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Dermot Mulroney believes Sydney Sweeney is so much more than a pretty face -- despite the fact some believe she's just getting by in showbiz on good looks and a rockin' bod.

We caught up with the actor in L.A. Tuesday ... where he addressed Hollywood producer Carol Baum's controversial criticism of his "Anyone But You" costar. As you may have heard ... Carol blasted Sydney's acting ability and looks, slamming 'ABY' as being unwatchable.

While Dermot laughed off Carol's hate for his and Sydney's rom-com -- in which he played the actress' father -- he did issue a reprimand to Carol ... making it clear he doesn't approve of the way she dissed his costar's looks.

David Mamet -- who's written some very famous screenplays in his day -- isn't a fan of Hollywood's efforts to diversify ... slamming the initiatives as "fascist totalitarianism."

The Pulitzer Prize winner -- known for scripts such as "Wag the Dog," "Glengarry Glen Ross" and others -- took a firm stance against DEI initiatives during the Los Angeles Times book festival on Sunday ... where he appeared to promote his memoir.

David made it clear he's unimpressed with Tinseltown's attempts at fostering diversity, equity and inclusion ... slamming such efforts as "garbage." He added ... "The [film industry] has little business improving everybody’s racial understanding as does the fire department."

As if L.A.'s famed Venice Beach scene wasn't wild enough -- now it's got apes patrollin' the sand ... on horseback, no less!!!

Yeah, the marketing team behind "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" came up with a seriously eye-catching way to hype the flick Monday ... getting a bunch of apes to saddle up and ride around the beach.

No, they're not real apes -- PETA would be all over that -- but the actors in costume were pretty convincing at a glance ... looking very much like a scene ripped straight from the movie's plot of the apes taking over.

Michael Jackson's infamous Neverland theme park is dusting off the cobwebs to film scenes for a new biopic about the late singer's life.

As you can see in the aerial shots ... the film company behind the biopic has restored signature features from when Jackson owned the 2,700-acre ranch near Santa Barbara -- the Ferris wheel, merry-go-round and circus tent all got colorful makeovers.

Everything's buzzin' with life and fun at the revamped Neverland Ranch ... with a whole lineup of other fairground rides, such as a hot-air balloon ride and even a red train.

Sydney Sweeney ain't sweatin' the harsh criticism she received from a veteran Hollywood producer about her acting skills and physical appearance.

On Sunday, the actress posted a series of photos and a video to Instagram, showing her having fun in the sun with friends during an exotic getaway with a caption that read: "good times and tan lines."

In one of the photos, Sweeney was sporting a sweatshirt emblazoned with the words, "Sorry For Having Great T**s."

David Zucker's not excited about "The Naked Gun" remake ... saying he's not involved with the project, and he's worried the team behind it doesn't realize how difficult the spoof is.

We spoke with Zucker -- director of famous classic comedies like 'Naked Gun' and "Airplane!" -- about the Paramount+ remake starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson ... and, he says he doesn't know how it's going to turn out 'cause no one's reaching out to him.

Zucker says he and his partners, Pat Proft and Mike McManus submitted a script to Paramount back in 2018 ... and says they thought the studio liked the concept.

Arnold Schwarzenegger epically punked Sylvester Stallone into signing on for the most disastrous film of Sly's career, and that's exactly what Arnold wanted to happen!

Arnold and Sly sat down with Harvey for a candid, sometimes stunning convo about the intense rivalry between the 2 mega-action stars.

Sly was stunned as Arnold explained how he got his now-good friend to star in "Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot." Arnold knew the script was terrible, but he had heard Sly was kinda interested in it. So Arnold figured if Sly felt he wanted the role, Sly would jump at it.

Voice actor Jason Griffith isn't losing sleep over Keanu Reeves stepping in to play the character he voiced in the "Sonic the Hedgehog" video games and TV series.

Jason tells TMZ ... he thinks Keanu is the perfect choice to play antihero Shadow the Hedgehog in the 3rd 'Sonic' film. As Jason puts it, he was never asked to voice the role for the upcoming film, so he doesn't feel like Keanu "stole" his part.

