BBC News Online: Entertainment

Price of Egypt proving too high

The film, an animated feature from Spielberg's company DreamWorks, is said to have had a budget of $150m and last weekend earned $14.5m in ticket sales.

DreamWorks' Jeffrey Katzenberg denies disappointment. "Would we have liked to do more? Of course. But we are setting this movie up for the holidays."

Flintstone cast hopes 'pebble-dashed'

With just one more part to be filled in the new Flintstones movie, it's certain that none of the original cast - headed by John Goodman - will be reprising their 1994 roles.

The film, now called Viva Rock Vegas, has signed Stephen Baldwin as Barney Rubble, and is said to be on the verge of hiring Kristen Johnston as Wilma.

Usual Suspects actor Baldwin and 3rd Rock from the Sun star Johnston join The Full Monty's Mark Addy as Fred Flintstone. The part of Betty Rubble still has to be cast.

Connery approached to play Bond baddie

Sean Connery is being lined up to play the villain in a forthcoming unofficial James Bond film.

The former 007 is being asked to appear as Bond's arch rival Blofeld in a new production by Independence Day creators Roland Emerich and Dean Devlin.

Liam Neeson is being lined up for the role of James Bond in the movie.

The project is being backed by Japanese entertainment giant Sony.

Downey preparing for big screen return

Troubled actor Robert Downey Jr is back in front of the cameras after spells in jail and drug rehabilitation.

In the new movie Black and White, he stars as Brooke Shields' flamboyantly bisexual husband.

The film is about a group of wealthy white New Yorkers who get involved in hip hop culture.

Black and White also stars Ben Stiller and Elijah Wood.

Studio wants Smith for a movie remake

Rap star Will Smith is being approached to star in a new version of A Star is Born.

There have been three previous versions of the film one featuring Judy Garland and another with Barbra Streisand in the mid-70s.

This time around the leading character will be male, and Warner Bros wants Men In Black star Smith for the role of a young actor who rises to stardom.

His character is helped by an older actress whose career is in decline.

I'm a big EastEnders fan, says Bowie

Rock superstar David Bowie has admitted he is hooked on EastEnders despite spending most of his time on the other side of the Atlantic.

In a three-way chat with producer Tony Visconti and Glam photographer Mick Rock on his Bowie Net Website, he said: "I LOVE EastEnders - it's the next best thing to Chekhov."

Bowie, who described himself as the "King of Queens", said he planned to spend New Year's Eve 1999 "getting laid".

Another devotedEastEnders fan is George Michael. The singer is so obsessed with the soap that he had the show featuring Tiffany's tumble jetted out to him in Los Angeles.

The singer told Capital Radio's Dr Fox: "I did ask if I could be on ... maybe I could wander in the Queen Vic and ask if I could use the bog!"

George's old friend, former Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp, joins the show in the new year and he added: "I might ask Martin if he could wear some of my old clothing on set."

Internet Links

Prince of Egypt
BowieNet
EastEnders
George Michael Official Website

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