The Newsdesk 02.27.09 - Drew Barrymore in Talks for Eclipse ; Murphy Could Play Pryor

VENICE, Italy (AP) -- Director Ang Lee, who twice won the Venice Film Festival's prestigious Golden Lion award, will head its jury this year.

Rachael Ray to return to SXSW

Daily Box Office: Wednesday, February 25, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) -- Rachael Ray is bringing more music and mojitos to the South by Southwest Music and Media Conference this year.

AWARDS

France honors Dustin Hoffman

from MSNBC.com: Movies

Culture Minister Christine Albanel made the two-time Oscar winner an honorary commander in France's National Order of Arts and Letters and tied a green medallion around the 71-year-old actor's neck.

MOVIES

from Box Office Mojo - Current Box Office Results

Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail tops Wednesday's box office with $1.5 million

'Twilight': Is Drew Barrymore a candidate to direct third movie, 'Eclipse'?

from Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider by Nicole Sperling

As Summit Entertainment looks to lock in a director for the third installment of the Twilight series, Eclipse, the company is talking to a select group of directors -- including actress-turned-helmer Drew Barrymore, EW has learned.

'Australia' sets record Down Under

from Variety.com - Film News

Film News: Luhrmann epic is second-highest grossing film ever -- Baz Luhrmann's outback romance "Australia" this week surpassed Chris Noonan's "Babe" to become the second-highest grossing Aussie film at home.

Antonio Banderas joins Woody Allen pic

from Hollywood Reporter by By Jay A. Fernandez

Woody Allen has been throwing some international flavor into his latest casting gumbo.

EXCLUSIVE: First 'Stretch Armstrong' Movie Details -- Will Feature Live-Action, Reluctant Superhero

from Splash Page by Brian Warmoth

When MTV News told you a few weeks ago that writer Steve Oedekerk ("Bruce Almighty") will pen the big-screen debut of Hasbro's Stretch Armstrong doll, the pairing made a certain amount of sense. The man who has written for real-life rubberman Jim Carrey tackling a classic toy with many of the same abilities could in theory make for some inventive action and situation comedy. Now, new details suggest the movie will translate Stretch's toy-chest drama into physical superhero hijinks.

Filming the Unfilmable: Behind the Scenes of the Watchmen Movie

from Wired: Entertainment by Adam Rogers

Some of the most important scenes in the seminal comic book Watchmen take place in the secret basement headquarters of a washed-up ex-superhero called Nite Owl. It's a damp, vaulted space packed with avian-themed costumes and machine tools, a boys'-own-adventure clubhouse. At its center is the Owlship--a UFO-looking aircraft with two round windows that look like big shiny eyes.

Video: First Look: 'Funny People'

Young 'Slumdog' stars back in Mumbai slums

Adam Sandler plays a comedian who's forced to re-evaluate his life after getting some bad news in this new film, co-starring Seth Rogen.

Seth Green on mission to 'Mars'

from Hollywood Reporter by By Borys Kit

Seth Green will star in "Mars Needs Moms," Disney and Robert Zemeckis' ImageMovers' adaptation of the Berkeley Breathed children's novel.

Next 'Friday the 13th' in the works

from Hollywood Reporter by By Steven Zeitchik

Don't look now, but Jason could be coming back. New Line and Platinum Dunes are moving forward on a new "Friday the 13th."

from CNN.com - Entertainment

On Sunday night, Azharuddin Ismail and Rubina Ali were in Hollywood, California, getting celebrity treatment as eight Oscars were awarded to the movie they starred in, "Slumdog Millionaire."

"Slumdog" Child Actor Beaten By Dad

from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post News Team

THESE shocking images show Oscar winning Slumdog actor Azharuddin Mohammed receiving a vicious beating at the hands of his father.

Only days after walking down the red carpet in Hollywood the ten-year-old film star was slapped and kicked by dad, Ismail, after refusing to be put on display like a trophy.

Video: Inside The 'Slumdog' Slums

The Indian government and director Danny Boyle pledged to give "Slumdog" kids Rubina and Azhar new homes. Up until now, they lived in the real life slum -- Access takes you inside the dilapidated region.

