The Life Before Her Eyes and House of Sand and Fog director Vadim Perelman is in talks to helm MGM's Poltergeist remake. Juliet Snowden and Stiles White are writing the revamp of the 1982 classic.
The original was directed by Tobe Hooper from a script co-written by Steven Spielberg.
The Ukraine-born Perelman once was attached to Spielberg's endlessly developing Talisman project, adapted from the Stephen King-Peter Straub novel, as well as the World War II drama Truce at Warner Independent.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Tropic Thunder is Three for Three!
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend. Click here for the full box office estimates of the top 12 films and then check back on Monday for the final figures based on actual box office.
Despite five new wide releases opening in theaters over Labor Day weekend, Ben Stiller's comedy Tropic Thunder (DreamWorks) held its ground, remaining at #1 for the third weekend in a row, Stiller's second movie to achieve that rare honor after Night at the Museum in 2007. It grossed another estimated $14.3 million, down just 12% from last weekend, and brought its total gross to $86.6 million.
Projected by some to take the top spot this weekend, Vin Diesel's sci-fi action flick Babylon A.D. (20th Century Fox) instead grossed just $12 million in 3,390 theaters (the weekend's widest new release) with a weak average of $3,500 per site.
After four weeks at #1 before dropping down to fourth place last week, Christopher Nolan's action-thriller The Dark Knight (Warner Bros.) not only crossed the $500 million mark domestically yesterday, a feat only accomplished once before by James Cameron's Titanic, but it also moved back up a notch to third place with $11 million over the extended weekend for a total of $504.7 million. Internationally, The Dark Knight added $19.2 million for an overseas gross of $417 million. Combined, it has earned a massive $921.7 million worldwide and has climbed to the 9th spot on the all-time worldwide blockbuster list.
The Dark Knight pulled ahead of last week's #2, the Sony comedy The House Bunny with Anna Farris, which dropped to fourth place with an estimated $10.2 million and an 11-day gross of $29.7 million.
Opening on Wednesday and grossing $1.5 million before Friday, the political thriller Traitor (Overture Films) starring Don Cheadle added another $10 million over the four-day weekend in just over 2,000 theaters, claiming the best per-site average for a new wide release. With a reported production budget of just $22 million (compared to $70 million for Babylon A.D.), it's quite a victory for Overture and first-time director Jeffrey Nachmanoff.
Univeral's remake of Death Race starring Jason Statham dropped 35% from its opening weekend, settling for sixth place with $8.2 million and a total gross of $25 million.
The last nail in the coffin of the spoof movie trend was pounded home with the awful opening for Disaster Movie (Lionsgate), making just $6.8 million in its first four days, compared to the $19 million opening for Meet the Spartans just six months back.
With the help of a new Sing-A-Long version released for one week only into 299 theaters, Universal's hit musical Mamma Mia! grossed $5.8 million over the holiday weekend, up 34% from last weekend despite losing 358 theaters. Apparently, the Sing-A-Long did 20% of the movie's weekend business, as it brought its box office total to $133.9 million.
The top 10 was rounded out by Seth Rogen's action-comedy Pineapple Express (Sony) with $4.5 million and a total gross of $80 million, while Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona (MGM/Weinstein Co.), starring Javier Bardem and Scarlett Johansson, moved up a notch with $3.5 million and $13.3 million total while still playing in less than 700 theaters. With the best per-theater average in the Top 10, it looks like Allen is on his way to another hit, his first since Match Point.
Opening well outside the Top 10 at #14, MGM's long-delayed College, picked up when Lionsgate dropped it, grossed just $2.6 million in 2,123 theaters. After opening in limited release last week, Focus Features' R-rated comedy Hamlet 2, starring Steve Coogan, expanded wider into 1,597 theaters on Wednesday, but only grossed $2.1 million, enough for 17th place.
The Top 10 grossed an estimated $86.4 million over the four-day holiday weekend, down a whopping 26% from last Labor Day when Rob Zombie's Halloween remake set a new box office record for the holiday with $31 million in its first four days.
Despite five new wide releases opening in theaters over Labor Day weekend, Ben Stiller's comedy Tropic Thunder (DreamWorks) held its ground, remaining at #1 for the third weekend in a row, Stiller's second movie to achieve that rare honor after Night at the Museum in 2007. It grossed another estimated $14.3 million, down just 12% from last weekend, and brought its total gross to $86.6 million.
