Here at Southern Celebrity Gossip we previously reported on the new Quentin Tarantino film that is shooting throughout Louisiana. In our older posts, we only had a snapshot of the plot for this new thriller. But it appears that the director himself has released a much more complete synopsis for this new flick! As previously mentioned, the story follows the title character, Django who is a former slave turned-bounty hunter as he tries to free his wife from the plantation on which she is incarcerated. But that sounds a little tame for the director who released "Inglorious Bastards", “Pulp Fiction”, as well as the “Kill Bill” movies. How about including a slave ranched called “Candyland” where slaves are trained to fight one another to the death? That’s a bit more like it!

Actor Kurt Russell will be playing the overseer who is responsible for training the inmates for battle, include Kerry Washington’s character, and Django’s wife, Broomhilda. The owner of the Candyland Plantation is the Academy Award-Nominee Leonardo DiCaprio. Leo is a new player to the Tarantino cast. Quentin, like many directors, has a habit of using the same actors in many of his films. This list includes Uma Thurman, Christopher Waltz, Tim Roth and Samuel L. Jackson. Tarantino has made a name for himself with his (almost) ridiculous plot lines and avant-garde direction, so we’re all anxious for how this plot line with translate onto the big screen.

For the complete synopsis, visit theguardian.com.

    Hollywood icon, Tom Cruise is making his way down to New Orleans to film a new sci-fi thriller this spring. Joining the cast will be local actress Melissa Leo, who was made famous by the HBO series “TREME” portraying the character, Toni Bernette. Before landing the role with Cruise, Leo was predominantly a television star having appeared in “Criminal Minds” and “Law and Order”. The actress is excited to join the cast for “Oblivion” which will be filmed mainly in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas. The cast for this picture includes actors Morgan Freeman, Andrea Riseborough and Olga Kurylenko. Local actress, Lindsay Clift, will also be appearing in the picture playing the part of “young mother”. Clift is an active performer in New Orleans, and also is an acting coach at the John Robert Powers Performing Arts Academy. Joseph Kosinski is directing the film. Kosinski is best known for the
"TRON: Legacy", which features similar themes and aesthetics to the
much anticipated “Oblivion”.

For more on this story, visit NOLA.com.

  Actress, Patricia Clarkson has been acting in major motion pictures since she performed as Mrs. Eliot Ness in “The Untouchables” alongside Kevin Costner. Since this debut she has gone on to work on other projects including “Shutter Island”, “Simply Irresistible”, “The Green Mile”, and the hit television show “Frasier”.

Clarkson’s current project hits a little closer to home. The Washington Post reports that Patricia has just arrived in New Orleans in preparation for the Krewe of Muses which rolls tomorrow evening. Clarkson, a native of the Crescent City, will appear on one of the floats and is part of the ever-growing list of celebrity appearances for this year’s Mardi Gras. The actress was born here in Louisiana, before moving to Connecticut to pursue a degree in the Dramatic Arts from Yale University. She frequently returns to her hometown here in NOLA, and this is her second time participating in one of the   parades, having ridden in Orpheus in 2007.

Other celebs to be on the look-out as we get closer to Fat Tuesday are Will Ferrell (Bacchus), Hilary Swank, (Orpheus), Maroon 5 (Endymion), Brett Michaels & Cyndi Lauper (Orpheus), and Harry Connick Jr., who is also riding in Orpheus. Clarkson is being honored as the “EveryMuse” and the all-female Krewe is thrilled to have her participate. One member commented that “it’s wonderful that someone who has been so successful and such a public figure is willing to come back to New Orleans and share her city with the rest of the country.”

For more on this story, visit the Washington Post.

      The 2009 flick, “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans” made the news a while back for Nick Cage’s wild performance in the movie. His character Lieutenant Terrence McDonagh is a drug and gambling addicted, corrupt cop in a post-Katrina New Orleans. Cage’s extravagant performance in this role earned the film an 87% Rotten Tomatoes’ rating, and added a whole new level to his portfolio.

But not all the press about this picture is positive. It appears that the producers are receiving some harsh accusations from the movie’s investors. According to sources, the producers of this film have been “siphoning” off the proceeds, and failing to pay back those who put up money to help make this film. The investors have gone as far as to file a lawsuit against Nu Image and First Look Studios, trying to recover what they consider to be their fair share or profits. The Hollywood Reporter writes, “investors in the 2009 Nicolas Cage film Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call—New Orleans… say that the defendants failed to properly set up the collection account [and have been] improperly deducting expenses, failing to disburse proceeds, and not accurately and truthfully accounting for all of the money.”

   At this time there is no comment from Nu Image or First Look Studios, but this case will move to trial if a settlement can not be reached.

To stay up to date on this story, follow what The Hollywood Reporter is saying!

The futuristic, science-fiction novel, “Ender’s Game” is set to be made into a movie- and what better setting to film a new picture in than New Orleans! That’s right, Summit Entertainment is looking to take on a new endeavor as Orson Scott Card’s book is being adapted for film. Summit has had its hands tied the past few years with the “Twilight” Movies, but now that the third movie is in the theatres, they already have their sights set on a new “big teen franchise”.


“Ender’s Game” is frequently compared with the themes of “Harry Potter” since it, too, tells the story of a young boy’s fight over the darker forces. But unlike Potter, “Ender’s Game” is much more violent, and more suitable for older audiences. The book was originally adapted to a screenplay by Warner Brothers, before being picked up by Summit last April. The movie has also cast up-and-coming star, Asa Butterfield as the title character! Butterfield can be seen currently in the new Scorsese film, “Hugo” which is gaining international attention.

Critics are hopefully that with this casting, direction, and screenplay, the movie will be able to merge the adult content of the “Twilight Saga” with the whimsical elements of “Harry Potter” and create a new classic that will be compelling to all ages. Production is schedule for February of 2012 here in New Orleans, so be on the look-out for casting and extra opportunities!

For more information, you can read the full story through nola.com

Jason Statham on set of feature film "Parker" in New Orleans, Louisiana.