Sam Worthington 'tailor-made for role in Phillip Noyce action-thriller 'For the Dogs'

Film director Phillip Noyce. Picture: Carly Earl

Briana Domjen, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Aussie movie star Sam Worthington is set to star in Phillip Noyce's action-thriller For the Dogs.

The rugged Avatar actor will star alongside Hailee Steinfeld who has also been signed to the movie which is based on Kevin Wignall's novel about a solitary assassin who helps a college girl take revenge against the people responsible for the murder of her parents and brother.

Fellow producer Navid Mcilhargey said he is excited to be working with such a talented team.

"I have been friends with Sam, John, Mike and Paul for some time now and watched them grow their production company," Mr Mcilhargey said.

"They are very talented producers with commercial instincts who led us to this terrific thriller, with a character that seems to be tailor made for Sam."

Isla Fisher says she feared she would drown during stunt for new film Now You See Me

Isla Fisher in a scene from the film Now You See Me. Picture: AP/Summit Entertainment, LLC, Barry Wetcher, SMPSP

News Limited Network

Actress Isla Fisher says she feared for her life when a stunt went ''horribly'' wrong on the set of her latest movie.

The 37-year-old plays a glamorous escapologist in Now You See Me - which starts with dramatic shots of her freeing herself from shackles while submerged in a tank of water.

The scene demanded she bang desperately on the glass walls to give the impression of being in distress . . . but when her chains became entangled, she revealed that she started to panic for real, the Daily Mail reports.

Fisher - who is married to Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen - said she was unable to reach a safety button that would have drained the thousands of gallons of water in seconds, while a safety diver with a canister of oxygen was too far away too reach her.

The former Home And Away actress, who also stars in Baz Luhrmann's new version of The Great Gatsby, said she got into trouble after being submerged for two-and-a-half minutes.

''They had a guy who was off camera, but he was a long way away with a can of oxygen,'' she said.

''By the time I realised I couldn't get up and beckoned for him, I realised that I had run out of air.''

Fisher said she knew there was a ''kill switch'' nearby that would have drained the tank in 70 seconds, but she couldn't reach it.

However, she added: ''Luckily, I managed to get free and stay level-headed and got out before it went even more horribly wrong.''

She also said that in her moment of panic she thought: ''Not in a swimming costume. No one wants to go in a swimming costume.''

However, Fisher, a mother of two, said: ''I don't see myself as particularly brave. I rely on gut instinct to accept a role. If something terrifies me I am going to do it. The director (The Incredible Hulk's Louis Leterrier) said to me, 'Wow. I've worked with so many actors on big action movies, and you're the only one who's done all their own stunts'.

''I said I didn't know I had a choice. I thought you just had to get on with it. It's the Australian way.''

Fisher, who grew up in Australia, spent days submerged in the tank of water in a sequinned swimming costume and high heels for her role as Henley, a female Houdini.

But she has previously said she isn't afraid of letting her glamorous mask slip for the sake of a movie, telling one interviewer: ''I'm willing to pull a bad face, and to sweat a bit.''

Now You See Me, which tells of a group of magicians who use their skills to rob banks, opens in America next month. It also stars Morgan Freeman and Sir Michael Caine.

Miranda Kerr and Gerard Butler cosy up at Great Gatsby party

Miranda Kerr attends a screening of "The Great Gatsby" at HBO Screening Room on May 7, 2013 in New York City. Source: AFP

News.com.au reports

Gerard Butler was seen chatting up Miranda Kerr on Tuesday evening at a New York party after a screening of The Great Gatsby.

Kerr was smiling and the pair “had been standing close in conversation for 20 minutes”, a source told the New York Post.

But then Butler was spotted asking photographers to erase any shots of them together.

“When he approached one photographer to erase the photos, they high-fived and bro-hugged,” the source said.

Also at the party were Lady Gaga and her boyfriend Taylor Kinney.

The singer had security “whisk her to a seat via a side door next to the stage.”

But before the credits rolled on the Baz Luhrmann epic, Gaga had already slipped out to avoid cameras.

