Jessica Biel cast in The Incredible Hulk?
Rumor has it that Jessica Biel (Blade: Trinity) has signed on to play Betty Ross in the new re-imagining of The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton. We are unable to confirm this news bit which has begun to spread across the internet. The Spider-Man 3 junket happened this weekend in Los Angeles, and one can only assume that this rumor has an origin there, as producer Avi Arad was on location. We will update you on the details when we get a confirmation or denial.
The character of Betty Ross first met Bruce Banner, while he was head scientist on her father’s top-secret weapon project, that transformed Banner into The Hulk. Banner tried to keep his condition secret from Betty, which only served to alienate them. Ross was played by Jennifer Connelly in the failed Ang Lee adaptation of The Hulk.
Norton and Biel worked together in the 2006 magical period drama The Illusionist.
Transporter director Louis Leterrier is at the helm. The movie will be “re-interpreted to be closer to the comic book” than Ang Lee’s 2003 Hulk. Leterrier has said that in the film, he planned to show Bruce Banner’s struggle with the monster within him, describing it as Marvel’s horror movie, “Frankenstein meets Jekyll and Hyde with a little bit of Edward Scissorhands.” Avi Arad describes the film as “more of a love story, it’s more of a heroic Hulk. It’s a kind of Hulk we loved in the show, so it’s kind of more influenced by the show than anything else. It’s very human, very touching, and huge action.” Zak Penn (X2, Elektra, X-Men: The Last Stand, Last Action Hero) wrote the script.
Marvel has announced a June 13th 2008 release.
Keira Knightley Beckons The 1930’s In “Atonement”
Keira Knightley Beckons The 1930’s In “Atonement”
It’s always cool to see actors and actresses stretch themselves in new roles. And Keira Knightley is taking a leap in her newest film Atonement.
The Pirates of the Caribbean hottie is going retro for her new movie. It’s being hailed as the big British period drama of the year, and Keira’s all the rage.
Knightley plays Cecilia Tallis, a young woman spending the summer on her family’s country estate. Also starring in the film is James McAvoy (Becoming Jane, The Chronicles of Narnia).
The Oscar buzz is already in the air for this unique film. And Keira will bring an authenticity to the role that only she can pull off. She looks the part and executes the scenes flawlessly, according to an insider.
Elizabeth Hurley Biography
This strikingly beautiful brunette actor and model’s first brush with fame in the USA sprang from her relationship with actor Hugh Grant. Hurley first gained the limelight in a revealing dress at the premiere of Grant’s star-making vehicle “Four Weddings and a Funeral” (1994). The following year, he was embroiled in a public sex scandal and the tabloid press stalked the couple mercilessly. But Hurley managed to emerge somewhat from Grant’s shadow when she was chosen as Estee Lauder’s spokesmodel and with the release of her first venture as a producer, Grant’s starring thriller “Extreme Measures” (1996).
Born and raised in London, Hurley began her acting career with a touring company that took her to Asia and the Middle East. She went through an everything-pierced punk period, formed a dance troupe, Vile Bodies, and appeared on British TV. Several of her British performances made it to US screens, including her starring role in “Christabel” (PBS, 1989) and a spot in “Rumpole and the Barrow Boy” (PBS, 1989). More recently, she has starred alongside Edward Woodward in the UPN crime movies “The Shamrock Conspiracy” (1995) and “Harrison: Cry of the City” (1996), and as the Biblical barber in “Samson and Delilah” (TNT, 1996).
Hurley entered feature films in 1987 with a role in Bruce Beresford’s segment of the operatic anthology “Aria”. The part required her to lip sync and appear nude. She next appeared with Grant (who played Lord Byron) in the Spanish film “Rowing With the Wind” (1988). Her next few assignments were far-flung: England (the period drama “The Orchid House,” 1991, and the thriller “Beyond Bedlam, 1993), Germany (the thriller “Skipper–Bloody Atlantic,” 1991) and Spain (the Civil War drama “El Largo Invierno,” 1992). Hurley’s US debut came with a supporting role as a terrorist in the Wesley Snipes starrer “Passenger 57″ (1992). Hurley next starred with Mike Myers in the spy spoof “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” and with Ice Cube in the action flick “Dangerous Grou nd” (both 1997).
When Hurley announced her pregnancy in 2001, her then boyfriend Stephen Bing immediately released a statement saying he was not in an exclusive relationship with Hurley and was not sure he was the father. Hurley was devestated and outraged but remained composured as Bing was pummelled in the press. Her ex-beau of 13 years, Hugh Grant, comforted Hurley through this difficult time and was said to be present at the child’s birth. A month after the birth, a DNA test proved Bing was in fact the father. Bing stated that he was “pleased” with the results and would be involved in the child’s upbringing. Hurley next appeared in a romantic comedy starring opposite Matthew Perry titled “Serving Sara,” released in August 2002.
