Michael Douglas Page 8

Fresh from the critical and box office success of Behind The Candelabra, for which he made off with a haul of awards for his portrayal of Liberace, Michael Douglas returns in a new romantic comedy And So It Goes.

Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton star in And So It Goes

Alongside Diane Keaton, Douglas plays a curmudgeonly real estate agent on the verge of retirement who suddenly has a granddaughter thrust upon him by his estranged son. Determined to continue with his life, he in turn foists the nine-year-old child upon his neighbour [Keaton]. But gradually, Douglas’ character opens up his heart to both his granddaughter and neighbour, learning to readjust his priorities in life.

Continue reading: Rob Reiner's 'And So It Goes' Is A Safe Bet At The Cinema This Weekend

Bad news ant fans; Ant-Man has been subject of a major release-date shift. With the untitled Superman-Batman pic moving to May 6, 2016, Marvel’s “Ant-Man” has taken the opportunity to move into its old slot, meaning it will be released on July 17, 2015.

Paul Rudd stars in Ant-Man

This means two things: fans of the character don't have to wait too long for the film, and the film will now be going up against Warners’ big-budget Peter Pan movie titled Pan, which promises to be a box office goliath.

Continue reading: Ant-Man Moved Forward To Summer 2015

Natascha McElhone has been cast in a staged adaptation of 1987 thriller Fatal Attraction that will play in London this coming March. The Californication actress has won the iconic lead role of Alex Forrest, who was played most famously in the movie by Glenn Close in one of her Oscar-nominated performances.

Natascha McElhone To Play "Bunny Boiler" Alex Forrest In A Staged Version Of 'Fatal Attraction."

The classically trained British actress will take to the boards for her portrayal of the spurned, psychotic mistress of Dan Gallagher's nightmares. Adrian Lyne's film placed Behind The Candelebra's Michael Douglas in the role of cheating attorney alongside Close. Of course, who could forget the movie's most ominous yet memorable scene during which Forrest simmers Gallagher's daughter's pet rabbit on the stove?

Continue reading: Natascha McElhone Lands 'Fatal Attraction' Lead In Stage Production

Michael Douglas has landed himself a role in upcoming superhero movie Ant-Man in which he will reportedly play scientist Hank Pym. The award-winning actor's genius character creates the technology used to shrink people to the size of ants.

Michael Douglas Is To Star In The New 'Ant-Man' Movie.

The intriguing news from Marvel comes hot on the heels of Douglas' win at the Golden Globes this week where he won for his portrayal of Liberace in Behind The Candelabra. "I've been dying to do a Marvel picture for so long," said Douglas, via BBC Newsbeat. "The script is really fun, the director is really good. Dylan [the actor's 13-year-old son] will love it. He'll have a picture he can see."

Continue reading: Michael Douglas Cast In 'Ant-Man' Movie As Scientist Hank Pym

In true testament to Michael Douglas’s range as an actor, he picked up a Golden Globe for his work in Behind The Candelabra, then explained how a role in the upcoming Marvel movie Ant-Man was on the cards, and a long time coming, too.

Michael Douglas holds aloft his well-earned Golden Globe

"I've been dying to do a Marvel picture for so long," said Douglas.

Continue reading: Michael Douglas Finally Gets His Marvel Wish With Ant-Man Role

Michael Douglas has signed on to do his first Marvel film and will star as Hank Pym in the upcoming movie adaptation of Ant-Man. As revealed by the Marvel website, Douglas will join director Edgar Wright and star Paul Rudd, who plays Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man, in the movie due out next year.

Michael Douglas will play Hank Pym in the upcoming film

Hank Pym first appeared in Tales to Astonish #27 in January 1962 and was the first man to assume the identity of Ant-Man in the comic books, going on to assume other identities as the comic series continued, including the size-changing Giant-Man and Goliath, as well as the insect-themed Yellowjacket and briefly the Wasp, the alter ego of his crime-fighting wife Janet van Dyne. Pym was also one of the founding members of The Avengers and has regularly found himself fighting Ultron for the sake of humanity, so don't be surprised to see him tied into the next Avengers film too.

