In Theaters This Holiday Week: November 25, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Foreign, Independent, Musicals, Period, Romance, Comedy, Lists, New Releases

Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

• Ninja Assassin (R): starring Ji-hoon “Rain” Jung, Rick Yune, Naomie Harris (directed by James McTeigue)
• Old Dogs (PG): starring John Travolta, Robin Williams, Seth Green (directed by Walt Becker)
• The Road (R): starring Viggo Mortensen, Robert Duvall, Kodi Smit-McPhee (directed by John Hillcoat)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Holiday Week: November 25, 2009

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Nine Addict Penelope Cruz

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Musicals, Romance, Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Filmmaking, Upcoming Releases

Penelope Cruz found working on her latest film, Nine, addictive.

The Broken Embraces actress formed a strong bond with her co-stars on the musical, which included Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman and Marion Cotillard, and particularly enjoyed their dance training.

“It was scary, but it was so much fun. It was great seeing that we were all feeling the same way. There was a great support system on that set, all the actors with each other and with Rob Marshall, the director. I had danced classical ballet before, so this was very different from what I had studied. We had a room in our building and we were all taking different classes. We would all pass each other in the hallway. All day, training. We all felt so free and so happy. Music was so present everywhere. That elevates people, music. It was so addictive, that experience.”

Rob admits he was amazed by the actress’ work ethic and dedication to giving the best possible performance while filming: “She knew we had to get in there and really be great, so she came in and worked like nobody’s business. She was the first one there and the last one to leave. She’d always want one more take. She’s a real perfectionist.”

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Zac Efron Thinks Action Role Could be Kiss of Death

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Action, Musicals, Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip

Have no fear, Shia—Zac Efron thinks it would be “weird” if he starred in an action movie (despite already having the body for it).

The High School Musical star, who became a teenage heartthrob after appearing in the Disney movie franchise, would love to try his hand at as a screen hero but fears his career could be over if the role wasn’t perfect.

“I would love to try an action film at some point, but not too soon. I think that can be a kiss of death. There’s got to be a real role that I can bring something unique and specific to, a way for me to do it believably. Until then, I think it would just come across as weird.”

The 22-year-old star also revealed he is in awe of actor Leonardo DiCaprio, despite disliking him when he was growing up: “I think Leonardo DiCaprio’s done a great job. I was dead set against the guy when I was growing up, kind of force-fed his image from Titanic. Since then, through very hard work and incredible performances, he’s done a complete 180. Now he’s one of my favorite actors. He’s at the top of his game.”

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Daniel Day-Lewis Scared of Singing

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Musicals, Romance, Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Filmmaking, Upcoming Releases

Daniel Day-Lewis didn’t think his singing and dancing was good enough to star in new musical movie Nine.

The Oscar-winning actor, who plays Italian film director Guido Contini in the hotly-anticipated film, had a crisis of confidence and asked the director Rob Marshall if there was anyone else who could take his role, because he had no confidence in his voice.

“I did say to Rob in the early stages, ‘Is there anyway of getting out of this? I have a list of actors who could do it tomorrow!’ He tried to convince me I could sing and I said, ‘You’ve no idea if I can sing or not!’ I sang feebly a couple of times, and on the grounds of that Rob managed to convince me it was worth pursuing.”

The 52-year-old actor, who is famous for his method acting, also joked that dancing was difficult because his body is so “creaky”: “I can do a lot of stuff, I can climb, I can run, I can cycle, I can box, but I can’t dance. I used a lot of 3-in-1 to lubricate those stiff joints. It’s not natural grace - that’s sheer effort of will. My limbs are a mass of scar tissue through years of doing things I shouldn’t have.”

Daniel stars in Nine alongside Penelope Cruz, Dame Judi Dench and Nicole Kidman.

