Obama to see plenty of Hollywood this summer

HOLLYWOOD usually shuts down for the summer. After all, private beaches in Italy and the French Riviera await. But this year, anyone with even a fleeting interest in Democratic politics is being urged to stay in touch and keep the checkbook close at hand. It’s going to be a long, hot, money-raising summer here for Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. The Democratic contender will make a quick trip to Los Angeles on June 24 for a star-studded event at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Then he’ll be back for more events (perhaps another large soiree in Santa Barbara, this time at producer Jon Peters’ ranch?).

And stand by for the list of musical talent: Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder are already supporters of the Illinois senator. Talks are underway to get longtime Clinton supporter Barbra Streisand singing as well.

You can visit David Geffen’s giant yacht at its various tony ports of call; just make sure your cellphone has satellite service and Obama’s Hollywood fundraiser extraordinaire, Nicole Avant, is on speed-dial.

Jay Leno, meanwhile, mused in one of his monologues this week about Hillary Rodham Clinton’s future. “A big question people are asking . . . what is she going to do next? Where will she go? Where will she end up? Is she going to retire?” He paused and added: “I’m sorry, that’s what they keep asking me. I’m sorry, I forgot.”

‘Lord of War’s’ legal maneuvers

Call it an example of art imitating life imitating art.

This week a small cadre of Hollywood activists are on alert for updates about the fate of Russian gun runner Viktor Bout, dubbed the “Merchant of Death” for his role in covert international arms trade. Bout, who was the inspiration for Nicolas Cage’s character in the 2005 film “Lord of War,” is being detained in Thailand awaiting extradition to the United States, where he will face terrorism charges in connection with a conspiracy to sell missiles to members of a Colombian rebel group.

Officials at Global Witness, a human-rights group based in London, were staying closely in touch with industry execs involved in the production of “Lord of War” as international officials weigh Bout’s fate.

The former Russian major, who eluded arrest for years, was taken into custody on March 6 after a lengthy operation involving U.S. and Thai officials. He has denied any wrongdoing and says he intends to fight the extradition. Meanwhile, according to the Associated Press, diplomatic sources said the Russian embassy in Thailand is fighting to have him released and returned to Russia, where he could be granted immunity.

The Thai court was scheduled to rule this week on whether to extradite Bout to the U.S., but the hearing was delayed until July 28.

Global Witnesses’ Alex Yearsley and Participant Productions gate stormer Bonnie Abaunza immediately stepped into the fray. “As it stands, the real Lord of War might get off scot-free, maybe worse,” Yearsley wrote in an e-mail. Abaunza, who previously worked as head of Amnesty International’s celebrity outreach program, went to work calling everyone concerned, including “Lord of War” writer-director Andrew Niccol.

Perhaps there’s only one thing left to do: Give Cage a real-life sequel role to bring Bout back to the U.S. for justice.

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tina.daunt@latimes.com