New York, November 11, 2007 – Natalie Portman told us that Dustin Hoffman was the funny man on the set of their film Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. “He totally keeps you laughing”, the Elizabeth and James-clad actress told us at the premiere on Sunday.  He’s also a nice guy.  “He brought everyone in the hair and makeup trailer flowers or candy every day”, Natalie said. 

The 243-year-old magical Mr. Magorium has no wife or lover in the movie, but writer Zach Helm was mum when we asked if his character had ever had an affair with the Harry Potter wizard Albus Dumbledore. “You’ll have to ask Dustin [Hoffman] that.  I never inquired about his sexuality”, Helm said.  Jason Bateman was mum when we asked if he feels like a superstar now that he’s shooting two different movies, one with Will Smith and the other with Brad Pitt.  “Both of those things are untrue”, he told us loudly, so that reporters up and down the red carpet could hear him.  Really? We asked.  “Untrue”, he repeated, with a wink and a smile – he just wouldn’t talk about it.