Huge Brit Hollywood star lands major role in big budget The Thomas Crown Affair reboot with ‘modern twists’
AFTER piling on the pounds to play Henry VIII in movie Firebrand, Jude Law is preparing to transform himself all over again.
This time I’ve been told the British actor is playing an evil villain in Michael B Jordan’s reboot of The Thomas Crown Affair.
Michael is directing and starring in this third reimagining of the movie, after the 1968 original and the 1999 version with Steve McQueen and Pierce Brosnan respectively in the lead role of the playboy criminal mastermind.
A source said: “Jude is a huge signing for Michael and he will start filming soon.
“His role is being kept under wraps but he will play a baddie.
“Jude is a phenomenal actor and can’t wait to get his teeth into this role.
“Michael isn’t just following the old plotline but is putting a fresh spin on the story.
“It’s a reimagining of the classic 1968 and 1999 versions and will give the audience a new perspective.”
Michael’s involvement in the new film was announced back in September.
A script has been written by Drew Pearce, best known for his work on Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation in 2015 and The Fall Guy last year.
Alan Trustman, who wrote the original film, has been brought on board as an executive producer.
Harry Styles‘ ex-girlfriend Taylor Russell has also landed herself a leading role alongside Michael and Jude.
‘Modern twists’
Speaking about what he was doing with the film earlier this month at a presentation with Amazon MGM Studios, Michael said: “This isn’t just another remake. It’s a kind of movie that demands the big screen.”
Amazon MGM executive Kevin Wilson went on to tease fans and said the remake “Promises to surprise audiences with a few modern twists.”
Michael is on a role at the moment, after making his directorial debut with Creed III in 2023.
Yesterday I told you he was trying to snare Anthony Joshua for the fourth instalment of the Rocky spin off.
And now he’s got Jude in the bag for The Thomas Crown Affair, I can’t wait to see who he lines up next.
Lewis heart work for Joe
IT has been almost two years since Lewis Capaldi took his hiatus from music but now he is back, albeit with a song for somebody else.
The Scottish superstar has co-written Joe Jonas’s new single Heart By Heart, which came out yesterday, and Lewis also plays the guitar on the track.
Although he has handed the song over to Joe, it sounds like it’s a personal one.
On it, the Jonas Brothers star sings: “You’ve got the sweetest lovin’ to give, I know ’cause I’ve tasted. I’d hate you to waste it. So if he don’t ever light your spark, remember I know your heart by heart.”
It’s the clearest sign yet that the Someone You Loved is back in the studio and working on new music, and I’m hoping it means it won’t be long until we hear his voice again.
I told last summer how Lewis had split from girlfriend of two years, Ellie MacDowell, so it may well been the lyrical inspiration.
But given Joe’s messy divorce from actress Sophie Turner, I’m sure he can relate too.
Olivia’s honour is just white
OLIVIA RODRIGO looked pristine in white at a charity event in New York.
The Good 4 U singer was at Planned Parenthood’s Spring Into Action Gala, where last year launched her Fund 4 Good to help “all women, girls and people seeking reproductive health freedom.”
She was honoured at the fundraiser for her work promoting women’s reproductive rights and was given her award by pop pal Lily Allen.
They performed Lily’s song F*** You at Glastonbury in 2022 in response to the Supreme Court ending the constitutional right to abortion in the US,
Olivia, with Lily, will be back at muddy Glasto in two months’ time and surely won’t be wearing something this colour.
But I hope there will be another collaboration as memorable as the last time.
Zara’s mud for it
THREE cheers for Zara Larsson, who is back with what is undoubtedly the best music video of the year.
My exclusive photo from the shoot for single Pretty Ugly shows her in a bra top and tiny shorts in a field, where she performs a cheerleader routine which becomes progressively more deranged.
In the clip, the heavens open and by the end, Zara and her dancers’ slick choreography descends into an all-out mud war, as she sings: “Sometimes a girl don’t wanna be well-behaved.”
She has revealed the track will feature on her fifth studio album, which is due out later this year.
If this is anything to go by, it’s going to be a corker.
Jessie’s Wembley return
JESSIE J is going all out to make her comeback a success, with her biggest gig in years set to be announced.
Yesterday she released her new song No Secrets, and now we can reveal she will play Wembley Stadium on Sunday June 15 as part of Capital’s Summertime Ball, performing for 90,000 fans.
The Price Tag singer will join an all-star line-up, to be revealed on Capital Breakfast on Monday and Tuesday.
It’s a sure sign that Jessie has the all-important backing of radio bosses for her return.
Her last UK tour was a decade ago, when she played academy-sized gigs.
Before that, her 2013 Alive Tour saw her sell out arenas, including two nights at London’s O2.
Hopefully upcoming sixth album will see Jessie back in her prime.
EVEN A-list sports stars like a sweet treat, just ask David Beckham.
He has teamed up with Pepsi Max to front their new Thirsty For More campaign. Pop up events are planned across the UK soon.
He said: “We’ve been making campaigns together for well over 20 years and have produced a lot of great work.”
And got a lot of tasty freebies, I’m sure.
Sydney’s game on with Jon
SYDNEY SWEENEY has been tipped to play Britney Spears in the upcoming biopic and now looks one step closer to the role – by getting in the good books of its director Jon M. Chu.
The Euphoria star has been cast in the lead role for Jon’s film adaptation of hit video game Split Fiction, which is being written by the team behind the Deadpool & Wolverine film.
The move proves he has faith in the hugely popular actress ahead of production on the Britney movie, which the Toxic singer herself is involved in.
Jon is a powerful man to get in with, given he has directed both of the Wicked movies and is now in high demand in Hollywood.
But given Sydney’s star power is also soaring, they could be a perfect match.
Joel joy as Rom stand-in
JOEL DOMMETT is the latest comedian to grab a slot on Radio 2 – not as a guest but as a DJ.
I can reveal The Masked Singer host will sit in for Romesh Ranganathan next Saturday on his 10am-1pm show.
He said: “Mummy look! I’m a Radio 2 presenter. Huge thank you to Romesh for letting me stand in.
“He used to be a teacher so I’m essentially a supply for the day. Hopefully the class will behave and I’ll be invited back.
“I’m super-excited – and that’s definitely an emotion Romesh has never experienced.”
Paddy McGuinness and Ellie Taylor already have jobs on the station, and now there will be even more to giggle at.