Actor Liam Neeson has called the government's move to abolish the UK Film Council "quite appalling", after thousands signed a petition opposing the plans. Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt announced the decision earlier this week as part of a cost-cutting initiative, despite the film council having been involved in successful releases such as The Last King of Scotland, Bend It Like Beckham and Fish Tank, among others. More than 28,000 people have now signed an online petition in support of the UK Film Council and Neeson has now added his voice to those opposing the government plans.

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:01:01

British actor and comedian Russell Brand is in talks to play a real-life action hero in a new film role. Brand, currently shooting the remake of 80s comedy Arthur, is in negotiations with 20th Century Fox for Hawkwood, an action-comedy about a legendary 15th century swordsman. According to Deadline.com, Brand would play "real-life swashbuckling figure John Hawkwood" in the film as well as producing alongside Peter Chernin and Dylan Clark.

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:01:01

Actress Lindsay Lohan is happy and healthy within prison and will bounce back after her release, her lawyer has claimed. The Mean Girls star is expected to be released from a California women's facility after serving two weeks of a 90-day jail sentence. Lohan, 24, was sentenced earlier this month for violating the terms of her probation order stemming from her 2007 drink-driving arrest.

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:01:01

Actor Michael Sheen will portray another real-life figure in the new video from the Manic Street Preachers, it has been revealed. The Welsh actor is famed for his ability to capture iconic 20th century personalities on film, playing Tony Blair in The Queen and Brian Clough in The Damned United, as well as taking on the likes of Kenneth Williams and Sir David Frost. And for his next role, Sheen will portray Russian chess master Gary Kasparov in the video for the Manics' new single (It's Not War) Just The End Of Love.

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:01:01

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has welcomed a second apology from filmmaker Oliver Stone over remarks he made that were perceived to be anti-Semitic. While promoting his new film South of the Border, Stone had given an interview to the Sunday Times in he which talked of the "Jewish domination of the media" and claimed: "Israel has f***** up United States foreign policy for years." The ADL had criticised the conspiratorial tone of Stone's remarks and later attacked the wording of his subsequent apology.

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:01:01

The star of a hit viral advertisement for Old Spice body products has been cast in an upcoming Jennifer Aniston film, he has confirmed. Former NFL player Isaiah Mustafa shot to fame in the last month in a series of Emmy-nominated adverts for Old Spice, leading to a reported 107 per cent rise in the brand's sales and a talent agreement with the NBC network for Mustafa, now known as the Old Spice Man. And speaking to the Hollywood Reporter about his future career plans, Mustafa confirmed he has won a role alongside Aniston and Jason Bateman in upcoming comedy Horrible Bosses.

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:01:01

US singer Katy Perry has explained her faith in Russell Brand's parenting skills convinced her to get engaged to the British comedian. The California Gurls star and Get Him to the Greek actor were engaged in January while holidaying in India and are set to marry later this year. Speaking during a YouTube interview with fans, 25-year-old Perry admitted she has already thought about starting a family with 34-year-old Brand.

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:01:01

Actor Edi Gathegi is the latest addition to the cast of upcoming comic book film X-Men: First Class, reports claim. Gathegi, who played vampire Laurent in the first two films in The Twilight Saga, will reportedly star as a mutant named Darwin, the first bi-racial character to appear in the X-Men comics. Conceived by X-Men director Bryan Singer and written by Stardust screenwriter Jane Goldman, X-Men: First Class is due to begin filming next month, with a June 2011 release planned.

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:01:01

Imprisoned actress Lindsay Lohan is hopeful of being permitted to spend time with her family before entering a rehabilitation facility, according to her lawyer. The Mean Girls star has been an inmate at a women's facility in Lynwood, California, since July 20th as part of a 90-day prison sentence for violating the terms of her probation relating to her 2007 arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol. The 24-year-old's term is to be reduced due to overcrowding at the jail but she must complete a mandatory three months in rehab after leaving prison, a court order currently worrying the actress, said her attorney Shawn Chapman Holley.

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:01:01

Two-time Man Booker Prize winner Peter Carey is one of 13 authors named on the longlist for the 2010 award. The Australian author won the prestigious award in 1988 for Oscar and Lucinda and again in 2001 for the True History of the Kelly Gang. Nominated in 2010 for his new novel Parrot and Oliver in America, Carey is the 3/1 early bookmakers' favourite to scoop the 2010 Booker and become the first ever author to win the award three times.

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:01:01