Rap superstar Lil Wayne acts and lives like a bonafide rock star. But now it seems the New Orleans-bred emcee is switching his music to match his lifestyle and will record a rock'n'roll album!
According to up-and-coming Canadian hip-hop artist Drake, Lil Wayne has been hard at work on a rock-oriented follow-up to last year's blockbuster Tha Carter III. "Wayne's coming out with a new album, it's a rock album. A complete rock album," Drake said, before explaining his new direction was partially inspired by Kanye West's ambitious new record, 808s and Heartbreak.
"It's something different in just that whole '808s and Heartbreak,' just throwing individuals off."
Saturday, January 10, 2009
EXCLUSIVE: Danny Elfman To Score ‘Terminator Salvation’
Cast your expectations aside for the score to May’s “Terminator Salvation.” Danny Elfman has confirmed exclusively for MTV News that he will be composing the music for McG’s new post-nuclear-holocaust Terminator installment of the blockbuster franchise.
“I just started yesterday,” Elfman told MTV News from the red carpet of the Critics’ Choice Awards. The Academy Award nominated composer from films like “Good Will Hunting,” “The Corpse Bride” and “Batman” indicated that the original “Terminator” theme by composer Brad Fiedel was not in use yet; nor is there mandate to incorporate the classic symphonic hook. He did, however, leave the door open for its appearance.
“I think if it comes up and it seems appropriate, we will [use it],” Elman said. “And if it doesn’t, we [won't]. I never really know what to expect when I begin other than just kind of get into it and have fun. Especially a movie like “T4” – just have fun. So that’s what I intend to do.”
Last month we brought you exclusive word that the “Salvation” soundtrack will also include a track by the film’s star, hip-hop artist Common. The rapper plays the role of Barnes, a freedom fighter who battles Skynet alongside John Connors.
Elfman has the magic touch when it comes showcasing the monumentally bizarre and violently solemn moments on screen in his music. Right now, it’s obvious “Terminator: Salvation” will be breaking out the big sound guns for its score. And the sentiment was definitely echoed in Elfman’s response to the screening he recently saw.
The composer for all three “Spider-Man” films had one word for it: “Exciting.”
“I just started yesterday,” Elfman told MTV News from the red carpet of the Critics’ Choice Awards. The Academy Award nominated composer from films like “Good Will Hunting,” “The Corpse Bride” and “Batman” indicated that the original “Terminator” theme by composer Brad Fiedel was not in use yet; nor is there mandate to incorporate the classic symphonic hook. He did, however, leave the door open for its appearance.
“I think if it comes up and it seems appropriate, we will [use it],” Elman said. “And if it doesn’t, we [won't]. I never really know what to expect when I begin other than just kind of get into it and have fun. Especially a movie like “T4” – just have fun. So that’s what I intend to do.”
Last month we brought you exclusive word that the “Salvation” soundtrack will also include a track by the film’s star, hip-hop artist Common. The rapper plays the role of Barnes, a freedom fighter who battles Skynet alongside John Connors.
Elfman has the magic touch when it comes showcasing the monumentally bizarre and violently solemn moments on screen in his music. Right now, it’s obvious “Terminator: Salvation” will be breaking out the big sound guns for its score. And the sentiment was definitely echoed in Elfman’s response to the screening he recently saw.
The composer for all three “Spider-Man” films had one word for it: “Exciting.”
Mad Men Gears Up for Summer Return
The fate of AMC's Mad Men has been a bit dicey these days, but fans can rest assured it will most definitely return for its third season — with or without creator/executive producer Matthew Weiner.
The series, which centers on the high-powered world of advertising during the 1960s, will return this summer despite the prolonged contract negotiations between Lionsgate TV and Weiner, according to Variety.
"As long as we get the writers' room up and running over the next few months, we're fine [for a summer launch]," said AMC president Charlie Collier during their Television Critics Association panel on Thursday. The network head added that he is very optimistic the negotiations with Weiner will be settled soon.
The Season 3 premiere of Mad Men is scheduled to lead into the launch of The Prisoner, a six-part series remake of the classic '60s British drama of the same name.
The series, which centers on the high-powered world of advertising during the 1960s, will return this summer despite the prolonged contract negotiations between Lionsgate TV and Weiner, according to Variety.
"As long as we get the writers' room up and running over the next few months, we're fine [for a summer launch]," said AMC president Charlie Collier during their Television Critics Association panel on Thursday. The network head added that he is very optimistic the negotiations with Weiner will be settled soon.
