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‘Spider-Man’ Lead Actress To Depart Broadway Show

Natalie Mendoza leaving ‘Turn Off the Dark,’ New York Times reports. By Terri Schwartz Natalie Mendoza Photo: Bruce Glikas/ FilmMagic While one “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” actor is to Broadway’s most-expensive musical once he recovers from his injury, another is headed out the door. The New York Times reports Natalie Mendoza, the lead actress who after she was struck on the head with a rope, has been negotiating an exit agreement for days. Mendoza seemed to confirm her exit with the tweet, “Can feel a trip to India coming on & visiting my magic little orphanage Ramana’s Garden in Rishikesh. Raising funds as we speak. Be the change.” The Times learned of her departure from two people who work on the show and who spoke on the condition of anonymity. A spokesperson for “Turn Off the Dark” could not confirm to the paper that Mendoza is leaving, and a spokesperson for the actress declined to comment. The actress, best known for her role in “The Descent,” suffered a concussion November 28, and though she returned to the production three days later, she took another two weeks off after experiencing nausea and headaches. Mendoza played Arachne, the spider-villainess who becomes obsessed with Spider-Man. Director Julie Taymor created the character specifically for the mythology of the musical. The role required that the actress perform flying sequences while upside down, something she wasn’t able to handle after she was injured. Mendoza is expected to be replaced by her understudy, America Olivo. Mendoza wrote on her Facebook page Sunday that she was “almost back to normal” and had reduced her medicine intake to two nausea tablets and four painkillers a day. After a fourth accident December 20 sent stunt double and aerialist Christopher Tierney to the emergency room, the production instituted a series of new safety measures . Taymor released a statement saying, “Nothing is more important than the safety of our ‘Spider-Man’ family and we’ll continue to do everything in our power to protect the cast and crew.” Preview performances continue at the Foxwoods Theater in Times Square, and the musical’s official Broadway opening date is February 7. Check out everything we’ve got on “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.”

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‘Spider-Man’ Lead Actress To Depart Broadway Show

Lindsay Lohan Inspires New Comedy ‘Dogs In Pocketbooks’

Screenwriter Charles Casillo has hired heiress Lydia Hearst Shaw to star as a ‘bratty movie goddess … in trouble with the law.’ By Terri Schwartz Lindsay Lohan Photo: Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images Lindsay Lohan’s troubled life and recent scandals don’t necessarily seem particularly funny, but screenwriter Charles Casillo apparently is aiming to put a comedic spin on the actress’s trials in the new film “Dogs in Pocketbooks.” The New York Post reports that Casillo has chosen heiress Lydia Hearst Shaw, in her first Hollywood film role, to play the Lohan-esque character at the center of his movie. The writer told the Post that Shaw will portray a “bratty movie goddess in and out of rehab, in trouble with the law, and hounded by greedy agents, predatory paparazzi, off-the-wall stalkers and crazed media.” TMZ pointed out that the only Lohan-related aspect missing from this picture are “scheming, sponging parents whose lives derail their child,” although that might take away from some of the flick’s comedic value. The film is set to start shooting in New York and Los Angeles in February. Casillo emphasized to the Post that “Dogs in Pocketbooks” is “in no way mean-spirited toward Lindsay,” adding, “It’s the kind of thing she has spoofed about herself in the past. It’s more of a satire about the crazy people around her and the situations they generate. It satirizes the obsession with modern celebrity.” Though Shaw has not acted in a feature film before, she is well known for her modeling career — including campaigns for Bottega Veneta, Escada and Lord & Taylor — and dating Jeff Goldblum. She also is the daughter of famous 1970s kidnapping victim Patty Hearst. Casillo said he spent a lot of time trying to find the right woman to play the big-screen version of Lohan, and that Shaw is perfect for the part. “She’s one of the few supermodels who can actually act,” he insisted. “She’s smart, well-read, charming and very beautiful. We looked at a lot of actresses for this role, and I was really knocked out.” The fact that she knows what it’s like to be a pursued celebrity probably only helped as well, considering she is the heir to the William Randolph Hearst fortune. The film also has already cast “Dynasty” actress Joan Collins as the main character’s agent. The veteran star told the Post , “The script is a hoot — a satire on the crazed hysteria surrounding show-biz celebrities. I’m playing an aggressive, sexy, powerful woman. For a change.” This month, Lohan has been involved in a scandal where a woman who worked at the rehab facility at which the actress was staying accused her of assault, though charges have now been dropped. She also was recently replaced by Malin Akerman as the star of the Linda Lovelace biopic “Inferno” because Lohan was not going to be out of rehab in time to shoot the movie. What do you think about “Dogs in Pocketbooks”? Share your opinion in the comments. Related Photos The Highs And Lows Of Lindsay Lohan Related Artists Lindsay Lohan

