Miramax's Oscar Party Goes Brit

[Cynthia Littleton] How much does Hollywood love "The Queen" and all things Helen Mirren? Pillows with satin slipcovers embossed with Warhol-esque lithographs of Mirren in full Queen Elizabeth II regalia disappeared slowly but surely in the arms of those who attended Miramax's swanky reception Thursday night for "The Queen" and "Venus" at the Terrace of the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood. (This writer took one home for her husband.) Meanwhile "Venus" star and Oscar nominee Peter O'Toole had plenty of attention from the hive of guests, press and hangers-on that buzzed around him all night. A strong contingent of Walt Disney Co. executives turned out to toast Miramax chief Daniel Battsek on the success of his first real stab at an Oscar season. The Burbank corps included Disney CEO Robert Iger, studio chief Richard Cook, corporate communications czar Zenia Mucha and Andrea Wong, the ABC executive vp overseeing the Oscar telecast (and a rising star at Disney).

The photogs in the pen at the Miramax party were buzzing about Getty Images' $200 billion buyout of WireImage.... not sure if it's a good thing but the consensus seems to be that the move reflects the consolidation of industry.

[Anne Thompson] I got a little face time with Helen Mirren, who stuck close to supportive husband Taylor Hackford and her sister, a retired science teacher who flew in to support her sibling. Mirren said that what made her especially proud to have done so well was that this year's actress field was the strongest in years. It's true, she was up against the toughest competition faced by anyone in a long time and still stayed on top throughout. When I praised Mirren's tireless, hard-working, gracious professionalism over this long Oscar season, her sister replied, "That's Helen. That's who she always was, and always will be."

Screenwriter Peter Morgan admitted that while he had had one experience with too many cooks on a studio writing assignment, working with a strong director like Ron Howard (on Frost/Nixon) was an entirely different story. Morgan and Daniel Battsek are trying to persuade Stephen Frears to take another swing at Tony Blair, this time focused on his disastrous relationship with George Bush. Morgan wants to write it, but only with Frears, he said.

Peter O'Toole's Venus co-star Jody Whitaker, fresh from a London play, happened to be in town and called Miramax to get a pass to Disneyland for Friday. They invited her to the party, natch. O'Toole has been gallantly promoting Whitaker, who has a charming Yorkshire brogue, wherever he goes. "He's my best publicist," she said.

Disney studio chairman Dick Cook brushed off any suggestion that the studio was slow to greenlight movies these days. They're moving full speed ahead on a slightly reduced annual slate, he said. John Carter's Princess of Mars will be a combination of live action and animation, he thinks; they're still trying to figure it out. And Disney will unveil footage from Pirates 3 and Ratatouille for exhibitors at ShoWest.

Comments

[chris soth]

Go Helen. The award is yours.

[shaz]

getty buys wireimage for $200 billion?? surely you mean mill. lucky jeff vespa!