X17 News

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Guy Ritchie has signed on to direct Warner Bros.' upcoming film, Sherlock Holmes, which is tentatively scheduled for a 2010 release, according to Variety. Lionel Wigram and Dan Lin, who are both former Warner creative executives will be producing the film.

Not much information about the film has been released, but it is being reported that producers at Warner Bros.' are hoping to reinvent Holmes and sidekick Dr. John H. Watson.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The weekend headlines were filled with stories and rumors about Madonna and Guy Richie's divorce. From settlement talks to pregnancy possibilities, there was no shortage of speculation about the next chapter in what is poised to be a very contentious public divorce.

The only official announcement from either camp said Madonna and Ritchie have yet to finalize the terms of their divorce, and was reported by the New York Daily News.

Madonna's publicist, Liz Rosenberg refuted claims that the two had come to an agreement on how to divide their substantial assets.

"I will not be commenting on the various reports regarding the divorce, or on the settlement, which has not been finalized," Rosenberg said. It's estimated the couple are worth nearly half a billion dollars, with homes in London, New York, Los Angeles and an estate in the English countryside.

Other rumors about Madonna revolved around children.

The UK's Daily Mail reported that Madonna wanted to have a baby with her rumored love-interest Alex Rodriguez, while the father of Madonna's adopted son David reportedly thinks the boy "might be better off" back in Malawi.

Even though she's 50 years old, the Daily Mail's story quoted a friend as saying Madonna was thinking about having a child with the Yankee's superstar.

"She thinks he's physically a great specimen. And if she is going to have another child, he would be the ideal man," an unnamed friend told the Mail. Rodriguez has reportedly purchased an apartment 2 blocks from Madonna's New York city residence to be closer to her, although the pair have not yet publicly confirmed their relationship.

Meantime, the father of Madonna's adopted son was once again suggesting that his son should be returned to him.

"He doesn't look happy," Yohana Banda, who lives in Malawi with his wife, 3-year-old daughter and infant son, told Australia's Herald Sun. "If there is no love in the family, is there any love for him?"

LOS ANGELES, California (X17onine) - For the first time, Trudie Styler is speaking publicly about the divorce of her close friends Madonna and Guy Ritchie.

“I love them both,” Trudie told Access Hollywood Monday night at the Whitney Museum of America Art’s Studio Party in celebration with Versace, where her husband, Sting, was performing. “They’re both dear friends of mine and all good things sometimes come to an end.”

It was Trudie and Sting who brought the now separated couple together at a dinner party in 1999. Madonna and Guy married the following year at Skibo Castle in Scotland.

Trudie, the godmother of Madonna and Guy’s eldest son, Rocco, believes that despite the bitter divorce, the pair will remain friendly for the sake of their children.

“Obviously they’ve been struggling for a while,” she said. “I think they’re destined to become great pals"

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online)- Guy Ritchie has retained a top british legal expert in his battle with Madonna over where the former couple's children will live.

Madonna reportedly wants to move their three children back to the US.

During their eight year marriage, the family lived in London and Ritchie is opposed to the move to the US.

The UK's Daily Mail reports that Ritchie has hired Steven Cobb, CQ, who is considered a specialist in family law cases where the children's country of residence is in dispute.

Madonna and Ritchie have an eight year old son, Rocco who born in the US, and they jointly adopted another son, David, 3, from Malawi in 2006.

Madonna has a 12-year-old daughter, Lourdes, from a previous relationship.

Fiona Shackleton, who represented Prince Charles and Sir Paul McCartney in their divorces, has been hired as Madonna's attorney.

LOS ANGELES, California - Madonna and Guy Ritchie have been granted a preliminary divorce decree by a London court.

Madonna petitioned for the divorce, citing "unreasonable behavior" as the reason for the split.

Neither were in court for the brief session listed on court records as "Ciccone M L v Ritchie G S." The divorce can become final after six weeks and one day.

Various British media have reported unconfirmed stories that the couple had reached a settlement that would allow Madonna keep the majority of her estimated $445 million fortune and share custody with Ritchie of their two children: Rocco, 8, and David Banda, 3, who was adopted from Malawi in 2006.

Madonna and Ritchie announced last month they were divorcing. They own homes in London, Los Angeles and New York, and a 1,200-acre estate in the English countryside.