'We're trying to figure out how far we can go with it but still keep it Paramore,' bassist Jeremy Davis says.
It sounds like we're getting close to a new Paramore album. Or, you know, at least closer.
For months, Paramore have maintained that they were in "the very early stages" (or,"stage 0.5," to be exact) of work on the follow-up to their Riot! album, with guitarist Josh Farro working on "tons of ideas" and frontwoman Hayley Williams penning fragments of lyrics based on the rather tumultuous year the band has endured.
But nothing appeared to be set in stone. Then, in early December, Williams told Spin magazine that the band had decided to record the album in Nashville and hoped to have it in stores by next summer. So, when MTV News caught up with the band backstage at KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas in Los Angeles, we decided to get a status update. And it sounds like things are finally starting to come together.
"[We've been getting inspired by] life, really. It's not one specific instance or record or book or anything. We're constantly taking in new music — that's what we're passionate about — but I think life has given us a lot to say, and I'm really excited," Williams said. "Josh has been writing really cool riffs and really cool music that I can't wait to write over. Lyrically, I think it's going to be a very different record — we've learned a lot about relationships and friendships and life in general, and I'm stoked because I don't really know what I'm going to say about it, but I've got a lot that I want to get out."
And just what will the album sound like? Well, Farro wouldn't say, but according to bassist Jeremy Davis, it could be an all-over-the-map affair. Or, you know, just another Paramore album.
"I think everyone's just growing, you know? Growing up. And I feel like we all kind of know what the Paramore sound is, but we're all experimenting and trying to figure out how far we can go with it but still keep it Paramore," he said. "We've all been getting into different music ourselves, which is just going to be better in the long run. When we get into the studio, there's going to be a lot more different things going on."
When the band does head into the studio in '09, it sounds like it's going to be all business — which is only more good news for Paramore fans hungering for a new album.
"I mean, this last record did really well, and it's not that we didn't appreciate it, but we always want to do better," drummer Zac Farro said. "Just because we did well on the last one, we don't think we can go in and make a great record without having to try. We're going to work just as hard, if not harder, this time around."
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Michael Cera Is the Lone Holdout For Arrested Development Movie?
A month ago, Jeffrey Tambor revealed that the Arrested Development film was a go. But despite Tambor’s positivity, many still had doubts about whether or not series creator could get the cast back together for one final cinematic hurrah.
It now appears that those doubts were somewhat unfounded: In a recent interview with Fancast (via Collider), Hurwitz was asked straight up about rumors that Will Arnett and Michael Cera were the only remaining two holdouts for the film. Hurwitz responded:
I don’t want to talk about who is holding out right now because we might still work that out and I don’t want to pressure anyone through the press. Although I will say that Will Arnett is gung-ho, so there’s a big clue!
Bateman and Tambor have already publicly expressed support for the film, and I can’t imagine that Arrested co-stars Alia Shawkat, Portia de Rossi, David Cross, Tony Hale, and Jessica Walter are much more busy than they are. This seems to imply that Cera is the lone holdout for the casting of the film, and given Cera’s previous remarks about the possibility of a film, his involvement will probably be a toss-up.
Hurwitz also revealed that he was waiting to write the script until the casting was complete, but that he was already kicking around some ideas for the film:
I think in some respect it would have to pick up where the show left off. Maybe the benefit of that would be, if nothing else, just to recap everything. There are a couple of ways to get into it. I was even thinking about a big animated sequence to start. Kind of like how the Blake Edwards movies used to start - to kind of catch everyone up.
Perhaps more significantly, Hurwitz predicted that if casting for the film doesn’t work out, there’s a real possibility the Bluth family could return in online form, or as a straight-to-DVD movie:
It’s too much fun for us all. The fans have been so supportive and so sincere in their fondness for it. That’s really the big motivation to make the film. It sounds kind of corny…It’s not like it’s going to pay very much! It’s a really low budget film and it’s going to be a ton of work, but it just kind of feels like…well, people are so great about responding to this.
It now appears that those doubts were somewhat unfounded: In a recent interview with Fancast (via Collider), Hurwitz was asked straight up about rumors that Will Arnett and Michael Cera were the only remaining two holdouts for the film. Hurwitz responded:
I don’t want to talk about who is holding out right now because we might still work that out and I don’t want to pressure anyone through the press. Although I will say that Will Arnett is gung-ho, so there’s a big clue!
Bateman and Tambor have already publicly expressed support for the film, and I can’t imagine that Arrested co-stars Alia Shawkat, Portia de Rossi, David Cross, Tony Hale, and Jessica Walter are much more busy than they are. This seems to imply that Cera is the lone holdout for the casting of the film, and given Cera’s previous remarks about the possibility of a film, his involvement will probably be a toss-up.
Hurwitz also revealed that he was waiting to write the script until the casting was complete, but that he was already kicking around some ideas for the film:
I think in some respect it would have to pick up where the show left off. Maybe the benefit of that would be, if nothing else, just to recap everything. There are a couple of ways to get into it. I was even thinking about a big animated sequence to start. Kind of like how the Blake Edwards movies used to start - to kind of catch everyone up.
Perhaps more significantly, Hurwitz predicted that if casting for the film doesn’t work out, there’s a real possibility the Bluth family could return in online form, or as a straight-to-DVD movie:
It’s too much fun for us all. The fans have been so supportive and so sincere in their fondness for it. That’s really the big motivation to make the film. It sounds kind of corny…It’s not like it’s going to pay very much! It’s a really low budget film and it’s going to be a ton of work, but it just kind of feels like…well, people are so great about responding to this.
Marley is Best in Show
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
With four of five new wide releases performing strong this weekend, Hollywood ended the year on a high note as the top 12 movies took in $182.5 million, up 8 perfect from the same weekend in 2007.
Topping the list was 20th Century Fox's Marley & Me, which earned an estimated $37 million from 3,480 theaters for an average of $10,632 per location. The dramedy, based on John Grogan's best-seller, set a new Christmas Day record with $14.7 million on Thursday, surpassing 2001's Ali ($10.2 million) - a record also broken by fellow newcomers The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ($12 million) and Bedtime Stories ($10.5 million). Starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, Marley & Me has collected an impressive $51.7 million in four days.
Adam Sandler's new adventure comedy Bedtime Stories took second place with $28.1 million from 3,681 theaters, an average of $7,625 per site. The Walt Disney Pictures release has made $38.6 million since opening on Christmas Day.
Coming in close at No. 3 was David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. The drama about a man aging backwards collected $27 million over the three days from 2,988 theaters, averaging $9,036. Budgeted for about $150 million, the Paramount film topped Bedtime Stories for the four days with $39 milion.
Bryan Singer's new WWII thriller Valkyrie, starring Tom Cruise, debuted in the fourth spot with $21.5 million from 2,711 theaters. The United Artists pic averaged $7,942 over the three days and has garnered $30 million since opening on Thursday.
Warner Bros. Pictures' Yes Man dipped just 9.9% in sales, adding $16.5 million its second weekend for a total of $49.6 million. It was followed in sixth place by Sony's Seven Pounds, which also dropped just 9.8% and earned $13.4 million for a two-week total of $39 million, and Universal's The Tale of Despereaux, which saw a drop of just 7.3% and another $9.4 million for a total of $27.9 million after two weeks.
Fox's The Day the Earth Stood Still made $7.9 million its third weekend to bring its total to $63.6 million. The Keanu Reeves starrer cost about $80 million to make.
Frank Miller's adaptation of Will Eisner's comic book The Spirit earned $6.5 million over the weekend and $10.4 million for the four days. The Lionsgate adaptation stars Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Paulson, Eva Mendes, Dan Lauria, Paz Vega, Jaime King and Scarlett Johansson.
John Patrick Shanley's Doubt, starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis, was expanded into wide release and rounded out the top 10. The drama, based on Shanley's play, brought in $5.7 million from 1,267 theaters and averaged $4,479. It has earned $8.83 million after three weeks.
In limited release, Sam Mendes' Revolutionary Road, reuniting Titanic stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Kathy Bates, earned an impressive $192,000 from just three theaters, while Overture Films' Last Chance Harvey, with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, made $96,000 from six theaters for a total of $132,000, and Sony Pictures Classics' Waltz with Bashir collected $51,200 from five theaters for a total of $55,100.
With four of five new wide releases performing strong this weekend, Hollywood ended the year on a high note as the top 12 movies took in $182.5 million, up 8 perfect from the same weekend in 2007.
Topping the list was 20th Century Fox's Marley & Me, which earned an estimated $37 million from 3,480 theaters for an average of $10,632 per location. The dramedy, based on John Grogan's best-seller, set a new Christmas Day record with $14.7 million on Thursday, surpassing 2001's Ali ($10.2 million) - a record also broken by fellow newcomers The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ($12 million) and Bedtime Stories ($10.5 million). Starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, Marley & Me has collected an impressive $51.7 million in four days.
Adam Sandler's new adventure comedy Bedtime Stories took second place with $28.1 million from 3,681 theaters, an average of $7,625 per site. The Walt Disney Pictures release has made $38.6 million since opening on Christmas Day.
Coming in close at No. 3 was David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. The drama about a man aging backwards collected $27 million over the three days from 2,988 theaters, averaging $9,036. Budgeted for about $150 million, the Paramount film topped Bedtime Stories for the four days with $39 milion.
Bryan Singer's new WWII thriller Valkyrie, starring Tom Cruise, debuted in the fourth spot with $21.5 million from 2,711 theaters. The United Artists pic averaged $7,942 over the three days and has garnered $30 million since opening on Thursday.
Warner Bros. Pictures' Yes Man dipped just 9.9% in sales, adding $16.5 million its second weekend for a total of $49.6 million. It was followed in sixth place by Sony's Seven Pounds, which also dropped just 9.8% and earned $13.4 million for a two-week total of $39 million, and Universal's The Tale of Despereaux, which saw a drop of just 7.3% and another $9.4 million for a total of $27.9 million after two weeks.
Fox's The Day the Earth Stood Still made $7.9 million its third weekend to bring its total to $63.6 million. The Keanu Reeves starrer cost about $80 million to make.
Frank Miller's adaptation of Will Eisner's comic book The Spirit earned $6.5 million over the weekend and $10.4 million for the four days. The Lionsgate adaptation stars Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Paulson, Eva Mendes, Dan Lauria, Paz Vega, Jaime King and Scarlett Johansson.
John Patrick Shanley's Doubt, starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis, was expanded into wide release and rounded out the top 10. The drama, based on Shanley's play, brought in $5.7 million from 1,267 theaters and averaged $4,479. It has earned $8.83 million after three weeks.
In limited release, Sam Mendes' Revolutionary Road, reuniting Titanic stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Kathy Bates, earned an impressive $192,000 from just three theaters, while Overture Films' Last Chance Harvey, with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, made $96,000 from six theaters for a total of $132,000, and Sony Pictures Classics' Waltz with Bashir collected $51,200 from five theaters for a total of $55,100.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Gilligan’s Island Creator Wants Michael Cera To Play Gilligan in Movie Adaptation
Sherwood Schwartz and his son Lloyd Schwartz have signed a deal to bring Gilligan’s Island to the big screen. I loved Gilligan’s Island as a kid, and am not against the idea of a re-imagining of the series… But it seems to me that LOST is our generation’s version of the 1960’s television series, and anything closer to the source material would just be too silly (I’m imagining something like The Flintstones movie… ewww).
Schwartz broke the news at the Beverly Hills induction ceremony of Television Academy’s Hall of Fame on December 9th, where he told TV Guide that he wants Michael Cera to play Gilligan and Beyonce Knowles to play Ginger. It just seems like a bad idea. But if they could sucessfully update the series for the big screen, Cera might be perfect for the role of Gilligan. But I’m pretty sure if a movie makes it to theaters, it won’t be good.
Schwartz broke the news at the Beverly Hills induction ceremony of Television Academy’s Hall of Fame on December 9th, where he told TV Guide that he wants Michael Cera to play Gilligan and Beyonce Knowles to play Ginger. It just seems like a bad idea. But if they could sucessfully update the series for the big screen, Cera might be perfect for the role of Gilligan. But I’m pretty sure if a movie makes it to theaters, it won’t be good.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Clive Owen Attached to Star in Cartagena
Clive Owen is attached to Cartagena, a story about an undercover agent amid Colombian drug cartels, says The Hollywood Reporter. The project is at Mark Cuban's 2929 Productions.
Michael Ross, who penned the Fox Atomic horror pic Turistas and recently was signed to Overture's remake of Icelandic thriller Jar City, has been attached to write the screenplay.
Cartagena centers on an undercover agent who gets caught in a complex plot and must elude drug dealers and international agents if he hopes to survive. The project is named for a city on Colombia's northern coast that has a colorful history featuring wars, robust economic activity and tourist development.
Michael Ross, who penned the Fox Atomic horror pic Turistas and recently was signed to Overture's remake of Icelandic thriller Jar City, has been attached to write the screenplay.
Cartagena centers on an undercover agent who gets caught in a complex plot and must elude drug dealers and international agents if he hopes to survive. The project is named for a city on Colombia's northern coast that has a colorful history featuring wars, robust economic activity and tourist development.
New Kelly Clarkson Single Due Next Month
Kelly Clarkson's new single, "My Life Would Suck Without You," will hit U.S. radio outlets Jan. 19. The track will introduce her fourth, as-yet-untitled studio album, due March 17 from RCA.
Although a track list has yet to be announced, Clarkson has worked with producer/songwriter Dr. Luke and OneRepublic leader Ryan Tedder on new material.
The album will be the follow-up to 2007's "My December," which has sold 780,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Clarkson feuded with RCA exec Clive Davis over her desire to write her own material for the album, on the heels of her smash 2004 album "Breakaway," which featured a number of co-writes with experienced songwriters.
A planned arena tour was scrapped just before "My December" came out due to lower-than-expected ticket sales, and was reconfigured for smaller venues a few months later.
Last fall, Clarkson signed with manager Narvel Blackstock, who paired her with his wife, Reba McEntire, for a successful co-headlining tour in early 2008.
Although a track list has yet to be announced, Clarkson has worked with producer/songwriter Dr. Luke and OneRepublic leader Ryan Tedder on new material.
The album will be the follow-up to 2007's "My December," which has sold 780,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Clarkson feuded with RCA exec Clive Davis over her desire to write her own material for the album, on the heels of her smash 2004 album "Breakaway," which featured a number of co-writes with experienced songwriters.
A planned arena tour was scrapped just before "My December" came out due to lower-than-expected ticket sales, and was reconfigured for smaller venues a few months later.
Last fall, Clarkson signed with manager Narvel Blackstock, who paired her with his wife, Reba McEntire, for a successful co-headlining tour in early 2008.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Weekly Ratings: 12/8 – 12/10
Monday Ratings: Sweet Mother, Best Worst and (Another!) Biggest Bang
Just another manic Monday for the CBS sitcoms. Let's break it down:
8 pm/ET
Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother easily command the top spot, with the former notching yet another series' best — 11.42 million total viewers. Mother, meanwhile, gained nine percent to deliver its largest audience since Jan. 9, 2006. Chuck claimed runner-up status with 7.56 mil, up 630K week-to-week. Trailing ABC's Charlie Brown special, Sarah Connor's midseason finale scored 5.29 mil, up a hair from last week.
9 pm
Two and a Half Men surged 15 percent to flirt with 18 million viewers, its largest audience since May 16, 2005 (the night of the Everybody Loves Raymond series finale). In turn, Worst Week (12.12 mil) soared 14 percent to set an all-time high. Heroes held steady at 7.78 mil, as it bid the "Villains" adieu. Prison Break (5.73 mil) added 340 thou.
10 pm
CSI: Miami dominated with 14.46 million viewers (up 860K), its best numbers since Feb. 26, 2007. Worst Enemy inched up a hair, to 4.08 mil.
Sunday ratings addendum: Dexter's season finale gave Showtime 1.51 million viewers with its 9 pm airing, and two mil including the later rebroadcast. Californication nearly scored a million over two plays of its own season ender.
Tuesday Ratings: NCIS, Mentalist and Trace Cop Impressive Highs
This Tuesday, as Fox and the CW broke for the holidays early....
8 pm/ET
NCIS capitalized on House's "missed appointment" by surging 1.3 mil and securing its biggest audience ever — 19.86 million total viewers. It was Biggest Loser, however, that placed No. 1 in the demos. The reality series' cycle-ender averaged 11.65 mil over its two-hour run, up 26 percent week-to-week.
9 pm
Oh, how you love that Mentalist! The freshman drama gained 560K from its previous fresh outing/series high, hitting 19.33 million viewers. Placing fourth (behind Loser and a Fringe repeat), ABC's According to Jim two-pack (4.8 mil) dropped 400 thou week-to-week.
10 pm
Buoyed by its commanding lead-ins, Without a Trace scored a season-high 14.47 million viewers, up 19 percent from its previous new eppy. NBC's Momma's Boys debuted to 6.07 mil, while Eli Stone inched up the tiniest hair, to 4.98 mil.
All told, it was CBS' best Tuesday night since ... 1995.
Wednesday Ratings: Criminal Minds Still Killin' the Competition
This Wednesday, every regular broadcast series took a dive... except one. Can you guess who the lucky bird is?
8 pm/ET
NBC's Muppets Christmas special won the front half of the hour, earning 7.8 million total viewers to Old Christine's 7.47 mil (a 10 percent decrease from last week's season high). At 8:30, Gary Unmarried (7.55 mil, down 480K), rose to the top. By the way, Max Gail? He's killing me. Go, Wojo! Placing third, Fox's Secret Millionaire (6.65 mil) toppled 540K week-to-week. Pushing Daisies' perhaps-penultimate broadcast episode drew 4.82 mil, dipping 140K.
9 pm
Criminal Minds (15 mil, including J.J.'s cute wittle bitty baby-waby) enjoyed the night's only increase, adding 300K to last week's audience. In a distant second, Private Practice (6.65 mil) dropped 200K. Life (5.19 mil) slipped 280K.
10 pm
CSI: NY matched last week's audience of 13.26 mil, while Law & Order dipped 500K to fall shy of five mil. Dirty Sexy Money held steady at 5.18 mil.
Just another manic Monday for the CBS sitcoms. Let's break it down:
8 pm/ET
Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother easily command the top spot, with the former notching yet another series' best — 11.42 million total viewers. Mother, meanwhile, gained nine percent to deliver its largest audience since Jan. 9, 2006. Chuck claimed runner-up status with 7.56 mil, up 630K week-to-week. Trailing ABC's Charlie Brown special, Sarah Connor's midseason finale scored 5.29 mil, up a hair from last week.
9 pm
Two and a Half Men surged 15 percent to flirt with 18 million viewers, its largest audience since May 16, 2005 (the night of the Everybody Loves Raymond series finale). In turn, Worst Week (12.12 mil) soared 14 percent to set an all-time high. Heroes held steady at 7.78 mil, as it bid the "Villains" adieu. Prison Break (5.73 mil) added 340 thou.
