise what happens next. She’s only in one scene, but the audience will remember her late when Hal is caught doing a lot of different things.

Over the years, casting director Juliet Taylor has found a lot of unusual people for Woody’s movies. But this one is certainly very offbeat!

Kirstie Alley Advocates Violence Against Paparazzi

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Kirstie Alley is advocating violence against photographers and paparazzi on her Twitter account. Alley is an actress, member of the Scientology cult, and purveyor of diet products. She sent out two messages in the last few hours backing Kanye West’s recent altercation with photos in LAX, wishing he had done more, and basically promoting the idea.

 

2013 Toronto Film Fest: Meryl Streep, Mandela, Julian Assange, Mike Myers

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Meryl Streep, Nelson Mandela, Julian Assange, Mike Myers, Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman are names in the mix for the 2013 Toronto Film Festival. TIFF announced its big gala presentations this morning and here they are: “August: Osage County,” “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” “The Fifth Estate,” “The Railway Man,” Ron Howard’s “Rush,” “Kill Your Darlings,” Jennifer Aniston and Tim Robbins in “Life of Crime,” Mike Myers’ documentary about Alice Cooper manager Shep Gordon, and a new movie by Canadian whiz Don McKellar. Also included are “Parkland” and “Love Punch.”

The opening night film is Bill Condon’s “The Fifth Estate.” Benedict Cumberbatch — that’s Khan, to you Star Trek fans– plays Julian Assange, the real life antagonist of Wikileaks fame. Condon, a serious writer and director from “Gods and Monsters,” “Chicago,” and “Dreamgirls,” makes a comeback after a payday turn to “Twilight.” He is welcomed back most vociferously.

On the docket for special presentations: Jason Bateman’s directing debut with “Bad Words,” Steve McQueen’s highly anticipated “12 Years a Slave,” Paul Haggis’s excellent “Third Person,” Nicole Holofcener’s “Enough Said” with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and two Canadian favorites that should be big hits: Jason Reitman’s “Labor Day” and Atom Egoyan’s “Devil’s Knot.”

And two movies I am very excited about: Stephen Frears directing Judi Dench in “Philomena” and the feature film debut of “Mad Men” writer-director Matthew Weiner.

 

Cate Blanchett on Acting with Andrew Dice Clay: “I’m Sure He Was Nervous Too”

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Cate Blanchett arrived at the Museum of Modern Art last night for the premiere of Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine” with two young men. They’d flown in from Paris as representatives of design house Balenciaga with Cate’s gown for the evening. That’s right: the dress had assistants. And that was as it should be since Blanchett is not fooling around in “Blue Jasmine.” Her turn as Jasmine–er, Jeanette–French is going to be hard to be beat come Oscar time.

I said this a couple of weeks ago. But now the A list came and they are pretty critical. Charlie Rose and Norah O’Donnell from CBS The Morning, Al Roker and Deborah Roberts, Sopranos creator David Chase, Bob Balaban and wife Lynn, the writer, many “Girls” cast members including Adam Driver, Alex Karpovsky, and Zosia Mamet, Cuba Gooding Jr., Martha Stewart, Amy Poehler, Natasha Lyonne (looking pretty swell), Evan Jongkeit, plus Tony nominee Billy Magnussen, and so on were just mesmerized by Blanchett’s Jasmine.

And then there’s Andrew Dice Clay, fully revived, 55 years old, with dyed jet black hair and a cool black tough looking vest. He’s got an autobiography coming out in January called “The Dirty Truth.” Entourage creator Doug Ellin is making a documentary about him.

Blanchett has a few scenes with him and Alec Baldwin, and one with him and Peter Sarsgaard that’s integral to the movie. It’s a big reveal. “I think like all of us he was nervous,” Cate said of ADC, whom she praised. The Dice Man said, “When we did that scene, I pulled Cate aside and said I can’t believe I’m working with all of you.”

Did Cate know who he was in advance? After all, she’s Australian. “Oh yes,” she said, smiling. Clay is infamous now even 25 years after the controversial peak of his career.

Of the cast, Baldwin, Sarsgaard, Louis CK and Michael Stuhlbarg were present.  Stuhlbarg went to the after party at Harlow, as did Tammy Blanchard. Bobby Cannavale was unaccounted for, and Sally Hawkins is in England.

And Woody? His publicist Leslee Dart read a very brief text from Allen, who’s shooting his new film right now in Cannes and Nice with Colin Firth. “I am in the south of france filming and unable to be there tonight. I only wish i was in NY and unable to be there. My best to all, woody”

Allen is notorious for skipping his own premieres.

The premise of “Blue Jasmine” is sort of– I made this up- what if Blanche DuBois came to live with Stella because her husband was Bernie Madoff, and he’d lost everything. Jasmine’s husband. Hal (Baldwin) pulls a Madoff. But it has more far more dramatic results. Jasmine is destroyed. Woody so comprehended this character, and Blanchett so fully portrays her, that her tragedy is quite real on screen. And that means come Oscar time, Blanchett will have the lead in a tough, tough category.

 

 

What Will the Royals Name the New Baby?

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It’s a boy! Prince William and Kate Middleton have a baby boy. He’s eight pounds, six ounces. One day, when he’s around 170 pounds, he’ll be King of England. What will his parents name him? George? Phillip? Kanyei? What are your suggestions? And when do you think he will be King? In 50 years? That would be 2063, my friends. Given the genes in that family, this baby will be a Prince for a long, long time. Anyway, congrats to the people of England. They are very, very happy.

Dennis Farina, Popular TV and Film Actor, Dead at 69

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Really sad news today: “Law & Order” actor Dennis Farina has died at age 69. His publicist says it was from a blood clot in his lung. Farina was very well known to TV audiences from the Dick Wolf series, as well as countless other television and movie roles. His key films roles were in “Get Shorty,” with Bette Midler in “That Old Feeling,” in “Saving Private Ryan,” and in “Out of Sight.” Farina was a handsome, leading man type who worked better in character roles– he was always the fifth guy on the credits. But he was a welcome sight in any film, usually playing a smooth operator. His resume is huge because he was so talented. Most recently he starred in the ill fated HBO series “Luck.” According to the imdb, he’d just finished two new films. He’s the third big name actor after James Gandolfini and Cory Monteith to die this summer. I hope that’s it. Condolences to his family and friends.