Movies

James Gandolfini's son couldn't stop grinning ear to ear at the thought of playing his late father's most iconic role, and his smile says it perfectly -- Michael Gandolfini's up for the challenge.

Michael spoke to Adam Glyn while out in NYC Monday night -- hanging out with "The Deuce" star Chris Bauer -- and talked a little bit about the upcoming 'Sopranos' prequel. Michael's playing young Tony Soprano in "The Many Saints of Newark."

It's easy to see why Michael got the role ... for starters, the resemblance is uncanny. And, he reportedly beat out stiff competition because he mastered his father's iconic character's mannerisms. Can't beat the genes, baby!

Awesome to see Michael carry on James' legacy. As we reported ... James died of a heart attack in 2013 while on a boys' trip with Michael in Italy.

2/5 -- A rep for PETA tells TMZ, "PETA has not, to date, received any communication from Paws for Effect and stands by its claim."

Shelby -- the adorable pooch starring in the movie, "A Dog's Way Home" -- is at the center of a defamation lawsuit against PETA, which flat-out lied about animal abuse ... according to Shelby's owners.

Paws for Effect is the company that adopted and trained Shelby for her starring role. She's reportedly a mixed-breed pup who was rescued from a shelter in Tennessee -- so, a true Hollywood rags to riches story. However, Paws for Effect says it was blindsided by what it calls PETA's smear campaign ahead of the movie's release.

In docs obtained by TMZ ... Paws says PETA first fired off an email to an exec at Sony Pictures, the distributor of 'Dog's Way Home' ... alleging Paws had racked up citations under the Animal Welfare Act. PETA allegedly repeated that claim to an "unknowable" number of film industry types.

Paws says PETA's email is a straight-up lie, and insists it's never received a single citation under the AWA. According to docs, PETA either knew its statement about Paws was false, or could easily have found out if it did the slightest bit of research.

In the suit, Paws says even now -- after PETA's been informed its statement is false -- it has yet to correct or retract it.

Shelby's owners say the potential fallout for them is no one in Hollywood will work with them in the future -- and, as a result, they want PETA to pay through the snout.

Ne-Yo is squarely in Michael Jackson's corner, and says he doesn't care if the accusers featured in the new documentary are lying or not.

We got Ne-Yo Friday night at LAX, and asked him about the doc, "Leaving Neverland," that was previewed at the Sundance Film Festival. Ne-Yo was clear ... he's not going to see it, adding, "I'm going to keep my memory of Michael Jackson the way it is."

As for whether he believes the 2 accusers in the docs, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, are lying, Ne-Yo pays no mind to it.

Channing Tatum's ditching the bachelor life by parting with his rented pad -- which might not scream "single" from the outside, but on the inside it's definitely an untethered man's dream.

Channing was renting this charming, colonial-style home in the San Fernando Valley between November and January in the aftermath of his split from Jenna Dewan last year.

We're told this was Channing's second crash pad -- he initially rented in L.A.'s Mandeville Canyon for 6 months. The Valley spot didn't come cheap either. Our sources say he shelled out a whopping $25k every month. Not quite Bieber rental prices, but still.

The 2-story, 5-bedroom crib has all the bells and whistles a single dude might want -- sweet pool out back, private movie theater, game room, sports court, dual-purpose office, and guest house. There's also an area that can easily be converted into a wine cellar or recording studio.

We're told Channing moved out a few days ago to snap up something more permanent.

We don't know where he's moving, but we'd bet his new GF, Jessie J, has the address, and maybe even keys ... if that's still going on.

Renewed interest in Ted Bundy has attracted tons of voyeurs to his former Utah residence -- which has become a giant pain in the ass for residents.

A tenant who lives in the 2-story, 5-unit home -- which continues to serve as a boarding house, of sorts -- tells TMZ, foot traffic at the crib has significantly increased since the release of Netflix's 'Ted Bundy Tapes' doc and Zac Efron's Bundy film trailer.

Bundy lived here from 1974-1975 -- and urban legend has it, he might've even brought some of his victims back to the home. We're told Bundy used to stay in Room #2, which has since been relabeled Room #5. The tenant says somebody currently occupies that space.

What's really upsetting ... the barrage of gawkers cropping up in increasing numbers. We're told many simply wanna snap photos of the pad, while others have the audacity to peruse the grounds to eyeball a fire escape he used to climb when he wanted to come and go unnoticed.