Continue reading: Michael Douglas Can't Wait For You To See Him In 'Ant-Man'

Michael Douglas will officially star in his first superhero film. The 69 year-old has joined the cast of Marvel's newest film adaptation 'Ant-Man'.

Douglas will act opposite comedian Paul Rudd, in the Edgar Wright-directed movie, who is also venturing into the world of superhero's for the first time.

The 'Last Vegas' actor will play scientist 'Dr. Hank Pym' and Rudd will feature in the title role as 'Scott Lang' aka 'Ant-Man'.

Continue reading: Michael Douglas Added To Marvel's 'Ant-Man' Cast Following Golden Globe Success

The 2014 Golden Globes came and went on Sunday, 12 January night as the stars of Hollywood gathered for the first real awards showcase of the year. The event didn't let down, with hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler delivering the laughs throughout the event and with individual stars using their time in the spotlight to grand effect, resulting in a night to remember.

American Hustle was the night's big winner

The two top-contested awards, Best Motion Picture for Drama and for Musical or Comedy, were awarded to the early favourites and the two titles looking most likely to sweep up over the course of awards season: 12 Years A Slave and America Hustle.

Continue reading: '12 Years A Slave,' 'American Hustle' And 'Breaking Bad' Among The Big Winners At The 2014 Golden Globe Awards: Full Winners List

It's hard to remember another film in which the five lead roles were played by Oscar winners. And the fact that all of them are over 60 might be another record. So Last Vegas couldn't help but draw attention due to its casting long before anyone knew what it was about (although the concept isn't exactly deep and complex).

Kevin Kline [L], Morgan Freeman, Robert DeNiro and Michael Douglas [R] in 'Last Vegas'

Michael Douglas has two Oscars: for producing best picture One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) and as best actor in Wall Street (1987). Robert De Niro also has two: supporting actor for The Godfather Part II (1974) and best actor for Raging Bull (1980). Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline both have supporting actor awards, for Million Dollar Baby (2004) and A Fish Called Wanda (1988), respectively. And Mary Steenburgen won supporting actress for Melvin and Howard (1980).

Continue reading: Five Actors, Five Oscar Winners, But Is 'Last Vegas' Any Good?

The big rumour this week is that Wonder Woman will be featured in the upcoming Batman vs Superman film, starring Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill, and then will have her own movie afterwards. The two names most frequently suggested for the role this week are Jaimie Alexander, hot on the heels of her supporting role in Thor: The Dark World, and Olga Kurylenko, who seems to be everywhere at the moment. But it seems like all of Hollywood is lining up to be considered. We have put together a full run down of the Wonder Woman contenders for you here.

The cast and crew of Last Vegas gathered in New York for a star-studded premiere, including Oscar-winning cast members Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro and Mary Steenburgen, as well as costars Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and director John Turteltaub. The film, about a group of lifelong retirement-age friends who head to Vegas for a bachelor party, has just opened in America and arrives in the UK in January. We have all the best video coverage from the premiere here Director Jon Turteltaub Hits The Red Carpet, Michael Douglas And 50 Cent Arrive At The 'Last Vegas' NY Premiere, Morgan Freeman And Robert DeNiro Spotted At 'Last Vegas' NY Premiere.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Who Will Play Wonder Woman? Last Vegas Premieres In New York. New Trailers For Bale, LaBeouf And Vaughn

Hollywood's newest comedy 'Last Vegas', which features one of the most star studded cast in recent memories, hit theatres this Friday (Nov 1st) to an underwhelming reception. Acting legends, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline, star as four best friends since childhood who travel to Las Vegas for one last bachelor party.

Kline, Freeman, De Niro and Douglas in 'Last Vegas'

The film follows the story of Billy (Douglas), who is the group's ladies' man, as he finally proposes to his considerably younger girlfriend and becomes the final friend to get married. To celebrate the occasion, they decide to relive their younger days and throw a bachelor party in Sin City but on arrival, Paddy (De Niro), Archie (Freeman) and Sam (Kline) realise the years have dramatically changed the party destination.

