By Romeo San Vicente
'A Star is' Beyonce
It looks like the always-seemingly-being-discussed update of "A Star Is Born," the one Beyonce has been attached to for some time now (and before her it was Whitney and before her, etc.), might finally be ready to take flight. And who'll be the man to make it happen? Clint Eastwood. Yes, you read that one correctly. The pair is in talks to add the "Dreamgirls" star to the Janet Gaynor/Judy Garland/Barbra Streisand legacy with Eastwood in the director chair. If it works out then Jon Peters, who produced the 1976 Streisand version, will be a co-producer. And who'll star opposite Knowles? That one is still up in the air, and it'll probably wind up going to a guy like Usher or Jamie Foxx, but wouldn't it be cooler if it went to a guy whose career really is past its sell-by date? It's not like Jermaine Jackson is all that busy, right?
Moulin John
Elton John recently told BBC Radio that his life story is going to be turned into a movie by his "Billy Elliot" collaborator Lee Hall. One potentially awesome feature of that plan? Elton John will be hands-on helping every step of the way. Now, to sane people, this should bring to mind images of Michael Jackson directing giant statues made in his likeness to be erected in Romania. And you know how excellently entertaining that was. So if John is determined to see a "Moulin Rouge"-style film of his life take place, then rest assured it's going to be narcissistic, extravagant, shiny and flat-out bonkers. Think EJ-themed episode of "Glee" meets drug addiction meets shopaholism meets sparkly boots and Donald Duck costumes. Now, will someone please bring "Tommy" (in which John co-starred) director Ken Russell out of semi-retirement to take over?
Oprah's caged heat
In Oprah's world, the press releases come fast and furious, especially where her new OWN channel is concerned. It's a good thing Romeo was paying close attention to Winfrey's every move or he would have missed the coming-up-soon debut of "Breaking Down The Bars," a new reality series about women in prison. Cameras will follow a group of female inmates at Indiana's Rockville Correctional Facility as they attempt to sidestep the usual prison pitfalls of violence, toothbrush knives and scantily clad riots (OK, yes, those are maybe more the selling points of women's prison exploitation movies) and focus on getting their lives together. And because it's an Oprah product it'll probably also be more heartwarming than scandalous. But you know there are going to be some tough lesbians involved "somewhere." And that's plenty reason to tune in when it debuts Feb. 15.
When Seth met Streisand
Old-school gay icon meets Gen Y stoner-bear bro? It's happening, like it or not. Barbra Streisand will team up with Seth Rogen for a generation gap road trip comedy called "My Mother's Curse," to be executive produced by both of them (as well as Rogen's writing partner Evan Goldberg and others). Rogen will play an inventor on a cross-country trip to sell his new product, with Streisand riding shotgun, making his life difficult and reuniting with a long-lost love. Dan Fogelman ("Cars") penned the screenplay after dealing with real-life travels alongside his own mother and it all goes in front of the cameras sometime this spring. Skeptical after seeing "Little Fockers"? Understandable. But think about this: once upon a time, Streisand turned in one of the great comedic performances of the 1970s in the never-not-funny-no-matter-how-many-times-you-watch-it "What's Up Doc?" Who's to say lightning can't strike twice?
