Rumors have resurfaced that a “Friends” movie, based on the hit NBC sitcom that ran for ten years, is in the works. “Friends” has been off the air for five years and it seems like we’ve been hearing stories of a big screen version ever since. Last year, The Daily Mail claimed that a Friends movie was forthcoming, and that it would be produced by Warner Brothers, a claim that Warner Brothers promptly denied. Now News of The World has a new interview with James Michael Tyler, who played cute bald barista Gunther at the show’s coffee house, Central Perk. Tyler allegedly confirms that a film is underway, and that everyone has signed on, including presumed holdout Jennifer Aniston:

Hugs all round - because we can reveal that Friends is back for a big-screen version of the hit sitcom.

Studio bosses have got together for an oversized mug of coffee to prepare a script for a film version of the series.

And they are ready to break the bank with a multi-million package to get the main cast on board.

In an exclusive interview with the News of the World, James Michael Tyler - who played Central Perk oddball Gunther - confirmed: “Friends: The Movie is definitely on. I still keep in touch with a lot of the cast and they say that they are really keen.”

The film comes in the wake of the big screen version of Sex And The City which took an astonishing $408,921,925 at the box office.

The cast have always made no secret about a desire to do a film and Lisa Kudrow said: “It would be so fun to be with all those people again.

“But our show was not like Sex and the City - ours was multi-camera, in front of a live audience.

“It’s a completely different feel. You’d have to bring the tone down, and I don’t know how it would be. I’ll just stay open.”

Meanwhile actor James, 47, who is in London for the launch of a Central Perk themed coffee shop in Soho, is keen to reprise his role as Gunther on the big screen.

He said: “The one thing I can tell you is that I am definitely on board to do the film.

“I really loved my time on the show and I am looking forward to meeting up with the old gang again.

“I just hope we can do justice to the show in a film.”

[From News of The World]

Jennifer Aniston is just about the only castmember who seems busy and successful enough to want to avoid a film version of “Friends.” She’s been gracious to the show that helped launch her career but has said several times that she’s moved on and doesn’t want to do a movie. Aniston has her own production company and according to IMDB she has three films in post production and a whopping seven films in development. I doubt she has the time or inclination to remind us yet again how well she plays Rachel Green. Courtney Cox has a new sitcom, “Cougar Town,” that premiered last week and is doing well in the ratings. (I saw it and thought it was goofy and trying too hard, but people seem to like it.) She isn’t that booked and would probably gladly do a “Friends” movie. The other cast members, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, have all kind of floundered in their careers post-”Friends” and would probably love to a do a film.

That said, it’s possible that News of the World is either making this up (they’ve been known to fabricate entire interviews) or that they’re twisting Tyler’s words to make it sound like a movie is in the works when all he said was that he’d be open to it. It seems like all the latest films are based on old ideas and I wouldn’t be surprised if this was in the works, but I won’t believe it until I hear confirmation from a reliable source. “Friends” was a great show, though, and I would definitely go see the movie if this is true.

Images are random Friends screencaps, with some credit FriendsCafe.org

I was one of the only people in America who watched Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, that ill-fated NBC drama about the inner-workings and personalities behind a Saturday Night Live-type show. One of the main reasons I watched it (and loved it) was that I adored the two leads - Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford. Those two actors were the best parts of their respective hit shows, Friends and The West Wing, and seeing them together was lovely. But not many people noticed, because the show was brutally cancelled just when it was getting really interesting.

All of this to say I consider Matthew Perry a very underrated actor. He can do slapstick comedy, he can do that dialogue-heavy comedy, and he can do emotionally-resonate drama. It’s a shame he hasn’t found a real niche for himself after Friends. He’s really great on television, and he would be an incredible addition to any show. Matthew actually has some ideas about that - he wants to get cast on his favorite show, Lost, but he thinks people will just see it as “Chandler Bing… on the island.”

Former Friends star Matthew Perry is desperate to return to TV - and land a role in drama Lost.

The funnyman, who played Chandler Bing in the hit sitcom, admits he’s hooked on the desert island drama and wouldn’t hesitate to take a part if it was offered to him.

He says, “I want to be on that show so bad, but people would be like, ‘What’s Chandler doing on the island?’ So it isn’t going to happen.”

“But I am truly addicted to the show. I even follow the story lines online.”

From PR-Inside

I’m addicted too, Matthew! And I do think he should be cast on Lost, even it’s just a temporary thing, like in a flash-back (or flash-forward?) just for one episode. He would be great. And he wouldn’t even have to be on the island.