Continue reading: 'Last Vegas'- Legendary Cast Fail To Hit The Mark With Cliché Heavy Comedy. Review Roundup.

What a risk this was: Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline sharing a screen as four old friends travelling to Las Vegas to fulfill some sort of nostalgic dream of a bachelor party in the debauched city.

Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Mary Steenburgen and Robert De Niro

All four actors have made brilliant films, and are all screen legends in their own right. Apart from maybe Kline, who recently starred as 'Wounded Soldier' in 2012’s Oscar-winning Lincoln – one of his best films.

Continue reading: Oh No - Is 'Last Vegas' Bad? Say It Ain't So! De Niro + Legends Fail To Deliver

Michael Douglas' speech at the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday was one of the highlights of the show, and not just because the show itself was a bit of a bore itself and he gave one of the funniest, and most innuendo-ridden monologues of the night. But after his light-hearted response to winning the award, the acting great moved on to more serious matters, bringing up his "wife Catherine," and his son, Cameron Douglas.

Douglas holds his Emmys statue aloft

Cameron is currently serving a 10 year prison sentence for drug peddling and backstage at the Emmys, where Michael won the award for 'Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie' for his role as Liberace in Behind the Candelabra, he discussed his son's incarceration and what he described as "disappointing" reflection on the US justice system.

Continue reading: Michael Douglas "Very Disappointed" With US Justice System, As He Discusses Son's Incarceration Following Emmys Speech

Michael Douglas wowed critics and audiences alike with his portrayal as Liberace in the HBO TV movie Behind The Candelabra. Standing out from the crowd in the lists of nominees for the 'Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie' award, it came as little surprise to see Douglas take away the award for his role, but his acceptance speech was much less expected.

Douglas won the award for 'Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie'

Cramming in a penis joke, a gay sex joke, and a few other wink wink, nudge nudge moments in his speech, Douglas' had the crowd holding their sides with laughter as he walked away from the awards show as one of the highlights of the night. As he accepted the Emmy award, he first addressed his co-star Matt Damon, who played Liberace's lover Scott Thorson in Behind the Candelabra, and told him "this was a two hander, and you're only as good as the other hand."

Continue reading: Michael Douglas Wins The 'Best Actor' Emmy And The Award Best Use Of Sexual Innuendos

At the annual GQ Men of the Year Awards, Russell Brand sparked off a war of words between himself, Charles Moore, actor Jeremy Piven and a host of others, as the group embarked on a night long slanging contest that took place during their respective time on stage. According to the Evening Standard, the slang-off was sparked by Brand's ill-advised Nazi joke, which seemed to set the subject matter for the night early on.

Russell's joke didn't go down well with everyone

See all our pictures form the GQ Men of the Year Awards

Continue reading: Russell Brand Sparks Fracas At GQ Men Of The Year Awards With Nazi Jibes

Batfleck: Well, Warner Bros caught us all off guard last week, announcing Ben Affleck as the new Batman for the Man of Steel 2 - and just as we were winding down for the week. Take a look at the road Affleck took to reach one of the biggest roles in Hollywood. 

Is It Worth It? Let Me Twerk It: Forget N-Sync, Lady Gaga, Eminem or One Direction, because for better or worse, the MTV VMA's 2013 belonged to Miley Cyrus. She twerked in a nude bikini. The internet exploded. Rihanna looked confused. Check out the fallout here.

Continue reading: A Week In News: Batfleck, Miley Cyrus At VMA's, Taylor Swift's F-Bomb

They’re so powerful, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas’s split actually took people by surprise. How they managed to keep their troubles under wrap for so long is a mystery, but the movie stars might not be apart for long as they aim to “work on their marriage”.

Michael Douglas looks sombre

A rep for Zeta-Jones confirmed to CNN that the couple are in the middle of "evaluating" their relationship. "Catherine and Michael are taking some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage," the rep said, declining to make any further comments. The pair has been married for thirteen years since tying the knot at the turn of the millennium.

