Today's Buzz stories
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Pope meets Caviezel
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope John Paul II met Monday with Jim Caviezel, star of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," the Vatican said.
Caviezel, who plays Jesus in the film, had a brief conversation with the pontiff, who then blessed the devoutly Roman Catholic actor, Vatican spokesman the Rev. Ciro Benedettini said. He had no further information on their discussion.
The ANSA news agency said Caviezel arrived in Rome Saturday, and attended a private screening of his film at the Legionaries of Christ, a conservative Catholic group. Caviezel's wife also attended the meeting with the pope, the news agency said.
Gibson's dramatization of Christ's final hours earned $264 million in the United States and Canada after 19 days in theaters, according to studio estimates released Sunday.
However, the film has come under criticism by some Jews who say the movie will fuel anti-Semitism through an unfair portrayal of Jews as the main force behind the death of Jesus. Several Vatican prelates have endorsed the film, insisting it is not anti-Semitic.
John Landis, mentor
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- When John Landis was growing up in Los Angeles as an aspiring filmmaker, he would pester John Ford, Billy Wilder, Ray Harryhausen and other directors to learn more about their craft.
Now, after decades of making his own films, the same thing is happening to him.
"I get approached all the time by filmmakers. I try to be as helpful as I can," Landis said during a discussion Monday at the South by Southwest film festival, where his documentary "Slasher," about used car salesmen, is playing.
Landis -- whose work includes "Animal House," "The Blues Brothers," "Trading Places" and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video -- said he gets about 40 films a week from would-be filmmakers seeking his advice and support.
"Sometimes, I get many more, but it's hard because I can't watch them all," he said. "It's like autographs. Someone who doesn't sign autographs is an (expletive). ... Cary Grant never signed autographs, which was kinda (expletive). But Bob Hope and all those guys" did, Landis said.
The South by Southwest film festival, now in its 11th year, runs through March 20.
Cruise leaves publicist
LOS ANGELES, California (Hollywood Reporter) -- Tom Cruise has parted ways with his longtime publicist, Pat Kingsley.
The split, which happened Thursday, had been in the works for some time, said Kingsley, a partner at PMK/HBH, who has handled his affairs since 1990.
Cruise will now be represented by his sister, Lee Anne DeVette, who works at his Paramount Pictures-based production company, Cruise/Wagner.
"It was something that was developing for a period of time," Kingsley said. "And I think he wants to pull things internal (to his company). It was a very friendly, nice chat, with no hard feelings. I have the greatest respect for him in all areas."
DeVette has been with her brother at C/W for 14 years. She first started at "the bottom rung of the company" and worked her way up, she said. Most recently, she has worked as an in-house publicist for Cruise, working closely with Kingsley on personal publicity activities as well as with the studios on campaigns for Cruise's projects.
With a new movie in the can -- DreamWorks' fall release "Collateral," from director Michael Mann -- and "Mission: Impossible 3" upcoming, it is likely that Cruise may take on another outside rep.
"Will we potentially be looking for someone on films? Yes, we will, but no decision has been made," DeVette said. "But Tom is very close with Pat, and they have a very, very good friendship."
Cruise most recently starred in "The Last Samurai," a role that earned him a best actor nomination at January's Golden Globes.
Kingsley continues to work with such clients as Jodie Foster, Cameron Crowe, Al Pacino, Sandra Bullock, Drew Barrymore and Warren Beatty.
Cedric to handle 'Motown'
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Justin Timberlake is out, and Cedric the Entertainer is in as the new co-host of ABC's "Motown 45" special.
Cedric, the co-star of "Barbershop 2: Back in Business," will emcee the show with singer Lionel Richie.
Among the artists slated to perform in the tribute to Motown Records are The Commodores, The Four Tops, Macy Gray, Gladys Knight, The Temptations and original Supremes Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong.
Timberlake dropped out of the show because of a conflict with filming his first movie, "Edison," as a young journalist who discovers an elite team of corrupt police.
The recent Grammy winner had been tapped earlier this year to co-host the anniversary celebration of the legendary soul music label along with Richie.
Timberlake was engulfed in controversy for much of February after he ripped off part of Janet Jackson's costume during the Super Bowl halftime show, revealing her breast. The choreographed stunt, which both said was not meant to include nudity, sparked a national outcry and an FCC investigation. CBS, which aired the Super Bowl, only allowed Timberlake to participate in its Grammy broadcast after he agreed to apologize on the air.
The special will tape at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on April 4 and is tentatively scheduled to air sometime in May.
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Associated Press contributed to this report.
