Movies

Harvey Weinstein says Ashley Judd's playing a guessing game when it comes to why her career was derailed, and he insists she can't prove he blackballed her out of a huge role.

Weinstein filed docs asking the court to throw out the lawsuit Ashley filed against him earlier this year. In the docs, obtained by TMZ, he says her suit is based on a 2017 article where director Peter Jackson speculated Ashley wasn't hired for a 'Lord of the Rings' role due to Weinstein blackballing her.

In her suit, Ashley said the blackballing was the direct result of her rejecting Weinstein's sexually aggressive moves in a hotel room.

In his motion to dismiss, Weinstein says her whole case is based on speculation -- Jackson's and hers -- and she has no evidence the alleged blackballing is why she even lost the role. In fact, he says Ashley made no effort, at the time, to find out why she didn't get the part.

Who says guys in their 40's and 50's can't throw down?

Check out Leo DiCaprio, Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx getting super competitive Saturday during a volleyball match by the beach in Malibu.

Leo has spent his summer in the Bu, hangin' out on the sand and finding anyone -- with the right pedigree, of course -- to play V-ball with him.

The pairing was interesting ... Leo and Jamie vs. Butler and friend.

Lots of celebs hung with Leo, including his best friend Tobey Maguire and his new GF, model Tatiana Dieteman. Tobey and Tatiana played a fierce game of cornhole.

Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard have all roamed this land with the dinosaurs, but now it's in danger of being ravaged by Mother Nature ... so everyone's gotta get the hell out.

The Kualoa Ranch in Oahu, Hawaii -- a famous filming location known for "Jurassic Park" and "Jurassic World" -- has canceled all of its tours and closed its facilities as the island prepares to take a possible direct hit from Hurricane Lane.

The category 3 storm already dumped a ton of rain on Hawaii's Big Island Thursday, and is threatening to become the first hurricane to make landfall on the state since 1992 when Hurricane Iniki struck ... and interrupted filming of 'JP'!

Even if Hurricane Lane doesn't make landfall, residents are still being warned of life-threatening conditions, such as treacherous winds, flash floods and possible mudslides.

TV shows, like "Hawaii Five-0" and "Magnum P.I.," that film on the island have shut down production for safety purposes as well.

Along with being well-known for the 'Jurassic' movies, Kualoa has also been featured in films like "Godzilla," "50 First Dates," "You, Me and Dupree," "Mighty Joe Young" and some of Elvis Presley's 1960s classics.

Ben Affleck wanted to get back on the sober train -- badly -- days before his estranged wife staged an intervention and drove him to a rehab facility ... TMZ has learned.

Turns out, Ben had been attending wellness classes at a Los Angeles wellness center as recently as a week before checking into a live-in facility.

The center specializes in "Buddhist ethics" ... meaning meditation with a focus on a healthy body, mind and spirit. Our sources say Ben went on his own accord several times last week ... well aware he had fallen off the wagon and into a downward spiral.

We broke the story ... Ben's estranged wife, Jennifer Garner, staged an intervention Wednesday at his Pacific Palisades home and drove him to an L.A. County rehab facility where he will live for at least 30 days. We're told Ben didn't need much convincing because he knew he was in desperate straits.

We're told the trigger for Jen was on Monday, when she saw this pic (below) of Ben accepting delivery of a box full of beer and hard liquor.

The actor has been open about his struggles with sobriety over the years. After Ben completed his second stint at a rehab facility last year, he said, "I want to live life to the fullest and be the best father I can be. I want my kids to know there is no shame in getting help when you need it, and to be a source of strength for anyone out there who needs help but is afraid to take the first step."

He continued, "I'm lucky to have the love of my family and friends, including my co-parent, Jen, who has supported me and cared for our kids as I've done the work I set out to do."

Here's the reality ... most addicts relapse. It doesn't mean they can't eventually stay sober, but it's a long, difficult road and falling off the wagon is not necessarily game over. The most important thing ... it's clear Ben realized he had a problem and sought help, even before Jen staged the intervention.

The man accusing Asia Argento of sexual misconduct when he was 17 years old says he chose to keep the event private because he was afraid and ashamed to have his story heard.

In a statement to The New York Times, Jimmy Bennett says, "I did not initially speak out about my story because I chose to handle it in private with the person who wronged me. My trauma resurfaced as she came out as a victim herself. I have not made a public statement in the past days and hours because I was ashamed and afraid to be part of the public narrative."

He continues, "At the time I believed there was still a stigma to being in the situation as a male in our society. I didn't think that people would understand the event that took place from the eyes of a teenage boy. I would like to move past this event in my life, and today I choose to move forward, no longer in silence."

We broke the story ... a photo of Argento and Bennett in bed together -- shirtless -- suggests the 2 had a sexual relationship, along with several text messages between Asia and a friend in which she flat-out admits she had sex with him.

The bed photo is one of 4 that Bennett, now 22 years old, took in a Marina del Rey hotel room back in 2013. Sources tell us the pic was taken after the 2 had intercourse. It's a crime in California for an adult to have sex with a person under 18 ... and Asia was 37 at the time.

