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Spider-Man on Broadway: Edge Says It’s a Go

Roger Friedman
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Spider-Man on Broadway: Edge Says It’s a Go

edge Spider Man on Broadway: Edge Says Its a GoJust in case you were wondering: U2’s The Edge (aka Dave Evans) says the Broadway musical’ “Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark” is on.

The $45 million musical has been in limbo for a while as new financing was found to replace old.

But Edge says a meeting took place yesterday with all the principals, including director Julie Taymor. New producer Michael Cohl is getting everything in place. The wheels are turning.

Says Edge: “It will open before the end of the year.”

Unlike many naysayers, we want to see Spider-Man spin his web on Broadway. We also want to hear that U2 score. “The music is just about finished, too,” Edge says.

We’re ready!

...Julian Schnabel is trimmed down, but still sporting PJs. He brought Rula Jabreal, author of the book “Miral,” and her daughter with him, both visiting from Jerusalem. Schnabel’s just now finishing his film of “Miral,” starring “Slumdog Millionaire’s” Freida Pinto as the title character. You think Freida Pinto is a beauty? Wait until everyone meets Rula Jabreal! Whichever film company releases “Miral” will have publicity opportunities galore. P.S. Schnabel says it’s his best movie yet. After “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” and “Before Night Falls,” that’s saying a lot…

…People to look for on the grounds of the insane asylum in “Shutter Island”: the great actress Jill Larson, a longtime player on “All My Children,” raises her finger to her lips in the opening scene and creates an indelible image. She’s so good she’s featured in the commercial. She is also completely altered from the glamorous soap character she plays…Also look for “All My Children” alum Matthew Cowles as the Ferry Boat Captain. Famously known as Billy Clyde Tuggle on”AMC,” Cowles is the real life husband of Christine Baranski…And Craig “Radio Man” Schwartz, a long time fixture in NY and LA and a favorite of Whoopi Goldberg, George Clooney and Robin Williams–he’s clean shaven and starkly memorable as a mental patient. This is not typecasting…

Roman Polanski: Life Imitates Art in New Film

Roger Friedman
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Roman Polanski: Life Imitates Art in New Film

125316 Ghost Writer 341 Roman Polanski: Life Imitates Art in New FilmRoman Polanski’s “The Ghost Writer” opens today in New York and Los Angeles, a little suddenly, it feels, after its debut at the Berlin Film Festival.

Like Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island,” which also opens today, Polanski’s film is very much in the style of Alfred Hitchcock. It’s a highly stylized thriller with some great performances and riveting business even when the plot feels a tad predictable.

What’s most interesting, though, is the main setup of “The Ghost Writer.” Polanski made it a year before his arrest and incarceration in Switzerland, followed by his house arrest. It’s worth pointing out, because for the first hour of “The Ghost Writer,” the characters are essentially trapped in a beautiful home on Martha’s Vineyard.

The main characters are a Tony Blair-like former British Prime Minister, played by Pierce Brosnan; his long suffering wife, played by Olivia Williams; and his staff, including Kim Cattrall as his devoted assistant and possible lover. Then there’s Ewan McGregor, who’s come to the island house — one of those ultra modern billionaire’s estates that looks more like an office or a bunker — to ghost write the PM’s memoirs.

Thanks to a fast-breaking scandal, no one can really leave the house. They are under a kind of house arrest. It’s almost as if Polanski anticipated his own situation. You might say the only difference is that Brosnan’s character gets to chopper out to Washington to meet and greet politicians. But it looks like Polanski did the same thing. Even though he was restricted to his countries of citizenship — France and Poland — he still managed to shoot a movie in Berlin.

His legal situation aside, Polanski is still a superior director and gifted artist. For someone who hasn’t been to the U.S. since 1978, and certainly not Martha’s Vineyard, he’s created a decidedly accurate picture of a politician taking refuge in a wealthy beach community. Someone, if not Polanski, did their homework. Besides that, “The Ghost Writer”– as it becomes a thriller — picks up elements of Tony Blair, the CIA and Halliburton. The sense of paranoia runs high, just as it did in “Chinatown”and “Rosemary’s Baby.” And the casting is impeccable, from MacGregor and Brosnan to a sizzling cameo from the always excellent Tom Wilkinson.

