•: After much speculation, Nicole Kidman has signed to star in Lars von Trier's Dogville after all. As reported in yesterday's Guardian Unlimited Film, uncertainty hung over Kidman's role after she delayed signing. "Our lawyers in New York just told me that Nicole Kidman has signed the contract," Zentropa producer Vibeke Vindelv said. "I just talked to Lars and obviously we are both very happy." Shooting on the £5m project is due to begin in Sweden in January. Meanwhile Ananova reports that Kidman is planning a return to the London stage to work with Sam Mendes, who directed her in The Blue Room three years ago. The Aussie star may even be on the verge of replacing pregnant Cate Blanchett in The Life of David Gale, with Kevin Spacey.
Shrek has become the highest-grossing animated feature ever to be released in Australia, United International Pictures confirmed yesterday. After only six weeks in cinemas down under, the DreamWorks phenomenon has taken £10m, passing the mark set in 1994 by The Lion King. The film is already Australia's 12th highest-grossing film of all time and has its eyes on this year's number one spot.
Andie MacDowell, the star of Four Weddings and a Funeral, is set to marry for the second time - this time to her childhood sweetheart. Ananova reports that the 43-year-old actress plans to marry Rhett Hartzog, an Atlanta jeweller, in November. MacDowell's father, Marion McBride, said: "I am very happy for her. I know they have given it a lot of thought. He is a friend she has known a long time. They've known each other since grammar school and through high school."
Notting Hill director Roger Michell will shoot a film adaptation of Ian McEwan's disturbing love tale, Enduring Love, about a man who becomes the focus of another man's obsession after a balloon accident. Variety reports that the Working Title project will be the first for Michell since he filmed Changing Lanes for Paramount, which has not yet been scheduled for release. He dropped out of Captain Corelli's Mandolin after suffering a heart attack.
