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TOM CRUISE: Tom Cruise's lawyer says the Hollywood actor is suing the publisher of Life & Style magazine for $50 million for a story claiming Cruise abandoned his daughter.

Cruise and his wife Katie Holmes divorced this year. They are the parents of a 6-year-old girl, Suri. Holmes has primary custody of Suri and lives with her in New York.

Attorney Bert Fields said Cruise's lawsuit against the magazine was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. It seeks damages from the publication for "claiming falsely that he has 'abandoned' Suri, his 6-year-old daughter."

"Tom is a caring father who dearly loves Suri," Fields said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

"She's a vital part of his life and always will be. To say he has 'abandoned' her is a vicious lie. To say it in lurid headlines with a tearful picture of Suri is reprehensible," Fields said. "Tom doesn't go around suing people. He's not a litigious guy. But when these sleaze peddlers try to make money with disgusting lies about his relationship with his child, you bet he's going to sue. ... These serial defamers are foreign-owned companies with their global headquarters in Hamburg. They take money from unsuspecting Americans by selling their malicious garbage. Having to pay a libel judgment may slow them down. Tom will undoubtedly give the money to charity. He always has."

JOHNNY DEPP: Hollywood actor Johnny Depp is in negotiations to star in cinematographer Wally Pfister's directorial debut, "Transcendence," producers said.

The announcement was made Wednesday by Alcon co-founders Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove.

The plot is being kept under wraps.

Principal photography is set to begin early next year. Alcon said it will release the film through its output deal with Warner Bros.

"I'm thrilled, and feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Johnny. He is a creative and intelligent artist whom I feel will bring great depth to the character and the overall narrative," Pfister, who has worked on Christopher Nolan's hits "Memento," "Inception" and "The Dark Knight Rises," said in a statement.

'THE X FACTOR:' Simon Cowell said via Twitter the U.S. version of the singing competition series "The X Factor" has been renewed for a third season.

"I wanted you guys to be the first to know that FOX have confirmed that @TheXFactorUSA will be back next year for it's third season," Cowell, a producer and judge on the show, tweeted Monday.

He later issued a statement saying: "I couldn't be happier about 'The X Factor' already being renewed for another season. I am so proud of the show and the team who have made it this season. I want to thank our incredible sponsors for their support and creativity, and Fox for going out of their way to do everything they can to make this show a success."

Also serving as judges on the TV talent show are L.A. Reid, Britney Spears and Demi Lovato.

JESSICA SIMPSON: Tina and Joe Simpson, the parents of U.S. singers Ashlee and Jessica Simpson, confirmed Wednesday they have separated and plan to divorce.

The couple have been married for 35 years and appeared on their daughters' TV reality shows "Newlyweds" and "The Ashlee Simpson Show."

"Tina and Joe Simpson have filed for divorce," a family representative said in a statement issued to UsMagazine.com. "It is an amicable split and there is no third party involved. Any other related allegations are completely false. The family appreciates your respect for their privacy at this time."

"Entertainment Tonight" said Tina filed for divorce Sept. 24 in Texas.