And lo and behold, there’s an appearance by legendary actor Eli Wallach, who turned 94 in December. He’s wonderful.

Last night’s screening wasn’t so much a premiere as it was a mini something or other. Among the bold faced names who took up seats in the orange chairs at the Crosby Street Hotel theater were U2’s The Edge, director Julian Schnabel, models turned entrepreneurs Carol Alt and Irina Pantaeva, and of course, Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan (with wife Keely Shaye Smith). It was nice,too, to see CNN’s Alina Chow, Fox5 stalwart Rosanna Scotto, as well as producer Linda Yellen who came with Denis Ferrara of the Liz Smith column (www.wowowow.com) and Scott Gorenstein, who reps Liza Minnelli. That was an eclectic frowd!

If only there had been dinner after the two hours-plus movie! The hungry–Edge and wife Morleigh, as well as Alt and Pantaeva–were all spotted having late night snacks across the street at Balthazar later on.

Songwriters Awards: Leonard Cohen, Jackie DeShannon, E W and F

Roger Friedman
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Songwriters Awards: Leonard Cohen, Jackie DeShannon, E W and F

lcohen Songwriters Awards: Leonard Cohen, Jackie DeShannon, E W and FI’m happy to announce that the Songwriters Hall of’ Fame has announced its honorees for this June. (Full disclosure: I’m on the nominating committee.)

This year’s group includes Jackie DeShannon, Leonard Cohen, all the guys from Earth Wind and Fire, plus Johnny Mandel and David Foster. All the choices are good, although yes ‘ several of us ‘ are campaigning every year for Elvis Costello, Ray Davies of the Kinks and a few others. Everyone on the committee has favorites, but it doesn’t matter. Names are put to a group vote. And thus, we have the 2010 crop.

Still to come from the SHOF ‘ run now so well by Linda Moran and Hal David ‘ it’s a shame it’s not on TV somewhere ‘ are announcements for honorary awards like the Towering Song. That’s a song so good it’s transcended time and the culture. Past choices included “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and “Day-O.”

The SHOF is such a hot night that literally everyone comes to it, and even the most hardened music execs are startled by the good vibe. This year the show is on June 17th at the Marriott Marquis.

…In other music news, contemporary Soul Man Ryan Shaw will open for Legendary Soul Man Sam Moore this Sunday at the Highline Ballroom. You can get tickets at www.highlineballroom.com. Sam Moore also gets the Lifetime Achievement Award from AFTRA on Monday, along with CBS’s Charles Osgood…

…You’ve got to give credit to Sade. She puts out an album every 10 years. Her new one comes in at number 1 with half a million copies sold…

Tarantino’s ‘Basterds’: An Oscar Surprise Thanks to SAG Award?

Roger Friedman
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Tarantino’s ‘Basterds’: An Oscar Surprise Thanks to SAG Award?

102958 inglourious basterds 341 Tarantinos Basterds: An Oscar Surprise Thanks to SAG Award? Could Quentin Tarantino’s self described “masterpiece” be the upset winner at the Academy Awards?

Suddenly, the “Inglourious Basterds” are surfing a tidal wave to the March 7 ceremonies at the Kodak Theater.

“Basterds” won the SAG Award for best ensemble cast. Screen Actors Guild voters make up the majority of the Academy. “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Crash,” “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King,” Chicago” and “No Country for Old Men” all went from the SAG Award to the Oscar for best picture. Think back to when “Crash” beat “Brokeback Mountain.” SAG has proven to be a an accurate weather vane.

I told you this might happen. Voters tire of front runners. “Avatar” ‘ despite its technological advances ‘ is not warmly received by Academy members. “The Hurt Locker” has been out there a long time and has many admirers (myself included).

More awards coverage

But “Basterds” seems to be a guilty pleasure, especially among Academy voters. It has two things pulling it forward, also: Tarantino, who has rabid fans. And Christoph Waltz, who’s a cinch to win best supporting actor for his portrayal of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa. Waltz is Austrian, but what makes his whole Cinderella story so amazing is that his children are Jewish thanks to his first marriage. His son is studying to be a rabbi. Talk about poetic justice!

