Movies

Quentin Tarantino seems to be pushing forward with plans to auction off "Pulp Fiction" NFTs, but the movie studio behind the film says they aren't his to sell ... according to a new lawsuit.

The famous movie director is being sued by Miramax, which claims his plans to sell a set of digital tokens featuring some iconic movie scenes violate the studio's rights.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Miramax claims it was left in the dark about Quentin's planned NFT auction, but finally caught wind of it and fired off a cease and desist letter to the director ... claiming the film company had the rights to most everything media-related involving the movie, including the NFTs he's looking to sell.

In the docs, Miramax claims Quentin pressed ahead anyway and is now promoting the hell out of the upcoming auction on social media. So, the studio says it had no choice but to drag him to court.

Miramax is going after Tarantino for money, and the studio wants the judge to pump the brakes on his NFT auction.

George Clooney is speaking his piece on the fatal shooting that claimed Halyna Hutchins' life -- and he's torching the entire "Rust" crew over the tragedy, especially the assistant director.

The legendary actor weighed in while he was on Marc Maron's 'WTF' podcast and he didn't hold back one bit ... lighting up AD Dave Halls, armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and the producers at large, who he says clearly skimped.

GC's biggest gripe is the gun that was handed to Alec should never have been handled by Halls ... but rather, Hannah herself or the head prop master.

George says there's been strict protocol for gun use on every set he's been on, and notes ... the protocol was grossly violated on "Rust," going on to say he's never even heard of the term "cold gun" -- while labeling the whole saga "insane" and "infuriating."

Now, while Mr. Clooney stops short of criticizing Alec Baldwin directly -- whom he says he doesn't know well -- he does make a stark comparison in how he's dealt with guns on set, and how AB apparently did.

George explains that anytime he's used a gun on camera, he's always checked it himself -- and does so extensively too ... saying he opens it, examines the chamber, shows it to whoever he's pointing it too and even fires six times at the ground as a final safeguard.

According to Santa Fe authorities, Alec didn't do any of that -- and ended up pointing the gun at Halyna and director Joel Souza during a blocking setup, and firing.

There's more George touches on -- including the producers of this film allegedly cutting crucial corners that allowed for an unsafe environment to fester, which is unfathomable to him considering the tragedy that killed Brandon Lee in the '90s.

Alec Baldwin is being made a scapegoat in the fatal "Rust" shooting because of political views ... at least according to his brother.

Daniel Baldwin appeared Monday on "The Domenick Nati Show" ... and during the radio hit, he said his brother should NOT be taking the blame for the fatal incident on set.

The way Daniel sees it ... Alec is being scapegoated because he's the big star with outspoken political views, making for an easy target.

Daniel says ... "You know Alec's got the name though doesn't he, so let's go ahead and take Alec for his political views and the many, many wonderful things he's done for different charities and people and his wife and let's see if we can't sensationalize this and go after Alec."

DB adds ... "This is what he faces because he's opinionated and he's strong-headed and he has really staunch views on certain things and those people who don't like him will take advantage of him and persecute his wife. He's a target."

While Daniel doesn't go into Alec's political views, it's no secret Alec did not like Donald Trump, often imitating the former President on 'SNL,' and endorsing Barack Obama back in the day.

Remember ... one of the first to publicly pile on Alec was Donald Trump Jr., who posted t-shirts reading, "Guns don't kill people, Alec Baldwin kills people."

While it seems Don Jr.'s actions support Daniel's scapegoating theory, it's worth noting the District Attorney investigating the case in New Mexico, Mary Carmack-Altwies, is a Democrat.

Instead, Daniel says the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is responsible for the death of Halyna Hutchins ... along with assistant director Dave Halls.

In Daniel's eyes, Alec is exonerated by the fact folks on set told police Halls announced the gun he handed AB was "cold," meaning it did not have live ammunition.

As you know it was a fatal mistake ... the revolver in Alec's hands turned out to have live ammo.

Daniel says the buck stops with the armorer, but he's wondering why Halls said it was a "cold" gun if Halls didn't verify it ... and he thinks it's clear rules weren't being followed on set.

Daniel says Alec really liked Halyna and had spent some time with her family ... and we saw Alec with the family in the wake of the shooting.

No charges have been filed and no arrests have been made ... but Daniel believes when the dust settles AB won't be the one going to jail.

Chicago born actor Gary Cole has had incredible success in the film and television industry ... but he's best known for his quirky role as the monotone manager, Bill Lumbergh -- who smoothly slips in extra work days on the weekend over at Initech -- in the classic 1999 Mike Judge movie "Office Space."

