2015-02-11

Larry Busacca/Getty Images Anna Kendrick, above at the Grammys, was a natural for ‘The Last Five Years,’ says writer Jason Robert Brown.

“The Last Five Years” writer Jason Robert Brown, who wrote the play the movie musical is based on, says he wanted Anna Kendrick in the lead role from day one. “I saw Anna in ‘High Society.’ I saw her when she was 13 years old,” he tells Confidenti@l. “First of all, everyone wants Anna to star in their movies. You watch her on screen and she’s completely there. And that’s special.” Brown says when they were casting the movie, Kendrick came over to his house and sang just “three notes.” Then he stopped and said, “Fine, just cast Anna. What are we doing? Why would we not do this?” “She’s gorgeous and she can act it, she can sing it. She is it. She’s just so real to who this character is,” he says. Director Richard LaGravenese tells us Kendrick was even better off-screen when it came to creating chemistry between herself and Jeremy Jordan, who plays her on-again, off-again love. “We only had five days of rehearsals two months before we started shooting, so they jumped into the deep end right away. Anna invited him out to drinks and they had tequila, they bonded and that was it,” he said. “That’s what makes them great actors. They know how to connect and bond and find that chemistry quickly.”

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images Carmelo Anthony, above in his All-Star uniform, will hit a Dom Perignon bash after the game.

CARMELO UP FOR SOME POP

The Knicks rarely taste Champagne after a game these days, but after Sunday’s All-Star showdown at the Garden, the home team’s sole selection — forward Carmelo Anthony — will join Dom Perignon’s Lights Out! Party at Gilded Lily lounge in West Chelsea. The eight-time All-Star will be joined by musician Swizz Beatz and other NBA players who won’t be too tired after an evening of shooting hoops and playing no defense.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images Garbage’s Shirley Manson slammed Kanye West’s Grammy tantrum: ‘Grow up and stop throwing your toys.’

MANSON CALLS KANYE RANT RUBBISH

Garbage singer Shirley Manson is talking trash about Kanye West. “It is YOU who is so busy disrespecting artistry,” the “Stupid Girl” singer wrote on Facebook. Manson was responding to West’s Grammy night temper tantrum when he ranted against the Grammy committee for not sharing his tastes in music. Calling West “small and petty and spoilt,” Manson told him to “grow up and stop throwing your toys around.”

MCADAMS DOES A SHOOT

Rachel, get your gun. On the set of the highly anticipated second season of HBO’s “True Detective,” Rachel McAdams put on her best badass face and aimed her prop gun at a — presumably — bad guy. Her co-stars Colin Farrell and Taylor Kitsch were also on the Los Angeles set, joking around between takes.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Michael McKean’s winning fresh fame on ‘Better Call Saul.’

‘BETTER’ TIMES FOR MCKEAN

Comic actor Michael McKean is probably best known for his role as former super star of the fictional rock band “Spinal Tap,” but he hopes his role on “Better Call Saul,” as Saul’s brother Chuck, becomes his new calling card. “Things pass, things change,” McKean said. “When you wet the bed, first it’s warm, then it’s cold. Things change.”

DOWN TIME FOR MIRREN

These Lucite heels were apparently not made for walking. The ageless Helen Mirren had a bit of trouble navigating the red carpet staircase at the “Woman in Gold” premiere during the Berlin Film Festival, stumbling slightly in her green lace Dolce & Gabbana gown. Naturally, she handled the moment like a pro.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Chanel Iman at the DreamYard Bronx-Wide Poetry Slam

CHANEL, DEREK SEE GRAND SLAM

Chanel Iman, Derek Hough, Leigh Lezark and Mad Over You founder Ian Madover came together to judge DreamYard’s Bronx-Wide Poetry Slam finals at Joe’s Pub. The five best teams showcased their work after a two-week boroughwide competition, and a celebration was held at the Library at the Public Theater after the selection of the winning elementary and middle school teams.

GEORGIA IS SPECS-TACULAR

The new Sunglass Hut campaign is sealed with a kiss. Model Georgia May Jagger, 23-year-old daughter of Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger, flaunts her perfect pout in the new ad while sporting a killer set of tortoiseshell frames. Georgia is on fire lately, also snagging the campaign for Thierry Mugler’s signature Angel fragrance.

Beau Grealy/Teen Vogue Sistine, Sylvester Stallone’s daughter, is on the cover of Teen Vogue.

FRESH STALLONE KNOCKOUT

Sistine Rose Stallone, yes, daughter of Sly Stallone, is kicking off her modeling career in Teen Vogue’s March issue. The 16-year-old tells the mag she knows how lucky she is to grow up privileged, and says her favorite movie of her father’s is “Rocky.” “I don’t box, but he’s taught me how to throw a punch!” she tells the latest issue of the glossy.

THEY SAID IT

“I think that you need to put work second and love first.”

— “Millionaire Matchmaker” Patti Stanger on “WHHL”

“It’d have made me smarter and stuff.”

— Neil Patrick Harris telling Vanity Fair he should’ve gone to college.

SEEN AND HEARD

ABC’s “Forever” castmates Lorraine Toussaint, Ioan Gruffudd, Joel David Moore and Donnie Keshawarz toasting each other at Sea Fire Grill and dining on oysters and surf and turf. … Former “Real Housewife of New York” star turned WeTV “Marriage Boot Camp” cast member Aviva Drescher getting pampered at the new luxury Angelo David Salon. … “Hawaii Five-O” star Peter Greene at One & One pub. … Pauly Shore and two beauties at SushiSamba in Miami. … Nacho Figueras’ wife, Delfina Blaquier, getting cut and colored at Fekkai salon on Fifth Ave.

Splash News Swimwear star Gigi Hadid ventures out at Herald Square.

GIGI ON THE GO

Sports Illustrated model Gigi Hadid dashes through Herald Square for a meet-and-greet with fans.

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