MEG RYAN doesn’t exactly dig the limelight. When her personal life is plastered in the tabloids — the press had fun with talk of an affair with “Proof of Life” co-star RUSSELL CROWE (and subsequent split from hubby DENNIS QUAID) and rumors of cosmetic surgery — the 42-year-old actress hates it. “I can honestly say that it has never been comfortable for me,” Ryan told us as she relaxed on a couch in a Magnificent Mile hotel room last week.
That’s why Ryan embraced her role as flamboyant female boxing promoter JACKIE KALLEN in the upcoming based-on-facts flick “Against the Ropes.” In the male-dominated world of boxing, Kallen made a name for herself with her audacious outfits and over-the-top personality. “It was fun to play Jackie, who was so `bring it on’ about it,” Ryan told Armour & Co. “I realize that it’s possible to not have the reaction I have about [the limelight]. She taught me that there’s another extreme.”
Of course, Ryan prefers the other extreme. Is there an art to staying out of the Hollywood limelight? “Yeah, but I haven’t mastered it,” Ryan said. “It really helps to have long bangs and to walk around like this,” she said, dropping her chin to show only the top of her blond head. “You figure out a way to walk around and not be noticed.”
After carpooling duties . . .
MICHAEL JORDAN (right) must really like Japonais. The former Bull — who has a lot of time on his hands these days — has been spending a lot of time at the Asian-French hot spot, located at 600 W. Chicago Ave., hanging out with businessman PETER BYNOE last week, then, a few days later, bringing along another former Bull, CHARLES OAKLEY. Do us a favor: If you happen to bump into Jordan there, could you ask him to come out of retirement again? The Bulls need his help.
Chicago’s about to get a lot more beautiful
It looks like GEORGE CLOONEY, BRAD PITT, MATT DAMON and friends are headed to the Big Windy this spring.
Armour & Co. has learned the Chicago and Illinois Film offices are expected to finalize a deal this week to film a good chunk of “Ocean’s Twelve” in Chicago, bringing the “Ocean’s Eleven” gang here for three weeks of filming in April. “Ocean’s Eleven,” STEVEN SODERBERGH’s remake of FRANK SINATRA’s 1960 hit, was here for two days of shooting two years ago (Damon’s pickpocket scene on an elevated train, and Damon at Emmit’s pub on Milwaukee Avenue). “They liked what they got out of Chicago in that brief time,” said RICH MOSKAL, head of the Chicago Film Office. A crew will be here this week to scout locations (Soldier Field and O’Hare Airport are mentioned in the script). There’s also a bit of irony: Chicago could masquerade as New York for some scenes (parts of the movie also will be shot in Los Angeles and Paris). This should save the studio money — like when Toronto doubles as Chicago in flicks such as “Chicago” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” “Hey, we cry pretty hard when we lose them,” Moskal told Armour & Co., “so we can jump up and say, `all right’ when we get them.”
Straight outta Palatine
Palatine native son ROB LORENZ (left), Fremd High School Class of 1985, is up for his first Oscar as one of the producers (with CLINT EASTWOOD and JULIE HOYT) of “Mystic River.” “I’ve gotten a lot of e-mails from classmates I haven’t heard from since the day I graduated,” Lorenz told us on Friday. “Yesterday, I got my letter from [the academy] congratulating me on my nomination. I probably will get it framed.” And we’ll see Lorenz next to Eastwood at the Oscars on Feb. 29. “I invested in a tuxedo already,” the 37-year-old Lorenz said. “But my wife is going to do some shopping next week for a new gown.”
SOUND BITE
`We knew this was going to be a huge hit in southern Alabama, Texas and Arkansas, but when it really hit in the big metropolitan cities, it was a real eye-opener.’
— That’s one of the “Fab 5,” TED ALLEN, joking with Armour & Co. about the popularity of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” NBC and Bravo are running “Queer Eye” marathons opposite the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Allen will be in town Saturday to host the Jewish United Fund’s annual fashion show at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
HERE’S WHAT YOU TOLD US
It’s good to the last drop
When we asked Armour & Co. readers if “Friends” had lost any steam as it prepares to leave the air after 10 years, you overwhelmingly responded that the show was leaving at the top of its game.
“`Friends’ has always made me laugh,” said 14-year-old STACEY GORECKI of Chicago (we’re assuming Stacey caught the first few seasons in re-runs). “As Monica and Rachel said when Rachel was moving out, `It is the end of an era!'”
Some loyal fans, however, think the time had come to pull the plug. “As much as I love the show, I do think the last year or so has taken a toll,” wrote SUSANNE BLEDSOE of Plainfield.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Your call
“Lord of the Rings” leads the Oscar pack with 11 nominations, including best picture. And the disastrous “Gigli,” starring BEN AFFLECK and JENNIFER LOPEZ is up for a Golden Raspberry as 2003’s worst film. What are your picks for best and worst film of 2003? E-mail tarmour@tribune.com
