Maguire was willing to shoot Spider-Man 4 and 5 back-to-back over six months next year but insisted he should take early mornings and evenings off so he could play with his “favourite blonde”, Ruby Sweetheart, who is 22 months old.

The 33-year-old actor is expected to earn a record $50m salary and profit shares from the two films, substantially more than Keanu Reeves earned when he shot the last two Matrix films back-to-back. Reeves complained that it left him exhausted.

Now that the precedent has been set, this arrangement could become a widely sought after deal-point in all movie star negotiations—though we doubt Jack Nicholson's insistence that he too enjoys spoon-feeding pureed foods to a very young, blonde companion he calls "Sweetheart" will be enough to convince studio heads that he qualifies for the Maguire Family-Time Schedule Special.

• Spider-Man Tobey Maguire spins deal for fatherhood [Times Online]

I am told...that "once you find out who the villain is, you'll know who's playing it." That should lead to speculation that Dylan Baker's character of Dr. Curt Connors will ultimately turn into The Lizard as he did in the comic books.

There's one other character that's been set up but is a real longshot — Daniel Gillies, who plays John Jameson, the astronaut fiance of Mary Jane in Spider-Man 2. In the comics he becomes the villain Man-Wolf. Raimi has said in the past that he wants the best actors to play the villains in the movie, not necessarily the most famous.

And don't even get her started on The Kangaroo's back story! (Seriously, though—Philip Seymour Hoffman, if you're listening, you were born to play the part.)

• EXCLUSIVE: Sony Locks In Sam Raimi & Tobey Maguire in 'Spider-Man 4'; Studio May Shoot '4' and '5' At The Same Time [Deadline Hollywood Daily]

boomp3.com

Spider Man star Tobey Maguire showed the paparazzi that they wouldn't like him when he's angry while attempting to leave Madeo in West Hollywood. The persistent flash from the cavalcade of paps enraged Maguire, but it was their relentless begging for Maguire's leftovers that really set him off.

[Photo Credit: X17]

*A Call To The Bullpen is a work of fiction. Although the pictures we use are most certainly real, Defamer does not purport that any of the incidents or quotations you see in this piece actually happened. Lighten up, people ... it's a joke.

"What two hunky actors are refraining from any public displays of affection now that spies on their set are suggesting they're more than friends?"

But then we remembered an old love lesson from kindergarten: boys tend to be most cruel to their objects of affection. So after racking our brains trying to think of every male/male couplet currently filming a movie somewhere out there proved useless, we took the very few clues supplied in the piece, added in that old grade-school dictum we just referenced and voila! We think we might be onto something.See the puzzle pieces connect after the jump.

Based on all the reports of on-set squabbling, competition and battling egos from the set of Jim Sheridan’s Brothers, our top suspects are the film’s “hunky” co-stars Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal. Before Var even announced the remake’s cast back in September, the pair already had a history of tension between them following rumors that Jake would replace Tobey in any upcoming Spiderman sequels. And as soon as filming began in November, gossip spread that the two were bitching and moaning over sharing the same makeup artist. The next month, Star reported that the divas were “competing over who gets along better with castmates and crew...while Tobey gave crew members new 8GB iPod Nanos, Jake gave out gift certificates to tony Koi restaurant.”

Interestingly enough, the relationship turned from sour to sweet seemingly overnight, as photos of Tobey in tight latex and Jake in his Brokeback beard schmoozing in LA emerged, followed by stories that Jake spotted Tobey and his family in Brentwood and “pulled his car over for a chat.” And yet, no happy paparazzi shots or friendly tales have come over the wires since then, leading us to wonder if this PDA-free pact is behind the void. But you tell us: are we just wishfully thinking? And if so, who are we forgetting?

[Photo credit: Flynet]

• SIDE DISH [NYDN]

boomp3.com

Spider-Man star Tobey Maguire attempted to use whatever superpowers he has as an actor to get the Los Angeles Lakers to turn it around in the third quarter of their game on Thursday night. And while Jennifer Meyer, Maguire's wife, wanted the home team to maintain its lead as much as her husband, she had to explain to Maguire that he had no actual superpowers. Maguire told his wife that he's Spider-Man and everybody does what Spider-Man says. Meyer said, "Tobey, that was just a movie and this is just a game." Maguire quietly took his seat and said that the Lakers didn't lose when he came to game three with Lukas Haas. To which Meyer replied, "Well, maybe you should just marry him then. I mean, it's legal now."

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

With other guests like Kyra Sedgwick, Eva Longoria and Tobey Maguire attending, it's no surprise the security was so tight, but why the golf carts? Did Tom and Katie really force their guests to go scootering around their mansion just to say, Look! We're Rich! You Knew That Already But, But...Look!

