• James Woods and Dominic Purcell have signed on to the Straw Dogs remake.
• Peter Jackson's low-budget District 9 surprisingly took the top spot at the box office this weekend with an estimated $37 million in receipts. Meanwhile, no one was surprised that The Goods: Live Fast, Sell Hard came in sixth.
• Robert Downey Jr. could be taking over the role of the Vampire Lestat in a reboot of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. Come on, did you really think Rice wasn't going to take a bite out of the current vampire pie?
• The first production photo of Sam Worthington in Avatar has been release. Ooh! Wow! Actually, it's not that exciting.
• The Wayans Bros. are developing a sequel to their comedy White Chicks. Doesn't this qualify as torture? Can we get the Geneva Convention to rule in on this?
• James Vanderbilt has signed on to pen the fifth and sixth installments of Spider-Man. As Raimi has yet to sign on beyond the fourth film, look for Brett Ratner or McG to finally worm their way in.
• Mike Nichols will direct an adaptation of Deep Water, based on the book by Patricia Highsmith (The Talented Mr. Ripley).
BIZ
Industry Mobilizes to Create Measurement System Across All
Screens
from Advertising Age - MediaWorks by bsteinberg@adage.com(Brian Steinberg)
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- In the latest and clearest sign that TV audiences have begun to turn to other venues to enjoy their favorite programs, a large group of advertisers, media conglomerates and ad-buying firms have joined together to create a system to measure viewers across TV, the web and mobile screens.
Weinsteins Struggle to Regain Their Touch
from NYT > Movies by By DAVID SEGAL
Four years after Disney bought the Weinsteins out of Miramax, the brothers are under serious stress.
Sources: Weinsteins get $75M bridge loan
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
Universal execs under fire for a flop-filled season
Chairmen Marc Shmuger's and David Linde's summer slate -- three comedies and a period gangster picture -- didn't bring the box-office heat. The failed strategy could cost them their jobs.
The best is yet to come: 3D technology continues to evolve and
win audience approval
from Film Journal by Bill Mead
3D just keeps getting bigger and better in spite of the early skepticism that the trend wouldn't last.
How to (Maybe) Save Network Television
from The Wrap RSS by Michael Speier
Five ways to make the production process more efficient.
FILM
Weekend Box Office: August 14-16, 2009
from Box Office Mojo - Current Box Office Results
District 9 tops the box office with an estimated $37.0 million
Secrets of Grungy Alien Realism in 'District 9'
from Wired: Entertainment by Lewis Wallace
Real-world backdrops and creative camerawork help turn the sci-fi flick into a convincing cinematic experience. Director Neill Blomkamp and a WETA effects wizard talk about bringing the story of stranded extraterrestrials to the screen.
'G.I. Joe' continues overseas domination
from Hollywood Reporter by By Frank Segers
Expanding its No. 1 foreign run by 14 new markets on the weekend, Paramount's "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra's" overseas boxoffice tally nonetheless dropped nearly 40% from its opening round, registering $26.2 million overall from 7,039 screens in 49 territories.
Box Office: "It Might" Opens Loud
from indieWIRE News
Davis Guggenheim's "It Might Get Loud" topped all specialty openers this weekend, according to estimates provided by Rentrak earlier this afternoon. The doc - which features rare on-the-road discussions with Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White - grossed $101,078 from its 7 initial screens.
Sony sets writer to spin 'Spider-Man'
from Variety.com
Front Page: James Vanderbilt to pen upcoming sequels -- As Sony Pictures Entertainment preps a fourth installment of "Spider-Man" to begin production early next year, the studio has quietly engaged screenwriter James Vanderbilt to pen "Spider-Man 5" and "Spider-Man 6."
Cameron's 'Avatar' goes BIG with 16-minute sneak peek
from USATODAY.com Life - Top Stories
Leave it to James Cameron to super-size the movie trailer.
'Avatar' is 'Dances with Wolves' in space
James Cameron also shares his opinion of recent special-effects blockbusters.
The First 'Avatar' Still Hits The Internet, Features Sam
Worthington And A ThunderCat
from MTV Movies Blog by Adam Rosenberg
It was only a matter of time before hard evidence emerged that "Avatar" actually exists outside of convention halls and James Cameron's crazy mind.
Jennifer Aniston To Sing In Upcoming Movie
from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post
News Team
Jennifer Aniston is getting ready to show off her vocal chops.
'Wall Street 2' welcomes actress Mulligan
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- British actress Carey Mulligan reportedly has been hired for a role in the new U.S. movie "Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps."
James Woods and Dominic Purcell Join Rod Lurie's Straw Dogs
Remake
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com
(slashfilm.com)
We've known the main names in Rod Lurie's remake of Sam
Peckinpah's shattering film Straw Dogs. James Marsden, Kate
Bosworth and Alexander Skarsgard are toplining the film, which is in production
in Louisiana right now. But yesterday Lurie mentioned two more names on Facebook: James Woods and Dominic Purcell.
Robert Downey Jr. Is In Talks To Be The Next Vampire Lestat
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
After Neil Jordan's intense and vivid Interview With the Vampire and Michael Rymer's deathly dull Queen of the Damned, and in step with the current Twilight-fuelled vampmania, it looks that Universal is looking to reboot the cinematic incarnation of Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles.