Continue reading: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas - Will Hollywood's Power Couple Reconcile?

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have split after almost 14 years together, though hinted that it could only be a temporary measure.

Michael Douglas [L] and Matt Damon [R] In 'Behind the Candalabra'

"Catherine and Michael are taking some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage," a rep for the actress said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday.

Continue reading: Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones Split: Where Does His Career Go From Here?

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones are the latest celebrity couple to crumble apart despite looking as though they're as solid as a rock. The twosome have not been seen together for a number of months, being photographed at social functions and red carpet events separately and seen on holiday without each other, and now it turns out that the pair have been 'on a break' for a few months as they try to iron out the creases in the marriage with some alone time.

The coupl, pictured at this years Oscars, haven't been seen together since April

The A-List pair have been married for well over a decade now, and seemed to be one of the few celebrity couples who managed to stick together despite the constant scrutiny of the press. But a new report from People has revealed that their 13-year marriage has been put on ice for now, with one source saying, "They're taking a break," for an indefinite period of time.

Continue reading: Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta Jones Call Time On Marriage

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have decided to take "some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage." Following rumours of the couple's separation, Zeta Jones' representative announced today (28th August) that the couple are spending time apart. This decision was apparently made after Douglas returned from the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones photographed together in April 2013.

The couple married in 2000 and have two children together: Dylan and Carys. There is a 26 year age difference between the two actors although this does not appear to have been a factor in their decision to separate. According to a source close to the couple, speaking to LA Times, Douglas' battle with throat cancer and Zeta Jones' treatment for bipolar disorder have created difficulties within the couple's relationship. 

Continue reading: Catherine Zeta Jones & Michael Douglas Separated - Representative Confirms

The Television Critics Association Awards (TCA Awards), held in Beverly Hills on Saturday (3rd August) night, saw Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Parks and Recreation and The Americans winning awards.

Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston, the stars of Breaking Bad, at the Film Society of Lincoln Center and AMC celebration of Breaking Bad.

Breaking Bad, the drama following a meth-dealing terminally-ill Chemistry teacher and starring Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, won the top award as 'Program of the Year'. Game of Thrones was awarded 'Best Drama' and 'Best Comedy' was a tie between The Big Bang Theory and Parks and Recreation. The Americans won 'Outstanding New Programme'. 

Continue reading: TCA Awards: 'Breaking Bad', 'Game Of Thrones' And 'The Americans' Win

The Primetime Emmy Award nominations were announced yesterday (Thursday 18th July). The nomination ceremony was presented by Kate Mara and Aaron Paul via a live video stream on the Emmy's website. 

Kate Mara at the Vanity Fair and Juicy Couture's Celebration of 2013 in L.A.

Netflix has managed to triumph with nominations for their shows: House of Cards; Hemlock Grove and Arrested Development. The company are developing this aspect of their business, which is proving hugely popular and profitable. The future does seem bright for the company which announced it was expanding into its 64th country. It also seems likely their awards over the next few years will increase especially with recent praise of Orange is the New Black. 

Continue reading: Primetime Emmy Awards 2013: How Accurate Were Nomination Predictions?

Side Effects was supposed to be Steven Soderbergh’s last film, but the sequence of events that led it from being a TV movie to a fully fledged feature conspired in the director’s favor, as Behind The Candelabra is much better way to say goodbye.

The critics have well and truly fallen in love with Soderbergh’s depiction of Liberace in Behind The Candelabra. “Buffed to a typical HBO high gloss, Candelabra is a visual feast,” say USA Today. “It shines brightest in those moments where it captures the rhythms of a relationship in its first blush of affection and its seemingly inevitable collapse.” This never happens, but if you peruse the reviews of this film on Rotten Tomatoes, you won’t see a green splat; just shiny red tomatoes. With 93%, this film is certified fresh. “Who'd have thought Michael Douglas and Matt Damon would make such an astonishing, convincing on-screen couple? Steven Soderbergh, that's who...” say Empire Magazine. “If showbusiness is the business of showing off, nobody did it better than Liberace,” comment the Financial Times.

