Movies

Arnold Schwarzenegger says he shouldn't have used the words "girlie man" to insult his political rivals -- saying, "In the long term, it's better to not say that."

The former California governor famously used the term at the 2004 Republican National Convention --saying, "And to those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say, don't be economic girlie man!"

At the time, the comments were met with thunderous applause from politicians like Rudy Giuliani and Dick Cheney (both gave Arnold a standing ovation).

But now, Arnold tells Men's Health he wishes he didn't use the term -- but not because it's offensive to women or effeminate men ...

"I called them girlie men because they weren’t willing to take risks," Arnold said ... "They were afraid of everything."

"Politicians in general want to do little things so there’s no risk involved. But it was shortsighted. In the long term, it’s better to not say that, because you want to work with them."

In the 30th Anniversary Issue, Arnold also talked about his treatment of women before the #MeToo movement ... saying, "Looking back, I stepped over the line several times, and I was the first one to say sorry. I feel bad about it, and I apologize."

Back in 2003, several women came out and accused Arnold of sexual misconduct earlier in his Hollywood career ... claiming he would grope them against their will.

Arnold had said most of the allegations were untrue -- but fessed up to "behaving badly sometimes."

Fast forward to the new interview ... where Arnold explains, "When I became governor, I wanted to make sure that no one, including me, ever makes this mistake. That’s why we took sexual harassment courses, to have a clear understanding, from a legal point of view and also from a regular-behavior point of view, of what is accepted and what is not."

Margot Robbie's blowing up, particularly around her belly ... but only to play the tragic role of Sharon Tate.

Margot was rocking a prosthetic baby bump Tuesday while filming scenes for Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" -- set, of course, in 1969. Note the classic cars behind her for the scene.

Margot's transformation into Sharon is uncanny ... and the sight of her "pregnant" is a stark reminder of Charles Manson's brutality. Sharon was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Roman Polanski's son the night the Manson family members murdered her.

Sharon's sister, Debra Tate, told us she's thrilled with the casting, and thinks Margo will fill the role in spectacular fashion. It certainly looks like she's nailing it.

Hard to imagine, but Brad and Leo might be getting upstaged.

That didn't take long -- fired "Guardians of the Galaxy" director James Gunn is bouncing back from controversial tweets by landing a gig writing "Suicide Squad 2."

As you know ... Disney canned Gunn in July over a bunch of years-old, yet horribly offensive tweets -- including comments about 9/11, AIDS, the Holocaust and rape.

Despite the controversy, Warner Bros and DC Films confirm they've snatched up Gunn ... and he'll now be tasked with improving the studios' much-maligned 'Suicide' franchise.

For what it's worth, Gunn's old 'Guardians' cast backed him immediately after Disney and Marvel let him go, saying he was the victim of "mob mentality." Selma Blair also publicly supported her friend.

Deadline first reported Gunn's new job ... which most superhero movie fans have said is exactly what DC needs -- a taste of the Marvel Cinematic Universe success. Critics might say ... at what cost?

Harvey Weinstein's still keeping up with A-list actresses like Nicole Kidman -- whether they like it or not -- he just has to do it the way normies do ... at the magazine rack.

We got these shots of Weinstein making a pit stop at a Westport, Connecticut gas station over the weekend. Witnesses say he was picking up some snacks, but couldn't resist checking out Nicole's cover shot on the latest Marie Claire issue. He was, apparently, less impressed with Jennifer Aniston and Gwen Stefani's covers.

Nicole and the disgraced movie mogul have some history. Some of it good -- she starred in a few of his movies, including "The Hours" and "Lion" -- and some of it contentious.

Nicole didn't call out Weinstein by name, but about a year ago when his accusers were coming forward, she said ... "I support and applaud all women and these women who speak out against any abuse and misuse of power -- be it domestic violence or sexual harassment in the workforce. We need to eradicate this behavior."

Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio (yes, that really is Leo) might not know how to party like it's 1969 but they certainly know how to act like it.

Brad and Leo threw on some groovy outfits to film a scene in Quentin Tarantino's film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" on Monday in L.A. Brad looked dashing as ever ... rocking a white denim top and bottom with some brown boots. Slick finish with a black t-shirt. Leo, on the other hand, was unrecognizable.

