Movies

Richard Griffiths -- the British actor who played Harry Potter's Uncle Vernon in the popular movies -- died Thursday following heart surgery in England. He was 65.

In addition to starring in the Potter films, Griffiths won a Tony for his role in "The History Boys" and starred alongside Daniel Radcliffe in "Equus" in 2007.

Radcliffe released a statement yesterday saying, "Richard was by my side during two of the most important moments of my career ... I was proud to say I knew him."

Griffiths' most recent performance was last year in a West End production of Neil Simon's comedy "The Sunshine Boys" that also starred Danny DeVito.

Adrian Grenier tells TMZ ... he wishes he NEVER named Justin Bieber as the ideal cameo for his upcoming "Entourage" movie ... but still insists the dude could be a great actor under the right conditions.

Grenier -- sporting a cool new samurai-style hairdo -- was leaving The Sayers Club in L.A. last night when we asked about recent comments he made to HollywoodLife.com about Bieber ... when he said, "I saw [Justin's] documentary and thought he was so cool. I think he would be great!”

But last night, Adrian pulled a 180 ... telling us, "Why did I even say it? I started something I didn't want to finish ... so, I don't want to talk about it."

Still, Adrian says Justin has the potential to be great on screen ... because under the right circumstance ... "Everybody can act."

Adrian says he also feels Justin's pain when it comes to criticism about his personal life ... and can relate to JB's urge to race Ferraris.

The government is going after the production company behind the new "Lone Ranger" movie -- after a crew member drowned in a diving accident on set last year -- issuing fines exceeding $61,000.

According to official documents obtained by TMZ, Cal OSHA (aka California's Occupational Safety and Health Administration) issued the fines against Silver Bullet Productions, claiming the company was directly at fault in the death of Mike Bridger, a welder and water safety guy working on the film.

Bridger died last September while cleaning one of the movie's deep water tanks.

OSHA cited Silver Bullet for numerous violations, but the four big ones were -- 1) SB failed to obtain medical records for the diver, 2) SB did not have a standby diver available when Bridger was in the water, 3) SB let Bridger dive without a tether, 4) Bridger dove without a partner.

Forget the NFL, Tim Tebow's playing for Team Jesus next year ... ON THE BIG SCREEN ... at least if a faith-based indie film producer gets his way.

Producer David Dginguerian -- who makes a bunch of Jesus-y movies including the recent "Crossroad" -- just sent Tim's people a letter, saying the holy QB is the perfect candidate to star in his next film.

David writes, "You are an inspiration to so many on the field and off, and I am certain that your passion will also come through in films."

It's unclear how much David's willing to cough up for Tim's services -- but if they're paying for Tim's acting chops, they might get a good deal ...

We reached out to Tebow's reps ... so far no word back.

Mykelti Williamson gave us an awesome performance in "Forrest Gump" ... AND hundreds of ways to cook shrimp! So, we had to know if HE remembers Bubba's best recipes.

Gerard Butler gave his fans major "300" wood last night by putting on a Spartan soldier's helmet and belting out the line that made him famous.

Gerard was signing autographs outside "Jimmy Kimmel Live" when someone handed him a replica helmet ... much like the one he wore in the 2006 hit film.

Gerard not only signed the memorabilia, but put it on his head ... and screamed ... "This is Sparta!"

Unfortunately, he wasn't shirtless or ridiculously ripped like he was in the movie .. but you gotta see how the fans react.

Oprah herself says don't hate on Terrence Howard for loving on her "tig ol' bitties" -- because she fully admits her rack was large and in charge during their sex scene.

Oprah taped an interview with Steve Harvey ... and talked about the scene Terrence made famous last week by blabbing about her round mounds.

Oprah told Steve ... "It was supposed to be like a little scene, and because Terrence Howard misbehaved it turned into a bigger scene, and then a bigger scene."

Can ya blame him?

As for people being offended about Howard's "tig ol' bitties" comment -- Oprah had an awesome response for that.

The "Veronica Mars" cast is returning in full force for the movie ... TMZ has learned, Kristen Bell's co-star Percy Daggs III is 100% down for the reboot.

In case you didn't know, VMars fans broke film fundraising records yesterday ... generating more than $2 MILLION in just one day via Kickstarter to help resurrect the TV show as a movie. The project had existed in script form but failed to get the backing it needed ... until now.

Bell has already announced she's on board for the movie ... but now, her co-star Percy Daggs -- who played Wallace Fennel on the show -- tells TMZ, he's in too.

Daggs tells us, "Since I woke up yesterday it's been amazing to watch the VMars fans respond to this campaign and the opportunity to make this film."

He adds, "With [creator Rob Thomas] & Kristen's commitment to them and the series, I want to say I'm not surprised. But $2.7 million day one had to shock everybody a bit! ... I'd be honored to be a part of continuing this story for them onscreen."

IT'S REALLY HAPPENING!!!

