• Samuel L. Jackson has signed a long-term commitment to play Nick Fury in Iron Man 2, Thor, and The Avengers. Look for Nick Fury to teach Peter Parker how to smoke a cigar in Spider-Man 7.
• Mark Wahlberg could be joining Will Ferrell's B Team, which is not, weirdly enough, a parody of The A-Team.
• Leonardo DiCaprio's production company wants to remake The NeverEnding Story. The flying dog won't be the same in CGI.
• Michael Cera is definitely in for the Arrested Development movie. Who knew when the show debuted, in 2003, that Cera would be the toughest cast member to get for a movie?
•Total Recall is also getting the remake treatment, courtesy of the producer of I Know What You Did Last Summer.
• Sean Penn and Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black had their Oscar speeches censored in Asia.
• Cate Blanchett is set to play Maid Marian (opposite Russell Crowe) in Ridley Scott's Robin Hood film.
BIZ
Tax-break states bask in Oscar glory
Film News: 'Knight' contributes $35 mil to Chicago economy -- Film incentives are gasping for a longer run in many states, but some states, touting their ongoing run of film/TV production returns, are also sharing Oscar's spotlight.
Is Murdoch's FCC Waiver in Trouble?
from The Wrap RSS by admin
Angered by a cartoon that appeared last week in the New York
Post, Rev. Al Sharpton and NAACP chief executive Benjamin Jealous are meeting
today with officials at the Federal Communications Commission in Washington.
5 Reasons Chernin's Exit Puts Hulu in Danger
from Advertising Age - MediaWorks
News Corp. Chief Operating Officer Peter Chernin's decision
to semi-retire into a movie-producing career leaves web TV start-up Hulu
without its most powerful ally in Hollywood. The timing could be worse, but not
much. Here's why.
from Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily by Nikki Finke
6:45 PM UPDATE: Now I hear that MGM was surprised by my news about Carl Icahn and their debt today. One of the studio's insiders tells me tonight: "Carl Icahn is not an approved buyer of MGM debt. He is not on MGM's approved list.
Cigarettes
in New Film Stir Anger at Studio
from NYT > Movies by By BROOKS BARNES
An arm of the American Medical Association is demanding that Warner Brothers step up its policing of tobacco images on screen.
Discovery turns up a Q4 profit
from Hollywood Reporter by By Paul Bond
For a TV company, Discovery Communications isn't doing so
bad. The publicly traded entity formed last year said Wednesday that it earned
$106 million in the fourth quarter, up from a loss of $170 million last year.
Ballots Going Into IATSE Members Hands
from Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily by Nikki Finke
The ballot package for the proposed IATSE/AMPTP Basic
Agreement is being mailed out this week for all 17 "Hollywood" locals
with a return due date around March 18th. It will include this letter from
IATSE President Matt Loeb who lies to the membership that "a vote against
ratification is a vote to authorize a strike".
from Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily by Nikki Finke
So Danny Boyle visited Endeavor today with Oscar in hand and
spent two hours in the agency conference room with the Slumdog
Millionaire soundtrack blaring as everyone toasted with cupcakes and
champagne.
FESTIVALS
Movies worth your time at SXSW - Austin 360
Austin 360, TX
My own list of must-sees will change by the day, but here's my preliminary
round of movies to see at SXSW. Get the entire SXSW film lineup at sxsw.com/film.
Festival considers O'Neill in the 21st century
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By F.N. D'ALESSIO
CHICAGO (AP) -- For someone who was written off as passe long before he died in 1953, Eugene O'Neill still has an uncanny ability to grab headlines and spark debate among theater critics.
Hong Kong fest lineup revealed
from Hollywood Reporter by Staff report
The Jackie Chan starrer "Shinjuku Incident,"
directed by Derek Yee, and the social drama "Night and Fog," directed
by Ann Hui, will serve as the opening-night films at the 33rd Hong Kong
International Film Festival, running March 22-April 13.
New Okinawa fest will go for laughs
from Variety.com - Film Festivals
Film Festivals: 'Sunshine Cleaning,' 'My Stars' on slate -- The Okinawa Movie Festival, Japan's first international comedy fest, has announced the lineup for its first edition, skedded to unspool March 19-22 in Okinawa.
Playboy jazz fest announces lineup
Music News: Kenny G, Rodriguez, Austin to perform -- Quincy Jones had a twofold purpose in taking the podium at Wednesday's announcement of the 31st annual Playboy Jazz Festival.
AWARDS
Clint Eastwood gets lifetime Palme d'Or
from Hollywood Reporter by By Rebecca Leffler
Clint Eastwood on Wednesday received a lifetime achievement
Palme d'Or from Festival de Cannes toppers Gilles Jacob and Thierry Fremaux.
