Earlier today, "Harold & Kumar" co-creator Jon Hurwitz, who directed the first two movies Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and its sequel Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay announced on his Twitter account that the third movie A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas has started filming:
Harold & Kumar 3 has officially started shooting. That is all.
John Cho and Kal Penn are back in the lead roles, and the movie is filming somewhere in Michigan, which has recently become a hotbed for film productions going by the recent announcement of projects. Directing this time around is Todd Strauss-Schulson, who has previously directed various MTV programs and a couple shorts. When it was originally announced, the movie was slated for a November 5, 2010 release, but it seems that a June/July shoot might be cutting it tight for a holiday release this year, so one can probably assume it will get a release late next year.
Hurwitz is also currently developing American Pie 4 to co-direct with his regular collaborator Hayden Schlossberg, which is why they aren't directing the third installment. No word on when that might start shooting or get a release just yet.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
USA Orders Two Pilots
USA has ordered two pilots to be shot this summer, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
A Legal Mind focuses on a brilliant young man who lands a job at a corporate law firm despite lacking a college degree. The project will be executive-produced by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity).
USA sets premiere Covert Affairs, return date for White Collar
Necessary Roughness revolves around a divorced female sports therapist whose consulting gig with a pro football team leads to more opportunities.
Neither pilot has been cast yet.
A Legal Mind focuses on a brilliant young man who lands a job at a corporate law firm despite lacking a college degree. The project will be executive-produced by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity).
USA sets premiere Covert Affairs, return date for White Collar
Necessary Roughness revolves around a divorced female sports therapist whose consulting gig with a pro football team leads to more opportunities.
Neither pilot has been cast yet.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Men in Black III Set for May 25, 2012
Remember a couple weeks ago when we told you that Barry Sonnenfeld had confirmed Will Smith for Men in Black III and that the film would be in 3D? Well, now those two facts are double-confirmed (slow news week) but Deadline offers a new tidbit of info: Sony has set the film for May 25, 2012. That’ll be a crowded summer: The Avengers hits May 4, Battleship also lands May 25, then Star Trek 2, Spider-Man and Batman 3 are all set for the weeks following.
Deadline says that Smith is the only one who has signed (again, repeating what we knew) and that Sony is in talks with Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin to get their contracts sealed. Deadline also offers that this one is getting into gear quickly, with Rick Baker already designing and building creatures, Bo Welch designing sets and David Koepp doing a last polish on Etan Cohen’s script. I’m always eager to see any new creature work from Rick Baker, but the 3D thing definitely lessens the appeal.
Deadline says that Smith is the only one who has signed (again, repeating what we knew) and that Sony is in talks with Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin to get their contracts sealed. Deadline also offers that this one is getting into gear quickly, with Rick Baker already designing and building creatures, Bo Welch designing sets and David Koepp doing a last polish on Etan Cohen’s script. I’m always eager to see any new creature work from Rick Baker, but the 3D thing definitely lessens the appeal.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Stallone on the Future of Rambo: “I Don’t Think There’ll Be Any More”
Ever since Sylvester Stallone turned most of the adult male population of Burma to bloody gibs in his return to the Rambo character, there has been talk of a fifth Rambo film. Just what the story might be has been subject to speculation. Rumors abounded of a homecoming tale, a film tinged with sci-fi, and, based on one of Stallone’s last updates, a south of the border tale in which Rambo finds or avenges missing women.
Now, however, it seems like there are no possibilities for Rambo any longer. Stallone says he’s “99% sure” the fifth film won’t happen.
Empire talked to Stallone about the film while putting together a feature on The Expendables. “I think Rambo’s pretty well done. I don’t think there’ll be any more,” Stallone says.
I was going to do it…I said I’d never talk about this, but with I feel that with Rocky Balboa, that character came complete circle. He went home. But for Rambo to go on another adventure might be, I think, misinterpreted as a mercenary gesture and not necessary. I don’t want that to happen…I’m very happy with the last Burmese episode, because I didn’t pull any punches on it.
But there is a small future for Rambo, as Stallone says he’s working on a director’s cut that will reinstate twelve minutes to the fourth film. As long as ten of those minutes involve guys exploding, I am so in. Blu-ray, please!
Actually, there will probably be much less than ten minutes of exploding dudes, as Stallone says part of what he’s putting back in is an opening speech where Rambo tells the Julie Benz character why his life has been a disappointment and a waste, and war is natural. So it’s a comedy!
(That crack is mostly in jest; as popcorn movies about post-traumatic stress go, the original First Blood is actually a pretty damn good treatment. Maybe he can bring that full circle now.)
Stallone will be making a sequel to another movie, however. He says he’s hard at work putting together another Expendables film.
Now, however, it seems like there are no possibilities for Rambo any longer. Stallone says he’s “99% sure” the fifth film won’t happen.
Empire talked to Stallone about the film while putting together a feature on The Expendables. “I think Rambo’s pretty well done. I don’t think there’ll be any more,” Stallone says.
I was going to do it…I said I’d never talk about this, but with I feel that with Rocky Balboa, that character came complete circle. He went home. But for Rambo to go on another adventure might be, I think, misinterpreted as a mercenary gesture and not necessary. I don’t want that to happen…I’m very happy with the last Burmese episode, because I didn’t pull any punches on it.
But there is a small future for Rambo, as Stallone says he’s working on a director’s cut that will reinstate twelve minutes to the fourth film. As long as ten of those minutes involve guys exploding, I am so in. Blu-ray, please!
Actually, there will probably be much less than ten minutes of exploding dudes, as Stallone says part of what he’s putting back in is an opening speech where Rambo tells the Julie Benz character why his life has been a disappointment and a waste, and war is natural. So it’s a comedy!
(That crack is mostly in jest; as popcorn movies about post-traumatic stress go, the original First Blood is actually a pretty damn good treatment. Maybe he can bring that full circle now.)
Stallone will be making a sequel to another movie, however. He says he’s hard at work putting together another Expendables film.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Rumor: Will Smith On Board for Two Independence Day Sequels?
Back in November 2009, Roland Emmerich told MTV that not only are they developing an Independence Day sequel, but he hopes to film it as two-back-to-back movies. At the time I just thought he was throwing outrageous claims into the wind, seeing how far they may travel. Since the first film was realized in 1996, Will Smith has become one of Hollywood’s biggest and most bankable movie stars (and now producer). What that means is that he costs big bucks, over $20 million plus a percentage of the first dollar gross. 20th Century Fox is notoriously cheap (except when James Cameron is somehow able to trick the studio into spending hundreds of millions to make billions). Emmerich even said as much in an interview with LatinoReview.
Well it appears like the situation has changed, Will Smith is aboard for two sequels, and the films will be shot back-to-back. This according to IESB, who has a notoriously good track record when it comes to Fox rumors, so its very possible. According to the report, Emmerich would go into production on ID4-2 / ID4-3 after his William Shakespeare thriller Anonymous when Smith is finished with either The City That Sailed or Men in Black 3 (whichever project the star chooses to tackle next).
Emmerich previously said that the reason for two movies is that he wants “to do a bigger [story] arc” which will “continue the story” and begin “twelve, thirteen, fourteen years” after the first one ended. Emmerich even floated a possible title for the new films: “ID4-Ever” followed by “Part I” and “Part II” Lets hope that much changes. The story would again be set on planet Earth, presumably mostly rebuilt since the last time we saw it, when a new invasion again threatens the world.
No other story details have been revealed, but I would assume that it wouldn’t be an Independence Day sequel if most of the original characters didn’t return. I wonder where Bill Pullman’s President Thomas J. Whitmore might be a decade and a half later. Is he still in office? Who knows, America might’ve changed the law to extend the President’s term of office. I’m sure a lot of things will be very different than the world we knew before. This would be an alien invasion movie set in a changed world, post 7-04 (remember, this is a world in which 9/11 never happened, and ID-4 is remembered as “THAT DAY”).
I’m interested to see if this rumor takes off, and Fox greenlights the back-to-back productions. A couple Independence Day sequels could be fun, especially in 3D. For me, ID4 is the only one of Emmerich’s disaster movies in which we actually care about the characters. I’m actually interested to see where they have been, and how they handle the next alien war.
Well it appears like the situation has changed, Will Smith is aboard for two sequels, and the films will be shot back-to-back. This according to IESB, who has a notoriously good track record when it comes to Fox rumors, so its very possible. According to the report, Emmerich would go into production on ID4-2 / ID4-3 after his William Shakespeare thriller Anonymous when Smith is finished with either The City That Sailed or Men in Black 3 (whichever project the star chooses to tackle next).
Emmerich previously said that the reason for two movies is that he wants “to do a bigger [story] arc” which will “continue the story” and begin “twelve, thirteen, fourteen years” after the first one ended. Emmerich even floated a possible title for the new films: “ID4-Ever” followed by “Part I” and “Part II” Lets hope that much changes. The story would again be set on planet Earth, presumably mostly rebuilt since the last time we saw it, when a new invasion again threatens the world.
No other story details have been revealed, but I would assume that it wouldn’t be an Independence Day sequel if most of the original characters didn’t return. I wonder where Bill Pullman’s President Thomas J. Whitmore might be a decade and a half later. Is he still in office? Who knows, America might’ve changed the law to extend the President’s term of office. I’m sure a lot of things will be very different than the world we knew before. This would be an alien invasion movie set in a changed world, post 7-04 (remember, this is a world in which 9/11 never happened, and ID-4 is remembered as “THAT DAY”).
I’m interested to see if this rumor takes off, and Fox greenlights the back-to-back productions. A couple Independence Day sequels could be fun, especially in 3D. For me, ID4 is the only one of Emmerich’s disaster movies in which we actually care about the characters. I’m actually interested to see where they have been, and how they handle the next alien war.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Reynolds and Bateman Ready for a Change Up
Ryan Reynolds (upcoming Green Lantern) and Jason Bateman will star in the Universal comedy Change Up, to be directed by David Dobkin.
The film centers on a responsible family man (Bateman) who switches bodies with his best friend, a lazy man-child (Reynolds).
The Hangover writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore wrote the script.
The film centers on a responsible family man (Bateman) who switches bodies with his best friend, a lazy man-child (Reynolds).
The Hangover writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore wrote the script.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Frank Miller Talks 300 Follow-Up
The Los Angeles Times received an update from Frank Miller about his follow-up to 300, which earned $456 million in theaters worldwide.
Miller says the new project, now titled Xerxes, begins about 10 years before the events of 300, and Zack Snyder has expressed interest in it as a film property as well. "It's the battle of Marathon through my lens," Miller said. "I've finished the plot and I'm getting started on the artwork."
Miller said that during his research trips to Greece he realized that the myth and history overlap begins to blur, which adds to the storytelling allure. "The fact and the myth are inseparable and, believe me, when you go sailing for a while in the Aegean Sea, you start believing in Poseidon."
Miller says the new project, now titled Xerxes, begins about 10 years before the events of 300, and Zack Snyder has expressed interest in it as a film property as well. "It's the battle of Marathon through my lens," Miller said. "I've finished the plot and I'm getting started on the artwork."
Miller said that during his research trips to Greece he realized that the myth and history overlap begins to blur, which adds to the storytelling allure. "The fact and the myth are inseparable and, believe me, when you go sailing for a while in the Aegean Sea, you start believing in Poseidon."
Saturday, December 12, 2009
No Third Season for Flight of the Conchords
HBO's The Flight of the Conchords has taken off for the last time. The comedy starring the New Zealand duo will not return.
"We are today announcing that we won't be returning for a third season. We're very proud of the two seasons we made and we like the way the show ended," a statement on their Web site from stars Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement and fellow executive producer James Booth read. "We'd like to thank everyone who helped make the show and also everyone who watched it. While the characters Bret and Jemaine will no longer be around, the real Bret and Jemaine will continue to exist."
McKenzie and Clement, under the name Flight of the Conchords, gained a reputation for their mix of comedy and acoustic folk music in their native New Zealand. The duo hosted a BBC radio series before Flight of the Conchords premiered on HBO in August 2007. On the half-hour comedy, McKenzie and Clement played fictional versions of themselves who move to New York in search of fame and fortune.
The series' second season premiered in February to 826,000 viewers, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Over its two seasons, the show was nominated for 10 Emmys, including best comedy series and best actor in a comedy series for Clement following Season 2.
HBO declined to comment.
"We are today announcing that we won't be returning for a third season. We're very proud of the two seasons we made and we like the way the show ended," a statement on their Web site from stars Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement and fellow executive producer James Booth read. "We'd like to thank everyone who helped make the show and also everyone who watched it. While the characters Bret and Jemaine will no longer be around, the real Bret and Jemaine will continue to exist."
McKenzie and Clement, under the name Flight of the Conchords, gained a reputation for their mix of comedy and acoustic folk music in their native New Zealand. The duo hosted a BBC radio series before Flight of the Conchords premiered on HBO in August 2007. On the half-hour comedy, McKenzie and Clement played fictional versions of themselves who move to New York in search of fame and fortune.
The series' second season premiered in February to 826,000 viewers, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Over its two seasons, the show was nominated for 10 Emmys, including best comedy series and best actor in a comedy series for Clement following Season 2.
HBO declined to comment.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
TNT Has a New Take on Dallas
TNT has a new take on "Dallas" and has hired Cynthia Cidre ("Cane," Mambo Kings) to write the project, says The Hollywood Reporter. Warner Horizon is producing the series.
TNT and Warner Horizon are not giving away story details, but the trade says the initial idea was to have the series revolve around J.R. and Sue Ellen's son John Ross and Bobby and Pam's adopted son Christopher.
They add that Patrick Duffy, who played Bobby in the original series, Larry Hagman (J.R.) and Linda Gray (Sue Ellen) were approached two months ago about potentially reprising their roles.
"Dallas" premiered in 1978 on CBS and ran for 13 seasons.
TNT and Warner Horizon are not giving away story details, but the trade says the initial idea was to have the series revolve around J.R. and Sue Ellen's son John Ross and Bobby and Pam's adopted son Christopher.
They add that Patrick Duffy, who played Bobby in the original series, Larry Hagman (J.R.) and Linda Gray (Sue Ellen) were approached two months ago about potentially reprising their roles.
"Dallas" premiered in 1978 on CBS and ran for 13 seasons.
Big Boi Finishes Album, Predicts Busy 2010 For Outkast
If Antwan Andre "Big Boi" Patton has his way, 2010 will be a busy year for he and Outkast mate Andre "3000" Benjamin -- collectively and apart.
After leaking tracks for more than a year and a half, Big Boi has just turned in his new solo album, "Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty." He tells Billboard.com it will be the first of a batch of new music from the Atlanta duo. "This is all in the next year or so," Big Boi says, "starting with my album coming at the top of the year, Dre 3000 right after me...and when the solo albums come out, depending on how the fans support them, then we're gonna give them the Outkast album."
Big Boi did not predict whether Outkast will play any live dates in 2010, but he does plan to hit the road in support of "Sir Lucious...," which he's already started to do with a spot on this year's Rock The Bells tour and some sporadic, "high-powered funk energy extravaganza" solo shows in the fall and winter. The rapper has also given fans a generous taste of the music he's been working on for nearly three years via several leaked tracks: Royal Flush," which features Andre 3000 and Raekwon; "Sumthin's Gotta Give" with Mary J. Blige; "Dubbz"; "Fo Yo Sorrows" with George Clinton and Too $hort; and most recently, "Shine Blockas" with Gucci Mane.
"It's almost like giving them a little sampler from the album and showing how diverse it is," explains Big Boi, who also worked with T.I., Lil Jon, Jamie Foxx and newcomer B.o.B. on the album. "Every song that I put out sounds totally different from the previous songs I put out. I slow-cooked this album and, man, I'm just so happy it's about to come out. I cannot wait to give it to the fans."
Several release dates have been mentioned during the past year for "Sir Lucious...," but Big Boi says he wanted to make sure that both the creative and business aspects of the album were in sync before putting it out.
"There's been a lot of stops and stars with this project," he acknowledges. "I've just been trying to make sure we've got the right avenues and the right brains and mindsets together to get the marketing and promoting behind it. When you work on something for, like, two years and 11 months, it's like your baby. You want to make sure that everybody has taken the project the way they're supposed to be taking it and the set-up is right."
Besides "Sir Lucious...," Big Boi also guested on the Gucci Mane track "She's Got a Friend" with Juelz Santana, did a remix of Mariah Carey's "H.A.T.E.U." and worked on tracks for Janelle Monae's next album.
After leaking tracks for more than a year and a half, Big Boi has just turned in his new solo album, "Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty." He tells Billboard.com it will be the first of a batch of new music from the Atlanta duo. "This is all in the next year or so," Big Boi says, "starting with my album coming at the top of the year, Dre 3000 right after me...and when the solo albums come out, depending on how the fans support them, then we're gonna give them the Outkast album."
Big Boi did not predict whether Outkast will play any live dates in 2010, but he does plan to hit the road in support of "Sir Lucious...," which he's already started to do with a spot on this year's Rock The Bells tour and some sporadic, "high-powered funk energy extravaganza" solo shows in the fall and winter. The rapper has also given fans a generous taste of the music he's been working on for nearly three years via several leaked tracks: Royal Flush," which features Andre 3000 and Raekwon; "Sumthin's Gotta Give" with Mary J. Blige; "Dubbz"; "Fo Yo Sorrows" with George Clinton and Too $hort; and most recently, "Shine Blockas" with Gucci Mane.
"It's almost like giving them a little sampler from the album and showing how diverse it is," explains Big Boi, who also worked with T.I., Lil Jon, Jamie Foxx and newcomer B.o.B. on the album. "Every song that I put out sounds totally different from the previous songs I put out. I slow-cooked this album and, man, I'm just so happy it's about to come out. I cannot wait to give it to the fans."
Several release dates have been mentioned during the past year for "Sir Lucious...," but Big Boi says he wanted to make sure that both the creative and business aspects of the album were in sync before putting it out.
"There's been a lot of stops and stars with this project," he acknowledges. "I've just been trying to make sure we've got the right avenues and the right brains and mindsets together to get the marketing and promoting behind it. When you work on something for, like, two years and 11 months, it's like your baby. You want to make sure that everybody has taken the project the way they're supposed to be taking it and the set-up is right."
Besides "Sir Lucious...," Big Boi also guested on the Gucci Mane track "She's Got a Friend" with Juelz Santana, did a remix of Mariah Carey's "H.A.T.E.U." and worked on tracks for Janelle Monae's next album.
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Blind Side Tops New Moon
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
In their third weekend facing each other, Warner Bros.' The Blind Side took over the top spot from Summit's The Twilight Saga: New Moon, the former earning an estimated $20.4 million for a total of $129.3 million. The Sandra Bullock-starrer, made for just $29 million, dropped 49% in ticket sales from Thanksgiving weekend.
"New Moon" added $15.7 million, a drop of 63.4%, to take its three-week domestic total to $255.6 million. Internationally, the Twilight sequel earned another $40.7 million for a foreign sum of $314.5 million and impressive worldwide total of $570.1 million.
Out of the newcomers, Lionsgate's Brothers fared best as it opened with $9.7 million from 2,088 theaters, an average of $4,646 per location. Directed by Jim Sheridan, the drama stars Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman.
Climbing a spot to fourth was Disney's A Christmas Carol, which collected $7.5 million its fifth weekend for a total of $115 million so far. The Robert Zemeckis adaptation cost $200 million to make.
Disney comedy Old Dogs rounded out the top five with $6.9 million for a total of $33.9 million. The movie carried a budget of $35 million.
2012 and new action-thriller Armored both earned an estimated $6.6 million. The former was released by Columbia Pictures and latter by Screen Gems, both companies owned by Sony. The $200 million Roland Emmerich disaster pic is at $148.8 million after four weeks.
Warner Bros.' Ninja Assassin lost 62.2% in sales from its opening weekend, making $5 million for a total of $29.8 million. The action film cost $40 million to produce.
Moviegoers didn't show much interest for Miramax release Everybody's Fine, starring Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell. The film debuted with just $4 million from 2,133 locations, an average of $1,888.
The other two newcomers opened in completely opposite ways. Jason Reitman's Up in the Air, with George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, earned an impressive $1.16 million from just 15 theaters, a strong average of $77,333 per site. On the other hand, comedy Transylmania opened to just $252,000 from 1,007 theaters, which is the third-worst ever for a wide release.
In their third weekend facing each other, Warner Bros.' The Blind Side took over the top spot from Summit's The Twilight Saga: New Moon, the former earning an estimated $20.4 million for a total of $129.3 million. The Sandra Bullock-starrer, made for just $29 million, dropped 49% in ticket sales from Thanksgiving weekend.
"New Moon" added $15.7 million, a drop of 63.4%, to take its three-week domestic total to $255.6 million. Internationally, the Twilight sequel earned another $40.7 million for a foreign sum of $314.5 million and impressive worldwide total of $570.1 million.
Out of the newcomers, Lionsgate's Brothers fared best as it opened with $9.7 million from 2,088 theaters, an average of $4,646 per location. Directed by Jim Sheridan, the drama stars Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman.
Climbing a spot to fourth was Disney's A Christmas Carol, which collected $7.5 million its fifth weekend for a total of $115 million so far. The Robert Zemeckis adaptation cost $200 million to make.
Disney comedy Old Dogs rounded out the top five with $6.9 million for a total of $33.9 million. The movie carried a budget of $35 million.
2012 and new action-thriller Armored both earned an estimated $6.6 million. The former was released by Columbia Pictures and latter by Screen Gems, both companies owned by Sony. The $200 million Roland Emmerich disaster pic is at $148.8 million after four weeks.
Warner Bros.' Ninja Assassin lost 62.2% in sales from its opening weekend, making $5 million for a total of $29.8 million. The action film cost $40 million to produce.
Moviegoers didn't show much interest for Miramax release Everybody's Fine, starring Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell. The film debuted with just $4 million from 2,133 locations, an average of $1,888.
The other two newcomers opened in completely opposite ways. Jason Reitman's Up in the Air, with George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, earned an impressive $1.16 million from just 15 theaters, a strong average of $77,333 per site. On the other hand, comedy Transylmania opened to just $252,000 from 1,007 theaters, which is the third-worst ever for a wide release.
Friday, December 4, 2009
ABC Benches FlashForward Until March
FlashForward will be taking an extended hiatus until March 4 following Thursday's new episode, TVGuide.com has confirmed.
An ABC spokesperson tells TVGuide.com that the later date will allow the serial drama to air new episodes back-to-back without repeats. The Wrap, which first reported the news, also says ABC does not want the show to have to compete with the 2010 Winter Olympics, airing in February on NBC.
FlashForward was originally scheduled to return with new episodes in January 2010. However, a preview at the end of the latest episode revealed new episodes would not air until March 2010. Among the many revelations made in the preview was an indication that there will be another blackout.
FlashForward debuted strong in October to 12.4 million viewers and a 4.1 rating among adults ages 18-49 but has dropped off significantly since. The Nov. 19 episode attracted 7.97 million viewers and a 2.4 rating in the 18-49 demo.
No word yet on which show will take over FlashForward's Thursday time slot at 8/7c.
An ABC spokesperson tells TVGuide.com that the later date will allow the serial drama to air new episodes back-to-back without repeats. The Wrap, which first reported the news, also says ABC does not want the show to have to compete with the 2010 Winter Olympics, airing in February on NBC.
FlashForward was originally scheduled to return with new episodes in January 2010. However, a preview at the end of the latest episode revealed new episodes would not air until March 2010. Among the many revelations made in the preview was an indication that there will be another blackout.
FlashForward debuted strong in October to 12.4 million viewers and a 4.1 rating among adults ages 18-49 but has dropped off significantly since. The Nov. 19 episode attracted 7.97 million viewers and a 2.4 rating in the 18-49 demo.
No word yet on which show will take over FlashForward's Thursday time slot at 8/7c.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Comcast, NBC Unveil $30 Billion Merger
Comcast will acquire NBC Universal from General Electric in a $30 billion deal announced Thursday that is poised to create a new entertainment powerhouse and reshape the TV landscape.
Comcast — the country's largest cable and Internet provider — will own 51 percent of the entity, while GE will retain the remaining 49 percent.
The merger, which has been in talks for months, would give Comcast control over some of NBCU's hottest TV properties as GE will contribute NBCU's portfolio, valued at $30 billion, which includes television and film entertainment, and theme parks. Comcast will pay $6.5 billion upfront and will contribute its trove of cable channels — including E!, Versus and the Golf Channel — along with its 10 regional sports networks and several digital media properties valued at $7.25 billion.
"This deal is a perfect fit for Comcast and will allow us to become a leader in the development and distribution of multiplatform 'anytime, anywhere' media that American consumers are demanding," Comcast Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian Roberts said. "In particular, NBCU's fast-growing, highly profitable cable networks are a great complement to our industry-leading distribution business."
Jeff Zucker, president of NBCU, will become CEO of the joint venture and will report to Comcast Chief Operating Officer Steve Burke. Business headquarters will remain in New York.
"This marks the start of a new era for NBCU, and I'm genuinely excited that I will be leading this wonderful organization, along with the Comcast team, at this important time in our history," Zucker said.
Comcast — the country's largest cable and Internet provider — will own 51 percent of the entity, while GE will retain the remaining 49 percent.
The merger, which has been in talks for months, would give Comcast control over some of NBCU's hottest TV properties as GE will contribute NBCU's portfolio, valued at $30 billion, which includes television and film entertainment, and theme parks. Comcast will pay $6.5 billion upfront and will contribute its trove of cable channels — including E!, Versus and the Golf Channel — along with its 10 regional sports networks and several digital media properties valued at $7.25 billion.
"This deal is a perfect fit for Comcast and will allow us to become a leader in the development and distribution of multiplatform 'anytime, anywhere' media that American consumers are demanding," Comcast Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian Roberts said. "In particular, NBCU's fast-growing, highly profitable cable networks are a great complement to our industry-leading distribution business."
Jeff Zucker, president of NBCU, will become CEO of the joint venture and will report to Comcast Chief Operating Officer Steve Burke. Business headquarters will remain in New York.
"This marks the start of a new era for NBCU, and I'm genuinely excited that I will be leading this wonderful organization, along with the Comcast team, at this important time in our history," Zucker said.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Zombieland 2 and Jackass 3D Confirmed
Last month, Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer mentioned that not only is Sony interested in a sequel, but if they can “crack” the story for a sequel, it will probably be shot in 3D. A few days later, a list of Paramount’s 2010 slate listed another Jackass sequel, Jackass 3D. Variety has now confirmed that both projects are in development. Who is signed? Who isn’t? When will the films go into production?
According to the story, Sony has already closed deals with helmer Ruben Fleischer and producer Gavin Polone to return for the 3D sequel, and screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are already working on the sequel’s screenplay. Of course, the stars of the original, Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg, are not yet signed, but the studio is in talks with the pair to reprise their roles. Harrelson has expressed interest in making another film, so I’m betting it will probably happen, eventually. I’m really glad the original creative team is signed on for the sequel, because it is their contributions that made the first film greater than the concept.
As for Jackass 3D, filming is scheduled to begin on January 25th 2010, with a release tentatively scheduled for later in the year. The first Jackass film was released in October, and the sequel hit in September, so I would expect the third installment to hit around the same time — fourth quarter 2010.
According to the story, Sony has already closed deals with helmer Ruben Fleischer and producer Gavin Polone to return for the 3D sequel, and screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are already working on the sequel’s screenplay. Of course, the stars of the original, Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg, are not yet signed, but the studio is in talks with the pair to reprise their roles. Harrelson has expressed interest in making another film, so I’m betting it will probably happen, eventually. I’m really glad the original creative team is signed on for the sequel, because it is their contributions that made the first film greater than the concept.
As for Jackass 3D, filming is scheduled to begin on January 25th 2010, with a release tentatively scheduled for later in the year. The first Jackass film was released in October, and the sequel hit in September, so I would expect the third installment to hit around the same time — fourth quarter 2010.
Philly-bound again: Iverson agrees to deal with Sixers
Dust off the No. 3 jersey. Allen Iverson is with the 76ers again.
Team president Ed Stefanski announced the signing Wednesday on the team's Web site. Iverson is expected to make his debut Monday at home against the Denver Nuggets.
"In light of the recent injury to Lou Williams, which will sideline him for close to eight weeks, we felt that Allen was the best available free agent guard to help us at this time," Stefanski said in a release.
Williams, who averaged 17.4 points and 5.1 assists, broke his jaw in Philadelphia's loss to Washington on Nov. 24.
Iverson, his agent and business manager met with Stefanski, coach Eddie Jordan and two other members of the organization Monday.
The 34-year-old Iverson announced his retirement last week after an ill-fated stint with the Memphis Grizzlies. The 10-time All-Star was NBA MVP in 2001 when he led the Sixers to the NBA finals.
"We had, at times, a rocky road with Allen Iverson, but we also had a fantastic run with Allen," Peter Luukko, COO of Comcast-Spectacor, which owns the 76ers and Flyers, told The Associated Press. "The expectations with Allen have changed dramatically. We're not looking for Allen to individually lead this team the way he has in the past."
Iverson was offered a one-year, non-guaranteed contract Tuesday, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the talks were private.
The Sixers would owe just under $650,000 if they guarantee his contract for the remainder of the season on Jan. 10. Stefanski plans to talk about Iverson's return in a noon teleconference.
"The whole situation wasn't about the contract and the money," Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, told The AP. "It was about the opportunity and the chance to come to Philadelphia."
In 10 seasons with the Sixers, Iverson posted the highest scoring average in team history (28.1), was second on the points list (19,583) and holds the record for 3-pointers (877). He was a seven-time All-Star, won four scoring titles and two All-Star game MVPs.
The Sixers (5-13) have lost seven straight entering Wednesday night's game at Oklahoma City and need Iverson to spark sagging ticket sales and their playoff chances.
Luukko said Iverson's deal was "absolutely, strictly a basketball decision."
This reconciliation was once thought foolish after their acrimonious split three years ago. Iverson's last game with Philadelphia was Dec. 6, 2006 in Chicago. He refused to play the fourth quarter and was banished from the team two days later. He was eventually traded to Denver as part of the Andre Miller deal, and bounced to Detroit before landing in Memphis.
"Certainly, the way it left off, it's surprising," Luukko said.
Rose said he wasn't surprised both sides put their bitter parting behind them.
"It was a good situation that made sense for them," Rose said. "Allen has always had an affinity for the city of Philadelphia, the fans, the memories of playing here. He's always talked about the opportunity to come back. Now is the time where it really makes sense for everybody."
The 6-foot Iverson played three games this season with Memphis before taking a leave of absence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreed to part ways.
The New York Knicks considered signing Iverson after he cleared waivers, before deciding he would take too much playing time from younger players they are trying to develop.
He will likely start for the Sixers with Williams out. Iverson's refusal to come off the bench ended his time in Detroit and Memphis on a sour note.
Iverson would get another look at his former teams after playing Denver. The Sixers, who have not won a playoff series since 2003, play at home Dec. 9 against Detroit.
Iverson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft, but his 10 turbulent seasons in Philadelphia were marred by his rants about practice, run-ins with former coach Larry Brown, arrests and a failed rap career.
Iverson often arrived late for practices or missed them entirely. In one infamous blowup at the end of the 2002 season, he repeated the word "practice" nearly 20 times during a rambling monologue.
"Times change, situations change," Luukko said. "The best way was to make this a basketball decision. Don't get personal with it."
Iverson has a career average of 27 points in 889 games over 14 seasons. He is tied for the fifth-highest scoring average in NBA history and ranks third among active players.
Iverson has played in 71 playoff games and has the second-highest postseason scoring average (29.7 ppg) in NBA history, trailing only Michael Jordan (33.4 ppg).
Team president Ed Stefanski announced the signing Wednesday on the team's Web site. Iverson is expected to make his debut Monday at home against the Denver Nuggets.
"In light of the recent injury to Lou Williams, which will sideline him for close to eight weeks, we felt that Allen was the best available free agent guard to help us at this time," Stefanski said in a release.
Williams, who averaged 17.4 points and 5.1 assists, broke his jaw in Philadelphia's loss to Washington on Nov. 24.
Iverson, his agent and business manager met with Stefanski, coach Eddie Jordan and two other members of the organization Monday.
The 34-year-old Iverson announced his retirement last week after an ill-fated stint with the Memphis Grizzlies. The 10-time All-Star was NBA MVP in 2001 when he led the Sixers to the NBA finals.
"We had, at times, a rocky road with Allen Iverson, but we also had a fantastic run with Allen," Peter Luukko, COO of Comcast-Spectacor, which owns the 76ers and Flyers, told The Associated Press. "The expectations with Allen have changed dramatically. We're not looking for Allen to individually lead this team the way he has in the past."
Iverson was offered a one-year, non-guaranteed contract Tuesday, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the talks were private.
The Sixers would owe just under $650,000 if they guarantee his contract for the remainder of the season on Jan. 10. Stefanski plans to talk about Iverson's return in a noon teleconference.
"The whole situation wasn't about the contract and the money," Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, told The AP. "It was about the opportunity and the chance to come to Philadelphia."
In 10 seasons with the Sixers, Iverson posted the highest scoring average in team history (28.1), was second on the points list (19,583) and holds the record for 3-pointers (877). He was a seven-time All-Star, won four scoring titles and two All-Star game MVPs.
The Sixers (5-13) have lost seven straight entering Wednesday night's game at Oklahoma City and need Iverson to spark sagging ticket sales and their playoff chances.
Luukko said Iverson's deal was "absolutely, strictly a basketball decision."
This reconciliation was once thought foolish after their acrimonious split three years ago. Iverson's last game with Philadelphia was Dec. 6, 2006 in Chicago. He refused to play the fourth quarter and was banished from the team two days later. He was eventually traded to Denver as part of the Andre Miller deal, and bounced to Detroit before landing in Memphis.
"Certainly, the way it left off, it's surprising," Luukko said.
Rose said he wasn't surprised both sides put their bitter parting behind them.
"It was a good situation that made sense for them," Rose said. "Allen has always had an affinity for the city of Philadelphia, the fans, the memories of playing here. He's always talked about the opportunity to come back. Now is the time where it really makes sense for everybody."
The 6-foot Iverson played three games this season with Memphis before taking a leave of absence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreed to part ways.
The New York Knicks considered signing Iverson after he cleared waivers, before deciding he would take too much playing time from younger players they are trying to develop.
He will likely start for the Sixers with Williams out. Iverson's refusal to come off the bench ended his time in Detroit and Memphis on a sour note.
Iverson would get another look at his former teams after playing Denver. The Sixers, who have not won a playoff series since 2003, play at home Dec. 9 against Detroit.
Iverson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft, but his 10 turbulent seasons in Philadelphia were marred by his rants about practice, run-ins with former coach Larry Brown, arrests and a failed rap career.
Iverson often arrived late for practices or missed them entirely. In one infamous blowup at the end of the 2002 season, he repeated the word "practice" nearly 20 times during a rambling monologue.
"Times change, situations change," Luukko said. "The best way was to make this a basketball decision. Don't get personal with it."
Iverson has a career average of 27 points in 889 games over 14 seasons. He is tied for the fifth-highest scoring average in NBA history and ranks third among active players.
Iverson has played in 71 playoff games and has the second-highest postseason scoring average (29.7 ppg) in NBA history, trailing only Michael Jordan (33.4 ppg).
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
New Moon & Blind Side Dominate Turkey Weekend
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
Thanksgiving weekend saw a healthy increase in business from last year but most of that business was divided between the same two movies that dominated last weekend as The Twilight Saga: New Moon (Summit) and Sandra Bullock's football drama The Blind Side (Warner Bros.) remained on top with $82 million between them over the three days after the holiday on Thursday.
The "Twilight" sequel dropped 70% from its record-setting opening weekend to earn an estimated $42.5 million over the three days and $66 million since Wednesday. It has earned $230.7 million in total since opening last week, 22% more than the previous installment grossed in its entire theatrical run. The popular supernatural romance also continues to do well internationally, having grossed roughly $85 million in other regions this weekend, adding up to a total worldwide gross of $473.7 million in just ten days.
The Blind Side (Warner Bros.) is already the surprise hit of the fall and holiday movie season, but it did even better in its second weekend than its first, grossing $40.1 million over the three-day weekend, up 17% from last week. Produced for less than $30 million, the sports-based drama has grossed an astounding $100.3 million in just ten days.
Roland Emmerich's disaster movie 2012 (Sony Pictures) took third place over the weekend with an estimated $18 million and a total gross of roughly $139 million after three weeks in theaters.
Disney's PG comedy Old Dogs, starring Robin Williams and John Travolta, settled for third place, opening with an estimated $16.8 million over the three-day weekend and $24.1 million since opening on Wednesday. With a moderate budget of $35 million, it's not a terrible opening but it's somewhat disappointing compared to how other PG Disney comedies have fared over the Thanksgiving weekend in the past. One presumes that the awful reviews and other choices kept audiences away.
On the other hand, helped by the official start of the holiday shopping season, Disney's A Christmas Carol received a nice 30% bump from last weekend, bringing in $16 million over the three-day weekend to bring its total to $105 million.
The martial arts action flick Ninja Assassin (Warner Bros.), starring Korean pop singer Rain, grossed $21 million in its first five days in 2,503 theaters, $13.1 million of that over the weekend, to take sixth place.
Sony's second animated comedy of the fall movie season, Planet 51, dropped to seventh place with $10.2 million, down 17% from its opening weekend, to boost its total to $28.4 million.
Eighth and ninth place were movies that have been doing solid business in limited release and hoped to bring in more audiences over the holiday. Lee Daniels' inspirational drama Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire (Lionsgate) didn't add many theaters on Wednesday, but it did come out slightly ahead of Wes Anderson's stop-motion animation version of Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox, which expanded into 2,033 theaters. Both movies grossed roughly $7 million over the three-day weekend. Precious has grossed $32.5 million to date and should roll out into more locations with awards nominations being announced in the coming weeks, while Anderson's movie has grossed just over $10 million all-inclusive.
Grant Heslov's political comedy The Men Who Stare at Goats (Overture Films) rounded out the Top 10 with $1.5 million and a $30 million gross to date.
The top 10 grossed $172 million over the three-day weekend up 13% from the holiday weekend last year when the holiday comedy Four Christmases
Opening in 111 theaters on Wednesday, John Hillcoat's adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road (Dimension Films) starring Viggo Mortensen performed strongly, taking in $2 million to claim 11th place, just ahead of Troy Duffy's The Boondock Saints II: All Saint's Day, which added 169 theaters on Wednesday and added $1.2 million to its total take of $5.7 million.
Disney's first 2D animated movie in many years, The Princess and the Frog, opened in exclusive engagements in New York and L.A., where it grossed $712 thousand over the three-day weekend and $1.1 million since Wednesday. Its theater average of $356k per venue, boosted by higher ticket prices for the special engagement's enhanced experience, helped put the animated movie amongst the top 3 highest averages, amongst previous Disney movies such as The Lion King and Pocahontas.
Thanksgiving weekend saw a healthy increase in business from last year but most of that business was divided between the same two movies that dominated last weekend as The Twilight Saga: New Moon (Summit) and Sandra Bullock's football drama The Blind Side (Warner Bros.) remained on top with $82 million between them over the three days after the holiday on Thursday.
The "Twilight" sequel dropped 70% from its record-setting opening weekend to earn an estimated $42.5 million over the three days and $66 million since Wednesday. It has earned $230.7 million in total since opening last week, 22% more than the previous installment grossed in its entire theatrical run. The popular supernatural romance also continues to do well internationally, having grossed roughly $85 million in other regions this weekend, adding up to a total worldwide gross of $473.7 million in just ten days.
The Blind Side (Warner Bros.) is already the surprise hit of the fall and holiday movie season, but it did even better in its second weekend than its first, grossing $40.1 million over the three-day weekend, up 17% from last week. Produced for less than $30 million, the sports-based drama has grossed an astounding $100.3 million in just ten days.
Roland Emmerich's disaster movie 2012 (Sony Pictures) took third place over the weekend with an estimated $18 million and a total gross of roughly $139 million after three weeks in theaters.
Disney's PG comedy Old Dogs, starring Robin Williams and John Travolta, settled for third place, opening with an estimated $16.8 million over the three-day weekend and $24.1 million since opening on Wednesday. With a moderate budget of $35 million, it's not a terrible opening but it's somewhat disappointing compared to how other PG Disney comedies have fared over the Thanksgiving weekend in the past. One presumes that the awful reviews and other choices kept audiences away.
On the other hand, helped by the official start of the holiday shopping season, Disney's A Christmas Carol received a nice 30% bump from last weekend, bringing in $16 million over the three-day weekend to bring its total to $105 million.
The martial arts action flick Ninja Assassin (Warner Bros.), starring Korean pop singer Rain, grossed $21 million in its first five days in 2,503 theaters, $13.1 million of that over the weekend, to take sixth place.
Sony's second animated comedy of the fall movie season, Planet 51, dropped to seventh place with $10.2 million, down 17% from its opening weekend, to boost its total to $28.4 million.
Eighth and ninth place were movies that have been doing solid business in limited release and hoped to bring in more audiences over the holiday. Lee Daniels' inspirational drama Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire (Lionsgate) didn't add many theaters on Wednesday, but it did come out slightly ahead of Wes Anderson's stop-motion animation version of Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox, which expanded into 2,033 theaters. Both movies grossed roughly $7 million over the three-day weekend. Precious has grossed $32.5 million to date and should roll out into more locations with awards nominations being announced in the coming weeks, while Anderson's movie has grossed just over $10 million all-inclusive.
Grant Heslov's political comedy The Men Who Stare at Goats (Overture Films) rounded out the Top 10 with $1.5 million and a $30 million gross to date.
The top 10 grossed $172 million over the three-day weekend up 13% from the holiday weekend last year when the holiday comedy Four Christmases
Opening in 111 theaters on Wednesday, John Hillcoat's adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road (Dimension Films) starring Viggo Mortensen performed strongly, taking in $2 million to claim 11th place, just ahead of Troy Duffy's The Boondock Saints II: All Saint's Day, which added 169 theaters on Wednesday and added $1.2 million to its total take of $5.7 million.
Disney's first 2D animated movie in many years, The Princess and the Frog, opened in exclusive engagements in New York and L.A., where it grossed $712 thousand over the three-day weekend and $1.1 million since Wednesday. Its theater average of $356k per venue, boosted by higher ticket prices for the special engagement's enhanced experience, helped put the animated movie amongst the top 3 highest averages, amongst previous Disney movies such as The Lion King and Pocahontas.
Hangover 2 Script Half-Finished, Moving Out of Vegas Read more: Hangover 2 Script Half-Finished, Moving Out of Vegas
Talking to EW, The Hangover director Todd Phillips gave the low down on the status of a sequel. He’s currently midway through the script, although no plot details are known yet. Phillips mentioned that he was thinking of ideas for a sequel while they were filming, and that Warner Brothers asked for a sequel as soon as they saw how well the film tested. He also promises that Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis will definitely be returning for another adventure.
Phillips went on to confirm that Hangover 2 won’t reuse the plot of the first film (don’t be surprised if an alcohol-induced headache remains a key component), and it will have an entirely new setting.
What people loved about The Hangover was not Las Vegas or the bachelor party but these three characters. I think you can take those characters and put them in other situations, and you don’t need the sell of Vegas and a bachelor party and all that other stuff.
Changing locations was definitely the first thought that popped into my head when we first started hearing talk of a sequel, and I won’t be surprised if they end up focusing on another party-capital location. Hangover in the Big City? Big Hangover in Little China (with a Kurt Russell cameo, of course)? Something Something Hangover Miami? Surely, the possibilities are endless.
We can most likely expect yet another random celebrity cameo, and I’m also hoping that Ken Jeong returns, because he was one of my favorite elements of the first film. I’m not too concerned that Phillips is scripting the sequel instead of original writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore—the man gave us Road Trip and Old School after all.
Phillips is currently working on his next project, Due Date, starring Robert Downey Jr., Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, and Jaime Foxx, which reunites him with the college-slacker genre.
Phillips went on to confirm that Hangover 2 won’t reuse the plot of the first film (don’t be surprised if an alcohol-induced headache remains a key component), and it will have an entirely new setting.
What people loved about The Hangover was not Las Vegas or the bachelor party but these three characters. I think you can take those characters and put them in other situations, and you don’t need the sell of Vegas and a bachelor party and all that other stuff.
Changing locations was definitely the first thought that popped into my head when we first started hearing talk of a sequel, and I won’t be surprised if they end up focusing on another party-capital location. Hangover in the Big City? Big Hangover in Little China (with a Kurt Russell cameo, of course)? Something Something Hangover Miami? Surely, the possibilities are endless.
We can most likely expect yet another random celebrity cameo, and I’m also hoping that Ken Jeong returns, because he was one of my favorite elements of the first film. I’m not too concerned that Phillips is scripting the sequel instead of original writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore—the man gave us Road Trip and Old School after all.
Phillips is currently working on his next project, Due Date, starring Robert Downey Jr., Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, and Jaime Foxx, which reunites him with the college-slacker genre.
Friday, November 27, 2009
USA Renews Psych For Fifth Season
Psych has been renewed for a fifth season, TVGuide.com has confirmed.
The super-sleuthing USA comedy — which stars James Roday as a fake psychic who solves crimes with his excellent observational skills and Dulé Hill as his best friend and partner — has been given a 16-episode order. Season 5 is likely to kick off in summer 2010.
The second half of Psych's fourth season will return to its usual Fridays at 10/9c slot in January. But for the first time in the show's history, it will not follow Monk, which airs its series finale Dec 4.
The super-sleuthing USA comedy — which stars James Roday as a fake psychic who solves crimes with his excellent observational skills and Dulé Hill as his best friend and partner — has been given a 16-episode order. Season 5 is likely to kick off in summer 2010.
The second half of Psych's fourth season will return to its usual Fridays at 10/9c slot in January. But for the first time in the show's history, it will not follow Monk, which airs its series finale Dec 4.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Twihards Steer New Moon to New Records
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
There was little question last week that the second chapter of Stephenie Meyers' supernatural romance drama The Twilight Saga: New Moon with Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson would open big, but after setting a new midnight record on Thursday and a new single day record on Friday with $72.7 million, it has left even the most jaded critic of the franchise flabbergasted at how well the movie performed. In its first three days, "New Moon" grossed an estimated $140.7 million, the third-biggest opening weekend domestically of all time with a per-site average of just under $35,000 per venue, the fourth largest per-theater average for a wide release. The movie also surpassed the previous November opening record for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by a wide margin. Essentially, it grossed almost exactly twice the opening weekend gross of the first Twilight exactly a year ago. The first installment went on to gross roughly $190 million, but with so much clear frontloading to Friday, it's difficult to tell how well the sequel will hold up compared to the original movie. With Thanksgiving and the holidays coming up, it should be able to at least get to $300 million in its theatrical run, which once again puts it up against the "Harry Potter" franchise, the sixth installment which is currently the #2 movie of the year with $301.8 million. On top of that, the Chris Weitz-directed epic took in $118.1 million internationally in 25 markets for a total global take in just three days of $258.8 million.
An even bigger surprise this weekend may have been the success of Sandra Bullock's football drama The Blind Side (Warner Bros.), which has grossed an estimated $34.5 million in three days, over twice even the most optimistic prediction for the weekend, and averaging roughly $11,000 per site in over 3,100 theaters. One presumes that the combination of strong last-minute reviews and the spillover from sold-out "New Moon" screenings helped the movie perform strongly, and if that number holds up, it will be the actresses' biggest opening to date, even surpassing her recent summer hit comedy The Proposal, which opened with $33.6 million and grossed $164 million total.
After opening with $65 million last weekend, Roland Emmerich's disaster movie 2012 (Sony Pictures), starring John Cusack and Chiwetel Ejiofor, dropped dramatically, losing 59% of its business in its second weekend to end up in third place with $26.5 million and a ten-day total of $108.2 million, still well below its reported $200 million production budget.
The weakest showing this weekend for a new movie in the Top 10 went to Sony's animated sci-fi comedy Planet 51, featuring the voice of Dwayne Johnson, which underperformed compared to other animated movies released by Sony, grossing an estimated $12.6 million in over 3,000 theaters.
Disney's A Christmas Carol dropped 45% to take fifth place with $12.2 million and a three week total of just under $80 million. It has a long way to go to make back its own $200 million production budget.
Lee Daniels' inspirational drama Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire (Lionsgate) expanded even wider into roughly 640 theaters but dropped to sixth place with $11 million and a three week total of $21.4 million, nearly double its production budget.
Grant Heslov's political comedy The Men Who Stare at Goats (Overture Films) dropped to seventh place with $2.7 million and $27.6 million total.
The rest of the movies in the Top 10 made less than $2 million and cumulatively, the Top 10 grossed roughly $245 million, up over $90 million or 59% from the same weekend last year when Twilight topped the box office with just under $70 million.
Opening in limited release, Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, starring Nicolas Cage, grossed $257 thousand in 27 theaters in select cities, averaging roughly $9,500 per site. Opening in two theaters in New York City, Spain's #1 auteur Pedro Almodovar's new movie Broken Embraces, once again pairing him with Penelope Cruz, brought in a respectable $108 thousand.
There was little question last week that the second chapter of Stephenie Meyers' supernatural romance drama The Twilight Saga: New Moon with Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson would open big, but after setting a new midnight record on Thursday and a new single day record on Friday with $72.7 million, it has left even the most jaded critic of the franchise flabbergasted at how well the movie performed. In its first three days, "New Moon" grossed an estimated $140.7 million, the third-biggest opening weekend domestically of all time with a per-site average of just under $35,000 per venue, the fourth largest per-theater average for a wide release. The movie also surpassed the previous November opening record for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by a wide margin. Essentially, it grossed almost exactly twice the opening weekend gross of the first Twilight exactly a year ago. The first installment went on to gross roughly $190 million, but with so much clear frontloading to Friday, it's difficult to tell how well the sequel will hold up compared to the original movie. With Thanksgiving and the holidays coming up, it should be able to at least get to $300 million in its theatrical run, which once again puts it up against the "Harry Potter" franchise, the sixth installment which is currently the #2 movie of the year with $301.8 million. On top of that, the Chris Weitz-directed epic took in $118.1 million internationally in 25 markets for a total global take in just three days of $258.8 million.
An even bigger surprise this weekend may have been the success of Sandra Bullock's football drama The Blind Side (Warner Bros.), which has grossed an estimated $34.5 million in three days, over twice even the most optimistic prediction for the weekend, and averaging roughly $11,000 per site in over 3,100 theaters. One presumes that the combination of strong last-minute reviews and the spillover from sold-out "New Moon" screenings helped the movie perform strongly, and if that number holds up, it will be the actresses' biggest opening to date, even surpassing her recent summer hit comedy The Proposal, which opened with $33.6 million and grossed $164 million total.
After opening with $65 million last weekend, Roland Emmerich's disaster movie 2012 (Sony Pictures), starring John Cusack and Chiwetel Ejiofor, dropped dramatically, losing 59% of its business in its second weekend to end up in third place with $26.5 million and a ten-day total of $108.2 million, still well below its reported $200 million production budget.
The weakest showing this weekend for a new movie in the Top 10 went to Sony's animated sci-fi comedy Planet 51, featuring the voice of Dwayne Johnson, which underperformed compared to other animated movies released by Sony, grossing an estimated $12.6 million in over 3,000 theaters.
Disney's A Christmas Carol dropped 45% to take fifth place with $12.2 million and a three week total of just under $80 million. It has a long way to go to make back its own $200 million production budget.
Lee Daniels' inspirational drama Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire (Lionsgate) expanded even wider into roughly 640 theaters but dropped to sixth place with $11 million and a three week total of $21.4 million, nearly double its production budget.
Grant Heslov's political comedy The Men Who Stare at Goats (Overture Films) dropped to seventh place with $2.7 million and $27.6 million total.
The rest of the movies in the Top 10 made less than $2 million and cumulatively, the Top 10 grossed roughly $245 million, up over $90 million or 59% from the same weekend last year when Twilight topped the box office with just under $70 million.
Opening in limited release, Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, starring Nicolas Cage, grossed $257 thousand in 27 theaters in select cities, averaging roughly $9,500 per site. Opening in two theaters in New York City, Spain's #1 auteur Pedro Almodovar's new movie Broken Embraces, once again pairing him with Penelope Cruz, brought in a respectable $108 thousand.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Judd Apatow on Sequels: No Superbad 2, Pineapple Express 2 Maybe Read more: Judd Apatow on Sequels: No Superbad 2, Pineapple Express 2 Maybe
The Apatow-verse still hasn’t dealt with sequels as of yet, but it’s bound to happen eventually. Yesterday Judd Apatow appeared on the Funny or Die Writer’s Room and talked about topics ranging from his first project and living with Adam Sandler, to potential sequels for films he’s directed or produced. In regards to the latter, he offered up some info on the potential for Superbad and Pineapple Express sequels.
Apatow seemed pretty confident that Superbad 2 probably won’t happen anytime soon, despite how much he’s begged Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. He says “they don’t want to ruin it”, and that “it’s a gem of a movie, and they don’t want a crappy second.” He goes on to say that there’s a little talk of a Pineapple Express sequel, and that we’d “have a better shot at seeing that.”
While I had fun with Superbad, I’d personally much rather see any film in the Pineapple Express universe—if only to see James Franco reprise his role. Superbad’s story seemed fairly well contained, whereas Pineapple Express could potentially continue as a series of stoner adventures a la Cheech and Chong.
Apatow also makes quick mention of Get Him to the Greek, the spin-off film from Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The film is the closest thing the Apatow-verse has gotten to a sequel (he calls it a “sideways sequel”). He says “It’s sort of like My Favorite Year on heroin”.
To a degree, I much prefer the fact that the Apatow films (both directed and produced) have each been somewhat different. I appreciate that they’d rather move on to new and original ideas instead of trying to create an endless franchise. This is a philsophy I wish formerly-great comedians like Eddie Murphy and Steve Martin could follow as well.
Apatow seemed pretty confident that Superbad 2 probably won’t happen anytime soon, despite how much he’s begged Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. He says “they don’t want to ruin it”, and that “it’s a gem of a movie, and they don’t want a crappy second.” He goes on to say that there’s a little talk of a Pineapple Express sequel, and that we’d “have a better shot at seeing that.”
While I had fun with Superbad, I’d personally much rather see any film in the Pineapple Express universe—if only to see James Franco reprise his role. Superbad’s story seemed fairly well contained, whereas Pineapple Express could potentially continue as a series of stoner adventures a la Cheech and Chong.
Apatow also makes quick mention of Get Him to the Greek, the spin-off film from Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The film is the closest thing the Apatow-verse has gotten to a sequel (he calls it a “sideways sequel”). He says “It’s sort of like My Favorite Year on heroin”.
To a degree, I much prefer the fact that the Apatow films (both directed and produced) have each been somewhat different. I appreciate that they’d rather move on to new and original ideas instead of trying to create an endless franchise. This is a philsophy I wish formerly-great comedians like Eddie Murphy and Steve Martin could follow as well.
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