Depp, Law, Farrell to finish Ledger role
LONDON, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell are set to complete the film role Australian actor Heath Ledger left unfinished when he died unexpectedly last month.
Ledger, 28, died Jan. 22 in New York. Officials said the cause of death was an accidental fatal mixture of prescription drugs.
The BBC said U.S. thespian Depp, British star Law and Irish actor Farrell will all appear as Ledger's character in Terry Gilliam's upcoming $30 million fantasy flick, "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus."
Ledger had finished his work in London and was expected to resume shooting in Canada when he died.
A representative for Law confirmed to the BBC the casting of Law, Depp and Farrell in the role.
The spokeswoman didn't, however, reveal how the part would be restructured.
Ledger, whose recent film "I'm Not There" featured several actors playing different aspects of music icon Bob Dylan, previously worked with Gilliam on "The Brothers Grimm."
Depp also collaborated with the filmmaker on "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."
Still no deal in McCartney-Mills divorce
LONDON, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- A London High Court judge is to set the terms of Paul McCartney's and Heather Mills's divorce since the former couple failed to reach a settlement.
A decision regarding the amount McCartney will be ordered to pay Mills is expected to be made in the next few weeks and could set records in Britain, Sky News said Monday.
McCartney, the British icon and former member of The Beatles, is said to be worth about $1.6 billion.
The couple, who married in 2002, split in 2006 and are the parents of 4-year-old Beatrice, met privately in court all last week to try to hammer out a deal.
McCartney was not in court Monday for the hearing and Mills offered no comment as she left, Sky News said.
Mills has been representing herself in the divorce case, since she parted ways with her legal team last year.
The couple must adhere to the judge's orders, however, either side can take the case up with the Court of Appeal if he or she is unhappy.
Chmerkovskiy to skip new 'Dancing' season
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Ukrainian dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy will not compete in the upcoming sixth season of "Dancing with the Stars," his representative has confirmed.
The professional dancer's representative said Chmerkovskiy, who has helped guide two celebrities to the reality show's final competition in prior seasons, is simply taking some time off from the hit ABC series, People reported Saturday.
An ABC representative echoed that announcement, saying the 28-year-old would eventually return to "Dancing" in future seasons.
"He just needs a break," the unidentified ABC representative said. "He is part of the 'Dancing' family, and he will be back."
Chmerkovskiy had previously hinted at a possible break from the U.S. TV series in late 2007 when he told People the pressures of the show were affecting him.
"After coming down from two seasons back-to-back, 10 weeks each season -- 14 weeks, if you count all of the rehearsals -- it puts a lot of pressure on a person and it takes its toll," the dancer said.
The announcement of the participants in the sixth season of "Dancing" will be made during Monday's finale.
'Star Trek' release date postponed
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Hollywood's latest installment of the "Star Trek" franchise reportedly is scheduled to hit theaters in May 2009 -- five months later than planned.
The science fiction movie, inspired by the iconic television series, had been slated for release in December 2008.
"Summer is where you see the 'Star Wars' and 'the Transformers,'" the BBC quoted Paramount Pictures spokesman Michael Vollman as saying. "'Star Trek' is in that league."
Directed by "Lost" creator J.J. Abrams, the film stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg and Eric Bana.
"'Star Trek' is in fantastic shape. This is all about box-office potential," Vollman said.