There was plenty of other funny characters in the Initech headquarters including Ron Livingston as the hypnotized TPS reports slacker, Peter Gibbons, Stephen Root as the stapler-obsessed arsonist, Milton Waddams ... and of course Jennifer Aniston as the flair-loathing Chotchkie's server, Joanna.

GC's other notable roles include the fast-driving father, Reese Bobby, in 'Talladega Nights' and the foul-mouth strategist, Kent Davison, on the political comedy "Veep."

The "Rust" film worker who suffered horrific injuries from a spider bite on the job won't need to have his arm amputated ... and it sounds like he's going to get some workers' comp.

The film worker, Jason Miller, tells TMZ ... his left arm will be saved despite the grizzly photos of his severe reaction to a bite from a venomous brown recluse spider, which bit him while he was breaking down the movie set.

Jason, who is diabetic, says he underwent invasive surgery where doctors removed a bunch of muscle and skin from his left arm, but he's responding well to treatment and surgeries, so amputation is being ruled out after initial concerns he might lose his arm.

He says "Rust" should be held accountable for the poisonous spider bite in the wake of the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins ... and the wheels are in motion for him to get workers' compensation.

Jason claims he was getting dodged by folks at "Rust" after reaching out 6 times about workers' comp, but now his attorneys say they are working with the movie's insurance company to get him paid for his troubles.

While Jason says he greatly appreciates the wave of public support, with over $13K donated to his GoFundMe, he insists what happened to him was a freak accident ... and he wants the focus on Halyna Hutchins because he thinks her shooting death could have been avoided.

Renée Zellweger and boyfriend Ant Anstead are getting closer ... she just moved in across the street from his Laguna Beach home, and they will soon be under one roof.

TMZ has learned the actress recently started renting a 5-bedroom home in Laguna Beach ... and it just so happens the home is across the way from Ant's place.

Our sources say Ant is getting ready to renovate his place and it will be featured on HGTV's "Property Brothers" show. We're told the plan is for Renée and Ant to live in her rental until the renovations are complete.

Renée is already getting settled in her new digs, which she's renting for $30,000 per month ... we're told her personal belongings were recently moved into the house.

The crib is 4,900 square feet and it's decked out with all the bells and whistles, including a beautiful pool and backyard overlooking the Pacific.

Meanwhile, Ant's been on the move too ... he was traveling to New Orleans the past several weekends to see Renée leading up to her move.

Living together is a big step, but it might be a trial run ... it's unclear if Renée will move into his place permanently once the renovations at his home are finished, but it sure looks that way.

Halle Berry gave Cardi B a crown many feel belongs to Nicki Minaj -- and while Winnie Harlow vouched for the latter on live TV ... CB seems to want no part of the debate.

This is all started Saturday, when Halle and co. were hosting a premiere for her new flick, 'Bruised' -- a movie she directed and stars in ... and one that features a soundtrack full of female rappers, which was curated by both Ms. Berry and Cardi.

In fact, Halle shouted Cardi out by name ... but in doing so, also called her the "Queen of Hip Hop" -- something Nicki Minaj's fans didn't take very kindly to.

The "Barbz," as they're known, were swarming with fury about the title ... which has often been given to Nicki because of her many years in the game, and her undeniable influence in hip hop at large. Of course, many feel Cardi has emerged as a more influential figure in a shorter timespan ... and, apparently, Halle believes the same.

Fast-forward to Sunday, where during MTV's 2021 Europe Music Awards ... Winnie seemed to get into the fracas herself with what may be a little jab of her own while announcing the winner of the Best Hip-Hop winner. That winner, of course, was Nicki Minaj.

Winnie prefaced saying Nicki's name with ... "the one and only Queen of Hip Hop," which can interpreted as being in response to Halle's own remark. Who knows ... maybe it's nothing.

Enter Cardi herself ... who had some thoughts on the matter, and which may be the final say, for now. She writes, "I know how some of you girls like to tussle over this typa childish s***… but ntm on Halle Berry. Anyway her movie #BRUISED dropping THAT SHE DIRECTED HERSELF on Netflix on November 24th. The FIRST female rap movie soundtrack!! we produced together out this FRIDAY!"

Shia LaBeouf may soon be living the dad life -- assuming he and Mia Goth are expecting ... and it sure looks like they are from this.

The actor was spotted at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant Saturday with none other than his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Mia -- who might actually still be his wife, but more on that later -- where she looked very pregnant as they hit the arcade games together.

We're told it was just them there ... no other kids around. But, based on Mia's more-than-prominent bump, we'd guess she's got a bun in the oven -- and at least 4-5 months along. Disclaimer: We ain't doctors.

