Rita Ora in talks to play Artful Dodger in modern-day remake of Oliver Twist alongside Michael Caine
OLIVER TWIST producers have got to pick a pop star or two to make the reboot a hit – so it’s a good job Rita Ora has stepped up to take one of the main parts.
I can reveal the singer is in talks to be involved in the multi-million pound Hollywood remake of the 1968 musical movie Oliver!, which will be titled Twist.
She has held talks with maker Disney about playing a character based on the Artful Dodger, who befriends orphan Oliver. Inspired by Charles Dickens’ 1839 novel, the film will be a fresh retelling of the story, with new songs to give it a contemporary edge.
A movie insider said: “Rita has held discussions about the role and reckons it could really help cement her as a credible actress. The film is going to be considerably different from the original, but her character will be loosely based on the Artful Dodger.
“The talks are ongoing but she is eager to make it happen and the casting team have been really impressed with Rita so far. The film is going to be massive and there is already a lot of buzz around it in the industry so it’s very exciting for her.”
Bosses are now pushing forward with the production, three years after the idea was first mooted.
Rapper Ice Cube is believed to be playing pickpocket gang boss Fagin, while in 2017 it was revealed Adele had been approached to be part of the movie as heroine Nancy.
The big-money remake is set to be starkly different from the first film version, starring Ron Moody, Oliver Reed, Mark Lester, Harry Secombe and Jack Wild, which spawned the songs Food Glorious Food, Be Back Soon and You’ve Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two.
Thomas Kail, director of West End rap stage show Hamilton, and hit musical Wicked’s producer Marc Platt, will be working on the project.
Away from her music career, Rita has also racked up quite the acting CV, with roles in the Fifty Shades of Grey movies, Jake Gyllenhaal's Southpaw and this year’s Pokemon Detective Pikachu.
Consider Yourself hired, Rita.
Mel vows fightback
AFTER a trusted confidante filed a lawsuit against her, Mel B is fighting back.
Friends of the former Spice Girls singer say she refutes claims by her former hairdresser and friend Gary Madatyan, that she “mentally abused” him and owes him £160,000, and will battle to clear her name.
A source said: “Gary was Mel’s greatest support during some of her hardest times. So these allegations are shocking. He began working for her in 2017. She says that over time she paid him well over £300,000 and that when she did America’s Got Talent, he got £8,000 a month. Plus, Mel claims she paid rent on his flat for three months.”
In legal documents released last week, Gary claimed he stopped working for Mel after a row over money. But Mel’s camp reject that – claiming she had booked Gary to tour with the Spice Girls over the summer but a passport issue stopped him travelling.
They claimed: “Mel stopped paying him when she came over to the UK in May because they were no longer working together. It’s really upset her and she can’t believe he would do this to her.”
Mel is one of the nicest women in the business, so I hope she gets this cleaned up.
bizbit
EDDIE Murohas confirmed he is to make Beverly Hills Cop 4. He said: “Yeah, that’s what we’re doing after Coming to America 2. We’re doing Beverly Hills Cop and then the plan is to get back on stage and do stand-up.”
Spud fan Drake is a chip rapper
THERE is one thing that Drake can’t do without on tour – his own fries.
The rapper loves chips so much he flew his chef and a bag of spuds to Rio in Brazil so he could have them made. Locals said he refused to eat fries on offer at his hotel ahead of an appearance at Rock In Rio last weekend – and sent his chef into the kitchen to prepare some.
That wasn’t the only thing he did to rub the residents of Rio up the wrong way though. After refusing to speak to fans at the airport, his set was not screened on local TV.
He claimed it was due to bad weather, but others insisted he had already refused to have his gig shown before the storm hit.
The network got its own back and played an old show by his ex Rihanna instead. At least he had the chips to console him.
Glitter mix
LITTLE Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall look like their latest outfits are made of silver and gold — and if they were they could certainly afford them.
The pair were at London’s DUO Club for a pals birthday party on Tuesday, just as their 2018 earnings were revealed.
New documents show they earned £9million last year, increasing their fortune since winning The X Factor in 2011 to more than £30million.
With the 32-date UK leg of their LM5 tour kicking off on Sunday, they will be rolling in even more cash by Christmas.
bizbit
OCTOBER is here, which means it’s time for some spooky fun. Rag 'N' Bone Man and Fleur East are among the celebs expected to launch Shocktober Fest, the Halloween attraction at Tulleys Farm, West Sussex, tomorrow.
Kylie is Scott-free
THE Kardashians thrive on drama – and Kylie Jenner will be centre stage for the next series of the clan’s reality show.
She has split from her rapper boyfriend Travis Scott after weeks of vicious rows.
They had been together for two years and have daughter, Stormi. The break happened just three weeks after Travis photographed her barely clothed for Playboy mag.
Now, maybe I’m just shallow, but if I were Travis, I wouldn’t be letting Kylie kick me out of bed without a fight.
But if the billionaire really is single, she’ll have no problem finding a new man.
bizbit
MICHAEL Stipe is to put out his first solo single since R.E.M broke up eight years ago. Your Capricious Soul, one of 19 tracks he has ready, will be released through his website on Saturday, with proceeds going to Extinction Rebellion.
instagrim
MILEY Cyrus sees the funny side of being newly single, posting: “Met a potential new partner.”
Good move, Maya
BREAKING up with one of British music’s biggest music stars doesn’t seem to have done Maya Jama much harm.
MOST READ IN BIZARRE
She has been living it up since splitting with Stormzy in August – and already has a bachelorette pad.
The telly host said: “I live on my own now. I forgot how much I loved just being in a house with loads of my friends, eating, talking, drinking. I’m having fun.”
But on the prospect of seeing new guys, she told ES magazine: “No! I’m scared to date. I haven’t been single in so long – how the f*** do you flirt any more? I’ve been with my friends 24/7.”
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