Continue reading: Behind The Candelabra Reviews – Critics Fall In Love With Liberace Soderbergh’s Swansong

Liberace biopic, Behind The Candelabra, has been released today in UK cinemas today but due to troubles securing big-buck Hollywood funding, the glitteringly kitsch film will only be seen on TV in the US, making it exempt from Oscar considerations.

In unfortunate circumstances for all who worked hard to create the well-received, feature-length biopic, Behind The Candelabra, its broadcast on US TV, instead of screening in cinemas, will mean that the film starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon cannot win the most illustrious award in filmmaking. No matter how many scores of critics proclaim their adoration; regardless of how many fans flock in their droves to the cinema here in the U.K, the film will never even have a shot at the Oscars.

According to director Steven Soderbergh, Behind The Candelabra was denied any financing from Hollywood studios because of their belief that only gay people would want to go and see the film. Soderbergh failed to let Hollywood's knockback deflate his big plans to bring Liberace back to life, finding funding instead from HBO, the American cable television network, who will broadcast the biopic on the small screen. Soderbergh said he and his team saw the bright side: "Our attitude was: 'More people are going to see it this way anyway.'"

Continue reading: Behind The Candelabra: Denied An Oscar, Liberace Biopic Ignites Critics' Passion

This week's big world premiere was in London for the zombie apocalypse thriller where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie made their first public appearance since news of Jolie's pre-cancer surgery. They were joined on the red carpet by director Marc Forster and other cast members. The film opens in two weeks.

This weekend British moviegoers get a chance to see Michael Douglas and Matt Damon on the big screen in the Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra. The film was broadcast last week on HBO in America, which means it isn't eligible for Oscars, but look for it to mop up Emmys and Golden Globes. And with glowing reviews from UK critics, Bafta nominations are also expected.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: World War Z Arrives, Britain Braces For Liberace, Superman Speaks

The nature of Michael Douglas' cancer remarks have been cleared up by his spokesperson Allen Burry, though the Guardian newspaper is sticking by its story. On Monday 3 June, the newspaper published an interview with Douglas - the star of Steven Soderbergh's Behind The Candelabra - in which he spoke about his cancer diagnosis and subsequent recovery.

According to the published interview, Douglas appeared to suggest his throat cancer was caused by oral sex and not from years of drinking and smoking. "No. No. Ah, without getting too specific, this particular cancer is caused by something called HPV, which actually comes about from cunnilingus," the actor was quoted as saying. Various medical professional refuted the claims before Allen Burry denied that Douglas said that oral sex was the cause of the cancer and claimed he was merely pointing out one of the many causes of oral cancer. "In a discussion with the newspaper," the Associated Press quotes Burry as saying, "they talked about the causes of oral cancer, one of which was oral sex, which is noted and has been known for a while now."

The Guardian refutes any charge of misrepresentation and claims "Mr Burry was not present at the Guardian's interview with Michael Douglas," adding, "the only two people present were Mr Douglas and the Guardian writer, Xan Brooks." The newspaper also posted the relevant audio file of the interview, along with a verbatim transcript of the interview. Over to you, Mr Douglas.

Continue reading: Michael Douglas Cancer Remarks Denied, Newspaper Provides Audio [Listen]

Michael Douglas was reported as saying that he blamed cunnilingus as the main reason behind his throat cancer, however now his team of representatives are denying the actor ever made the comments in the first place. A spokesperson for the actor, Allen Burry, said that on the contrary Douglas' words were skewed by The Guardian, who first published the actor's quote, who said that while oral sex can result in throat cancer, Douglas never blamed it as the main reason for his battle with the illness.

Burry lamented that Douglas only said that oral sex was one of the causes, not the sole cause, of his battle with cancer. "In a discussion with the newspaper, they talked about the causes of oral cancer, one of which was oral sex, which is noted and has been known for a while now," the rep told the Associated Press on Monday (June 3), explaining that although the link between HPV (human papillomavirus) caused cancer and cunnilingus is known amongst doctors and scientists, the actor owes his (now defeated) cancer to years of smoking and drinking.

