The Newsdesk 02.25.09 – Gore Verbinski’s Clue; Ellen Goes to the Dog Show
• Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) will bring a new version of the classic board game Clue to the big screen. Unless it has Tim Curry and multiple endings, we’ll wait for the Monopoly movie.
• Warner Bros. set release dates for Green Lantern, Christopher Nolan’s Inception, and several other tentpole movies. Plan your July of 2011 now!
• Ellen DeGeneres is returning to animation with the canine comedy Dog Show. Ellen’s dog will no doubt be adorably deadpan.
• Michel Gondry will direct Seth Rogen and Stephen Chow in the Green Hornet movie. Finally, the whimsical stoner hero America so desperately needs.
• Dreamworks Animation saw its profits take a tumble last quarter, despite Jack Black’s karate-chopping panda. Hey, Shrek can’t save the company every year.
• Guillermo del Toro wants to direct a “gothic-western” twist on The Count of Monte Cristo. If it was any other director, this would be a terrible idea.
• Iron Man helped Marvel Entertainment more than double its quarterly profit. So why are they lowballing Mickey Rourke and Samuel L. Jackson? Pony up, Stan Lee!
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 2/25/09
BIZ
Senator presses Ticketmaster to sell TicketsNow
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 … by By RYAN NAKASHIMA
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sen. Charles Schumer has urged
Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc. to sell off its TicketsNow resale subsidiary
that was at the core of an uproar over Bruce
Springsteen concert tickets.
from Hollywood Reporter by By Paul Bond
DreamWorks Animation reported Tuesday its fourth-quarter
profit fell 45% to $51.6 mililon on revenue that sunk 31% to $199.8 million.
Ad market hasn’t seen the worst yet
from Hollywood Reporter by By Paul J. Gough
The nation’s biggest media buyer is bearish on the ad market
for the time being.
Musicians seek royalties from broadcast radio
A group including Sheryl Crow, Herbie Hancock, Patti LaBelle
and Dionne Warwick urges Congress to require stations to pay performers when
their music is played.
Carl Icahn Notifies SEC That He May Add Or Remove Lionsgate
Board Members
from Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily by Nikki Finke
Until this week, the only official disclosure
from corporate raider/shareholder activist Carl Icahn has been that he’s
buying up Lionsgate stock because it’s “undervalued”. But that
all changed on Monday.
from Tribeca Film News and Features Feed by Kristin McCracken
With Watchmen on the horizon, can the world of the
fantastical stay as popular as it is now–a mega-genre studios can take to the
bank?
FESTIVALS
from Variety.com – Film Festivals
Film Festivals: Film event will be based in East Hampton —
The 17th annual Hamptons Film Festival will take place Columbus Day weekend,
Oct. 8-12.
MOVIES
Daily Box Office: Monday, February 23, 2009
from Box Office Mojo – Current Box Office Results
Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail tops Monday’s box office
with $2.5 million
Schwarzenegger to play himself in Stallone film
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 …
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Art will imitate life when Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger spends a few hours playing himself later this year in a
movie by Sylvester Stallone..
‘Slumdog’ Kids To Receive New Homes
from Access Hollywood – Movies
Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, two of the child actors
from the 2009 Best Picture winner “Slumdog Millionaire,” have had a non-stop
celebration during their time in Hollywood this past week, and the good news
will continue when they return home to Mumbai, India.
Gondry In Talks To Direct ‘Green Hornet’
from Access Hollywood – Movies
Columbia Pictures says it is in talks with “Eternal Sunshine
of the Spotless Mind” director Michel Gondry to replace Hong Kong comedian
Stephen Chow at the helm of its adaptation of “The Green Hornet.”
‘Slumdog’
Sweetheart Frieda Pinto
from Access Hollywood – Movies
“Slumdog” sweetheart Frieda Pinto is the new darling of
Hollywood. A former model, the film was Freida’s big screen debut and it wasn’t
long ago that she was just a girl in India with a “Titanic” dream.
‘Watchmen’ premieres, early reviews mixed
from MSNBC.com: Movies
The $120 million comic book adaptation “Watchmen,” one of 2009’s most eagerly
awaited films, has had its world premiere in London, and reviews on Tuesday
generally cast the movie as classy but no classic.
‘Watchmen’ Co-Creator Alan Moore Explains His Disgust With
Hollywood
from Splash Page by Casey Seijas
For the casual comic fan out there who only knows “Watchmen”
as a super-hyped film based on something called a “graphic novel,” the fact
that one of the book’s creators — legendary writer Alan Moore — wouldn’t want
his name attached to a film that’s sure to bring in beaucoup box office
receipts is probably quite confusing.
‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part II’ To Be Released
July 2011
from MTV Movies Blog by Brian Jacks
We may be three months away from the release “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood
Prince,” but Warner Bros. is already looking towards the future. “Exhibitor
Relations” reports the second part of “Deathly Hallows” — the final film in the
franchise — will hit theaters on July 15, 2011.
