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Police use local studio to kick-start comeback – Metro US

Police use local studio to kick-start comeback

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Anne Hathaway is in town shooting Passengers.

Two weeks ago we told you that Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada) was in town shooting the feature film Passengers, the story of a grief counsellor who works with a plane crash survivor desperately trying to deny the horrible event. Last Friday night the production filmed in the vicinity of West Hastings and Burrard (using the old Aqua club), and in two weeks they will begin shooting the interior airplane sequences inside a mocked-up 737, minus its wings and tail.

As if we haven’t heard enough about the macabre murder trial of pig farmer Robert Pickton in recent days, comes news that Canadian producer Barna-Alper Prods. is developing a TV movie about the notorious serial killer for the CTV network. Loren Mawhinney, VP of programming at the Toronto-based production company, said the producer has optioned a book about Pickton by veteran investigative journalist Stevie Cameron titled Pig Farm and has hired Peter Mitchell (Cold Squad) to pen a screenplay. According to Mawhinney, the telefilm could air as early as next year.

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Sting and the rest of The Police are in Vancouver rehearsing for a performance at the Grammys.

Don’t be surprised if you catch a glimpse of Sting, Andy Summers or Stewart Copeland lurking about town. The trio is currently in Vancouver rehearsing for their Grammy performance — and pursuant world reunion tour — at Lion’s Gate Studios. Word is that the group will announce tour dates next month, but rumours that they will perform at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles Feb. 11 are as yet unsubstantiated. Sharp-eyed readers will recall that Copeland has also composed scores for such films as Wall Street and television series such as The Equalizer — the latter currently in development as a feature film to be helmed by Paul McGuigan (Lucky Number Slevin).

Illusionist David Copperfield, who recently put on a spectacular show at the Centre for Performing Arts, materialized for dinner recently at Glowbal Grill and Satay Bar; thankfully all diners were present and accounted for later in the evening. Then, last Tuesday, stunt performer David Blaine — who some liken to a modern Houdini — had lunch at Glowbal. Sadly, neither Copperfield nor Blaine was able to make his check disappear.

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Pamela Anderson is attracting the tabloid press again

Local girl Pam Anderson is in the news yet again, this time connected with George Clooney, in a story that the Ocean’s Eleven star probably wishes would disappear. Last week the smut columnists were abuzz about Clooney’s alleged intimate dinner with the Baywatch beauty at California’s Valley Inn, a claim the Hollywood heartthrob vehemently dismisses as a total flight of fancy.

Robert Falconer is a Senior Editor at HollywoodNorthReport.com, Canada’s leading independent film and TV news website.