The Season 3 premiere of Mad Men is scheduled to lead into the launch of The Prisoner, a six-part series remake of the classic '60s British drama of the same name.
Mother Cast Makes More Money
How I Met Your Mother is on a ratings roll, and now the cast is reaping the rewards with salary bumps.
After several months of renegotiations, Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris and Alyson Hannigan have each signed new deals with 20th Century Fox, according to The Hollywood Reporter. But despite strong ratings and syndication sales, a rough economy has prevented the gang from hitting the mother lode that was expected.
Though their new salaries of $90,000 — $120,000 per episode is about two to three times more than what they were taking in before, it's still lower than what the cast of other comedies, like The Office, were making at similar points in their run (not they're complaining about six figures an episode or anything).
Along with the cash flow increase, an extra year was also tacked on to their original seven-year contracts.
After several months of renegotiations, Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris and Alyson Hannigan have each signed new deals with 20th Century Fox, according to The Hollywood Reporter. But despite strong ratings and syndication sales, a rough economy has prevented the gang from hitting the mother lode that was expected.
Though their new salaries of $90,000 — $120,000 per episode is about two to three times more than what they were taking in before, it's still lower than what the cast of other comedies, like The Office, were making at similar points in their run (not they're complaining about six figures an episode or anything).
Along with the cash flow increase, an extra year was also tacked on to their original seven-year contracts.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Leonardo DiCaprio Will Beat the Reaper
New Regency is acquiring screen rights to "Beat the Reaper," eyed as a star vehicle for Leonardo DiCaprio, reports Variety.
The protagonist in the novel written by Josh Bazell is a Manhattan emergency room doctor, whose life becomes complicated when a mobster recognizes the doc from his former life as a hitman who went into the witness protection program.
Julie Yorn will produce with DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran. The film will be a co-production between Appian Way and the new production/management venture recently launched by Rick Yorn.
The protagonist in the novel written by Josh Bazell is a Manhattan emergency room doctor, whose life becomes complicated when a mobster recognizes the doc from his former life as a hitman who went into the witness protection program.
Julie Yorn will produce with DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran. The film will be a co-production between Appian Way and the new production/management venture recently launched by Rick Yorn.
Kevin James Developing The Zookeeper
Earlier today, ComingSoon.net attended a roundtable interview with "King of Queens" star Kevin James for his new movie Paul Blart: Mall Cop. During the interview, he talked a little about what might potentially be the next project on his plate, The Zookeeper, a film that MGM has been developing from a script by Jay Scherick and David Ronn (and then Scot Armstrong). It had been mentioned as a possible project for James last year, though nothing was ever confirmed until James talked to us today and mentioned it as something he's developing:
"We're working on a movie now called 'Zookeeper,' I play a zookeeper—another guy in a uniform, no moustache in this one, we may go very bushy sideburns—I don't even know, but it's in the beginning stages of that. There'd been a draft of it and there'd been writers on it but we're rewriting and working on it now, and I hope to have my fingerprints on it and bring what I can to it. I'm not touching anything slimy, I can't do snakes."
Check back next week for our full interview with James talking about Paul Blart: Mall Cop, which opens on January 16.
"We're working on a movie now called 'Zookeeper,' I play a zookeeper—another guy in a uniform, no moustache in this one, we may go very bushy sideburns—I don't even know, but it's in the beginning stages of that. There'd been a draft of it and there'd been writers on it but we're rewriting and working on it now, and I hope to have my fingerprints on it and bring what I can to it. I'm not touching anything slimy, I can't do snakes."
Check back next week for our full interview with James talking about Paul Blart: Mall Cop, which opens on January 16.
Quantum of Solace Becomes Top Bond of All Time
At the motion picture box office, there is one man who keeps showing that nobody does it better: Bond. James Bond.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures'/Columbia Pictures' Quantum of Solace, the 22nd James Bond adventure, has taken in over $167.1 million to become the most successful Bond film of all time in North America, surpassing the $167 million grossed domestically by Casino Royale, it was announced today by Jeff Blake, chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing and Distribution. The film is still playing in 891 theaters in the United States.
In addition, Quantum of Solace has grossed another $382.9 internationally, with the important market of Japan still yet to open. Taking in a worldwide gross so far of $550 million, Quantum of Solace is already the second-highest grossing Bond film of all time worldwide, trailing just "Casino's" $594.2 million.
Commenting on the announcement, Blake said, "It is always gratifying when the audience responds to a film, but to be working with a character as successful as James Bond and see the two films Sony has handled become the two most successful films in the history of the franchise makes us all tremendously proud. It has been a special thrill to work on the Bond films, and we couldn't be more excited by the success of 'Quantum of Solace.'"
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures'/Columbia Pictures' Quantum of Solace, the 22nd James Bond adventure, has taken in over $167.1 million to become the most successful Bond film of all time in North America, surpassing the $167 million grossed domestically by Casino Royale, it was announced today by Jeff Blake, chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing and Distribution. The film is still playing in 891 theaters in the United States.
In addition, Quantum of Solace has grossed another $382.9 internationally, with the important market of Japan still yet to open. Taking in a worldwide gross so far of $550 million, Quantum of Solace is already the second-highest grossing Bond film of all time worldwide, trailing just "Casino's" $594.2 million.
Commenting on the announcement, Blake said, "It is always gratifying when the audience responds to a film, but to be working with a character as successful as James Bond and see the two films Sony has handled become the two most successful films in the history of the franchise makes us all tremendously proud. It has been a special thrill to work on the Bond films, and we couldn't be more excited by the success of 'Quantum of Solace.'"
NBC Trumps Up New Celebrity Apprentice Cast
A whole new round of celebs better get ready to hear "You're fired!"
NBC and Donald Trump announced Thursday the all-star celebrity cast for the second season of The Celebrity Apprentice.
The upcoming season will feature 16 new celebrities, with the men competing against the women once more. The men include everyone from musicians to athletes to comedians including Clint Black, Andrew Dice Clay, Tom Green, Scott Hamilton, Jesse James, Brian McKnight, Dennis Rodman, and Herschel Walker.
The women include reality stars like Khloe Kardashian, mother and daughter duo Joan and Melissa Rivers as well as Annie Duke, Natalie Gulbis, Claudia Jordan, Brande Roderick and Tionne Watkins.
"Last season's Celebrity Apprentice became one of the hottest shows on television - and this season will be even better," said executive producer Donald Trump. "We have an amazing cast of celebrities and we are looking forward to some fantastic entertainment."
All the celebrities will be vying for the coveted title as they fight for their respective causes. They will ultimately face judgment in the boardroom by Trump, his two children, Donald Trump, Jr. and Ivanka Trump, and trusted advisor George Ross.
The new two-hour-long episodes begin on Sunday, March 1 at 9 pm/ET.
NBC and Donald Trump announced Thursday the all-star celebrity cast for the second season of The Celebrity Apprentice.
The upcoming season will feature 16 new celebrities, with the men competing against the women once more. The men include everyone from musicians to athletes to comedians including Clint Black, Andrew Dice Clay, Tom Green, Scott Hamilton, Jesse James, Brian McKnight, Dennis Rodman, and Herschel Walker.
The women include reality stars like Khloe Kardashian, mother and daughter duo Joan and Melissa Rivers as well as Annie Duke, Natalie Gulbis, Claudia Jordan, Brande Roderick and Tionne Watkins.
"Last season's Celebrity Apprentice became one of the hottest shows on television - and this season will be even better," said executive producer Donald Trump. "We have an amazing cast of celebrities and we are looking forward to some fantastic entertainment."
All the celebrities will be vying for the coveted title as they fight for their respective causes. They will ultimately face judgment in the boardroom by Trump, his two children, Donald Trump, Jr. and Ivanka Trump, and trusted advisor George Ross.
The new two-hour-long episodes begin on Sunday, March 1 at 9 pm/ET.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Rourke and Rockwell are the Iron Man 2 Villains!
Rourke and Rockwell are the Iron Man 2 Villains!
Source: The Hollywood Reporter January 7, 2009
Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) and Sam Rockwell (Frost/Nixon) are in talks to star as the villains in Marvel Studios' Iron Man 2, being directed by Jon Favreau from a script by Justin Theroux, according to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
THR says that Rourke would play a tattooed Russian heavy named Ivan who becomes a man with deadly, technologically enhanced coils. Variety adds that Rourke would play the Crimson Dynamo. "He's considered to be an evil version of Iron Man because he battles the superhero in a nuclear-powered suit of armor," says the trade.
Rockwell would play Justin Hammer, a multibillionaire businessman and a rival of industrialist Tony Stark, AKA Iron Man, being played by a returning Robert Downey Jr.
