Slumdog Stars Sign for Woody Allen, The Last Airbender

The stars of Oscar darling “Slumdog Millionaire” have wasted no time lining up their next films.

Freida Pinto, who looked so lovely in that blue dress at the Oscars, has signed to star in Woody Allen’s next film, “Whatever Works,” along with Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins (what a lineup!). The film follows an older man’s romantic life, including his taste for younger ladies.

Meanwhile, Dev Patel, who played the main character in “Slumdog,” has signed to star as bad-guy Prince Zuko in “The Last Airbender,” taking over the role from singer Jesse McCartney. “Sixth Sense” director M. Night Shyamalan is helming this movie.

I like Pinto for the Woody Allen flick (and really, what a coup for her – actors spend their whole lives hoping for a Woody Allen film), but I’ll have to wait and see on Dev for “Airbender.” It’s such a departure from “Slumdog,” but maybe that’s a good thing.

Both stars say “Slumdog Millionaire,” which picked up eight Oscars on Sunday, say the film has blazed new trails for them. “In many ways, it’s a blessing and a start of a new life," Pinto told People.com.

Patel described the experience as “very dreamlike.” “Hopefully, I don’t wake up one day and it’s all like a big dream!”

Image: Picapp.com

Oscars 2009: Backstage with the Winners - VIDEO

When the stars left the 2009 Oscars stage, they ventured backstage to talk to the press about how they felt about their big win. This is where you really get the scoop on what’s going down, because the stars have calmed down a bit and their breathing is back to normal (Kate Winslet!). 

Hollyscoop.com caught up with the 2009 Oscar winners in the press room at the Kodak Theatre. Watch and see what Kate Winslet, Sean Penn, Penelope Cruz, Danny Boyle and Heath Ledger’s family had to say:

Is Sean Penn too vocal? And isn’t Obama against gay marriage?

When Sean Penn won a Best Actor Oscar for his role in "Milk," he started his acceptance speech with "You commie, homo-loving sons-a-guns…"

Sean Penn is no stranger to voicing his opinion, but is a movie awards show the place to do it? I guess if an actor is really opinionated, he or she will use that moment in front of millions to try and sway the world towards their way of thinking. Watch Penn’s acceptance speech here.

Penn’s speech also brought attention to a new Web site targeting left-wing bias in Hollywood, launched by Washington Times columnist Andrew Breitbart. He live-blogged the Oscars on Sunday, and much of the reader vitriol was directed at Penn – things like "Sean Penn makes me puke in my mouth. … The Academy punished Mickey [Rourke] for his gratitude towards President Bush for keeping our country safe from Islamo-facist terrorism. Instead, it chose to award its biggest donkey, Sean Penn."

I appreciate Penn’s stance on gay marriage, tolerance and acceptance, but sometimes I think movie stars go a little too far when they get in front of a microphone. Plus, he mentioned how great it was that the country elected such an "elegant" president, but isn’t President Obama against gay marriage?

What do you think? Should we care what the stars think? Are you ok with them voicing their opinions on issues and politics?

Image: Russ Einhorn / Splash News

Oscars 2009: Sean Penn’s Acceptance Speech – VIDEO

Sean Penn certainly knows how to create a stir, doesn’t he? When he snagged a Best Actor Oscar for his role in "Milk," Penn took the opportunity to voice his stance on gay marriage, with some politics thrown in there, too.

I also thought it was funny when he said, "I want to make it clear that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me." Yeah, probably not the easiest guy to like!

Watch the video of Sean Penn and see what you think. Any thoughts?

Oscars 2009: Kate Winslet’s Shout-Out to her Dad - VIDEO

I loved Kate Winslet’s acceptance speech after winning Best Actress for her role in "The Reader." She gave her dad a shout-out, asking him to whistle so she’d know where he was, which he immediately did!

I just felt like this was a really sweet, intimate moment between Kate and her dad that we got to be a part of. And I kept hoping Kate would just breathe for a second. I was so afraid she would pass out up there!

For more Film Gecko Oscar coverage: Live-Blog; Heath Ledger’s family accepts award; Ben Stiller does Joaquin Phoenix; Photos; Winners; Recap; Red Carpet Fashions.

Oscars 2009: Ben Stiller does Joaquin Phoenix – VIDEO

One of the best skits from the 2009 Oscars was Ben Stiller doing Joaquin Phoenix alongside Natalie Portman. Now here’s a guy who knows how to do humor. It’s to the point. It’s not over the top. It says a lot with very few words. And it’s just plain funny! I love Ben Stiller. Here’s the clip of Joaquin Phoenix on David Letterman. 

For more Film Gecko Oscar coverage: Live-Blog; Heath Ledger’s family accepts award; Photos; Winners; Recap; Red Carpet Fashions. 

Heath Ledger’s Family Accepts Oscar - VIDEO

One of my favorite moments of the 2009 Oscars was when Heath Ledger’s family accepted his award.

Ledger won Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight," and his mother, father and sister gave a truly heartfelt acceptance speech on his behalf.

His father Kim Ledger said, "I have to say this is ever so humbling," thanking director Christopher Nolan for "allowing Heath the creative license to develop and explore this crazy Joker character."

Heath’s mother Sally Bell said, "Heath was such a compassionate and generous soul. We have been truly overwhelmed by the honor and respect bestowed upon him with this award."

Watch the video after the jump…

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The Oscars 2009: Red Carpet Fashions - VIDEO

Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Aniston, Anne Hathaway and the rest of the A-List Stars shown brightly at the 2009 Academy Awards.

My favorites included Winslet’s darkish-blue gown, Hathaway’s shimmery mermaid affair, and Penelope Cruz’s princess gown. What about you? Did you have a favorite dress this year?

For more Film Gecko Oscar coverage: Live-Blog, Winners, and Photos.