It's always hard being the first panel of any comic convention, but WonderCon kicked off with a full room, as fans of Mitch Hurvitz's Emmy-winning show "Arrested Development" were given a chance to see a first taste of his new animated show "Sit Down, Shut Up," which will premiere on FOX at 8:30 PM on April 19. Before they went to questions from the audience, the moderator asked about the much-anticipated movie based on "Arrested Development" that has been discussed a lot both by Hurvitz and the cast of the show.
Before Hurvitz could give a serious response, Will Arnett, who provides one of the voices for the new show, joked, "We are dangerously close to confirming that… we have read the rumors on the internet."
"Here's what's going on with the movie," Hurvitz told the audience of his fans. "Everyone goes off and has careers and that kind of thing, so it's been a little challenging to schedule everybody together, but everyone who has agreed to make this movie and we're going to make the movie. I haven't written it yet, so I'll be accepting pitches. We're determined to do this."
"It was a great joy and privilege, all kidding aside, to do a show that took risks and with such a wonderful cast and wonderful writers," he continued. "For us, it's irresistible. Here's an interesting thing about it. When we did the show, one of the things that really made it work is that we didn't hold ourselves up to any standard. We got a lot of positive critical recommendations, but we even kind of ignored those and just did what was funny to us, and kind of remained the underdog in a great way. It was very clear early on that we weren't going to be a big hit, so it really was a labor of love. Now suddenly, there is a bar to hit. I think the key to this is once we get as many pieces as we're going to, which appears we have, we'll just dive in and have fun and see if we can create the same thing. But we're excited about it."
Friday, February 27, 2009
Jerry Seinfeld is Returning to NBC
NBC has announced a new comedy-reality series created by superstar comedian and producer Jerry Seinfeld's Columbus 81 Productions. Seinfeld has partnered with Ellen Rakieten, a 23-year veteran of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on this project.
This new series titled "The Marriage Ref" (working title) will feature opinionated celebrities, comedians and sports stars who will candidly comment, judge and offer different strategies for real-life couples in the midst of a classic marital dispute.
The announcement was made today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.
Describing his new creation, Seinfeld said, "This is not a therapy show, it's a comedy show. After nine years of marriage I have discovered that the comedic potential of this subject is quite rich."
"It will be revealing, edgy, controversial and very, very funny. Picture well-known people weighing in on a couple's relationship issues -- and deciding who is right and who is wrong -- right on the spot, like a referee," added Rakieten.
Rakieten joined "The Oprah Winfrey Show" as a producer at its inception in 1986, and was a major force in creating the most dominant program in daytime history.
"There is no better partner for me on this venture than Ellen. She has had such an amazing experience at Harpo, and our minds seem perfectly synchronized on the potential of this idea," said Seinfeld.
For two decades Rakieten's leadership and creativity earned "The Oprah Winfrey Show" unprecedented ratings. During her long tenure at Harpo, Rakieten produced over 3500 hours of television.
"NBC has a long and enormously successful relationship with Jerry and this great new concept reflects his incredible and unique point of view," said Silverman. "Viewers will love this highly relatable new comedy."
Added Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios, "While 'Seinfeld' was a hilarious look at single life, this new show will focus on the humor of relationships and marriage. It's a great fit with the slate of alternative comedy we are building at NBC."
This new series titled "The Marriage Ref" (working title) will feature opinionated celebrities, comedians and sports stars who will candidly comment, judge and offer different strategies for real-life couples in the midst of a classic marital dispute.
The announcement was made today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.
Describing his new creation, Seinfeld said, "This is not a therapy show, it's a comedy show. After nine years of marriage I have discovered that the comedic potential of this subject is quite rich."
"It will be revealing, edgy, controversial and very, very funny. Picture well-known people weighing in on a couple's relationship issues -- and deciding who is right and who is wrong -- right on the spot, like a referee," added Rakieten.
Rakieten joined "The Oprah Winfrey Show" as a producer at its inception in 1986, and was a major force in creating the most dominant program in daytime history.
"There is no better partner for me on this venture than Ellen. She has had such an amazing experience at Harpo, and our minds seem perfectly synchronized on the potential of this idea," said Seinfeld.
For two decades Rakieten's leadership and creativity earned "The Oprah Winfrey Show" unprecedented ratings. During her long tenure at Harpo, Rakieten produced over 3500 hours of television.
"NBC has a long and enormously successful relationship with Jerry and this great new concept reflects his incredible and unique point of view," said Silverman. "Viewers will love this highly relatable new comedy."
Added Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios, "While 'Seinfeld' was a hilarious look at single life, this new show will focus on the humor of relationships and marriage. It's a great fit with the slate of alternative comedy we are building at NBC."
The Simpsons Picked Up for Two More Seasons
Fox has ordered two additional seasons of "The Simpsons," which will bring the longest-running series in primetime television history through its 22nd season. The 44-episode pickup ensures the series will reach an astounding 493 episodes. "The Simpsons" airs Sundays (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on Fox.
Since its debut on January 14, 1990, "The Simpsons" immediately struck a chord with viewers across the country as it poked fun of itself and everything in its wake. With its subversive humor and delightful wit, the series has made an indelible imprint on American pop culture and has become one of television's most iconic families.
"Best. 20 Years. Ever.," a year-long global celebration honoring all things "The Simpsons," launched in January 2009 and will culminate on January 14, 2010, the 20th anniversary of the series' debut.
