Jackie Chan planning a musical?

Jackie Chan is planning to tell his life story through song and dance - the martial arts star is writing his own musical.

The Chinese action hero admits he's been a fan of American musicals since he was a kid, and now he's eager to complete one of his own - and share his inspiring rise to the top.

He explains, "I love The Sound of Music. When I was young, I didn't know English and I saw the whole movie.

"I'm planning to do I Am Jackie Chan: The Musical. I've got a very interesting background. I will talk about how I got into the film business... and how I've come to be today. It's a very interesting, classical musical."

Chubby Matt Damon, The Informant!

The sexy Matt Damon is trying to lose the extra pounds he gained for his role in the upcoming movie The Informant by taking up boxing, according to itv.com.

The 37-year-old actor, who was named People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive last year, has reportedly said: “Now I’m the Sexiest Man Alive’s chunky cousin! Losing weight is not fun; putting on weight is - because you get to eat whatever you like! For this movie I probably weighed 205 pounds, for Courage Under Fire I weighed 130 pounds.”

The Informant is a dark comedy thriller based on a true story and directed by Steven Soderbergh. The film will be available on DVD at movies4africa on the 15th February 2010.

Sandra Bullock, No.1 on the top ten actors list

Hollywood star Sandra Bullock is said to have been the biggest draw at the U.S. box office in 2009, according to a survey.

The actress appeared in three movies in the past 12 months - romantic comedy The Proposal, American football drama The Blind Side and a comedy All About Steve. Of these, only the first has been released on DVD in South Africa so far.

Bullock's popularity put her ahead of actors like Johnny Depp and George Clooney in the annual list by Quigley Publishing Company, which collates various pieces of information from cinema owners across the U.S.

The news tops a stellar year for the actress - she was also recently named Entertainment Weekly magazine's Entertainer of the Year, beating stars including Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift to the top spot.

The top 10 actors in 2009 are as follows:

1) Sandra Bullock
2) Johnny Depp
3) Matt Damon
4) George Clooney
5) Robert Downey Jr
6) Tom Hanks
7) Meryl Streep
8) Brad Pitt
9) Shia LaBeouf
10) Denzel Washington

Protests over Gibson's Mexican movie

Mel Gobson's new movie is already causing controversy in Mexico - relatives of inmates at a Veracruz jail have blasted plans to move prisoners to make way for the film shoot.

The Hollywood actor-turned-director has set his sights on filming at the Ignacio Allende prison in the eastern coastal city.

Veracruz state governor, Fidel Herrera Beltran, announced earlier this month (Dec09) that prisoners would be moved out of the jail to allow the film crew to work there.

Authorities previously planned to transfer inmates to a new prison in the town next year (10) - but families fear their loved ones will be sent to facilities across the country if the jail is not built in time.

Hundreds of family members launched demonstrations outside the prison on Monday (28Dec09) in a bid to stop the transfers until the new unit is ready. The 24-hour protest reportedly came to an end on Tuesday (29Dec09) after the prison's director announced he had received no orders to transfer inmates and vowed families would be informed if any prisoners are to be moved.

Gibson previously filmed his 2006 epic Apocalypto in Veracruz and subsequently handed local authorities a £690,000 donation to help build new homes for victims of 2005's Hurricane Stan. ~LoveFilm

Cullum loved working with Eastwood

Jamie Cullum is eager to compose more music for films - but is worried any future endeavours won't compare to working with Clint Eastwood on Gran Torino

The musician wrote the main score for the 2008 drama, after the acclaimed director phoned him up to ask the favour personally.

And although Cullum is keen to write more for movies, he's concerned nothing will live up to the experience of working with Eastwood.

He says, "We ended up recording in his house, playing along to the film on a flatscreen TV. I couldn't believe it. Because after all, he is Clint Eastwood.

"I'd love to do more film work, but it's a bit difficult after working with Clint. I mean, it's a bit like having caviar as your very first grown-up meal." ~ LoveFilm

Sigourney Weaver to play lustful older woman

Weaver is embracing her 60s - by playing an older teacher who lusts after a man half her age in a new comedy.

The actress, who turned 60 in October (09), is currently working on Cedar Rapids, in which she portrays a veteran teacher who romances a 35-year-old former pupil, played by Ed Helms.

And she insists relationships between older women and younger men are actually quite common.

She says, "I play his grade-school science teacher that he had a crush on. Years later, we consummate our relationship and are going out." ~LoveFilm