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Lindsay Lohan Inspires New Comedy ‘Dogs In Pocketbooks’

Natalie Portman Engaged And Pregnant

Actress is having her first child with ‘Black Swan’ choreographer Benjamin Millepied. By Terri Schwartz Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Natalie Portman has had one of the biggest years of her career in 2010, but it looks like 2011 is going to be even bigger. Portman is engaged to her boyfriend, choreographer Benjamin Millepied, and the two are expecting their first child, according to People. The two met during production of “Black Swan,” where Millepied acted as choreographer and Portman’s onscreen dance partner, and the two started dating in early 2010. This will be the first marriage and first child for Portman. When Millepied spoke to Details magazine in June about Portman, he said he was “blown away” by her acting abilities and that she was “amazing to watch.” But he did add that the two of them were trying to keep their relationship private. “It’s … everybody’s asking us,” he said. “We just want to keep things to ourselves.” In addition to her exciting personal news, 2011 is also looking bright professionally. Portman is nominated for her third Golden Globe for “Black Swan,” her first nomination for a leading role. She is likely to also be nominated for her first Oscar in a leading role and is one of the front-runners to win it. She also has three big films headed to theaters: the romantic comedy “No Strings Attached,” the medieval drug comedy “Your Highness,” and the latest Marvel film “Thor.” Share your well-wishes for the couple in the comments! Related Photos Lovebirds: Natalie Portman And Benjamin Millepied

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Natalie Portman Engaged And Pregnant

‘Twilight Saga’ Star Jackson Rathbone Launching Record Label

Rathbone’s label may release the upcoming album from his own band, 100 Monkeys, in addition to other artists’ music. By Terri Schwartz Jackson Rathbone Photo: Damian Vaca/ MTV News Because filming a blockbuster film, working on a new album and going on tour apparently aren’t keeping him busy enough, Jackson Rathbone has decided to set up his own record label, too. In an interview with Zooey magazine , Rathbone revealed that he’ll soon be known for the artists he helps develop, as well as for his acting and his own music. The multitasking star best known for portraying of Jasper Hale in “The Twilight Saga” is currently filming “Breaking Dawn” in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and also is working on finishing his next album with his rock group, 100 Monkeys . His fellow bandmates went with him to the movie set so that they could complete the album and kick off a 10-day tour starting after Christmas. 100 Monkeys member Jerad Anderson confirmed to MTV News that Rathbone would indeed be starting a record label, through which he’ll release material by other artists. “We might be putting the [100 Monkeys] record out on this label,” Anderson reported. “We haven’t collectively decided as a band yet.” The group also an indie flick featuring Rathbone and Anderson that made its premiere in September at the Toronto International Film Festival. They haven’t received official confirmation whether the movie will play at the 2011 South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, but considering 100 Monkeys will be performing during that festival, Anderson said, “It’s very likely.” He added, “The movie has momentum coming from a successful debut [in] Toronto. ” When the band embarks on their tour after the holiday, MTV cameras will be on the bus documenting the behind the scenes of 100 Monkeys’ daily adventures. “Should be interesting…” Anderson said. MTV has already gotten an inside look into the life of the group thanks to some that . Rathbone also has been hard at work on the set of And, of course, filming continues on “Breaking Dawn,” as the final two installments of “The Twilight Saga” inch closer to completion. The from the film hit the Internet in November, and some paparazzi photos have been released of and . Check out everything we’ve got on For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com .

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‘Twilight Saga’ Star Jackson Rathbone Launching Record Label

Zac Efron Debuts Buzz Cut

Actor gets a military ‘do for ‘The Lucky One’ and urges film’s crew to get in on the haircuts for charity. By Terri Schwartz Zac Efron Photo: Twitter Zac Efron already ditched his token shaggy locks for a flipped-up ‘do in “Charlie St. Cloud,” but now he’s made a radical hair change that could rival Watsongate . Efron traded his pretty head of hair for a military buzz cut while he was filming on the set of “The Lucky One,” and a fan who snapped a photo with the former Disney star debuted Efron’s new look via Twitter. Filming wrapped on “The Lucky One” on Tuesday, but Efron decided he wasn’t going to be the only lucky member of the crew to walk away with a shorter haircut. Since everyone is feeling charitable for the holidays, Efron made a deal with the crew of “The Lucky One” last week. For every crewmember who shaved their heads like he did, Efron would donate cash to the local charity Kingsley House. The Louisiana-based organization lists its mission as educating children, strengthening families and building community. Thirty crewmembers took Efron up on his proposal, New Orleans’ daily paper the Times-Picayune reported, including two who donated their hair to Locks of Love. The exact amount of money Efron has agreed to donate to Kingsley House hasn’t been announced yet, but the Times-Picayune is reporting that it’s thousands of dollars. “He likes doing things for charity — two Make-A-Wish kids made a visit to the set while he was there — and he felt like he wanted to do something for a New Orleans charity since he had such a nice time shooting there,” Efron’s publicist Gina Hoffman told the New Orleans newspaper. So for everyone out there hoping Efron’s radical hair change was a result of his recent breakup with longtime girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens, your hopes have gone unanswered. When People recently caught up with Hudgens at her birthday party last week, she also confirmed that she and Efron are “good” after their split.

