In 2009, little-known rocket Lee Daniels zoomed into the theatrical atmosphere directing and producing “Precious.” In 2013, he did the same with “Lee Daniels’ The Butler.” Most recently, his TV shows “Empire” and “Star” will be back-to-back.
Now that light’s shining onto Michael Jackson’s daughter. Paris Jackson, 19, is in his dramatic series “Star.”
Lee: “Paris is terrific. Unusual. A natural. It’s exciting bringing her into this world. She plays a sort of social-media guru. Like you gossip queens. Only her character turns from a nice lady into a really tough bitch.
“The series is about girl groups making it. Her character becomes contentious. It’s a recurring role where she turns into a sort of nightmare who drives them bats - - t crazy.
“Paris didn’t know what to expect when she first came on. She was guarded. Now she loves doing the show. The girls welcomed her, took her in, and they’re all buddies. See, I love new talent. Some start out with little ego, humble pie, and I appreciate how they blossom.”
So what’s next for Daniels?
“I started in theater. Off-off-off-Broadway. Now I’m older. Time to return to theater. On-on-on-Broadway. Explore the music world. Like a production set in the disco age. I plan to come in with a tsunami. I found our lyricist, and we’re working on the music.
“Look, I’m coming to Broadway.”
Get ready for autumn movies
Fall season is already upon us. Woo-hoo and whoop-de-do, Charlie Sheen’s coming. His disaster movie “9/11” also’s coming. Both are due around 9/11. It’s about a rich man, poor man, a foreigner, a somebody else in an elevator — and we know what happens.
Sept. 22, Saoirse Ronan and Chris O’Dowd bring “Loving Vincent,” for which 125 people hand-painted frames to bring to life over 120 van Gogh oils. In 1890, he kills himself. Saoirse plays the doctor’s daughter. Vincent’s father delivers the farewell letter to younger brother Theo who, destroyed by Vinnie’s death, passes on pdq.
Come December, comes Vanessa Redgrave in “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool.” Based on the real memoir of 1978’s big-time mattress-time passion between young Peter Turner (Jamie Bell) and Oscar winner Gloria Grahame (Annette Bening) in Liverpool. Producer is 007’s fairy godmother, Barbara Broccoli.
Sept. 15. Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, Michelle Pfeiffer, director Darren Aronofsky and Paramount’s psycho thriller “Mother!” Uninvited guests arrive. A couple’s love, devotion, sacrifice gets tested. Etc., etc.
“Daddy’s Home 2.” November. Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, John Lithgow. Forces join to provide kids the perfect Christmas but — surprise, surprise — the holiday goes to the latrine.
“Downsizing.” Dec. 22. Matt Damon (in almost every film being made), Kristen Wiig, Christoph Waltz, Jason Sudeikis, Neil Patrick Harris. The world’s overpopulated. Science develops shrinking humans to 5 inches tall. What size their various parts are, this I don’t know.
Please try to pay attention
If movie business is hustling as is the shmatta business, so is the magazine business. Known periodicals now mail-discount offers . . .
Speaking of maybe not faring terrifically financially, criminal defense attorney Jeff Lichtman will rep El Chapo. Lotsa luck. Seeing something besides tamales in payment or — even if he saw a few bucks — getting to keep his fee might be a real adventure.
Retailer : “Things are so slow I don’t even get telemarketing calls anymore.”
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.