It's a little strange that 2 grown adults -- and potential parents-to-be -- would be gaming it up at a place for children, but maybe they're just getting ready for what's to come and preparing early. In any case, some congratulations could be in order here.

Shia and Mia have recently reconciled ... being spotted out together and getting cozy since at least last year -- this after his brief stint with FKA Twigs. They've even been seen rocking their wedding bands anew ... something most everyone thought was done with after 2018.

You'll recall ... SLB and MG got hitched way back in 2016, during a Vegas ceremony, but appeared to file for divorce a couple years later ... as each party was seen dating other people thereafter. It's unclear if they ever finalized, though, and quite possibly didn't.

If that is, indeed, the case ... then they could be married right now -- and not just that, may well be on first-time mom and dad duty in the near future. Neither of 'em have kids ... this would be their first -- again, operating under the presumption they are still romantically involved at this point ... which, by most accounts, they certainly appear to be.

Nicole Kidman has a lot of doubters over her turn as Lucille Ball in a new movie about the iconic actress -- but those folks will be silenced ... so say critics, who were blown away.

Aaron Sorkin's new flick, "Being the Ricardos," got its first screening in L.A. this weekend -- in front of a crowd of professional movie reviewers, no less -- and the consensus seems to be ... NK absolutely killed it as Lucy/Lucille ... and she may well be on her way to an Oscar.

The first reactions were mostly positive ... with folks saying Nicole captured the spirit of Lucille (both as Lucy Ricardo and the real-life Lucille Ball) down to a T -- including a spot-on impression of her voice and mannerisms, according to the people who watched it.

There were rave reviews for Javier Bardem as well -- who plays Lucy/Lucille's on-and-off screen hubby Desi Arnaz/Ricky Ricardo -- and ditto for J.K. Simmons and others who also star in the movie. Nicole, however, seems to have stood out from the rest ... which is interesting.

Frankly ... much has been made about Nicole's casting as the lead, because -- well, she doesn't really look like Lucy or Lucille very much at all ... even when she's in costume and makeup.

A lot of "I Love Lucy" fans were incensed by the decision to tap NK -- saying she doesn't even slightly resemble Lucille ... meanwhile, Debra Messing (who's considered a dead ringer for LB) is there, presumably available to take on the role many feel she was born to play.

Sorkin shut all that down in a recent interview ... defending his choice of Nicole, saying the best performances of real people don't always have to be about matching their look.

Did you know Shaquille O'Neal could have been John Coffey in "The Green Mile?!?"

It's true ... so says the NBA legend, who revealed on the "The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast" this week that he was initially offered the star role in the 1999 film but turned it down.

The Tom Hanks flick is one of the greatest ever -- and Coffey, ultimately played by the late Michael Clarke Duncan, is one of the most iconic movie characters in cinema history.

And, Shaq says he was initially tabbed to play the part before Clarke Duncan, but says he "turned it down."

"I didn't want to play the down-South African American guy during slavery," Shaq explained. "I didn't want to play that role."

Shaq, who was still with the Lakers in '99, added he has no regrets over it all -- especially considering Duncan shined in the part.

"The guy who played it did a wonderful job," Shaq says, "He's no longer with us, he passed away. Michael Clarke Duncan did an excellent job."

The Big Diesel's not wrong, Clarke Duncan went on to win three awards for best-supporting actor.

Water is squeezed out of The Rock ... and into a water bottle???

Dwayne Johnson says that's exactly what happens during his famous workouts ... revealing in a new interview this week that he does, in fact, piss in bottles at the gym.

The Rock explained, though, that it's not as weird as it sounds (or, at least, he tried to) ...

In the chat with Esquire, the WWE legend said he doesn't have a specific water bottle that he reuses as his portable bathroom ... but rather he just uses old plastic bottles that he's finished with.

As for why he does it in the first place, The Rock explained there's just simply no bathrooms at the gyms he lifts weights in.

"It's just hot, sweaty and dirty," The Rock said of the facilities.

Johnson said the urination breaks actually go down multiple times during his sessions ... saying in gross detail, "I usually stay pretty hydrated."

Winter, the dolphin that grabbed global attention after being the focus of the movie "Dolphin Tale" is fighting for her life after developing a serious infection.

Winter, who lost her tail in 2005 at just 2 months old when it became entangled in a crab trap, had been cared for at The Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida for her entire life. Her caretakers announced that while they treated her for what they thought was a gastrointestinal infection, her condition got worse this week ... and she's now in critical condition.