He adds ... "One of the many rewards of being in this business is being asked to voice a character that's so beloved and means so much to so many people. And then, to share that character with someone like Keanu ... I mean, it's such an honor."

Hilary Swank says all actors are pretending ... so, she's for non-trans actors playing trans characters and vice versa -- at least, it seems that's what she's saying.

The two-time Oscar winner famously won her first back in 2000 after playing trans man Brandon Teena in the biopic "Boys Don't Cry" and reflected on the role in an interview with The Times of London.

While breaking down her part in the film, Swank acknowledges she wouldn't take the role today, saying her part in it was a sign of the times and adding a trans actor could really sink their teeth into the Brandon role today.

John Travolta's proving financial know-how can pay off big ... claiming he looked over Quentin Tarantino's finances when they first met -- and it changed his career.

The legendary actor told the story during Turner Classic Movies' recent event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the cult classic ... with Travolta joined by Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Tarantino and more at the event.

As JT explains  ... his agent told him QT was a big fan and wanted to meet with him, and John decided to head over to Quentin's place for the big first impression.

Joaquin Phoenix has an ally on the Hollywood battlefield -- the historical advisor from his film, "Napoleon" is leaping to his defense following some biting criticism from Brian Cox.

Lorris Chevalier tells TMZ ... Joaquin did the best with what he was given on-set -- even though he himself wanted to take "Napoleon" in a different, unique, direction ... but he faced stiff opposition.

Despite his ideas being shut down, Lorris says Joaquin really threw himself into the role ... hitting up spots like Napoleon's private castle, the Malmaison and several other Napoleonic sites around Paris for some hands-on character research.

Louis Gossett Jr. died from a lung condition ... according to his death certificate.

TMZ obtained a copy of the document ... which cites chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as the main cause of death. It also notes heart failure and atrial fibrillation as contributing conditions. It says he'd been battling COPD for years.

The death cert also notes Gossett's body was set to be cremated -- and it also lists his occupation as an actor who was working in entertainment.

Giancarlo Esposito's financial situation was so bad before landing his "Breaking Bad" role, he says he contemplated plotting his own murder.

The actor made that shocking revelation while he was on Sirius XM's "Jim & Sam Show" ... where he talked about a period in his life when he was not the successful Hollywood actor and producer he is today.

GE recalled struggling with his mental health and finances in 2008, and admitted he wondered if his kids could collect insurance money if he hired someone to take him out.

One of the nation's most famous hotels featured in the Stanley Kubrick film, "The Shining," went up in flames Thursday night – but luckily firefighters put out the blaze before it could spread and destroy the Oregon landmark.

Timberline Lodge -- better known as the Overlook Hotel from the 1980 horror classic starring Jack Nicholson -- was once again shot by camera crews, but this time TV news outlets filmed a small inferno that erupted in the attic of the 55,000 square foot building.

Last evening, fire crews responded to the hotel and ski resort about 60 miles from Portland after employees called in the emergency and directed guests to congregate in safe places.

Warwick Davis -- famous from the 'Harry Potter' movies -- just announced the death of his wife ... and he's heartbroken over it.

The actor broke the sad news this week, saying his spouse Samantha had recently passed away -- although, he didn't get specific on the cause, or under what circumstances.

He says, "My wife and soulmate, best friend. Devoted mother, My favorite human. My most trusted confidant and an ardent supporter of everything I did in my career, has passed. The most open, warm person I have ever known. Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family. I miss her hugs."

Frank Sinatra's daughter is weighing in on Martin Scorsese's plans to turn the singer's life into a film -- and from the sounds of it ... she's more than fine with the project.

ICYMI ... Martin is planning to make a biopic about Ol' Blue Eyes -- with Leonardo DiCaprio potentially playing the famed crooner. According to reports, Tina Sinatra, Frank's daughter who controls her father's estate, hasn't yet given her blessing for the upcoming movie.

However, Tina talked to us ... and when we asked her directly about her thoughts on Scorsese's plans -- ones he's circled for many years now -- she sounded positive.