Swizz Beatz & Busta Get Inspired By Iron Man 2 In The Studio

Swizz and Busta get down to business working on a new song inspired by Paramount Pictures upcoming movie 'Iron Man 2'.

With the opening this Friday, 'Iron Man 2' surely will be the #1 movie for the week. And with Swizz & Busta, it's an unbeatable combination.

Common Explains His Role In "Just Wright" New Movie

via AZ Central

You might have spotted Common, the Grammy-winning rapper and actor, at the recent Suns-Lakers game at US Airways Center. He also took part in the Suns Celebrity Shoot Out game.

And you'll probably be seeing trailers of the Chicago native's first starring role in a movie opposite Queen Latifah in "Just Wright," which opens May 14.

Common plays Scott McKnight, a franchise point guard for the New Jersey Nets. McKnight suffers a career-threatening injury and then finds himself falling for the physical therapist (Latifah) who is trying to rescue his career.

He's a pretty good fit for the part. His father, Lonnie Lynn, is a former pro basketball player who had a brief career with the Pittsburgh Pipers of the American Basketball Association.

The Heat Index caught up with Common to ask him about his new movie and whether he inherited his dad's hoop skills.

THI: Let's start with a synopsis of "Just Wright."

Common: "It's the story of a basketball player who gets injured and basically his career is almost gone. A physical therapist nurses him back to health and during the process he learns what love is really about.

"He has the total NBA wife. She has the cliché look of a pro athlete's wife and it becomes a love triangle and a Cinderella story.

"I love telling this story. We in America put so much on the traditional look of beauty. Women are supposed to be thin, have long hair, just this kind of shape. But beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and really it starts from the inside.

"And I said, 'Man, I better get this part playing an NBA player now. Pretty soon I'll be at the age where I have to play the coach.' "

THI: Is it true you were once a Chicago Bulls ball boy?

Common: "Yeah, my dad knew Rod Thorn (then the general manager of the Bulls) from when he played in the ABA, so they hired me. I was the ball boy from 1984-86 so I got to be there when Michael Jordan got there. And I got to meet guys like Magic and Isiah Thomas, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley."

THI: Did you learn anything from seeing those guys up close that helped with the character?

Common: "It definitely helped me understand a little more what NBA players go through, but what really helped was hanging around one of my guys, Baron Davis of the Clippers. I also talked to Rajon Rondo about it. I met him doing a show in Boston. I did a little freestyle on the Celtics and said something about Rondo. He happened to be there, so I guess it was a good thing it was positive!

"We had a good vibe. He's a good guy and I love his game."

THI: Do you have a basketball-playing background, other than the celebrity games?

Common: "I played all the way up to my junior year in high school and then I got injured. I got poked in the eye and it cut my eye. I was out for two months and that's when I started getting into music.

"When I came back, I wasn't getting any playing time anymore. I said, 'I guess I'll go over here and rap.' It's amazing how destiny takes you where you're supposed to be."

THI: How so?

Common: "My dream was to play in the NBA. I have this trainer I work with and he was telling me, 'You'd just be a mediocre guy in the NBA. You wouldn't be doing what you're doing.' He was absolutely right.

"As an actor, I get to become these different people. I'm very passionate about acting, but I also get to play an NBA player, so that's two dreams in one. And for a month and a half, I was in the NBA."

THI: Even if it was with the Nets . . .

Common: "Yeah, and the Nets could use a Scott McKnight right now!"

Orianthi: Michael Jackson Guitarist Makes A Stir With Movie Goers

Managed by London based power house (Simon Fuller and Stirling McIlwaine) 19 Entertainment (American Idol, Leona Lewis, Annie Lennox), the Australian guitarist Orianthi has just released her latest solo album 'Believe' on 19/Tal/Geffen Records.

via the Los Angeles Times

The woman with the electric guitar has played this song before. It's a Michael Jackson ballad, and the young guitarist is named Orianthi, who leans back now to unfurl a solo of smoldering melody before stepping up to the microphone to sing some torrid lyrics: "Love is a feeling / give it when I want it / 'cause I'm on fire / quench my desire. . . ."

Orianthi's eyes are closed beneath her blond bangs as she wails "Give In to Me" in a North Hollywood rehearsal studio, her four-piece rock band swaying behind her. The 1991 song (co-authored by Bill Bottrell) appeared on Jackson's 1991 album "Dangerous" and was one of at least 20 that the guitarist spent two months rehearsing with Jackson as a member of his band for a series of planned "This Is It" concerts in London.

via Billboard

For the last three months of Jackson's life, Orianthi worked closely and intensely with the superstar. His death is still a raw topic for Orianthi, but she now feels comfortable opening up. "It was so devastating for all of us involved, working with him for three months preparing for the biggest show on Earth," she says. "But I got to play music with him-I'm so grateful I got that time. The experience made me believe in myself more."

The global release of "This Is It" to an estimated 25,000 theaters worldwide by Oct. 28 presented a promotional opportunity too irresistible for Geffen to ignore. "Believe" was released Oct. 26, the same day as the soundtrack to "This Is It."

Read more of each article here:
L.A. Times - Orianthi plays through the pain
Billboard - Orianthi Steps Out Of Michael Jackson's Shadow

Michael Jackson 'This Is It' Final Tally $105 Million Worldwide

As reported by Roger Friedman at the Hollywood Reporter Showbiz 411

Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” did better than anyone knew.

When Sony releases weekend box office figures today, sources say the Kenny Ortega directed concert film/doc will have done $34.5 million for the period of Tuesday night through Sunday.

That makes the total worldwide boxoffice closer to $105 million. “This Is It” is the most successful concert film ever.

So much for all the negative spin over the weekend. Indeed, the amount of it was truly puzzling. Most regular feature films would be considered “monster hits” if they’d done this well in five days.

Poor Michael Jackson. This was all he ever wanted.

On Sunday, I’m told, the movie was screened for Academy voters. They loved it, apparently, giving “This Is It” a standing ovation. But I wouldn’t get too excited. The film missed the documentary deadline for the Oscars. And it’s unlikely it will get a Best Picture nomination, despite the fervor of the Oscar blogs. A Golden Globe nomination for Comedy/Musical is more likely. And maybe a Best Song nomination for Jackson’s Paul Anka title track.
(source)

In addition with the success of the movie's opening, “This Is It” will be extended through Thanksgiving. (source)

Jennifer Hudson In Talks About Winnie Mandela Biopic Role

via Roger Friedman from The Hollywood Reporter - Show Biz 411

Oscar and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson’s supercharged appearance last night at Denise Rich’s annual Angel Ball gave rise to talk about her next project.

Hudson, who won the Academy Award for “Dreamgirls” and was so good in “The Secret Life of Bees,” is now rumored to be in talks for an indie biopic about South African leader Winnie Mandela. Winnie was a winner during her years as wife of Nelson Mandela during his 27-years of illegal incarceration. But in later years she lost her way, getting into legal trouble and becoming a pariah. She and Mandela have been divorced for some time.

Meanwhile, Hudson’s two-song cameo at the Angel Ball — held at Downtown Cipriani — was sensational. Introduced by Clive Davis, Hudson sang her signature hit, “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” with just piano accompaniment. The audience — which included lots of celebs and big name players — rewarded her with whoops and hollers and a standing ovation.

Read more of the article here:
Showbiz 411 - Jennifer Hudson Circling Winnie Mandela Project

Jennifer Hudson and other photos from the Angel Ball 2009 event here:
Getty Images 1
Getty Images 2
Getty Images 3
Wire Image 1
Wire Image 2
Film Magic
Patrick McMullan
Rex Features
Star Traks Photo
WENN Photo