SOCIAL NETWORK Actor Josh Pence Joins THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

With production on Christopher Nolan’s unbelievably anticipated The Dark Knight Rises getting ready to begin production soon, the director is filling out the rest of his cast. The latest actor to join the project is The Social Network actor Josh Pence. Heat Vision reports that the actor will take on the role of a young Ra’s Al Ghul in a flashback. Liam Neeson portrayed Al Ghul in Batman Begins, and this casting confirms reports that Nolan really is tying his trilogy together with this last installment in his Batman franchise. There are also rumors that Ra’s daughter, Talia Al Ghul will appear in The Dark Knight Rises (Marion Cotillard, perhaps?)

Now, you may not remember seeing Pence’s face in The Social Network, but that’s because you never did. Pence played opposite Armie Hammer as one half of the Winklevoss twins, but his face was digitally replaced with Hammer’s to accurately reflect the two as identical twins. The Dark Knight Rises now stars Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Juno Temple. The film hits theaters July 20^th, 2012.

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Sylvester Stallone Directing THE EXPENDABLES 2 After All?

While a sequel to Sylvester Stallone’s The Expendables has been in the works for a while, there’ve been quite a few rumors surrounding the project. Last month, it was reported that although Stallone would be returning in The Expendables 2 as an actor, he would not be directing the flick this time around. He also passed over scripting duties to Ken Kaufman (Space Cowboys) and David Agosto. Well, now it’s being reported that Stallone may in fact direct the follow-up after all.

The website Expendables Premiere (via Screen Rant) is reporting that Lionsgate and Maple Pictures have revealed that Stallone will be returning to the director’s chair for the film. However, this information has yet to be confirmed and we haven’t heard anything from Lionsgate or Maple Pictures at this time, so this could very well be one more rumor about the project. Hopefully we’ll know more soon. No details are known about the sequel, but Stallone previously stated his intention to have Bruce Willis play a “super-villain” in the film. However, uncertainty hasn’t kept the project from having a release date: The Expendables 2 is set to hit theaters on August 17^th 2012.

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Amanda Seyfried Still Talks to Ex Dominic Cooper

Amanda Seyfried has recently spoken about her heartbreak after ending her love affair with English actor Dominic Cooper... but apparently all is OK in the post-love department for these two. Has new flame Ryan Phillippe band-aided her breakup scars?

She recently said about her trip to Dominic's hometown of London: "It’s going to be a good trip and I’m not apprehensive about going back. I miss it so much and anyway he’s not going to be there. He’s away shooting, although we are very much in touch.” 

The professional and personal stars have apparently aligned for Seyfried -- she is perfectly smug with her life and is going to take some time off work to enjoy it. 

"I’m going to be having a bit of a break after the trip to London. And I’m happy. Things are looking good right now," she told the Daily Telegraph. 

So after saying she got her "heart broken pretty hard" and wasn't sure if she would be able to "open myself up to a new person" after Dominic cheated on her, Seyfried has proven herself wrong. 

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Reese Witherspoon Thinks Actresses Are Way Too Hard on Each Other

Reese Witherspoon is a good Southern girl at heart and can't believe how viciously competitive all the Hollywood A-listers are with each other. 

“When we start measuring women on their appearance… We’re just too hard on each other. Women need to be more supportive of each other, stop tearing each other apart," she said.

Another source of disappointment she has with Hollywood's M.O.? Reese can't handle that at awards shows, women are critiqued for their appearances while men get analyzed for their acting skils...which is the whole point of the events anyway. 

“I feel for these women. The guys get dressed and it’s no big deal, and they’re there because they’ve given a great performance. For every woman, it is, ‘What is she wearing?’ And none of it is about her performance or how hard she worked – and those are the women who did extraordinary work," she said. 

Reese has a pretty good point, but it's still so much more fun to compare intricate dress designs than bowties or tuxedo slacks!

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Robert Pattinson Plans Major Revenge Against the Paparazzi

Robert Pattinson was a relatively unknown actor before landing the role of a lifetime as Edward Cullen in the Twilight series, so the fact that paparazzi now follow his every move is pretty strange -- not to mention annoying. So, he's already plotting how to get the photogs back, when he's a little removed from the spotlight.

The British heartthrob told Elle.com: “You know, when the whole thing dries up and there's hardly any paparazzi around - I don't know, in 15 years or something - I like the idea of just one paparazzo coming out and trying to get a picture, and I just beat the s**t out of him. I mean - out of nowhere - when my picture's not even worth anything … and I've spent all my money, so you can't sue me!”

Pattinson, whose next role is opposite Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon in romantic dramaWater for Elephants, has developed some unusual techniques to try stop the paparazzi.

He revealed: “A bunch of paparazzi were following me, and I thought the best way to deal with it was to stop my car in the middle of the street and say, 'I'm not leaving, and I'm not going to speak to you anymore.’ They got all p***ed off because they can't just keep taking the same picture. We were in Venice by the boardwalk, and they kept trying to get all these drug dealers to come up to the car. I was just like, ‘Oh my God, this is insane.’ ”

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Anne Hathaway Felt 'So Much Joy' When Hosting the Oscars

Now that all of the post-Oscars crap talking has ended, Anne Hathaway (coined the hyper, frustrated host next to James Franco), has opened up about how she really loved the experience. 

