Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Worst Idea Ever: Another Nutty Professor in the Works?
Universal and Imagine Entertainment are in the early stages of developing a new "Nutty Professor" movie, in what would be the third installment of the remake of the 1963 Jerry Lewis vehicle, says The Hollywood Reporter. An open call is out to writers for their take on a potential third entry.
Although it has been eight years since the last "Nutty" came out, executives are interested in a new version that would follow The Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps, starring Eddie Murphy.
Murphy is not attached to a new "Nutty"; his involvement would be contingent on the writer, director and other elements.
Although it has been eight years since the last "Nutty" came out, executives are interested in a new version that would follow The Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps, starring Eddie Murphy.
Murphy is not attached to a new "Nutty"; his involvement would be contingent on the writer, director and other elements.
Seth Rogen Makes a Porno Series
Seth Rogen Rogen and production partner Evan Goldberg are developing a comedy series for the Showtime about three twentysomethings who learn about life and love while running a pornography shop, reports Variety.
Rogen and Goldberg will executive produce the as-yet untitled project.
Matthew Bass, who is credited as an assistant to both comedy filmmakers on Pineapple Express and Superbad, will write the script and co-executive produce.
Rogen, who stars in Kevin Smith's recently released Zack and Miri Make a Porno, is also working with Goldberg on Mandate Pictures comedy Jay and Seth vs. the Apocalypse.
Rogen and Goldberg will executive produce the as-yet untitled project.
Matthew Bass, who is credited as an assistant to both comedy filmmakers on Pineapple Express and Superbad, will write the script and co-executive produce.
Rogen, who stars in Kevin Smith's recently released Zack and Miri Make a Porno, is also working with Goldberg on Mandate Pictures comedy Jay and Seth vs. the Apocalypse.
Dan Fogler to Play Sam Kinison
HBO launched comic Sam Kinison's star, and now the pay channel will memorialize his life and death with "Brother Sam," a film Tom Shadyac will direct.
Variety says that Dan Fogler will play the manic comic.
Basis for the telepic is "Brother Sam: The Short, Spectacular Life of Sam Kinison," a memoir written by his brother and manager, Bill Kinison, and Steve Delsohn. A new script has been written by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, the writer/directors of American Splendor.
David Permut is producing in a co-production of Permut Presentations and Shadyac's Shady Acres. Steve Longi is co-producer and Bill Kinison is executive producer.
Variety says that Dan Fogler will play the manic comic.
Basis for the telepic is "Brother Sam: The Short, Spectacular Life of Sam Kinison," a memoir written by his brother and manager, Bill Kinison, and Steve Delsohn. A new script has been written by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, the writer/directors of American Splendor.
David Permut is producing in a co-production of Permut Presentations and Shadyac's Shady Acres. Steve Longi is co-producer and Bill Kinison is executive producer.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Terminator Salvation Scribes Board XXX
XXX: The Return of Xander Cage is getting off the ground with Terminator Salvation screenwriters Michael Ferris and John Brancato in early talks to write a script that will reunite Vin Diesel with director Rob Cohen, reports Variety.
The writing team, whose credits include Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines and the upcoming Jonathan Mostow-directed The Surrogates, began talks after pitching their take last Friday for a new installment in the action series to Columbia Pictures presidents Matt Tolmach and Doug Belgrad.
Diesel and Cohen teamed on the 2002 original, which starred Diesel as an extreme sports enthusiast drafted by the government for a dangerous mission.
The writing team, whose credits include Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines and the upcoming Jonathan Mostow-directed The Surrogates, began talks after pitching their take last Friday for a new installment in the action series to Columbia Pictures presidents Matt Tolmach and Doug Belgrad.
Diesel and Cohen teamed on the 2002 original, which starred Diesel as an extreme sports enthusiast drafted by the government for a dangerous mission.
Eckhart is Set for Battle: Los Angeles
Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Two-Face in The Dark Knight) is attached to star in Battle: Los Angeles, a sci-fi action film that Jonathan Liebesman is directing for Columbia Pictures, says The Hollywood Reporter.
The story, written by Chris Bertolini, revolves around a Marine platoon's encounter in the battle on the streets of Los Angeles against an alien invasion.