Projected by some to take the top spot this weekend, Vin Diesel's sci-fi action flick Babylon A.D. (20th Century Fox) instead grossed just $12 million in 3,390 theaters (the weekend's widest new release) with a weak average of $3,500 per site.
After four weeks at #1 before dropping down to fourth place last week, Christopher Nolan's action-thriller The Dark Knight (Warner Bros.) not only crossed the $500 million mark domestically yesterday, a feat only accomplished once before by James Cameron's Titanic, but it also moved back up a notch to third place with $11 million over the extended weekend for a total of $504.7 million. Internationally, The Dark Knight added $19.2 million for an overseas gross of $417 million. Combined, it has earned a massive $921.7 million worldwide and has climbed to the 9th spot on the all-time worldwide blockbuster list.
The Dark Knight pulled ahead of last week's #2, the Sony comedy The House Bunny with Anna Farris, which dropped to fourth place with an estimated $10.2 million and an 11-day gross of $29.7 million.
Opening on Wednesday and grossing $1.5 million before Friday, the political thriller Traitor (Overture Films) starring Don Cheadle added another $10 million over the four-day weekend in just over 2,000 theaters, claiming the best per-site average for a new wide release. With a reported production budget of just $22 million (compared to $70 million for Babylon A.D.), it's quite a victory for Overture and first-time director Jeffrey Nachmanoff.
Univeral's remake of Death Race starring Jason Statham dropped 35% from its opening weekend, settling for sixth place with $8.2 million and a total gross of $25 million.
The last nail in the coffin of the spoof movie trend was pounded home with the awful opening for Disaster Movie (Lionsgate), making just $6.8 million in its first four days, compared to the $19 million opening for Meet the Spartans just six months back.
With the help of a new Sing-A-Long version released for one week only into 299 theaters, Universal's hit musical Mamma Mia! grossed $5.8 million over the holiday weekend, up 34% from last weekend despite losing 358 theaters. Apparently, the Sing-A-Long did 20% of the movie's weekend business, as it brought its box office total to $133.9 million.
The top 10 was rounded out by Seth Rogen's action-comedy Pineapple Express (Sony) with $4.5 million and a total gross of $80 million, while Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona (MGM/Weinstein Co.), starring Javier Bardem and Scarlett Johansson, moved up a notch with $3.5 million and $13.3 million total while still playing in less than 700 theaters. With the best per-theater average in the Top 10, it looks like Allen is on his way to another hit, his first since Match Point.
Opening well outside the Top 10 at #14, MGM's long-delayed College, picked up when Lionsgate dropped it, grossed just $2.6 million in 2,123 theaters. After opening in limited release last week, Focus Features' R-rated comedy Hamlet 2, starring Steve Coogan, expanded wider into 1,597 theaters on Wednesday, but only grossed $2.1 million, enough for 17th place.
The Top 10 grossed an estimated $86.4 million over the four-day holiday weekend, down a whopping 26% from last Labor Day when Rob Zombie's Halloween remake set a new box office record for the holiday with $31 million in its first four days.
Monday, September 1, 2008
The Dark Knight Passes $500 Million Domestically
While we await the four-day holiday weekend estimates on Monday, Warner Bros. Pictures revealed that The Dark Knight became only the second movie in Hollywood history to surpass the $500 million mark at the domestic box office on Sunday, bringing its total to $502.4 million. Titanic, the biggest blockbuster, remains in first on the domestic chart with $600.8 million.
Dan Fellman, head of distribution at Warner Bros., said he expects The Dark Knight to finish at about $530 million, though it could reach $550 million if business persists as strongly as it has.
The Christopher Nolan-directed sequel earned an estimated $19 million internationally from 62 markets this weekend. It has reached an international total of $416.7 million and $919.1 million worldwide, the 10th highest of all-time.
Dan Fellman, head of distribution at Warner Bros., said he expects The Dark Knight to finish at about $530 million, though it could reach $550 million if business persists as strongly as it has.
The Christopher Nolan-directed sequel earned an estimated $19 million internationally from 62 markets this weekend. It has reached an international total of $416.7 million and $919.1 million worldwide, the 10th highest of all-time.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Brand New Music Video: Gym Class Heroes - Cookie Jar
Gym Class Heroes' video for 'Cookie Jar' (feat. The-Dream) from The Quilt - in stores September 9th.
Friday, August 29, 2008
The Dark Knight Updates
Counting inflation, Warner Bros. Pictures' The Dark Knight has now officially surpassed Spider-Man to become the biggest comic book movie of all time. The Christopher Nolan sequel has reached $492.689 million domestically while Spider-Man hit a total of $491.952 when you look at the inflated number ($403.7 million without inflation).
