'X-Men' Writer Agrees With Alan Cumming 'X2' Was 'Gay' ... Bigotry Was the Point

Alan Cumming recently called his 'X-Men' movie "X2" the gayest flick he's ever made ... and someone else involved with the superhero film agrees ... the writer!

David Hayter, who penned "X-Men" and "X2" ... tells TMZ ... he loved hearing AC's take ... 'cause the dude who played the mutant Nightcrawler is 100% right ... the 2003 movie is pretty gay -- for an important reason!

062124_david_hayter-kal
I WAS THRILLED
TMZ.com

Here's the deal... the film actor and Broadway star -- out since 1998 -- reflected on his diverse career, highlighting "X2" ... proudly calling it the "gayest film I've ever done, and that's me saying it" ... noting he believes the storyline is an allegory for queerness.

Celebrity Scramble Guess Who!

"Stare blankly ahead" at this mashed-up macho man and you may just score a touchdown! Can you put your celeb knowledge on the line(backer) and guess the unknown star in the altered photo?

This Hollywood icon first rose to fame looking AND playing fierce on the field, however today you can watch him on your screens offering some wisdom backstage... that is until Heidi Klum gives her two cents!

If you still aren't sure, today marks 20 years since playing one of his most iconic roles ...

"Making my way downtown, walking fast, faces pass and I'm homebound!"

Michael Shannon No Hopping On A Hog ... Asked Not to Ride One

Michael Shannon didn't cut up the open road on "The Bikeriders" set ... in fact, he wasn't allowed anywhere near the bikes during filming -- so says the director.

Jeff Nichols -- who directed the film starring Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, Mike Faist and Shannon -- says despite MS' biker persona in the flick he never hopped on a motorcycle ... 'cause he just wasn't interested.

On the "Reelblend" podcast, Nichols says the actors had to go through extensive training to get up on the hogs ... but, Shannon skipped out and therefore wasn't allowed to ride.

Jason Biggs Wife Didn't See 'American Pie' Before Wedding ... 'Horrified' After Watching!!!

Jason Biggs is lucky his wife didn't watch "American Pie" until after they said their vows ... 'cause she says she was totally "horrified" by the flick -- even if she did laugh.

Jenny Mollen -- who married Biggs way back in 2008 -- told the New York Post she hadn't gotten around to watching the 1999 classic when she first met her future husband ... adding she considered herself too "highbrow" to consider it.

That changed in the first year of their when JM finally sat down to watch it with the actor -- and, thank goodness she waited 'cause she might not have given Biggs

Tom Cruise Attends Taylor Swift's Eras Tour ... Misses Suri's Graduation

Tom Cruise engaged in some risky business Saturday ... hitting up Taylor Swift's London show -- after skipping his daughter's high school graduation.

Swifties captured TC walking into Wembley Stadium for Night 2 of the show ... and, check out the clip, 'cause he's got time for just about every fan he passes -- slowing down to say hello and take pics with excited fans.

062224_tom_cruise-kal
cruisin' through

He's clearly the life of the party ... big grin gleaming as he makes his way toward what we imagine's a swanky, private area to watch Taylor perform.

Billy Zane Actors Need Pay For Emotional Parts ... Body Feels Traumatic Roles!!!

Billy Zane says emotional acting can be just as difficult as high-flying physical stunts ... arguing both take a toll on the body -- so, performers need to be paid fairly for each.

The actor sat down for a recent conversation with Entertainment Weekly where he reflected on playing the title character in Lifetime's "Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story" ... and, he says portraying the convicted sex trafficker did a number on his psyche.

BZ says even playing a role -- secondhand diving into the darkness -- is a lot for actors ... adding the body recognizes all the chemical reactions it's going through, and it does affect you physically, so a few extra bucks ain't outta line.

Jonathan Majors Embraced at Tearful Impact Awards By Big Stars

Jonathan Majors was honored Friday night at the Impact Awards for his perseverance after he was convicted of domestic assault last year -- and the actor delivered a moving acceptance speech.

062224_jonathan_majors-kal
GETTING EMOTIONAL

Majors hit the fourth annual "Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards 2024" in Bev Hills with his actress girlfriend, Meagan Good, and a slew of other celebs, including Tiffany Haddish, Cardi B and Sharon Stone.

When motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant called him to the stage for his "Perseverance Award," Majors stood up before the mic and addressed the star-studded crowd for more than 15 minutes.

ANDY COHEN DEFENDS J LO AFTER MEGHAN MCCAIN SHADE!!!

062124-andy-cohen-meghan-mccain-Audio-Template
BACK OFF, HATERS
Andy Cohen’s Daddy Diaries Podcast

Andy Cohen's swooping in to defend Jennifer Lopez -- this after Meghan McCain added fuel to the star's online hate brigade by shading her big time.

The Bravo star went on his 'Daddy Diaries Podcast' Friday to say he's baffled by the mean social media backlash towards Lopez lately amid her personal woes -- and also blasted a particularly harsh article about the singer's "unlikeability factor."

Andy shared his own firsthand experience with J Lo ... saying she's made 4 guest appearances on 'Watch What Happens Live' -- and he insists ... there was absolutely no drama whatsoever with her during those times.

'Yellowstone' Neal McDonough Costner's Exit Was Just Bad Timing ... It's Between Him and Taylor

062124-neal-mcdonough-kal 6/21/24
HE'S ONE OF THE GREATS
TMZ.com

Neal McDonough is weighing in on Kevin Costner's "Yellowstone" exit -- saying it really was just bad timing ... although, he notes the issue is between KC and Taylor Sheridan, which seems to hint at something deeper.