So, I have a confession. I just used this little Matthew Perry story as an excuse to talk about the last episode of Lost. Spoilers (in case you haven’t seen this week’s episode): What in the hell is happening with Sayid? I didn’t know what to think when he shot the young Ben Linus. Isn’t this going to mess up the… whatjamathingie? Like, the flux capacitor? It’s like a timeline paradox, a rip in the fabric of history. Unless the young Ben didn’t really die. But how would that be? Sayid shot him through the heart.

Also, who else loved Elizabeth Mitchell and Josh Holloway this week? Jim and Juliet really love each other… hopefully the producers realize that the Kate-Jack-Sawyer thing is so tired. And I’m pretty sure that the woman who handcuffed Sayid (which was a sexy scene) is actually working for Ben. Or maybe Widmore? More likely Ben.

Matthew Perry is shown at the premiere of The Wrestler on 12/16/08. Credit: WENN.com

Matthew Perry’s awesome NBC show “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” just didn’t have the ratings to stick around and was canceled last year after one season. The show was created and produced by the pair responsible for “The West Wing,” Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme, and it had a real “West Wing” type feel with some of the same actors. Set in a fictional “Saturday Night Live” type environment, you were privy to the work that went into the creation of the show. The dialogue between the characters playing the writers, producers and actors was both smart and funny and it’s a shame the show didn’t last.

Friends staple Perry is coming back to television and will star in a pilot comedy to air on Showtime called “The End of Steve.” He will play a baudy talk show host in Rochester, NY. The latest casting news is that Martha Plimpton and Kylie Sanchez will join:

Showtime is staffing up its Matthew Perry pilot.

Kiele Sanchez, Martha Plimpton, Eddie Shin, Nate Torrence and Dreama Walker have joined the cable network’s dark comedy pilot “The End of Steve,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The story centers on Steve (Perry), a bitter, self-centered local talk show host who is seeking a bigger market and is half-heartedly on the way to redemption. Perry and Peter Tolan are writers and executive producers on the project, which promises to show a darker side to Perry.

The cast additions are rounding out the talk show staff. Sanchez plays Steve’s attractive co-host, on whom he has a crush, while Plimpton will act as the talk show’s producer. Shin will play Steve’s boss, Bob Hu, while Torrence will be Steve’s assistant Nathan.

[From Zap2It]

Perry is a co-writer and co-executive producer on the pilot along with Peter Tolan, who is responsible for “Rescue Me.” So far all that Showtime has committed to is the pilot. With all that talent attached the show will hopefully be successful for Perry and lead to a series. As Zap2IT points out, Showtime has many original series on its plate with “Weeds,” “The Secret Diary of a Call Girl,” “Californication,” and “Tracy Ullman’s State of the Union.”

“The United States of Tara,” written by Diablo Cody, will premiere on January 18 and Showtime has already committed to a full season. There’s no word yet on when we can expect to see “The End of Steve,” which will may be the beginning of Perry’s long overdue return to a successful series.

Matthew Perry is shown out at Madeo on 11/24/08 below. Credit: Fame. He is shown in the header at the Lili Claire Foundation Benefit Dinner on 10/4/08. Credit: PRPhotos

The National Enquirer’s cover story this week that reads “Divorce Drama: Courteney Cox’s husband caught with beauty” isn’t quite as damning to David Arquette as you would assume reading the headline. He was caught flirting with a woman at a bar while his wife was across the street. And the person who busted him was none other than Courtney’s former small screen husband, Matthew Perry. How is that for irony? Like a story we just reported about Avril Lavigne’s husband, Arquette, 37, had his arm around the woman and seemed a little too cosy with her. When Perry showed up he high tailed it out of there though.

“David was standing at the bar when he spotted a stunning young woman sitting at a nearby table,” the eyewitness recalls. “He practically stared holes through her from across the room before casually strolling over to chat.”

The two talked, but the attractive woman brushed him off. David walked back to the bar, where he quickly latched onto another woman, a beautiful brunette, said the eyewitness.

“Unlike David’s first target, this woman - who appeared to be in her early 20s - seemed flattered by his flirting,” the source confided.

“After they talked for a while, “David eased his arm around her and they got caught up in an intense conversation. At one point, David grabbed her face in his hands so they were practically nose to nose. It almost looked like he was going in for a kiss!”

But [his] flirting came to a screeching halt when Matthew Perry tapped him on the shoulder, said the eyewitness.

“When David turned around and saw Matt, the look on his face was priceless!” said the source.

“David pretended like he and his companion were complete strangers, and he practically left skid marks on the floor making a break for the door!”

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, October 13, 2008]

What is with these married famous guys flirting with other women at bars? Do they think they won’t get caught or that it’s somehow ok because they’re not taking them home or to a hotel? Comparatively it’s pretty harmless but it’s still not a good sign for their relationship. Courteney, 44, was said to be across the street dining at Il Sole with friends at the time.