Brad Pitt bound for Sydney premiere to promote new film World War Z

Brad Pitt fans will be get the chance to see their idol in the flesh when he hits Sydney to promote his film World War Z. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Joel Christie, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Here’s something that is sure to reinvigorate Sydney’s tame red carpet scene: Brad Pitt is coming to town.

It was confirmed this afternoon that Mr Angelina Jolie will arrive in the Harbour City in less than a month for the premiere of his new film, apocalyptic action horror World War Z.

“Fandemonium” is expected to erupt when the movie star walks the ruby rug on Sunday June 9, alongside the $125 million epic's director Marc Forster and producer Dede Gardner.

However a location for the event has not yet been named.

It’s also not known whether Pitt will bring his wife and six children for the trip.

Originally a novel, World War Z has been a long time coming for Pitt.

The actor fought hard for the rights to the book in a bidding war against Leonardo DiCaprio’s production Appian Way in 2007.

Pitt’s own company, Plan B Entertainment, eventually won.

Pre-production started in 2011.

The film will be released in Australia on June 20.

Revenge star Gabriel Mann pays a visit to Sydney

Revenge stars Gabriel Mann and Emily VanCamp. Source: Supplied

The Daily Telegraph reports

Revenge fans rejoice: Nolan Ross, Emily Thorne's loyal sidekick, is coming to Sydney.

Well, the actor that plays him, former fashion model Gabriel Mann, is.

Mann is expected to hit town on May 25 for three days to promote the final episodes of the second series.

"I can't wait to experience the hospitality and humour that has been a hallmark of all the Aussies I've had the pleasure of getting to know and call friends and fans along the way," Mann said.

Not exactly Madonna but Mel's a Superstar

Melanie Chisholm, aka Sporty Spice, has found her niche in musical theatre. Source: Getty Images

James Wigney, The Sunday Telegraph, reports

Mel C has sung for royalty, toured some of the biggest venues in the world and performed for a television audience in the billions at last year's Olympics.

But Melanie Chisholm, aka Sporty Spice, says she's never been more petrified professionally as she was on the opening night of her debut West End show Blood Brothers in 2009.

"In my entire life, apart from having a baby, that was the most scared I have ever been," she says. "It was a complete leap of faith to do that show, and a huge personal challenge, but it couldn't have gone any better."

Her gamble paid off. Critics raved about her and she was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical at the 2010 Laurence Olivier Awards.

Chisholm's success in Blood Brothers paved the way for her role as Mary Magdalene in the acclaimed revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, which arrives here later this month.

She'd always imagined the West End was where she'd end up, while harbouring fantasies of being a pop star.

"Although I wanted to be the next Madonna, I knew that was a very unrealistic ambition," she says.

"I thought maybe musical theatre was something I could work towards so I went in that direction."

Her musical theatre dreams were put on hold once she became a Spice Girl, bursting on to the world stage in the '90s. They became the best-selling female group of all time, with more than 80 million albums sold.

When they split in 2000, Chisholm continued the solo career she had begun with the release of 1999 album Northern Star. But for all her achievements, she says she suffered from depression and eating disorders, particularly in the aftermath of the Spice Girls break-up.

"It was incredibly draining," she says. "Although you are realising your dreams you are also getting pretty messed up in the process. It takes some time to process it and kind of integrate back into society."

After taking time out to be a mother - she gave birth to daughter Scarlett in 2009 - Chisholm approached her stage career with trepidation."In the UK we really like to pigeonhole people and I have experienced that a lot from being a Spice Girl, as in 'you're just a one-dimensional character and not capable of anything other than that'," she says. "And that's bollocks."

When the chance came to do Jesus Christ Superstar, she leapt at it.

She'd been a fan of Lloyd Webber from a young age and remembers listening to the musical with her mother. But it wasn't until she started rehearsals alongside Aussie Tim Minchin as Judas that she realised how much the 40-year-old musical had sunk into her - and the public's - consciousness.

Chisholm was a judge on reality show Superstar, which ran on UK TV last year, searching for an actor to play the lead role in the musical.

She was initially scathing of reality TV and talent shows but now believes they are entrenched enough that would-be contestants should know what's in store.

Chisholm says she's writing her next album and planning to tour with Jools Holland later this year.