10 pm
CSI: Miami dominated with 14.46 million viewers (up 860K), its best numbers since Feb. 26, 2007. Worst Enemy inched up a hair, to 4.08 mil.
Sunday ratings addendum: Dexter's season finale gave Showtime 1.51 million viewers with its 9 pm airing, and two mil including the later rebroadcast. Californication nearly scored a million over two plays of its own season ender.
Tuesday Ratings: NCIS, Mentalist and Trace Cop Impressive Highs
This Tuesday, as Fox and the CW broke for the holidays early....
8 pm/ET
NCIS capitalized on House's "missed appointment" by surging 1.3 mil and securing its biggest audience ever — 19.86 million total viewers. It was Biggest Loser, however, that placed No. 1 in the demos. The reality series' cycle-ender averaged 11.65 mil over its two-hour run, up 26 percent week-to-week.
9 pm
Oh, how you love that Mentalist! The freshman drama gained 560K from its previous fresh outing/series high, hitting 19.33 million viewers. Placing fourth (behind Loser and a Fringe repeat), ABC's According to Jim two-pack (4.8 mil) dropped 400 thou week-to-week.
10 pm
Buoyed by its commanding lead-ins, Without a Trace scored a season-high 14.47 million viewers, up 19 percent from its previous new eppy. NBC's Momma's Boys debuted to 6.07 mil, while Eli Stone inched up the tiniest hair, to 4.98 mil.
All told, it was CBS' best Tuesday night since ... 1995.
Wednesday Ratings: Criminal Minds Still Killin' the Competition
This Wednesday, every regular broadcast series took a dive... except one. Can you guess who the lucky bird is?
8 pm/ET
NBC's Muppets Christmas special won the front half of the hour, earning 7.8 million total viewers to Old Christine's 7.47 mil (a 10 percent decrease from last week's season high). At 8:30, Gary Unmarried (7.55 mil, down 480K), rose to the top. By the way, Max Gail? He's killing me. Go, Wojo! Placing third, Fox's Secret Millionaire (6.65 mil) toppled 540K week-to-week. Pushing Daisies' perhaps-penultimate broadcast episode drew 4.82 mil, dipping 140K.
9 pm
Criminal Minds (15 mil, including J.J.'s cute wittle bitty baby-waby) enjoyed the night's only increase, adding 300K to last week's audience. In a distant second, Private Practice (6.65 mil) dropped 200K. Life (5.19 mil) slipped 280K.
10 pm
CSI: NY matched last week's audience of 13.26 mil, while Law & Order dipped 500K to fall shy of five mil. Dirty Sexy Money held steady at 5.18 mil.
DNA Films Greenlights New Judge Dredd Movie
According to an announcement on 2000 AD’s message boards (via AICN), DNA films, along with Rebellion and and 2000 AD, have greenlit a new Judge Dredd film. According to the Rebellion’s CEO and Creative Director, “We can’t give away too many details at this point, but we’re looking forward to working with DNA Films to bring Judge Dredd back to the big screen.” Production is scheduled to begin in 2009.
This news is a bit shocking to me, as I remember that the first Dredd film, which starred Sylvester Stallone and Rob Schneider, was widely regarded as one of the biggest financial failures of all time, requiring a production budget of almost $100 million, but only earning a small fraction of that back domestically. Furthermore, critics weren’t too kind to it either. Nonetheless, with an interesting, developed and wildly popular sci-fi universe, and with the company behind Sunshine and 28 Weeks Later backing this up, I’m actually more hopeful about this project than apprehensive. What do you think?
This news is a bit shocking to me, as I remember that the first Dredd film, which starred Sylvester Stallone and Rob Schneider, was widely regarded as one of the biggest financial failures of all time, requiring a production budget of almost $100 million, but only earning a small fraction of that back domestically. Furthermore, critics weren’t too kind to it either. Nonetheless, with an interesting, developed and wildly popular sci-fi universe, and with the company behind Sunshine and 28 Weeks Later backing this up, I’m actually more hopeful about this project than apprehensive. What do you think?
James Cameron to Remake Forbidden Planet?
In October, we told you that Babylon 5 creator an Changeling scribe J. Michael Straczynski was hired by Warner Bros to pen a remake of Forbidden Planet. Now IESB claims that James Cameron is once again eyeing the project. He was at one time attached to it post-Titanic, but nothing came of it. If true, this is an odd move from Cameron who has said that he wanted to do a much smaller movie called The Dive after finishing his current three year production of Avatar. For now mark this as a “rumor”. Joel Silver is producing the latest try.
The original saw a group of Earth scientists who are sent some 17 light years away to investigate what happened to a colony of settlers on Altair-4. They find a man with a secret and his daughter who somehow survived a hideous monster attack on their planet. Gene Roddenberry has noted that Fred Wilcox’s original 1956 sci-fi film was one of the inspirations for Star Trek.
Loosely based on William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the movie was nominated for best special effects Oscar, and was noted for its groundbreaking use of an all-electronic score, and the first appearances of Robby the Robot and the C-57D starship (which was subsequently used in a number of productions, including the Twilight Zone’s “To Serve Man”). The movie’s poster was listed as the fifth best Movie Poster ever created by Premiere Magazine.
The original saw a group of Earth scientists who are sent some 17 light years away to investigate what happened to a colony of settlers on Altair-4. They find a man with a secret and his daughter who somehow survived a hideous monster attack on their planet. Gene Roddenberry has noted that Fred Wilcox’s original 1956 sci-fi film was one of the inspirations for Star Trek.
Loosely based on William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the movie was nominated for best special effects Oscar, and was noted for its groundbreaking use of an all-electronic score, and the first appearances of Robby the Robot and the C-57D starship (which was subsequently used in a number of productions, including the Twilight Zone’s “To Serve Man”). The movie’s poster was listed as the fifth best Movie Poster ever created by Premiere Magazine.
Jim Carrey & Will Smith Get Snowed Under
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
Three new movies opened in wide release this weekend taking over the top three spots at the box office. Despite a lot of star power and high concept premises, none of them were able to gross more than $20 million, attributed in some part to the huge snowstorms that hit the Eastern seaboard and the MidWest on Friday, leading to one of the slowest pre-Christmas box office showings in a long time.
Comedy superstar Jim Carrey headlined the comedy Yes Man (Warner Bros.), which bore a similar premise to his earlier hit Liar, Liar, and though it only grossed $18.2 million in 3,434 theaters over the weekend, it was enough to take the #1 spot this weekend. It opened just ahead of Will Smith's enigmatic drama Seven Pounds (Sony), which made $16 million in 700 fewer theaters, averaging $5,800 per venue. It's the weakest opening for a movie starring Will Smith since Michael Mann's Ali in 2001.
The animated fantasy The Tale of Despereaux (Universal) opened in third place with a disappointing $10.5 million in 3,104 theaters, although it's likely to take advantage of the Christmas holidays to pick up business much like past family Christmas films like Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web.
20th Century Fox's remake of the 1951 classic The Day the Earth Stood Still starring Keanu Reeves plummeted in its second weekend, dropping 67% to 4th place with $10.1 million to bring its total take to $48.6 million, a far cry from its $80 million production budget.
The holiday comedy Four Christmases (New Line/WB), starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, crossed the $100 million mark this weekend as it dropped to fifth place with $7.7 million.
Sixth and seventh place were taken up by the hit romantic thriller Twilight (Summit Entertainment) with $5.3 million and a total gross of $158 million and Disney's animated Bolt with $4.2 million, which has grossed $95 million after five weeks.
After winning a number of critics' awards and being nominated for a number of SAGs, Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight) finally broke into the Top 10 with $3.1 million, enough for 8th place. It's grossed $12.1 million without ever playing in more than 600 theaters.
Baz Luhrmann's Australia (20th Century Fox) settled into ninth place with $2.3 million and a total of $42 million, while Sony's Quantum of Solace rounded out the Top 10 with $2.1 million and a total gross of $161.3 million.
Opening in limited release on Wednesday, Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler (Fox Searchlight) starring Mickey Rourke grossed $210 thousand in four theaters over the weekend (averaging a strong $52k per site) and $295 thousand in its first five days.
Three new movies opened in wide release this weekend taking over the top three spots at the box office. Despite a lot of star power and high concept premises, none of them were able to gross more than $20 million, attributed in some part to the huge snowstorms that hit the Eastern seaboard and the MidWest on Friday, leading to one of the slowest pre-Christmas box office showings in a long time.
Comedy superstar Jim Carrey headlined the comedy Yes Man (Warner Bros.), which bore a similar premise to his earlier hit Liar, Liar, and though it only grossed $18.2 million in 3,434 theaters over the weekend, it was enough to take the #1 spot this weekend. It opened just ahead of Will Smith's enigmatic drama Seven Pounds (Sony), which made $16 million in 700 fewer theaters, averaging $5,800 per venue. It's the weakest opening for a movie starring Will Smith since Michael Mann's Ali in 2001.
The animated fantasy The Tale of Despereaux (Universal) opened in third place with a disappointing $10.5 million in 3,104 theaters, although it's likely to take advantage of the Christmas holidays to pick up business much like past family Christmas films like Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web.
20th Century Fox's remake of the 1951 classic The Day the Earth Stood Still starring Keanu Reeves plummeted in its second weekend, dropping 67% to 4th place with $10.1 million to bring its total take to $48.6 million, a far cry from its $80 million production budget.
The holiday comedy Four Christmases (New Line/WB), starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, crossed the $100 million mark this weekend as it dropped to fifth place with $7.7 million.
Sixth and seventh place were taken up by the hit romantic thriller Twilight (Summit Entertainment) with $5.3 million and a total gross of $158 million and Disney's animated Bolt with $4.2 million, which has grossed $95 million after five weeks.
After winning a number of critics' awards and being nominated for a number of SAGs, Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight) finally broke into the Top 10 with $3.1 million, enough for 8th place. It's grossed $12.1 million without ever playing in more than 600 theaters.
Baz Luhrmann's Australia (20th Century Fox) settled into ninth place with $2.3 million and a total of $42 million, while Sony's Quantum of Solace rounded out the Top 10 with $2.1 million and a total gross of $161.3 million.
Opening in limited release on Wednesday, Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler (Fox Searchlight) starring Mickey Rourke grossed $210 thousand in four theaters over the weekend (averaging a strong $52k per site) and $295 thousand in its first five days.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Frank Miller Helming Buck Rogers
Frank Miller and Odd Lot Entertainment, the creator and production company behind upcoming The Spirit are close to teaming again on the classic sci-fi property Buck Rogers, says The Hollywood Reporter.
Odd Lot is in negotiations to option the rights to "Rogers" from Nu Image/Millennium, which obtained those rights this year from the Dille Trust. Millennium is expected to get a credit on the movie but won't be involved in day-to-day production.
Miller will write and direct his own big-screen take on the comic serial; while the creator has only begun to sketch ideas, it's expected to be a darker take, with many of Miller's signature visual elements and themes, such as corruption and redemption.
It's likely to be a priority project for Miller, though he has been mulling a Sin City sequel.
One of the first pop-culture vehicles to tackle the issue of space exploration, the story of Buck Rogers began life as a comic serial in the late 1920's and early '30's and has seen numerous film and television versions over the years.
Odd Lot is in negotiations to option the rights to "Rogers" from Nu Image/Millennium, which obtained those rights this year from the Dille Trust. Millennium is expected to get a credit on the movie but won't be involved in day-to-day production.
Miller will write and direct his own big-screen take on the comic serial; while the creator has only begun to sketch ideas, it's expected to be a darker take, with many of Miller's signature visual elements and themes, such as corruption and redemption.
It's likely to be a priority project for Miller, though he has been mulling a Sin City sequel.
One of the first pop-culture vehicles to tackle the issue of space exploration, the story of Buck Rogers began life as a comic serial in the late 1920's and early '30's and has seen numerous film and television versions over the years.
Hossein Amini Penning New Jack Ryan Movie
Screenwriter Hossein Amini has been hired to pen a new Jack Ryan movie for Paramount Pictures, says The Hollywood Reporter. The character, created by novelist Tom Clancy, has not appeared onscreen since 2002's The Sum of All Fears.
Mace Neufeld and Lorenzo Di Bonaventura are producing the project for Paramount. "Spider-Man" franchise director Sam Raimi was on the hook to direct and produce a new Ryan installment, but his packed schedule made his involvement unworkable.
Amini's new Ryan film is planned as an origin story, not derived from Clancy's novels and ultimately featuring a new, younger star.
Alec Baldwin played Ryan in the first film, The Hunt for Red October, while Harrison Ford starred as the character in both Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. Ben Affleck also took on Ryan in The Sum of All Fears.
Amini was nominated for an adapted screenplay Oscar in 1998 for The Wings of the Dove. His other credits include Jude and The Four Feathers. He has The Golden Compass sequel adaptation The Subtle Knife in development at Warner Bros. and the Weinstein Co. drama Shanghai in post-production.
Mace Neufeld and Lorenzo Di Bonaventura are producing the project for Paramount. "Spider-Man" franchise director Sam Raimi was on the hook to direct and produce a new Ryan installment, but his packed schedule made his involvement unworkable.
Amini's new Ryan film is planned as an origin story, not derived from Clancy's novels and ultimately featuring a new, younger star.
Alec Baldwin played Ryan in the first film, The Hunt for Red October, while Harrison Ford starred as the character in both Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. Ben Affleck also took on Ryan in The Sum of All Fears.
Amini was nominated for an adapted screenplay Oscar in 1998 for The Wings of the Dove. His other credits include Jude and The Four Feathers. He has The Golden Compass sequel adaptation The Subtle Knife in development at Warner Bros. and the Weinstein Co. drama Shanghai in post-production.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Punk Goes Pop 2 Artists and Tracks
Fearless Records has spilled the deets to Buzznet exclusively about the artists on Punk Goes Pop: Volume Two. Come on in and see if your fave band—or favorite guilty pleasure—is featured on the album.
In no particular order, here's the artists and tracks for Punk Goes Pop: Volume Two, which Fearless Records will release on March 10, 2009 (oddly enough, the same day that Nick Baxter from The Morning Light and Craig Calloway from Artist Vs. Poet celebrate their birthdays):
A Day To Remember "Over My Head" (originally performed by The Fray)
A Static Lullaby "Toxic" (originally performed by Britney Spears)
Alesana "What Goes Around" (originally performed by Justin Timberlake)
Attack Attack! "I Kissed a Girl" (originally performed by Katy Perry)
August Burns Red "...Baby One More Time" (originally performed by Britney Spears)
Bayside "Beautiful Girls" (originally performed by Sean Kingston)
Breathe Carolina "See You Again" (originally performed by Miley Cyrus)
The Cab "Disturbia" (originally performed by Rhianna)
Escape the Fate "Smooth" (originally performed by Santana feat. Rob Thomas)
Four Year Strong "Love Song" (originally performed by Sara Bareilles)
Mayday Parade "When I Grow Up" (originally performed by Pussycat Dolls)
Silverstein "Apologize" (originally performed by OneRepublic)
Therefore Tomorrow "Ice Box" (originally performed by Omarion)
In no particular order, here's the artists and tracks for Punk Goes Pop: Volume Two, which Fearless Records will release on March 10, 2009 (oddly enough, the same day that Nick Baxter from The Morning Light and Craig Calloway from Artist Vs. Poet celebrate their birthdays):
A Day To Remember "Over My Head" (originally performed by The Fray)
A Static Lullaby "Toxic" (originally performed by Britney Spears)
Alesana "What Goes Around" (originally performed by Justin Timberlake)
Attack Attack! "I Kissed a Girl" (originally performed by Katy Perry)
August Burns Red "...Baby One More Time" (originally performed by Britney Spears)
Bayside "Beautiful Girls" (originally performed by Sean Kingston)
Breathe Carolina "See You Again" (originally performed by Miley Cyrus)
The Cab "Disturbia" (originally performed by Rhianna)
Escape the Fate "Smooth" (originally performed by Santana feat. Rob Thomas)
Four Year Strong "Love Song" (originally performed by Sara Bareilles)
Mayday Parade "When I Grow Up" (originally performed by Pussycat Dolls)
Silverstein "Apologize" (originally performed by OneRepublic)
Therefore Tomorrow "Ice Box" (originally performed by Omarion)
Scott Charles Stewart to Direct Priest
Scott Charles Stewart has signed to direct Priest, a horror Western that Michael De Luca and Stars Road Entertainment's Josh Donen are producing for Screen Gems. Mitchell Peck will also produce.
An adaptation of a TokyoPop comic book, the story is set in a world ravaged by centuries of war between man and vampire and follows a warrior priest who turns against the church to track down a murderous band of vampires who have kidnapped his niece.
Cory Goodman (The Brood) wrote the screenplay.
The project almost came together a couple of years ago with Gerard Butler and Steven Strait under the direction of Andrew Douglas but fell apart.
Priest sees Stewart back under Screen Gems' wings, as he is making his directorial debut with the company's biblical apocalyptic thriller Legion. Stewart also wrote the film.
An adaptation of a TokyoPop comic book, the story is set in a world ravaged by centuries of war between man and vampire and follows a warrior priest who turns against the church to track down a murderous band of vampires who have kidnapped his niece.
Cory Goodman (The Brood) wrote the screenplay.
The project almost came together a couple of years ago with Gerard Butler and Steven Strait under the direction of Andrew Douglas but fell apart.
Priest sees Stewart back under Screen Gems' wings, as he is making his directorial debut with the company's biblical apocalyptic thriller Legion. Stewart also wrote the film.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Harrison Ford Joins J.J. Abrams Comedy, Weighs Another Jack Ryan Film
It’s been a rough few years for longtime admirers of Harrison Ford. There was “Hollywood Homicide” and “K19: The Widowmaker” (which had the distinction of actually being worse than it’s horrible title made it sound) and we’re going to take the high road and not even get into “Firewall.” But thankfully maybe the massive box office success of the four “Indiana Jones” this past summer will propel Mr. Ford to bigger and better things once again? Maybe?
Ford told us about the progress of a fifth Indy film the other day but before that one gets off the ground he told us he’s set his sights on one of two projects: “I have a comedy that’s been developed by J.J. Abrams and a drama that I developed that talks about the pharmaceutical industry. We haven’t sorted out which is first yet.”
Some amateur detective work reveals that the drama is the previously announced flick, “Crowley,” about the real-life story of John and Aileen Crowley, whose two children suffered from a rare genetic disorder. Ford would play a medical researcher in this one.