Eckhart will play the platoon leader in the film, which has yet to set a start date. Neal Moritz and his Original Film are producing.
The story, written by Chris Bertolini, revolves around a Marine platoon's encounter in the battle on the streets of Los Angeles against an alien invasion.
Eckhart will play the platoon leader in the film, which has yet to set a start date. Neal Moritz and his Original Film are producing.
A Comedy Based on Criss Angel in the Works
Actor-turned-writer Chris Moynihan has set up a comedy based on the life of magician Criss Angel at NBC, reports Variety.
The Angel project is based on an original idea that the "Mindfreak" magician conceived along with producers Dave Baram, Jason Verona and Adam Shulman. Moynihan has joined in to write the project, which was inspired by Angel's experience as an up-and-coming magician.
All four are aboard to executive produce the half-hour, which was pitched as a workplace comedy set in the world of magic.
Angel rose to fame thanks to his A&E series "Criss Angel: Mindfreak." At NBC, he previously appeared on the reality show "Phenomenon."
The Angel project is based on an original idea that the "Mindfreak" magician conceived along with producers Dave Baram, Jason Verona and Adam Shulman. Moynihan has joined in to write the project, which was inspired by Angel's experience as an up-and-coming magician.
All four are aboard to executive produce the half-hour, which was pitched as a workplace comedy set in the world of magic.
Angel rose to fame thanks to his A&E series "Criss Angel: Mindfreak." At NBC, he previously appeared on the reality show "Phenomenon."
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A Quantum of Box Office History
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
Sony/MGM's Quantum of Solace, directed by Marc Forster and starring Daniel Craig, set a new domestic opening record for a James Bond film, grossing an estimated $70.4 million from 3,451 theaters, averaging $20,400 per location. Casino Royale opened to $40.8 million in November of 2006 and went on to earn $167.4 million. The previous record-holder for the best 007 opening was Die Another Day with $47 million.
Internationally, Quantum of Solace added another $56.1 million from 10,460 theaters in 67 markets and brought its overseas total to an impressive $251.6 million. Sony is expecting the film to become the biggest among all Bond pics in terms of foreign grosses. Casino Royale is the current record holder with $430 million internationally.
Quantum of Solace, also starring Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench, Gemma Arterton, Jeffrey Wright, Jesper Christensen and Joaquin Cosio, stands at $322 million worldwide so far.
DreamWorks Animation's Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa earned $36.1 million in its second weekend, bringing its total to $118 million. The sequel cost about $150 million to make.
Universal Pictures' Role Models continued to do well in third with $11.7 million. Produced for just $28 million, the Seann William Scott and Paul Rudd comedy has earned $38.1 million in two weeks.
Fourth place belonged to Disney's High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which collected $5.9 million in its fourth weekend for a total of $84.4 million.
Clint Eastwood's Changeling, starring Angelina Jolie, rounded out the top five with $4.2 million. The Universal drama has earned $27.6 million in four weeks.
In limited release, Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionare made an impressive $350,434 from just 10 theaters, a per location average of $35,043. It has earned a total of $418,131.
Sony/MGM's Quantum of Solace, directed by Marc Forster and starring Daniel Craig, set a new domestic opening record for a James Bond film, grossing an estimated $70.4 million from 3,451 theaters, averaging $20,400 per location. Casino Royale opened to $40.8 million in November of 2006 and went on to earn $167.4 million. The previous record-holder for the best 007 opening was Die Another Day with $47 million.
Internationally, Quantum of Solace added another $56.1 million from 10,460 theaters in 67 markets and brought its overseas total to an impressive $251.6 million. Sony is expecting the film to become the biggest among all Bond pics in terms of foreign grosses. Casino Royale is the current record holder with $430 million internationally.
Quantum of Solace, also starring Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench, Gemma Arterton, Jeffrey Wright, Jesper Christensen and Joaquin Cosio, stands at $322 million worldwide so far.
DreamWorks Animation's Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa earned $36.1 million in its second weekend, bringing its total to $118 million. The sequel cost about $150 million to make.
Universal Pictures' Role Models continued to do well in third with $11.7 million. Produced for just $28 million, the Seann William Scott and Paul Rudd comedy has earned $38.1 million in two weeks.