Though paparazzi weren't allowed to snap anywhere near the actual party, they did manage to get a good handle on just how pricey the guests' rides were: Bentleys, Lexuses and Porsches galore. We're just relieved Jeremy Piven wasn't on hand to witness the rides, lest he throw a very Ari Gold-esque fit and begin pounding away at his beloved hoopty chick magnet with his hairy bare fists.

[Photo credits: X17, Splash]

• TOM CRUISE AND KATIE HOLMES HOST A-LIST HOUSEWARMING PARTY [Us}
• TOMKAT HOST THE PARTY OF THE YEAR (WITH POSH AND OPRAH ON THE GUEST LIST) [Daily Mail]

boomp3.com

Musician/actor Jim Belushi spent a majority of the Lakers' playoff game yesterday pitching Tobey Maguire various projects that Belushi has been developing. Belushi first pitched Maguire on a reboot of the K-9 franchise, which was followed quickly by a project where Maguire would be a cop from a foreign country and Belushi is a cop from LA and they have to team up to solve a major international crime. Belushi noticed that Maguire's attention was fading, so Belushi pulled out what he thought was his trump card, a project about a wacky married guy and his equally as wacky uncle trying to figure women out. Maguire paused for a moment and replied, "I'm sorry, you were saying something?"

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

Anyway, we digress. The point is that Mr. Good Enough gets things done in the end, and for his part, Maguire's maneuver with Warner Independent was a development we wouldn't have seen coming a month ago as the mini-major circled the drain in the New Line cinema purge. Considering their expressions of good faith and longevity, our only unresolved question is why Gottlieb is settling for such sound partners. Shouldn't she have eloped with Harvey Weinstein before the magazine even hit newsstands?

• WIP, Maguire eye 'Mr. Good Enough' [Variety]

· More Oliver Stone's Bush (it's actually called W) casting news: James Cromwell and Ellen Burstyn are attached to play George Herbert and Barbara. [Variety]
· Elisha Cuthbert returns to primetime, maybe, as she was cast as the lead in CBS pilot Ny-Lon, playing the role of the "bohemian New York record store clerk" originated in the UK version by Rashida Jones, who got screwed over by signing herself over to that crappy Farrelly sitcom on Fox. [THR]

*We're informed by someone well-versed in Disney princess castles that Cinderella's Castle is in Orlando and Tokyo, while Anaheim is the home of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. We apologize for any castle confusion.

[Ad via Digital Variety]

• Previously: They Aren't Kidding When They Say Amy Pascal Can Run A Studio Like A Man [Defamer]

"We are very excited to bring 'Robotech' to the big screen," Maguire said. "There is a rich mythology that will be a great foundation for a sophisticated, smart and entertaining film." [...]

A sprawling sci-fi epic, "Robotech" takes place at a time when Earth has developed giant robots from the technology on an alien spacecraft that crashed on a South Pacific isle. Mankind is forced to use the technology to fend off three successive waves of alien invasions. The first invasion concerns a battle with a race of giant warriors who seek to retrieve their flagship's energy source known as "protoculture," and the planet's survival ends up in the hands of two young pilots.

In positioning Robotech as the "sophisticated" and "smart" robot-related project, it's clear that Maguire is throwing down the gauntlet at the feet of Michael Bay, who has already established Transformers as the franchise of choice for those who prefer their huge droid flicks heavy on explosions and light on ideas. But Bay, as we all know, is hardly one to shy away from a challenge, and later today he'll doubtlessly answer Maguire's challenge on his blog, promising his fans that Transformers 2 will contain "500 million percent more shit blowing up," and pledging to "leave that sophisticated and smart tea-party bullshit to Tobey and his giant fucking robot pussies."

• Maguire, WB attack the big screen with 'Robotech' [THR]

In today's episode: Leonardo Dicaprio, Tobey Maguire, and Avril Lavigne; Halle Berry and Yeardly Smith; Demi Moore; Forest Whitaker; Djimon Hounsou; Dolly Parton; Lily Tomlin and Teller; John Krasinski and Kevin Sussman; Chris O'Donnell; Jason Bateman; Kelis and Nas; Kim Kardashian; Scott Baio; Mike Tyson; Illeana Douglas; Zachary Quinto; Vincent Gallo and Thurston Moore; Andy Dick; Michelle Rodriguez; Michael McDonald and Andrea Bowen.

· 8/22/07 10:05pm - Brentwood - So I'm at Katsuya where on one side of my table is Leo Dicaprio, Tobey Maguire and random actor guy I've seen in some things but have no idea what his name is and on the other side is Avril Lavigne. Leo actually scolded me while I was using my blackberry telling me, "don't use that" pointing to it where I promptly rolled my eyes and kept texting. I guess paranoia is rampant post growing pains. I mean, c'mon no one in the room even looked up from their kiwi-flavored scallops with yuzu vinaigrette at him. I also don't want to point fingers or anything but when my friend went into the one toilet unisex bathroom right after Avril it was totally clogged where my friend came back to our table saying "I'm not getting blamed for that mess." I'd love to see that in US weekly's "they're just like us!" section.