Hopkins' 'King Lear' film scrapped

Video: Dish Of Salt: 'Jonas Brothers: The 3D Experience' Premiere

LONDON, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- A planned film version of William Shakespeare's play "King Lear," starring Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins, was scrapped, reportedly for economic reasons.

Schwarzenegger set for 'Expendables' cameo

Laura Saltman catches up with The Jonas Brothers at the premiere of their new film where they discuss their surprise visits to theaters across the U.S. Plus, did Wonder Woman really show up at their home asking for an autograph?

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed on to play himself in a cameo in Sylvester Stallone's upcoming movie, "The Expendables," E! News said.

Video: First Look: 'The Informers'

New Wolverine Poster and Promo Photos

Oscar-nominee Mickey Rourke plays a kidnapping thug in "The Informers" -- a sprawling drama set in Los Angeles in 1983. The film also stars Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Winona Ryder and Brad Renfro in his last role.

from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
IMPAwards has a lame new French poster for X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Also, XMenFilms has three new promo photos. Head on over to the respective websites to see the photos in higher resolution.

Martin Sheen gets political with new film

from MSNBC.com: Movies

His latest movie "Echelon Conspiracy" sees the man best known for his 7-year stint on "The West Wing," at the heart of a modern electronic surveillance conspiracy.

Jake Gyllenhaal And Jim Carrey Are 'Damn Yankees'

from MTV Movies Blog by Elisabeth Rappe

It looks like Hugh Jackman and his Oscar top hat were right -- the musical IS back. Variety reports that Jake Gyllenhaal and Jim Carrey are going to take Jackman at his word, and star in a remake of "Damn Yankees." It will be the first musical for both actors and yes, they will sing.

Eddie Murphy to Play Richard Pryor in Bill Condon's Biopic

from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)

Bill Condon had his biopic Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said? in development at The Weinstein Company, but they put it into turnaround so now Condon has attached Eddie Murphy as star and gone out to court the studios for a new deal.

TELEVISION

Here's Your Host, Jimmy Fallon -- and Some Subtle Promotion From NBC

from Advertising Age - Madison+Vine by bsteinberg@adage.com(Brian Steinberg)

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- In the wee hours next Tuesday morning, late-night TV viewers will get their first glimpse of comedian Jimmy Fallon as the host of NBC's "Late Night." And shortly afterward, potential viewers around the nation could encounter parts of a barrage of promotional efforts NBC has at the ready to help it maintain dominance in the time period -- even as it changes the personalities who have helped it achieve that status.

With a Two-Hour 'Idol,' Fox Wins Wednesday

from Advertising Age - MediaWorks by jrash@cmithun.com(John Rash)

MINNEAPOLIS (AdAge.com) -- If Tuesday was all about the American president, then Wednesday was all about "American Idol," as Fox ran a two-hour version that belted out a 9.1/23 rating and share in the ad-centric 18-to-49 demographic, drowning out ABC and CBS, which tied for second with a 2.7/7, and NBC and the CW, which finished fourth and fifth, respectively, with a 2.2/5 and .3/1.

Gwen Stefani & Crew to Visit Gossip Girl

from People.com Latest News

No Doubt will be the first chart-topping band to perform on the CW show

Kanye West's Radiohead Tirade, Chris Brown Comments Cut From VH1 Show

from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post News Team

During the taping, according to a Reuters reporter, West was aggrieved that Radiohead singer Thom Yorke had allegedly snubbed him backstage at the Grammys five days earlier. That hurt, West told the audience, because he idolizes the British band, and considers it one of his few creative rivals.

Ausiello: Callie's gal a 'Grey's' keeper!

from EW.com: TV

By Michael Ausiello

Michael Ausiello confirms exclusively Jessica Capshaw signs on for rest of this season -- and more?

MC Hammer to focus on family, business in TV show

from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By RYAN J. FOLEY

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (AP) -- Viewers of MC Hammer's new reality TV show shouldn't expect to see him lounging around the house in baggy pants.

