Movies

Jerry Heller is gone -- but his defamation suit over "Straight Outta Compton" is very much alive.

We got Heller's lawyer, Mickey Shapiro, at LAX, and he was passionate about how Jerry was wronged and how it essentially killed him. Mickey explains why Jerry's estate will take this $110 million case to a jury if necessary to unsully Jerry's name.

Mickey blasts Jerry's detractors, saying anti-Semitism played more than a small part in the attacks.

Cube and Dre ... don't cut your lawyers loose just yet.

A woman who claims she got a bunch of songs together for "Silver Linings Playbook" says she never got paid for her work ... and now she wants cash, courtesy of a jury.

Susan Jacobs filed docs claiming she was hired as the film's music supervisor back in 2011 and supervised the production of more than half the soundtrack.

'SLP' went on to become a huge success, as did the soundtrack -- but Susan claims she never saw a dime of the profits ... despite her contract, which she says guarantees her a cut.

Now she's suing "Silver Linings Playbook" -- which apparently has its own company -- and wants the dough she's owed. She doesn't give a specific amount she's gunning for.

We've reached out to sources close to the production ... so far no word back.

Sorry "Grease" fans ... Sandy didn't die while Danny tried saving her and the whole film ISN'T her vivid coma fantasy ... according to one of the creators.

Jim Jacobs, who wrote the original book and musical with Warren Casey, is shooting down the conspiracy Sandy was dead during the whole film. He tells TMZ whoever made up the theory must have been on acid.

A theory's been flying around that Danny hadn't been able to save Sandy after someone linked the "Summer Nights" lyrics, "I saved her life she nearly drowned," with the final scene in the movie where the two take off in a flying car.

Be afraid Justin Theroux ... a 6'10", 230-pound NBA star has his eyes on your lady.

Here's Chandler Parsons telling us about his post-NBA plans -- and how he's down to get into the acting biz once he finishes out his $94 MILLION contract.

So, who's his #1 choice for a romantic comedy co-star??

"I've always had a thing for Jennifer Aniston."

Good choice ... just make sure to clear it with your SMOKING HOT MODEL GIRLFRIEND TONI GARRN!!!

*Note ... it's REALLY good to be Chandler Parsons.

Jean-Claude Van Damme doesn't just talk the talk when it comes to MMA fighting -- he's a REAL athlete who coulda competed in the UFC back in his prime ... so says Roy "Big Country" Nelson.

Roy isn't just an accomplished UFC fighter in his own right -- but spent some quality time with JCVD on the set of the upcoming "Kickboxer: Vengeance" flick.

And with Van Damme recently lecturing UFC fighters about how weak their leg strikes have become -- we had to ask Roy if he thinks JC could back up his tough talk.

For the record, Van Damme is an accomplished martial artist -- who won several fights as a teenager before becoming an action star.

There's more ... we also asked Roy how he'd fare in a showdown with Hafthor Bjornsson -- the MASSIVE guy who plays The Mountain on "Game of Thrones."

The 400-pound Bjornsson famously had a sparring session against Conor McGregor -- but Nelson says he'd get CRUSHED against someone his own size.

"Without a Trace" star Anthony LaPaglia will have LOTS of toys to occupy his time now that he's officially single.

Anthony will get to keep a bunch of cars and all his sports memorabilia now that the ink is dry on his divorce from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" star, Gia Carides ... according to legal docs obtained by TMZ.

There was no prenup, so Anthony and Gia will pretty much split everything down the middle ... including royalties for their big hits while they were married ... standard stuff in CA.

Anthony keeps 2 Mercedes-Benz cars, a 2012 Ford truck and 7 motorcycles, including 3 Ducatis. Plus ... a Steinway baby grand piano.

Gia gets a one-time $12k check, plus $2,234 a month in spousal support. As for child support, she gets $870 a month, which is dirt cheap for Hollywood folks. But there's a kicker ... Anthony's gotta tack on another 10% of any money he brings in over $182k.