Understandably, The Guardian are not best pleased that they have been accused of misinterpretation and released a statement backing their initial claims and have even released an audio clip of the interview in which Douglas explained the cause of his disease. You can listen to the clip and make up your own mind on the Guardian's website.

Continue reading: Michael Douglas Never Said He Got Cancer Solely From Oral Sex, Says His Rep

Michael Douglas is no stranger to the candid interview, and the Behind The Candelabra star’s chat with The Guardian was no different. In it, he reveals the reason for his throat cancer, and his smoker/drinker status has less to do with it than you think.

"No,” says Douglas when asked if he regretted rolling up and smoking those cigarillos. “Because without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV which actually comes about from cunnilingus.”

What now? Your throat cancer came about because of oral sex? And you don’t mind just saying that to one of the biggest newspapers in the world? We love Michael Douglas. "I did worry if the stress caused by my son's incarceration didn't help trigger it. But yeah, it's a sexually transmitted disease that causes cancer," added the star, before joking: "And if you have it, cunnilingus is also the best cure for it."

Continue reading: Smoking? Drinking? No – Michael Douglas’ Throat Cancer Was A Sexually Transmitted Disease

Michael Douglas, the legendary American actor and star of Steven Soderbergh's new movie Behind The Candelabra, claims he got throat cancer through oral sex. When asked whether he regrets his years of heavy drinking and smoking - the usual causes of cancer - Douglas told the Guardian, "No. Because without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV [human papillomavirus], which actually comes about from cunnilingus." Err, ok.

Bizarrely, the Oscar winner, who is married to Catherine Zeta-Jones, went on to claim that oral sex was also the best cure for it, "I did worry if the stress caused by my son's incarceration didn't help trigger it. But yeah, it's a sexually transmitted disease that causes cancer. And if you have it, cunnilingus is also the best cure for it." Celebrity GP Dr Drew Pinsky praised the actor for the interview, tweeting, "Very courageous, will help reduce the risk for others," though other professionals remained sceptical. Mahesh Kumar, a London-based head and neck surgeon, said, "It has been established beyond reasonable doubt that the HPV type 16 is the causative agent in oropharyngeal cancer. Maybe he thinks that more exposure to the virus will boost his immune system. But medically, that just doesn't make sense."

Douglas' representative denied that the actor made a specific link between cancer and oral sex, saying, "He did not say this was the cause of his cancer. In a discussion of oral cancer, he said this is one of the suspected causes. He never made it personal."

Continue reading: Michael Douglas Says He Got Throat Cancer From Oral Sex, Doctors Say He Didn't

The poodle from the Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra took first place in Cannes’ Palm Dog contest – a competition that we’re ready to wager you didn’t even know existed. And yet it does, and it has ever since its establishment in 2001. The pooch took the prize for canine glamour, while the glitzy Hollywood pets from Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring came in second place, according to Reuters. Obviously, a bitter disappointment for The Bling Ring team, but hey, at least they still have a shot at that Palm d’Or thing (not that it's more important than the pet prize).

Previous laureates of the coveted prize include superstar terrier Uggie from Oscar-winning movie The Artist. Prize founder Toby Rose said this year judges also had to deal with “the interloper issue,” in the form of the scene-stealing, audience-pleasing cat from Joel and Ethan Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis. Unfortunately for Ulysses, or the dozen cats who played him in the film, only canines are eligible for the prestigious award. We would personally deem that a discriminatory practice, but apparently, Palm Dog judges were relentless on the matter.

Some more information on the winner – he is apparently an ageing poodle with cataracts and his role was pivotal to the film. It was “Baby Boy’s” failing health that finally brought together Liberace and his new young lover. So, even if the movie fails to win the Palm D’or, there is certainly noone more deserving of the Palm Dog than its canine star.

