WGA Makes Deal with United Artists
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: MGM, Filmmaking, Scripts,
Tom Cruise may not have a beard, but he does now share something in common with David Letterman: working writers.
Days after the talk show host welcomed back his writing staff, United Artists reached its own agreement with the WGA. The studio is partially owned the actor and his production partner, Paula Wagner; Lions for Lambs was the first movie released since Cruise became involved with the company.
The deal will not only allow projects to be taken off hold, it will help films currently in production (like Tom Cruise’s Valkyrie) to finish on time.
It is expected that the interim agreement - which does not extend to UA’s parent company (MGM) - could spark a series of deals made by other independent studios.
Variety
Advertisement
After initially denying the rumors, Nicole Kidman’s rep has now confirmed the actress is pregnant. This news comes after the New York Post reported she had dropped out of an upcoming film (presumably for the health of the baby).
Kidman revealed in Vanity Fair interview last year that a miscarriage during her marriage to Tom Cruise led them to adopt their first child, Bella, now 14. They later added Connor, now 12, to their family.
This will be first child for both the Oscar-winning actress and her husband, singer Keith Urban. The two have been married since last June.
People
Box Office Breakdown: Atonement Joins Juno in Top Ten
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, FOCUS, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Foreign, Horror, Music, Musicals, Period, Political, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
When the final numbers were tallied on Monday, something exciting happened at the top of the charts. After a very close race, Juno surpassed I Am Legend for the second place finish. (National Treasure was tops for its third week in a row.) Already in its fifth week, the comedic charmer continued its steady climb up the box office ladder. After gaining five spots last week, Juno rose another two spots this weekend. (A wider release contributed to this feat.) If the movie continues at its current pace, it is expected to be the most successful film from Fox Searchlight. Sideways grossed $71.5 million while last year’s darling, Little Miss Sunshine, earned $59.9 million.
Meanwhile, another praised film is slowly making an ascent in its fifth week. Atonement, starring ribby Keira Knightley and James McAvoy (the man who has replaced Ewan McGregor), made its first entry into the Top Ten. Although the Golden Globe-nominated drama is only being seen in about 1/6 of the theaters Treasure is in, Atonement had a per screen average of $8687. In comparison, the Nicolas Cage film only had a $5332 median.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Atonement Joins Juno in Top Ten
Yahoo! Movies
Warner Titles Go Blu-ray
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Disney, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Corporate Shakeups, Distribution, Home Entertainment, Technology,
Warner Home Video - the last major studio to spread the love between both Blu-ray and HD DVD - has finally chosen to consolidate. Unfortunately, its a decision owners of the Toshiba system aren’t going to like. As of May 2008, high definition titles released by the company will be Blu-ray exclusive.
This a major blow for the HD DVD camp which is now fighting a lopsided battle. Although Paramount Studios (with Dreamworks) announced back in August that it was joining the underdog’s team, it is now only one of two major studios (Universal being the other) on that side of the fence. Meanwhile, owners of the Sony product have selections from Walt Disney, Sony, Fox and Lionsgate to choose from.
Although Toshiba claimed to be ‘surprised’ by the announcement, Warner says its decision was simply based on consumer demand. Blockbuster cited this same reason when it Blu-ray only back in June.
Hollywood Reporter
Tyler Perry Joins ‘Star Trek’ Film
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Science Fiction, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases,
Tyler Perry - the man behind Madea’s Family Reunion and Why Did I get Married? - will be assuming a much smaller role for his next project.
The writer/producer/actor will be taking someone else’s direction while starring in the upcoming Star Trek film. (I believe this may be the first time he’s ever participated in something that didn’t have his name in the title.) Perry will join a continuously expanding cast that already includes Eric Bana, Winona Ryder, Simon Pegg, Zachary Quinto, John Cho and Leonard Nimoy.
If the movie adds one more star, I believe it will have officially reached Robert Altman proportions.
Hollywood Reporter
‘27 Dresses’ Gets 7 More Days
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Romance, Comedy, Upcoming Releases,
Even though its not even up for an award, 20th Century Fox has chosen to make a strategic move with 27 Dresses. The movie, starring Katherine Heigl, was originally scheduled to hit theaters on January 11. Now the romantic comedy’s debut will be pushed back a week to January 18th.
