Vin blamed for ‘Furious’ director quitting
Justin Lin quit as director of “Fast 10’ because star Vin Diesel is so difficult, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Though filming had already begun, Lin, who directed five of the “Fast & Furious” films, abruptly quit last week without explaining why and without a replacement.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. Lin’s giving up $10 or $20 million,” one veteran producer who is not involved in his film said.
“Diesel shows up late to the set. He doesn’t know his lines. And he shows up out of shape,” my source tells me.
A spokesman for Lin had no comment and a rep for Diesel did not get back to the Daily News with a comment.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson quit five years ago, after making four “Fast & Furious” movies with Diesel.
“Some conduct themselves as stand-up men and true professionals, while others don’t,” he said at that time.
“The ones that don’t are too chickens—to do anything about it anyway. Candya—es.”
Instead, Johnson starred with Jason Statham in the spinoff, “Hobbs & Shaw.”
“No one is dissing Vin Diesel on the record, but everyone knows,” said my source.
Diesel’s silent co-stars include Jason Momoa, who plays the villain, plus Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jordana Brewster, Charlize Theron and Brie Larson.
Variety reports the search for a new director could be costing Universal $600,000 to $1 million per day, as it pays to keep key crew and cast members.
When I reported last week that Georgina Bloomberg, daughter of former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, was betrothed, I didn’t know about the engagement ring her fiancé Justin Waterman had slipped on her finger.
It’s a 6-carat, cushion-shaped diamond worth up to $500,000.
The wedding, with 400 guests, is thought to be slated for this summer at Mike Bloomberg’s estate in Southampton.
Vogue wants the exclusive rights to cover the nuptials, but Town & Country has an advantage since the bride is friends with Amanda Hearst, whose family owns the mag.
First, lawyers have to hash out a prenuptial agreement to protect the bride’s $1 billion trust fund. “The prenup will be the size of a telephone book,” laughed one source.
No one has picked up my scoop about Melanie Hamrick wearing a big diamond ring from her boyfriend Mick Jagger, even though she sports the sparkler in public and poses for photos.
The former ballerina was at a party in London showcasing the jewelry of Jade
Jagger, with whom she posed wearing the rock on her left ring finger.
Hamrick has a son with Mick, 5-yearold Devereaux, and is said to be selling her house near Sarasota, Fla., to upgrade so Jagger has more closet space.
Famous last words have proven inspirational for a new play called “Right Before I Go.”
Suicide notes from Kurt Cobain, David Foster Wallace, Virginia Woolf and others who were bullied, heartbroken or mentally ill. Sounds downbeat but isn’t, according to playwright Stan Zimmerman.
“It’s poignant and moving but surprisingly light,” Zimmerman said. “It’s not just about tragedy, it’s about hope.”
The man does know from funny. He wrote for “Roseanne,” “The Golden Girls” and “Gilmore Girls.”
Hoping for a Broadway run, the producers are getting a tryout at East Hampton’s LTV stage mid-May.
Michael Cohen doesn’t just chastise reporters, he also berates his wife Laura.
The disbarred lawyer, who toiled for Donald Trump for a dozen years, was in the lobby of Casa Cipriani at the Battery impatient to get home uptown.
“They were squabbling about where their car was. Then he stormed off,” said my witness.
He came back and the unhappy couple eventually departed.
Allen Roskoff, president of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, is “very proud” to be blocked from following soonto-be new owner Elon Musk on Twitter.
“You are blocked from following @elonmusk and viewing @elenmusk’s Tweets,” Roskoff was informed.
Though the firebrand is vague about what he tweeted, Roskoff said, “It’s a badge of honor. I beat all my friends to it.”
Dame Zandra Rhodes was the headliner at the MAD About Jewelry show at the Museum of Arts & Design, but she was a no-show.
Guests including Fern Mallis, Anna Sui, Carol Alt and Pat Cleveland were told the British designer had a problem getting a visa.
Others whispered that Rhodes, 81, was on a federal list because she was arrested for growing cannabis in 1986.
“It’s ridiculous she’s still being punished,” said one source.
Her spokeswoman couldn’t be reached for comment.
Eva Longoria, Marc Anthony and Mariano Rivera are just a few of the celebrities who have worked with Dr. Ramon Tallaj, the founder of Somos Community Care, to get members of the African American and Latino communities vaccinated.
In recognition of Dr. Tallaj getting over 2 million people vaccinated in New York, the World Vaccine Congress chose him to present an award to Pfizer in Washington, D.C.
Brian Donnelly (above), the artist known as Kaws, was honored at the American Folk Art Museum’s 60th Anniversary gala co-chaired by Jean Shafiroff.
Kaws’ paintings have been collected by big stars including Kylie Jenner, Drake and Pharrell Williams, and one sold for $14.8 million at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong in 2019.
Andy Sabin, president of the South Fork Natural Museum, has announced that crypto pioneer Brock Pierce will be honored at the annual SoFo Summer Gala at Sabin’s home in East Hampton on Aug. 6.