RENÉE NEWS - September 2005

Renee to star as Beatrix Potter
iafrica.com
September 30, 2005

Renee Zellweger will play legendary British children's author Beatrix Potter in a new biographical film, producers said yesterday.

Oscar-winner Zellweger will take the title role in 'Miss Potter', the life story of the Victorian-era writer famed for her tales of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck, Squirrel Nutkin and Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, Phoenix Films confirmed.

The movie will not mark the American actress's first foray into a very British role, as the Texas-born Zellweger took on the lead role of a single London girl in 2001's 'Bridget Jones's Diary' and its sequel.

British star Ewan McGregor is in talks to play Norman, Potter's publisher and love interest, in the movie that will begin shooting in Britain in March, according to Daily Variety, the entertainment industry bible.

Australian star Cate Blanchett had previously been set to take the lead role in the film that will be directed by Chris Noonan — the maker of 1995's 'Babe'.

'Miss Potter' will explore the life of the author of beloved children's books including 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit', and her struggle for independence in Victorian England.

The movie, to be produced by Mike Medavoy, Arnie Messer and David Thwaites of Phoenix Pictures, will be a live-action feature but will include some animated elements.

Renee Zellweger's career break
femalefirst.co.uk
September 29, 2005

Renee Zellweger is taking a year off from movies. The Oscar-winning actress, who recently split from husband Kenny Chesney after just five months of marriage, has revealed she wants to take time out to find herself.

She explained: "I'd like to take a year off from filming.

I would like not to go into the make-up trailer for a whole year.

I don't think I'd have so much to give, as a creative person, to a project that I was participating in right now, because I'm in such need of a break."

She added in an interview with Britain's OK magazine: "I want some time to consider my options.
I want to figure who I am as a grown-up woman. I need to refuel"

However, despite her dreams of a break, the beautiful actress has reportedly just signed up to play Beatrix Potter in a biopic of the much-loved children's author's life The Hollywood film 'Miss Potter', directed by 'Babe' producer Chris Noonan, is also set to star Ewan McGregor, who is in talks to play Norman, Potter's publisher and lover.

Renee Zellweger Still Believes in Love
softpedia.com
September 28, 2005


Actress Renee Zellweger has recently declared that she still believes in love and marriage, despite her recent break up with her husband, country singer Kenny Chesney.

Zellweger, 36, who announced last week that she and her husband Chesney are seeking an annulment after only five months of marriage, declared she still believes in marriage, arguing her parents are still a couple after 45 years.

She revealed: "My parents have been married for 45 years so I can't help but believe in it. I've seen it work. I'm a hopeless romantic. And I believe in love, despite some of my disheartening experiences."

The actress also confessed she still hopes to find the love of her life, like her parents did. Renee: "Who wouldn't? And not just in a romantic situation, but with your friendships, with everything. Of course!”

She reveiled in an interview with Britain's OK! Magazine: "I've had my heart broken before. God, yes! I've had my bag-of-chips-on-the-couch-alone nights. With each experience, you look at the next with more wisdom - or at least, that's what you hope."

Renee Zellweger’s desire for baby may have lead to annulment
bloggingbaby.com
by Jennifer Creer
Sep 22, 2005

Today’s news reports [] about Renee Zellweger’s annulment from Kenny Chesney cite her desire for children (and his reported refusal) as the reason. Zellweger’s rep is saying that there was a miscommunication about the purpose of the marriage. What is the most telling about this situation is that Renee is filing for annulment, not divorce. Why? And on the basis of fraud?

That could mean simply that the couple never consummated the marriage. That it was never valid on that basis. I realize that is a hefty assumption to make— but it is better than assuming dishonesty or something worse. Folks around the blogosphere are chiming in about the affair (pun intended). One thing that gets repeated again and again is that Zellweger and Chesney apparently were confused about the purpose of the marriage. The purpose of the marriage? Is that what it’s come to then?

The purpose is something different than they love each other and want to spend their lives together? Was there a contractual violation? I mean, I guess having kids can be a purpose to getting married. So can gaining health insurance. But aren’t divorces the usual result for contractual violations? And is someone’s refusal to have kids with you a valid reason to end a marriage?

(I’ll go ahead and start: In a word? Yes).       

More on Zellweger and Chesney split
people.monstersandcritics.com
September 19, 2005

Renee Zellweger split from husband Kenny Chesney because he doesn't want children, it has emerged.

The 'Bridget Jones' actress cited "fraud" when she filed for an annulment from the country singer last week.

It has now been revealed the 36-year-old actress is referring to Chesney's reluctance to become a dad even though "her biological clock is ticking loudly".