Fourth place belonged to Disney's High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which collected $5.9 million in its fourth weekend for a total of $84.4 million.
Clint Eastwood's Changeling, starring Angelina Jolie, rounded out the top five with $4.2 million. The Universal drama has earned $27.6 million in four weeks.
In limited release, Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionare made an impressive $350,434 from just 10 theaters, a per location average of $35,043. It has earned a total of $418,131.
Happy Feet 2 to be Made in Sydney
The Age is reporting that Warner Bros. Pictures will make Happy Feet 2 at a new digital production facility in Sydney, Australia.
Miller praised the government's assistance package and the "Dr D" facility, which he said had already attracted a number of big budget international film projects in the planning or pre-production stage.
"This incentive by the NSW government is a significant step. It allows us to make 'Happy Feet 2' in Sydney and it will be the first of many productions from our new digital studio, Dr D," he said in a statement.
"It helps us in our attempts to attract substantial foreign investment which will create hundreds of high-end, highly skilled jobs as well as nurture the careers of many people coming out of our educational institutions who would otherwise have no place to grow their talents."
Weekly Ratings: 11/9 – 11/14
Monday Ratings: Is Hot Gossip Cooling Off?
8 pm/ET
Dancing with the Stars stepped up seven percent week-to-week, to average 18.6 million total viewers over its 90-minute run. Once again besting DWTS in the demos was CBS' Big Bang Theory, which finally cracked the 10 million ceiling. In turn, lead-out How I Met Your Mother inched up 150K to deliver 9.7 mil. Chuck placed third with 6.23 mil (up a hair over its last outing), followed by Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (5.19 mil). Gossip Girl cooled off by another 150 thou, grinding against what I believe to be a season low of three mil.
9 pm
Two and a Half Men won the front half of the hour, with 14.58 million viewers; Samantha Who? then climbed on top with 11.03 mil. Worst Week had a typical week, delivering 9.62 mil. Heroes tumbled another 330K — to hit a new series low of 7.83 mil — while Prison Break (5.4 mil) gained 175 thou. Tree Hill held steady at 3.01 mil (aka juuuuust a bit higher than Gossip Girl).
10 pm
CSI: Miami's 150th episode drew an audience of 13.67 million and dominated the demos. Boston Legal placed second with 8.8 mil. My Own Worst Enemy plunged another mil to hit 4.25 mil, representing a 42 percent deterioration of its premiere audience.
Tuesday Ratings: NCIS Collars its Biggest Audience Ever
8 pm/ET
NCIS was the evening's most-watched program, delivering 18.79 million total viewers — a 10 percent increase over its last (impressive) outing, and the series' largest audience ever. That deserves its own paragraph, frankly. House won the demos, but placed second with 12.88 mil (dipping 135K). Trailing the DWTS recap (10.4 mil) and Biggest Loser (8 mil), 90210 netted 2.73 mil, a week-to-week drop of 290K.
9 pm
The Mentalist enjoyed a gain of 350 thou to achieve another series high, 16.46 million viewers. That gave the freshman drama a "W" in total audience and demos, besting Dancing with the Stars' results show (16.39 mil) on both counts. Fringe placed third with 8.88 mil (down 220K from its last fresh eppy), while People's Choice Award nominee Privileged slipped to 1.87 mil.
10 pm
Without a Trace was No. 1 in viewers (12.2 million), while SVU (9.42 mil) led the demos. Eli Stone delivered 7.44 mil, dipping 230K from its last outing and particularly crippled by an erosion of more than two million heads over its hour run.
Wednesday Ratings: CMA Awards, Bones Make Beautiful Music
This Wednesday, as ABC's broadcast of the CMA Awards averaged 15.87 million total viewers, making it the night's most-watched program across all time parts:
8 pm/ET
Bones placed second with a season-high 10.87 million viewers, an increase of 760 thousand week-to-week. In third, both Old Christine (6.88 mil, +300K) and Gary Unmarried (6.7 mil, +260K) saw gains. Knight Rider (5.34 mil) rebounded from last week's skid with a 200-thou uptick, while Top Model (3.7 mil) dipped 240K.
