NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Disney star Selena Gomez won’t appear at Ohio State Fair

COLUMBUS

Disney teen star Selena Gomez has canceled appearances at state fairs in Ohio and Delaware because of strained vocal chords.

Gomez, who stars in the Disney show “Wizards of Waverly Place,” issued a statement saying she was disappointed she had to scrap the shows. Gomez also has the starring role in the film “Ramona and Beezus,” which is in theaters.

The concert on Thursday’s calendar at the Ohio State Fair has been rescheduled for Nov. 6 at the expo center on the fairgrounds.

Hanna wards off grizzlies

COLUMBUS

TV host and zookeeper Jack Hanna says he took his own advice and used pepper spray on grizzlies headed toward him.

The Columbus Zoo keeper and frequent David Letterman guest says he was with his wife and other hikers in Montana’s Glacier National Park on Saturday when they saw the mother bear and two large cubs coming toward them. Hanna and the others moved slowly back up the trail to a clearing and stood still while the mother and one cub passed by.

Hanna says the other cub, weighing about 125 pounds, charged toward the hikers. Hanna sprayed the bear in the face, and it fled.

Hanna recently had filmed a message for the National Park Service urging hikers to carry pepper spray.

Lythgoe to return to ‘Idol’?

LOS ANGELES

A familiar face may be on the verge of returning to “American Idol.” According to a person close to the show, “So You Think You Can Dance” judge Nigel Lythgoe is in talks to come back to Fox’s “American Idol” next season in the producing role he left two years ago. The person, who was not authorized to discuss the talks publicly, spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

‘Bond’ star Craig joins ‘Tattoo’

LOS ANGELES

Daniel Craig has a new mission. The current star of the James Bond films has signed on for the English-language remake of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”

Distributor Sony Pictures confirmed that Craig is taking on the role of journalist Mikael Blomkvist in the thriller based on the first novel in the best-selling series from the late Swedish author Stieg Larsson.

The violent story teams Blomkvist with the title character, Lisbeth Salander, a deeply troubled genius tormented by a terrible childhood, as they delve into the mystery of a missing girl whose disappearance leads them to a string of decades-old murders.

The role of Lisbeth has not yet been cast. Directed by David Fincher, the film is due in theaters next year.

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