Sean "P. Diddy" Combs is a constant presence on the currently shooting "Notorious" biopic of his close friend, slain rapper Notorious B.I.G. — but Derek Luke, who plays Diddy, says he's feeling no pressure from his real-life counterpart.

"He's around and available all the time," says the "Antwone Fisher" and "Glory Road" actor. "But, at the same time, he's busy. And I kind of stay in my own world to kind of protect myself." Luke says he and Diddy have been close associates for awhile. "We'd see each other and always be friendly. Every time we'd talk it would be about fashion or acting or what kind of music (we) listen to."

Since Diddy is such a well-known figure, is he playing him as close to real as possible, or bringing his own interpretation to the role? "I can't answer that, not while I'm in the process of it right now," says Luke, who's halfway through shooting the biopic. "The only thing I can say is, I believe the story will definitely touch the heart of not just those interested (in B.I.G.'s story), but people around the world, (who) are going to be able to be inspired."

Meanwhile, Luke's big screen "Lions for Lambs" drama with director/star Robert Redford, Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep was just released on DVD. Working with such Hollywood royalty on the film, about two disparate students who join the military and head into the Afghanistan war after being inspired by an idealistic professor (Redford), "was like playing for a star team," he says. "It was very collegial, how they treat you. They want you to excel as well."

Luke adds he was especially impressed with Redford. "We talked about film and Sundance. I just love his approach to life. The key to being a legend is almost like a secret. Nobody should feel the legend. They should just feel the person. I said, 'Wow, that's what you call cool right there.'"

PAST BECOMES PRESENT: With Fall Out Boy's cover of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" a top iTunes hit, and the group's Pete Wentz saying they'll make a video to go along with it, lots of people are wondering what the video will be like. Well, we get word that the group's going all out — with an homage to the former King of Pop's library of past videos. Casting was in full swing last week for a bunch of familiar-sounding figures, including various dancers, jump-roping girls, sumo wrestlers, nerds and "a hot Puerto Rican girl."

A CLASSIC INDEED: Barbara Hale — forever an iconic figure of classic American TV as the trusty secretary and confidante Della Street of legal eagle "Perry Mason" — says tripping down memory lane to do the commentary for all the episodes in the new box set "Perry Mason: 50th Anniversary Edition" was a "very bittersweet" experience.

The bitter part is missing her old colleagues from the show, especially the late Raymond Burr. "Raymond and I celebrated our 50th anniversary of knowing each other in the spring of 1993, and he passed away that fall. He was a beautiful, beautiful man. I knew his mom and dad. He was like an uncle to my kids," she recalls. The sweet part was enjoying "all the fun of reliving that part of my life again."

Hale was often the brunt of Burr's practical jokes. Like the time "Raymond bricked the whole outside of my dressing room and I couldn't get in. He even had a wading pool made and put some ducks in it. But, the door was fake. I think Raymond would have loved to have worked with George Clooney."

As far as her current activities, Hale says "there's talk of doing a road thing, going out with a play" — possibly one written by her son, actor/director/writer and tunesmith William Katt. Meanwhile, she says, "I'm content being 'Granny.' I'm a great-granny now. Billy's eldest son has a little girl and she is just gorgeous."

She adds, "I just hope the folks who watched our show know how much we appreciate it, and we'd like to send our dearest regards and thanks."

THE BIG SCREEN SCENE: Casting of subsidiary roles is winding up for "Barry Munday," Chris D'Arienzo's film adaptation of Frank Turner Hollon's novel character as it heads toward production. This is the Patrick Wilson flick that lends credence to the idea that if you wait long enough, everything becomes a movie. It's about a womanizer who wakes up to find himself minus both testicles, thanks to an attack by the furious father of one of his conquests — only to then learn that another of his lovers is pregnant with his child, a life-changing circumstance. Judy Greer, Chloe, Sevigny, Jean Smart and Billy Dee Williams are also in the cast.

With reports by Stephanie DuBois and Emily Feimster.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

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