Although a rescheduled date often indicates a less than quality product, Fox claims the change was actually a vote of confidence. Preview audiences have apparently been delighted with the test screenings. The execs are hoping the mid-January open will allow the film to take advantage of the MLK Jr. Holiday weekend. It would also serve as counterprogramming to the action-filled Cloverfield.
Hollywood Reporter
Next Bond Girl and Villain Cast
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, MGM, Action, Sequels, Casting, Upcoming Releases,
Production on the 22nd Bond film started yesterday with two relative newcomers (at least to American audiences) filling lead roles.
British actress Gemma Arterton will star as ‘Fields’, the latest woman to give James Bond a run for his money. No other details have been released about her role in this installment, which will pick up where Casino Royale ended. Based on her photo alone, I’m guessing James won’t be mourning Vesper Lynd for long.
Meanwhile, Mathieu Amalric, who can currently be seen as a paralyzed man in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, has been cast as Daniel Craig’s next nemesis. Fun Optical Fact: Amalric’s Diving character communicates with others by blinking with his left eye. Now he’s following up Royale’s Le Chiffre - the man who was known for weeping blood from his eyes. (Yes, I know that was random. Sue me.)
The next installment, directed by Marc Forster (The Kite Runner), is scheduled for release on November 7th.
Variety
Box Office Breakdown: Juno Makes An Impressive Surge
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Musicals, Period, Political, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
Come Wednesday morning, the box office chart saw very few changes at the top. That’s not to say the five-day holiday weekend didn’t have any notable moments at all:
- Strong word of mouth helped boost last week’s #10, Juno, up five whole spaces. The movie - already in it’s 4th week - continues to soar despite its fairly limited release. It’s $15,788 per screen average even topped National Treasure’s $14,232.
- Golden Globes buzz also contributed to the success of seven-time nominee Atonement. Although it only placed 14th overall, the romantic weeper scored a $15,764 average.
- Alvin and the Chipmunks outmuscled last week’s #2, I Am Legend. The family-friendly flick traded spots with the Will Smith blockbuster thanks to its $2.5 million edge.
- The Debaters narrowly missed a place in the Top Ten despite its connection to both Denzel Washington and Oprah. You heard it right - the talk show host’s touch does not always mean gold.
- Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story followed up its disappointing debut with another out of tune performance. The musical satire plummeted five spots all the way down to #13.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Juno Makes An Impressive Surge
Yahoo! Movies
Lindsay Lohan Back on the Party Circuit
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors,
Since her stint in rehab, Lindsay Lohan has been keeping her nose clean - and for the most part, keeping herself out of nightclubs. But during a recent trip to Italy, the actress let it all hang out - or at least, her tongue. According to reports, the celeb made out with no less than 3 different Joes in only 24 hours. Only one of these, Dario Faiella, allegedly made it back to Lindsay’s hotel room where she was spotted with him in a state of undress the next morning.
Lindsay is also grabbing headlines by virtue of a recent AOL poll, which named Lohan’s role in I Know Who Killed Me the worst performance of the year. Personally, I disagree, but only because I was forced to deal with Keira Knightley in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. Gak!
E! Online
Suri Cruise: Prepped for Stardom
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Animation, Family, Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Upcoming Releases,
She was famous before she was ever born, but that’s just the beginning of the story when it comes to Suri Cruise, the daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise. Mom Katie took the tyke to see Knut (you remember, that fluffy little polar bear) at the Berlin Zoo, which of course prompted photos. Knut dominated the media and even became a celebrated children’s book…so where will this polar bear obsession lead next? Where else but Hollywood and the film industry, which is reportedly already interested in turning little Knut’s life into the next big animated flick. Suri Cruise is also being considered to voice the role of the bear, a pretty mean feat considering the two-year-old child probably isn’t even fully potty-trained.
AOL News
Advertisement
© Gear Live Media, LLC. 2007 – User-posted content, unless source is quoted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain License. Gear Live graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, videos, articles, blogs, forums, scripts and other service names are the trademarks of Gear Live Inc.