9 pm
Criminal Minds claimed the No. 2 spot with 14.8 million viewers, up 510K. Trailing a House repeat, Life matched last Wednesday's audience (5.83 mil). The CW's Stylista (1.73 mil) unraveled to the tune of 13 percent.
10 pm
The 99th episode of CSI: NY delivered 11.62 million viewers, slipping 130 thou. At 7.9 mil, Law & Order was up a hair over its disappointing season opener.
Thursday Ratings: ER Admits Big Audience by Going Greene
8 pm/ET
Survivor scored a seven percent week-to-week increase to top the hour with 13 million total viewers. With an audience of 9.2 million, Ugly Betty, too, was up (250K). NBC's Earl flirted with seven mil (up 370 thou), but lead-out Kath & Kim (five mil) saw its audience clipped by a half mil. Behind Kitchen Nightmares, Smallville dipped a hair to 4.38 mil, but the CW's numbers for the night are tainted by a New York City-area/Jets preemption.
9 pm
CSI surged 830K to come out to yet again claim No. 1 with nearly 19 million viewers. Grey's (15.6 mil) topped the demos. The Office slipped to a new season low of 8.18 mil, and 30 Rock (7.5 mil) saw 490,000 Friends go away. Supernatural tacked on 710 thou to hit 3.91 mil. (But again, J-E-T-S.)
10 pm
Eleventh Hour gained 700K to dominate with 11.7 million viewers, perhaps popping its "bubble" status once and for all. ER's fab flashback episode delivered a 13 percent bump, to 9.8 mil — the long-running series' largest audience in more than a year. Life on Mars held steady at 8.94 mil.
Friday Ratings: Ghost Whisperer Speaks to Another Season High
8 pm/ET
Ghost Whisperer saw 11.67 million total viewers (up six percent week-to-week) tune in for the big twist regarding Melinda's husband, Jim. That's good for yet another new season's best. (The big question, of course, is how many return next Friday.) Trailing 5th Grader (5.45 mil) and Deal or No Deal (5.25 mil), Supernanny delivered 4.5 mil, on par with the usual Wife Swap. The CW's Chris and The Game did what they usually do - 1.83 mil and 1.7 mil, respectively.
9 pm
The Price Is Right's salute to the troops ("I bid $1.49 million on that cruise missile!") brought in 7.3 million viewers, a far cry from what the NCIS repeats have been doing in the time slot. Debuting to 4.86 mil, Super-Manny built on his distaff counterpart's numbers. Behind Lyrics (5.1 mil), NBC's Crusoe matched last week's 4.17 mil.
10 pm
With a weaker lead-in, Numbers tumbled 17 percent, to 9.26 mil. A Barbara Walters special did eight mil (on par with a typical 20/20), while the now-cancelled Lipstick Jungle (3.58 mil) turned a few extra heads.
8 pm/ET
Dancing with the Stars stepped up seven percent week-to-week, to average 18.6 million total viewers over its 90-minute run. Once again besting DWTS in the demos was CBS' Big Bang Theory, which finally cracked the 10 million ceiling. In turn, lead-out How I Met Your Mother inched up 150K to deliver 9.7 mil. Chuck placed third with 6.23 mil (up a hair over its last outing), followed by Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (5.19 mil). Gossip Girl cooled off by another 150 thou, grinding against what I believe to be a season low of three mil.
9 pm
Two and a Half Men won the front half of the hour, with 14.58 million viewers; Samantha Who? then climbed on top with 11.03 mil. Worst Week had a typical week, delivering 9.62 mil. Heroes tumbled another 330K — to hit a new series low of 7.83 mil — while Prison Break (5.4 mil) gained 175 thou. Tree Hill held steady at 3.01 mil (aka juuuuust a bit higher than Gossip Girl).
10 pm
CSI: Miami's 150th episode drew an audience of 13.67 million and dominated the demos. Boston Legal placed second with 8.8 mil. My Own Worst Enemy plunged another mil to hit 4.25 mil, representing a 42 percent deterioration of its premiere audience.
Tuesday Ratings: NCIS Collars its Biggest Audience Ever
8 pm/ET
NCIS was the evening's most-watched program, delivering 18.79 million total viewers — a 10 percent increase over its last (impressive) outing, and the series' largest audience ever. That deserves its own paragraph, frankly. House won the demos, but placed second with 12.88 mil (dipping 135K). Trailing the DWTS recap (10.4 mil) and Biggest Loser (8 mil), 90210 netted 2.73 mil, a week-to-week drop of 290K.
9 pm
The Mentalist enjoyed a gain of 350 thou to achieve another series high, 16.46 million viewers. That gave the freshman drama a "W" in total audience and demos, besting Dancing with the Stars' results show (16.39 mil) on both counts. Fringe placed third with 8.88 mil (down 220K from its last fresh eppy), while People's Choice Award nominee Privileged slipped to 1.87 mil.
10 pm
Without a Trace was No. 1 in viewers (12.2 million), while SVU (9.42 mil) led the demos. Eli Stone delivered 7.44 mil, dipping 230K from its last outing and particularly crippled by an erosion of more than two million heads over its hour run.
Wednesday Ratings: CMA Awards, Bones Make Beautiful Music
This Wednesday, as ABC's broadcast of the CMA Awards averaged 15.87 million total viewers, making it the night's most-watched program across all time parts:
8 pm/ET
Bones placed second with a season-high 10.87 million viewers, an increase of 760 thousand week-to-week. In third, both Old Christine (6.88 mil, +300K) and Gary Unmarried (6.7 mil, +260K) saw gains. Knight Rider (5.34 mil) rebounded from last week's skid with a 200-thou uptick, while Top Model (3.7 mil) dipped 240K.
9 pm
Criminal Minds claimed the No. 2 spot with 14.8 million viewers, up 510K. Trailing a House repeat, Life matched last Wednesday's audience (5.83 mil). The CW's Stylista (1.73 mil) unraveled to the tune of 13 percent.
10 pm
The 99th episode of CSI: NY delivered 11.62 million viewers, slipping 130 thou. At 7.9 mil, Law & Order was up a hair over its disappointing season opener.
Thursday Ratings: ER Admits Big Audience by Going Greene
8 pm/ET
Survivor scored a seven percent week-to-week increase to top the hour with 13 million total viewers. With an audience of 9.2 million, Ugly Betty, too, was up (250K). NBC's Earl flirted with seven mil (up 370 thou), but lead-out Kath & Kim (five mil) saw its audience clipped by a half mil. Behind Kitchen Nightmares, Smallville dipped a hair to 4.38 mil, but the CW's numbers for the night are tainted by a New York City-area/Jets preemption.
9 pm
CSI surged 830K to come out to yet again claim No. 1 with nearly 19 million viewers. Grey's (15.6 mil) topped the demos. The Office slipped to a new season low of 8.18 mil, and 30 Rock (7.5 mil) saw 490,000 Friends go away. Supernatural tacked on 710 thou to hit 3.91 mil. (But again, J-E-T-S.)
10 pm
Eleventh Hour gained 700K to dominate with 11.7 million viewers, perhaps popping its "bubble" status once and for all. ER's fab flashback episode delivered a 13 percent bump, to 9.8 mil — the long-running series' largest audience in more than a year. Life on Mars held steady at 8.94 mil.
Friday Ratings: Ghost Whisperer Speaks to Another Season High
8 pm/ET
Ghost Whisperer saw 11.67 million total viewers (up six percent week-to-week) tune in for the big twist regarding Melinda's husband, Jim. That's good for yet another new season's best. (The big question, of course, is how many return next Friday.) Trailing 5th Grader (5.45 mil) and Deal or No Deal (5.25 mil), Supernanny delivered 4.5 mil, on par with the usual Wife Swap. The CW's Chris and The Game did what they usually do - 1.83 mil and 1.7 mil, respectively.
9 pm
The Price Is Right's salute to the troops ("I bid $1.49 million on that cruise missile!") brought in 7.3 million viewers, a far cry from what the NCIS repeats have been doing in the time slot. Debuting to 4.86 mil, Super-Manny built on his distaff counterpart's numbers. Behind Lyrics (5.1 mil), NBC's Crusoe matched last week's 4.17 mil.
10 pm
With a weaker lead-in, Numbers tumbled 17 percent, to 9.26 mil. A Barbara Walters special did eight mil (on par with a typical 20/20), while the now-cancelled Lipstick Jungle (3.58 mil) turned a few extra heads.
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