05.30.08: McAvoy Playing Bilbo Baggins in 'The Hobbit'? Plus Stone Banned From Shanghai

A British newspaper – wait, come back! – is reporting that hot Scot James McAvoy is at or near the top of the Guillermo Del Toro and Peter Jackson’s list to take on the role of Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit. Yes, Brit rags are notorious for their unreliable, stab-in-the-dark reporting so take with a hefty pinch of salt – but this one does have a faint whiff of authenticity. McAvoy would play the young-hobbit version of Ian Holm, who portrayed Bilbo in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. More at MSN

Shanghai Bans Stone For Life
Following her recent comments about the Sichuan earthquake being some sort of karmic retribution for China’s treatment of Tibet, the Shanghai International Film Festival has banned Sharon Stone and her films for life. Having served on the festival’s jury last year, that’s one on the chin for Stone, who says she’s “deeply sorry” for causing so much upset in China with her remarks. More at The Hollywood Reporter and Yahoo!

Korman Dies at 81
Harvey Korman, tall funnyman best known for his brilliant contributions to The Carol Burnett Show as well as some of Mel Brooks’ better film efforts – namely, Blazing Saddles and High Anxiety – has died at the age of 81. More at The Hollywood Reporter