Movie Business

Things got bloody in Rome ... but it's all for the cameras, with actor Andrzej Chyra going full method as Pope John Paul II.

Check the video -- the acclaimed Polish star was deep in character for the upcoming historical thriller "Santo Subito!" ... recreating the 1981 assassination attempt and dramatically collapsing after the "shot," fake blood splattered all over.

The scene's no joke ... packed with extras to mirror the real-life moment when Mehmet Ali Ağca opened fire as the Pope entered St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.

Superman fans are super stoked the sequel to James Gunn's DC blockbuster has started production in Georgia ... but there's a group of people who ain't so happy ... local prisoners.

TMZ has learned from an inside source ... inmates at FCI Atlanta are pissed at the production because the "Man of Tomorrow" shoot is allegedly messing up their routines -- and more importantly, access inside the joint. Basically, while the flick is in production, we're told prisoners have to remain in their cells way more than under normal circumstances -- and even worse ... no access to commissary.

A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons tells TMZ ... they'd never comment on internal security practices or procedures in general ... but if a warden did put a facility on modified operations status, it would be for the safety of staff and inmates. Usually, such an order would happen after a violent incident that needed to be investigated.

The Michael Jackson biopic opens tomorrow ... but one cast member told fans this morning, don't expect to see her in the film.

Kat Graham was cast as the iconic Diana Ross ... but the singer and actress says her scenes were among those cut for legal reasons -- meaning they were likely intertwined with Jackson's fall from grace amid the child abuse allegations.

KG says the team did the best they could to keep the story of Michael's life intact ... but decisions were made, and she's out.

Universal’s live-action "How to Train Your Dragon 2" has hit a rough patch before cameras even finish rolling ... 'cause a crew member just lost multiple fingers in a brutal accident during production.

A source with direct knowledge tells TMZ ... a special-effects tech working at the UK's Sky Studios Elstree severed multiple fingers on one hand earlier this month during an incident involving a saw in a workshop tied to production.

Doctors tried to save the severed digits, but they couldn’t be reattached, despite surgery.

Ariana Grande is showing off her acting chops in the first trailer for "Focker-In-Law" ... and she's funny as Fock.

Universal Pictures dropped the first trailer for the "Meet the Parents" sequel on Wednesday, giving Arianators their first look at the pop star in the famed franchise.

Ari holds her own alongside legends Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro as she stars as Olivia Jones ... the latest love interest to be grilled in the family's famed interrogation process.

It looks like Tom Cruise is down for a three-peat ... Paramount says he'll be back to reprise his role for "Top Gun 3."

Sources confirm to TMZ ... the acclaimed actor will return as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell for the famed franchise's third installment.

The news comes just a month before the 40th anniversary of the original 1986 blockbuster ... and it seems the film's fandom is still going strong.

We first learned 'TG3' was getting developed back in 2024 ... with "Top Gun: Maverick" writer Ehren Kruger returning to pen the script.

4/18 -- 6:25 AM PT -- The GoFundMe has had an update ... the funds raised on the platform will now go to an account specifically created for the late singer's Walk of Fame induction honor.

Aaron Carter's mom is working to cement his legacy in Hollywood and she's calling on fans to help make it happen ... TMZ has learned.

Jane Carter tells TMZ ... she's raising $85K through GoFundMe so she can apply for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Aaron's honor. The process requires a formal application, a sponsorship fee and approval from the Walk of Fame selection committee ... and Jane says she plans to submit everything before the May 15 deadline.

She says her late son "would've loved" the idea, noting the two used to stroll along the Walk of Fame whenever they visited Los Angeles.

Nia Long says the haters can beat it -- she’s protecting her peace while stepping into Michael Jackson territory.

The actress, who plays Katherine Jackson in the highly anticipated upcoming biopic, “Michael,” made it clear in her Playboy spring issue interview she’s not letting outside noise shake her focus.

“No one can interfere with my sanity. That’s number one,” Long said, adding she learned early on that success in Hollywood means tuning out distractions completely.

Blake Lively does NOT want the jury to know she's rolling in dough ... so she wants ANY info about her or her hubby's wealth barred from the trial.