However, Argento released a statement Tuesday saying, "I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett" ... but claims Bennett was litigious and made exorbitant money demands, so she settled with him for $380,000.

Her boyfriend, Anthony Bourdain, paid Bennett the money because Asia says they wanted to "no longer suffer any further intrusions in our life."

In the text messages to her friend, though ... Asia admits to sex with Bennett but claims she didn't know he was a minor until he sent a "shakedown letter." She adds ... "it wasn't raped (sic) but I was frozen. He was on top of me. After, he told me I had been his sexual fantasy since was 12."

Kevin Spacey is the target of yet another sexual assault case in Los Angeles.

A rep for the L.A. County District Attorney's Office tells us they received a sexual assault case Tuesday from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. It's currently unclear when the alleged event happened or details surrounding it.

TMZ broke the story earlier this year ... Spacey was under investigation in L.A. for another incident that allegedly happened in October 1992. The alleged incident involved an adult male. The case was ultimately rejected because the statute of limitations had expired.

Spacey's "Billionaire Boys Club" opened to a reported $618 over the weekend ... a career low for the actor.

Asia Argento says she did not have sex with then 17-year-old Jimmy Bennett, but a photo and various text messages between Argento and a friend tell a very different story ... she flat-out says she had sex with him.

This is one of 4 photos Bennett, now 22, took in a Marina del Rey hotel room back in 2013. The then 37-year-old Argento and Bennett are on a bed shirtless, their heads on a pillow and their arms entangled. Sources tell TMZ the pic was taken after the 2 had intercourse. It's a crime in California for an adult to have sex with a person under 18.

Bennett later threatened legal action and, in April, Argento settled with him for $380,000 ... which her boyfriend, Anthony Bourdain, paid.

Argento released a statement Tuesday, saying, "I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett."

Above are partial text exchanges between Argento and one of her friends. Argento and the friend went back and forth in the midst of the backlash from the New York Times story that ran Sunday about her and Bennett. Argento's messages are in grey ... her friend's are in blue.

Argento says Bennett wrote this note (above) on Ritz-Carlton stationary -- the hotel where they hooked up -- and said, "Asia, I love you with all my heart. So glad we met again and I'm so glad your in my life. Jimmy." She texts her friend the note, saying, "He wrote me this afterwards and kept sending me unsolicited nudes all these years up until 2 weeks before the attorneys letter.

She goes on to say ... "it wasn't raped (sic) but I was frozen. He was on top of me. After, he told me I had been his sexual fantasy since was 12."

Argento has accused Harvey Weinstein of rape and is one of the first women to come forward in the #MeToo movement. Weinstein's lawyer, Ben Brafman, lashed out earlier in the week, saying, "This development reveals a stunning level of hypocrisy by Asia Argento, one of the most vocal catalysts who sought to destroy Harvey Weinstein."

As we reported, the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. is reaching out to Bennett to determine if a criminal investigation is warranted.

Give Shaun Weiss this -- he's got a helluva sense of humor. Check out how the guy who played Goldberg in "The Mighty Ducks" announced checking into rehab.

Shaun posted an emotional but also hilarious message Tuesday on Facebook announcing he's checked into a long-term rehab center. TMZ broke the story ... Shaun was busted earlier this month for public intoxication. Shaun spent a few hours in the drunk tank and, though he wasn't cited, his arrest did produce this incredibly sad mug shot that had his fans feeling bummed for him.

Shaun wrote, "At this time, in an effort to break free from the self destructive patterns of behavior and drug abuse that have landed me at rock bottom, (to be real... BELOW rock bottom. Even rock bottom is like 'holy sh!t, how'd you get all the way down there?') I have checked in to a well reguarded, long term rehabilitation center. I have surrendered to the reality that without immediate treatment my life is in eminant danger. My spirit was until recently depleted, weak and shrouded by darkness has been renewedby the overwhelming out-pouring of love and support from fans of my early work as an actor."

Asia Argento will not go under the microscope of cops for the alleged sexual assault involving a 17-year-old ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

Argento settled with Jimmy Bennett for $380k for an incident that went down at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Marina del Rey, CA ... this according to the NYT. The paper cites documents showing when Jimmy was 17, Argento gave him alcohol, kissed him, pushed him on the bed, performed oral sex on him and then climbed on top of him to have intercourse.

Argento did not ask for an NDA because, as one of the first Harvey Weinstein rape accusers, she felt confidentiality documents protected the bad guy. Instead she bought the copyright to a photo of the 2 of them in the hotel bed wearing nothing on top. He also gave up his right to civilly sue her.

We're told the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. will only investigate sex crimes if the alleged victim comes forward and complains. A source from the Sheriff's Dept. told us if Bennett were still a minor and they learned of the incident in the media they would open an investigation, but since he's now 22 they will not.

Well, Jon Gruden hates Tom Cruise movies.

The Oakland Raiders coach was asked about his reported $100 million deal with the team -- and while trying to explain his high salary ... he randomly took a shot at Tom Cruise.

