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DiCaprio: 'Shutter' filming was 'intense'

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. film star Leonardo DiCaprio says making the film "Shutter Island" with director Martin Scorsese was both "Intense" and "traumatic."

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DiCaprio, 35, said the pressures behind filming the drama were rooted in the film's themes regarding the mentally ill and the use of insane asylums, Parade Magazine reported online Friday.

"I have to say Shutter Island was one of the most intense, hardcore filming experiences I've ever had as we explored what the mentally ill had to face in the days when mental hospitals were called insane asylums," DiCaprio said. "It was really very traumatic, and I don't say that about a film very often."

DiCaprio told Parade that helping bring the book written by Dennis Lehane to the big screen did give him another chance to work with Scorsese.

"If you'd asked me at sixteen the director I wanted to work with, it would have been Marty. So I couldn't wait to be in one of his films," said DiCaprio, who also paired with Scorsese on "The Aviator," "The Departed" and "Gangs of New York."

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Cowell: Gallagher a possible 'Idol' judge

LONDON, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- British TV personality Simon Cowell said Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher could potentially serve as his replacement on "American Idol."

Cowell, who plans on leaving "Idol" to start a U.S. version of the British TV series "The X Factor," said Gallagher, 42, would be a better fit as an "Idol" judge than someone like pop star Madonna, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

"I know Noel quite well. I like him. He is very funny and a brilliant songwriter -- it's a possibility," Cowell said when asked about Gallagher's qualifications to join "Idol."

Cowell, 50, said the demands of working on the popular U.S. TV series are likely too much for a pop star like Madonna.

''You have got to give a massive, massive time commitment," Cowell said.

''You have got to find people who are prepared to give that much time.''

The Telegraph said Gallagher is parting ways with his band Oasis and is scheduled to play a pair of solo performances in London in late March.


Actor Pullman signs onto NBC comedy pilot

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Bill Pullman has joined the cast of the NBC comedy pilot "Nathan" and will star as the father of actor Jay Harrington's character.

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Pullman, 56, will play a man who is reunited with one of his sons, a heart surgeon played by Harrington, 35 years after the son was adopted, The Hollywood Reporter.

Comedic exploits in the new series will be based around Pullman's character, Arthur, who enjoys interacting with his children aggressively via an abundance of praise and coddling.

The Reporter said the pilot will mark Pullman's return to NBC prime time. The actor, whose film credits include "Nobel Son," "Independence Day," and "Lake Placid," previously starred in the 2005 NBC drama "Revelations" and appeared on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."


Shatner star of show based on Twitter star

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Noted Twitter personality Justin Halpern says CBS is creating a sitcom starring Canadian actor William Shatner based on his Twitter account.

Halpern said he is hopeful CBS will name the series after his popular Twitter account, simply editing out the title's sole profanity so it reads something like "S#&% My Dad Says," the Los Angeles Times said Friday.

Halpern, who is writing the script for the pilot with his writing partner Patrick Schumacker, gained fame by using Twitter to share details regarding his 74-year-old father, Samuel.

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The popular stories shared on the social networking service resulted in Halpern, 29, getting a book deal. Halpern is expected to have his book of stories regarding his father in U.S. stores before Father's Day.

Halpern told the Times while Shatner was his first choice for the comedy pilot, his dad had another actor in mind.

"He wanted James Earl Jones to play him," Halpern said. "I was like, 'But you're white.' He was like, 'Well, we don't have to be! Who gives a (expletive)? You asked me who I thought, and that's who I think.'"

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