Today’s world too gritty for E.T., Spielberg says
AUDIENCES THESE DAYS are more ready for a “War of the Worlds” than an “E.T.,” says Steven Spielberg.
“It seemed like the time was right for me as a filmmaker to let the audience experience an alien that is a little less pleasant than E.T.,” Spielberg says.
His “War of the Worlds” remake, starring Tom Cruise, opens June 29.
Spielberg notes that the panic-causing radio play of H.G. Wells‘ alien invasion novel was produced in the late 1930s, when many feared the rise of Naziism in Germany.
And the original 1953 movie, “The War of the Worlds,” was made during the Cold War.
“All occurred at a time of great unease in the world,” he says. “Today, in the shadow of 9/11, I think the (new) film has found a place in society.”
Spielberg’s previous sci-fi projects include 1982’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” and 1977’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”
Yeah, that’s the ticket
Brooke Shields tells People magazine she’s willing to drop her public war of words with Tom Cruise.
“If he comes to see me in ‘Chicago’ (in London),” Shields says, “I’ll see him in ‘War of the Worlds.’ “
Shields, 40, lashed out at Cruise after he criticized her on “Access Hollywood” for using antidepressants to ease her postpartum depression, as described in her new memoir, “Down Came the Rain.”
Oh, don’t get your nose out of joint
Not everyone was enchanted Wednesday when Salem, Mass., officials unveiled a statue of Elizabeth Montgomery, who played Samantha Stephens in the 1960s television show “Bewitched.”
Some say the statue trivializes the tragic events that occurred during the Salem “witch trials” in 1692. Others complain it’s nothing but an ad for the upcoming “Bewitched” movie starring Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell.
The TV Land cable network has placed statues of other famous sitcom characters around the country, including one of bus driver Ralph Kramden of “The Honeymooners” in New York and one of Mary Richards of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in Minneapolis.
Sounds like Kid took off the gloves
A disc jockey has sued Kid Rock for $575,000, claiming the singer punched him at an adult entertainment club in Nashville in February.
Jerry Campos is seeking $500,000 in punitive damages and $75,000 in compensatory damages.
On Monday, Kid Rock (born Bob Ritchie) pleaded no contest to criminal assault and was given a suspended sentence of 11 months and 29 days in jail. He also was ordered to complete eight hours of anger management classes and pay $180 to replace Campos’ eyeglasses.
Destin-ESPN’s child
Destiny’s Child will perform at the ESPY Awards in one of the Grammy-winning trio’s final national TV appearances before its members pursue solo careers.
Beyonce, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams announced their plans to disband at a recent concert in Barcelona, Spain. Their final concert is slated to take place in Vancouver, B.C., on Sept. 10.
ESPN’s ESPY sports awards show will be taped July 13 and will air on the sports cable channel four days later.
The birthday bunch
Actor Peter Lupus (TV’s “Mission: Impossible”) is 73. Singer Barry Manilow is 59. Comedian Joe Piscopo is 54. Actor Mark Linn-Baker (“Perfect Strangers”) is 51. Director Bobby Farrelly (“There’s Something About Mary”) is 47. Actor Thomas Haden Church is 44. Actor Greg Kinnear is 41. Actor Jason Patric is 39. Actor-rapper Herculeez (Herculeez and Big Tyme) is 20.