Here's the quote from his interview with Peter King ...

"I’m not making $100 million, just so you know. Well, I never thought Tom Cruise, never thought his movies were any good but he’s making plenty of money."

Weird and random Tom Cruise shot -- but alas, there's more.

"There’s a lot of things that I don’t understand. No disrespect to Tom Cruise. I’m sure he’s a great actor. But you know what? You just go about your life as hard as you can. You try to find something you love and you do the best you can at it."

No word on why Jon dragged Tom Cruise into the conversation -- maybe he finally got around to seeing "Rock of Ages" or "The Mummy" ... both trash.

But what Gruden's clearly forgetting in his weird Tom Cruise rant is "Top Gun" and "Jerry Maguire" and "Jack Reacher" (the first one) was actually pretty solid.

And several people in this office are adamant the new 'Mission Impossible' movie was "f**king awesome" and they're actually mad at Gruden for throwing shade.

By the way, Jon Gruden had a cameo in "DRAFT DAY" -- THE WORST FOOTBALL MOVIE EVER MADE!!!

Asia Argento -- one of Harvey Weinstein's first accusers and a prominent figure in the #MeToo movement -- reportedly paid off her own accuser, a then 17-year-old boy.

The NYT cites documents it obtained outlining an agreement between Argento's lawyer and her accuser's attorney to pay former child actor Jimmy Bennett -- who once co-starred alongside Argento in a 2004 film -- $380,000 over multiple installments.

The Times reports Bennett's attorney reached out to Argento's camp late last year -- shortly before Ronan Farrow's bombshell New Yorker piece -- stating an intent to sue ... and describing alleged "sexual battery" between Argento and Bennett in 2013 -- when he was only 17 years old. He's 22 now.

According to the Times, the documents claim Jimmy met Asia at a Ritz-Carlton hotel in Marina del Rey, CA on May 9, 2013 and that she proceeded to give him alcohol, kiss him, push him back onto the bed, perform oral sex on him ... and then climb on top of him to have intercourse.

Argento has photos of her and Bennett on her social media account from the day in question. One post shows a photo of the two of them with her caption reading "Happiest day of my life reunion with @jimmymbennett xox". The Times says Bennett's lawyer claimed his client had more photos, one of which allegedly depicts both of them lying topless in bed from that day.

According to the Times ... Argento agreed to pay Bennett $200,000 this past April as an initial installment for the copyright to the risque photo that was in his possession. The Times also cites an email written to Argento from her lawyer saying ... "Ultimately, you decided against the non-disclosure [NDA] language because you felt it was inconsistent with the public messages you’ve conveyed about the societal perils of non-disclosure agreements."

The alleged email ends with this ... "Bennett could theoretically tell people his claims against you. However, under this agreement, he cannot sue you for them. Nor can he post the photo of the two of you. At the very he is not permitted to bother you for more money, disparage you or sue -- so long as you comply with your obligations in the agreement."

12:02 PM PT -- According to legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- cops discovered a lunch box in the vehicle that contained weed. The docs say Davidson's friend also had a "white/yellow substance in a clear plastic bag" that tested positive for marijuana.

Pete Davidson was pulled over by cops in Upstate New York ... but even though he was behind the wheel it was his boy who ended up going to jail.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Pete and his friend were driving in Syracuse around 4 AM last weekend where Pete was filming "Big Time Adolescence" with Machine Gun Kelly. It's unclear why, but cops ordered him on the side of the road. We're told officers smelled weed ... triggering a search.

Sources say Pete passed a field sobriety test, so he was in the clear. His friend, however, wasn't so lucky.

According to an arrest report -- obtained by TMZ -- the friend was booked for felony possession of a controlled substance and cited for unlawful possession of weed. As for the controlled substance ... cops aren't saying what they found.

Here's what we don't know ... there were drugs in the car, but we don't know why cops fingered the passenger.

Vivica A. Fox damn near choked on the word "No" when our camera guy told her she could play Omarosa in a movie, making it crystal clear -- not a fan.

We got Vivica A. at LAX where our photog mustered the strength to say she resembles President Trump's friend-turned-foe. The idea of playing Omarosa made her recoil. Our bad.

Of course, an Omarosa biopic hinges on how well her tell-all book sells. Vivica says if it flops, O's gotta ride off into the sunset -- on a donkey ... 'cause she attached herself to an ass.

Eddie George is singing the praises of his new boss -- saying it was a PLEASURE starring in Tim Tebow's new movie ... and he thinks the guy could win an Oscar one day.

FYI, Eddie is one of the main roles in "Run the Race" -- a story about two brothers who use sports to overcome personal tragedies in their lives.

It's a faith-based, feel-good story -- so, it's perfect for Tim Tebow who produced the flick with his brother, Robby Tebow.

Eddie -- who plays a college recruiter in the movie -- says the Tebows did a "tremendous job" behind the scenes and show real promise when it comes to the business side of movie making.

"There's no limit to what [Tim] can do ... who knows, he could write a story that could win him an Oscar one day!"