Tom Hanks has “great respect” for Julia Roberts

The actor-turned-director was delighted when the ‘Pretty Woman’ actress agreed to star in his latest film ‘Larry Crowne’ – which follows a struggling man who falls for a public-speaking teacher – because he is such a big fan of her work.

He said: “I really like her and have great respect for her and I called her up and asked if she would be interested in playing the part and if she could have faith in me as a director. Fortunately she said yes.”

Tom has been working on ‘Larry Crowne’ for three years and admits it is much harder being a director than an actor.

He explained: “Acting is like a vacation compared with the workload a director has.

“Also, the skill sets are totally different because an actor really only has to show people what he’s thinking while a director has to start having meetings eight months before the first day of shooting and continues having meetings nine months after it’s all over and you’re constantly explaining, begging, asking.

“It’s like an actor is a dog running through a park while a director is a dog trying to herd 6,000 sheep over Cattleman’s Pass. It’s a lot of work.”

Hanks Sues Insurance Agent: Like a Bad Neighbor

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are suing their former insurance broker, claiming he gauged, defrauded and embezzled them out of a fortune.

Hanks, Wilson and others claim they worked with J.B. Goldman Insurance Agency for more than 20 years, using the company to procure homeowners, directors and other business policies.

According to the suit, obtained by TMZ, Hanks and Wilson switched brokers last month and the new broker allegedly discovered gross overcharging for various policies.

The suit claims the broker overcharged them, insured them multiple times for the same things, and engaged in a “predatory embezzlement scheme” that cost all the plaintiffs hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars.

The suit seeks unspecified damages.

News Source: TMZ

Sandra Bullock was determined to have “fun” at the Oscars – even though she was missing her son

The screen beauty returned to the Academy Awards last night (27.02.11) a year after she scooped the Best Actress accolade for her performance in ‘The Blind Side‘, and although she was looking forward to the ceremony she admitted she doesn’t like leaving her child Louis – who she adopted in January 2010.

Speaking on the red carpet before the prize-giving began at Los Angeles’ Kodak Theatre, she said: “I want to have fun tonight. I’m saying that I want to have fun, but I don’t know if I will.

“It’s hard. You just have to make a point of coming here and having a good time but all I want to do is go home (to see Louis). But I’ll make the best out of it and stick around.”

Despite Sandra’s reluctance to leave Louis, the 46-year-old star has just started shooting her first movie since she became a mother.

The actress is appearing in ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’ opposite Tom Hanks and filming began in New York City last week.

Sandra loved being back on set and believes parenthood has made her a better actress.

She said: “I just did my first day of work in over a year and a half on Friday (25.02.11).

“Motherhood has made me a better person. I’m more patient and accommodating. I really appreciate where I am.”

Sandra was at the ceremony to present Colin Firth his Best Actor Oscar.

Just days after her own Academy Award win in 2010, the brunette star suffered turmoil in her personal life when it was revealed her husband Jesse James had cheated on her.

The pair subsequently divorced and the motorcycle enthusiast is now engaged to tattoo artist Kat Von D.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe was the highest paid actor in Hollywood in 2009.

The 20-year-old actor – who plays the title character in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise – was paid a staggering £25.6 million last year according to a list of the top 40 earners by Vanity Fair magazine, making him the most bankable actor in Hollywood – though not worth as much as leading directors..

‘Transformers’ movie maker Michael Bay at number one, with £79 million, and Steven Spielberg, 63, with £53 million, second. Roland Emmerich, James Cameron and Todd Phillips took the remaining places ahead of Daniel, who was sixth in the list.

Daniel – who has already used some of his earnings to build up a property portfolio in Britain and the US – also beat his co-star, Emma Watson, 19, who made £20 million.

The British actress – who plays Harry’s friend Hermione Granger in the movies – was one of only two women to make the list, with ‘Charlie’s Angels’ beauty Cameron Diaz ranked twentieth.

The Hogwarts actors and actresses are also set to have another couple of years worth of money heading their way with the next two films which will be released in November and July 2011.

The list of Hollywood earners was made based on factors such as up-front fees, box office gross percentages and other estimated revenue streams.

Other top stars to make the list included Ben Stiller in seventh place, Tom Hanks in eighth, Adam Sandler in the tenth spot and Denzel Washington a place behind him.

Daniel and Emma’s co-star Rupert Grint placed fifteenth in the list, while debt-ridden actor Nicolas Cage was ranked in seventeenth position.

Vanity Fair magazine’s Top Twenty Hollywood earners of 2009

1. Michael Bay – £125 million

2. Steven Spielberg – £85 million

3. Roland Emmerich – £70 million

4. James Cameron – £50 million

5. Todd Phillips – £44 million

6. Daniel Radcliffe – £41 million

7. Ben Stiller – £40 million

8. Tom Hanks – £36 million

9. J.J Abrams – £36 million

10. Jerry Bruckheimer – £35.5 million

11. Tyler Perry – £32.5 million

12. Adam Sandler – £31.5 million

13. Denzel Washington – £31 million

14. Emma Watson – £30 million

15. Rupert Grint – £30 million

16. Owen Wilson – £29 million

17. Nicholas Cage – £28 million

18. Russell Crowe – £28 million

19. Cameron Diaz – £27 million

20. Brian Grazer and Ron Howard – £25.5 million

The 46-year-old star – who plays the eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow in the movie franchise – is returning for the fourth installment and is set to become Hollywood’s highest-paid actor, topping the likes of Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson and Tom Hanks, with the huge pay day.

The ‘Sleepy Hollow’ actor is guaranteed the £21 million as a minimum for ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’, due for release in the 2011, and could receive even more should it be a huge box-office hit.

Disney bosses are paying Depp such a high fee because his co-stars from the previous three movies, Keira Knightley, 24, and 32-year-old Orlando Bloom, have dropped out.

Geoffrey Rush will once again play Captain Barbossa, while Penelope Cruz is rumoured to be in line to take the female lead.

Depp recently vowed to save Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage from financial ruin after because of a massive unpaid tax bill.

The star pledged to support the ‘Con Air’ actor through his plight because of the assistance he gave him when he was first trying to make it in Hollywood.

A source said: “Johnny feels he owes his career to Nicolas and now wants to repay him – if Nicolas agrees.”

Source: BANG Showbiz