Juliette Lewis isn't down with the notion that Ted Bundy was a "sexy" serial killer ... and she's weirded out by anyone -- especially women -- who thinks that.

The actress and singer was at LAX Tuesday when we asked her about the "hot" buzz around Bundy -- due to the fact that Zac Efron is playing him in the new film, "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile."

Juliette thinks it's very gross, though she's got no problem with casting the stupidly handsome Efron as the infamous murderer. Her beef's with "weirdo women" who fall for a killer who happens to be charming and good looking -- when his heinous crimes are common knowledge.

As we've told you ... one of Ted Bundy's survivors, Kathy Kleiner Rubin, is fine with the hot take on Bundy in the new movie, as long as people learn a lesson about his evil ways.

Jerry O'Connell wants to play Billy McFarland in the worst way ... and his impression of B.M. makes him more than worthy.

We got Jerry and his wife, Rebecca Romijn, Tuesday at LAX and asked how they'd feel about a scripted reimagining of the "the best party that never happened" hitting the big screen.

Turns out Jerry and Rebecca are Fyre nuts, who've watched both the Hulu and Netflix documentaries.

We talked to McFarland shortly after his would-be music fest came crashing down, and at the time he explained how he and his team tried hard to make it work.

As for whether the models who were involved in promoting the Fyre Fest -- some of whom are still being indirectly roped in to the story, even now -- should feel bad about their role in all this ... Rebecca -- a former model -- actually comes to their defense.

One thing's for sure ... these two definitely know their Fyre Festival history!

12:55 PM PT -- A rep for Gwyneth tells us, "This lawsuit is completely without merit. Anyone who reads the facts will realize that."

Gwyneth Paltrow allegedly doesn't know the rules of the road mountains in Utah -- 'cause a guy claims she crashed into him during a ski trip and seriously jacked him up.

Utah resident Terry Sanderson just sued Paltrow -- as well as Deer Valley Resort -- where he claims the actress slammed into him in February 2016 as he was skiing down the mountain.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Sanderson says Paltrow was out of control as she hit him from behind, which knocked him over and left him in shock. He claims she simply got up, didn't say a thing, and kept on going while he was left lying there.

Sanderson also claims Paltrow knew that a downhill skier usually has the right of way on a slope, and that he was clearly downhill from her.

He goes on to claim that a ski instructor who was tailing Paltrow stopped off and accused Sanderson of causing the collision, allegedly asking, "What did you do?" ... and skiing away without getting help for the guy. Sanderson alleges the instructor also filed a false report casting blame on him in an attempt to protect Paltrow.

He says he suffered a concussion, a brain injury and four broken ribs -- going on to claim he's suffered physical and mental injuries, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, disfigurement and medical expenses.

Sanderson is asking a judge to award him damages in excess of $3.1 million.

Here's a tip for Jordan Peele ... DON'T MAKE THIS WOMAN ANGRY!!

The lady in the photo is Lorena Bobbitt -- who infamously sliced off her husband's penis back in 1993.

No, Peele's not making a new horror flick -- he's actually the executive producer of a 4-episode documentary series about her life called "Lorena."

The two are promoting the series at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah -- and everyone seems to be having a good time.

The real-life story of Lorena and John Wayne Bobbitt is intense -- she claimed she cut off his junk after he had raped her, allegations John adamantly denied.

Lorena later drove away with the severed penis and threw it into a field before calling 911.

Officials found the penis and it was surgically reattached. John later showed off his surgically repaired wiener in a series of porno videos ... claiming it was back to normal.

The case went to trial and John was found not guilty of sexually assaulting his wife.

Lorena was charged with malicious wounding -- but was found not guilty of due to temporary insanity.

Zac Efron starring as Ted Bundy is pissing off a lot of people who think a full-on heartthrob shouldn't be playing a serial killer -- but, one rare survivor of Bundy's killing spree thinks Zac's a perfect fit.

We spoke with Kathy Kleiner Rubin -- who was brutalized by Bundy at Florida State University's Chi Omega house in '78 -- and she tells us she doesn't really mind Efron's "hot take" as Bundy, or the trailer for "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile." It plays more like a fast-paced action flick than a dark portrayal of a serial killer.

Kathy concedes that the movie might treat its subject matter too lightly -- but, what's most important to her is that people realize Ted's true nature: charming and handsome on the outside, and a monster on the inside.

Kathy also has a warning for women everywhere ... BE AWARE!!!