Howard Stern fans are gonna LOVE this clip -- Jake Gyllenhaal, on the other hand, might not ... because his former co-star Beetlejuice is talking some serious smack.

We ran into Beet in NYC yesterday and asked about his Shakespearean performance in the 2001 movie "Bubble Boy" -- and it's pretty clear he's not a huge fan of Jake.

BJ said, "We got to know each other. When he sucked my c**k."

He added, "[Jake] got knocked the f**k out 'cause I hit him!"

Now, 'Stern Show' listeners know it's hard to take anything Beetlejuice says with more than a grain of salt -- he's known for totally making up stuff. But at least the guy is entertaining as hell.

If like us, you doubt the 4'7" Stern Wack Packer could really knock out 6-foot Jake -- you gotta hear what Beet says about pumping iron.

Iran is now on the legal offensive in the wake of "Argo" ... threatening to sue Hollywood filmmakers for their "Iranophobic" portrayal of the Middle Eastern country.

Iran's state-run Press TV reports government officials have already contacted an "internationally-renowned" French lawyer named Isabelle Coutant-Peyre to file the lawsuit.

Coutant-Peyre released a statement saying, "I will defend Iran against the films like Argo, which are produced in Hollywood to distort the country's image."

For its part, Iran's Press TV said, "The Iranophobic American movie attempts to describe Iranians as overemotional, irrational, insane, and diabolical while at the same, the CIA agents are represented as heroically patriotic."

In addition to filing a lawsuit, Iran plans to fund a pro-Iran movie called "The General Staff" ... about 20 American hostages who are handed over to the U.S. by Iranian revolutionaries.

With TWO Lance Armstrong movies reportedly in the works, it's probably no coincidence the disgraced cyclist returned to L.A. yesterday ... where he learned that he still has a few fans left.

Lance hit up Mastro's in Beverly Hills ... and on his way into the restaurant, he was stopped by a few children who requested a photo -- Lance obliged with a smile.

But on his way out, Armstrong was mum when asked his thoughts on the two studios reportedly racing to get a biopic made.

FYI -- there are reports J.J. Abrams is pushing to get a film made ASAP for Paramount ... while director Jay Roach is said be spearheading a project for Warner Bros.

Terrence Howard must have been on the receiving end of a stern lecture ... because after his salacious comments about Oprah Winfrey went viral this week, he was waaaaaaay more respectful the second time around.

In case you missed it ... Howard described his love scenes in a movie he recently shot with her by saying, "Oprah and I had such chemistry. To be able to make out with Oprah and to have love scenes with her and those tig ol' bitties ... She's such a lovely, voluptuous woman ... That was wonderful."

But when he bumped into our photog Friday on the snowy streets of NYC ... Howard chose a reverent tone, telling us Oprah is a "beautiful woman" and he was lucky "to touch the Queen."

Sounds like someone was afraid of getting beheaded.

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the release of the "The Big Lebowski" ... but you won't see Sam Elliott celebrating at the upcoming "Lebowski Fest" in L.A. ... 'cause Sam says he hasn't been invited.

Elliott -- who played the cowboyish "Stranger" who narrated the movie -- was out in L.A. yesterday ... when we asked about the Lebowski Fest West -- set for L.A. later this month.

FYI -- Lebowski Fest is kinda like a Trekkie convention ... only with more weed. Tons of stars from the movie's cast have appeared at various fests over the years (including Jeff Bridges) but it seems Elliott's invite must've been lost in the mail.

Still, sounds like he's open to attend ... which is pretty cool.

Abide.

Making love to Oprah Winfrey is a life-changing experience ... so says Terrence Howard, who claims the best part about doing a sex scene with the Big O in their upcoming movie was her "tig ol' bitties."

Seriously, Terrence said that in a recent interview with Movie Fanatic, in which he talks about his and Oprah's love-making scene in "The Butler," slated for release later this year.

Terrence -- who plays Oprah's neighbor in the movie -- said, "Oprah and I had such chemistry. To be able to make out with Oprah and to have love scenes with her and those tig ol' bitties ... She's such a lovely, voluptuous woman ... That was wonderful."

IS NOTHING SACRED???

Ladies and gentlemen, can we please have your attention. We've just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story. We need all of you, to stop what you're doing and listen.

ANCHORMAN IS BACK!!!!!!!!!

Will Ferrell was seen on set today for the first time in his patented mustache and blazer as shooting in New Orleans continued for the HIGHLY anticipated movie "Anchorman 2."

Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell and David Koechner all return ... with Kristen Wiig and Harrison Ford (yes, really) among the newcomers.

Bob Woodward was famously portrayed by Robert Redford in "All the President's Men" ... and the legendary journalist says the movie did the same for his sex life that Watergate did for Richard Nixon.

We caught up with Woodward in Washington, D.C. yesterday and asked if having one of the best looking guys in Hollywood play him in the 1976 movie actually helped him score more chicks.

Woodward got a kick out of the question, and then whipped out a funny ... yet sad response.