The Oscar telecast is the biggest event in Hollywood. The 84th Academy Awards ceremony is not until next February, but there is already plenty of real life drama surrounding it. The spark in a firestorm of controversy was lit over the weekend by movie director Brett Ratner who made an anti-gay slur and resigned on Monday as the producer of the upcoming Oscar broadcast because of it. The Los Angeles Times website has the back story on that here.

Ratner decision to step aside prompted actor/comedian Eddie Murphy to bow out as Oscar host. In a statement released by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences today, Murphy said,”… I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job.”

Late today, The Academy announced Oscar winning producer Brian Grazer would be taking over as the producer of the prestigious award show: “”Brian Grazer is a renowned filmmaker who over the past 25 years has produced a diverse and extraordinary body of work,” said Academy President Tom Sherak. “He will certainly bring his tremendous talent, creativity and relationships to the Oscars…”

“It’s very gratifying to be part of a show that honors excellence in the medium to which I have devoted so much of my career,” said Grazer in that announcement. In 2001, Grazer won a Best Picture Oscar for “A Beautiful Mind.” His numerous film credits include “Apollo 13,” “Kindergarten Cop,” “8 Mile,” and current projects “Tower Heist,” and “J.Edgar.” This will be his first time as producer of the Oscar telecast. The Academy Awards will be televised live on February 26, 2012 in more than 200 countries around the world.

The end is near for the zillions of Harry Potter movie fans. The eighth and final installment in the Potter film series opens tomorrow at midnight. All ready, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2″ is breaking records for movie screens and ticket sales.  Nikki Finke has the scoop over on deadline.com

Jaycee Dugard’s book sells 175,000 copies 1st day

The 18-year kidnap ordeal of Jaycee Dugard has really grabbed public interest. Dugard’s interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer last Sunday brought in huge ratings  last Sunday. Nearly 15 million viewers reportedly watched the two- hour special. Yesterday, her memior detailing her years held captive in a tent by convicted sex offender, Phillip Craig Garrido and his wife, Nancy, debuted.  “A Stolen Life” sold 175,000 copies on Tuesday, according to Galleycat.  More here.

Hollywood & Carmageddon

Some folks in Hollywood are making plans to  avoid what may be a real life disaster. The shutdown of  the 405 freeway, between the 10 and 101, this weekend. It has been dubbed Carmageddon. The Wrap has details on what some local entertainment companies are doing.

Another spec script sale to report, the 34th this year, according to Scott Myers over on the Go Into The Story blog. Twentieth Century Fox picked up, “From Mia With Love,” a comedy about three dudes who are eager to part with their virginity. So they send-off for a Russian mail order bride, but as you can probably imagine, things do not work out the way the guys plan.

The screenwriters are Seth Grahame-Smith, Bryan Shukoff, Kevin Chesley, and David Katzenberg who will direct. Katzenberg’s father is DreamWorks big shot, Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Myers is tracking the script sales over on his screenwriting site. He says the spec script market is doing a whole lot better than in 2010. It wasn’t until August 17 that the 34th spec script sold last year. More on this script sale here.

Photo: Liz O. Baylen/Los Angeles Times -- Actress Halle Berry posed on the Oscar red carpet at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood February 27, 2011

As expected, “The King’s Speech” captured the best picture Oscar at the 83rd Academy Awards ceremony at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood tonight. The surprise, the historic British drama was nominated for a record 12 awards, but only won four. Along with best picture, Colin Firth grabbed best actor, Tom Hooper best director, and David Seidler walked off with the best original screenplay trophy.

 Aaron Sorkin took home the best adapted screenplay statuette for the Facebook movie, ”The Social Network.” Best actress went to Natalie Portman for the dance thriller, “Black Swan,” best supporting actress to Melissa Leo for her role in the sports drama, “The Fighter,” and Christian Bale got the best supporting actor for “The Fighter” as well.  A full list of the winners is on the Academy of  Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Oscars website.