She hopes Zac's Bundy movie and the new Netflix documentary teach people to be wary when dealing with a seemingly trustworthy face.

Pete Davidson and Machine Gun Kelly have a movie together playing at Sundance, but as for having a classic buddy comedy in the works? Well, they didn't say no.

We got the real-life pals at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT Monday, where their new dramedy, "Big Time Adolescence," is debuting this week. Our photog wanted to know if they'd ever star in a buddy movie, like Vaughn and Favreau.

Pete and MGK got giddy at the prospect ... Pete voiced approval, "Hell yeah!!!" Hey ... they've already collabed together, so they're well on their way.

Check out how they spent their time getting to Utah ... Pete and Kelly are always good times, even when life hurts.

Shoot, even when we tried asking Pete something serious about his rocky year, he went all pie-zano on us.

We're no chemistry teachers, but we think Vince and Jon would be seriously proud.

Patricia Arquette's seemingly out-of-place shout-out to Robert Mueller during her SAG speech wasn't out of place at all, 'cause she says it was ALL from the heart.

We got Patricia Monday fresh on the heels of her big Sunday night at the 25th SAG Awards -- where she thanked the Special Counsel during her acceptance speech for Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series. She told us she was just trying to express her true feeling ... relief.

The actress says Mueller is doing the country a huge service by investigating the Trump campaign and potential cooperation with Russians to interfere in the 2016 election. She thinks the probe has everyone -- on both sides of the aisle -- feeling some sense of reassurance.

Our photog asks if she thinks Roger Stone's recent arrest and indictment is the last shoe to drop for Trump and co. but, like many of us, she's not too sure at this point.

Welcome to Netflix and chill ... Hollywood edition.

Tons of celebs hit up the streaming giant's SAG Awards after-party Sunday night at the Sunset Tower Hotel in WeHo. Netflix dominated all streaming services, cable and broadcast networks with 15 SAG nominations but only hauled in 2 statues. That didn't stop Netflix from turning up.

Lupita Nyong'o, Rami Malek, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael B. Jordan, Susan Kelechi, and Sterling K. Brown were just some of the celebs who made appearances.

Add another credit to Chris Pratt's resume -- MMA cornerman -- because the movie star was a part of fighter Adel "Kyokushin" Altamimi's fight team this weekend ... and THE GUY WON!!!

Pratt went INSANE when his buddy tapped out Brandon McMahan at Bellator 214 at The Forum in L.A. on Saturday night ... but the question everyone was asking -- why was Pratt there?!

Turns out, the "Guardians of the Galaxy" star became friends with Altamimi while training at Jay Glazer's Unbreakable Gym in L.A. ... and they've become so close, Adel invited him to walk him to the cage.

Adel's backstory is incredible ... the 29-year-old was born and raised in Iraq and was contracted as a convoy driver for the U.S. Marine Corps.

It was a dangerous job ... Altamimi was captured by Al Qaeda and was threatened with death -- until he was saved by a group of U.S. Marines.

After the rescue, Altamimi moved to the U.S. and began his MMA training -- meeting people like Jay Glazer and Chris Pratt along the way.

A.A. and Pratt built a strong friendship over time ... and Pratt congratulated him in November when he landed a multi-fight contract with Bellator, saying, "Can’t wait for the rest of the world to watch him fight and share his unbelievable story."

Fast forward to Saturday night -- Pratt helped Altamimi warm up in the locker room, walked him to the cage, coached him from the corner and then celebrated when Adel won his fight in 76 seconds!!!

After the fight, Adel praised the movie star -- and later said he wasn't nervous about the fight because he'd been in more serious, violent situations during his time in Iraq.

The 25th SAG Awards is in full swing, and if you take a peek behind the scenes ... you'll see everyone was dressed to the nines and beyond for this thing.

Tons of actors were on hand Sunday for the award show honoring folks in the SAG-AFTRA union, and nobody skimped on the swank -- including Michael B. Jordan (who wore a colorful Louis Vuitton harness over his tux), Lady Gaga who dazzled in a white gown, Viggo Mortensen who killed it with maroon ... and lots and lots of other stars who brought out their best outfits.

Some other standouts ... Chris Pine in the classic all-white tux, Sandra Oh who donned a gorgeous red gown, Darren Criss who sizzled in silver and, frankly, the entire "Black Panther" cast ... who looked absolutely incredible together in the front row.