Talks continue over sex tape

July 12, 2008

Lawyers for Verne Troyer are negotiating with a porn broker and distributor on a settlement to try to prevent the distribution of a sex tape the actor made with a former girlfriend. US District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez yesterday granted both sides another week to negotiate before holding a hearing on whether the tape can be sold or released. The actor sued porn distributor SugarDVD, broker Kevin Blatt, and celebrity gossip website TMZ for $20 million last month and sought to have release of the tape barred. He is best-known for his role as Mini Me in two of the "Austin Powers" movies. (AP)

Judy Davis was awarded $134,000 in damages yesterday from an Australian newspaper that ridiculed her as heartless for opposing a plan to erect floodlights in a park near the actress' harborside home in Sydney. A judge ruled that February 2006 articles in The Daily Telegraph had hurt the two-time Oscar nominee's reputation and personal standing in the community by implying she was selfish and unreasonable. (AP)

Jackie Chan's website says construction has begun on a museum for the action movie star in the Chinese financial capital Shanghai. The museum will house props and costumes from Chan's movies, photos, and other memorabilia, the website said. (AP)

Hollywood power couple director William Friedkin and former Paramount Pictures chief Sherry Lansing are ending their lawsuit against a security firm over a break-in at their Bel-Air home. Attorneys for the couple petitioned for dismissal of the case, which blamed ADT for botching its response to a burglary at the couple's home in 2006. (AP)

"This is a short visit."-- Genie Francis, talking about reprising her role as Laura on "General Hospital" beginning Aug. 26