Elizabeth Taylor, the mega-star who had survived so many health problems, died today at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in LA. Still, her passing came as a bit of a shock– her heart condition had appeared to stabilize in recent weeks and loved ones hoped she might have been heading back home soon!

Elizabeth, 79, a two-time Oscar-winner who made dozens of major movies, was probably even more famous for her violet-eyed beauty, her voluptuous form and her eight stormy marriages — including two go-rounds with the man who seemed to be the true love of her life,  actor Richard Burton.

In her later years, Liz promoted her own jewelry and fragrance lines — including the popular Passion and White Diamonds scent — and became a leading promoter for AIDS charities and research after the death of her friend Rock Hudson in 1985.

Her son Michael Wilding, one of her four children, released this statement
“Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her so close and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world. Her remarkable body of work in film, her ongoing success as a businesswoman and her brave and relentless advocacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS all make us all incredibly proud of what she accomplished. We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for Mom having lived in it. Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts.”

Family members, including Michael, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd and Maria Burton were at her bedside.Liz had 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren — the kids she called the light of her life.

She was most visible to a new generation of fans as a staunch friend and supporter of Michael Jackson through all of his personal and legal woes.

Tributes from stars started to appear shortly after news of her death.

“We have just lost a Hollywood giant. More importantly, we have lost an incredible human being,” said Elton John, a close friend.

Liz had been hospitalized more than 70 times for illnesses that included sciatica and a brain tumor. She died on March 23 — the same date her third husband, showman Mike Todd, was killed in a plane crash in 1958.

Born in England to American parents, Liz became a Hollywood star as child, starting with Lassie Come Home, in which she co-starred with lifelong friend Roddy McDowall, and National Velvet, the film that shot her to enormous fame at age 12. Her first adult box-office success was the 1950 comedy Father of the Bride, with Spencer Tracy.

She married her first husband, hotel heir Conrad Hilton Jr., in 1950. Next came actor Michael Wilding in 1952 and the producer Mike Todd in 1957. After his death, she turned to singer Eddie Fisher, creating a major scandal when he left his wife Debbie Reyonlds to marry Liz in 1959.

Just two weeks ago, Liz and Debbie, 78, spoke one last time. ”I said, ‘Getting old is really sh*t,’ ” Reynolds told Access Hollywood. “And she said, ‘It certainly is.’ “ In a statement, Debbie mourned her former rival by saying “no one else could equal Elizabeth’s beauty and sexuality. Women liked her and men adored her, and her love for her children is enduring.”

Liz’s marriage to Eddie ended spectacularly when Liz fell in love with co-star Richard Burton while shooting their big-budget flop Cleopatra in 1964.

With Richard, Liz would be embark on one of Hollywood’s most storied romances. They married and divorced twice, and fought it out on stage, screen and in real life. After taking her first Best Actress Oscar in 1960 for  BUtterfield 8, which co-starred Eddie, Liz won her second for her scathing role opposite Richard in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in 1966.

After her marriages with Richard, she married a U.S. senator, John Warner in 1976. In 1991, Liz wed construction worker Larry Fortensky – who she had met at the Betty Ford Clinic, where they both were being treated for substance abuse. They divorced in 1996, and Liz never married again.

In one her last interviews, to promote her Violet Eyes fragrance, she told Us Magazine the film she was proudest of was Virginia Woolf, that she cut her own hair when her stylist was not available, that her very first memory was of pain  – and that she thought her legs were too short!

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David Fincher is looking like the main candidate to direct ‘Cleopatra,’ meaning Brad and Angie could reprise the roles that Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor made famous!

Angelina Jolie has long been confirmed to play the titular role in the upcoming Cleopatra, and, for those who have been hoping she may team up with Brad Pitt, there is some pretty great news! Deadline reports that, “the director conversation right now is with David Fincher.” David, who has directed three of Brad’s films. Could this become their fourth project together?

Brad and Angie would not be the first hot Hollywood couple to take on the roles of Cleopatra and Marc Antony, as Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor also took on the same roles in the 1963 film. Richard and Elizabeth’s tumultuous relationship, and multiple marriages to one another, are a far cry from Brad and Angie however.

