This was definitely news to us!

Michael Jackson apparently had a very close friendship with B-movie producer, writer and director Bryan Michael Stoller, and not only did the King of Pop appear in some of Stoller's films, they also had several other projects in the works!

Jackson had a role in the 2005 flick, "Miss Cast Away and the Island Girls," where he appears briefly as Agent M.J., who comes to the rescue of various characters on a beam of light. Jackson also starred in the 1978 picture "The Wiz," but Stoller tells The Hollywood Reporter that the late pop icon "never showed any interest in acting," but rather, he "wanted [to get] his hands on everything, from working on screenplays to producing, to writing the music."

So what else was the pop superstar working on prior to his death? Stoller says Jackson committed to co-directing and financing a drama about foster children, titled "They Cage the Animals at Night," which Stoller said he planned to get started on as soon as he completed his London concerts. The project was based on a 1985 book about the real-life experiences of author Jennings Michael Burch, who bounced around foster homes as a child. Jackson showed the book to Stoller in 2002 at his Neverland ranch and asked if he wanted to produce and co-direct a movie. Stoller tells THR:

"Michael told me often he felt like he grew up as an orphan, like a foster kid, because he never was in one home. To him every hotel was like a different foster home. He said he used to sit in the window and see kids playing outside and cry because he couldn't be part of that."

Though insiders close to Jackson claim there was no formal deal due to the fact that Stoller's meetings with Jackson took place when the star was without management, Stoller says that he and Jackson had "a pretty serious meeting" about reviving the flick as an indie feature. "He wanted to do movies the Academy would like," Stoller said. "Michael was going to put up $8 million and not have to deal with any studios or producers and then take it to the studios afterward. He was very passionate about being a director. He was determined to make this movie."

So what about "Miss Cast Away and the Island Girls"? Check out the clips below:

Jennifer Aniston may get her fair share of crap for some of her recent film titles (I mean...The Baster? He's Just Not That Into You? The Divorce Party? Love Happens?), but what about The Bounty? That doesn't seem so bad, right?

Jen was snapped shooting the her latest flick in NYC earlier this morning, and even though wardrobe stuck her in a totally uninspired, drab getup, Jen still managed to look like a million bucks. I mean, look at those legs! Are there any other 40-year-old actresses that look like this? I think not!

Though Mischa Barton remains in the psych ward at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, her rep has told Access Hollywood that the troubled starlet is "still seeking treatment but making improvements" and she plans to return to work soon.

Spokesman Craig Schneider would not elaborate on Barton’s current condition, but he said yesterday that the actress planned to report to work on her CW show The Beautiful Life later this month. Barton stars as a pill-popping supermodel on the new series (hmm, method acting anyone?), and a rep for the show has revealed that production is scheduled to begin on July 31, but it looks like they've already begun preparations to write Mischa's character out if her situation doesn't improve.

Hopefully Ms. Barton will get her messy life back together, because we'd love to see her return to the small screen on The Beautiful Life!

...but he's in a way better mood than usual!

We snapped Brad Pitt leaving his agent's Hollywood house yesterday afternoon, and we were stunned when we caught the sexy father of 6 smiling and waving to photogs! What's got him in such a good mood? I mean, this couldn't possibly have anything to do with Angie leaving the country, could it?

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson will be reunited at Comic-Con in San Diego this week, and it looks like our favorite vamps will be rekindling their love! Though it's been reported that Rob has gotten cozy with his Remember Me co-star Emilie de Ravin, it looks like Kristen has a plan to snag him back!

A source tells the mag:

“Kristen’s got too much going for her to come in second. She really cares for Rob, and if he still feels the same, she wants their relationship to progress. The Comic-Con reunion will be a real test."

Though Kristen was initially planning on avoiding the convention, OK! reports that her pals, including Runaways and New Moon co-star Dakota Fanning, have convinced her to not only show up, but to "fight for him with everything she has"! The source added:

"Her friends are insisting she look as hot as she can when she and Rob see each other so he will fall head over heels with her all over again. And Kristen is taking their advice to heart. She asked her Runaways stylist to find her a sexy sundress and a couple of great outfits to wear at the convention. She wants to look so amazing that Rob won’t be able to take his eyes off her."

We want these two to get back together sooo bad, and we know about 90% of you guys agree! It shouldn't be too difficult for K. Stew to win back her leading man right? These two were made for each other!

...but not from far away!

I have a strong feeling that La Lopez is wearing something under her tight white dress while filming The Back-Up Plan (aka The Baster 2.0) in New York City. She still looks pretty damn good though! Except for the frizzy hair with split ends.

At least J.Lo still has her luminous skin!

Reality TV stars hafta stick together!

The lovely Kim Kardashian and BFF Brittny Gastineau were out and about in LA yesterday, picking up some fro-yo before getting in a little retail therapy at Madison. BTW, did you see Britt in Bruno? I wonder how much of her scene was actually unscripted!

I mean really! Bai Ling is basically naked. Half-naked, but still! Lionel Richie's new flame went out to dinner last night dressed like this. Yeah, she's supposed to be a little wacky - and it IS super-hot out - but this is getting ridic!

Not a bad bod, though...