John Goodman has joined the cast of Fox's new comedy pilot The Station, Variety reports.
Produced by Ben Stiller, Station centers on a group of covert CIA operatives in South America who are tasked with installing a new dictator. Goodman will play Ted Gannon, a CIA vet who's in charge of the Altamara Station.
The Emmy-winning Roseanne alum joins Justin Bartha, Whitney Cummings, Rob Huebel and Julio Oscar Mechoso on the series. Goodman's last television gig was a two-episode arc on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip in 2006.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Ratings for Dark Blue, Leverage, Big Brother and More
Some recent ratings highlights:
Wednesday
• America's Got Talent topped the night with 11.38 million total viewers, up 9 percent over last week. Lead-out The Philanthropist dropped another 15 percent, to 4.34 mil.
• The premiere of TNT's Dark Blue copped 3.5 million viewers, retaining an impressive 90 percent of its Leverage lead-in. Leverage's Season 2 premiere garnered 3.8 mil, a 24 percent gain over its series debut.
Thursday
• Big Brother 11 won the 8 o'clock hour with 5.57 million viewers, down 17 percent from last week. ABC News' special on Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling placed third (behind a Bones repeat) with 4.38 mil.
• So You Think You Can Dance's results show drew 7 mil, down 750K from last week. NBC's The Listener (3.86 mil), in its second-to-last broadcast airing, gained 620 thou. (Following the July 23 airing, NBC.com will stream the final five episodes in August.)
Wednesday
• America's Got Talent topped the night with 11.38 million total viewers, up 9 percent over last week. Lead-out The Philanthropist dropped another 15 percent, to 4.34 mil.
• The premiere of TNT's Dark Blue copped 3.5 million viewers, retaining an impressive 90 percent of its Leverage lead-in. Leverage's Season 2 premiere garnered 3.8 mil, a 24 percent gain over its series debut.
Thursday
• Big Brother 11 won the 8 o'clock hour with 5.57 million viewers, down 17 percent from last week. ABC News' special on Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling placed third (behind a Bones repeat) with 4.38 mil.
• So You Think You Can Dance's results show drew 7 mil, down 750K from last week. NBC's The Listener (3.86 mil), in its second-to-last broadcast airing, gained 620 thou. (Following the July 23 airing, NBC.com will stream the final five episodes in August.)
Friday, July 17, 2009
Russell Crowe Pursuing More Master & Commander?
An AP story that I caught via USAToday says that Russell Crowe is looking to reprise his role from Master & Commander. He says a script has been completed based on The Reverse of the Medal, which is novel number eleven in the twenty-volume series by Patrick O’Brian. Speculation has long run rampant that Crowe was pursuing another film, but this is the first real confirmation we’ve had. The report doesn’t name the screenwriter.
Given that the film has been a favorite among Crowe fans and that another seventeen novels remain unadapted (the first film drew from three books), sequel talk has cropped up occasionally in the years since Peter Wier’s film appeared in 2003. But in 2005 Weir said he didn’t think it was likely, which isn’t a huge surprise. Making a big nautical adventure is expensive, and Master & Commander isn’t the sort of film that sets the box office on fire. Doing another $150m adult adventure picture at sea seems like a risky move. It’s not the sort of movie Fox makes now. Crowe isn’t even signed for another film, though Paul Bettany and other cast members were signed to multiple pictures at one time. That was six, seven years ago, however, and probably doesn’t mean anything now.
Indeed, Crowe is quoted saying “there’s still a long way to go,” in the process to getting another film made. I won’t pretend to have read the books, but following is a block quote of synopsis from Amazon. Regardless, I’d love to see another film in this series. As the AV Club has noted, this could easily have been the beginning of a great franchise, and one with some hilariously memorable sequences: “Fox should green-light an adaptation of the second novel, Post Captain, solely for the sequence where Russell Crowe sneaks across the Spanish border in a bear costume.”
Brief synopsis:
Ashore between cruises, Captain Jack Aubrey is persuaded to sink some money into an investment scheme. Soon this innocent decision enmeshes him in various criminal and even treasonous enterprises, which threaten to destroy his entire career. Bad luck? A deliberate plot?
Given that the film has been a favorite among Crowe fans and that another seventeen novels remain unadapted (the first film drew from three books), sequel talk has cropped up occasionally in the years since Peter Wier’s film appeared in 2003. But in 2005 Weir said he didn’t think it was likely, which isn’t a huge surprise. Making a big nautical adventure is expensive, and Master & Commander isn’t the sort of film that sets the box office on fire. Doing another $150m adult adventure picture at sea seems like a risky move. It’s not the sort of movie Fox makes now. Crowe isn’t even signed for another film, though Paul Bettany and other cast members were signed to multiple pictures at one time. That was six, seven years ago, however, and probably doesn’t mean anything now.
Indeed, Crowe is quoted saying “there’s still a long way to go,” in the process to getting another film made. I won’t pretend to have read the books, but following is a block quote of synopsis from Amazon. Regardless, I’d love to see another film in this series. As the AV Club has noted, this could easily have been the beginning of a great franchise, and one with some hilariously memorable sequences: “Fox should green-light an adaptation of the second novel, Post Captain, solely for the sequence where Russell Crowe sneaks across the Spanish border in a bear costume.”
Brief synopsis:
Ashore between cruises, Captain Jack Aubrey is persuaded to sink some money into an investment scheme. Soon this innocent decision enmeshes him in various criminal and even treasonous enterprises, which threaten to destroy his entire career. Bad luck? A deliberate plot?
Ed Helms Heads for Cedar Rapids
Ed Helms will follow The Hangover with Cedar Rapids, an Alexander Payne-produced comedy to be directed by Miguel Arteta, reports Variety.
Shooting will begin in October, when Helms is on hiatus from NBC sitcom "The Office."
Helms will play a sad-sack insurance agent who goes to an industry convention to try to save the jobs of his colleagues.
The script was written by Phil Johnston, who developed it with Helms. Fox Searchlight will likely distribute the film.
Shooting will begin in October, when Helms is on hiatus from NBC sitcom "The Office."
Helms will play a sad-sack insurance agent who goes to an industry convention to try to save the jobs of his colleagues.
The script was written by Phil Johnston, who developed it with Helms. Fox Searchlight will likely distribute the film.
Harry Potter 6 Sets One-Day Worldwide Record
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince earned $104 million worldwide during its first day in theaters on Wednesday, setting a new record.
The film grossed $58.18 million in North America and $45.85 million overseas on Wednesday.
"Quite simply, we owe this record-breaking opening to the remarkable fans who have stood by us and who stood in line to be among the first to see 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,'" Warner Bros President and Chief Operating Officer Alan Horn said in a statement.
The previous "Harry Potter" movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, earned $937 million worldwide total.
The film grossed $58.18 million in North America and $45.85 million overseas on Wednesday.
"Quite simply, we owe this record-breaking opening to the remarkable fans who have stood by us and who stood in line to be among the first to see 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,'" Warner Bros President and Chief Operating Officer Alan Horn said in a statement.
The previous "Harry Potter" movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, earned $937 million worldwide total.
Resident Evil: Afterlife Starts Shooting in September
ShockTillYouDrop.com broke the news to you earlier this month that Screen Gems was gearing up for Resident Evil: Afterlife.
A release date's been set (September 17, 2010), Milla Jovovich is back and Paul W.S. Anderson has penned the script. No word on a director yet, however, Production Weekly reports the fourth entry has locked in an 8-week shooting schedule at Cinespace Film Studios in Toronto. Shooting begins on September 28th.
This bring the "Resident Evil" franchise back to Canada after 2004's Resident Evil: Apocalypse. The last entry, "Extinction," lensed in Mexico.
A release date's been set (September 17, 2010), Milla Jovovich is back and Paul W.S. Anderson has penned the script. No word on a director yet, however, Production Weekly reports the fourth entry has locked in an 8-week shooting schedule at Cinespace Film Studios in Toronto. Shooting begins on September 28th.
This bring the "Resident Evil" franchise back to Canada after 2004's Resident Evil: Apocalypse. The last entry, "Extinction," lensed in Mexico.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Rakim Ready To Release 'The Seventh Seal'
"The Seventh Seal," the long-anticipated album by rap legend Rakim, is slated for release in the fall, Billboard has learned exclusively. The project's first single, "Holy Are You," will drop July 28.
The album is being released on Rakim's Ra Records label in a joint venture with Tuscan Villa Entertainment, headed by industry veterans Ron Kyle and Lennie Petze. In turn, Tuscan Villa is entered in a joint venture pact with SMC Recordings whose principals are Ralph Tashjian and Will Bronson. Handling distribution for Rakim's album is Fontana/Universal Music Group. The rapper is managed by Matthew Kemp.
The rapper signed with Dr. Dre's Aftermath label in 2001. Featured on the 2002 top 10 R&B single "Addictive" by Aftermath labelmate Truth Hurts, Rakim later parted ways with Dre and Aftermath and his album was never released. Rakim - best known as one-half of the rap duo Eric B. & Rakim - has not released a new studio album save for 2008's mostly live set, "The Archive: Live, Lost & Found," which included four previously unreleased songs.
The rapper tells Billboard the new album is fueled by consciousness and spirituality:
BB: What's the story behind the title, "The Seventh Seal"?
RAKIM: The seals are from the Bible- Revelations and the coming of the Apocalypse. But Islam, Judaism, Christianity: all have a version of the same events. The Lion of Judah breaks the seven seals one by one, each imparting knowledge and inflicting catastrophe, ending with seven trumpets announcing the end of Times. After the Apocalypse, God rises from the ashes to recreate the Kingdom, taking only the greatest elements from the past with them.
When you look at Hip-Hop, I want to do that: to spit fire and take our best from the ashes to build our kingdom; to recognize all the regional styles, conscious lyrics, the tracks, underground, mainstream, the way we treat each other. Lose the garbage and rebuild our scene. I've always tried to insert consciousness and spirituality in my records, interpreting the writings of all cultures and religions and how they apply to life in modern times.
BB: Does this album contain any material from the unreleased album you did with Dr. Dre or is it all new music?
RAKIM: No, that's locked down in the lab for now. This is me live from New York City, everything brand new.
BB: Who produced the album? Are there any guest features?
RAKIM: I'm going to keep that cat in the bag for one more minute. But you'll see names you know and names you don't recognize yet but will after this drops. We've got our New York dudes on there, but we reached out to everybody. We have some features too; special cats in the right places but not everywhere.
BB: Are you concerned at all about reaching the new generation of hip-hop fans who aren't necessarily familiar with your music?
RAKIM: I don't accept that the new generation is looking for anything different than what we've always been looking for. Depending on the moment, they want bangers that make them crack their neck, they want tracks that put them in a zone where they can sit back and chill. The ladies want something that makes them feel sexy and loved. And everyone wants something that makes them think a little bit-at least sometimes. Every generation wants that real hip-hop. And I've always been able to bring that.
BB: Is there a chance that you and Dr. Dre may work together again in the future?
RAKIM: No doubt if the project and the timing are right. He's got his thing going on and I got mine. But I know our camps will look for ways to mix things up.
The album is being released on Rakim's Ra Records label in a joint venture with Tuscan Villa Entertainment, headed by industry veterans Ron Kyle and Lennie Petze. In turn, Tuscan Villa is entered in a joint venture pact with SMC Recordings whose principals are Ralph Tashjian and Will Bronson. Handling distribution for Rakim's album is Fontana/Universal Music Group. The rapper is managed by Matthew Kemp.
The rapper signed with Dr. Dre's Aftermath label in 2001. Featured on the 2002 top 10 R&B single "Addictive" by Aftermath labelmate Truth Hurts, Rakim later parted ways with Dre and Aftermath and his album was never released. Rakim - best known as one-half of the rap duo Eric B. & Rakim - has not released a new studio album save for 2008's mostly live set, "The Archive: Live, Lost & Found," which included four previously unreleased songs.
The rapper tells Billboard the new album is fueled by consciousness and spirituality:
BB: What's the story behind the title, "The Seventh Seal"?
RAKIM: The seals are from the Bible- Revelations and the coming of the Apocalypse. But Islam, Judaism, Christianity: all have a version of the same events. The Lion of Judah breaks the seven seals one by one, each imparting knowledge and inflicting catastrophe, ending with seven trumpets announcing the end of Times. After the Apocalypse, God rises from the ashes to recreate the Kingdom, taking only the greatest elements from the past with them.
When you look at Hip-Hop, I want to do that: to spit fire and take our best from the ashes to build our kingdom; to recognize all the regional styles, conscious lyrics, the tracks, underground, mainstream, the way we treat each other. Lose the garbage and rebuild our scene. I've always tried to insert consciousness and spirituality in my records, interpreting the writings of all cultures and religions and how they apply to life in modern times.
BB: Does this album contain any material from the unreleased album you did with Dr. Dre or is it all new music?
RAKIM: No, that's locked down in the lab for now. This is me live from New York City, everything brand new.
BB: Who produced the album? Are there any guest features?
RAKIM: I'm going to keep that cat in the bag for one more minute. But you'll see names you know and names you don't recognize yet but will after this drops. We've got our New York dudes on there, but we reached out to everybody. We have some features too; special cats in the right places but not everywhere.
BB: Are you concerned at all about reaching the new generation of hip-hop fans who aren't necessarily familiar with your music?
RAKIM: I don't accept that the new generation is looking for anything different than what we've always been looking for. Depending on the moment, they want bangers that make them crack their neck, they want tracks that put them in a zone where they can sit back and chill. The ladies want something that makes them feel sexy and loved. And everyone wants something that makes them think a little bit-at least sometimes. Every generation wants that real hip-hop. And I've always been able to bring that.
BB: Is there a chance that you and Dr. Dre may work together again in the future?
RAKIM: No doubt if the project and the timing are right. He's got his thing going on and I got mine. But I know our camps will look for ways to mix things up.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Conjures Up $58.4M Day One
Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince earned a massive $58.4 million from 4,275 theaters domestically on Wednesday, including a record-setting $22.2 million from midnight shows.
The opening is the second-best Wednesday ever, trailing only the $62 million Michael Bay's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen made on June 24. The biggest day ever for a film was set by The Dark Knight with $67.2 million last year on July 18.
"Half-Blood Prince's" tally bested the $44 million earned by Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on its opening Wednesday two years ago. It went on to earn $139.7 million domestically its first five days.
The opening is the second-best Wednesday ever, trailing only the $62 million Michael Bay's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen made on June 24. The biggest day ever for a film was set by The Dark Knight with $67.2 million last year on July 18.
"Half-Blood Prince's" tally bested the $44 million earned by Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on its opening Wednesday two years ago. It went on to earn $139.7 million domestically its first five days.
TBS Orders Are We There Yet? Series; Crews Takes Cube Role
TBS has ordered 10 episodes of a new series based on the big-screen comedy Are We There Yet?
A breakout hit in 2005, Are We There Yet? starred Ice Cube as Nick, a player who tries to woo a divorcee by shuttling around her two hard-to-handle kids. Having grossed $82 million, the comedy begat the 2007 sequel Are We Done Yet? — and apparently the answer was no!
TBS' Are We There Yet? series has Terry Crews (Everybody Hates Chris' dad) stepping in as Nick. Ice Cube, however, will have a recurring role, and he'll be executive-producing the show as well. A June 2010 premiere is being eyed.
TBS has experience in adapting films to series, having done so with Tyler Perry's House of Payne (spun off of the Madea movies) and Meet the Browns (based on the 2008 feature).
A breakout hit in 2005, Are We There Yet? starred Ice Cube as Nick, a player who tries to woo a divorcee by shuttling around her two hard-to-handle kids. Having grossed $82 million, the comedy begat the 2007 sequel Are We Done Yet? — and apparently the answer was no!
TBS' Are We There Yet? series has Terry Crews (Everybody Hates Chris' dad) stepping in as Nick. Ice Cube, however, will have a recurring role, and he'll be executive-producing the show as well. A June 2010 premiere is being eyed.
TBS has experience in adapting films to series, having done so with Tyler Perry's House of Payne (spun off of the Madea movies) and Meet the Browns (based on the 2008 feature).
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Harry Potter 6 Pulls in Record $22.2M From Midnights!
Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince earned an estimated $22.2 million for its 3,003 midnight screenings, beating the $18.5 million midnight runs by the studio's own The Dark Knight and the $16.9 million earned by Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith.
The sixth installment continues its first day of release in 4,275 domestic locations and will expand to 4,350 theaters on Friday.
Last month, Michael Bay's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen grossed $16 million in midnight runs, also on a Wednesday.
"Half-Blood Prince" opened in the same Wednesday slot that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix did in 2007. "Order of the Phoenix" grossed $12 million in midnight runs on its way to a $139.7 million five-day debut.
The sixth installment continues its first day of release in 4,275 domestic locations and will expand to 4,350 theaters on Friday.
Last month, Michael Bay's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen grossed $16 million in midnight runs, also on a Wednesday.
"Half-Blood Prince" opened in the same Wednesday slot that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix did in 2007. "Order of the Phoenix" grossed $12 million in midnight runs on its way to a $139.7 million five-day debut.
Exclusive: Ryan Ross Talks About Leaving Panic! At The Disco
'It got to the point where there might have been too many cooks in the kitchen,' the guitarist tells MTV News.
Last week, fans were shocked when news broke that Panic! at the Disco were parting ways with guitarist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker, who left the band to "embark on a musical excursion of their own."
But according to Ross, the split had been in the cards for sometime now. It just took everyone a while to realize it.
"It's been a little while, a few months since we started thinking that this might be the best thing to do," Ross told MTV News late Monday (July 13). "Jon and I had been writing a bunch of stuff on the road, and it just got to a point when we were off tour, when we were talking about getting together and working on this stuff, that it became pretty apparent that we all weren't wanting to go in the same direction. There was a period where we weren't really talking to each other all that much, and Jon and I were just living at my house and continuing to write. And we kind of realized we needed to get over not speaking and figure out what was actually going on. So we all sat down and pretty much came to the conclusion that the best thing for everyone was to do what we did."
Ross said the split was largely due to creative differences between him and Panic! frontman Brendon Urie. Seems Urie wanted the band to explore a more polished pop sound (like the demo they posted on their Web site last week), while Ross — and, by extension, Walker — was interested in making retro-inspired rock.
Or, as he put it: "Brendon's more of a Peter Gabriel fan, and I'm more of a Ray Davies fan."
"Brendon has always been a fan of pop music, but that's such a broad term, because I guess I would say I would be too, but in a different way. Jon and I are still very much influenced by the Beatles and Beach Boys stuff and the Kinks and stuff like that," Ross said. "And so that's the stuff we were writing at my house ... that's the stuff we're going to make now. I haven't heard any of Brendon and [drummer] Spencer [Smith]'s stuff, to be honest."
And eventually, those differences — coupled with the lack of communication between both camps — came to a head. So late last month, Ross had lunch with Smith, and the two cleared the air, both realizing that perhaps the best thing for all parties involved was to just head their separate ways.
"Spencer and I had lunch and caught up for a while, and then the big question came up, like, 'Well, what do you want to do?' and I said, 'Well, I think it might be best if we kind of do our own think for a while,' and he said, 'I'm glad you said that, because I was going to say the same thing,' " Ross recalled. "And there was really no argument, which is really the best way that could've worked out. ... I think really everybody will be happy doing what we're doing. Me and Jon are really excited about what we're working on, and those guys are happy too. I guess it got to the point where there might have been too many cooks in the kitchen."
Ross made it clear that the split was very much an amicable one. He said that while he hasn't heard any of the new Panic! stuff, he wishes Urie and Smith well and still considers them both to be his friends (they spoke over the Fourth of July weekend). The same cannot be said, however, about his former boss — Decaydance Records honcho/ Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz — who seems to have clearly aligned himself with the Urie/Smith camp following the split.
"I haven't spoken to him in a while, since this happened. I guess I've been meaning to call him back. He called me, but I've missed a lot of phone calls this week," Ross said. "We're not sure [whether Ross' and Walker's new band will be on Wentz's Decaydance Records]. I'll have to talk to him, but obviously from what's happening online, I think he's ... he's written a lot about them. I don't know if they're working together on their stuff. I'm not really sure, but it's been awhile since we've spoken. It's strange. It's kind of weird."
At press time, Wentz hadn't responded to MTV News' request for comment.
And though his relationship with Wentz might be finished, Ross still considers the split from Panic! to be a "good, healthy" thing. He said he and Walker are writing and recording songs (with Pretty. Odd. producer Rob Mathes) at a lightning-quick pace, and they'll soon be revealing the fruits of their labor. The only thing that bothers him, he said, is the way many Panic! fans have treated him since the split. It seems that he's become the bad guy in the whole scenario, and he doesn't think that's fair.
"That was probably the worst part, at least for us, knowing people were going to be upset," he said. "I hope nobody blames anybody. It seems like, because those guys are sticking with the name, that it looked like it's mine and Jon's fault. I think a lot of people blamed us for quitting or ruining the band, and that part didn't really seem fair, because it wasn't the case. ... Musically, it got to a roadblock, and we were going one way and they were going the other. But fans will be able to hear it soon enough. And then maybe they'll change their minds."
Last week, fans were shocked when news broke that Panic! at the Disco were parting ways with guitarist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker, who left the band to "embark on a musical excursion of their own."
But according to Ross, the split had been in the cards for sometime now. It just took everyone a while to realize it.
"It's been a little while, a few months since we started thinking that this might be the best thing to do," Ross told MTV News late Monday (July 13). "Jon and I had been writing a bunch of stuff on the road, and it just got to a point when we were off tour, when we were talking about getting together and working on this stuff, that it became pretty apparent that we all weren't wanting to go in the same direction. There was a period where we weren't really talking to each other all that much, and Jon and I were just living at my house and continuing to write. And we kind of realized we needed to get over not speaking and figure out what was actually going on. So we all sat down and pretty much came to the conclusion that the best thing for everyone was to do what we did."
Ross said the split was largely due to creative differences between him and Panic! frontman Brendon Urie. Seems Urie wanted the band to explore a more polished pop sound (like the demo they posted on their Web site last week), while Ross — and, by extension, Walker — was interested in making retro-inspired rock.
Or, as he put it: "Brendon's more of a Peter Gabriel fan, and I'm more of a Ray Davies fan."
"Brendon has always been a fan of pop music, but that's such a broad term, because I guess I would say I would be too, but in a different way. Jon and I are still very much influenced by the Beatles and Beach Boys stuff and the Kinks and stuff like that," Ross said. "And so that's the stuff we were writing at my house ... that's the stuff we're going to make now. I haven't heard any of Brendon and [drummer] Spencer [Smith]'s stuff, to be honest."
And eventually, those differences — coupled with the lack of communication between both camps — came to a head. So late last month, Ross had lunch with Smith, and the two cleared the air, both realizing that perhaps the best thing for all parties involved was to just head their separate ways.