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Zac Efron Debuts Buzz Cut

‘Spider-Man’ Musical Director Speaks Out On Injuries

‘An accident like this is obviously heartbreaking for our entire team,’ Julie Taymor says in statement. By Terri Schwartz Julie Taymor Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ WireImage There’s been a lot of negative press about Julie Taymor’s Broadway musical “Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark,” after a fourth castmember, aerialist and stunt double Christopher Tierney , was injured during a preview performance on Monday. A spokesperson for the show made a statement on Tuesday and the Actors’ Equity Association spoke to MTV News about the show’s streak of injuries . And now Taymor has commented about the show’s continued bad luck. “An accident like this is obviously heartbreaking for our entire team and, of course, to me personally,” Taymor said in her statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter . “I am so thankful that Chris is going to be alright and is in great spirits. Nothing is more important than the safety of our ‘Spider-Man’ family and we’ll continue to do everything in our power to protect the cast and crew.” Tierney’s injury spurred the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Actors’ Equity Association and New York State Department of Labor to meet with the “Spider-man” company on Tuesday and institute additional safety measures to prevent further injuries. But some other Broadway stars took to their social networking accounts to demand Taymor stop production on the $65 million musical. “SPIDERMAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITSELF. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND EMBARRASSING TO WORKING ACTORS EVERYWHERE,” Tony Award-winning actress Alice Ripley tweeted on Tuesday. “DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE? WHERE IS THE LINE FOR THE DECISION MAKERS, I AM CURIOUS.” “Rent” star Adam Pascal took to his Facebook page Tuesday and said, “I have to weigh in on Spiderman. They should put Julie Taymor in jail for assault! I know what it’s like to fall and get hurt in front of 2,000 people. It’s no fun, but at least it was the one time it happened. I hope whoever was hurt is ok and sues the sh– out of Julie, Bono, Edge and every other a–hole who invested in that steaming pile of actor crippling sh–!” Pascal toned down his anger and clarified his comments on Wednesday (December 22): “I think some of you missed the intended humor in my post, although my anger is real, I don’t think anyone should sue Bono and the Edge you dummy! Or put Julie Taymor in jail you double dummy. I was making a point.” As of now, “Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark” preview performances are proceeding as planned, and the official Broadway opening date has been pushed back from January 11 to February 7. Wednesday’s matinee was the only performance canceled due to Tierney’s injury. Do you think “Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark” should be canceled due to the danger involved? Tell us in the comments.

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‘Spider-Man’ Musical Director Speaks Out On Injuries

Rihanna’s VMA Appearance Top Twitter Topic

VMAs and Eminem come in second and third with thousands of tweets per minute. By Terri Schwartz Rihanna performs at the 2010 VMAs Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Even though the VMAs were only half over, nothing got Twitter followers more excited than Rihanna’s surprise opening performance with Eminem . Slim Shady launched the show with a performance of “Not Afraid,” before the camera cut to Rihanna standing on the stage singing the opening chords of “Love the Way You Lie.” Fans took to Twitter with their thoughts, and Rihanna and Eminem became two of the most talked-about performers of the night. More than 4,700 tweets per minute were posted after Rihanna’s performance, with the VMAs following her and Eminem being third most popular. “SURPRISE!!!….just had to do it guys,” Rihanna tweeted after the performance, and fans responded in kind. “IM JUST GONNA STAND THERE & WATCH YOU BAHHHHH *YOUR VOICE*” inCBweTRUST tweeted back at her, while Kristiine20 tweeted, “@rihanna you weree awsooomeee!!! OMG i [loved your performance] :).” Some people weren’t as enthused, dissing Rihanna’s hairstyle (urbanstopNIQUE compared it to the Firefox browser logo) as well as continuing the discussion of Rihanna’s abusive relationship with Chris Brown. Eminem was also getting plenty of love, with BieberLine tweeting, “Eminem this is ur time

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Rihanna’s VMA Appearance Top Twitter Topic

Taylor Swift’s Kanye West-Focused VMA Set Lights Up Twitter

Reactions to her emotional performance were mixed. By Terri Schwartz Taylor Swift performs at the 2010 VMAs Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Taylor Swift ‘s surprise VMA performance Sunday night (September 12) had everyone talking, though reactions ranged from supportive to irritated that Swift would perform a song about Kanye West — who infamously interrupted her acceptance speech at last year’s show — more than a year after the incident occurred. Swift was tweeted about more than 3,500 times a minute, and West was tweeted about more than 3,000 times a minute, as we saw on the MTV Twitter Tracker . The support was palpable for Swift on Twitter. Hellojennn tweeted: “Dear Taylor Swift, You’re amazing and so is your music. I love you.