· This may be too late but last Friday, the 17th, my wife and I had the most amazing dinner at La Terza on 3rd street. Dining next to us was Halle Berry with her enormous white male model boyfriend and some rumpled old dude. That would have been amusing, but sitting behind us was none other than the voice of Lisa Simpson, Yeardly Smith. Good thing I spent all that time watching "Herman's Head," or I wouldn't have known what she looked like! Anyway, who cares, the food was out of this world, Gino was in the kitchen and all I could think about while eating the most amazing roasted pork belly was "Trading Places."

· So, today (Aug. 21) I went to see "Superbad" at AMC CC. When I got into the the theatre, I saw that basically 2/3rds of a row was taped off with signs on the chairs reading "reserved for a birthday party." Interesting—the last time I saw seats taped off like that, it was for Bruce Willis & entourage at Pirates 2. My friends and I sat down in the remaining seats in the row. And, sure enough, when the lights went down, in came Demi Moore and the youngest Willis girl and her teen friends. No sign of Ashton or Bruce. When the movie was over, they dashed out so quick before the lights came back on that my friends didn't get to see Demi. At this point, I just want to know what kind of deal the Willis clan has with that theatre...

· On Wed, 8/15, lunch hour rush at Jerry's Deli across from Cedars, I alerted my out of town guests to keep their eyes peeled for celebs on lunch meetings. We were about to leave, and Forest Whitaker rolled up to the valet in an off-white Chrysler 300 (y'know, the baby Bentley). I would respect his privacy and not report it, but hell, Jerry's at noon? He wanted to be noticed.

· Aug. 21: Djimon Hounsou at the WeHo Equinox. Little bit of white in his goatee. Must be from all that give-me-an-Oscar fence-rattling.

· Aug. 23: Over here in Muppetland, aka the Jim Henson Studios, it's been a fun day. The Queen of Country, Dolly Parton stopped by looking fantastic.

· Thursday 8/23 Formosa Café - Lily Tomlin with a small group. Mostly kept to herself, but saw her craning to look at the old headshots as she walked through. Resisted the urge to tell her that I was obsessed with "Big Business" for about three months as a kid. Also saw Teller from Penn & Teller with another group.

· Sunday at Sunset Junction, I saw Kevin Sussman — aka Walter from "Ugly Betty" (and yes, I needed IMDB for that one) — walking down Sunset just past the exit gates with what I assume was his (kind of pretty) girlfriend. Then, later Sunday afternoon at the movie theater at the Grove, I was behind John Krasinski and a male friend in line to pick up tickets from those automated ticket machines that, for some reason, speak to you in an Australian accent. Anywho, John was dressed in a hoodie (notwithstanding the fact that it was at least 95 degrees outside), and John's friend was wearing extremely tight skinny jeans. I only provide such detail because I haven't had a good celebrity sighting in months, so I may be a little overly descriptive.

· Aug. 22 I'm at lax and chris o'donnell is here on the curb with 100 bags and a black lab. He is also wearing an extremely preppy outfit of khakis, pint plaid shirt, and boat shoes. Shorter than I thought and not really that recognizable. So weird to see the man whose robin costume inspired the first funny feelings in my 12 year old loins.

· On vacation in California last week, and managed a good mix of sightings in two days in LA:
~ Tuesday 8/14: Jason Bateman, filming on Dayton Drive and looking cute in a suit with portfolio bag on his shoulder. He's taller than I thought.
~ Lunch at the Farm: Kelis & Nas having lunch right next to us. Very low-key & polite to the wait staff. She's pretty and he's short (Sawed-off in the words of my boyfriend.) Adorable couple.
~ Kim Kardashian on Robertson leaving M.A.C. and being snapped by the paparazzi. She put a finger up to her mouth, like she was telling the paparazzi to keep her desperate presence a secret, while they took her picture. Please. She had on cute shoes, though.
I Love L.A !

· Last Saturday I was having a please-cure-my-hangover brunch with my sister and step mom at the Beverly Glen Deli and almost did a spit-take with my crab omlette when I spotted "I'm 45 and Single" SCOTT BAIO!! He was with a mixed gender group of mostly attractive, actory looking folks although my sister - who watches his show - claims that none of them are on it. Scott was in shorts and a t-shirt, trying to rock a hipster beachy vibe and was actually pretty cute. He doesn't look 45 at all. Definitely knew the entire place was staring at him and liked it. I couldn't decide if I was thrilled the cameras for his show weren't there as I was feeling pretty rough and not prime-time ready or bummed - who doesn't want to be on TV?

