Natalie Portman optimistic about recession

Natalie Portman is optimism personified, for she is convinced that the international recession has its upside, as it will allow people to rethink their priorities.

The ‘Star Wars’ actress, who filmed a FunnyOrDie comedy sketch about the financial crisis last year, insists that workers who are now worse off will be able to get their lives back on track, and find the career they have always wanted.

"I think it`s kind of an exciting time. I mean, everyone is cutting back. It`s happening in every industry - including our own. All of a sudden, people are doing jobs that they hate and they`re not making as much money as they thought they would or they`ve lost their jobs entirely,” Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

Portman added: “I`ve started to see people looking more toward their own passions and what really excites them."

Kate Moss goes wild for a topless jungle shoot

Always on the move, jet-setter Kate Moss has turned into a gypsy for a wild jungle photo shoot for V magazine.

Set to raise temperature, the sizzler bared her breast with the jungle in the background. Kate posed on the back of a traditional Romany horse-drawn cart, around the camp fire and in a nearby field, where she unveiled a little more skin.

The stunner modelled designer threads from fashion houses including Kenzo, John Galliano and Stefanel.

With Moss baring her assets in wilderness, the magazine is bound to have soaring sales.

I`m a cool daddy: Suniel Shetty

Actor-producer Suniel Shetty whose film "Daddy Cool" recently hit the screens, claims he is a very cool father and is just like a friend to his children.

"I think I am a very cool daddy because my kids are more like my friends. I was always aware of the fact that I didn`t want to get stuck with the problem of any generation gap so I rather grow up with them," Suniel told reporters.

"I spend a lot of time with them. Showering them with affection but at the same time being very particular of what I want. So I think we are friends and that`s why we share a fantastic relationship," he added.

The 48-year-old actor has two kids, Ahan and Athiya.

Disney captures Spider-Man`s Marvel for $4 bn

Walt Disney Co is to buy Marvel Entertainment for $4 bn, the companies announced Monday, giving the family entertainment conglomerate a powerful squad of movie superheroes such as Spider-Man, the X-Men, The Incredible Hulk and The Fabulous Four.

In a statement, Disney chief executive Bob Iger said that "adding Marvel to Disney`s unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation."

"We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney."

Under the terms of the deal, Marvel shareholders will receive a total of $30 per share in cash plus approximately 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own.

In return, Disney will get the rights to over 5,000 Marvel characters, many of which have much stronger box office allure than Disney`s traditional stable of characters such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. The three Spider-Man movies alone have generated some $2.5 billion in worldwide box office receipts.

The acquisition reflects Disney`s long-term strategy of adding to its cast of characters and talent as when it bought animation powerhouse Pixar for $7.4 billion in 2006.

The Marvel deal also gives Disney a key brand for connecting with teenage boys, a market that has been overshadowed by the popularity of stars such as Hannah Montana with girls.

"Disney is the perfect home for Marvel`s fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses," said Marvel chief executive Ike Perlmutter.

"This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney`s tremendous global organization and infrastructure around the world," he added.