Time-travel romances abound onscreen
'The Time Traveler's Wife' is the latest film featuring a romance between characters from different eras.
Brett Ratner Wants Pattinson for 'Youngblood'
from News in Film by Jeff Leins
When Brett Ratner says anything it's usually met with a groan, but this time
he's testing the limits of eye rolling. When MTV (the T stands for Twilight
now) talked to Ratner about possible stars for his adaptation of the
Youngblood comic book, the director had a popular name in mind.
Chris McQuarrie to Write Wolverine Sequel
from News in Film by Jeff Leins
Christopher
McQuarrie has signed to write a Wolverine sequel for Hugh Jackman and 20th
Century Fox
from News in Film by Jeff Leins
The film that will forever be billed as Heath Ledger's last performance, The Imaginarium of
Doctor Parnassus, has found U.S. distribution. Sony Picture Classics
already picked up the Terry Gilliam film for a release in Brazil, but the
pending deal could expand their rights to North America.
Film News: Tarantino relied on Eli Roth for short in
'Basterds' -- The film-within-a-film technique is nothing new, but Quentin Tarantino
may have come up with a new way of drumming up interest: Have a Jewish director
make a pro-Nazi propaganda short.
TELEVISION
from L.A. Times - TV News
Whether we're watching 'Mad Men' or 'American Idol,' it's clear that television has moved into film territory, offering variety and depth that's more likely to entertain than rot your brain.
Broadcasters stack Thursday lineups
TV Ratings: Heavy ratings showdown set for fall season -- Cable has broken through with another record primetime perf this summer, but soon the broadcasters will get their chance to shine.
Seinfeld to be first guest on Leno show
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Jerry Seinfeld is to be the first guest on the premiere of Jay Leno's new prime-time show, NBC announced.
'Saving Grace' ending after 3 seasons
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- TNT says its U.S. police drama "Saving Grace," starring Holly Hunter, will end next year after three seasons.
On 'Hoarders' and 'Clean House,' experts help families clear
unless things from their homes
from L.A. Times - TV News
The subjects have compulsions to collect, and it often puts them at risk.
Producers evict Chima from 'Big Brother 11'
CBS said producers removed the 33-year-old freelance journalist from the voyeuristic reality series for breaking the show's rules.
MUSIC
Top Online Song and Video Downloads
from Advertising Age - Madison+Vine
NEW YORK -- Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A." led the iTunes top downloaded songs last week.
Scarlett Johansson Ready To 'Break Up'
from Access Hollywood - Movies
Scarlett Johansson is gearing up for the release of her second studio album -- a collaboration with singer-songwriter Pete Yorn - due out this fall.
Madonna has birthday in Poland amid protests
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By VANESSA GERA
WARSAW, Poland (AP) -- Polish fans joined together in song to wish Madonna a happy birthday at a concert in Warsaw Saturday evening - just hours before she turned 51.
George Michael says he was sober during car crash
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ...
LONDON (AP) -- George Michael has been questioned by police after his car was involved in a late-night crash near London....
You're Bob Dylan? NJ police want to see some ID
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By WAYNE PARRY
Rock legend Bob Dylan was treated like a complete unknown by police in a New Jersey shore community when a resident called to report someone wandering around the neighborhood.
Carey publicist downplays cancellations
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- A publicist for Mariah Carey says there is no need for concern regarding the U.S. singer's decision to skip several upcoming appearances.
Nitrous oxide tanks seized at Phish show
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
HARTFORD, Conn., Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Police in Hartford, Conn., say they seized 18 nitrous oxide tanks and dozens of balloons during a show by the band Phish.
Elvis Week ends with candlelight vigil
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
MEMPHIS, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Police say 8,500 people took part in a candlelight vigil to mark the end of Elvis Week in Memphis and to remember singer Elvis Presley.
Thousands gather to remember Woodstock
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
BETHEL, N.Y., Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Thousands of people flocked to Bethel, N.Y., to honor the 40th anniversary of the original Woodstock Festival, observers said.
U2 guitarist defends huge stage
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LONDON, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- The Edge, a guitarist with the Irish rock group U2, said the huge stage the band plays on during its world tour is for the fans.
Singer Sparks joining Spears's Circus tour
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Jordin Sparks will be part of the second leg of fellow U.S. pop star Britney Spears's Circus tour, a post on Spears's blog confirmed.
Allen Shellenberger dies at 39; drummer for Orange County band
Lit
The musician, who set the beat for several top-10 Lit hits, succumbs to brain cancer 15 months after being diagnosed.
Christina Aguilera Experiments With M.I.A., Santigold On Next
Album
from MTV News
'I worked with so many amazing and incredibly talented people,' she says.
ETC...
Celebs At The White House: Hollywood Meets DC (PHOTOS)
from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post
News Team
Over time, many celebs have traveled from the red carpet to the White House,
including Elvis, Audrey Hepburn and Barbra Streisand.
Economy pushes game show contestants to play for keeps
from USATODAY.com Life - Top Stories
Who wants to be a millionaire?
