The Aviator: In a recent interview with USA Today, actress Kate Beckinsale, who stars in the upcoming monstrosity, Van Helsing, talked about her role in Martin Scorsese's upcoming biopic of Howard Hughes, starring Leonardo DiCaprio...

However, a wolf of a different sort pursues her in The Aviator. The biopic, which is due this fall, follows the early years of Hollywood mogul and playboy tycoon Howard Hughes. Leonardo DiCaprio stars, and Martin Scorsese (a huge fan of Hughes' Hell's Angels, his 1930 ode to fly-boy action) directs.

New glamour meets old as Jude Law channels Errol Flynn, Cate Blanchett does Katharine Hepburn and No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani takes on Jean Harlow, the original blonde bombshell. Beckinsale portrays legendary screen goddess Ava Gardner, one of Hughes' many paramours, who went on to marry and divorce Mickey Rooney, musician Artie Shaw and Frank Sinatra.

"It was a little bit intimidating," she says of the role. "On every page of the script she is described as the most beautiful woman in the world."

As for the relationship between Hughes and Gardner, "It was a cantankerous flirtation. They were good friends, and she was attracted to him and his largesse. But she was worried that something might be required in return."

As a result, "he constantly proposed, and she would turn him down." Adds Beckinsale with a laugh, "He proposed to everyone, though."