MAGGIE Cheung Man-yuk may have just landed her role of a lifetime in Steven Spielberg's coming Memoirs Of A Geisha, based on Arthur Golden's book of the same name. Spielberg was rumoured to have visited Hong Kong recently to audition several actresses for the lead role. Cheung, right, in France shooting a French film, is believed to have pipped colleagues Michelle Reis, Karen Mok Man-wai and Carina Lau Kar-ling for the much coveted role.
If Spielberg continues with his winning streak, Memoirs Of A Geisha is likely to give the multiple award-winning actress a jumpstart to a Hollywood career. There are also rumours that Cheung - who will have to finish Wong Kar-wai's new movie before heading for Hollywood - will soon be tying the knot with her French boyfriend, director Olivier Assayas.
Stars' weddings put dent in guests' pockets THE showbiz world might well have been temporarily deafened by wedding bells last week. Sibling songwriters Violet Lam Man-yee and Lemon Lam Man-chung had a double celebration, while singers Winnie Lau Siu-wai and Grasshopper member So Chi-wai also tied the knot after living together for several years. No doubt, wallets of friends of the three couples will be feeling pinched from the lai sees they have given out.
Foster adds beef to Chow's latest movie ALSO on the Hollywood front, Chow Yun-fat has landed an enviable leading lady for 20th Century Fox's Anna And The King. New mum Jodie Foster, left, has reportedly signed on for the part of governess Anna Leonowens for more than US$10 million (about HK$77.4 million), estimated to be more than twice that which Chow as a newcomer is getting. However, Chow says he is not going to let envy get the better of him.
The film will be a drama based on the diary that Leonowens left behind, rather than a remake of the musical The King And I, but Thailand is proving less than keen to let them film there.
Performing bug prompts Yip's return YOU can't get a good singer down. After a long absence from the scene, the performing bug has once again bitten Frances Yip Lai-yee.