• Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins have joined the cast of Woody Allen's next project which will shoot in London. I for one cannot wait to see Brolin's Woody impression.
• SAG and the AMPTP will resume talks on Feb. 18.
• Steven Spielberg's Lincoln movie could be gearing up for next Oscar season. Tony Kushner is scripting, with Liam Neeson in talks to star.
• Will Smith was named Hollywood's most bankable star by Forbes Magazine.
• Amy Adams could possibly pull off an Oscar upset with her performance in Doubt.
• The first teaser trailer for Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds has leaked. Should we be concerned by Brad Pitt attempting yet another Southern-fried accent?
•The Departed screenwriter William Monaghan will direct The Art of the Heist, based on the life of a notorious art thief.
• Disney reportedly wants to turn the Tower of Terror ride into the next Pirates of the Caribbean. Now how about bringing Br'er Rabbit back in Splash Mountain: The Movie?
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 2/11/09
BIZ
from Peter Bart
It's been one year since the Writers Guild's self-destructive strike and now we have the actors in a similarly self-destructive mode. At a time when the nation's economy is in a state of upheaval, this town's creative community seems intent on stepping up the chaos.
Film News: Fallout still felt from writers' walkout -- One year later, the evidence is clear: The WGA strike crippled the film and TV biz at a time when the industry was already caught in the buzzsaw of a radically changing marketplace for Hollywood's wares.
from Variety.com
Front Page: Comedian under fire for strike-era monologues -- A year has passed, but the WGA West is still reviewing the possibility of disciplinary action against Jay Leno for "Tonight Show" monologues he delivered while the guild was on strike.
from Peter Bart
DreamWorks' trek from Paramount to Universal to Disney has riveted the community's attention perhaps more than any other corporate journey in the last generation.
Live Nation, Ticketmaster begin defending merger
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By RYAN NAKASHIMA
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Concert promoter Live Nation Inc. and ticketing giant Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc. confirmed their merger plans Tuesday and got right to work addressing antitrust concerns that have taken center stage....
SAG's Membership First Statement To Actors: "We Have Not
Lost Our Resolve"
from Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily by Nikki Finke
Message To The Membership From Membership First February 10, 2009On January 26th, a Written Assent, signed by 41 members of the Screen Actors Guild National Board, fired NED/Chief Negotiator Doug Allen, appointed David White as SAG's interim National Executive Director and promoted SAG Senior Advisor John McGuire to the position of Chief Negotiator.
from EW.com: Movies
By Lynette Rice
Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have a date on Feb. 17 in Los Angeles
UPDATE: Icahn Ups Lionsgate Stake; Stock In Freefall After
Lousy Quarter
from Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily by Nikki Finke
UPDATE: Carl Icahn Affiliates confirmed control over 10.56% of the common shares of Lionsgate Entertainment today after the market closed. The acquired Shares were purchased on the New York Stock Exchange at a price of $4.53 per common share. Icahn Affiliates now own and control 12,235,723 common shares of Lionsgate Gate.
Petition To NY: Fund Showbiz Tax Breaks
from Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily by Nikki Finke
As I've previously reported, New York has run out of money to fund its Film & TV Tax Credits which have lured back or helped keep productions in-state. If not re-approved in the next state budget, their absence will undoubtedly hurt the entertainment business at a time when it can least afford it, especially when the program pays for itself.
Sirius XM Reportedly Preparing To File For Bankruptcy
from Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily by Daniel Kreps
Sirius XM radio is preparing to file for a possible bankruptcy, the New York Times reports. Despite the merger that brought together the two satellite-radio businesses in July 2008, the joint company remains in a $3.25 billion debt, thanks to the credit squeeze, high-price talent and the expense of sending satellites into space.
from The Hollywood Reporter - Music by Associated Press
Muzak Holdings LLC, the maker of elevator music, filed for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday. The company owes hundreds of millions
of dollars to creditors and has assets of less than $50,000.
Film festivals foster 'gen next' talent
Film News: Programs targeting tyros often jumpstart careers -- While an unsteady global film industry has budding filmmakers worried about their futures, there's never been a better time to develop their craft.
SXSW Movie Trailer: Ramin Bahrani's Goodbye Solo
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Next up in our continuing series of movie trailers for films that will be playing at the 2009 South By Southwest Film Festival, we bring you the trailer for Ramin Bahrani's Goodbye Solo.
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Another day, another movie trailer for a 2009 South By
Southwest Film Festival indie. 45365 is the zipcode for Sidney,
Ohio. Storyboard artist (Idiocracy, Sky High) turned first time
documentary filmmaker Turner Ross and co-director Bill Ross spent 9 months in a
community of 20,000 people, capturing "the congruities of daily life in an
American town."
AWARDS
Academy of Country Music announces nominees
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ...
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Brad Paisley leads all finalists for the Academy of Country Music Awards with six nominations....
Gunn, Roberts to host Oscars red-carpet arrivals
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ...
