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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > January > 04 > Entry
Perry blasting off to new frontier
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Star Trekkers and Web sites went a tad bananas as yet another morsel of information seemed to be released about the upcoming “Star Trek” movie directed by J.J. Abrams. Hollywood Reporter confirmed Thursday that Atlanta’s own Tyler Perry will get a short ride with ye olde Paramount film as head of the Starfleet Academy.
The Web site UGO (movieblog.ugo.com) offered details when it apparently broke the story last weekend, but since even “Trek” fans celebrate New Year’s Eve and watch bowl games, the movie news didn’t float up to the mainstream until Thursday.
No bother, we have time to prepare. While the movie started filming in November 2007, it’s scheduled for a Christmas Day 2008 release. Perry — writer-director of “Madea’s Family Reunion,” “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” and the 2007 hit “Why Did I Get Married?” — has already shot scenes with stars Chris Pine (“Just My Luck”) and Zachary Quinto (“Heroes”), according to the reports. They play younger versions of Captain Kirk and Spock.
Perry’s name isn’t yet listed on IMDB.com as a cast member, but when he’s added, he’ll join a group that includes Eric Bana, Winona Ryder and Leonard Nimoy, who’s perhaps best known for his turn opposite William Shatner in a 1983 “T.J. Hooker” episode. Nimoy also played Spock in a variety of shows and films related to “Star Trek.”
PERRY’S BIG DAY, PERRY’S BIG YEAR
Tyler Perry, former Atlanta resident Whitney Houston, Conyers filmmaker Will Packer, and, of course, presidential candidate Barack Obama were named among the 10 hottest people to watch in 2008 in the upcoming issue of Jet, which hits stands Monday. Perry’s looking at another big year with the March film “Meet the Browns,” which will also become a sitcom scheduled to debut this summer. Houston has a new album scheduled for April, and Packer is developing a black remake of the 1983 classic “The Big Chill.”
THE ART OF RESELLING
Now, for the portion of the Buzz program that does not report on things Tyler Perry. TEW Galleries is having its second annual collector’s sale, which starts with an opening reception Jan. 25. The basic idea is that, while you may purchase a piece of art in one year, you may decide you don’t like it in another. This is where you might sell such a piece. Be warned: This is a “curated collector’s sale,” which simply means you can’t just show up at 425 Peachtree Hills Ave. N.E. on Jan. 24 with a truckload of art, drop it on the doorstep and say, “Here.” There is a process. If you’d like to put some of your art up for sale, head to www.tewgalleries.com, where you’ll be directed to upload photos of the art and information about the pieces. About 300 pieces will be chosen for the sale, and owners will be notified by the gallery. The sale runs through Feb. 8.
T.I. HEARING POSTPONED
Atlanta rapper T.I. must wait another six weeks before trying to persuade a judge to throw out key evidence obtained against him in October when he was arrested on federal firearms charges.
U.S. Magistrate Alan Baverman postponed a suppression hearing, initially scheduled for Thursday, until Feb. 19.
T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris Jr., was arrested Oct. 13, hours before the BET Hip-Hop Awards ceremony in Atlanta, over accusations he tried to buy machine guns and silencers in a Midtown parking lot.
In November, Harris’ legal team filed court motions contending the search of Harris’ vehicle on the afternoon of his arrest was illegal because it was conducted without “a warrant, consent or probable cause.” As a result, “all evidence obtained in the searches and all statements as well as fruits thereof must be suppressed,” the motion said.
If Harris’ lawyers prevail in this motion, a large part of the government’s case will be gutted.
Harris, who has pleaded not guilty, was released pending trial on a $3 million bond, under strict conditions that include home confinement.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actress Barbara Rush is 81. Actress Ann Magnuson is 52. Country singer Patty Loveless is 51. Singer Michael Stipe of R.E.M. is 48. Actor Dave Foley (“NewsRadio”) is 45. Actress Julia Ormond is 43. Country singer Deana Carter is 42. Actor Jeremy Licht (“Valerie”) is 37. Actress Jill Marie Jones (“Girlfriends”) is 33.
OVERSCENE
Stopping to smell the roses
Former Democratic presidential candidate Dick Gephardt came to visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden on New Year’s Eve with his grandson, son and daughter-in-law, who live in Atlanta. His family said they love Story Book Time in the Garden.
Contributing: Bill Rankin and news services.
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