MARGOT ROBBIE has become one of the most in-demand stars in Hollywood thanks to her talent for both creating and appearing in hit movies.
Now Scarlett Johansson is launching a bid to follow in her footsteps, by producing the new Jurassic World film as well as taking the lead role, just as Margot did with Barbie.
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It was reported last week that Scarlett is in advanced talks to feature in the rebooted film, expected to be released next year, alongside British heart-throb Jonathan Bailey.
But I can reveal she is also set to come on board as a producer, so that she has a much more significant input in the flick, alongside director Gareth Edwards, who was behind 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
A movie insider said: “Scarlett has been in talks with the studio for months and made it clear that Gareth was her first choice to be the director.
“He wanted a big fee but has now signed. With him being her top pick, she is now far more interested in being part of the movie and her role as an actress and producer is justifiable.”
Steven Spielberg has signed on as an executive producer for the film, which will be the seventh in the Jurassic series.
He directed the first film, Jurassic Park, in 1993.
In 2015, 2018 and 2022 there was a trilogy of Jurassic World movies starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, although the two actors are not expected to feature in the next instalment.
Major movie
Five years ago, Scarlett topped the list of highest-paid actresses and since then she played the lead and was an executive producer for 2021 thriller Black Widow.
In the meantime she has had her second child and, just like practically every other celebrity going, has launched a skincare brand, called The Outset.
With another major movie like Jurassic World under her belt, I’m sure her career will continue to dino-soar.
Futura medium
PETE DOHERTY has revealed he’s ditched his mobile phone, just like Simon Cowell and Ed Sheeran.
The rocker said he chose to give it up in a bid to stay clean of drugs after years battling with a heroin addiction.
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Pete said: “Since I’ve got off the gear I haven’t had a phone. I think me and my dad are the only people I know that don’t have one.
“My wife has one, so if it’s an emergency, you can get hold of me. And I’ve got a landline.”
I bet that was ringing off the hook after The Libertines bagged their first No1 album in 20 years earlier this month.
While Pete might be enjoying having a distraction from modern life, he said not having a phone did have its downfalls.
He added: “I tried to take a train the other day, and they wouldn’t let me on without a digital ticket; it’s absolutely insane.
“They didn’t believe me either when I said I didn’t have one. She was just confused and then started getting suspicious. She was French.
“I really lost the plot. Made a right spectacle of myself. Shouting at the sky, shaking my fist. Which people don’t do anymore. I might bring that back.”
I do that daily on my commute from Essex, Pete. And I love it.
DUA LIPA reckons she has manifestation to thank for landing her upcoming Glastonbury headline set.
The Illusion singer said: “People can think of manifestation as witchcraft or something, but it’s really that you set an intention and you think about it every single day of your life.
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“For me, Glastonbury for example – when I first started making music, I dreamt about the day that I would get asked to headline Glastonbury at the Pyramid Stage and I’ve probably thought about it during every single session in the studio.”
Speaking on Zach Sang’s YouYube show in the States, Dua added: “When I write a song, I think, ‘What’s this going to sound like at Glastonbury?’
“That’s the first thought. That is setting my intention in the back of my mind.”
Irena gets leathered
EVERY day is a fashion show when you are a supermodel like Irina Shayk – even when she is just walking her dog.
The star looked ridiculously glamorous as she headed to a coffee shop in New York with her pooch over the weekend.
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While we mere mortals shove on any old outfit to take a pet out, Irina opted for a plum leather wrap dress with a matching black trench and knee-high boots.
Talking about her style, Irina said she liked to go for a “mob wife vibe” as she backed H&M’s new collaboration with fashion brand Rokh.
She said at the London launch: “I love that H&M is supporting emerging labels.
“It’s a great idea to spotlight new designers and introduce them to more mass audiences.”
I love an H&M splurge, so now I’ve definitely got something in common with Irina.
But heels on a dog walk?
Absolutely not.
A thirsty nod from Sabrina
SABRINA CARPENTER made an X-rated reference to her boyfriend Barry Keoghan during her performance at the second weekend of Coachella.
The US star switches up the lyrics to the end of her song Nonsense each time she performs it, and during her latest show she made a cheeky nod to Barry’s role in film Saltburn.
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In it, he slurps from his co-star Jacob Elordi’s bath.
Sabrina sang: “Made his knees so weak he had to spread mine, he’s drinking my bath water like it’s red wine.