Zac Efron will be honored by ShoWest
from Hollywood Reporter by By Carl DiOrio
Zac Efron, star of the"High School Musical" films,
will be honored at ShoWest 2009 as breakthrough performer of the year.
Sony VP Verno flays Emmy plans
from Variety.com - Award Central News
Award Central News: Battle brewing over awards update -- Sony Pictures Television exec VP of movies and miniseries Helen Verno called plans to move certain TV movie categories out of the main Emmy telecast "disgusting" and urged producers to write the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences voicing their objections.
MOVIES
from Forbes.com: Media News by Forbes staff
Nicole Kidman in "The Reader"? Gwyneth Paltrow aboard "Titanic"? How some of the biggest names in Hollywood lost out on some of its biggest roles.
from Box Office Mojo - Top Stories by by Conor Bresnan
The foreign box office was relatively quiet over the weekend, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was tops again, making $21 million.
Daily Box Office: Tuesday, February 24, 2009
from Box Office Mojo - Current Box Office Results
Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail tops Tuesday's box office with $2.0 million
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By MICHAEL CIDONI
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Tyler Perry wants Madea dead....
'Fast
& Furious' Stars Talk About The Franchise
from Access Hollywood - Movies
Vin Diesel and Paul Walker take you on a look inside the making of the latest installment of the heart-pounding, pedal-to-the-metal franchise, which also co-stars original cast members Michelle Rodriguez & Jordana Brewster.
All Access: 'Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience'
Premiere!
from Access Hollywood - Movies
The fans go wild as the Jo Bros hit the purple carpet for the premiere of their new film!
Producer Gilbert Adler livening up 'Dead'
from Hollywood Reporter by By Jay A. Fernandez
Producer Gilbert Adler is sinking his teeth into the horror
film "Dead of Night," which starts production today in New Orleans.
Sam Jackson Signs Up For NINE MORE Appearances as Nick Fury
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Here's a bedtime story about, amongst other things, economies of scale.
After appearing in the post credits geek-tease on Iron Man, Sam Jackson's
Nick Fury was slated for a bigger, better showing in the next installment.
George and Oscar Bluth: So Excited to Get Arrested!
Ya just gotta love Jeffrey Tambor's excitement over the upcoming Arrested Development movie. "I can't wait," Tambor tells me.
Slumdog Kids No Longer Slumming It
And they thought their good fortune peaked when they met Mickey. Two of Slumdog Millionaire's child actors are, quite literally, slumming it no more.
Final Harry Potter film gets release date
from Hollywood Reporter by By Carl DiOrio
Harry has a final date with his film destiny: Warner Bros.
will open the eighth film in its Potter franchise -- "Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hollows: Part II" -- on July 15, 2011.
Does Pixar Have a Problem Creating Good Female Characters?
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Does Pixar have a gender problem? A blog called Vast Public Indifference thinks so, claiming that the Emmeryville computer animation studio doesn't have any good women characters as the central protagonists in their stories.
The Backlash Begins: Does Kristen Stewart Really Think
'Twilight' Is A Bad Movie?
from MTV Movies Blog by Larry Carroll
From George Lucas to Michael Phelps to the Octo-Mom, every famous person has to
deal with it at some point: Backlash. But now, as the vitriol begins to boil
around Kristen Stewart, we have to wonder: Are the Twilighters being too mean?
The Governator is ready for a Rambo summit. Arnold Schwarzenegger has agreed to make a cameo as his state-ruling self in Sylvester Stallone's latest testosterone-fest.
New Character Poster: Pixar's Up
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Disney has provided us with an exclusive look at one of the new Bus Shelter Posters for Pixar's Up.
Cate Blanchett to play Maid Marian
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Australian actress Cate Blanchett has signed on to play Maid Marian to Russell Crowe's Robin Hood in the film formerly known as "Nottingham," Variety.com said.
from EW.com: Movies
Reviewed by Owen Gleiberman
My Eyes!: 3D Yogi Bear Movie Moving Forward with Journey 3D
Director
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Giving heightened meaning to the name Boo Boo, the previously announced Yogi
Bear movie--another CG/live-action why-brid--has landed a director, a 3D
director at that.
Movie Review: Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience
from EW.com: Movies
Reviewed by Lisa Schwarzbaum
The NeverEnding Story Gets a Remake
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
We may have solved what "The Nothing" is once and for all: why, it's the
insatiable trend of Hollywood remakes. The sparkly 1984 children's fantasy
film, The NeverEnding Story, has been dusted off at Warner Bros. though
screenwriters and a director are not currently attached.