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Taylor Swift’s Kanye West-Focused VMA Set Lights Up Twitter

Rupert Grint Dishes On ‘Harry Potter’ Epilogue … And His Ice Cream Truck

‘I drove it down on the last day and served ice cream to everyone,’ actor says of last day of filming ‘Deathly Hallows.’ By Terri Schwartz Rupert Grint Photo: Gustavo Caballero/ Getty Images ORLANDO, Florida — There was a bit of an Internet stir earlier this week when “Harry Potter” actor Warwick Davis tweeted that filming of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” had finally come to a close . He also included a photo of co-star Rupert Grint’s ice cream truck , which the red-headed actor better known as Ron Weasley had brought to the set on the last day of filming to serve ice cream to the cast and crew. Davis later took down his tweets about Grint’s sweet delivery and told MTV News at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter grand-opening celebration on Wednesday that he removed them because the ice cream truck caused such a stir. The actor said he felt bad about the resulting fervor he caused in the “Harry Potter” fan community. When MTV caught up with Grint on the red carpet, though, he was more than happy to talk about the last day of filming and his ice cream truck. “I drove it down on the last day and served ice cream to everyone,” he said. Apparently it didn’t go precisely as planned, because he ended up being covered in ice cream by the end of the day. “I haven’t quite perfected the technique. It kind of came out in a jet.” Talk then turned to the shooting of the epilogue, which was always intended to be the last scene “Potter” filmed , and which Grint said was his favorite part. Some pictures have already leaked of the cast in their adult makeup, and Grint seemed to think the makeup department had done a good job. “We definitely look older, which was the goal,” he said. “I’m a bit heavier than I would have liked to have been.” The scene, which takes place 19 years after the conclusion of “Deathly Hallows,” was expected to be a poignant one to shoot, but Grint said he was unsure of how he would respond to it when he went in to film. “It was quite a sad day. I didn’t know quite how it would affect me,” he said. “I just kind of realized how [much time I’ve] spent with these people. It was quite emotional.” Check out everything we’ve got on “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Photos Grand Opening Of The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter

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Rupert Grint Dishes On ‘Harry Potter’ Epilogue … And His Ice Cream Truck

Snooki And John McCain Bond On Twitter Over Tanning Taxes

‘I would never tax your tanning bed!’ onetime presidential candidate tweets at the ‘Jersey Shore’ starlet. By Terri Schwartz Snooki at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images A lot of things are changing on “Jersey Shore” this season, and the MTV Movie Awards ‘ 13-minute teaser clip let us in on the most important difference: Snooki is reverting to spray-tanning . Jersey tanning salons are sure to feel the repercussions of Snook’s admission, which she said was as a result of President Obama raising taxes on tanning beds. Turns out more than just “Jersey Shore” fans heard Snooki’s cry for help, and the self-identified guidette earned herself an unexpected ally against Obama’s tanning taxes: Arizona Senator John McCain. “@Sn00ki u r right,” the 2008 Republican presidential candidate tweeted on his verified account. “I would never tax your tanning bed! Pres Obama’s tax/spend policy is quite The Situation. but I do rec wearing sunscreen!” Snooki caught McCain’s shout-out and, though she didn’t respond to him directly, did tweet back , “Haha Yes!” Does this mean John McCain is coming out as a “Jersey Shore” fan? It seems like it, considering not only did he catch Snooki’s comment, he also threw in a Situation reference for good measure. Sure, there’s a good chance it was McCain’s social-network guru (who is most likely hip on the hot MTV show) who posted the tweet, but the first option is so much more enjoyable. Since Sarah Palin will likely be running for president herself in 2012, McCain should keep Snooki in mind as a vice-presidential candidate if he decides to take on Obama again. They already have the tanning-taxes platform in common! Season two of “Jersey Shore” premieres Thursday, July 29, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Be there! Related Videos Jersey Shore Blow-Out At The Movie Awards Related Artists John Mccain

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Snooki And John McCain Bond On Twitter Over Tanning Taxes