Morning Mix: 'Idol' Changes the Voting Rules

  • Mickey Rourke to Star in 'Iron Man 2.' It's official! The recent Oscar nominee is now set to play the Russian villain, a role that initially looked unlikely for him as the studio offered him just $250,000 -- he's now negotiated a pay increase for his first studio film in years. Back around Oscar time, at NEWSWEEK's Oscar roundtable, Robert Downey, Jr. begged Rourke to join the project, reaching across the table to implore him. [Variety]
  • Two Sent Packing on 'Idol.' Double elimination on 'American Idol' last night -- Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez. The show also revealed its new rule: the four judges, if in agreement, can undo the voting decision to cast off a contestant in the early stages of the competition. Whaaat?! This should be interesting. [People]
  • 'Heathers' to Hit Stage? Really? As in the case everywhere these days, there's some trouble on Broadway in the profitability department. Not sure that making "Heathers," the 1988 black comedy starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, into a stage musical is really the answer, but okay! Presumably there will be a song about making Drano-Clorox cocktails, a song about exploding oneself, and a song about loving your dead gay son. At least, there'd better be. [The Hollywood Reporter]

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