Posts Tagged ‘dark knight’

The Nightly News: Bridget Jones Returns; Harry Potter Beats Batman

July 15th, 2009 / Author: Mary Beth Quirk

Bridget Jones • She’s baaaaaack: Renee Zellweger rumored to return as Bridget Jones for a third movie. (Variety)

• Superhero shmuperhero — Harry Potter beat Dark Knight’s record for midnight-movie sales. (PopEater)

• Katie Price better practice her slow-motion running if she’s going to star in the British Baywatch. (OK! UK)

• Anna Friel topless in UK Vanity Fair. Nuff said. (The Superficial

• Parks and Recreation star Rashida Jones is dating the other Jon Favreau — not the guy from Swingers. (JustJared)

• Camilla Parker Bowles goes helicoptering about England for…  a whole 75 miles? (Daily Express)

Heath Ledger’s Friends Get Candid

January 16th, 2009

Jan. 22 will mark the one year anniversary of Heath Ledger’s death from an accidental overdose of prescription medications. To memorialize their friend, the late actor’s closest friends are finally speaking up about him.

In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ledger’s pals open up about his last days, how he was as a father to Matilda and his fear of fame.

"I haven’t talked about it until now. I’m really nervous," says Wes Bentley, one of Heath’s closest friends. The two co-starred in 2002’s The Four Feathers. "Heath’s fun clouded it’s way through a room. It was infectious…Some people think he’d party too much and take drugs. That wasn’t the case. It was young energy. He was high off life."

Heath’s c0-star in 10 Things I Hate About You, Julia Stiles, recalls the actor’s aversion to becoming Hollywood’s "it-boy."

"Heath always seemed so mature," she says. "I got the sense that he was averse to becoming any kind of teen idol. I think he felt like 10 Things had more substance, but he anticipated that if he did more movies like this, he’d get stuck doing teen romantic comedies."

Skip ahead to 2007–Heath had scored big with his controversial and acclaimed role as a gay cowboy in BrokeBack Mountain, he’d met, fallen in love and become engaged to his co-star in the film, Michelle Williams and the two now had a daughter, Matilda.

It was during this time, when his relationship with Williams began to fall apart, that friends say they became worried about the actor.

"All of us who were close to Heath knew what was going on, and it was not the most pleasant experience," says Terry Gilliam, who directed Heath in Brothers Grimm. "He was obsessed with his daughter. She became the center of his thoughts. The insomnia was really getting to him. He’d arrive in the morning looking really shattered. I’d say, ‘Let’s take it easy because you’re knackered.’ And he’d say, ‘No, let’s go.’"

Director Catherine Hardwicke adds, "The pressure he was under, with his family, his daughter, everything, would stress out any yogi," she say. "You’re being buffeted and pulled and tempted and flown across the ocean back and forth–how does anybody survive that? Obviously a lot of people don’t."

 

Cover Story: Matilda’s Life Without Daddy

January 14th, 2009

The morning of Dec. 21, Michelle Williams, 28, and her 3-year-old daughter Matilda Rose, left their moss-green Brooklyn row house for the pink-toned Dashing Diva nail salon. Exuberantly, Matilda raced ahead of her mom, bounding through the snow that cloaked their Boerum Hill neighborhood. The pair enjoyed matching mani-pedis in time for the holidays.

"Matilda’s a really upbeat kid who giggles all the time," Michelle’s long-time friend tells OK!. "That’s the one thing Michelle says will make her smile no matter what — hearing her daughter laugh."

But nearly one year ago on Jan. 22, there were only tears, as police carried the lifeless body of Heath Ledger, William’s former fiance and Matilda’s daddy, from a SoHo loft. The actor, 28, was the victim of an accidental overdose from prescription medications.

Heath delighted in his daughter Matilda, who inherited her father’s penetrating gaze and dark eyes, and whose name he had tattooed on his stomach.

"Matilda never really understood what happened when he died," a friend tells OK!. "It was heartbreaking when she asked for daddy and Michelle had to explain that he wasn’t coming back."

Now, one year later, Michelle is still trying to find happiness for herself and Matilda. She is steadily working and has begun a quiet romance with film director Spike Jonze.

