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25-3-2000OSCAR PREVIEW
i kids! We are presenting something of an abbreviated edition of the Cate News this week. Usually we put the issue to bed on Sunday (Los Angeles)/Monday (Melbourne), but, seeing as there are Oscar festivities to concentrate on, we are assembling a ~Rush Edition~ so we can belly up to the bar along with everyone else.
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On the Oscar front, we are happy to report the lost statuettes have been found in a dumpster in LA. Seems the thieves panicked and trashed them--the gent who uncovered them, after some deliberation apparently, did the right thing and turned them in, earning himself a $50,000 reward along with seats for himself and his son at the Oscar ceremony. Not too bad for a day's work, eh?
Elsewhere, in bits and pieces of articles related to our Cate:
Even being a presenter, as our Cate will be, apparently has its rewards.
USA Today columnist Jeannie Williams reports today that at rehearsals for the Oscars on Friday goodie baskets, put together by Katy Sweet and Ass., will be handed out to 115 nominees, presenters and performers.Besides a thank-you note from Richard and Lili Fini Zanuck, the baskets will contain: Bally Havana loafers, an eGo portable MP3 player, a pashmina wrap from Pamela Dennis, a TAG Heuer 2000 Chronograph watch, a lifetime AOL VIP membership, Ritz-Carlton and Quail Lodge (Carmel) getaways, a Sports Club/LA bicoastal membership, an autographed Joe Di Maggio baseball, as well as candy, liquor, clothing, jewelry and cosmetics. Moreover, Williams writes, the acting and directing nominees already have received the new Motorola V cell phone (prior to its release) that is only 1.5 inches wide and 3.4 inches long.
As for where the stars are hanging this Oscar weekend, Elle Macpherson, Dame Judi Dench and Anthony Minghella are hanging out at the Four Seasons. Naomi Campbell is at the Hotel Bel-Air, as is Robert De Niro - which could be interesting if they bump into each other by the swimming pool as they had a dramatic break-up. Jude Law and Sadie Frost are at the Bel-Air, so is Terence Stamp, and our Cate.
And, regarding Oscar fashion, publicist for LA company People's Revolution, Ted Byrne is experienced in trying to get the right people to wear a designer's clothes. "It's hard work," he says, "because there aren't that many girls to go after."
Byrne thinks the hottest tickets to dress this year are Hilary Swank ("There's a buzz about her"), Julianne Moore, Cate Blanchett ("She's got the body"), Gwyneth Paltrow, Selma Hayek, Charlize Theron and Jennifer Lopez. Bloch adds Heather Graham to the list ("She's so sexy and so pretty and wears clothes so well") and Lucy Lui, who will be presenting (and is tipped to be wearing Versace). According to Bloch, actresses who go out on a limb in their image are less in demand.
"Cameron [Diaz] has worn so many odd outfits recently that designers don't look to her so much now. And Drew [Barrymore], she does her own thing." Similarly Chloe Sevigny, with her penchant for vintage YSL and brand-new St Martins graduates, is considered a wild card.
CATE PROJECTS
his story is odd in that we just passed on info last week to our friend Gabbie of Billy Bob Thornton website fame regarding the fact that Billy Bob was being courted for the new Bruce Willis film. Now, here a week later it explodes all over the trades that Cate is signed for the film!!
T As reported in VARIETY: Blanchett bagged by MGM's 'Outlaws'
By MICHAEL FLEMING, ANGELINA CHEN, March 23, 2000Cate Blanchett has committed to star with Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton in "Outlaws," the romantic comedy that Barry Levinson will direct for MGM. Shooting starts in September.
Scripted by Harley Peyton, pic is based on a true story about a pair of bank robbers who wind up fighting over the affections of a woman who they may or may not have kidnapped during a heist.
Blanchett, who has been wooed for more major roles lately than just about any actress in Hollywood, agreed Tuesday to play the female lead in the project, which is being called a contemporary "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."
Pending the finalization of Thornton's deal, Blanchett and Thornton look set to reteam, having co-starred in 1999's "Pushing Tin" for Mike Newell.
Monday, Blanchett will wrap the Sam Raimi-directed ensemble pic "The Gift." She will then spend a month playing the role of Elven queen Galadriel in New Line's adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings." She could fit in another movie before fall, or go directly into the MGM pic.
"Outlaws" is produced by Hyde Park Entertainment partners David Hoberman and Ashok Amritraj, along with Paula Weinstein, Michael Birnbaum and Michele Berk.
Blanchett, like Thornton and Willis, is repped by William Morris.We have since learned that filming will take place primarily in Las Vegas.
On another project front, until last week VARIETY reported that Cate was being hotly courted for this film, until her booked schedule made it impossible to take part...
Julianne Moore, is in now in final talks to star in "I Was Amelia Earhart" at Fine Line Features. Produced by Harry and Mary Jane Ufland, the film is based on the 1996 fictionalized bio from Jane Mendelsohn. "Earhart" is being helmed by Fred Schepisi ("Six Degrees of Separation," "Roxanne"), who is also rewriting the script.
It was reported that fellow Aussie Fred strongly wanted Cate, and that she was very interested. However, until that Cate clone comes through, it was simply impossible. A deal for Moore would require that "Earhart" be shot immediately following "Hannibal".
ODDS AND SODS
any of our fellow Blanchetteers are fans of the exquisite Ralph Fiennes, even before he played Oscar to Cate’s Lucinda. Consequently, we try and keep abreast of his career. Accordingly, the following little bit caught our eye…
M NO LONGER PATIENT, PERFORMERS DEMAND MONEY FOR PATIENT
Ralph Fiennes and Kristen Scott Thomas are suing Miramax to collect $1.6 million each in unpaid fees for their performances in The English Patient, the London Daily Express reported Wednesday, citing an unnamed production insider.
The newspaper said that in order to get the movie made, "everyone from the big-name stars to the humblest tea boy" agreed to deferred payments. However, despite the fact that the film has grossed $231 million to date, no one has yet been paid, the Express said. The source also observed: "Ralph Fiennes is currently working in the theatre in London where he's earning the Equity rate of £250 ($400) a week, so I'm sure that he could do with the extra dosh (cash), too."
So, pardon us while we slip out early this week, put on our tuxes and bias-cut gowns, and get over to where the festivities are taking place, or as Linny would say, 'the joint where the booze is stocked". Until next time, have a wonderful Oscar evening or day, depending on where on the globe you call home, and don't forget our mantra, when all else fails, "PLAY A VOLTA.
