UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News May 9, 2008

'CSI' star hit with felony drug possession

PALM SPRINGS, Calif., May 9 (UPI) -- Prosecutors in California have confirmed that U.S. actor Gary Dourdan has been formally charged with felony drug possession.

Dourdan, best known for his work on TV's "CSI," was arrested April 28 in Palm Springs, Calif.

People.com said the actor was charged with three felonies in connection with the arrest: possession of heroin, cocaine and ecstasy.

Dourdan, 41, is due to be arraigned May 28.

"If convicted, Dourdan faces a probation term and could be required to complete a drug treatment program," Michael Jeandron, a spokesman for the Riverside County District Attorney, told People.com. "If he completes it, the charges will be dismissed."

Painting of Heath Ledger wins art prize

PERTH, Australia, May 9 (UPI) -- A portrait of Heath Ledger painted by a friend shortly before the film star died has won an award at the Archibald Prize Exhibition in Australia.

People.com said Vincent Fantauzzo's "Heath" garnered the people's choice prize Thursday.

The award was voted on by more than 32,000 and is considered one of Australia's most prestigious art honors.

A representative for the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which is where the prize was handed out, told People.com the Ledger family and the artist plan to donate the painting to the gallery.

Fantauzzo won $2,500 and a $1,000 gift certificate as part of the award.

Ledger died in New York in January. His death was blamed on his accidentally taking an combination of prescription drugs. He was 28.

The portrait was painted in December at his family's home in Perth.

Lionsgate to distribute Bush bio-pic 'W'

SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 9 (UPI) -- Lionsgate announced Friday that it has acquired the distribution rights to "W," Oliver Stone's upcoming film about U.S. President George W. Bush.

Lionsgate said it now holds the rights to the bio-pic in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

Josh Brolin plays the title role in the movie, which is to be directed by Stone and co-star Elizabeth Banks, James Cromwell, Ellen Burstyn, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Scott Glenn and Ioan Gruffud.

The movie, which is to begin production Monday in Louisiana, is set for release in U.S. theaters Oct. 17.

"It's an honor to be in business with Oliver Stone, a brilliant and consistently adventurous filmmaker," Lionsgate President of Theatrical Films Tom Ortenberg said in a statement. "With 'W,' he again demonstrates his creative vitality and genius for speaking to our times."

"The impact of George W. Bush's presidency will be felt for many years to come. Despite a meteoric, almost illogical rise to power, and a tremendous influence on the world, we don't really know much about Mr. Bush beyond the controlled images we've been allowed to see on TV," Stone added. "This movie's taking a bold stab at looking behind that curtain."

Attention surprises 'Narnia' newcomer

NEW YORK, May 9 (UPI) -- British actor Ben Barnes admits he was surprised when he came to the United States to promote his new film and found his face plastered on billboards and buses.

Barnes, 26, plays the title character in the new adventure movie "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian." The role is Barnes's highest-profile to date.

Asked what he thought of seeing his visage gracing buildings and buses all over New York, Barnes told UPI: "There's nothing in London but if you think it's bad (in New York) you should come to LA.

"That is a terrifying place to be at the moment, if you're me," Barnes joked. "Just don't drive down Sunset Boulevard by mistake -- if you're me. I was caught completely short of breath. And it is very surreal. It's very surreal seeing this person that is 80 percent you and 20 percent somebody on a building 10 stories high. But there's no chance of me becoming flighty. … I've got my brother sort of staying with me at the moment kind of entirely mocking everything that I do. So, it's great."

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