For starters, Leo's rocking sideburns and a mop top hairstyle ... completing the '60s look with pink pants and a vintage polo shirt. Leo's playing Rick Dalton, a has-been western TV star who lives next to Sharon Tate. Brad plays Cliff Booth ... Leo's character's stunt double.

As you know ... the movie stars Margot Robbie playing Tate, who was brutally murdered by members of the Charles Manson family in 1969 while she was pregnant with Roman Polanski's child.

Method Man and Redman are passing the blunt and leaving the rotation ... 'cause we're told the rappers won't be appearing in the "How High" sequel.

Sources close to "How High 2" tell TMZ ... the hip-hop duo wasn't cast in the made-for-TV movie after starring in the original stoner comedy.

We're told the sequel is going to be fundamentally different from the OG version -- think sativa vs. indica -- because it's for a television PG-13 audience, and weed legalization has made strides since 2001, when Meth and Red blazed their way through Harvard.

Filming began last week in Atlanta and, as we reported ... Lil Yachty and DC Young Fly are the franchise's new stars.

Meth and Red are MIA -- probably ripping a bong somewhere -- but one of the original producers, Shauna Garr, is returning.

Don't write off Meth and Red just yet ... we're told there's always a chance the duo changes course and makes a cameo in the sequel, or in a potential trilogy.

Scott Wilson -- a veteran actor with more than 50 movie credits, but best known recently for his role as Hershel Greene on "The Walking Dead" -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

Scott's rep, Dominic Mancini, tells us he died due to complications from leukemia. Mancini says Wilson was "a national treasure, a calm voice, and a gentle spirit to everyone who came in contact with him." We're told he passed away peacefully at his home in L.A.

It was recently revealed by 'TWD' showrunner Angela Kang at the show's panel at New York Comic-Con that Scott -- along with former stars Sonequa Martin-Green and Jon Bernthal -- would be returning for the upcoming ninth season, which premieres Sunday.

Wilson's Hollywood career began in 1967 when he landed a role in the classic film, "In the Heat of the Night." He went on to star in "In Cold Blood" and appear in several other legendary movies like "The Great Gatsby" and "Dead Man Walking."

Scott earned a Golden Globe nom for Best Supporting Actor for playing Capt. Billy Cupshaw in the 1980 film, "The Ninth Configuration."

In more recent years, Wilson starred in the movie "Pearl Harbor" and had a recurring role on 'CSI' ... but became a fan favorite playing the lovable Hershel on AMC's smash hit 'Walking Dead' series.

Hershel's death on the show is remembered one of the most shocking and heart-breaking for TV viewers.

Scott was 76.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have reached a custody agreement, but it is vague for an obvious reason ... Ben's issue with alcohol.

As we have already reported, the couple long ago agreed to joint custody of their 3 kids. There are 2 elements to the agreement -- legal and physical custody.

Legal custody is simple ... they will jointly agree on decisions that affect the kids, such as education and various activities.

As for physical custody, that's where it gets tricky. As we reported, the divorce was held up for a long time because Ben was on and off the bottle, and Jennifer didn't want to strike any custody arrangement until he was sober and stable.

We're told the physical custody agreement is vague ... it doesn't outline any specific division of time with the kids. But, we're told, at least at the beginning, Jen will get the lion's share of custodial time, and when Ben has the kids he will have a monitor to ensure he's sober and the kids are safe.

There's another factor -- their kids are older now -- 12, 9 and 6 -- and they may be conscious of Ben's problem with alcohol and how it's affected their family, and they will have a voice as well.

Audrey Wells -- the writer of "Under the Tuscan Sun," "A Dog's Purpose" and the just-released film "The Hate U Give" -- has died ... according to her reps.

Wells died Thursday after a long battle with cancer. Her husband, Brian, released a statement saying, "Over the last five and half years, Audrey fought valiantly against her illness and she died surrounded by love. Even during her fight, she never stopped living, working or traveling, and she never lost her joy, wonder and optimism."