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

First Look: Kate Hudson Sings and Dances in Nine

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Drama, Music, Musicals, Romance, Upcoming Releases, Videos

Back in 2001, Kate Hudson received an Oscar nomination for her role as a band groupie in Almost Famous. Now, the actress is getting her chance to do the singing…and dancing.

In Rob Marshall’s Nine, Hudson plays Stephanie, an American fashion journalist who comes into Guido Contini’s already busy life. Although Vogue writers aren’t usually the ones on the runway, Kate is given the opportunity to shine in a musical production called “Cinema Italiano.”

Nine - also starring Daniel Day-Lewis (Contini), Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Fergie, Sophia Lauren, Marion Cotillard and Judi Dench - will open wide on December 25.

Read More | Just Jared

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (2)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Footloose Looking for New Director

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Musicals, Remakes, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

The Footloose remake has temporarily been grounded.

Although Paramount’s had already lined up a new Ren McCormick (Chace Crawford) and Ariel Moore (Julianne Hough) for its planned update, the studio is now without a director.

Up until last week, Kenny Ortega (High School Musical, This Is It) was the man helming the project. Unfortunately, creative and budget differences lead to his exit. According to reports, Ortega wanted $30 million for a musical extravaganza while Paramount was looking at $25 million for something a bit edgier.

A statement from Ortega’s reps, though, claims his recent project was to blame for his departure. “Coming off the extraordinary project, Michael Jackson’s This is It, director Kenny Ortega has decided it is premature for him to commit to his next film and will not be moving forward with Footloose as previously reported.”

It’s believed Paramount will still try to keep to its March production start date.

Read More | Variety

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Mamma Mia Sequel? Here We Go Again

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Universal, Family, Music, Musicals, Sequels, Comedy, Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

Mamma Mia! star Amanda Seyfried recently confirmed that a sequel to the successful flick is in the works. So what’s the bad news? It, too, will feature ABBA music. Well, we can’t have it all.

“I will do it,” Seyfried reported. “And I know Meryl’s [Streep] game as well, so bring it on.”

Get ready for the sing-along.

Read More | Perez Hilton

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Forum Discussion
• Email this story

Sequel News: 30 Days of Night, Mad Max and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Horror, Musicals, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

30 Days of Night: Cold-loving bloodsuckers have just been granted a lengthier stay. Principal photography on 30 Days of Night: Dark Days, a sequel to the 2007 horror film, is already underway. The movie, which will be directed by Ben Ketai, will center on vampire hunters searching for a queen (Mia Kirshner). Diora Baird, Harold Perrineau, Kiele Sanchez and Rhys Coiro all co-star.

Click to continue reading Sequel News: 30 Days of Night, Mad Max and More

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Sneak Peek: New Video Clip From Nine

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Drama, Musicals, Romance, Casting, Filmmaking, Trailers, Upcoming Releases, Videos

Rob Marshall’s new film Nine is epic.

For one, the cast is impeccable: Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson, and Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson. That’s 7 Oscar wins and 11 Oscar nominations between them!

Secondly, this video—spliced with rehearsal footage and new clips of the film—just makes me more excited for musical (that could be my Chicago and Moulin Rouge fangirl in me). Having been partially based on Federico Fellini’s autobiographical 8 1/2, I can’t see why it won’t please audiences.

I suppose we shall find out on its opening day, December 25th; in the meantime, enjoy the video!

Read More | LA Times

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Casting Corner: Kristen Bell, Justin Long and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Disney, Universal, Action, Biopics, Classics, Drama, Independent, Musicals, Period, Remakes, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:

Kristen Bell: Who knew Veronica Mars was a dancer? Kristen Bell has just been added to the cast of Burlesque, a film that will see Christina Aguilera playing a small-town girl working at a cabaret-esque club in Los Angeles. The film, which stars Cher as the establishment’s owner, will feature Bell as the soon-to-be former lead dancer. Dancing with the Stars’ Julianne Hough will also do what she does best.

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Kristen Bell, Justin Long and More

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story