Tom Cruise is preparing for take-off - after he was reportedly approached to star in a sequel to 1986 hit movie Top Gun. The actor has been asked to reprise his role as cocky fighter-pilot Maverick, 22 years after the first film. A source tells British newspaper The Sun, "The idea is Maverick is at the Top Gun school as an instructor - and this time it is he who has to deal with a cocky new female pilot."

Actor Sean Connery is so determined his only child Jason should learn to provide for himself, he refuses to include him in his will, according to the star's ex-wife. Diane Cilento, who was married to Connery for 11 years before they divorced in 1973, claims the former James Bond star's relationship with his son became troubled after he cut him off financially, declaring Jason wouldn't inherit any of his fortune. And Cilento alleges Connery, 77, got angry with his son, who now works as an actor and director, when the 45-year-old threatened to disown the family name. She recalls, "Sean said, 'You only got this job (an acting role) because your name's Connery. "Jason said, 'Well, I'll change it to something else.' Sean said, 'If you do that I'll f**king kill you.' "Jason loves him but Sean has a problem about relationships, as everybody round him knows."

Actress Uma Thurman has denied reports she has wed her businessman boyfriend Arpad Busson in a secret ceremony, after reports surfaced the couple's engagement party was a guise for their nuptials. The Kill Bill star threw her first of two lavish parties on the grounds of Busson's Kensington, London home last month , upon announcing she was set to marry the Swiss businessman. And the actress insisted on sharing the news in her native America by arranging a second bash at her Manhattan apartment earlier this month - an event alleged to have been a secret wedding celebration for the couple. According to the New York Post, Thurman - who sparked pregnancy rumours when she was snapped with a protruding stomach while on vacation in Europe last week (begs14Jul08) - is allegedly enjoying her Honeymoon on the trip with Busson. But a spokesperson for Thurman denies the star has wed.

New Batman movie The Dark Knight has stormed the U.S. box office chart, bringing in $155.34 million in its opening weekend. The Dark Knight was set for a record-breaking weekend, raking in a massive $66.4 million when it opened in U.S. theatres on Friday . And the franchise film, starring Christian Bale as its winged superhero and late actor Heath Ledger as movie villain The Joker, smashed the all-time opening weekend record of $151.1 million , formerly held by 2007's Spider-Man 3. Other U.S. box office top spots were held by Meryl Streep's movie-musical Mamma Mia!, which took the second spot this weekend, earning $27.6 million, and Will Smith's superhero blockbuster Hancock. Smith's film slipped to number three this weekend, but managed to add $14 million to its three-week total of $191.5 million. Rounding out the top five are Brendan Fraser's Journey To The Center Of The Earth, which took in $11.9 million in fourth place, and Hellboy II: The Golden Army, which slipped from the top spot but earned an additional $10 million.

Pierce Brosnan has seen off competition from fellow actors Bruce Willis and Richard Gere to land the title of most popular gay icon over 50 years old. The former James Bond actor took 33 per cent of the vote, compared with Willis and Gere, who took 25 and 14 per cent respectively, while Indiana Jones actor Harrison Ford and Lethal Weapon star Mel Gibson scooped fourth and fifth places respectively. The Queen actress Helen Mirren topped the most popular lesbian icon list with 32 per cent of the poll. Susan Sarandon and Meryl Streep claimed second and third places with 28 and 25 per cent respectively, whilst the top five was rounded out by Goldie Hawn and Dolly Parton. The poll was compiled by online dating agency gay-Parship.co.uk.

Vanessa Hudgens is adamant she is not jealous of her boyfriend Zac Efron's legions of adoring female fans - because she understands exactly how they feel. The High School Musical co-stars have been dating for nearly a year, and Hudgens admits she often feels like a giggly, teenage fan when she is around him. She says, "It's all good with Zac. I don't get jealous - not at all - when Zac gets loads of attention. I do, too. And I don't mind if girls scream at him - I like to scream along too."

Hollywood screenwriter Steven Moffat has turned down a multi-million dollar contract with legendary director Steven Spielberg - to work on British TV show Doctor Who. Moffat was offered a $2 million contract by Spielberg to write the first two scripts for his forthcoming Tintin trilogy, based on the comic-strip hero. But Moffat has now turned down the offer in favour of a position on the cult sci-fi show - replacing writer Russell T. Davies, who will step down within the next year. And Moffat insists he jumped at the chance to fulfill his boyhood dream of writing Dr Who scripts. He says, "I know a lot of people won't understand it but I've been dreaming of writing for Dr Who since I was seven. There are no bad feelings between Spielberg and me, but Dr Who has to come before Hollywood. I am working on scripts to be filmed next year. Russell T. Davies is doing four specials next, then my shows will begin. I talked to Steven and he completely understood. Steven is a fan and he understood my passion for the series completely."