Even more intriguing is the J.J. Abrams project which Ford went on to tell me is being written “by the woman who wrote “The Devil Wears Prada.” This one is clearly “Morning Glory,” a film Ford was rumored to be interested in a year ago. Now we have confirmation from the man himself that he’ll star in this Aline Brosh McKenna script that according to EW.com is about “a struggling female news producer who recruits an iconic, egotistical anchorman to revive a failing network’s morning show.” Reese Witherspoon was the rumored leading lady when the initial rumors surfaced.
So we’ve got a comedy and drama on Mr. Ford’s slate. How about a return to another memorable man of action–Jack Ryan? Ben Affleck of course took over the role in “The Sum of All Fears” and there are constant rumors of other young men potentially signing on to revitilize the franchise but Ford says the character still has appeal to him. “I think it’s a character I could easily play at this point if people were interested in seeing what happens to Jack Ryan as his life progresses,” he said.
Ford told us about the progress of a fifth Indy film the other day but before that one gets off the ground he told us he’s set his sights on one of two projects: “I have a comedy that’s been developed by J.J. Abrams and a drama that I developed that talks about the pharmaceutical industry. We haven’t sorted out which is first yet.”
Some amateur detective work reveals that the drama is the previously announced flick, “Crowley,” about the real-life story of John and Aileen Crowley, whose two children suffered from a rare genetic disorder. Ford would play a medical researcher in this one.
Even more intriguing is the J.J. Abrams project which Ford went on to tell me is being written “by the woman who wrote “The Devil Wears Prada.” This one is clearly “Morning Glory,” a film Ford was rumored to be interested in a year ago. Now we have confirmation from the man himself that he’ll star in this Aline Brosh McKenna script that according to EW.com is about “a struggling female news producer who recruits an iconic, egotistical anchorman to revive a failing network’s morning show.” Reese Witherspoon was the rumored leading lady when the initial rumors surfaced.
So we’ve got a comedy and drama on Mr. Ford’s slate. How about a return to another memorable man of action–Jack Ryan? Ben Affleck of course took over the role in “The Sum of All Fears” and there are constant rumors of other young men potentially signing on to revitilize the franchise but Ford says the character still has appeal to him. “I think it’s a character I could easily play at this point if people were interested in seeing what happens to Jack Ryan as his life progresses,” he said.
Jack Black to Guest Star on The Office
Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda, Tropic Thunder) is set to guest-star in the upcoming post Super Bowl episode of "The Office." The announcement was made by Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios.
In one plot of the special post Super Bowl episode of "The Office," some of the office workers try to secretly watch a bootlegged Hollywood movie during the workday. The movie stars Jack Black and other notable Hollywood actors.
The special hour-long episode titled "Stress Relief" will premiere immediately following "Super Bowl XLIII," Sunday, February 1 (10:30-11:30 p.m. ET; simultaneously to all time zones) on NBC. Season five of the Emmy-Award winning series will continue airing in its regular time slot; Thursdays (9-9:30 p.m. ET/PT) on NBC.
In one plot of the special post Super Bowl episode of "The Office," some of the office workers try to secretly watch a bootlegged Hollywood movie during the workday. The movie stars Jack Black and other notable Hollywood actors.
The special hour-long episode titled "Stress Relief" will premiere immediately following "Super Bowl XLIII," Sunday, February 1 (10:30-11:30 p.m. ET; simultaneously to all time zones) on NBC. Season five of the Emmy-Award winning series will continue airing in its regular time slot; Thursdays (9-9:30 p.m. ET/PT) on NBC.
Zombie Confirmed for Halloween Sequel
First reported by ShockTillYouDrop.com two weeks ago, Dimension Films has confirmed that Rob Zombie will direct the Halloween sequel and he's racing to bring the film to theaters in October.
Zombie will write and direct H2, the sequel to his 2007 reinvention of the John Carpenter horror classic. Production will begin in March.
The new film picks up right as the first remake ended, following the aftermath of Michael Myers' murderous rampage through the eyes of the sister he hunted.
Zombie said it won't resemble the original second installment, as the House of 1000 Corpses helmer continues to take the franchise in different directions.
Zombie will write and direct H2, the sequel to his 2007 reinvention of the John Carpenter horror classic. Production will begin in March.
The new film picks up right as the first remake ended, following the aftermath of Michael Myers' murderous rampage through the eyes of the sister he hunted.
Zombie said it won't resemble the original second installment, as the House of 1000 Corpses helmer continues to take the franchise in different directions.
Update: A Sequel to The Phantom in the Works
It looks like the report from The Associated Press above wasn't completely accurate. Tim Doyle says on his official MySpace page that "This fim is NOT a 'Sequel'. It is a 're-launch' or 're-boot' of the comic franchise to the big screen. This film has nothing to do with the 1996 movie."
The film is also not titled "The Phantom Legacy" but rather The Phantom: Legacy. Here's an update from Doyle on the production:
Now that we've sort of got those 'Sequel' rumors under control, I guess I can start talking about what we're doing and where the project is at.
First of all, I've got to say - this is a very exciting time. Being able to bring the first masked comic superhero back to the big screen is an absolute honor. I've been researching The Phantom intensely for the last year or so and I've been working with the support of King Features Syndicate to try and bring you the tightest possible film. Yes, this is a new look at the comic book hero, but rest assured - He wont be 'heavily gadget man' (as that is another comic book hero named Batman) and he wont be an 'angry mob killer' (as 'The Punisher' -Frank Castle has been made into a film 3 times - remember the Dolph Lundgren film - that too was shot in Australia... old skool). He will be, without doubt 'The Phantom'. A man who has sworn an oath to protect - but at what cost?
The film is also not titled "The Phantom Legacy" but rather The Phantom: Legacy. Here's an update from Doyle on the production:
Now that we've sort of got those 'Sequel' rumors under control, I guess I can start talking about what we're doing and where the project is at.
First of all, I've got to say - this is a very exciting time. Being able to bring the first masked comic superhero back to the big screen is an absolute honor. I've been researching The Phantom intensely for the last year or so and I've been working with the support of King Features Syndicate to try and bring you the tightest possible film. Yes, this is a new look at the comic book hero, but rest assured - He wont be 'heavily gadget man' (as that is another comic book hero named Batman) and he wont be an 'angry mob killer' (as 'The Punisher' -Frank Castle has been made into a film 3 times - remember the Dolph Lundgren film - that too was shot in Australia... old skool). He will be, without doubt 'The Phantom'. A man who has sworn an oath to protect - but at what cost?
Monday, December 15, 2008
Andy Samberg's Comedy Team Inks Record Deal
The Lonely Island, the comedy team consisting of "Saturday Night Live" star Andy Samberg and writers Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer, has signed with Universal Republic, which will release its debut album, "Incredibad," on Feb. 10.
The CD/DVD's first single, "J**z in My Pants," premiered as a digital short on last weekend's "Saturday Night Live." The album also includes prior Internet sensations such as "D*ck in a Box" with Timberlake, "Iran So Far" with Maroon 5's Adam Levine and "Lazy Sunday."
Also expected to appear are "I'm on a Boat" with T-Pain, "Sax Man" with Jack Black, "Boombox" with the Strokes' Julian Casablancas, "Dream Girl" with Norah Jones, "Santana DVX" with E-40 and guest-less songs like "Who Said We're Wack," "We Like Sportz" and "Punch You in the Jeans."
A number of other Lonely Island original songs can be obtained from the trio's Web site.
The CD/DVD's first single, "J**z in My Pants," premiered as a digital short on last weekend's "Saturday Night Live." The album also includes prior Internet sensations such as "D*ck in a Box" with Timberlake, "Iran So Far" with Maroon 5's Adam Levine and "Lazy Sunday."
Also expected to appear are "I'm on a Boat" with T-Pain, "Sax Man" with Jack Black, "Boombox" with the Strokes' Julian Casablancas, "Dream Girl" with Norah Jones, "Santana DVX" with E-40 and guest-less songs like "Who Said We're Wack," "We Like Sportz" and "Punch You in the Jeans."
A number of other Lonely Island original songs can be obtained from the trio's Web site.
The Fray Sets New Album Track List
The Fray has unveiled the track list for its self-titled sophomore album, arriving Feb. 3 from Epic. Lead single "You Found Me" has already sold 278,000 copies in three weeks of U.S. digital release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
That track stemmed from crises among friends and family that prompted singer Isaac Slade to confront the age-old question of why bad things happen to good people. Another song, "Enough for Now," tackles the fallout from the death of Slade's grandfather.
The sound of "The Fray" -- produced like the debut by Epic VP of A&R Mike Flynn and Aaron Johnson -- is "a little more extreme than the last record," Slade tells Billboard. "The quieter stuff is a little quieter than our last record and the rock stuff is a little rockier. It definitely spreads the spectrum a little bit."
The new album will be previewed with a handful of club dates early next year, beginning Jan. 6 in the Fray's Denver hometown and wrapping Feb. 4 in New York. The latter show will be cybercast on the band's Web site.
The Fray is also playing a free outdoor show Wednesday (Dec. 17) in Los Angeles as part of "Jimmy Kimmel Live." An extensive North American tour is likely to begin in June.
The new album is the follow-up to 2005's "How To Save a Life," which has sold 2.34 million copies in the United States.
Here is the track list for "The Fray":
"Syndicate"
"Absolute"
"You Found Me"
"Say When"
"Never Say Never"
"Where the Story Ends"
"Enough for Now"
"Ungodly Hour"
"We Build Then We Break"
"Happiness"
That track stemmed from crises among friends and family that prompted singer Isaac Slade to confront the age-old question of why bad things happen to good people. Another song, "Enough for Now," tackles the fallout from the death of Slade's grandfather.
The sound of "The Fray" -- produced like the debut by Epic VP of A&R Mike Flynn and Aaron Johnson -- is "a little more extreme than the last record," Slade tells Billboard. "The quieter stuff is a little quieter than our last record and the rock stuff is a little rockier. It definitely spreads the spectrum a little bit."
The new album will be previewed with a handful of club dates early next year, beginning Jan. 6 in the Fray's Denver hometown and wrapping Feb. 4 in New York. The latter show will be cybercast on the band's Web site.
The Fray is also playing a free outdoor show Wednesday (Dec. 17) in Los Angeles as part of "Jimmy Kimmel Live." An extensive North American tour is likely to begin in June.
The new album is the follow-up to 2005's "How To Save a Life," which has sold 2.34 million copies in the United States.
Here is the track list for "The Fray":
"Syndicate"
"Absolute"
"You Found Me"
"Say When"
"Never Say Never"
"Where the Story Ends"
"Enough for Now"
"Ungodly Hour"
"We Build Then We Break"
"Happiness"
A Sequel to The Phantom in the Works
An Australian production company on Monday announced it had secured the rights to The Phantom Legacy, a follow-up to the 1996 film, The Phantom, which starred Billy Zane as the masked hero who fights evil from his jungle headquarters.
According to The Associated Press, the adaptation is expected to cost $87 million and will focus on "the Father/Son relationship, and what it means to be The Phantom," scriptwriter Tim Boyle said in a statement. "The film will be set in the present day and will deal with the concept of destiny."
Producer Bruce Sherlock, who also served as executive producer of the first "Phantom" movie, said the new film will be a marked improvement over its predecessor.
"It has the makings of a blockbuster," Sherlock said. "There's some surprises that will thrill the 'Phantom' fans worldwide." Sherlock's Sydney-based Sherlock Symington Productions won the rights to the film.
The movie will likely be shot entirely in Australia, with production set to begin within six to nine months, Sherlock said. Producers are in talks with several "top talent" Australian and American actors, Sherlock said. He declined to provide names.
According to The Associated Press, the adaptation is expected to cost $87 million and will focus on "the Father/Son relationship, and what it means to be The Phantom," scriptwriter Tim Boyle said in a statement. "The film will be set in the present day and will deal with the concept of destiny."
Producer Bruce Sherlock, who also served as executive producer of the first "Phantom" movie, said the new film will be a marked improvement over its predecessor.
"It has the makings of a blockbuster," Sherlock said. "There's some surprises that will thrill the 'Phantom' fans worldwide." Sherlock's Sydney-based Sherlock Symington Productions won the rights to the film.
The movie will likely be shot entirely in Australia, with production set to begin within six to nine months, Sherlock said. Producers are in talks with several "top talent" Australian and American actors, Sherlock said. He declined to provide names.
The Terminator Will be Back for a Fifth Film
Halcyon Co. executives Derek Anderson and Victor Kubicek are developing a fifth installment of the "Terminator" franchise with Terminator Salvation director McG, reports Variety.
The trade says the news came out of the Dubai International Film Festival. McG was in Dubai for the announcement.
No decision has been made as to where to film the next "Terminator," although the Middle East was mentioned as a locale.
Christian Bale has signed on in the role of John Connor for all three films in the newly planned trilogy. The next installment, after Terminator Salvation, is tentatively scheduled for a 2011 release.
Anderson and Kubicek had originally planned to wait until the release of Terminator Salvation next summer before deciding on whether to proceed with the next chapter, but the positive studio, fan and media reaction to footage from the current film has encouraged them to move forward ahead of schedule.
"We feel the time is now to start shaping the next part of this," Kubicek said.
The trade says the news came out of the Dubai International Film Festival. McG was in Dubai for the announcement.
No decision has been made as to where to film the next "Terminator," although the Middle East was mentioned as a locale.
Christian Bale has signed on in the role of John Connor for all three films in the newly planned trilogy. The next installment, after Terminator Salvation, is tentatively scheduled for a 2011 release.
Anderson and Kubicek had originally planned to wait until the release of Terminator Salvation next summer before deciding on whether to proceed with the next chapter, but the positive studio, fan and media reaction to footage from the current film has encouraged them to move forward ahead of schedule.
"We feel the time is now to start shaping the next part of this," Kubicek said.
Stephen Norrington to Reinvent The Crow
Stephen Norrington has signed on to write and direct a reinvention of The Crow, based on the comic created by James O'Barr, says Variety.
Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity Media is negotiating with producer Ed Pressman to acquire the film franchise and finance the film.
Pressman produced the 1994 Alex Proyas-directed adaptation, in which rock musician Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) is murdered trying to rescue his girlfriend from thugs, and returns from the dead one year later to exact vengeance.
For Norrington, The Crow deal marks the end of a long screen sabbatical. After making his breakthrough with Blade, Norrington took on a big-budget comic transfer with The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Neither the director nor his star, Sean Connery, has made a feature film since.
"Whereas Proyas' original was gloriously gothic and stylized, the new movie will be realistic, hard-edged and mysterious, almost documentary-style," Norrington said.
Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity Media is negotiating with producer Ed Pressman to acquire the film franchise and finance the film.
Pressman produced the 1994 Alex Proyas-directed adaptation, in which rock musician Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) is murdered trying to rescue his girlfriend from thugs, and returns from the dead one year later to exact vengeance.
For Norrington, The Crow deal marks the end of a long screen sabbatical. After making his breakthrough with Blade, Norrington took on a big-budget comic transfer with The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Neither the director nor his star, Sean Connery, has made a feature film since.
"Whereas Proyas' original was gloriously gothic and stylized, the new movie will be realistic, hard-edged and mysterious, almost documentary-style," Norrington said.
The Day the Earth Stood Still Takes First with $31M
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
20th Century Fox's remake of the 1951 classic The Day the Earth Stood Still opened in first place with an estimated $31 million from 3,560 theaters, an average of $8,708 per location. Directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly, the sci-fi thriller also earned $39 million internationally from 7,700 screens in 90 markets over the weekend to bring its worldwide gross to $70 million. The film was produced for about $80 million.
The next five films each dropped one spot from last weekend as Four Christmases added $13.3 million for a total of $88 million after three weeks, Twilight made $8 million to reach $150.1 million in four weeks, Bolt collected $7.5 million for a sum of $88.9 million after four weeks, Australia earned $4.3 million for a total of $37.9 million after three weeks, and Quantum of Solace took in $3.8 million to take its domestic haul to $157.7 million in five weeks.
Overture Films' new dramedy Nothing Like the Holidays, with John Leguizamo, Freddy Rodriguez, Debra Messing and Alfred Molina, opened in the seventh spot with $3.5 million from 1,671 theaters. The Alfredo de Villa-directed film averaged $2,095 per location. Meanwhile, animated newcomer Delgo failed to make a mark, as the film was released in 2,160 theaters but made just $916,000, a disastrous $424 per theater.
Both Milk and Slumdog Millionaire continued to do well in limited release. The former made $2.6 million from 328 theaters and has reached $7.6 million in three weeks, while the latter collected $2.2 million from 169 theaters and is at $8.1 million after five weeks.
Four new limited releases also impressed, with Doubt taking in $525,000 in 15 theaters, an average of $35,000, Gran Torino debuting to $284,000 from six theaters, an average of $47,333, The Reader earning $170,000 from eight theaters, an average of $21,250, and Che making $60,100 in just two theaters, an average of $30,050.
20th Century Fox's remake of the 1951 classic The Day the Earth Stood Still opened in first place with an estimated $31 million from 3,560 theaters, an average of $8,708 per location. Directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly, the sci-fi thriller also earned $39 million internationally from 7,700 screens in 90 markets over the weekend to bring its worldwide gross to $70 million. The film was produced for about $80 million.
The next five films each dropped one spot from last weekend as Four Christmases added $13.3 million for a total of $88 million after three weeks, Twilight made $8 million to reach $150.1 million in four weeks, Bolt collected $7.5 million for a sum of $88.9 million after four weeks, Australia earned $4.3 million for a total of $37.9 million after three weeks, and Quantum of Solace took in $3.8 million to take its domestic haul to $157.7 million in five weeks.
Overture Films' new dramedy Nothing Like the Holidays, with John Leguizamo, Freddy Rodriguez, Debra Messing and Alfred Molina, opened in the seventh spot with $3.5 million from 1,671 theaters. The Alfredo de Villa-directed film averaged $2,095 per location. Meanwhile, animated newcomer Delgo failed to make a mark, as the film was released in 2,160 theaters but made just $916,000, a disastrous $424 per theater.
Both Milk and Slumdog Millionaire continued to do well in limited release. The former made $2.6 million from 328 theaters and has reached $7.6 million in three weeks, while the latter collected $2.2 million from 169 theaters and is at $8.1 million after five weeks.
Four new limited releases also impressed, with Doubt taking in $525,000 in 15 theaters, an average of $35,000, Gran Torino debuting to $284,000 from six theaters, an average of $47,333, The Reader earning $170,000 from eight theaters, an average of $21,250, and Che making $60,100 in just two theaters, an average of $30,050.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Race to Witch Mountain (2009) Trailer
Race to Witch Mountain is a thrilling action-adventure about a hard luck Las Vegas cab driver Jack Bruno (DWAYNE JOHNSON), whose life is thrown into chaos when apparent ‘runaway’ teenagers Sara (ANNASOPHIA ROBB) and Seth (ALEXANDER LUDWIG) jump into his taxi. He soon realizes his two fares are children with exceptional paranormal powers whom he must protect as they elude a collection of ruthless enemies.