"The Simpsons" is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Al Jean are the executive producers. Film Roman is the animation house.
Since its debut on January 14, 1990, "The Simpsons" immediately struck a chord with viewers across the country as it poked fun of itself and everything in its wake. With its subversive humor and delightful wit, the series has made an indelible imprint on American pop culture and has become one of television's most iconic families.
"Best. 20 Years. Ever.," a year-long global celebration honoring all things "The Simpsons," launched in January 2009 and will culminate on January 14, 2010, the 20th anniversary of the series' debut.
"The Simpsons" is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Al Jean are the executive producers. Film Roman is the animation house.
Warner Bros. Brings Together Suicide Squad
Warner Bros. Pictures has set up the DC Comics property Suicide Squad for Dan Lin (Sherlock Holmes) to produce as a potential franchise.
In a departure from normal comic-based fare, Suicide Squad concentrates on a group of incarcerated supervillains rather than the usual focus on superheroes. The first version of the squad debuted in a 1959 DC Comic, and a series was launched in 1987.
Stephen Gilchrist from Lin Pictures will co-produce. Justin Marks (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Hack/Slash) is penning the screenplay.
Suicide Squad will feature a mix of well-known and unknown villains recruited by the government to accomplish a task deemed too dangerous for superheroes. The historically independent operators must bury their own interpersonal conflicts and agendas to form a cohesive unit to take on a singular task.
In a departure from normal comic-based fare, Suicide Squad concentrates on a group of incarcerated supervillains rather than the usual focus on superheroes. The first version of the squad debuted in a 1959 DC Comic, and a series was launched in 1987.
Stephen Gilchrist from Lin Pictures will co-produce. Justin Marks (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Hack/Slash) is penning the screenplay.
Suicide Squad will feature a mix of well-known and unknown villains recruited by the government to accomplish a task deemed too dangerous for superheroes. The historically independent operators must bury their own interpersonal conflicts and agendas to form a cohesive unit to take on a singular task.
Next Friday the 13th Moving Forward
The Hollywood Reporter's Risky Biz Blog reports that New Line and Platinum Dunes are moving forward on a new Friday the 13th and that Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, who wrote the recently released Friday the 13th, are beginning work on a script for the new picture.
The next film is expected to be not a sequel so much as a follow-up. Jason Voorhees will be the villain, of course, but the new film is expected to use elements of the original franchise more as a jumping-off point than as a template.
The trade says the reason is that the reboot drew from the first four movies in the "Friday" series, and producers are said not to be keen on the plot elements of the half-dozen movies that followed.
Marcus Nispel, who directed the latest film, is a possible but unlikely candidate to helm the Friday the 13th follow-up; the director is believed to be fielding offers for movies across other genres.
Risky Biz Blog cautions that there is no green light and Platinum Dunes and New Line are actively working together on another franchise reboot, A Nightmare on Elm Street< which is set to start shooting in two months.
The Marcus Nispel-directed Friday the 13th has earned $71.9 million worldwide in two weeks.
The next film is expected to be not a sequel so much as a follow-up. Jason Voorhees will be the villain, of course, but the new film is expected to use elements of the original franchise more as a jumping-off point than as a template.
The trade says the reason is that the reboot drew from the first four movies in the "Friday" series, and producers are said not to be keen on the plot elements of the half-dozen movies that followed.
Marcus Nispel, who directed the latest film, is a possible but unlikely candidate to helm the Friday the 13th follow-up; the director is believed to be fielding offers for movies across other genres.
Risky Biz Blog cautions that there is no green light and Platinum Dunes and New Line are actively working together on another franchise reboot, A Nightmare on Elm Street< which is set to start shooting in two months.
The Marcus Nispel-directed Friday the 13th has earned $71.9 million worldwide in two weeks.
A Total Recall Remake is Very Real
Neal H. Moritz and his Original Films are in final negotiations to develop and produce for Columbia Pictures a contemporary version of Total Recall, the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi action movie directed by Paul Verhoeven, says The Hollywood Reporter.
The original, based on the Philip K. Dick story "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale," follows a man haunted by a recurring dream of journeying to Mars who buys a literal dream vacation from a company called Rekall Inc., which sells implanted memories. The man comes to believe he is a secret agent and ends up on a Martian colony, where he fights to overthrow a despotic ruler controlling the production of air.
The movie explores one of Dick's favorite topics, reality vs. delusion, as audiences never knew whether or not the story was a dream. Either way, the movie grossed a very real $261 million worldwide.
Calling Dick's story "prescient," Moritz said he hoped the advancements in technology and state-of-the-art visual effects can help tell the "Recall" story in a fresh way.
The original, based on the Philip K. Dick story "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale," follows a man haunted by a recurring dream of journeying to Mars who buys a literal dream vacation from a company called Rekall Inc., which sells implanted memories. The man comes to believe he is a secret agent and ends up on a Martian colony, where he fights to overthrow a despotic ruler controlling the production of air.
The movie explores one of Dick's favorite topics, reality vs. delusion, as audiences never knew whether or not the story was a dream. Either way, the movie grossed a very real $261 million worldwide.
Calling Dick's story "prescient," Moritz said he hoped the advancements in technology and state-of-the-art visual effects can help tell the "Recall" story in a fresh way.
(And Of Course) The NeverEnding Story Gets a Remake
Warner Bros. and a pair of top-tier production companies are in the early stages of a remake of the 1980s children's fantasy classic The NeverEnding Story, says The Hollywood Reporter.
The Kennedy/Marshall Co. (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Leonardo DiCaprio's company Appian Way are in discussions with Warner Bros. about reviving the 25-year-old franchise with a modern spin. The studio recently acquired rights to the property, clearing the way for a potential remake.
Born out of a German-language novel by Michael Ende, the film centers on a boy named Bastian Balthazar Bux who discovers a parallel world in a book titled "The NeverEnding Story." As the boy, a loner, delves deeper into the book, he increasingly finds his life intertwined with the plot of the novel, in which a hero in the land of Fantasia must save the universe on behalf of an empress.
The new film--which original producer Dieter Geissler--will examine the more nuanced details of the book that were glossed over in the first film, that was directed by Wolfgang Petersen.
A sequel directed by George Miller came out in 1990; a third movie followed in the U.S. in 1996 but quickly went to video.
Those familiar with the project emphasize that it is in its early stages and that writers have not been attached.
The Kennedy/Marshall Co. (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Leonardo DiCaprio's company Appian Way are in discussions with Warner Bros. about reviving the 25-year-old franchise with a modern spin. The studio recently acquired rights to the property, clearing the way for a potential remake.
Born out of a German-language novel by Michael Ende, the film centers on a boy named Bastian Balthazar Bux who discovers a parallel world in a book titled "The NeverEnding Story." As the boy, a loner, delves deeper into the book, he increasingly finds his life intertwined with the plot of the novel, in which a hero in the land of Fantasia must save the universe on behalf of an empress.
The new film--which original producer Dieter Geissler--will examine the more nuanced details of the book that were glossed over in the first film, that was directed by Wolfgang Petersen.
A sequel directed by George Miller came out in 1990; a third movie followed in the U.S. in 1996 but quickly went to video.
Those familiar with the project emphasize that it is in its early stages and that writers have not been attached.
Ed Helms to Write and Star in Civil War Time Travel Comedy
“It’s the Nard Dawg meets Glory meets Bill and Ted’s.” Actor Ed Helms (The Office), a native of Georgia, will write and top-line an untitled comedy about a highly dedicated Civil War re-enactor who travels back in time to the actual event. Joining the character in the potentially history-’ploding debacle will be two fellow re-enactors and a black history professor. Office co-star, Steve Carell, will produce and joining Helms on script duties will be writing partner, Jake Fleisher. This summer, Helms co-stars in Todd Phillips’s The Hangover alongside Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis, which is being singled out as a break-out hit along the lines of Old School, Knocked Up, or Bachelor Party without a coke donkey.
There is no shortage of comedies (and hokey ghost hunting shows for that matter) that poke fun at re-enactors of all sorts. Choke featured similar re-enactors in Colonial Williamburg, The Cable Guy had a few memorable scenes at Medieval Times, and The Sasquatch Gang is filled with fantasy re-enactor nerds and their depressing foam weapons. Any others come to mind? Let us know in the comments.
There is no shortage of comedies (and hokey ghost hunting shows for that matter) that poke fun at re-enactors of all sorts. Choke featured similar re-enactors in Colonial Williamburg, The Cable Guy had a few memorable scenes at Medieval Times, and The Sasquatch Gang is filled with fantasy re-enactor nerds and their depressing foam weapons. Any others come to mind? Let us know in the comments.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Michael Cera Stops Holding Out On Arrested Development Movie
Nameless inside sources have apparently told E! Online’s Watch With Kristin that Michael Cera has buckled and agreed to board the Arrested Development movie. I suspect the film would have happened in some fashion even without him, but this should make the fans happier and more optimistic at least. I like Michael. He’s genuinely charming, I think.
The best bit of the story? A quote from Ron Howard, speaking on the Oscars’ red carpet: “It’s looking very much like we’re going to make [the movie], but we’ve now been asked to stop offering any details. It’s cloaked in a little mystery, but it’s looking good.” Yeah - they have been running off at the mouth an awful lot these last months.
Howard apparently dropped that zinger on Ryan Seacrest, but we in the UK didn’t get to see much of Seacrest and had our own reps on the red carpet. Did they shame themselves as fully as he did? Nope, not quite.
MTV also spoke to Mr. Howard and while he said essentially the same things, he did add a few exclusive flourishes. For example, he told them that he met with Mitchell Hurwitz last Friday and that at the moment “Things are going really well. He’s writing.”
That’s enough confirmation that the film is going to go ahead for me but I’ll add a rumor tag to this post because it’s all still just pillow carpet talk from Opie Richie Ron.
I would hope that the Arrested Development movie is brought in on a very responsible budget - aside from more recompense for the cast and crew, the main reasons such a film would ever cost much more per minute of screen time don’t strike me as exactly respectable. A back end point deal would be a nice way to go with this, surely?
When it comes to possible upcoming TV to film adaptations, I’m all about the Veronica Mars, I’m afraid. Not even my little finger is about Arrested Development. Having said that, though, the more work Michael Cera, Jeffrey Tambor, Jessica Walter, David Cross and Jason Bateman get, the better. Toss in my favourite guest stars (a list which starts but doesn’t end with The Winkler) and and we have a date.
I wonder if a Curb Your Enthusiasm movie will ever get proposed? Imagine the narrative tangles they could get that wild thing into over 90 minutes - it could be deliciously incomprehensible and break all known boundaries of good taste in narrative plausability.
The best bit of the story? A quote from Ron Howard, speaking on the Oscars’ red carpet: “It’s looking very much like we’re going to make [the movie], but we’ve now been asked to stop offering any details. It’s cloaked in a little mystery, but it’s looking good.” Yeah - they have been running off at the mouth an awful lot these last months.
Howard apparently dropped that zinger on Ryan Seacrest, but we in the UK didn’t get to see much of Seacrest and had our own reps on the red carpet. Did they shame themselves as fully as he did? Nope, not quite.
MTV also spoke to Mr. Howard and while he said essentially the same things, he did add a few exclusive flourishes. For example, he told them that he met with Mitchell Hurwitz last Friday and that at the moment “Things are going really well. He’s writing.”
That’s enough confirmation that the film is going to go ahead for me but I’ll add a rumor tag to this post because it’s all still just pillow carpet talk from Opie Richie Ron.
I would hope that the Arrested Development movie is brought in on a very responsible budget - aside from more recompense for the cast and crew, the main reasons such a film would ever cost much more per minute of screen time don’t strike me as exactly respectable. A back end point deal would be a nice way to go with this, surely?
When it comes to possible upcoming TV to film adaptations, I’m all about the Veronica Mars, I’m afraid. Not even my little finger is about Arrested Development. Having said that, though, the more work Michael Cera, Jeffrey Tambor, Jessica Walter, David Cross and Jason Bateman get, the better. Toss in my favourite guest stars (a list which starts but doesn’t end with The Winkler) and and we have a date.
I wonder if a Curb Your Enthusiasm movie will ever get proposed? Imagine the narrative tangles they could get that wild thing into over 90 minutes - it could be deliciously incomprehensible and break all known boundaries of good taste in narrative plausability.
LL Cool J Toplining NCIS Spin-Off
LL Cool J has been set to star in CBS' planned spin-off of "NCIS," says Variety.
He'll play a tough but charming former Navy SEAL who works undercover for the NCIS unit in L.A. and is an expert on the Middle East.
The spin-off of CBS' durable drama will air as one half of a two-part episode of "NCIS" later this season.
"NCIS" showrunner Shane Brennan created the untitled spin-off and executive produces for CBS Paramount Network TV.
He'll play a tough but charming former Navy SEAL who works undercover for the NCIS unit in L.A. and is an expert on the Middle East.
The spin-off of CBS' durable drama will air as one half of a two-part episode of "NCIS" later this season.
"NCIS" showrunner Shane Brennan created the untitled spin-off and executive produces for CBS Paramount Network TV.
Michel Gondry to Direct Green Hornet
Michel Gondry is in negotiations to direct Columbia Pictures' The Green Hornet, starring Seth Rogen and Stephen Chow, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach, presidents of Columbia Pictures. The screenplay is by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg, who will also executive produce. Neal H. Moritz will produce the film through his Original Film production company. The film will begin shooting this summer and is set for release June 25, 2010. The film will be executive produced by Michael Grillo.
Commenting on the announcement, Tolmach said, "From the very beginning, Seth, Evan, and Neal wanted this film to stand out from the pack with its originality. You couldn't ask for a better director than Michel Gondry to bring that to life."
Moritz added, "We're huge fans of Michel Gondry. 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' and all his films are as daring as they are extraordinary, fueled by creative ideas that spring from his unique worldview. Our first rule, always, is to make the movie that we want to see, and that couldn't be truer than with Michel bringing his stylish and original touch to the helm."
Said Gondry, "I'm very excited about 'The Green Hornet' and all that I hope to bring to it. This story has always been close to me and now Seth & Evan have written a script that is both funny and real - the best of both worlds. I cannot wait to further collaborate with them on it."
Gondry, an award-winning film, commercial, and music video director, is set to release his most recent film, Tokyo!, a triptych film telling three stories about the iconic city, on March 6, 2009. Gondry recently released his film Be Kind Rewind, which inspired Gondry's debut book, "You'll Like This Film Because You're In It: The Be Kind Rewind Protocol." Gondry's recent films include The Science of Sleep, Dave Chappelle's Block Party, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, for which Gondry received a 2005 Academy Award for original screenplay, for his contribution to the storyline alongside Charlie Kaufman. Gondry co-produced both Be Kind Rewind and The Science of Sleep through his production company Partizan Films.
Commenting on the announcement, Tolmach said, "From the very beginning, Seth, Evan, and Neal wanted this film to stand out from the pack with its originality. You couldn't ask for a better director than Michel Gondry to bring that to life."
Moritz added, "We're huge fans of Michel Gondry. 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' and all his films are as daring as they are extraordinary, fueled by creative ideas that spring from his unique worldview. Our first rule, always, is to make the movie that we want to see, and that couldn't be truer than with Michel bringing his stylish and original touch to the helm."
Said Gondry, "I'm very excited about 'The Green Hornet' and all that I hope to bring to it. This story has always been close to me and now Seth & Evan have written a script that is both funny and real - the best of both worlds. I cannot wait to further collaborate with them on it."
Gondry, an award-winning film, commercial, and music video director, is set to release his most recent film, Tokyo!, a triptych film telling three stories about the iconic city, on March 6, 2009. Gondry recently released his film Be Kind Rewind, which inspired Gondry's debut book, "You'll Like This Film Because You're In It: The Be Kind Rewind Protocol." Gondry's recent films include The Science of Sleep, Dave Chappelle's Block Party, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, for which Gondry received a 2005 Academy Award for original screenplay, for his contribution to the storyline alongside Charlie Kaufman. Gondry co-produced both Be Kind Rewind and The Science of Sleep through his production company Partizan Films.
Eric Brevig Helming Yogi Bear
Eric Brevig has come on to direct Warner Bros.' feature take on the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon Yogi Bear, which will be produced as a 3-D project.
Brevig, a longtime visual effects supervisor whose credits include The Day After Tomorrow and Men in Black, directed Warners and Walden's Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Joshua Sternin and Jeffrey Ventimilia, who executive produced "That '70s Show," are writing the screenplay for Yogi Bear, which will offer a new take on the half-century-old title character and his sidekick Boo Boo, who get into a series of misadventures in Jellystone Park.
The movie is expected to combine live action and CG in the manner of Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Brevig, a longtime visual effects supervisor whose credits include The Day After Tomorrow and Men in Black, directed Warners and Walden's Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Joshua Sternin and Jeffrey Ventimilia, who executive produced "That '70s Show," are writing the screenplay for Yogi Bear, which will offer a new take on the half-century-old title character and his sidekick Boo Boo, who get into a series of misadventures in Jellystone Park.
The movie is expected to combine live action and CG in the manner of Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Ferrell, Wahlberg and Damon Projects Close to Studio Deals
Variety says studios that are trying to fill 2010 release slates are weighing packages that would give them either an Adam McKay-directed action comedy starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, or a drama that will reunite Matt Damon with his The Bourne Ultimatum screenwriter George Nolfi.
Damon is at the center of The Adjustment Bureau, a contemporary sci-fi love story that was shopped to studios by Media Rights Capital.
Nolfi wrote a script that is loosely based on a Phillip K. Dick short story, and he will make his directing debut on the film, which will begin production by late summer.
Nolfi scripted the Damon-starrer Ocean's Twelve, but they developed a closer relationship when he scripted The Bourne Ultimatum. He is also writing the fourth installment of the Bourne franchise for Universal.
Seperately, several studios were bidding Tuesday on B Team, a McKay-directed action comedy that casts Ferrell and Wahlberg as cops, with Chris Henchy writing the script.
Henchy co-wrote the upcoming Ferrell-starrer Land of the Lost, and he is co-executive producer of "Entourage."
Damon is at the center of The Adjustment Bureau, a contemporary sci-fi love story that was shopped to studios by Media Rights Capital.
Nolfi wrote a script that is loosely based on a Phillip K. Dick short story, and he will make his directing debut on the film, which will begin production by late summer.
Nolfi scripted the Damon-starrer Ocean's Twelve, but they developed a closer relationship when he scripted The Bourne Ultimatum. He is also writing the fourth installment of the Bourne franchise for Universal.
Seperately, several studios were bidding Tuesday on B Team, a McKay-directed action comedy that casts Ferrell and Wahlberg as cops, with Chris Henchy writing the script.
Henchy co-wrote the upcoming Ferrell-starrer Land of the Lost, and he is co-executive producer of "Entourage."
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Andy Richter Announcing for Conan O'Brien on Tonight Show
It would have been impossible to predict back in the year 2000, but Andy Richter and Conan O'Brien are reuniting for good.
Richter, O'Brien's Late Night sidekick from the show's 1993 premiere until 2000, will become the announcer of The Tonight Show when O'Brien takes over for Jay Leno on June 1. Although Richter won't sit beside O'Brien, Ed McMahon-style, he will take part in sketches and other bits with the host.
That could mean a revival of still-funny-but-just-not-the-same routines from the Age of Andy, including their predictions about "The Year 2000" — and plenty of fierce staring contests between the two.
"Andy is one of the funniest people I know and we've maintained a close friendship since he left Late Night," O'Brien said in a statement. "I'm looking forward to working with Andy on a daily basis again, particularly since he owes me $300."
Richter and O'Brien displayed some of their old chemistry Friday on O'Brien's final Late Show, when Richter turned up as a surprise guest — the last non-musical guest in the show's 16-year run. (In another surprise, The White Stripes stopped in to perform.)
O'Brien's Late Night announcer, Joel Godard, won't have a role with the new show — but friends of O'Brien's tend to turn up in his studio often.
Richter, O'Brien's Late Night sidekick from the show's 1993 premiere until 2000, will become the announcer of The Tonight Show when O'Brien takes over for Jay Leno on June 1. Although Richter won't sit beside O'Brien, Ed McMahon-style, he will take part in sketches and other bits with the host.
That could mean a revival of still-funny-but-just-not-the-same routines from the Age of Andy, including their predictions about "The Year 2000" — and plenty of fierce staring contests between the two.
"Andy is one of the funniest people I know and we've maintained a close friendship since he left Late Night," O'Brien said in a statement. "I'm looking forward to working with Andy on a daily basis again, particularly since he owes me $300."
Richter and O'Brien displayed some of their old chemistry Friday on O'Brien's final Late Show, when Richter turned up as a surprise guest — the last non-musical guest in the show's 16-year run. (In another surprise, The White Stripes stopped in to perform.)
O'Brien's Late Night announcer, Joel Godard, won't have a role with the new show — but friends of O'Brien's tend to turn up in his studio often.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Cusack and Corddry Jump in Hot Tub Time Machine
John Cusack and Rob Corddry will star in the MGM comedy Hot Tub Time Machine, while Craig Robinson and Clark Duke are in negotiations to also star in the film, being directed by Steve Pink.
The script, by Josh Heald, follows a group of guys who have grown frustrated with their adult lives. They return to the ski lodge where they partied as teens to find answers and are transported to 1987 via their hot tub, a bubbly time machine.
Cusack, Corddry and Robinson are the three best friends, while Duke is Cusack's younger brother.
Cusack is producing with partner Grace Loh via their New Crime. Matt Moore also is producing. An April 20 start date in Vancouver is being eyed.
The script, by Josh Heald, follows a group of guys who have grown frustrated with their adult lives. They return to the ski lodge where they partied as teens to find answers and are transported to 1987 via their hot tub, a bubbly time machine.
Cusack, Corddry and Robinson are the three best friends, while Duke is Cusack's younger brother.
Cusack is producing with partner Grace Loh via their New Crime. Matt Moore also is producing. An April 20 start date in Vancouver is being eyed.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Tyler Perry's Madea Imprisons the Box Office
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
The weekend after Presidents Day seemed like it might be fairly quiet with only two new releases, but exploding into theaters was the latest from Lionsgate's favorite Atlanta media mogul Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail, which grossed an estimated $41.1 million in just 2,032 theaters, an incredible per-theater average of over $20k per site. It achieved Perry's biggest opening, surpassing his 2006 hit Madea's Family Reunion by $10 million, and based on estimates, it's the 5th highest February opener. By comparison, Perry's last movie The Family That Preys grossed less than $40 million in its total theatrical release, proving that Perry's crossdressing antics as Madea, as well as movies based on his hit plays, tend to do better with moviegoing audiences. Even so, one can probably expect it to gross less than $85 million going by past Perry films.
Continuing to do exemplary business, 20th Century Fox's action-thriller Taken, starring Liam Neeson, makes its way to $100 million, adding another $11.4 million this weekend to take second place, moving up one spot from Presidents Day weekend.
Likewise, Henry Selick's animated 3D fantasy Coraline (Focus Features) moved up two spots from fifth to third place with another $11 million, bringing its total to $53.4 million. It's currently Focus Features' third highest grossing release of all time after Brokeback Mountain and Burn After Reading, but will probably be second before it leaves theaters.
Dropping 53% from the holiday weekend, the star-studded romantic comedy He's Just Not That Into You (New Line/WB) added $8.5 million to its take of $70 million.
In the days leading up to the Oscar ceremony, Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight) added another $8 million over the weekend to move up to fifth place after adding 600 more theaters on Friday. It should hit the $100 million mark by Tuesday and continue to do well if it wins Best Picture at the Oscars as being predicted by most experts.
The horror relaunch Friday the 13th (New Line/WB) took a drastic plunge in its second weekend, dropping from first to sixth place with an estimated $7.8 million, an abysmal drop of 81% from its record-setting opening weekend. If that number sticks, it will have achieved one of the Top 10 biggest second weekend drops, joining the likes of Gigli and From Justin to Kelly. (Note: That's probably not good if you're trying to start a franchise.)
Disney's comedy Confessions of a Shopaholic followed suit with the New Line romantic comedy, dropping 53% to 7th place with $7 million and a total gross of just under $28 million.
A trio of Sony releases wrapped up the Top 10 with Kevin James' hit comedy Paul Blart: Mall Cop adding another $7 million in eighth place, bringing its total to an astounding $121 million.
Screen Gems' cheerleading comedy Fired Up! opened weakly in ninth place with just $6 million in roughly 1800 theaters.
The Clive Owen-Naomi Watts conspiracy thriller The International also took a hefty plunge, dropping to tenth place with $4.4 million and a total of $17 million.
The top 10 grossed roughly $112 million, up 31% from the same weekend last year where Sony's Vantage Point opened at #1 with $23 million.
The weekend after Presidents Day seemed like it might be fairly quiet with only two new releases, but exploding into theaters was the latest from Lionsgate's favorite Atlanta media mogul Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail, which grossed an estimated $41.1 million in just 2,032 theaters, an incredible per-theater average of over $20k per site. It achieved Perry's biggest opening, surpassing his 2006 hit Madea's Family Reunion by $10 million, and based on estimates, it's the 5th highest February opener. By comparison, Perry's last movie The Family That Preys grossed less than $40 million in its total theatrical release, proving that Perry's crossdressing antics as Madea, as well as movies based on his hit plays, tend to do better with moviegoing audiences. Even so, one can probably expect it to gross less than $85 million going by past Perry films.
Continuing to do exemplary business, 20th Century Fox's action-thriller Taken, starring Liam Neeson, makes its way to $100 million, adding another $11.4 million this weekend to take second place, moving up one spot from Presidents Day weekend.
Likewise, Henry Selick's animated 3D fantasy Coraline (Focus Features) moved up two spots from fifth to third place with another $11 million, bringing its total to $53.4 million. It's currently Focus Features' third highest grossing release of all time after Brokeback Mountain and Burn After Reading, but will probably be second before it leaves theaters.
Dropping 53% from the holiday weekend, the star-studded romantic comedy He's Just Not That Into You (New Line/WB) added $8.5 million to its take of $70 million.
In the days leading up to the Oscar ceremony, Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight) added another $8 million over the weekend to move up to fifth place after adding 600 more theaters on Friday. It should hit the $100 million mark by Tuesday and continue to do well if it wins Best Picture at the Oscars as being predicted by most experts.