· I was at the Farmers Market last night (Aug. 23) having drinks with a friend. After we finished our drinks we walked through the market and crossed paths with three people near the fruit stand. I said "Excuse me" as I passed in front of them, looked up briefly to see who it was, and almost lost my mind. It was MIKE TYSON.

Now, I'm not a fan of the man, but when you see him and his tattooed face (and it totally looks like facial kudzu, I'm not kidding) in person, it's quite a surprise. I ran over to my friend and asked if she saw who we just passed. She didn't, I told her it was Mike Tyson, and she stopped in her tracks and declared that she had to get a picture with him. We hustled back to the fruit stand where he was posing for photos and my friend asked him if he wouldn't mind taking one with her. He obliged and I took the photo on her camera - no kidding!

But wait - there're more. After I took my friend's picture with Mike, he then took out his camera and said, "Let me get a picture of you!" And there you have it: Mike Tyson took a picture of my friend and me on HIS camera. Hilarious, no?

· Saw illeana douglas as VintageWeave Antiques across from the Grove this week. Obviously walked across the street from the farmers market as she was a carrying a big pink cake box from one of the bakeries there..she was holding it out like it was loaded with spun gold. Very friendly. Embarrassed to say that I got a rise from checking her out because Bug-Eyed Girl has a smokin' body.

· Late Entry - two weeks ago (8/10) I saw new Spock Zachary Quinto at the West Hollywood Trader Joe's. He was dressed stylishly in a WeHo hipster sort of way, skinny jeans, striped shirt, gelled semi-mohawk. He paused to take a picture of the girl he was with as she stuck her face through the cardboard character cut out at the checkout stand. I don't think it was his girlfriend, because I am pretty sure he prefers the men.

· took in a movie yesterday at the new landmark theater at the westside pavillion and afterward decided to scarf up a tasty burger at the apple pan across the street. upon entering and finding a seat, i looked up to see my favorite sleeze-bag actor and baby maker for rent vincent gallo. the "brown bunny" boy was seated alone by one of the registers eating something that required utensils. he had this kinda dazed vacant look as he sat and consumed his gruel or whatever it was in the bowl in front of him. if you did not know who he was, he looked like a homeless guy that finally begged up enough money to actually sit somewhere to get something hot to eat. pretty pathetic.

· Vincent Gallo and Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore hanging out together around the bar at the Yeah Yeah Yeah's show at the Mayan Theater (8/22)

· Aug. 22 - Yay! My first real celeb sighting since moving to LA. four months ago. So, I met up with a friend for lunch at the delicious LUCQUES (I recommend the BLTA!) when I spy none other than sitcom-sidekick and Howard Stern guest Andy Dick sitting at the bar (in front of the windows, natch). He looks surprisingly healthy, the hair was a bit darker, no glasses, and he was in the company of two cute boys. I was staring inappropriately and he made eye contact and gave a friendly wave - I wasn't sure if he though he knew me or was just grateful to be recognized. I realized I was probably being rude and went on my way. The end.

· Michelle Rodriguez. Thursday morning. Sitting outside JambaJuice in the heart of Boystown/Weho. Sitting with a pretty young lady. Both in blue jeans & long-sleeve collared shirts (like men wear). Neither wearing a lick of make-up. Girlfriend sitting with legs demurely crossed. Michelle sitting with legs wide open. Leaning forward with one for-arm on the table. Kind of like how you'd imagine McSteamy (Eric Dane) would be sitting with a chick he wants to bang.

· Hey, if somebody can report on Mr. Belding at the Cat and Fiddle, can I chime in on my eehhh sighting as well? Sunset Junction on the Sunday the 19th. Saw Michael McDonald (nah, not of the Doobs / Steely Dan...much to my chagrin)...the one from MadTV. Hes tall, had a few people around him, and did not look in the mood for any Stuuuuaaaart-related requests. Uh, not that I'd do that anyway.

· Saw the girl who plays Julie Mayer (Andrea Bowen) on desperate housewives last night (Aug. 23) in santa monica at some crystal light charity thing. I was shocked to see a young hollywood start NOT out partying. Weird!

In today's episode: Drew Barrymore and Spike Jonze; Tobey Maguire and Kevin Connolly; Will Ferrell; Halle Berry; Kiefer Sutherland; Beck; Liev Schreiber; Tom Waits; Heather Graham and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje; Rachel Leigh Cook; Michael C. Hall; Jonathan Bennett; William Fichtner; Drew Carey; Joey Lawrence; William Mapother and Dennis Haskins.

