Back in May of last year, we first learned that actors Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp were cast in the lead roles of The Lone Ranger and Tonto respectively. In October of last year, we learned that filming production of the film would happen in 2012 and that the film would be released in 2013. [...]
Don Philip, a former Spears backup singer, also takes a dig at Spears on Facebook after his unsuccessful audition. By John Mitchell
<P>Britney Spears is busy traveling the U.S. in search of singers who have "The X Factor," but one rejected contestant (and former Spears backup singer) isn't handling his dismissal from the show all that well, releasing a previously unheard Spears demo and hitting out at the singer on Facebook.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Britney Spears Explains Why She Wanted To Be A Part Of 'X Factor'" id="vid:769620" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>Singer Don Philip released the track, originally titled "Pleasure You," on Wednesday on his SoundCloud. The singer — who duetted with Spears on the ballad "I Will Still Love You" off her debut album, <i>... Baby One More Time</i> — also appears on "Pleasure You." Digital Spy reports that the dance track is believed to be from a 2010 studio session for Spears' most recent album, the well-received <i>Femme Fatale.</i></P><P>Philip recently had an emotional reunion with Spears while auditioning for "X Factor" in San Francisco. The pop star reportedly recognized her former collaborator immediately and became emotional when Philip began crying onstage after what he has himself since admitted was a weak audition. She remained professional, however, and sided with her fellow judges in removing Philip from the competition.</P><P>He later took to his Facebook to explain why his audition went so poorly, and he also took a shot at Spears in the process. "Back to real life ... all my demons released ... I totally crocked when the pressure was on ... at least I didn't shave my head," he wrote. "My vocal [cords] tightened up like a snake around a mouse."</P><P>It is unclear whether Philip's vocal originally appeared on the "Pleasure You" demo or whether it was added later without Spears' knowledge.</P><P>The pop star has reportedly settled into her role as judge on "The X Factor" quite nicely. Talking to a paparazzi cameraman in Los Angeles in June, Simon Cowell said of Spears, "She's been amazing. She's really taking time to learn how to do this. She's got her confidence up. Once people give her a chance, I think people are really going to get her. It will be a big surprise. She's a tough judge."</P><P>"The X Factor" returns to Fox on September 12.</P>
The 'Kill Bill' actor details the graphic 'As Long As You Love Me' scene for MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena
<P>Of all the images that make up the video for Justin Bieber's "As Long As You Love Me," none are as memorable as the moment that Michael Madsen lands his first punch on the singer.</P><P>Madsen's overprotective-father character may have enjoyed leaving Bieber bloody for wanting to date his daughter, but in real life, the actor said he didn't take any pleasure in the one-two punch.</P><P>"I didn't exactly enjoy slapping him around," he told MTV News on Thursday, one day after the video premiered. "Had he been a prick, had he been a brat, you know, I might have had fun with that. But he was actually, he was the opposite."</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Michael Madsen Has A Soft Spot For Justin Bieber" id="vid:822276" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>If fans are wondering if Bieber was nervous to take a beating for the Anthony Mandler-directed clip, Madsen explained that Bieber was more concerned about having it look real than scared to take the hit.</P><P>"He was very respectful, very respectful and decent to me," he said. "I think he wanted it to be well-done. I don't think he was blowing it off. I think that I've been around enough to know I can tell if somebody isn't really doing their job or taking what they do seriously. And I could tell from early on in the morning that he was. He wanted it to be right. He wanted it to be specific and had a good car, a '68 Charger. That's a pretty bitching car, you know? I saw that damn thing parked in front of the house and I went 'Wow, I hope that's mine.' But they put me in a Rolls Royce; not too bad at all."</P><P>So, given that Bieber and Madsen trade physical barbs <i>and</i> verbal ones, does the actor think Bieber has a future in Hollywood? "He had good eye contact. He was focused. He didn't have a double. I think he should leave the acting up to me," he laughed. "He can sing though. See I can't do that. It goes both ways. He can sing his head off and he's damn good at it, and I couldn't get close to that. He does his thing, and I do mine."</P><P></P><P>Speaking of his music, Madsen approves of the track, giving it a four-star worthy review. "I hadn't heard much of his music before. I wouldn't be in exactly the age range to listen to Justin Bieber, ok?" he joked. "It's not like I'm tuning in for it, but I did, I do like that song. I like that song a lot. It's very pretty. It's nice."</P><P><i>Do you think Madsen's blow to Bieber was realistic? Let us know what you thought about the video in the comments!</i> </P>
First couple of hip-hop tops annual Forbes list, beating out Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady, who were #1 in 2011. By Jocelyn Vena
<P>Beyoncé and Jay-Z are not only the undisputed first couple of hip-hop, but they are also the world's highest-paid celebrity couple, according to Forbes.</P><P>The music moguls rose to the top of the ranks after getting beat out by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen back in 2011.</P><P>This year, despite Beyoncé's seemingly lower profile in the music world, she still managed to rack in $40 million thanks to her many ventures in and out of music, including her 2011 album <i>4.</i> As for Hova, well, <i>Forbes</i> notes he brought in slightly less with an income of $38 million thanks to his <i>Watch the Throne</i> album and tour with Kanye West, as well as his own enterprises outside of music.</P><P>While their combined $78 million makes them the couple to beat, last year's #1 couple Gisele and Tom are following close at #2 with $72 million in a combined salary. They've earned their keep on the list through modeling gigs (for both partners) and his contract with the Patriots, which runs through 2014.</P><P>What other power couples made the list? Well, Posh Spice Victoria Beckham and her Los Angeles Galaxy soccer-playing hubby, David Beckham, come in at #3, but are more than $20 million behind in salary. But don't feel too bad for them: They raked in a combined $54 million through endorsement deals, clothing lines and royalties. The <i>Forbes</i> list is compiled using data taken between May 1, 2011 and May 1, 2012. In that time, the #4 couple, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, walked away with a combined $45 million. They earned their money as actors in both big- and small-budget films, and through modeling gigs like Jolie's with Louis Vuitton.</P><P>The final couple in the top 5 is Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Their $40 million was made thanks to investments, endorsements and bankable roles in films like "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" and "Men In Black 3."</P><P></P>