Debate continues over Madonna’s adoption

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

Just a little more than a week after being granted the right to adopt Malawian toddler Mercy James, Madonna has had her new daughter flown to England to begin her new life.

Don’t expect the controversy over the adoption to end, however. Initially, a Malawian court ruled that Madonna couldn’t adopt the 3-year-old girl because Madonna hadn’t fulfilled the country’s residency requirements. On June 12, a judge in the country’s high court said the previous judge applied too narrow a definition of residency to the situation, and that Madonna’s commitment to her charity Raising Malawi should be taken into account.

“Behind the scenes, there was a lot of pressure on Mercy’s father and the judge to allow this (adoption)” a source connected to Raising Malawi said.

Even if the adoption hadn’t been granted, Madonna’s charity work would have continued, according to the source.

“It’s not like she’d quit doing the work — she clearly cares about the children in that country and its an essential link to her son David. But it would create an awkward situation.”

The fear isn’t whether Madonna will provide a good home to Mercy, it’s what the future will hold where the girl's remaining family in Malawi is concerned.

“David’s family has spoken out since he was adopted (suggesting that David's father wanted him back),” said the source. “Mercy still has family there, and there’s a good chance that as they see the life Mercy has, they’ll be wanting to benefit in some way from Mercy’s new life. It’s not an easy situation, but Madonna is just trying to do what’s best for Mercy.”

Pitt strikes out with ‘Moneyball’
Brad Pitt’s next film, “Moneyball,” was due to begin production June 22, but the project was scrapped at the last minute.

Slideshow   Celebrity sightings Ginnifer Goodwin gets serious at the “Single Man” screening, Beyonce wows Berlin at MTV awards, Claire Danes is a BAFTA beauty and more. more photos

Variety reports that the decision was made June 19 after the script for the baseball flick, based on Michael Lewis’ 2003 book, was deemed too different from earlier versions.

No word on the script differences that led to the decision, but Life & Style obtained one recent version and reported that Pitt fans would be seeing quite a bit of the actor. Pitt was to star as Oakland A’s general manager, Billy Beane and “in one dramatic moment, Brad strips down to his birthday suit in the locker-room shower,” said the magazine.

As for the film’s fate? At best, expect it to be delayed. In a worst-case scenario, it will be scrapped completely.

A decent ‘Proposal’ at the box office
Audiences graciously accepted a “Proposal” from Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds at the box office this weekend, as predicted.

The film hit the number-one spot with an estimated $34.1 million take. This is also a personal victory for Bullock — the film is her highest-grossing opening weekend in career history.

“Year One” did better than I would have expected — it came in fourth place and grossed an estimated $20.2 million. But since the film saw a ticket-sale decline of at least 20 percent each day in theaters, it’s still got a long way to go before it recoups its estimated $60 million budget.

Courtney Hazlett delivers the Scoop Monday through Friday on msnbc.com. Follow Scoop on Twitter: @ courtneyatmsnbc.

Don't miss this on msnbc.com Entertainment Best Bets: Doomed in ‘2012’? Movie says maybe When it comes to stardom, Clooney has smarts For ‘Big Bang’s’ Sheldon, the nerd is the word TV snobs are wrong about ‘Two and a Half Men’

MORE FROM THE SCOOP

The Scoop Section Front

Susan Boyle discusses pressures of fame No immediate plans to move ‘Oprah’ Rihanna says album helped recovery Stewart doesn’t want Jolie-level fame Heidi and Spencer’s book a disgrace The Scoop Section Front   Add The Scoop headlines to your news reader: