Everything in place for Jennifer Aniston, Mena Suvari to co-star as sisters
At this writing the film doesn’t have a title, but everything else is in place for Jennifer Aniston and Mena Suvari to co-star as sisters in the story of a wedding that brings all sorts of characters together. Also set are Shirley MacLaine, Kevin Costner and Mark Ruffalo. George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh are producing. … And yes. That is Mena’s given name. She’s of Estonian and Greek descent, but was born in Newport, R.I.
The night of Oct. 1 will be a big and exciting one for the Penn’s. It’s the AFI Gala celebrating “an outstanding family in the entertainment community.” The Penn family consists of the late director Leo Penn; his wife, Eileen; son Sean and his wife, Robin Wright Penn; plus Michael, Aimee and Chris, Sean’s siblings. There has never been any denial of Sean’s acting talents — he’s one of the best. BUT, until a few years ago he wasn’t always the nicest in person. However, time and Robin seem to have softened him up a bit, and now you may get an occasional smile in public.
Hard to believe Sean Connery recently turned 72, but easy to believe he is still “veree sexy.” And now he has committed to writing his autobiography after having sworn he never would. The deal is set with Harper-Collins publishers, and now we await the words. It will be interesting to see how much of his personal life he reveals. BUT don’t expect it until 2006.
Tobey Maguire is again the BIG man in town. Can you believe “Spider-Man 2” set a record — the biggest first six days in history! The take was $180 million at the North American box office. … And for those of you who want to know all about Tobey — here ‘tis. You’re likely to run into him on any night at one of the Sunset Strip clubs, a lot of times with his friend Leonardo DiC. He was a high-school dropout and was planning to study culinary arts when his mother offered him $100 to go for drama. He did. He doesn’t take drugs or eat meat; he does do yoga. He trains intensively for all his roles, e.g., riding for “Seabiscuit,” gymnastics and martial arts for “Spiderman.” The last I heard he was in a relationship with Rashida Jones.
Bits ‘N’ Pieces:
• I was particularly shocked by Marlon Brando’s death because shortly before, I had been sent a release that he was well enough to sign on for a movie.
•Kirstie Alley’s working at losing 100 pounds. Golly, if I lost 100 pounds there would be only four pounds of me left.
•This time it’s Paris Hilton in a short pink mini and bra-like top chasing her tiny pooch Tinker Bell around the Beverly Hills Hotel.
•Aside to Beverly B. of Oxnard, Calif. As far as I know, Tom Cruise is not “dating” anyone steadily. There are still those who believe Tom and Nicole will end up together, but she swears “NO!”.
•And to Benita H. of Tucson, Ariz. Yes. I heard about the death of Kirk Douglas’ son Eric. Sadly he’s been much troubled, and on “things” for many years. As much pleasure as Michael and his family have given Kirk, Eric caused only sorrow and sadness.
•Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas at the “Shrek 2” premiere in London wearing matching black jackets, black pants and white shirts.
•And that WAS Drew Barrymore, looking quite prim and proper pushing a cart up and down the aisles of a Food Mart in West Hollywood.
•Hard to believe Sharon Stone hasn’t had a hit since the mid-‘90s, but she sure acts like it.
•And did you know Diane Keaton was born Diane Hall? Interesting that her best-known flick was titled … “Annie Hall.”