The Los Angeles Times has more on the winners, the awards, and photos — including some nice snapshots of the fashions on the red carpet. I admit it: I checked out   the celebrity fashions at the glittery affair. The temperature in Hollywood during the red carpet parade of stars was in the 50s — still springtime colors and skin-baring designs were the norm. My favorite: Actress Halle Berry’s stunning champagne-colored sparkly gown with ruffled train by Marchesa.  Hollywood glamour definitely on display at the Oscars.

Photo: Jay Clendenin/Los Angeles Times -- A body is removed from a Los Angeles apartment building where a man reportedly connected to the killing of publicist Ronni Chasen allegedly committed suicide December 2, 2010

UPDATED: 4:39 p.m.  A report on deadline.com claims the dead man has been identified as Harold Smith. Also, it says the hit on PR maven, Ronni Chasen, was the result of a business deal gone bad.

 A bizarre and deadly twist in the killing of well-known Hollywood publicist, Ronni Chasen. Late yesterday at the Harvey Apartments, 5640 Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, a man the Beverly Hills Police are calling “a person of interest” reportedly committed suicide in the lobby of the complex.

Beverly Hills Police, who are handling the investigation into the shooting death of Chasen on November 16, continued to be tightlipped about their investigation. Los Angeles Police say Beverly Hills detectives attempted to serve the man with a search warrant in the lobby — that is when the man pulled out a handgun and shot himself in the head. It happened around 6 p.m. yesterday.

The Los Angeles Times called the man a “suspect’ and said he was “believed to be in his 40s” and residents at the complex “knew him only as Harold.”  The Wrap added to the description by saying the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office had confirmed the man was “African American.”

On KNX 1070 newsradio this morning, some Harvey Apartment tenants said the man bragged about being involved in the Chasen killing and that he was about to get paid $10,000. Also, the man admitted to being an ex-convict and vowed never to go back to the ”pen.”

A little over two weeks ago, Chasen was gunned down in her Mercedes on Whittier Drive, south of Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills, shortly after attending an after party for the movie premiere of  “Burlesque” in Hollywood.

The 64-year-old press agent was shot several times. Recently, a report came out describing one of the bullets as a hollow point – which is designed to expand once inside the body– causing more damage than a regular bullet. The shooter reportedly had “a steady hand,” according to Hollywood journalist, Allison Hope Weiner, on deadline.com.

The killer’s ability to shoot through a passenger window and hit the victim in the chest area repeatedly, indicates a high skill with firearms. That’s one of the reason there is so much speculation that the killing was a professional hit.  Yet, who would want to pay to have a popular publicist kill? One of the answers, the Beverly Hills police are probably hoping the dead man will not take with him to the grave.

Another big search for new talent. Entertainment heavyweight DreamWorks is holding an open casting call for a lead role in its upcoming film, “Welcome To People,” starring Elizabeth Banks and Chris Pine.

The casting folks are looking for someone to play the character, “Josh.” Some of the requirements include age 11-13, Caucasian, and able to remember large chunks of dialogue. Also, no acting experience is required.

The casting call is this Saturday, December 4, at the Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.  Details over on deadline.com

Photo: mediabistro.com -- Publicist Ronni Chasen

The murder of Hollywood publicist,  Ronni Chasen, is looking more and more like a professional hit. Two weeks ago today, Chasen was gunned down in her Mercedes on Whittier Drive, south of Sunset Boulevard, in Beverly Hills at around 12:30 a.m.  A short time earlier, Chasen had attended a Hollywood party celebrating a the movie premiere of the musical, “Burlesque.”

Several gunshots hit the 64-year-old press agent and according to The Wrap, a leaked coroner’s report says at least one of those was a hollow-point bullet. That type of bullet is designed to expand once inside the body- - causing more damage than a normal bullet. The coroner’s report was obtained  by local station KTTV Fox 11.

So far, no information on the murder investigation from the Beverly Hills Police. A check of its website today — shows a couple of recent press releases from the BHPD — but none deal with the Chasen case.

This brutal murder has shocked and frightened many in the entertainment industry. Hopefully, the BH Police investigators are running down some hot leads and are not allowing the trail of killer or killers to grow cold.

