Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe LECTER STILL LORD OF THE BOX OFFICE "Red Dragon," the third installment of the Hannibal Lecter saga, still is breathing fire at the box office. Advertisement According to studio estimates, Anthony Hopkins' latest psychological thriller maintained the top spot for a second weekend, earning $17.6 million. At the other end of the cinematic spectrum was Reese Witherspoon's light-hearted romance, "Sweet Home Alabama," which held its place at No. 2 for a second week, taking in $14.1 million. The third best-performing movie of the week was the Taye Diggs friends-becoming-lovers tale, "Brown Sugar," which earned $11.1 million in its first week. Rounding out the top five were the actioner, "The Transporter," which made $9.2 million and the romantic comedy "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," which earned $7.9 million. WILLIS CLOSE TO 'DIE HARD 4' DEAL Advertisement Bruce Willis apparently has no intention of retiring from the action movie business any time soon. The Hollywood Reporter says the 47-year-old actor is in talks with 20th Century Fox to make a fourth installment of his monstrously popular "Die Hard" franchise. The deal for "Die Hard 4" reportedly is the result of a title swap between Fox and Revolution Studios. Willis' latest project at Revolution Studios, directed by Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day,") has gone through several name changes, including, "Man of War." However, the studio and the producers would rather call it "Tears of the Sun." Unfortunately, that title belongs to Fox. Fox agreed to hand over the title, however, if Willis would commit to a fourth installment of the "Die Hard" series. 'GANGS' TO GET EARLY RELEASE DATE It looks like Miramax has an early Christmas present for Leonardo DiCaprio fans. E! online reports Miramax honcho Harvey Weinstein has decided to release Martin Scorsese's eagerly awaited period drama, "Gangs of New York," starring DiCaprio, earlier than planned to avoid competing with DreamWorks' "Catch Me if You Can," the Steven Spielberg action comedy, also starring DiCaprio and perennial Oscar favorite, Tom Hanks. Advertisement Both "Gangs of New York" and "Catch Me if You Can" were expected to open Dec. 25. "We moved it off Christmas Day, but we've yet to decide on an exact weekend," Weinstein's publicist said. "We've said all along that we'd evaluate the prevailing circumstances and then make a decision." "Gangs," which has been generating Oscar buzz since it wrapped in April, 2001, was supposed to come out in December 2001 but has been delayed several times. According to E!, Scorsese still was tweaking the film's final sound mix until recently. Weinstein reportedly sat down with DreamWorks head Jeffrey Katzenberg over breakfast last week in New York to discuss the situation. "Releasing the movies on the same day was in none of our interests," Katzenberg told the New York Times." It was an uncomfortable situation as both companies have a big investment in Leo DiCaprio." ACTRESS TOOK 'REAL JOB' AFTER 'KNIGHT'S TALE' Shannyn Sossamon swears her life didn't turn glamorous after she starred in the hit films, "A Knight's Tale" and "40 Days and 40 Nights." "My life hasn't changed at all, believe it or not," the pretty 23-year-old tells United Press International. Advertisement So, what about all that money she makes now? "Moneywise, I mean, I don't have to worry and I can make sure none of my poor friends have to worry either," she admits, then reveals she actually took a job in retail after acting in several successful feature films. "I went and worked at a record store for three months and then I had to quit because I was going to do 'Rules of Attraction,'" she recalls. Asked why she went back to work rather than enjoy the life of a movie star, Sossaman explains: "My love of music. Boredom. To see if I'd really do it. Just a personal little challenge and it was hard because I thought: 'Oh, it's record store. It'll be cool. I'll listen to music all day and learn about music,' but the hard part about it is it was, in fact, a business as well and they had time cards and rules and that was annoying. I was like, 'Oh, why did I do this?'" In Sossamon's latest film, "The Rules of Attraction," she plays the lone virgin amid a group of wild twenty-somethings. The actress, who has shared on-screen smooches with hotties like Josh Hartnett and Heath Ledger, says she prefers nice guys in real life, too. Advertisement Speaking of what she looks for in a man, Sossamon confides: "Innocence. A kind of little-boy quality mixed with maturity, manliness, but there has to be a kind of mix. I like when they're talented and funny and bratty." Her biggest turn-off? Self-centered guys who are "really into their looks in an awkward way." "The Rules of Attraction," based on Bret Easton Ellis' novel, is in theaters now. James Van Der Beek and Jessica Biel co-star.