She's survived by her husband and her daughter Tatiana.

Audrey's career as a writer in Hollywood began in 1996, when she penned "The Truth About Cats & Dogs." She went on to write the screenplay for "George of the Jungle" the following year, before writing and directing "Guinevere" in 1999.

She was also the director of 'Tuscan Sun.'

Her latest movie, "The Hate You Give," is a drama tackling racial tension and police violence in America. It opened Friday in limited release.

Audrey was 58.

Dean Cain says his mom and sister were once victims of sexual assault but he's adamant those cases vastly differ from the accusations Brett Kavanaugh's facing ... and that's why he still supports Kavanaugh's SCOTUS nom.

We got Dean Thursday at the Javits Center for NY Comic Con and he thinks Kavanaugh will end up getting confirmed to the Supreme Court. Why? The TV Superman thinks Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was was silent for way too long.

Benicio Del Toro proved to us he really does have short-term memory problems when he's not acting.

We got the "Sicario" star at LAX and asked about his recent revelation that he has "hyper sensitive" memory when he's immersed in a role, and terrible recollection during his daily life.

It seems like he's playing along with our photog. But again, dude's a great actor, so you be the judge.

Steven Seagal was quick to shut down an interview after a reporter brought up a rape allegation made against the actor.

Seagal appeared on BBC's Newsnight Thursday and host Kirsty Wark brought up the #MeToo movement. Wark then says, "You've been very much caught up in all the allegations of sexual harassment, you had a rape allegation against you and I wonder how you deal with all that?"

Just as Wark wrapped her question, Seagal ripped out his earpiece, stood up and walked out of camera view.

Seagal was accused in March of raping a woman back in the 90's ... another woman claimed he had sexually assaulted her in 2002. Portia de Rossi claimed Seagal sat her down on a couch during a casting for one of his films and unzipped his pants, so she fled the room.

Seagal adamantly denied all claims.

Ben Stein doubled down his support for Brett Kavanaugh ... saying the FBI's sexual assault investigation against him came up empty and it's time to drop it.

We got the 'Ferris Bueller' actor at LAX Thursday and he sang his fellow Yale alumnus' praises amid a new FBI report that reportedly concludes there is no corroboration to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's allegation Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a party 36 years ago.

Remember ... Stein told us last month Ford's allegations are a "f***ing disgrace" and wasn't buying Ford's story. So, it's no surprise he's swinging hard for Kavanaugh with this weekend's Senate confirmation vote looming.

But, watch as our guy again goes head-to-head with Ben and tells him the FBI's investigation is incomplete because, among other things, it failed to interview Ford, Kavanaugh and several key former classmates.

Ben Affleck has completed a 40-day stay at a California rehab facility for alcohol addiction ... and is now in outpatient care.

Affleck posted a message Thursday, saying, "The support I have received from my family, colleagues and fans means more to me than I can say. It's given me the strength and support to speak about my illness with others."

TMZ broke the story ... Jennifer Garner staged an intervention at Ben's Pacific Palisades home back in August. Garner then drove Ben to a Malibu facility where he's been in treatment ever since, with occasional breaks for work and trips to his home gym.

The NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office have launched a new investigation in the Harvey Weinstein case ... and the target is the lead police investigator ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us, the investigation centers around the case of Lucia Evans, who claims Weinstein forced her to engage in oral sex. The complaint against Weinstein alleges he grabbed the back of Evans' head and forced her mouth on his penis.

Our law enforcement sources say the witness -- a casting director -- says Evans told her she performed oral sex on Weinstein in order to get an acting role. Our sources say the lead investigator interviewed the witness who gave him a statement, but the investigator allegedly failed to disclose it to prosecutors.

Witness tampering generally requires some affirmative act to influence or pressure a witness ... but our law enforcement sources would not be more specific.

NYPD spokesperson Phil Walzak tells us, "The NYPD working with its partner DANY remains fully confident in the overall case it has pursued against Mr. Weinstein. The evidence shows that the criminal case against him is strong." The statement goes on ... "The NYPD will continue to assist the prosecution any way it can to ensure justice is achieved for these brave survivors."