- Born:
on 06/10/1965 in London, England - Job Titles:
Actor, Producer, Model
Family
- Brother: Michael Hurley. younger
- Sister: Katie Hurley. older
- Son: Damian Charles Hurley. born on April 4. 2002
Significant Others
- Companion: Arun Nair. reportedly dating as of January 2003
- Companion: Charles Dean. Dean is also the son of soft drinks magnate; rumored to be dating
- Companion: Hugh Grant. born on September 9, 1960; together from 1986; formed Simian Films together; mutually decided to separated in April 2000; announced separation in May
- Companion: Stephen Bing. born c. 1964; dated for about a year and a half in 2000 and 2001; father of her son
- Companion: Ted Forstmann. reportedly dated in 2000
Education
- London Studio Centre, London, England
Milestones
- 1986 Played the leading role in the TV drama “Christabel” by Dennis Potter (shown in USA in 1989 on PBS)
- 1987 Feature film debut, “Aria”
- 1988 First feature lead, opposite Hugh Grant, in “Rowing with the Wind”
- 1992 First US feature “Passenger 57″
- 1995 Chosen as model for Estee Lauder cosmetics and perfumes
- 1996 Cast in female lead in TNT miniseries “Samson and Delilah”
- 1996 Feature debut as producer, “Extreme Measures”
- 1997 Had breakthrough comic screen role as Mike Myers’ leading lady in “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery”
- 1998 Played the wife of a drug addicted writer (Ben Stiller) in “Permanent Midnight”
- 1999 Briefly reprised role in the comedy sequel “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me”
- 1999 Co-starred in “EDtv”
- 1999 Second producing venture, “Mickey Blue Eyes”, a fish out of water comedy starring Hugh Grant
- 2000 Fined $100,000 by the Screen Actors Guild for making a commercial while the union was striking against advertisers
- 2000 Had supporting role in “The Weight of Water”; released in USA in 2001
- 2000 Played a sexy temptress in the remake of “Bedazzled”
- 2002 Co-starred in the comedy “Servicing Sara”
- Expelled from drama school
- Formed Simian Productions with Hugh Grant
- Formed dance troupe, Vile Bodies
- Moved with her family every eighteen months when she was growing up due to father’s army career
- Toured in theater productions in Asia and the Middle East
Melissa Gilbert Biography
This sensitive, delicately pretty leading actor, mostly on TV, came to fame as a girl playing Laura Ingalls on the NBC period drama series, “Little House on the Prairie” (1974-82), based on the stories by the adult Ingalls. Gilbert has made few feature film appearances, but kept busy on the small screen, for a time recreating famous suffering teenager film roles in TV-movies like “The Miracle Worker” (1979), “The Diary of Anne Frank” (1980) and “Splendor in the Grass” (1981). She remained very prolific and gradually managed the transition to adult roles in TV-movies including “Choices” (1986), “Forbidden Nights” (1990) and “A Family of Strangers” (1993). Gilbert also occasionally tried TV series again, but “Little House: A New Beginning” (1982-83), “Stand By Your Man” (1992) and “Sweet Justice” (1994) didn’t catch on. In 1995, she married actor Bruce Boxleitner.
Gilbert continued to star in a regular slate of TV movies of varying distinction throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, but in those years was perhaps best known for a behind-the-scenes roll, elected in 2001 as president of the Screen Actors Guild. Gilbert was a highly visible and occasionally controversial leader for the thespian’s union, presiding over several bitterly fought negotiations than frequently prompted divisions and personal animosity within SAG’s ranks–Nevertheless, she was eleceted to a second term in a viciously contended election in 2003. By 2005, however, she had her fill of fighting political battles and chose not to run for a third term, claiming that she felt she could no longer bear the tensions within the union and that the damaged relations between herself and fellow officials could never be healed.
- Also Credited As:
Melissa E. Gilbert, Melissa Gilbert-Brinkman - Born:
on 05/08/1964 in Los Angeles, California - Job Titles:
Actor, Director
Family
- Brother: Jonathan Gilbert. born in 1967; appeared on “Little House on the Prairie”
- Father: Paul Gilbert. adoptive father; deceased
- Grandfather: Harry Crane. died of cancer on September 13, 1999 at age 85
- Grandmother: Julia Crane. former Miss Brooklyn
- Half-sister: Sara Gilbert. born in 1975; co-starred in the series “Roseanne”
- Mother: Barbara Crane Cowan. adoptive mother
- Son: Dakota Paul Brinkman. born on May 1, 1989; at age nine, went to live with father in Texas
- Son: Michael Garrett Boxleitner. born on October 6, 1995; born 2 1/2 months prematurely; named for actor Michael Landon
- Step-father: Warren Cowan.
- Step-son: Lee Davis Boxleitner. born in 1985
- Step-son: Sam Boxleitner. born in 1980
Significant Others
- Husband: Bo Brinkman. married February 21, 1988; divorced
- Husband: Bruce Boxleitner. married January 1, 1995; starred in the cyber-film “Tron” (1982)
- Companion: Dylan McDermott. dated briefly
- Companion: Rob Lowe. together c. 1982 to 1987; engaged
- Companion: Tom Cruise. dated in 1982
Milestones
- 1974 Played Laura Ingalls on “Little House on the Prairie” (NBC)
- 1977 TV-movie debut, “Christmas in Caulfield, USA”
- 1979 Feature debut, provided voice for animated film “Nutcracker Fantasy”
- 1979 Producing debut TV-movie, “The Miracle Worker”
- 1985 Feature acting debut “Sylvester”
- 1992 Debut as regular in comedy series, “Stand By Your Man” (Fox)
- 1993 Co-starred with husband Bruce Boxleitner in the NBC movie “House of Secrets”, a loose remake of “Diabolique”
- 1995 Had title role in the NBC miniseries “Danielle Steel’s ‘Zoya’”; Boxleitner co-starred
- 1996 Directed sister Sara in “Me and My Hormones”, an “ABC Afterschool Special”
- 1997 Headlined the TV-movie, “Seduction in a Small Town” (ABC)
- 1999 Portrayed a widow in the CBS TV-movie “The Soul Collector”
- 2000 Cast in title role of a woman with psychic abilities in CBS’ “A Vision of Murder: The Story of Donielle”
- 2001 Appeared as the victim of a stalker in “Sanctuary” (CBS)