Hollywood star Tom Cruise's extravagant plans for the long-awaited Mission Impossible III film are reportedly causing problems for Paramount Studios, who fear the budget will spiral out on control. The actor is producing and reprising his role as agent Ethan Hunt in the sequel to 2000 hit Mission: Impossible II, which is scheduled to begin filming in June 2005. According to Fox News gossip columnist Roger Friedman, Paramount is concerned because no script exists for the movie. Friedman explains, "The rest of it is in Tom's head." In July, Narc film-maker Joe Carnahan quit the project citing "creative differences", and was replaced by first-time movie director JJ Abrams, whose previous credits include directing episodes of TV drama Alias. Despite decided locations in Germany, Belgium, Ghana, Canada and the US, Paramount is reportedly getting increasingly nervous over Cruise's plans to film in 15 countries, raising the budget to $234 million. Friedman says, "I am told that Cruise actually assembled a trailer for it, including credits, voiceovers and clips that he screened for friends as a way to bolster his ego. Trailers are made after a film is completed, not before it's even been shot."

Salma Hayek has sparked speculation she's dating her ex-boyfriend Edward Norton once again, following a TV interview. According to America's Star magazine, Hayek was taping an installment of Inside The Actor's Studio on November 8 when she revealed to the host James Lipton that Norton was doing a screenplay for her for free. When Lipton asked why, she reportedly smiled and winked. While the actress' representative insists the stars have not rekindled their romance, a source says, "It was definitely implied that they were back together." The pair went their separate ways in 2003, after four years together.

Hollywood star Sigourney Weaver plans to mimic her famous Alien character Ellen Ripley - and take a trip into space. The 55-year-old actress has asked British tycoon Richard Branson to book her a $207,000 seat on his Virgin Galactic spacecraft when it's ready for take off in 2008. A Virgin insider quips, "We'd be delighted to take Sigourney back to visit the aliens." The company itself has confirmed "discussions are taking place" for Weaver to ride one of the first Virgin Galactic flights to 70 miles beyond the planet's atmosphere, where tourists will experience six minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views before returning to Earth. Star Trek star William Shatner and Jane's Addiction rocker-turned-reality TV star Dave Navarro are two of the 7,000 other people who have signed up for the outer world experience.

Hollywood icon Robert De Niro will reportedly renew his wedding vows with wife Grace Hightower at a secret, star-studded ceremony tomorrow. The Raging Bull star has invited a host of celebrity friends including Martin Scorsese, Billy Crystal, Harvey Keitel and Claire Danes to a mystery New York location for the occasion. The 61-year-old met Hightower in a London nightclub in 1987 and married her ten years later but filed for divorce in 1999 and again in 2001 during a bitter custody battle over their son Elliott, although the divorce was never finalized. A close friend tells British newspaper the Metro, "I think one of the reasons Bob loves her is that she always stood her ground. And that she's a great mother."

Hollywood heart-throb Brad Pitt turned down the chance to star in critical chat show Inside The Actors Studio because he doesn't think he's experienced enough. Modest Pitt was invited by James Lipton to review his film career and discuss his acting methods on the Bravo program, when his blockbuster Troy came out this summer. According to American gossip site Pagesix.Com, Pitt said that he didn't have a "sufficient body of work". Pitt needn't have worried about his 27 movie portfolio, recent Studio guests include Natalie Portman - who has 14 to her name and Jennifer Lopez with 16 movies.

Motown legend Diana Ross has delayed her second autobiography "indefinitely" after she told publishers she doesn't want to discuss her private life. Ross signed a huge deal with Regan Books last year to write about the end of her second marriage to Arne Naess, her December 2002 arrest for driving under the influence and her subsequent 48-hour prison sentence. The singer received criticism in 1994 for avoiding the grittier details of her private life in her first book Secrets Of A Sparrow. Despite an expected publishing date of January 2005, a spokesperson for Regan says the date has been delayed "indefinitely", while Ross' rep adds, "She's still in discussions about the direction of the book and no decision has been made." A source tells American gossip site The Scoop, "There's a disagreement between Regan and Ross about what belongs in the book and what doesn't. She was supposed to tell all, but she kept saying she doesn't want to get into anything unpleasant, and kept going on about how that's all in the past."

Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley's movie company is rumored to be closing down - because it hasn't made a film in five years. The former lovers set up Simian Films in 1994 and went on to make Extreme Measures and Mickey Blue Eyes - both starring Grant and produced by Hurley - in 1996 and 1999 respectively. A number of films were in the pipeline when the couple split in 2000, but none of the projects materialized. The pair have kept the company running, but its turnover halved between 2002 and 2003, falling from $867,255 to $479,263 - prompting speculation Grant and Hurley may wind up the firm. A spokesperson for Simian, however, insists, "Hugh and Elizabeth closed down the company's US office in 2002, but the office in London remains unchanged. We haven't got any projects in the pipeline, but we continue to employ four staff."

French composer Michel Colombier, who co-scored Prince's Purple Rain movie, has died at his home in California after losing his battle with cancer. Colombier, 65, made his name in his native France, collaborating with stars like Serge Gainsbourg and Charles Aznavour, before relocating to America and becoming a film composer. Colombier scored over 100 cable and television films. In his native France, he worked with such renowned directors as Jean-Pierre Melville and Agnes Varda. As well as Purple Rain, his Hollywood credits included The Golden Child and Against All Odds, and he also scored over 20 ballets. Colombier received two Cesar Awards - the French equivalent of the Oscars.

Sir Sean Connery has secretly bought the ultimate souvenir from his days playing superspy James Bond - the moon buggy he rode in 1971 movie Diamonds Are Forever. The space vehicle Bond used to make a hasty getaway in the film was due to be sold on December 14 at London auction house Christie's for an estimated $56,000. But the veteran actor charmed the buggy's owner, 007 Magazine editor Graham Rye, into selling it privately for $54,000. An insider says, "He even shocked us. We never thought a Bond star would buy it."

The Sopranos stars James Gandolfini and Tony Sirico have signed up to spread a little Thanksgiving cheer to US troops stationed in the Persian Gulf. The two actors are on a USO-Armed Forces Entertainment tour, where they'll sign autographs, pose for pictures and watch movies with the troops. Other celebrities who have visited the region over the past year include Wayne Newton, Tom Green and 50 Cent.