Movies

Amanda Knox's father Curt Knox claims the Lifetime movie that depicts his daughter as a violent murderer is "bulls**t" -- and there's a lawsuit pending in Italy to yank it off the air.

Lifetime originally aired the movie back in February -- starring Hayden Panettiere -- and Amanda sued shortly after, claiming the movie exploited her and contained several "implausible" scenes.

Obviously, Amanda's murder conviction has been overturned -- and Lifetime has since edited the movie to reference the updated ruling.

"Arrested Development" creator Mitch Hurwitz announced today that the show will be coming back to television -- five years after it was cancelled.

Hurwitz said the show will do a "limited" season which will show us what the characters have been up to since the show last aired ... which will then lead right into the planned movie.

There is no official deal in place yet for where or when the show will air.

One of the most sought-after roles in Hollywood right now is directing the biopic of rap group N.W.A. ... but as far as original rap member MC Ren is concerned ... there's only one dude for the job -- John Singleton.

Ren tells TMZ he has been in touch with Ice Cube and lobbied for Singleton. Ren says Cube agreed.

Singelton, certainly has the cred to do an N.W.A. flick, with "Boyz N The Hood" under his belt. Ren says, "He knows L.A. He knows the hood and understands it. That is what the director will fully have to comprehend to do a N.W.A. film."

Mel Gibson's Hanukkah movie is in trouble -- TMZ has learned, another company is currently making their own Judah Maccabee film ... and they're racing to beat Mel to the punch.

Sources close to the production tell us, the untitled Judah film -- by producer Bruce Nash and writer Scott Abbott -- was fast-tracked once news broke that Mel was putting together his own Maccabee homage.

We're told Nash believes Mel is the wrong person to helm such an important Jewish story -- telling friends, the Hanukkah tale should be told by someone who has respect for the Jewish community.

As we previously reported, Mel's been developing his J Macc film for 10 years -- and sources tell us Nash has been working on his for 15. Nash doesn't have a shoot date yet, but the race is on.

Eazy-E's son says there's a "high probability" he'll play his famous father in an upcoming Hollywood movie about the legendary rap group N.W.A. ... telling TMZ, "I'm the perfect man for the role."

TMZ spoke with Eric Wright Jr. -- aka Lil' Eazy-E -- who told us he's "very excited" that New Line Cinema is moving forward with the flick ... which is set to be produced by Eazy's former N.W.A. group member Ice Cube.

"Who better to play him in the N.W.A. days?" ... Lil' Eazy said ... adding, "Like father, like son -- no makeup needed."

The 27-year-old -- who's trained with an acting coach in the past -- tells us he's already been in contact with the movie producers ... but he has yet to formally audition for the gig.

One of the stars of the smash hit "Moneyball" says he owes his ENTIRE career to Brad Pitt ... because without St. Brad throwing his weight around, the movie would NEVER have been made.

Say hello to a little controversy -- because Robert Loggia (that's R, as in Robert Loggia) says he's STRONGLY against the "Scarface" update that's reportedly in the works.

In case you haven't heard, Universal Pictures is rumored to have started production on a new "Scarface" project that's being described as an "update" from the 1983 classic.

According to reports, the new movie is supposed to contain elements from the '83 version (man becomes drug dealer, kills a bunch of people, etc.) ... but it's not a sequel or a remake.

But Loggia -- who played drug lord Frank Lopez in the Al Pacino version -- tells TMZ, "Scarface is a classic that should rest in peace! Nuff said!"

Justin Bieber will almost certainly get lucky tonight ... because TMZ has learned he just surprised girlfriend Selena Gomez with the most romantic surprise ever.

He's corralled the entire Staples Center in L.A. for a screening of the movie "Titanic" ... just for the two of them.

Sources connected to the Biebs tell us .. Justin hatched the idea after seeing the movie "Mr. Deeds" -- where Adam Sandler surprises Winona Ryder with a date at Madison Square Garden.

Here's how it went down tonight ... Justin took Selena to the Demi Lovato concert at neighboring Nokia Theater. He then said, "Come with me" -- and took her underground to Staples Center to watch the biggest shipwreck of all time.

And if you don't hate him enough already -- Justin didn't have to pay a penny for Staples. We're told since he sold out the venue three times, and it was empty tonight ... they gave him the entire arena for free.

Brad Pitt's new film "Moneyball" and Taylor Lautner's latest flick "Abduction" each premiered this weekend.

Question is ...

The producer of "Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father" has lashed out at Joe Pesci, claiming he's a has-been who is desperately seeking attention by trying to force himself into the movie.

The flick -- which will star John Travolta -- is now the basis of a suit filed by Pesci, who claims he had an iron-clad, $3 million deal to play the role of Angelo Ruggiero, Gotti's close friend and enforcer. In fact, Pesci says the deal was so firm, he actually gained 30 pounds for the role, only to be 86'd from the film.

As we previously reported, Pesci has sued Fiore Films, and now the movie company is fighting back in its answer to the lawsuit, saying, "It has been over 20 years since Mr. Pesci has been able to gather the attention he has by merely interjecting his role in this film."

Fiore claims it never had a deal with Joe ... there were discussions but no commitment. Fiore says sadly, "[Pesci] desperately wants to be part of this film project."

TMZ has learned ... Halle Berry broke her foot in Spain this morning, and it's creating problems for the movie she's shooting.

Sources tell TMZ ... Halle was on the property where she's staying and simply took a misstep. She heard a crack and then felt the pain. Halle went to the hospital, where doctors put her foot in a cast. She was taken out of the hospital in a wheelchair.

As for the movie she's currently shooting -- "Cloud Atlas" -- sources say the immediate plan is to shoot around her. We're told that will be a combination of things -- shooting her from the waist up, using a stunt double, and shooting scenes for the next week or two in which Halle does not appear.

"I Am Number Four" star Alex Pettyfer showed off his toned, hairless abs -- and boxer briefs -- while on set of that Channing Tatum stripper movie "Magic Mike" in L.A. on Tuesday.

Frances Bay -- famous for playing Adam Sandler's grandma in "Happy Gilmore" -- passed away Thursday at the age of 92 ... her agent confirms.

Bay spent most of her life as a housewife -- deciding to pursue a career as an actress in the 1970's -- when she was already in her mid-50's.

In addition to playing the grandma on "Happy Gilmore" -- she also guest-starred as the Fonz's grandma on "Happy Days".

The British rapper who dropped $37,500 on the very first pair of those AWESOME "Back to the Future" shoes tells TMZ ... he NEVER, EVER plans to put 'em on his feet!!!!

22-year-old Tinie Tempah was leaving an MLB event in NY last night when he told us his prized Nike Air Mags are en route to Michael J. Fox -- who's gonna sign 'em!!!

As TMZ first reported, Tempeh outbid EVERYONE for the kicks at a charity auction last week -- with every single cent going towards the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Cliff Robertson, who won an Oscar in 1968 and became known to modern audiences for his roll as Uncle Ben in the "Spider-Man" movies, died yesterday. He was 88.

Robertson famously portrayed John F. Kennedy in the movie "PT-109," the first movie to portray a sitting president.

He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1968 for his portrayal of a mentally disabled man in the movie "Charly."