A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "She's an old-fashioned girl and wanted to start a family as soon as the wedding dress was in the wardrobe. "She thought Kenny felt the same way, but it didn't take her long to realise the dream was over."

Lawyers said spouses sometimes cite "fraud" in divorce or annulment proceedings as a euphemism for a partner who is either gay or has sexual issues.

But the beautiful actress issued a statement pleading for fans to avoid jumping to "sensationalized or untrue conclusions."

Zellweger and the platinum-selling country singer married in May at a romantic ceremony on the beach in the Virgin Islands.

But a friend of Renee said: "She had no idea how involved in her life Kenny would want to be.

"She'd never even seen him lose his temper before the wedding. But now he seems to think he can tell Renee what to do, what to wear, where to go and who to see."

The couple met at a tsunami relief concert in January and recently fought off reports that they had spent just two weeks together since their marriage.

Renee's Prenup
New York Post
September 18, 2005

Renee Zellweger and Kenny Chesney's split should be easy and painless.

Our sources say Chesney - who is worth more than 10 times what Zellweger is and pulled down $60 million last year - had his lawyers draw up a prenup that made it clear "each party walks away with what they came into the marriage with. There never was or will be any spousal support," a pal said.

The pals were always doubtful the two would last - but knew the marriage was over in August when Zellweger opted to hang out at her houses in Pomfret, Conn. and in East Hampton, where she favored the Blue Parrot on weekends, rather than visit her hubby on tour.

"It is amicable," a pal said, "We all knew it was a romantic impulse to get married and that it would never work."

Zellweger Asks for Privacy During Breakup
breakingnews.nypost.com
September 16, 2005

Renee Zellweger, who has filed for an annulment from Kenny Chesney after just four months of marriage, says the couple "hope to experience this transition as privately as possible."

In court papers filed Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the Oscar-winning actress listed "fraud" as the reason for the breakup with the country music star.

The term was "simply legal language and not a refection of Kenny's character," Zellweger said in a statement Friday.

"I would personally be very grateful for your support in refraining from drawing derogatory, hurtful, sensationalized or untrue conclusions," she said. "We hope to experience this transition as privately as possible."

Chesney said in a statement: "This is an incredibly sad time. ... I just hope everyone can respect the privacy that I know Renee has already asked for."

Later Friday, "Entertainment Tonight" said a joint statement from the couple said "the miscommunication of the objective of their marriage at the start is the only reason for this annulment.

"Renee and Kenny value and respect each other and are saddened that their different objectives prevent the success of this marriage. They are disappointed that the legal term `annulment-fraud' has been publicly misunderstood and exaggerated."

Zellweger, 36, and Chesney, 37, wed in a small ceremony on the Caribbean island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands in May. It was the first marriage for both.

Renée Speaks Out on Kenny
people.aol.com
Thursday Sep 15, 2005 4:00pm EST
Friday Sep 16, 2005 6:30pm EST (updated)

Four months after their beachside wedding, Renée Zellweger and country singer Kenny Chesney are having their marriage annulled.

Zellweger filed the papers Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, citing "fraud" as the reason for the split. The actress's petition also asks the court not to award spousal support to Chesney.

In a statement released Friday, Zellweger sought to "clarify that the term 'fraud' as listed in the documentation is simply legal language and not a reflection of Kenny's character.

"I would personally be very grateful for your support in refraining from drawing derogatory, hurtful, sensationalized or untrue conclusions and greatly appreciate your understanding that we hope to experience this transition as privately as possible," the statement read.

Zellweger added that she wants "to maintain the integrity of our privacy by not commenting on the specifics of our decision."

Chesney followed up with his own statement Friday echoing Zellweger's sentiments. "This is an incredibly sad time," he said. "I just hope everyone can respect the privacy that I know Renée has already asked for."

Then, late Friday, Zellweger and Chesney released a third statement, saying that "the miscommunication of the objective of their marriage at the start is the only reason for this annulment. Renée and Kenny value and respect each other and are saddened that their different objectives prevent the success of this marriage."

No word on what the couple's "different objectives" were.

The couple were married May 9 in a sunset ceremony on St. John in the Virgin Islands before 35 close family and friends. It was the first marriage for both.

Zellweger, 36, and Chesney, 37, met at the Jan. 15 Concert of Hope tsunami relief benefit, where he sang and she took phone pledges.

The pair had a whirlwind romance. On April 29, just a few weeks before their wedding, the Cold Mountain Oscar winner surprised Chesney in Jacksonville, Fla. – bringing him a margarita onstage for his song "When the Sun Goes Down" (a tradition at his shows) and kissing him on the cheek. It was the first public hint of a romance between the two.