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Take "Good Morning America" and "Project Runway," add some Entertainment Weekly, and you've got the hosts of the red-carpet arrivals show at the Oscars....
The Queen Will Reign on Oscar Night
Queen Latifah is making a return performance at this year's
Academy Awards.
Daily Box Office: Monday, February 9, 2009
from Box Office Mojo - Current Box Office Results
He's Just Not That Into You tops Monday's box office with $1.8 million
Video:
Dish Of Salt: Jonas Brothers Talk '3D Concert Experience'
from Access Hollywood - Movies
Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas talk with Laura "Dish of Salt" Saltman about their 3D concert film "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience," a movie about their "Burning Up" concert tour, as well as documentary footage on the lives of the three brothers.
from EW.com: Movies
By Dave Karger
Dave Karger's feelings about the movie have changed -- see why he says its Oscar campaign played a part
Hopkins, Brolin join Woody Allen pic
from Variety.com
Los Angeles: Film to start shooting in London this summer -- Woody Allen has set Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins to star in the film he wrote and will shoot in London this summer.
Columbia pic gets Sandler and friends
from Variety.com
Film News: James, Rock, Spade, Schneider in lineup -- Kevin James, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider and David Spade are in negotiations to star in an untitled comedy for Columbia Pictures.
Demi Moore stars in low-budget family drama (Reuters)
from Yahoo! News: Entertainment News
Reuters - Actress Demi Moore leaves big-budget Hollywood behind in family comedy "Happy Tears," in which she plays a woman struggling to provide for her own family while caring for a senile father.
William Monahan To Direct The Art of the Heist
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
The Departed screenwriter William Monahan has more projects on his plate than Guillermo del Toro, but the scripter hopes to direct a movie based on the career criminal Myles Connor.
Inglorious Basterds Trailer Premieres on E.T.
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Precisely how uncontrollable is the hype for Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds? Well, it's at least gotten a bunch of self-respecting geeks to tune into Entertainment Tonight for the first time ever/in ages, a remarkable feat by any measure. As we mentioned yesterday, footage from the teaser of Basterds debuted this evening on E.T. and you can find a low-quality bootleg version after the jump.
Sam Rockwell wading in 'Waters'
from Hollywood Reporter by By Borys Kit
Sam Rockwell has joined Hilary Swank in "Betty Anne
Waters," a legal drama that Tony Goldwyn is directing for Omega
Entertainment.
Zachary Levi joins 'Chipmunks' sequel
from Hollywood Reporter by By Jay A. Fernandez
Zachary Levi, star of the NBC action comedy series "Chuck," has been cast opposite the computer-generated singing rodents of "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel."
from Hollywood Reporter by By Steven Zeitchik and Matthew Belloni
As Lionsgate and the Weinstein Co. await the fate of their
dueling lawsuits over the Sundance hit "Push," a portrait of a
chaotic, even incestuous set of circumstances is emerging.
EXCLUSIVE: 'Monsters Vs. Aliens' Prepare For Battle In New IMAX
Poster
from MTV Movies Blog by Brian Jacks
You've got to hand it to Dreamworks...just when you've thought we've seen every possible battle scenario, Hollywood throws another one in the mix. This time it's "Monsters Vs. Aliens," which has been gaining buzz amongst sci-fi fans for its fun, simple concept and witty humorous trailer (which you can watch after the jump).
EXCLUSIVE: Brett Ratner Promises Hard R In 'Reinvention' Of
'Bevery Hills Cop'
from MTV Movies Blog by Eric Ditzian
Brett Ratner wants everyone to be clear about one thing: he is not about to screw up the first "Beverly Hills Cop" in over 15 years--so everybody just chill out.
from NYT > Movies by By STEPHEN HOLDEN
"Great Speeches From a Dying World" is an unsettling documentary portrait gallery of nine homeless people living on the streets of Seattle.
TELEVISION
Just under 50 million watch Obama in prime-time
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ...
NEW YORK (AP) -- An estimated 49.5 million people watched
Barack Obama's first prime-time news conference as president....
from mediabistro.com: TVNewser
Fox News Channel was in the top three cable channels on television in prime time Total Viewers (Live+SD) for the fourth week in a row last week. FNC finished 3rd (2,425,000), CNN was 15th (1,173,000), MSNBC 27th (873,000) and HLN 29th (623,000). FNC and CNN were up week-to-week.
Dramas have been ratings downers for cable networks
from USATODAY.com Life - Top Stories
This winter has been frosty for several cable dramas.
NBC's war crimes 'Predator' gets criticism
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
NEW YORK, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- NBC News is using its successful "To Catch a Predator" formula to search out war criminals, a practice several media observers say is questionable.
On War Criminals' Trail, NBC News Stirs Criticism
from NYT > Television by By BRIAN STELTER
Authorities are worried that a show probing human rights abuses might undercut official investigations.
