Tom Cruise is a man used to getting his own way. But while the star might be able to shut down Trafalgar Square to shoot a movie, he has finally found a mission that’s impossible even for him: acquiring the rights to British astronaut Tim Peake’s life story.
The actor’s production company had set its sights on making a biopic based on the spaceman’s autobiography, Limitless. But I hear they have lost out to Scottish film producer Douglas Rae’s company Ecosse films.
The news might be a surprise as Peake, 52, has described Cruise as ‘a massive hero to me growing up’. Top Gun inspired him to become a pilot, and he became a barman at 18 after seeing Cruise in Cocktail.
But the astronaut lives not far from Rae’s home in Petworth, West Sussex, and the pair hit it off when the producer interviewed him at the town’s festival last summer. ‘He’s a delightful guy and he’s very natural,’ Rae, 77, said of his space-faring neighbour.
Tom Cruise pictured on the red carpet in Korea for the premier of ‘Top Gun: Maverick. The actor has had a stroke of inspiration from non other than UK astronaut Tim Peake but has had less luck in turning his life into a film
Peake, 52, has described Cruise as ‘a massive hero to me growing up’ and was inspired by Top Gun to become a pilot, and he became a barman at 18 after seeing Cruise in Cocktail
Tim Peake’s book: Limitless, The Autobiography: The bestselling story of Britain’s inspirational astronaut
Scientologist Cruise is obsessed with space, and has been in talks about shooting a film aboard the International Space Station, where Peake spent six months in orbit from 2015.
But while Peake has said Cruise would make a ‘brilliant’ astronaut’ he’d clearly rather trust his life story to his neighbour, whose credits include the Judi Dench movie Mrs Brown and last year’s The Great Escaper with Michael Caine.
And the biopic might not be the end of their collaboration. Speaking to a local radio station earlier this year, Rae said: ‘I want to do a drama based on the International Space Station with Tim Peake as one of our consultants.’ Now that would be out of this world!
Earl and his Belle are having a ball…
It seems that things are getting serious between the Earl of Snowdon and Isabelle De La Bruyere.
Princess Margaret’s son, 62, has been dating Isabelle, a former colleague at London auction house Christie’s, since 2022, and their relationship shows no signs of slowing down.
Princess Margaret’s son, the Earl of Snowdon, 62, has been dating Isabelle De La Bruyere, a former colleague at London auction house Christie’s, since 2022
The pair, arrived for a date at Scott’s in Mayfair last week in his new rust-coloured Aston Martin (pictured)
The pair arrived for a date at Scott’s in Mayfair last week in his new rust-coloured Aston Martin, with Isabella, 52, seemingly unable to contain her excitement, snapping some photos of the car before heading to the restaurant.
The King’s cousin split from wife Serena in 2020 after 27 years of marriage, with friends blaming the amount of time he was spending working abroad.
Snowdon and French-born Isabelle, below with vape in hand, met at Christie’s, where he is honorary chairman. She left last year to be come boss of Opera, a global group of 16 art galleries.
Dua’s vow up in smoke
Has Dua Lipa forgotten that she’s given up smoking for good? The 28-year-old singer said in January that she was kicking the habit for the sake of her tour after suffering from laryngitis.
The 28-year-old singer had vowed to quit the habit after suffering from laryngitis but took a day off to enjoy a few puffs in Glastonbury
The mega-star was spotted enjoying a cigarette while cuddling up to her new boyfriend, Fantastic Beasts actor Callum Turner
Alas, Dua was spotted enjoying a cigarette while cuddling up to her new boyfriend, Fantastic Beasts actor Callum Turner, in the VIP area of Glastonbury Festival last weekend.
Hopefully it was just a one-off treat after headlining the Pyramid Stage!
Sophie’s killing on the dancefloor
No wonder Sophie Ellis-Bextor is always beaming. I hear she cashed in £25,000 for performing at a private party at the posh Broadwick Hotel in London during Pride week.