Photo: mediabistro.com -- Publicist Ronni Chasen

Beverly Hills Police reportedly have a ”working theory” about the murder mystery surrounding the death of well-known Hollywood Publicist, Ronni Chasen.  The Hollywood Reporter posted an article on its website today saying investigators believe the fatal shooting of Chasen was planned and not “the result of road rage or a carjacking gone awry.” This fuels speculation that the attack was a professional hit.

The Hollywood Reporter attributed its information to a “Beverly Hills city official” who was allegedly briefed on the case by Beverly Hills Police Chief, David Snowden.  Also, THR is reporting investigators are reviewing video from a security camera at the Whittier Drive home of the late comedian, Buddy Hackett and are “actively” hunting for other video that might provide clues to what happened in the fatal assault on Chasen early Tuesday morning.

Chasen reportedly attended an after-party in Hollywood for the movie premiere of, “Burlesque,” before calling it a night and heading for home. The 64 -year-old press agent was apparently taking a shortcut to her Westside condo when she was gunned down. Chasen’s late model Mercedes-Benz crashed into a light pole on Whittier Drive just south of  Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills, at around 12:30 a.m. on November 16. Chasen was shot five times in the chest and was pronounced dead at Cedars Sinai Medical Center a short time later.

Since the murder, police have searched Chasen’s home and her West Hollywood business, Chasen & Company, for potential evidence.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter. Meanwhile, a funeral for Chasen is set for 11 a.m. this Sunday, November 21, at Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary in Culver City. It will be followed by a private reception.

Some good labor news in Tinseltown. Early this morning it was announced a tentative deal on a new contract had been reached with the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the Hollywood producers.

Talks began on Monday, September 27, between the actors’ representatives and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. During a marathon bargaining session over the weekend, negotiators hammered out the details of  a three-year pact, which begins on July first of next year.  Some the highlights: 2 percent wage hike for each year, increases in the pension plan, and improvements in new media.

More details on sagwatch.net .

It happens almost every time a U.S. President visits the Southland. The bad traffic situation gets worse. That’s what occurred today, when President Barack Obama dropped in for one of those high-ticket priced Hollywood -type fundraisers.

Obama reportedly raised $1 million dollars for the Democrats and the ire of some Southlanders over the traffic problems caused by his visit. Nice report and photo on the Los Angeles Times website.

“The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”

Photo: PR NewsFoto/Columbia Pictures/Merrick Morton -- Actress Rooney Mara

 Actress Rooney Mara has won one of the most sought after roles in Hollywood. Columbia Pictures announced today that Mara has been selected to star in the film version of  Stieg Larsson’s mystery blockbuster, “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” and the other two adaptations in The Millennium Trilogy. David Fincher will direct.

Since being published in the U.S., “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” has sold over 5 million copies. The Millennium Trilogy has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, according to a PR Newswire press release.

 All three books, including “The Girl Who Played With Fire” and “THe Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest” currently are at the top of the New York Times Best Sellers List.  The  Millennium Triology is considered a literary phenomenon.

Photo: PR NewFoto/Columbia Pictures/Merrick Morton -- Actor Daniel Craig

Also, Actor Daniel Craig is set to star in “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.” Deadline.com has more on the casting and the upcoming productions.

Sylvester Stallone king of the Box Office

Actor and Filmmaker, Sylvester Stallone, is hot again. Stallone co-wrote, directed, and starred in the number one film in country right now, “The Expendables.” The action flick about a group of mercenaries out to take down a South American dictator, debuted over the weekend with a winning $34.8 million.  The cast includes Mickey Rourke, Dolph Lundgren, and Jet Li as well.

“Eat Pray Love,” the move version of Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-selling memoir about her adventures traveling the world, opened in second place with $23 million. Julia Roberts stars, but that was not enough for this chick flick to win the race to number one.

The action-comedy, “The Other Guys” grabbed third with  $17.4 million, the sci-fi thriller, “Inception” earned $11.4 million for fourth and rounding out the top five, the new action-comedy, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World ” with $10.6 million. Based on a graphic novel, “Scott Pilgrim”  is about a 20-something musician who’s life chances dramatically when he falls for a mysterious woman. Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead star.