RENÉE ZELLWEGER NEWS - March 2006

Spears Battling Pink For Joplin Biopic
www.teenhollywood.com
March 30, 2006

Hollywood stars including Pink, Lindsay Lohan, Zooey Deschanel, Scarlett Johansson and Britney Spears are battling it out to see who will land the coveted role of Janis Joplin in a new biopic.

Director Penelope Spheeris has already met with Pink, Lohan and Deschanel and still wants to speak with Johansson.

The film, titled The Gospel According To Janis, will chronicle the life of the 1960s blues singer, who was known for her outrageous performances.

Spheeris says, "(Pink) would be my first choice, but she may have scheduling conflicts."

Pink's rep confirms, "She would do just about anything to be part of that project!"

Regarding Spears, Spheeris says, "Her agent asked if I could meet with her. Music ability is important, but most of all, the actress must have the spirit of Janis."

"Each of the actresses who has expressed interest in the role (would) bring her own special talents to the part."

The film would start shooting in September and would go head-to-head with another movie on Joplin, Pieces Of My Heart, starring Renee Zellweger.

Weinstein Co. has date with 'Miss Potter'
hollywoodreporter.com
March 20, 2006

The Weinstein Co. has acquired North American rights to "Miss Potter" from Phoenix Pictures and David Kirschner Prods. The Beatrix Potter biopic, which is in production in the U.K., stars Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor and Emily Watson and is being directed by Chris Noonan.

Kirschner Prods.' David Kirschner and Corey Sienega produce alongside Mike Medavoy, Arnie Messer and David Thwaites of Phoenix Pictures. Zellweger will serve as executive producer.

Summit Entertainment is handling international sales and distribution. The project was brought to the Weinstein Co. by Michelle Krumm, executive vp acquisitions and co-productions at TWC.

Written by Richard Maltby Jr., "Miss Potter" explores the life of Potter (Zellweger) as she becomes the author of the beloved and best-selling children's book "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" and struggles to overcome a domineering, unsupportive mother and the chauvinism of Victorian England to become a published author.
 

Renee Zellweger's dinner with Who?
femalefirst.co.uk
March 14, 2006

Renee Zellweger has reportedly lined up a dinner date with British actor Christopher Eccleston.

The stunning actress - who is in England filming a Beatrix Potter biopic -asked the hunky star to take her on a traditional English date.

The pair are said to be planning to sample some typical English fayre at Manchester's famous Mr Thomas's Crop House as soon as Renee finishes shooting.

A source told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "Renee and Chris have been pals for years but because they email or phone, no one realised.

"They met while he was promoting '28 Days Later' about four years ago. Renee is really cool and down to earth and they stayed in touch."

The screen beauty is also said to be a huge fan of Eccleston's work, which includes popular British sci-fi series 'Doctor Who'.

The source added: "She watched all his shows - 'Our Friends In The North', 'Cracker' and 'The Second Coming' - and she got quite nerdy about 'Doctor Who'. "She thinks he's a fine actor. Renee arranged to meet Chris as soon as she knew she was filming in the UK."

Webmaster note:  Renée Zellweger and Chris Eccleston have known each-other since before 1998 when they starred in  "A Price Above Rubies".

Zellweger 'Lucky to be alive'
uk.news.yahoo.com
March 12, 2006

Oscar-winning actress Renee Zellweger dodged death on Thursday, after looking the wrong way while crossing a London street.

Zellweger, who was on her way to the nearby set of her upcoming movie Miss Potter, momentarily forgot the difference between US and UK driving laws and is reportedly "lucky to be alive."

A source says, "A car going at full speed had to lurch across to the other side of the road to miss her.

"She was left trembling afterwards and had to recover in her trailer on the film set.

"She is very lucky to be alive."

Renee Looks Proper Potter
sky.com
March 08, 2006

She piled on the pounds to play Bridget Jones, popped her bonce in curlers for Chicago and became a nurse called Betty in 2000.

Now Renee Zellweger has hit the dressing up box again for her latest role.

She's been frocked up like a laydee to play children's author Beatrix Potter, in upcoming flick Miss Potter.

Her new look includes a brown hat, heavy layered skirts and what looks like minimal make-up.

To make matters worse, whilst Ren's acting about in dowdy threads, gorgeous Ewan McGregor is among her co-stars in the film.

But we hear he's having to wear a dodgy moustache, so things might be equal after all.

Reese goes hoarse after the Oscars
news.yahoo.com
March 7, 2006

Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon croaked her way through a TV interview with Oprah Winfrey yesterday because she was all partied out following her Academy Awards success.

The Best Actress winner was the first guest on Winfrey's annual post-Oscars show and confessed she hadn't thought to take care of her voice as she celebrated her victory.

She told Winfrey, "I just kind of floated through. I didn't get home until three o'clock in the morning."

Witherspoon told Oprah that her Oscar night was completed by a call she received as she was preparing to leave for the ceremony from pal and previous Academy Award winner Renee Zellweger.

He explained, "She was so lovely and so beautiful and gave me so much. She told me to keep my shoulders back, stand up straight and if I have to go up there, to give it my all and 'just be the queen that you are, honey'.

"She's just a wonderful Southern love. It really means so much to be embraced by other artists."

Zellweger perfects British accent for role
digitalspy.co.uk
March 4 2006

Renee Zellweger will be brushing up her British accent at the Oscars tomorrow night.

The actress's Beatrix Potter co-star Emily Watson has revealed that Renee is desperate to sound perfect for the role.

"She says she hangs on to the voice even after we've left the studio, so expect an, 'I'm having a jolly good time' from her on the red carpet," Watson told The Mirror.

(Webmaster note: this information is proprietary to the news sources indicated.  Reneesfansite.com neither confirms nor denies its authenticity)