The big buzz

Cage movie halted by military coup
The producers of Nicolas Cage’s new movie have been forced to halt production thanks to a military coup in Thailand.

Cage was shooting a remake of 1999 gangster thriller Bangkok Dangerous, called Time To Kill, when cast and crew were advised to take the military situation seriously. Producers insisted all cast and crew members return to their hotels and await further instructions. According to reports, Cage has a private jet on standby at a nearby airport, just in case the situation escalates and he is forced to flee at short notice.

Jolie lands dream role as Taggart
Angelina Jolie has won her dream role — as author Ayn Rand’s iconic heroine Dagney Taggart. Jolie, a longtime fan of Russian-born Rand, has been quietly campaigning to play Taggart in new film Atlas Shrugged — now she’s landed the role, according to trade newspaper Daily Variety. The movie adaptation of Rand’s epic tome has been kicking around Hollywood for many years, and, at one point, was set to star Faye Dunaway. The project sets up a busy 12 months for Jolie, whose next movie will be another epic adaptation, Beowulf. She’ll also be seen alongside Matt Damon in The Good Shepherd and she’ll also star in the adaptation of Mariane Pearl’s book about the kidnap and murder of her husband, journalist Daniel Pearl.

Diaz accuses photographer of assault
Cameron Diaz has filed a police report charging a photographer with assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly trying to hit her and boyfriend Justin Timberlake with his car. Los Angeles police officers are investigating the incident, which occurred as the couple were leaving a friend’s house. Police Officer April Harding tells US publication People, “The incident happened on the 1600 block of King Road in Hollywood.” According to the police report, “Diaz and Justin Timberlake were leaving a friend’s home when a photographer hiding in the bushes tried to take a photograph of her. They both chased the photographer for a short distance. The photographer then got into his car and drove toward both [of] them, causing Diaz to jump out of the car’s way. She felt the driver was trying to hit both of them, so she filed the reports. She’s alleging assault with a deadly weapon, with a vehicle.” Harding added, “No arrests were made. We currently have no suspects, and the investigation is ongoing.” Photo agency X17, for which the photographer in question was working, posted a statement on their website saying that the photos were taken on a public street and that “the pictures show...at least two people verbally and physically assaulting” the photographer. According to the agency, “The photographer is currently in the process of filing a complaint against Ms Diaz and Mr Timberlake.”

Lohan forced to wear cast
Lindsay Lohan will be sporting a cast for the next six weeks after breaking her wrist in two places when she slipped on a wet outdoor area in New York City. The Mean Girls star was attending a Fashion Week party when the accident happened. Lohan’s mother and manager Dina tells US publication Star there isn’t a definite time frame for wearing the cast saying, “It depends, but I think about four to six weeks.” She adds her daughter’s boyfriend Harry Morton is providing moral support — along with a referral to a specialist, who also happens to be his cousin. Dina explains, “Lindsay saw Harry’s cousin, since her other doctor is in New York, and Lindsay’s in LA now, where Harry’s cousin is based.” Lohan isn’t letting her injury slow her down, she’s scheduled to film a brief part in a new film which will reunite her with The Parent Trap director Nancy Meyers. Dina says, “She won’t be doing cartwheels. [The cast] is removable too, so she can take it off for a short time, or she can wear long sleeves.” She says the reports that depict her daughter in an unflattering light are beginning to take their toll adding, “We’re tired of this crap. And as a parent, it’s hurtful.”

LeBlanc officially divorced
Former Joey star Matt LeBlanc is officially single again after obtaining a speedy divorce decision in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The actor represented himself in court as he set about ending his three-year marriage to estranged wife Melissa McKnight. In court documents, obtained by website Tmz.com, the former couple will share custody of their two year-old daughter Marina, while LeBlanc has agreed to pay for all the child’s future private school tuition fees, medical costs, the services of a nanny, and his daughter’s college expenses. The court declared the actor is a “high-wage earner,” and will pay $15,000-a-month in child support. The couple signed a prenuptial agreement before they wed in 2003, in which McKnight waived her right for future spousal support, based on a cash amount she received.