Movie and TV News

[Captain Barbossa]

Vanessa Hudgens to Star in Will

Vanessa Hudgens has joined the cast of Todd Graff's upcoming teenage dramedy Will. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Graff and Josh Cagan wrote the screenplay.

The film follows a high school misfit and a popular girl that form an unlikely friendship through their shared love of music. Together, they form a band of outcasts and go on to perform in a musical competition.

Hudgens is playing the fifteen-year-old stuttering Sam. She becomes romantically entangled with the lead outcast.

The movie will begin production this February in Austin.

A Nightmare on Elm Street Star Robert Englund Favors a Freddy Prequel

There have been some rumors swirling around the Net for awhile about a new reincarnation of A Nightmare On Elm Street. The folks at Fear.net had a chance to chat with Freddy himself, Robert Englund, while he was promoting his latest directorial effort, Killer Pad, and he offered some tidbits on his interest in a possible new Elm Street flick.

Recently there has been some buzz online about a new Nightmare on Elm Street film. Have you heard anything about this?

"I don't know if it's going to be Nightmare on Elm Street the original remake-which is not a bad idea especially with the success of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween-and get some new director to breathe new life into it. I always thought there was room for a prequel. I would be interested in being in that! It's funny because they are all good. Texas Chainsaw Massacre the original was great and the original Halloween was great and some people even think that the original Nightmare on Elm Street is the best of them all. I don't know if you'd want to remake it but it all happens sooner or later. There have been some spin-offs talked about with Freddy and Jason and Michael Myers which is interesting but maybe that's kind of silly. Maybe one was enough. At one time there had been a prequel to Nightmare on Elm Street. I haven't read that script but I heard things about it that John McNaughton the director of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer might direct it. That was kind of interesting. That's the one I would be interested in being involved with."

The Prequel?

"Well yeah because I'd obviously get to do it without the make up. Even though I'm getting old I'm not getting too old to play Freddy. I always figured by the time he was all burned and everything I figured he was in his 40's anyway. I could pull that off. It's going to be interesting to see what they do with it."

Kenneth Branagh Is Swedish Cop Kurt Wallander

Kenneth Branagh is gearing up to play fictional Swedish cop Kurt Wallander on BBC. According to Variety, the channel will be producing three ninety minute movies based off Henning Mankell's bestselling crime novels.

The novels which will be adapted include Sidetracked, Firewall, and One Step Behind. All three films will be shot in Ystad in the south of Sweden.

Production is set to start this spring and will go throughout the summer.

ABC Gets Ready for The Bachelorette

After a three year hiatus, ABC is bringing back the reality show The Bachelorette. According to Variety, Mike Fleiss is once again producing the program.

The show is a spin-off of The Bachelor. It revolves around a female contestant attempting to find true love by dating a number of men. ABC is keeping quiet on any new changes they might be bringing to the show.

Look for the updated series to debut this summer.

[Captain Barbossa]

Sony Pictures 2008 (and 2009) Preview

ComingSoon.net has received Sony Pictures' 2008 preview, including Columbia, Screen Gems, TriStar and Sony Pictures Animation films. The studio has set dates for a number of 2009 films as well.

January 11, 2008
First Sunday


January 25, 2008
Untraceable


February 22, 2008
Vantage Point


February 29, 2008
The Other Boleyn Girl


March 28, 2008
21


April 11, 2008
Prom Night


May 2, 2008
Made of Honor

[Captain Barbossa]

June 6, 2008
You Don't Mess with the Zohan


July 25, 2008
Step Brothers


August 8, 2008
Pineapple Expres


August 15, 2008
The International


August 22, 2008
I Know What Boys Like

October 17, 2008
Quarantine

November 7, 2008
Bond 22

December 12, 2008
Seven Pounds

January 16, 2009
Phenom

February 13, 2009
Pink Panther Deux

March 27, 2009
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

May 15, 2009
Angels & Demons

June 19, 2009
Year One

July 31, 2009
Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three

September 25, 2009
Hotel Transylvania

TBA 2009
District 9

[Captain Barbossa]

Elijah Wood Jukes and Jives About The Hobbit

MTV Movies Blog recently spoke with Elijah Wood about the upcoming Lord of the Rings prequel The Hobbit.

Wood stated about his conversation with Peter Jackson, "I haven't spoken to him directly about it [but] I've e-mailed him, and as far as I know the two films that they're doing, one will be The Hobbit and another will take place between the 60 years that happened between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings."

Wood is excited at the possibility of coming back, "If I'm asked to go back and revisit that character and it makes sense, I would love to. I would absolutely love to. Nothing was really written with Frodo involved in it. That was sort of an ancillary tale outside of Lord of the Rings. I can't imagine that they [Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens] would write great reams of information regarding my character. But if he [Frodo] should show up, it would actually be the perfect way to revisit because it could be small enough that I could go back and have a nice sort of reunion with the memories that I have of the experience."

Wood is more excited about the film as a fan than a potential cast member, "It's a great triumph [that Peter is involved.] I think that's really important that the same team that worked on the [earlier] films [work on "The Hobbit"], the same effects team, that it be shot in New Zealand. I think that it's important that Ian McKellen is cast as Gandalf, just so that there's a synergy between the films. I think people want it to exist in the same world. So at least now we are assured that it will be done through that same lens, which is great. It's exciting."

The Hobbit will open in 2010.

Liev Schreiber to Play Victor Creed in X-Men Origins: Wolverine

According to a story from CHUD.com, it seems that the X-Men Origins: Wolverine has found its Sabretooth in Liev Schreiber.

We previously reported that Schrieber was in talks to take over the role of a younger William Stryker, a role inhabited by Bryan Cox in X2: X-Men United

As for who now will play the Stryker character in the prequel, the story claims that Dexter star Michael C. Hall is atop the producers list, and they also speculate that Michelle Monaghan is a front-runner to play Silver Fox.

Naturally, we'll have more on this as it develops

Exclusive The Eye TV Spot!


Source: ShockTillYouDrop.com
January 11, 2008

ShockTillYouDrop.com has your exclusive first look at a new TV spot for Jessica Alba's The Eye, opening in theaters on February 1. Directed by David Moreau and Xavier Palud, the horror-thriller co-stars Parker Posey, Alessandro Nivola, Tamlyn Tomita and Chloe Moretz.

Click here to watch the spot!

[Captain Barbossa]

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows to Be Released in Two-Parts?

The UK's Mail on Sunday is reporting that the seventh and final Harry Potter film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be split into two separate films. This comes as an artistic decision, not a financial one.

The crew working on the sixth Potter film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince were informed of the decision this week. The seventh novel is 776 pages long, and Rowling insists that splitting the film in two will allow fan favorite scenes to stay in the movie.

A source close to the film states, "There's so much to fit that the view is the last movie should be in two halves. There is a huge battle when Harry, played by Daniel Radcliffe, takes on Voldemort that needs to be done really well."

Rowling writes on her website, "It is simply impossible to incorporate every storyline into a film under four hours long."

Warner Brothers simply stated, "People are discussing all possibilities."

The Complete List of Golden Globe Winners

The 2007 Golden Globe Awards were announced earlier tonight. Even though the award show wasn't televised, you shouldn't fret. We have a complete list of winners for you right here:

MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA:
Atonement

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA:
Julie Christie - Away From Her

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA:
Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood

MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL:
Sweeney Todd

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL:
Marion Cotillard - La Vie en Rose

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL:
Johnny Depp - Sweeney Todd

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM:
Ratatouille

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:
The Diving Bell And The Butterfly

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE:
Cate Blanchett - I'm Not There

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE:
Javier Bardem - No Country For Old Men

DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE:
Julian Schnabel - The Diving Bell And The Butterfly

SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE:
Ethan Coen & Joel Coen - No Country For Old Men

ORIGINAL SCORE - MOTION PICTURE:
Dario Marianelli - Atonement

ORIGINAL SONG - MOTION PICTURE:
"Guaranteed" from Into The Wild - Music & Lyrics By: Eddie Vedder

TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA:
Mad Men

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA:
Glenn Close - Damages

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA:
Jon Hamm - Mad Men

TELEVISION SERIES - COMEDY OR MUSICAL:
Extras

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES -COMEDY OR MUSICAL&#8232:
Tina Fey - 30 Rock

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES - COMEDY OR MUSICAL:
David Duchovny - Californication

MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION:M
Longford

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION:
Queen Latifah - Life Support

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION:
Jim Broadbent - Longford

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION:
Samantha Morton - Longford

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Jeremy Piven - Entourage

Three New Reality Series Headed to CBS

CBS is gearing up to produce three new reality series for air. According to The Hollywood Reporter, these are the first new unscripted shows that CBS has ordered since the writers went on strike last year.

The three shows included Game Show in My Head, which is based on a British series of the same name. It is a hidden camera show that finds contestants having to perform tasks as told to them by the host through an earpiece. These exercises will be done amidst an unsuspecting public. The second show is entitled Secret Talents of the Stars. It will focus on celebrities who show off their secret hidden talents. The third show is called America's Top Dog, and it will revolve around dogs and their owners competing for prizes.

None of the shows have an airdate at this time

More Myths & Legends for TV Land

TV Land has okayed a second season of their hit original series TV Land: Myths and Legends. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show originally debuted in January of 2007 and averaged 819,000 viewers over its six-week run.

The series sets out to find the truth behind certain Hollywood mysteries, scandals, rumors and urban legends. Seven half-hour episodes have been ordered in total, and will focus on whether Arnold Schwarzenegger was originally cast as TV's Incredible Hulk and if Jennifer Lopez's derriere is really insured for $1 billion. They will also look into whether Mars Inc., maker of M&M's, turned down product placement in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, allowing Reese's Pieces to step in and benefit immensely.

The second season will premiere at 10 p.m. Aug. 27.

First Look at The Princess and the Frog

Walt Disney Pictures has revealed this first photo of princess Tiana in the studio's traditionally-animated The Princess and the Frog, coming to theaters in 2009. The movie is written and directed by John Musker and Ron Clements and features the music of Randy Newman.

A musical set in the legendary birthplace of jazz -- New Orleans -- "The Princess and the Frog" will introduce the newest Disney princess, Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose), a young African-American girl living amid the charming elegance and grandeur of the fabled French Quarter. From the heart of Louisiana's mystical bayous and the banks of the mighty Mississippi comes an unforgettable tale of love, enchantment and discovery with a soulful singing crocodile, voodoo spells and Cajun charm at every turn.


I Am Legend Reaches $458 Million Worldwide

Source: Variety
January 14, 2008


Will Smith's I Am Legend remained stellar at the foreign box office, easily winning its fourth straight weekend with $36.2 million from 5,000 prints in 47 markets, reports Variety.

The Golden Compass led the rest of the pack with its fourth consecutive second-place finish, grabbing $15 million at 5,600 in 54 territories.

"Legend" and "Compass" have kept international business in the pink for the past month with combined offshore grosses approaching half a billion dollars. "Legend" has earned $218 million internationally, trailing the film's Stateside total by $22 million ($240.2 million); "Compass" has hit $247 million overseas, nearly four times the domestic gross.

Disney's National Treasure: Book of Secrets nearly beat "Compass" for second place with $14.7 million at 4,700 in 31 markets, pushing its foreign total to $127.5 million. The sequel's on track to top Disney's expectations by finishing well above the $174 million international total for National Treasure.

Fox's Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem earned $13 million at 4,300. The movie has collected $53 million internationally.

The studio's Alvin and the Chipmunks added $9.6 million from 4,000 in 50 markets. The movie has amassed $81.4 million; its combined worldwide total has hit a spectacular $270 million.

Disney's Enchanted took in $7.7 million to push the fantasy's foreign total to $152.3 million -- $35 million ahead of the domestic total -- and Paramount's Bee Movie buzzed up $6.5 million at 4,391 for an international total of $141.5 million.

Underworld 3, Crank 2 and Game Updates

Source: Collider
January 14, 2008


Collider chatted with producer Tom Rosenberg and received some updates on Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans (and a possible 4th film), Crank 2 and Game. Here's a clip on the "Underworld" franchise:

It's a theatrical release definitely. I feel great about that. I think it's the strongest story that we've put together of the three. I think it's really terrific. I think it leads to a 4th. When we did the 1st Underworld, we imagined three--the 1st one, a sequel and then a prequel. The 3rd is a prequel, so the 4th would carry on where Kate and Scott Speedman left off after 2, so I think this is going to be terrific really this one.

You can read the full interview here.

[Prudence]

I don't mind that idea for Harry Potter 7. there are so many awesome things that happen in that book so by doing this they won't cut anything out.

As for the Golden Globes...friggin bullcrap. I'm sorry but it is. Ellen Page should have won for Juno, I have no idea who the hell beat her...Mad Men for best TV comedy? Who's heard of that or that actor? They always pick cable shows at these sorts of things. Jeremy Piven won just like he always does, yawn...and I really think John Travolta in Hairspray should have beaten Johnny Depp, he only won cos he is Johnny Depp.

The ONLY thing I agree with is Tina Fey for 30 Rock. I friggin' love that show!