The horror relaunch Friday the 13th (New Line/WB) took a drastic plunge in its second weekend, dropping from first to sixth place with an estimated $7.8 million, an abysmal drop of 81% from its record-setting opening weekend. If that number sticks, it will have achieved one of the Top 10 biggest second weekend drops, joining the likes of Gigli and From Justin to Kelly. (Note: That's probably not good if you're trying to start a franchise.)
Disney's comedy Confessions of a Shopaholic followed suit with the New Line romantic comedy, dropping 53% to 7th place with $7 million and a total gross of just under $28 million.
A trio of Sony releases wrapped up the Top 10 with Kevin James' hit comedy Paul Blart: Mall Cop adding another $7 million in eighth place, bringing its total to an astounding $121 million.
Screen Gems' cheerleading comedy Fired Up! opened weakly in ninth place with just $6 million in roughly 1800 theaters.
The Clive Owen-Naomi Watts conspiracy thriller The International also took a hefty plunge, dropping to tenth place with $4.4 million and a total of $17 million.
The top 10 grossed roughly $112 million, up 31% from the same weekend last year where Sony's Vantage Point opened at #1 with $23 million.
Weekly Ratings: 2/16 – 2/20
Monday Ratings: Chuck Spies a Series Low
8 pm/ET
House dipped a bit yet still topped the hour with 14 million total viewers. Placing second, The Bachelor (12.5 mil) courted 15 percent more viewers than a week ago. Chuck came in fourth (behind CBS sitcom repeats) with 6.75 million viewers — a 19 percent plunge from its 3-D showcase, a 600K drop from its most recent 2-D outing, and the series' lowest rating ever for a fresh eppy.
9 pm
24 gained six percent and added viewers across the hour, averaging 11.16 mil. Leading out of a Two and a Half Men rerun, Worst Week's finale managed 8.7 mil (down 13 percent). Heroes sagged a bit, to 7.74 mil.
10 pm
Opposite a warmed-over CSI: Miami, Medium (8.94 million viewers) super-sized its audience by 13 percent, while True Beauty (7.04 mil) added 220K to its last Monday outing.
Tuesday Ratings: How Badly Did Idol Mess with The Mentalist?
8 pm/ET
Let the stinging singing begin. American Idol averaged 25.1 million total viewers over its two-hour run, a 13 percent drop from last year's first big croon-off. Placing second in the hour, NCIS held steady at 18 mil. The Biggest Loser (8.9 mil) was the biggest loser of the night at Idol's hand, shedding 13 percent of its week-ago audience.
9 pm
Opposite the second hour of Idol (noooo, don't go near The Police!), The Mentalist only dipped 7 percent from last week's all-time high. In other words, barely a hair on Simon Baker's head was mussed.
10 pm
Without a Trace's yo-yo act continued, with the procedural this week slipping 16 percent, to 12.2 million viewers. SVU placed second with 9.45 mil (down 900K), yet topped the demos.
Wednesday Ratings: Lost Bounces Baaaaaaack from Last Week
8 pm/ET
American Idol cued up an audience of 24.4 million total viewers, up 5 percent from last year's first results show. CBS, which came in second for the hour, saw gains for Old Christine (7.32 mil, +260K) and Gary Unmarried (7.26 mil, +400K). This week's Lost rehash (5.57 mil) surged 17 percent to best a new Knight Rider (5.49 mil).
9 pm
Criminal Minds drew the most viewers (15 million), but Lost topped the demos. Lost bounced back from last week's "Idol-ized" setback to deliver 11.27 mil — and thus edge out Lie to Me (which dipped 78O thou, to 11.22 mil). Life inched up 440K, to 5.16 mil.
10 pm
As CSI: NY (12.35 million viewers, down 500 thou) and Law & Order (7.15 mil, down 370K) both dropped, Life on Mars saw its audience liven up by some 13 percent, hitting 5.8 mil.
Thursday Ratings: Grey's Anatomy Puts Up a Good Fight
8 pm/ET
Survivor: Tocantins inched up slightly from its premiere to win the hour with 13.67 million total viewers. Bones cinched second with 9.5 million (down 12 percent from its fresh eppy), while Ugly Betty settled for third (7.65 mil). NBC's Earl (6.72 mil) gained 420K, but Kath & Kim (5.13 mil) scared off another 350 thou.
9 pm
CSI topped the hour with 16.85 million viewers, dropping 930K. Grey's Anatomy's scalpel-vs.-scalpel and fist-vs.-fist showdowns drummed up 15.39 mil, a week-to-week increase of 310K and the series' biggest audience since Nov. 20, 2008. (Was it just me or did Addison seem a bit, um, turned on by the boys' McDonnybrook?)
10 pm
With the Grey's crossover over, Private Practice plunged 20 percent yet still edged out Eleventh Hour — 11.37 mil to 11.23 mil. (Who took my Twitter challenge and spotted Private Practice's second, non-Anya Buffy alum?) ER delivered 7.44 mil, up 190K.
Friday Ratings: Dollhouse Gets Fewer Visitors, Conan Bows Out Big
8 pm/ET
A repeat of Ghost Whisperer's season opener topped the hour with 8.35 million total viewers. Trailing both a warmed-over Wife Swap (4.09 mil) and Howie Do It (3.89 mil), Sarah Connor Chronicles came in fourth with 3.84 million viewers, up four percent from its Friday time-slot premiere.
