Cruise, Diaz, and more may be heading to Hub

By Mark Shanahan & Meredith Goldstein  |  June 19, 2009

Hollywood’s infatuation with the Hub is getting serious. Very serious.

A slew of screen idols are about to descend on Boston to shoot new movies, including, we’re told, Tom Cruise. That’s right, the world’s most famous movie star is in serious talks to shoot his latest flick here starting in September.

Called “Wichita,’’ the action comedy would be the biggest budget movie ever to film here, and Cruise and costar Cameron Diaz could be hanging around the Hub for up to three months. The film, one of several high-profile projects Cruise had considered, will be directed by James Mangold, whose credits include “Walk the Line’’ and “Girl, Interrupted.’’

Not much is known about the script, which is being burnished now by Mangold and “Shutter Island’’ scribe Laeta Kalogridis, but Variety previously reported that the story centers on a single woman who meets a mysterious man on a blind date, and he turns out to be a handsome secret agent.

Since the prospective blockbuster stars Cruise, it will, of course, have several high-octane action sequences, and word is producers have already approached state officials about securing permits to close certain roads and bridges during shooting. We’re also told that a location scout has been in the city for a few weeks checking out various neighborhoods.

It remains to be seen if Greater Boston has enough tradespeople to satisfy the demands of the many movies set to shoot here.

In addition to the Cruise pic, there’s “The Fighter,’’ director David O. Russell’s biopic of Lowell-bred brawler “Irish’’ Micky Ward, which starts shooting in the Mill City July 6. The movie stars Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale.

Then there’s “Furry Vengeance,’’ a family comedy starring Brendan Fraser and “High School Musical 3: Senior Year’’ costar Matt Prokop, who plays a city kid forced to move to rural Oregon with his dad. The movie rolls early next month.

Later in July, Kevin James and Rosario Dawson will take up temporary residence at the Franklin Park Zoo to shoot “The Zookeeper.’’ The movie stars James as a likable zookeeper who’s unlucky with the ladies, so he consults with the critters. Yes, the animals talk in the film, which makes us wonder if Little Joe is busy learning English. (By the way, the Franklin Park Zoo will keep its name in the movie.)

Finally, in August, Ben Affleck gets behind the camera again, following up “Gone Baby Gone’’ with “The Town,’’ a movie based on Chuck Hogan’s book “Prince of Thieves.’’ The award-winning novel is about a Charlestown thief, played by Affleck, who falls hard for the bank manager whose branch he and his crew just robbed. Word is Rebecca Hall, who was in “Frost/Nixon,’’ will play the pretty bank manager.

Painting the town 'Purple'

The Citi Performing Arts Center hosted a cast party for “The Color Purple’’ on Wednesday night in the Wang Theatre lower lobby. Celebrating the start of the show’s run were Citi Performing Arts Center president Joe Spaulding and members of the cast, including Broadway stars Kenita Miller, Felicia Fields, Rufus Bonds Jr., and LaToya London, who you may remember from “American Idol,’’ season three. Director Gary Griffin was also on hand to mingle.

Lydia Hearst - as in, the daughter of Patty and great-granddaughter of William Randolph - may be in Boston tonight. The Kendall Square Cinema is hosting a big premiere of the young model’s new movie, “The Last International Playboy,’’ and so far, Hearst is on the guest list. Hearst and a few other “Playboy’’ cast members - including Boston-born “Project Runway’’ model Polina Frantsena - are also expected to show up at an after-party for the screening at the Estate. Supermodel Paulina Porizkova, as in wife of Ric Ocasek, and Dustin Pedroia and Josh Beckett are also on the VIP list for the late-night shindig. Very Hollywood, yes? For more on the movie, see the review below.

Kathie Lee, Hoda, and . . . Michela? Yes, that was Rocca chef Michela Larson on the “Today’’ show yesterday during the 11 a.m. hour, which is hosted by frequent “Saturday Night Live’’ targets Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. Kathie Lee was off yesterday, so Larson got to mingle on camera with Kotb and special guest Tamra Barney, of “The Real Housewives of Orange County.’’ Larson’s segment was about how to throw a last-minute deck party for guests. She taught Kotb and Barney to make pesto and served up a signature Rocca drink, the Ligurian Lemonade.

Foxborough-bred singer JoJo Levesque dropped by Children’s Hospital Boston yesterday to see patients. She’s one of several celebs who’ve stopped by to support the hospital’s Generation Cures movement, which encourages tweens and their families to give back.

Is she or isn't she?

Despite Tom Brady’s recent denial that Gisele Bundchen is pregnant, the Brazilian bombshell isn’t doing much to dispel the rumors. The supermodel, who was photographed wearing flouncy tops over the weekend, walked the runway Wednesday (above) at Sao Paulo Fashion Week, and again favored items that were loose-fitting. Bundchen, who turns 29 next month, modeled various styles from the spring/summer collection by Colcci.

Channel 5 reporter Bianca de la Garza, 28 Degrees restaurateurs Carl Christian and Bill Emery, event planner Christine Altieri, Tonya and Ben Mezrich, and Mandarin Oriental general manager Susanne Hatje were just a few of the guests at Wednesday night’s Mandarin Oriental Signatures Spa Therapy party.

Tim and Stacey Wakefield and their kids joined patients from Franciscan Hospital for Children yesterday at the rededication of the hospital’s baseball field. (It’s Wake Field now.) After throwing out the first pitch, the Sox veteran spent some time playing with patients on the field. Franciscan Hospital honored the pitcher for the many contributions he’s made to the hospital and its patients.