Jon Polito -- best known for his roles in Coen Brothers films like "The Big Lebowski" and "Miller's Crossing" -- died Thursday night after being taken off life support ... according to family sources.

We're told Jon was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2008 -- he was also suffering from arthritis and had an infection related to a recent surgery. He slipped into a coma last Sunday.

Director John McNaughton broke the news Friday morning -- "Jon was a born actor and will be deeply missed by his legion of friends, fans, family and of course his long time partner, Darryl Armbruster to whom I send my condolences. R.I.P. old pal."

The Philly native was a seasoned Hollywood vet, landing roles in nearly 100 movies. He also has several TV credits, including a recurring role on ABC's "Modern Family."

He was 65.

Prince's former bandmates threw the ultimate "Purple Rain" party for their fallen leader ... and brought along a bunch of his closest friends.

The Revolution got back together to perform a tribute show at First Avenue -- the Minneapolis nightclub where most of the music scenes for "Purple Rain" were shot.

Prince's leading lady from the flick, Apollonia Kotero, got onstage too along with Bilal. Apollonia even recreated the classic earring toss from the movie.

The video's pretty awesome, but there's no denying ... something's missing.

Joseph Baena is proving to be a chip off the old block -- at least when it comes to playing The Terminator.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's son is the spitting image of his dad ... so no big surprise he's breaking into acting.

Joseph stars in a 2-minute short film directed by his friend, Ben Hess ... it's a shot-by-shot remake of the end of the famous bar scene in "T2: Judgment Day."

Ben tells TMZ ... the vid was for a competition for Film Riot. He says he met Joseph 4 years ago and they've been buds ever since. He hit him up about the project and he was up for it.

The scene was shot last Saturday night at a restaurant outside of Bakersfield ... they'll find out if they won in a few weeks.

Richard Dreyfuss has such strong acting chops that even he thinks he can play just about anyone on film ... even the GOP's presidential candidate.

We got Richard out in Bev Hills where he talks about some of his iconic roles, when our photog asks if he'd consider playing Donald Trump. Check out the vid -- he isn't counting out any good parts ... including the Donald.

With Gene Wilder passing away ... it's a good time to catch up with his cast members from the 1971 classic "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory."

Nick Cannon is ALMOST living the plot of his movie "Drumline" now that he's an actual freshman in college ... it's just missing one thing.

We got Nick at Dulles Airport, and he told us the real reason he's enrolled at Howard University. Turns out he's working on an interesting major ... as far as TMZ's concerned.

Gene Wilder's passing had some huge celebs sharing their condolences and favorite memories of the legendary actor.

Gene Wilder -- star of classics like "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," "Blazing Saddles," "Young Frankenstein" and more -- has died.

The actor passed away Monday from complications from Alzeimer's disease, according to his agent. The rep says Wilder kept his condition secret because he didn't want to force children -- who still called out "there's Willy Wonka" -- to ask questions about the illness.

Wilder was 83.

Wilder was married to Gilda Radner from 1984 until she passed away in 1989. He married again in 1991 to Karen Boyer.

Wilder is survived by a daughter, Katharine -- whom he adopted in 1967 when he married her mother, Mary Joan Schutz.

Gene teamed up with Richard Pryor to make several classic comedies in the '70s and '80s, including "Stir Crazy" -- but his turn as the Jim, Waco Kid is legendary ...

LeBron James is the newest resident of Warner Bros. Studios ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned the King now has his own house and parking space on the legendary studio lot.

The gas station where Leatherface did his handiwork is about to reopen for biz, but this time it's gonna be a motel and BBQ joint ... yummy!

The key location where "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" was filmed is now an establishment simply called The Gas Station ... and it's got 4 cabins where fans can lay their heads (and keep 'em) for $130 a night.

Owner Roy Rose says the cabins have 43" TVs, and a collection of horror flicks to get you in the mood. They're also displaying movie memorabilia -- like the chainsaw from the 2013 redux -- and also selling merch from other horror movies.

As for the grub -- Rose says it'll be takeout, but he's still searching for a top-notch BBQ cook who's good with finger food.

Leatherface would be proud.