Brad and David worked together on Se7en, Fight Club and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button — all amazing flicks. Brad and Angie also worked together, and met, on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Brad and Angie have said they are open to working together again so we want to know HollywoodLifers — do you want to see them together in Cleopatra?

The song from her newest album ‘Teenage Dream’ is sure to be another success! Listen to it here!

Katy Perry shared some amazing news with her fans Jan. 26 on Facebook: “Here’s a sneak peek of the next single off ‘Teenage Dream!’ Stay tuned for a new music video and remixes coming soon.” The singer — who already resembles Cleopatra with her shoulder-length black locks — looks amazing on the new cover dressed as the Egyptian queen!

The pop star kicks off her European tour, “California Dreams,” at the end of February with her first stop in Lisbon, Portugal. The recently married singer’s schedule is also jam packed with events including a stint on CBS’ hit comedy How I Met Your Mother and a performance Feb. 13 at the Grammys… not mention she’s also nominated for four awards, including Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Album of the Year!

We wonder if she’ll perform her new single at the Grammys… Tells us what YOU want hear her sing by in the comments section below!

The actress says she is on board for ‘Cleopatra’ if they can ‘get the story right’ and would love to work with Tim Burton on ‘Malificent!’

For those of you with any questions on Angelina Jolie‘s upcoming projects today is your lucky day! Our sister site Deadline Hollywood has posted a video of the actress discussing not one, not two, not three, but four of her future film roles! Here is what the Oscar winning actress had to say!

First off is Malificent, the rumored Tim Burton project about the ‘Mistress of All Evil’ in the famous Disney flick Sleeping Beauty. Angie said, “I loved her when I was a little girl, she was my favorite.” For some girls it’s the princesses, for Angelina it’s the wicked queen who curses a newborn child. She also noted, “the chance to work with Tim Burton would be extraordinary.” So we think that’s looking pretty likely.

Next up was Cleopatra, which the actress has already been confirmed for. But hold on, it seems there may be some slight hesitation. She says, “I think if we can get the story right and do the real story. There’s a lot about her that’s not been covered yet … if we can do something original we will.” I am sure the screenwriters will be working overtime to satisfy Angie, the only logical choice for the role, and her comments on the film make me even more excited to see it now.

Then there is Scarpetta, the story of crime solving medical examiner Kay Scarpetta from Patricia Cornwell‘s bestselling series. Though she is rumored to have already signed on she simply notes, “they’re writing a script, in development.” So, somewhat less certain about this one.

Finally there is Serena, a VERY interesting movie from director Darren Aronofsky. Set in the 1920s, she would play a woman who along with her husband established a timber empire. She then learns she cannot bear children and thus sets out to murder the son her husband fathered illigitemately. That too is in development it seems.

So there you have it, the possible next four movies for Ms. Jolie, no doubt further proving her amazing acting ability and eclectic taste in roles!

Check out the clip above and tell us what you think about Angie’s future roles!

-Chris Spargo

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Move over, Elizabeth Taylor. There’s a new Cleo in town — a new movie based on the Egyptian queen is being developed for Angelina Jolie! Will Brad play her onscreen lover?

Now HERE is a smart casting decision if there’s ever been one! Angelina Jolie is reportedly on board to reprise Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic 1963 role as Egyptian queen Cleopatra!

Oscar-winning producer Scott Rudin (No Country For Old Men) confirmed to USA Today that the Cleo film he’s been working on since 2006 “is being developed for and with Jolie.”

Additionally, while promoting her new book, “Cleopatra: A Life”, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Stacy Schiff said that Angie, 35, has “the perfect look” to play Cleo, and that her partner Brad Pitt, 44, would be a “no-brainer” to play Cleopatra’s lover, Marc Antony.

Um, YES PLEASE! We already know Angie’s got the queen thing down — she killed it as Queen Olympias in Alexander — and Brad looks DAMN good in battle costume (see Troy immediately). A brilliant casting decision if we’ve ever heard one!

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