EXCLUSIVE: Hasbro Chief Lifts Veil On Spooky 'Ouija' Movie
Adaptation
from MTV Movies Blog by Eric Ditzian
Hasbro is set to bring a movie about its mysterious, possibly prophetic Ouija
board game to the big screen, but the man behind the project wants to be clear
about one thing: this isn't going to be some G-rated, "Oh no, it's alive!" weak
sauce "Jumanji" knock-off.
Ferrell-Wahlberg: Movie dream team!
from EW.com: Movies
By Mandi Bierly
Mandi Bierly hasn't been this excited about a potential cop movie pairing
in...well, maybe ever. You?
Gimme Remakes: Total Recall Recalled Back to Theaters
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Columbia Pictures and producer Neal H. Moritz (I Am Legend, The Green Hornet, The Skulls III) have tossed Paul Verhoeven's Total Recall on the remake block under the pretense that today's leaps in special effects will make it worthwhile.
'Green Lantern' And 'Jonah Hex' Release Dates Announced
from Splash Page by David Press
Warner Brothers is moving ahead with their next DC Comics movies by announcing
release dates for "Green Lantern" and "Jonah Hex." The scarred Civil War
veteran, Jonah Hex, will hit theaters Aug. 10, 2010, with the Emerald Knight
arriving in time for the holidays, Dec. 17, 2010.
One-night live cinema event focuses on women's rights
from Film Journal
To honor International Women's Day, "A Powerful Noise
Live!", a one-night, in-theatre event on Thursday, March 5, will give audiences
a glimpse into the efforts of three women to create change in Bosnia, Mali and
Vietnam.
Man crush: John Hamburg redefines romantic comedy with
male-bonding tale
from Film Journal by Sarah Sluis
John Hamburg's first feature, Safe Men, was a buddy
comedy; his second, Along Came Polly, a romantic comedy. So it only
makes sense that his third, I Love You, Man, is a bromantic comedy.
Peter Baynham to rewrite 'Arthur'
Film News: Russell Brand to star in comedy remake -- Peter Baynham has been set by Warner Bros. to write "Arthur," a remake of the 1981 comedy that is being crafted as a vehicle for Russell Brand to play the lovable lush.
On-screen 'Street Fighter' trades on the arcade
Video-game-to-big-screen conversion is back with upcoming
films taking a cue from 'Bioshock,' 'Prince of Persia.'
Film News: 'Office' actor to star in Carell-produced film -- Ed Helms is branching out from "The Office," setting up an untitled Civil War feature with Warner Bros., with castmate Steve Carell producing through his Warner-based Carousel banner.
Warner Bros. sets up 'Suicide Squad'
Film News: Dan Lin to produce supervillain franchise -- Warner Bros. is going on a suicide mission, setting up the DC Comics property "Suicide Squad" for Dan Lin ("Sherlock Holmes") to produce as a potential franchise.
Exclusive Photos: Check Out Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman And John
Malkovich In 'Mutant Chronicles'
from Splash Page by Brian Jacks
It pleases me immensely that I'm able to type the following sentence: "28th
century soldier Major Mitch Hunter leads a fight against an army of underworld
NecroMutants." That's the one-line synopsis for "Mutant Chronicles," an
upcoming sci-fi indie film that boasts an esteemed cast of no less than John
Malkovich, Thomas Jane and Ron Perlman.
TELEVISION
TV Ratings: Address brings in 52.37 million viewers -- President Obama's first address to a Joint Session of Congress drew 52.37 million viewers on Tuesday night, a slighty larger audience than his primetime press conference two weeks earlier, which averaged 49.5 million, according to Nielsen.
'Trek' cast to reunite on 'Family Guy'
from The Live Feed by hollywoodreporter
The cast of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is reuniting for an episode of "Family Guy"
'Marriage' returns Seinfeld to NBC
from Variety.com
Front Page: Comic to exec produce reality series -- Jerry Seinfeld is returning to network series television after an 11-year hiatus as creator and exec producer of an NBC reality series that seeks to mine laughs out of marriage problems.
Newsweek: Are guest stars killing '30 Rock'?
Turning to big-name outsiders is often the last refuge of a desperate show. In the case of NBC's "30 Rock," though, might it make perfect sense?
from EW.com: TV
Reviewed by Ken Tucker
Timberlake to be a guest on 1st 'Fallon'
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
NEW YORK, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. pop star Justin Timberlake is to join Robert De Niro and musical guest Van Morrison for the premiere episode of "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," NBC said.