Rourke and Rockwell would be joining a cast that also includes the returning Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle, who is replacing Terrence Howard.
Another part -- one for Stark's assistant Natasha -- is still open.
The project is eyeing a spring start in Manhattan Beach. Paramount will release the movie May 7, 2010.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter January 7, 2009
Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) and Sam Rockwell (Frost/Nixon) are in talks to star as the villains in Marvel Studios' Iron Man 2, being directed by Jon Favreau from a script by Justin Theroux, according to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
THR says that Rourke would play a tattooed Russian heavy named Ivan who becomes a man with deadly, technologically enhanced coils. Variety adds that Rourke would play the Crimson Dynamo. "He's considered to be an evil version of Iron Man because he battles the superhero in a nuclear-powered suit of armor," says the trade.
Rockwell would play Justin Hammer, a multibillionaire businessman and a rival of industrialist Tony Stark, AKA Iron Man, being played by a returning Robert Downey Jr.
Rourke and Rockwell would be joining a cast that also includes the returning Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle, who is replacing Terrence Howard.
Another part -- one for Stark's assistant Natasha -- is still open.
The project is eyeing a spring start in Manhattan Beach. Paramount will release the movie May 7, 2010.
Scrubs' Janitor Cleans Up as Patricia Heaton's Sitcom Hubby
Sacred Heart's resident janitor is scrubbing into a new role. Scrubs star Neil Flynn has been tapped to play Patricia Heaton's husband in ABC's sitcom pilot, The Middle, The Hollywood Reporter reports.
The family comedy will focus on Flynn's and Heaton's middle-class characters struggling to raise their three children in Middle America.
Flynn's casting comes on the heels of Scrubs' eighth season premiere on ABC Tuesday night, which is likely to be its last.
The actor was most recently seen in May's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Heaton last graced the boob tube on Fox's Back to You with Kelsey Grammer — who has landed his own ABC pilot.
The family comedy will focus on Flynn's and Heaton's middle-class characters struggling to raise their three children in Middle America.
Flynn's casting comes on the heels of Scrubs' eighth season premiere on ABC Tuesday night, which is likely to be its last.
The actor was most recently seen in May's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Heaton last graced the boob tube on Fox's Back to You with Kelsey Grammer — who has landed his own ABC pilot.
Kelsey Grammer Goes Corporate for ABC Sitcom
Frasier and Back to You alum Kelsey Grammer is coming back to TV.
The five-time Emmy winner has signed on to headline a sitcom for ABC, Variety reports. To be shot multi-camera, the as-yet-untitled series will center around Grammer's corporate executive who reconnects with his family after losing his cushy job.
Grammer will executive produce the show with Good Humor TV's Tom Werner and Mike Clements, and Tucker Cawley (Everybody Loves Raymond). Cawley is writing the pilot.
This is the actor's second pilot for the Alphabet. His adaptation of the British sitcom Roman's Empire failed to make their schedule this year.
Grammer was last seen on TV on Fox's Back to You, which was axed after one season in May.
The five-time Emmy winner has signed on to headline a sitcom for ABC, Variety reports. To be shot multi-camera, the as-yet-untitled series will center around Grammer's corporate executive who reconnects with his family after losing his cushy job.
Grammer will executive produce the show with Good Humor TV's Tom Werner and Mike Clements, and Tucker Cawley (Everybody Loves Raymond). Cawley is writing the pilot.
This is the actor's second pilot for the Alphabet. His adaptation of the British sitcom Roman's Empire failed to make their schedule this year.
Grammer was last seen on TV on Fox's Back to You, which was axed after one season in May.
CBS Books Return Engagement for Rules of Engagement
CBS has set a Monday, March 2, premiere date for the third season of Rules of Engagement.
Starring Patrick Warburton, Megyn Price, Oliver Hudson, Bianca Kajlich and David Spade, the sitcom last season averaged nearly 11 million viewers. Once again, it will air Mondays at 9:30, leading out of Two and a Half Men.
(Have I ever done for you my shtick on how the titles of most of CBS' Monday sitcoms have "expiration dates"? I mean, Ted will meet the mother one day, there soon will be three men, and Rules' Adam and Jennifer will eventually tie the knot. But I digress.)
As previously and exclusively reported by TVGuidecom, this season's guest stars will include Brian Dennehy, playing Warburton's dad.
