JAKE GYLLENHAAL TO PLAY 'SPIDERMAN' ?

Which Part Will Jake Gyllenhaal Play ?

Jake Gyllenhaal is in the middle of a bidding war to star as comic book heroin two separate blockbusters. New Line executives want the 'Brokeback Mountain' star to play Captain Marvel in 'Shazam', based on the DC comic. A source said: "The film will be New Line's box office franchise to rival 'Batman', 'Superman' and 'Spider-Man'."They're ready to spend up to $200 million to get it started."Jake is also being pursued by Sony Pictures to play 'Spider-Man' in the fourth instalment of the hit series. 'Spider-Man 3' is due out on May 4 and star Tobey Maguire has said he is ready to retire as the web-slinging superhero. Director Sam Raimi is keen to continue the franchise and is keen for Jake to take over the lead role. A source said: "Sam is obviously disappointed Tobey wants to hang up his suit. He initially didn't think he would be able to make the film without him but now thinks he has found the ideal replacement in Jake."

Link

COMIC RICHARD JENI COMMITS SUICIDE

Stand-up comedian Richard Jeni, who was a frequent guest on the popular Tonight Show and appeared in several films, has died in an apparent suicide. Los Angeles police said a woman called on Saturday and reported her boyfriend had "just shot himself in the face". Police officers found Jeni, 49, alive but fatally wounded in a West Hollywood home. He died later in hospital. Police spokeswoman Norma Eisenman said suicide had not been officially confirmed. An autopsy is due on Monday. Jeni appeared in The Mask as Jim Carrey's best friend and had roles in several other films including The Aristocrats, Burn, Hollywood, Burn and National Lampoon's Dad's Week Off. He was a close friend of comedian Chris Rock, appearing in his sitcom Everybody Hates Chris and writing material for Rock's stint hosting the Oscars in 2005. But he was best known as a stand-up comedian, regularly playing to sold-out crowds at Hollywood's Laugh Factory. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he first came to attention in 1990 with a 30-minute showcase, Richard Jeni: The Boy From New York, on the US Showtime channel. He became a regular guest on The Tonight Show during Johnny Carson's reign as host and continued to appear after Jay Leno took over. Several of his comedy routines were captured for television, with 1992's Platypus Man winning a Cable ACE award for best stand-up comedy special and inspiring a short-lived TV series of the same name. Frazer Smith, a fellow comedian who often opened for Jeni, said younger acts looked up to him. "He was probably one of the best stand-up comedians in the last 50 years," said Smith. "He had tons and tons of material."

Link