Taking Names

Rourke and roll

New York Post

Movie tough guy Mickey Rourke endured an embarrassing episode in Miami the other night: He was punched out at Mynt nightclub, the New York Post reported in Tuesday’s Page Six column.

Sources told the newspaper that Mr. Rourke, a former boxer, was having words with a 24-year-old mystery man when the guy suddenly punched Mr. Rourke in the face, sending the actor “flying across the room,” according to eyewitnesses. While a dazed Mr. Rourke attempted to peel himself off the floor, club security escorted the attacker outside, where he began yelling: “Bring him out. I’ll knock the silicone off his face,” a reference to the actor’s plastic surgery.

A rep for Mr. Rourke, the star of such films as “Angel Heart” and “Nine Weeks,” did not return calls to the Post.

Saving face

Internet Movie Database

Mr. Rourke can take comfort in knowing that a least one other celebrity suffered a sucker punch in the past few days.

Pop star Justin Timberlake was punched in the face by a fan as he walked into his end-of-tour party in London on Sunday. The Grammy-nominated singer was reportedly hit as he entered the Rex Club in Soho after the last date on his British tour, so he refused to come out and meet his many female fans waiting outside the venue for fear he would again be assaulted.

“All the girls were outside waiting for him, and someone went to ask his people if he was coming out to sign autographs,” an unnamed source told the IMDB. “One of his minders came out and said that Justin wouldn’t be coming out. He said someone had hit him in the face as he went inside. Apparently he got a real crack as he walked in the place, and he was worried he might get attacked again.”

Inside the venue, Mr. Timberlake reportedly told reporters, “It is just crazy over here in Britain; I … hate coming over here.”

Ridley’s row

BBC.com

Talks are under way to try to resolve a row over filming Oscar-winning director Sir Ridley Scott’s new movie about the Crusades in a historic Spanish cathedral.

Spain’s Catholic Church has refused to allow Mr. Scott and his crew to film inside the Mezquita in Cordoba, saying it would be too disruptive.

“The Gladiator” director had wanted to shoot scenes for his epic “Kingdom of Heaven” at the former Grand Mosque, with production costs estimated at $98.9 million.

“It’s hopefully being rectified, and we hope to get permission tomorrow,” Quinn Donoghue, the film’s publicist, said yesterday.

Speaking to BBC News Online from Huesca, northern Spain, Mr. Donoghue confirmed that the Spanish Catholic Church had blocked filming inside the Mezquita.

“The archbishop refused because we would close the cathedral down for preparations — we would have to do some dressing, and tourism would be stopped.”

He said the church was also unhappy that the Mezquita — for centuries a site of sensitivity among Muslims and Christians — would become a “fictional” place of worship in the movie, rather than “playing itself.”

“All of that’s being negotiated,” Mr. Donoghue said.

The film, due for release in 2005, will star Orlando Bloom and Liam Neeson in the tale of a young blacksmith leading the people of Jerusalem in defense against the 12th-century Crusaders.

Filming is taking place in France, Spain and Morocco.

Shooting inside the Mezquita would require up to 200 crew members and involve the use of false doors, walls and furniture. “There’s not a lot that we can do [to compromise],” said Mr. Donoghue, who added: “A huge company like ours brings so much to any place in terms of hotels, restaurants and hiring people. It’s a major financial benefit to the community.”

He said Mr. Scott — who also helmed “Thelma and Louise” — was a “realistic and pragmatic” director who would allow his team to negotiate possible use of the cathedral. If agreement could not be reached, “there’s always a second choice.”

Wenner’s a winner

Associated Press

Rolling Stone magazine founder Jann Wenner will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement in the nonperformer category, the museum foundation said.

“Due to Mr. Wenner’s vision, Rolling Stone uniquely contributed to the perpetuation and popularity of rock and roll with thoughtful, in-depth and often controversial coverage that legitimized rock’s artistic contribution,” the New York City-based foundation said in a statement released Monday.

Mr. Wenner co-founded Rolling Stone with writer Ralph J. Gleason in 1967.

He will be inducted along with performers George Harrison, Prince, Jackson Browne, Bob Seger, Traffic, ZZ Top and rhythm-and-blues quintet the Dells in an induction ceremony set for March 15 in the Big Apple.

The museum is in Cleveland.

Compiled by Robyn-Denise Yourse from staff and wire reports