Giraldo hospitalized after drug overdose
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Comedian Greg Giraldo was in critical but stable condition at a New Jersey hospital after suffering an accidental drug overdose, sources told the New York Post.
The 44-year-old "Last Comic Standing" judge was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick Saturday after he collapsed in a hotel room, the Post said.
TMZ cited unnamed insiders as emphasizing Giraldo's overdose of prescription pills was not a suicide attempt.
Guard says he may be Blanket Jackson's dad
LONDON, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- A bodyguard Michael Jackson employed in England says he donated sperm and could be the father of the late pop star's 8-year-old son Blanket.
Jackson died June 25, 2009 at the age of 50. Lethal amounts of anesthesia and sedatives were found in his system, and his doctor is awaiting trial on an involuntary manslaughter charge for allegedly administering the drugs that killed the entertainer.
British martial arts expert Matt Fiddes told The Sun newspaper he agreed to help Jackson in 2001 after the singer said he wanted an "athletic" child.
Fiddes claimed Jackson offered him nearly $800,000 for his sperm, but he said he turned the money down and donated it for free.
Blanket was born the following year, he added.
Michael Jackson's mother Katherine is now the legal guardian of Blanket, as well as his older brother Prince Michael and sister Paris. Blanket's mother has never been identified.
"Michael never told me himself that Blanket is my son but he took my sperm and the child is the spitting image of me," Fiddes said. "He told me he wanted an athletic child and that is what he has got. I don't want Blanket thinking I am telling everyone he is definitely my son because I'm not sure. I don't want anything from the estate or their money. Katherine Jackson has already denied me the right to see Blanket but if she were to die I would be straight over there."
Christopher Lloyd cast in IMAX 'Time' film
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- 3D Entertainment Films says U.S. actor Christopher Lloyd has signed on to star in its new IMAX film, "Time, the Fourth Dimension."
Jean-Jacques Mantello and Richard Gabai are to co-direct the movie, which is to be released at IMAX 3D and IMAX 2D theaters in spring 2012.
Lloyd is best known for his roles in the "Back to the Future" time-travel comedy film trilogy and TV's "Taxi."
"Time, the Fourth Dimension" tells the story of an eccentric professor, played by Lloyd, and his lab assistant as they explore and explain the various dimensions that make up our world while focusing on the extraordinary and misunderstood fourth dimension: space-time," the film's producers said in a news release.
"I am very excited about this project and am eager to start shooting this 'edutainment' film in 3D in November," Lloyd said in a statement. "'Time, the 4th Dimension' will be a one-of-a-kind celebration of science that will allow audiences to better understand the concept of time and how we relate to it in modern day society."
"We are thrilled to have such a gifted actor and charismatic personality as Christopher Lloyd lend his talent to this unique project, which celebrates science through entertainment," said Francois Mantello, chairman and chief executive officer of 3D Entertainment Films.
"Principal photography using state-of-the-art 3D cameras will begin in Los Angeles-area studios this November," said directors Jean-Jacques Mantello and Richard Gabai. "This film will embrace a variety of 3D filmmaking techniques, including stunning special effects, computer-generated images as well as time-lapse and high-speed photography. It is sure to delight audiences of all ages when shown on the world's largest IMAX theater screens."
Del Toro focusing on animated projects
GLENDALE, Calif., Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Director Guillermo del Toro has named DreamWorks Animation SKG as his home for animated feature film projects, the studio announced Monday.
Del Toro will join Andrew Adamson and Michelle Raimo as executive producers on "Puss in Boots," which is scheduled to be released Nov. 4, 2011.
DreamWorks Animation said it also has acquired from del Toro "Trollhunters," an original project from which the company plans to produce a 3D animated feature film to be written and directed by del Toro. The story, however, is being kept entirely under wraps at the studio.
Additionally, del Toro will consult on a number of DreamWorks Animation's upcoming feature film releases, the studio said.
"Animation is a singularly unique medium in that it allows an artist to envision, articulate and manipulate whole new worlds that spark the imagination in amazing ways," del Toro said in a statement Monday. "Nowhere have I found a greater concentration of spirit and creativity than at DreamWorks Animation and I cannot imagine a better place for me to pursue my ambition as a filmmaker: to tell the best possible stories that can reach the biggest number of people around the world."
"On behalf of the entire studio, I'd like to warmly welcome Guillermo into the DreamWorks family of filmmakers; we are incredibly honored that he has chosen our studio as his home for feature animation," said Bill Damaschke, co-president of production. "Guillermo brings a unique vision and unmatched level of inventiveness to his storytelling and we cannot wait to see what he can do together with our creative team here at DreamWorks Animation."