"Dolphin Tale" -- released in 2011 -- was based on Winter's journey from her injury as a calf to the prosthetic tail that was made for her, and her progress after.

Among the movie's stars were Harry Connick Jr., Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd and Kris Kristofferson.

The aquarium announced they'll be closed until at least Saturday "to create the best possible environment for her medical team."

A statement from the Clearwater aquarium team says, "We thank everyone for the incredible outpouring of love and support you have shown Winter since her rescue in 2005 and especially these last few days.”

Even though Kyle Rittenhouse didn't seem to shed any actual tears on the stand, D.L. Hughley is convinced the jury will believe his "performance is real" ... and it very possibly could lead to his acquittal.

The comedian/activist's review of Rittenhouse's emotional testimony is pretty blunt -- worst acting since Stacey Dash -- but Thursday on "TMZ Live" he said it will be good enough to sway jurors because a "white dude crying with a haircut is very sympathetic."

Jokes aside, D.L. joined us Thursday on "TMZ Live" to discuss what he sees as clear biases, both in and out of the courtroom, surrounding Rittenhouse's case. First off, he says the right wing's financial support of the teenager's defense is evidence it believes "whatever you do for your cause is justified."

He also said our judicial system needs sweeping changes, and he proposed one overhaul to remove jury biases -- namely, not allowing jurors to see the defendant. That sparked an interesting debate about how our system is supposed to work ... versus how it actually does.

As for why these changes are needed -- well, D.L. believes too many people in power lack the principles to do what's right ... regardless of how it will affect them.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed -- the armorer for "Rust" -- is doubling down, claiming she was targeted for sabotage and she thinks she's now being framed ... this according to her lawyer.

Gutierrez-Reed's attorney Jason Bowles tells TMZ ... "We are convinced that this was sabotage and Hannah is being framed." This is a step beyond what Bowles said earlier in the week ... he alleged sabotage, but didn't say it was targeted at his client.

But, Bowles wasn't done ... he added, "We believe that the scene was tampered with as well before the police arrived."

It's interesting ... this comes hours after the D.A. scoffed at the sabotage claim, saying no such evidence has surfaced.

Hannah's lawyer says his client met with Santa Fe County Deputy Sherriff's Tuesday, providing a full interview and continuing to cooperate.

Her legal team says more info keeps coming out that the D.A. needs to investigate, and they want the D.A. and FBI to get to the bottom of what happened with the live rounds they claim ended up in the "dummies" box.

Of course, there's another explanation ... that someone was target practicing during the lunch break and failed to take the live ammo out of the chamber.

The D.A. heading up the investigation into the fatal "Rust" shooting seems sure of one thing, but says the biggest mystery remains unsolved -- how live ammo ended up on the set.

Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies talked to 'GMA' Wednesday to answer about the ongoing investigation into how Halyna Hutchins ended getting shot and killed, and had to admit she still doesn't have much clarity about the live ammunition.

However, she did acknowledge there were multiple live bullets -- beyond the one that killed Halyna -- found on set ... just one of the "Rust" conditions she found alarming.

One thing she did appear ready to dispel was the notion that sabotage might've been at play -- a theory floated by head armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's, own legal team just a week ago.

Check out how the D.A. responds ... while she says there's no evidence thus far to suggest anything like that occurred, Carmack-Atlwies doesn't completely rule it out as a possibility -- nor does she look the other way on what potential sabotage could mean criminally.

Indeed, if the evidence supported any sort of purposeful intent behind bringing bullets on set and/or mixing them into the box of dummy rounds Gutierrez-Reed dipped into to load Alec Baldwin's gun ... the D.A. says a higher murder charge could be on the table.

Like she noted the last time she held a press conference ... no one's off the table at this point as far as possible charges, and she reaffirms here.

Kumail Nanjiani came out of left field to surprise some moviegoers who were just settling in to watch him in "Eternals" ... and we've got his impromptu speech on video!!!

Kumail, who stars as Kingo in the new Marvel movie, was the surprise guest "Eternals" director Chloe Zhao introduced to the lucky folks who went to check out the flick Friday at the famed TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

As you can see in the video ... the crowd goes wild when Kumail walks out in front of the massive IMAX screen ... where he's joined by Chloe and Marvel Studios honcho Kevin Feige.

It's pretty funny ... Kumail tells the folks in the room he's usually the guy getting his butt kicked by the buff guys in the film, but this time the tables are turned!!!

Jokes aside, Kumail also shares why he's still pinching himself and why he's a fan of the MCU like the rest of the moviegoers in awe of his celebrity.