We talked to the 'Yellowstone' actor -- who starred opposite Kevin on the hit show for a handful of episodes back in the day -- and he told us on "TMZ Live" Friday that Kevin isn't BS'ing when he says there were scheduling issues that forced him to bounce.

Take a listen ... Neal explains that Kev was, in fact, busy for his new western movie 'Horizon' -- and because the last season of 'Yellowstone' took a while to get going in terms of production ... it was ultimately impossible for the leading man to stay on.

Jennifer Lawrence Starring In New Murder Mystery ... Inspired By 'Housewives'!!!

Jennifer Lawrence is going the murder mystery route for her next starring role ... a film for Apple that's apparently inspired by 'The Real Housewives' franchise, which is totally fitting.

The actress is set to play the lead in a flick called "The Wives" -- which she's also producing, BTW -- and words is ... it's a classic whodunnit, where J Law will get to play a typical housewife in the vein of the Bravo world.

There aren't a lot of other details yet about Jennifer's new movie ... it was announced Friday and it's still being developed, so the plot isn't quite finished and there's no shoot date. Still ... the fact Jen's doing a 'Housewives' thing is honestly perfect casting, 'cause she's a huge fan!

Alec Baldwin 'Rust' Armorer Won't Be Forced to Testify ... In His Manslaughter Trial

The jury in Alec Baldwin's upcoming involuntary manslaughter trial likely won't hear from the movie's armorer ... because the judge overseeing the case won't force her to take the stand.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer decided Friday Hannah Gutierrez-Reed does not have to testify during Alec's trial -- although she may still get called by the prosecution. It's a little complicated, but long story short ... HGR's attorney made clear Hannah doesn't wanna cooperate and testify against Alec.

041524_hannah_gutierrez_reed_sentenced_kal 4/15/24
SENTENCED TO PRISON

When the judge was made aware that she would invoke her Fifth Amendment right if called to the stand -- she decided he wouldn't force the issue ... although, she could still be called. Prosecutors suggested they could hit her with more jail time ... so TBD.

Ben Affleck Refers to J Lo as 'Wife' in Recent Interview ... Calls Her Fame 'Bananas'

Ben Affleck was referring to Jennifer Lopez as his "wife" just earlier this year -- but in the same vein, he was also pointing out that he wasn't a huge fan of how famous she is.

The actor sat down as a guest for Kevin Hart's most recent episode of his 'Hart to Heart' talk show -- and yes, they got into Ben and Jen's marriage ... in fact, Ben talked about it at length, and he had some interesting insights.

Ben Affleck
When I'm Bothered
Peacock

For starters, he called J Lo his "wife" in this sit-down ... while at the same time pointing out that she draws a ton of attention, something he notes he's not really a huge fan of.

Taylor Wily Dead at 56 ... 'Hawaii Five-0,' 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'

Taylor Wily -- an actor and former sumo wrestler best known for his recurring role on "Hawaii Five-0" -- has died.

According to an anchor for local Hawaii outlet KITV -- who described Taylor as a family friend ... Taylor died Thursday. KITV did not provide a cause of death.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Television producer Peter M. Lenkov confirmed the news on his official Instagram account ... posting a picture with Wily from behind the scenes of a television show and telling his followers he's "heartbroken.".

Kevin Costner I'm Done Playing John Dutton ... See Ya 'Yellowstone'

Kevin Costner has just slammed the door shut on his return as the character he made famous – John Dutton -- in the super popular TV series "Yellowstone."

The legendary actor posted an Instagram video Thursday, explaining that he would not be reprising his role as Dutton in episodes for the second half of the show's fifth season, which will kick off November 10 on Paramount Network.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

In his IG vid, Kev said he'd been working on "Horizon: An American Saga" over the past year-and-a-half ... when he realized it was time to call it quits on "Yellowstone."

RFK Jr. Campaign Paid $68K for Russell Brand Appearance ... Covered Travel, Etc.

Russell Brand's production company got paid a nice chunk of change for performing at a Robert F. Kennedy Jr. event earlier this year ... and we're talking tens of thousands.

TMZ pulled Team Kennedy's FEC filings ... and it shows the campaign shelled out more than $68,000 to Russell's production company for "Event Entertainment - Travel Expenses" after he appeared at a campaign event for RFK Jr. and his running mate Nicole Shanahan.

Russell performed at RFK Jr.'s event in May out in Nashville -- and it was called "Night of Comedy," alongside other comedians including Rob Schneider, Dave Landau, Jim Breuer, Katherine Blanford, Jeff Dye, and Mike Binder. Russell reportedly did a filmed set where he went after legacy media and scoffed at coronavirus mandates and vax requirements.

Carol Burnett Hands Immortalized at Chinese Theater Dick Van Dyke, More Attend

Carol Burnett's a living legend who's going to live on forever ... 'cause she got the cement treatment at TCL Chinese Theater while some of Hollywood's biggest stars looked on.

The actress-comedian dipped her hands and feet into wet cement outside the Hollywood landmark Thursday ... an honor only bestowed upon H'wood's brightest stars -- and, ya gotta see everyone who attended.

Of course, there's Carol -- who looks great for 91 BTW -- with her hands down in the muck, big grin on her face, but also in attendance are Bob Odenkirk, Laura Dern, Allison Janney, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, and one of the few people perhaps more famous than even Burnett ... Dick Van Dyke.

Old news is old news!
Be First!

Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser!