Twisted Pictures producer Mark Burg dropped some big "Saw"-related news today: "Shawnee Smith [as Amanda] is in 'Saw VI.' There are several new characters. Also, this movie is a lot more violent than the previous five. Lastly, we have traps that pit victims against each other like the opening of 'Saw V.' Could be the best script yet!"
Kevin Greutert is at the helm of this entry which is said to begin lensing in Toronto on March 30th. Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton penned the script. Plot details have not been revealed at the time of this writing.
Saw VI is scheduled to hit theaters on October 23.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Big Boi At SXSW: Solo Albums, New OutKast Coming
Big Boi is bouncing on the sidewalk. He is pumped.
The 34-year-old Atlanta rapper and half of the duo OutKast, has for the first time come to South by Southwest, the annual music conference and festival. In an interview on a downtown Austin street, he basks in the sun, enjoys a smoke and occasionally stops traffic as fans jump out of their cars for handshake or a cell phone photo.
At SXSW, the nearly 2,000 music acts are everywhere. While the many indie bands walk among the throngs, rappers are a more uncommon sight.
Big Boi (real name: Antwan Patton) makes no distinction among genres, though.
"I ain't in no category, because I can rock with whoever," said Big Boi. "Our music is everywhere. They can't put OutKast in a category; they can't put Big Boi in a category. Rock, funk, blues, soul, gospel — some of everything. All I need is a crowd and leave the rest up to my band."
On Thursday night, Big Boi planned to perform new material at SXSW. For the last two years, he's been working on his first solo album, to be titled "Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty."
"The longer the better to me," said Big Boi of the long process. "Let the music marinate, get time to soak up the vibe."
He's still tinkering with it in the studio but expects it to be out around June or July. Guests on the 16 tracks include Jamie Foxx, T.I., George Clinton, Lil' Jon and OutKast partner Andre 3000. Several singles have already been released, including the Obama-inspired "Sumthin's Gotta Give" and the new "Ringtone."
"I wanted to give people insight into who I was. A lot of people they don't know me and 3000 like that," said Big Boi, describing the album. "I guess to be more me. Here I am, speaking on different things in life — but definitely keeping it funky and having fun."
Andre 3000 is also prepping a solo album. Once he's finished, Big Boi said they'll get together on a new OutKast album. Their last album was 2006's "Idlewild" for their musical film.
But it was 2003's "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," a two-disc release, that paved the way for their solo material. "Speakerboxxx" was more Big Boi's, while "The Love Below" was primarily driven by Andre 3000.
The 34-year-old Atlanta rapper and half of the duo OutKast, has for the first time come to South by Southwest, the annual music conference and festival. In an interview on a downtown Austin street, he basks in the sun, enjoys a smoke and occasionally stops traffic as fans jump out of their cars for handshake or a cell phone photo.
At SXSW, the nearly 2,000 music acts are everywhere. While the many indie bands walk among the throngs, rappers are a more uncommon sight.
Big Boi (real name: Antwan Patton) makes no distinction among genres, though.
"I ain't in no category, because I can rock with whoever," said Big Boi. "Our music is everywhere. They can't put OutKast in a category; they can't put Big Boi in a category. Rock, funk, blues, soul, gospel — some of everything. All I need is a crowd and leave the rest up to my band."
On Thursday night, Big Boi planned to perform new material at SXSW. For the last two years, he's been working on his first solo album, to be titled "Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty."
"The longer the better to me," said Big Boi of the long process. "Let the music marinate, get time to soak up the vibe."
He's still tinkering with it in the studio but expects it to be out around June or July. Guests on the 16 tracks include Jamie Foxx, T.I., George Clinton, Lil' Jon and OutKast partner Andre 3000. Several singles have already been released, including the Obama-inspired "Sumthin's Gotta Give" and the new "Ringtone."
"I wanted to give people insight into who I was. A lot of people they don't know me and 3000 like that," said Big Boi, describing the album. "I guess to be more me. Here I am, speaking on different things in life — but definitely keeping it funky and having fun."
Andre 3000 is also prepping a solo album. Once he's finished, Big Boi said they'll get together on a new OutKast album. Their last album was 2006's "Idlewild" for their musical film.
But it was 2003's "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," a two-disc release, that paved the way for their solo material. "Speakerboxxx" was more Big Boi's, while "The Love Below" was primarily driven by Andre 3000.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
David Gordon Green and Danny McBride’s Your Highness Moving Forward with James Franco!
While David Gordon Green and Danny McBride’s trippy fantasy movie, Your Highness, has been sizzling on my radar for many months now, the project now sounds like it’s happening sooner than later. Hell yes. When I spoke to these dudes last year, they were hopeful, but Green also had a lot of plates spinning (Suspiria remake, Freaks of the Heartland). I also got the impression that if their HBO series, Eastbound & Down, was successful and claimed its place in pop culture—and boy, has it—that it might serve to launch such a high-concept R-rated flick with McBride at the lead. One thing more people are starting to admire is that these guys make sure to do things their way, no “one for them” studio fluffing.
According to Knowles at AICN, McBride confirms that the film has been greenlit by Universal, will shoot soon in Ireland, and the creature effects will be handled by Spectral Motion (Hellboy 1 & 2). In ode to its myriad inspirations, the film won’t feature heavy CGI but more traditional, weirder effects. Moreover, McBride let out that James Franco will co-star, in a Pineapple Express trifecta reunion of sorts. Many of you might be like, “So WTH is Your Highness?” Here are some quotes from my interviews that didn’t see light until today…
/Film: Can you go into Your Highness? Judging from the title and from what you guys previously did on Pineapple Express, is this a true-blue stoner genre film?
Green: It’s not really a weed movie. [Danny's character] smokes shit [weed] in it, yeah, but it’s whatever they had in olden times. This is an R-rated adventure, it’s ridiculous, played with lo-tech effects. I looked at Army of Darkness recently for it, but it’s not campy. Krull has Juliard actors, it’s really ‘80s. At the same time, Danny ain’t Orlando Bloom.
/Film: I just watched Yor: The Hunter From the Future for the first time recently, that movie is fucking amazing. So, basically it’s one of those sword-and-sorcery flicks that looks like it was shot through a crystal ball?
McBride: Exactly. Hopefully David and I can get started on Your Highness at the beginning of next year. We want to keep the budget low enough to still make it retarded and make it rated R. As we were writing it, we realized that it was really changing into a real fantasy film…and if you’re stoned, you probably will enjoy seeing the dragons. We still want to make it like Krull and those old ‘80s fantasy movies.
/Film: So, Danny, does your character roll solo in this or will it be more like that video game Golden Axe…
McBride: Yeah, there is this mild wrecking crew that rolls with my character. I can’t really say much more. [laughs]
So, gut instinct might tell you that Franco would be apart of this “mild wrecking crew.” Danny’s character is said to be a rotten apple of a prince who has to redeem himself and save his kingdom. If you have seen The Foot Fist Way or read interviews with these guys, analogies using the word “kingdom” in reference to soft masculinity are plentiful. CHUD has a quote from McBride explaining that his prince’s weapon of choice is a hula hoop, a fucking “Hoop of Doom.” And another where he describes the movie as Stanley Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon meets Krull.” One aspect that might not be apparent for those who haven’t seen Krull or Yor is that there are ridiculous galactic sci-fi elements in these ’80s films. Geek nirvana. More info on Your Highness as it we get it.
According to Knowles at AICN, McBride confirms that the film has been greenlit by Universal, will shoot soon in Ireland, and the creature effects will be handled by Spectral Motion (Hellboy 1 & 2). In ode to its myriad inspirations, the film won’t feature heavy CGI but more traditional, weirder effects. Moreover, McBride let out that James Franco will co-star, in a Pineapple Express trifecta reunion of sorts. Many of you might be like, “So WTH is Your Highness?” Here are some quotes from my interviews that didn’t see light until today…
/Film: Can you go into Your Highness? Judging from the title and from what you guys previously did on Pineapple Express, is this a true-blue stoner genre film?
Green: It’s not really a weed movie. [Danny's character] smokes shit [weed] in it, yeah, but it’s whatever they had in olden times. This is an R-rated adventure, it’s ridiculous, played with lo-tech effects. I looked at Army of Darkness recently for it, but it’s not campy. Krull has Juliard actors, it’s really ‘80s. At the same time, Danny ain’t Orlando Bloom.
/Film: I just watched Yor: The Hunter From the Future for the first time recently, that movie is fucking amazing. So, basically it’s one of those sword-and-sorcery flicks that looks like it was shot through a crystal ball?
McBride: Exactly. Hopefully David and I can get started on Your Highness at the beginning of next year. We want to keep the budget low enough to still make it retarded and make it rated R. As we were writing it, we realized that it was really changing into a real fantasy film…and if you’re stoned, you probably will enjoy seeing the dragons. We still want to make it like Krull and those old ‘80s fantasy movies.
/Film: So, Danny, does your character roll solo in this or will it be more like that video game Golden Axe…
McBride: Yeah, there is this mild wrecking crew that rolls with my character. I can’t really say much more. [laughs]
So, gut instinct might tell you that Franco would be apart of this “mild wrecking crew.” Danny’s character is said to be a rotten apple of a prince who has to redeem himself and save his kingdom. If you have seen The Foot Fist Way or read interviews with these guys, analogies using the word “kingdom” in reference to soft masculinity are plentiful. CHUD has a quote from McBride explaining that his prince’s weapon of choice is a hula hoop, a fucking “Hoop of Doom.” And another where he describes the movie as Stanley Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon meets Krull.” One aspect that might not be apparent for those who haven’t seen Krull or Yor is that there are ridiculous galactic sci-fi elements in these ’80s films. Geek nirvana. More info on Your Highness as it we get it.
Freddie Prinze Jr. Has No Heroics
Freddie Prinze Jr. will star on ABC's comedy pilot "No Heroics," which revolves around four B-list superheroes living among us, says The Hollywood Reporter.
Three of the central characters will be played by Eliza Coupe, Arielle Kebbel and Canadian actor Paul Campbell ("Battlestar Galactica"), who plays the leader of the group, Pete, aka Chillout, a Canadian-born superhero who can freeze small objects.
Prinze will play his nemesis and tormentor, Bradley, aka Ultimatum, the personification of everything Pete despises and secretly wishes he could be. An A-list superhero, Bradley is a handsome, cocky and egotistical alpha male who has all the women and fame and money a guy could want.
Three of the central characters will be played by Eliza Coupe, Arielle Kebbel and Canadian actor Paul Campbell ("Battlestar Galactica"), who plays the leader of the group, Pete, aka Chillout, a Canadian-born superhero who can freeze small objects.
Prinze will play his nemesis and tormentor, Bradley, aka Ultimatum, the personification of everything Pete despises and secretly wishes he could be. An A-list superhero, Bradley is a handsome, cocky and egotistical alpha male who has all the women and fame and money a guy could want.
Justin Long is Going the Distance
Justin Long will star in New Line Cinema's Going the Distance, playing the lead role in the romantic comedy to be directed by Nanette Burstein.
Variety says Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot are producing via their Offspring Entertainment production company
The script, written by Geoff LaTulippe, centers on a man and woman in a long-distance relationship who ultimately come to the realization that they would be happier dating someone closer to home.
LaTulippe had been a script reader at New Line for four years prior to selling the script.
Variety says Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot are producing via their Offspring Entertainment production company
The script, written by Geoff LaTulippe, centers on a man and woman in a long-distance relationship who ultimately come to the realization that they would be happier dating someone closer to home.
LaTulippe had been a script reader at New Line for four years prior to selling the script.
Green Lantern to Start Filming in September
Warner Bros. Pictures is scheduled to begin filming The Green Lantern in mid-September in Australia, reports Production Weekly.
To be directed by Martin Campbell, the comic book adaptation is targeted for a December 17, 2010 release.
The "Green Lantern" was created in 1940 by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell. Hal Jordan introduced in 1959, a second-generation test pilot, is an ordinary man who was given the power ring and battery (lantern) by a dying alien named Abin Sur. When Abin Sur's spaceship crashed on Earth, the alien used his ring to seek out an individual to take his place as Green Lantern: someone who was "utterly honest and born without fear."
To be directed by Martin Campbell, the comic book adaptation is targeted for a December 17, 2010 release.
The "Green Lantern" was created in 1940 by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell. Hal Jordan introduced in 1959, a second-generation test pilot, is an ordinary man who was given the power ring and battery (lantern) by a dying alien named Abin Sur. When Abin Sur's spaceship crashed on Earth, the alien used his ring to seek out an individual to take his place as Green Lantern: someone who was "utterly honest and born without fear."
CBS Renews Two and a Half Men, Big Bang for Multiple Seasons
CBS has renewed two hit comedy series for multiple seasons in one fell swoop.
The deal with Warner Bros. TV renews the tube's top-rated comedy, Two and a Half Men, through the 2011-2012 season, while Leonard & Co. will be geeking out for us at least through May 2011.
"Our collaboration with Warner Bros. and Chuck Lorre for these two series has led to great entertainment for television audiences and has been very good business for CBS," said CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler. "With these shows firmly in place, CBS is well-positioned for more comedy success in the years ahead."
Added Warner Bros. TV boss Peter Roth, "We are extremely grateful to and appreciative of CBS for the support and long-term commitment they have made to both of these remarkable series with their well-deserved, multi-year pickups."
Now in its sixth season, Two and a Half Men averages 15 million total viewers. The Big Bangers, having surged with their sophomore cycle, are pulling about 10 mil weekly.
The deal with Warner Bros. TV renews the tube's top-rated comedy, Two and a Half Men, through the 2011-2012 season, while Leonard & Co. will be geeking out for us at least through May 2011.
"Our collaboration with Warner Bros. and Chuck Lorre for these two series has led to great entertainment for television audiences and has been very good business for CBS," said CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler. "With these shows firmly in place, CBS is well-positioned for more comedy success in the years ahead."
Added Warner Bros. TV boss Peter Roth, "We are extremely grateful to and appreciative of CBS for the support and long-term commitment they have made to both of these remarkable series with their well-deserved, multi-year pickups."
Now in its sixth season, Two and a Half Men averages 15 million total viewers. The Big Bangers, having surged with their sophomore cycle, are pulling about 10 mil weekly.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
J.J. Abrams Producing Heist Film
Paramount has bought film rights to an upcoming Wired magazine article about a band of Italian diamond thieves. Variety says J.J. Abrams is producing through his Bad Robot production company.
Joshua Davis, who has turned a number of his Wired articles into feature projects, wrote the story for the April issue of the magazine.
The article chronicles the crime thought to have been carried out by Leonardo Notarbartolo, who was arrested in February 2003 for heading a ring of Italian thieves. They were accused of breaking into a seemingly impenetrable vault beneath the Antwerp Diamond Center and making off with at least $100 million in loot that's never been found.
Based on circumstantial evidence, Notarbartolo was sentenced to 10 years; he was released from a Belgium prison this week.
Joshua Davis, who has turned a number of his Wired articles into feature projects, wrote the story for the April issue of the magazine.
The article chronicles the crime thought to have been carried out by Leonardo Notarbartolo, who was arrested in February 2003 for heading a ring of Italian thieves. They were accused of breaking into a seemingly impenetrable vault beneath the Antwerp Diamond Center and making off with at least $100 million in loot that's never been found.
Based on circumstantial evidence, Notarbartolo was sentenced to 10 years; he was released from a Belgium prison this week.
Monday, March 16, 2009
NBC Announces Summer Line-Up
NBC has announced its summer schedule and you can read the full press release below:
NBC will serve up a sizzling menu of new and returning summer series -- accented by all-new original scripted programming with the series premieres of "The Philanthropist," "Merlin" and "The Listener" - and paced by the new alternative series "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" and "Great American Road Trip" plus the return of summer's top-rated "America's Got Talent."
In a bold scheduling move, "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!," based on the international hit from Granada America, will debut as a two-hour television event on Monday, June 1 (8-10 p.m. ET) and will be stripped over four weeks in June.
NBC's season finales of "Medium," Law & Order: SVU" and "Law & Order" and the premiere of "The Listener" will provide additional primetime momentum at 10 p.m. for the inaugural week of Conan O'Brien beginning Monday, June 1 (11:35 p.m. - 12:35 a.m. ET).
NBC's eventful summer will also include the action-packed original miniseries "Meteor" and "The Storm." In addition, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" episodes from USA Network will join the NBC lineup.
The announcements were made today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.
"This summer will feature more original scripted programming than ever before, along with our #1 hit 'America's Got Talent' and two new buzz-worthy reality shows," said Silverman. "In addition, we'll give Conan the best launch possible during his premiere week by slotting the season finales of some of our best dramas at 10 p.m."
"I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" will air Monday through Thursdays for the first three weeks beginning June 1 (8-9 p.m. ET) and during the fourth week of June, the series will be telecast Monday through Wednesday (8-9 p.m. ET) with the finale on Wednesday, June 24 (8-9 p.m. ET).
"Great American Road Trip" - newly announced today - will debut on Wednesday, July 1 (8-9 p.m. ET) and will continue for eight weeks.
The popular "America's Got Talent" will kick off its fourth season over two nights on Tuesday, June 23 (9-10 p.m. ET) and Wednesday, June 24 (9-10 p.m. ET). "The Philanthropist" premieres on Wednesday, June 24 (10-11 p.m. ET) while "Merlin" begins on Sunday, June 21 with a two-hour premiere (8-10 p.m. ET). The new drama series will also air from 8-10 p.m. on June 28 before resuming in its normal day and time on Sunday, July 5 (8-9 p.m. ET).
"Medium" will broadcast its season finale Monday, June 1 (10-11 p.m. ET), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" will have its season finale on Tuesday, June 2 (10-11 p.m. ET) and "Law & Order" will unveil its season finale on Wednesday, June 3 (10-11 p.m. ET). The new drama "The Listener" will also debut that week on Thursday, June 4 (10-11 p.m. ET).
NBC illuminates the sky this summer with two major miniseries in "The Meteor" on Sunday, June 7 (9-11 p.m. ET) and Sunday, June 14 (9-11 p.m. ET) as well as "The Storm" for broadcast on Sunday, July 19 (9-11 p.m. ET) and Sunday, July 26 (9-11 p.m. ET).
In addition, episodes from the eighth season of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (now telecast on USA) will begin on NBC on Monday, June 8 (9-10 p.m. ET)
"Dateline NBC" will begin broadcasts on Mondays (10-11 p.m. ET) beginning June 8.
The annual "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular" will take place on July 4 (9-10 p.m. ET).
NBC will serve up a sizzling menu of new and returning summer series -- accented by all-new original scripted programming with the series premieres of "The Philanthropist," "Merlin" and "The Listener" - and paced by the new alternative series "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" and "Great American Road Trip" plus the return of summer's top-rated "America's Got Talent."
In a bold scheduling move, "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!," based on the international hit from Granada America, will debut as a two-hour television event on Monday, June 1 (8-10 p.m. ET) and will be stripped over four weeks in June.
NBC's season finales of "Medium," Law & Order: SVU" and "Law & Order" and the premiere of "The Listener" will provide additional primetime momentum at 10 p.m. for the inaugural week of Conan O'Brien beginning Monday, June 1 (11:35 p.m. - 12:35 a.m. ET).
NBC's eventful summer will also include the action-packed original miniseries "Meteor" and "The Storm." In addition, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" episodes from USA Network will join the NBC lineup.
The announcements were made today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.
"This summer will feature more original scripted programming than ever before, along with our #1 hit 'America's Got Talent' and two new buzz-worthy reality shows," said Silverman. "In addition, we'll give Conan the best launch possible during his premiere week by slotting the season finales of some of our best dramas at 10 p.m."
"I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" will air Monday through Thursdays for the first three weeks beginning June 1 (8-9 p.m. ET) and during the fourth week of June, the series will be telecast Monday through Wednesday (8-9 p.m. ET) with the finale on Wednesday, June 24 (8-9 p.m. ET).
"Great American Road Trip" - newly announced today - will debut on Wednesday, July 1 (8-9 p.m. ET) and will continue for eight weeks.
The popular "America's Got Talent" will kick off its fourth season over two nights on Tuesday, June 23 (9-10 p.m. ET) and Wednesday, June 24 (9-10 p.m. ET). "The Philanthropist" premieres on Wednesday, June 24 (10-11 p.m. ET) while "Merlin" begins on Sunday, June 21 with a two-hour premiere (8-10 p.m. ET). The new drama series will also air from 8-10 p.m. on June 28 before resuming in its normal day and time on Sunday, July 5 (8-9 p.m. ET).
