Movies

Will Smith might be back in business sooner than later -- a key project of his that was paused seems on track to see the light of day after all ... this after a solid test screening.

The beleaguered actor -- who's still trying to repair his image after the Oscars slap -- was on hand Saturday at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 51st annual Legislative Conference, which was hosted by the NAACP ... with a ton of honchos there as well.

WS was standing next to director Antoine Fuqua, who was at the helm for their new flick, 'Emancipation,' while explaining to the audience why he'd been so averse to slave movies throughout his career ... but noting, he didn't really see this film in that lens, per se.

Will says this movie is, more so, about perseverance and determination -- and just the sheer will to survive and be free. He also talked about the character he'll be portraying, "Whipped Peter," whose photographs from the 1800s (showing scars on his back) went viral in its day.

As far as the actual movie itself ... the word is, it's incredible and quite powerful -- with a number of folks touting its importance for African-American culture, and America at large.

The jibes with all the buzz surrounding 'Emancipation' before Will hit Chris Rock on national TV -- there was a lot of talk of Oscars, and based on how people are responding ... it sounds like that might still be the case -- even though Will wouldn't be able to attend any ceremony.

As we all know ... the guy was banned from attending Academy Award shows for 10 years. Assuming Apple releases this thing in the next decade -- which they probably will -- and WS is actually in contention ... someone else would have to go up there for any would-be wins.

Ana de Armas' new movie about Marilyn Monroe is being blasted as a pro-life advertisement -- with none other than Planned Parenthood coming out against some mommy-baby scenes.

Caren Spruch, a PP honcho, tells THR ... "As film and TV shapes many people’s understanding of sexual and reproductive health, it’s critical these depictions accurately portray women’s real decisions and experiences."

She's mostly talking about the director, Andrew Dominik, and his depiction of Marilyn's fetus(es) -- which look fully formed in the movie, and which actually talk at one point.

Spurch goes on to say ... "Planned Parenthood respects artistic license and freedom. However, false images only serve to reinforce misinformation and perpetuate stigma around sexual and reproductive health care. Every pregnancy outcome -- especially abortion -- should be portrayed sensitively, authentically and accurately in the media."

She finishes with this ... "It is a shame that the creators of Blonde chose to contribute to anti-abortion propaganda and stigmatize people’s health care decisions instead."

For those who haven't seen it yet -- Ana, playing Marilyn, is shown as being preggo three different times ... and two of those end in nightmare-like, horrific forced abortions against her will and the third ends in a miscarriage. MM is shown as wanting to be a mother throughout the film, but forces outside her control strong-arm her into losing the babies.

Dominik, for his part, has defended his depictions of the baby stuff ... saying the feelings surrounding this are only heightened because of Roe v Wade, adding ... "no one would have given a s*** about that if I’d made the movie in 2008, and probably no one’s going to care about it in four years’ time. And the movie won’t have changed."

The movie has garnered a lot of controversy for a variety of reasons. But on this particular issue ... we should note, the whole thing is fiction -- including how Marilyn's pregnancies came to end, or how she may or may not have felt about any them. She is said to have miscarried in real life at least three times during her marriage to playwright Arthur Miller.

Could a Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson reunion be in the works?? Don't count it out just yet -- 'cause Kenya Barris tells TMZ Sports he'd love to include them in the reboot of the iconic 1992 film, "White Men Can't Jump."

We spoke with Barris -- who cowrote the highly anticipated remake -- out in NYC on Thursday ... and asked if fans should expect to see Snipes, Harrelson and the rest of the OG cast members in the flick.

"I hope so," Barris said ... adding he's "trying" to make it happen.

Worth noting -- the Jack Harlow-led project appears to have wrapped in July, so we're sure Barris knows the fine details on the cast already ... and is just toying with us at this point.

Speaking of OGs, TMZ also recently spoke with actor Kadeem Hardison -- who played Junior in the original -- and he's a bit concerned about how the reboot will play out without Ron Shelton writing.

Kadeem did, however, say he had reason to be optimistic -- he heard the "First Class" rapper's ball handling skills, coupled with his talent as an MC, will add flair to the movie.

It appears Leonardo DiCaprio and Gigi Hadid have taken their rumored romance overseas ... hanging out in Paris while she wows the crowds at fashion week.

Check out the pics, Gigi was seen arriving to her room at the Royal Monceau Thursday night -- looking very happy, smiling and chatting with photogs. Leo was spotted leaving the same hotel around 1 AM, and then hitting some Paris nightclubs.

After hitting the clubs for about an hour, we're told Leo returned to his own room at the Costes Hotel in Paris.

Of course, there's been multiple reports over the last few weeks the two are dating. If true, the alleged hanging out in Paris would certainly cement the fact things are heating up between the supermodel and Oscar winner.

Gigi's clearly at least in town for business, walking the Messika Fashion Show ... so Leo could've acted as some behind-the-scenes support.

Amber Heard apparently was looking for a place where people wouldn't judge her ... and she may have found it in Spain.

Amber was last seen hopping on a private jet back in June, shortly after losing the spectacularly popular trial against Johnny Depp.

While Johnny seemed to be everywhere, basking in the glow of victory, Amber seemingly ghosted the world.

Now she's back ... though in a land far, far away, in Palma de Mallorca. She was there with close friend Bianca Butti and her 1-year-old daughter Oonagh Paige Heard.

We don't know how long she's been there. It could just be a vacay, but wherever she calls home is a mystery because there hasn't been a photo of Amber that surfaced for 3 months.

Amber's got legal issues for sure ... she's on the hook for $8.3 million, although she's appealing the verdict. That appeal is pending.

It appears Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin are back on track, at least if body language is any indicator, just weeks after she filed for divorce.

The married couple of 25 years were spotted Thursday in deep convo outside a grocery store in Calabasas. Notice Sly's hand on Jennifer's leg as they chat ... certainly not a gesture that would be made if the two were still super pissed at each other.

TMZ broke the story, sources close to the two told us there was not a prenup in place, and they were working out a divorce settlement after filing docs to put a pause on any public proceedings. At the time, we were told the divorce was still happening.

However, by the looks of things, the two are at least working on figuring things out -- and even possibly a total reconciliation.

Remember, it was last month when Jennifer filed divorce docs -- accusing Sly of moving marital assets -- a claim he's denied. There was also Sly's infamous new ink of his Rottweiler, Dwight, he got on his arm ... covering a portrait of Jennifer.

Sly told us the dog wasn't the reason he and Jennifer split, they'd simply grown apart.

George and Amal Clooney brought out some of their most famous friends in NYC to christen a new award show ... with guests including Michelle Obama, Drew Barrymore, Cindy Crawford and more.

The star-studded event went down Thursday at the New York Public Library. The Albie Awards, named after Justice Albie Sachs -- and hosted by George and Amal -- were about honoring folks who have taken a stand against injustice.

Of course, the power couple was front and center the whole night ... and they certainly looked the part. Amal wore a bedazzled Versace gown, while GC rocked a tux.

Unclear if she was at the show, but Michelle Obama was spotted entering The Albie Award's after-party at The Mark Hotel following the event.

Among the final celeb guestlist ... Clooney's co-star Julia Roberts, John Krasinski, Meryl Streep, Gayle King, Drew Barrymore, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber.

Dua Lipa and Lori Harvey also pulled up to the event. Of course, Dua Lipa recently made headlines with the soon-to-be former host of "The Daily Show" Trevor Noah as the two were spotted hanging out in NYC.

American actress Scout Taylor-Compton was just 20 years old when she was cast as Samantha -- the babysitter who naively allows a stocker to kidnap a young boy on her watch -- in the film "Obsessed" back in 2009.

Scout shared the big screen with Beyonce as the wife and mother who does not shy away from protecting her hubby, Sharon Charles, Idris Elba as the hot husband who is accused of cheating with a stalker, Derek Charles and Ali Larter as the obsessed office temp after Derek, Lisa Sheridan.

Sarah Jessica Parker had a lot of people concerned when she unexpectedly walked out of a gala in NYC ... and we've now learned she left to be by her dying stepfather's side in his final moments.

The Parker family tells TMZ ... Sarah's stepdad, Paul Giffin Forste, died unexpectedly Wednesday. We're told, he was surrounded by the love of his wife Barbara and his children, including SJP, who he's helped raise since she was young.

The "Sex and the City" star was in attendance at the beginning of Wednesday night's 10th Annual Fall Fashion Gala, but left without warning. Of course, her exit raised lots of eyebrows, but the family emergency was the reason why.

