Justin Timberlake is putting his career on hold and making four films in a row. After The Social Network, he’s got next spring’s comedy Bad Teacher (costarring his real life ex-girlfriend Cameron Diaz; he’s now dating Jessica Biel), Friends With Benefits with Mila Kunis (due July 2011), and a thriller from Gattaca director Andrew Niccol. We’ll also hear him as Boo Boo in this December’s animated Yogi Bear. Meanwhile, in the four years since his last CD was released, Timberlake has also emerged as a bona fide comedy star thanks to memorable appearances on Saturday Night Live (including two crowd-pleasing moments on the Sept. 25 season premiere). His SNL stints even won him two Emmys: one for hosting in 2009 and another for co-writing the riotous 2006 R&B track “

D— in a Box.” Playing The Social Network’s entrepreneur Sean Parker—who helps Mark Zuckerberg grow Facebook—Timberlake gets to show acting chops only hinted at in past films like 2007’s Alpha Dog. “We looked at a lot of different actors for that role,” says Social Network director David Fincher. “But I needed somebody who understood the value of ‘If I sit this person next to this person, there’s millions to be made.’ There’s this kind of glee and glint and sparkle that happens with people who truly know that.”

Here Timberlake talks about coping with industry pressures and why you shouldn’t expect a new record from him anytime soon. See below for a portion of the Q&A, running in this week’s issue of Entertainment Weekly:

EW: So how did you land such a choice part?

Justin Timberlake: I did a marathon of testing for the film. I tested more than anyone. I have to fight against my music career—I’m cognizant of that. But I didn’t care. I loved the part and I wanted to work with David [Fincher] so bad that I was like, “We can read this scene butt-naked if you guys want.”

EW: Are movies your priority now?

Timberlake: My priority is inspiration. It always has been. I grew up in a generation that was like, “Why not do everything?” I grew up in a family where they said, “Why not do everything you want to do if you have the opportunity?”

READ MORE FROM THE INTERVIEW! (more…)

In trouble with the law again! This couple needs to move to Nebraska, or somewhere they can’t get into any more trouble. Cy Waits was charged with a hit-and-run.

The picture above shows a female paparazzo’s leg underneath the wheels of Cy Waits’s Bentley. Paris Hilton and Cy Waits got into yet more car trouble last night, when they knocked down a female photographer as they were leaving the BOA Steakhouse in Hollywood.

It all started when the couple were leaving the restaurant last night, and a swarm of paparazzi rushed their car. Cy apparently accelerated, knocking down the photographer.

The photographer, identified as Carol, was left pinned when the tires of Cy Waits’s Bentley ran over her leg, leaving a deep indentation on her right shin. Paramedics were called and took the photographer away in an ambulance.

Apparently Cy didn’t realize he had run anyone over, and he left the scene. Someone texted him shortly after, and told him what happened. He returned to the scene, and returned to the scene. After talking with police, he was cited for hit-and-run, and was allowed to leave.

Even though the picture above clearly shows that a paparazzo was hit, Paris Hilton did what she does best… LIE. “The pap is making up injuries” she said.

Police are looking into the incident, there are rumors that the photog’s flashes may have caused temporary blindness, and Cy may not have seen what he had done. In that case, the photographers could actually be charged with interfering with the operation of a vehicle, which is also a crime.

PCN, Fame

Screen legend Tony Curtis died at the age of 85 last night of cardiac arrest, in his Las Vegas home.

Curtis is best known for his performance in Some Like it Hot (opposite Marilyn Monroe), which the American Film Institute named the #1 best comedy of all time.

Curtis was married six times, and among his children is actress Jamie Lee Curtis.

Rihanna, after having partied at the Drake concert the prior evening, departs her hotel in New York City. Rihanna has made New York home as she prepares for the upcoming release of her new album “Loud”, set to be released this November.

Halle Berry and boyfriend Olivier Martinez met up with Salma Hayek and her daughter Valentina at a park in Paris this afternoon.

So sad!!!

Last Comic Standing judge Greg Giraldo has passed away, 5 days after overdosing on prescription pills.

Greg was hospitalized last weekend in New Brunswick, NJ, after overdosing on prescription pills. Sources close to Giraldo say it was not a suicide attempt.

While he’s probably most known for being a judge on LCS and regular appearances on Comedy Central’s Friars’ roasts, I knew him from the Howard Stern show.

Fellow comedian and friend Jim Norton confirmed the passing on Twitter. “Greg Giraldo passed away today. This is the last photo of us together, taken June 28 at Noam’s wedding. RIP buddy.”

The picture above was taken just last month at David Hasselhoff’s roast.

RIP

If you are really bored, and have NOTHING better to do with your time, I offer up to you the trailer for the Spencer Pratt-directed
“Tower 69: Malibu Beach Patrol”.

The movie will be a Baywatch-spoof type movie, starring his friends! (He has friends?) What’s surprising is there’s no sign of his wife, Heidi Montag. This seems right up her alley! Running up and down the beach – slow mo – in a bikini?

The happily-reunited couple are reportedly broke, and living with one of his mom’s beach houses.