Scarlett Johansson denies ‘Sound of Music’ demands

London – Scarlett Johansson has denied claims that divalike demands cost her the lead role in a big-budget revival of “The Sound of Music,” a spokesman for the actress said Thursday.

Johansson, 21, had been targeted to play Maria von Trapp in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, set to open in London’s West End in November.

“Her people were not ‘pro’ the idea. It became clear that it wasn’t going to work because the demands were so ridiculous,” Lloyd Webber was quoted as saying in The Times newspaper.

He said Johansson’s representatives “couldn’t understand why she would want to appear in the West End for $18,500 a week when she could be earning $10 million for a movie.”

Publicist Marcel Parisbeau said it was a busy work schedule and not pay demands that sank the actress’ chance to play the role made famous by Julie Andrews in the 1965 film version of the musical.

Second wife of pop superstar Prince files for divorce

Minneapolis – Prince’s second wife, Manuela Testolini Nelson, has filed for divorce from the pop superstar, his attorney has confirmed.

Patrick Cousins, Prince’s general counsel, said Wednesday the case was pending. He had no further comment.

Edward Winer, attorney for Nelson, issued a statement Thursday saying it was a difficult decision for Nelson to seek the divorce and that she hoped for a “cooperative resolution” and a quick end to the case.

Chris Cornell to record theme song for James Bond flick

London – Chris Cornell, frontman of rock band Audioslave, will record the theme song for the upcoming James Bond film, “Casino Royale.”

Cornell’s song, “You Know My Name,” will open the movie, which marks Daniel Craig’s debut as agent 007. His “soulful and tough” music is a perfect complement to the film, producers said Thursday.

Some Bond themes, such as Shirley Bassey’s “Goldfinger” and Paul McCartney’s “Live and Let Die,” have become as famous as the movies themselves. More recently, Madonna, Garbage and Sheryl Crow have recorded songs for the spy thrillers.

Pamela Anderson confirms weddings to Kid Rock

Las Vegas – Pamela Anderson has confirmed that she’s ready to tie the knot with Kid Rock in France. And California. And Michigan. And Tennessee.

“I’m going to get married a few times this month to the same guy,” said the 39-year-old actress, who wore a white veil pulled back from her face during a news conference about her new online poker site, PamelaPoker.com.

She said her nuptials to the rocker, whose real name is Bob Ritchie, will take place near St. Tropez, France. They are reportedly planned for Saturday.

“If Bob knew he was getting married five years ago in St. Tropez, he wouldn’t have believed it,” Anderson said.

The former “Baywatch” star said the celebrations will also take her across the United States after the first ceremony.

“We had to do Malibu, we’ve got to do Detroit, and we’ve got to do Nashville,” she said.

She offered no other details.

Anderson and Ritchie, 35, became engaged in the Las Vegas desert in April 2002 but never set a wedding date. They broke up the following year. Anderson has two sons, Brandon, 10, and Dylan, 8, from her marriage to rocker Tommy Lee. Ritchie has a 13-year-old son, Bob Jr.

Socialite in hospital; doctor says condition improving

New York – Millionaire socialite Brooke Astor, whose well-being is at the center of a legal battle between her son and grandson, has been admitted to a hospital, where her condition is improving, her doctor said.

Dr. Sandra Gelbard, a specialist in internal medicine and critical care at Manhattan’s Lenox Hill Hospital, told the Daily News in Thursday’s editions that Astor’s “condition has improved, and we are hopeful that she is going to go home in the very near future.”

In court papers filed last week, Astor’s grandson, Philip Marshall, accused his father of ignoring the 104-year-old woman’s health and safety “while enriching himself with millions of dollars.”

Astor ran the Astor Foundation after the death of her third husband, Vincent Astor, in 1959. He was the great-great-grandson of patriarch John Jacob Astor, who made a fortune in fur trading and real estate and was the wealthiest man in America by 1840.