· last night (Aug. 20), drew barrymore at the beastie boys greek theater show. standing in line, swathed in black, for refreshments, she scribbled furiously onto a yellow pad, her head as far down as possible so as not to be recognized. was she composing her own rhymes? journaling about the deep feelings that "brass monkey" elicit in her? writing a love letter to mike d?

· So I was at the arclight this Saturday and who do I see snuggled into Spike Jonze's shoulder? None other than Drew Barrymore, fabulous and adorable in a soft baggy sweater. They just walked by trying for the inconspicuous while she hid behind her hair and Jonze's mustache.

· Beastie Boys concert last night Aug 20. Well, the Beastie Boys for one, then Tobey Maguire walks in with cutie Kevin Connolly and random actor guy I've seen in some things but have no idea what his name is. Concert was great although a bit more subdued when I last saw them in the early 90's at Lalapalooza. I think I just dated myself. Anyway, Team MCA!

· Will Ferrell with wife and two kids in double-stroller (the baby having a cranky moment) on Sunday afternoon (around 3:30) at the Whole Foods on Fairfax and 3rd St. Was wearing a blue button-down shirt...with goofy/preppy print shorts. Really friendly, bought some organic diapers and tons of reusable Whole Foods bags...must have just seen the 11th Hour. After he left, the cashier who played it cool excitedly ran to the other cashiers to see if they noticed who was just in the store.

· I saw Halle Berry at Pace Restaurant in Laurel Canyon on Sunday night. I don't think she noticed me though.

· ok, last i looked, there are some who are Jonesing(sp?) for their Kiefer Sutherland sighting...
-Sunday night, Sunset Junction Festival is closing down the BuzzCocks inspired a real and ferocious moshpit, Chebi Sabah was oh-so Wunderbar, and now i'm so happily intoxicated that i'm just doing a drinkless walk-through of 4100 Bar on my way home... and there he is! with friends on the outdoor patio, partying appropriately. Monsieur Kiefer, i salute you.

and now that i know that you have to say "sighting" in the subject line, your readers shall hear of my encounters (going backwards now) with Miss Bilson (um, Rachel?)shopping alone and well at Rock n' Roll Gelsons (on Franklin, about two weeks ago), David Carradine (gently weaving somewhat on the sidewalk in front of La Poubelle that same afternoon), Colin Farrell cruising in a black 4-wheeler through SilverLake last Spring... Oh! and Monsieur Beck got my hopes up when he was walking around Sunset Junction with a small but lovely female entourage Saturday morning. did he play? Diz the MC said yeah he will ... but no.

· Sunset Junction — August 19. Around 6:30 at 4100 Bar. A sad-sack Kiefer Sutherland, sitting alone, playing with his cell phone. Maybe he was just hung over, but everyone else in the bar looked happier than this dude. I guess money, fame and a quasi-annoying, "high concept" TV series can't buy you serenity.

· 8/15 Turning into my doctor's office parking lot near Beverly & Robertson, my wife says "Watch out for the homeless guy."

Homeless guy? Pshaw! It's Liev Schreiber, my generation's Olivier, hobbling around with a cast on his foot, looking glum and scruffy. His sartorial sense, baseball cap, wrinkled, un-tucked shirt and khakis, reminded me of another screen legend: Robert Shaw in Jaws.

· 8/19 - saw tom waits and his son/grandson/whatever at beastie boys. he was very casual and quiet and rad and had corpse-ier skin than keith richards. we walked down the stairs behind him to go to the bar in hospitality and it seemed like everyone there stopped their conversations and stared at him. i saw the neanderthal-ish guy from justice in the pit as well but i don't think that's really a celeb sighting unless you stay up late looking at cobrasnake.

· Friday 8/17 Fred 62. Spotted Mr. Eko (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) from Lost...big dude, didn't smile. Stood near the counter top for a while, but didn't see what he was up to. A little later, Heather Graham sat down in a booth with an older guy—looked like a business meeting...he had a lot of papers, seemed sort of "producer" like. She looked pretty. That is all. Boring, I know.

· Hi, Defamer. Yesterday, the 19th, I went to Sunset Junction early with my girlfriend. Around 1:30p we headed up to the Vista to catch the matinee of "Superbad" (so funny). I got into the concessions line to get us some junk food. Two people in line ahead of me, I noticed a shapely woman with colorful shoes, tight jeans and a form-fitting blouse. Her hair was kind of blonde-ish. I got a look at her face and, without a doubt, it was Rachel Leigh Cook, looking absolutely, stunningly beautiful (face, body, the whole package). She also had on a Sunset Junction wristband, so she must've done the same thing as my girlfriend and me. She was with a guy who looked around 40 —graying a bit, short hair. Sad (but lucky for him) that this guy is her (I assume) boyfriend. I hope to God the guy's loaded, because if not, she could do so, so much better (no offense — sorry old man).