She said on the Today show: “The experience was so big. The bigness of it was so overwhelming. But at the same time I felt so much joy to get to be a part of movie history. You know, the critics were tough. They said we were the worst show ever. I think that qualifies as tough!"

The failed chemistry between a very theatrical Hathaway and a very stoned -- or tired -- Franco set off a media fire of criticism. But regardless of their half-awkward performance, Hathaway says she's just proud to say she was an Oscars host in the first place. 

“There was the critical reaction, which was awful. Then there are the people who have been coming up to me since then who stop and say, 'I thought it was fantastic," she said. "I still got to walk out at the Kodak and see those people and someday I'll get to tell my grandkids about it."

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Nicole Richie: I'm NOT Pregnant

Nicole Richie wants to set the record straight: There is NO baby bump. The starlet and mother of 2 is definitely not prego, contrary to recent rumors. 
She issued a statement about the buzz (via Us magazine): "Contrary to recent speculation, I am not pregnant. This irresponsible reporting continues to feed an atmosphere of self-doubt and insecurity. To publicly point out a change in anyone's body is mean spirited and cruel. People's bodies change and change again. This is not newsworthy and is a waste of valuable media space that should be used for more important issues."The star and Joel Madden already have two kids, Harlow and Sparrow, and might have more kids down the line, but certainly not anytime soon.

During a January interview she said: "I don't think it's fair to ask someone that had two [children] back to back if they're going to have another one. Right now I'm like, 'Nooo!'," the former Simple Life star said, laughing, "But you never know. I need a nap!"

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Sheila Ki Jawani finds its way to Lifestyle India Fashion Week

 Designer James Ferreira’s line at the ongoing Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) was inspired by Aesop’s fable “The Hare and The Tortoise,” and while the audience was wowed by it, the surprise of the show was an impromptu jig by the designer on “Sheila Ki Jawani” in a hot-pant and a T-shirt with a long overcoat.

The Mumbai-based designer was showcasing at the WIFW for the first time.

While the business-to-business event is extremely focused on serious work, the popular item-number from the film “Tees Mar Khan” electrified the environment as it started playing in the background when the designer came to take his bow.

First, the models started the jig and soon Ferreira joined them and the entire spectacle was well received by the audience who cheered and applauded.

The show was different right from the word go.

Three models came together on the ramp while in the background the “The Hare and The Tortoise” story was being played. Suddenly two models started talking in the middle of the ramp, while the third model walked till the front – enacting the story and giving and message “slow and steady wins the race.”

Ferreira picked up on tortoise because he wanted to give the audience the message that tortoise too is an endangered species even while the whole world is talking about tiger, an organiser said.

The well-structured garments and signature drapes of Ferreira were put together with pleating and tucking in the hues of moss green, golden yellow, teal blue and burnt sienna in fabrics like Italian silk, heavy wool in A-line shapes. Hence the line had dresses, long overcoats and shrugs paired with pink stockings.

“While designing my clothes, I think about the comfort level. While I design dresses, I think about a sari, so I drape my garments the way a sari is draped,” Ferreira said.

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Natalie Portman Not Giving In to 'Black Swan' Controversy

 Natalie Portman has broken her silence over the "Black Swan" ballet double controversy, insisting she won't "give in" to the gossip that is threatening to ruin the magic of the film. The actress' role as a troubled dancer has come under increasing scrutiny since she won the 2011 Best Actress Academy Award in February, with critics claiming her dancing double, American Ballet Theater star Sarah Lane - and not Portman - deserves the credit for the film's most breathtaking sequences.

In a Wall Street Journal essay on her movie experience, Lane insists Portman only performed five per cent of the ballet routines in the finished film, while the actress insists she worked hard to perfect her dancing skills - and performed about 75 per cent of what is seen in Black Swan. Director Darren Aronofsky, co-star Mila Kunis and Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied, who is Portman's fiance, have all defended the actress, as have studio bosses at Fox Searchlight - the company behind the movie.

Now Portman has finally spoken out to address the rumors she was not involved in the movie's complex ballet sequences. She tells E! News, "I had a chance to make something beautiful with this film and I don't want to give in to the gossip."

And Portman has dismissed speculation she intentionally omitted Lane from her acceptance speech at the Academy Awards. She says, "I don't remember my Oscar speech at all. And I'm actually too embarrassed to watch it."

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Natalie Portman Not Naked in 'Your Highness'

 Natalie Portman has cleared up rumors suggesting she stripped for a swimming scene in new film "Your Highness", insisting it was too cold for her to take a dip naked. The "Black Swan" star appears naked from behind in the titillating scene - but she has revealed a body double was the one baring all.

She explains, "There's one shot that's me and the shot of her diving into the water is a body double, because I didn't wanna go in the water - it was really, really cold." The scene hit the headlines recently after producers were forced to cover the naked body double up for the film's trailer. A black bikini outfit was digitally added to the clip.

