For those of you who aren't Francophones, La Reine means Queen. And the undisputed Queen of Hollywood is Julia Roberts. Not much of a surprise really, considering the 'pretty woman' has been churning out box office hits with steady regularity.

The Hollywood Hot List

'The Hollywood Hot List' is a litany of the hot, hip and happening of Hollywood. Written by James Ulmer, former magazine columnist with 'Premiere' magazine, 'The Hollywood Hot List' is headed by Julia Roberts as Hollywood's most bankable performer. She has the added distinction of being 'the only woman guaranteed to open a movie on her name alone'.

So what has caused Roberts to be catapulted to the top of the world's most powerful entertainers list? Lets try 'Pretty Woman', 'My Best Friend's Wedding', 'Notting Hill' and 'Erin Brockovich' among several other box office hits.

The 'A' List

Joining Roberts in the 'A' list of Hollywood's highest paid stars or 'The $20 million Club' (groan! why couldn't all of us be millionaire movie stars?) are Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson and Bruce Willis. Others on the top ten list include John Travolta, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Will Smith.

So what does it take to be an 'A' star? Well you have to be someone 'whose marquee value alone can trigger financing for a film, even if there is no script, director or co-stars attached.'

The rankings in the book are compiled from an industry scorecard that Ulmer has produced for several years as a crib sheet for studio executives, producers, agents and directors.

Women Power

So for the first time in Hollywood history, a woman has gained admission to the $20 million club of Hollywood's highest paid stars. Hats off to the tinseltown Tsarina Julia Roberts.

In a further hurrah for women, based on box office alone, Carrie Fisher would rank as one of the world's highest grossing stars. Her 14 films have collectively raked in $1.4 billion, most of that from her role as princess Leah in Star Wars trilogy.

So, here's to Woman Power in movieville!

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