Seems Like Everyone Loves New York Except Woody Allen

New York Comes Into Focus: Time to ditch all these rumors about New York, I Love You for some sexy, sexy facts. First, an appetizer: Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson will make their directorial debuts on the project. On to the main course: Orlando Bloom, Ethan Hawke, Olivia Thirlby, Hayden Christensen, Chris Cooper, and Blake Lively — and a dozen other names — are officially in. As for Woody Allen? Not interested — he’s too busy suing American Apparel. [Variety]

LaBeouf Loves Minghella: More New York, I Love You news! Shia LaBeouf, Julie Christie, and John Hurt will star in the late Anthony Minghella’s segment, now in the capable hands of director-blogger Shekhar Kapur. Although, after seeing Shia’s new look at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, it’s possible they’ve accidentally cast his evil twin. [HR]

Myers to Host MTV Movie Awards: Love guru Mike Myers will host the 2008 MTV Movie Awards. The last time he hosted was in 1997, the same year Austin Powers opened. MTV’s Van Toffler reflects thusly: “Mike Myers blew us away last time he hosted the MTV Movie Awards with his lord-of-the-dance and over-the-top musical productions.� Wow — Lord of the Dance? Sometimes looking back on Myers’s career feels like digging up a comedy time capsule. [HR]

MySpace on Your TV: ShineReveille International has partnered with MySpace to bring original Web programming to your television. Travis Katz, managing director at MySpace, points out that his social-networking site is “essentially the world’s largest focus group.� Congratulations, Everyone on the Internet — shitty TV shows are now officially your fault. [HR]

New Regency Gets Smashed: New Regency Productions has picked up Aaron Philson Brown’s demolition-derby project, Smash, for Enchanted producer Barry Josephson. Story follows a troubled teen who moves to the suburbs and quickly finds himself “racing and smashing up fast cars with a fast crowd.� Please, Barry, you had us at “Smash.� [HR]