Release Date: March 13th 2009
Release Date: March 13th 2009
Weekly Ratings: 12/7 – 12/12
Sunday Ratings for Race Finale, Leverage Debut and More
Just a few Sunday snippets, as CBS' procedurals took a knee:
7 pm/ET
The CW's first rerun of Jericho delivered 1.13 million total viewers.
8 pm
NBC's football coverage won the 8 o'clock hour and averaged 12.18 million viewers for the night (down 10 percent from last week). Extreme Makeover (10.35 mil) dropped 890 thou, while the finale of Amazing Race 13 (10.57 mil) performed eight percent better than the close of Cycle 12. TNT's The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice averaged 5.44 mil over its two-hour run.
9 pm
Housewives flirted with an audience of 16 million, up 370K.
10 pm
Rising 480K to 10.67 mil, Brothers & Sisters enjoyed its largest audience since the season opener. TNT's Leverage premiered to five mil and gave the cabler its "best delivery ever of adults 18-49 for an original series telecast during the broadcast season," says the press release.
Monday Ratings: CBS Is First with Laughs!
8 pm/ET
Charlie Brown and his scrawny tree topped the hour with 11.37 million total viewers. Combining for second, CBS' Big Bang Theory hit yet another (!) all-time high — 10.8 mil, up 600K from its last fresh outing — and Mother (10.49 mil, +450K) delivered its biggest audience since Britney circa March 24. Opposite a fuller slate, Chuck (6.93 mil) dipped 320 thou and Sarah Connor (5.2 mil) dropped 11 percent. Gossip Girl (3.01 mil) slipped a hair.
9 pm
CBS comedies ruled, with Men (15.65 million viewers) enjoying its best numbers since February and Worst Week (10.6 mil) gathering its largest audience since its premiere. Boston Legal placed second, averaging 10.2 mil over its two-hour swan song — a 21 percent surge from its previous episode. Heroes (7.78 mil, -220K), Prison Break (5.39 mil, -410K) and Privileged (1.9 mil, 0300K) all dropped, though the CW charmer matched its best numbers in target demos.
10 pm
CSI: Miami dominated with 13.6 million viewers, down 500K. Lagging behind Boston, My Own Worst Enemy (3.96 mil) continued its lame-duck decline.
Tuesday Ratings: Big Gains for Loser, But NCIS Rerun Tops Night
8 pm/ET
An NCIS repeat was the night's most watched program, delivering 14.1 million total viewers. Running a close second was a new House (go, Orangemen!), which surged 12 percent to 13.9 mil. The penultimate episode of The Biggest Loser: Families averaged 9.2 mil over its two-hour run, up 15 percent week-to-week.
9 pm
A repeat of The Mentalist dominated with 13.65 million viewers — or, quite impressively, 91 percent of the audience that watched the episode the first time around. A pair of According to Jims, averaging 5.2 mil (down 600K), lagged well behind a Fringe repeat (7.08 mil). Privileged added 1.06 mil to its Monday audience (the series returns Tuesday, Jan. 6).
10 pm
Opposite a warmed-over Without a Trace, SVU shot to the top with 10.9 mil (up 630 thou). Eli Stone matched last week's 4.9 mil.
Wednesday Ratings: Old Christine Eyes Another New High
8 pm/ET
The CBS sitcombo of Old Christine (8.25 million total viewers, up 650K) and Gary Unmarried (8.03 million, up 310K) claimed the top spot this Wednesday, with the former setting a new season high. Placing second (and, shoot me, winning the demos) was Fox's Secret Millionaire (7.19 mil), which dipped 190 thou from its debut. In fourth behind some NBC holiday thing, Pushing Daisies (4.96 mil) pushed up a teeny tiny bit.
9 pm
Criminal Minds led the hour and was the night's most watched program, with an audience of 14.7 mil (up 700K from its last fresh ep). Private Practice (6.86 mil) dropped 12 percent from last week's bloated numbers, but still was on the high side. Life (5.46 mil) was up 140K from its last "regular" outing.
10 pm
CSI: NY grew nine percent from its previous new episode to deliver 13.25 million viewers. Law & Order (7.47) slipped from last week's competition-free season high, but still improved on its typical audience by some 19 percent. Dirty Sexy Money (5.22 mil) dipped 480 thou — but hurrah for Blair Underwood and his Globe nod!).
Tuesday ratings addendum: TNT's Leverage scored 3.1 million viewers in its regular time slot premiere.
Thursday Ratings: The Finest Hour Yet, CSI Says "High" to Fishburne
This Thursday, as ABC sat the bench....
8 pm/ET
Survivor: Gabon — Earth's Last Eden/TV's Longest Subtitle rode to an easy win, delivering 13.24 million total viewers (a slight increase over the previous cycle's penultimate episode). My Name Is Earl (6.62 mil, up 520K) claimed second for the front half of the hour, but lead-out Kath & Kim (5.33 mil, +450K) got bested by the back end of Fox's Secret Millionaire.
9 pm
With Grey's on bed rest, Laurence Fishburne's CSI debut drew an audience of 20.6 million — an 18 percent increase over last week and the procedural's best numbers since the season opener. In second, both The Office (8.8 mil, +460K) and 30 Rock (7.47 mil, +330K ... though not including me, frickin' flaky Cablevision) saw gains.
10 pm
Eleventh Hour seized the opportunity to surge 23 percent week-to-week and deliver its best audience ever, 13.43 million viewers. At 8.92 mil, ER was up 700 thou.
Wednesday ratings addendum: Top Chef: New York served up the Bravo series' highest non-finale telecast ever among total viewers (3.02 million).
Just a few Sunday snippets, as CBS' procedurals took a knee:
7 pm/ET
The CW's first rerun of Jericho delivered 1.13 million total viewers.
8 pm
NBC's football coverage won the 8 o'clock hour and averaged 12.18 million viewers for the night (down 10 percent from last week). Extreme Makeover (10.35 mil) dropped 890 thou, while the finale of Amazing Race 13 (10.57 mil) performed eight percent better than the close of Cycle 12. TNT's The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice averaged 5.44 mil over its two-hour run.
9 pm
Housewives flirted with an audience of 16 million, up 370K.
10 pm
Rising 480K to 10.67 mil, Brothers & Sisters enjoyed its largest audience since the season opener. TNT's Leverage premiered to five mil and gave the cabler its "best delivery ever of adults 18-49 for an original series telecast during the broadcast season," says the press release.
Monday Ratings: CBS Is First with Laughs!
8 pm/ET
Charlie Brown and his scrawny tree topped the hour with 11.37 million total viewers. Combining for second, CBS' Big Bang Theory hit yet another (!) all-time high — 10.8 mil, up 600K from its last fresh outing — and Mother (10.49 mil, +450K) delivered its biggest audience since Britney circa March 24. Opposite a fuller slate, Chuck (6.93 mil) dipped 320 thou and Sarah Connor (5.2 mil) dropped 11 percent. Gossip Girl (3.01 mil) slipped a hair.
9 pm
CBS comedies ruled, with Men (15.65 million viewers) enjoying its best numbers since February and Worst Week (10.6 mil) gathering its largest audience since its premiere. Boston Legal placed second, averaging 10.2 mil over its two-hour swan song — a 21 percent surge from its previous episode. Heroes (7.78 mil, -220K), Prison Break (5.39 mil, -410K) and Privileged (1.9 mil, 0300K) all dropped, though the CW charmer matched its best numbers in target demos.
10 pm
CSI: Miami dominated with 13.6 million viewers, down 500K. Lagging behind Boston, My Own Worst Enemy (3.96 mil) continued its lame-duck decline.
Tuesday Ratings: Big Gains for Loser, But NCIS Rerun Tops Night
8 pm/ET
An NCIS repeat was the night's most watched program, delivering 14.1 million total viewers. Running a close second was a new House (go, Orangemen!), which surged 12 percent to 13.9 mil. The penultimate episode of The Biggest Loser: Families averaged 9.2 mil over its two-hour run, up 15 percent week-to-week.
9 pm
A repeat of The Mentalist dominated with 13.65 million viewers — or, quite impressively, 91 percent of the audience that watched the episode the first time around. A pair of According to Jims, averaging 5.2 mil (down 600K), lagged well behind a Fringe repeat (7.08 mil). Privileged added 1.06 mil to its Monday audience (the series returns Tuesday, Jan. 6).
10 pm
Opposite a warmed-over Without a Trace, SVU shot to the top with 10.9 mil (up 630 thou). Eli Stone matched last week's 4.9 mil.
Wednesday Ratings: Old Christine Eyes Another New High
8 pm/ET
The CBS sitcombo of Old Christine (8.25 million total viewers, up 650K) and Gary Unmarried (8.03 million, up 310K) claimed the top spot this Wednesday, with the former setting a new season high. Placing second (and, shoot me, winning the demos) was Fox's Secret Millionaire (7.19 mil), which dipped 190 thou from its debut. In fourth behind some NBC holiday thing, Pushing Daisies (4.96 mil) pushed up a teeny tiny bit.
9 pm
Criminal Minds led the hour and was the night's most watched program, with an audience of 14.7 mil (up 700K from its last fresh ep). Private Practice (6.86 mil) dropped 12 percent from last week's bloated numbers, but still was on the high side. Life (5.46 mil) was up 140K from its last "regular" outing.
10 pm
CSI: NY grew nine percent from its previous new episode to deliver 13.25 million viewers. Law & Order (7.47) slipped from last week's competition-free season high, but still improved on its typical audience by some 19 percent. Dirty Sexy Money (5.22 mil) dipped 480 thou — but hurrah for Blair Underwood and his Globe nod!).
Tuesday ratings addendum: TNT's Leverage scored 3.1 million viewers in its regular time slot premiere.
Thursday Ratings: The Finest Hour Yet, CSI Says "High" to Fishburne
This Thursday, as ABC sat the bench....
8 pm/ET
Survivor: Gabon — Earth's Last Eden/TV's Longest Subtitle rode to an easy win, delivering 13.24 million total viewers (a slight increase over the previous cycle's penultimate episode). My Name Is Earl (6.62 mil, up 520K) claimed second for the front half of the hour, but lead-out Kath & Kim (5.33 mil, +450K) got bested by the back end of Fox's Secret Millionaire.
9 pm
With Grey's on bed rest, Laurence Fishburne's CSI debut drew an audience of 20.6 million — an 18 percent increase over last week and the procedural's best numbers since the season opener. In second, both The Office (8.8 mil, +460K) and 30 Rock (7.47 mil, +330K ... though not including me, frickin' flaky Cablevision) saw gains.
10 pm
Eleventh Hour seized the opportunity to surge 23 percent week-to-week and deliver its best audience ever, 13.43 million viewers. At 8.92 mil, ER was up 700 thou.
Wednesday ratings addendum: Top Chef: New York served up the Bravo series' highest non-finale telecast ever among total viewers (3.02 million).
EXCLUSIVE: Kenneth Branagh Breaks Silence On ‘Thor,’ Says Casting Talk Is Premature
It’s been over two months since word broke that Marvel was courting Kenneth Branagh to direct their next big-screen re-launch of one of their cherished heroes, Thor. And since then we’ve heard nary a peep from Branagh himself. At today’s junket for “Valkyrie,” MTV News caught up with the actor/filmmaker and of course brought up the project.
“I am directing “Thor” or “The Mighty Thor’ as you might like to call it,” he said with a smile before clarifying what the title of the film will be. “I think it will be ‘Thor’.”
MTV has spoken to other writers about why Branagh would be such a good fit for the hero. But here was finally an opportunity to hear from Branagh about what appealed to him about the project. So what’s the appeal of “Thor,” Kenneth? “To work on a story about one of the immortals, Gods, extraordinary beings, inter-dimensional creatures,” he enthused.
He continued excitedly, “There’s science fiction and science fact and fantasy all woven into one. It’s based on Norse legends which Marvel sort of raided in a brilliant way.
So who will play Branagh’s hero? Asked about the rumors of Kevin McKidd being up for the role, the director waved it off as premature speculation.
“There’s been lots of talk [about casting] — I sound like a politician — but we are too early at this stage. We’re getting the story and the visual effects together and all of that is very exciting. Someone sensational is going to play the part but it is early days.”
Just because Branagh hasn’t worked on a project of this scale since “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,” fear not. This “Thor” promises to be as large as the character would seem to call out for. “It’s a chance to tell a big story on a big scale,” said Branagh. “It’s a human story right in the center of a big epic scenario.”
“I am directing “Thor” or “The Mighty Thor’ as you might like to call it,” he said with a smile before clarifying what the title of the film will be. “I think it will be ‘Thor’.”
MTV has spoken to other writers about why Branagh would be such a good fit for the hero. But here was finally an opportunity to hear from Branagh about what appealed to him about the project. So what’s the appeal of “Thor,” Kenneth? “To work on a story about one of the immortals, Gods, extraordinary beings, inter-dimensional creatures,” he enthused.
He continued excitedly, “There’s science fiction and science fact and fantasy all woven into one. It’s based on Norse legends which Marvel sort of raided in a brilliant way.
So who will play Branagh’s hero? Asked about the rumors of Kevin McKidd being up for the role, the director waved it off as premature speculation.
“There’s been lots of talk [about casting] — I sound like a politician — but we are too early at this stage. We’re getting the story and the visual effects together and all of that is very exciting. Someone sensational is going to play the part but it is early days.”
Just because Branagh hasn’t worked on a project of this scale since “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,” fear not. This “Thor” promises to be as large as the character would seem to call out for. “It’s a chance to tell a big story on a big scale,” said Branagh. “It’s a human story right in the center of a big epic scenario.”
SHH! EXCL: Frank Miller's Update on 300 Spin-Off & Sin City 2
Earlier today, Superhero Hype! had a chance to sit down for fifteen minutes with the one and only Frank Miller, creator of "Sin City" and "300," to talk about his upcoming movie based on Will Eisner's The Spirit. While he had a lot to say about that highly anticipated project, the questions continue to loom over some of the other projects based on his works, including possible sequels for successful movies based on Sin City and 300.
With a lot of rumors swirling about a potential sequel or prequel to Zack Snyder's 300, which was based on a standalone graphic novel, some have wondered how involved Miller would be, and if he might write or draw another graphic novel based on the subject matter as basis for another movie. "I've written a story that's not a prequel," he told us. "It's definitely a further story in the Greco-Persian Wars, and it involves some of the same characters but I'm not sure exactly how far along it'll get and again, until it's on a marquee, I don't believe in it."
Last week, we spoke to actor Mickey Rourke about returning as Marv in Sin City 2, and he seemed kind of tentative about spending three hours putting on Marv's make-up, but Miller shared, "He has a pretty big role. I hope Mickey plays it."
And as far as whether Miller might co-direct with Robert Rodriguez again or direct himself, now that he has The Spirit under his belt: "I hope to work with Robert. We're talking it over and trying to work out the mechanics of actually getting it made. It's always tricky with movies. I believe that a movie's going to come out as soon as I see its name on a marquee."
"I'll publish something," he hinted with a smile, when asked whether there might be a "Sin City" or "300" comic or graphic novel out before either movie.
When we spoke to Miller a few years ago, he mentioned wanting to direct a movie based on his series of graphic novels he did with Dave ("Watchmen") Gibbon starring Martha Washington, starting with "Give Me Liberty." Since it's been a few years, we were curious whether that's something he'd still want to do and if he thought it would still work today. "I think Martha Washington is begging to happen," he said when asked how the changing times might affect how people viewed that politically-tinged sci-fi story, especially considering how Zack Snyder intentionally set the forthcoming Watchmen in the '80s. "The thing is that Martha Washington starts in 1995, but it really doesn't kick off until about 2010."
"It's just a matter of finding the right venue, because Martha Washington isn't a movie, it's a series," he continued. "It would have to be like 12 episodes to fit the whole story in. I would not let it be truncated."
We'll have a lot more from our interview with Miller sometime in the next few weeks before The Spirit opens on Thursday, December 25.
With a lot of rumors swirling about a potential sequel or prequel to Zack Snyder's 300, which was based on a standalone graphic novel, some have wondered how involved Miller would be, and if he might write or draw another graphic novel based on the subject matter as basis for another movie. "I've written a story that's not a prequel," he told us. "It's definitely a further story in the Greco-Persian Wars, and it involves some of the same characters but I'm not sure exactly how far along it'll get and again, until it's on a marquee, I don't believe in it."
Last week, we spoke to actor Mickey Rourke about returning as Marv in Sin City 2, and he seemed kind of tentative about spending three hours putting on Marv's make-up, but Miller shared, "He has a pretty big role. I hope Mickey plays it."
And as far as whether Miller might co-direct with Robert Rodriguez again or direct himself, now that he has The Spirit under his belt: "I hope to work with Robert. We're talking it over and trying to work out the mechanics of actually getting it made. It's always tricky with movies. I believe that a movie's going to come out as soon as I see its name on a marquee."
"I'll publish something," he hinted with a smile, when asked whether there might be a "Sin City" or "300" comic or graphic novel out before either movie.
When we spoke to Miller a few years ago, he mentioned wanting to direct a movie based on his series of graphic novels he did with Dave ("Watchmen") Gibbon starring Martha Washington, starting with "Give Me Liberty." Since it's been a few years, we were curious whether that's something he'd still want to do and if he thought it would still work today. "I think Martha Washington is begging to happen," he said when asked how the changing times might affect how people viewed that politically-tinged sci-fi story, especially considering how Zack Snyder intentionally set the forthcoming Watchmen in the '80s. "The thing is that Martha Washington starts in 1995, but it really doesn't kick off until about 2010."
"It's just a matter of finding the right venue, because Martha Washington isn't a movie, it's a series," he continued. "It would have to be like 12 episodes to fit the whole story in. I would not let it be truncated."
We'll have a lot more from our interview with Miller sometime in the next few weeks before The Spirit opens on Thursday, December 25.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
New ‘Blade’ Movie In The Works… Without Wesley Snipes?
While David Goyer might have been the bearer of bad news for anyone looking forward to “X-Men Origins: Magneto” earlier today, he had some good news for anyone hoping to see another film based on Marvel’s day-walking vampire hunter, Blade.
“I heard rumors that they may want to start from scratch with a new person playing Blade,” Goyer said of New Line’s plans for the property during an interview with Shock Till You Drop.
Goyer, who wrote all three films in the franchise and co-created the short-lived “Blade” TV series, added that after the “Blade” series, he didn’t have much interest in vampire projects — but found his interest in the genre piqued again again after reading one of Marvel Comics’ classic collections of vampire-themed stories.
“I was reading the ‘Tomb of Dracula Omnibus’ and I hadn’t read them in a long time and I thought it might be cool to do another vampire movie at some point,” said Goyer.
Goyer also offered up some thoughts about studios’ affinity for remaking certain films just a short time after the original was released, explaining that in his mind, “remakes are more successful the more time there is in between” — and that he’d prefer studios waiting at least 10 years before remaking a film.
“I heard rumors that they may want to start from scratch with a new person playing Blade,” Goyer said of New Line’s plans for the property during an interview with Shock Till You Drop.
Goyer, who wrote all three films in the franchise and co-created the short-lived “Blade” TV series, added that after the “Blade” series, he didn’t have much interest in vampire projects — but found his interest in the genre piqued again again after reading one of Marvel Comics’ classic collections of vampire-themed stories.
“I was reading the ‘Tomb of Dracula Omnibus’ and I hadn’t read them in a long time and I thought it might be cool to do another vampire movie at some point,” said Goyer.
Goyer also offered up some thoughts about studios’ affinity for remaking certain films just a short time after the original was released, explaining that in his mind, “remakes are more successful the more time there is in between” — and that he’d prefer studios waiting at least 10 years before remaking a film.
NPD News: November Sales Numbers
Bad economy? What bad economy?
Despite terrifying news to the contrary, it appears that the economy (at least in the land of videogames) did quite well for what is typically the biggest shopping month of the year. The industry as a whole grew ten percent over 2007, rising from 2.64 billion in sales to 2.91 billion in total sales for this November. The same goes for videogame hardware sales which were up 10 percent from 1.1 billion to 1.21 billion, as well as videogame software which is up 11 percent from 1.31 billion to 1.45 billion. Add hardware, software and accessories sales together and thus far in 2008 people have spent 22 percent more this year than last, totaling out at 16.04 billion as opposed to 13.14 billion this time last year.
But now for the section that everyone wants to know about: console sales. Here's the breakdown:
PlayStation 2 – 206K
PlayStation 3 – 378K
PSP – 421K
Xbox 360 – 836K
Wii – 2.04 Million
Nintendo DS – 1.57 Million
The biggest surprise in all those statistics is that Xbox 360 more than doubled the sales of PlayStation 3, despite both systems seeing monster titles release this past month. Of course, looking at the software breakdown reveals the reason why. Here are the top 10 selling videogames for the month of November 2008:
1. Gears of War 2 - Xbox 360
2. Call of Duty: World at War - Xbox 360
3. Wii Play w/Remote - Wii
4. Wii Fit - Wii
5. Mario Kart - Wii
6. Call of Duty: World at War - PS3
7. Guitar Hero World Tour - PS3
8. Left 4 Dead - Xbox 360
9. Resistance 2 - PS3
10. Wii Music - Wii
Despite terrifying news to the contrary, it appears that the economy (at least in the land of videogames) did quite well for what is typically the biggest shopping month of the year. The industry as a whole grew ten percent over 2007, rising from 2.64 billion in sales to 2.91 billion in total sales for this November. The same goes for videogame hardware sales which were up 10 percent from 1.1 billion to 1.21 billion, as well as videogame software which is up 11 percent from 1.31 billion to 1.45 billion. Add hardware, software and accessories sales together and thus far in 2008 people have spent 22 percent more this year than last, totaling out at 16.04 billion as opposed to 13.14 billion this time last year.
But now for the section that everyone wants to know about: console sales. Here's the breakdown:
PlayStation 2 – 206K
PlayStation 3 – 378K
PSP – 421K
Xbox 360 – 836K
Wii – 2.04 Million
Nintendo DS – 1.57 Million
The biggest surprise in all those statistics is that Xbox 360 more than doubled the sales of PlayStation 3, despite both systems seeing monster titles release this past month. Of course, looking at the software breakdown reveals the reason why. Here are the top 10 selling videogames for the month of November 2008:
1. Gears of War 2 - Xbox 360
2. Call of Duty: World at War - Xbox 360
3. Wii Play w/Remote - Wii
4. Wii Fit - Wii
5. Mario Kart - Wii
6. Call of Duty: World at War - PS3
7. Guitar Hero World Tour - PS3
8. Left 4 Dead - Xbox 360
9. Resistance 2 - PS3
10. Wii Music - Wii
Friday, December 12, 2008
Nightmare on Elm Street is Go, Shooting in Spring
Platinum Dunes is going to continue its working relationship with Warner Bros. and New Line for A Nightmare on Elm Street.
Since Comic-Con in July, it was unknown whether producers Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form were going to be involved in the reboot of the Freddy Krueger franchise. But today, Fuller and Form confirmed to ShockTillYouDrop.com that their deal is done. "It's our next movie," confirmed Form, "hopefully shooting this spring."
Over the summer, Wesley Strick (Cape Fear) was attached to pen the script which is intended to re-imagine the dream-hopping teen killer. "It's like what we're doing to Friday the 13th," says Fuller. "It's not Freddy cracking jokes. We want to make a horrifying movie. The concept is so scary, don't fall asleep or you'll die. This guy gets you when you're most vulnerable, in your sleep. We love that. That's the basis of the movie. It'll be most similar to the first one but in terms of kills and dreams we'll borrow from the entire series."
Shooting is expected to take place in the Chicago suburbs.
Fuller adds that Warner Bros.' positive response to Friday the 13th was very helpful in getting Nightmare off the ground. Test screenings for Jason Voorhees' latest outing have reportedly gone over great.
Addressing the great, incessant question: Will Robert Englund be back? Fuller and Form say they're seeking someone new to don the hat and red 'n green sweater, but they're hopeful Englund will be back for a part in the film.
Since Comic-Con in July, it was unknown whether producers Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form were going to be involved in the reboot of the Freddy Krueger franchise. But today, Fuller and Form confirmed to ShockTillYouDrop.com that their deal is done. "It's our next movie," confirmed Form, "hopefully shooting this spring."
Over the summer, Wesley Strick (Cape Fear) was attached to pen the script which is intended to re-imagine the dream-hopping teen killer. "It's like what we're doing to Friday the 13th," says Fuller. "It's not Freddy cracking jokes. We want to make a horrifying movie. The concept is so scary, don't fall asleep or you'll die. This guy gets you when you're most vulnerable, in your sleep. We love that. That's the basis of the movie. It'll be most similar to the first one but in terms of kills and dreams we'll borrow from the entire series."
Shooting is expected to take place in the Chicago suburbs.
Fuller adds that Warner Bros.' positive response to Friday the 13th was very helpful in getting Nightmare off the ground. Test screenings for Jason Voorhees' latest outing have reportedly gone over great.
Addressing the great, incessant question: Will Robert Englund be back? Fuller and Form say they're seeking someone new to don the hat and red 'n green sweater, but they're hopeful Englund will be back for a part in the film.
Will Tom Cruise Return as Les Grossman?
One of my favorite parts of Tropic Thunder was Tom Cruise as Hollywood Mogul Les Grossman. Cruise even earned a Golden Globe nomination for his comedic performance - who woulda thought? I would love to see a Tropic Thunder spin-off that takes place in the Hollywood world which would bring us more of Grossman’s antics. Cruise doesn’t say never, telling E! that “there could be more to do with that guy” before revealing that he has started to develop some short films starring the character with Thunder director/star Ben Stiller.
“I’ve talked about doing different videos with the character,” Cruise said. “I’ve started working with Ben [Stiller] on it, and we’ve kind of talked about different things to do. We were gonna do some in our free time, but we haven’t found the free time…yet.”
I don’t know about you, but I would love to see more than just a series of online viral music videos.
“I’ve talked about doing different videos with the character,” Cruise said. “I’ve started working with Ben [Stiller] on it, and we’ve kind of talked about different things to do. We were gonna do some in our free time, but we haven’t found the free time…yet.”
I don’t know about you, but I would love to see more than just a series of online viral music videos.
Bryan Fuller Tells All About His Return to Heroes
It looks like television mastermind Bryan Fuller is following through with his previously-rumored return to Heroes now that Pushing Daisies has been canceled. And judging from this awesome interview with Michael Ausiello, something tells me we can expect Heroes to get a lot better come the second half of season three. While he has to build off a plotline begun by certain former producers, it’s clear that Fuller has a good sense of Heroes’ current narrative failures and what it takes to remedy them.
On the problems that arose in seasons two and three:
It became too dense and fell into certain sci-fi trappings. For instance, in the “Villains” arc, when you talk about formulas and catalysts, it takes the face off the drama. And I think the goal for everybody is to put a face back on the drama. You have to save something with a face; otherwise you don’t understand what you’re caring about. I thought the “Villains” arc started out very interestingly, and then became sort of muddy and dense and I couldn’t get my hooks into the characters to understand their motivations.
I also started to feel confused about what people’s abilities were. One of the great things about the first season is that the metaphor for their abilities was very clear. Those metaphors seem to have gotten complicated in the past two seasons. I share that concern with everybody on the writing staff. It’s not like I’m coming in and saying, “This is what you need to do to fix it!” Everybody knows what needs to be fixed and everybody is sort of rowing in that direction.
As someone who loved Heroes up until the sucktastic season one finale, I’m glad to hear that somebody on its staff is finally admitting to the show’s problems, and that he has the full support of the other writers to change course. Something also tells me he couldn’t speak as freely about these issues if former producers Jeph Loeb and Jesse Alexander were still involved. I’m fairly certain that their departure, coupled with Fuller’s return, could bring Heroes back to greatness—or at least make it watchable again.
Fuller’s first episode is 3×19, which is the sixth episode of the Fugitives arc set to begin airing early next year. He goes on to mention in the interview that the main characters will finally return to normal, non-super-powered, lives (Peter Patrelli is a paramedic! Claire is college-bound!). Given that I don’t even recognize the characters anymore from their season one counterparts, this is change for the better. We can also expect the show’s narrative to become more focused, with fewer plotlines per-episode.
Fuller plans to stick around for season four, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he jumps ship to work on another series of his own that will ultimately die because it’s “too good for TV”. Until then, Heroes fans should strap in for a treat. I just hope they remember what good Heroes is like.
On the problems that arose in seasons two and three:
It became too dense and fell into certain sci-fi trappings. For instance, in the “Villains” arc, when you talk about formulas and catalysts, it takes the face off the drama. And I think the goal for everybody is to put a face back on the drama. You have to save something with a face; otherwise you don’t understand what you’re caring about. I thought the “Villains” arc started out very interestingly, and then became sort of muddy and dense and I couldn’t get my hooks into the characters to understand their motivations.
I also started to feel confused about what people’s abilities were. One of the great things about the first season is that the metaphor for their abilities was very clear. Those metaphors seem to have gotten complicated in the past two seasons. I share that concern with everybody on the writing staff. It’s not like I’m coming in and saying, “This is what you need to do to fix it!” Everybody knows what needs to be fixed and everybody is sort of rowing in that direction.
As someone who loved Heroes up until the sucktastic season one finale, I’m glad to hear that somebody on its staff is finally admitting to the show’s problems, and that he has the full support of the other writers to change course. Something also tells me he couldn’t speak as freely about these issues if former producers Jeph Loeb and Jesse Alexander were still involved. I’m fairly certain that their departure, coupled with Fuller’s return, could bring Heroes back to greatness—or at least make it watchable again.
Fuller’s first episode is 3×19, which is the sixth episode of the Fugitives arc set to begin airing early next year. He goes on to mention in the interview that the main characters will finally return to normal, non-super-powered, lives (Peter Patrelli is a paramedic! Claire is college-bound!). Given that I don’t even recognize the characters anymore from their season one counterparts, this is change for the better. We can also expect the show’s narrative to become more focused, with fewer plotlines per-episode.
Fuller plans to stick around for season four, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he jumps ship to work on another series of his own that will ultimately die because it’s “too good for TV”. Until then, Heroes fans should strap in for a treat. I just hope they remember what good Heroes is like.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Daniel Craig on the Future of 007
Daniel Craig is ready to quantify Quantum of Solace. 007's 22nd big-screen adventure proved to be a box office bonanza, earning over $500 million worldwide so far. And while the critical reception to the film was not unkind, the consensus was that it wasn't quite as licensed to thrill as its franchise-redefining predecessor Casino Royale.
As Craig prepares to launch his next big film Defiance, director Edward Zwick's serious-minded but still action-packed exploration of a group of Polish Jews who fought back against the Nazis during the Holocaust, ComingSoon.net talked to the blonde Bond about the reception to "Quantum" and his plans to get shaken and/or stirred for the next installment.
ComingSoon.net: The critical reaction to "Quantum of Solace" was somewhat different than that for "Casino Royale." Did that surprise you?
Daniel Craig: No, because "Casino Royale" was based on a novel and we're always going to have that. When you do a movie like that, where the basis of a story is really strong and also the momentum of it, everyone thought that it was going to be sh*t. So when it wasn't, they were all just completely surprised. I think that "Quantum of Solace" is as good a movie as "Casino Royale." I think that the difference is that last time people were surprised by the fact that they enjoyed it. The fact is that we get reviews in newspapers that we'd never had reviews in before. Certainly with the Internet we get seven and a half million reviews, which are all worth looking at, obviously.
CS: The financial success of the film does suggest that people really respond to you as James Bond.
Craig: I don't try to intellectualize that. I do know what we've done is make a movie that the first time I saw it I got a huge kick out of it. Ultimately that's what we're trying to do at the end of the day: putting a movie out that's an entertaining, exciting, hopefully slightly moving Bond movie. That's all our goal ever was. The way that people have taken to it is just amazing.
CS: Do you think that calls to go to work on the next one will come a little quicker after the huge success of "Quantum?"
Craig: I haven't heard anything - but then I'm not answering my phone.
CS: What more do you want to do with Bond? What other parts of him would you like to explore?
Craig: Well, I genuinely think we've got a blank page now. We've finished this story off. "Quantum of Solace" was exactly the right thing to do. We started something with "Casino Royale" and we wrapped it all up with "Quantum of Solace." We're ready to begin again and we can do what we want.
CS: So you think that the next one will be a throwback to another Bond era?
Craig: Submarines and outer space!
CS: Are you all still looking at unused Ian Fleming story elements, since that worked so well in "Casino Royale?"
Craig: Yeah, but there's nothing left. It's all done unless someone finds a dirty manuscript under the couch at [Fleming's Jamaican estate] GoldenEye, we're stuffed.
CS: Is it important for you to do projects other than Bond between the films?
Craig: It's not really the method that I go by. Look, I'm not going to take another part as a British spy who drives nice cars. That's definitely not going to happen, but I'm not closing the door on anything.
CS: So there's nothing else on the horizon about it?
Craig: Not for the moment. A holiday.
CS: How will you be spending the holidays?
Craig: Happily, hopefully [laughs]. Very quietly.
Quantum of Solace is now playing worldwide and Defiance opens in limited theaters on Dec. 31 before expanding wide on Jan. 16.
As Craig prepares to launch his next big film Defiance, director Edward Zwick's serious-minded but still action-packed exploration of a group of Polish Jews who fought back against the Nazis during the Holocaust, ComingSoon.net talked to the blonde Bond about the reception to "Quantum" and his plans to get shaken and/or stirred for the next installment.
ComingSoon.net: The critical reaction to "Quantum of Solace" was somewhat different than that for "Casino Royale." Did that surprise you?
Daniel Craig: No, because "Casino Royale" was based on a novel and we're always going to have that. When you do a movie like that, where the basis of a story is really strong and also the momentum of it, everyone thought that it was going to be sh*t. So when it wasn't, they were all just completely surprised. I think that "Quantum of Solace" is as good a movie as "Casino Royale." I think that the difference is that last time people were surprised by the fact that they enjoyed it. The fact is that we get reviews in newspapers that we'd never had reviews in before. Certainly with the Internet we get seven and a half million reviews, which are all worth looking at, obviously.
CS: The financial success of the film does suggest that people really respond to you as James Bond.
Craig: I don't try to intellectualize that. I do know what we've done is make a movie that the first time I saw it I got a huge kick out of it. Ultimately that's what we're trying to do at the end of the day: putting a movie out that's an entertaining, exciting, hopefully slightly moving Bond movie. That's all our goal ever was. The way that people have taken to it is just amazing.
CS: Do you think that calls to go to work on the next one will come a little quicker after the huge success of "Quantum?"
Craig: I haven't heard anything - but then I'm not answering my phone.
CS: What more do you want to do with Bond? What other parts of him would you like to explore?
Craig: Well, I genuinely think we've got a blank page now. We've finished this story off. "Quantum of Solace" was exactly the right thing to do. We started something with "Casino Royale" and we wrapped it all up with "Quantum of Solace." We're ready to begin again and we can do what we want.
CS: So you think that the next one will be a throwback to another Bond era?
Craig: Submarines and outer space!
CS: Are you all still looking at unused Ian Fleming story elements, since that worked so well in "Casino Royale?"
Craig: Yeah, but there's nothing left. It's all done unless someone finds a dirty manuscript under the couch at [Fleming's Jamaican estate] GoldenEye, we're stuffed.
CS: Is it important for you to do projects other than Bond between the films?
Craig: It's not really the method that I go by. Look, I'm not going to take another part as a British spy who drives nice cars. That's definitely not going to happen, but I'm not closing the door on anything.
CS: So there's nothing else on the horizon about it?
Craig: Not for the moment. A holiday.
CS: How will you be spending the holidays?
Craig: Happily, hopefully [laughs]. Very quietly.
Quantum of Solace is now playing worldwide and Defiance opens in limited theaters on Dec. 31 before expanding wide on Jan. 16.
Stiller Replacing Ruffalo in Greenburg
Ben Stiller is set to replace Mark Ruffalo in Greenburg, a comedy-drama Noah Baumbach is writing and directing, says The Hollywood Reporter.
Scott Rudin is producing the project, whose logline is being kept under wraps but which is expected to center on the intimacies of relationships in the manner of Baumbach's other films, such as The Squid and the Whale.
Amy Adams was set to star opposite Ruffalo, but she, too, is said to have fallen off; talks are being held with a number of other actresses.
Scott Rudin is producing the project, whose logline is being kept under wraps but which is expected to center on the intimacies of relationships in the manner of Baumbach's other films, such as The Squid and the Whale.
Amy Adams was set to star opposite Ruffalo, but she, too, is said to have fallen off; talks are being held with a number of other actresses.
HBO to Air Will Ferrell's Bush Show
HBO will air a live telecast in the spring of Will Ferrell's Broadway show "You're Welcome America. A Final Night With George W. Bush," reports Variety.
The cable channel's special will be directed by Marty Callner, who also has helmed HBO comedy segments starring Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams and George Carlin. Executive producers are Callner for Funny Business as well as Ferrell, Adam McKay and Jessica Elbaum for Gary Sanchez Productions.
An exact date for the HBO airing has not been confirmed, although it seems likely it would come toward the end of the run (on March 15) of "You're Welcome America" to prevent the telecast from cannibalizing ticket sales for the Broadway engagement.
