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.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
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).
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