There seems to be no question that Kathryn Bigelow and “The Hurt Locker” are on a roll. But there’s also an issue that few people have seen the Iraq war movie. Whereas “Basterds” took in over $120 million at the boxoffice. It’s also a war fable, with inspired madness from a terrific cast including Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, Diane Kruger and Michael Fassbender.

One sign of things to come: that lunch last week in Hollywood. Warren Beatty, Ron Howard, and other big names turned out to support Tarantino.There were a lot of places those people might have broken bread that day, but they’re voters, and they wanted to be seen there. I’m just sayin’…

[CORRECTED: Tarantino won an Oscar for co-writing “Pulp Fiction.”]

Leonardo DiCaprio Set for Sinatra, But He Won’t Sing

Roger Friedman
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Leonardo DiCaprio Set for Sinatra, But He Won’t Sing

ldicaprio Leonardo DiCaprio Set for Sinatra, But He Wont SingLeonardo DiCaprio is still to set to play Frank Sinatra for Martin Scorsese. But he’s probably not going to sing.

“With those records?” Scorsese asked me, his voice rising, at the premiere last night for his new DiCaprio collaboration, “Shutter Island.” “Frank will do the singing. But we’re waiting for a finished script.”

So while he’s waiting, Scorsese’s next film will likely take a break from DiCaprio. “The Invention of Huge Cabret” is lighter fare for Scorsese, about a 12-year-old boy who lives in Paris and meets famous French silent film director and magician George M’li’s.

“Hugo Cabret” is a family movie, unlike “Shutter Island,” which opens Friday and is a complex, disturbing thriller. Based on a novel by Dennis Lehane (”Mystic River”), “Shutter Island” was set for release last fall but pulled back at the last minute. That turns out to be a good thing, because although DiCaprio could have earned an Oscar nomination “Shutter Island” is a perfect winter film. “Silence of the Lambs” and “Fargo” were each winter movies that went on to big things at the end of the year.

“Shutter Island,” if you don’t know the book, is certainly a shocker. Beautifully shot and edited (of course by Thelma Schoonmaker) it also has a bunch of perfect “cameo” performances by Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer, and Jackie Earle Haley. It’s partially an homage to Alfred Hitchcock, too, with a pulse-heightening score created by The Band’s Robbie Robertson from pieces of modern classical music.

Last night Mick Jagger was one of the many A list guests at the premiere at the Ziegfeld ‘ but he’d apparently seen the movie a couple of times already. I won’t give away the plot twists, but Mark Ruffalo ‘ who plays DiCaprio’s buddy as a U.S. Marshall ‘ turns out to be the clue maker. At least, that’s what Oscar winner Schoonmaker tells me. She cut the film down from its original unwieldy length to its new streamlined form. She told me, “The next time you see it, watch Mark. See what he’s doing.”

Ruffalo ‘ who was the King of Sundance last month ‘ and Sir Ben Kingsley steer DiCaprio through a mental maze that’s layered and harrowing. Scorsese fans won’t be disappointed. This is a horror/thriller of such grace and intelligence that it’s going to take several viewings just to get it right. But that’s all the more fun.

Among the other celebs at last night’s showing: Regis and Joy Philbin, thrilled with the news that their CD, “Just You, Just Me,” hit number 1 yesterday on amazon’s Easy Listening chart. (More impressively it’s number 104 overall). This is thanks to an appearance with David Letterman. Who says late night doesn’t sell music anymore?

Plus: co-star Michelle Williams, who’s going to have a big year (she’s also in “Blue Valentine,” now set for the fall from the Weinstein Co.). Williams did not follow the pack of Paramount peeps and the movie crew downtown to an afterparty at a new hot new eatery on Stanton Street called The Meatball Shop. “I’ve had two glasses of Champagne,” Michelle said, soberly, “and I have to get up early in the morning.”

P.S. The great character actress Celia Weston brought her buddy, actor Ron Raines, who’s licking his wounds from the cancellation of CBS’s “Guiding Light” by touring in “A Little Night Music.” Two time Oscar nominee Sylvia Miles made the scene. And no less than the magnificent Oscar winner Celeste Holm, who turns 93 on April 29th, put her stamp of approval on “Shutter Island.”