· Friday night at the Village Idiot, Jonathan Bennett (AKA The Cute Boy in Mean Girls) with friends. He's cute in person, but I spent my entire meal trying to remember if I knew him from college or from the TV.

Sunday at Bristol Farms — Celebrity Sighting HQ — Michael C. Hall in the produce department. He gave me a weirdly aggressive "YEAH IT'S ME WANNA MAKE SOMETHING OF IT?!" glare. Dude, I was just looking for the jicama.

· Aug. 17 - On my husband's American flight from DFW to BUR, William Fichtner, whom he recognized only because "Blades of Glory" had been the in-flight movie on his connecting flight. Sitting in first class looking tan and, god knows I quote, "a little sweaty."

· HACK ALERT! Aug. 17. I just patronized Swinger's on Beverly, where I found myself privy to Drew "Cleveland Rocks!" Carey's blatant hit on a member of the wait staff (who was, I must say, patently out of his league). She feigned interest convincingly at some banal anecdote he was relating about The Price Is Right. His arm was in a cast. And that's that.

· Aug. 20 Tucker Carlson is out in front of the McDonald's on Ventura & Radford, having an animated cell phone conversation. Brooks Brothers-y, a little chunky, cuter than I'm comfortable with.

· Saturday, August 19th, LAX. Joey Lawrence with a woman and infant. He was bald, shiny, and copper as a new penny. I was underwhelmed enough not to stalk him to baggage claim.

· 8/21 - Holy shit - I just saw William Mapother (aka fucking ETHAN ROM from Lost) last night at Ralphs in Brentwood. He is one scary looking guy even in real life. Absolutely made my night.

· Just moved to LA yesterday and my inaugural celebrity sighting was Mr. Belding (Dennis Haskins, right?) at The Cat and Fiddle. He was at the "Have fun moving to New Jersey, see you in nine months when you realize it's a terrible place" goodbye party for the comedian Steve Hofstetter. He caught me totally staring him down. I merited an eyebrow raise in acknowledgement.

Dunst says she hadn't heard any rumors about Raimi and The Hobbit until EW raised the subject in an interview. She says she can't imagine returning for Part 4 without both her director and her costar: ''It's disrespectful to the whole team, I think, to do that. And audiences aren't stupid. It'd be a big flop without me, Tobey, or Sam. That would really not be the smartest move. But they know that already. [Sony chief] Amy Pascal would never do that.'' Maguire has already expressed his ambivalence about returning for another sequel.

Sony's President of Production Matt Tolmach tells EW that the studio is cautiously optimistic about retaining the team that launched the Spidey franchise so spectacularly: ''Listen, we're making Spider-Man 4. Our hope, dream, and intention is to do it with Sam. But I don't have a crystal ball.''

With Spider-Man 3 about to premiere to an inevitably huge U.S. opening, maybe Tolmach should abandon his public strategy of cautious optimism and start playing some preemptive hardball, appealing to the trio's pride in the hard work they've done in the three completed movies by letting it be known that while Sony would love to have them all back, he thinks they can still do $300 million domestic even if they hand over the next movie to Shia LaBeouf*, Christina Ricci, and Brett Ratner.

[*Now a huge star!]

• 'Hobbit' Forming? [EW.com]

In today's star-studded holiday spectacular: Kiefer Sutherland; Penelope Cruz; Halle Berry; Tobey Maguire; Jennifer Garner; Lauren Sanchez; Kate Hudson; Jorja Fox; Lance Bass; Milo Ventimiglia; Axl Rose; Paul Stanley; Taylor Hawkins; Gael Garc a Bernal; Britney Spears; Alec Baldwin and Mekhi Phifer; Winona Ryder; Jennifer Esposito and Bradley Cooper; Keanu Reeves; Kevin Costner; Lindsay Lohan and DJ AM; Amy Adams; Mena Suvari; Andy Dick; Hank Azaria; Cheryl Hines, Chloe Sevigny; Jeff Probst; Sean Hayes; Andy Milonakis; Richard Lewis; Ian Ziering; Pauly Shore and Lark Voorhies.

· busy two days in la....

12.16 saturday morning-breakfast at BLD (fantastic cheese and saucison assortment) in walks kiefer sutherland. could he be anymore divine??? tall, light, and handsome.

12.16 saturday afternoon- late lunch and a smart cocktail at the chateau, sitting next to penelope cruz looking very normal, with agent types pitching her a story. she had sort of a blank "dear-in-the-headlights" stare on her face the whole
time.

12.17 sunday afternoon- paper source beverly hills, shopping with an unbelievably gorgeous halle berry. beautiful, sweet, and very quiet.