Looking at the worldwide numbers, Variety says The Dark Knight will reach $900 million this weekend:
Crossing the $400 million milestone will place "The Dark Knight" in a club with only 29 other films. What's equally impressive about the sixth Batpic is that it's first in the series to generate a blockbuster number outside the U.S. "Batman Begins" generated the previous high number with a relatively modest $166 million.
The U.K. has led the way for "Dark Knight" with $86 million, followed by Australia with $40 million, Mexico with $25 million, Brazil with $19 million and South Korea with $18.6 million. With Germany in its second weekend and France in its third, and worldwide grosses going past $900 million this weekend, the Batpic may have enough firepower to become only the fourth film to hit $1 billion in combined foreign and domestic box office (after "Titanic," the third "The Lord of the Rings" and the second "Pirates of Caribbean").
Looking at the worldwide numbers, Variety says The Dark Knight will reach $900 million this weekend:
Crossing the $400 million milestone will place "The Dark Knight" in a club with only 29 other films. What's equally impressive about the sixth Batpic is that it's first in the series to generate a blockbuster number outside the U.S. "Batman Begins" generated the previous high number with a relatively modest $166 million.
The U.K. has led the way for "Dark Knight" with $86 million, followed by Australia with $40 million, Mexico with $25 million, Brazil with $19 million and South Korea with $18.6 million. With Germany in its second weekend and France in its third, and worldwide grosses going past $900 million this weekend, the Batpic may have enough firepower to become only the fourth film to hit $1 billion in combined foreign and domestic box office (after "Titanic," the third "The Lord of the Rings" and the second "Pirates of Caribbean").
John Lennon Biopic in the Works
The story of John Lennon is headed for the big screen with Nowhere Boy, a biopic that will be directed by visual artist Sam Taylor-Wood, says The Hollywood Reporter.
Produced by U.K.'s Ecosse Films, the script from Control screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh will focus on the Beatle's childhood and subsequent journey to icon status. Filming is set to take place on location in Lennon's hometown on Liverpool.
Greenhalgh's script details the story of Lennon as a lonely teenager growing up as his aunt and the mother who gave him up fight for his love. His only escape is music, art and his fateful friendship with Paul McCartney.
The project is currently casting for the major roles.
Produced by U.K.'s Ecosse Films, the script from Control screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh will focus on the Beatle's childhood and subsequent journey to icon status. Filming is set to take place on location in Lennon's hometown on Liverpool.
Greenhalgh's script details the story of Lennon as a lonely teenager growing up as his aunt and the mother who gave him up fight for his love. His only escape is music, art and his fateful friendship with Paul McCartney.
The project is currently casting for the major roles.
It's a Lion! It's Huge! It's Voltron!
Last week, it was reported that New Regency had put Voltron: Defender of the Universe into turnaround. The news said that Relativity Media is now backing the property with a more moderate budget, utilizing the type of cost-effective technology employed in films like 300. A director was going to be attached in a week.
Now, Latino Review has learned that Max Makowski will take on the directing duties for the project, which was written by Justin Marks.
Makowski directed 2005's One Last Dance, rewrote the screenplay for the Hawaii Five-O feature, and is attached to the direct the big screen adaptation of 1970s TV series Kung Fu and the Shinobi remake.
Voltron: Defender of the Universe is described as a post-apocalyptic tale set in New York City and Mexico, where five survivors of an alien attack band together and end up piloting the five lion-shaped robots that combine and form the massive sword-wielding Voltron that helps battle Earth's invaders. It is based on the popular 1980s Japanese animated TV series, comic books and toy line.
Now, Latino Review has learned that Max Makowski will take on the directing duties for the project, which was written by Justin Marks.
Makowski directed 2005's One Last Dance, rewrote the screenplay for the Hawaii Five-O feature, and is attached to the direct the big screen adaptation of 1970s TV series Kung Fu and the Shinobi remake.
Voltron: Defender of the Universe is described as a post-apocalyptic tale set in New York City and Mexico, where five survivors of an alien attack band together and end up piloting the five lion-shaped robots that combine and form the massive sword-wielding Voltron that helps battle Earth's invaders. It is based on the popular 1980s Japanese animated TV series, comic books and toy line.
Nintendo DS Update Rumored
Larger, dual touch screens in the works?
