Gossip / Rumors

Make room for a new villian on the 'Star Wars' block -- Lucasfilm is finally prepping to cash in on the legendary "Death Trooper" character.

Lucasfilm just filed docs in Europe to secure rights to make and sell all "Death Troopers"-related gear -- clothing, footwear, toys, games, birthday party paper hats and favors ... even Christmas tree stands. Nothing says happy holidays like a DEATH Trooper under your tree!

The DTs first appeared in the 'Star Wars Legends' novel, but there's heavy fan speculation they'll debut onscreen in 'Rogue One.' No less an authority than Wookiepedia believes this brief image from the trailer is an actual DT.

The merchandising strategy seems to back up that theory -- plus, Lucasfilm pulled the same move earlier this year with the "Shadow Trooper."

Chris Brown went ballistic on a publicist, referring to her as a do-nothing "bitch," and the publicist fired back that she spent all of her time cleaning up his "s***t."

Chris had an angry exchange with PR guru Nicole Perna over magazine covers he wanted for his clothing line. The conversation started with Perna texting him, "Loooove all the black pyramid pieces ... awesome collection!"

A frustrated Brown did not receive the compliment well, saying, "I don't want you texting me compliments with no results." He went on to accuse Perna of doing nothing to secure Vogue, GQ or any other publications, telling her, "Get in the game."

And then the fireworks started. Perna lashed out, "Anna Wintour doesn't want to f*** with you. These editors don't want to f*** with you." She goes on, "The majority of my time is spent on damage control. I am constantly cleaning s*** up and having your back."

Brown fires back, "NICOLE, you texting me as if I will give a f*** if u dont work for me or not ... Do whatever makes u feel better. Me personally, I DONT GIVE A F***!!!"

Mike G, Chris' manager who just sued the singer for allegedly attacking him, was included in the string of texts. Chris then texted, "Mike, this bitch got all the balls in the world talking to me but can't talk to the editors or anyone for that matter when they release bulls*** in the press ... Send this bitch her termination."

And then, Perna texts Chris, "Chris, respect. You're in my prayers x."

Chris's final shot, "Bitch u in my nightmares."

Perna sent her resignation letter to Chris.

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Dan Skuta is adamant he never laid a finger on a woman outside of an Orlando bar last weekend ... but says SHE struck HIM ... and he can prove it.

As we previously reported, Skuta was arrested for battery on June 19th after a woman told police Skuta shoved her head against a glass window after she refused to give him her phone number.

But Skuta's lawyer says the woman is lying through her teeth -- and the NFL player has multiple witnesses who can back him up.

We spoke with Skuta's lawyer, Mark NeJame, who tells us straight up -- "Dan is innocent."

"Eye witnesses who we have already received statements from in our initial investigation will attest that Dan was alongside his girlfriend when this fabricated event supposedly took place."

NeJame says the female accuser and another woman were harassing Skuta and his friends -- so the NFL player verbally instructed them to leave his group alone.

"Dan was then struck in the face by one of the women, as is evidenced by his mugshot which clearly shows where he was struck."

Skuta's attorney says the NFL player and his girlfriend then turned and walked away from the women "as to avoid further trouble from his attacker."

"Dan never placed his hands on anyone."

Chris Brown allegedly cornered a female tour manager and went on a threatening, drug-fueled tirade so intense, she jumped off the tour bus and quit on the spot.

Sources connected to Chris' tour tell us the incident went down May 23 during Chris' European tour. Nancy Ghosh -- who's worked with the likes of J Lo, Kanye West and Justin Bieber -- claims Brown cursed her out in a dispute over her employment terms.

The day after the incident she fired off an email to Brown's team ... in which she explained she felt unsafe because Chris has been "irrational and high on drugs." Ghosh also claimed Brown referenced "what he did to Mike G" ... and threatened to do the same to her. TMZ broke the story ... Chris' ex-manager, Mike G, sued him for an alleged beatdown.

Ghosh said she refused to stay on the bus after the argument out of fear for her safety.

We're told a production manager on the tour also complained, through his lawyer ... claiming Brown has been verbally abusive and threatening.

We've reached out to Chris' camp ... so far no word back.

Kylie and Tyga just can't quit each other.

Tyga posted a pic early Friday of Kylie sitting on a bed with the caption, "They always come back..."

Now ... time to connect the dots. A short time earlier, Kylie posted a pic of her wearing the same dress as the one in the pic Tyga posted. 1 + 1 = banging, correct?

Tyga apparently had a change of heart and deleted the photo, but it's pretty clear ... they want people to know ... there are benefits in friendship.

Sinead O'Connor is alive and seemingly well after Chicago police responded to a call she was threatening to jump off a bridge.

Chicago PD tried to track down O'Connor Thursday evening when O'Connor's family contacted Irish police, saying she threatened suicide.

But O'Connor is claiming cops made it all up and she never threatened to jump, saying, "some stupid bitch at Swords Garda station [Irish police] decided she'd like to throw a bit of false and malicious gossip."