· I saw Tobey Maguire at LACMA Sunday with famous LA sculptor(sculptress) Ver. They were in the Magritte exhibit arguing over a Ruscha painting. He was in a knit cap w/ a skull and black sweater, she had all black.

· Purchasing some last minute gifts in the Brentwood Country Market, I saw Jen Garner with her daughter. She is a very pretty lady and the baby is adorable. Wish I could say the same for her companion who looked like her face was made of marzipan. Upon closer inspection, saw it was former hoochie newscaster from the defunct UPN news, Lauren Sanchez. Girlfriend is lucky it was a cold day because that face doesn't look like it can withstand temperatures in excess of 75 degrees nor should it be visible during the holidays. Little children like to be scared at Halloween only, lady.

· Dec. 14th.
Spotted Kate Hudson at Planet Blue in Santa Monica. She spent time shopping, chatted with a friend, then dashed out the door to her car where photogs snapped into action and surrounded the car. The driver sped away and she went off into her life of privilege nepotism. I'm sure she's lovely, but she walks like the world is at her feet. Of course, with her pedigree, that's not so unusual, but really, would she be where she is without her connections? Si possible, but a toss up.

Dec. 14th.
Jorja Fox (Sara Sidle from CSI) at JCrew Fashion Square
Lance Bass at JCrew Fashion Square
Milo Ventimiglia (Jess from Gilmore Girls and now from Heroes) at JCrew Fashion Square

· put me down for a rock star triple header.

friday, 12/15, lunchtime. paul stanley of kiss enjoying a little nosh at the beverly glen deli, complete with a baseball cap, flavored dasani and tall, good looking blonde.

sunday, 12/17, dusk. taylor hawkins of the foo fighters at the register of the cvs on the woodland hills/calabasas border with a lady friend.

monday, 12/18, 5pm. axl rose, grocery shopping (!) with a striking looking and european-accented brunette at the gelson's in calabasas. there was no mistaking him with the yarn on his head, oversized platinum cross and leather jacket featuring the words 'fuck you' printed upside down under a tiger. he was walking around, following his girlfriend's cart and snacking out of a can of pringles. considering this guy was a rock god and total recluse for the better part of the last 15 years, to see him quietly out and about amongt the west valley's finest house fraus, taking a great interest in the local suburban haagen dazs selection was kind of mindblowing.

· Saw Gael Garc a Bernal hanging out with a bunch of other industry types on the patio of the restaurant Chaya after a screening of "Pan's Labyrinth" tonight. The guy is surprisingly slight of frame and short (5'6" I'd guess), but just as unfairly handsome in real life as he is on screen. He was nursing a bottle of Pilsner Urquell while wearing a leather jacket over a vintage tee (alas, not one featuring Che Guevara) and those Weezer horn-rim glasses that are so popular. It turned out that the tall guy with the windswept salt-and-pepper hair wearing a blazer he was talking to was fellow charolastra, "Y Tu Mam Tambi n" director Alfonso Cuar n.

· I saw Britney Spears at the Lakers-Wizards game last night sitting courtside at center court with a member of the striped shirt mafia and some random blond girl. Unfortunately the 3x optical zoom on my camera limited my ability to determine, with any great degree of certainty, whether she is truly back on Team Panty. They left midway through the 3rd quarter and were thus spared the pain of watching Gilbert Arenas drop 60 on the Lakers.

· Double bubble at the 24-Hr Fitness Sherman Oaks. First up, ER's Dr Pratt aka Mekhi Phifer hitting the weights in sleeveless sweats. Surprisingly beefy, but warm smiles and hugs for a couple of hot chicks who knew him. Then - oh bliss — enter the sweat-drenched presence of 30 Rock's Alec Baldwin. He is, ahem, a person of size these days, but that is, as we know, the price for a character actor renaissance.

Okay, the details — blue Adidas top, kept zipped up, so no chest hair explosion; piercing blue eyes; very ursine (bearlike) hands. Total old school - no personal trainer, towel on the floor, drinks from the communal fountain. He's such a man's man, it's genius. In between reps, he actually stood there like General Patton, hands on hips, surveying the terrain.

· Saw ms Winona Ryder today at Barnes and Noble at the Grove. She was in the magazine section with her good friend looking at all the displayed Mags. She was looking sweet and very tiny.

· What's up with The Grove? On my way to the 4:30 showing of The Good German today (12/15) I saw Jennifer Esposito and fiance Bradley Cooper walking arm in arm looking very happy. She looked gorgeous. Then at Barnes and Noble a few minutes before the show, Ralph Garman from KROQ's morning show was perusing the cheap books, and later picked up a copy of the Forsythe Saga mini-series on DVD. So I guess he's so blase about his pornstar wife, he has to turn to ye olde BBC miniseries for excitement. Then as the credits rolled and I scooted down the row to leave...I realized I'd been sitting next to Ralph's nemesis, a shaggy-bearded Keanu Reeves (and date).