"Spencer and I had lunch and caught up for a while, and then the big question came up, like, 'Well, what do you want to do?' and I said, 'Well, I think it might be best if we kind of do our own think for a while,' and he said, 'I'm glad you said that, because I was going to say the same thing,' " Ross recalled. "And there was really no argument, which is really the best way that could've worked out. ... I think really everybody will be happy doing what we're doing. Me and Jon are really excited about what we're working on, and those guys are happy too. I guess it got to the point where there might have been too many cooks in the kitchen."
Ross made it clear that the split was very much an amicable one. He said that while he hasn't heard any of the new Panic! stuff, he wishes Urie and Smith well and still considers them both to be his friends (they spoke over the Fourth of July weekend). The same cannot be said, however, about his former boss — Decaydance Records honcho/ Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz — who seems to have clearly aligned himself with the Urie/Smith camp following the split.
"I haven't spoken to him in a while, since this happened. I guess I've been meaning to call him back. He called me, but I've missed a lot of phone calls this week," Ross said. "We're not sure [whether Ross' and Walker's new band will be on Wentz's Decaydance Records]. I'll have to talk to him, but obviously from what's happening online, I think he's ... he's written a lot about them. I don't know if they're working together on their stuff. I'm not really sure, but it's been awhile since we've spoken. It's strange. It's kind of weird."
At press time, Wentz hadn't responded to MTV News' request for comment.
And though his relationship with Wentz might be finished, Ross still considers the split from Panic! to be a "good, healthy" thing. He said he and Walker are writing and recording songs (with Pretty. Odd. producer Rob Mathes) at a lightning-quick pace, and they'll soon be revealing the fruits of their labor. The only thing that bothers him, he said, is the way many Panic! fans have treated him since the split. It seems that he's become the bad guy in the whole scenario, and he doesn't think that's fair.
"That was probably the worst part, at least for us, knowing people were going to be upset," he said. "I hope nobody blames anybody. It seems like, because those guys are sticking with the name, that it looked like it's mine and Jon's fault. I think a lot of people blamed us for quitting or ruining the band, and that part didn't really seem fair, because it wasn't the case. ... Musically, it got to a roadblock, and we were going one way and they were going the other. But fans will be able to hear it soon enough. And then maybe they'll change their minds."
Rockets' McGrady changing jersey number to No. 3
Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady will swap his No. 1 uniform number for No. 3.
McGrady's old number will go to new teammate Trevor Ariza, the Lakers forward who agreed to a multiyear deal with Houston on July 2.
McGrady wore No. 3 in high school. He is making the switch to promote his humanitarian efforts in the Darfur region of the Sudan and a documentary on his summer 2007 visits to refugee camps in the region. The documentary, "3 Points," is set for release this fall. The title refers to goals of peace, protection and punishment.
McGrady has donated $75,000 to a humanitarian project in Darfur. He had microfracture surgery on his left knee in late February. Doctors say he needs up to 12 months to recover.
McGrady's old number will go to new teammate Trevor Ariza, the Lakers forward who agreed to a multiyear deal with Houston on July 2.
McGrady wore No. 3 in high school. He is making the switch to promote his humanitarian efforts in the Darfur region of the Sudan and a documentary on his summer 2007 visits to refugee camps in the region. The documentary, "3 Points," is set for release this fall. The title refers to goals of peace, protection and punishment.
McGrady has donated $75,000 to a humanitarian project in Darfur. He had microfracture surgery on his left knee in late February. Doctors say he needs up to 12 months to recover.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Natalie Portman to Star as Jane Foster in Thor
When reporting on cast additions to Your Highness the other day I’d been thinking about what an interesting career Natalie Portman has crafted, in terms of playing in genre-ish films while keeping a pretty serious offscreen persona. And now Portman has been confirmed as part of the cast in Kenneth Branagh’s Thor opposite Chris Hemsworth (as Thor) and Tom Hiddleston (as Loki). She’ll play Jane Foster, nurse to Thor’s human alter-ego Donald Blake. Nikke Finke had reported the casting news back in March, but this is the first confirmation, and the first release to specify Portman’s role.
Jane Foster is a more sedate role than I’d hoped for her in this one, but I suppose it’s an offset to her warrior princess character in Your Highness. It also pegs the movie as taking place more on Earth than some had assumed; if Foster is a major character then we’ll be seeing a lot of the human version of Thor. She’s got to fall for him somehow, right? In the core storyline Foster learned that Blake was Thor, and even went with him to Asgard, but we don’t know if that’ll happen on screen. Let’s hope Hemsworth is able to work with Portman in a way that Hayden Christensen was never quite allowed to.