Bronson Pelletier To Join ‘New Moon’ Cast
from Access Hollywood – Movies
Canadian actor Bronson Pelletier is joining the cast of
“Twilight” sequel “New Moon,” according to his management.
Joss Whedon’s Theory On Why DC Comic Book Movies Usually Suck
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Academy Award-nominated and Hugo Award winning geek
writer/director Joss Whedon has a theory on why it’s so hard to translate DC
comic book characters to the big screen
‘Astro’ set for October release
from Variety.com
Web Exclusive: $25 million financing plan completre — The
feature version of “Astro Boy” is officially back on track for an
Oct. 23 release after producer Imagi Entertainment announced it’s completed a
$25 million financing plan.
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Universal Pictures has made a series of deals with Hasbro to
adapt board games and toys into big screen movies.
Michael Cera Stops Holding Out On Arrested Development Movie
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Nameless inside sources have apparently told E! Online’s
Watch With Kristin that Michael Cera has buckled and agreed to board the Arrested
Development movie.
Ellen DeGeneres set for ‘Dog’ voice cast
from Hollywood Reporter by By Borys Kit
Ellen DeGeneres is making a return to the animated big
screen.
Adams drops habit, picks up sponge for ‘Sunshine Cleaning’
from USATODAY.com Movies – Top Stories
From a squeaky-clean nun to a single mom who cleans. Amy
Adams follows her Oscar-nominated role in Doubt with Sunshine Cleaning
Melissa Leo jumps into ‘Waters’
from Variety.com
Exclusives: Actress joins cast of indie drama — Melissa Leo
has joined the cast of indie drama “Betty Ann Waters” alongside
Hilary Swank, Minnie Driver and Sam Rockwell.
TELEVISION
Ratings: ‘House’ wins Monday as ‘The Bachelor’ gains viewers
from Entertainment Weekly’s Hollywood Insider by Tim Stack
Fox’s House delivered a healthy showing last night with 14.7
million viewers, up 700,000 from the previous week’s airing. Its lead-out, 24,
also saw a boost in viewership with 11.6 million, an increase of 400,000 from
last week.
Evening News Ratings: Week of Feb. 16
from mediabistro.com: TVNewser
NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams placed first in Total
Viewers and the A25-45 demo again last week drawing more viewers than the prior
week. ABC’s World News, with Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos subbing,
finished more than 1.5 million Total Viewers behind Nightly News, but cut the
demo gap with NBC by 13% week-to-week.
February Ratings: MSNBC’s Best February Yet
from mediabistro.com: TVNewser
In weekday prime time (8-11pmET M-F), MSNBC was up 31% in
Total Viewers and up 4% in the A25-54 demo. In total day (6a-6a), MSNBC was up
17% in Total Viewers and up 7% in the demo. “Morning Joe” continues
to be the fastest growing morning cable news show — up 74% in the demo and up
41% in Total Viewers.
HBO’s ‘Chance’ breaks Iraq War losing streak
from The Live Feed by hollywoodreporter
While Hollywood focused on the Oscars last weekend, HBO
quietly shattered a creative community losing streak.
Paula Abdul: Fourth “Idol” Judge A Mistake
from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post
News Team
PAULA Abdul isn’t too keen on the addition of fourth judge
Kara DioGuardi to “American Idol” this season.
LL Cool J to star in ‘NCIS’ spin-off
from Variety.com
TV News: Rapper-actor to play former Navy SEAL — LL Cool J
is getting on the gumshoe beat. The rapper-actor has been set to star in CBS’ planned
spinoff of “NCIS.”
Lindsay Price cast in ‘Eastwick’ pilot
from Entertainment News – UPI.com
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25 (UPI) — Lindsay Price has signed up
for a role in the pilot for a small-screen version of “The Witches of
Eastwick,” The Hollywood Reporter said.
‘Late Night’ host Fallon just wants to have fun
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 … by By FRAZIER MOORE
NEW YORK (AP) — After a bullish staff meeting (which ended
with a cheer) and before a wardrobe fitting (strictly suit-and-tie), Jimmy
Fallon took time to marvel at how busy he is these days.
The Roots gear up for ‘Late Night’
from The Hollywood Reporter – Music by By Gail Mitchell,
Billboard
Fans of the Roots can rest easy: the Philadelphia-based band
has started work on a new album and still plans to tour. But the Grammy
Award-winning group’s primary focus right now is its new gig as the house band
for “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”
Richter, O’Brien to reunite on `Tonight Show’
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 …
LOS ANGELES (AP) — NBC says Andy Richter and Conan O’Brien
will be back together again on late-night TV.
Gay Asians criticize Oscar speech’s TV censorship
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 … by By SEAN YOONG
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Gay Asians voiced indignation
Wednesday after television broadcasts of the Academy Awards in their region
censored the words “gay” and “lesbian” in speeches that
called for equal rights for homosexuals.
