Rene Russo was the queen of the big budget movie. Think of it. Her costars were Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Clint Eastwood, Kevin Costner, Pierce Brosnan, Mel Gibson, John Travolta, and so on. For years and years she was “the girl” they called in to play the wife, the girlfriend, etc. Last year, though, she shot a role in “Thor” and got mostly cut out of it. “Anthony Hopkins and I were each cut out,” she told me proudly last night. Might as well be on the cutting room floor with the best.

So now Russo, who took a little time off to get her daughter to age 18, is coming back. This winter she’ll shoot the feature film version of “Frank and Cindy.” It’s an indie movie by a first time director, G.J. Echternkamp. It’s based on his 2007 documentary about his mother and stepfather. Cindy is the wife of Frank, a ne’er do well real life rocker who had one minor single hit in 1983. It could be another “American Splendor.” Cindy, Russo points out, is missing 17 teeth. Do I hear Sundance? Oscar?

“I just couldn’t do any more of those other roles,” Rene told me. We know what she means. “I didn’t care anymore.” Good for her. Her husband, Dan Gilroy, co-wrote “The Bourne Legacy” with his director brother Tony. All the Gilroys were there last night for the premiere. Renee was just a member of the family. But really, she’s a movie star. “Frank and Cindy”– something to look forward to.

By the way, Frank’s hit was called “Whirly Girl.” The group was called OXO. I have zero memory of it, and I was only in my 20s and paying full attention to the radio then. But here’s the video. Maybe someone remembers it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaglwlgd97Q

I actually posted a link to the Wachowskis’ video promo for “Cloud Atlas” last week. Suddenly, though, it’s taken off again. Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2qeFxgGpM0, Larry Wachowski is now Lana, and seems pretty happy and well adjusted. Good for her! The new Wachowskis seem a lot happier than the old Wachowskis, who were always hiding and mysterious. It’s all good! I’ve also had the 5 minute trailer they talk about in our video player on the bottom of the home page for several days. The movie is either great or unintelligible. We’ll see.

We are first to report this development in the Jackson saga: The executors of the Michael Jackson estate have sent a letter to most of the Jackson family barring them from Katherine Jackson’s rented home in Calabasas, California. The estate rents the house for Mrs. Jackson and Michael’s three kids. But now Joe Jackson as well as Randy, Jermaine, Janet, and Rebbie, any of their kids or spouses, plus Mrs. Jackson’s secretary Janice Smith–they are all barred from entering.

In other words , the “Jackson 5”–Randy, Jermaine, Janet, Rebbie and Joseph–are out.

After the sort of house attack conducted by Randy, Jermaine and Janet Jackson last week– in which the three siblings tried to take Michael Jackson’s kids, exchanged epithets with them etc–Mrs. Jackson’ s lawyers have sent a letter to them. Now that she’s back Katherine Jackson is allowing grandson TJ to draw up a list for security about who can come and go. There will be no more disturbances and no more crashing cars through security gates.

Here’s part of the letter sent by executor’s lawyer Howard Weitzman last Wednesday to the Jackson 5 so to speak. Randy Jackson gave it to a tabloid website thinking he was smart and people would be outraged. But in fact, the letter was the proper thing to do:

“Following the events of July 23 in which certain members of the Jackson family showed up unannounced at the Calabasas residence of Michael Jackson’s mother and children, causing a very public disturbance, the attorneys for the Estate of Michael Jackson as lessees of the house were requested by Charles Schultz, attorney for TJ Jackson, Jr., the newly appointed Temporary Guardian for Michael Jackson’s children, to send a list to the security gate of people neither TJ or the children wanted allowed on the premises in view of the incidents that had just taken place.  The list may be amended and managed by TJ Jackson Jr. or the Estate when appropriate.  It is imperative to the Estate that from this point forward a safe and appropriate environment be provided for Michael Jackson’s children and his mother.”

“Given the circumstances of the last two weeks, and in order to protect the children and Mrs. Jackson, the Executors believe that it would not be appropriate to allow the following individuals to enter the residence or its grounds and we instruct the security to preclude the following from entering the residence or the grounds: Randy Jackson and any of his children, Janet Jackson, Rebbie Jackson and any of her children, Jermaine Jackson, his wife and any of his children, Janice Smith, or anyone else who was involved in the recent events that led to Mrs. Jackson’s separation from and inability to communicate with Michael’s children, or any agents or representatives of any of these individuals.”

Madonna is coming to Yankee Stadium on September 6th and 8th. The first show is sold out, technically. The second one is not. Madonna’s had a lot of PR trouble recently in France but at least she’s still selling tickets in Europe. She recently cancelled her entire Australian tour–which was supposed to be her first in 20 years. But the prices were too high, and the advance interest wasn’t there. Madonna could not sell $700 premium packages  to the Aussies.

Last week, Madonna caused a riot in Paris when she showed the Nazi symbol of a swastika on a video screen. The swastika has been criticized since it first turned up on her tour. She seems to have no idea how offensive it is, just as she ignored the Nazi passions of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor in her movie,. “W.E.” She didn’t care that she was inviting trouble in France last week when she put the Nazi symbol on screen to provoke followers of Marine Le Pen, head of the National Front. Madonna was looking for attention and she got it in the form of a riot from Le Pen’s nasty minions.

Now as she plans her return to the U.S. here’s some advice: Madonna, please do not bring your Nazi swastika and guns to the U.S. let alone Yankee Stadium.  They are unwanted. The last thing that will be acceptable here is the Nazi symbol. Or guns. (Please– in the Bronx that’s like bringing coal to Newcastle.)

Madonna disregards history and has little interest in how she offends others. She thinks it’s all about provocative art or something.  The ironic part of this whole swastika business is that Madonna, courtesy of the bogus Kabbalah Center organization, considers herself some kind of faux-Jew. She wears a cross but attends fake High Holy days services. If Kabbalah were real, or Madonna were actually Jewish., she certainly wouldn’t be sporting a swastika on her forehead. As for guns, Madonna has been out of the country this summer.  Maybe she’s missed the big news stories. One of her lackeys can explain the Aurora killings to her. Guns on stage? Not this year, Madonna. They’re completely out of fashion.