MSNBC's Chris Matthews explains 'Oh, God' remark
from USATODAY.com Life - Top Stories
MSNBC's Chris Matthews said he was surprised by the "peculiar stagecraft" of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's response to President
Cable news viewership remains high
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By DAVID BAUDER
NEW YORK (AP) -- The end of the presidential campaign hasn't meant the end of interest in cable news programming, particularly those shows that filter stories through the strong points of view of their hosts.
February Ratings: Program Ranker
from mediabistro.com: TVNewser
Fox News had the top six cable news programs during February '09 in Total Viewers, and nine of the top 10. The O'Reilly Factor was once again 1st. CNN's Larry King Live was the only non-FNC program to make the top 10, in 7th. MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann was 11th.
Arts, Briefly: Wins for 'NCIS' and 'Biggest Loser'
from NYT > Television by By BENJAMIN TOFF; Compiled by DAVE ITZKOFF
An hourlong edition of "The Biggest Loser" on NBC on Tuesday night attracted the series's highest ratings among viewers 18 to 49 since its January premiere.
Will tendinitis keep Jewel from 'Dancing'?
"Dancing With the Stars" contestant Jewel has tendinitis in her knees, the singer revealed on her blog on Wednesday -- an injury she said may keep her from competing on the ABC show.
'Wheel of Fortune' is ready to spin its 5,000th show
from USATODAY.com Life - Top Stories
As a game of chance, Wheel of Fortune has been a sure thing. The top-rated syndicated series celebrates its 5,000th episode Friday
Rosie O'Donnell returns to TV in a Lifetime movie
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By RYAN PEARSON
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) -- Rosie O'Donnell says she doesn't have time these days to view "The View."
Kara DioGuardi is disappointed in Paula Abdul
"Paula has a right to her opinions, but I was disappointed by her comments, and hurt that she did not address them to me in person," DioGuardi said.
New talk-show host Chris Isaak won't 'just be asking questions'
from USATODAY.com Life - Top Stories
Singer/songwriter/actor Chris Isaak turns talk-show host with the debut of The Chris Isaak Hour on cable's BIO channel
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
Fox's comedy pilot "Walorsky" has been pushed to
June after difficulties casting the lead.
Derek Luke joins TV rotation in NBC's 'Trauma'
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
Film actor Derek Luke is making his foray into television
with a starring role on NBC's drama pilot "Trauma."
From 'Swingtown' to 'Melrose Place'
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
And the first actor cast in the new "Melrose
Place" is ... Michael Rady.
Director Of An Inconvenient Truth To Helm... Melrose Place
Remake
from Defamer by Kyle Buchanan
Davis Guggenheim won an Oscar for directing the enormously sexy Al Gore
doomsday documentary An Inconvenient Truth. What high-profile project is
next on his slate? The CW's upcoming Melrose Place reboot. How did this
happen?
'Real Housewives' reunion: O.C., OK!
from EW.com: TV
By Lindsay Soll
Lindsay Soll on the special's juicy revelation of Gretchen's ''stalker.'' Uh,
''friend.'' Uh, ''family friend.'' Uh...''boyfriend''?
CMT greenlights 'Strictest Parents' reality show
from Hollywood Reporter by By Paul J. Gough
CMT will premiere an original series, "World's Strictest Parents," beginning in April.
Naomi Judd returns to 'Can You Duet'
from Hollywood Reporter by By Ken Tucker, Billboard
Naomi Judd will return to the judging panel for the second season of CMT's "Can You Duet," the weekly music competition series from "American Idol" producers FremantleMedia North America.
MUSIC
'Fearless' is No. 1 for 10th week
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Taylor Swift's "Fearless" is No. 1 on the U.S. album chart for a 10th non-consecutive week, Billboard.com reported Wednesday.
from EW.com: Today's Latest Headlines
Jeff Jensen says Bono and Co.'s latest is electrifying
winner. Plus: We listen to the ''Watchmen'' soundtrack
'No Line on the Horizon' by U2
The 12th studio album by the seminal Irish band reflects on
the need -- and perils -- of change.
No Doubt announces a slew of summer dates
from Top Stories from LiveDaily.com
(LiveDaily.com) For the first time in five years, ska-rockers No Doubt will hit the tour trail, visiting amphitheaters and arenas from coast to coast.
Fan survives life with Rolling Stones
from Reuters: Entertainment News
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Many music fans dream about meeting their heroes. Rolling Stones fanzine writer Bill German accomplished that feat when he was 17, and became part of the band's inner circle during the 1980s, deftly negotiating the Byzantine layers of political bureaucracy that cushion the British rock icons.
