Julia Roberts Will Eat, Pray, Love
with Ryan Murphy
Looks like Brad Pitt likes to get his friends together: He's brought Julia Roberts aboard the newest project from openly gay Nip/Tuck creator Ryan Murphy, which Pitt is executive-producing. Roberts will star in Eat, Pray, Love, which Murphy will write and direct when he wraps up Dirty Tricks, starring Meryl Streep as Watergate player Martha Mitchell. Based on the memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat tells the story of a woman who leaves behind a husband and two houses to travel around the world and find herself. No shooting dates have yet been set, but, as Romeo has previously reported, Murphy has a full slate these days, with the release of his big-screen debut Running with Scissors and his new Pitt-produced FX series 4 oz., about a gender-transitioning sportswriter.
Rupert Everett Goes Wilde and Does Drag/
Busy times ahead for out British actor Rupert Everett, with the star slated for two projects that look quite interesting—and very, very gay. Everett has announced his intention to make a film about the post-prison years of Oscar Wilde, playing the legendary writer in his final days, hobnobbing in European nightclubs as a syphilitic shadow of his formerly great self. Also on the docket for Everett is a remake of the classic British comedy The Belles of St. Trinian's, about a decidedly unorthodox girls' boarding school. Everett will do drag to play Miss Fritton, the school's harassed headmistress, in a role originally essayed by Alastair Sim in the 1950s. Both films are looking to go into production in the U.K. in 2008.
David Bowie Fishes for a Role
Imagine you're David Bowie—you've revolutionized gender in rock 'n' roll; you've made out with Mick Jagger ( allegedly ) ; you've starred in The Man Who Fell to Earth and Absolute Beginners; you've recorded a duet with Queen that got ripped off by Vanilla Ice; and you've married international supermodel Iman. What could you possibly do for an encore? Snag a guest appearance on SpongeBob Squarepants, that's what. Bowie has announced on his blog that he will provide the voice of Lord Royal Highness for an episode of the hit animated series that will air next year. Romeo foresees a generation of young cartoon fans going as Ziggy Stardust for Halloween and begging Mommy to rent Labyrinth and Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence from Netflix.
Robin Schiff Tries on Prada
It was one of the year's most surprising hits—and the gay date movie of the summer—and now The Devil Wears Prada is coming to the small screen. ( And no, Romeo is not talking about Ugly Betty, the ABC series that seems to be very much following in that movie's Louboutin footsteps. ) While Prada director David Frankel and author Lauren Weisberger won't be around for the sitcom incarnation—and don't hold your breath for Meryl Streep or Anne Hathaway, either—the new show will boast the scripting talents of Romy and Michele's High School Reunion writer Robin Schiff, who knows a thing or two about folding shirts. Prada will probably launch on Fox in the fall of 2007.
Romeo can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com .
Coming Out Stories:
Grey's Anatomy, Idol
Now 'Grey's' has gotten a touch of the rainbow. Grey's Anatomy star T.R. Knight, 33, has confirmed he is gay, according to an item on 9wsyr.com . The actor, who plays Dr. George O'Malley on the hit series, told People magazine, 'While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me.'
R.J. Helton, the 25-year old former American Idol contestant who was on the same season as now-out contestant Jim Verraros, came out himself on the Sirius show OutQ in the Morning, according to Sirius. Helton, who now sings inspirational music, said that 'just because I am gay does not mean I can't love God.'
Actor Matthew McConaughey and Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong have laughed off rumors they are a gay couple and insist that they are nothing more than great friends, according to IMDB.com . The two, who have been frequently photographed together, have sparked a new term: a 'bro-mance.'
