Tuesday, 4 September 2007

Owen Wilson skips film fest but 'doing well'

Longtime director pal Wes Anderson says he's 'making us laugh a lot'

Owen Wilson at the Wendell Baker Story film premiere

Owen Wilson canceled appearances at the Venice Film Festival but is "doing well" and "making us laugh a lot," says his longtime friend Wes Anderson.

"When he's ready he's going to speak for himself much better than anyone else could," Anderson told reporters in Venice on Sunday. "He has a very good way with words."

Wilson, 38, was hospitalized Aug. 26 after what a police log called an attempted suicide. He returned home over the weekend under close watch by family and friends.

Anderson was in Venice promoting the film he directed, The Darjeeling Limited, featuring Wilson with Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman as three brothers taking a train trip across India. Wilson originally was due to appear in Venice.

"I just want you to know how excited I am to have the film showing here," Anderson said at a press conference. "It means a great deal to me, and it also means a great deal to Owen, who wants me to express to you how much it means to him and to say that he wishes he could be with us."

Anderson added: "We all miss having him here very much. Obviously he's been through a lot this week but he's doing well and he's been making us laugh a lot."

By Courtney Rubin