By measure of sheer volume, August is proving to be rumor season. In yet another tidbit of hardware gossip this month, Kotaku is reporting that Nintendo is in the process of updating the Nintendo DS. The news comes, Kotaku says, via "several industry sources outside of Nintendo," which have indicated that the revitalized DS will feature bigger screens on the top and bottom, the former of which will now be touch-enabled. Naturally, a dual touch-screen DS would offer new and exciting interactive play styles, and with them a new crop of games.
The leak comes at a relatively awkward time--post-E3 and GC, and with the holiday season just around the corner. Kotaku's sources maintain that the official announcement will not hit the wire until early 2009, which again, is an unconventional timeframe for such a significant redesign.
By measure of sheer volume, August is proving to be rumor season. In yet another tidbit of hardware gossip this month, Kotaku is reporting that Nintendo is in the process of updating the Nintendo DS. The news comes, Kotaku says, via "several industry sources outside of Nintendo," which have indicated that the revitalized DS will feature bigger screens on the top and bottom, the former of which will now be touch-enabled. Naturally, a dual touch-screen DS would offer new and exciting interactive play styles, and with them a new crop of games.
The leak comes at a relatively awkward time--post-E3 and GC, and with the holiday season just around the corner. Kotaku's sources maintain that the official announcement will not hit the wire until early 2009, which again, is an unconventional timeframe for such a significant redesign.
Oasis Rocks Loudly, Proudly On New Album
Oasis gets back to its stripped-down rock roots on "Dig Out Your Soul," due Oct. 7 via Big Brother/Warner Bros. in the United States. The 11-track set is led by the strident rocker "The Shock of the Lightning," which is already racking up airplay on stations like KVGS Las Vegas and WFNX Boston well ahead of its late September release date.
The album begins with the two-chord dirge "Bag It Up", harking back to "Columbia," from the band's 1994 debut, "Definitely Maybe." It is followed by the insistent "The Turning," which winds its way down to "Blackbird"-style finger-picking and an outtro of passing traffic and car alarms.
The sludgy, Noel Gallagher sung-"Waiting for the Rapture" nods to the Beatles' "Come Together," while the clap-and-stomp blues rock of "(Get Off Your) High Horse Lady" and the boogie vibe of "The Nature of Reality" extend the back-to-basics feel of the album.
Elsewhere, the Liam Gallagher-penned "I'm Outta Time" incorporates an audio excerpt of a John Lennon BBC Radio interview just days before his 1980 death, and the Noel-sung "Falling Down" nods to the beats from his prior collaboration with the Chemical Brothers, "Setting Sun." Fans who pre-order the new album on iTunes will receive this track as an immediate download.
Noel penned six of the first seven songs on "Dig Out Your Soul," with Liam responsible for three others and bassist Andy Bell and guitarist Gem Archer handling one each.
Oasis begins a short North American tour with Ryan Adams Aug. 26 in Seattle. This morning, tickets for the band's 18-date October U.K. run sold out completely, according to a spokesperson.
The album begins with the two-chord dirge "Bag It Up", harking back to "Columbia," from the band's 1994 debut, "Definitely Maybe." It is followed by the insistent "The Turning," which winds its way down to "Blackbird"-style finger-picking and an outtro of passing traffic and car alarms.
The sludgy, Noel Gallagher sung-"Waiting for the Rapture" nods to the Beatles' "Come Together," while the clap-and-stomp blues rock of "(Get Off Your) High Horse Lady" and the boogie vibe of "The Nature of Reality" extend the back-to-basics feel of the album.
Elsewhere, the Liam Gallagher-penned "I'm Outta Time" incorporates an audio excerpt of a John Lennon BBC Radio interview just days before his 1980 death, and the Noel-sung "Falling Down" nods to the beats from his prior collaboration with the Chemical Brothers, "Setting Sun." Fans who pre-order the new album on iTunes will receive this track as an immediate download.
Noel penned six of the first seven songs on "Dig Out Your Soul," with Liam responsible for three others and bassist Andy Bell and guitarist Gem Archer handling one each.
Oasis begins a short North American tour with Ryan Adams Aug. 26 in Seattle. This morning, tickets for the band's 18-date October U.K. run sold out completely, according to a spokesperson.
LL Cool J Makes A Grand 'Exit' On New Album
After 22 years, LL Cool J comes to the end of his contract with Def Jam with "Exit 13," due Sept. 9, and the veteran rapper says he made sure he "put my heart and soul into this album."
