Entertainment Today: Showbiz news

PIERCE BROSNAN

Producers of the latest James Bond movie confirmed that Pierce Brosnan will be sidelined for two weeks because of a knee injury sustained last Friday while filming an action sequence.

In a statement, EON Productions provided few details of Brosnan's misadventure. "Pierce Brosnan has always pursued the character with extreme physicality," it said. "On Friday, Brosnan sustained a knee injury during an action sequence involving water."

The company assured the public -- and its investors, no doubt -- that the picture will be ready for a planned November premiere.

(Thanks to UPI Hollywood Reporter Pat Nason)

'WE WERE SOLDIERS'

Mel Gibson's latest movie, "We Were Soldiers," will have its world premiere next Monday at the Mann Village & Bruin Theatres in Westwood, Calif.

Gibson along with fellow cast members Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliott, Chris Klein, Keri Russell, Barry Pepper and Ryan Hurst are scheduled to attend. Other expected guests include Gary Sinise, Katharine Ross, Neve Campbell, Kevin James and rocker Fred Durst.

The movie is based on the best-selling book "We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young" by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (ret.) and journalist Joseph L. Galloway. It depicts the true story of the first major battle between the United States and North Vietnamese forces. The film opens nationwide March 1.

RUDY GOES HOLLYWOOD

USA Network says it's planning a two-hour original movie based on the life of controversial former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

"Since 9/11, Rudy Giuliani has been an inspiration to us all," said Jeff Wachtel, USA Network's executive vice president, series and long form programming. "We believe his controversial career, and his emergence as a true leader in a time of national crisis will be the springboard for a major 'event' movie for USA Network."

Carlton America optioned the book "Rudy!" by Wayne Barrett, senior editor of The Village Voice, and the movie will be produced by Carlton America in association with JAM Pictures. No word on who'd portray Giuliani.

The former mayor reportedly is working with producers on a documentary about Sept. 11, tentatively scheduled to air on HBO during the Memorial Day weekend.

BILLY BOB THORNTON

Billy Bob Thornton took time out Monday from filming his latest movie, "Levity," to perform songs from his first album, "Private Radio," to a paying crowd at a Montreal nightclub.

"While we were rehearsing last night, Bill Clinton showed up and played sax with the band," Hugo Tardiff of Solotech who rented Thornton and his 8-piece band all their equipment for the two sold-out shows, told Jam Showbiz. "He was actually pretty good. Billy Bob was imitating Elvis for him."

A number of the crew from Thornton's movie was in the audience but not his co-stars, Morgan Freeman and Kirstin Dunst. Neither was Angelina Jolie, Thornton's wife.

JOHN WATERS

It's difficult to look at filmmaker John Waters without either laughing at his impish, smug sneer or wondering what's up his sleeve. Well, during a recent performance in Los Angeles of his one-man show "Shock Value" Waters reportedly told the audience that his next movie project will be called "Holy Anorexia," a movie -- maybe you better sit down for this -- about the eating disorders of saints.

He also noted that he'd love to produce any movie that would star Don Knotts.

Over the years the Baltimore-based creator of movies has come out with some of the oddest (and most interesting) films of recent decades, including "Pink Flamingos," "Hairspray," "Cry-Baby," "Serial Mom" and "Cecil B. Demented."

(Thanks to UPI's Dennis Daily)