Ben Stiller-Brett Ratner Heist Gets Noah Baumbach Script

Roger Friedman
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Ben Stiller-Brett Ratner Heist Gets Noah Baumbach Script

stillerratner Ben Stiller Brett Ratner Heist Gets Noah Baumbach Script“Tower Heist,” Brett Ratner’s next film, is going full speed ahead at Universal. I’m told that Noah Baumbach has just been signed to polish up the screenplay originally written by Ted Griffin.

I wrote about this film when it first got off the ground a couple of years ago. Back then it was envisioned as a black “Ocean’s Eleven,” with Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock being talked about as the leads. (Indeed, Griffin wrote “Oceans.”)

But time does a funny thing to movie projects. “Tower Heist” now looks like it will star Ben Stiller overseeing a cast of guys that could be all colors — maybe even blue, considering recent events in film land.

The story has also changed somewhat, from being a pure heist movie to the story of a bunch of blue collar guys on a mercy mission. It turns out the main tenant of this Trump Tower-like building has bilked the employees’ pension fund in a huge Ponzi scheme. More details I don’t want to give away, but word is that Ratner, of course, would probably like James Caan to play that character. Caan recently starred in Ratner’s excellent segment of “New York, I Love You.” But all the casting, save for Stiller, is still up in the air as Baumbach toils away.

So stay tuned for more info on “Tower Heist.” It will be Ratner’s first film since “Rush Hour 3.” My personal favorite Ratner film is a well kept secret: Nicolas Cage in “Family Man.” I still get misty eyed when Tea Leoni buys Nic Cage a knock-off Zegna suit as an anniversary gift.

Baumbach, meanwhile, is just introducing his “Greenberg” film, also with Ben Stiller. If you’re looking for one of his early efforts, try “Mr. Jealousy,” a little gem. And of course, Baumbach wrote the now classic “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”

Gladys Knight Is Still a Pip

Roger Friedman
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Gladys Knight Is Still a Pip

59474668Most 65-year-olds are not working full-time.

But Gladys Knight, who’s been working since 1952, has not lost a step after almost six decades in show business.

Two weeks ago I ran into her at Quincy Jones’ “We Are the World” taping in Los Angeles. Gladys is front-and-center with Jennifer Hudson, Mya, Usher, Lil Wayne, and dozens of other younger stars. Will their careers last as long? For most, it’s unlikely.

On Friday night, by coincidence, I caught Gladys’ act at the Naples Philharmonic Hall in Florida. She came by bus from Atlanta with her band and her brother Bubba, the last remaining “Pip” and her best friend. She’s in the middle of doing six dates down South. As usual, the venue was sold out.

Backstage, Gladys exhibited not a sign of Diva-ness. She greets fans in jeans, without makeup. On stage it’s a different story. She looks about 50 tops, and wears a silver lame pants suit that shines through the huge auditorium.

The act runs just a little less than 90 minutes and covers most of the hits from her long career. At Motown, Gladys was the one who discoverd the Jackson 5 — a fact she should mention but doesn’t. She also had a hit with “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” before Marvin Gaye. Maybe she’s tired of explaining it all.

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It’s a Warner Bros. World, Despite Mel Gibson

Roger Friedman
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It’s a Warner Bros. World, Despite Mel Gibson

125034 valentines day 341x182 Its a Warner Bros. World, Despite Mel GibsonYou have to give Warner Bros. credit. They give the big studio business a good name.

Right now WB has not one or two but five of the biggest movies playing in theaters. They may not be literary triumphs, but the films are putting fannies in seats and that’s what counts.

The studio has the pedestrian “Valentine’s Day” — sort of “Love American Style” — at No. 1 with $66 million in the bank. Elsewhere WB has Denzel Washington in “The Book of Eli,” Sandra Bullock’s Oscar nomination in the surprise hit “The Blind Side,” not to mention Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law in Guy Ritchie’s muscular “Sherlock Holmes.” Of course, yes, there is the not so great “Edge of Darkness” with Mel Gibson, the most minor of these entertainments.

