Jon Favreau Walks Away from Iron Man

Jon Favreau is leaving the Iron Man movie franchise to direct a Disney film called, “Magic Kingdom,” which is a film about a family that gets trapped in Disneyland and have magical encounters with the park’s attractions. Favreau said of the upcoming project that he is happy to “find something that lights a fire” within him and can “blow people away, which is easier to do with a project that isn’t loaded with built-in expectations.”

Oliver Stone Called “Anti-Semitic” for Comments He Recently Made

The Anti-Defamation League called director, Oliver Stone’s, views “anti-Semitic.” They were referring to some comments Oliver Stone made to The Sunday Times of London.

When asked in an interview with the Sunday Times of London why he focused on the Holocaust in his latest filmmaking project, Stone replied: “The Jewish domination of the media.” Stone also added, “They stay on top of every comment, the most powerful lobby in Washington. Israel has f***** up United States foreign policy for years.” Stone did end up issuing an apology: “In trying to make a broader point about the range of atrocities the Germans committed against many people, I made a clumsy association about the Holocaust, for which I am sorry and I regret. Jews obviously do not control media or any other industry..The fact that the Holocaust is still a very important, vivid and current matter today is, in fact, a great credit to the very hard work of a broad coalition to the remembrance of this atrocity — and it was an atrocity.”

Casey Afflect Being Sued for Sexual Harassment

Amanda White, one of the producers of Casey Afflecks film, “I’m Still Here: The Lost Year of Joaquin Phoenix,” has filed a sexual harassment suit against him. In her suit, she alleges, the following:

“On one occasion, Affleck instructed a crew member to take off his pants in order to show (White) his penis, even after (White) objected.”

“Affleck repeatedly referred to women as ‘cows’; he discussed his sexual exploits and those of other celebrities that he allegedly witnessed; and asked (White), after learning her age, ‘Isn’t it about time you get pregnant?”‘

The complaint also states that White was not allowed in her bedroom during shooting in Costa Rica because “Affleck and Phoenix locked themselves in her bedroom with two women.”

“Affleck also attempted to manipulate (White) into staying in a hotel room with him, and when she resisted, he grabbed her in a hostile manner in an effort to intimidate her into complying.”

There has been no comment from Affleck or his reps.

Director Roman Polanski Not to be Extradited to USA

British Actress, Charlotte Lewis, Claims She was Molested by Polanski

British Actress, Charlotte Lewis, claims that she was sexually abused by director Roman Polanski in 1982, when she was only 16 years old. Lewis, now 42, just met with a prosecutor handling Polanski’s other sex abuse case and also held a press conference in LA. Lewis’ attorney - none other than Gloria Allred - says she hopes these allegations will affect Polanski’s sentencing. Polanski did plead guilty in 1977 to having sex with a 13-year-old girl but fled to France. He is now in Switzerland, fighting extradition.

Bill Condon Slated to Direct Twilight Saga, ‘Breaking Dawn’

Oscar nominated Bill Condon has confirmed he has accepted the role of director of the final installment of the Twilight Saga, ‘Breaking Dawn.” Condon said of the opportunity, “I’m very excited to get the chance to bring the climax of this saga to life onscreen.” Erik Feig, president of production and acquisitions for Summit Entertainment, said “Bringing Stephenie Meyer’s ‘Breaking Dawn’ to the screen requires a graceful and intelligent hand, and we believe Bill Condon is exactly the right steward, having shown equal and abundant talents of immense creativity and subtle sensitivity.” Stephanie Meyer had similar feelings, saying, “I think he’s going to be a great fit, and I’m excited to see what he does with the material.”

Marc Webb is new Director for Spiderman 4

Filmmaker Marc Webb has signed on to direct the new Spider-Man film, after the departure of Sam Raimi from the blockbuster superhero franchise.

In a statement, Webb insisted he wasn’t taking over from Raimi as “that would be impossible, not to mention arrogant”.

“I’m here because there’s an opportunity for ideas, stories and histories that will add a new dimension, canvas and creative voice to Spider-Man,” he added.

Roman Polanski Requests to be Sentenced in Absentia

Fugitive film director Roman Polanski asked a Los Angeles judge on Wednesday to sentence him in his absence on a 1977 charge of having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

Judge Peter Espinoza set a January 22 date for a full hearing on the request, made by Polanski in a notarized document signed December 26 in Switzerland and submitted by the Oscar-winning director’s Los Angeles-based lawyer, Chad Hummel.

But prosecutors, who have long sought to bring Polanski back to Los Angeles, said they would oppose any bid to sentence him until he turns up physically in court.

ABC NEWS

Polanski victim seeks dismissal

The victim of the sexual assault committed by Roman Polanski has called for charges against the film director to be dismissed, court documents show.

Lawyers for Samantha Geimer, who was 13 when Polanski had sex with her in 1977, urged a dismissal in a motion filed at a California appeals court on Friday.

She had suffered health problems after being hounded by the media following Polanski’s arrest last month, it said.

The director is currently being held in Switzerland on a US arrest warrant.

On Friday, the US embassy in Bern submitted a formal extradition request, on which the Swiss authorities must rule within 40 days.

Read more at BBC