"It took me two years to put this album together," LL Cool J told Billboard.com this week. "On my last couple of albums I was off. I wasn't analyzing what I was doing exactly. I was making movies and music, but I couldn't play two sports at the same time. I turned down eight movies this time around. It was fulfilling for me especially since it's my last album under contract. I just couldn't jerk myself or my culture."
The 19-track set begins with the intro "It's Time for War," which finds him reconfirming his place in hip-hop history and addressing the naysayers. "It's okay if you call it a comeback / and let them know I'm ready for combat / tell those dumb motherf*ckers to fall back," he raps over bells and violins.
He continues to boast on tracks like the kazoo-heavy, Marley Marl-produced "You Better Watch Me," which will be released as a promotional single in the coming weeks. "My style can't be defined / I'll be relevant forever / get it through your mind," he raps.
LL Cool J also pays homage to the music and artists that have influenced him throughout the years on the scratch-heavy "This Is Ring Tone Murder," featuring Grandmaster Caz, and the horn-laden "Old School New School." The sexually driven "Feel My Heart Beat" samples Seduction's "Heatbeat," and is in contention to be released as a second single.
Among the guests on "Exit 13" are up-and-coming Harlem rapper Nicolette on "Get Over Here," Ryan Leslie, who is featured on the electric piano-based "Like a Radio," and Elan from the Dey, who appears on "I Fall in Love."
The album is rounded out by the political "Mr. President" featuring Wyclef Jean, the club track "Come And Party With Me" with Fat Joe and Sheek Louch and "Speedin on Da Highway/Exit 13," with adlibs from radio DJ Funk Master Flex.
The single "Baby" featuring the-Dream, is No. 23 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. A rock remix featuring Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora will be included on the album and was made available on iTunes this week.
"Exit 13" closes with the outtro "Dear Hip-Hop," in which LL seems to jab at former Def Jam head Jay-Z: "If he's so hot / why is the culture frozen? It's more than champagne ... I'm the foundation."
As previously reported, LL Cool J publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with how Jay-Z was running Def Jam last year (Jay-Z announced his affiliation with his Ace of Spades Champagne in 2006). Still, he did suggest he wouldn't be opposed to a collaboration with his former boss and Def Jam artist Nas.
"It took me two years to put this album together," LL Cool J told Billboard.com this week. "On my last couple of albums I was off. I wasn't analyzing what I was doing exactly. I was making movies and music, but I couldn't play two sports at the same time. I turned down eight movies this time around. It was fulfilling for me especially since it's my last album under contract. I just couldn't jerk myself or my culture."
The 19-track set begins with the intro "It's Time for War," which finds him reconfirming his place in hip-hop history and addressing the naysayers. "It's okay if you call it a comeback / and let them know I'm ready for combat / tell those dumb motherf*ckers to fall back," he raps over bells and violins.
He continues to boast on tracks like the kazoo-heavy, Marley Marl-produced "You Better Watch Me," which will be released as a promotional single in the coming weeks. "My style can't be defined / I'll be relevant forever / get it through your mind," he raps.
LL Cool J also pays homage to the music and artists that have influenced him throughout the years on the scratch-heavy "This Is Ring Tone Murder," featuring Grandmaster Caz, and the horn-laden "Old School New School." The sexually driven "Feel My Heart Beat" samples Seduction's "Heatbeat," and is in contention to be released as a second single.
Among the guests on "Exit 13" are up-and-coming Harlem rapper Nicolette on "Get Over Here," Ryan Leslie, who is featured on the electric piano-based "Like a Radio," and Elan from the Dey, who appears on "I Fall in Love."
The album is rounded out by the political "Mr. President" featuring Wyclef Jean, the club track "Come And Party With Me" with Fat Joe and Sheek Louch and "Speedin on Da Highway/Exit 13," with adlibs from radio DJ Funk Master Flex.
The single "Baby" featuring the-Dream, is No. 23 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. A rock remix featuring Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora will be included on the album and was made available on iTunes this week.
"Exit 13" closes with the outtro "Dear Hip-Hop," in which LL seems to jab at former Def Jam head Jay-Z: "If he's so hot / why is the culture frozen? It's more than champagne ... I'm the foundation."
As previously reported, LL Cool J publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with how Jay-Z was running Def Jam last year (Jay-Z announced his affiliation with his Ace of Spades Champagne in 2006). Still, he did suggest he wouldn't be opposed to a collaboration with his former boss and Def Jam artist Nas.
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