According to Page Six, those in the crowd were only told she had to leave because of a "devastating family situation."

The family's statement continues, "Paul will be remembered with the spirit of loving kindness which was his faith, his special delight in his 13 grandchildren, and his sustained belief in making the world a more charitable, tolerant, and beautiful place for all".

The iconic cottage from "Hocus Pocus" is coming to life ... the Sanderson Sisters are opening up their home to two lucky guests, who can try to cast some ancient spells.

In celebration of the upcoming release of "Hocus Pocus 2," the witches are hosting a super rare overnight stay at their Salem, MA home, which has been frozen in time for 300 years.

The famous cottage from the OG Disney movie is being recreated into an Airbnb for one night only ... and 2 guests can relive their favorite moments from the Halloween classic for only $31!!!

If you're lucky enough to snag the spot, a night inside the "Hocus Pocus" home will have you feeling like Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy.

The timeworn cottage is nestled in the woods and it will be pretty spooky ... the home's got creaky wooden floorboards and cupboards filled with ingredients primed for a witches' cauldron.

Winifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson promise not to swoop in on broomsticks and kidnap children ... but overnight guests can still try their hand at a few enchantments in the ancient spellbook.

Salem's famous for its witches ... and guests will also be able to visit the town's most haunted properties, before a special screening of "Hocus Pocus 2" back at the cottage.

Olympic gold medalist diver Tom Daley's screenwriter husband, Dustin Lance Black, says he's on the mend from a serious head injury that had doctors telling him to "shut off his brain" in order to recover.

Dustin, famous for writing the 2008 movie "Milk," shared the health update Monday on social media, telling folks it's been a month since he "sustained a serious head injury that put me out of commission."

DLB says he initially wasn't showing much improvement and "doctors ordered me to shut off my brain in hopes of it healing." He says Tom took him to the Greek islands this week to make him shut off his mind.

Dustin posted a ton of photos of him and Tom in Greece ... and he says the trip is a step in the right direction to what "has been a challenging, frightening time for a creative type who depends on what's in his skull to work, care and love."

While Dustin does not elaborate on how he suffered a brain injury ... he was reportedly punched in the head last month during an altercation with Teddy Edwardes at a London gay bar.

Khloe Kardashian is not romantically involved with Italian heartthrob Michele Morrone ... despite her fans' reaction to a photo of them together at Milan Fashion Week.

A rep for the '365 Days' star tells TMZ Khloe and Michele met for the first time when they were both in attendance this weekend at Kim Kardashian's fashion show with Dolce & Gabbana.

The internet went crazy when Michele posted a photo of him and Khloe over the weekend on his Instagram story with tons of fan theories about a possible romance based on Michele ... but Michele's rep says D&G asked him and Khloe to take a picture together, and they obliged.

We're told Michele thought Khloe was very nice, but that's the extent of their relationship.

Alec Baldwin could be facing criminal charges in connection to the fatal 'Rust' shooting -- because the D.A. is asking New Mexico for help in financing several potential prosecutions.

District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies reportedly filed an emergency request last week, asking the New Mexico Board of Finance for extra funds to assist in bringing up to four possible criminal cases that may materialize from her office's investigation into the death of Halyna Hutchins.

Carmack-Altwies got half of what she wanted --  according to the Santa Fe New Mexican, she was awarded $317,000 in relief ... although she had asked for $635k -- which is what her office estimated it would cost to handle the would-be cases.

The D.A. has since said that she'll be seeking the remainder of the dough through a special appropriation request -- which suggests she may actually need the full amount to bring any charges related to the fatal incident on the 'Rust' set.

Now, while the D.A. isn't definitively naming names in any potential charges -- her office is explicitly saying Baldwin could be on the chopping block. The docs they filed, cited by SFNM, reportedly say ... "One of the possible defendants is well known movie actor Alec Baldwin."

It's unclear what sort of charges he (or others) might face, but the D.A. told local media she was considering all homicide statutes as well as gun statutes under the NM criminal code.

Baldwin has maintained that Halyna's death was an accident, and not his fault in the slightest ... deflecting blame to other crew members, whom he says should've checked the gun to make sure it wasn't loaded and was functioning properly. He claims he didn't pull the trigger, but rather ... that the gun went off on its own after he pulled back the hammer.