Shock jock Howard Stern's former radio sidekick Kenneth Keith Kallenbach's death was caused by complications from cystic fibrosis, according to a new medical examiner's report. Kallenbach - described by Stern as the "ultimate airhead" - died in April at the age of 39 at a Pennsylvania hospital. Kallenbach was in custody at Delaware County Jail after being arrested and charged with attempted child abduction when he fell ill. His initial cause of death was disputed by his mother Fay Kallenbach, who refuted claims her son had contracted pneumonia in jail. Fay broadcast her concerns on Stern's Sirius Satellite radio show following Kallenbach's passing, insisting her son suffered from cystic fibrosis and wasn't properly cared for behind bars. County officials disputed allegations of neglect, but autopsy reports have revealed the cause of death was attributable to the potentially fatal condition, which affects the lungs and digestive system.

This year's Democratic National Convention (Dnc) is becoming a haven for Hollywood A-listers - Ben Affleck, Quentin Tarantino and Spike Lee have reportedly booked their appearances at the event. The convention - taking place next month (25-28Aug08) in Denver, Colorado - became a hit in the music scene after booking acts including Kanye West, Pharrell Williams and Wyclef Jean to perform. Event organisers have yet to release an official list of confirmed performers and talent. But Dnc spokesman Damon Jones confirms: "We are expecting lots of people to be here, big names, small names and everyday American names." Other celebrities guests expected to attend the convention include: Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Susan Sarandon, Forrest Whitaker and actor-turned-director Ed Norton - who is working on a documentary about Obama.

An actor on hit U.S. TV series The Sopranos has sold the most expensive piece of memorabilia related to the show - an original painting of the series' stars Tony and Carmela Soprano - for $175,000. The Duke and Duchess of North Caldwell, painted by Federico Castelluccio who played Italian hit man Furio Giunta on The Sopranos, was sold to a Toronto, Canada oil executive earlier this month . The painting portrays the crime boss couple - played by James Gandolfini and Edie Falco - staring intensely as they replicate a 15th century pose of the Duke and Duchess of Urbino. Castelluccio says of his piece: "I had just finished the show's fourth season, where Furio and Carmela had this placid love affair that was never consummated. James Gandolfini has the same strong presence as the Duke, and I knew there was going to be a dividing line (between Tony and Carmela), and that my character was the cause of their split at the end of the season." Art collector Keya Morgan, who brokered the deal, confirms: "It's an unbelievable painting, and not only is it a record for The Sopranos but it is a very high price for a living artist at his age. (Vincent) Van Gogh never accomplished anything like this. He died broke."

Hollywood socialite Khloe Kardashian has served just 173 minutes behind bars after turning herself over to police to begin a 30-day jail term. The reality TV star was processed into the Lynwood, California, jail for women on Friday morning , as expected. The 24 year old was sentenced to serve jail time for violating probation following a drink driving arrest. She was arrested for a Dui in March 2007, and was sentenced to three years probation. But she failed to complete her roadside clean-up duty and enrol in an alcohol education class, and a judge sent her to jail on 3 July . The Lynwood jail is the same facility where Paris Hilton served time in another alcohol-related driving case last year . Kardashian was released due to overcrowding issues.

Actor-turned-director Ben Stiller is convinced no one can help Owen Wilson overcome his personal problems - because it is hard to understand his emotional anguish. Wilson was hospitalised last year after allegedly slashing his wrists at his home in Santa Monica, California. And Stiller, a close friend of the funnyman, admits that his pal is battling depression - and it is hard for his family and friends to empathise with what he is going through. He says, "It's impossible to understand that kind of pain - depression or anything like that - until you're in it. "I love Owen. I felt bad that he had to deal with all the outside bulls**t."

Guy Ritchie plans to concentrate on his career - and has vowed to be "very busy" over the next five years. The Snatch director, who is reportedly experiencing marriage difficulties with wife Madonna, signed on to write and direct a new movie about fictional detective Sherlock Holmes last month . And that is one of many projects the director has in the pipeline. He tells British newspaper the Daily Express, "It's my intention to be very busy over the next five years. "(And) I think we probably have five or six projects that we're pretty sure we're going to make. I kind of fancy myself at making films quite quickly."