Blake filed legal docs just weeks before her case against Justin Baldoni goes to trial, asking the judge to bar all evidence about her and Ryan Reynolds' "net worth and financial status."

As we reported, Blake claims she's lost $161 million as a result of Baldoni's smear campaign. What's interesting ... the judge threw out her defamation claim, so it's unclear if that amount is even relevant. Nonetheless, she's still allowed to present her claim that Justin retaliated against her after she blew the whistle and claimed the "It Ends with Us" set was a hostile work environment.

Paris Jackson clearly had better things to do than attend the "Michael" world premiere on Friday ... like smoking a cigarette on the streets of L.A.

While most of Michael Jackson's famous family was celebrating the screening at the Uber Eats Music Hall in Berlin, Germany -- including sons Prince and Bigi -- his daughter notably skipped.

Instead of joining Jackie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and Jaafar Jackson on the red carpet, Paris was snapped on the streets of West Hollywood, chatting and sharing a cig with a friend.

Devastating news -- acclaimed animator and producer Gary Goldman has been battling dementia for the past year, with his condition worsening ... and now a GoFundMe has been launched to help his wife cover the growing costs.

The GFM page -- started by family friend Mary Busacca -- lays out the heartbreaking reality ... the man who helped bring storybook dreams to life with films like "The Secret of NIMH", "An American Tail", "The Land Before Time" and "All Dogs Go to Heaven" is now losing his own memories.

Mary says it began with confusion while Gary was working in his home office -- his thoughts blurring, memory fading -- before doctors confirmed early-onset dementia.

She describes it as a cruel twist for someone who built entire worlds through storytelling ... now struggling to hold onto his own.

"The Housemaid" author Freida McFadden just ripped off her own mask ... saying she's done living a "Hannah Montana"-esque double life after concealing her true identity and using a pen name for years.

The popular author revealed to USA Today Wednesday her real name is Sara Cohen -- a doctor from New York who treats brain disorders when she's not cranking out her next thriller novel. Talk about a plot twist!

Freida hid her identity for years ... but, people began figuring her act out ... and she says it's time to come forward.

The Michael Jackson estate reportedly shelled out millions to cut any mention of child molestation accusations in the end of "Michael" ... and because of it, they now own a stake in the film.

The late singer's estate is estimated to have coughed up between $10M and $15M to complete "necessary" reshoots for the movie, according to Variety.

The publication reports the biopic was originally supposed to explore the impact that child molestation accusations had on Jackson's life ... but now there's not even a mention of the accusations, because of a clause in a settlement with one of Jackson's accusers. Jordan Chandler reportedly barred the mention of him in any movie.

Paris Jackson's not letting the drama with her dad Michael's estate get her down ... visiting a Beverly Hills salon for some much-needed self-care.

Michael Jackson's middle child stepped out for a relaxing afternoon on Monday ... rocking a plaid shirt over a crop top and a pair of booty shorts.

She added cowboy boots to the ensemble ... and christened herself a "Cowboy" with an orange hat that featured the word prominently in white script.

Blake Lively is going dragon mode after a judge tossed out her sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni ... she says the "heart" of her lawsuit is still intact, and she's looking forward to her day in court.

The "It Ends With Us" actress just posted a long statement on social media, reacting to a judge's Thursday ruling that portions of her sexual harassment claims could not go to a jury.

Blake says she's grateful for the ruling ... because her claims of retaliation are still intact.

United Kingdom authorities are aware of death threats to a Black star of the upcoming HBO 'Harry Potter' series ... and they've been in contact with the production, TMZ has learned.

The Hertfordshire Constabulary -- which polices the area where the series is filming -- tells TMZ ... a police report has not been filed, but they are aware of threats targeting actor Paapa Essiedu. We're told officers are in contact with Warner Bros. UK Studio.

If you don't know ... HBO head honcho Casey Bloys recently told reporters the show, based on the beloved books by J.K. Rowling, upped security while filming after Essiedu got threats regarding his casting as Professor Severus Snape -- the character played by late legend Alan Rickman in the film series.