And all of this is between “Harry Potter” movies and after “The Hangover” surprised everyone with $277 million. Yowza.

Making movies isn’t easy, particularly ones that cost well over $100 million and come back winners. (And this from a guy who champions indies and the like!) The business is cyclical, too: you can have no hits and then have a passle of them. But with this group, Warner Bros. has to be commended. I think Alan Horn and co. will look back at this schedule as a Golden Run. Not bad!

‘Hurt Locker’ Gets Star Treatment — Momentum Grows

Roger Friedman
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‘Hurt Locker’ Gets Star Treatment — Momentum Grows

Was2879835Monday night in Hollywood: The “Hurt Locker” Oscar momentum grows.

Harrison Ford, Keanu Reeves, Robert Duvall, Charlize Theron – all were some of the hosts at a star studded gathering at Phillippe Chow restaurant. My spies say it was like an Oscar party.

Why not? “The Hurt Locker” has the DGA, the PGA and Cinematographers awards. It’s headed to a best picture win on March 7 inevitably with director Kathryn Bigelow reaping a big prize, too.

And wow, come on. When we saw “The Hurt Locker” at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2008 ‘ 2008!! ‘ it had no distributor. There was almost no money to promote it. What a great Hollywood Cinderella story!

Bigelow was the sterling star of the night, with the movie’s co-star, Oscar nominated Jeremy Renner present, too. (Anthony Mackie’s in NY about to open on Broadway.)

More awards coverage

And what a gang: everyone from legends like Angie Dickinson, Martin Landau.’Paul Mazursky, and Lou Gossett to Guy Pearce ‘ who’s seen briefly in the film ‘ as well as Brian Geraghty, and Bill Paxton, Rebecca deMornay, Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, Ray Liotta, Frances Fisher, the omnipresent Jon Voight, and the Summit Pictures crowd: Rob Friedman and’Erik Feig.

Who’s More Charitable? John Lennon or … Harry Chapin Heirs?

Roger Friedman
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Who’s More Charitable? John Lennon or … Harry Chapin Heirs?

John Lennon or Harry Chapin: Who’s turned out to be more charitable in death?

Lennon, author of hundreds of Beatles songs as well his own gigantic hits? Or beloved New Yorker Harry Chapin, who’s remembered mostly for two songs, “Cat’s in the Cradle” and “Taxi.”

Each singer-songwriter died tragically young. Lennon was 40 when he was murdered in 1980. Chapin died in a car crash at age 38 in 1981.

You’d think it was Lennon, courtesy of widow Yoko Ono. But you’d be wrong.

This came to my attention in a roundabout way over the weekend. Down in Naples, Fla., Yoko is running an art exhibition of John Lennon’s lithographs and other collectible works. The prices run into the thousands of dollars. Apparently it’s a big business. According to the press release, “Ms. Ono signs her husband’s work” since Lennon didn’t foresee what a gold mine he had before he died.

According to the Ono-Lennon release, $2 from each ticket to the exhibition goes to the Harry Chapin Southwest Florida Food Bank.

The latter organization, according to its filings on GuideStar, is impressive. Harry Chapin Southwest Food Bank has over $6 million in assets. It’s one of several food banks with the Long Island singer-songwriter’s name on it. They are all doing good works, including World Hunger Year, Long Island Cares, and the Harry Chapin Foundation.

Ono, on the other hand, is not very charitable — at least according to recorded filings. Her Spirit Foundation has about $1.3 million in assets. In 2007 she gave away just $253,000. The bulk of that went to Foster Plan Japan, which builds schools in Asia and the Far East.’Ono sent’$10,000 apiece to a grade school in Harlem and a women’s domestic crisis center in Portland, Oregon. She also’gave $322 to a British group that promotes Holocaust awareness in England. Unless she’s bypassing her own’foundation, Ono otherwise doesn’t give money either to AIDS groups or Amnesty International, Greenpeace, or any other group you might think John Lennon would have supported.

Tomorrow, Ono resurrects her long dormant but always’dissonant’Plastic Ono Band at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Tickets range from $39.90 to $150. There is no charity’involved, not even anything for Haiti.

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