9 pm
Dollhouse came in third behind a Flashpoint repeat (8.06 million viewers) and Supernanny (5.25 mil), dipping 10 percent from its premiere to 4.22 mil. That said, Dollhouse actually gained viewers over the hour. Friday Night Lights surged 14 percent to just under four mil.
10 pm
A Numbers repeat was No. 1 with 7.99 million viewers, followed by 20/20 (7.27 mil) and Dateline (5.57 mil).
Late Night
Conan O'Brien's final Late Night drew the talker's best numbers since Dec. 8, 2006, representing a 44 percent increase on his average for this season.
8 pm/ET
House dipped a bit yet still topped the hour with 14 million total viewers. Placing second, The Bachelor (12.5 mil) courted 15 percent more viewers than a week ago. Chuck came in fourth (behind CBS sitcom repeats) with 6.75 million viewers — a 19 percent plunge from its 3-D showcase, a 600K drop from its most recent 2-D outing, and the series' lowest rating ever for a fresh eppy.
9 pm
24 gained six percent and added viewers across the hour, averaging 11.16 mil. Leading out of a Two and a Half Men rerun, Worst Week's finale managed 8.7 mil (down 13 percent). Heroes sagged a bit, to 7.74 mil.
10 pm
Opposite a warmed-over CSI: Miami, Medium (8.94 million viewers) super-sized its audience by 13 percent, while True Beauty (7.04 mil) added 220K to its last Monday outing.
Tuesday Ratings: How Badly Did Idol Mess with The Mentalist?
8 pm/ET
Let the stinging singing begin. American Idol averaged 25.1 million total viewers over its two-hour run, a 13 percent drop from last year's first big croon-off. Placing second in the hour, NCIS held steady at 18 mil. The Biggest Loser (8.9 mil) was the biggest loser of the night at Idol's hand, shedding 13 percent of its week-ago audience.
9 pm
Opposite the second hour of Idol (noooo, don't go near The Police!), The Mentalist only dipped 7 percent from last week's all-time high. In other words, barely a hair on Simon Baker's head was mussed.
10 pm
Without a Trace's yo-yo act continued, with the procedural this week slipping 16 percent, to 12.2 million viewers. SVU placed second with 9.45 mil (down 900K), yet topped the demos.
Wednesday Ratings: Lost Bounces Baaaaaaack from Last Week
8 pm/ET
American Idol cued up an audience of 24.4 million total viewers, up 5 percent from last year's first results show. CBS, which came in second for the hour, saw gains for Old Christine (7.32 mil, +260K) and Gary Unmarried (7.26 mil, +400K). This week's Lost rehash (5.57 mil) surged 17 percent to best a new Knight Rider (5.49 mil).
9 pm
Criminal Minds drew the most viewers (15 million), but Lost topped the demos. Lost bounced back from last week's "Idol-ized" setback to deliver 11.27 mil — and thus edge out Lie to Me (which dipped 78O thou, to 11.22 mil). Life inched up 440K, to 5.16 mil.
10 pm
As CSI: NY (12.35 million viewers, down 500 thou) and Law & Order (7.15 mil, down 370K) both dropped, Life on Mars saw its audience liven up by some 13 percent, hitting 5.8 mil.
Thursday Ratings: Grey's Anatomy Puts Up a Good Fight
8 pm/ET
Survivor: Tocantins inched up slightly from its premiere to win the hour with 13.67 million total viewers. Bones cinched second with 9.5 million (down 12 percent from its fresh eppy), while Ugly Betty settled for third (7.65 mil). NBC's Earl (6.72 mil) gained 420K, but Kath & Kim (5.13 mil) scared off another 350 thou.
9 pm
CSI topped the hour with 16.85 million viewers, dropping 930K. Grey's Anatomy's scalpel-vs.-scalpel and fist-vs.-fist showdowns drummed up 15.39 mil, a week-to-week increase of 310K and the series' biggest audience since Nov. 20, 2008. (Was it just me or did Addison seem a bit, um, turned on by the boys' McDonnybrook?)
10 pm
With the Grey's crossover over, Private Practice plunged 20 percent yet still edged out Eleventh Hour — 11.37 mil to 11.23 mil. (Who took my Twitter challenge and spotted Private Practice's second, non-Anya Buffy alum?) ER delivered 7.44 mil, up 190K.
Friday Ratings: Dollhouse Gets Fewer Visitors, Conan Bows Out Big
8 pm/ET
A repeat of Ghost Whisperer's season opener topped the hour with 8.35 million total viewers. Trailing both a warmed-over Wife Swap (4.09 mil) and Howie Do It (3.89 mil), Sarah Connor Chronicles came in fourth with 3.84 million viewers, up four percent from its Friday time-slot premiere.
9 pm
Dollhouse came in third behind a Flashpoint repeat (8.06 million viewers) and Supernanny (5.25 mil), dipping 10 percent from its premiere to 4.22 mil. That said, Dollhouse actually gained viewers over the hour. Friday Night Lights surged 14 percent to just under four mil.
10 pm
A Numbers repeat was No. 1 with 7.99 million viewers, followed by 20/20 (7.27 mil) and Dateline (5.57 mil).
Late Night
Conan O'Brien's final Late Night drew the talker's best numbers since Dec. 8, 2006, representing a 44 percent increase on his average for this season.
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