HOLLYWOOD - Holy Sith!
Star Wars Episode III now has its final moniker: Revenge of the Sith. Lucasfilm announced the new title at the annual Comic Con International Saturday in San Diego, Calif., to thousands of sci-fi and superhero fans who roared their approval, The Associated Press reports. "I thought it was great, I loved it," said Barren Wright, 35, a graphic designer from Modesto who was dressed as the green-armored bounty hunter Boba Fett. "This takes it back to the classic trilogy, a smart move by Lucasfilm to tie it all together since the logo and everything is identical to Return of the Jedi." The movie, set for release in May 2005, will finally show how Luke Skywalker's father, Anakin (played by Hayden Christensen), goes from being a sweet-natured slave boy to the galaxy-crushing villain Darth Vader, corrupted by the evil Sith.
Hilton, Carter break up
Paris Hilton and former Backstreet Boy Nick Carter have ended their seven-month romance, their publicists told Reuters on Friday. Hilton's spokeswoman described the breakup as amicable, adding that the hotel heiress is "busy focusing on her career" in entertainment, including her hit reality TV show The Simple Life. In a statement from his own publicist, Carter said, "I want to be free to date other people, and I got tired of the rumors surrounding our relationship and the constant on and off status."
Rowling is expecting for the third time
J.K. Rowling, the - author of the Harry Potter series, is pregnant with her third child, Reuters reports, but she promises it won't interfere with her writing the sixth installment, now titled Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. "I am really delighted to say that I am expecting a third baby, who is due next year," Rowling said on her Web site. "Now, I know that many Harry Potter fans' first reaction will be what does this mean for the timing of book six?" she continued. "Book six remains well on track and, fingers crossed of course, I don't foresee any baby-related delays or interruptions." Rowling, 38, already has a daughter, Jessica, from her first marriage, and last year had a son, David, with her second husband Neil Murray.
Jeopardy champ winning streak continues
"Will it never end for this talented young man?" Jeopardy host Alex Trebek queried. Apparently not. The quiz show master Ken Jennings won his 38th straight game on Friday, shattering a one-day record by earning $75,000 and putting his total winnings at $1.3 million, AP reports. Jeopardy! goes into reruns starting next Monday, but new shows will resume on Sept. 6, where Jennings will continue to defend his championship.
Disney chief likes Fahrenheit
Walt Disney Co.'s top gun Michael Eisner has seen Fahrenheit 9/11, the hugely successful Michael Moore documentary the Mouse House refused to distribute, and said he liked it, AP reports. Eisner spoke at Fortune magazine's fourth annual Brainstorm conference, co-hosted by The Aspen Institute, telling the participants, "The reason [the film] is a hit is it's entertaining. I thought it was like going to a rock concert. I loved it, but not in a political (sense)." Eisner said Disney decided not to distribute the documentary, which criticizes President Bush and the war in Iraq, because its shareholders and customers do not expect it to be a partisan company.
Allen film opens Spanish film festival
Woody Allen's latest movie, Melinda and Melinda, a romantic comedy starring Allen, Chloe Sevigny and Will Ferrell, will make its world premiere at the 52nd San Sebastian International Film Festival, which runs Sept. 17-25 in Spain, Reuters reports. Allen, who will be on hand to support his film, also will be the subject of a tribute and retrospective. The sidebar will showcase Allen's talents as writer, director and actor since his beginnings in 1966. Melinda and Melinda will be distributed domestically by Fox Searchlight.
Gay channel gets star lineup
Cher, Scottish actor Alan Cumming and comedian Kathy Griffin are among the stars who are doing shows for the new gay-themed digital cable channel, Logo, which is scheduled to launch in February. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Cher and her daughter, Chastity Bono, will executive produce Family Outing, a chronicle of "coming-out" stories based on Chastity's book of the same name, in which Chastity will also host. Among the other projects are The Alan Cumming Experience, which features the X2: X-Men United actor hosting a cabaret-like variety show and Fantastic Voyage, a reality series set on an ocean-liner cruise hosted by comedian Griffin.