Headlines (Scroll down for complete stories):
1. Oliver Stone and Michael Douglas Head Back to 'Wall Street'
2. Madonna’s Appeal for Mercy
3. Barbara Walters to Eject Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Seat Miss California
4. Obama’s ‘American Idol’ Invite
5. Gary Sinise’s Music Film to Debut at GI Film Festival
1. Oliver Stone and Michael Douglas Head Back to 'Wall Street'
The current economic downturn has created an opportunity for director Oliver Stone.
The filmmaker plans to shoot a sequel to the 1987 hit, “Wall Street.”
Michael Douglas has agreed to reprise his Gordon Gekko role, a character that conjures up images of the mercenary dudes who contributed to the banking crisis.
Shia LaBeouf will portray Gekko’s assistant in the new version of the flick. It remains to be seen whether LaBeouf will exhibit a conscience like Charlie Sheen’s character Bud Fox did in the original film.
The sequel is currently titled “Wall Street 2” and is scheduled to start shooting this summer.
The new storyline is supposedly “ripped from today's headlines,” and the flick will be “very big and very cool.”
Well, that’s according to 20th Century Fox spokesman — Gregg Brilliant.
2. Madonna’s Appeal for Mercy
A court ruling denying Madonna’s adoption request is under appeal, and a motion to reverse the judge’s decision is set to be heard this week in Malawi.
The singer has already adopted son David from the southeastern African country.
In order to adopt a child, Malawi law requires prospective parents to live in the country for 18 to 24 months while child welfare authorities assess a couple’s suitability.
Madonna's attempt to adopt the child, named Mercy, is being contested. Mercy’s dad is contending that the child is his. He reportedly walked out on the baby’s mom when she was pregnant, and Mercy has been living in an orphanage since her mama died.
“I want to take care of her, and I'm capable to take care of my baby,” he told CBS' “The Early Show.”
He also said that he’d like to see his daughter “grow as a Malawian as well with our culture,” and he’s written a letter asking the courts to stop the pop princess from taking his toddler away.
The grandma and uncle of Mercy are on Madonna’s side. And “Wolverine” star Hugh Jackman is defending her, too.
Jackman, who has two adopted kids of his own, said, “I challenge anyone who thinks you adopt a kid for a publicity stunt.
“Any parent knows that would have to be the most intensive publicity stunt in the world. I am sure she is coming from a good place,” he added.
Still, Mercy’s dad is aware that Madonna has millions, but he doesn’t believe that’s what makes for a good parent.
He told the U.K. Daily Mirror, “She [Madonna] doesn't portray good morals. How can a woman of 50 dance almost naked on a stage?”
“In Malawi, women respect themselves,” he added.
3. Barbara Walters to Eject Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Seat Miss California
Despite her public denials, Barbara Walters reigns supreme on ABC’s “The View.”
The media Jill of all trades calls the shots when is comes to co-hosts.
Walters shoved Rosie O’Donnell off the show a while back, and she’s about to do the same to Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
The reason for Hasselbeck’s ejection? Walters has apparently had enough of her so-called “shrilly-silly views” and “looney-toon responses,” according to the National Enquirer.
Removal of the former “Survivor” star would leave an empty chair on the hosting panel, and it’s the only slot with a conservative vantage point.
Barbara is considering Carrie Prejean, the now famous Miss California, to take Elisabeth’s place.
Prejean has displayed grace under pressure in her unwavering expression about her beliefs on marriage.
Similar to the manner in which the media treated Gov. Sarah Palin, attacks on the Miss USA runner-up have been unfair and unceasing.
Walters will likely get a lot of heat for even considering bringing on Prejean especially since the beauty contest winner is now a spokesperson for the National Organization for Marriage.
Here’s a thought: If she really wants to show independence, and maybe a smidgeon of balance, Walters ought to leave Hasselbeck on the panel and give Miss California Joy Behar’s spot.
4. Obama’s ‘American Idol’ Invite
Simon Cowell has invited President Barack Obama and his family to appear on “American Idol.”
The cantankerous chief justice of the supreme show made the invitation via a statement to the Hollywood Reporter.
“We would put out an invitation on a daily basis,” Cowell said. “I’d love him [Obama] to come on, his wife to come on, kids to come on. I could only picture now what it would be like if he actually turned up.”
As to why the prez should go on the reality show, Cowell crowed, “He’s a rock star.”
Meanwhile “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest has signaled that Cowell will leave the show after next season.
Simon himself recently suggested the same to the press, but it may have been contract negotiation posturing.
Still, Seacrest made it overt on his syndicated radio show.
“Cowell told us that he would be leaving at the end of next season,” Seacrest divulged.
Heaven help us. “Idol” minus Cowell is like Obama minus a teleprompter.
5. Gary Sinise’s Music Film to Debut at GI Film Festival
Folks in the nation’s capital will soon have a opportunity to see some footage of a Hollywood star who travels around the world entertaining the troops.
An exclusive screening of the feature film “Lt. Dan Band: The Documentary” will take place at this year’s GI Film Festival.
The movie features “CSI New York”’s Gary Sinise as he and his rock band perform at various locales for the men and women of the armed forces.
The film is directed by military veteran Jonathan Flora.
Sinise’s “Lt. Dan Band” is named after his character in Forrest Gump and gets rave reviews from military and non-military fans alike.
Placing themselves in harm’s way, too, Sinise and his band go around the globe with hopes of putting smiles on the faces of our best and bravest and simultaneously supporting grass-roots organizations that lend the military a hand.
The festival is set to run from May 11-17 at the Carnegie Institution and other D.C. area venues.
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