Continue reading: It Was Dog Eat Dog At Cannes, As The Canine Star Of "Behind The Candelabra" Beat Out The Competition For The Palme Dog

One of the biggest movies of the Cannes Film Festival sees Michael Douglas and Matt Damon team up together in Behind The Candelabra, a depiction of the infamous gay entertainer Liberace. Douglas plays the maverick entertainer, and revealed that it was one of the most poignant roles that he’d played, given that director Steven Soderbergh offered him the role so soon after the actor’s intense battle with throat cancer.

Speaking at a press conference in Cannes, Douglas said "It was right after my cancer that this beautiful gift was given to me." The 68 year-old was clearly emotional, according to Us Magazine, and also told the gathered press "I'm eternally grateful to Steven, Matt [Damon] and [producer] Jerry [Weintraub]."

Apparently Douglas was informally approached for the role way back in 2000, when he was on the set of Soderbergh’s Traffic: "I thought he was messing with me," said the actor at the press conference. Douglas also revealed that he had actually met Liberace before, when he was only 12 years old at his father Kirk Douglas' home in Palm Springs. Reflecting on the meeting he commented, "He came out of a Rolls Royce convertible, and the light was just bouncing off of all of his jewelry. He was very charming."

Continue reading: Michael Douglas Talks Behind The Candelabra And Liberace At Cannes

If the thought of Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline and Robert De Niro hanging about Las Vegas like they’ve still got it enthuses you, then boy are you going to love this trailer for the trio’s new film Last Vegas. See what they’ve done with the title there?

Watch the Last Vegas trailer

Continue reading: Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline And Michael Douglas Team Up For Last Vegas [Trailer]e A

We’ve been waiting to hear Michael Douglas as Liberace ever since it was announced that the veteran actor would play the infamous gay entertainer in the forthcoming dramatic biopic about his life, Behind The Candelabra, and now we’ve finally got a chance, with Entertainment Weekly managing to get a clip of Douglas playing Liberace and performing on stage.

The clip is an audio clip from the film’s first scene and features the song 'The Liberace Boogie,' with Douglas-as-Liberace riffing over the top in spoken word, his brass band playing behind him. It has to be said it sounds pretty top to us, the ever versatile Douglas sounding pretty similar to the man he’s meant to be portraying.

In a recent interview with Vulture meanwhile, Douglas talked about the gay kiss scenes between him and co-star Matt Damon. “Once you get that first kiss in, you are comfortable,” Douglas said. “Matt and I didn’t rehearse the love scenes. We said, ‘Well—we’ve read the script, haven’t we?’” He added. “The hardest thing about sex scenes is that everybody is a judge. I don’t know the last time you murdered somebody or blew anyone’s brains out, but everyone has had sex and probably this morning, which means everyone has an opinion on how it should be done.”

Continue reading: Hear The First Clip Of Michael Douglas As Liberace In 'Behind The Candelabra'

A new trailer for Steven Soderbergh's forthcoming HBO drama Behind the Candelabra has hit the web, giving fans a longer look at Michael Douglas as the flamboyant piano player Liberace, and Matt Damon and his younger lover Scott Thorson. The movie is set to premiere on May 26, 2013.

Of course, the main thing to take from the latest clip is Rob Lowe's ridiculous Snookie-like tan. It's a shade of orange that we're not quite sure we've ever seen before. Elsewhere, armed with a ridiculous haircut, Matt Damon climbs out of a swimming pool wearing a tiny pair of white trunks, and both he and Douglas have a fight in a bathtub, with Thorson hurling a glass at the wall. "All I do is give and give and give!" Liberace bellows and he storms off down a hallway.

Continue reading: 'Behind The Candelabra' Key Moments: Matt Damon's Trunks And Rob Lowe's Tan!

The first picture of Michael Douglas and Matt Damon as Liberace and his young lover Scott Thorson has emerged, with the pair playing the roles for Steven Soderbergh’s forthcoming HBO movie Behind The Candelabra, airing May 26, 2013.

