Colorado has some strong and sweet connections to the movie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Denver kid AnnaSophia Robb stars in it as Violet Beauregarde, the kid who turns into a blueberry. And Boulder native John August wrote the screenplay.
I reached AnnaSophia in NYC on Tuesday shortly after she blew bubble gum with Katie Couric on “Today.”
“I had fun with her,” said AnnaSophia, at 11 years old a movie-promo pro after starring in “Because of Winn-Dixie” earlier this year. “She’s very nice.”
And so is “Charlie” star Johnny Depp. He may be a weirdo in the movie, but AnnaSophia swears he’s the best. “He seems so much like Willy Wonka, then he slips back into this down-to-earth, kindhearted Johnny.”
AnnaSophia says she’s seen the movie and likes it – although she is critical of herself. “Watching myself in a movie is not my favorite thing,” she says.
She also avoids reviews. “I was told not to read them because even if they’re good, there are some bad ones.”
And she isn’t crazy for signing autographs, something that she’s occasionally asked to do in Denver. “I like to do it for fans, but people get an autograph, then sell it on eBay. It’s not for them, it’s just to make money. I don’t like that.”
Smart kid.
Cattle kook
Blame it on Colorado.
That’s what “it” boy Fabian Basabe wants to do after a dust-up in the Hamptons on Saturday night.
According to NYC tabs, the playboy, who just finished shooting E! Network’s “Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive” in Steamboat Springs, was partying too hearty at the nightclub Star Room when the bouncers started to bounce him. He demanded that they retrieve his Prada sweater, calling them “(expletive) Negroes!”
Not a good idea, Fabian. His excuse? He publicly apologized and said he had been filming a reality TV show in Colorado for the past month. “I’ve been with cowboys and they use that word, like, every day.”
Oh, sure.
EXTRA! EXTRA!
“Catch and Release,” a new romantic comedy starring Jennifer Garner from “Alias” and Timothy Olyphant from “Deadwood,” needs hundreds of paid extras in Boulder. Open call 3-6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 1155 Canyon Blvd. Producers are looking for a few kids over 10, but mostly adults, “everyday” lookers plus plenty of “Boulder types,” “colorful characters” and bicycle racers and street performers.
The movie has been shooting in Canada – but the story of a widow discovering the secrets her husband left behind is set in Boulder. The cast will be here July 27-29 to use the extras and shoot the exteriors.
City spirit
The Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger in Aspen this week, probably kicking back at the Little Nell pool like he used to do when he was just a movie star … Sightem: Pat Benatar at Panzano on Monday for lunch … Former Post dining critics John Kessler and Kyle Wagner party at Mezcal on Saturday night; stop by to say hey … DD LaRue show at Wilson Adams Gallery is there through Saturday … Sez who: “Life is thirst.” Leonard Michaels
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Husted also appears Thursdays on Fox 31 News at 9. You can reach him at 303-820-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com.