Here’s the synopsis from Marvel’s press release, which notes that the character will be ‘updated’:
Marvel Studios expands its film universe with a new type of superhero: Thor. This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
Jane Foster is a more sedate role than I’d hoped for her in this one, but I suppose it’s an offset to her warrior princess character in Your Highness. It also pegs the movie as taking place more on Earth than some had assumed; if Foster is a major character then we’ll be seeing a lot of the human version of Thor. She’s got to fall for him somehow, right? In the core storyline Foster learned that Blake was Thor, and even went with him to Asgard, but we don’t know if that’ll happen on screen. Let’s hope Hemsworth is able to work with Portman in a way that Hayden Christensen was never quite allowed to.
Here’s the synopsis from Marvel’s press release, which notes that the character will be ‘updated’:
Marvel Studios expands its film universe with a new type of superhero: Thor. This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
The Karate Kid Remake Gets Underway in Beijing
The Associated Press reports that Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith began principal photography for Kung Fu Kid this weekend in Beijing. The remake of The Karate Kid, a co-production between the state-run China Film Group and Columbia Pictures, started shooting Saturday.
Chan will play the wise kung-fu master, a role originated by Pat Morita, while Smith is Chan's young disciple. The role was played by Ralph Macchio in the 1984 film and two sequels.
Kung Fu Kid, co-starring Taraji P. Henson, is being directed by Harald Zwart (The Pink Panther 2) for a June 11, 2010 release. Shooting will last three months and the film will be set in modern-day Beijing.
Chan and Smith, along with Smith's parents Will Smith, who is producing, and Jada Pinkett Smith and sister Willow, attended a traditional Chinese ceremony to mark the start of the shoot Saturday.
Chan will play the wise kung-fu master, a role originated by Pat Morita, while Smith is Chan's young disciple. The role was played by Ralph Macchio in the 1984 film and two sequels.
Kung Fu Kid, co-starring Taraji P. Henson, is being directed by Harald Zwart (The Pink Panther 2) for a June 11, 2010 release. Shooting will last three months and the film will be set in modern-day Beijing.
Chan and Smith, along with Smith's parents Will Smith, who is producing, and Jada Pinkett Smith and sister Willow, attended a traditional Chinese ceremony to mark the start of the shoot Saturday.
Zamm, Goodman Making Hong Kong Phooey Movie
Alcon Entertainment is moving forward with its live-action/animated version of Hong Kong Phooey with Alex Zamm on board to direct from David Goodman's script, reports Variety.
Alcon toppers Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove are producing along with Brett Ratner and Jay Stern.
The project is an adaptation of the 1970s Hanna-Barbera animated TV series, about a police station janitor who becomes a dog with mystical powers, including the ability to do kung fu.
Goodman's written Who's Killing the Great Chefs of Vegas for Warner Bros. He continues as an executive producer on "The Family Guy."
Alcon toppers Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove are producing along with Brett Ratner and Jay Stern.
The project is an adaptation of the 1970s Hanna-Barbera animated TV series, about a police station janitor who becomes a dog with mystical powers, including the ability to do kung fu.
Goodman's written Who's Killing the Great Chefs of Vegas for Warner Bros. He continues as an executive producer on "The Family Guy."
Paramount To Make Max Steel Movie
We mentioned in Page 2last week that Paramount Pictures had acquired the rights to develop a movie based on the Mattel action figure and animated series Max Steel. We stuck the story in Page 2 because we didn’t have any more details at the time, but now that the official trades story has broken, we have some new details.
The toyline was introduced in 1999, which was quickly followed by an animated series in 2000, which ran for two seasons. The action figure is #1 in Latin America, where Mattel has continued to produce direct-to-dvd animated features due to the demand.
The series tells the story of Josh McGrath, a 19-year-old extreme sports teen star who was adopted by his father’s best friend and partner after his parents died while he was a child. While visiting his stepfather’s work, an extreme sports articles manufacturing company which is in reality a facade for a secret counter-intelligence agency known as N-Tek. McGrath was severely injured in an attack by a rival agency, and exposed to a swarm of microscopic nanomachines, known to the company as “Nano Tech Max”, which gives him superpowers. Under the secret identity of Max Steel, Josh fights against superpowered villains, mutants, robots, mad scientists and monsters.
Mattel hopes to relaunch the property in the United States with a new feature film. Joe Roth will produce, and was given the property partly because he launched the xXx franchise, which was also about a extreme sports star turned action hero. The search for a screenwriter has begun. I’m sure Justin Marks is probably on the top of the list.
The toyline was introduced in 1999, which was quickly followed by an animated series in 2000, which ran for two seasons. The action figure is #1 in Latin America, where Mattel has continued to produce direct-to-dvd animated features due to the demand.