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
UNIVERSAL CITY , Calif., Feb. 10 (UPI) -- NBC announced Tuesday that it has ordered a new show starring life strategist and author Tony Robbins.
Showtime renews 'Tara' for 2nd season
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
NEW YORK, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- "United States of Tara" has been renewed for a second season, it was announced Tuesday by Showtime President of Entertainment Robert Greenblatt.
Pickens: Heigl, Knight leaving 'Grey's'
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Actor James Pickens Jr. says his co-stars Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight are leaving the U.S. medical drama, "Grey's Anatomy."
Ausiello: 'Ugly Betty' crisis averted!
from EW.com: TV
By Michael Ausiello
Michael Ausiello confirms exclusively that after ''open-ended hiatus'' drama, the show will be renewed
FX greenlights two drama pilots
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
Tuesday was a busy day at FX, which picked up two drama pilots: "Lights Out," from Justin Zackham and Phillip Noyce, and a Graham Yost-penned project based on an Elmore Leonard short story.
Fox casts 'Human Target,' 'Ab Fab' pilots
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
Mark Valley has been tapped as the lead in Fox's drama pilot "Human Target," while Kathryn Hahn has been tapped to star in the network's comedy pilot "Absolutely Fabulous."
Slew of castings for HBO drama pilots
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
Aleksa Palladino, Paul Sparks, Shea Whigham and Anthony Laciura round out the cast of "Boardwalk Empire," while Rob Brown has joined another HBO drama pilot, "Treme."
Wilmer Valderrama in biz with Nickelodeon
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
Wilmer Valderrama is developing a family comedy at Nickelodeon. The project centers on a family that ends up with a space alien instead of the exchange student they expected.
Diane Sawyer examines poverty in Appalachia
from L.A. Times - TV News
The journalist returns to a place she knows to document its
poverty.
MUSIC
DA asks police for more investigation of Brown (AP)
from Yahoo! News: Entertainment News
AP - Prosecutors said Tuesday they want more evidence from police before determining whether to press charges against Chris Brown, who's accused in a domestic dispute that reportedly involves pop superstar Rihanna.
Music Review: Lily Allen's new album saucy, darker
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By SOLVEJ SCHOU
Lily Allen, "It's Not Me, It's You" (EMI)...
Original Village People member sues group
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ...
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The Village People's first cop wants a revamped version of the group to stop using his likeness and voice.
Chris Cornell unleashes 'Scream' on spring tour
from Top Stories from LiveDaily.com
(LiveDaily.com) Former Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell [ tickets ] will hit the road this spring to drum up support for his forthcoming third solo album, which was produced by Timbaland.
Billy Joel, Elton John to play Wrigley Field
from USATODAY.com Music - Top Stories
The Piano Man and the Rocket Man are pairing up for a
concert this summer at Chicago's Wrigley Field.
Snoop Dogg inks multi-platform deal
Music News: Pact includes variety show, album, videogame -- Snoop Dogg has inked a multiplatform deal with MTV that involves a variety show, a new album and inclusion in the "Rock Band" vidgame franchise.
ETC...
First lady Michelle Obama is Vogue cover model
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By SAMANTHA CRITCHELL
NEW YORK (AP) -- It's official: Michelle Obama is the first lady of American fashion, appearing on the cover of the March issue of Vogue....
'Field of Dreams' anniversary celebration canceled
from USATODAY.com Movies - Top Stories
The owners of the Field of Dreams Movie Site near Dyersville
in northeast Iowa have called off plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary
Katherine Heigl Taking Agency Meetings?
from Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily by Nikki Finke
The TV and movie star has been with Paradigm's Norm Aladjem for a decade. And he's helped the Grey's Anatomy star, with her manager and lawyer, pull down big coin as the film offers pour in.
Scoop: Octuplet mom imitates Angelina Jolie
from MSNBC.com: Gossip
Life & Style compared octuplets mom Nadya Suleman to Angelina Jolie, and reports that Suleman has allegedly had procedures to make her look more like the megastar.
Jessica Simpson Adds Luggage to her Fashion Empire
A full line of luggage, travel bags and business cases made from leather, canvas and nylon will be available this fall
Phoenix insists he's jilting Hollywood for hip-hop
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By DAVID GERMAIN
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Joaquin Phoenix is torn between two lovers in what he professes will be his last film....
Madonna and Moore Teaming Up Again for Oscars
Move over, Vanity Fair. Madonna and Demi Moore are on their way of becoming the new queens of Oscar night.
Twilighters Arrive in Droves for Open Casting
Dakota Fanning, AnnaLynne McCord, Lucy Hale and Vanessa Hudgens aren't the only people jostling for roles in the next installment of the Twilight series.
Eight arrested from pot party. Is Michael Phelps next?
from Los Angeles Times - Celebrity News
Sheriffs also have confiscated the notorious bong, which some sources say its owner was trying to sell it on EBay for around $100,000.