In "Your Highness", Natalie takes the role of a warrior princess named Isabel. Joining her in the cast ensemble are Danny McBride, James Franco and Zooey Deschanel. The comedy movie directed by David Gordon Green will open wide in theaters across the United States this Friday, April 8.

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Bella as Vampire and Bride on 'Breaking Dawn' Teased

 The future Bella in "The Twilight Saga's Breaking Dawn Part I" and "Part II" is foreseen. As told in the book, the mortal is going to walk down the aisle with her vampire lover and be turned to a blood-sucker herself. The first looks of Bella as Bride and vampire have been released via EW.

The images are taken from Stephanie Meyer's new book, "The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide", where readers get more sneak peek at what the bride-to-be might look like on her wedding day. The tome, which supports the four volume series, will be released on April 12 and offer fans new material like character profiles, genealogical charts, maps and more. The sketches were done by illustrator Young Kim who also did the pictures on the first "Twilight" graphic novel.

Kristen Stewart who portrays Bella in the movie series, filmed the wedding scenes on location in Canada recently. The first part of the movie will be out in U.S. theaters on November 18, followed by the second part on November 16, 2012.

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First Footage for Selena Gomez's 'Monte Carlo' Hits Web

 A trailer preview for "Monte Carlo" has emerged online in bootleg version. First debuted on MTV's "The Seven", the video gives a look at ordinary Selena Gomez, who plans to go to Paris with her friend and future stepsister. Once she is there, she enjoys luxurious life, including wearing gems and expensive gowns.

"Monte Carlo" follows three young girls, Grace, Meg, and Emma, who travels to the French capital. Things were normal before one of the girls is mistaken for a spoiled British heiress. As a result, they are caught up in a whirlwind of attention and find themselves going on a dream vacation to Monte Carlo.

In the romance comedy film, Leighton Meester stars as Meg, and Katie Cassidy plays Emma. Meanwhile, Cory Monteith, Andie MacDowell, Luke Bracey, Brett Cullen, and Pierre Boulanger take the supporting roles.

Thomas Bezucha serves behind the lens, while April Blair and Maria Maggenti team up to provide the script. In the meantime, Nicole Kidman, Denise Di Novi and Alison Greenspan serve as the producers for the film set for July 1 Stateside release.

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Pics: Leonardo DiCaprio Gets in the Action for Cell Phone Commercial

Leonardo DiCaprio has jumped into some action. The leading man of "Inception" was caught on camera recently sprinting down a street in Paris, France, but he wasn't doing so for a new action movie. Instead, he was actually shooting scenes for a Chinese mobile phone company's commercial.

During the shooting, the 36-year-old actor who stars as J. Edgar Hoover in biopic drama "J. Edgar" got into the character as he broke into a run in front of a large hotel in the City of Lights. Seemingly tireless, he repeated the dramatic dash again and again while wearing a full dark suit to get the perfect shot.

Leonardo, who has previously starred in ad campaigns for Suzuki and Tag Heuer, reportedly landed a $5 million deal with Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp. for this TV advertising campaign, which will run in Asia later this year. He has begun filming the scenes for the commercial earlier in the week, and was seen shooting in a rainy downpour.

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Natalie Portman: I'm Too Old to Smoke Weed

 Pregnant Natalie Portman is keen to distance herself from reports she likes smoking marijuana, insisting she loves stoner comedies, but no longer gets high. The Oscar winner stars in new pot comedy "Your Highness" opposite James Franco and Danny McBride, but she doesn't want fans to think she's a stoner.

She tells Entertainment Weekly magazine, "I love stoner comedies. I smoked weed in college, but I haven't smoked in years. I'm too old. I wish I was that cool, but I'm like an old lady now. I'm in bed by 10 P.M. I can't do that anymore."

Portman plays a female warrior in the comedy, which is released in the U.S. this weekend on April 8. Talking about her role, she said, "When I sat down with [director] David [Gordon Green], he was like, 'The girl's going to be funny here.' To have him be able to think of me in that way was so lucky, because [the role] is a real departure from anything I've done on film."

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Rihanna Forgives Her Abusive Father

 R&B star Rihanna has forgiven her father for his abusive, drunken ways - because she understands he came from a terrible background. The "Umbrella" singer and her dad Ronald Fenty have a fractured relationship because she still remembers walking in on him smoking crack and all the abusive incidents between her parents when he would come home drunk.

But the Bajan beauty would still do anything for her father - because she accepts he's just a product of his own violent upbringing. She tells Rolling Stone magazine, "I actually feel really bad for my father. He was abused too - he got beat up by his step-dad when he was young."

"He has resentment toward women, because he felt like his mum never protected him, and unfortunately, my mother was the victim of that. I'm not giving him excuses. Right is right and wrong is wrong. I still blame him. But I understand the source."

In the interview, Rihanna, who was badly beaten by then-boyfriend Chris Brown in 2009, recalls one savage attack at the hands of her father: "He slapped me so hard (and) I ran home with his hand print on me... This was out of nowhere."

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