ROLL CALL: Christina Speeds & Sanjaya’s Sis Speaks Up

Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans by Tommy Vergason

April 13, 2007

LITTLE MISS AMERICAN GIRL : “Little Miss Sunshine” was definitely a film made for adults, but young break-out star Abigail Breslin’s next movie is for the kids. THE NEW YORK POST’s PAGE SIX reports that Breslin has been cast in “American Girl,” based on the wildly popular dolls and book series. She’ll reportedly be playing the part of Kit Kittredge, a 9-year-old growing up in Cincinnati during the Great Depression. The movie is scheduled to start shooting this summer.

SISTERLY SUPPORT FOR SANJAYA : An American Idol who has proved to be quite popular is finalist Sanjaya Malakar, who never ceases to get attention every week, both good and bad. His sister, Shyamali, who was cut early on during the audition process, speaks with TV GUIDE about her brother’s moment under the pop-culture magnifying glass. “I am proud of Sanjaya and how he handles the controversy around “Idol,” she reportedly says. “He doesn’t read the blogs and doesn’t watch TV ? he’s isolated in the environment ? so he doesn’t have to be as exposed to it as I am. But it doesn’t seem to be getting him down. Because I know it is not worrying him, it is not discouraging to me.”

More Celebrity Scoop After the Video!

SORRY SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD : Elton John has responded to the controversy surrounding radio personality Don Imus, reports THE NY DAILY NEWS’ RUSH & MOLLOY. While performing at a Beverly Hills fund-raiser Wednesday night, The singer reportedly addressed his distaste over Imus’ racially-charged remarks against the Rutger’s women’s basketball team. “I have a big mouth, and it gets me in trouble sometimes,” Elton allegedly said to the celebrity-packed audience. “But I dedicate this next song to the Rutgers players.” According to the report, Elton played “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word” following his pronouncement, receiving a standing ovation at the end.

THIS SINGER IS OFF THE HOOK : James Blunt has been in a sticky situation since he was accused of running over a man’s foot when his car was swarmed outside a pre-Oscar party in February, but PEOPLE reports that Blunt will not be charged by Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. “Based on the information we have been given so far, we have decided not to file [charges],” Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the L.A. City Attorney reportedly tells PEOPLE. “We reserve the right to file charges at any time. But at this time we have no plans to file anything.” Blunt’s lawyer, Steven M. Cron, reportedly comments, “Mr. Blunt is totally innocent. I’m not 100 percent sure that anyone was even hit by a car.”

CHRISTINA’S ON ‘SPEED’ : Christina Ricci is about to get behind the wheel for a “speedy” adventure. THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER announces that Ricci has been cast in Warner Bros. live-action big screen adaptation of “Speed Racer,” alongside Emile Hirsch, Susan Sarandon and John Goodman. Based on the popular Japanese cartoon, the film centers on a young race car driver, Speed (Hirsch), and his quest for glory in his thundering, gadget-laden vehicle Mach 5. Ricci will reportedly star as Speed’s girlfriend Trixie, his formidable ally on and off the track.

JOHNNY DRAMA’S FANTASTIC FOUR : The stars of HBO’s “Entourage” are allies both on and off the screen, as Kevin Dillon speaks with ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY about the foursome’s outings off the set together. Dillon, who plays Johnny “Drama” Chase on the hit show, reportedly says, “Once in a while, they’ll see the four of us walk into a pub together and they’ll do this big double take, like ‘Holy s—, where’s the cameras?’ Guys want to party with Drama and Turtle and Vince and E. That’s definitely flattering. They love to slap your back as hard as possible and force you to do as many shots as you can. You gotta say, ‘Sorry, I’m going to go home now.’ ”