‘Grey’s’: Oh, brother! Another twist
from EW.com: Today’s Latest Headlines by Michael Ausiello
This week in Ausiello TV: Does Meredith have another
long-lost sibling on ”Grey’s Anatomy”
CW: More ‘90210,’ ‘Gossip Girl’!
from EW.com: Today’s Latest Headlines by Michael Ausiello
”Supernatural,” ”Smallville,” ”One Tree Hill,” ”Top
Model” also coming back; no word on ”Privileged”
NBC eyeing ‘I’m a Celebrity’ revival
from Hollywood Reporter by By James Hibberd
NBC is looking to adapt the hit British series “I’m a
Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!”
Helmer James Burrows signs up for two pilots
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
Veteran TV director James Burrows has signed on to direct
two comedy pilots, Fox’s “Absolutely Fabulous” and NBC’s “100
Questions for Charlotte Payne.”
Lou Diamond Phillips in ‘Stargate Universe’
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
Lou Diamond Phillips, Ming-Na, Elyse Levesque and Alaina
Huffman round out the cast of Sci Fi Channel’s new original series “SGU:
Stargate Universe.”
“Oh God” Heard From MSNBC Set As Gov. Jindal Appears
for GOP Response
from mediabistro.com: TVNewser
As Louisana Gov. Bobby Jindal approached the camera to
deliver the GOP response to Pres. Obama last night, someone on the MSNBC set
whispered “Oh God.” But the whisper was loud enough to be heard by
anyone who was watching MSNBC.
MUSIC
Singer-guitarist leaves the Barenaked Ladies
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 …
TORONTO (AP) — Singer-guitarist Steven Page has left the
Barenaked Ladies
The Killers countersue former manager in Las Vegas
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 …
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Killers are countersuing a former
manager in federal court in Nevada, where the two sides seek millions of
dollars from each other over breach-of-contract allegations.
Power
Pop Supergroup Tinted Windows Talks Debut Album
from Billboard News – All by Katie Hasty, N.Y.
Newly-formed power pop supergroup, with members of Hanson,
Cheap Trick, Smashing Pumpkins, and Fountains of Wayne, have set an April 21
release date for their debut self-titled album, due via S-Curve.
Beastie Boys finishing up ‘weird’ new album
from Entertainment Weekly’s Hollywood Insider by Simon
Vozick-Levinson
The Beastie Boys are putting the finishing touches on their
eighth studio album. “It’s a pretty weird record,” rapper Adam Yauch
(MCA) told EW at last weekend’s Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica,
Calif.
Illusionist Spills Britney’s Circus Tour Secrets
from People.com Latest News by David Caplan
A magician traveling with Spears dishes on her body, her
dancing and sawing her in half!
Band of Horses gallops through spring
from Top Stories from LiveDaily.com
(LiveDaily.com) Indie-rockers Band of Horses [ tickets
] have mapped a late-spring headlining trek that includes a special
all-acoustic performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Rachael Yamagata’s ‘Teeth Sinking’ into spring tour
from Top Stories from LiveDaily.com
(LiveDaily.com) Alt-rock artist Rachael Yamagata [ tickets
] will spend March and part of April bringing her latest album, “Elephants
… Teeth Sinking Into Heart,” to audiences across the US.
Faith No More readies European reunion tour
from Top Stories from LiveDaily.com
(LiveDaily.com) After an 11-year hiatus, Faith No More [ tickets
] will reunite for a summertime tour of Europe.
AFI plans June gig, album release
from Top Stories from LiveDaily.com
(LiveDaily.com) Rock outfit AFI [ tickets
] has announced the impending release of its eighth studio album, as well the
group’s first performance of 2009. “Crash Love,” the follow-up to
2006’s “Decemberunderground,” will hit shelves later this year
ONLINE
History.com preps series of bizarre tales
from Hollywood Reporter by By Mike Shields, Mediaweek
History has announced plans to launch “Great and
Telling Tales With Timothy Dickinson,” the network’s first original series
for the Web.
ETC…
LucasFilm Says “Star Wars: A Musical Journey” Bound
For U.S.
from Rolling Stone: Features
After launching at London’s O2 arena in April, a live stage treatment of the
Star Wars series, Star Wars: A Musical Journey, will make its way to the
U.S.
NY Post drops legendary gossip columnist Liz Smith
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 … by By AMY WESTFELDT
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Post is dropping Liz Smith’s
column this week to save money, leaving the legendary gossip columnist without
a newspaper home in the city for the first time in 33 years. “I’m very
sorry that that has come to an end, and that I wasn’t valuable enough for them
to keep me on,” the 86-year-old Smith said Tuesday.
‘Spider-Man’ Set For Feb. 2010 Broadway Opening
from Access Hollywood – Movies
Spider-Man has conquered the movies. Now it’s Broadway’s
turn.
from Peter Bart
The Oscar show sealed his fate: Joaquin Phoenix is now part
of Hollywood mythology; at least that sub-set dealing with celebrity
interviews.