Actor Christian Bale warned off stars including Ewan McGregor to ensure he landed the lead role in American Psycho - because he had already beaten Leonardo DiCaprio to be in with a chance of winning the part. The British actor, who stars as Batman in forthcoming film The Dark Knight, was ecstatic when DiCaprio dropped out of the running for American Psycho - and was determined that no-one else should land the movie role. He tells British newspaper The People, "I had to make a decision either to accept I wasn't going to get the part because Leo was a much bigger star or do battle. "I kept saying I was going to play the lead and people wondered if I was losing my mind. It reached the point where the film studio said about me, 'Don't mention his name again.' "But when Leo dropped out, the film company said, 'Let's call that crazy guy who keeps telling everyone he can play the lead.' I even warned other actors off - including Ewan McGregor. I was not going to be bullied out of the part - I was going to stand up for myself and fight.

Lindsay Lohan's new range of leggings has been branded a success after the range sold out in stores across the U.S. The Hollywood actress launched fashion accessories line 6126 - named after Marilyn Monroe's birthdate - earlier this month . And the range has already sold out - with customers being placed on a waiting list until stores can order new stock. Los Angeles boutique owner Jaye Hersh tells E! Online, "The collection is blowing out, we were so overwhelmed by the reaction. We have launched other celebrity collections here, and this one is just flying through the door. "We launched Lauren Conrad's collection, we've had Mandy Moore, we've had various different celebrity lines, but this one really seems to be hitting home."

Former Beverly Hills, 90210 star Shannen Doherty has confirmed she will be reprising her role in the new spin-off of the hit teen show. The actress, who played good girl Brenda Walsh in the original Aaron Spelling programme, was rumoured to be in negotiations to join the cast of the new series earlier this year . And now the star - who was fired from the original show in 1994 - has announced she will definitely be returning to the role which made her famous. Her representative tells People.com, "Shannen is looking forward to returning to 90210." Other original cast members to sign up to the forthcoming show include Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling.

Selma Blair felt sure she'd beaten Katie Holmes to the role of Joey Potter in teen TV show Dawson's Creek - because the newcomer was too tall. Blair and Holmes were battling it out with another young actress for the part - and the Hellboy star was confident she'd land it. She says, "Holmes got it fair and square... (but) I remember seeing her walk into the (audition) room and thinking, 'She is just the tallest girl. There's no way they'll give it to her. She won't even fit on camera.' Then I ate my words. She was adorable."

Movie star Ben Stiller lives it up on film sets - he has his own custom-made trailer. The Zoolander star insists he's no diva but he likes certain home comforts when he's filming. He says, "I told them (manufacturers) some things I thought would make it a little more comfortable than average. "You spend a lot of time in them. On the other hand I'm not Matthew McConaughey, who has literally lived in an Airstream trailer for the past 10 years or something." And he jokes, "It's 500 feet wide and 30 feet tall... It's the largest man-made trailer on the North American continent. It has built-in speakers and a trampoline... It's just a regular trailer, nothing groundbreaking."

The Assassination Of Jesse James star Jeremy Renner put his life in his own hands while shooting war film The Hurt Locker in Amman, Jordan - because locals really thought he was the enemy. The actor filmed near a Palestinian refugee camp and had to constantly look out for falling planks and thrown stones as he filmed the drama. He explains, "There were two by fours with nails being dropped from two-story buildings that hit me in the helmet and they were throwing rocks. Most of them were just kids fooling around, but still. "We got shot at a few times while we were filming. I can almost say I was in a war, but, to be honest, I was just some jerk-ass actor pretending I was in it. When you see it, you're gonna feel like you've been in war." And Renner is glad the film looks great - because it was an awful experience: "I was miserable in 120-degree heat in a 150-pound bomb suit playing a soldier in an elite Army bomb squad. "I'm like, 'This is awful!' And everyone was sick. It was terrible. It was a shoestring budget and we didn't even have guns or bullets. We had plastic guns and soft pellet guns. We had nothing. "It was an $80 million (?40 million) movie that was made for $11 million (?5.5 million)."

British funnyman Ricky Gervais has refused to lose weight because his fuller frame has helped him become a successful comedian. The 47-year-old star admits his figure has changed dramatically since his youth but has assured his fans his love for food won't wane - because his bulging belly keeps them laughing. He says, "I think that getting fat was my fortune, really... I said funny things, but I was too unfeasibly handsome (in my youth). "They'd go, 'I want to laugh, but I feel funny all over.' Whereas, as I started eating, they started laughing." And Gervais admits he has no problem with the media giving added attention to his expanding waistline, musing: "I was jogging once, wearing my iPod, looking good. Paparazzi got me. Full page in the paper with the headline: iPudge."