Courteney told Marie Claire in a recent interview that she’s very much in love with her husband, but that it hasn’t always gone so well for them. She said “I’m so in love with David right now, I’m starting to really appreciate how ‘there’ he is for me. But in any relationship, there are times that you’re disconnected. You can see how relationships end if you don’t work through it.” And they can also end if one person is cheating. Courteney and David have been married for nine years and I hope this story is false or overblown and that they’re doing fine.

David Arquette is shown out with his four year-old daughter, Coco, on 8/2/08. He is also shown with Courteney on 6/23/08. Credit: Fame Pictures

Rumors have abounded since Friends ended its successful ten year run in 2004 that the cast would make a movie. Every so often one of the cast members would admit they’ve been talking about it, but there was always one holdout, who no one would ever name. Sometimes they’d claim it was one of the guys, though it was often rumored to be Jennifer Aniston.

Supposedly they’re really going to make the film now, inspired by the success (and I’m guessing the money) of the recent Sex & the City film.

The highly anticipated film production of TV series Friends has finally been given the go-ahead, MailOnline has learned. The actors have been inspired by the recent success of Sex And The City, which recently hit cinemas worldwide. A source said: ‘Jennifer, Courteney and the rest of the cast are keen to reprise their roles, under the right circumstances.

‘The box office success of Sex And The City has really got their wheels spinning about how a Friends film could be just as big, if done right. Timing and the script are really important, but now that Courteney and Jen both have production companies, they can potentially get very involved in those decisions.’

While Cox, 44, LeBlanc, 40, Perry, 39, Kudrow, 45 and Schwimmer, 41, were believed to be keen on the reunion, Aniston, 39, is believed to have dragged her heels. Now, however, she is keen to move ahead with the project, which will be produced by Warner Bros. ‘She says she and Courteney have already talked this summer about what they want out of a Friends movie, and if deals can be made with them, everything else can fall into place rather quickly.

[From the Daily Mail]

It sounds like things are as close to happening as they’ve ever been. But when the same rumor has been floating around for four years, it’s hard to tell when/if it’s actually become legitimate. Even though Jennifer Aniston is probably the biggest star from the show, I think all of them could benefit from a successful film. The Daily Mail pointed out that Aniston has had a few okay movies, but she’s still much better known for her personal life than her great movie career. And I’m pretty sure that at this point, Matt LeBlanc should take whatever he can get.

It seemed like there was a bit of a Friends backlash right after the series finale. Suddenly everyone was claiming they never found it funny. Television comedies have really moved in a different direction since then. There are very few traditional sitcoms left on the air – and almost none of them are filmed in front of a live audience anymore. It’ll be interesting to see if people still find the show’s brand of humor funny. Something tells me that no matter what, it won’t compare to the financial success of the Sex & the City film.

Update by Celebitchy: A representative for Warner Brothers has denied that there’s a Friends movie in the works, saying “(There’s) no truth in the story.” Courteney Cox and Matthew Perry’s spokespeople have also denied that there’s a Friends movie being planned. [Details From SFGate]

Matthew Perry was briefly linked with singer/crappy actress Mandy Moore after the two were seen out holding hands on a romantic date together earlier this month. Not much seems to have come of that because there were no further sightings and Moore has seen been seen out with her ex, DJ AM.

Now there’s news that Matthew Perry may also have reconciled with one of his exes, new mom Meg Ryan, right around the same time. The two were first linked this February, and it sounds like they’ve been reacquainted. 38 year-old Matthew and Meg Ryan, 48, had a dinner date at the Chateau Marmont that sounds like it ended with a late night hookup in a romantic hotel suite. They also had another date a little over a week later.

Matthew Perry’s on-again, off-again romance with Meg Ryan appears to be very much on. The couple, who dated earlier this year, met for a late-night dinner date at LA’s Chateau Marmont on November 1, and Matthew even booked at suite at the hotel, says a friend of Meg’s.

“It finally dawned on him that he and Meg have a great connection,” says a friend…

The romance continued the following week, too. On November 10, Matt… and Meg… took in a Swell Season concert at the Wiltern theater in LA.

[From Life and Style, print edition, November 26, 2007]

And while Matthew has been playing the field, dating Mandy and then Meg in quick succession, so has Meg. The former a-lister with the trout pout was seen out on a maybe-date with single Hank Azaria on November 6, which was in between her sleepover and follow-up date with Matthew. Meg was either on a double date with Azaria and another couple, or they were just all together as friends, but the two took pains not to be photographed together as they left the restaurant:

[Meg Ryan and Hank Azaria were] spotted together leaving the exclusive Manhattan restaurant The Waverly Inn on November 6. Meg and Hank dined with NFL Network anchor Rich Eisen and his wife, Suzy Shuster, an ABC Sports sideline reporter.