"Things are getting easier, little by little, day by day," her friends tell OK!. "Slowly she’s come back from the shock and heartbreak."

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For the entire story, pick up the new issue of OK! — on newsstands everywhere Thursday.

Dark Knight Shines at People’s Choice Awards

January 8th, 2009 / Author: OK! Staff

It was another bittersweet moment for the cast and crew of The Dark Knight on Wednesday as their blockbuster film swept all five of its nominated categories at The People’s Choice Awards, all the while keeping their late friend and co-star Heath Ledger in their hearts.

"Here’s to Heath," said a subdued Christian Bale, raising the statue to the rafters as he accepted the award he and the late actor shared for Favorite On-Screen Mathchup.

In addition to that award, Dark Knight was a winner in the Favorite Movie, Favorite Cast, Superhero and Action Movie.

On a happier note, it was a good night for the couple of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, both of whom were victorious (though neither of them were able to make the ceremony).

Brad was the winner in the Favorite Leading Man category while babymama Angie’s work in Wanted earned her the Favorite Female Action Star title.

And though his movie Seven Pounds isn’t exactly winning over the critics, the voters of the People’s Choice still selected Will Smith as their Favorite Male Movie Star.

On the women’s side, it was Reese Witherspoon being named Favorite Female Movie Star. Showing that she really can play any kind of role you throw at her, Reese mused about the differences between her awards-sweeping performance in 2005’s Walk the Line and this year’s Four Christmases. "A couple years ago, I won a great award for singing in a movie. This year, I won an award for having a baby throw up on me."

Screen Actors Guild Noms Announced

December 18th, 2008

The announcement this morning of the Screen Actors Guild nominations feels like a big dose of déjà vu, with the same familiar names popping up yet again.

 

Brad Pitt is nominated for his leading role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Angelina Jolie for her lead performance in Changeling, and Kate Winslet is a double nominee once more, for her lead and supporting roles in Revolutionary Road and The Reader, respectively.

 

Heath Ledger also continues to collect noms, with a supporting actor nod for his stunning work in Dark Knight as the Joker.

 

Brad’s golden touch continues to shine for the entire cast of Benjamin, which is nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, along with Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, Doubt and Frost/Nixon. 

 

For the entire list including Primetime TV nominees, click here for SAG’s announcement.

Christian Bale Won’t Be Charged in Family Feud

August 14th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

It was the best and worst time of Christian Bale’s life. His newest film, The Dark Knight, opened to rave reviews and mammoth ticket sales, but then days later he found himself in a London police station having to answer allegations of assault against his mother and sister.

But now things are looking up for the Welsh actor, as prosecutors in the UK have decided that no charges will be filed in the case.

England’s Crown Prosecution Service announced on Thursday that there is insufficient evidence to afford a "realistic prospect of conviction." They also declared the police to not pursue the case any further.

The allegations stem from an argument that occured between Christian and his mother and sister on July 21 at London’s Dorchester Hotel. After the police were notified that an incident had occurred, the actor voluntarily went to the police to discuss his side of the story. Through a rep, he has denied any wrongdoing.

Christian Bale Braves Red Carpet at Barcelona Dark Knight Premiere

July 24th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

Making his first public appearance since being questioned by police for allegations of assault earlier this week, actor Christian Bale surprised many on Wednesday by showing up to the Barcelona premiere of his new hit film The Dark Knight.

The 34-year-old star is accused of assault by his sister and mother after a Sunday night altercation at London’s Dorchester Hotel that ultimately resulted in Christian spending four hours being questioned by police on Tuesday morning. Through a statement released by his rep, the actor has denied any wrongdoing in the situation.

At the premiere in Barcelona, Christian walked the red carpet with his wife Sibi, as well as his Dark Knight co-star Maggie Gyllenhaal. And though he did stop to sign several autographs for his adoring fans outside the Coliseum Theater, Christian did not answer any questions from reporters.

This is the second premiere this week for the cast and crew of The Dark Knight. After the incident at the Dorchester, but before the news of the scandal broke, Christian attended Monday night’s star-studded screening at the Odeon Theatre in London’s Leicester Square.

