Christina Aguilera and Burlesque? Yeah, I can see it

You’d think that Christina Aguilera would have done a movie by now. I mean, she’s conquered music, perfume, jewelry, and I’m a bunch of other things, but nope, she’s never been in a movie. Well, we won’t count her voice in “Shark Tale” or playing herself in Martin Scorsese’s Rolling Stones documentary “Shine a Light.”

But now she’s got her own big-screen deal with “Burlesque,” about a “small-town girl with a big voice” who finds work at a burlesque club in L.A.

Filming will begin later this year, with Steven Antin directing (probably a good choice, since his sister Robin Antin founded the Pussycat Dolls). Antin also played Troy in “The Goonies.”

Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper told Variety, “I couldn’t be more excited, as this was a project written with [Aguilera] in mind.”

And I have to say, it sounds like the perfect movie role for Aguilera.

Image: Bauer-Griffin (Christina Aguilera at the launch of her new fragrance “Inspire”; Macy’s Glendale Galleria, Glendale, CA)

George Clooney signs autographs in South Beach

Even a little bleary-eyed (maybe too much wine with dinner!), George Clooney doesn’t hesitate to sign autographs for fans after having dinner in South Beach. Hey, the guy behind him looks even worse!

Clooney has a whole list of movies coming up, either as actor or producer (mostly producer). Currently in post-production are “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” an animated film based on a book by Roald Dahl about a group of angry farmers looking to save their chickens from a fox family; and “The Men Who Stare at Goats,” a movie about the U.S. Army’s First Earth Battalion, a unit that is said to use paranormal skills in their missions. Hmmm, sounds interesting! Ewan McGregor and Kevin Spacey also star. Both movies should be in theaters later this year.

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Exclusive: Interview with Lorna Scott of "17 Again" and "Surviving Suburbia"

You might not know her name, but there’s a 99.99% chance that you’ve seen Lorna Scott either on the big screen in theaters or the small screen in your living room. The veteran character actor has been in dozens of movies and TV shows, and right now, she’s everywhere!

She plays a secretary in Zac Efron’s "17 Again" (in theaters this Friday), a secretary in "Bedtime Stories" (on DVD this week), and a neighbor on "Surviving Suburbia," Bob Saget’s new show airing Mondays at 9:30 p.m. on ABC. Read on for my exclusive interview with Lorna and her thoughts on working with Zac Efron, Adam Sandler, Bob Saget and Angelina Jolie.

JANE: So many actors are hit and miss, but you’ve been working steadily since the 1990s, and you’ve scored roles in so many movies and TV shows. Do you have a secret formula for working steadily all those years?

LORNA: Casting directors and producers want to feel secure when they hire you. They want to know they don’t have to worry about you when on set. So, you want to be as prepared as possible and remember, when you go into the room, they are on your side. They want you to do well. Also, I try to get along with everyone on set, no matter what.

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Patrick Swayze staying positive

You know what? More power to Patrick Swayze. He says he’s staying positive, despite horrible tabloid reports that he’s nearing the end after his year-long struggle with pancreatic cancer.

Swayze, 56, recently told PEOPLE that he’s continuing with treatment, working on a book, and enjoying his new dog.

“It’s amazing to me that the tabloids such as the National Enquirer print such negative stories about me and my health when there are so many positive things going on in my life right now. I’ve started a new chemotherapy and, once again, I am one of the lucky ones with pancreatic cancer that is responding well to the treatment.”

Swayze says he loves his new 12-week-old Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy named Kumasai, and appreciates the fantastic response he’s getting from everyone on his A&E series “The Beast.”

“I hope in the future, the press will think twice about printing inaccuracies and painting an unpleasant picture when I have so much to be thankful for at this time.” It’s just amazing to me that he’s doing all his own stunts on “The Beast.” You know that can’t be easy in any way, shape or form.

Image: copyright, Universal Studios

Jen Aniston as a Bond Girl? It’s hard to picture!

Jennifer Aniston says she wants to be a Bond Girl (yeah, don’t we all?), but I’m having a really hard time picturing her in the role.

I mean, Jennifer Aniston is all about the romantic comedies and funny, quirky characters. Not action girls. And definitely not as a romantic interest for James Bond. Especially not the brooding Daniel Craig!

But … she says she’s in for a change. “’I get offered funny, quirky, pretty roles," she told Elle U.K. "I’d love to do an action movie. James Bond! Glamour! Daniel Craig! S—–loads of fun!"

And … she does have the hot bod going for her, too. Not that it isn’t work. “I’m a realist," she says. “I know that if I eat nothing but burgers and chips, I’m not going to be hired for the parts I normally would. That might be fine one day, but not right now." Ok, if you want to be a Bond girl, I say go for it!

Images: Russ Einhorn / Splash News

Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson and Tilda Swinton at the 2009 Cesar Film Awards

The 2009 Oscars and Golden Globes may be fading into history now, but there are still plenty of film awards taking place around the globe. The 34th Cesar Film Awards (French cinema) were held at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Feb. 27, 2009.

Making appearances were Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Deborah Francois, and many others. Below are a few pics from the event. Tilda Swinton certainly has an interesting sense of style, doesn’t she? She’s just so unabashedly different, it’s either refreshing or weird, I can’t decide which. Do you like her style?

More after the jump…

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Hilary Duff and Teri Hatcher at the Keep Memory Alive Event in Las Vegas

The “Keep Memory Alive” charity fundraiser benefits the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, which researches cures for brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Held at the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas, the stars came out in force, including Hilary Duff, Teri Hatcher and others.

I always appreciate it when stars make appearances at these events, bringing light to important issues (yeah, I know they’re often paid for their appearances, but still …).

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Jennifer Hudson sings on Oprah Winfrey – VIDEO

I never would have thought that little Jennifer Hudson who came into our lives on ”American Idol” a few years ago would be such a big star now.

She’s getting back into her groove after three of her family members were murdered just months ago. I can’t even imagine, but Hudson seems to be doing it with grace and strength. She is one class act.

On Oprah’s show this week, she opened up about how she’s doing, singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, and meeting her OWN idol, Whitney Houston.

Hudson, who won an Oscar for her role in 2006’s ”Dreamgirls,” recently appeared in ”The Secret Life of Bees” and ”Sex and the City.”