“As Meg and Hank walked out, he opened the door for her and let her pass,” the eyewitness said. “As soon as she saw a photographer waiting outside, she ducked to the side because she didn’t want to be in the photo.”

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, November 26, 2007]

Whatever the case, it looks like both Meg and Matthew have active social lives. Maybe they’re just keeping things casual for now.

Meg Ryan is shown on 10/30/07 at The International Women’s Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Awards. Matthew Perry is shown on 10/13/07 at The Lili Claire Foundation Benefit Dnner and Auction. Thanks to PRPhotos.

Singer Mandy Moore, 27 23, and former Friends star Matthew Perry, 38, were spotted out to dinner holding hands in Beverly Hills. Mandy is set to have met Perry at Amici Trattoria for a romantic date that looked like it was one of the first for the pair, and that it was going well:

Page Six spies were astounded last week when they saw the two on a date at Amici Trattoria in Beverly Hills. One source said, “He was already seated and waited for her for 15 minutes until she arrived. He stood up to greet her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. They were holding hands across the table and being really close and laughing a lot the whole time.”

[From Page Six]

Matthew Perry’s career seems to be moving along after his excellent series, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, was canceled. He will next appear in The Laws of Motion with Ginnifer Goodwin and Hilary Swank, which is in post-production. He is also set to film The Beginning of Wisdom, but since the status of the film is listed as pre-production on IMDB, it’s likely to be delayed by the writer’s strike.

Mandy Moore has no future movies lined up, according to her IMDB profile, after the License to Wed debacle. She celebrated the end of her Wild Hope tour last month.

With both Matthew and Mandy in temporary down time, what better chance to get to know each other and fall in love? Eleven years isn’t that much of a difference, and Mandy deserves a doting man in her life. She was reportedly hurt by her ex Zach Braff, and several songs on her new album are said to be about their failed relationship. Mandy told the crowd at a performance last month “I think if someone disrespects you, they totally deserve to have a song written about them.” Maybe her next album will feature lighter, more romantic fare.

Mandy Moore is shown at the ACE Awards on 11/5/07. Matthew Perry is seen at the Lili Claire Foundation Benefit Dinner on 10/13/07. Thanks to PRPhotos.

I don’t believe this is true for one minute, but there’s a rumor that Matthew Perry and Jennifer Aniston are now an item, and that Aniston recently broke up with Vaughn when he didn’t want to talk about where their relationship was going. Maybe Aniston and Perry hung out together once, but it sounds like Life and Style is making up quotes from a “friend”:

If Matthew Perry and Jennifer Aniston were seen walking on the beach with their arms around each other where are the pictures? Usually these quotes are made up based on pictures and whatever the writer of the article wants to believe about a celebrity relationship. It doesn’t seem true to me at all, but it would be really juicy and surprising news. It seems like Matthew Perry has more sense than to get involved with Aniston, though. (Go ahead and bash, Team Aniston, I enjoy the debate.)

Here are some pictures of Vince Vaughn at London’s Heathrow airport. [via] He’s such a catch, some other woman will be lucky to have him.

The NY Post’s Cindy Adams reports that a long-rumored “Friends” reunion is now in the works, and that holdout Jennifer Aniston finally agreed to it:

A while ago it was rumored that Lisa Kudrow said that “one of the guys” was holding up the reunion after Kathleen Turner let it slip that she was approached to reprise her role as Chandler’s mom, but then Kudrow denied that a reunion was in the works.

Now that Cindy Adams has reported it, it’s probably true, and I can’t wait! I love that show, although it’s hard to watch now that I have such a poor opinion of Aniston. She must have realized how much she owes to “Friends” and maybe she’ll be grateful to the show for making her famous.

The American Family Institute honored the famous Arquette family yesterday. Family attending included Courtney Cox-Arquette, David Arquette, Patricia Arquette, Rosanna Arquette, and Alexis Arquette. Friends at the even included Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, Roseanne Barr, Paul Reubens, Laura Dern, Florence Henderson, and Mickey Rooney.

Alexis Arquette is a transvestite with the full support of her family. It is rumored that Courtney Cox was against a planned reality show featuring her cross-dressing brother-in-law’s planned gender reassignment surgery. She refused to appear in the series, and Alexis has decided not to film the show:

It sounds like Rosanna didn’t want the show to go forward, either.

Here are pictures from the event yesterday.