Starring Patrick Warburton, Megyn Price, Oliver Hudson, Bianca Kajlich and David Spade, the sitcom last season averaged nearly 11 million viewers. Once again, it will air Mondays at 9:30, leading out of Two and a Half Men.
(Have I ever done for you my shtick on how the titles of most of CBS' Monday sitcoms have "expiration dates"? I mean, Ted will meet the mother one day, there soon will be three men, and Rules' Adam and Jennifer will eventually tie the knot. But I digress.)
As previously and exclusively reported by TVGuidecom, this season's guest stars will include Brian Dennehy, playing Warburton's dad.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Horton Helmer Directing Jonah Hex
Jimmy Hayward, who directed the animated Horton Hears a Who! will make his live-action debut with Jonah Hex, the Warner Bros. western based on the DC Comics character.
Josh Brolin is attached to star in the film, which previously had Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (Crank) on board as directors. The duo, who also wrote the script, bowed out over creative differences in November.
The studio hopes to put the movie into production in March or April.
The character of Hex, known for having the right side of his face disfigured and wearing a Confederate army uniform, was a rough-and-tumble gunslinger and part-time bounty hunter whose adventures always ended in blood. One incarnation of his comic book series saw the Western genre combined with supernatural elements, and it's this aspect that was featured in Neveldine and Taylor's script.
Andrew Lazar's Mad Chance and Akiva Goldsman's Weed Road are producing.
Josh Brolin is attached to star in the film, which previously had Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (Crank) on board as directors. The duo, who also wrote the script, bowed out over creative differences in November.
The studio hopes to put the movie into production in March or April.
The character of Hex, known for having the right side of his face disfigured and wearing a Confederate army uniform, was a rough-and-tumble gunslinger and part-time bounty hunter whose adventures always ended in blood. One incarnation of his comic book series saw the Western genre combined with supernatural elements, and it's this aspect that was featured in Neveldine and Taylor's script.
Andrew Lazar's Mad Chance and Akiva Goldsman's Weed Road are producing.
NBC's in Tune with Jared Bush's Soundtrack
NBC is developing writer Jared Bush's music-themed drama project "Soundtrack," reports Variety. The hourlong script revolves around a misguided man whose life begins being accompanied by the music in his head.
In "Soundtrack," the lead character has lost his job and his ex-girlfriend has gotten engaged to someone else. That's when he starts to hear the music -- the same, iconic song, over and over again, which doesn't go away until he figures out its significance -- and then it's on to the next track.
"I was trying to find a way to combine TV and music in an organic way," Bush said. "What we come to realize in the show is this guy has been given an opportunity to start his life over, and this music will help him find a way to become truly happy."
Bush's TV credits include "All of Us," "Baby Bob" and "Still Standing." More recently, he's been busy in the features world, writing the movie Giants for Sony and doing a rewrite of American Neurotic.
In "Soundtrack," the lead character has lost his job and his ex-girlfriend has gotten engaged to someone else. That's when he starts to hear the music -- the same, iconic song, over and over again, which doesn't go away until he figures out its significance -- and then it's on to the next track.
"I was trying to find a way to combine TV and music in an organic way," Bush said. "What we come to realize in the show is this guy has been given an opportunity to start his life over, and this music will help him find a way to become truly happy."
Bush's TV credits include "All of Us," "Baby Bob" and "Still Standing." More recently, he's been busy in the features world, writing the movie Giants for Sony and doing a rewrite of American Neurotic.
HBO Joins Remake of British Series Shameless
HBO is teaming with Warner Bros. and writer-producer John Wells on a U.S. version of the British iconic blue-collar TV drama "Shameless," says Vareity.
The move follows protracted talks between the series' creator British screenwriter Paul Abbott, Wells and various U.S. networks in recent years including NBC, which at one point was poised to remake "Shameless" starring Woody Harrelson.
In the British version, set on a public housing estate in the northern English city of Manchester, the leading character is feckless but lovable Frank, an alcohol and drug abuser living on the margins of society who is the head of the chaotic Gallagher clan.
The move follows protracted talks between the series' creator British screenwriter Paul Abbott, Wells and various U.S. networks in recent years including NBC, which at one point was poised to remake "Shameless" starring Woody Harrelson.
In the British version, set on a public housing estate in the northern English city of Manchester, the leading character is feckless but lovable Frank, an alcohol and drug abuser living on the margins of society who is the head of the chaotic Gallagher clan.
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