Music to the ears of hospital patients
from Reuters: Entertainment News
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Patients in hospitals and healthcare facilities are often too sick to attend musical concerts, so a charity is bringing the music to them.
Kevin Jonas: I Wanted To Work At The Gap
from Access Hollywood - Movies
Along with his two brothers, Kevin Jonas may be a household name to millions of teens, but being a rock star wasn't always his dream job.
Jonas Bros. reach out to diabetic kids
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- A charitable U.S. foundation started by the Jonas Brothers band, will provide $25,000 in scholarships for diabetes camps, Nick Jonas said Wednesday.
Katy Perry, Leona Lewis, LL Cool J headline Grammy tour
from Top Stories from LiveDaily.com
(LiveDaily.com) The 2009 Grammy Celebration Concert Tour presented by T-Mobile Sidekick will kick-off April 9 at the Hollywood Palladium with a performance by Leona Lewis. The five-city tour will continue with an April 14 show at The Warfield in San Francisco.
New Music: Neko Case: "Middle Cyclone" [MP3]
from Pitchfork Media - Today by Tyler Grisham
In less than a week, frequent New Pornographers collaborator and indie goddess Neko Case will release her newest solo outing
50 Cent's new album may not be out anytime soon
from USATODAY.com Life - Top Stories
50 Cent is taking a back seat to Eminem.
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
NEW YORK, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Motley Crue has announced plans to hit the road for a North American, multi-artist concert tour dubbed "Crue Fest 2: The White Trash Circus."
Nickelback kicks off North American tour
from USATODAY.com Life - Top Stories
The event:Canadian rockers-turned-stateside favorites Nickelback kick off their 2009 world tour Wednesday night
Pop star Stevie Wonder celebrated at White House
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By PHILIP ELLIOTT
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama on Wednesday thanked musician Stevie Wonder for creating "a style that's uniquely American" as he presented the singer-songwriter the nation's highest award for pop music.
Clipse/Rick Rubin Collaboration Actually Happening
from Pitchfork Media - Today by Tom Breihan
Back in the 80s, Rick Rubin co-founded Def Jam Records and produced an absurd number of monster jams for the likes of LL Cool J and Run-DMC.
Chris Cornell expands 'Scream' outing
from Top Stories from LiveDaily.com
(LiveDaily.com) Rocker Chris Cornell has added another 10 dates to his North American spring trek, which coincides with the release of his eclectic new solo album, "Scream."
ONLINE
Ryan J. Davis: Rent Will Perform At CA High School - Web 2.0
Victory
from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by Ryan J. Davis
RENT, the Pulitzer Prize winning musical, will
perform at Corona del Mar High School beginning April 23rd. The production
follows an attempt by Principal Fal Asrani to cancel the musical because of
"homosexual" content. The performance is a victory for the
students and their drama teacher, Ronald Martin, who stood against the
administration's decision. A victory won by their persistence and new media,
specifically blogs and Facebook.
ETC...
Britney Spears's Hairstylist Testifies Against Sam Lutfi
from People.com Latest News by Ken Lee
Roberta Romero says the singer's ex-manager harassed her with calls and texts
Kate Walsh Credits Pals, Family for Helping Her Through Divorce
from People.com Latest News by Oliver Jones
"I come off as confident, but really I am a quivering little wharf rat," says the Private Practice star
Post 9-11 novel wins PEN/Faulkner prize
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ...
NEW YORK (AP) -- Joseph O'Neill's "Netherland," an acclaimed post-Sept. 11 novel bypassed for the National Book Awards and the National Book Critics Circle prize, has finally received a literary honor: the PEN/Faulkner Award for fiction.
Yoko Ono to get Golden Lion Award
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
VENICE, Italy, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Organizers of the Venice (Italy) Biennale say they plan to bestow a Golden Lion Award for lifetime achievement to Japanese-born artist Yoko Ono.
Passenger sues Freeman over crash
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
JACKSON, Miss., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Demaris Meyer is suing actor Morgan Freeman in Mississippi federal court for medical expenses and other damages stemming from a 2008 car crash.
Piven to appear before grievance committee
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
NEW YORK, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Jeremy Piven, who says illness forced him to quit a Broadway play, is expected to appear in person before the grievance committee of Actors' Equity in New York.
Holly Madison And Criss Angel Kaput
from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post
News Team
The original Girl Next Door, Holly Madison, has amicably parted ways with her
Mindfreak beau, Criss Angel, after nearly four months of dating.
Jade Goody will not film her own death
from Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider by Jean Bentley
Though she's spent the past seven years living her life on television, British reality star Jade Goody, who learned last month that her cervical cancer is terminal, will not spend her last days on camera.