"Medium" will broadcast its season finale Monday, June 1 (10-11 p.m. ET), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" will have its season finale on Tuesday, June 2 (10-11 p.m. ET) and "Law & Order" will unveil its season finale on Wednesday, June 3 (10-11 p.m. ET). The new drama "The Listener" will also debut that week on Thursday, June 4 (10-11 p.m. ET).
NBC illuminates the sky this summer with two major miniseries in "The Meteor" on Sunday, June 7 (9-11 p.m. ET) and Sunday, June 14 (9-11 p.m. ET) as well as "The Storm" for broadcast on Sunday, July 19 (9-11 p.m. ET) and Sunday, July 26 (9-11 p.m. ET).
In addition, episodes from the eighth season of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (now telecast on USA) will begin on NBC on Monday, June 8 (9-10 p.m. ET)
"Dateline NBC" will begin broadcasts on Mondays (10-11 p.m. ET) beginning June 8.
The annual "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular" will take place on July 4 (9-10 p.m. ET).
Andy Samberg to Host the 2009 MTV Movie Awards
MTV announced this morning that Andy Samberg will host the 2009 MTV Movie Awards:
Fresh off his record-breaking album Incredibad, SNL star Andy Samberg is set to host the eighteenth annual MTV MOVIE AWARDS, premiering LIVE on MTV, Sunday May 31st from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, CA. This is Samberg's first time hosting the awards show, while Emmy Award® winning producer Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice) returns for the third year as executive producer. With the legendary golden popcorn up for grabs in such unconventional categories as "Best Kiss," "Best Villain," and "Best Action Sequence," the 2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS promises more over-the-top moments and stand-out musical performances.
"Andy's connection with the MTV audience is so strong...it's electric," said Stephen Friedman, General Manager of MTV. "The Lonely Island's digi-shorts are genius. We can't wait to see what subversive take he'll have on our audience's favorite movies of the year. We, like Andy's many fans, are thrilled he's decided to grace MTV with his unique talent."
"I'm super excited to host the movie awards," said Samberg. "I grew up watching the show and a lot of the past hosts are heroes of mine. Plus my friends and I were writers for the show prior to working at SNL, so it will be a sweet and satisfying homecoming. I can't wait to act really important."
Samberg joins the ranks of past hosts such as Ben Stiller, Jimmy Fallon, Mike Myers and Justin Timberlake to name a few. The celeb-filled event is MTV's bold nod to the typical awards shows celebrating the year's best in movies,. Hailed for clever, one-of-a-kind film parodies, sexy lip-locking moments (from the likes of Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen), and outrageous acceptance speeches (Mike Myers' ode to Austin Powers with a mojo-induced dance number), the MTV Movie Awards has produced some of the most unforgettable and outrageous moments in award show history.
Samberg, along with his Lonely Island partners Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, have recently released their first full-length album, "Incredibad," which was released by Universal Republic Records on Tuesday, February 10th. The album quickly became the first comedy album to hold the title as the top selling album on iTunes. "Incredibad" features favorites as well as new musical creations featuring a diverse arsenal of guest-artists including hip hop impresario T-Pain, Grammy®-winning superstar Norah Jones, The Strokes' Julian Casablancas, and comedic legend and Tenacious D-veteran, Jack Black. In addition, Samberg is currently starring in his fourth season as a cast member on "Saturday Night Live." Samberg, and SNL writers and sketch directors Schaffer and Taccone, are best known for their innovative SNL Digital Shorts which have re-invigorated the series. The trio's most praised shorts -- "D**k in a Box" and "J**z in My Pants" -- are currently reigning over Hulu.com, and are among the Top five selling videos on iTunes. The three have also served on the writing teams for two previous MTV MOVIE AWARDS.
With a diverse range of comedic talents, Samberg has emerged as a captivating and hilarious leading man in both television and film. Samberg starred in his feature debut in Hot Rod and will next be seen in I Love You Man for Paramount Pictures which will be released March 20, 2009. Additionally, Andy will lend his vocal talent in the upcoming film "Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs. Prior to joining "Saturday Night Live," Samberg performed stand-up comedy in both New York and Los Angeles for seven years.
Nominees for the 2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS will be announced in the spring. The official 2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS site launches on March 16.
Mark Burnett serves as Executive Producer for the 2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS. Audrey Morrissey is Co-Executive Producer. Lee Rolontz is Executive Producer for MTV, Garrett English is Executive in charge for MTV and Jane Mun serves as Producer. Robin Reinhardt-Locke is Celebrity Talent Executive.
Fresh off his record-breaking album Incredibad, SNL star Andy Samberg is set to host the eighteenth annual MTV MOVIE AWARDS, premiering LIVE on MTV, Sunday May 31st from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, CA. This is Samberg's first time hosting the awards show, while Emmy Award® winning producer Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice) returns for the third year as executive producer. With the legendary golden popcorn up for grabs in such unconventional categories as "Best Kiss," "Best Villain," and "Best Action Sequence," the 2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS promises more over-the-top moments and stand-out musical performances.
"Andy's connection with the MTV audience is so strong...it's electric," said Stephen Friedman, General Manager of MTV. "The Lonely Island's digi-shorts are genius. We can't wait to see what subversive take he'll have on our audience's favorite movies of the year. We, like Andy's many fans, are thrilled he's decided to grace MTV with his unique talent."
"I'm super excited to host the movie awards," said Samberg. "I grew up watching the show and a lot of the past hosts are heroes of mine. Plus my friends and I were writers for the show prior to working at SNL, so it will be a sweet and satisfying homecoming. I can't wait to act really important."
Samberg joins the ranks of past hosts such as Ben Stiller, Jimmy Fallon, Mike Myers and Justin Timberlake to name a few. The celeb-filled event is MTV's bold nod to the typical awards shows celebrating the year's best in movies,. Hailed for clever, one-of-a-kind film parodies, sexy lip-locking moments (from the likes of Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen), and outrageous acceptance speeches (Mike Myers' ode to Austin Powers with a mojo-induced dance number), the MTV Movie Awards has produced some of the most unforgettable and outrageous moments in award show history.
Samberg, along with his Lonely Island partners Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, have recently released their first full-length album, "Incredibad," which was released by Universal Republic Records on Tuesday, February 10th. The album quickly became the first comedy album to hold the title as the top selling album on iTunes. "Incredibad" features favorites as well as new musical creations featuring a diverse arsenal of guest-artists including hip hop impresario T-Pain, Grammy®-winning superstar Norah Jones, The Strokes' Julian Casablancas, and comedic legend and Tenacious D-veteran, Jack Black. In addition, Samberg is currently starring in his fourth season as a cast member on "Saturday Night Live." Samberg, and SNL writers and sketch directors Schaffer and Taccone, are best known for their innovative SNL Digital Shorts which have re-invigorated the series. The trio's most praised shorts -- "D**k in a Box" and "J**z in My Pants" -- are currently reigning over Hulu.com, and are among the Top five selling videos on iTunes. The three have also served on the writing teams for two previous MTV MOVIE AWARDS.
With a diverse range of comedic talents, Samberg has emerged as a captivating and hilarious leading man in both television and film. Samberg starred in his feature debut in Hot Rod and will next be seen in I Love You Man for Paramount Pictures which will be released March 20, 2009. Additionally, Andy will lend his vocal talent in the upcoming film "Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs. Prior to joining "Saturday Night Live," Samberg performed stand-up comedy in both New York and Los Angeles for seven years.
Nominees for the 2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS will be announced in the spring. The official 2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS site launches on March 16.
Mark Burnett serves as Executive Producer for the 2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS. Audrey Morrissey is Co-Executive Producer. Lee Rolontz is Executive Producer for MTV, Garrett English is Executive in charge for MTV and Jane Mun serves as Producer. Robin Reinhardt-Locke is Celebrity Talent Executive.
Salma Hayek Joining Adam Sandler Comedy
JoBlo has learned that Salma Hayek will star in director Dennis Dugan's untitled Happy Madison comedy, coming to theaters on March 12, 2010.
She'll be joining a cast that includes Kevin James, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider and David Spade. The Columbia Pictures release is about five best friends from high school who reunite 30 years later on a Fourth of July weekend.
The site says that Salma would star as Sandler's wife in the film and mother to their daughters. They are also hearing that Sandler pals Norm McDonald and Steve Buscemi are joining the cast of the project in smaller roles.
She'll be joining a cast that includes Kevin James, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider and David Spade. The Columbia Pictures release is about five best friends from high school who reunite 30 years later on a Fourth of July weekend.
The site says that Salma would star as Sandler's wife in the film and mother to their daughters. They are also hearing that Sandler pals Norm McDonald and Steve Buscemi are joining the cast of the project in smaller roles.
Robert Rodriguez Talks Machete, Sin City 2 and Neveracker
Robert Rodriguez has been chatting it up at SXSW and CinemaBlend has a few details direct from the filmmaker’s mouth. First off, Robert says that he always tells people that Sin City 2 is “right around the corner, because that’s what everybody wants to hear” but admits that “It might be a long corner.” I’m pretty convinced that a sequel won’t happen until Miller has no other film options, and is forced to return to the franchise.
Robert went on to insist that the long talked about feature length version of Machete will happen, and that he’s “got the script” and is “ready to go”. I’ll believe it when I see it.
The most interesting quote to leave Rodriguez’s mouth was in regards to his next project Neveracker, the sci-fi action film that was announced in February — “I used to say it was, it’s kind of like Blade Runner, but that was Blade Walker. This is Blade Runner.” Wow, just Wow. I’m pretty sure he didn’t intend to slam Blade Runner, but those are strong words. If this film comes out and is another Spy Kids, he’ll also be eating them.
Robert went on to insist that the long talked about feature length version of Machete will happen, and that he’s “got the script” and is “ready to go”. I’ll believe it when I see it.
The most interesting quote to leave Rodriguez’s mouth was in regards to his next project Neveracker, the sci-fi action film that was announced in February — “I used to say it was, it’s kind of like Blade Runner, but that was Blade Walker. This is Blade Runner.” Wow, just Wow. I’m pretty sure he didn’t intend to slam Blade Runner, but those are strong words. If this film comes out and is another Spy Kids, he’ll also be eating them.
NBC Invites Chevy Chase to Community
Looks like Chevy Chase is finally ready for prime time.
The Emmy-winning comedian and Saturday Night Live alum has been cast in the NBC comedy pilot, Community, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Should it get picked up, the series will feature Chase's first regular prime-time role.
Community, described as "Stripes at a community college," stars Joel McHale as Jeff, a lawyer who returns to college after his degree is deemed invalid. Chase will play a classmate who has been married five times.
Perhaps warming up for his new gig, Chase graced prime-time TV this season with a two-episode stint on Brothers & Sisters and can next be seen on Chuck.
The Emmy-winning comedian and Saturday Night Live alum has been cast in the NBC comedy pilot, Community, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Should it get picked up, the series will feature Chase's first regular prime-time role.
Community, described as "Stripes at a community college," stars Joel McHale as Jeff, a lawyer who returns to college after his degree is deemed invalid. Chase will play a classmate who has been married five times.
Perhaps warming up for his new gig, Chase graced prime-time TV this season with a two-episode stint on Brothers & Sisters and can next be seen on Chuck.
Richard Dreyfuss Finds Happiness at CBS
Richard Dreyfuss is gunning for an Emmy to match his Oscar. The actor has joined CBS's Happiness Isn't Everything, a comedy pilot also starring Jason Biggs, says The Hollywood Reporter.
Dreyfuss will play a pushy patriarch in the series focused on a family who are too involved in each other's lives. Biggs will play his son. Upright Citzens Brigade's Ben Schwartz has also been cast as the "explosive older brother."
Happiness comes from Arrested Development mastermind Mitch Hurwitz.
Dreyfuss will play a pushy patriarch in the series focused on a family who are too involved in each other's lives. Biggs will play his son. Upright Citzens Brigade's Ben Schwartz has also been cast as the "explosive older brother."
Happiness comes from Arrested Development mastermind Mitch Hurwitz.
Sam Raimi is at SXSW showing off an early cut of his new horror film Drag Me To Hell. While doing press, Raimi gave updates on Spider-Man 4 and the future of the Evil Dead franchise.
Spider-Man 4: Raimi tells MTV that while there has been talk of a fifth film, he is currently only developing “just that one film”, Spider-Man 4. Tobey Maguire is set to return, but no announcement has been made regarding Kirsten Dunst. Raimi insist that he “can’t imagine making a Spider-Man movie without Kirsten”. And while he wouldn’t reveal any plot details, he did confirm that they are “working from all the material in the comic books and nothing [invented] outside of that.” And he tells IGN that he is “in the earliest stages of working with the writer,” and is “closing in on Spider-Man’s adversary or adversaries.”
The director also tells IGN that he has been talking with his partners about “having a young director come in and remake Evil Dead.” The reason he gives for the remake is that the original film was made “in 16mm on a shoestring budget” with mono sound, and he would like to see what Evil Dead would look like with a real budget and real effects.
"It was always meant for the big screen, but never really seen on the big screen,” Raimi tells IGN. “What you could do with it now would be so much better."
But isn’t the low budget nature of Evil Dead much of the charm that makes the film work? The crazy camera rigs that Raimi put together, and the magic that came out of having to think creatively? I’m also not sure I want to see another director helm an Evil Dead film.
Spider-Man 4: Raimi tells MTV that while there has been talk of a fifth film, he is currently only developing “just that one film”, Spider-Man 4. Tobey Maguire is set to return, but no announcement has been made regarding Kirsten Dunst. Raimi insist that he “can’t imagine making a Spider-Man movie without Kirsten”. And while he wouldn’t reveal any plot details, he did confirm that they are “working from all the material in the comic books and nothing [invented] outside of that.” And he tells IGN that he is “in the earliest stages of working with the writer,” and is “closing in on Spider-Man’s adversary or adversaries.”
The director also tells IGN that he has been talking with his partners about “having a young director come in and remake Evil Dead.” The reason he gives for the remake is that the original film was made “in 16mm on a shoestring budget” with mono sound, and he would like to see what Evil Dead would look like with a real budget and real effects.
"It was always meant for the big screen, but never really seen on the big screen,” Raimi tells IGN. “What you could do with it now would be so much better."
But isn’t the low budget nature of Evil Dead much of the charm that makes the film work? The crazy camera rigs that Raimi put together, and the magic that came out of having to think creatively? I’m also not sure I want to see another director helm an Evil Dead film.
MacGyver is Coming to the Big Screen!
The Hollywood Reporter says that New Line Cinema is bringing MacGyver to the big screen.
Raffaella De Laurentiis, daughter of Dino De Laurentiis, is producing through her Raffaella Productions along with Martha De Laurentiis and series creator Lee Zlotoff. Dino De Laurentiis is executive producing.
"MacGyver" ran on ABC from 1985-92. Richard Dean Anderson, later of "Stargate: Atlantis" and "SG-1" fame, starred as an incredibly resourceful secret agent for the Phoenix Foundation who frequently would escape from dangerous situations with ingenious and lightning-quick engineering trickery.
No writer is attached, but the studio hopes to find a script that can acknowledge how the concept has staked a place into pop culture yet still makes for a serious and fun adventure movie.
"We think we're a stick of chewing gum, a paper clip and an A-list writer away from a global franchise," said New Line's Richard Brener.
Raffaella De Laurentiis, daughter of Dino De Laurentiis, is producing through her Raffaella Productions along with Martha De Laurentiis and series creator Lee Zlotoff. Dino De Laurentiis is executive producing.
"MacGyver" ran on ABC from 1985-92. Richard Dean Anderson, later of "Stargate: Atlantis" and "SG-1" fame, starred as an incredibly resourceful secret agent for the Phoenix Foundation who frequently would escape from dangerous situations with ingenious and lightning-quick engineering trickery.
No writer is attached, but the studio hopes to find a script that can acknowledge how the concept has staked a place into pop culture yet still makes for a serious and fun adventure movie.
"We think we're a stick of chewing gum, a paper clip and an A-list writer away from a global franchise," said New Line's Richard Brener.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Weekly Ratings: 3/8 – 3/13
Sunday Ratings: The Unit Returns with a Bang
7 pm/ET
60 Minutes topped the hour with an audience of 13.13 million total viewers, down a mil week-to-week. In third behind Funniest Videos, Saturday Night Live's game-show parodies round-up delivered 3.35 mil. Fox's Hole in the Wall squeezed in 2.6 mil.
8 pm
The Amazing Race finished first with 10.22 million viewers, sprinting past Extreme Makeover (which at 9.45 mil was down 14 percent). An audience of 6 mil found themselves sold on SNL's best-of commercials special.
9 pm
Desperate Housewives was the night's most watched program, with 13.5 million viewers. Cold Case placed second in the hour with 12.56 mil (up 16 percent from its last fresh outing). Celebrity Apprentice plunged 14 percent from its premiere, to 7.6 mil.
10 pm
Brothers & Sisters came out on top with 10.5 million viewers (down 12 percent from its overhyped "movie event"), but the big story was CBS' big Unit. Despite herky-jerky scheduling, the military drama returned from a three-week furlough to target 9.43 mil viewers, a gain of 13 percent.
Monday Ratings: Dancing Stars Tango with Biggest Premiere Ever
8 pm/ET
Dancing with the Stars averaged 22.5 million total viewers, a 6 percent increase over the competition's previous opener and its biggest premiere ever. That led even the hearty House (12.13 mil) to tumble 17 percent. Similarly, CBS' Big Bang Theory (9.46 mil) dropped 13 percent, while lead-out How I Met Your Mother (8.5 mil) sank 23 percent. Chuck slipped 14 percent to hit a new all-time low of 5.7 mil.
9 pm
Opposite the second hour of DWTS, CBS' Two and a Half Men (13.28 mil) and Rules of Engagement (10.4 mil) each dropped 14 percent. 24 was one of the night's rare exceptions, gaining 250K to hit 11.35 mil. Heroes, though, shed 370 thou, delivering just 6.63 mil.
10 pm
With those Dancing fools out of the way, CSI: Miami sizzled with 14.19 million viewers, an increase of 820K week-to-week. ABC's Castle premiered to a solid 11.6 mil, yet lost more than two million viewers over its run. Medium dipped 230K to 7.05 mil.
Tuesday Ratings: SVU Orders Up a Season High
8 pm/ET
American Idol's Top 13 sing-off averaged 25.24 million total viewers over its two-hour run, a gain of a mil week-to-week. Placing second was an NCIS repeat (13.33 mil). The Biggest Loser packed on 300K to hit 9.32 mil. Reaper (2.17 mil) dropped 8 percent from its sophomore opener.
9 pm
Trailing Idol, a repeat of The Mentalist managed 14.25 million viewers (up 12 percent from the CBS procedural's previous "encore performance").
10 pm
Opposite a warmed-over Without a Trace, Law & Order: SVU topped the hour with its biggest audience of the season, 11.04 million viewers (up 17 percent week-to-week).
Wednesday Ratings: Fox Tells a Bigger Lie in Earlier Time Slot
8 pm/ET
Fox's Lie to Me wore its new time slot well, topping the hour with 11.12 million total viewers — a 9 percent increase over its most recent, après-Idol audience. CBS' sitcombo placed second, with both Old Christine (7.63 mil, +310K) and Gary Unmarried (7.71 mil, +450K) seeing gains. Top Model was looking pretty in third (!) place, surging 15 percent from its premiere to 4.47 mil. NBC's Chopping Block barely bested Scrubs repeats with an audience of under 4 mil — the Peacock's lowest-rated premiere of the season.
9 pm
American Idol unveiled its "Judges' Save" twist to 24.9 million viewers, an increase of 11 percent from last Wednesday's results show (yet down 6 percent year-over-year). Criminal Minds came in second with 14 mil. Life, at 5.3 mil, was up 430 thou. Lost returns next week!
10 pm
CSI: NY dominated with 13.52 million viewers, up 820K week-to-week. Law & Order followed with 7.6 mil (up 440K). Life on Mars continued to die on the vine, dropping 19 percent to 4.58 mil.
Thursday Ratings: Did Clooney Make ER's Numbers Palpitate?
8 pm/ET
Survivor gained 880K from last week's Idol-ized outing to top the hour with 12.89 million total viewers. Bones placed second with a typical 9.55 mil, followed by Ugly Betty (7.2 mil, up 830K). Smallville returned to an audience of 3.72 mil, down 150K from its last fresh outing. But hey, it nearly tied Kath & Kim (4 mil) for the No. 4 spot, come 8:30.
9 pm
CSI plunged 18 percent week-to-week, delivering an audience of 16.96 mil. Grey's Anatomy was No. 2 with 13.54 million viewers (a 12 percent drop from its last fresh outing), but of course topped the demos. Trailing Hell's Kitchen (7.777 mil), both NBC's The Office (7.5 mil) and 30 Rock (6.4 mil) fell 13 percent. Supernatural returned to an audience of 2.84 mil, down 600 thou from its last new entry.
10 pm
Eleventh Hour held onto the top spot with 11.8 million viewers, dipping 370K week-to-week. A cavalcade of returning faves helped ER surge 22 percent to hit 10.7 mil, and place No. 1 in the demos. Did it dawn on anyone else that Seattle plays home to both McDreamy and the McDreamyER Doug Ross? Kinda makes up for all the rain, doesn't it, ladies? Private Practice came in third with 9.07 mil, plummeting 20 percent.
Friday Ratings: Cameron and Echo Get Lucky on Friday the 13th
8 pm/ET
Ghost Whisperer was the night's most watched program, matching last week's 11.11 million total viewers. Howie Do It (4.32 mil) edged out Wife Swap to claim the No. 2 spot. After a three-week wane, Terminator showed some life, surging 18 percent to hit 3.53 mil.
9 pm
Flashpoint topped the hour with 9.43 mil, dipping 400K week-to-week. Trailing Supernanny (4.73 mil), Friday Night Lights (4.4 mil) tackled a 15-percent larger audience this week. Nipping at Coach Taylor's hopelessly romantic heels, Dollhouse's Echo "saw" a healthy 22 percent jump, engaging with an audience of 4.33 mil.
10 pm
Numbers nabbed the No. 1 spot with 10.05 million viewers. (How saucy was that Gina Gershon?) It was followed by 20/20 (6.53 mil) and Dateline (5.33 mil).
7 pm/ET
60 Minutes topped the hour with an audience of 13.13 million total viewers, down a mil week-to-week. In third behind Funniest Videos, Saturday Night Live's game-show parodies round-up delivered 3.35 mil. Fox's Hole in the Wall squeezed in 2.6 mil.
8 pm
The Amazing Race finished first with 10.22 million viewers, sprinting past Extreme Makeover (which at 9.45 mil was down 14 percent). An audience of 6 mil found themselves sold on SNL's best-of commercials special.
9 pm
Desperate Housewives was the night's most watched program, with 13.5 million viewers. Cold Case placed second in the hour with 12.56 mil (up 16 percent from its last fresh outing). Celebrity Apprentice plunged 14 percent from its premiere, to 7.6 mil.
10 pm
Brothers & Sisters came out on top with 10.5 million viewers (down 12 percent from its overhyped "movie event"), but the big story was CBS' big Unit. Despite herky-jerky scheduling, the military drama returned from a three-week furlough to target 9.43 mil viewers, a gain of 13 percent.
Monday Ratings: Dancing Stars Tango with Biggest Premiere Ever
8 pm/ET
Dancing with the Stars averaged 22.5 million total viewers, a 6 percent increase over the competition's previous opener and its biggest premiere ever. That led even the hearty House (12.13 mil) to tumble 17 percent. Similarly, CBS' Big Bang Theory (9.46 mil) dropped 13 percent, while lead-out How I Met Your Mother (8.5 mil) sank 23 percent. Chuck slipped 14 percent to hit a new all-time low of 5.7 mil.
9 pm
Opposite the second hour of DWTS, CBS' Two and a Half Men (13.28 mil) and Rules of Engagement (10.4 mil) each dropped 14 percent. 24 was one of the night's rare exceptions, gaining 250K to hit 11.35 mil. Heroes, though, shed 370 thou, delivering just 6.63 mil.
10 pm
With those Dancing fools out of the way, CSI: Miami sizzled with 14.19 million viewers, an increase of 820K week-to-week. ABC's Castle premiered to a solid 11.6 mil, yet lost more than two million viewers over its run. Medium dipped 230K to 7.05 mil.
Tuesday Ratings: SVU Orders Up a Season High
8 pm/ET
American Idol's Top 13 sing-off averaged 25.24 million total viewers over its two-hour run, a gain of a mil week-to-week. Placing second was an NCIS repeat (13.33 mil). The Biggest Loser packed on 300K to hit 9.32 mil. Reaper (2.17 mil) dropped 8 percent from its sophomore opener.
9 pm
Trailing Idol, a repeat of The Mentalist managed 14.25 million viewers (up 12 percent from the CBS procedural's previous "encore performance").
10 pm
Opposite a warmed-over Without a Trace, Law & Order: SVU topped the hour with its biggest audience of the season, 11.04 million viewers (up 17 percent week-to-week).
Wednesday Ratings: Fox Tells a Bigger Lie in Earlier Time Slot
8 pm/ET
Fox's Lie to Me wore its new time slot well, topping the hour with 11.12 million total viewers — a 9 percent increase over its most recent, après-Idol audience. CBS' sitcombo placed second, with both Old Christine (7.63 mil, +310K) and Gary Unmarried (7.71 mil, +450K) seeing gains. Top Model was looking pretty in third (!) place, surging 15 percent from its premiere to 4.47 mil. NBC's Chopping Block barely bested Scrubs repeats with an audience of under 4 mil — the Peacock's lowest-rated premiere of the season.
9 pm
American Idol unveiled its "Judges' Save" twist to 24.9 million viewers, an increase of 11 percent from last Wednesday's results show (yet down 6 percent year-over-year). Criminal Minds came in second with 14 mil. Life, at 5.3 mil, was up 430 thou. Lost returns next week!
10 pm
CSI: NY dominated with 13.52 million viewers, up 820K week-to-week. Law & Order followed with 7.6 mil (up 440K). Life on Mars continued to die on the vine, dropping 19 percent to 4.58 mil.
Thursday Ratings: Did Clooney Make ER's Numbers Palpitate?
8 pm/ET
Survivor gained 880K from last week's Idol-ized outing to top the hour with 12.89 million total viewers. Bones placed second with a typical 9.55 mil, followed by Ugly Betty (7.2 mil, up 830K). Smallville returned to an audience of 3.72 mil, down 150K from its last fresh outing. But hey, it nearly tied Kath & Kim (4 mil) for the No. 4 spot, come 8:30.
9 pm
CSI plunged 18 percent week-to-week, delivering an audience of 16.96 mil. Grey's Anatomy was No. 2 with 13.54 million viewers (a 12 percent drop from its last fresh outing), but of course topped the demos. Trailing Hell's Kitchen (7.777 mil), both NBC's The Office (7.5 mil) and 30 Rock (6.4 mil) fell 13 percent. Supernatural returned to an audience of 2.84 mil, down 600 thou from its last new entry.
10 pm
Eleventh Hour held onto the top spot with 11.8 million viewers, dipping 370K week-to-week. A cavalcade of returning faves helped ER surge 22 percent to hit 10.7 mil, and place No. 1 in the demos. Did it dawn on anyone else that Seattle plays home to both McDreamy and the McDreamyER Doug Ross? Kinda makes up for all the rain, doesn't it, ladies? Private Practice came in third with 9.07 mil, plummeting 20 percent.
Friday Ratings: Cameron and Echo Get Lucky on Friday the 13th
8 pm/ET
Ghost Whisperer was the night's most watched program, matching last week's 11.11 million total viewers. Howie Do It (4.32 mil) edged out Wife Swap to claim the No. 2 spot. After a three-week wane, Terminator showed some life, surging 18 percent to hit 3.53 mil.
9 pm
Flashpoint topped the hour with 9.43 mil, dipping 400K week-to-week. Trailing Supernanny (4.73 mil), Friday Night Lights (4.4 mil) tackled a 15-percent larger audience this week. Nipping at Coach Taylor's hopelessly romantic heels, Dollhouse's Echo "saw" a healthy 22 percent jump, engaging with an audience of 4.33 mil.
10 pm
Numbers nabbed the No. 1 spot with 10.05 million viewers. (How saucy was that Gina Gershon?) It was followed by 20/20 (6.53 mil) and Dateline (5.33 mil).
Center of the Earth Sequel in the Works
New Line is reteaming with Walden Media and ContraFilm for a sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth, reports Variety.
The sequel is based on Richard Outten's script Mysterious Travels: The Lost Map of Treasure Island, in which Prof. Trevor Anderson and his nephew embark on a journey to a mysterious island that was the subject of three classic novels (Jules Verne's "Mysterious Island," Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island" and Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels").
Journey to the Center of the Earth, starring Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson and Anita Briem, earned $101 million domestically and another $140 million overseas this summer.
Eric Brevig, who directed "Journey" but has not yet committed to helm "Mysterious Travels," is working with Outten to develop the script for the sequel.
The sequel is based on Richard Outten's script Mysterious Travels: The Lost Map of Treasure Island, in which Prof. Trevor Anderson and his nephew embark on a journey to a mysterious island that was the subject of three classic novels (Jules Verne's "Mysterious Island," Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island" and Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels").
Journey to the Center of the Earth, starring Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson and Anita Briem, earned $101 million domestically and another $140 million overseas this summer.
Eric Brevig, who directed "Journey" but has not yet committed to helm "Mysterious Travels," is working with Outten to develop the script for the sequel.
Witch Mountain Races to #1 over Watchmen
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
After a weekend where all eyes were on the box office, Disney's Race to Witch Mountain starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson quickly took over the top spot with an estimated opening weekend of $25 million in more than 3,100 theaters. Averaging over $7800 per site, it opened slightly bigger than Johnson's last Disney movie The Game Plan, which was also directed by Witch Mountain helmer Andy Fickman. That movie went on to make $90 million, although Witch Mountain has some heavy family competition in DreamWorks Animation's Monsters vs. Aliens, opening in just two short weeks.
Zack Snyder's adaptation of the graphic novel Watchmen (Warner Bros.) took a nasty plunge from its strong opening weekend, dropping 67% to second place with $18 million in its second weekend. It has grossed $86 million in North America in its first ten days, though it will be a push for it to get to $130 million before it's gone from theaters.
Another remake opened in third place as Wes Craven's revenge thriller The Last House on the Left (Rogue PIctures) found a new audience of horror fans, scaring up an estimated $14.7 million in 2,401 theaters, averaging over $6k per site.
20th Century Fox's hit thriller Taken, starring Liam Neeson, continues to be one of the studio's strongest movies of the year, adding another $6.7 million this weekend to bring its total to $127 million. It is commemorating its seventh week in the Top 5 since opening in early February.
Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail (Lionsgate) dropped three spots to fifth with $5.1 million and a four-week total of $83.2 million, the highest amount grossed by one of Perry's movies to date.
Danny Boyle's Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire continues to be profitable for Fox Searchlight with a running total of $133 million with the addition of $5 million this weekend in sixth place.
Columbia Pictures' Paul Blart: Mall Cop, starring Kevin James, brought in another $3 million as it dropped to eighth place. It has grossed over $137 million since opening in January.
Henry Selick's stop motion animated Coraline (Focus Features) received a nice bump from returning to Digital 3D theaters, dropping just 18% from last weekend, and remaining in the top 10 with $2.6 million and a total gross of $69 million.
Opening in tenth place, Fox Searchlight's Miss March starring IFC's "Whitest Kids, U Know" barely made a mark with just $2.3 million in 1,742 theaters, averaging just $1,349 per location.
The Top 10 grossed roughly $85 million which was down 16% from the same weekend last year when Fox's Horton Hears a Who topped the box office with $45 million. Roughly half of the movies in the Top 10 have been in there for four weeks or more, which says a lot about the movies released in the last month.
After a weekend where all eyes were on the box office, Disney's Race to Witch Mountain starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson quickly took over the top spot with an estimated opening weekend of $25 million in more than 3,100 theaters. Averaging over $7800 per site, it opened slightly bigger than Johnson's last Disney movie The Game Plan, which was also directed by Witch Mountain helmer Andy Fickman. That movie went on to make $90 million, although Witch Mountain has some heavy family competition in DreamWorks Animation's Monsters vs. Aliens, opening in just two short weeks.
Zack Snyder's adaptation of the graphic novel Watchmen (Warner Bros.) took a nasty plunge from its strong opening weekend, dropping 67% to second place with $18 million in its second weekend. It has grossed $86 million in North America in its first ten days, though it will be a push for it to get to $130 million before it's gone from theaters.
Another remake opened in third place as Wes Craven's revenge thriller The Last House on the Left (Rogue PIctures) found a new audience of horror fans, scaring up an estimated $14.7 million in 2,401 theaters, averaging over $6k per site.
20th Century Fox's hit thriller Taken, starring Liam Neeson, continues to be one of the studio's strongest movies of the year, adding another $6.7 million this weekend to bring its total to $127 million. It is commemorating its seventh week in the Top 5 since opening in early February.
Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail (Lionsgate) dropped three spots to fifth with $5.1 million and a four-week total of $83.2 million, the highest amount grossed by one of Perry's movies to date.
Danny Boyle's Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire continues to be profitable for Fox Searchlight with a running total of $133 million with the addition of $5 million this weekend in sixth place.
Columbia Pictures' Paul Blart: Mall Cop, starring Kevin James, brought in another $3 million as it dropped to eighth place. It has grossed over $137 million since opening in January.
Henry Selick's stop motion animated Coraline (Focus Features) received a nice bump from returning to Digital 3D theaters, dropping just 18% from last weekend, and remaining in the top 10 with $2.6 million and a total gross of $69 million.
Opening in tenth place, Fox Searchlight's Miss March starring IFC's "Whitest Kids, U Know" barely made a mark with just $2.3 million in 1,742 theaters, averaging just $1,349 per location.
The Top 10 grossed roughly $85 million which was down 16% from the same weekend last year when Fox's Horton Hears a Who topped the box office with $45 million. Roughly half of the movies in the Top 10 have been in there for four weeks or more, which says a lot about the movies released in the last month.
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