Report: Cohen to play Mercury in biopic

Does Borat have dramatic acting chops, or is there a filmmaker out there with the hair-brained idea of making a comedic biopic about Freddie Mercury? That's the question following a UK report that Sacha Baron Cohen has lined up to play the late Queen frontman in a feature film. The Daily Mirror reported today that Cohen, the mastermind and actor behind the Borat character, as well as Ali G and Bruno, was picked over Johnny Depp for the role. "Film makers are working flat out to get the best possible script," a source told the paper. "Sacha loves the idea he can get away with playing Freddie after modeling Borat's look on him." Mercury died in 1991 at the age of 45 of an AIDS-related illness.

In related news, Cohen's brother Erran was picked by the West Kazakhstan Philharmonic Orchestra to headline its London performance tonight. Cohen composed the 16-minute piece, "Zere," which is debuting at St. James's Church in central London. Cohen scored his brother's movie, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

Timberlake inks deal with HBO

Justin Timberlake has inked a deal with HBO that will mark a return for the cable network's concert specials, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Timberlake's first solo concert special for HBO will be taped August 16 at Madison Square Garden, during the second US leg of the singer's FutureSex/LoveShow world tour. The special will air September 3.

The Timberlake show will be the first concert special for HBO since it carried a Rolling Stones show in January 2003. Timberlake's second solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, has sold nearly 6 million copies to date and earned the singer two Grammys.

Hilton gets 45 days in jail

This is so not hot. A judge sentenced celebutante Paris Hilton to 45 days in jail today for violating her probation, a move that surprised many who expected the heiress to avoid jail time. The would-be singer and actress must go to jail on June 5 and she will not be allowed any work release, furloughs, use of an alternative jail, or any electronic monitoring in lieu of jail, Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer ruled after a hearing, according to the Associated Press. The judge ruled that she was in violation of the terms of her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.

"I'm very sorry, and from now on I'm going to pay complete attention to everything," Hilton told the judge. "I'm sorry, and I did not do it on purpose at all." She was then ordered to report to a women's jail in suburban Lynwood on the set date or face 90 days behind bars.

Blur reunion talk swirls, drummer loses election

Blur bassist Alex James reportedly has confirmed a Blur reunion that will involve estranged guitarist Graham Coxon, although Coxon's reps haven't confirmed the reports. In promoting his new autiobiography, Bit of a Blur, which hits UK stores June 7, James said, "We're all heading into the studio this summer. Graham's coming too." James said the band had no specific plans or deadlines. "[We're] "gonna see if they've still got it...if not, I think we'll just call it a day."

Coxon's reps didn't deny the report in a statement to Pitchfork: "There's a lot of rumor and conjecture around about Blur at the minute, but I can tell you that nothing concrete has been planned for the band." In related news, Blur drummer Dave Rountree's bid for a seat on the Marylebone district council fell short, as he lost to the Conservative Party's Ian Rowley.

Sting lyrics to be made into book

Perhaps looking to break the world record for pretentiousness, Sting is compiling his lyrics into a book that will come out in October, the publisher said this week. Lyrics by Sting (Dial Press) will include the words from more than 100 songs, as well as photographs, a commentary, and an introduction by the 55-year-old musician.

"In putting this book together, I have relished the opportunity to revisit my songs, the times in which they were written and pay tribute to those with whom I've shared my creative life," Sting said in a statement. The publication coincides with a reunion world tour by the Police, who acrimoniously broke up in the mid-1980s. The tour begins in Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 28.

Hook hints at New Order breakup

They broke up once, and now they might be at it again. In an interview with a UK radio station, New Order bassist Peter Hook hinted that the legendary group might call it quits. Asked about his work with Perry Farrell's Satellite Party project, Hook said, "I spoke to Perry, and he asked me to play bass, as he'd heard about New Order splitting up. Well yeah, me and Bernard [Sumner] aren't working together." Xfm asked if the breakup was permanent, to which Hook replied cryptically, "Bernard went off for a break with Electronic [with Johnny Marr], but that was different. But it's like the boy who cried wolf this time."