Stars Descend On ‘Dark Knight’ Premiere

July 17th, 2008

Heath Ledger is the star of the Dark Knight premiere, even though he cannot be present at the AMC Loews Lincoln Square event.

Though his life was cut short in January, Heath’s memory lives on. Attendees including Ethan Hawke, dashing through in a brown-and-white baseball cap and beige suit; Josh Hartnett, who twirls through in a brown cap; and Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick, who is dressing his curly hair with a side part, pay tribute.

Maggie Gyllenhaal, who is in the movie, has no time for print, which is also what happened with Heath at his last premiere for I’m Not There – and at 2005’s Casanova. (I was fortunate enough to spend time with him at The Regency Hotel during the I’m Not There press day. He seemed like a great guy – totally dateable.)

It’s no wonder he was a hit with the ladies. In November 2005, he and then-girlfriend Michelle Williams stepped out for the Gotham Awards. According to my file, “They were giving each other goo-goo eyes as he cradled her during TV interviews.”
 
Sadly, we must move forward without his towering presence.

Christian Bale, who plays Batman, shares a story about Heath playing The Joker.

“He did a fantastic job,” Christian says. “He enjoyed playing the part immensely and I was glad I got to experience working with him and watching him develop into character. Personally I enjoy anybody who immerses themselves to such an incredible degree. I enjoy that too. I recognize how ridiculous it is, and I find it incredibly funny. To be honest, the more serious people get with any role, the more humor I find in it. I find that with Heath.”

According to co-star Aaron Eckhart, Heath was a doting dad to Matilda, 2.

“Everybody on this movie had kids. Maggie, Christian … in the trailer, it was all kids talk. I’m the only one who didn’t have a kid. Heath had just had a baby, Maggie just had a baby, Christian has two kids, Gary Oldman had two kids. It was a lot of baby pictures and a lot of baby talk. That was mostly what was going on. I met Maggie’s, I met Christian’s, I didn’t meet Heath’s but it was a lot of pictures.”

Michael Caine calls Heath “very ordinary. He was a very quiet man, and very, very nice.”

He says, “I worked with Heath very early on. I’d seen his performance. We just sat there talking. He was very ordinary. He wasn’t preparing – you know – like ‘please leave me, I’ve got to be with my script.’ Some actors do that. We’re just talking, and the director said ‘OK we’re ready,’ and Heath goes into the elevator and he has to come out of the elevator and into a party and take over. Batman and I are giving a party.  Out came this guy, The Joker, and I stood there absolutely stunned. I didn’t have any dialogue or I would’ve forgotten it. He went straight past me and over to Batman. I just sat there flabbergasted. Right through it we just talked, and he would do it over and over again – just come out with this energy.”

He adds, “I said to him one day ‘Jesus, I’m too old to do anything as energetic as this.’ And I said ‘wait a minute, I couldn’t have done anything as energetic as this when I was your age.’ It’s astonishing.”

Heath surely would’ve delighted in the Batmobile staged outside on the black carpet, and the motorcycle prop used in the movie that greets partygoers on the way into the screening.    

The Dark Knight is in theaters Friday.

Report: Michelle Williams Clashing with Heath’s Family

June 24th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

According to a report in today’s New York Post, not all is well between the family of late actor Heath Ledger and his former live-in love Michelle Williams, so much so that the Dawson’s Creek star may boycott the July 14 NYC premiere of his film, The Dark Knight.

The source of the tension is reportedly the Oscar-nominated actor’s last will — or rather the fact that he never updated it, even after he fathered a child with Williams. The most recent will on file for the actor was written in 2003, almost two full years before the Oct. 2005 birth of daughter Matilda, and stipulates that his immediate family was to inherit his millions.

And even though it has since been decided that young Matilda will be the beneficiary of her father’s estate, the Post’s source alleges that Michelle is worried about the ability of Heath’s dad, Kim Ledger, to act as executor of the will. According to the report, Kim allegedly mishandled his own inheritance after the passing of his father, losing a large sum of money for himself and his siblings.

Neither the Ledger family nor a rep for Michelle commented on this story to the Post.

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