One of Chesney's biggest hits is a song called "You Had Me From Hello," a takeoff on the famous line "You had me at hello" from Zellweger's breakout 1996 movie role opposite Tom Cruise, Jerry Maguire.

Chesney and Zellweger Split After 5 Months
talk650kste.com
September 15, 2005

Country singer Kenny Chesney and actress Renee Zellweger are having their marriage annulled after five months, according to their publicists.

Their small surprise wedding was held on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands in May.

Chesney was missing from the September London premiere of Cinderella Man, where Zellweger said he was “just finishing work,” Star Magazine reported.

The star couple was last seen together in public May 28.

Chesney said Zellweger was the inspiration for his 1999 hit “You Had Me From Hello,” after watching Jerry Maguire.

Zellweger won ‘Best Supporting Actress’ in 2004 for her role in Cold Mountain.

Chesney received the Country Music Association’s ‘Entertainer of the Year’ award in 2004.

The couple met at a tsunami relief benefit and dated four months before they married.

Renee Zellweger To Become A Cabaret Singer?
softpedia.com
September 13, 2005

The CHICAGO diva is rumored to take up on another musical

The 36-year-old Cinderella Man star is said to take up on some vocal training as she might join the cast of another musical.

The new project doesn’t involve the names Chicago or Bridget Jones, but the musical moment of Liza Minelli.

Renee Zellweger is planning to redo Minnelli's notable performance in the 1972 hit CABARET, according to Sky News.

"I do love a challenge as an actress and this would be one of the biggest", Zellweger said.

The movie, which revolves around an attractive woman, who becomes famous as a club entertainer in the Weimar Republic era, romances two men while the Nazi Party rises to power around them, is expected to encompass a few more new tunes...

Zellweger keen to see McGregor
contactmusic.com
September 11, 2005

RENEE ZELLWEGER is pleading with her DOWN WITH LOVE co-star EWAN McGREGOR for a ticket to his London musical GUYS AND DOLLS.

The actress is in London promoting her new movie CINDERELLA MAN and was hoping to catch her pal on the British capital's West End - but she's struggling to track him down for tickets.

She says, "It's really lovely being in London but I can't even get a ticket to see Ewan McGregor's play.

"It's sold out and I can't get in!"

Renee's Weight Over The Years
sky.com
Spetember 9, 2005

At the London premiere of her new film, this actress showed off a worryingly thin frame.

We've seen Renee Zellweger normal, we've seen her healthy-looking a la Bridget Jones, we've seen her uber skinny, we've seen her in Bridget mode again and we've seen her stick thin again...

But hopes that Renee would pop on a few pounds now that she's married (there were plenty of reports that her husband Kenny Chesney was a fan of her curves) haven't materialized.

Instead, Renee arrived in London - fresh from the Venice Film Festival - for the premiere of Cinderella Man looking as skinny as ever.

Her waist and hips looked tiny in her Carolina Herrera frock - in slimming black which only made her look even tinier.

Although her co-star Russell Crowe was in attendance with his wife Danielle Spencer, poor old Renee had to do the red carpet solo... as usual.

The Daily Mail claims that Renee has only spent 15 days with Kenny since they got married in May, due to their busy schedules.

When asked about the rumors her marriage was in trouble, Renee told reporters: "I'm happily married but I don't talk about it because I want to keep my precious things precious."

Renee cheered up by Chelsea
examiner.ie
September 9, 2005

Screen beauty Renee Zellweger is such a huge fan of Chelsea soccer club, she can often be spotted cheering them on at their Stamford Bridge stadium when she stays in London.

The 36-year-old fell in love with the team financed by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich while filming Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason in the British capital, and frequently disguised herself so she could enjoy matches in peace.

She explained: "I'm a Chelsea fan. I got into them when I lived near the ground.

"I've been to quite a few games but no one recognized me, I'm quite good at hiding."

But despite her love of soccer, the quintessentially English pursuit of cricket still leaves the Cinderella Man beauty stumped.

She said: "I sat and watched it and they said it was 244 to 4 - that sounds like devastation in baseball terms!

"It's unfathomable. I've no understanding of the game."

SHOCK! HORROR! RUSSELL CROWE SMILES
(MIND YOU, HE HAS GOT HIS ARM AROUND RENEE ZELLWEGER ..)
mirror.co.uk
September 6, 2005

HE'S never exactly put the glad in Gladiator, but prickly Kiwi Russell Crowe looks surprisingly cheerful yesterday.

The actor, 41, beamed while cozying up to Cinderella Man co-star Renee Zellweger, 36, at the Venice Film Festival.

But he refused to discuss his £55,000 payout to the New York hotel clerk at whom he hurled a phone. Bet he's delighted to be off the hook, though...