The series tells the story of Josh McGrath, a 19-year-old extreme sports teen star who was adopted by his father’s best friend and partner after his parents died while he was a child. While visiting his stepfather’s work, an extreme sports articles manufacturing company which is in reality a facade for a secret counter-intelligence agency known as N-Tek. McGrath was severely injured in an attack by a rival agency, and exposed to a swarm of microscopic nanomachines, known to the company as “Nano Tech Max”, which gives him superpowers. Under the secret identity of Max Steel, Josh fights against superpowered villains, mutants, robots, mad scientists and monsters.
Mattel hopes to relaunch the property in the United States with a new feature film. Joe Roth will produce, and was given the property partly because he launched the xXx franchise, which was also about a extreme sports star turned action hero. The search for a screenwriter has begun. I’m sure Justin Marks is probably on the top of the list.
Brüno Tops Domestic Box Office
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
Universal's new comedy Brüno topped the domestic box office with an estimated $30.4 million this weekend from 2,756 theaters, but was followed closely by Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs in second place with $28.5 million. The Sacha Baron Cohen comedy started big on Friday with $14.4 million, but dropped to $8.8 million on Saturday and $7.2 million on Sunday - most films earn more or about the same on Saturday compared to Friday. Brüno opened bigger than Cohen's Borat, which made $26.5 million its first weekend, but that was only from about 800 theaters. Brüno should easily turn a profit for Universal, which paid $42.5 million for the rights to distribute domestically and in eight other markets. It made about $25 million internationally this weekend.
Fox's "Dawn of the Dinosaurs" remained in second place and has reached $120.6 million domestically. Budgeted at $90 million, the animated sequel added an impressive $97.9 million overseas this weekend for an international total of $327.1 million and a worldwide sum of $447.7 million after just 14 days in release.
Dropping two spots to third, Michael Bay's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen earned another $24.2 million in its third weekend for a domestic total of $339.2 million. The sequel has passed the $319 million total of 2007's Transformers and is easily the No. 1 movie of the year domestically so far. Internationally, the Paramount/DreamWorks release has reached $364.5 million, just $24.5 million shy of the original's entire overseas gross. "Revenge of the Fallen" surpassed the $700 million mark and now stands at $703.7 million. The first Transformers earned $708.3 million worldwide.
Michael Mann's Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, made $14.1 million in its second weekend and has collected $66.5 million so far. The Universal film was produced for about $100 million.
Touchstone's The Proposal rounded out the top five with $10.5 million and $113.8 million total, while Warner Bros. Pictures' The Hangover added another $9.9 million in its sixth weekend for a total of $222.4 million. The former was made for $40 million and the latter for $35 million.
Fox's I Love You, Beth Cooper, directed by Chris Columbus and starring Hayden Panettiere, opened weakly in seventh place with $5 million from 1,858 theaters.
Disney•Pixar's Up received $4.7 million in eighth for a seven-week total of $273.8 million domestically.
Universal's new comedy Brüno topped the domestic box office with an estimated $30.4 million this weekend from 2,756 theaters, but was followed closely by Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs in second place with $28.5 million. The Sacha Baron Cohen comedy started big on Friday with $14.4 million, but dropped to $8.8 million on Saturday and $7.2 million on Sunday - most films earn more or about the same on Saturday compared to Friday. Brüno opened bigger than Cohen's Borat, which made $26.5 million its first weekend, but that was only from about 800 theaters. Brüno should easily turn a profit for Universal, which paid $42.5 million for the rights to distribute domestically and in eight other markets. It made about $25 million internationally this weekend.
Fox's "Dawn of the Dinosaurs" remained in second place and has reached $120.6 million domestically. Budgeted at $90 million, the animated sequel added an impressive $97.9 million overseas this weekend for an international total of $327.1 million and a worldwide sum of $447.7 million after just 14 days in release.
Dropping two spots to third, Michael Bay's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen earned another $24.2 million in its third weekend for a domestic total of $339.2 million. The sequel has passed the $319 million total of 2007's Transformers and is easily the No. 1 movie of the year domestically so far. Internationally, the Paramount/DreamWorks release has reached $364.5 million, just $24.5 million shy of the original's entire overseas gross. "Revenge of the Fallen" surpassed the $700 million mark and now stands at $703.7 million. The first Transformers earned $708.3 million worldwide.
Michael Mann's Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, made $14.1 million in its second weekend and has collected $66.5 million so far. The Universal film was produced for about $100 million.
Touchstone's The Proposal rounded out the top five with $10.5 million and $113.8 million total, while Warner Bros. Pictures' The Hangover added another $9.9 million in its sixth weekend for a total of $222.4 million. The former was made for $40 million and the latter for $35 million.
Fox's I Love You, Beth Cooper, directed by Chris Columbus and starring Hayden Panettiere, opened weakly in seventh place with $5 million from 1,858 theaters.
Disney•Pixar's Up received $4.7 million in eighth for a seven-week total of $273.8 million domestically.
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