Legend

‘The Vampire Diaires’ Ian Somerhalder To Star In ‘Cradlewood’

Ian Somerhalder, currently starring as the dark & mysterious Damon Salvatore in “The Vampire Diaries,” hot enough to give Robert Pattinson a run for hottest vampire, has signed on to star in “Cradlewood,” a romantic gothic fairy tale set in Boston. Somerhalder will play the son of an old Boston blue-blood family, the heir to a fortune, who’s dating an Australian girl. A family legend of his suggests that the family fortunes are tied up with a demon, and that a curse means that every time a boy is born into the family, his father dies. When he begins to experience strange things at the same time he starts suspecting his girlfriend is pregnant, he begins to worry that it’s not just an old wives’ tale.

“Cradlewood” is based on original story by Harry Weinmann. Emma Lung will play Somerhalders’ girlfriend in the movie. The script was written by Stephen Sewell and John Paul Chapple, and will be produced by Michel Shane and David Redman.

Per Hollywood Reporter:

“We see this is as almost like an American-style ‘Pan’s Labyrinth‘ in look and feel,” Shane said. “It’s a perfect segue for the kids who have outgrown ‘Twilight‘ but want something romantic and scary. Our monster will be quite terrifying; she is sexually attractive and monstrous at the same time.”

“Cradlewood” is scheduled to start shooting in Melbourne, Australia in April, during Somerhalders’ hiatus from “The Vampire Diaries.” It’s an interesting plot, although I’m struggling a little to see were the “romance” is at this point. Oh well, do we really care? I mean, its Ian-freakin’-Somerhalder! His lines could consist of nothing more than reading the nutritional facts off the side of a Planters Peanuts jar and I’d pay the price of admission, repeatedly, to see his sexiness sizzle on screen!

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Images Via: WENN

Bea Arthur Passes Away at 86

It is with a heavy heart that we here at Hollywood Dame announce the passing of beloved funny-woman Bea Arthur. Bea passed away Saturday morning at her home is Los Angeles surrounded by her family. She was 86.

If you spend a lot of time here at Hollywood Dame (and you should), then you have no doubt read on my bio page that Bea Arthur is one of my favorite celebrities. She was a comedic genius and one hell of a lady.

Bea’s career as an actress began off Broadway in the 1950’s. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when she earned a guest spot as Edith Bunker’s liberal cousin on the show ‘All in the Family’ that Bea’s television presence became known. She was offered her own show ‘Maude’, which was a spin-off of ‘All in the Family’.

‘Maude’ was a popular show and even earned Bea an Emmy Award in 1977. The show was a comedy, but pushed the envelope with serious and controversial storylines such as Maude’s decision to have an abortion and her husband Walter’s alcoholism.

In the 1980’s Bea joined fellow funny-ladies Rue MacClanahan, Betty White, and the late Estelle Getty on the beloved show ‘The Golden Girls.’ She played substitute teacher, and constantly harassed daughter of Sofia, Dorothy Zbornak. I still remember waiting every Saturday night for “the girls” to come on. It was my favorite show and Bea was by far my favorite character. I still watch ‘The Golden Girls’ religiously today and, though I have seen every episode a dozen or more times, I still manage to laugh at every joke.

When asked once how she felt about being type-cast into roles Bea replied:

“Look — I’m 5-feet-9, I have a deep voice and I have a way with a line. What can I do about it? I can’t stay home waiting for something different. I think it’s a total waste of energy worrying about typecasting.”

That’s why I heart Bea Arthur. She knew who she was and never once attempted to change for anyone.

Jerry Herman, who worked as the composer for Arthur’s Tony Award winning performance in the musical, ‘Mame’, had this to say about Bea via the Associated Press:

“There was no one else like Bea. She would make us laugh during `Mame’ rehearsals with a look or with a word. She didn’t need dialogue. I don’t know if I can say that about any other person I ever worked with.”

That’s simple Jerry: you can’t. No one can. The world is a little less funny today.

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