As you’d expect, the pair look somewhat striking and hugely different from their usual selves, with Douglas in particular looking remarkably perturbing as the flamboyant Liberace. In an interview the pair gave to Entertainment Weekly, Damon commented “Every Sunday night, this girl would come to my house and I would stand in my garage and I would hike my boxer briefs up into the crack of my a– and she would give me a spray tan.” He quipped of his wife Luciana Bozán Barroso, “We’ve been through three childbirths, we’ve been in the trenches, there are no secrets. But I really wish she didn’t see that. That’s too much.”

Continue reading: First Picture Of Michael Douglas And Matt Damon In Liberace Biopic Emerges

You’d think that in a season when we’ve seen a spaghetti western about slavery, a film about the hunt for Osama bin Laden, featuring graphic torture scenes, a fantasy adaptation and a musical adaptation, nothing would be too outlandish for Hollywood to handle. Not so apparently.

After a season full of violence and shock, one topic remains too taboo for the business - beware the gays. According to Indiewire, Steven Soderbergh’s new flick, Behind the Candelabra was “too gay” to produce. Speaking to the Television Production Association, Soderbergh revealed how much of a struggle it had been to find a home for his film, despite having two big names already on the project – Michael Douglas and Matt Damon. "Nobody would make it. We went to everybody in town," Soderbergh said to The Wrap. “We needed $5 million. Nobody would do it.”

The film tracks the tragic relationship between Liberace (portrayed by Douglas) and his lover Scott Thompson (played by Matt Damon). Even so, the film is much more lighthearted than something like Brokeback Mountain, for example. So it was a shock for Soderbergh that he could not find the funding anywhere. It all ends well, though, as the film eventually found a home with HBO. According to the director, it’s for the better, since the company knows how to sell something like this. Behind the Candelabra is set to come out sometime in March.

Michael Douglas' son, Cameron Douglas, has reportedly been beaten inside prison, leaving him with a broken leg, and broken fingers, The New York Post Reports.

"He broke his femur, which is hard to snap, and had to have a rod inserted," explained a source. "He told health services staff that he hurt them playing handball. You don't break a femur playing handball." Apparently, the injury was misdiagnosed, and so a broken leg was treated as a sprain, causing blood clots. "She thought it was a sprain, so he wants to sue this woman. He's still walking around on crutches two months later." Douglas has been getting used to prison life since he became a "rat", but its that label that earned him his beating, after a crime-family captain put a $100 bounty on him. "He recently had his initials inscribed on his neck and big stars on his shoulders, with each year of his incarceration in each star: '10, '11, '12. And he's currently getting a scroll on his back. They are being done by his best prison pal, Billy Trent, and he's paid over $1,000 so far for all the ink."

Douglas was sentenced to a five-year sentence in 2010 after pleading guilty to charges of distributing crystal meth and possessing heroin. A further 4.5 years was added to his sentence - meaning he's not eligible for release until 2018 - for smuggling drugs into prison. 

Matt Damon is notoriously private, so an interview with Playboy (of all publications) comes as something of a surprise and pleasure. The extensive conversation covers all the facets of his career and many of his life. He's also renowned for being a 'nice guy', and this interview just reinforces that. Matt Damon is a nice guy.

Asked whether being a husband and father has made him vulnerable, he admitted  "Lucy and the girls can definitely bring me to my knees. They just know." Adding that it's because they're girls, "With boys, I could relate more and it would probably be easier. Growing up, girls are so mysterious to us. Even as a grown man, they remain mysterious."

His feelings of vulnerability aren't limited to his family, his fear of snakes reared it's ugly head when he was shooting with Scarlett Johansson for 'We Bought a Zoo', and also when he and wife, Lucy, headed to the 60th floor of a stunning hotel in Dubai, for him to be crippled by fear before being able to properly take in the view. All of this adds to his self confessed "vanilla" image. During a Larry King interview in 2006, Angelina Jolie was described as sexy and dangerous, Robert De Niro was 'intense' and Matt? He was 'nice'. "That's been great for me" he said, "because... [I can] have an actual private life and be a husband and dad." 

Continue reading: Matt Damon: Gay Rumors, Phobias And Family Life