Sophie, sang a short set, including her resurrected 2001 hit Murder On The Dancefloor, which has found a new lease of life after it appeared in Emerald Fennell’s film Saltburn.
Although the pop star recently said her 11-year-old told her it was an ‘overrated’ song, it’s certainly making quite the killing!
Frost melts at first grandkid
It’s truly a new era. Reformed party girl Sadie Frost is to become a grandmother for the first time!
The 59-year-old actress and erstwhile member of the hedonistic Primrose Hill set is delighted that her son Fin Munro Kemp and his wife, tattoo artist Charlotte Mallory are expecting a daughter. Charlotte confirmed the news by sharing a photo, online.
Fin Munro Kemp and his wife, tattoo artist Charlotte Mallory are expecting a daughter. Charlotte confirmed the news by sharing this photo
‘I can’t wait to see my granddaughter,’ says Sadie.
Fin’s dad, Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp, responded to the photo with a simple love heart emoji. Sadie also has three children with film star Jude Law: actors Raff, 27, and Rudy, 21, and model Iris, 23.
A harsh Wintour
Having made her name passing judgment on the sartorial choices of others, one might assume Dame Anna Wintour to have a high opinion of herself.
While she may be the queen of the fashion world Dame Anna Wintour claimed she has no other talents saying: ‘I have no gifts. I don’t sing, I can’t dance, I don’t write very well,’
But while the Vogue-editor-in-chief, is the undisputed grande dame of fashion tastemakers, she says that might be the only thing going for her.
‘I have no gifts. I don’t sing, I can’t dance, I don’t write very well,’ the 74-year-old conceded.
‘I certainly can’t take a picture, I can’t make a dress. What I try to do is use my platform to help others.’
Modesty or a humble brag?
Blake’s take on a talent show
Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively is making good use of her time in the UK while her Deadpool star husband Ryan Reynolds focuses on his beloved Wrexham FC.
I’m told the 36-year-old actress, is on the lookout for British talent from underprivileged backgrounds to help break into the film industry.
She’s working with a mentorship group but is not relying on their scouts – she is seeking out possible future stars on social media herself, and will be hands-on in giving them tip
Blake Lively attends the Michael Kors fashion show during New York Fashion Week. The actress is now on the hunt for up-and-coming talent
Never work with children or animals, goes the showbusiness adage. But for Max Johnson, younger brother of Boris, you can add fathers to that list.
Having just filmed the documentary In The Footsteps Of Marco Polo with dad Stanley, Max, 40, tells me travelling through China with the I’m A Celebrity star had its ups and downs.
‘Most of the time it was a fantastic but occasionally slightly frustrating,’ he said. ‘Like when he just got on a yak and decided to ride off into the sunset
He may be the suspected subject of ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift’s withering song The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived but rocker Matty Healy’s not all bad, surely.
The 1975 frontman put the guitar he’s used on the band’s albums up for auction on Friday to raise money for music therapy organisation Nordoff and Robbins.
Fortunately for him, his mates bought it for £30,000, so it’s highly likely he’ll get the treasured item back
Fresh from supporting dad Liam on his 30th anniversary Definitely Maybe tour, Gene Gallagher’s band have announced the first tour of their own – despite not having yet released so much as a single on Spotify!
Gene Gallagher’s band have announced the first tour of their own – despite not having yet released so much as a single on Spotify
The 23-yearold, whose mum is former All Saint Natalie Appleton, has confirmed that his four-piece, Villanelle, will play eight UK gigs in November.
Oasis star Liam’s integrity was called into question for having Villanelle support him, but his typically diplomatic response was: ‘If you don’t like it, f*** off.
As chatelaine of Longleat House, the Marchioness of Bath Emma Thynn has plenty of priceless artefacts.
But not everything there is an historic heirloom – Emma is partial to buying items from high street store Zara Home to join the antiques