A couple things to note about the D.A.'s move here -- Carmack-Altwies says she's expecting the final report from the Sheriff's Office soon ... but it sounds like she's been in the loop along the way, because she's already signaling the exact number of possible defendants. Her request also notes this is urgent, and the cases would need to be dealt with immediately -- hence her emergency request for a ton of cash.

Actor Kadeem Hardison is a little hesitant about the "White Men Can't Jump" reboot ... but speaking as one of the stars from the OG flick, he sees some potential -- and even has his eyes set on who could play him in this new-gen version.

We got Kadeem in NYC Tuesday ... and he's got a reason to be timid about the new 'WMCJ" -- it's missin' Ron Shelton, the original film's writer and director, who's arguably the reason the movie's still big today.

But, there might still be hope ... the actor's been hearing good things about Jack Harlow, who's playing Billy Hoyle -- Woody Harrelson's role from 1992.

Kadeem puts it plainly -- the "First Class" rapper could be bringin' some serious flair to the new project.

He also knows who should be playing his role for the reboot -- RJ Cyler, or as Kadeem calls him, the "lightning with the blam blams" dude from Netflix's "The Harder They Fall."

Olivia Wilde and Florence Pugh did NOT get into a war of words on the set of "Don't Worry Darling" -- despite a report claiming so -- according to dozens of crew members.

40 people who worked on the film have signed a letter, obtained by People, completely refuting the characterization put out by Vulture -- namely, that FP was angry with OW for allegedly being absent from the set and actually getting into a "screaming match" with her.

The letter reads, in part ... "As a crew, we’ve avoided addressing the absurd gossip surrounding the movie we’re so proud of, but feel the need to correct the anonymous ‘sources’ quoted in a recent article. There was never a screaming match between our director and anyone, let alone a member of our cast."

They went on to heap praise on Olivia, saying ... "We are happy to put our names on this, as real people who worked on the film, and who have witnessed and benefited from the collaborative and safe space Olivia creates as a director and leader. We're also thrilled that the movie is in theaters this weekend. We can't wait for you to see it on the big screen."

A producer for 'DWD' doubled down in a separate statement for good measure, saying any reports/rumors of a feud or screaming match between Olivia and Florence are unfounded.

BTW, the 40 crew members who signed this are big shots in the production ... everyone from the DP to the lead production designer and just about every key job in between -- including EPs and screenplay writers -- have attached their name to this. There are even a good amount of folks in smaller roles, like APs and gaffers, who've signed on as well.

While it's certainly noteworthy that this amount of people would publicly shoot down any notion of friction on set -- the fact is, 40 crew members don't account for even half of the people that worked on that flick. There's well over 100 people credited on IMDb.

Point being ... this doesn't really invalidate Vulture's story. It's possible these folks simply weren't aware of anything going on themselves -- that, or they're running cover for WB.

At any rate, the saga is over ... the movie did well at the box office this weekend -- raking in a little more than $19 million, higher than expected -- and everyone seems to be moving on.

Tyler Perry has long been dogged over his signature character, Madea, and stereotypes some feel she upholds -- but he's defending himself ... especially against Spike Lee.

The movie studio mogul sat for an interview with Chris Wallace as part of his new program on HBO Max -- "Who's Talking to Chris Wallace" -- which was scrapped from CNN+ ... and repurposed on their main streaming app.

Chris asks Tyler about a criticism that Lee once lobbed against him in describing his Madea movies -- in which he called the character and/or those movies "coonery buffoonery" in '09.

From Spike's POV ... Madea is a caricature of Black people, women in particular, and he thinks it's a cheap, over-the-top impersonation that Tyler has monetized with a lot of success. There are at least 10 movies of his in which the character appears.

While TP was once quoted as saying Spike can "go to hell," he's a bit more nuanced in explaining why he loves the character and the thinking behind her makeup. He says Madea represents women he grew up around, whose stories he wanted to convey in a humorous way ... with truth sprinkled in. In other words, he seems to see it as an homage.

Tyler also invokes Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance to reinforce his point ... noting this convo has been happening way before Spike's salvo.

Now, it should be noted ... this old beef, while still discussed today, seems to be long and buried. Back in 2019, when Tyler opened his movie studio lot in Georgia, Spike was actually among the many famous guests who came to check it out. And TP even named one of the soundstages after him ... telling us at the time that his legacy was bigger than their feud.