The stage production is helmed by McKay, the writer/director with whom Ferrell has collaborated on films including Step Brothers, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
"Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America. A Final Night With George W. Bush" begins previews at the Cort Theater on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, ahead of a Feb. 5 opening.
The cable channel's special will be directed by Marty Callner, who also has helmed HBO comedy segments starring Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams and George Carlin. Executive producers are Callner for Funny Business as well as Ferrell, Adam McKay and Jessica Elbaum for Gary Sanchez Productions.
An exact date for the HBO airing has not been confirmed, although it seems likely it would come toward the end of the run (on March 15) of "You're Welcome America" to prevent the telecast from cannibalizing ticket sales for the Broadway engagement.
The stage production is helmed by McKay, the writer/director with whom Ferrell has collaborated on films including Step Brothers, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
"Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America. A Final Night With George W. Bush" begins previews at the Cort Theater on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, ahead of a Feb. 5 opening.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Betty Thomas to Direct Alvin Sequel
Betty Thomas (Doctor Dolittle) has signed on to direct Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel, Fox 2000 and Regency's follow-up to the surprise 2007 hit featuring the CGI-animated singing rodents, says The Hollywood Reporter.
Although plot details are being kept under wraps, the new movie will introduce the Chipmunks' female counterparts, the Chipettes.
Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney are returning to respectively voice the parts of troublemaker Alvin, intellectual Simon and chubby Theodore. It is unclear whether Jason Lee is returning. Casting of the Chipettes is under way.
The first movie grossed more than $360 million worldwide. "The Squeakuel" is scheduled for a Christmas Day 2009 release.
Although plot details are being kept under wraps, the new movie will introduce the Chipmunks' female counterparts, the Chipettes.
Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney are returning to respectively voice the parts of troublemaker Alvin, intellectual Simon and chubby Theodore. It is unclear whether Jason Lee is returning. Casting of the Chipettes is under way.
The first movie grossed more than $360 million worldwide. "The Squeakuel" is scheduled for a Christmas Day 2009 release.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Keanu Reeves Will Topline 47 Ronin
Keanu Reeves (The Day the Earth Stood Still) will star in 47 Ronin, an epic period film for Universal Pictures based on the true tale of a band of samurai swordsmen who avenged the death of their master in 18th century Japan.
Chris Morgan, who co-wrote Wanted and penned the upcoming Fast & Furious for Universal, is writing the script. Scott Stuber will produce through his Stuber Productions.
Reeves will play one of the swordsmen; the group and their master are revered in Japan for their revenge attack on Dec. 14, 1702.
The film will tell a stylized version of the story, mixing fantasy elements of the sort seen in "The Lord of the Rings" films, with gritty battle scenes akin to those in films such as Gladiator.
Chris Morgan, who co-wrote Wanted and penned the upcoming Fast & Furious for Universal, is writing the script. Scott Stuber will produce through his Stuber Productions.
Reeves will play one of the swordsmen; the group and their master are revered in Japan for their revenge attack on Dec. 14, 1702.
The film will tell a stylized version of the story, mixing fantasy elements of the sort seen in "The Lord of the Rings" films, with gritty battle scenes akin to those in films such as Gladiator.
NBC to Move Jay Leno Up to 10 p.m. Spot
NBC will officially announce on Tuesday that "The Tonight Show" host Jay Leno will take over the 10 p.m. weeknight slot starting next fall, reports Variety.
The decision to strip Leno at 10 p.m. solves one of the most pressing issue facing NBC in the coming year: How to keep ratings leader Leno at the network, and away from the competition.
The move also saves "Tonight Show" successor Conan O'Brien from having to compete against his predecessor - who was expected to land in the 11:35 slot at another network, most likely ABC. (Fox and Sony, among others, had expressed interest too.) But by keeping Leno on at 10 p.m., O'Brien may also very well wind up being overshadowed by his predecessor - particularly since Leno will air in primetime, when TV viewing is higher.
By putting Leno in the 10 p.m. slot, NBC Universal topper Jeff Zucker has just completely altered the primetime landscape going into next season.
With 10 p.m. now filled by Leno - not to mention Sunday Night Football consuming four hours on Sunday and repeats on Saturday - NBC may program as few as ten hours of traditional primetime fare next fall. With some of those hours likely to be reality shows, there's not much room left for scripted fare.
As part of his new deal, insiders have suggested that Leno could make between $40 million to $50 million a year with a 10 p.m. slot.
Also, at least for now, Leno will continue to host the new show in the same Burbank studio (connected to NBC's now vacant former west coast headquarters) that he currently helms "Tonight." That's because NBC is building a new "Tonight Show" stage for O'Brien on the Universal lot, next to NBC's new digs.
The decision to strip Leno at 10 p.m. solves one of the most pressing issue facing NBC in the coming year: How to keep ratings leader Leno at the network, and away from the competition.
The move also saves "Tonight Show" successor Conan O'Brien from having to compete against his predecessor - who was expected to land in the 11:35 slot at another network, most likely ABC. (Fox and Sony, among others, had expressed interest too.) But by keeping Leno on at 10 p.m., O'Brien may also very well wind up being overshadowed by his predecessor - particularly since Leno will air in primetime, when TV viewing is higher.
By putting Leno in the 10 p.m. slot, NBC Universal topper Jeff Zucker has just completely altered the primetime landscape going into next season.
With 10 p.m. now filled by Leno - not to mention Sunday Night Football consuming four hours on Sunday and repeats on Saturday - NBC may program as few as ten hours of traditional primetime fare next fall. With some of those hours likely to be reality shows, there's not much room left for scripted fare.
As part of his new deal, insiders have suggested that Leno could make between $40 million to $50 million a year with a 10 p.m. slot.
Also, at least for now, Leno will continue to host the new show in the same Burbank studio (connected to NBC's now vacant former west coast headquarters) that he currently helms "Tonight." That's because NBC is building a new "Tonight Show" stage for O'Brien on the Universal lot, next to NBC's new digs.
Jamie Foxx Restarts The Party With New Album
Jamie Foxx says he wanted his new album, "Intuition," to bang a little harder than his chart-topping, double-platinum 2005 release "Unpredictable."
"'Unpredictable" was more, like, slow, bedroom things, which was great but when I went on the road we had all these ballads, so sometimes I had to work a little harder to keep people's attention," the singer and actor tells Billboard.com. "With ('Intuition'), we've got all these legitimate club, international hits and the tempo is up. People hear this record and go absolutely nuts for it."
Foxx spent the better part of the past two years working on "Intuition," which comes out Dec. 16 via J. He's assembled a Grammy-pedigreed cast of guests and producers, including T.I. (on the first single, "Just Like Me"), Kanye West, the-Dream and Tricky Stewart, Ne-Yo, Fabolous, Timbaland and Floetry's Marsha Ambrosius. "Number One," with Lil Wayne, is currently being "floated" into the clubs, while "Blame It," with T-Pain, is slated to be worked in mid-January.
"I think people are slowly wanting to work with me more as far as music is concerned," notes Foxx, who studied piano on a scholarship to United States International University. "I do run into a lot of roadblocks. I've been trying to break down those sort of preconceived thoughts that this is just a hobby to me or ... 'He's already got enough.' People want to work with you, but sometimes they don't take it seriously until they hear the records and see the direction I'm going with. I think it'll be even easier to get people to feature with me for the next record."
Foxx says that could come as early as a year from now as he seeks to "get my content up." He plans to tour for "Intuition" in the spring, after he finishes a 10-week shoot for "Law Abiding Citizen," a drama with Jerry Butler. His next film, "The Soloist" -- the true-life story of homeless cello virtuoso Nathaniel Ayers -- is due in theaters this March.
"I just see something really high-energy," Foxx says of the shows. "I see myself probably with Ne-Yo, out on the road, a little different demographic than what 'Unpredictable' was. A high-energy, great show -- just hit 'em and quit 'em."
"'Unpredictable" was more, like, slow, bedroom things, which was great but when I went on the road we had all these ballads, so sometimes I had to work a little harder to keep people's attention," the singer and actor tells Billboard.com. "With ('Intuition'), we've got all these legitimate club, international hits and the tempo is up. People hear this record and go absolutely nuts for it."
Foxx spent the better part of the past two years working on "Intuition," which comes out Dec. 16 via J. He's assembled a Grammy-pedigreed cast of guests and producers, including T.I. (on the first single, "Just Like Me"), Kanye West, the-Dream and Tricky Stewart, Ne-Yo, Fabolous, Timbaland and Floetry's Marsha Ambrosius. "Number One," with Lil Wayne, is currently being "floated" into the clubs, while "Blame It," with T-Pain, is slated to be worked in mid-January.
"I think people are slowly wanting to work with me more as far as music is concerned," notes Foxx, who studied piano on a scholarship to United States International University. "I do run into a lot of roadblocks. I've been trying to break down those sort of preconceived thoughts that this is just a hobby to me or ... 'He's already got enough.' People want to work with you, but sometimes they don't take it seriously until they hear the records and see the direction I'm going with. I think it'll be even easier to get people to feature with me for the next record."
Foxx says that could come as early as a year from now as he seeks to "get my content up." He plans to tour for "Intuition" in the spring, after he finishes a 10-week shoot for "Law Abiding Citizen," a drama with Jerry Butler. His next film, "The Soloist" -- the true-life story of homeless cello virtuoso Nathaniel Ayers -- is due in theaters this March.
"I just see something really high-energy," Foxx says of the shows. "I see myself probably with Ne-Yo, out on the road, a little different demographic than what 'Unpredictable' was. A high-energy, great show -- just hit 'em and quit 'em."
Monday, December 8, 2008
ABC is Adapting Comic Book Fables
ABC is adapting comic book "Fables," created by Bill Willingham and published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint, says The Hollywood Reporter.
"Six Degrees" creators/executive producers Stu Zicherman and Raven Metzner are writing the script for the hourlong drama set at Warner Bros. TV.
David Semel has come on board to direct "Fables," which revolves around characters from fairy tales and folklore living in exile in modern-day New York.
Zicherman and Metzner wouldn't elaborate which fairy tale characters will be featured in the TV series, but noted that Big Bad Wolf and Snow White, who are central to the comics, will have a similar role on the show.
"We set up a structure to allow any fairy tale character to show up in any one episode," Metzner said.
The fairy tale characters will keep some of their trademark characteristics. For instance, Prince Charming will be handsome, while Big Bad Wolf will have to shave a four-day shadow from growing back every day.
But overall, "they are just like real people in the real world who live and breathe and look just like you and me," Metzner said.
"Six Degrees" creators/executive producers Stu Zicherman and Raven Metzner are writing the script for the hourlong drama set at Warner Bros. TV.
David Semel has come on board to direct "Fables," which revolves around characters from fairy tales and folklore living in exile in modern-day New York.
Zicherman and Metzner wouldn't elaborate which fairy tale characters will be featured in the TV series, but noted that Big Bad Wolf and Snow White, who are central to the comics, will have a similar role on the show.
"We set up a structure to allow any fairy tale character to show up in any one episode," Metzner said.
The fairy tale characters will keep some of their trademark characteristics. For instance, Prince Charming will be handsome, while Big Bad Wolf will have to shave a four-day shadow from growing back every day.
But overall, "they are just like real people in the real world who live and breathe and look just like you and me," Metzner said.
Jurassic Park 4 Will Probably Not Happen, Producers Say
After the sad news of Michael Crichton’s death last month, some people were left wondering about the fate of the mostly-amazingly-successful Jurassic Park film franchise. Rumors of a fourth film have been kicking around for quite some time, but now it looks like they have finally been put to bed.
According to Comingsoon, producers Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy were speaking at a junket for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button when they revealed that there have been no developments on JP4. When asked about the film, Kennedy said:
No… I don’t know. You know, when Crichton passed away, I sorta felt maybe that’s it. Maybe that’s a sign that we don’t mess with it.
For me, this is actually good news. While I thought Spielberg’s Jurassic Park was a kickass adventure and a fairly faithful adaptation, The Lost World kind of took things off the rails, what with Spielberg’s insistence at having a dinosaur terrorize the mainland (a plot element not found in Crichton’s original book). Of course, Jurassic Park 3 was a money grab, which they didn’t even directly base off of any source material. I thought the results were fairly catastrophic. In other words, they had already taken this franchise and ran it into the ground. Hopefully, it too can rest in peace now.
According to Comingsoon, producers Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy were speaking at a junket for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button when they revealed that there have been no developments on JP4. When asked about the film, Kennedy said:
No… I don’t know. You know, when Crichton passed away, I sorta felt maybe that’s it. Maybe that’s a sign that we don’t mess with it.
For me, this is actually good news. While I thought Spielberg’s Jurassic Park was a kickass adventure and a fairly faithful adaptation, The Lost World kind of took things off the rails, what with Spielberg’s insistence at having a dinosaur terrorize the mainland (a plot element not found in Crichton’s original book). Of course, Jurassic Park 3 was a money grab, which they didn’t even directly base off of any source material. I thought the results were fairly catastrophic. In other words, they had already taken this franchise and ran it into the ground. Hopefully, it too can rest in peace now.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
No Sin City Sequel for Mickey Rourke?
A couple days ago, MTV's Splash Page chatted up actor Mickey Rourke at a party for Fox Seachlight and the results of that discussion (which you can read here) seemed to indicate that both Frank Miller and Mickey were ready to go on the long-delayed Sin City 2.
At the junket for Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler in which Rourke gives a heartbreaking performance as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a has-been wrestler trying to go out in a blaze of glory, he told Superhero Hype that he's not as gung-ho about returning to play Marv as he might have been last week.
"No, I'm not interested in that right now. That's not a reality right now. It's pissing in the wind," Rourke admitted. "There's different factions going different directions there. I don't know. That's three hours of make up and I'm claustrophobic, so I'm going to have to work something out."
Who knows how much of a role Marv would have played in the sequel considering that it was to be based around the mini-series "A Dame to Kill For" but Marv was always kind of in the background even in the stories that didn't feature him, so hopefully, they can work things out.
In the meantime, Rourke told us he was really digging the movie he was currently working on, 13, Gela Babluani‘s remake of his own French film 13 Tzameti, but he told us that the character he plays is a new one not in the original movie.
Check ComingSoon.net in the next couple weeks for a full interview with Rourke talking about The Wrestler, which is released in select cities on December 17.
At the junket for Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler in which Rourke gives a heartbreaking performance as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a has-been wrestler trying to go out in a blaze of glory, he told Superhero Hype that he's not as gung-ho about returning to play Marv as he might have been last week.
"No, I'm not interested in that right now. That's not a reality right now. It's pissing in the wind," Rourke admitted. "There's different factions going different directions there. I don't know. That's three hours of make up and I'm claustrophobic, so I'm going to have to work something out."
Who knows how much of a role Marv would have played in the sequel considering that it was to be based around the mini-series "A Dame to Kill For" but Marv was always kind of in the background even in the stories that didn't feature him, so hopefully, they can work things out.
In the meantime, Rourke told us he was really digging the movie he was currently working on, 13, Gela Babluani‘s remake of his own French film 13 Tzameti, but he told us that the character he plays is a new one not in the original movie.
Check ComingSoon.net in the next couple weeks for a full interview with Rourke talking about The Wrestler, which is released in select cities on December 17.
More Christmases Cheer at the Box Office
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
New Line/Warner Bros.' Four Christmases remained in the top spot with an estimated $18.2 million, a drop in sales of just 41.5% from last weekend. The holiday comedy, starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, has earned an impressive $70.8 million in two weeks and cost about $80 million to make.
The second spot belonged to Summit Entertainment's Twilight, which added $13.2 million in its third weekend, bringing its total to $138.6 million. Based on the Stephenie Meyer novel, the Catherine Hardwicke-directed film stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. It cost only $37 million to make.
In third place, Walt Disney Pictures' animated comedy adventure Bolt collected $9.7 million to push its three-week total to $79.3 million.
Baz Luhrmann's Australia, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, made $7 million in the fourth spot. 20th Century Fox's $130 million epic has earned $30.9 million in two weeks.
Sony/MGM's Quantum of Solace rounded out the top five with $6.6 million, taking the 22nd James Bond film to $151.5 million domestically in four weeks. Directed by Marc Forster and starring Daniel Craig, the 007 film cost $200 million to make.
DreamWorks Animation's Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa added $5.1 million in its fifth weekend in sixth place. Made for $150 million, the animated hit has reached $165.7 million so far.
In seventh, Lionsgate Transporter 3, starring Jason Statham, made $4.5 million in its second weekend and has earned $25.4 million.
Newcomer Punisher: War Zone, directed by Lexi Alexander and starring Ray Stevenson, bombed out of the gate with just $4 million from 2,508 theaters, a low average of $1,595 and good for only eighth place. It is less than a third of what the studio's first "Punisher" film opened to in 2004.
TriStar Pictures' new drama Cadillac Records, featuring Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright and Beyoncé Knowles, fared better in the ninth spot, as it opened in only 686 theaters yet managed to earn $3.5 million, an average of $5,102 per site.
There was no interest in indie release Nobel Son, which opened in 893 theaters, but only made $371,000. On the other hand, director Ron Howard's Frost/Nixon, starring Frank Langella and Michael Sheen, took in an impressive $180,000 from just three theaters - an average of $60,000 per theater, the second biggest of the year.
New Line/Warner Bros.' Four Christmases remained in the top spot with an estimated $18.2 million, a drop in sales of just 41.5% from last weekend. The holiday comedy, starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, has earned an impressive $70.8 million in two weeks and cost about $80 million to make.
The second spot belonged to Summit Entertainment's Twilight, which added $13.2 million in its third weekend, bringing its total to $138.6 million. Based on the Stephenie Meyer novel, the Catherine Hardwicke-directed film stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. It cost only $37 million to make.
In third place, Walt Disney Pictures' animated comedy adventure Bolt collected $9.7 million to push its three-week total to $79.3 million.
Baz Luhrmann's Australia, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, made $7 million in the fourth spot. 20th Century Fox's $130 million epic has earned $30.9 million in two weeks.
Sony/MGM's Quantum of Solace rounded out the top five with $6.6 million, taking the 22nd James Bond film to $151.5 million domestically in four weeks. Directed by Marc Forster and starring Daniel Craig, the 007 film cost $200 million to make.
DreamWorks Animation's Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa added $5.1 million in its fifth weekend in sixth place. Made for $150 million, the animated hit has reached $165.7 million so far.
In seventh, Lionsgate Transporter 3, starring Jason Statham, made $4.5 million in its second weekend and has earned $25.4 million.
Newcomer Punisher: War Zone, directed by Lexi Alexander and starring Ray Stevenson, bombed out of the gate with just $4 million from 2,508 theaters, a low average of $1,595 and good for only eighth place. It is less than a third of what the studio's first "Punisher" film opened to in 2004.
