Gossip

UPDATED: 21st April 1998

A producer sued "Titanic" star Leonardo DiCaprio Wednesday for $10 million, saying Hollywood's latest heartthrob was an egomaniac who prevented the producer's film from being shown. In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, producer David Stutman said DiCaprio and actor Tobey Maguire, a co-defendant, deliberately blocked the release of his movie "Don's Plum" for "their own egomaniacal purposes." "Using DiCaprio's 'clout' as a newly anointed 'superstar,' they carried out a fraudulent and coercive campaign to prevent release of the film and destroy its value," Stutman said in his breach-of-contract suit.

"Titanic" star Leonardo DiCaprio may be foundering around again soon - this time in an icy sea of legalese. Independent producer David Stutman, who made a still-unreleased ultra-low-budget film called "Don's Plum," is suing DiCaprio and actor Tobey Maguire ("The Ice Storm"), two of the film's stars, claiming that the pair are blocking his ability to market and release the picture. The film is about a group of friends who gather at a diner one Saturday night as part of a regular ritual of coffee drinking, smoking and wide-ranging conversation about everything from drugs to masturbation. DiCaprio and Maguire allegedly tried to stop the film's distribution, reportedly claiming that they never agreed to make a full-length feature.

Matt Damon has been given the part in "All The Pretty Horses" which it seemed was destined to go to Leo; he was the favourite in talks for the starring role as late as Monday night, but when it appeared the "Titanic" star was going to delay his decision, the producers went to Damon, who is reportedly a fan of the Cormac McCarthy novel on which the film is based. Since gaining worldwide acclaim from ``Titanic,'' and despite eight-figure offers, sources said DiCaprio is being incredibly choosy about the roles he is considering as his follow-up to the $1.5 billion box office smash. But with a finite number of quality scripts out there for young leading men, -- and "All the Pretty Horses" is said to be one of the best star vehicles around -- other actors like Damon are quick to seize the roles.

Leonardo DiCaprio may have been snubbed by the Oscars in the best actor category, but he was not forgotten by MTV viewers, who nominated the "Titanic" heartthrob for best male performance for the 1998 MTV Movie Awards. DiCaprio, along with "Titanic" co-star Kate Winslet, also was nominated in the best kiss and best onscreen duo categories for the MTV awards, which will be taped May 30 in Santa Monica for airing at 9 p.m. June 4. Samuel L. Jackson, who uttered several foul-mouthed epithets during his brief appearance as a presenter at last year's show, will get to host the event this year, the network announced.

Information taken from Infobeat