· Hit the outdoor deck at Moonshadows in Malibu (yes, the watering hole of choice for Jew-baiting celebrities) to enjoy some cocktails and overpriced calamari with friends late yesterday afternoon and sat down adjacent to Kevin Costner and Friends. He was holding court with 3 other producer-looking types. It looked more like business than pleasure. Costner was unshaven and looked rather ruddy complected—-or maybe that's just the celebrity Malibu glow??

· Christmas: a time when celebrities will come to the Grove even on Saturdays. Amy Adams, standing outside J. Crew, apparently waiting for someone despite brisk wind and cold. Her eyes were a little baggy (holiday stresses perhaps) but otherwise button-cute. Sadly, I was too self-absorbed to notice what she was wearing.

· After seeing the incredible Peaches perform for the fifth time, my friends and I went to Whitey's (the opening band) after party but alas Peaches did not show up. Whitey was there, and so were DJ Aoki and DJ AM. Someone who resembled Lindsay BLOWhan stopped by briefly wearing a helluva trench coat-dress thingy. She tried to fade into the background unnoticed.

· 12/18- I was having dinner at the Corral Tree Cafe in Brentwood when I realized Mena Suvari was sitting next to me. She was having tea with a friend. She had on a beret, huge boots and her fingernails were painted black and white. She looked normal (for Corral Tree Cafe, that is) and it took me a couple times to realize it was her. Pretty girl.

· 12/16: Andy Dick at Westwood Brew Co. Saturday at 1pm. He was there drinking beer at the entrance with a couple. We had just finished a final and he was greeting us in a tipsy mocking sort of way. Loud and obnoxious, he sidled over to our table to gain more attention with beer in hand and made up being there for a premiere. Those he didn't annoy/disgust asked for a picture. A friend noted that Andy Dick is like the Pauley Shore of our generation. Very apt.

· Rushing to the mall (Westside Pavillion to be exact) on a Friday night to buy, not Christmas Gifts, but clothes for a getaway to Norco, CA (nevermind that part) and who do my 'lil sis and I see as we descend the escalator but Hank Azaria wandering aimlessly around the third level. He had a huge green shopping bag in hand and kept looking over the railing & turning around in circles. I think he was lost. I mean, why the hell else would anyone of his celeb stature shop at Westside Pavillion? Oh...wait...

· 12-15 Two interesting sightings:

Cheryl Hines, with a cart full o' holiday gifts at the West Hollywood Target, steering with one hand and clutching cellphone to ear with the other. She looks like a more attractive Gelfling.

Later I spotted Chloe Sevigny wandering through the aisles at Bed Bath & Beyond at the Sunset and Vine complex. I almost didn't recognize her without Vincent Gallo's — eh, that's too easy.

· saturday dec 16- jeff probst practically sprinting into, where else? The grove farmers market. he had on a denim shirt, no seriously. does he buy in bulk from ll bean? smiled at me as he whizzed by.

sunday dec 17 - pinkberry on larchmont. sean hayes eating fro-yo with male companion. not karen.

· Yesterday, 12/15, I got a two-fer! On my way to a company holiday lunch, I was driving up Fairfax near Canter's, when I saw Andy Milonakis on the corner, waiting to cross. He had an unlit cigarette in one hand, looking like your average thirty-something-guy-with-an-incredibly-young-fat-kid-face.

Then, as I was running into the Mondrian to get to Asia de Cuba for the lunch (I was incredibly late and had an "Ugly Betty" like experience with parking - valets make me nervous!), I spot comedian Richard Lewis sitting alone at a table, joking and saying goodbye to a departing couple. Apparently he was waiting for his lunch companions, as later on he moved to the patio near where we were sitting.

· Wednesday night, 12/13, I was walking down Sunset Blvd and I saw Steve Sanders (Ian Ziering) at that small cigar lounge near the House of Blues. He was standing in the doorway smoking a cigar, talking with the guys inside. Seemed like they were all having a good time.

· I was at Jinky's on Sunset late on Saturday morning. Pauly Shore was there and he had his feet up on the table where he and his buddies were eating. No one complained and no one who worked at the restaurant told him to quit it. Fucking disgusting asshole.

· Here's one off the D-list: Saw Lisa Turtle (Lark Voorhies) getting her nails did in Eagle Rock on Saturday. She's very pretty but was wearing a hell of a lot of make-up for the middle of the day and pearls the size of gumballs. She seemed especially overdone in comparison to her mother (I recognized her from the True Hollywood Story on child stars) who was wearing sweatpants, a giant poncho and heels.