TriStar Pictures' new drama Cadillac Records, featuring Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright and Beyoncé Knowles, fared better in the ninth spot, as it opened in only 686 theaters yet managed to earn $3.5 million, an average of $5,102 per site.
There was no interest in indie release Nobel Son, which opened in 893 theaters, but only made $371,000. On the other hand, director Ron Howard's Frost/Nixon, starring Frank Langella and Michael Sheen, took in an impressive $180,000 from just three theaters - an average of $60,000 per theater, the second biggest of the year.
Weekly Ratings: 12/1 – 12/5
Monday Ratings: Samantha Stumbles sans Her Dancing Partner
8 pm/ET
Shrek and the Grinch gave ABC the win for the hour, averaging 11.44 million total viewers. Repeats of Big Bang ("Pants must be worn at all times in the time machine!") and Mother (each drawing over eight mil) placed second. Chuck claimed third with 7.25 mil, gaining 10 percent on this night of lighter competition, while Sarah Connor truly seized the moment, surging 26 percent to 5.83 mil, its largest audience since Sept. 22. Gossip Girl (3.08 mil) inched up 200K from its Nov. 17 season low.
9 pm
Heroes flirted with eight mil (and won the back half of the hour), gaining 100 thou week-to-week. With her flashy Dancing lead-in now gone, Samantha Who? stumbled to the tune of 43 percent, averaging just 6.8 mil across back-to-back episodes. Prison Break (5.8 mil) added 550K, while the first of Privileged's Monday "try-outs" delivered 2.2 mil, up 40 percent from its most recent Tuesday outing.
10 pm
Even opposite a CSI: Miami repeat (see news story on Khandi Alexander's return visit), Boston Legal (8.4 mil, -300K) and Worst Enemy (4.03 mil, -220K) each slipped.
Tuesday Ratings: Mentalist Hits Yet Another High, Somehow Even Besting According to Jim
8 pm/ET
NCIS topped the hour with its second-largest audience ever, 18.54 million total viewers. House led the demos, but dipped a bit in viewers, to 12.4 mil. ABC's Santa Claus came to town and found nearly nine million folks waiting for him, while Biggest Loser placed fourth with about eight mil in its first hour.
9 pm
The Mentalist continues to see bigger and bigger audiences, hitting yet another series high: 18.77 million viewers (a week-to-week surge of 18 percent). And that was with According to Jim (a fourth place-worthy 5.8 mil) now in the mix! In third (behind Biggest Loser's rear end), Fringe slipped a hair, to 8.69 mil.
10 pm
Without a Trace (12.2 million viewers) and SVU (10.3 mil, No. 1 in demos) both enjoyed gains of about 18 percent. Eli Stone sank to 4.93 mil, a 28 percent plunge from its previous, pre-cancellation outing.
Wednesday Ratings: Law & Order and Life Come to Life
This Wednesday, as Bones, Christine, Gary, K.I.T.T., the Criminal Minds and the CSIs of NY took a rest....
8 pm/ET
CBS' Rudolph shiny-nosed his way to the top of the pack, delivering 11.7 million total viewers and dominating the demos. NBC's coverage of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting came in second with 10.35 million. Placing third was Fox's Secret Millionaire, which premiered to an audience of 7.37 mil. Pushing Daisies followed with 4.9 mil, a 10 percent bump from its previous outing.
9 pm
In a four-horse race, Life took advantage of Criminal Minds's absence by surging 52 percent, to a season-high 8.1 million viewers. Trailing Secret Millionaire's second hour, Private Practice (7.84 mil) saw a 26 percent gain. CBS' Grammy noms special placed fourth with 7.15 mil.
10 pm
Monopolizing this Wednesday's crime-drama audience, Law & Order soared 80 percent week-to-week, claiming a season's best 11.27 million viewers. It was followed by CBS' Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (8.73 mil, up 17 percent year-over-year) and Dirty Sexy Money (up a hair, to 5.7 mil).
Thursday Ratings: My Name Is Earl, and My Numbers Are Low
8 pm/ET
Survivor topped the hour with a typical 12.8 million total viewers, followed by Ugly Betty (8.47 mil). Placing third, My Name Is Earl dropped 10 percent week-to-week to hit 6.09 mil (it's second-smallest audience of the season), while lead-out Kath & Kim (4.88 mil) toppled 11 percent.
9 pm
CSI (17.4 million viewers) and Grey's Anatomy (15.15 mil, No. 1 in demos) both dipped five percent. NBC's The Office (8.34 mil) and 30 Rock (7.14 mil) also slipped a bit.
10 pm
Barbara Walters proved to be especially fascinating, delivering an audience of 13.2 million viewers - most of whom, I must assume, had you-know-who pegged for the No. 1 spot. Eleventh Hour placed second with 10.9 mil (showing a slight uptick from its previous outing), while ER (8.23 mil) dropped 10 percent.
Friday Ratings: Whisperer Quiets Down Some
8 pm/ET
Ghost Whisperer topped the hour with an audience of 9.7 million total viewers, down 15 percent from its last fresh outing. ABC's broadcast of Jim Carrey's Grinch placed second with 5.7 mil, followed by 5th Grader (5.45 mil).
9 pm
A Numbers repeat was No. 1 with 8.45 mil, a full 27 percent less than what the warmed-over NCISes were doing in the time slot. (Reminder: A new season of Flashpoint fills this spot starting Jan. 9.) Behind the Mean One, Lyrics did 5.2 mil, followed by Lipstick Jungle (3.59 mil, up eight percent).
10 pm
Numbers delivered 9.73 mil, down 13 percent from its last new entry. It was followed by 20/20 (6.42 mil, dipping nine percent) and Dateline (3.8 mil).
8 pm/ET
Shrek and the Grinch gave ABC the win for the hour, averaging 11.44 million total viewers. Repeats of Big Bang ("Pants must be worn at all times in the time machine!") and Mother (each drawing over eight mil) placed second. Chuck claimed third with 7.25 mil, gaining 10 percent on this night of lighter competition, while Sarah Connor truly seized the moment, surging 26 percent to 5.83 mil, its largest audience since Sept. 22. Gossip Girl (3.08 mil) inched up 200K from its Nov. 17 season low.
9 pm
Heroes flirted with eight mil (and won the back half of the hour), gaining 100 thou week-to-week. With her flashy Dancing lead-in now gone, Samantha Who? stumbled to the tune of 43 percent, averaging just 6.8 mil across back-to-back episodes. Prison Break (5.8 mil) added 550K, while the first of Privileged's Monday "try-outs" delivered 2.2 mil, up 40 percent from its most recent Tuesday outing.
10 pm
Even opposite a CSI: Miami repeat (see news story on Khandi Alexander's return visit), Boston Legal (8.4 mil, -300K) and Worst Enemy (4.03 mil, -220K) each slipped.
Tuesday Ratings: Mentalist Hits Yet Another High, Somehow Even Besting According to Jim
8 pm/ET
NCIS topped the hour with its second-largest audience ever, 18.54 million total viewers. House led the demos, but dipped a bit in viewers, to 12.4 mil. ABC's Santa Claus came to town and found nearly nine million folks waiting for him, while Biggest Loser placed fourth with about eight mil in its first hour.
9 pm
The Mentalist continues to see bigger and bigger audiences, hitting yet another series high: 18.77 million viewers (a week-to-week surge of 18 percent). And that was with According to Jim (a fourth place-worthy 5.8 mil) now in the mix! In third (behind Biggest Loser's rear end), Fringe slipped a hair, to 8.69 mil.
10 pm
Without a Trace (12.2 million viewers) and SVU (10.3 mil, No. 1 in demos) both enjoyed gains of about 18 percent. Eli Stone sank to 4.93 mil, a 28 percent plunge from its previous, pre-cancellation outing.
Wednesday Ratings: Law & Order and Life Come to Life
This Wednesday, as Bones, Christine, Gary, K.I.T.T., the Criminal Minds and the CSIs of NY took a rest....
8 pm/ET
CBS' Rudolph shiny-nosed his way to the top of the pack, delivering 11.7 million total viewers and dominating the demos. NBC's coverage of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting came in second with 10.35 million. Placing third was Fox's Secret Millionaire, which premiered to an audience of 7.37 mil. Pushing Daisies followed with 4.9 mil, a 10 percent bump from its previous outing.
9 pm
In a four-horse race, Life took advantage of Criminal Minds's absence by surging 52 percent, to a season-high 8.1 million viewers. Trailing Secret Millionaire's second hour, Private Practice (7.84 mil) saw a 26 percent gain. CBS' Grammy noms special placed fourth with 7.15 mil.
10 pm
Monopolizing this Wednesday's crime-drama audience, Law & Order soared 80 percent week-to-week, claiming a season's best 11.27 million viewers. It was followed by CBS' Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (8.73 mil, up 17 percent year-over-year) and Dirty Sexy Money (up a hair, to 5.7 mil).
Thursday Ratings: My Name Is Earl, and My Numbers Are Low
8 pm/ET
Survivor topped the hour with a typical 12.8 million total viewers, followed by Ugly Betty (8.47 mil). Placing third, My Name Is Earl dropped 10 percent week-to-week to hit 6.09 mil (it's second-smallest audience of the season), while lead-out Kath & Kim (4.88 mil) toppled 11 percent.
9 pm
CSI (17.4 million viewers) and Grey's Anatomy (15.15 mil, No. 1 in demos) both dipped five percent. NBC's The Office (8.34 mil) and 30 Rock (7.14 mil) also slipped a bit.
10 pm
Barbara Walters proved to be especially fascinating, delivering an audience of 13.2 million viewers - most of whom, I must assume, had you-know-who pegged for the No. 1 spot. Eleventh Hour placed second with 10.9 mil (showing a slight uptick from its previous outing), while ER (8.23 mil) dropped 10 percent.
Friday Ratings: Whisperer Quiets Down Some
8 pm/ET
Ghost Whisperer topped the hour with an audience of 9.7 million total viewers, down 15 percent from its last fresh outing. ABC's broadcast of Jim Carrey's Grinch placed second with 5.7 mil, followed by 5th Grader (5.45 mil).
9 pm
A Numbers repeat was No. 1 with 8.45 mil, a full 27 percent less than what the warmed-over NCISes were doing in the time slot. (Reminder: A new season of Flashpoint fills this spot starting Jan. 9.) Behind the Mean One, Lyrics did 5.2 mil, followed by Lipstick Jungle (3.59 mil, up eight percent).
10 pm
Numbers delivered 9.73 mil, down 13 percent from its last new entry. It was followed by 20/20 (6.42 mil, dipping nine percent) and Dateline (3.8 mil).
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Will Smith Talks I Am Legend Prequel
Director Francis Lawrence confirmed to ShockTillYouDrop.com over the summer that plans were in the work for an I Am Legend Prequel, and now Will Smith is speaking out about the story.
In an interview with Collider, the actor says "It's essentially the fall of the last city – the last stand of Manhattan. The movie would be...within the body of the movie D.C. and then Manhattan would fall as the last city. It's a really cool idea trying to figure it out...there's a reason why we have to take a small band and we have to get into D.C. So we have to make our way from New York to D.C. and then back to New York."
He says they're still working out the narrative kinks. And it will indeed be a prequel, not a sequel as was recently reported elsewhere on the web.
In an interview with Collider, the actor says "It's essentially the fall of the last city – the last stand of Manhattan. The movie would be...within the body of the movie D.C. and then Manhattan would fall as the last city. It's a really cool idea trying to figure it out...there's a reason why we have to take a small band and we have to get into D.C. So we have to make our way from New York to D.C. and then back to New York."
He says they're still working out the narrative kinks. And it will indeed be a prequel, not a sequel as was recently reported elsewhere on the web.
Kanye Edges GNR, Ludacris For No. 1 Debut
Kanye West earns his third straight No. 1 on The Billboard 200 as "808s & Heartbreak" bows in the top slot. The Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam set moved 450,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan, the artist's lowest debut sales frame since his first album, "The College Dropout," bowed with 441,000 in 2004.
His last release, "Graduation," began with 957,000 at No. 1 last year, while sophomore set "Late Registration" checked in with 860,000 at No. 1 in 2005.
With the help of Thanksgiving sale prices and a performance from the singer at the Nov. 23 American Music Awards, sales for Taylor Swift's Big Machine album "Fearless" increase 23% to 267,000, pushing the set up 4-2.
At No. 3 with 261,000 is Guns N' Roses' Best Buy exclusive "Chinese Democracy" (Black Frog/Geffen), the first studio album of original material from the group since 1991. GNR's last studio efforts, "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II," debuted at Nos. 2 and 1 respectively, with 685,000 and 770,000 after being released on the same day in 1991.
Since then, the act has charted with a covers set (1993's "The Spaghetti Incident?" with a 190,000 debut), a live effort (1999's "Live Era '87 - '93;" 60,000) and the 2004 "Greatest Hits" package (169,000).
Beyonce's "I Am ... Sasha Fierce" (Music World/Columbia) declines by 47% in its second week, dropping 1-4 with 257,000. Debuting right behind at No. 5 is Ludacris' "Theater of the Mind" (DTP/Def Jam) with 213,000. It's the first time one of the rapper's albums debuted anywhere but No. 1 since 2001's "Word of Mouf" bowed and peaked at No. 3.
The Killers' third album, "Day & Age" (Island) enters at No. 6 with 193,000. Its 2006 predecessor, "Sam's Town," bowed at No. 2 with 315,000.
After debuting at No. 2 last week, Nickelback's "Dark Horse" (Roadrunner) slips to No. 7 on a 46% decline to 178,000. Chop Shop/Atlantic's soundtrack to the runaway hit film "Twilight" falls 6-8 with 162,000 (+29%) while the multi-label "Now 29" hits compilation earns a 26% sales increase to 145,000, slipping 7-9. David Cook's self-titled 19 Recordings/RCA debut rounds out the top tier, descending 3-10 with 112,000 (-60%).
Other debuts this week include Barry Manilow's "Greatest Songs of the Eighties" (Arista) at No. 14 with 78,000, the Coldplay EP "Prospekt's March" (Capitol) at No. 15 with 77,000, Trace Adkins' "X: Ten" (Capitol Nashville) at No. 32 with 37,000, Jeremy Camp's "Speaking Louder Than Words" (Tooth & Nail) at No. 38 with 32,000 and Linkin Park's "Road to Revolution" (Warner Bros.) at No. 41 with 31,000.
At 12.15 million units, sales this week are up 29% compared to last week's sum, but down 0.7% compared to the same sales week last year.
His last release, "Graduation," began with 957,000 at No. 1 last year, while sophomore set "Late Registration" checked in with 860,000 at No. 1 in 2005.
With the help of Thanksgiving sale prices and a performance from the singer at the Nov. 23 American Music Awards, sales for Taylor Swift's Big Machine album "Fearless" increase 23% to 267,000, pushing the set up 4-2.
At No. 3 with 261,000 is Guns N' Roses' Best Buy exclusive "Chinese Democracy" (Black Frog/Geffen), the first studio album of original material from the group since 1991. GNR's last studio efforts, "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II," debuted at Nos. 2 and 1 respectively, with 685,000 and 770,000 after being released on the same day in 1991.
Since then, the act has charted with a covers set (1993's "The Spaghetti Incident?" with a 190,000 debut), a live effort (1999's "Live Era '87 - '93;" 60,000) and the 2004 "Greatest Hits" package (169,000).
Beyonce's "I Am ... Sasha Fierce" (Music World/Columbia) declines by 47% in its second week, dropping 1-4 with 257,000. Debuting right behind at No. 5 is Ludacris' "Theater of the Mind" (DTP/Def Jam) with 213,000. It's the first time one of the rapper's albums debuted anywhere but No. 1 since 2001's "Word of Mouf" bowed and peaked at No. 3.
The Killers' third album, "Day & Age" (Island) enters at No. 6 with 193,000. Its 2006 predecessor, "Sam's Town," bowed at No. 2 with 315,000.
After debuting at No. 2 last week, Nickelback's "Dark Horse" (Roadrunner) slips to No. 7 on a 46% decline to 178,000. Chop Shop/Atlantic's soundtrack to the runaway hit film "Twilight" falls 6-8 with 162,000 (+29%) while the multi-label "Now 29" hits compilation earns a 26% sales increase to 145,000, slipping 7-9. David Cook's self-titled 19 Recordings/RCA debut rounds out the top tier, descending 3-10 with 112,000 (-60%).
Other debuts this week include Barry Manilow's "Greatest Songs of the Eighties" (Arista) at No. 14 with 78,000, the Coldplay EP "Prospekt's March" (Capitol) at No. 15 with 77,000, Trace Adkins' "X: Ten" (Capitol Nashville) at No. 32 with 37,000, Jeremy Camp's "Speaking Louder Than Words" (Tooth & Nail) at No. 38 with 32,000 and Linkin Park's "Road to Revolution" (Warner Bros.) at No. 41 with 31,000.
At 12.15 million units, sales this week are up 29% compared to last week's sum, but down 0.7% compared to the same sales week last year.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Hayley Williams Talks New Paramore Album
"I don't want to turn into this dark band," the punk banshee tells SPIN.com of the band's post-Twilight music.
Now that Twilight has conquered America's eyes and ears, Nashville punk band Paramore, who contributed two new songs to the vampire movie's chart-topping soundtrack, is finally ready to return to the studio to record the follow up to 2007's Riot!. But, dear Twilight fans, don't expect a repeat of the goth-ish "Decode."
"I don't want to turn into this dark band," frontwoman Hayley Williams tells SPIN.com. "I don't want that to be us all the time, because I really love our more energetic songs that are poppier and catchier. But I think there'll definitely be some of that sound -- but that's definitely not going to be all of it!"
Currently Paramore are at home in Nashville, taking a break from a long and tumultuous 2007, a year that saw the band tour exhaustively, which resulted in messy band in-fighting and speculation of a split. All the drama, explains Williams, has fueled much of the lyrical content for the forthcoming record.
"It's just been relationships within the band," she says. "We're a bunch of friends that have grown up together playing music, and you get to the point on the road where it's all business. It's a very hard thing to mix. We've learned a lot about friendships, and we've learned a lot about relationships in general, and that'll definitely be a part of the record."
As for the songs, they're still coming together. "Josh [Farro, lead guitarist] and I are getting together and writing. We've had a crazy year. But at the same time, we're really excited to write new material." And when the songs are complete, Paramore -- who traveled to New Jersey to record Riot! -- plan to stay put. "We want to record in Nashville. We've never recorded in our hometown."
Rhythm guitarist Taylor York -- an unofficial, touring member of the band -- will be on in on the sessions too. [Taylor's] definitely going to be working on the record," Williams explains. "He's a great writer and a great performer. But we're trying to be cautious and make sure it's what he wants, and make sure everyone's on the same page before we make it absolutely official."
