GRAPE VINE

GRAPE VINE

Ron Howard may direct WB's THE JUNGLE BOOK

Oddly enough, there are multiple full feature “The Jungle Book” productions in progress for the silver screen. One is a live-action adaptation from Walt Disney Pictures, with Jon Favreau set to direct from a screenplay written by Justin Marks, set for theaters in Fall 2015. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. has been taking measures to get its own live-action Jungle Book movie off and running, with a script from Callie Kloves, set for October 2015 release. Oscar-winner Ron Howard is in talks to direct WB's Jungle Book, filling the hole that was left after filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu left the project a month ago. Howard is currently in post-production on Heart of the Sea – a drama about the real-life doomed sea voyage that inspired Herman Melville's novel Moby Dick – but it sounds as though WB would like Howard to make the Kipling adaptation his next directorial effort, while serving as producer alongside Steve Kloves (who was originally in line to take the helm).

ELLEN PAGE comes out of the closet

The star of 'X Men: Days of Future Past' reveals her sexual preference in a speech at a Time to THRIVE conference in Las Vegas, saying, 'I'm here today because I am gay. And because maybe I can make a difference. To help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility," she said at the conference which promotes the welfare of LGBT youth. I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission. I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered. And I'm standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain," she continued, adding that being in limelight contributed to the inner struggle. After making the speech, the 26-year-old actress took to Twitter to thank everyone for the support. "Thank you @HRC and everyone for all the love and support. X," she wrote.

Steaming Koffee concoctions  with Karan Johar!

Abhishek Bachchan and Farah Khan might go down as the most shocking and spontaneous guests ever on Koffee With Karan. We all knew that Karan Johar is fond of dancing and can shake a leg but we didn't know that his fourth season as television host would actually have a music video. But with Junior B and madcap Farah, anything is possible. Junior B tells KJo that he has been trying to replicate his I am back song but can't outshine him. He then insists on seeing Karan's back which he says is very nice. Before the shocked filmmaker can react, Junior B has twirled him around with his back to the audience. A poker faced Abhishek asks KJo if he is his most-frequent guest on the show. KJo confirms he is. Abhishek and Farah perform the I am back act all over again in sync with one another. The two then coax (a by now worried) Karan to dance with them.

Tracy and Hepburn's hollywood affair set to become a movie

The affair between Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn is being turned into a movie. Permut Presentations and Reunion Pictures are pursuing the project with David Rambo tapped to write the script. The film is expected to start with Tracy's meeting with Hepburn at MGM for their first film together, "Woman of the Year" in 1942, and will end with his death in 1967 after the frequent co-stars worked together on "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner".  Tracy's relationship with Hepburn was an open secret in Hollywood. Throughout their affair, he was married to actress Louise Treadwell but the married couple did live separate lives. They have two children together, a son and a daughter.  Hepburn and Tracy's relationship lasted until his passing. They did not live together until the final years of his life, and she never discussed their relationship publicly until 1980s after Louise died. Hepburn herself passed away in 2003. She was 96. She and Tracy starred in at least nine films together.

Richard Gere joins The Best Exotic  Marigold Hotel 2 team in Rajasthan

Hollywood actor Richard Gere reportedly joined the crew of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2 in Udaipur in Rajasthan. The cast of the sequel directed by John Madden comprises a distinguished bouquet of British and Indian troupers both old and young, including Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith, Dev Patel, Tina Desae and Lilette Dubey. Though Richard Gere has visited India several times as a goodwill ambassador for AIDS campaigns and for his Buddhist activities, this is the first time that he will shoot for a film in the country. Gere's love interest is being played by Indian actress Lilette Dubey.

 

 

KATE UPTON  Designs Beanies

Adding clothing designer to her impressive portfolio, Kate Upton helped create a new line of beanies for the new Neff Hope Love Collection in order to support Stand Up to Cancer. Adding her own personal touch to the collection of hats, the 21-year-old's line will donate 10% of all sales up to $20,000 to the charity, and are currently on sale at NeffHeadwear.com. The sexy supermodel will appear in 'The Other Woman' on the silver screen in April 2014 and will also be featured in the upcoming issue of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.

 

 

Sridevi approached for comedy & drama films 

Bollywood veteran Sridevi, who made a comeback on the silver screen with a sterling performance in English Vinglish has been approached for a comedy and drama film. "There are two-three subjects lined up including a comedy, drama and a revenge drama film. Srideviji and Boneyji (producer husband Boney Kapoor) have shortlisted a couple of stories but we are looking to sign a right director," sources close to the actress said. "She (Sridevi) wants to do a film which a family audience can enjoy and also her role has to be exceptional," the source said. The decision on which project the 50-year-old star will kickstart will be taken in two-three months. "Besides, there are other subjects also. It is not decided if Boneyji will be producing these films," the source said.

 

 

Nargis Fakhri: Women should do what they feel like

Actress Nargis Fakhri believes that women should turn a deaf ear to criticism and do what they want to do. "Everyone will criticise everything. They're human beings. It's their nature. Everyone has their own viewpoints and perspective on what beauty is," Nargis told IANS. "Each woman should do what she feels like. It's about yourself. What you wear, be it extensions or lip plumper or short skirt, it's up to you," added the actress, who made her Bollywood debut with Rockstar. On February 12, she crowned Shree Radhe Khanduja as the winner of Veet Be the Diva season 3 campaign. She also honoured first and second runners-up Shefali Roy and Rishita Shah respectively. "We had a lovely time judging. Out of 10 lovely ladies, three were crowned. I liked the platform Veet is giving to young women - an opportunity to showcase their confidence, beauty and personality," said the actress.