There are also other musical theatre roles she'd like to tackle, particularly Evita and Cabaret's Sally Bowles. And, after the Spice Girls' successful reunion at the Olympics (pictured below), there may also be some unfinished business.

"The last few things we have done together, the reunion tour in 2007 and 2008 and the Olympics, we are having more fun together than we ever did before," she says. "So we just think we should do that more."

Where are they now?

In their prime The Spice Girls were known as Posh, Sporty, Scary, Ginger and Baby. But these days, Posh has gone couture, Scary is a little more tame, Ginger's gone blonde and Baby is still waiting for her career to mature. With 11 children between them, a lot has changed since the group launched their catchy debut single Wannabe in 1996.

Melanie Brown

Honorary Australian Mel B went solo with a Missy Elliott collaboration - I Want You Back - in 1998.

She's judged or hosted The X Factor Australia, Dancing With The Stars, The X Factor UK and America's Got Talent.

The outspoken Spice - mother to three children from three different fathers - was recently embroiled in a court case which ebanned her from appearing on Channel 9's Australia's Got Talent after she was found to have breached her X Factor contract.

A paparazzi favourite, she's also been the face of a weight loss firm.

Emma Bunton

While the youngest member of the group released her first solo album in 2001 and managed to claim a No.1 on the UK singles chart, the bubbly blonde has failed to impress musically.

But the 37-year-old was a frequent star on the popular BBC comedy series Absolutely Fabulous from 2003 to 2012.

Victoria Beckham

The 39-year-old stayed in the spotlight after the group split thanks to her high-profile marriage to footballer David Beckham.

Despite being derided as the least talented Spice Girl, Beckham managed four consecutive top 10 singles and a top 10 album on her own.

She moved into fashion, co-designing for US denim brand Rock & Republic, then launching her own line in 2006 and establishing her Victoria Beckham collection of dresses in 2008.The mother-of-four has also modelled for Marc Jacobs and Burberry.

Geri Haliwell

She's had a string of high-profile boyfriends, an obsession with yoga and a crack at a solo music career.

Ginger called it quits at the height of the Spice Girls' fame in 1998, citing depression and ``differences within the group''.

But the 41-year-old managed to carve out a successful career as a solo artist, selling 12 million records

She then reunited the girls for the musical Viva Forever, which was axed this week after six months London.

She'll hit our shores this month after being recruited as the fourth judge on Australia's Got Talent to replace Mel B.

Jesus Christ Superstar, Sydney Entertainment Centre, June 7-9. Bookings: Ticketmaster 136 100

Nicole Kidman to give Kimberly McCreight’s Reconstructing Amelia life on the big screen

Nicole Kidman. Picture: Jordan Strauss/Invision Source: AP

Jonathon Moran, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Nicole Kidman will star in and executive produce the big screen adaptation of Kimberly McCreight’s debut novel, Reconstructing Amelia.

Kidman’s Blossom Films is developing the project for HBO Films.

Reconstructing Amelia will see Kidman play a workaholic single mother who finds herself in a world of social media after her teenage daughter commits suicide at her Brooklyn private school.

The mother uncovers a world of secrets as she tries to reconstruct the events that led to her daughter’s death.

Axed Keith Urban still loves American Idol

Keith Urban faces the axe from American Idol but still praises the show Source: Supplied

Zoe Nauman, The Daily Telegraph, reports

He's facing the axe as a judge on American Idol, but that hasn't stopped Keith Urban waxing lyrical about what a good platform the show is for aspiring artists - despite its disappointing US ratings.

Although audiences have plummeted to a low of 11 million in the US - which is positively dismal for a program which used to draw 30 million - Urban says it can still provide singers with a springboard to stardom as long as they put in the work.

"Certainly over the years Idol has produced some great voices," Urban tells Insider, "a pretty good solid amount of artists who have had good careers.

"For anyone who has talent it is still an incredible platform to get out there and be seen."

Urban says regardless of what the performers do after leaving the show, their career is better than when they started. "The point is that these guys have to do something with this," he says.

"Winners of this show have gone on to not do anything, and those who haven't done so well have gone to do amazing things. The show alone is not going to make a star.

"You have to have that work ethic as well."