So when can fans expect new material? We want to get it out by the end of the summer," Williams shouts. "Oh yeah, definitely!"
Now that Twilight has conquered America's eyes and ears, Nashville punk band Paramore, who contributed two new songs to the vampire movie's chart-topping soundtrack, is finally ready to return to the studio to record the follow up to 2007's Riot!. But, dear Twilight fans, don't expect a repeat of the goth-ish "Decode."
"I don't want to turn into this dark band," frontwoman Hayley Williams tells SPIN.com. "I don't want that to be us all the time, because I really love our more energetic songs that are poppier and catchier. But I think there'll definitely be some of that sound -- but that's definitely not going to be all of it!"
Currently Paramore are at home in Nashville, taking a break from a long and tumultuous 2007, a year that saw the band tour exhaustively, which resulted in messy band in-fighting and speculation of a split. All the drama, explains Williams, has fueled much of the lyrical content for the forthcoming record.
"It's just been relationships within the band," she says. "We're a bunch of friends that have grown up together playing music, and you get to the point on the road where it's all business. It's a very hard thing to mix. We've learned a lot about friendships, and we've learned a lot about relationships in general, and that'll definitely be a part of the record."
As for the songs, they're still coming together. "Josh [Farro, lead guitarist] and I are getting together and writing. We've had a crazy year. But at the same time, we're really excited to write new material." And when the songs are complete, Paramore -- who traveled to New Jersey to record Riot! -- plan to stay put. "We want to record in Nashville. We've never recorded in our hometown."
Rhythm guitarist Taylor York -- an unofficial, touring member of the band -- will be on in on the sessions too. [Taylor's] definitely going to be working on the record," Williams explains. "He's a great writer and a great performer. But we're trying to be cautious and make sure it's what he wants, and make sure everyone's on the same page before we make it absolutely official."
So when can fans expect new material? We want to get it out by the end of the summer," Williams shouts. "Oh yeah, definitely!"
Further Adventures in Babysitting Still Happening
In 2007, I told you about Disney’s plan to tant the memory of the now classic 1980’s teen adventure comedy Adventures in Babysitting by casting Raven Symone (That’s So Raven, The Cosby Show) in the part played by Elisabeth Shue in the original film.
Nearly 20 months went by, which gave us a bit of false hope that the remake had fallen into development heck. Not the case. The Chicago Sun Times reports that Miley Cyrus is also set to star in the project, and will begin filming after she films a few more episodes of her Disney cable television show.
The film will be retitled “Further Adventures in Babysitting,” and is currently set for a tentative 2010 release.
Nearly 20 months went by, which gave us a bit of false hope that the remake had fallen into development heck. Not the case. The Chicago Sun Times reports that Miley Cyrus is also set to star in the project, and will begin filming after she films a few more episodes of her Disney cable television show.
The film will be retitled “Further Adventures in Babysitting,” and is currently set for a tentative 2010 release.
Keanu Reeves Says No to Speed 3; Maybe to Bill and Ted 3
Earlier this week, it was reported that Fox has a scriptment for Speed 3, which involves the return of Officer Jack Traven, the lead character played by Keanu Reeves in the original film. Many people just assumed that Keanu would want to return to the down and out action film franchise. But Reeves didn’t return for Speed 2: Cruise Control, so why would he return for this one? Especially since he’s made enough bank from the Matrix sequels to pick and choose his projects. And it looks like I was right. Reeves told IGN UK:
“I don’t know if they are going to make another one, and if they are it won’t be with me… honestly!”
That said, Reeves seemed to entertain the idea of another Bill and Ted movie:
“Maybe we could do it with them both grown up — they haven’t saved the world and they’re just living their lives as middle-aged men. That sound’s quite funny.”
As much as I love the Bill and Ted movies, I think I’d much prefer to see Speed 3 with Keanu in the lead.
“I don’t know if they are going to make another one, and if they are it won’t be with me… honestly!”
That said, Reeves seemed to entertain the idea of another Bill and Ted movie:
“Maybe we could do it with them both grown up — they haven’t saved the world and they’re just living their lives as middle-aged men. That sound’s quite funny.”
As much as I love the Bill and Ted movies, I think I’d much prefer to see Speed 3 with Keanu in the lead.
Will Signourney Weaver Appear In The ‘Ghostbusters’ Sequel? She’s Got Ideas
Should we not want another “Ghostbusters” film? I’m conflicted, are you? Well, how you and I feel is becoming an increasingly moot question because the development of the sequel has certainly gathered steam in the last few months. First it was announced that a pair of “Office” writers were scripting the third adventure. Then Bill Murray spoke with us and others about how intrigued he was about coming back to the franchise at long last. Hell, Murray even had an ide…adding a female Ghostbuster to the fray.
This afternoon I got chance to chat with Dana Barrett herself and yes, Ms. Sigourney Weaver is well aware of the chatter. “I’ve heard about it,” she said, adding “I’m supposed to get in touch with Bill [Murray] next week.”
Weaver called Murray’s potential involvement “great” and said she’s wondering if he thinks Dana ended up with Venkman. “Does he think we got married or something?” she laughed. Weaver wasn’t sure if there was a place for her in the story but she did think someone deserves a spot. “I would hope that my little Oscar would be one of the Ghostbusters even if I’m not in it!”
This afternoon I got chance to chat with Dana Barrett herself and yes, Ms. Sigourney Weaver is well aware of the chatter. “I’ve heard about it,” she said, adding “I’m supposed to get in touch with Bill [Murray] next week.”
Weaver called Murray’s potential involvement “great” and said she’s wondering if he thinks Dana ended up with Venkman. “Does he think we got married or something?” she laughed. Weaver wasn’t sure if there was a place for her in the story but she did think someone deserves a spot. “I would hope that my little Oscar would be one of the Ghostbusters even if I’m not in it!”
J. Michael Straczynski On ‘World War Z’: ‘The Scale Of What We’re Doing Here Is Phenomenal’
When “Quantum of Solace” director Marc Forster was chosen to helm the adaptation of Max Brooks’ “World War Z” zombie-stravaganza, we noted that it was a surprising pairing — but with noted television, movie and comics author J. Michael Straczynski already penning the screenplay and Brad Pitt’s Plan B producing, the project was certainly developing some heat. Now, with “Solace” in its fifth impressive week at the box office, MTV News spoke to Straczynski about the addition of Forster to the already buzzworthy project and how he plans to adapt Brooks’ novel.
“We talk about it as a thriller, the closest comparison being ‘The Bourne Identity,’” explained Straczynski, who’s also penning a “Forbidden Planet” revisiting. “Most zombie movies to this point have been small, focusing on a few people in a house. And this has got real scare. You’re in India with hundreds of boats trying to get out of there with a tidal wave of zombies. The scale of what we’re doing here is phenomenal.”
Straczynski told us the first draft of the screenplay was completed in the Spring, and the “World War Z” team had been waiting for a director for several months before Forster was attached.
“Now that Marc is here, I’m working with his notes to make one final pass on the script,” said Straczynski. “Our hope is to get it moving into production by the first of the year.”
As for how he plans to adapt the novel, which is written from the perspective of a United Nations agent reporting on the events of the zombie outbreak through interviews and eyewitness statements, Straczynski said he plans to preserve that storytelling angle as much as possible. In fact, the movie will serve to show how the book was produced in Brooks’ zombie-infested world.
“The fictional concept of the book is that its written by someone with the UN, so let’s tell that story,” he explained. “Let’s show the book being written. We follow this guy all over the world as he goes on these interviews, and he has his own personal story as well. You’re cutting between the past and the present, how he got to this point.”
“It has that international feel to it, and because it goes backward and forward in time, we can cherry-pick our favorite moments in the book,” continued Straczynski. “Some of it is crazy in scale. It’s huge. It’s as political as the book was. And it ends with that book being completed.”
“We talk about it as a thriller, the closest comparison being ‘The Bourne Identity,’” explained Straczynski, who’s also penning a “Forbidden Planet” revisiting. “Most zombie movies to this point have been small, focusing on a few people in a house. And this has got real scare. You’re in India with hundreds of boats trying to get out of there with a tidal wave of zombies. The scale of what we’re doing here is phenomenal.”
Straczynski told us the first draft of the screenplay was completed in the Spring, and the “World War Z” team had been waiting for a director for several months before Forster was attached.
“Now that Marc is here, I’m working with his notes to make one final pass on the script,” said Straczynski. “Our hope is to get it moving into production by the first of the year.”
As for how he plans to adapt the novel, which is written from the perspective of a United Nations agent reporting on the events of the zombie outbreak through interviews and eyewitness statements, Straczynski said he plans to preserve that storytelling angle as much as possible. In fact, the movie will serve to show how the book was produced in Brooks’ zombie-infested world.
“The fictional concept of the book is that its written by someone with the UN, so let’s tell that story,” he explained. “Let’s show the book being written. We follow this guy all over the world as he goes on these interviews, and he has his own personal story as well. You’re cutting between the past and the present, how he got to this point.”
“It has that international feel to it, and because it goes backward and forward in time, we can cherry-pick our favorite moments in the book,” continued Straczynski. “Some of it is crazy in scale. It’s huge. It’s as political as the book was. And it ends with that book being completed.”
Miller Says Sin City 2 is Getting Closer
IGN UK talked to The Spirit writer/director Frank Miller, who says that he's ready to join up with Robert Rodriguez again for Sin City 2:
"Sin City 2 is written," he told the site. "It's mainly a matter of working out the details of the production. I'm hoping to do it with Robert Rodriguez again in the same circumstances that we did the first one, and we could be shooting as soon as April."
Stay tuned for possible further updates!
"Sin City 2 is written," he told the site. "It's mainly a matter of working out the details of the production. I'm hoping to do it with Robert Rodriguez again in the same circumstances that we did the first one, and we could be shooting as soon as April."
Stay tuned for possible further updates!
Will Smith Confirms Hancock Sequel
Did you enjoy Hancock? Too bad, Will Smith says a sequel is “definitely” happening, telling JoBlo that there are a lot of unexplored characters in the Hancock universe that would be ripe for a sequel. I’m actually one of the few who liked Hancock, or at least the first half of it. But I have absolutely no interest in a sequel. Unfortunately, Hancock grossed over $623 million worldwide, which solidifies the idea to movie studio executives. But the real question is: Will moviegoers pay for a second Hancock film? Answer: Yes, because all Will Smith films make huge bank.
The Dark Knight Returns to Theaters on January 23rd 2009
Warner Bros. will re-release The Dark Knight on January 23 in a nationwide launch, guaranteeing that it will become the fourth film to take in more than $1 billion in worldwide box office, reports Variety.
The film has earned $530.3 million domestically and $465.9 million internationally, leaving it less than $4 million short of the billion-dollar milestone. Only Titanic, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest have topped that mark.
The Dark Knight also is the second-highest domestic grosser of all time, trailing only Titanic.
The re-release will come six weeks after the DVD and Blu-ray Disc launch of The Dark Knight, set for Tuesday.
Dan Fellman, president of Warner's domestic distribution, made the announcement Thursday. "We wanted to provide one more opportunity for moviegoers to experience it on the bigscreen as it was meant to be seen," he added.
The film has earned $530.3 million domestically and $465.9 million internationally, leaving it less than $4 million short of the billion-dollar milestone. Only Titanic, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest have topped that mark.
The Dark Knight also is the second-highest domestic grosser of all time, trailing only Titanic.
The re-release will come six weeks after the DVD and Blu-ray Disc launch of The Dark Knight, set for Tuesday.
Dan Fellman, president of Warner's domestic distribution, made the announcement Thursday. "We wanted to provide one more opportunity for moviegoers to experience it on the bigscreen as it was meant to be seen," he added.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Brand New Music Video: Cobra Starship - Kiss My Sass
COBRA STARSHIP - Kiss My Sass
And if you like music check out my new blog Useless Radio, which is all about music, and where I will be posting new music videos from now on.
And if you like music check out my new blog Useless Radio, which is all about music, and where I will be posting new music videos from now on.
Bateman on the Arrested Development Movie
For far too long, Jason Bateman just couldn't get "Arrested." Since the untimely cancellation of the cult favorite series "Arrested Development," which aired on Fox from 2003-2006, Bateman has continued to express an interest in reviving the series as a feature film. And finally last month, Bateman's co-star Jeffrey Tambor confirmed the much-discussed movie was a likely go, with series creator Mitch Hurwitz and executive producer Ron Howard reportedly inking deals with Fox Searchlight shortly thereafter.
ComingSoon.net got the update on the "Development" developments from Bateman:
ComingSoon,net: Will it be a relief when you actually start filming the "Arrested Development" movie so that people will stop asking you about it?
Jason Bateman: I don't mind talking about it! I'm as big a fan of it as they are. So I feel sort of fortunate that I'm able to give them information on it. I would want them to give me information on it if they had it. I can say that we're looking better than ever. There are just a few more conversations to be had with some cast members to see if they want to be a part of it. Once we get the head count we'll be able to go forward with it and hopefully start shooting in the summer.
CS: Is the story already on paper?
Bateman: I don't think so. I know that Mitch has a couple of ideas, but he's really waiting to nail it down until he knows exactly who's going to be involved.
CS: Do you see having Michael Cera and your relationship in film as something crucial? I thought that was one of the more important parts of the show.
Bateman: Sure. It's not obviously my decision to make. It'll be Mitch's, but there are so many different ways to go with it just based on it being an ensemble. I can't wait to see what he cooks up.
ComingSoon.net got the update on the "Development" developments from Bateman:
ComingSoon,net: Will it be a relief when you actually start filming the "Arrested Development" movie so that people will stop asking you about it?
Jason Bateman: I don't mind talking about it! I'm as big a fan of it as they are. So I feel sort of fortunate that I'm able to give them information on it. I would want them to give me information on it if they had it. I can say that we're looking better than ever. There are just a few more conversations to be had with some cast members to see if they want to be a part of it. Once we get the head count we'll be able to go forward with it and hopefully start shooting in the summer.
CS: Is the story already on paper?
Bateman: I don't think so. I know that Mitch has a couple of ideas, but he's really waiting to nail it down until he knows exactly who's going to be involved.
CS: Do you see having Michael Cera and your relationship in film as something crucial? I thought that was one of the more important parts of the show.
Bateman: Sure. It's not obviously my decision to make. It'll be Mitch's, but there are so many different ways to go with it just based on it being an ensemble. I can't wait to see what he cooks up.
They Live Remake
Strike Entertainment is in talks to acquire rights to remake John Carpenter’s 1988 cult film They Live.
Based on Ray Nelson’s 1963 short story “Eight O’Clock in the Morning”, They Live was part sci-fi thriller and part black comedy. Pro wrestler Roddy Roddy Piper played a down-on-his-luck construction worker who discovered a pair of special sunglasses which allowed him to see the world as it really is. He finds that all printed matter contains subliminal advertising and that many humans are actually aliens who in charge of the massive campaign to keep humans subdued. One of the film’s highlights is a five-and-half minute alley fight scene. The movie is also notable for coining Piper’s famous tagline “I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass… and I’m all out of bubblegum.”
I’m sure the change in economic times could be incorporated in the social satire of the story, and while a They Live remake is inevitable, I’m not sure that it wouldn’t be better served in five or ten years. I’m not one of those delusional people that say you shouldn’t remake a classic, because its going to happen one way or another — that’s a fact. But I do believe that Hollywood should only consider a remake when the original film becomes largely unrelatable to the general public. And you can call me an old, but I think there is no question that They Live still plays.
That said, Strike’s credits include Children of Men and Zack Snyder’s remake of Dawn of the Dead – so they’re a good company to develop such a project. No screenwriter has been announced.
Based on Ray Nelson’s 1963 short story “Eight O’Clock in the Morning”, They Live was part sci-fi thriller and part black comedy. Pro wrestler Roddy Roddy Piper played a down-on-his-luck construction worker who discovered a pair of special sunglasses which allowed him to see the world as it really is. He finds that all printed matter contains subliminal advertising and that many humans are actually aliens who in charge of the massive campaign to keep humans subdued. One of the film’s highlights is a five-and-half minute alley fight scene. The movie is also notable for coining Piper’s famous tagline “I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass… and I’m all out of bubblegum.”
I’m sure the change in economic times could be incorporated in the social satire of the story, and while a They Live remake is inevitable, I’m not sure that it wouldn’t be better served in five or ten years. I’m not one of those delusional people that say you shouldn’t remake a classic, because its going to happen one way or another — that’s a fact. But I do believe that Hollywood should only consider a remake when the original film becomes largely unrelatable to the general public. And you can call me an old, but I think there is no question that They Live still plays.
That said, Strike’s credits include Children of Men and Zack Snyder’s remake of Dawn of the Dead – so they’re a good company to develop such a project. No screenwriter has been announced.
Russell Brand Developing Arthur Remake
British comedian Russell Brand is developing a remake of Arthur, the 1981 comedy that starred Dudley Moore, for Warner Bros. as a potential starring vehicle.
Brand is meeting with scribes to write the screenplay, which will be produced by MBST's Larry Brezner, whose credits range from Good Morning, Vietnam to HBO's recent "Little Britain USA."
The original movie followed a boozy playboy rascal who is set to inherit a fortune if he marries an heiress his family thinks will make something out of him. However, he falls in love with a working-class woman and turns to his valet for help when his family makes him choose between money and love.
Brand is meeting with scribes to write the screenplay, which will be produced by MBST's Larry Brezner, whose credits range from Good Morning, Vietnam to HBO's recent "Little Britain USA."
The original movie followed a boozy playboy rascal who is set to inherit a fortune if he marries an heiress his family thinks will make something out of him. However, he falls in love with a working-class woman and turns to his valet for help when his family makes him choose between money and love.
Tim Burton's Next is Dark Shadows?
Collider.com talked to producer Richard D. Zanuck, who says that director Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are making Dark Shadows next summer and that it's Tim's next project after Alice in Wonderland.
The film, written by John August, is based on the cult '60s supernatural TV show created by Dan Curtis. Johnny Depp would play Barnabas Collins, the vampire patriarch of the series.
With over 1,225 episodes, "Dark Shadows" was a highly atmospheric, spooky soap-opera that featured gothic horror staples like vampires, monsters, witches, werewolves, ghosts and zombies that ran from 1966 - 1971 and featured actor Jonathan Frid as Collins.
The film, written by John August, is based on the cult '60s supernatural TV show created by Dan Curtis. Johnny Depp would play Barnabas Collins, the vampire patriarch of the series.
With over 1,225 episodes, "Dark Shadows" was a highly atmospheric, spooky soap-opera that featured gothic horror staples like vampires, monsters, witches, werewolves, ghosts and zombies that ran from 1966 - 1971 and featured actor Jonathan Frid as Collins.
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