“Coachella – see you back here when I headline.”
She is shooting up the charts at the moment with her new hit Espresso, so perhaps a headline set in a few years isn’t out of the question.
REALLY GOOD TIME rocked the roof off an East London pub when they played an intimate set for fans.
The Irish group, who remind me of a wilder version of The Killers, smashed through an 11-song run at the Sebright Arms in Bethnal Green, including The Holy Grail and Monkey’s Paw.
Their fans went nuts as the group, who hail from Dublin, finished their rousing set and told the crowd: “It’s a f***ing huge buzz. Thank you very much.”
If you get a chance to see them live and fancy trying something new, I would recommend it.
Caity’s in awe of ‘crazy’ gig
CAITY BASER got emotional as she played a sold-out show at London’s Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith on Friday – two years after her first concert.
She has had a whirlwind career and welled up as she said it felt “crazy” to perform at such big venues on her latest UK tour.
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The Pretty Boys singer said: “You don’t understand how crazy it is, the progression.
“My whole life, I’ve wanted to be a singer and now I get to do that and it’s literally all because of you guys.
“A lot of people hate on me and say I’m too much, too loud and I wear things which are too revealing, but I don’t give a f***.
“I want to encourage everybody to be whoever you want – wear what you want, kiss who you want, f*** who you want. Who cares?”
Olly has a ‘vision
ALTHOUGH he has come under fire Olly Alexander is biting back.
I can reveal the singer will be the subject of a no-holds-barred, one-off-documentary for BBC One, due to air on the week of the contest in early May, and has secretly been shooting it for several weeks.
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It will show him juggling preparations for the big event, including dance and singing lessons, along with his performances at pre-parties in Madrid and London.
But it is also set to address his own tricky situation, after campaigners called for him to boycott the contest due to Israel’s involvement amid the country’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
A source said: “There is a lot of excitement about Olly and his song Dizzy at Eurovision and fans will get a big insight into all of the work which has gone into getting him to the stage in Malmo.
“It has been a rollercoaster journey so far and the documentary will give behind-the-scenes access to show just how much effort is required to stage such a huge performance.”
There are just under three weeks left until the Eurovision grand final, but Olly will feel buoyed by the support of a former winner for the UK – Lulu.
The Scot, who was crowned champion with Boom Bang-A-Bang in 1969, said: “This year I’m there for Olly – I want him to win. I want us to win and have our time again.”
But admitting it is no small task, she added: “When I did it in 1969 it was exhausting.
“It’s such a worry to feel you’ve got the weight of the whole country on your shoulders, like you’re going to let everybody down if you don’t win.
“It’s a tough call.”
Paris, is that you?
ALL the Hollywood stars seem to be morphing into the same person these days, with their ever-changing faces.
That is why I barely recognised Paris Hilton in this new picture, although her flowing blonde locks gave it away.
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But perhaps it is actually because she has got a tan darker than me when I spent a fortnight in Greece – although hers isn’t real.
She has teamed up with self-tan skincare brand Tan-Luxe and predictably claims it is the best on the market.
Paris said: “I say to my husband, ‘I’m not Paris when I’m pale’. That’s why I’ve partnered with Tan-Luxe to create the easiest-to-use, longest-lasting, and most hydrating tan ever.”
With the sun peeking out, I’d better lather up with some of that before I have a sunbathe in the garden, or I might give the neighbours a bit of a shock.
The week in bizness
TUESDAY: The UK’s largest indoor arena, Co-Op Live in Manchester, will finally open its doors after three years of construction. Peter Kay will open the 23,500-capacity, state-of-the-art venue with a stand-up show ahead of gigs by Take That, Olivia Rodrigo, Pearl Jam and Liam Gallagher.
FRIDAY: After weeks of promoting it, Zendaya’s sporty drama Challengers finally arrives in cinemas. The movie, which also stars Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, sees Zendaya’s character end up in a love triangle with her husband and ex-boyfriend, who must compete in a tennis match.
SATURDAY: She has been acting for more than 40 years, and now Nicole Kidman’s incredible career will be celebrated at a swanky bash at LA’s Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are held. She will be honoured at the 49th AFI Life Achievement Awards for a lifetime contribution to American culture through film and television.
SUNDAY: The Rolling Stones will kick off their Hackney Diamonds tour in Houston, Texas, where they will debut much of their No1 album live. It is the first date of their run of shows across the US and I will be flying out to bring you all the gossip.