The finale of the reality singing show, which was once nicknamed The Death Star by critics because of its huge numbers in the US, airs on Ten this Friday.

Urban quit the Australian ratings juggernaut The Voice to join American Idol.

Insiders say Fox is bitterly disappointed with this season's performance, and despite Urban and fellow judges Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson and Mariah Carey all having repeat options on their contracts, they will not be renewed.

"All four are gone. They feel they've lost their core audience and they want it back," a source says. The plan is to revamp the show to bring in a younger audience.

Australia's Got Talent judge Geri Halliwell (aka Ginger Spice) reveals what she wants in a man

Geri Halliwell is heading Down Under for Australia's Got Talent. Source: Supplied

Holly Byrnes, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Wanted: a nice local bloke for Ginger Spice and Australia's Got Talent judge, Geri Halliwell - and the Sydney Swans, she has her sights set on you.

After signing up to replace Mel B on Channel 9's upcoming re-boot of the star search franchise, the sassy Brit has revealed what she'll be looking for when it comes to available talent of the bachelor kind.

True to her self-deprecating form, the unlucky-in-love pop star quipped her perfect man should have ''a pulse for a start,'' before launching into a list of what characteristics would win this single mum's heart.

''I do like funny and a beautiful heart. I quite like a bit of height. Hair, I like hair. I like hair on the head. A little bit on the chest, but not too much,'' she said, adding ''but it's not a deal breaker for me.''

Men with ''good eyes'' and ''healthy rather than vain'' types will also get the nod from Halliwell, who will fly to Australia to begin filming the FremantleMedia series later this month.

Already madly researching her ''chance of a lifetime'' working holiday, the 41-year-old confirmed she will bring daughter Bluebell, 8, with her with the two busy plotting their Aussie adventure together.

''She is so excited. We're both into nature and the outdoors, so I want to go mono-skiing (water-skiing with a single ski) on the Nepean River (in NSW). Taronga Zoo's also on the list and I wouldn't mind going to a football match, if you lot will teach me.''

Briefed on her choice of footy codes, the Sydney Swans met with Halliwell's approval (''I like that, it sounds masculine with a little touch of femininity, that's nice'').

Googling the team while continuing the phone interview, from her London home, what she discovered clearly impressed, with Halliwell exclaiming: ''oh yes, you have to introduce me to them.''

The frisky singer said while the opportunity to take up her latest TV role came after Mel B was forced to honour her contract with Channel 7's The X Factor, their friendship has been strengthened by it.

''I just need to tell Australia and the whole world that Melanie Janine Brown Belafonte is a wonderful person. Obviously she would have loved to do it, she's great. Super funny, super talented but for business reasons she was unable to do it. Instead of moping about it, she picked up the phone to me and said 'Geri, I can't do it but I would love you to do it. In fact, I've spoken to the producers and put in a good word for you.' Isn't that a beautiful, lovely, gorgeous thing to do? She is a real sista, who's really got my back . . . I was overwhelmed by that.''

Halliwell said she was a fan of the Got Talent format which gave ''people with raw talent a chance.''

She admired the daring of those who audition and said ''I must be Australian because my favourite expression is 'just have a go'. Go for it, we'll all root for you, brilliant.''

Channel 9 is yet to announce a start date for the show, but it's likely to follow The Voice and go up against Channel 7's X Factor.

Brynne Edelsten grateful for chance to show the real 'her' on Celebrity Splash

Brynne Edelsten has been voted off Celebrity Splash. Picture: Channel 7 Source: Supplied

Briana Domjen, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Despite being voted off Celebrity Splash last night, Brynne Edelsten says she is grateful to have had the opportunity to show Australia the real her.

The busty blonde hopes the Seven show gave the public an insight into her life which she says isn't as glamorous as it may seem.

"I have all these extravagant things in my life but I am extremely down to earth," Edelsten said.

"My mother taught me very good morals and manners and I am very down to earth and approachable.

"People who hadn't met me wouldn't expect that."

Edelsten, 30, is famous for being famous, married to Melbourne business man Geoffrey, 70.

She's appeared as a contestant on Dancing With The Stars and had her own reality show, Brynne: My Bedazzled Life.