Irish police told us they have no comment on Sinead's accusation.

1:05 PM PST -- Ben just addressed the interview on Twitter, saying, "For those of you keeping score at home, I gave exactly 18 f***s about my Pats. Upon reflection, 12 probably would have been sufficient. We Boston fans have always been known for our subtlety. One of my favorite interviews; hope you get to see the entire episode. #GoPats"

Ben Affleck as much as told Bill Simmons he was offered 'Star Wars' before J.J. Abrams and turned it down.

Ben doesn't come right out and say it but, in so many words, he makes it clear during the HBO show.

(WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE)

Ben Affleck appeared on the series premiere of Bill Simmons' "Any Given Wednesday" and it was extremely bizarre ... to say the least.

A red-faced Affleck ranted about "Deflategate" on the HBO show and even though we can't say for sure what was up with him ... social media was quick to call Affleck out for his slurred speech and angry tone.

Sources close to Affleck tell us he's stone-cold sober, and the slurring is just how passionate he is about Tom Brady. We're told he and Simmons got into a heated, loud debate before cameras started rolling. So when the taping started at 11 AM, Ben was already fired up.

"The Walking Dead" star Josh McDermitt says the popularity of the show is a blessing, but it's also a curse.

Josh was amazingly candid, showing his frustration that the show is so insanely popular, producers have to go to extreme lengths to protect plotlines ... specially, who was killed in the cliffhanger.

There are reports the show has individually shot death scenes with every main character so no one knows which will actually air when the show comes back in October.

Reports are swirling that the Fertitta brothers are no longer the proud owners of the UFC ... but TMZ Sports has learned it's just not true.

According to reports, WME talent agency, along with a Chinese media org and a group led by Robert Kraft snagged the MMA powerhouse for around $4 billion.

Sources tell us ... there are negotiations but "a deal isn't even close." In fact, we're told there has not even been an agreement on whether 100% of the UFC will be sold or just a portion. Nor have the parties agreed on price.

One report says the deal was finalized Sunday between WME CEO Ari Emanuel, Lorenzo Fertitta and other UFC execs at a dinner meeting in Hollywood. But we've learned Emanuel was on a plane Sunday flying back from a bar mitzvah out of the country and Lorenzo was in Vegas all day. We're told Dana White and Frank Fertitta were also in Vegas all day.

Yousef Erakat and Alex Wassabi are firing back at the CEO who claims the YouTube stars set him up to make it look like he jacked their camera.

The YouTubers claim Oliver Camilo -- the guy behind celeb emoji apps for Amber Rose and Steph Curry -- not only stole their camera ... he even apologized afterward and tried to offer his business services if they'd forget the whole thing.

As for Camilo's claim he was taking the camera to lost and found? Check out our clip ... they see right through it.

Taylor Swift dumped Calvin Harris in a phone call, which is stunning because she was pissed when Joe Jonas did the exact same thing to her.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ, Swift called Calvin from Nashville at some point after his car crash to pull the plug on their relationship. We're told Swift was vague during the call, only saying she needed some space.

Calvin was thunderstruck because he was under what he thought was a clear impression that Taylor was in it for the long haul to help him recover. He didn't accept the news well ... we're told they haven't spoken since.

And get this ... Taylor put Joe Jonas on blast on Ellen's show back in 2008 ... when she called him out for an over-the-phone breakup.

Pot, meet kettle.

Kylie and Tyga hooked up recently in Jamaica ... but they're not getting back together, or at least that's what they're telling their friends.

Kylie flew down to JA for Tyga's music video shoot -- she's not in it, she was just there to lend her support. Even though Kylie posted a pic of herself on a bed down there -- and it was Tyga's bed -- we're told they really are "just friends."

Kylie's been getting very close to PartyNextDoor, but we're told she and Tyga still text constantly, and she's even gone over to his house a few times.

As one source puts it ... there's still a lot of love, and no bitterness since no one cheated -- so they're cool with being pals. For now.

Calvin Harris will take Taylor Swift back ... when rocks grow.

The DJ zinged his ex Friday afternoon outside a WeHo gym ... the same place he cleverly threw shade the day before, with an assist from Kanye and his Yeezys.

By the way ... check out Friday's shoe selection -- same brand ... in black.

The 911 Richard Simmons emergency was rooted in some medical problem ... which is clear from the heavily redacted emergency call.

TMZ has obtained the 911 call from June 3rd, and it's apparent whatever the emergency, it's covered by patient privacy.

Simmons' people say he was just dehydrated, but that's a little curious because it doesn't seem that information would be redacted.

TMZ broke the story ... Simmons was incoherent when paramedics arrived. He spent 3 days in the hospital before being released.

Calvin Harris is putting on a good face ... even if he's hurting inside.

The superstar DJ stepped out Thursday in L.A. and said he's aces with Taylor Swift's new relationship with Tom Hiddleston. Check out the vid ... Calvin tries to play it cool as the ex.

On the surface he's putting on a happy face ... but as TMZ reported he's actually PISSED it went down and dirty.