"The Simpsons" Renewed Through Season 22, Sets Record

from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post News Team

LOS ANGELES -- Fox says it's renewing "The Simpsons" for another two seasons, which will secure its place as TV's longest-running prime-time series. Now in its 20th season, "The Simpsons" already had tied record-holder "Gunsmoke." The Western drama series aired for two decades on CBS before it ended in 1975.

Matt Groening looks to the future

from CNN.com - Entertainment

Matt Groening laughs -- a lot. Sometimes it's a chuckle of uncertainty, but mostly it's a big, rollicking guffaw. It's the sound of a man who still can't quite believe how much fun he gets to have at work -- work that includes "The Simpsons," still going strong after 20 years, "Life in Hell" and "Futurama."

'At the Movies' critics dish it out, take it too

from MSNBC.com: Movies

"At the Movies" critics Ben Mankiewicz and Ben Lyons have been taking criticism as well as dishing it out since joining the movie-review show last fall.

Bad knees won't keep Jewel off 'DWTS'

Brittany Snow to star in 'Gossip Girl' spinoff

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Singer Jewel says she won't let her injured knees prevent her from competing on the next edition of the U.S. television show "Dancing with the Stars."

from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva

It seems like the "Gossip Girl" spinoff has found its Lily. Brittany Snow is in final negotiations to topline the project, a prequel chronicling the wild teen years of Lily van der Woodsen (Kelly Rutherford) in Los Angeles during the 1980s.

Four pilots flesh out casts

from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva

Denis O'Hare has joined Fox's untitled Ian Biederman drama, David Morse has entered ABC's "Empire State," Lloyd Owen has been added to ABC's drama "Inside the Box," and Ben Feldman has been cast in ABC's drama "See Cate Run."

'Slumdog' folks helping IFC

from Hollywood Reporter by By James Hibberd

IFC's production of "Bollywood Hero" starring Chris Kattan has tapped "Slumdog Millionaire" partner Take One Prods. to supply the crew for the three-part miniseries' India-based efforts.

ABC navigates 'Crash Course'

from Hollywood Reporter by By James Hibberd

ABC is getting into the auto-reality race. The network is joining forces with the producers of "Hell's Kitchen" for a project in which contestants navigate a dangerous and outrageous obstacle course.

'Survivor' renewed for two more cycles

from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva

CBS has ordered two more cycles of its hit reality series "Survivor" to run next season.

Philipps, O'Donnell, Byrd land pilots

from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva

Busy Philipps is joining Courteney Cox on ABC's comedy pilot "Cougar Town," while Chris O'Donnell has closed his deal to star in CBS' "NCIS" spinoff.

MUSIC

'Horizon' evolves with U2's audacity, creativity, innovation

from USATODAY.com Music - Top Stories

U2's 12th album, 'No Line on the Horizon,' is a kaleidoscopic quest that rivals 1991's Achtung Baby for audacity and innovation.

Steven Page explains why he left Barenaked Ladies

Def Leppard returns to road, but may take break

TORONTO (AP) -- Singer-guitarist Steven Page says he decided to leave the Barenaked Ladies because he felt that his contributions as a songwriter were being diminished.

from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY

NEW YORK (AP) -- Def Leppard has become a fixture on the touring circuit over the last few summers, and this year is no different. The classic rock group plans to go out on the road again, this time with Poison and Cheap Trick.

Rare photos of Beatles to be shown

Jay Leno hauled before Writers Guild trial committee

NEW YORK, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The manager for The Beatles' and Rolling Stones' first U.S. tours says he is exhibiting his collection of photos of the bands at a New York gallery.

Axl Rose says Slash is "a cancer"

from Reuters: Entertainment News

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The handful of optimistic Guns N' Roses fans still holding out for a reunion of the band's classic lineup can probably call it a day.

ETC...

from L.A. Times - TV News

The late-night host is accused of having violated union rules when he penned his own monologues during a 100-day work stoppage that ended in early 2008. Leno says he's done nothing wrong.

Up, up and away: Rare Superman comic for sale