Birkhead Bracing for Bahamian Victory
by Gina Serpe
Mon, 19 Mar 2007 07:43:49 AM PDT
Larry Birkhead may be down one lawyer, but it looks like he may soon be up one daughter.
The court-embattled photographer emerged from his first paternity hearing without sound bite-ready attorney Debra Opri in the Bahamas Friday, and emerged if not officially victorious, then at least with a whiff of impending victory about him.
While Birkhead refused to comment on the inner workings of the hearing, he made his feelings about said workings more than clear.
"There were different moods for different people," he said outside the courtroom. "I'm in a happy mood but I can't speak for anyone else."
Both Birkhead, who was greeted with cheers and applause upon entering and exiting the courtroom, as has become standard fare with his public appearances, and Anna Nicole Smith's estranged mother Virgie Arthur attended the case management hearing, where lawyers for all sides updated the judge on what had progressed since their last hearing over both paternity and custody of six-month-old Dannielynn.
Howard K. Stern was not present for the proceedings, though judging by Birkhead's reaction to leaving the courtroom, it was likely a good thing.
While Birkhead refused to speak on the source of his newfound confidence, it's likely due to the fact that he requested, and, presumably, was granted that which he has been fighting for months to achieve—the order for a DNA test to once and for all prove whether he is in fact Dannielynn's father.
"I know I'm the father," he said. "It's just when will the court know. [The court will know] sooner rather than later."
Following the hearing, from which Arthur left less resolute, smileless and without speaking to reporters, Birkhead said he couldn't be happier with how the proceedings went, telling Access Hollywood that "what seems like has taken months and months in California is basically going pretty quickly here in the Bahamas."
"I feel good about that. I think good things are coming pretty soon."
Even, per Birkhead, as soon as next month.
"April will be like the greatest month of my life, I'm hoping," he told the entertainment show. "I mean, you never know. You just hope for the best and I'm pleased with what I heard today and I'll stay as long as I have to stay to get done what I need to get done."
The next thing to get done: returning to court.
Birkhead is due back in Bahamian court on Tuesday.
It's unlikely that the DNA testing would be complete by then, rather, more in keeping with the typical paternity testing process, the judge will simply use the court date to choose a DNA expert who will be responsible for carrying out the testing and confirming the results. Only after one is chosen will Birkhead be allowed to sidle up to a needle.
Another long-gestating court battle doesn't seem to be reaching as swift a conclusion.
Stern's hearing over ownership of Horizons, the Bahamian estate he and Smith lived in just prior to her Feb. 8 passing, the cause of which has still not been revealed, has been adjourned until April.
Stern will be fighting to avoid eviction from the property from South Carolina developer G. Ben Thompson, who claims the estate is his and that neither Smith nor Stern ever made good on its $900,000 mortgage.
Meanwhile, Birkhead's impending happy ending may be getting a big screen finish.
According to CNN, Smith's life story is heading for Hollywood, with a film version of the late Playboy Playmate's life already in the works and prepping to go into production as early as next month.
Nasser Entertainment producer Jack Nasser told the cable net that his company as "moving as quickly as possible" on the film, which will chronicle Smith's life from age 17 until her death this year at 39.
"It's not focused on the trash," Nasser said, adding that the film would focus instead on "the positive" aspects of Smith's life.
However, while Nasser promises a trash-free retelling, the movie won't be without its salaciousness. Casting notices call for "minor nudity" from the actress portraying Smith, as several scenes will take place in the Texas strip club in which Smith was discovered and in which she met her late husband, oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II.
Casting on the project begins next week, though Nasser & Co. already have some competition in Hollywood.
Earlier this month, NBC confirmed that an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent would rip the Smith saga from the headlines to base a May sweeps episode around. Casting on that project is nearly complete, with Kristy Swanson and David Cross already on board.
http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=7d4fe9a9-1a09-4ee7-b161-99d98d54f67e
I heard them talking about this movie on Showbizz Tonight or one of these celeb shows. The producer, or someone involved in it, said he'd had the movie in the works for a while, but sped it up after ANS death. He interestingly said since his movie is based on what is publicly known about Anna's life, he doesn't have to pay for any rights to use materials.